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The Impact of Conservation Legislation on Wildlife and Habitat Management

This overview highlights key conservation legislation, such as the Pittman-Robertson Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which collectively support wildlife habitat and conservation efforts. The Pittman-Robertson Act generates significant funds through excise taxes on hunted species, while NEPA promotes environmental harmony. Additionally, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under the Farm Bill, initiated in 1985, has played a crucial role in conserving upland game bird populations by incentivizing landowner participation. These legislative frameworks are vital for sustaining biodiversity.

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The Impact of Conservation Legislation on Wildlife and Habitat Management

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  1. CONSERVATION BIOLOY Spring 2014 Althoff Conservation Legislation

  2. Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) • Which species/group below of hunted wildlife do you think annually generates the most P-R money (aka excise tax revenue)? Why? elk rabbits turkeys waterfowl squirrels deer doves pheasants quail

  3. NEPA(National Environmental Policy Act) • Passed/established in 1970 • Federal legislation • Administered by: Any Federal agency can act as “lead” agency • The mission of NEPA is to “encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment to….” • Funded—99%--by the agency(ies) that are proposing the change/project.

  4. NEPA…con’t Tellico Dam vs. Snail Darter • Snail darter research, being done by a U. Tennessee biologist, was supported as part of a lawsuit originally associated with NEPA. It clearly became a key “test” of the Endangered Species Act. • The NEPA effort slowed the project but did not end up stopping it. Finally went to the Supreme Court…and there was follow-up congressional action

  5. NEPA…con’tTellico Dam vs. Snail Darter Tennessee North Carolina

  6. Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Passed/established in 1985 • Federal program developed with agriculture in mind. But think: Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) • Administered by: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture & Farm Service Agency (FSA) • Funded by Congress – Federal Budget

  7. Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Predecessor to this bill was the Soil Bank Program of the 1950’s (enacted in 1956…ran into early 1960’s)….at a time when farm commodity surpluses were increasing and net farm income was declining • The Soil Bank program had tremendous benefits to upland game bird populations (think pheasant, quail primarily) in the Midwest and Great Plains states.

  8. Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • CRP essentially pays the “net” profit one might expect to earn from the land if they had invested in seed, planting, and harvest. • Rate paid per acre varies by region. Has varied from contract-to-contract. • USDA sets “cap” on total allowable acres. In 2010, that cap was at 32 million (32,000,000) acres. • Has been regular “refinement” of what constitutes good mgmt. of CRP land

  9. Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) • Probably the most important piece of conservation legislation in the past 20-25 years in terms of impact because it affected wildlife habitat on private lands! • Gets renewed every 2-5 years…with increasing debate each time…and typically change (reduction) in the cap (aka allowable acres).

  10. Farm Bill – Part I (CRP) Acres of general CRP signup for 2008 (29,651,000 acres as of 2011) Note each dot represents 10,000 acres

  11. Keep in mind…. • Year enacted…. • Whether Congressional budget process (i.e., 1-, 2-year fiscal budget process) or… Whether “self-funded”….. Or policy (vs. legislation)….. • Consider whether used/effective in conjunction with other conservation legislation • Applicable to your Group Term Project?

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