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USSA Report: California Sportsmen Block Wildlife Fund Raid

COLUMBUS, Ohio - California sportsmen have beaten back an attempt to steal as much as $60 million in conservation funding. The lessons of the victory should be recognized nationwide as other states grapple with budget challenges.

As previously reported, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had proposed “borrowing” $30 million from the state Fish and Game Preservation Fund to plug budget shortfalls elsewhere.  The dollars are generated by fees paid by hunters, anglers, and trappers and are to be directed to conservation and wildlife management.

Though Gov. Schwarzenegger promised to pay the money back over time, there were concerns that would not happen. Additionally, the loss of the money would today severely damage state conservation and wildlife management programs.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and other groups, including the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, joined forces to defeat the raid. Through a grassroots effort, awareness was raised among sportsmen, who convinced members of the legislature to leave sportsmen’s money alone.

Particularly helpful in making the case was a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The letter made clear that California stood to lose an additional $30 million in matching federal funds if the diversion took place.

The USSA is monitoring developments in other states. Should similar efforts be attempted, the USSA will coordinate responses to prevent those dollars from being taken.