The need for financial support of state fish and wildlife agencies is well documented. Support is long overdue, both from within the states and from a dedicated federal source. We believe that federal aid is a critical and appropriate component. Wildlife is oblivious to political boundaries. While states have a statutory responsibility for managing most wildlife, these populations can and do cross boundaries and are a part of the nation's commonly held assets.
All citizens have an interest in the wellbeing of wildlife populations, regardless of geography.
The states have the lion's share of responsibility to provide for the needs of wildlife under their stewardship. With a few notable exceptions, they have not met this responsibility. These agencies are supported entirely by license fees and existing federal aid programs - this at a time when nearly every state is experiencing a budget surplus. We are about to release a report detailing the relationship between economic benefits derived from and state reinvestment in fish and wildlife conservation. We will see that members of this committee receive a copy of that report.