Legislation to protect vital habitat now, before its too late

The Wetlands Loan Act would protect priority waterfowl habitat before land prices increase.

The Wetlands Loan Act is a new bill that would provide a $400 million boost to the National Wildlife Refuge System to acquire and protect new land for waterfowl habitat conservation.

With land prices increasing rapidly across the country, it has become more difficult to protect waterfowl habitat on the current duck stamp revenues.  This loan would help the Refuge System protect land critical for breeding and wintering waterfowl now, before they are either developed or too expensive.

The $400 million would be spread out over a period of ten years, and would be accompanied by an increase to the price of the duck stamp.  This increase would used to pay back the loan.

For more information on the duck stamp, please see the US Fish and Wildlife website