48 



reptiles and amphibians, such as New Jersey chorus frog and bog turtle, 4i) of which contribute 

 to recreational opportunities for our citizens, and the getieral quality of life in our State 



The lesson to learn from our fish and wildlife conservation efforts in the US is that, because of 

 sportsmen and women's interest in game species, funds have b«cn dedicated to their 

 conservation with the result that these species now enjoy a relatively healthy and vital status. 

 Of courst, funds are also being spent on threatened and endangered species to save them from 

 extinaion because of their crisis status However, the 90% of other (than game, sportfish and 

 threatened/endangered species) fish and wildlife species suffer from a lack of adequate fijnding 

 to assess their status, ensure their sustainability, and provide appropriate recreational and 

 educational uses of this resource TWW will provide a consistent, dedicated source of funds to 

 meet these needs. 



While hunters and anglers remain one of our most ardent constitueiKies, the State fish and 

 wildlife agencies serve a wide variety of fish and wildlife enthusiasts sirKe we manage these 

 public trust resources for all of our citizens While some pro^'ams in the States arc directed at 

 meeting these user needs, such as land and habitat conservation on our 200,000+ acros of 

 Wildlife Management Areas in New Jersey, much more is needed Bird wstfchers, nature 

 photographers, those who feed birds, and hikers and canoers ail benefit from rokitf fi^ and 

 wildlife populations Sustainable fish and wildlife populations in kaalthy habitats will provide 

 for enhanced recreational and educational opportunities by ail who mpy thes« rwourcet. 

 Funds now available to the States to secure this friture for fish and wildlife rcscMjrces are simply 

 not enough TWW will provide those fionds that are so vitally needed 



Like the hunter and angler constituency which supports Pittman/Robertson aixl 

 Dingell/Johnson-Wallop/Breaux, a broad coalition of sportsmen axid women, other 

 conservationists and other consumers are now ardent advocates for TWW The almost 1000 

 coalition organizations and the approximately 50 million consumers they represent have 

 resoundingly indicated to industry thdr willingness to pay a nominal excise fee on certain 

 outdoor products as long as they can be assured that the fimds will be statutorily and 

 [)ermanently dedicated to enhaxK^ed fish and wildlife conservation, recreation and education 

 programs to benefit them in their states TWW can meet these needs and will accomplish this 

 objective. For the record, I would like to introduce the nx>st recent coalition list and the letters 

 of endorsement from Governor Knowles of Alaska. Governor Kitzhftbcr of Oregon, Govenvsr 

 Chiles of Florida, Governor Miller of Georgia. Governor Dean of Vermont, Governor Tucker 

 of Arkansas, Governor Foster of Lxxiisiana, and Governor Johnson of New Mexico We 

 expect other Governors to also endorse TWW soon 



Like the Pittman/Robertson and Dingell/Johnson-Wallop/Breaux programs, under TWW 

 nominal excise fees (proposed on a sliding scale from V*% to 5% based on product value) will 

 be imposed at the manufacturer's level on certain outdoor prockicts, collected by the US 

 Treasury, and permanently appropriated to the USFWS to be apportioned to the State fish and 

 wildlife agencies on a 3 1 Federal State matching fiand basis based on 2/3 population and 1/3 

 land area No State (or territory) would receive more than 5% of the total flmds, nor less than 

 5% of the total fimds. We estimate an annual income stream to the States of $350 million 



