Thursday, March 8, 2001

Bird bill may take Fund cash

Almost immediately after completing last week's column on legislative proposals that could adversely affect sportsmen if passed, I learned of another threat.
   Rep. Ismael "Keno" Flores of Mission wants to help fund a world birding center in the Rio Grande Valley, by dipping into the Sportsman's Fund. He attached his proposal as a rider to the House Appropriations Bill.
   The Sportsman's Fund or Account Nine is so named by Texas Parks and Wildlife because the money comes from fishing and hunting license sales, boat registration fees, stamp sales and special taxes on equipment used by hunters and anglers.
   A percentage of the fund is comprised of federal money derived from an 11 percent federal tax on sporting arms and ammo and a 10 percent tax on fishing equipment sales.
   The federal portion of the fund is earmarked for the exclusive use of fish and game management, wildlife research, biologists' salaries, etc.
   Certain federal funds to Texas could be jeopardized if Flores' proposal passes.
   None of the federal money may be used for enforcement. However, the state's portion can go toward game warden salaries, enforcement programs and land acquisition.
   Even though birding centers are not expressly mentioned in the rules, it is forbidden that the state portion of the Sportsman's Fund be used for state parks.
   Essentially, the birding center would be a string of nine resource and information centers, including two new state parks, stretching from South Padre Island to Roma. Proponents of the project include TPW Executive Director Andy Sansom, who touts the center as a vehicle to protect and restore wildlife habitat, as well as an economic boost for the area.
   Traditionally, Sansom doesn't comment on pending legislation. So I have no idea whether he favors Flores' rider.
   TPW, along with communities near the center's site, already planned to fund $12 million of the project. Plus a $500,000 local park grant was awarded in January through TPW to help defray expenses on the birding center.
   Most of us believe the Sportsman's Fund was protected from such projects. Most of us trusted that the financial sacrifices we make as sportsmen in the form of taxes and license fees would be rewarded with enhancements that directly benefit hunting and fishing.
   I have nothing against building a birding center. But I believe many sportsmen would consider Flores' raid on the account a breach of trust. Flores' rider would take $1.5 million from Account No. 9 and an additional $1.5 million from TPW Account No. 64, which funds state and local parks.
   Neither account has money to spare. I can think of several existing projects that might be considered higher priorities than helping to fund a $20 million birding center.
   For example, the Possum Kingdom hatchery is in disrepair as is the CCA-CPL Marine Development Center in Flour Bluff. The department also has a mandate to make improvements and provide better public access to the state's 53 wildlife management areas.
   TPW also needs more money to stave off giant salvinia, an intrusive exotic plant that threatens to choke our rivers and reservoirs.
   Flores and members of the House Appropriations Committee need to know how we feel about this rider. Send your e-mails to Rep. Robert Junell, who chairs the committee, at robert.junell@house.state.tx.us. Or call Flores at (512) 463-0704.
   You may also want to send comments to your local state representative.
   Area legislators: