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News Release 06/27/06

SENATE RECOVERS CRITICAL WILDLIFE FUNDING

States Hopeful as Senate Works Through Final Conference with House

Washington, D.C. -Today, the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee announced that funding for will hold steady at $67.5 million for the State Wildlife Grants Program in FY07. This is an increase from the $50 million suggested last month by the U.S. House of Representatives, but still falls short of the $74.7 million in the President's budget and the $85 million supported by 223 members of Congress. A final figure will be determined in a House/Senate conference.

"The committee recognizes the strength of the State Wildlife Grants program and did everything possible in a year of tight budgets to maintain steady funding," said Senator Burns (R-MT), Chair of the Interior Appropriations Committee. "We call on members of the coming conference committee, which will set the final funding levels for this essential effort to keep wildlife off the Endangered Species List, to do the same."

State Wildlife Grants is the nation's core program from preventing wildlife from becoming endangered. Its funding is used for projects ranging from restoring Arctic Grayling populations in Montana 's streams to conserving Golden Eagles in North Dakota 's grasslands . Taking proactive measures to manage and restore wildlife, the State Wildlife Grants Program is recognized by both republicans and democrats as vital to conservation and an important investment for future generations of Americans.

In addition, State Wildlife Grants are the primary funding source for the implementation of a new ground-breaking conservation effort called the "state wildlife action plans." The State Wildlife Action Plans (e.g. Michigan Wildlife Action Plan, Utah Wildlife Action Plan, Texas Wildlife Action Plan, etc.) are the first of their kind- a thorough state-by-state look at wildlife and the actions needed to ensure their survival. The action plans are a result of a collaborative effort by scientists, sportsmen, conservationists, state fish and wildlife agencies, and the general public. Each state and territorial plan outlines low and declining wildlife populations and their habitats, and determines conservation actions and priorities for the next 10 years and beyond.

"We applaud the Senate's leadership in funding this critical program, but it will take significantly greater funding to truly prevent wildlife from becoming endangered" said John Cooper, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "Strong funding for State Wildlife Grants is especially important this year with the completion of the State Wildlife Action Plans and we now need to focus on maintaining the Senate's allocation, and doubling our efforts next year for an even better outcome."

Today's decision was met with mixed emotions by Teaming with Wildlife, a coalition of more than 3,500 member organizations and business. The Teaming with Wildlife coalition had requested $85 million for State Wildlife Grants, a number they believe is appropriate for funding the state wildlife action plans next year. In March, the coalition, announced a new campaign to boost state and federal funding for wildlife conservation and related recreation and education in every state. Increased funding of the State Wildlife Grants Program is an important component of this campaign, which supports the full implementation of the state wildlife action plans.

For more information, visit www.teaming.com .

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