History
The Act was passed, in part, to support activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, an international agreement that provides a strategy for the long-term protection of wetlands and associated uplands needed by waterfowl and other migratory birds in North America. The Act authorizes up to $50 million in congressional appropriation through Fiscal Year 2003, reflecting its and the public's support of the Act's goals.

Funding
Congress appropriated $43.5 million for Act projects in Fiscal Year 2002. Additional funding comes from moneys received from fines, penalties, and forfeitures under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and from interest accrued on the fund established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. Amendments to the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 directed a portion of the moneys collected from Federal fuel excise taxes on small gasoline engines be allocated for use under the Act for coastal ecosystem projects. The total estimated funding for FY 2002 is $79,659,000.

The North American Wetlands Conservation Council
The Act established the Council to review and recommend project proposals to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, which has the authority to approve funding for projects. The Council is comprised of nine members. The Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Executive Secretary of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have permanent seats on the Council. Four state representatives (one from each flyway) and three non-governmental organization representatives (each from a different non-governmental organization that is an active partner in wetlands conservation) are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. These members serve 3-year terms. Non-voting ex officio members are also appointed by the Secretary. There are currently two ex officio members representing non-governmental organizations and one each representing Canada and Mexico. The Council meets three times each year.

Find out more about NAWCA by clicking HERE

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