Key Lessons from the 118th Congress: 7 Successes and 3 Misses in Conservation

WASHINGTON (December 24, 2024) – As the year comes to an end, we contemplate the frenzied final weeks of the 118^th Congress, where, despite the tumultuous moments, there persisted a bipartisan dedication to advancing significant conservation policies. From implementing new safeguards for numerous acres of coastal regions and preserving essential bird habitats, to initiating new funding for global conservation initiatives, these successes will protect invaluable habitats and foster economic development for years ahead. Regrettably, many efforts remained incomplete and crucial bipartisan conservation legislation stumbled as deadlines approached—leaving considerable tasks for the upcoming Congress and administration.

Below are 7 significant victories for conservation, and migratory birds, from the 2024 lame-duck Congressional session (post-election day until now):

1. Over $110 billion in disaster recovery funding to restore private and public lands and associated infrastructure. In the hurried final days of the 118^th Congress, bipartisan agreement guaranteed that conservation programs linked to disaster recovery received substantial funding. This encompasses aid for farmers and private forest landowners in their conservation endeavors, allocating $828 million for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program and $356.5 million for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Additional disaster recovery contributions were directed to federal land agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service.

2. The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization (ACE) Act will guarantee ongoing funding for various conservation programs such as the North America Wetlands Conservation Act. It allocates resources for conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay and for the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which has financed over 1,100 aquatic conservation projects nationwide since its establishment in 2006.

3. The Bolstering Ecosystems Against Coastal Harm (BEACH) Act updates the 40-year-old Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), safeguarding an additional 280,000 acres of coastal lands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This represents the most significant addition to the CBRA framework in its history, with the majority of newly protected areas in the states most affected by recurring hurricanes and coastal inundation. These coastal regions function as both a defense against severe weather and a habitat for numerous avian and other species.

4. The Water Development Resources Act (WRDA) endorses a variety of crucial infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the management of rivers and harbors, while providing essential conservation protections and resources to restore the Florida Everglades.

5. The U.S. Foundation for International Conservation plans to form a new foundation to attract private and public investments for global conservation initiatives, holding potential to offer up to $3 billion over the next decade to safeguard vulnerable habitats worldwide.

6. The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act improves access to our nation’s public lands, which are enjoyed by millions—including many who cherish birdwatching. This legislation, long advocated by Audonon’s nonprofit conservation partners, is a considerable achievement that will ensure all Americans can access and appreciate public lands. By facilitating greater access, this will encourage people not only to value these special areas but also to work to protect them for future generations.

7. The Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act permits water conservation within the Great Salt Lake basin to be an approved procedure for funding through the Central Utah Project Completion Act, offering a new avenue for safeguarding and stabilizing water resources in this essential ecoregion.

Additionally, several bills concerning the health and sustainability of the nation’s waterways passed Congress. These include the Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles Post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act, aimed at expediting access to resources for fisheries recuperating from disasters; the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, which enhances local jurisdictions’ access to federal financing for salinity control programs; and the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Reauthorization Act of 2023, which grants a seven-year extension to initiatives that advance protections for native fish species, contributing to improved ecosystem health that birds and other wildlife rely on.

However, it wasn’t all triumphs, and essential conservation policies that have bipartisan backing fell short. Three significant missed chances were:

1. The lands package collapsing. Among the proposed legislation that could’ve been incorporated into a broader lands package were two bills targeting conservation efforts along the Colorado River Basin, various Tribal water rights agreements, bills intended to safeguard public lands and rivers across six western states, and beyond.

2. Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act of 2023 (RISEE). Introduced in 2023, this proposal aimed to establish a revenue-sharing model to assist in funding coastal restoration, benefiting both bird and wildlife habitat conservation while offering protection to communities from extreme weather and rising sea levels.

3. Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2023. This legislation was intended to promote domestic renewable energy production by encouraging responsible development and placement of wind and solar energy on public lands. Increasing renewable energy is crucial for tackling climate change.

As we conclude 2024, we assess the significant progress made, the allies who share our mission of addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, and the bipartisan support for conservation that will be pivotal as we move into the coming year.

Audubon anticipates collaborating with the new Congress to advocate for ongoing actions to preserve the waters and lands that serve as habitats for birds.

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society safeguards birds and the environments they rely on, both now and in the future. Audubon operates throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and hands-on conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners provide Audubon with an extraordinary outreach that reaches millions annually to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation efforts. A nonprofit conservation entity since 1905, Audubon envisions a world where both people and wildlife flourish. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Media Contact: Jeff Billington,  Jeff.Billington@audubon.org