MCPHERSON — Congressman Jerry Moran today announced that the McPherson Valley Wetlands project will receive a grant for $646,500 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.  The grant will be used to complete phase five of the project, advancing the goals of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture.    

Under the first four phases of the Wetlands Project, partners acquired 4,300 acres of the valley’s original wetlands and restored 1,415 acres.  In this, the final phase of the project, the grant will facilitate the purchase of a final 300 acres and provide for the restoration of an additional 375 acres of acquisitions into between eight and thirteen marsh units that will have water-management capabilities.    

“This grant is good news for the McPherson area,” Moran said.  “Once the wetlands project is complete, the benefits to the area from tourism, hunting and research opportunities will be substantial.”

Historically, McPherson Valley contained 52 shallow marshes that were 10 to 500 acres in size and provided more than 9,000 surface-acres of water.  Today, the wetlands project will provide migration and wintering habitat for numerous central flyway waterfowl species such as the northern pintail, mallard, redhead and canvasback.  An additional 44 nonwaterfowl species will benefit from the project.

“Conserving our natural lands is important for today and for future generations,” Moran said.  “The McPherson Valley Wetlands Project is an example of how a city can come together to advance environmental conservation while also advancing the needs of a community.” 

For more information, contact Congressman Moran at (202) 225-2715 or visit his web page at www.house.gov/moranks01/.

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