Issue Position: Ron Kind on Conservation

Issue Position

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT WISCONSIN'S WONDERFUL NATURAL RESOURCES SO WE CAN ENJOY THEM TODAY AND PASS THEM ON TO OUR CHILDREN

Fishing, hiking, camping, just enjoying our great outdoors was an important part of my growing up in western Wisconsin. Many of my most cherished memories come from the time I spent with friends and family enjoying our great outdoors. And today, getting outdoors with Tawni, and my sons Johnny and Matt, is a big part of my life.

Like many kids growing up in western Wisconsin, I was taught the real value of the forests, lakes, and rivers that surround us and the importance of conserving them.

That meant simply leaving a place better than you found it. Now, that means working to conserve our great outdoors so future generations have the opportunity to enjoy them.

Read on to learn more about what I've done to protect Wisconsin's great outdoors and how you can stay in touch and help.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We all take great pride in the Wisconsin tradition of enjoying and protecting our great outdoors. Now you can help do it.

Sign up to receive updates about what I am doing to conserve our natural resources and what you can do to help. I'll also send you updates about fun outdoor things to do in Western Wisconsin.

Then, please visit these links to learn about some great outings you can take and some of the good groups and people who are working to protect our natural resources.

I'VE AUTHORED AND INTRODUCED A NUMBER TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE OUR GREAT OUTDOORS, INCLUDING:

Electronic Duck Stamp Act: Simplifies the process of purchasing a federal duck stamp by phone, over the Internet or at automated stamp machines at hunting and outdoor stores. The legislation is intended to facilitate "spur of the moment" hunting, and give hunters living in rural areas a convenient way of obtaining their Federal Duck Stamp.

The Upper Mississippi River Basin Protection Act: calls for a coordinated, public-private approach to studying and reducing nutrient and sediment runoff in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The bill passed the House of Representatives on March 19, 2010 and is currently being advanced in the Senate with the help of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

REPAIR Act: Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, an incentives-based grants program to control, mitigate, and eradicate harmful nonnative species. This legislation was passed in the House in the 110th Congress and will be reintroduced later this year.

Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act: passed the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support 26-16, this bill increases funding to sustain and grow important bird conservation programs that will protect more than 341 species of neotropical birds.

National Fish Habitat and Conservation Act: positive hearings were held to discuss codifying the National Fish Habitat Action plan, which has proven to be an effective way to comprehensively address threats to fish species. Through increasing bipartisan support, a mark-up is targeted for this year.

Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform Act: this legislation aims to develop an inventory of real property of the federal government to assist with federal land management, resource conservation, environmental protection, and use of real property.

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