U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program

National Coastal Wetlands Grant Program - History

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (Section 305, Title III, Public Law 101-646, 16 U.S.C. 3954) of 1991 established the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal states.

The Act amended the Sport Fish Restoration Act to authorize 18 percent annually from the Sport Fish Restoration Account of the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund for programs authorized under the Act.

Several amendments have been made to the Sport Fish Restoration Act to change the items taxed, the amount of excise taxes as well as programs funded.

In 2005 the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) was signed into law and provided for the reauthorization of Sport Fish Restoration Act. In addition to the excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, the 2005 amendment captured an additional 4.8 cents per gallon of fuel tax attributable to small engines and motorboats.. The amendment eliminated the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund and established the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. It also changed the annual distribution to the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act from 18 percent to 18.5 percent of funds in the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund after deducting amounts for WSFR administration, the Multistate Conservation Grant Program, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and fisheries commissions.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program continues to receive 15 percent of the 18.5 percent for CWPPRA.