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February 25, 2011
To: Members of US Senate
CC: Senate & House Appropriations Committee Chairs; Members of Senate & House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee; Nancy Sutley, Chair of CEQ; Ken Salazar, Secretary of Interior
Re: Restore funding to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program
Dear Senator _______:
The national Teaming With Wildlife Coalition is made up of over 6,300 organizations and businesses representing millions of nature enthusiasts including birders, hunters, anglers, hikers and others who enjoy and value wildlife. The coalition advocates annually for robust funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program, the nation's CORE program for preventing future endangered species listings and conserving common species. We ask you to restore funding to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program in the FY11 continuing resolution to $90M, the same level as FY10.
H.R. 1, which passed in the House on February 19th, totally eliminates funding for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program. The elimination of this program would have severe consequences in all states and territories affecting local economies and impacting fish and wildlife populations. Loss of the program will erode more than a decade of investment made to conserve more than 12,000 at-risk species.
The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program is non-regulatory, incentive-based and focused on results. The program has leveraged hundreds of millions of dollars in state, private and tribal funds and is the principal source of funding needed to implement Congressionally-required State Wildlife Action Plans; plans that are strategically focusing resources in every state and territory.
The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program provides important funding to combat invasive species, improve management on public and private lands, support research and monitoring, provide technical assistance, address growing wildlife disease problems, protect native habitats, and facilitate critical partnerships between local, state, federal, tribal and non-governmental organizations. This program not only helps to sustain wildlife populations, but enhances local economies and jobs by supporting the $45 billion wildlife-related recreation industry.
On behalf of the millions of outdoor enthusiasts we represent we urge you to restore funding to the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program in the FY2011 Continuing Resolution to safeguard the future of our nation's rich fish and wildlife heritage for future generations. We look forward to working with you.
(Add Name Here)
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