UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION No. 359 
Washington, D. C. May 1939 
. 
THE WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM UNDER THE 
PITTMAN-ROBERTSON ACT OF 1937 
By Avsert M. Day, Chief, Division of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration 
Bureau of Biological Survey 
CONTENTS 
Page Page 
Method of allocating funds—Continued. 
Disposition of unused funds____-_-_-_---_.- 
Payanentsstorsvaves OMI yas eee ene 
Project initiation and accomplishment pro- 
COMURG Has Me Te eee te eee eee oa 
Preliminary or incidental costs__._-----.- 
Employment of competent personnel-_-_-- 
Text of Federal law and regulations_________- 
Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act_- 
Regulations for carrying out the Federal 
Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act___-_.-. 
Purpose of the restoration program_-__._.__--_- 
How States may qualify to participate___- 
SOUNCCLOMLE VEIILCS ss ete ae a ae ese ae 
seypes ofisuitable projects: _--- 22: 25225-2252. 
Maintenance of projects_.----...--..._--- 
Ownership and administration of restored 
Projects not contemplated by the act____-__-- 
Improvements on private lands__----___-_- 
Nurseries and game farms_________-___-_- 
Method of allocating funds to the States______ 
Period of availability of funds_......---_- 
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PURPOSE OF THE RESTORATION PROGRAM 
One of the most beneficial measures adopted in recent years for 
wildlife conservation, and probably the most constructive one since 
the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, is the Pittman- 
Robertson Act (50 Stat. 917; 16 U. S. C. 669-669j), approved by the 
President on September 2, 1937. Known also as the Federal Aid to 
Wildlife Restoration Act, it well rewards the concerted efforts of 
wildlife-conservation organizations throughout the United States to 
develop a cooperative Federal-State program to check the rapid de- 
pletion of one of the Nation’s most valuable natural resources. The 
existence of wildlife has been increasingly menaced by drought, floods, 
soil erosion, the appropriation of lands for farming and industrial 
purposes, the destruction of faunal habitat, and by the fact that the 
supply of natural food and cover is ever diminishing. 
Recognizing the fundamental principle that wildlife is inescapably 
linked with the land, the new act provides for the restoration of suit- 
able environment in which wild birds and mammals may live and 
multiply. Although the expenditure of funds for carrying out the 
program thus authorized must be limited to bettering conditions for 
wild birds and mammals, fishes also will benefit incidentally through 
the conservation and improvement of water resources. 
The theory behind this act is that the Federal Government can 
contribute materially in a national wildlife-restoration program. The 
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