CONGRESS GIVES BOOST TO FLORIDA’S WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

December 4, 2003
Contacts: Robert Reinshuttle and Dave McElveen (850) 487-3795

New federal funds amounting to $2.6 million will flow into Florida as its 2004 share of State Wildlife Grants, the nation’s core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered.  The funding is within the Interior Appropriations Bill, signed by the president Nov. 10.

“We’re grateful for the efforts of our congressional delegation and our many supporters in securing a victory for wildlife during these difficult budget times,” said Kenneth Haddad, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

He said putting these dollars to work now will save taxpayers money in the future.

“It’s much cheaper and more successful to keep wildlife off the endangered species list,” Haddad said.

Congress awarded $70 million to State Wildlife Grants, a $10-million increase above the president’s budget request and $5 million more than the 2003 allocation. 

Seventy-three members of the House of Representatives and 33 senators signed letters seeking a substantial increase in funding.  Florida Congressman Bill Young, of St. Petersburg, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; and Congressman Ander Crenshaw, of Jacksonville, as a member of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee; played a significant role in ensuring this year’s increase.

A coalition of 3,000 groups called Teaming with Wildlife has been instrumental in gaining key bipartisan support for State Wildlife Grants.  Coalition members range from sportsmen and women to birdwatchers and outdoors-related businesses.

The four-year-old State Wildlife Grants program provides critical funding for hundreds of species that are not sought by hunters or anglers in Florida.

Like most states’ wildlife conservation agencies, the FWC has been funded chiefly through hunting and fishing license sales and excise taxes on gear — not enough to safeguard the full spectrum of wildlife and the habitats they depend on.

The new funds for conserving declining species require a match that stretches federal taxpayer dollars, and in Florida that has led to a growing number of partnerships.

Projects funded so far include the Bass Conservation Center, scheduled for construction in 2004-05 in Sumter County.

More information about State Wildlife Grants and the Teaming with Wildlife Coalition is available online at www.teaming.com.