Despite the political sea change that occurred during this month's mid-term elections, voters supported ballot initiatives impacting conservation and hunting and fishing, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. Nationwide, conservation initiatives passed, which will generate more than $2 billion dollars for land conservation and parks. Major statewide initiatives in Oregon, Iowa (see "Iowa Voters Go Proactive for Funding Conservation" in this ONB issue) and Maine won by margins of 20 points or greater. In addition, three states passed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to hunt and fish.

"Across the nation, voters worried about the economy and opposed to government spending nevertheless passed 83 percent of the ballot initiatives nationwide to fund land conservation and parks," reported The Conservation Campaign. "Voters in all parts of the country decisively put to rest questions about whether the nation's anti-tax and spending mood would reverse decades of support for investing in protecting water supplies, preserving open space and farmland and creating parks and trails."?

It is noteworthy that, in an election during an economic recession and when voter sentiment swung strongly toward fiscal conservatism, land protection and outdoor recreation continued to receive bipartisan support. Of 35 conservation initiatives on the ballot this year, 29 passed, many by very solid margins. Most of the proposals either were approval of a bond or increases in sales or property taxes. The initiatives varied from relatively small ($100,000 forest protection bond in Barre, Vermont) to extending the dedication of 15 percent of Oregon's lottery proceeds for parks, beaches, wildlife and watershed protection (expected to generate $1.7 billion) that passed with 68 percent of the vote. More details about each of the ballot initiatives can be found at the Trust for Public Land's online Land Vote Database.

The strong voter support for land conservation sends a signal that, even in challenging economic times, Americans support dedicating funds for conservation. This is particularly relevant as Congress returns for its lame duck session with the potential that legislation to fund fully the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will be on the agenda. In July, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an oil-spill response bill that included full and dedicated funding? for LWCF. However, the Senate has not passed a similar bill, despite growing bipartisan support.

Voters in Arizona, Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee had an opportunity this year to ensure that their right to hunt and fish is protected under the state's constitution. States have argued that lawsuits and efforts by organizations with an anti-hunting or fishing agenda have a potential of undermining sportsmen's opportunities. Constitutional protection for these outdoor pastimes will ensure that the rights are protected. Arizona's measure failed, but? Tennessee's amendment received 90 percent?of the vote, followed by South Carolina with 89 percent?and Arkansas with 82 percent. Currently, 13 states now have a constitutional right to hunt and fish, 12 of which were approved by the state's voters since 1996 (Vermont's language dates to 1777).

"Protecting our hunting heritage through the ballot initiative process is critically important for American sportsmen and women. ?I was very proud to see the voters of Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee enthusiastically support hunting and fishing on November 2," said Safari Club International President Larry Rudolph. ?"However the incredible spending of extremist anti-hunting organizations that succeeded in defeating the Arizona right to hunt and fish ballot initiative this year must be combated by organizations like Safari Club who are committed to preserving our traditions."?? (jas)