Bill
AR 177
Commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program and highlights its role in funding and advancing fish and habitat conservation in New Jersey.
Overview
- Type: Assembly Resolution (introduced and referred to committee)
- Bill Number: AR 177
- Title: Commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program
- Status: Introduced in the New Jersey General Assembly on February 20, 2025; referred to the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee
- Related bill: SR 124 (companion)
Purpose and intent
- The resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program.
- It recognizes the program’s foundational role in funding management, conservation, and restoration of sportfish populations and aquatic habitats in the United States.
- It highlights New Jersey’s participation and benefit from the program, and it acknowledges the ongoing partnerships and ecological benefits achieved through the program.
Key provisions and provisions’ substance
- Be It Resolved: The General Assembly commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program.
- Be It Further Resolved: Copies of the resolution will be transmitted to:
- Division of Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- Statement (summary of the program’s background and impact):
- The Dingell-Johnson Act (1950) established the Sport Fish Restoration Program to fund management, conservation, and restoration of sportfish and aquatic habitats.
- Funding is derived from excise taxes on fishing and motorboat equipment, as well as motorboat fuels, enabling user-based conservation funding.
- Together with the Wildlife Restoration Program, it forms the American System of Conservation Funding, widely regarded as a cornerstone of American conservation.
- In New Jersey, the program has supported Division of Fish and Wildlife efforts such as management of public waters, artificial reefs, marine sportfish research, and development of public fishing areas.
- Iconic New Jersey species (e.g., striped bass, brook trout, American shad) have benefited from these efforts.
- The program continues to fund conservation projects in New Jersey, fostering partnerships with local organizations to maintain ecological balance in state waters.
- The 75-year legacy is tied to the dedication of hunters and anglers who contributed to conservation and resource protection.
Who is affected
- While primarily ceremonial, the resolution acknowledges and reinforces recognition of:
- New Jersey residents who fish and boat
- State agencies (NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife)
- Federal partners (USFWS)
- Conservation organizations and communities involved in sportfishing and aquatic habitat restoration
Procedural and timeline notes
- Introduction date: February 20, 2025
- Current action: Referred to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee
- No fiscal appropriations or new regulatory changes are proposed by this resolution; its effect is commemorative and informational.
Impact and significance
- Demonstrates state-level recognition of the Sport Fish Restoration Program’s past and ongoing contributions to aquatic health, recreation, and the economy.
- May bolster public awareness, appreciation, and support for ongoing conservation funding and partnerships in New Jersey.
- Serves as a formal communication to NJDEP and USFWS highlighting the program’s importance to the state and its ecosystems.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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