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Sport Fish Restoration program
Definition
The Sport Fish Restoration Act authorizes annual distributions of funds to the states and territories from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund for purposes of the provision of the Act.
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 10B--FISH RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
Sec. 777. Federal-State relationships
The Secretary (after the distribution, transfer, use and deduction under subsection (b) of this section, and after deducting amounts used for grants under section 777m of this title):
shall apportion 57 percent of the balance of each such annual appropriation among the several States in the following manner: 40 percent in the ratio which the area of each State including coastal and Great Lakes waters (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) bears to the total area of all the States, and 60 percent in the ratio which the number of persons holding paid licenses to fish for sport or recreation in the State in the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which such apportionment is made, as certified to said Secretary by the State fish and game departments, bears to the number of such persons in all the States. Such apportionments shall be adjusted equitably so that no State shall receive less than 1 percent nor more than 5 percent of the total amount apportioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the source of revenue for the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBT)?
Revenues are collected from manufacturers’ excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft and a portion of the gasoline fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats are deposited or transferred into the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBT) along with interest credited to the Fund.
How are often are funds distributed?
The SFR Act authorizes annual distributions from the SFRBT fund.
What programs are supported by SFRBT funds?
• Administration of the Sport Fish Restoration Program - Fixed approximately $8 million W/CPI adjustment annually
• Multistate Conservation Grant Program - $3 million
• Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific and Great Lakes States Fisheries Commissions - $800,000 ($200,000 each)
• Sport Fish and Boating Partnership Council - $400,000
The remaining funds are allocated to the following programs according to the Act:
•Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) - 18.5%
•Boating Safety - 18.5% (Administered by U.S. Coast Guard)
•Clean Vessel Act - 2%
•Boating Infrastructure Grants- 2%
•Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation - 2%
•Sport Fish Restoration - 57% apportioned to states/DC/insular areas (includes funding for Aquatic Resources Education and Boating Access
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