The Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2021 was introduced in the Senate on March 17, 2021 by Senator Jeff Merkley [D-OR] on behalf of Senators Wyden [D-OR], Whitehouse [D-RI], Booker [D-NJ], Van Hollen [D-MD], and Padilla [D-CA], where it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. An identical bill was introduced the same day by Representative Jimmy Panetta [D-CA-20] in the House, where it was referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. This Bill was previously introduced in the 116th Congress and received substantial Democratic support, but did not receive a vote.
THE BILLS: S.809 H.R. 1983 "For generations, we on the central coast of California have had a front row seat to the migration of the monarch butterfly. Unfortunately, we are now witnessing the dramatic decline and potential extinction of this magnificent pollinator all across North America,” -- Congressman Panetta What would the Bill do? The purpose of this Bill is to protect western monarch butterflies that live and breed west of the Rocky Mountains, across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. The Bill is focused on the western population because while the eastern population of monarchs is also declining, the western population is declining more rapidly. The Bill would mainly provide funds for management plans, community outreach, and conservation efforts such as protecting, restoring, and managing habitats of these butterflies. Habitats could include migration paths, overwintering areas, or breeding places. A Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Grant Program would provide local or Tribal government agencies, research institutes, or nonprofits funding for projects that would directly contribute to conserving and recovering the western monarch butterfly population. Additionally, the Bill would establish and set aside $12,500,000 every year for FY 2022-2026 for the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund. Finally, the Bill would create a collaboration between the Department of the Interior and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to implement the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, which was prepared by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (1) and allocate $12,500,000 for each FY 2022-2026. Why was it proposed? Monarch Butterflies are one of the most widely recognized insects in North America, and are important for ecological, educational and inspirational reasons, but their populations have declined significantly over the last 30 years. The Western monarch population (west of the Rocky Mountains) has seen a >99% decrease over the last 30 years, and the Eastern monarch (east of the Rocky Mountains) has declined 80% in the last 20 years (2). Monarchs are pollinators, which are critical for the reproductive systems of most flowering plants. Flowering plants are important because they provide a source of food (fruits, vegetables and nuts) (3), generate a significant amount of the world’s oils and essential raw materials, prevent soil erosion and stabilize landscapes, and increase carbon sequestration helping to reduce greenhouse gases (4). The declining monarch population parallels habitat loss for other pollinators as well, signaling a collapsing ecosystem, which has vast impacts on human health. Additionally, each year, monarchs embark on an 3000 mile annual migration through Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This migration inspires interest in the natural world, is the basis for intellectual studies, and attracts significant tourism. Over the course of 3-4 generations, monarchs move north each spring from the South and West US toward the northeast (5). In mid-August, the super-generation of monarchs move south, traveling up to 50 miles a day (6). These butterflies are at an extremely high risk of extinction due to loss of milkweed, destruction of their native habitats, and climate change. Monarchs in Mexico used to be heavy enough to break branches (5), but Congress noted that in 2020, there were only 1,914 western monarch butterflies, which was a new historic low. Another threat to monarch populations is climate change, which causes more intense weather events. More severe weather can impact migration, since rain, wind, and colder temperatures can inhibit flying (6). Additionally, in California, the increased intensity and spread of wildfires can burn native plants and destroy air quality (7). There are a number of other reasons why monarch populations are declining so rapidly as well. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed to grow and develop. Habitat conversion along migration paths especially along the coast, illegal logging in areas where butterflies spend their winter (known as overwintering), and adverse land management practices destroy populations of milkweed and other nectar plants vital to monarch survival. Additionally, pesticides such as glyphosate and neonicotinoid insecticides often kill monarchs (7). The use of herbicides is important for weed management, but destroys monarch habitats (5) and can be toxic to both butterflies and caterpillars. The EPA has provided educational materials about best management practices for reducing pollinator pesticide exposure, such as applying pesticides in the evening when pollinators are not active, and checking wind conditions prior to applying pesticides. Improving the amount of native milkweed and pollinator plants and protecting butterfly habitats would help to bring back the population and also help other essential pollinators. This would help to restore a balanced ecosystem and have far reaching impacts. Benefits Protecting the western monarch butterflies has benefits beyond this organism, helping to stabilize the ecosystem that supports our everyday lives. Specifically, monarchs help to provide pollination services to substantial crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which in turn helps agricultural productivity, boosting both the United States and the global economy. Additionally, there are relatively simple steps that can help to support the monarch population. Milkweed is a beautiful, native, flowering plant that is easy and cheap to plant and maintain. Increasing the milkweed population along migration pathways, and encouraging households to use it in their gardens, is a simple and easy step to help increase vital habitat space for monarchs. There are other nectar plants as well that can provide variety to gardens while still supporting monarchs and other pollinators. Challenges This Bill helps to address US land management, but saving these western monarch butterflies will require international collaboration between the US, Mexico, and Canada. Additionally, many people are using hybrid plants in their gardens instead of native plants for aesthetics, but these hybrids may not have the pollen, nectar, and scent that attracts butterflies. There are many other crises at the moment, and Congress has been focused on critical topics such as pandemic relief and climate change. As such, there may not be as much support for this Bill as there would be at other times. The monarch population is strongly impacted by changing climatic conditions. While restoring essential habitat by planting milkweed and other pollinators is important, in order to protect pollinators like the monarch, we also need to address the larger climate crisis. The Reality of Congress The outlook according to GovTrack’s estimated likelihood of passing: 4% How Republicans see it: in the 117th Congress, one Republican has supported the Bill so far. How Democrats see it: in the 117th Congress, the Bill has lots of Democratic support, and because of the one Republican supporting the Bill, Democrats are calling it ‘bipartisan’ (9). Want to advocate? Does this Bill resonate with you? Do you want to see it become a law? Have concerns or thoughts you would like to discuss? In the Senate, the Bill is co-sponsored by Jeff Merkley [D-OR], Ron Wyden [D-OR], Sheldon Whitehouse [D-RI], Cory Booker [D-NJ], Chris Van Hollen [D-MD], and Alex Padilla [D-CA]. Senators Tammy Duckworth [D-IL] and Dianne Feinstein [D-CA] have also co-sponsored. In the House, Representatives Salud Carbajal [D-CA-24], Rodney Davis [R-IL-13], Alcee Hastings [D-FL-20], Nanette Diaz Barragan [D-CA-44], Raul Grijalva [D-AZ-3]*, Sara Jacobs [D-CA-53], Chellie Pingree [D-ME-1], Ro Khanna [D-CA-17], Brad Sherman [D-CA-30], Thomas Suozzi [D-NY-3], Mike Thompson [D-CA-5], Peter A. DeFazio [D-OR-4], Anna Eshoo [D-CA-18], Jared Huffman [D-CA-2], Earl Blumenauer [D-OR-3], Alan Lowenthal [D-CA-47], James Himes [D-CT-4], Eleanor Holmes Del. Norton [D-DC-At Large], and Zoe Lofgren [D-CA-19] have co-sponsored the Bill. Do you see your Congresspeople listed above? If not, you can email your policymakers by finding their emails at https://www.congress.gov/members?searchResultViewType=expanded or call their offices to voice your thoughts. Remember to use our Resources page for more information and guidance when reaching out! Footnotes
1 Comment
Karen
5/25/2021 11:02:56 am
Thank you for this informative summary of this critical bill. Monarchs are dear to my heart, and for all of the reasons outlined already, it would be horrible to lose them.
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