Last week, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced significant purchases of wetland habitats across the country. In a press release, the government department said that it had successfully conserved 21,737 acres of waterfowl habitat—and in the process, will increase public access on four national wildlife refuges.
The recent land purchases were greenlit by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which was created by the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 to approve the purchases and leases of wetland habitat as well as allocate grants for habitat restoration projects. The federal commission is supported by staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and includes a bipartisan group of lawmakers and several appointed federal officials.
The most recent purchases drew on funds from sales of the Federal Duck Stamp, as well as Pittman-Robertson Act taxes. In total, the Commission spent $54 million to purchase waterfowl habitat at four different national wildlife refuges—17,023 acres at Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, 3,285 acres at Rid River National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, 495 acres at Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge in Tennessee, and 934 acres at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah.
“The Duck Stamp program has been instrumental in conserving wetlands around the country for more than 90 years in the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “These national wildlife refuges and many others across the United States show our ongoing commitment to improving public access to recreational activities for American traditions, such as hunting, fishing, and birdwatching.”
“These new areas on national wildlife refuges will help bolster wetlands conservation and increase habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife while expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for surrounding communities,” added USFWS Director Brian Nesvik.
The news comes on the heels of several other recent announcements benefiting waterfowl hunters from the U.S. Department of the Interior. On August 27, the department announced 42 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities within the National Wildlife Refuge System, including new migratory bird opportunities or hunting area expansions on 10 refuges. Additionally, on August 4, the department allocated $102.9 million to help conserve or restore over half a million acres of critical wetland habitat.
The recent actions by the feds underscore the importance of conservation tools like the federal Duck Stamp, as well as the Pittman-Robertson Act excise taxes on guns, ammo, and hunting gear, to directly conserve and restore habitat and increase hunting opportunities for the birds we love to hunt.