Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter this week recognized the 80th Anniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act signed into law in 1937.
The act was the first of three laws establishing federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment that are used to fund wildlife conservation throughout the United States.
The other two laws are the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, which was further expanded in 1984 by the Wallop-Breaux amendment.
The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, as it is called, has raised more than $57 billion since 1939, more than any other single conservation effort in American History. That money is distributed by formula to Idaho Fish and Game and other state fish and wildlife agencies throughout the country for fish and wildlife conservation.
Governor Otter proclaimed August 30, 2017 to be the 80th Anniversary of the American System of Conservation Funding in Idaho.
“Hunting and fishing are fundamental parts of Idaho’s incredible outdoor lifestyle,” Governor Otter said. “It’s a past-time and a passion that drives wildlife and habitat conservation efforts while creating jobs and economic opportunity for thousands of our citizens. More importantly, it’s a funding system that works to sustain and improve the resource as well as the people who cherish it.”
