Page 16 - 2019 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

Federal Grants Help State’s Aquatic Ed

Federal grant funds go a long way in helping the The Sport Fish Restoration Program, also referred to
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation provide as the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950, is often called one of
aquatic education such as the fishing clinics and field the most successful user-pays/user-benefits programs
trips that students have as part of its Oklahoma Fishing in the world. Industry, through its payment of dedicated
in the Schools (OKFITS) program. excise taxes, provides the foundation for sport fish man-
The federal Aquatic Resource Education Program is agement programs, which in turn benefit anglers who
part of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, over- buy equipment from those same manufacturers.
seen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Sport Fish Restoration Program funds
funding through these programs is appor- apportioned to the wildlife agencies
tioned to state fish and wildlife agencies each year are based on a formula that
for projects that: includes land area, number of paid
• Enhance the public’s understanding of license holders, minimums and max-
aquatic resources. imums.
• Improve communication with anglers, Sport Fish Restoration funds allo-
boaters and the public on sport fish- cated to Oklahoma for Fiscal Year
ing and boating opportunities. 2019 totaled $7.9 million. On many
• Increase participation in boating and of the eligible projects, these federal
sport fishing. funds will cover 75 percent of the proj-
• Advance the adoption of sound fishing ect costs, with the remaining funds from
and boating practices, including safety. non-federal sources.
• Promote conservation and responsible use of The Sport Fish program is under the umbrella of
aquatic resources. the overarching Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program
The federal funds apportioned annually are derived (WSFR). Funds from all WSFR grant programs made up about
from excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat and 35 percent of the Oklahoma Wildlife Department’s $69.7
small-engine fuels, import duties, and interest collected million budget for Fiscal Year 2017, or about $24.5 million.
in the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assisted with this article.)
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