To amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to establish requirements regarding payment of the non-Federal share of the costs of wetlands conservation projects in Canada that are funded under that Act, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3433.

I introduced H.R. 3433 to provide for a simple, timely and essential change to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Under current law, Congress appropriates money each year to be spent on projects to acquire, enhance, protect and restore wetlands in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

In fact, this remarkable program, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary, has funded over 1,600 projects to conserve more than 20 million acres of wetlands and associated uplands across North America. This conservation has helped ensure improved waterfowl hunting across North America.

Since 1989, this landmark law has required that each Federal dollar spent on a conservation project be matched by non-federal money.

However, due to the irreplaceable nature of the breeding waterfowl habitat in Canada, a decision was made not to require matching funds from Canadian sources. Therefore, projects in Canada have been matched by conservation dollars from the United States.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North American Wetlands Council has approved conservation projects in Canada worth nearly $70 million during its current 5-year funding cycle which began in 2007. Under law, this means that $70 million in private matching funds must be provided.

Under my legislation, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act would be amended to allow up to 50 percent of the non-federal share of projects in Canada to be paid for by Canadian conservation supporters. My legislation will allow and encourage our Canadian conservation partners to fund a greater number of important wetland preservation projects north of the border.

The authorization of appropriations for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act does not expire until September 30, 2012. We simply cannot wait to make this change because the nonmatching share imbalance will continue to grow and must be paid before the authorization expires.

The language of this legislation has been fully vetted and been endorsed by all interested parties including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the member of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council which includes Ducks Unlimited, as well as the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy.

I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 3433.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3433) to amend the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to establish requirements regarding payment of the non-Federal share of the costs of wetlands conservation projects in Canada that are funded under that Act, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume.

In combating the dramatic loss of wetland ecosystems, Congress enacted the North American Wetlands Conservation Act in 1989 providing a funding mechanism to support cooperative, public-private wetlands conservation efforts throughout North America. These projects have protected, restored, or enhanced approximately 23 million acres of wetlands in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

However, the recent economic recession and the matching requirements under the act have made it difficult to generate non-Federal matching contributions for some critical wetland habitat conservation projects. The pending measure would amend the act to increase flexibility for grant recipients to meet matching fund requirements and ensure that the highest priority projects are funded throughout North America.

I commend Congressman Wittman of Virginia for his leadership in wetland conservation. I urge the passage of the legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge support of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume

Since 1989, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act has required that each Federal dollar spent on the conservation project be matched by private, non-governmental money. However, due to the irreplaceable nature of the breeding waterfowl habitat in Canada, a decision was made not to require matching funds for Canadian projects from private Canadian sources.

As a result of the economic downturn, however, it has become increasingly difficult to meet the 100 percent matching requirement here in the United States. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, there will be some $70 million worth of projects in Canada during the current 5-year funding cycle which began in 2007. Under the current law, this means that $70 million in private matching money must be provided.

Under H.R. 3433, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act would be amended to require at least 50 percent of non-Federal share of projects in Canada be paid for by Canadian non-governmental entities. There was unanimous support for this measure during our committee markup, and this is an appropriate change in our Federal law.

I would also like to compliment the author of this bill, Congressman Wittman of Virginia, for his outstanding leadership and for his service on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission.

I urge an ``aye'' vote.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 308, H.R. 3433.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record.