On Wednesday, April 19th, Senator Steve Daines reintroduced S. 1185, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, with 24 Senate cosponsors. This bill would prohibit U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from banning the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle absent approval by the applicable state fish and wildlife department and proof that lead ammunition and tackle is primarily causing wildlife population decline. “On behalf of SCI members across America, thank you Senator Daines for being an unwavering champion for hunters and our access to public lands by introducing the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s 2022 Hunt Fish Rule shuts down a lawful method of harvest – use of traditional ammunition – through either immediate prohibition or rapid phaseout. Scientific studies have not demonstrated detrimental population-level impacts on game species. Emotion based bans are a blow to economic access and negatively impact Pittman Robertson revenue. Wildlife and habitat win when federal land managers base their decisions on best available science while giving deference to state management authorities.” – Ben Cassidy, EVP for International Government & Public Affairs, Safari Club International
On Tuesday, April 18th, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands held an oversight hearing to examine the implementation of the Great American Outdoors Act and the growing National Park Service deferred maintenance backlog. National Park Service Director Chuck Sams provided testimony and answered questions on behalf of the Biden Administration. See more here
On Wednesday, April 19th, the Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing to examine and discuss the President’s FY 2024 Budget Request for the Department of the Interior. Interior Secretary Deb Halaand, Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, and Director of Budget Denise Flanagan provided testimony and answered questions on behalf of the Biden Administration. See more here
