Ducks Unlimited welcomes release of EPA report on wetlands, streams
WASHINGTON – Sept. 18, 2013 – On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a 331-page draft report entitled, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence. It will be published in the Federal Register with a 45-day period of public review and comment. The strength of the report’s science and conclusions about the linkages, or connectivity, between wetlands, streams and other waters will be a key consideration in determining the extent to which Clean Water Act protections can be restored to many wetlands vital to maintaining waterfowl populations.
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Ducks Unlimited supports initial Gulf restoration strategy
Ducks Unlimited is pleased by the progress toward Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration represented in the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s newly released report, “The Path Forward to Restoring the Gulf Coast.” The report details the strategy for allocation of Gulf Coast restoration funds directed by the RESTORE Act.
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Conservation: Gains and Losses
While progress has been made in conserving the nation's wetlands, these vital habitats continue to decline at an alarming rate
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Louisiana legislators approve 2012 Coastal Master Plan
On May 22, the Louisiana legislature unanimously approved the updated, $50 billion, 50-year Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, aimed at stopping coastal land loss in Louisiana, the last step in an approval process that began in January.
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New report says addressing Louisiana coastal loss is worth national investment
A recent report by the Mississippi River Delta Science and Engineering Special Team addressed 10 fundamental questions about saving the Mississippi River Delta, including how to reverse coastal marsh loss, what impacts could result from restoration efforts and the economic blow to Louisiana and the nation if this important coastal ecosystem is lost.
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Ducks Unlimited, partners brief Congress, urge coastal restoration
WASHINGTON - March 5, 2012 - It's been nearly two years since the nation witnessed the largest oil spill in U.S. history. In that time, Congress still has not passed legislation to direct oil spill penalty funds to the Gulf Coast and its multi-billion-dollar natural-resources-based economy.
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DU staff among key speakers on wetlands protection, conservation funding at Kansas Natural Resources Conference
Last week, two members of Ducks Unlimited's conservation staff were among four key speakers during a plenary session at the Kansas Natural Resources Conference in Wichita. This year's conference, with a theme of "Wetlands: The Jewels of Kansas," was attended by nearly 400 representatives from the state and regional conservation community.
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New Wisconsin wetlands legislation needs modification to protect habitat, state economy
New legislation aims to improve and streamline the wetland permitting process in Wisconsin, but with the positive changes come certain aspects DU is asking Wisconsin legislators to address.
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Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative
In the summer of 2010, as the Deepwater Horizon disaster poured oil into the Gulf of Mexico, Ducks Unlimited, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation joined forces to provide alternative habitat for the millions of migratory birds that would soon wing their way to the Gulf Coast.
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Gulf Coast Restoration Legislation in the 112th Congress
For decades, DU has been working to promote long-term large scale wetlands restoration in the Gulf Coast region to pair with our on-the-ground restoration efforts. Since the spill, DU and its partners have been successful in getting Congress to introduce legislation that ensures penalties paid by the responsible parties under the Clean Water Act are directed back to the Gulf Coast region for restoration.
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RESTORE Act: Directing CWA penalties back to restoration efforts in the Gulf
Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster, DU and its partners have formally requested that Congress support legislation to ensure penalties paid by the responsible parties under the Clean Water Act (CWA) be used to restore the Gulf Coast region.
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DU Commends Senate Effort to Restore Gulf Coast After Spill
Ducks Unlimited lauded a group of U.S. Senators from Gulf Coast states last week as they introduced legislation that supports ensuring penalties paid by BP under the Clean Water Act are directed back to the Gulf Coast region. The legislation, known as the RESTORE the Gulf Coast Act of 2011, would direct 80 percent of BP penalties paid under the Clean Water Act toward the long-term health of the Gulf region's coastal ecosystems and economies.
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DU Lauds Senate Effort to Restore Gulf Coast After Spill
DU commended a group of U.S. Senators from Gulf Coast states as they introduced legislation that supports ensuring penalties paid by BP under the Clean Water Act are directed back to the Gulf Coast region.
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House introduces legislation to defund Clean Water Act guidance
In April, the Administration initiated steps to restore Clean Water Act protections to many wetlands and other waterways. While sportsmen across the country support efforts to establish Clean Water Act guidance that will clarify how to sustain wetlands and conserve the prairie potholes, the nation's most important breeding habitat, recent actions in the U.S. House of Representatives are threatening to stop this important effort.
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Agriculture Exemptions Remain
The proposed guidance from EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers does not change the exemptions for farming under the Clean Water Act and current regulations.
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Policy News 3-18
Ducks Unlimited Receives Highest Honor from USDA-NRCS; DU Leaders Visit Capitol Hill, Discuss Waterfowl Initiatives with Nation's Top Policymakers; DU explains importance of Clean Water Act draft guidance during media briefing
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Policy News 3-17
DU lauds process to restore wetlands protections critical to waterfowl; Secretary of Interior Salazar Meets with DU in Pothole Country; DU's work in Wisconsin praised by Congressman Tom Petri
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Importance of Clean Water Protections to Wetlands
When the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972, it intended to “protect and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.” The act was effective in slowing wetland loss and improving the quality of our nation’s waters.
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DU Supports Process to Restore Protections, Shield Wetlands, Waters Critical to Waterfowl
Ducks Unlimited has long supported the needs of waterfowl and sportsmen, and therefore supports the initiation of an open, transparent process by which long-standing CWA protections can be restored to wetlands important to waterfowl. This process began with today's release of draft regulatory guidance. The draft guidance seeks to more clearly define which U.S. waters are subject to CWA protections. The guidance is open to comment from the public.
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Policy News 3-16
DU to sportsmen: Ask Congress to direct oil spill fines back to Gulf Coast restoration; DU helps protect Miss. land grants funding from massive budget cuts; Natural Resources Trustees announce $1 billion down payment for Gulf Coast restoration efforts
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Why Clean Water Wetland Protections Matter to Hunters
And actions DU supports to realize those protections
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Policy News 3-3
DU conservation staff discuss common ground issues with Farm Bureau; Conservation hero makes surprise visit to GLARO office, discusses issues affecting Great Lakes region; Sen. Stabenow, DU present at Farm Bill Forum; DU's Conservation Programs Committee meets to discuss 2012 Farm Bill, Clean Water and other policy issues
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The Waters of the United States
The future of prairie potholes and many other wetlands depends on how this simple phrase is interpreted
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Ducks Unlimited and Clean Water
Millions of acres of wetlands are in danger of being polluted or drained because they are considered "geographically isolated"—even though these areas are critical for America's drinking water and waterfowl habitat.
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