Gov. Tina Kotek has signed the 1.25% For Wildlife bill into law, making the Beaver State one of just a few to dedicate funding to implement a State Wildlife Action Plan.

The law will increase revenue for wildlife conservation, coexistence and stewardship programs by adding a 1.25% increase to Oregon’s transient lodging tax.

Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center, said the legislation is a way for tourists to pay into conservation.

"They come to Oregon for obviously our natural beauty," Kamal pointed out. "We see this as an investment in Oregon's economy as much as it's an investment in Oregon's environment and wildlife, because that's what's sustaining a lot of our outdoor recreation economy."

She explained most of the people paying for hotels and campgrounds are visitors from out of state. The tax is projected to generate about $38 million annually and will go into effect in January of next year.

There are 320 vulnerable species in the state, up about 30 species from just 10 years ago. Kamal noted the list includes California condors and North American porcupines. She added historically, animals hunted or fished have been given more protections, and the new bill will balance out the funding priorities.

"In many ways, Oregon is going to lead the path in this country in funding conservation of species and habitat that are nongame primarily, meaning they are not hunted or fished," Kamal explained.

James Adkins, executive director of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, said included in the list of vulnerable species are many of the fish people come from all over the country to catch, including all species of salmon and steelhead. He acknowledged while the fish have had funding for restoration through license sales, the new funding will be a huge step forward for habitat restoration.

"These fish will come back as long as you give them a place to live, they'll rebound," Adkins emphasized. "I think every recreational angler should get really excited about it."

Though it took over a decade of advocacy, Adkins added the bipartisan bill was passed with the support of more than 60 organizations and overwhelming public support.

Source: Public News Service