What is RAWA?
It is the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. It is a federal bill introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. If it becomes law it would provide $1.3 billion to state fish and wildlife agencies for the conservation of imperiled species. The bill was introduced in December 2017, by Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).
Why?
Roughly one in three wildlife species in America are at an increased risk of extinction (Reversing America’s Wildlife Crisis: Securing the Future of Fish and Wildlife). https://fisheries.org/2018/03/one-third-of-american-wildlife-at-increased-risk-of-extinction/
Where would the money coming from?
RAWA would redirect current revenues from energy and mineral leases on federal lands and waters. Through State Wildlife Action Plans, the health of fish and wildlife would be assessed and conservation actions to prevent listing under the Endangered Species Act are identified. Nationwide these plans have identified nearly 12,000 species nationwide that are in need of conservation actions. RAWA would provide 75 percent of the funding to implement each state’s Wildlife Action Plan. Twenty-five percent of the funding would come from the states. It is estimated that California could receive $61 million per year from RAWA.
The following organizations are supporting RAWA:
Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife http://ournatureusa.com/
American Fisheries Society
AFS Cal-Neva Chapter
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT CALIFORNIA’S AND THE NATION’S FISH RESOURCES
Take some time and contact Congressional members. Let them know that this legislation is important to you. Thank those that have supported the bill (see below). You can send an email, or write a letter. There are some example letters and more information at:
https://fisheries.org/recovering-americas-wildlife-act/
For more information about California’s State Wildlife Action Plan:
https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/SWAP
California U.S. House of Representatives members who have supported the RAWA bill:
Salud O. Carbajal
Anna G. Eshoo
John R. Garamendi
Jared William Huffman
Zoe Lofgren
Alan S. Lowenthal
Gerald “Jerry” McNerney
Blogpost by Gary Sprague, Chair, Cal-Neva Chapter Conservation Committee