[va-richmond-general] "Great News for Wildlife Funding"

"HOT OFF THE PRESS" ---    

To: Teaming with Wildlife Coalition
From: International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 
Date: 9 July 2002
Re: Congressional Action on State Wildlife Grants

1. House Increases Funding for State Wildlife Grants to $100 million
2. Senate Provides $60 million for State Wildlife Grants
3. Press Release to follow in next email

1. House Increases Funding for State Wildlife Grants to $100 million

Great News!  Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on
Appropriations voted to increase federal funding for State Wildlife
Grants to $100 million in Fiscal Year 2003.  Two weeks ago in the
Interior subcommittee, they had provided only $60 million mimicking the
President's budget request.  As a result of YOUR efforts, and an
agreement with the Appropriations Committee Leadership to provide $60
million in additional funds to the "Conservation Spending Category" or
CARA-lite, State Wildlife Grants was able secure an additional $40
million.  This increases SWG above the FY'02 level of $85 million.  Other
beneficiaries of this additional funding included $10 million for PILT
and $10 million for Habitat Conservation Plans.  The full report should
be available on the House Appropriations Committee web site shortly
(www.house.gov).  This is a very significant victory for the State
Wildlife Grants program. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID TO HELP!!!!!!!

Action: Contact Members on the Appropriations Committee and THANK THEM
for this increase.  Go to www.teaming.com to see if you have a member on
this committee.  If not, you can contact the Committee and Subcommittee
Chairs (Mr. Bill Young (R-FL) and Mr. David Obey (D-WI), and Mr. Joe
Skeen (R-NM) and Mr. Norm Dicks (D-WA) respectively).  Issue a press
release (see follow up email for template).

2. Senate Provides $60 million for State Wildlife Grants

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed their Fiscal Year 2003
Interior Appropriations on June 27th providing $60 million for the State
Wildlife Grants program.  However, $60 million represents a substantial
reduction (29%) from FY 2002, and will significantly curtail the
effectiveness of many State programs that are just getting off the
ground.  In the coming weeks, the House and Senate Interior
Appropriations Bills will face votes by the Senate and House, followed by
a Conference to work out any differences.  The conference is the most
likely place for us to work on increasing these lower Senate numbers.  We
will provide more details on the timing of floor votes and the conference
as they become available.

Action: Contact your Senators asking them to match the House numbers of
$100 million.  FOR YOUR SENATORS' CONTACT INFORMATION: www.teaming.com

3. Press Release

It is critical we THANK the House for this increase and encourage the
Senate to match it.  The following email is IAFWA's press release issued
today.

Action: Please have your agency or organization issue your own press
release thanking your House Members of Congress by name (esp. if they are
on the appropriations committee and highlight those on Interior
subcommittee).  Remember to praise those that signed the House and Senate
letters for their efforts.  Also include an example of what you are using
the funds for or else a project in the future.  Those of you with
pictures of Members of Congress with Challenger the bald eagle, include
them with your press release (we already sent them to you if we have
them)!


******************************************************************
Naomi Edelson
International Assn. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
444 N. Capitol St., NW
Suite 544
Washington DC 20001
tel: (202) 624-7890
fax: (202) 624-7891
IAFWA Website: http://www.iafwa.org
Check out the Teaming with Wildlife web site: http://www.teaming.com 

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