HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1013

        A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Recognizing the positive economic impact sportsmen and sportswomen have in South Dakota.

    WHEREAS, as a result of over a century of responsible stewardship by sportsmen and sportswomen, South Dakota is home to bountiful fish and wildlife populations that provide its citizens and visitors with unrivaled opportunities for sporting, recreation, and commerce while also sustaining a quality of life; and

    WHEREAS, through the continued purchases of hunting and fishing licenses, resident and nonresident hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers continue to be the chief supporters of South Dakota's fish and wildlife resources, while also providing critical funds for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks' efforts to provide for healthy and abundant fish and wildlife populations for future generations; and

    WHEREAS, the over one billion dollars spent by sportsmen and sportswomen in South Dakota on equipment, travel, leases, licenses, and lodging supports nearly fifteen thousand jobs, making them a critical component of the state's economy; and

    WHEREAS, spending by sportsmen and sportswomen in South Dakota generates over eighty million dollars in state and local taxes, supporting vital public services in communities across the state; and

    WHEREAS, sportsmen and sportswomen in South Dakota contribute to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program that began with the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in 1937, was bolstered with the passage of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1950, and was further expanded with the Wallop-Breaux amendment to the Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1984; and

    WHEREAS, as provided in the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, the manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, hunting, fishing, and boating equipment collect excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, manufactured fishing tackle, electric trolling motors, marine electronics, and motorboat fuel and distribute these funds to the states through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and

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    WHEREAS, the combined contribution of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs and license fees to state fish and wildlife agencies nationwide has exceeded $56.9 billion since 1939, more than any other single conservation effort in American history; and

    WHEREAS, South Dakota has received $243,059,609 through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs since 1939 which has been used to protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations; and

    WHEREAS, this cooperative partnership between industry, hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has resulted in the most successful model of fish and wildlife management in the world:

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-First Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the Legislature recognizes sportsmen and sportswomen in South Dakota and the Department of Game, Fish and Parks for their leading role in enhancing populations of fish, wildlife, both game and nongame, and other natural resources, to the abundance we see today.

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Adopted by the House of Representatives,

Concurred in by the Senate,

Dean Wink Speaker of the House	Arlene Kvislen Chief Clerk of the House
Matt Michels President of the Senate	Kay Johnson Secretary of the Senate