Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke stood in front of a giant fish tank in Hooksett on Thursday and signed an even more giant check, doling out more than $1.1 billion nationwide to support conservation and outdoor recreation projects.
New Hampshire’s share of the money, which is generated through an excise tax on hunting and fishing goods, is a sliver of the total at $8.14 million, he said, which leaves it tied with several other geographically small eastern states, as well as Hawaii, for the smallest take.
While the total amount distributed through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration acts increased about 6.9 percent year-over-year, the Granite State’s share lagged with an increase of about 5.3 percent, or about $408,000, over the previous year.
Zinke, who is at the head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, enthusiastically recited the state’s motto and listed off attributes that he said make it perfect for his announcement: “very outdoors, loves hunting, loves traditional land use, making sure the land is open to the public.”
“That’s what the funds are used for,” Zinke said. “They’re used for restoration, the wildlife refuges, access. … It’s really a program paid for by hunters and fishermen that protects hunting and fishing and the great outdoors.”
Gov. Chris Sununu said the money is “vital” and that it helps pay for programs that teach young people how to fish, use firearms and hunt safely. The “vast majority” of the money will go to the Fish and Game Department, he said.
“It isn’t just to fund a bunch of big government,” Sununu said. “It’s about real programming dollars that get out there, whether they’re training programs or programs to entice young people to come to the forefront and understand what they can do with outdoor recreation in the state, preservation opportunities, fish and wildlife, hunting, all these things we cherish.”
Zinke, a former congressman from Montana, announced the funding at Bass Pro Shops on the first day of his four-day tour across New England. The money, which is distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is derived from excise taxes paid on firearms, bows and ammunition, and sport fishing tackle, some boat engines, and small engine fuel, according to a statement issued by the Department of the Interior.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Zinke will head north to Millenocket, Maine, to visit a new national monument that’s in the midst of a federal review over whether to keep it.
Zinke’s schedule says he’ll visit Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Wednesday. He’ll also be in the area the following day to meet with local officials, business people, the Maine Woods Coalition, and American Indian tribal representatives.
President Donald Trump ordered the review of more than two dozen national monuments, including Katahdin. He accused previous administrations of using the federal Antiquities Act to facilitate a “massive federal land grab” by creating monuments.
President Barack Obama created the Katahdin monument.
(Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Nick Reid can be reached at 369-3325, nreid@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at @NickBReid.)