Enforcement of the Act becomes the responsibility of the Biological Survey. The first Federal Bird Reservation is established by President Theodore Roosevelt on Pelican Island, Florida, and placed under the jurisdiction of the Biological Survey. The Act, a landmark in wildlife conservation legislation, provides for the regulation of migratory bird hunting. 1930's Thousands of workers employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration improve habitat and build the infrastructure of over 50 national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries. The Act requires the purchase of a stamp by waterfowl hunters.
Revenue generated by the stamp is used to acquire important wetlands.
Since its inception, the program has resulted in the protection of approximately 4.5 million acres of waterfowl habitat. Darling is appointed Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey. Darling's brief tenure results in a new ambitious course for the agency to acquire and protect vital wetlands and other habitat throughout the country. The Bureaus of Fisheries and Biological Survey are moved to the Department of the Interior and the following year combined to create the Fish and Wildlife Service. In response to amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Service establishes a River Basins Study program to help minimize and prevent damage to fish and wildlife resulting from Federal water projects.