Hinds Today

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) have expressed their approval for the Senate's passage of a conservation bill they cosponsored, known as the 'America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act' or ACE Act. This legislation aims to reauthorize or establish programs that are crucial to sportsmen, hunters, and cattlemen in Mississippi.

The Senate unanimously consented to the ACE Reauthorization Act of 2024 (S.3791) on Wednesday night. The bipartisan ACE Act is designed to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitats across the nation while also addressing emerging wildlife diseases such as chronic wasting disease (CWD), livestock predation, and invasive species.

“This legislation builds on our previous conservation efforts. We must make sure future generations of hunters, fishers, and wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy the outdoors. America’s natural resources are worth preserving,” Wicker stated. He added that the legislation ensures continuity of agriculture programs vital to Mississippi's farmers and cattlemen.

Hyde-Smith commented on the balanced nature of the legislation, stating it is "critical for the continuation of programs that influence wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing, and livestock production in Mississippi." She expressed her satisfaction with its unanimous Senate support and voiced hope for its eventual enactment into law.

The Senate-passed legislation includes provisions to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act - significant for duck hunters - and the CWD Task Force which collaborates between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Interior to combat CWD.

Additionally, S.3791 would formally authorize a Black Vulture Livestock Protection Program currently run as a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) pilot program allowing FWS personnel to issue permits for cattle producers to kill black vultures. Without formal congressional authorization, this pilot program could end in 2026.

Endorsed by several organizations including Ducks Unlimited, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation, American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, the ACE Act is now available for consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.