In September, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF) was recommended for a $34 million cut under sequestration. As a clarification, these funds won’t be withheld from the Trust Fund, but will not be apportioned to the states for fish restoration. This means that monies in the Trust Fund will build over time while the amount apportioned to each state will be cut by 7.6 percent each year that sequestration is in effect.

The SFRBTF Act is unquestionably the most valuable federal legislation for anglers and fishery resources, delivering millions each year to state fishing and boating programs. This is the most important program for boating and angler access and fishery management in each state.

It is also the core funding for each state’s sport fish restoration program and in some states it is the only source of funding aside from fishing license fees.

Congress, with the cooperation of the Administration, must address the sequestration schedule and that will not occur until after the elections and possibly not until early 2013 and with a new Congress.

For more information please check the Keepamericafishing.org website.