WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus, introduced the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act, legislation which will significantly advance ongoing efforts to restore and protect fish habitats, improve the health of America’s waterways and ensure that the United States has robust fish populations far into the future.
“Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of streams, rivers and creeks. They provide us with fresh water and support our state’s sportfishing industry, which is an important part of our heritage,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will help preserve our fishing habitats and keep our waterways clean and fish populations healthy.”
The legislation authorizes $75 million annually for fish habitat projects. Based on the highly successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act model, the bill establishes a multi-stakeholder National Fish Habitat Board to recommend science-based conservation projects to the Secretary of Interior for funding. Regional partners will then work to implement those conservation projects to protect, restore and enhance fish habitats and fish populations.
Anglers contribute approximately $1.8 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s economy and support approximately 23,000 jobs.
The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Kit Bond (R-MO), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
###
