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Ducks Unlimited: Emergency Funding Sought for Habitats

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Ducks Unlimited is asking Congress to approve emergency funding for the protection of dwindling waterfowl production habitat.

The new legislation is being sought because of accelerating loss of habitat, particularly in the duck breeding areas of North America.

"The continued rapid loss of wetlands and other waterfowl habitat jeopardizes the future of waterfowl populations," said DU President Jim Hurlburt.

"We are asking Congress to act quickly, to create a 2006 Emergency Wetlands Loan Act and pass it soon."

At a recent special meeting at Ducks Unlimited headquarters, senior DU volunteers and conservation staff from across the continent met to discuss important conservation issues affecting the future of waterfowl, including this proposed legislation.

"Waterfowl habitat continues to be lost or degraded at staggering rates in the northern regions of this country," said DU's Executive Vice President Don Young. "Right now, we have nearly 600 landowners in the Dakotas alone who are waiting to work with DU and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect nearly 300,000 acres of critical wetlands and grasslands."

Young estimated it will cost around $47 million to protect those lands enough to ensure continued waterfowl production.

The proposed legislation would provide an upfront loan to make sure these wetlands and grasslands are not lost.

And a recent DU study showed that if such protection of those vital areas is not accomplished at the present time, the ultimate financial cost will be much higher than it is today.

Source: Tulsa World

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