The Association Applauds the Reintroduction of the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act in the House and Urges Action Now

June 10, 2021

The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies is excited to see the reintroduction of the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2021 (H.R. 3702) in the House on Friday, June 4, 2021. This bipartisan legislation, led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA) along with Reps. Veasey, Westerman, Wittman, Murphy, and Scott, would extend the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through 2025.

“We thank Congresswoman Dingell, Congressman Graves and the other sponsors for their leadership on the bipartisan reintroduction of the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2021 and their unwavering support of this cornerstone law for state, territorial, and the District of Columbia fish and wildlife agencies,” said Sara Parker Pauley, Director of the Missouri Department of Conservation and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We would not be able to provide the public with the outdoor recreational assets they need for fishing and boating without this legislation.”

“The enactment of this legislation is critically important for continuing the foundational funding mechanism that is essential for the conservation of sport fish species and their habitats, to provide public access for fishing and boating, and to provide boating safety and education,” said Bryan King, Associate Director, Fisheries and Wildlife Division, DC Department of the Environment and Chair of AFWA’s Fisheries & Water Resources Policy Committee.

“We greatly appreciate the bipartisan work of the bill sponsors as well as the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Committees of jurisdiction,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “We look forward working with them to enact this critical piece of conservation legislation.”

The Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF) provides important financial contributions to fisheries conservation by directing fuel taxes generated by recreational motorboats and small engines to state fish and wildlife agencies and state boating law administrators for the purpose of on-the-ground, state-driven fisheries conservation programs, recreational boating access, aquatic resources education, and boating safety.

We urge the House to include this important provision in the INVEST in America Act (HR 3684) and pass it as soon as possible.