Contact: Joe Mullin, Assistant Manager, Northeastern States
Why it Matters: Sportsmen and women have played a crucial role in funding conservation efforts in the United States for over 80 years. The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a “user pays – public benefits” structure in which those who consumptively use public resources pay for the privilege, and in some cases the right to do so, has served as a shining beacon for the management of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Revenue from sporting licenses is a crucial pillar to the ASCF. Currently, the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife is not reimbursed for the roughly 27,000 free licenses that are given to residents that are 70+ years of age, though the Governor’s supplemental budget would take corrective and beneficial measures towards addressing this figure.
On February 18, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker submitted a supplemental budget, House Bill 4479 (H. 4479), to the members of the Massachusetts General Court. This move follows the Governor’s filing of the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) budget roughly three and a half weeks prior. CSF previously reported on the significance of the proposed FY2023 budget, but a provision included within the recently introduced H.4479 has sportsmen and women abuzz. Section 13 of the supplemental budget would require the Commonwealth’s general fund to annually reimburse the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund for “all lost revenue attributed to the issuance of discounted or free hunting or fishing license” – an action that would provide financial stability to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife).
Over the past year, the topic of conservation funding has made news in the Bay State. 2021 brought forth much-needed, phased-in increases in sporting license fees, as well as a short-term fix to reimbursing MassWildlife for lost license revenue due to free and discounted licenses. Currently, this accounts for 12% of the licenses given out. The mechanism outlined Section 13 of H.4479, whereby the Division would receive reimbursements more permanently, would provide significant financial relief.
Throughout 2021 and into 2022, CSF has testified in support of mechanisms that would provide increased funding for the Division, recognizing the crucial role it plays towards the conservation of Massachusetts’ fish and wildlife and their habitats. CSF supports the numerous pro-sportsmen’s provisions included within Governor Baker’s proposed FY2023 and supplemental budgets. Additional updates will be provided as they are made available.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
