Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

In their congressionally mandated State Wildlife Action Plan, state fish and wildlife agencies have identified 12,000 species in need of proactive efforts to prevent them from becoming endangered. Monarch butterflies, migratory songbirds, salamanders and turtles, and bats are among the species at-risk. Estimates of implementing two-thirds of each state’s plan is $1.4 billion each year. Current funding (about $70 million annually) is less than five percent of what is necessary to conserve the species most at-risk.

The magnitude of the solution must match the magnitude of the problem. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will fund conservation efforts for declining wildlife species before they need the emergency measures of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Once a species reaches the point of needing ESA intervention it is harder and much more expensive to recover, and it is more challenging for business. Proactive efforts provide more regulatory certainty for businesses saving them substantial money and time.

State fish and wildlife agencies have jurisdiction over the majority of wildlife within their borders. In some cases, states share management responsibilities with the federal government for endangered species and migratory birds. Because states are the first line of defense for wildlife conservation efforts, their ability to proactively manage species and their habitats is essential. States are also better equipped to identify and respond to the needs of wildlife in their state, and have a proven track record of wildlife management that reaches back nearly a century. Previously, states used dedicated funding from hunting and fishing licenses, as well as excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment to restore now common species like white-tailed deer, turkey, elk, and striped bass that were on the brink of extinction in the early 1900s.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act will provide funding allotments to the states through the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program, an already established and effective funding mechanism. The money will only be used on needs identified by each state’s existing, congressionally-mandated State Wildlife Action Plan. Those plans are regularly updated to incorporate the latest science and public input, and are approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensuring program oversight.

The Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program is a permanently authorized but unfunded account under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. This program has an established infrastructure and grant management process. The program was created to support development and implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans to conserve species of greatest conservation need, particularly those without other funding sources. This program is broader in scope than the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, which is not permanently authorized.

Eligible activities under the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program include research, monitoring, habitat restoration and enhancement, land protection, planning, wildlife conservation education, and wildlife-associated recreation (recreation is capped at 10 percent). The program uses an existing formula for apportionments based two-thirds on population and one-third on land area with caps so that no more than five percent or no less than one percent of the total in any year is apportioned to a single state. The states, territories, and the District of Columbia are eligible for funding if they have an approved State Wildlife Action Plan.

As with existing Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs, states would be required to provide at least 25 percent in nonfederal matching funds. The source of match can be monetary or in-kind contributions originating from state or local governments or private entities such as conservation organizations, universities, businesses, private landowners, or volunteers. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the states are examining options to assist states who could face challenges securing sufficient match.

There currently is no identified source of funds for an offset. As recently as last year, Congress provided an increase to the budget without identifying a source of funds. This program is essential for wildlife conservation and that political support will build, resulting in either Congress determining the best offset source or deciding it is not required. In addition, there will be savings in annual federal government spending for species listed under the Endangered Species Act due to the proactive conservation efforts the states will be able to implement.

Yes! With your support. Both Republicans and Democrats wish to address the need for our nation to have a proactive effort to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. The strong and diverse coalition, including Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, reflects how this bill has support from sportsmen, birders, gardeners, and the businesses dependent on our nation’s lands and waters. The cost effective, state based approach is good for wildlife, good for taxpayers, and good for business.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act was initiated the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources. Their recommendations can be seen in the panel’s final report, “The Future of America’s Fish and Wildlife.”