Interior Dept cancels $26M fishing promotion grant after Senate DOGE review
The Interior Department has canceled a multi-year grant to a Washington-area nonprofit focused on promoting fishing, boating, and outdoor activities after Senate DOGE leadership raised concerns about the use of taxpayer funds. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), based in Alexandria, Virginia, has already received over $26 million in grant funds, on top of $164 million since 2012.
According to information from the government website USA Spending, the grant was intended to support RBFF’s “Take Me Fishing” consumer campaign, which includes social and digital media components, advertisements on Walt Disney Company-branded streaming services, and mobile fishing units targeting urban communities and underserved audiences. The Senate DOGE Caucus cited Interior’s response, indicating that at least $40.5 million will be saved in the near term.
Senate DOGE Caucus Chairwoman Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, expressed pride in uncovering what she referred to as “Washington waste.” She emphasized the importance of ensuring that taxpayer dollars allocated for promoting fishing and outdoor activities are not mismanaged or used for excessive overhead costs. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s office echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while still supporting the recreational boating, fishing, and outdoors industries.
In response to the grant’s cancellation, RBFF officials stated that they have developed a plan to realign their goals and priorities to meet the administration’s objectives. This plan includes adjusting employee compensation, reducing headcount, and updating investment priorities. However, RBFF claimed that they have not been able to directly engage with DOGE or Interior during the grant review process, despite repeated outreach attempts.
RBFF highlighted its contributions to the recreational boating and fishing industry, which supports 1.1 million American jobs and generates significant economic activity. The group expressed concern over the decline in fishing license sales since the funding pause, citing the negative impact on angler spending and job losses. Industry stakeholders, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas and the American Sportfishing Association, defended RBFF’s work and expressed disappointment over the grant termination.
The Marine Retailers Association praised RBFF’s efforts to enhance industry recruitment, retention, and reactivation initiatives, noting the organization’s positive impact on state agency processes and marketing. The American Sportfishing Association warned of the severe consequences of losing grant funding on the fishing industry, highlighting the economic benefits generated by RBFF’s “Take Me Fishing” campaign.
Despite the backlash from industry groups, the Department of the Interior defended its decision to cancel the grant, citing a lack of alignment with program goals and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. The controversy surrounding the grant cancellation underscores the complex relationship between government funding, nonprofit organizations, and industry stakeholders in promoting outdoor activities and conservation efforts.
