Izaak Walton League of America

The Izaak Walton League of America, one of the nation’s oldest and most successful conservation organizations, named Scott Kovarovics as Executive Director this week. Kovarovics brings more than 20 years of managerial and advocacy experience to the position as well as a passion for defending outdoor America for future generations.

The Izaak Walton League of America’s Executive Board announced this week that it has named Scott Kovarovics Acting Executive Director. Kovarovics’ responsibilities will span the wide range of issues in which the League is involved, from overseeing the organization’s $3.5 million budget to directing conservation work and member services.

The House Appropriations Committee voted for an Interior Appropriations bill that slashes funding for conservation and continues a month-long assault on Clean Water Act protections for healthy wetlands, clean streams, and drinking water for 117 million Americans.

Both chambers in Congress have taken aim at the Clean Water Act with a flurry of amendments that undermine hunting, angling, and outdoor recreation traditions along with the economic activity driven by these sports.

In a report released today, "The 2012 Farm Bill: Stewardship, Prosperity, and Fairness," the Izaak Walton League identifies top priorities that will help keep America’s lakes and rivers clean, save soil for future food production, conserve habitat for fish and wildlife, and ensure national farm policy is fiscally responsible.

The U.S. House of Representatives today struck a blow against Clean Water Act protections for streams that supply drinking water to 117 million Americans and wetlands that provide critical flood protection and fish and wildlife habitat. The full House rejected an amendment to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with Clean Water Act guidance and a future rulemaking.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and grapple with remaining water pollution problems, some in Congress would turn back the clock, putting drinking water, essential habitat for fish and wildlife, and the outdoor recreation economy at risk. Members of Congress should stop throwing up roadblocks to progress.

Iowa’s conservation and agricultural leaders will join together in Des Moines to discuss how the 2012 U.S. Farm Bill can better conserve the state’s land, water and rural communities.

The Obama administration is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA) with events across the country this year. But the Act’s 40th anniversary will be a bittersweet one absent action by the administration to restore Clean Water Act protections that once helped stem the loss of wetlands and maintain clean water.