By Mitch Friedman
Washington state is blessed with a diverse array of fish and wildlife. But we’re the smallest western state, with the least amount of public land; and our 9 million people (and growing fast!) make Washington packed enough to put nature at risk.
Our Department of Fish and Wildlife has identified more than 150 species of concern. Orca whales, pygmy rabbits, lynx, woodland caribou and many others are at risk here. Nationwide, state fish and wildlife agencies have identified 12,000 species in greatest need for conservation action.
Thankfully U.S. Rep Suzan Delbene, D-Wash., has recognized this challenge and is cosponsoring legislation in the U.S. Congress that can make a difference for wildlife conservation.
Every state has developed a State Wildlife Action Plan to assess the health of its wildlife and outline the conservation actions necessary to sustain them. Collectively, these plans form a nationwide strategy to prevent wildlife from becoming listed under the Endangered Species Act, a bill originally intended to be an “emergency room” measure.
However, to be proactive and implement 75 percent of every state’s wildlife action plan would cost $1.3 billion annually — and states currently receive only a fraction of that amount. As a result, states are forced to focus on those that are already endangered without being able to proactively conserve those that are vulnerable. Managing wildlife only after they reach the point where they have to be listed is much more expensive, and there are regulatory hurdles that make doing business more challenging.
There is a solution on the horizon, and this is where Rep. Delbene has had the foresight to become engaged by supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 5650). This legislation would dedicate $1.3 billion using existing revenues from energy development on federal lands and waters for states to implement their wildlife action plan. The funding would go into an established funding mechanism and state agencies have a proven track record of using those funds effectively.
Restoring our wildlife unites Americans from both parties, from all backgrounds and walks of life. This approach has bipartisan support in Congress, and from diverse interests including outdoor enthusiasts, the recreation and energy industries, and much more.
Proactive conservation of fish and wildlife before emergency efforts under the Endangered Species Act makes biological and fiscal sense. Without dedicated funding for proactive conservation, hundreds of species will face increasing risks of becoming threatened or endangered. Using existing revenues from the use of our non-renewable natural resources for conservation is a pragmatic and logical solution that would benefit America’s wildlife, taxpayers and businesses.
Washingtonians cherish wildlife and wild places, spending over $21.6 billion each year enjoying the rich natural heritage of our state, according to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, so conservation is a wise investment in every way.
The magnitude of the solution must match the magnitude of the challenge; the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is the solution we need to address America’s wildlife crisis. I am thankful that Rep. Delbene co-sponsored this bill and supports the proactive conservation of our nation’s precious fish and wildlife heritage.
Mitch Friedman is the founder and executive director of Conservation Northwest, a regional wildlife and wild-lands conservation organization active for more than 25 years.
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