House lawmakers move to reauthorize conservation programs

By Garrett Downs | 06/25/2024 06:30 AM EDT

The Senate already approved its version of the “America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act.”

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.).

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) introduced bipartisan conservation legislation last week. Alex Brandon/AP

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers introduced legislation to renew a popular wildlife package signed into law in 2020.

The “America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization (ACE) Act,” H.R. 8811, would re-up programs aimed at protecting wildlife habitat while compensating livestock producers for predation by protected animals.

Among the programs up for reauthorization are the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, a suite of Chesapeake Bay conservation programs, the National Fish Habitat Partnership and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

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The bill would provide funding to states and tribes to support ranchers from predation by protected species like grizzly bears and seek to combat invasive species.

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