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.
"Americas 40 million anglers and hunters have been the backbone of conservation in this country for nearly 60 years," Babbitt said. "Their monetary contributions have made possible the proper management of wildlife and its habitat and opened the way for millions of Americans to enjoy the great outdoors." Since the 1930s, projects funded under the Federal Aid program have been largely responsible for the recovery of many of Americas most-beloved species including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, elk, and pronghorn.
"The future of our nations fish and wildlife resources depends on our willingness to conserve them." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Mollie Beattie said. "Through the Federal Aid program, hunters and anglers have done more than their share to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy our natural heritage."
A total of $182.1 million will be apportioned to the 50 states and 5 territories under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson program after its congressional sponsors. Region 3s eight states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin, will receive $35.5 million, or approximately 19% of the available funds.
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 for state hunter education programs.
Projects approved within the Region include acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat, introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, surveys and inventories of wildlife, acquisition and development of wildlife-related recreational facilities, and hunter education programs, including construction and operation of public archery and firearm shooting facilities. Another $174.6 million will be passed along under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, often called the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux program.
This funding results from a 10-percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders. The "Wallop-Breaux" legislation of 1984 increased the tax base for sport fish restoration to include a portion of the Federal motorboat fuels tax 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.
the past 60 years, the two Federal Aid programs have raised more than $4 billion for fish and wildlife conservation, management, and recreation projects. This years $356.7 million total represents the highest annual total ever.
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 distributed based on land area and the number of hunting license in each state. Distribution of hunter education funds is based on the relative population of each state. The attached tables show the allocation of the final apportionments to Region 3 for fiscal year 1994.
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
