US Fish & Wildlife Announces Grant Funding

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is distributing $1 billion to state wildlife agencies through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR). Generated by the hunting and angling industry, these funds support regional conservation projects across the country. The 2021 WSFR apportionment is $121 million higher than the 2020 apportionment due to increases in firearm, fishing equipment and motorboat fuel revenues.

Rooted in the Pittman–Robertson Act of 1937, the Dingell–Johnson Act of 1950, and the Wallop–Breaux Amendment of 1984, the WSFR program establishes a conservation partnership among state wildlife agencies, the outdoor industry and the Service. When hunters, anglers and boaters purchase equipment and fuel, the manufacturers, producers and importers of those goods pay into the Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration and Boating trust funds. These funds are distributed by the Service to ensure wildlife agencies in all states, commonwealths and territories receive support.

“Robust conservation programs are essential to protecting our nation’s cherished pastimes, and the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is at the heart of these efforts,” said Nicole Vasilaros, Senior Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs at the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “On behalf of the American made recreational boating industry, we applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for ensuring the fund’s continued success and look forward to working with them and state-based resource managers in the days and weeks ahead.”

“The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund is of vital importance to boaters, and we are very pleased with today’s funding announcement,” said Chris Edmonston, President, Boat Owners Association of The United States Foundation. “As one of the primary implementing agencies of the trust fund, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plays a crucial role in the fulfillment of a promise to boaters that their tax dollars are put back into programs that help them get the most out of boating. This cornerstone of boating infrastructure, safety and aquatic conservations programs nationwide is a true user pay/everyone benefits program.”

State wildlife agencies dedicate WSFR funds to a variety of conservation projects and programs. Since WSFR’s inception, $20 billion has been allocated to hunting and fishing education, fish and wildlife management, scientific research, habitat restoration and protection, land and water rights acquisition, and hunting and boating access.

State-by-state listings of the Service’s final apportionments for Fiscal Year 2021 can be found here and here. For more information about the WSFR program visit http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/.