TWS generates strong support for Resource Protection Act

Over 500 individuals in 47 states responded to The Wildlife Society’s call to support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Protection Act (H.R. 4558) – a bill that would give USFWS the authority to collect compensation for intentional damages to resources within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Currently, damages to the Refuge System deliberately caused by a third party are restored using general tax dollars from the existing USFWS budget, stripping funds that could otherwise be attributed to wildlife management and conservation programs. This bill would allow the USFWS to attribute payment responsibility to the guilty party.

As a network of wildlife professionals, TWS supports the bill’s mission to help reduce maintenance backlogs, and retain funding for wildlife programs.

Early this month, TWS released an Action Alert to U.S. members urging them to ask their representative to support the bill. The Action Alert roused strong support from TWS members and individuals across the country, and 509 letters were sent to 229 House of Representative offices as of late March.

H.R. 4558 is awaiting referral by committee in the House of Representatives.

The Wildlife Society uses its Action Alert system to engage its members in federal policy issues that impact their ability to sustain wildlife populations and habitats through science-based management and conservation. Join TWS to receive these alerts and support the work of your fellow wildlife professionals.