$1.4 billion wildlife funding bill has better odds this time
Will the third time be the charm for the Recovering America's Wildlife Act?
The proposed legislation was reintroduced July 12 with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives.
It would dedicate $1.3 billion annually to state fish and wildlife agencies to implement wildlife action plans and an additional $97.5 million for tribal managers to conserve fish and wildlife on tribal lands and waters.
The funding would come from the approximately $5 to $12 billion the federal government receives annually in royalties from oil and gas development.
Since it taps into an existing stream of revenue, the proposal would not directly impose a public tax or fee. However, virtually identical versions of the bill introduced in 2016 and 2017 failed to pass.
Supporters are hopeful a new balance of power in place since January when Democrats took control of the House will help move this version of the bill forward.
In one sign the current Congress is more pro-conservation than its recent predecessors, earlier this year it reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The program was allowed to expire in 2018 when Republicans controlled both the House and Senate.
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act was introduced by Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mo., and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb.
State Wildlife Action Plans are congressionally-mandated guides intended to conserve species in greatest need and prevent wildlife from becoming threatened or endangered.
A similar initiative started in the 1990s called Teaming With Wildlife produced a coalition of more than 6,400 organizations, businesses and agencies but failed to enact new funding mechanisms.
Under the panel's plan, the sum would be placed in the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program and apportioned to the states. The WCRP was created by Congress in 2000 but has not received funding.
The program would distribute money to the states according to a formula that accounts for geographic size and population. The state agencies would be required to provide matching funding.
Although the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (also known as Pittman-Robertson) and Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson) have for decades tapped excise taxes on fishing, hunting and shooting equipment and provided funds to state fish and wildlife agencies, the money has largely been used for game species, safety programs and recreation infrastructure.
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would be a "game changer" and assist state agencies with a wide array of other currently underfunded programs.
Based on 2016 figures, Wisconsin would receive $22.1 million annually under the proposal.
As of last week, 87 U.S. Representatives had signed on to the bill, according to AFWA.
Supporters are working to get a companion bill introduced in the Republican-controlled
U.S. Senate.
Great Lakes funding bill
Legislation introduced Thursday in both houses of Congress would reauthorize and expand funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through 2026.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was established in 2010 and is dedicated to restoring the Great Lakes by investing in five focus areas: Toxic substances and areas of concern; invasive species; nearshore health and nonpoint source pollution; habitat and wildlife protection and restoration; and foundations for future restoration actions.
Fish cleaners sought
Volunteers are needed Friday and Saturday at McKinley Pier in Milwaukee to help fillet salmon and trout for donation to the Hunger Task Force.
If interested, contact HTF warehouse manager Jerald Pipp Jr., at jerald.pipp@hungertaskforce.org or (414) 238-6466.