Political Quotes

“today I join my colleague from the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Chafee, in introducing legislation to extend and improve the North American Wetlands Conservation Act before its spending authorization expires at the end of 1994. I introduced the North American Wetlands Conservation Act in 1989 to protect, enhance, and restore North American wetland ecosystems and the migratory birds and other fish and wildlife that depend on these habitats. More than one-third of all rare and endangered species of plants and animals are dependent on wetland ecosystems. The destruction of wetlands in the United States, where many migratory bird species breed, spells disaster for these species just as surely as the destruction of forests in Central and tropical South America, where they winter. From the mid-1950's to the mid-1970's, 9 million acres of wetlands were drained, filled, and cleared in the lower 48 States. Less than half of the original 200 million acres remain, and the destruction continues today at a rate of nearly 300,000 acres per year. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act began a long-term commitment between the United States, Canada, and Mexico to implement the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to halt the decline of many species of ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. The act provides a mechanism for transfer of United States funds to Canada and Mexico, so that critical habitat throughout North America can be protected.”