$1.5 Billion In Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Funding - The Fisherman

$1.5 Billion In Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Funding

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, recently announced a record $1.5 billion in annual funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program available to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.

According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the announcement includes historic levels of funding for the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (Trust Fund), which was reauthorized as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law late last year, and will deliver significantly increased levels of funding for boating access projects and conservation efforts across the nation.

“America’s anglers and boaters have long held a leading role in America’s vibrant, $689 billion outdoor recreation economy – a fact which is underscored by the Department of the Interior’s announcement,” said NMMA president Frank Hugelmeyer, who added, “This historic level of funding is a testament to the millions of recreational boaters and anglers who contribute every day to the Trust Fund, which acts as the backbone of aquatic conservation and boating access programs, and ensures generations of Americans are able to spend time on our nation’s waters.”

The WSFR Program apportions excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing equipment, and boat fuel to all 50 states and U.S. territories. The core value of all WSFR Programs is fostering cooperative partnerships between federal and state agencies, working alongside hunters, anglers, and other outdoor interests, to enhance recreational opportunities while advancing sustainable resource goals.

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