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Fish and Boat Commission Joins with Energy, Business
and Conservation Leaders in Call for $1.3 Billion Annual Investment for States
A 21st Century Vision for Investing in and Connecting People to Nature
HARRISBURG,
Pa. (March 4) – A group of energy, business and conservation leaders
this week released their recommendations on how to avert the growing
endangered species crisis in this country.
The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources determined
that utilizing a portion of revenues from energy and mineral
development on federal lands and waters to fund state-based conservation
could address conservation needs for thousands of species. An annual
investment of $1.3 billion from these development revenues into the
currently unfunded Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program would allow
state fish and wildlife agencies to proactively manage these species
reducing taxpayer costs and the regulatory red tape that comes when
species are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. The number
of species petitioned for listing under the Act has increased by 1,000
percent in less than a decade.
“A
lot is at stake if we don’t act soon. For every species that is
thriving in our country, hundreds of species are in decline. These
recommendations offer a new funding approach that will help ensure all
fish and wildlife are conserved for future generations, “said former
Wyoming governor, David Freudenthal, co-chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel.
“We need to start down a new path where we invest proactively in
conservation rather than reactively.”
The Blue Ribbon Panel was assembled in 2014 and met three times to produce recommendations
and policy options on the most sustainable and equitable model to fund
conservation of the full array of fish and wildlife species. The panel
was co-chaired by Freudenthal and John L. Morris, noted conservationist
and founder of Bass Pro Shops. It includes representatives from the
outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and
automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions,
conservation organizations, sportsmen’s groups and state fish and
wildlife agencies. During their meetings, panelists agreed that an
increased investment in fish and wildlife conservation makes fiscal
sense and is needed to protect our natural heritage. Their
recommendation would redirect and dedicate $1.3 billion each year from
the over $10 billion in revenues from energy development (both renewable
and traditional) and mineral development on federal lands and waters.
“Conservation
means balancing the sustainability of fish and wildlife resources with
the many needs of humans for clean air and water, land, food and fiber,
dependable energy, economic development, and recreation. It is our
responsibility to lead the way so our state fish and wildlife agencies
have the resources they need to conserve species and manage our natural
resources – the future of our industry and the outdoor sports we love
depend on this investment,” noted Morris. “Redirecting revenues from
energy and mineral development to state-based conservation is a simple,
logical solution, and it is now up to our leaders in Congress to move
this concept forward.”
State
fish and wildlife agencies have primary responsibility for managing
species within their borders, as well as conserving important habitats
and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. Traditionally, agencies
have been funded by sportsmen through license fees and excise taxes on
hunting and fishing equipment and motorboat fuels – most agencies
receive very limited funding through general taxpayer dollars. Agencies
have not been able to keep pace with the growing challenge as habitat is
lost and species decline and hunter and angler participation has
declined. States have developed state wildlife action plans identifying
12,000 species in greatest need for conservation efforts. However,
limited funding requires prioritization of the species facing the
highest risk of endangerment leaving thousands of other species and
their habitats hanging in the balance.
“The
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is the state agency
charged by the Pennsylvania General Assembly with protecting,
conserving, and managing fish, reptiles, amphibians, and all other
aquatic organisms in the Commonwealth, but the agency does not receive
any direct state general appropriation to assist with this effort,” said
PFBC Executive Director John Arway.
“The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides some funding to states through
the State Wildlife Grant Program to develop and implement Wildlife
Action Plans, but the funding is limited to an annual appropriation and
the states must appeal to Congress every year for funding to continue,”
he added. “The Pennsylvania plan, for example, has identified 664
species including 90 birds, 19 mammals, 18 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 65
fishes and 450 invertebrates that require our attention.”
“Historically,
Pennsylvania has a proud heritage of being a leader in natural resource
protection,” Arway said. “But it’s imperative that we secure
alternative funding sources and reinvest in conservation programs so
that we can meet our Constitutional duty as trustee of our public
natural resources. The new funding proposal outlined by the Blue Ribbon
Panel can help us meet these needs and we fully support it.”
Proactive
conservation saves tax payer dollars by addressing species needs early
so that costly “emergency room” interventions are avoided. Preventing
threatened and endangered species listings helps business by averting
project delays and losses from forfeited opportunities due to land use
regulations. In addition, investing in conservation is vital to
sustaining our natural infrastructure that supports numerous
indispensable benefits such as pollination, water purification, erosion
control, flood control, recreation, food production and cultural
amenities.
“The
cost of business to protect, conserve and manage our nation’s fish and
wildlife resources can no longer fall solely on the backs of anglers and
hunters,” Arway added. “Society as a whole continues to benefit from
the actions that we take to improve habitat for our fish and wildlife
resources. Whether it is building wetlands for waterfowl and herptiles
that store floodwaters and improve water quality, to protecting
streambanks to provide overhead cover for fish and reduce soil erosion,
to creating more outdoor recreational opportunities that improve public
health - whatever action benefits our fish and wildlife also benefits
society. The Blue Ribbon Panel’s proposed funding solution is a
necessary step forward for the future of fish and wildlife conservation
across our nation.”
_______________________________________________________________
Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources
Co-Chairs John Morris, Founder, Bass Pro Shops; David Freudenthal, Former Governor State of Wyoming; Crowell & Moring. Members:
Kevin Butt, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, NA, Inc.;
Richard Childress, Richard Childress Racing Enterprises/NRA; Jeff Crane,
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Bruce Culpepper, Shell Americas;
John Doerr, Pure Fishing, Inc.; Jim Faulstich, Partners for
Conservation; John Fitzpatrick, Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Greg Hill,
Hess Corporation; Becky Humphries, National Wild Turkey Federation;
Stephen Kellert, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies;
Jennifer Mull, Outdoor Industry Association; John Newman, Ducks
Unlimited, Inc.; Mike Nussman, American Sportfishing Association;
Margaret O'Gorman, Wildlife Habitat Council; Glenn Olson, National
Audubon Society; Collin O'Mara, National Wildlife Federation; Connie
Parker, CSParker Group; Charlie Potter, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation;
Steve Sanetti, National Shooting Sports Foundation; John Tomke, Wildlife
& Hunting Heritage Conservation Council; Jeff Trandahl, National
Fish & Wildlife Foundation; James Walker, EDF Renewable Energy;
Steve Williams, Wildlife Management Institute; Bob Ziehmer, Missouri
Department of Conservation. Ex Officio Members: Michael Bean, US Department Interior; Ronald Regan, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
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