WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation applauds the extraordinary bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives for America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act. Championed by Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.), the bill is an important step forward for America’s wildlife and sporting traditions.

“Right now, when Washington is divided on so many issues, we are grateful that the U.S. House of Representatives rallied together across party lines to enact bipartisan investments to restore wildlife populations and conserve our outdoor heritage,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “At a time when one-third of wildlife face heightened risk of extinction, the ACE Act restores essential fish and wildlife habitat like wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay, eradicates wildlife disease — especially chronic wasting disease — addresses invasive species, and engages the next generation of sportswomen and sportsmen. We urge President Trump to swiftly sign this common-sense conservation measure into law.” 

Key provisions of the ACE Act include:

• Establishing a chronic wasting disease task force to develop an interstate action plan for state and federal cooperation relating to the disease
• Commissioning a study by the National Academy of Sciences regarding the pathways and mechanisms of the transmission of chronic wasting disease in the United States
• Reauthorizing the North American Wetlands Conservation Act until 2025
• Encouraging partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties for promoting fish conservation
• Reauthorizing the Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Program until 2025
• Reauthorizing the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program until 2025
• Reauthorizing the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Act until 2025
• Establishing a program to provide grants to states and Indian tribes to compensate livestock producers for losses due to predation by federally protected species such as wolves or grizzly bears
• Establishing a Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for technological innovation to reduce human-predator conflict using non-lethal means