Some Maryland hunters may not be familiar with Maryland’s State Wildlife Management Plan. This Plan is required by the federal government, in exchange for certain financial support, and covers a management period from 2015 through 2025. The plan itself is shown via the link below followed by a brief explanation of the purpose/intent of the Plan.
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/SWAP/2005_MWDC_Plan.pdf
State Wildlife Action Plans serve as the blueprints for conserving our nation's fish and wildlife and preventing endangered species. In 2005, each state, territory and the District Columbia submitted their plan for approval to the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a condition for receiving funding through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants program. The plans were recently updated with the latest science and information to guide conservation of over 12,000 species in greatest conservation need. Each plan addressed 8 required elements laid out by the US Congress. The plans were developed in collaboration with leading scientists, conservationists, private landowners and other citizens. Although progress is being made, many species of fish and wildlife continue to decline because funding is inadequate. Currently, ~$61 million is appropriated annually by Congress to the 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia to implement the plans. A survey by a natural resources economist estimated that $1.3 billion is needed annually to implement the plans. The Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources reviewed funding options and recommended that existing royalties and fees from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and water be invested in the implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans. The Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife is leading the campaign to secure increased and dedicated funding by supporting passage of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act.
https://www.fishwildlife.org/afwa-informs/state-wildlife-action-plans
UPDATE: On July 1, 2020 – ironically, the same day Maryland’s BPW reduced funding for WHS as explained in this same section of HOM’s website, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation issued a Press Release announcing legislative victory for the above mentioned Recovering America’s Wildlife Act as shown below.
CSF Leads Effort to Secure Passage of Historic Recovering America's Wildlife Act
July 1, 2020 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Building off of the Senate's recent passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) led the effort to secure House passage of the bipartisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act (H.R. 3742) as part of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA) was adopted as part of H.R. 2 on a voice vote, a sign of the strong bipartisan support for this legislation. This achievement marks a historic step to providing nearly $1.4 billion in unprecedented funding for nearly 12,000 at-risk species.
RAWA was introduced earlier this Congress by Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) Vice-Chair Representative Debbie Dingell (MI) and CSC member Representative Jeff Fortenberry (NE). Prior to the successful vote earlier today, CSF played a leading role in securing the inclusion of RAWA as part of H.R. 2 through alerts and strategic outreach to key CSC members in the House. CSF alsohelped lead a letter, which was signed by a strong contingent of more than 250 of the nation's top conservation organizations, in support of advancing the Recovering America's Wildlife Act as a means to stimulate the economy.
"As the Legislative Co-Chair of Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife, I am grateful for the leadership and commitment of Representatives Dingell and Fortenberry," said CSF President Jeff Crane. "The passage of Recovering America's Wildlife Act out of the House represents the most significant investment in state and tribal fish and wildlife conservation in the last two decades, and we are now shifting our efforts to passing RAWA out of the Senate and then over to the President's desk to be signed into law."
The Recovering America's Wildlife Act will authorize $1.397 billion for a period of 5 years to expand our recreational infrastructure, restore our natural resources, and invest in on-the-ground projects in every state and territory, and on tribal lands. Specifically, the funds authorized by RAWA will strengthen the capacity of state fish and wildlife agencies as the primary managers of our nation's fish and wildlife to conduct proactive conservation efforts by providing financial assistance to fully implement their Congressionally mandated State Wildlife Action Plans.
As a component of H.R. 2, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act awaits further action in the Senate.
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Since 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted sportsmen's organization in the political arena. CSF's mission is to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. The unique and collective force of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC), working closely with CSF, and with the support of major hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping organizations, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that advance the interests of America's hunters and anglers.
