George Voinovich: “I rise in favor of the Landrieu amendment to the Interior appropriations bill regarding the distribution of $100 million…”

“I rise in favor of the Landrieu amendment to the Interior appropriations bill regarding the distribution of $100 million in state wildlife grants for priority wildlife conservation, education, and restoration projects. As currently written, the Interior appropriations bill changes the way these grants are allocated to the States. The change would negatively affect the amount of grant money most states would receive. Last year, Congress established the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account as part of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund. It was Congress' intent that funds from the account be distributed to the states through a formula based on one-third of the land area of a state and two-thirds population. Congress also said that no state will receive less than one percent or more than five percent of the total funding. The Landrieu amendment would distribute the funds under the same formula allocation that was enacted last year by directing them through the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account. All 50 State fish and wildlife agencies agree that the formula Congress enacted last year is the most equitable distribution of these funds. If we agree to the formula proposed in the Interior appropriations bill, 37 States will receive less money. Ohio would receive over $100,000 less than under the already established formula. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources supports the Landrieu amendment.”