Sport Fish Restoration Program

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Stored: Sport Fish Restoration Program

Sport Fish Restoration Program
Type Program
Sponsor Organization Office of Conservation Investment
Top Organization Department of the Interior
Creation Legislation Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950
Website Website
Purpose The Sport Fish Restoration Program distributes excise taxes to states and territories to conserve sport fish populations and enhance recreational fishing opportunities. It aims to restore aquatic habitats, support fishery management, and improve public boating access.
Program Start 1950
Initial Funding $7 million
Duration Ongoing
Historic No

Sport Fish Restoration Program (SFR) is a Department of the Interior initiative administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment that has disbursed over $11 billion in excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat fuel, and small engine fuel to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies since 1950, enhancing aquatic habitats, stocking over 1 billion sport fish annually, and improving boating access across the United States as of 2025.

Known as the Dingell-Johnson Act program, it apportioned $477.2 million in FY 2025 to 50 states, D.C., and territories, funding projects like aquatic education, hatchery operations, and 70+ boating infrastructure grants ($70 million in 2024), boosting recreational fishing’s $151 billion economic impact while supporting species like largemouth bass and walleye.

Official Site

Goals

  • Conserve sport fish populations and aquatic habitats nationwide.[1]
  • Enhance recreational fishing and boating opportunities through state-led projects.
  • Support fishery management, research, and public education initiatives.

Organization

The Sport Fish Restoration Program was sponsored by the Office of Conservation Investment within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Department of the Interior, headquartered at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia.[2] Funding came from excise taxes, with FY 2025 at $477.2 million, managed by a staff distributing grants to 50 states, D.C., and territories, requiring a 25% non-federal match, collaborating with state agencies, tribes, and partners like the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

The leader at the Department of the Interior level was the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, currently Martha Williams (as of February 20, 2025), with SFR operations overseen by the Assistant Director for Conservation Investment.

History

The Sport Fish Restoration Program was established by the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, signed into law on August 9, 1950, by President Harry S. Truman, taxing fishing equipment to fund state fishery efforts.[3] It expanded with the Wallop-Breaux Amendment (1984) adding motorboat fuel taxes, growing to $477.2 million in FY 2025 apportionments (announced January 15, 2025), with milestones like the 2000 Improvement Act and 2022 BIL reauthorization, adapting to support over 1 billion fish stocked and 70+ boating projects by 2025.

Funding

Initial funding in 1950 was $7 million from excise taxes on fishing equipment.[4] Funding began in 1950 and continues, with FY 2025 at $477.2 million (plus state matches), apportioning funds via formulas based on license sales and water area, with no end date as excise taxes sustain efforts like 2025’s $70 million boating infrastructure grants and $5 million Clean Vessel Act funding.

Implementation

The program was implemented through grants to states and territories for hatchery operations, habitat restoration, and boating access projects like docks and ramps, managed by the Office of Conservation Investment.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, stocking over 1 billion fish annually and funding aquatic education for millions, with 2025 efforts enhancing post-Helene recovery and coastal access points.

Related

External links

Social media

References

  1. "Sport Fish Restoration Program Overview," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/sport-fish-restoration, accessed February 19, 2025.
  2. "Office of Conservation Investment," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/program/office-conservation-investment, accessed February 19, 2025.
  3. "Sport Fish Restoration History," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/sport-fish-restoration, accessed February 19, 2025.
  4. "Sport Fish Restoration Funding," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/sport-fish-restoration, accessed February 19, 2025.
  5. "SFR Implementation," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, https://www.fws.gov/service/sport-fish-restoration, accessed February 19, 2025.