|
||||||
|
|
||||||
 Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson announced the biggest outdoors bonding package in state history. Carlson proposed a $201 million bonding initiative to improve state parks and trails, expand habitat for fish and wildlife, and simplify the recreational license system.
"Our great outdoors not only make Minnesota unique, they are part of our identity as a state, and must not be taken for granted," Carlson said when announcing the proposal. "It is vitally important that we preserve our natural resources for future generations. This is an investment into the future." "I think this is a great way to support the economy and tourism in Minnesota," said Sando, DNR commissioner, noting that by the year 2000 outdoor recreation will generate more than $2 billion a year in direct spending to the state."I think we will see a pretty broad range of support," added Sando. "I don't think we will get exactly what has been proposed, but I think we will get a good portion of it." "The Access to the Outdoors" initiative was developed in conjunction with more than a dozen outdoor and environmental groups and is composed of three new initiatives:
|
 This initiative would put another 24,000 acres into wildlife habitat by paying landowners for "permanent conservation easements." Funding would also be used to acquire 17,500 acres for designation as wildlife management areas, and would help protect and restore Minnesota's trout streams. - $1.2 million for electronic licensing. The "Outdoors Online" initiative will create a one-stop shopping system for recreational licenses. By next summer, hunters and anglers can purchase their licenses just by dialing a toll-free telephone number. In addition to the $114 million in new initiatives, Carlson proposed base bonding for improved water access (through boat landings and fishing piers), and DNR office consolidation.
For more information, visit Explore Minnesota website.
|
|||||
Anglers, boaters, and others who pay for state sport fish restoration and boating safety efforts can be confident that
their excise tax dollars remain hard at work despite delays to
reauthorize some of the funds that make these programs possible.
Thanks to legislation signed by President Clinton December 1 as
Public Law 105-130, motorboat fuel and small-engine gasoline
taxes will continue to support state aquatic resource
conservation and recreation efforts funded through the Federal
Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program.
If this bill had not
passed before Congress adjourned November 13, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, which administers the sport fish program, would
not continue to receive and pass along to states the $15 million
per month plus interest the agency receives from these revenues.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal
agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish
and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the
American people.
|
The sport fish program also receives revenues from fishing
equipment excise taxes. Last year, the program provided more
than $270 million to states to stock fish, acquire and improve
sport fish habitat, conduct fisheries research and aquatic
resource education, and provide recreational access facilities
such as boat ramps and piers.
The 1997 Surface Transportation Extension Act (S. 1519), now
Public Law 105-130, was passed by Congress November 13 to provide a
6-month extension of the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act (ISTEA). ISTEA expired September 30.
Under the new law, ISTEA's motorboat and small-engine fuel tax
funds now can continue to be transferred to benefit sport fish
restoration projects through October 1, 1998.
Congress' work to reauthorize ISTEA will continue when members
reconvene in early 1998.
|
|||||
 USFWS Press Releases Gene Bucks Fisheries SummariesSea Grant News |
 EXOTICS UPDATE | BASIN REPORT | PENDING ISSUES | REGIONAL REPORTS | GREAT LINKS | HOT NEWS | 
|