ACE Act Provides Tools Needed for Idaho's Wildlife and Sporting Future
As we’ve seen time and time again, conservation of wildlife and wild places prove to be some of the only avenues that can tear down partisan walls and unite all Americans to take action as one nation. The ACE Act is no exception.
On September 16, the U.S. Senate passed the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act by unanimous consent. The package is now headed to the U.S. House of Representatives. Idaho Wildlife Federation urges Representative Simpson and Representative Fulcher to take the opportunity to invest in the future of wildlife conservation and the Idaho sporting future by voting for the ACE Act.
The ACE Act is a large packet of conservation measures that would enact significant investments to conserve and restore wildlife habitats, promote partnerships with public agencies to restore fish habitat, and coordinate State actions to combat pressing issues such as chronic wasting disease.
“The U.S. Senate has again recognized the need to invest in the future of our fish and wildlife populations in order to preserve our country’s sporting tradition,” said Brian Brooks, Executive Director of Idaho Wildlife Federation. “IWF applauds the Senate’s bipartisan efforts to send this package to the U.S. House of Representatives for passage before the end of the legislative calendar. We urge Representatives Simpson and Fulcher to unify their support for the ACE Act so Idaho can be well equipped to tackle looming threats to our state’s wildlife populations head on.”
Components of the ACE Act that would benefit Idaho include:
Formation of a chronic wasting disease (CWD) task force to develop an action plan to improve interstate coordination and to carry out practices that reduce, minimize, or prevent transmission of CWD.
States with CWD presence (or those States without documented CWD cases but have carried out measures to prevent the introduction of CWD) would receive two seats at the Task Force, nominated by the Governor. This is Idaho’s seat at the table to shape wildlife conservation measures across our nation!
Commissioning of a study to analyze the pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of CWD in deer, elk, and moose populations.
Reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for another 5 years.
o Learn more about the NAWCA here.
Reauthorization the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Act for another 5 years.
o Check out NFWF programs here.
Establishment of a grant program to states and tribal nations to compensate livestock producers for depredation by federally protected species (such as grizzly bears), or for proactive and nonlethal activities to reduce the risk of depredation by these species
$15 million for 5 years is available through the ACE Act for these measures. This does not replace or supplant existing compensation programs but supplements these ongoing efforts.
Urges increased partnerships with public agencies to improve fish habitat conditions and increased fishing opportunities by restoring natural processes or preventing the decline of intact and healthy ecosystems.