For Release on November 2, 2005
Contact: Nicholas Throckmorton, USFWS, (202) 208-5626
Rachel Brittin, IAFWA (202)
624-7744
(WASHINGTON) -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton today announced that
wildlife agencies from all 50 states and six U.S. territories have
submitted Wildlife Action Plans for approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, establishing a nationwide blueprint to conserve imperiled species
so they don’t become threatened or endangered.
If approved, the Wildlife Action Plans will be the first of their kind— a
thorough state-by-state look at wildlife and the actions needed to ensure
their survival. The action plans also will allow states and territories to
continue to receive grants under the State Wildlife Grant program created
under bipartisan legislation signed by President Bush in
2001. Since then, the Fish and Wildlife Service has provided $400 million
in grants to states and territories for conservation efforts.
The law required states and territories to have their individual plans
submitted to the Service by October 2005. The Service currently plans to
distribute $68.5 million in grants next spring for states and territories
to implement approved action plans.
“These plans represent a future for conservation in America that is rooted
in cooperation and partnership between the federal government and states,
tribes, local governments, conservation groups, private landowners and
others with a commitment to the health of our land and water, fish and
wildlife,” Norton said. “Working together, we are tapping into the
expertise of those who live and work on the land so that we can conserve
our fish and wildlife before they become threatened or endangered.
“Through State Wildlife Grants, we are empowering states, territories, and
their many partners to do what the federal government cannot do alone,” she
said. “The grant program is now our nation’s primary conservation program
for keeping species healthy and off the list of threatened and endangered
species.”
The Wildlife Action Plans establish a coordinated strategy for wildlife
agencies to help all wildlife species. In the past, most of the states and
territories have had great success in managing game species. This new
program will help fund expansion of their conservation work to include all
wildlife species and their habitats.
Norton said she has instructed the Fish and Wildlife Service to work with
all Interior land management agencies as well as other federal land
management agencies to support the goals and objectives outlined in the
wildlife action plans in their agencies’ land management strategies and
plans
“The bottom line is that we use a strong pro-active approach in
constructing our state wildlife action plans to ensure the health and
survival of all wildlife,” says John Cooper, president of the International
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “It has resulted in closer
working relationships with other conservation agencies and organization
within our states. Never has such a comprehensive set of plans been
constructed with so much input.”
"Investments to breathe life into the state wildlife strategies are at the
heart of assuring a full wildlife legacy for our children's future," said
Larry Schweiger, president of the National Wildlife Federation.
A team of eight U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and five state
wildlife administrators are in the process of reviewing the plans and will
forward their recommendations to the Service Director for final approval.
States may use the funds for either planning or project implementation
activities. For the 50 states, the apportionment is based on a formula
that uses each state’s land area and population. States may receive no more
than 5 percent or less than 1 percent of the total available funds. The
District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will receive
one-half of 1 percent and Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands will receive one-fourth of
1 percent.
Each states’ or territories’ plan must contain information on low and
declining populations of wildlife and the habitats they require, identify
problems that affect these populations, identify research and survey
efforts to improve their conservation efforts, determine actions and
priorities. Once the state plans have been approved agencies will revise
and update their plans at least once every 10 years.
To learn more about an individual state plan, please contact the state
wildlife agency’s press officers. A comprehensive list can be found at
http://www.teaming.com/Newsroom.htm