On July 7, U.S. Representatives Don Young (R-AK) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (H.R. 5650) that would dedicate $1.3 billion annually for state-based wildlife conservation. The bill would direct existing revenues from the development of energy and minerals on federal lands and waters to the currently unfunded Wildlife Conservation and Restoration account. The legislation codifies the recommendations made in March by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. The panel determined that the $1.3 billion in funding was necessary to provide enough funding for three-quarters of the species of greatest conservation need identified in state wildlife action plans.

"It has been proven over the decades that incredible gains in species conservation have been made with dedicated sources of funding," Rep. Dingell said. "The Recovering America's Wildlife Act builds off the successes of previous efforts including Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund by giving state fish and wildlife agencies additional resources they need to proactively manage at-risk wildlife species. I am proud to introduce this legislation with my Republican colleague from Alaska, Mr. Young. We both love the outdoors and know we must work hard to protect our natural resources. To some we may seem the odd couple but together we believe we can get something done that will help bring conservation into the 21st Century and complement the other successful programs that are currently in place."