Moose Droppings

House of Representatives move to Cut Wildlife Grants to States

May 31, 2006 @ 12:35 am by Moose

Northern flying squirrel NC Wildlife Resources Commission
A very successful program that has helped countless species across the country has taken a significant cut.

The State Wildlife Grants Program is the nation’s core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered, according to the “State Wildlife Grants Five-Year Accomplishment Report.” From restoring bog turtle populations in North Carolina’s mountain wetlands to monitoring the state’s freshwater mussel populations, the program has been a model for conservation success. Despite the success of the last five years, the program received a major cut in funding by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, recommending only $50 million of the $74.7 in the President’s budget.

When so little of the funds that go into wildlife restoration come from non sportsmen sources I hate to see any of that cut out. As a taxpayer I like to see cuts but I’d like to see it in useless failing programs. How about we make folks prove they are a citizen before we educate and feed them?

With many state wildlife agencies on the brink cuts like this can not be absorbed and many projects will have to end or be scaled way back.

“The State Wildlife Grants Program is an essential funding source for every state fish and wildlife
agency and a core program
for conserving our nation’s wildlife,” said Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “State Wildlife Grants save taxpayer dollars by preventing more endangered species listings, and I hope my colleagues in the Senate will join me in working to restore funding for State Wildlife Grants at $85 million.”

Links

News Story http://www.cherokeesentinel.com/news/2006/0531/home/078.html

Federal Info http://federalaid.fws.gov/grants/grantinf.html

North Carolina’s success stories http://www.teaming.com/Success%20Stories/PDF%20Success%20stories/North%20Carolina.pdf