PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Paul J. Baicich
(443) 745-5179
Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp
contact.us@friendsofthestamp.org
19 December 2014
The Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp congratulates Congress and President Obama for passing and signing the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 and the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act into law yesterday.
The Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014 will increase the price of the stamp from $15 to $25. The price increase of $10 will be dedicated to conservation easements where ownership remains in private hands. An estimated additional $16 million per year for habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System could be available through this increase.
Formally known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, the Duck Stamp dollars go to secure wetland, bottomland, and grassland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, the sales of Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $900 million, funds used to purchase or lease over 5.5 million acres of vital habitat in the National Wildlife Refuge System. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 98 cents of every dollar from the stamp goes to land preservation and related acquisition costs.
“The stamp is one of the most successful conservation programs in the history of our nation,” said Paul Baicich, president of the Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp. “It’s an incredible success story that brings people together to conserve America’s wildlife heritage. Even at $25, purchasing the stamp is a great value, and it's the easiest thing anyone can do to protect crucial wetland and grassland habitat in the refuge system. Beyond waterfowl, this really helps shorebirds, long-legged waders, raptors, songbirds, and plenty of other wildlife," added Baicich.
Dan Ashe, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said "By restoring the lost purchasing power of the Federal Duck Stamp, this legislation will give us the opportunity to work with thousands of additional landowners across the nation to maintain vital habitat for waterfowl, grassland birds, and hundreds of other native species.”
Ashe thanked the Friends group, adding that “The Federal Duck Stamp has no more passionate supporters than Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp. On behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American people, I want to thank your organization and its members for your invaluable assistance in the successful effort to restore the purchasing power of the stamp. The future of the Duck Stamp is bright, and the success of this bipartisan effort will benefit wildlife and people for generations to come."
The Friends group stated that all who visit and appreciate our National Wildlife Refuge System – hunters and sportsmen, birders, artists, environmental educators, photographers, and others – have for generations appreciated lands and long-lasting protections enacted through this program. “We especially appreciate the efforts of key players, like Ducks Unlimited and the National Wildlife Refuge Association, that made this particular legislation possible,” added Baicich.
Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, remarked, "The additional Duck Stamp funding provided by waterfowl hunters and other conservationists will not only conserve critical waterfowl habitat, but will also help ensure the future of our water-fowling traditions."
The Friends group also noted several members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who were instrumental in the legislation’s passage. Among these were Senator David Vitter (R-La) and Representative John Fleming (R-La) who both firmly pushed for the passage of this legislation.
Representative John D. Dingell, Jr. (D-Mi) was also singled out for his efforts. The longest-serving member of Congress in history, Dingell started serving in the House in 1955. As a young Congressman with little seniority, he championed the 1958 amendments to the Duck Stamp Act, revisions which became the most significant protections for the use of the Stamp in building the National Wildlife Refuge System since the Act's passage in 1934. Congressman Dingell has also been the longest-serving member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, having started on the MBCC in 1969. “His role on the MBCC has been one of vigilance and leadership,” said Baicich,” consistently raising important issues to defend wetlands, waterfowl, other birds, and wildlife, through the National Wildlife Refuge System.” Congressman Dingell will end his service this year, as he is leaves the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Friends group also thanked Congress and President Obama for the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act, recently passed and signed into law yesterday. This authorizes the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to allow any state to issue "electronic duck stamps." A number of states participated in the e-stamp pilot program created by Congress in 2006 to allow the stamps to be purchased over the Internet. Under this law, Stamps will still be mailed to buyers, but the online proof of purchase immediately fulfills the requirement of possession. After 45 days, the paper proof-of-purchase expires.
“Our next task will be to sustain, if not increase, stamp sales, spreading the word on the role that the stamp plays for waterfowl, wetlands, and far beyond,” concluded Baicich.
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The Friends of the Migratory Bird/Duck Stamp is dedicated to increasing promotional and educational efforts concerning the stamp and the National Wildlife Refuge System and to increasing the regular, voluntary purchase of the stamp among hunters and non-hunters alike.
As a national, independent nonprofit, we encourage all who value our great outdoors to buy stamps. We bring together a diverse cross-section of those dedicated to supporting the stamp and the refuge system – hunters and sportsmen, birders, artists, educators, photographers, stamp collectors, and others.
Our organization fosters better understanding of the legacy of how this program conserves habitat and builds the National Wildlife Refuge System, benefitting wildlife, natural ecosystems, and the American public.