Minnesota will get $35 million this year from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to fund conservation efforts.
The money comes from excise tax paid by anglers, hunters and boaters, and will be used by the state DNR to restore and conserve state fish and wildlife resources.
Some examples of projects the money has funded in the past:
- National Archery in Schools Program
- Hunter safety and education
- Fish Population Research and Stocking Efforts
- Restoring fish and wildlife populations
- Improving access for recreational boaters
- Boosting conservation-related education programs
About $1.1 billion was distributed nationally from the tax of 10 percent to 11 percent on the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and electric outboard motors. Recreational boaters also contribute to the program through fuel taxes on motorboats and small engines.
The amount distributed nationally was $238 million higher this year than last, due to increased sales of firearms and ammunition, and because some money was held back last year because of the government sequester.
