Wildlife Resource Agency could flounder without state support

(The Center Square) – A plan to help the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency overcome an $18 million budget shortfall has the backing of two famous Tennessee sportsmen but has stalled in committee.

The agency does not receive an allocation from the state but relies on user fees and federal grant dollars.

The shortfall is not a deficit, as the agency is not accumulating any debt, Emily Buck, the agency’s director of public relations, told The Center Square in an email on Monday.

“This is largely due to an increase in inflation and the cost of operating expenses as well as the state market adjustment for salaries which took place a couple of years ago,” Buck said.

Gov. Bill Lee added a one-time $10 million in the fiscal year 2027 state budget for deferred maintenance, but it’s not a long-term solution.

House Bill 2138/Senate Bill 2183 would allocate 10% of the revenues the state receives from the Tennessee Valley Authority to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, infusing $16...