ENERGY, BUSINESS AND CONSERVATION LEADERS CALL FOR $1.3 BILLION ANNUAL
INVESTMENT FOR STATES
A 21st Century Vision
for Investing in and Connecting People to Nature
Washington, DC (March 2, 2016)- A group of energy, business and
conservation leaders today released their recommendations on how to avert the
growing endangered species crisis in this country. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining
America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources determined that
utilizing a portion of revenues from energy and mineral development on federal
lands and waters to fund state-based conservation could address conservation
needs for thousands of species. An annual investment of $1.3 billion from these
development revenues into the currently unfunded Wildlife Conservation
Restoration Program would allow state fish and wildlife agencies to proactively
manage these species reducing taxpayer costs and the regulatory red tape that
comes when species are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The
number of species petitioned for listing under the Act has increased by 1,000
percent in less than a decade.
“A lot is at stake if we don’t
act soon. For every species that is thriving in our country, hundreds of
species are in decline. These
recommendations offer a new funding approach that will help ensure all fish and
wildlife are conserved for future generations, “said former Wyoming governor,
David Freudenthal, co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel. “We need to start down a new path where we
invest proactively in conservation rather than reactively.”
The Blue Ribbon Panel was assembled
in 2014 and met three times to produce recommendations and policy options on the most sustainable and equitable
model to fund conservation of the full array of fish and wildlife species. The
panel was co-chaired by Freudenthal and John L. Morris, noted conservationist
and founder of Bass Pro Shops. It includes representatives from the outdoor
recreation retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive
industries, private landowners, educational institutions, conservation
organizations, sportsmen’s groups and state fish and wildlife agencies. During
their meetings, panelists agreed that an increased investment in fish and
wildlife conservation makes fiscal sense and is needed to protect our natural
heritage. Their recommendation would redirect and dedicate $1.3 billion each
year from the over $10 billion in revenues from energy development (both
renewable and traditional) and mineral development on federal lands and waters.
“Conservation means balancing the
sustainability of fish and wildlife resources with the many needs of humans for
clean air and water, land, food and fiber, dependable energy, economic
development, and recreation. It is our responsibility to lead the way so our
state fish and wildlife agencies have the resources they need to conserve
species and manage our natural resources – the future of our industry and the
outdoor sports we love depend on this investment,” noted Morris. “Redirecting
revenues from energy and mineral development to state-based conservation is a
simple, logical solution, and it is now up to our leaders in Congress to move
this concept forward.”
State fish and wildlife agencies
have primary responsibility for managing species within their borders, as well
as conserving important habitats and providing outdoor recreation
opportunities. Traditionally, agencies have been funded by sportsmen through
license fees and excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and motorboat
fuels – most agencies receive very limited funding through general taxpayer
dollars. Agencies have not been able to keep pace with the growing challenge as
habitat is lost and species decline and hunter and angler participation has
declined. States have developed state wildlife action plans identifying 12,000
species in greatest need for conservation efforts. However, limited funding
requires prioritization of the species facing the highest risk of endangerment
leaving thousands of other species and their habitats hanging in the balance.
Proactive conservation saves tax
payer dollars by addressing species needs early so that costly “emergency room”
interventions are avoided. Preventing threatened and endangered species
listings helps business by averting project delays and losses from forfeited
opportunities due to land use regulations. In addition, investing in
conservation is vital to sustaining our natural infrastructure that supports
numerous indispensable benefits such as pollination, water purification,
erosion control, flood control, recreation, food production and cultural
amenities.
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Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife
Resources
Co-Chairs John Morris,
Founder, Bass Pro Shops; David Freudenthal, Former Governor State of Wyoming;
Crowell & Moring. Members: Kevin Butt, Toyota Motor
Engineering & Manufacturing, NA, Inc.; Richard Childress, Richard Childress
Racing Enterprises/NRA; Jeff Crane, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Bruce
Culpepper, Shell Americas; John Doerr, Pure Fishing, Inc.; Jim Faulstich,
Partners for Conservation; John Fitzpatrick, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Greg
Hill, Hess Corporation; Becky Humphries, National Wild Turkey Federation;
Stephen Kellert, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Jennifer
Mull, Outdoor Industry Association; John Newman, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Mike Nussman,
American Sportfishing Association; Margaret O'Gorman, Wildlife Habitat Council;
Glenn Olson, National Audubon Society; Collin O'Mara, National Wildlife
Federation; Connie Parker, CSParker Group; Charlie Potter, Max McGraw Wildlife
Foundation; Steve Sanetti, National Shooting Sports Foundation; John Tomke,
Wildlife & Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Jeff Trandahl, National
Fish & Wildlife Foundation; James Walker, EDF Renewable Energy; Steve
Williams, Wildlife Management Institute; Bob Ziehmer, Missouri Department of
Conservation. Ex Officio Members: Michael Bean, US Department Interior;
Ronald Regan, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
