"TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE" INITIATIVE 



THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1996 



House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Fish- 

 eries, Wildlife and Oceans, Committee on Re- 

 sources, 



Washington, DC. 



The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:14 a.m., in room 

 1334, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Jim Saxton (Chair- 

 man of the Subcommittee) presiding. 



STATEMENT OF HON. JIM SAXTON, A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE 

 FROM NEW JERSEY, AND CHAIRMAN, SUBCOMMITTEE ON 

 FISHERIES, WILDLIFE AND OCEANS 



Mr. Saxton. Good morning. The subject of today's hearing is the 

 concept of the Fish and Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative 

 known as "Teaming with Wildlife." The International Association of 

 Fish and Wildlife Agencies, known as the International, is leading 

 an effort to generate Federal funding for the conservation and 

 management of nongame wildlife. 



According to the International, there are more than 1,800 wild- 

 life species for which no reliably funded conservation program ex- 

 ists. These species include butterflies, chipmunks, fish, frogs, her- 

 ons, ospreys, salamanders, songbirds, turtles, and many others. 



To many states, some source of funding for nongame species, as 

 structured in the "Teaming with Wildlife" Initiative, may be a nec- 

 essary step in preserving these species. While funding authoriza- 

 tion for nongame species has been approved consistently by the 

 Congress, the program has never received any money in the appro- 

 priations process. As such, some alternative funding sources should 

 be found. 



[The statement of Mr. Young follows:] 



Statement of Hon. Don Young, a U.S. Representative from Alaska; and 

 Chairman, Committee on Resources 



Mr. Chairman, I want to compliment you for holding this oversight hearing on 

 a new funding proposal for non-game species known as "Teaming With Wildlife". 



The International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has worked tirelessly 

 to produce this idea and because of their leadership over 900 organizations, inclua- 

 ing the Izaak Walton League, Quail Unlimited, and the World Wildlife Fund, have 

 now endorsed this concept. 



In short, the intent is to raise money for State conservation programs for non- 

 game species like butterflies, songbirds, and turtles by broadening the funding base 

 to include those individuals who do not hunt or fish, but otherwise enjoy the out- 

 doors. This would include millions of Americans who are bird watchers, campers, 

 hikers, and nature photographers. 



Under the "Teaming With Wildlife" concept, there would be a five percent excise 

 fee on a broad range of consumer products such as backpacks, canoes, film, hiking 



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