2015 Assembly Joint Resolution 28
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: commemorating the economic impacts of sportsmen and sportswomen in Wisconsin.
Whereas, as a result of over a century of responsible stewardship by sportsmen and women, Wisconsin is home to bountiful fish and wildlife populations, providing its citizens and visitors with unrivaled opportunities for sporting recreation and commerce while also sustaining a quality of life; and
Whereas, through the continued purchases of hunting and fishing licenses, resident and nonresident hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers continue to be the chief supporters of Wisconsin's fish and wildlife resources, while also providing critical funds for efforts to provide for healthy and abundant populations for future generations; and
Whereas, the legislature recognizes that the nearly $4.03 billion per year spent by sportsmen and women in Wisconsin on equipment, travel, leases, licenses, and lodging creates a $6.22 billion economic ripple effect, making them a critical component of the state's economy; and
Whereas, spending by sportsmen and women in Wisconsin generates over $377 million in state and local revenues, supporting vital public services in communities across the state; and
Whereas, sportsmen and women in Wisconsin contribute to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program that began with the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in 1937, and then was bolstered with the passage of the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1950 (further expanded with the Wallop-Breaux amendment to the Sport Fish Restoration Act in 1984); and
Whereas, as provided in the aforementioned Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, the manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and hunting, fishing, and boating equipment have collected excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, manufactured fishing tackle, electric trolling motors, marine electronics, and motorboat fuel and distributed these funds to the states through the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and
Whereas, the combined contribution of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and license fees to state fish and wildlife agencies has exceeded $16.4 billion since 1939 (the first year money was distributed to the states) — more than any other single conservation effort in American history; and
Whereas, Wisconsin has received $526 million through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program since 1939 to protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations; and
Whereas, this cooperative partnership between industry, hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters, recreational shooters, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Natural Resources has resulted in the most successful model of fish and wildlife management in the world; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature recognizes sportsmen and sportswomen in Wisconsin and the Department of Natural Resources for their leading role in enhancing populations of fish, wildlife, both game and non-game, and other natural resources, to the abundance we see today; and, be it further
Resolved, That an official copy of this resolution be provided to the Department of Natural Resources, all Wisconsin legislative offices, and local, regional, and national media sources so that all may know and appreciate the contributions from hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers on behalf of our state's natural resources.
