Rep. Veasey Joins Colleagues To Pass America's Conservation Enhancement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) joined his colleagues to pass the America's Conservation Enhancement Act—legislation that authorizes more than $1 billion for federal wildlife and habitat conservation through fiscal 2025. The legislation contains provisions of the Veasey-led, the HR 1747, National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act—legislation that would establish the National Fish Habitat Board to encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties to promote fish conservation; establish national goals and priorities for fish habitat conservation; recommend to Congress entities for designation as a Fish Habitat Partnership; and review and make recommendations regarding fish habitat conservation projects.

"I've had the honor of serving as the CoChair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus this Congress," said Congressman Marc Veasey. "This has been the most productive Congress for sportsmen's priorities in recent memory. "We started this Congress off by passing into law the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which included many wins for the sportsmen community, such as a permeant authorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We also got the Great American Outdoors Act signed into law, which provides billions in funding for maintaining our public lands. Now, with the passage of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, we have a trifecta of wins that preserve wild lands and help Americans enjoy the great outdoors."

The legislation also reauthorizes several critical programs focused on conservation in Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, and authorize grants to address livestock predation by federally protected species. The bill also would reauthorize wetlands conservation programs through fiscal 2025 at $60 million per year.