Sequester to take a bite out of conservation projects

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced March 21 that more than $882.4 million in excise taxes paid by sportsmen in 2012 will be distributed to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies for conservation and recreation projects across the U.S.

As a result of the federal budget sequester, however, these apportionments have been reduced by 5.1 percent, or about $39.2 million. Additional wildlife and sport fish restoration grant funding has also been reduced, for a total sequestration-related reduction of about $44 million.

Hunters, anglers and other recreational users provided record support for critical conservation projects last year. Montana this year will receive $13.8 million for wildlife restoration and $8.5 million for sport fish restoration. For wildlife receipts, Montana ranks 11th as a state and third per capita.

FWS said excise taxes on guns and ammunition in 2012 was 33 percent higher than in 2011. Monana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials attributed the increase to election-year politics and fears about restrictive gun control laws.

The funding is made available through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration program and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration program. Revenues come from excise taxes on 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.

Pittman-Robertson accounted for $522.5 million and Dingell-Johnson accounted for $359.9 million last year. Since Pittman-Robertson began in 1937 and Dingell-Johnson began in 1950, more than $15.3 billion has been raised for wildlife and fish restoration projects.

The Fish and Wildlife Service uses the funding to pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of each eligible project. State fish and wildlife agencies contribute at least 25 percent, generally using revenue from hunting and fishing licenses.

For more information, visit online at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov.