1995 RESOLUTIONS
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FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS
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USER FEES ON OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
1995 FWOC
Resolution
No. 15:
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The Fish and Wildlife
Diversity Funding Initiative, also know as "Teaming with Wildlife" is a
proposal by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies. This would implement establishing
Congressionally-mandated user fees (minimal) on a wide range of outdoor
equipment, from binoculars to camping gear. It extends a program
of user fees which hunters and anglers volunteered to pay on their
equipment, and was congressionally sanctioned via the Pittman-Robertson
Act (sports equipment, such as firearms and ammunition) and
Dingell-Johnson Act (fishing equipment).
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The broader initiative by
the IAFWA has been endorsed by many of the mainstream
conservation/environmental organizations, including the National
Audubon
Society and the Sierra Club. Provisional support of the
initiative by the FWOC was also provided last year via a personal
communication from the FWOC President. Adoption of
voluntarily-endorsed user fees has proven to be an effective mechanism
to provide for funding for habitat improvement for fisheries, waterfowl
and wildlife; these have benefited the non-consumptive fish and
wildlife users as well as hunters and anglers. Based on the
programs now successfully supported by sportsmen, application of such
fees to outdoor equipment in general, could successfully address the
funding for conservation, outdoor recreation and environmental
educational needs of every state. To be endorsed legislatively,
the outdoor product industry must also support the initiative, although
Some manufacturers and suppliers may fear that their customers may not
be willing to make this investment.
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs goes on record in support of the Fish and Wildlife
Diversity Funding Initiative. |
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The FWOC urges the affiliated member
clubs to consider joining the International Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies (at 444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 544,
Washington, D.C. 20001) and request to be listed as a member of this
national coalition. FWOC also urges member clubs to send a copy
of this Resolution, along with appropriate commentary, to the state's
Congressional representatives to indicate grass-roots support for such
a voluntary initiative. Any club with a good working relationship
with an outdoor equipment provider should consider sending that firm a
copy of this resolution along with appropriate commentary indicating a
support for user fees on outdoor equipment.
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Following is a list of major outdoor
suppliers that you should contact and let them know that you/your
organization supports paying a small user fee when buying their
products to support wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and
conservation education.
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L.L. Bean, Inc.
1 Casco Street
Freeport, ME 04033
Attn: Mr. Leon A. Gorman, President
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Nikon
1300 Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
Attn: Mr. H. Nakayama, CEO
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Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI)
6750 South 228th Street
Kent, WA 98032
Attn: Mr. Wally Smith, President
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Pentax
35 Iverness Dr., East
Englewood, CO 80112
Attn: Mr. Masa Tanaka, CEO
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Coleman Outdoor Products Inc.
1526 Cole Blvd.
Suite 300
Golden, CO 80401
Attn: Mr. Michael Hammes, CEO
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The Nature Company
750 Hearts Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 644-1337
Attn: Mr. Ed Strobin, CEO
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Johnson Company (owns Eureka, Camp Trails,
Old Town Canoes, Carlisle Paddles, Silva Compasses, etc.)
1326 Willow Road, Sturtevant, WI 53177
Attn: Mr. John Crabb, CEO
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Wild Birds Unlimited
3003 E. 96th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46420
Attn: Mr. Jim Carpenter, CEO
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Bausch & Lomb Sports Optics (includes
Bushnell and Jason Empire Products
9200 Cody, Overland Park, KS 66214
Attn: Mr. Joseph B. Messner, President |
Cabela's Inc.
812 13th Ave.
Sidney, NE 69160-0001
Attn: Mr. Dick Cabela, CEO |
Eastman Kodak Co.
343 State Street
Rochester, NY 14650
Attn: Mr.George M.C. Fisher
Chairman, CEO and President |
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