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In March, the US. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment (formerly Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration) announced distribution of $1.3 billion in Pittman-Robertson & Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux funds to state, commonwealth, and territorial fish and wildlife agencies throughout the nation.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) is set to receive $61 million of the 2024 total ($41.9M from Wildlife Restoration and $19M from Sport Fish Restoration).
The funding comes from excise taxes paid last year by hunters, anglers, and others on ammunition, firearms, archery and fishing equipment by industry manufacturers and a fuel and small engine tax. Funds are apportioned to states through a formula based on land area (acres) and number of hunting and fishing license holders and then disbursed to state fish and game agency through grants to eligible states, like Alaska.
This state-industry-federal partnership, established nearly a century ago with the support of concerned sporting and conservation organizations, sporting manufacturers and conservation professionals who recognized the need to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats, is considered one of the most successful programs for conservation in our nation’s history. Since 1937, more than $28 billion has been distributed through annual apportionments for conservation and public access projects.
“The State of Alaska is overflowing with hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. It is wonderful to be a part of the many boat ramps, public access areas, shooting ranges, habitat restoration sites, and species research and monitoring efforts that ADFG implements every year with this funding. We truly enjoy working in this partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and industry while seeing the benefits of the program extending well beyond just hunters and anglers.” – Sheila Cameron, Office of Conservation Investment
To view the Service’s final apportionment of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant funds for Fiscal Year 2024 and historic funding amounts visit www.partnerwithapayer.org/funding-sources/.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In Alaska we are shared stewards of world renowned natural resources and our nation’s last true wild places. Our hope is that each generation has the opportunity to live with, live from, discover and enjoy the wildness of this awe-inspiring land and the people who love and depend on it.
