NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUNDING - FISCAL YEAR 2009

Update: June 2008

June 11 -The House Appropriations subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies has recommended a $35 million increase to fund the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) for fiscal year 2009 (FY09). This would amount to $469 million and put the Refuge System on the path to full funding, $765 million annually.

In his annual budget proposal, the President proposed FLAT funding for FY09. His proposed amount, $434.1 million, is the same amount appropriated by Congress for this year, FY 2008. However, because the NWRS needs AT LEAST $15 million more annually to address the increased costs associated with managing 100 million acres, the President’s budget request is actually A CUT of $15 million.

What Can You Do?

Although the Administration’s request for the Refuge System represents a cut in funding, Congress ultimately holds the purse strings! Congress is currently assembling their own funding proposals for the Refuge and you can let them know how important the Refuge System is to you.

Send an instant message via our Refuge Action Network – its free and easy and only takes a minute of your time! http://refugenet.e-actionmax.com/showalert.asp?aaid=3333

Friends Making a Difference

For years, refuge support groups, or “Friends,” have educated Congress about the needs of the Refuge System. In 2007, five Friends groups testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies and this year, even more groups submitted written testimony. Below are just a few of the samples of written testimony submitted by Friends organizations regarding next year’s budget for the Refuge System, Fiscal Year 2009.

David Raskin of the Friends of Alaska NWRs testifies at Public Witness Day, April 2007 © Claire Stoker

Alaska Friends Testimony FY09 Budget.doc

Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge.doc

FO Wallkill NWR.doc

Friends of Blackwater.Senate.FY09.doc

Friends of Conte Refuge.doc

Friends of Potomac River Refuges FY09 Senate.doc

Friends of Tamarac NWR.doc

Friends of Wertheim.Senate.FY09.doc

Friends of Willamette Valley NWR.doc

Pea Island and Alligator River NWR.doc

Pelican Island Preservation Society FY09.doc

For more information or to speak with a representative at the National Wildlife Refuge Association about more ways you can help, call 202-333-9075 or send an e-mail to Desiree Sorenson-Groves at dgroves@refugeassociation.org.

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