INTERIOR: State wildlife agencies to see $1.1B from outdoor recreation taxes
Emily Yehle, E&E reporter
Greenwire: Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Almost $1.1 billion in federal funds will go to state fish and wildlife agencies this year, thanks to tax revenues collected on recreational sports equipment and fuel.
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced the distribution of the money today, with states receiving between $1 million and $50 million to fund conservation and recreation projects. The Fish and Wildlife Service awards the money through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs.
"People who enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and recreational shooting provide a strong foundation for conservation funding in this country," Jewell said in a statement. "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."
At the top of the list of recipients is Texas, which will receive $51.5 million. Alaska and California will also receive substantial funds at $48.7 million and $41.5 million, respectively.
States got less money last year due to sequestration, which forced FWS to hold back some of the funds. But those sequestered funds will be distributed this year. In total, FWS is handing out $238.4 million more this year because of the sequester and an increase in taxes on the sales of firearms and ammunition.
The money comes from taxes on the sale of such items as sporting firearms, ammunition, fishing equipment and electric outboard motors. Additional funds come from fuel taxes on motorboats and small engines, generally paid by recreational boaters.
FWS distributes the money through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, which reimburses states for up to 75 percent of each eligible project. States often use hunting and fishing license revenues to fill in the remaining 25 percent.
