Interior Secretary Gale Norton has announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will award nearly $17 million in grants to 10 states under the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program. The grants, which have more than tripled over the last three years, represent the administrations commitment to conservation.

“Overall the Department of the Interior has increased funding for conservation grant programs from $136 million dollars in fiscal year 2000, to more than $430 million dollars in fiscal year 2004.”

The grants are awarded through a competitive process. Funding for the program is generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.

“These grants are part of the enormous commitment our nation’s sportsmen continue to make to wildlife conservation. Dating back to the 1930’s, hunters, anglers and boaters have footed the lion’s share of the cost for our nation’s conservation programs.”

The Grant program will be supplemented by more than $42 million from state and private partners. The Fish and Wildlife Service makes yearly matching grants to coastal states and U.S. territories for projects involving the acquisition, restoration or enhancement of coastal wetlands. Ron Tull, Interior Department Radio News Service, Washington.

Ron Tull, Interior Department Radio News Service.