Inside Washington

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Statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s release of FY2022 Omnibus language

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Statement on the House Appropriations Committee’s release of FY2022 Omnibus language

The National Wildlife Refuge Association strongly supports increased funding for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the largest system of public lands set aside for wildlife in the world. Covering 95 million acres of land and 750 million acres of ocean, the Refuge System is currently funded at just under 60¢ per acre per year. Year after year, the Refuge System remains underfunded, with little traction in Congress to increase funding for habitat that serves not just wildlife species, but people as well.

Looking Forward To Working With Martha Williams As Confirmed Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Looking Forward To Working With Martha Williams As Confirmed Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The National Wildlife Refuge Association congratulates Martha Williams on her confirmation as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Director Williams’ many years of experience in wildlife conservation, policy, and management will serve her well in her tenure leading the National Wildlife Refuge System, the largest and most expansive set of lands set aside for wildlife and habitat in the world.

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House Passes Build Back Better : Includes Repeal Of Oil & Gas Program In Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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House Passes Build Back Better : Includes Repeal Of Oil & Gas Program In Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The House passed their historic Build Back Better bill, which includes billions of dollars to fund climate change solutions, including additional conservation on the ground, the creation of a Climate Conservation Corps, and, most importantly for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the repeal of the oil and gas leasing program in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

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House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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House Bill Proposes Repeal of Oil and Gas Program in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge Association strongly supports the language released yesterday by the House of Representatives in their Build Back Better reconciliation bill that repeals the disastrous oil and gas development program on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This bill also buys back the leases that were improperly sold in January to ensure they will be canceled. The language included in the bill would repeal the creation of the oil and gas program included in the 2017 Tax Act, repeal the addition of an oil and gas program as a “purpose of the refuge”, and buy back the leases sold in the last minute sale before the change of administrations.

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Martha Williams Nominated To Be The 23rd Director Of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

President Joe Biden has nominated Martha Williams to be the 23rd Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge Association is proud to support Martha Williams, who has been acting as Director since January 20th, and looks forward to supporting her confirmation in the Senate.

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Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

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Protections Restored To The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

President Joe Biden will sign a Proclamation restoring protections to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, the first marine monument in the Atlantic Ocean. This monument, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, protects unique geological features and habitats for whales, puffins, turtles, and deep-sea corals.

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

Government Shutdown Averted For Now, Please Contact Your Members Of Congress

On the last day of the fiscal year, Congress has finally passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 3rd. While a shutdown has been averted, there are no increases to funding in this legislation.

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Protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Restored To Benefit Birds

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Protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act Restored To Benefit Birds

The Biden Administration formally announced the revocation of the rule finalized on January 7, 2021 that severely limited the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and exempted industry from punishment for causing deaths or harm to migratory birds. Begun as a treaty with Canada in 1916 and since codified into law, the MBTA originally protected migratory bird species from the feather trade.

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National Wildlife Refuge Association Supports House Reconciliation Language That Would Reverse Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Program

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National Wildlife Refuge Association Supports House Reconciliation Language That Would Reverse Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Drilling Program

The Natural Resources Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives passed their portion of the budget reconciliation package that is being drafted in both chambers of Congress. The committee’s bill included a repeal of the oil and gas leasing program on the Arctic National WIldlife Refuge in Alaska and a buy-back of the existing leases. This language will now be included in the full reconciliation bill and voted on by the full House of Representatives.

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Wildlife Refuges Targeted for Huge Funding Increase by White House

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Wildlife Refuges Targeted for Huge Funding Increase by White House

The National Wildlife Refuge Association is thrilled to see a large increase for the National Wildlife Refuge System Operations and Maintenance Fund in the President’s FY2022 budget request. This increase to $584 million, $81 million more than current enacted funding, will go towards hiring additional staff to tackle invasive species, protect wildlife and habitat, and perform biological work and visitor services on wildlife refuges. This request is historic: $584 million is by far the largest proposed budget for Refuge System O&M ever.