Salazar’s Migratory Birds Bill Advances in Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s (R-FL) conservation bill (H.R. 4389) to protect iconic birds like the Baltimore Oriole and Reddish Egret passed through the House Committee on Natural Resources by unanimous consent.

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) provides competitive grants for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and community outreach and education. The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 reauthorizes this program for the next 5 years. This bill will fund projects in the Western Hemisphere that have a positive impact on migratory birds.

“Migratory birds provide ecological, economic, and recreational benefits in South Florida, the Everglades, and throughout the Americas,” said Rep. Salazar. “I’m grateful to Chairman Westerman and Subcommittee Chairman Bentz for advancing the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act to ensure we continue to protect these iconic birds.”

“Congresswoman Salazar is a leader who consistently works on legislation to support America’s wildlife and waters,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR). “H.R. 4389 would reauthorize crucial conservation dollars for migratory birds while allowing more organizations to access this funding through modest increases to the federal cost share. The reauthorization of this effective program will support the conservation of neotropical migratory birds across North America. I thank Congresswoman Salazar for being a champion of conservation in her beautiful home state of Florida and across the U.S.”

“I am glad to see our migratory bird bill soar out of the Natural Resources Committee! Pesticide pollution, deforestation and invasive species threaten the more than 350 migratory bird species that rely on the Pacific Northwest as their flyaway," said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), the lead Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "This bipartisan bill will help protect these diverse bird populations and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and across the Western Hemisphere.”

Rep. Salazar is a strong supporter of the Everglades and Everglades restoration. The Everglades is a critical stopover habitat for birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway, such as the Yellow-throated Warbler. A restored Everglades supports economic growth, ecological resilience, and protection from severe weather events and drought. Everglades restoration is key to providing healthier ecosystems for these birds.

It is crucial that we safeguard our wildlife and the environment, and the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act will help ensure these migratory birds are conserved for generations to come.

BACKGROUND:

Since 1970, the North American bird population has declined by 3 billion birds, and federal efforts are instrumental in protecting and conserving these species. According to the National Audubon Society, more than 700 projects funded by the NMBCA have positively impacted more than 5 million acres of migratory bird habitat in the U.S., Canada, and more than 40 nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean since 2002. Migratory birds also provide significant value to the nation. According to a recent survey, more than 96 million people engaged in birdwatching in 2022, and migratory bird populations drive an essential part of the wildlife-associated recreation sector that spent $394 billion last year, supporting an economic engine that benefits communities throughout the country. By continuing to make these investments, we can conserve more birds migrating from thousands of miles away and help ensure they have the necessary habitat for their migrations.

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