DU NEEDS YOU
DON'T DRAIN THE DUCK FACTORY
Now is the time to expand and protect conservation investments—not weaken them.
Last Friday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened a 14-day public comment period on the regulations that protect some of the most important easements in the Prairie Pothole Region. Today, the progress we have made to protect these habitats faces an urgent threat. If these crucial regulations are changed or removed, the threat becomes reality. Importantly, YOU have an opportunity to help protect critical breeding habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region with just a few clicks on your phone or computer.
It is critical that you, as our most informed and connected supporters, submit comments that are firmly in favor of keeping the existing regulations in place.
For 60 years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has followed a “No Impact” policy for wetlands protected by voluntary easement contracts, which prohibit draining, filling, or burning these wetlands. DU supports maintaining this policy of “no impact” while providing safe harbor for landowners with approved tile drainage plans. Weakening the rule could result in changes that would have a devastating impact on habitat in the prairies.
Please take a few minutes to follow the link and share your thoughts. You can leave a comment that will be submitted directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are told that personalized comments are weighted more heavily than simple petition signatures.
For 89 years, people like you have helped protect wetlands and other habitats to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.
Thank you for taking action to protect the future of waterfowl breeding habitat in North America.
Just the facts
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is reviewing a rule that protects voluntary easement wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR).
- The PPR is North America’s “Duck Factory,” producing over half of the continent’s migratory waterfowl.
- Hunters, anglers, and conservationists have invested billions in these easements through Duck Stamps, hunting licenses, and Pittman-Robertson funding.
- Without these investments, droughts would have likely led to restricted hunting seasons.
- For more than 60 years, USFWS policy has prohibited drainage of these easements, supported by both Republican and Democratic administrations.
- USFWS ensures wetlands Americans paid to conserve are protected from nearby drain tile installations.
- The rule gives landowners certainty with science-based setbacks and regulatory safe harbor protections.
- Aligning USFWS setbacks with NRCS Swampbuster standards would lead to widespread drainage and loss of protected duck habitat.
- With waterfowl populations near restrictive hunting levels, now is the time to expand and protect conservation investments.
- The current rule is effective: it prevents drainage, provides individualized plans, and offers safe harbor to compliant landowners.
- If the rule is weakened, protected wetlands—and hunting heritage—are at risk.
- No wetlands means no waterfowl, and no hunting heritage.
- USFWS should maintain its 60-year precedent and keep the rule to protect conservation easements, wildlife habitat, and America’s outdoor traditions.
