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Heinrich Seeks Billions in Wildlife Recovery Funds

by Adrian Hedden, Carlsbad Current-Argus

New Mexico’s senior U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich sought again to increase federal funds to save endangered species throughout the U.S., reintroducing a bill that would unlock billions of dollars while also empowering states to lead recovery efforts.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) was first introduced by Heinrich in 2021, and a U.S. House of Representatives equivalent passed the House last year.

On March 31, the RAWA was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate. It is similar to past versions, providing about $1.4 billion a year in funds dedicated to species recovery, along with $97.5 million for the work on 1,040 acres of Tribal land.

It would also require federal efforts to follow State Wildlife Action Plans mandated by Congress.

(Editor’s Clarification: The creation of State Wildlife Action Plans may have been mandated by Congress. The plans themselves are guidance documents to be uses by federal and state wildlife agencies.)

by Jim Olson