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State fish and wildlife agencies will share in $293 million in excise taxes
paid by America^s hunters, target shooters, boaters, and anglers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark announced today.
The agencies will use the money for wildlife conservation through land
acquisition, habitat improvement, research, education, and other programs.
The funds will also help pay for hunting education programs and
wildlife-related recreation projects.
The funds are distributed through preliminary apportionments under two
Federal Aid programs administered by the Interior Department^s U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. The $293 million is provided to states based on receipts for the first 9 months of sales in Fiscal Year 2000, which ended June 30.
Additional funds will become available after receipts for the July-to-September 2000
quarter are calculated.
"Hunters and anglers continue to be a cornerstone to conservation in
America,"
Director Clark said. "Their financial contributions through excise taxes
paid
under the Federal Aid program are vital to maintaining and restoring our
nation^s fish and wildlife resources."
The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act), signed
in
1937, and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson
Act),
signed in 1950, collectively have raised more than $5.2 billion.
The money is distributed to the states for projects proposed by the states
and
approved by the Service. Federal Aid funds pay for up to 75 percent of the
cost of each project while the states contribute at least 25 percent of
the cost.
The preliminary apportionment for wildlife restoration and hunter education programs for fiscal year 2001 totals $147 million. The money is derived from an 11- percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, a 10-percent tax on pistols and revolvers, and an 11-percent tax on certain archery equipment.
One-half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is made available for
state hunter education and safety programs.
The preliminary apportionment for sport fish restoration for FY 2001 totals
$146 million. The funding results from a 10-percent excise tax on fishing
equipment and a 3-percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish
finders. The Wallop-Breaux legislation of 1984 increased the tax base for
sport fish restoration to include a portion of the Federal fuels tax and
import duties on fishing tackle and pleasure boats.
Distribution of sport fish restoration funds to the states is based on the
land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each
state.
Wildlife restoration funds are made available based on land area and the
number of hunting license holders in each state. Distribution of hunter
education funds is based on the relative population of each state.
Uploaded: 1/12/2001
Uploaded: 1/12/2001