RAWA Key Components

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) would provide $1.397 billion in funds to states and Tribes for wildlife protection. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Roy Blunt (R-MO). The House version of the bill (H.R. 2773) is sponsored by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and so far has 173 bipartisan co-sponsors. RAWA would amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and would ensure that funds are dedicated to the recovery of at-risk and threatened species before they need the emergency protections of the Endangered Species Act. Key components of the bill include:

• $1.3 billion for state fish and wildlife agencies to implement their State Wildlife Action Plans and for other conservation actions.
• $97.5 million for Tribal wildlife conservation efforts.
• 15% of funds must be dedicated to recovering state and federal endangered and threatened species.
• Requires states to match only 25% of federal funds.