Click here to watch Mr. Kennedy’s testimony.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), welcomed John Kennedy, deputy director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, to the committee. Kennedy was testifying before the committee at a hearing titled “Examining Funding Needs for Wildlife Conservation, Recovery, and Management.”
Barrasso introduced Kennedy to the committee prior to his testimony. “I would now like to introduce John Kennedy, he serves as deputy director for internal operations at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
“Mr. Kennedy is kind enough to make a second trip from Wyoming to Washington after previously testifying before us just a little over a month ago. He was here at our hearing to consider successful state conservation, recovery, and management of wildlife.
“He began his career at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2004 as the Service Division Chief.
“As Service Division Chief, his duties included coordinating the agency’s management of wildlife habitat, as well as conservation education.
“Now, he’s the deputy director, he is responsible for the agency’s oversight of the fish, wildlife, services, and fiscal divisions.
“He also serves on a number of committees of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
“Each of these positions has provided Mr. Kennedy with valuable wildlife conservation, recovery, and management experience.
“It is a privilege to welcome you back to the Environment and Public Works Committee,” said Barrasso.
In his written testimony, Kennedy detailed how state wildlife agencies lead the charge for wildlife conservation. “The 50 states have the primary legal authority and management responsibility for a great deal of the country’s fish and wildlife resources. States have specific authority for conservation and management within their borders, including most federal land,” said Kennedy.
He continued to describe the vital role that sportsmen play “The collective annual budget of state is $5.63 billion. An estimated 59% comes from hunting and fishing-related activities. Since 1937, sportsmen have been the driving force for conservation funding in the country.”
Kennedy also stressed the need for additional funding for wildlife conservation. “To continue their important contribution to conservation, state agencies will need to shore up the logistical and financial underpinnings of the wildlife conservation model. The state wildlife agencies need additional permanent and dedicated funding for wildlife conservation in North America.”
For more information on Kennedy’s testimony and the hearing, click here.
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