Published: March 14, 2009 04:47 pm      

MARTINO: Fed money is boost for Hoosiers

State’s DNR will receive $11M

Everyone who utilizes our states natural resources, and even those who don’t, should be happy with recent news. Our Indiana Department of Natural Resources will receive more than $11 million from two federal programs that will help fund fish and wildlife conservation, access to public waters and outdoor education.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of this revenue generating partnership,” said Glen Salmon, chief of the DNR’s Fish and Wildlife division. “Along with license sales, these funds are what drive the management of Indiana’s fish and wildlife.

Indiana will receive $5,836,724 from the Wildlife Restoration Program, more commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Fund, and $5,235,357 from the Sport Fish Restoration Program, otherwise known as the Dingell-Johnson Fund. Both programs are administered by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. For states working to ensure a future for fish and wildlife and opportunities for people who enjoy them, precious few programs provide this level of monetary support or reliability.

In previous years, the DNR has used allotted funds to stock fish, develop and maintain public access sites, provide hunter education programs and purchase land for hunting, fishing and other outdoor opportunities.

These funds are part of the $740.9 million that Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced will be distributed to fish and wildlife agencies in all 50 states.

“These funds have helped conserve our fish and wildlife resources and provide for opportunities for outdoor recreation for more than half a century,” Salazar said. “These investments, which also create jobs and help protect our natural treasures, are particularly important in these tough economic times.”

Funding each state receives is based on a formula consisting of land area, including inland waters and the number of paid hunting and fishing license holders in each state.

This money is derived from excise taxes and import duties on sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, sport fishing equipment, outboard motors and fuel taxes attributable to motorboats.

In Midwest states like Indiana, these two programs are a true cycle of success in conservation, management, partnership and outdoor recreation. When a child purchases their first fishing pole, or when a bow and arrow distributor makes a sale, money is being set aside to fund on-the-ground projects that conserve and protect species and habitat that sustain outdoor recreation as part of our Midwestern lifestyle.

If you think these funds don’t affect us in our own backyard, guess again. This money has played an important role in the reintroduction of wild turkeys in Howard and neighboring counties and the stocking of walleyes in our local lakes and reservoirs to name a few.

Everyone who hunts and fishes should feel proud knowing that while we enjoy our many outdoor opportunities, we are also making an investment in its conservation and protection.

Still time for suggestions

If you have a suggestion regarding rules governing our fish and wildlife resources, there is still time to make your comment known. The Indiana Natural Resources Commission has already received nearly 800 suggestions from the public as part of an ongoing comprehensive review and enhancement of fish and wildlife rules.

“We are grateful to everyone who has taken an active role in this process,” said Bryan Poynter, NRC chairman. “The intent has been to organize and update a user friendly set of rules that encourage people to hunt and fish rather than hinder their participation. Public input helps us move toward that goal.”

Rule change suggestions are the third stage of a four-stage process recommended last year by a steering committee. Suggestions can be made through a Web-based interactive form by going to IN.gov/nrc and clicking on the “Submit a Suggestion” link. The suggestion form will be available until April 1.

Tournament schedule

The dates have been announced for this season’s Anglers Dream tournament schedule. All qualifying events for this two man bass tournament trail will take place on Mississinewa Reservoir utilizing the Francis Slocum public boat ramp. These contests will take place April 5; May 31; June 20; July 20; Aug. 23 and Sept. 23.

Those taking part in the events will be required to pay a $30 annual membership fee. Tournament registration has been set at $90 per event with a portion earmarked for the “Tournament of Champions Fund.” which will take place Sept. 26 and 27 on the Detroit River in Trenton Mich.

For a complete copy of rule, regulations or entry forms visit www.anglersdream.com and click on Division 13, Mississinewa Reservoir, Peru, Indiana.

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at jmartinooutdoors@att.net.