The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has received notification that a bill introduced in the United States Congress could annually dedicate funds from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters to state fish and wildlife agencies.
The introduction of the bill has been an effort in progress that the TWRA and other state wildlife agencies have been working toward for several years. The legislation calls for dedicating $1.3 billion annually to conserve species of greatest conservation need. The benefit would come to about $22 million for Tennessee to implement the State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) and to provide funding for non-game animals.
“This legislation does not create a new tax, but rather reallocates existing revenue generated from energy production on federal lands and waters,” said Ed Carter, TWRA executive director. “With support from energy companies and a broad coalition of industry and non-governmental partners, we’re hopeful this legislation will be well-received by members of Congress.
“Through hunting and fishing license fees, hunters and fishermen have long been the mainstay of funding for non-game animals. I have no doubt the anglers and hunters across the state will welcome this additional help in securing needed financial assistance.”
Mr. Carter went on to say “the primary intent of this legislation” is to keep animals off the endangered species list and to provide for sound management. For an animal to become listed as endangered it is obviously in peril, but that action can also inadvertently alter management for other non-listed species as well as overall management for any land or water-related uses.
Congressman Don Young (R-AK) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (HR5650). The bill reflects the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources which released its final report in March 2016. The funding would be deposited in the existing but unfunded Wildlife Conservation Restoration subaccount under Pittman-Robertson.
In addition to providing much needed funding to effectively implement State Wildlife Action Plans, the Wildlife Conservation Restoration program can also be used for conservation education and wildlife-dependent recreation. If passed into law, this would be the largest infusion of funding for state-based fish and wildlife conservation in a generation.
The next step in the process is to secure bipartisan co-sponsors of the bill. A legislative team that includes staff from Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) and the National Wildlife Federation and Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation has developed a list of members to target for co-sponsorship.
Those two organizations have asked for the public’s help to reach out and encourage members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill. The legislation will provide an opportunity to obtain sustained funding for fish and wildlife diversity.