Reed gets award for support of wildlife refuge system

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) was presented with a national award from the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (C.A.R.E.) for his outstanding support of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

 

Reed, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, has been a longtime supporter of adequate funding for America's wildlife refuges and has demonstrated his commitment to conservation through his leadership in Congress.

 

"Sen. Reed is one of the strongest supporters of the National Wildlife Refuge System," said David Houghton, President of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, which leads the C.A.R.E. coalition.

 

"But his efforts this past year stand out. The Refuge System was facing massive budget cuts that would have meant layoffs, refuge closures and major economic impacts for communities that depend on nearby refuges for tourism and recreation. But thanks to Sen. Reed's leadership, the Refuge System received a 4-percent budget increase at a critical time."

 

"The National Wildlife Refuges here in Rhode Island and across the nation enhance the natural character of our country and improve the quality of life of all Americans by providing public access and recreational opportunities that get people outside enjoying nature," said Reed. "I am particularly proud to work with C.A.R.E. on their efforts to preserve Rhode Island's coastal habitats and natural resources for future generations, and I appreciate today's honor. I will continue to champion legislation, funding, and other initiatives to protect our refuges and ensure that every Rhode Islander can enjoy all the beauty and wonder that our refuge system has to offer."

 

The award was presented today at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown. A former Navy rifle range, Sachuest Point was established as a wildlife refuge in 1970. The 242-acre refuge provides an important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds. Reed, a native of Cranston, RI, is very familiar with the Refuge System. Rhode Island boasts five national wildlife refuges in the state. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which did nearly $70 million in damage to several Northeast refuges, Reed made a point of ensuring the refuges and surrounding communities impacted by the storm received federal funding to repair the damage and make them more resilient to future storms.

 

"After the storm, Senator Reed and I toured our Rhode Island Refuges with Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe and saw firsthand the devastation to our natural resources and local communities. The Senator went back to Washington with that experience and was instrumental in securing the funding to allow communities and natural areas up and down the East coast to recover," said Wendi Weber, Region 5 Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Richard Thieke, President of the Friends of National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island, also noted Reed's commitment to Rhode Island's conservation needs.

 

"Senator Reed knows what Rhode Islanders value - healthy ecosystems and places to recreate," Thieke said. "His support over the years has been vital in securing these values."

 

C.A.R.E. is a national coalition of 23 wildlife, sporting and conservation organizations that span the political spectrum, representing 16 million Americans who value outdoor recreation and wildlife conservation. C.A.R.E. estimates that the Refuge System needs at least $900 million in annual operations and maintenance (O&M) funding to properly care for its 150 million acres. Last year, nearly 47.5 million people visited national wildlife refuges, and their spending supported 35, 000 private U.S. jobs, generated an estimated $800 million in employment income, and nearly $343 million in local, state and federal tax revenue.