Report details DIF&W woes

loading...

The lack of funding for wildlife management in Maine puts not only the welfare, but the very “existence of the state’s outdoor recreation heritage” in danger for future generations, according to a draft of a legislative study released Tuesday.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s financial woes and its future mission were outlined in the report compiled by the Futures Committee, which was established by the Legislature two years ago.

DIF&W Commissioner Lee Perry said the report is useful in helping to educate the Legislature and the public on the rough road the department faces, but whether the report’s recommendations point the Legislature to a reasonable path to take is harder to say.

“It’s helpful in that it puts this issue to the forefront,” Perry said. “I will be somewhat disappointed if [the Legislature] can’t come up with some solution for the long-term needs as far as securing sources of funding, or a commitment to funding. Whether the exact way the report recommends is the right way, I think that will be something opened to debate and a lot of consideration.”

However, unlike past reports on the DIF&W’s financial status, Perry said this one considers the growing needs of the department.

“It’s more forward-looking,” Perry said. “The message is that there needs to be a way of restoring funds to programs.”

Officially called the Citizens Advisory Committee to Secure the Future of Maine’s Fish and Wildlife, the study group found that wildlife in Maine is threatened not only by a lack of funding, but also by the loss of habitat, the presence of pollution and toxins in the environment, the pressure from recreation activities, the competition from exotic and invasive species, and the lack of public awareness of wildlife management needs.

Attempts have been made before to sort out the DIF&W’s financial problems. In the past 40 years, six different legislative-appointed committees came up with ways to help fund the department, according to DIF&W spokesman Mark Latti.

The Futures Committee was formed primarily because the year 2002 will bring a new era of hardship to the department, Latti said.

The surplus DIF&W normally is left with when it spends less than expected will not be available when new labor costs for employees go into effect in 2002, Latti said. The department’s annual budget is currently a little more than $23 million.

“While the sources of funding have remained the same, primarily the licenses and the scope of responsibility have increased with the advent of recreational vehicles and the management of wildlife species,” Latti said. “The last license hike was in 1996. So unless something changes before 2002, that’s when the shortfall is expected to begin.”

Unlike other reports that only looked at additional sources of funding from areas such as licenses or migratory bird stamps, the Futures Report looked at non-traditional sources of funding to try to secure DIF&W’s finances.

Among the recommendations it:

. That the Constitution of Maine be amended to require that at least ? percent of the state sales tax be dedicated to fish and wildlife programs in state agencies.

. That the share of the gas tax revenues distributed for the operation of boating, ATV and snowmobile programs will be equal to the share of taxes devoted to DIF&W from watercraft and recreational vehicle gas sales.

. That DIF&W continue to receive from the state funds in addition to those required by the Constitution to cover the cost for search-and-rescue operations required by law and the cost of collective bargaining agreement increases.

. That complimentary licenses for seniors will be phased out and replaced with lifetime licenses.

. That in 2004, hunting and fishing license fees will begin to be adjusted to reflect the cost of providing hunting and fishing services.

Part of the reason to look beyond the department’s traditional means of funding is the fact that the era of ecotourism has meant more people are benefiting from its work.

A 1996 study by the University of Maine that stated that more than $1 billion in economic activity was generated by hunting, fishing and wildlife recreation also found that $331 million was brought in from wildlife watchers alone.

To propagate the longevity of Maine’s outdoor treasures, Perry said, the DIF&W particularly needs funding in its efforts to monitor various species and to dispense information on those species.

“That is shown in the controversy over lynx,” Perry said. “There are hundreds of species that, because of the recourses, we are not monitoring. And once the information is available, there is not the funding to protect the species. It’s one of our bigger needs. ”

Perry also pointed to the growing problem of land access for outdoor sports and recreation as another area that needs funding. He said the DIF&W’s little-known program is run on a part-time basis and paid for by the money brought in by Super Sport Licenses.

Sgt. Dave Peppard, who runs the Landowner Relations program, has said access is the No. 1 issue facing the outdoors public today.

“Private landowners are the most important element to outdoor recreation,” Peppard said. “Without them and the ability to access their property, opportunities to enjoy the outdoors would be severely restricted.”

On the other hand, Perry said the fact the committee was made up of a diverse group of people will help to educate different interest groups about the DIFW troubles, even if it’s too early to tell what affect the report will have.

“The issue has been of concern for some time,” Perry said. ”It’s good for people to recognize the problem exists. Whether the solution is the exact solution needs to be debated further. I don’t think the way is important. So long as it has the public’s support and the legislature’s support.”

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8205 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.