IF&W: A Wicked Good Deal for Maine

By Regis Tremblay

Maine is a state inseparably linked with its natural resources. For over a century, visitors and residents alike have taken pleasure in our year round opportunities to experience nature.

Few other places offer a natural experience as authentic as Maine’s outdoors. Maine is a land rich in contrasts between fresh and saltwater, alpine and lowlands, quaint villages and millions of acres of uninterrupted wilderness. Maine’s quality of life and its economy rely on the diversity and abundance of fish and wildlife that inhabit our state.

Whether wetting a fly, photographing a young moose in a stream, marveling at migrating waterfowl, biking and hiking along favorite trails in the Fall, catching a glimpse of a black bear, or boating on our lakes and rivers, Mainers and those who come to visit our state value this personal connection and contribute more than $2.4 billion annually to the state’s economy.

The 300 employees of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are the stewards of Maine’s fish and wildlife and we take this responsibility very seriously. We share your passion for preserving the Maine we know and love for our children and their children’s children and are working on your behalf to ensure that Maine’s natural resources are never depleted.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is a very small agency, made up of 50 Wildlife Biologists, 31 Fisheries Biologists, 28 Hatcheries Biologists, and 115 Game Wardens. What makes them unique is their commitment to their chosen calling in life to be stewards of this special place. They perform their duties and responsibilities, not primarily for pay, but out of a dedication to the natural resources.

It takes an annual budget of approximately $37 million for the Department to protect the future of Maine’s natural resources. $21.2 million comes from license fees and registrations. Another $8 million comes from federal matching funds, and $5.9 million comes from other special revenues such as the Moose Lottery, the Chickadee Check off on tax returns, and the sale of the Loon and Sportsman’s license plates. Approximately $2 million comes from taxes.

With that $37 million, the Department conducts over 2,000 environmental reviews annually to determine whether development will impact wildlife and the habitat; projects such as, the wind farm at Mars Hill, or the placement of new power lines.

There is no doubt that our natural resources are the lifeblood of our economy. 800,000 people watch wildlife in our state with a $1.3 billion impact on our economy. 289,000 people purchased fishing licenses in 2007, while another 209,000 purchased hunting licenses. Hunting and fishing had a combined $498 million impact on this economy. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife – 2008 Addendum)

And that’s not all. The snowmobile and ATV industries added a combined $500 million, (ATV Maine, Snowmobile Association of Maine), boating added $153 million (MeIF&W), and Whitewater Rafting contributed another $32 million. (MeIF&W) There are other activities we are responsible for, but these major activities bring the total annual economic impact to approximately $2.4 billion.

These outdoor recreational pursuits support nearly 16,000 jobs and $449 million in salaries and wages and they account for more than $865 million in retail sales, $109 million in state and local taxes, and $95 million in federal tax revenues. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife – 2008 Addendum) Clearly, The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife plays a major role in preserving and protecting the lifeblood of our economy.

As stewards of Maine’s natural resources, it is our job to preserve and protect our natural resources, Maine’s outdoor heritage, and our economic future. It is our duty and moral responsibility to make sure that our children and future generations can enjoy this beautiful and magical place which is unmatched in the lower 48 states.

As stewards of this precious piece of Mother Earth, all of us have a moral obligation to safeguard and maintain the only home we have.

Contributing to this article were: Sandy Ritchie, Steve Walker, Bill Swan, Regis Tremblay, and the IF&W Communications Team.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

IF&W: A Wicked Good Deal for Maine