15 



drive vehicles. And we think now is the time to make this move. 

 Manufacturers of outdoor recreational products depend on Ameri- 

 ca's natural resources. Without wildlife, without habitat, without 

 places to go to enjoy nature, there would be very little demand for 

 the products they sell. We think good conservation translates into 

 good business. 



And in summary, Mr. Chairman, the National Wild Turkey Fed- 

 eration wholeheartedly supports the "Teaming with Wildlife" Ini- 

 tiative. We think this is a wonderful opportunity. We don't want 

 to let it slip by. The general public wants it. It is fair to the public 

 and industry and to the wildlife. It is the right thing to do at the 

 right time. 



And, Mr. Chairman, you and your colleagues, we ask you to 

 please help us make 1996 another milestone year, as was 1937 and 

 1950, as we assure our children's children a bright future in the 

 out of doors. Thank you. 



[Statement of Mr. Keck may be found at end of hearing.] 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you very much, Mr. Jenks. Mr. Ted 

 Eubanks, tell us what Fermata is. 



STATEMENT OF TED EUBANKS, PRESIDENT, FERMATA, INC. 



Mr. Eubanks. Fermata is a resource based tourism consultant 

 company. 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you. 



Mr. Eubanks. And I did not bring my turkey call. I apologize. 



Mr. Saxton. I am glad. 



Mr. Eubanks. Good morning, Mr. Chairman, and committee 

 members. My name is Ted Lee Eubanks, and I am a resource based 

 tourism consultant from Austin, Texas. I appear before you today 

 to speak in support of "Teaming with Wildlife," an effort to estab- 

 lish a consistent and invariable funding source for the conservation 

 of those resources that my industry depends upon for its very exist- 

 ence. 



I too believe that nature-related recreation and tourism is a bur- 

 geoning interest in this country. For the past decade, I have stud- 

 ied the economic impacts of these wildlife viewers; in particular, 

 bird-watchers. I have now completed numerous studies in this 

 country. I am before you today to share with you my experiences 

 with this one specific user group. 



In the United States, wildlife viewing has become a billion dollar 

 industry. Observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife was enjoyed 

 by 76 million people 16 years or older in 1991. More important to 

 my business, among this group, 30 million people took trips for the 

 primary purpose of enjoying wildlife. 



Retail sales from birders now exceed $5 billion in this country, 

 creating 191,000 jobs, and generating over $15 billion in economic 

 impact. For example, in my home State of Texas, birding rep- 

 resents a $365 million industry. This industry now supports the 

 livelihoods of nearly 5,000 Texas workers. 



These wildlife appreciation activities are quickly eclipsing hunt- 

 ing and fishing as the primary link between Americans, particu- 

 larly urban Americans, and the outdoors. Yet, consumptive and 

 nonconsumptive wildlife activities — and I apologize for both 

 terms — such as birding are founded upon an enduring base of na- 



