Fish and Boat Commission Joins with Energy, Business and Conservation Leaders in Call for $1.3 Billion Annual Investment for States

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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.”

 

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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