"CWD is a contagious and 100 percent fatal disease affecting deer, elk, moose, reindeer and other cervid species," explains WGA's outreach of Nov. 14, 2019 to Congressional leadership. "The disease currently exists in at least 24 states (including several in the West), and the economic burdens of monitoring and managing CWD in wild populations falls largely on state agencies."

The letter signed by WGA Executive Director Jim Ogsbury notes that state fish and wildlife agencies derive a large portion of their funding from hunting and fishing license sales and federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. However, "as the disease spreads, license and hunting equipment sales may decline ... (and) this creates a situation where funding to state fish and wildlife agencies responsible for fighting CWD is gradually eroded."

"WGA commends Congressional leaders who have prioritized funding and support to state fish and wildlife agencies to help monitor, manage and contain the spread of CWD in wild cervid populations," notes the letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

"Western Governors look forward to working with you to identify and promote legislative efforts to support state wildlife management agencies in their fight against CWD," concludes the letter. Read, download the letter