A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Supporting the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.

WHEREAS, Congress passed the Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson and Wallop-Breaux Acts to establish funds financed by hunters, recreational shooters, anglers, and boaters to support wildlife and sportfish recovery and management; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota's residents and visitors have a long tradition of hunting, fishing and trapping and also enjoy watching wildlife around their homes and during trips away from home; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota's residents and visitors contribute more than one billion dollars in direct spending in the state annually on outdoor recreation activities; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota's tourism industry attracted 14.5 million visitors in 2019, and South Dakota's natural landscapes and wildlife are critical for attracting visitors; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated and sustainable funding mechanism is needed for many species of fish and wildlife that are not pursued by hunters, trappers, or anglers; and

WHEREAS, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has the primary statutory responsibility for the management of fish and wildlife in the state; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota's Wildlife Action Plan addresses the needs of the state's fish and wildlife species, including species of greatest conservation need; and

WHEREAS, limited financial resources are available to fully implement the state's Wildlife Action Plan to help prevent future threatened and endangered species listings and provide for the needs of all species and key habitats; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, is composed of 26 business and conservation leaders, recommended that a new funding mechanism be established for state fish and wildlife conservation and management for current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ribbon Panel recommended that Congress dedicate up to $1.3 billion annually to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to diversify the funding and management of all fish and wildlife; and

WHEREAS, funding is also needed to assist South Dakota tribal governments with fish and wildlife conservation and management; and

WHEREAS, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act would fulfill the Blue Ribbon Panel's recommendation by making funds available to address the needs of species of greatest conservation need as identified in state wildlife action plans:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Fifth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the South Dakota Legislature supports the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which will dedicate $1.3 billion annually to the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount of the Pittman-Robertson Act to help address the needs of all fish and wildlife and will also dedicate $98 million annually to assist with tribal fish and wildlife management needs in the U.S.; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Legislature supports the Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife's campaign to secure passage of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act and urges Governor Noem, Representative Johnson, Senator Rounds, and Senator Thune to support this effort; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Dakota Legislature, acknowledges its support for state policy and legislation to broaden dedicated funding mechanisms for wildlife conservation, Wildlife Action Plan implementation, enhanced tribal fish and wildlife management, and aid in providing the required match when new dedicated federal funding is secured.