[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 73 (Monday, April 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19283-19284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9414]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Record of Decision for a Final Supplemental Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (SPEIS) on the Federal Aid in Sport Fish
Restoration and Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Programs
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) has selected the No Change Alternative for its operation of
the Sport Fish Restoration and Wildlife Restoration Programs into the
next century. This decision was based on the Service analysis of the
program contained in a SPEIS to augment the Program Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) published in 1978 and comments received from the
public regarding that SPEIS.
ADDRESSES: Columbus H. Brown, Chief, Division of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, Arlington Square Building, Room 140, 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Columbus H. Brown, Chief, Division of
Federal Aid, Telephone (703) 358-2156.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program was
initiated with the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) in 1937. This Act has been commonly
referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act in honor of the sponsors of
the Act. The purpose of the Act was to provide a stable and secure
source of funding to the States for the management, conservation, and
enhancement of wildlife species. The Act was passed in response to
dramatic declines in the populations of a number of game species and
was originally intended as a mechanism to restore those populations to
healthy levels. Funding for the Wildlife Restoration Program is derived
from Federal excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and certain
archery equipment.
The Wildlife Restoration Act authorizes the Service to deduct a
maximum of 8 percent of the funds for administration of the Act and for
carrying out the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. After making
administrative deductions, the remaining funds are apportioned to the
States based on the geographic area, number of hunting license holders,
and State population. Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, receive a fixed percentage of
the funds apportioned. Funds apportioned under the Wildlife Restoration
Program for fiscal year 1994 came to a total of $182,081,117.
While the Wildlife Restoration Act was specifically directed toward
developing funds for wildlife management, it served as the pattern for
a similar funding mechanism directed at fisheries management. In 1950,
the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.),
commonly called the Dingell-Johnson Act was passed. The legislation was
further augmented by the Wallop-Breaux amendment of 1984, providing
additional funds. The Sport Fish Restoration Program provides stable
funding for restoration, conservation, management and enhancement of
sport fish, and the provision of benefits from these resources to the
public; improved boating access; and aquatic resource education. Funds
provided by this Act are derived from Federal excise taxes on fishing
tackle and related equipment, federal taxes on gasoline used in
motorboats, duties on imported boats, and fishing tackle, and interest
earned on investment of these funds.
Sport Fish Restoration Program funds are apportioned based on the
number of fishing license holders and the geographic area of each
State. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia receive a fixed
percentage of the funds apportioned. The Service may deduct up to 6
percent for administration of the Act. State funds apportioned under
the Sport Fish Restoration program for fiscal year 1994 came to a total
of $174,628,718.
The mentioned Act form the basis of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish
and Wildlife Restoration Program, or the Federal Aid Program (Program).
The Program is administered by the Service's Division of Federal Aid
(Division). The Division's mission is to strengthen the ability of
State and Territorial fish and wildlife agencies to restore and manage
fish and wildlife resources to meet effectively the consumptive and
nonconsumptive needs of the public for fish and wildlife resources.
Alternatives Considered
Five alternatives, listed below, were considered in the SPEIS. Each
alternative was developed by Service, State, and public inputs and
focuses on the needs and direction of the Federal Aid Program into the
next century. Under each of these alternatives, the basic core of
Program activities would continue as it is at present with gradual
changes in emphasis in response to public interest and need.
Alternative 1--No Change to the Existing Program Direction.
Continue current administration and activities.
Alternative 2--Emphasis on National and Regional Priorities.
Encourage States to consider funding projects contributing to national
or regional [[Page 19284]] priorities that are cooperatively identified
by the States and the Service in consultation with the public.
Alternative 3--Emphasis on Additional Funding for Biodiversity and
Watchable Wildlife Projects. States will be provided an expanded
funding base for use on biodiversity and watchable wildlife enhancement
projects.
Alternative 4--Increase Administrative Flexibility of States.
Increased responsiveness to State needs, such as administrative
flexibility, aquatic education expansion, and adult education for
wildlife programs.
Alternative 5--Eliminate Most Service Overview of States. Propose
legislation and policy changes to eliminate most Service overview of
State projects including project approval. States would be provided
program rules, general guidance, and apportionment of funds. States
would provide reports of accomplishments and would be periodically
monitored by the Service.
Decision
Alternative 1, ``No Change to the Existing Program Direction'' was
selected by the Service for future administration of the Program. This
selection was made in response to overwhelming support of the existing
program by respondents to the draft document issued in November 1993.
The majority of comments received during the comment period expressed
the opinions that the Program was working well and urged the Service
not to make changes. Most persons commented that States are in the best
position to assess the needs of citizens for fish and wildlife
resources and that the Federal Government should not get more involved
in establishing priorities for State projects. The Service is convinced
that the existing Program is effectively meeting the needs of hunters,
anglers, boaters, and other users of the nation's fish and wildlife
resources and does not plan to change the way the Program is
administered.
Significant Issues Raised
After the final SPEIS was distributed to the public in December
1994, several parties asked that the Service adopt a more flexible
policy relating to projects to educate State employees. Currently,
employees that are actively working on Federally funded projects may be
trained using Program funds, but training of employees not working on
active projects may not be funded. The Service intends to explore the
need for this change with the States independently of this Record of
Decision.
No other significant issues were raised during review of the Final
SPEIS. Because the Final SPEIS adopted the preferred alternative
suggested by most public comments, the few public comments on the final
draft were supportive.
Copies Are Available
Copies of the Final SPEIS are available from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Aid, Arlington Square Building,
MS-140, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22203, during
normal working hours. Telephone (703) 358-2156.
Dated: March 22, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-9414 Filed 4-14-95; 8:45 am]
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