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Issues & Action
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Connecticut’s Wildlife Diversity Program Benefits from
New Wildlife Conservation License Plates!
Connecticut residents now have 2 new choices when it comes to license plate designs. Audubon Connecticut led the effort to secure legislation creating Wildlife Conservation license plates that will soon be gracing cars all over the state. Sale of the new plates will provide much-needed funds for the Department of Environmental Protection’s wildlife programs.
The new license plates carry an initial charge of $50.00, plus a biennial renewal fee of $15.00, all intended to provide a predictable and steady source of off-budget revenue for wildlife conservation and management. As an added bonus, the funds generated by the sale of the plate will allow the Connecticut to match federal State Wildlife Grants funding which left unmatched would revert to other states.
Huge Potential Benefits
The wildlife license plate is targeted to the thousands of state residents who participate in wildlife activities, whether through hunting, fishing or birding. Bird watching and other non-consumptive uses of wildlife are among the most popular and fastest growing pastimes in the United States. Wildlife programs that support such activities are becoming increasingly popular with the general public.
A 2001 study by US Fish and Wildlife Service determined that nearly one million Connecticut residents enjoy watching wildlife in one form or another, spending in excess of $225 million in the course of pursuing these activities. Connecticut DEP reports that 175,000 individuals hold hunting and fishing licenses in the state.
If 10% of the hunters, fishermen, birders and wildlife observers in the state purchased a new wildlife license plate, approximately $3.5 million could be generated in the first year for state wildlife programs. The $15 renewal fee could generate over $1 million every 2 years to help support DEP’s wildlife programs.
You can help by ordering your Wildlife Conservation License Plate today!
To order go to http://www.ct.gov/dmv to purchase your plate today! Click on Special License Plates, then Environment.
Programs that Benefit Wildlife and People
Sale of the new plates will help support the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s Wildlife Programs. Historically, the State of Connecticut has been ranked 48th in per capita spending on wildlife programs. Revenue from past sources such as the income tax check off and the Duck Stamp is declining. Current staff and funding levels for Connecticut’s Wildlife Division are insufficient to meet the diverse needs of a comprehensive Wildlife Diversity Program. Sale of the new plates can help change all that and ensure the development of a comprehensive wildlife diversity program. Revenues from plate sales will also allow Connecticut to take advantage of federal matching funds for wildlife programs.
A comprehensive wildlife diversity program will benefit not only wildlife, but people all across the state. Key elements of a comprehensive program include:
- Providing technical assistance on wildlife issues to state residents, municipalities and homeowners associations. Specific examples include:
- Helping state residents deal with nuisance wildlife problems such as rabid animals, injured animals, Black Bear or Coyote conflicts, West Nile Virus-related response to reports of dead birds, reports of snakes, bats, raccoons or other wildlife in residences, oil spill response
- Advising private landowners on how to manage their lands for wildlife
- Assisting local municipalities with the development of habitat conservation plans
- Establishing wildlife viewing areas and wildlife education centers
- Monitoring and protecting endangered, threatened and special concern species
- Identifying and managing essential habitats
- Conducting research on important species and habitats in order to guide wildlife and habitat management activities
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