Recreational Users Provide Record Support for Critical Conservation Projects.
Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will distribute nearly $1.1 billion in excise tax revenues paid by sportsmen and sportswomen to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects across the nation.
A state-by-state table is included in this release.
“People who enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and recreational shooting provide a strong foundation for conservation funding in this country,” Jewell said. “The taxes they pay on equipment and boating fuel support critical fish and wildlife management and conservation efforts, create access for recreational boating, and underpin education programs that help get kids outdoors.”
The Service apportions the funds to all 50 states and territories through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs. Revenues come from excise taxes generated by the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and tackle, and electric outboard motors. Recreational boaters also contribute to the program through fuel taxes on motorboats and small engines.
“Anyone who enjoys our nation’s outdoor heritage should thank hunters, anglers, recreational boaters and target shooters,” said Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, these individuals have created a 75-year legacy for conservation of critical wildlife habitat and improved access to the outdoors for everyone.”
The total distributions this year are $238.4 million higher than last year because of the inclusion of funds that were not distributed last year because of the government sequester and an increase in excise tax receipts from sales of firearms and ammunition in the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.
The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 totals a record $760.9 million, which includes $20 million that was sequestered from FY 2013 but subsequently returned to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund.
The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 totals $325.7 million, which includes $18.5 million that was sequestered from FY 2013 but subsequently returned to the Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund. The FY 2014 Sport Fish Restoration apportionment is $34.1 million lower than FY 2013 due to lower domestic fishing equipment excise tax receipts.
The Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program reimburses up to 75 percent of the cost of each eligible project, while state fish and wildlife agencies contribute a minimum of 25 percent, generally using hunting and fishing license revenues as the required non-federal match.
Funding is paid by manufacturers, producers and importers and is distributed by the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program to each state and territory. For information on funding for each state, click here http://www.fws.gov/home/wsfr/apportionments-fy14.html.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs have generated a total of more than $15 billion since their inception – in 1937 in the case of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program and 1950 for the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program – to conserve fish and wildlife resources. The recipient fish and wildlife agencies have matched these program funds with more than $5 billion. This funding is critical to sustaining healthy fish and wildlife populations and providing opportunities for all to connect with nature.
Please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program website at wsfrprograms.fws.gov for more information on the goals and accomplishments of these programs and for individual state, commonwealth, and territorial funding allocations.
ALABAMA $24,306,075 ALASKA $48,798,100 AMERICAN SAMOA $2,353,763 ARIZONA $25,626,338 ARKANSAS $20,182,820 CALIFORNIA $41,588,102 COLORADO $26,957,671 CONNECTICUT $8,715,486 DELAWARE $7,752,281 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA $1,085,800 FLORIDA $24,404,776 GEORGIA $23,306,448 GUAM $2,353,763 HAWAII $7,773,961 IDAHO $20,286,724 ILLINOIS $22,676,138 INDIANA $17,301,752 IOWA $15,633,542 KANSAS $18,887,612 KENTUCKY $18,139,584 LOUISIANA $21,261,136 MAINE $11,420,465 MARYLAND $10,458,232 MASSACHUSETTS $10,516,201 MICHIGAN $35,244,512 MINNESOTA $35,296,856 MISSISSIPPI $14,439,942 MISSOURI $27,827,946 MONTANA $27,779,751 N. MARIANA ISLANDS $2,353,763 NEBRASKA $16,565,406 NEVADA $18,210,335 NEW HAMPSHIRE $7,752,281 NEW JERSEY $10,516,201 NEW MEXICO $20,698,851 NEW YORK $28,467,902 NORTH CAROLINA $29,553,173 NORTH DAKOTA $14,897,981 OHIO $22,464,377 OKLAHOMA $23,920,300 OREGON $24,444,659 PENNSYLVANIA $35,731,360 PUERTO RICO $6,600,639 RHODE ISLAND $7,752,281 SOUTH CAROLINA $14,857,369 SOUTH DAKOTA $17,835,269 TENNESSEE $26,002,731 TEXAS $51,562,020 UTAH $19,693,655 VERMONT $7,752,281 VIRGIN ISLANDS $2,353,763 VIRGINIA $19,046,390 WASHINGTON $21,240,210 WEST VIRGINIA $11,315,854 WISCONSIN $34,208,337 WYOMING $18,540,900
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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.