MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 20, 2006 – The Senate Appropriations subcommittee for Agriculture, Rural Development and Related Agencies today approved full funding for 250,000 acres for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). This approval agrees with President Bush’s budget request for full funding for the program.
After approval from the full Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate and House of Representatives will go to conference to determine how many acres will actually be funded in WRP in fiscal year 2007. Earlier this month, the House recommended reducing WRP funding to an all-time low of almost 145,000 acres.
“The subcommittee’s recommendation to fully fund 250,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program is good for farmers and ranchers, and for hunters and anglers,” said Ducks Unlimited Executive Vice President Don Young. “Now, more than ever, we need strong wetlands restoration programs in light of yesterday’s Supreme Court decision that questions how far the Clean Water Act goes in protecting already existing wetlands. Society is quickly learning the many benefits wetlands provide, and the Wetlands Reserve Program is one of the best ways to bring them back.”
Scientific studies overwhelmingly prove that wetlands act as filters, cleaning water and recharging groundwater supplies. Wetlands also trap and hold flood waters, lessening the damage from floods and hurricanes. And, wetlands provide a home to more than 900 wildlife species at some time during their lives, making wetlands the most prolific ecosystem in the world.
The Wetlands Reserve Program is a farm bill conservation program popular with farmers and ranchers nationwide. To date, more than 1.6 million acres of wetlands and surrounding areas have been restored or conserved through WRP. Demand is so high for WRP that more than 1 million acres went unfunded during 2004 and 2005.
Contact: Laura Houseal
901-758-3764
lhouseal@ducks.org
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands – nature’ s most productive ecosystem – and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.