Secretary of
the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service will distribute nearly $1.1 billion in excise tax revenues to state and
territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund conservation through the
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds are not
taxpayer dollars derived through federal income taxes. These funds are raised
through excise taxes levied on bows and arrows; guns and ammunition; fishing
tackle and equipment; and electric outboard motors and motor boat fuels. The
taxes are paid upfront by manufacturers, producers and importers of taxable
equipment, and in turn, paid for by sportsmen and women.
The financial support from America’s hunting, shooting
sports, fishing and boating community through their purchases of taxable gear
and hunting and fishing licenses is the lifeblood for funding fish and wildlife
conservation, comprising approximately 80% of a state fish and wildlife
agency’s annual budget.
According
to DOI, the total distributions to state agencies this year are $238.4 million
higher than last year because of the inclusion of funds that were not
distributed in 2013 because of the government sequester, as well as an increase
in excise tax receipts from sales of firearms and ammunition in the Wildlife
Restoration Trust Fund.
The
Wildlife Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 is a record $760.9 million.
The Sport Fish Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 is $325.7 million, which
is lower than last year’s due to lower domestic fishing equipment excise tax
receipts.
State
agencies use Wildlife Restoration Trust Funds to reintroduce declining species;
survey wildlife populations; conduct species research; provide hunter education;
acquire wildlife habitat; and develop public shooting ranges.
State
agencies depend on Sport Fish Restoration Trust Funds to fund fish research;
reintroduce declining sport fish species; restore aquatic habitat such as
coastal wetlands; offer aquatic education; construct boat ramps and fishing
piers; and provide boating access.
All told,
the Trust Funds benefit every American by providing cleaner and healthier environments,
public safety education and access for outdoor recreation.
According
to data from the latest national survey, wildlife-related recreation was a
$145-billion dollar economic driver enjoyed by 90 million people—38% of the
U.S. population age 16 and older—in 2011. This level of outdoor activity and
Americans’ spending on taxable gear and trip-related expenses supports
thousands of jobs in industries and businesses connected to fishing, hunting,
recreational shooting, boating and the observance of wildlife, especially in
rural communities.
