H.E.L.P. for Wildlife Act
U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), joined with Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Boozman (R-AR), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to introduce S. 1514, the Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation (HELP) for Wildlife Act. Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Angus King (I-ME) have also joined in support of the legislation as co-sponsors.
The bipartisan legislation will establish several important government conservation programsand reauthorize existing wildlife legislation. The HELP for Wildlife Act will also provide regulatory clarity for sportsmen.
What They Are Saying About the HELP for Wildlife Act:
“America has been blessed with remarkable wildlife. The HELP Wildlife Act promotes conservation based on sound science and provides needed protections for America’s sportsmen." – Chairman John Barrasso
“A healthy Bay means a healthy economy for Maryland and the entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed region, which cannot be accomplished without a reliable federal partner. I urge appropriators to take note of the bipartisan support for authorizing these programs, despite the president’s lack of understanding of their worthiness. States rely on the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program to provide federal accountability, enforceability, and resources to restore the health of this national treasure. Combined with reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Initiative, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and protection for our fish and birds, this bipartisan bill is a significant victory for the Bay. Less pollution means more oysters and crabs, healthier farmland, more boats and tourism on the water, and more jobs.” – Senator Cardin
“We are so fortunate to live in a country as full of natural beauty and as rich in wildlife as the United States, and it’s important we take steps to preserve those resources. This legislative package includes a number of important measures that will help protect our unique ecosystems and enable us to better enjoy our country’s natural gifts, both in wild and wonderful West Virginia and across the country. I am proud to have introduced a number of bills reflected in this legislation—including measures to support the building and expansion of public target ranges, as well as the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.” – Senator Capito
“Hunting and fishing are not just hobbies in Minnesota – they’re a way of life – and major drivers in the outdoor and recreation economies. This bipartisan legislation will create greater opportunities for outdoor recreation, hunting, and fishing so Minnesotans can continue to enjoy our state’s outdoor traditions." – Senator Klobuchar
“This bill protects our natural environment and wildlife for the enjoyment of future generations. In addition, it includes a provision that will protect Arkansas farmers who follow prescribed best practices when safeguarding their crops from certain migratory bird species. Promoting common sense conservation policies that do not create undue burdens on states and landowners is a clear win,” – Senator Boozman
“Wisconsin has long been a national leader for conservation and we have a proud tradition of hunting, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. Our bipartisan legislation will help protect these traditions for future generations and safeguard the natural resources we are blessed to enjoy in Wisconsin.” – Senator Baldwin
Groups that Support the HELP for Wildlife Act include:
Specifically, the HELP for Wildlife Act will:
- Reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act until 2023;
- Reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Act until 2023;
- Reauthorize the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act until 2023, protecting birds like Wyoming’s Western Meadowlark and the Baltimore Oriole;
- Prohibit judicial review of the final rule de-listing the gray wolf in Wyoming that was reinstated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on March 3, 2017 and republished on May 1, 2017;
- Mandate the reissuance of the final rule de-listing the gray wolf in the western Great Lakes and prohibits judicial review;
- Reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program until 2023;
- Reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails network and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program until 2023;
- Finalize partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties for promoting fish conservation;
- Prevent farmers from being held liable for bird baiting for hunting purposes if they adhere to USDA and state agricultural best practices; and
- Promote the building and expansion of public target ranges.
To view full text of the legislation, click here.
Latest News:
EPW Committee Passes HELP for Wildlife Act with Bipartisan Support
The HELP for Wildlife Act Includes Many Benefits for Wyoming
Barrasso Highlights Bipartisan HELP for Wildlife Act
Wyoming’s Brian Nesvik Testifies Before the Senate on the HELP for Wildlife Act
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Wildlife LegislationWILD Act
Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) and ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) joined with several other Senators to introduce S. 826, the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver (WILD) Act.
The WILD Act will promote wildlife conservation, assist in the management of invasive species, and help protect endangered species. The bipartisan legislation will reauthorize government conservation programs to protect animals like elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, turtles, and more.
THE WILD Act will also establish cash-prize competitions for technological innovations in the prevention of illegal poaching and trafficking, management of invasive species, promotion of conservation, and protection of endangered wildlife.
The WILD Act Will Help Protect:
Asian Elephants African Elephants
Click here to view a livestream of Asian Elephants.
Tigers Great Apes
Marine Turtles Rhinoceros
Click here to view a livestream of Marine Turtles.
The WILD Act Will Help Manage Invasive Species
An “invasive” is a species that isn’t natural to an area but when it is introduced, causes harm to local wildlife. Invasive species have led to other species being placed on the endangered species list. Plant invasive species have also exacerbated serious fires. The WILD Act will help manage invasive species like:
Burmese Python Asian Carp
Salt Cedar Cheatgrass
What they are saying about the WILD Act:
“We must be good stewards of wildlife. The WILD Act promotes innovation to safeguard threatened wildlife and helps manage invasive species. This bipartisan conservation legislation will combat illegal poaching, reward groundbreaking ways to protect wildlife, and help keep invasive species under control." -- Chairman John Barrasso
“When our country has faced challenges, we have always found ways to innovate and the same must be true when it comes to addressing the threat that invasive species present to our native fish, wildlife and plants. This legislation will help spur much-needed creativity and bolster our efforts to find new and better ways to manage wildlife and give these creatures a fighting chance, while also finding smart approaches to dealing with invasive species that cause billions of dollars of harm each year. I’m pleased Chairman Barrasso and I worked together on this bill, and I hope my colleagues will join us in supporting it.” -- Ranking Member Tom Carper
“The WILD Act demonstrates that conserving our planet’s magnificent wildlife is an issue we can all agree on. It catalyzes technological innovations that reduce poaching. It reauthorizes critical partnership programs with US Fish and Wildlife Service, including the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. This bipartisan bill can help advance the cause of wildlife conservation both in the United States and around the world.” -- Carter Roberts, the president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
“The Family Farm Alliance has consistently supported the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, which helps to fund habitat work on private lands. Western farmers and ranchers know that partnerships – not top-heavy regulations and litigation -can best provide for real species protections and recoveries. Our members also have strong concerns regarding the need to emphasize the proper management of invasive species. This bill places priority on the Partners Program and addresses the critical challenges Western water users face regarding invasive species management.” -- Patrick O’Toole, the president of the Family Farm Alliance and a Wyoming rancher.
“Throughout Ducks Unlimited's 80-year history, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to protecting and restoring North America's most important waterfowl habitats. Much of this has been possible because of the support, cooperation and coordination we enjoy through the Partners of Fish and Wildlife Program which helps advance private land conservation. We are pleased to endorse the WILD Act as it prioritizes this program and advances waterfowl conservation across our nation.” -- H. Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Stakeholders who support the WILD Act include:
Archery Trade Association
Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Boone and Crockett Club
Campfire Club of America
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Ducks Unlimited
Family Farm Alliance
Houston Safari Club
Izaak Walton League of America
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Refuge Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
North American Grouse Partnership
Orion- The Hunter Institute
Pheasants Forever
Pope & Young Club
Professional Outfitters and Guides of America
Quail Forever
Quality Deer Management Association
Sportsmen's Alliance
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Whitetails Unlimited
Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Forever
Wildlife Management Institute
Wildlife Mississippi
World Wildlife Fund
Latest WILD Act News:
World Wildlife Fund Endorses WILD Act
Broad List of Stakeholders Applaud Senate Passage of WILD Act
Senate Passes Bipartisan Wildlife Conservation Legislation
Barrasso and Carper: WILD (Act) for Innovation
EPW Committee Passes Bipartisan Wildlife Conservation Legislation
Barrasso: WILD Act Will Help Stimulate Innovation
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Wildlife Conservation Legislation
