Kansas to receive more than $11 million for 2009 conservation projects

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced the distribution of more than $740 million to 56 state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation efforts, boat access, shooting ranges, and hunter education.

The funding is made available to states and territories through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs, which are administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funds are generated by federal excise taxes on purchases of firearms, ammunition, archery, and angling equipment and boat motor fuels. The Wildlife Restoration apportionment for 2009 totals nearly $336 million, with more than $64.7 million marked for hunter education and firearm and archery range programs. The Sport Fish Restoration apportionment for 2009 totals more than $404 million.

Under the 2009 distribution, Kansas will receive nearly $6 million for wildlife restoration and hunter education projects and more than $5.6 million for sport fish restoration in the Sunflower State. These funds pay up to 75 percent of the cost of each eligible project, and the states are required to contribute at least 25 percent.

Projects will be administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Funds will be used to manage fish and wildlife, conduct habitat research, carry out studies and surveys, acquire lands for wildlife as well as public access, conduct hunter education programs, and maintain shooting ranges.

“This source of conservation funding is important not only measured by its dollar amount, but also by legislative safeguards preventing its diversion away from state fish and wildlife agencies,” said Rowan Gould, acting director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “For states working to ensure a future for fish and wildlife -- and opportunities for people to enjoy them -- precious few programs offer this level of support and reliability.”

For additional information concerning these two important fish and wildlife conservation programs and a comprehensive list of state-by-state funding allocations, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

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