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funds should be pooled to address issues at the national and regional levels, yet statutory language 

 does not appear to provide authority to use administrative funds in this manner. 



We therefore suggest that the Committee consider amending PR to provide statutory language 

 allowing for such use. In addition, FWS should be provided guidance on administrative fund 

 allocations. Such guidance should include protection against using PR monies for budgetary 

 offsets, a prohibition against using PR funds for legislative initiatives, guidelines for determining 

 what level of funding may be withheld for these projects, direction to the FWS on how the project 

 review and approval process will be conducted, and whether the Director of FWS may use such 

 funds for Directorate-sponsored projects. 



Although the concerns we are raising about the administrative account of PR can be viewed as 

 separate and distinct from the subject of this Subcommittee hearing, it should be reviewed in light 

 of how administrative funds under WDI will be used. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to address the WDI. To reiterate, the NRA 

 acknowledges that state-level funding for nongame species is inadequate and that finding a new 

 way to fund state-level conservation programs and projects directed at nongame fish and wildlife, 

 including threatened and endgangered species, is needed. However, as a representative of over 

 three million PR excise tax providers, we cannot support such an initiative if it diminishes, 

 transfers, or dilutes the sporting community's contributions to fish and wildlife conservation 

 through PR and state licensing fees. The NRA looks forward to working with the members of 

 the Subcommittee and others in the conservation community in developing legislation that provides 

 the states with the funding they need, broadens the funding base to include fish and wildlife users 

 who do not currently pay, and protects the sporting community's contributions under current 

 excise tax programs. 



