Manchin, Capito Announce Wildlife and Fishing Grants

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that West Virginia will receive more than $15 million in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) grants through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Specifically, West Virginia will be awarded $11,257,979 for wildlife restoration and another $3,966,614 for sportfish restoration.

 

“West Virginia is blessed with beautiful public lands and incredible wildlife. Like many of my fellow West Virginians, I enjoy hunting, fishing and exploring our public lands, and I’ve instilled that love and appreciation for the great outdoors in my children and grandchildren,” Senator Manchin said. “I am pleased the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investing in conservation and recreation projects that educate our communities, restore forest and freshwater habitats, and promote access to outdoor recreation across the Mountain State. As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding to ensure West Virginia’s public lands are protected for generations to come.”

 

“Investments like these will help support wildlife and sportfish habitat restoration, as well as hunting and fishing education, ensuring that West Virginia’s proud hunting and fishing tradition continues for generations to come. Protecting our fish and wildlife is an important part of preserving our state’s natural beauty, and that’s exactly what this funding will do,” Ranking Member Capito said.

 

BACKGROUND:

The WSFR program, through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts, was reauthorized in November 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Wildlife Restoration funds go toward restoration, conservation, and management of wildlife for the benefit of the public, hunter education, and the development and management of shooting ranges. The Sport Fish Restoration funds go toward restoration, conservation, management, and enhancing sport fish populations.