The IF&W budget, Part II

In a previous article (the Original Irregular, March 11, 2009, Page 3), I spoke about the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife budget. Since I am a member of the IF&W committee I am directly involved in the budget related to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Presently the IF&W budget is nearly $25 million. All but about $1.8 million of this money comes from license fees (hunting and fishing) and registrations (Snowmobiles, boats etc). In other words a majority of the budget is financed by those who use the outdoors and rightfully so.

However, there is a small portion of the budget, approximately $1.8 million, which comes from the state that is not a result of the fees assessed by those using the outdoors. Unfortunately because of this the IF&W budget can be asked to contribute as a total budget when asked by the Governor.

In essence sportsmen are paying more than necessary to balance the State budget. So how do we fix this you ask? Two ways: One way would be to prioritize the services supplied by IF& W and fund only those services. The second way would be to develop a way where those who do not pay for a license or fee help pay for those services.

In this article I would like to talk about choice number 2.

Choice 2: Part of the "additional" general fund money coming to the IF&W Department is to provide Search and Rescue for those lost in the woods. One way to recoup this money is to charge someone if we have to save their lives or find their bodies in the great outdoors.

Presently this activity is paid for by license and registration fees. Hikers, birders and kayakers do not contribute to this part of the IF&W budget, but get the same service. So… to make it fair, let's propose that if you get lost and you have some kind of license (hunting etc.) or registration (boat

BUT if you do not have a license or registration then you are responsible for the costs to be found. Unless, yep here comes the zinger... you have a Maine Outdoor Card. This card would be like an AAA auto card for the woods. You get lost or need help there would be no charge if you have bought this card at a nominal fee, say $20 for a family. This is a way that non-consumptive users of the land can help pay their fair share.

Sound like a good idea? Unfortunately we do not have a Maine Outdoor Card yet. However, I proposed such a bill and it will be taken up this Legislative session. I came up with this idea last spring while working closely with some friends. In today's budget we need to be creative, perhaps this is one way.

If you have questions about this or any thing else please call me at 645-3420 or call e-mail me at drtom16@hotmail.com As always it is my pleasure to serve the people of District 90.

Tom Saviello of Wilton represents House District 90: the towns of Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple and Wilton, plus the unorganized territories of East Central Franklin and Perkins and Washington townships.