By U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
On March 6, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distributed $1.1 billion in revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration acts.
The funding, which supports state environmental conservation and recreation projects throughout the nation, comes from excise taxes paid by the hunting, boating and angling industries on firearms, bows and ammunition (Pittman-Robertson), and sport fishing tackle, some boat engines and small engine fuel (Dingell-Johnson).
For the listing of the Service’s apportionment of Wildlife Restoration Funds and Sport Fish Restoration funds to the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories for fiscal year 2016, click here.
“State wildlife agencies play an essential role in the conservation of wildlife, while also generating billions of dollars for the nation’s economy through increased hunting and fishing opportunities. It’s fitting those very sporting activities help sustain wildlife, their habitats and the agencies that manage them,” said Dan Ashe, Service director.
Bob Curry, deputy assistant director of the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program, announced the distribution at the 2016 Bassmaster Classic at the Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees, a fishing tournament in its 46th year and a major gathering for the fishing industry.
Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson act funds are administered by the Service’s WSFR program. To date the program has distributed more than $18 billion for state conservation and recreation projects. The recipient state fish and wildlife agencies have matched these funds with more than $5 billion over the years, primarily through hunting and fishing license revenues.
Current Pittman-Robertson Dingell-Johnson funded projects include:
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission renovation of 11 wildlife management areas to help create and restore more than 1,300 acres of waterfowl habitat.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in partnership with North Carolina State University to study black bear populations near Asheville, N.C. The study tracks the movement of the bears and determines the corridors they are likely to use in urban environments. When completed, the studies will provide scientific information for species management decisions in urban areas.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will use its aquatic education grant to recruit, train, and retain a network of 500 volunteers to teach aquatic education programs, expected to benefit approximately 35,000 Texan anglers.
For more information about the WSFR program visit http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/.