The total funds to be distributed within the region is the highest of any of the Fish and Wildlife Service regions in the country, and is a portion of the record $439 million collected and redistributed nationally. The previous record of $411 million was collected in 1994. Five Region 3 states were among the Top 10 combined Fish and Wildlife Act apportionments nationally: Michigan (4th), with 16.2 million; Minnesota (5th), with $15.1 million; Wisconsin (6th), with $13.9 million; Missouri (9th), with $11.3 million; and Ohio (10th), with $11 million.
This is outstanding news for anyone who cherishes our Nations natural heritage, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Federal Aid program, we can thank hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters who have made it possible for states to have effective fish and wildlife conservation programs. The record amount collected in 1996 under the Federal Aid program will continue this long tradition and help improve conservation in every part of the country.
Funding comes from excise taxes paid by anglers, hunters, recreational shooters and boaters, as well as manufacturers of supplies for these activities. The monies are then redistributed to the states under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs for use in state fish and wildlife restoration projects, with the continuing philosophy that the user pays the excise taxes and the user benefits from the projects the money is used for by the states.
We have reason to be proud as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director John Rogers said. Federal Aid is a model of partnership among the Federal government, state governments, and the sportsmen and women who contribute funds to conservation through the excise taxes.
Region 3 states will receive $34.2 million of the total $165.7 million distributed to the states under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson program after its Congressional sponsors. Three states within the region were among the Top 10 dollar recipients for Fiscal 1997: Michigan (4th), with $6.1 million; Wisconsin (6th), with $5.4 million; and Minnesota (7th), with $5 million. In 1996, a total of $202.4 million was distributed nationally and $42.3 million in Region 3. The decrease, is attributed to a return to a normal sales pattern for firearms and ammunition after a brief surge in 1994 and 1995.
The money collected under the Wildlife Restoration Act is derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, a 10 percent tax on pistols and revolvers, and an 11 percent tax on certain archery equipment. Half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is made available for state hunter education programs.
Projects eligible for Federal Aid include acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat, introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, wildlife research, surveys and inventories, acquisition and development of wildlife-related recreational facilities and hunter education programs (including constructing and operating public shooting ranges).
The Region will also receive $56.3 million of the total $273.2 million distributed under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, also known as the Dingell-Johnson or Wallop-Breaux program. Five states within the region were among the Top 10 recipients of Sport Fish dollars for Fiscal 1997: Minnesota (4th), with $10.1 million; Michigan (5th), with $10 million; Wisconsin (6th), with $8.6 million; Missouri (9th), with $7 million; and Ohio (10th), with $6.9 million. In 1996, a total of $197.1 million was distributed nationally and $40.4 million to the region. The overall increase is attributed to $20 million held in reserve in Fiscal 1996 pending legislation which did not pass, thus making funds available this fiscal year, as well as a small increase in motorboat fuel receipts and improved excise tax collection procedures.
Sport Fish Restoration dollars come from a 10 percent excise tax on fishing equipment, a 3 percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders, taxes on motorboat fuels, and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats. States can use their apportionment for efforts including improvement of sport fish habitat, stocking of fish, research into fishery resource problems, surveys and inventories of sport fish populations, and acquisition and development of boat ramps, fishing piers and other recreational facilities.
Brad Johnson, Assistant Regional Director for Federal Aid in Region 3, explained, There are set formulas to determine the distribution of dollars for use in Fish and Wildlife Act projects. For sport fish funds, the formula is based on the land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each state. For wildlife restoration funds, the figure is based on land area and the number of license holders in each state.
The formula has been very favorable to Region 3 and has resulted in many outstanding projects in each of our states, he said. For example, sport fish funds were used for radio telemetry research with muskies in the Mississippi and wildlife dollars were used for wildlife population surveys by the states, and hunter education through firearm safety classes.
The Federal Aid program began in 1937 when a group of hunters lobbied Congress to dedicate existing excise tax revenues on firearms and ammunition to state conservation projects and programs. This was in response to sharp wildlife population declines caused in large part by the Dust Bowl drought. Since then, these taxes have helped in the recovery of many popular species including white-tailed deer, wood ducks and wild turkeys. In 1950, Congress created the parallel Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act to promote conservation in the nations lakes, rivers and other waterways, and to expand recreational opportunities for boaters and anglers. Through six decades, the two federal aid programs have raised more than $5 billion.
Editors note: A state-by-state list of apportionment amounts is available via e-mail or fax by calling Larry Dean at 612-725-3602.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
