FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2010
Contact:
Ashley Spratt
612-713-5314
ashley_spratt@fws.gov
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Cycle of Success Continues with Nearly $164 Million to States for Fish and Wildlife Projects in Midwest
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced recently nearly $164 million will be distributed to the fish and wildlife agencies of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR). The funding will support hunting, sport fishing, and fish and wildlife conservation and education programs conducted by state fish and wildlife agencies.
"For more than half a century, the funds raised under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs have helped conserve this nation’s most cherished fish and wildlife resources,” Salazar said. “The investment in conservation that these funds make has created countless opportunities for wildlife conservation and recreation. Those who pay into this program – the hunting and fishing industries, boaters, hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters – improve the lives of all Americans who treasure fish and wildlife."
The funding is derived from excise taxes and import duties on sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, sport fishing equipment, electric outboard motors, and fuel taxes attributable to motorboats and small engines. The Wildlife Restoration apportionment for 2010 totals for States in the Midwest are more than $87.8 million, with more than $18 million going to hunter education and firearm and archery range programs. The Sport Fish Restoration apportionment for 2010 for States in the Midwest totals nearly $76 million. The federal government pays up to 75 percent of the cost of each eligible project.
“The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs provide hunting, fishing and wildlife-related industry and consumers the opportunity to support conservation and the sustainability of our natural resources,” said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “This program is a great example of how Federal and State agencies work in unison to ensure a future for fish and wildlife, conservation education for our children, and opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.”
Examples of state activities funded under the program include:
Fisheries Statewide Land Acquisition Program in Iowa
In an effort to make Iowa waters easily accessible for on-shore anglers, Iowa DNR has used Sport Fish Restoration funding from fishing license sales to improve access to trout streams, large rivers and urban fishing waters. In 2010, Iowa DNR will use $375,000 to acquire more than 100 acres to protect, manage and enhance fish habitat and provide public access for angling related recreation opportunities.
Hunter Education/Enhancement in Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will use more than $645,000 in federal Wildlife Restoration funding to provide technical assistance, instructor training, curriculum development and other support to the Minnesota Hunter Recruitment and Retention Program.
Indiana Fish and Wildlife Area Development
Through more than $3 million in Wildlife Restoration funding, Indiana Department of Natural Resources will work to restore, manage, and enhance 126,383 acres of fish and wildlife areas and their satellite properties as wildlife habitat, and to operate and maintain these 17 areas and 179 public access sites for fish and wildlife related recreation. This funding will provide habitat for wildlife, and facilities and land for fish and wildlife related recreational opportunities.
Michigan Fisheries Management Program
Nearly $1.5 Million in Sport Fish Restoration funding will support Michigan’s Fisheries Management Program, which includes general surveys and inventories of Michigan’s public waters. Fish community assessments include population and stocking estimates and evaluations, species studies, technical guidance and environmental review to protect aquatic environments, as well as comprehensive, landscape-scale assessments of aquatic resources for selected river watersheds.
Statewide Boat Access and Fishing Pier projects in Illinois
More than $600,000 in Sport Fish Restoration funding will support boat access projects and construction or repair of fishing piers across the state of Illinois. The funds will support the construction and maintenance of fishing piers, docks and boat ramps to provide quality boating experiences for the public, including ADA boat access at Red Hills State Park.
Fish Stocking for Public Fishing and Aquatic Resource Education in Missouri
More than 1.4 million in Sport Fish funds will be used by Missouri Department of Conservation to support the development or reestablishment of self sustaining sport fisheries through restoration fish stocking.
Wildlife Management in Ohio
More than $7.5 million in Wildlife Restoration funding will support the implementation of the statewide Ohio Division of Wildlife strategic plan to conserve and improve wildlife resources and their habitats and promote their use and appreciation by the citizens of Ohio. Funds support maintenance and operation of wildlife management areas, improve and enhance habitats, conduct animal surveys and inventories, plan hunter education programs, and support the development of archery ranges.
Wildlife Management in Wisconsin
More than $9.4 million in Wildlife Restoration funding will support Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the bureaus of Wildlife Management, Integrated Science Services, Endangered Resources, Law Enforcement, Finance and Community Financial Assistance. These funds assist the management actions concerning fish and wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of Wisconsin’s citizens.
Please visit the Services Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program web site at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/ for state, commonwealth, and territory funding allocations. To learn more about the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program in the Midwest, visit http://www.fws.gov/midwest/FederalAid/.
Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funding is available to the 50 States, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (State(s)). For more information on Pittman-Robertson or the Wildlife Restoration program, please visit the Fish and Wildlife service website at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/WR/WR.htm.
Modeled after Pittman-Robertson, the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act provides funding to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands through a formula based on 40 percent of the land and water area of a state and 60 percent of the number of paid fishing license holders. For more information on the Sport Fish Restoration Program please go to: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/SFR/SFR.htm
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
