JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Funding
Fi$herie$
Programs
Have you ever wondered how your fishing
license revenue is spent? Hopefully after
reading this article you will understand not only
where it is spent but also how and why it is spent as it is.
First you need to know that TWRA fisheries programs are
funded from two sources. The first is license dollars, as you
probably guessed. The second source may not be familiar
to you. Each year TWRA receives money from the Federal
Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. This Act was first passed
by Congress in 1950 (Dingell-Johnson Act) and has been
amended several times since. The most significant change
occurred in 1984, the Wallop-Breaux Amendment, which
increased funding significantly to states. This amendment
expanded the items of fishing tackle subject
to the 10 percent excise tax and imposed a
new 3 percent excise tax on fish finders and
electric trolling motors. In addition, it added
motorboat fuels tax revenues and the import
duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure
craft. Amendments to the Act provide
funds to the states for aquatic education,
wetlands restoration, boat safety and clean
vessel sanitation devices (pumpouts). All states are allotted
funding based on a land area/license sales formula and
federal dollars must be matched with state dollars on a 75:25
basis. This year the allotment for fisheries programs exceeds
$6.4 million. When combined with state license dollars
for fisheries (approximately $2.1 million), the total budget
exceeds $8.5 million.
How are these dollars allocated within TWRA
Fisheries programs? The following page provides a
breakdown by percent on major fisheries programs. All costs,
including personnel, are rolled into these program areas.
The two programs expending over 50% of the budget
are reservoirs and hatchery operations. Reservoir costs
include sampling, habitat improvement, and creel surveys
The hatchery
improvement
program ranks third
in expenditures
programs are funded
from two sources. The
as you probably
guessed. The second
source may not be
familiar to you....
by bill Reeves, Chief of fisheRies ManageMent
on most major reservoirs in Tennessee. Both warmwater and
coldwater hatcheries are included in hatchery operations.
Major cost areas, beside personnel, include feed, fertilizer,
fuel, vehicles, and electricity. The hatchery improvement
program ranks third in expenditures and is relatively new in
budgetary terms. These improvements include major projects
to either repair existing facilities or construct new facilities
(ponds and raceways) for increased production of fish to stock
in Tennessee waters. Several of these improvements will
bring the latest hatchery technology to our facilities. We hope
to continue this program until all the stocking needs in public
waters are met. Eleven percent of the annual fisheries budget
is spent sampling and managing the small streams and rivers
in Tennessee. These costs include both warm
and coldwater streams, rivers and tailwaters.
Our community lakes programs (6%) includes
all TWRA agency lakes, technical advice
for pond owners, including private, county
and city ponds and lakes. State Park lakes
management and fishing events for kids
are also in this program. Land acquisition
(5%) provides access to public waters where
access is severely limited. It also purchases land for hatchery
expansion. Our fish acquisition program (2%) provides
funding to purchase catfish and trout from private hatcheries
for spring and summer kid’s events and winter trout stocking
programs. Research (2%) provides our fisheries scientists
the information needed to better manage the fisheries
resources in Tennessee and the anglers that utilize them.
One percent of annual expenditures are spent on managing
commercial mussels and fishing. And finally 6% is spent on
administration of all the previously discussed programs.
I hope this gives you a greater understanding of how and
where your license dollars are spent. And, as always, we
welcome your input on ways we can improve what we do for
you.
6 2008 Fishing Guide