March 03, 2021

Manchin, Capito Announce $11.5 Million To Protect West Virginia Wildlife

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced three awards totaling $11,573,098 from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Fish and Wildlife Service to support hunting, fishing, and conservation in West Virginia. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program administered two of the awards for a variety of conservation programs and projects and are funded by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts. The State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program administered the third award aimed to assist the recovery of threatened and endangered species, as well as prevent other species from becoming endangered.

“West Virginia is known for our wonderful outdoors filled with incredible wildlife, and many West Virginians spend time hunting, fishing and exploring our backyard playgrounds. In order to ensure our public lands are protected for generations, we must take steps to protect our wildlife and their habitats,” said Senator Manchin. “As an avid sportsman myself, I’m thankful the Fish and Wildlife Service is investing in conservation efforts and protecting and preventing endangered species in West Virginia. I will continue to advocate for resources and funding to protect our public lands and keep West Virginia wild and wonderful.”

“An integral part of our state is centered on our natural landscape, native wildlife, and our longstanding sportsmen heritage. That’s why it’s so important that steps are taken to protect those aspects of our culture, while maintaining the parts of our state that make us unique. I’m grateful that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has noticed the need for this support in West Virginia. Due to investments like this, West Virginia will remain wild and wonderful for generations to come,” Senator Capito said.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $6,875,412 – Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Fund
  • $4,142,605 – Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Fund
  • $555,081 – State Wildlife Grant Program