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‘Historic’ Win for Habitats, Climate and Jobs

August 15, 2022

A s anglers and Americans, we have something to celebrate, as Congress passed legislation that will reduce emissions, protect wildlife, and reduce harmful pollutants. Our watershed and communities will only benefit. The Inflation Reduction Act is heralded as the most significant ever legislation to combat the climate crisis.


The Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions to take immediate action on the climate crisis, including:

 

•. Over $20 billion for climate-smart agriculture and conservation, providing funding for farmers and ranchers to put towards proven practices that reduce emissions, greenhouse gasses, and improve soil carbon management.

• $2.6 billion for the conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats that would create jobs and better help coastal communities become more resilient to worsening storms.

• $3 billion in funding to address harmful pollution and emissions and improve air quality, particularly in disproportionately impacted Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

• Investments to lower costs for families including tax credits towards a clean energy economy. This includes tax credits for families to make electric vehicles and solar panels more affordable and accessible along with investments to shift the energy grid to more sustainable sources.

• Funding for managing forests and reducing wildfire risk on National Forest lands and investments in private and publicly owned forests as tools to absorb carbon and help mitigate the climate crisis.

• Funding for wildlife recovery plans to support endangered species act recovery plans along with investments in projects that support habitat and infrastructure in the National Wildlife Refuge System and State Wildlife Management Areas.

• Common sense oil and gas leasing reforms that will reduce reckless speculation on lands with little potential for production, ensure that bonding requirements cover the cost of cleanup, and charge fair rates for leasing on public lands.

 

We look forward to the eventual implementation of this act as it becomes law. The angling habitats we enjoy may have more opportunities through funding and support to survive and thrive for generations to come.