The Interior Departments U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will distribute the funds under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs, helping to pay for thousands of wildlife conservation and recreation projects throughout the United States and its territories.
"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 our country."
The Federal Aid program began in 1937 when a group of hunters lobbied Congress to dedicate an excise tax 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 recover many populsr species including white-tailed deer, wood ducks, and wild turkeys. In 1950 Congress created the parallel Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration to promote conservation in the Nations lakes, rivers, and other waterways and to expand recreational opportunities for boaters and anglers. In the past 60 years, the two Federal Aid programs have raised more than $5 billion.
"We have reason to be proud as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the program," said Acting Service Director John Rogers. "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." The $439 million collected in 1996 surpasses the previous record of $411 million collected in 1994.
A total of $165.2 million will be apportioned to the states under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson program after its Congressional sponsors. This compares to $202.4 million in 1996. The decrease is due to a return to a normal sales pattern for firearms and ammunition after a brief spurt in 1994 and 1995.
The money 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. One-half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is made available for state hunter education programs.
Projects include acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat, introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, research on wildlife problems, surveys and inventories of wildlife acquistion and development of wildlife-related recreational facilities, and hunter education programs, including construction and operation of public shooting ranges.
Another $273.2 million will be passed along under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, often called the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux program. This compares to $197.1 million in FY 1996. The increase is a result of $20 million held in reserve in FY 1996 pending legislation that did not pass, thus making the funds available in FY1997, as well as a slight increase in motorboat fuel receipts and improved excise tax collection procedures.
Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration funding is made possible by a 10-percent excise tax on fishing equipment, a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar and fish finders, taxes on motorboat fuels, and import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.
Projects funded under this program include acquisition and 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.
Distribution of sport fish restoration funds to the states is based on the land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each state. Wildlife restoration funds are made available based on land area and the number of hunting license holders in each state. Distribution of hunter education funds is based on the relative population of each state.
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