Number: 1995-11
WHEREAS, Americans have a growing interest in observing and enjoying wildlife in its natural habitat; and
WHEREAS, more and more Americans are becoming interested in wildlife conservation, recreation and education; and
WHEREAS, we lack critical knowledge about the vast majority of wildlife species and the habitats they depend on for survival; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 1,800 species of wildlife in the United States that receive less than five percent of all funding available for wildlife conservation; and
WHEREAS, the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Acts, sometimes referred to as the Dingell-Johnson/Wallop Breaux and Pittman-Robertson Acts, have provided billions of dollars for the conservation of game and sport fish species through a self-imposed surcharge on hunting and fishing equipment purchased by hunters and anglers; and
WHEREAS, these Acts have created a highly successful and extremely reliable source of funding for conservation and management of game and sport fish species that make up five percent of wildlife species (though indirectly benefitting non-game species); and
WHEREAS, an act could expand the list of equipment so that other wildlife enthusiasts could contribute to the conservation and management of the remaining ninety-five percent of wildlife species (though indirectly benefitting game species), commonly called nongame wildlife, that do not presently receive funding; and
WHEREAS, this modest surcharge on some outdoor products could raise $350 million annually for state wildlife agencies earmarked for use in wildlife conservation, recreation and education projects throughout the nation; and
WHEREAS, this act would be titled the Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative and would benefit all species of wildlife that are not hunted, fished, or trapped and would help keep common species common; and
WHEREAS, this money would be dedicated to conserving wildlife, providing increased wildlife associated outdoor recreation opportunities for Americans, and educating all citizens, but especially the nation’s youth, about the importance of wildlife to our quality of life; and
WHEREAS, the passage of the Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative would not only provide Americans with an opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation, recreation and education but would also keep populations of nongame wildlife species from spiraling down to threatened or endangered status;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in its Annual Meeting assembled March 18-20, 1995 in Washington, D.C., supports the Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative and urges legislation to provide funding through the user-pay concept of a modest surcharge on outdoor products.