Montana News

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on sequester cutting block

Posted: Mar 20, 2013 8:22 PM by Kyle Benton - MTN News

MONTANA - With congress still in a bind over sequestration cuts, Montana agencies are preparing a game plan.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will soon experience the effects of the sequester.
Potential sequestration impacts to federal grant programs utilized by Montana FWP are as follows:

Wildlife Restoration Grant Program

This grant is more widely known as the Pittman-Robertson program. The money from this fund is exclusively used for wildlife management and associated agency administration. Currently, the funds allocated to Montana FWP for fiscal year 2013, is $9.7 million. The anticipated impact due to sequestration, is a cut of 7.6 percent.

Sport Fish Restoration Program

Also known as the "DJ" or Dingell-Johnson program, totals $8.2 million of funding for Montana FWP. This program funds fishery management and other associated agency administration.

Land & Water Conservation (LWCF) Fund Programs

This annually-appropriated program is funded by a portion of revenues from off-shore oil production. Several of the grant programs used by Montana FWP, derive funding from this program.

Coast Guard Boating Safety Program

A total of over $2.4 million in funds is still on the books with approximately $761,000 in the 2010 funds only available until May of 2013. However, this program will be subject to a sequestration cut of 7.6 percent, with the resulting available funds being reduced to $736,000.