FEDERAL AID DIVISON --
The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program

When our forefathers first landed in North America, and as settlers moved westward, they found the waters of the New World brimming with fish of every description. However, as early as the late 18th century, the decline of fish was noticed. Less than a century later with the spread of the Industrial Revolution and increasing industrial pollution, as well as over harvesting, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices that promoted erosion and siltation, that decline had become the norm for most of the Nation's major rivers.

Restoration -- The Early Years

Following World War II, it became apparent that existing programs of State fishery agencies could no longer ensure the quantity and quality angling that a growing American public was seeking. Broader management programs, additional research, and improved public access were required, and a new source of revenue to pay for these things was imperative.

A concerted effort by fishermen and industry to press for new funding was mounted. They were backed by two legislative visionaries -- Representative John Dingell, Sr., of Michigan, and Senator Edwin Johnson of Colorado. On August 9, 1950, they produced the Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Dingell-Johnson Act.

The Angler's Role

Employing the "user pay, user benefit" concept, the Sport Fish Restoration Act applied a 10 percent manufacturer's excise tax on fishing rods, reels, creels, and artificial baits, lures, and flies, with the revenue earmarked for the States and territories solely for projects that would enhance sportfishing restoration.

This concept, and the program itself, have remained essentially unchanged in the past four decades. The Sport Fish Restoration Act has remained one of America's most effective, yet quietest, success stories in natural resource conservation.

How the Tax Works

The excise tax, collected from the manufacturer or importer is paid to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and is transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for distribution among the States. Each State's share is based 60 percent on its licensed sport fishermen, and 40 percent on its land and water area. No State may receive more than 5 percent nor less than 1 percent of each year's total apportionment. The Fish and Wildlife Service is allowed up to 6 percent of the annual appropriation for administration of the program; however, the average amount deducted for this purpose has been well below five percent.

The States' Role

Up to 75 percent of the cost of every Sport Fish Restoration project is borne by Federal excise tax funds, and 25 percent by matching State funds, mainly derived from the sale of State sport fishing licenses. Though the Fish and Wildlife Service assures adherence to the law, provides technical assistance, sets standards for performance, and monitors progress, each State selects, plans, and performs the management work. The Sport Fish Restoration Act program serves as the States' financial cushion with which they may undertake long-term programs to benefit fish -- a cushion that they had lacked without a stable, dependable national source of funds.

In less than 50 years, the Sport Fish Restoration program has provided more than $467 million to the States to build or reclaim more than 330 lakes totaling 40,000 acres; to purchase 110,000 acres as fishing access areas, boat landings, piers, and fish production sites; and to fund thousands of research and inventory projects that have produced better ways of managing fish populations for greater enjoyment by anglers.

Some other achievements include removing undesirable species of fish that had been competing with game fish, making existing restocking efforts more effective; introducing "new" species of sport fish into favorable waters; developing techniques that allow ocean species like red drum, spotted sea trout, and southern flounder to prosper in some southern inland lakes; and using research to control fish diseases and water pollution that have interfered with fish reproduction and survival.

Wallop-Breaux -- Meeting the Challenges of the Future

Virtually unchanged since 1950, the basic Sport Fish Restoration legislation was supplemented in 1984 with new provisions that extended the excise tax to previously untaxed items of sporting equipment. Under new provisions, named for Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming, and Representative John Breaux of Louisiana, the 10 percent tax was extended to include tackle boxes and other types of recreational fishing equipment, a 3 percent tax was applied to electronic trolling motors and flasher-type sonar fish finders, and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats were channeled into fisheries restoration. In addition, a portion of the existing Federal tax on motorboat fuels was devoted to this program.

Under the new Wallop-Breaux provisions, States are required to spend at least 12.5 percent of their sport fish restoration money on projects providing boating access to public waters. Coastal States are also required to spend a portion of their apportionments on programs enhancing marine recreational fisheries. And States may now elect to use up to 10 percent of their Wallop-Breaux funds for aquatic resources education programs.

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