BILL NUMBER: SCR 103 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 121
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR SEPTEMBER 10, 2012
ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 28, 2012
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 31, 2012
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 13, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Senator Berryhill
(Coauthors: Senators Blakeslee, Cannella, Dutton, Harman, Huff,
and Runner)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Galgiani, Garrick, Gordon, Hagman,
Huffman, Jeffries, and Mansoor)
AUGUST 6, 2012
Relative to wildlife resources.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 103, Berryhill. Wildlife resources: federal Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Program.
This measure would acknowledge the 75th anniversary of the federal
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and recognize, among
others, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for its leading
role in restoring healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and other
natural resources throughout the nation.
WHEREAS, More than a century ago, hunters and anglers were among
the first conservationists who realized America's fish and wildlife
resources and their habitats were in peril and could not sustain
unregulated harvest and further habitat destruction; and
WHEREAS, Hunters and anglers took it upon themselves to support
laws that stopped excessive harvest of fish and wildlife, established
game and fish agencies to protect fish, wildlife, and their
habitats, and supported special fishing and hunting license fees to
help fund the new agencies' efforts to provide for healthy natural
resources for future generations; and
WHEREAS, The State of California then and now recognizes that the
primary authority to protect and manage fish and resident wildlife
within the state's borders resides in the state fish and wildlife
agencies; and
WHEREAS, Upon realizing that license fees alone were insufficient
to restore and sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations, hunters
and anglers supported excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery
equipment, hunting equipment, and fishing equipment to raise
additional funds to support restoration and enhancement efforts of
the state agencies; and
WHEREAS, These efforts became known as the federal Wildlife and
Sport Fish Restoration Program that began 75 years ago with the
passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, and
then in 1950, was bolstered with the passage of the Federal Aid in
Sport Fish Restoration Act, which was further expanded with the
Wallop-Breaux amendment to the Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1984;
and
WHEREAS, The passage of each federal act was predicated on the
knowledge that hunters and anglers have a vested interest in the
conservation of fish and wildlife and in the healthy sustainability
of wildlife habitats; and
WHEREAS, The combined contribution of the federal Wildlife and
Sport Fish Restoration Program to state fish and wildlife agencies
exceeds $13 billion since 1939, more than any other single
conservation effort in American history; and
WHEREAS, The funds raised under the federal Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Program have helped conserve our fish and wildlife
resources and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation for more
than half a century. These investments, which help create jobs while
protecting California's natural treasures, are particularly important
in these tough economic times; and
WHEREAS, The cooperative partnership among industry, hunters,
anglers, boaters, recreational shooters, hunting and fishing
organizations, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and
California's Department of Fish and Game has resulted in a successful
model of fish and wildlife management that includes the conservation
of land, wildlife, fish, and better opportunities for hunters,
fishermen, and others to enjoy California's fish and wildlife
resources; and
WHEREAS, In California, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Act of 1937, as amended, has been a stable source of funding that has
been instrumental in the efforts to reestablish elk in suitable
habitat that has resulted in a statewide population of about 3,900
Tule elk in 21 separate herds throughout California; the annual
Central Valley Angler Survey, funded by $1,120,000 from the federal
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, which leads to
scientifically set harvest quotas, ensuring the conservation of
salmon while supporting the $167,000,000 economic contribution from
the annual salmon fishery enjoyed by 500,000 anglers; and
WHEREAS, Successful wildlife restoration projects in California
have included the protection and maintenance of over 285,000 acres of
wildlife areas with the annual support of $9,000,000 from the
federal Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, as amended, that create
public access for hunting and fishing and for wildlife surveillance
and reporting; and
WHEREAS, The annual support from the federal Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Program in California has provided the foundation
for conservation over 75 years. These investments have proven to be
the example of conservation in the great State of California and have
directly resulted in the increased awareness of conservation needs;
and
WHEREAS, Habitat stewardship and the actions of conservation
organizations combined with the annual funding generated by hunting
and fishing have become the cornerstone of our nation's fish and
wildlife conservation model; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
acknowledges the 75th anniversary of the federal Wildlife and Sport
Fish Restoration Program and recognizes the many hunters, anglers,
boaters, recreational shooters, as well as state fish and wildlife
agencies and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for their
leading role in restoring healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and
other natural resources, both game and nongame, to the abundance we
see today; and
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the Director of Fish and Game, the Secretary of the
Natural Resources Agency, and to the author for distribution, so that
all may know and appreciate the foresight and contributions from
anglers, hunters, recreational shooters, industry, state fish and
wildlife agencies, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on
behalf of our nation's natural resources.