The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which has been working since August to develop budget recommendations that will reduce our nation's deficit, has officially announced they will be unable to reach an agreement by the November 23 deadline. The panel, which is commonly referred to as the Super Committee, was appointed to identify and agree to an additional $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions over the next ten years. Since the Super Committee was unable to reach an agreement, across the board budget cuts will go into effect in 2013. 
 
Due to the failure to agree on a budget reduction proposal, the future of many vital conservation programs, such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and sections of the farm bill conservation title, remains uncertain.  
 
"The Super Committee may have folded, but DU's efforts to secure funding for conservation programs are proceeding," DU Director of the Governmental Affairs Office Scott Sutherland said. "It is important that sportsmen continue to note waterfowl and other wildlife are not the only ones benefitting from these programs. Many small businesses and local economies rely on the outdoor sporting community to generate revenue and cannot afford deep cuts to conservation programs." 
 
In this time of economic uncertainty, it is important that conservation programs that bring jobs, revenue and long-term conservation health to our nation are not disproportionally targeted. Conservation programs are community investments that benefit everyone and it is up to waterfowl supporters to let Congress know that overall funding for conservation is important to them in their lives and that these programs provide excellent return on federal investments.

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to support conservation funding today!