Things We Can Agree On: Wildlife and Outdoor Recreation
Photo: Senator Kay Hagan is co-sponsor of the Bipartisan Sportsman's Act of 2014. Courtesy: ncpolicywatch.org
February 6, 2014
RALEIGH, N.C. – At a time when few hands are reaching across the aisle in Washington, Sen. Kay Hagan, a North Carolina Democrat, is joining Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in introducing legislation that would protect outdoor recreation, wildlife and natural resources in North Carolina and across the country.
"We took some of the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats,” Hagan explains. “We put them together, we crafted a package of 12 bills that can break through the Washington partisan gridlock and win support and ultimately be signed into law. "
The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 includes bills that provide secure funding for public lands and the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Richard Mode, North Carolina Wildlife Federation board member and National Wildlife Federation sportsmen coordinator, says sportsman and conservationists alike are supportive of what the Sportsmen's Act of 2014 can offer.
"These programs will provide the resources for wildlife professionals to proceed with the conservation and adaptation projects on public lands," he explains.
Gordon Myers, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, says the changes the Sportsmen's Act would initiate will benefit the state's bottom line, since outdoor recreation generates an estimated $19 billion in North Carolina annually and supports 192,000 jobs.
"It's a very important economic sector in North Carolina and improving opportunities for people to hunt, fish, shoot and enjoy the outdoors,” he explains. “It also translates to a positive impact on our outdoor recreation economy."
Over the next year, three major retailers – Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain – are opening locations in the Triangle area.
- See more at: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-02-06/endangered-species-and-wildlife/things-we-can-agree-on-wildlife-and-outdoor-recreation/a36801-2#sthash.5JbIpUWD.SVgktdzp.dpuf"We took some of the best ideas from Republicans and Democrats,” Hagan explains. “We put them together, we crafted a package of 12 bills that can break through the Washington partisan gridlock and win support and ultimately be signed into law. "
The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 includes bills that provide secure funding for public lands and the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Richard Mode, North Carolina Wildlife Federation board member and National Wildlife Federation sportsmen coordinator, says sportsman and conservationists alike are supportive of what the Sportsmen's Act of 2014 can offer.
"These programs will provide the resources for wildlife professionals to proceed with the conservation and adaptation projects on public lands," he explains.
Gordon Myers, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, says the changes the Sportsmen's Act would initiate will benefit the state's bottom line, since outdoor recreation generates an estimated $19 billion in North Carolina annually and supports 192,000 jobs.
"It's a very important economic sector in North Carolina and improving opportunities for people to hunt, fish, shoot and enjoy the outdoors,” he explains. “It also translates to a positive impact on our outdoor recreation economy."
Over the next year, three major retailers – Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain – are opening locations in the Triangle area.
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The Nature Conservancy Appreciates Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014
U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, along with a strong set of bipartisan cosponsors.
ARLINGTON, VA (February 4, 2014) – U.S. Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today introduced the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, along with a strong set of bipartisan cosponsors. The bill is a package of measures important to the sportsmen and conservation communities.The Nature Conservancy’s Director of U.S. Government Relations Kameran Onley released the following statement in response:
“The Nature Conservancy thanks Senators Hagan and Murkowski for their leadership in introducing the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014.
“This package of sportsmen and conservation bills represents a true bipartisan approach to the issues facing us on the ground today. Several important pieces of legislation in this package focus on the need to expand access to our public lands through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, identify new methods for community-based conservation through programs such as the Federal Land Transaction and Facilitation Act, and promote conservation models such as the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which has more than 25 years of proven success resulting in millions of acres of restored and protected wetlands.
“The Conservancy strongly supports the habitat title of this important sportsmen’s package. In the weeks ahead we encourage the inclusion of additional pieces of legislation to further strengthen this title, including the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act; a price increase for the Migratory Bird Duck Stamp; the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act; Multinational Species Conservation Program reauthorizations; and the Conservation Reform Act.
“We look forward to working with Senator Hagan, Senator Murkowski and Senate and House leadership on ensuring a sportsmen's package moves forward this Congress with a conservation title that is as strong as possible.”
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.
- See more at: http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/pressreleases/the-nature-conservancy-appreciates-bipartisan-sportsmens-act-of-2014.xml#sthash.MsigUnfo.dpuf---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S.1335 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Sportsmen's Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Sportsmen's Act - Title I: Recreational Shooting - Requires a federal public land management official, in cooperation with the respective state and fish and wildlife agency, to exercise the authority of the official under law, including regarding land use planning, to facilitate the use of, and access to, federal public land for hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting, except as described in this Act.
Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports and facilitates hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law.
Requires that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service land, excluding land on the Outer Continental Shelf, be open to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such land for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law.
Allows agencies to: (1) lease or permit use of federal public land for recreational shooting ranges, and (2) designate specific land for recreational shooting activities. Excepts from such use or designation land including a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, land designated as a wilderness study area or administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable, and primitive or semiprimitive areas.
Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 1280 or more contiguous acres of federal public land or water to hunting or recreational fishing or related activities.
Instructs federal public land agencies to consult with the advisory councils specified in Executive Orders 12962 (relating to recreational fisheries) and 13443 (relating to the facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation) in carrying out this Act.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to permit individuals carrying bows and crossbows to traverse the National Park System if the traverse is: (1) for the sole purpose of hunting on adjacent land, and (2) the most direct means of access to such adjacent land.
Prohibits the Secretary of the Army from promulgating or enforcing any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm at a water resources development project administered by the Chief of Engineers if: (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and (2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the state in which the project is located.
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of any polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a polar bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any person: (1) who submits proof that the polar bear was legally harvested before February 18, 1997 (current law); or (2) who has submitted, with an application submitted before May 15, 2008, proof that the bear was legally harvested before such date from a polar bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)
Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs; (3) limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years.
Shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function.
Urges the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.
Title II: Duck Stamps - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 to exempt an authorized taking of migratory birds and collection of their eggs by indigenous inhabitants of Alaska from the prohibition on taking under the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act.
Grants the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize any state to issue electronic duck stamps.Sets forth state electronic duck stamp application requirements.
Allows the Secretary to determine the number of new states permitted per year to participate in the electronic duck stamp program.Instructs the Secretary to require electronic stamp revenue and customer information collected by each state to be transmitted in accordance with a written agreement between the Secretary and the state.
Title III: Reauthorizations - Amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) to reauthorize, until 15 years after this Act's enactment, the program for the completion of appraisals and satisfaction of other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Requires 30% (currently all) of the gross proceeds of the sale or exchange of public land under such Act to be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account and 70% of such proceeds to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used for federal budget deficit reduction.
Makes the FLTFA inapplicable to land eligible for sale under specified public land laws.
Amends the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for allocations to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects
.
Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to exclude from the definition of "chemical substance" for purposes of such Act: (1) any component of any pistol, revolver, firearm, shell, or cartridge the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax, including shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, and primers; and (2) any sport fishing equipment the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax and sport fishing equipment components.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), for any film crew of five persons or fewer, to require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary. Makes such a permit valid for such activities or projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a one-year period. Allows an applicable land management agency to deny access to a film crew if: (1) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated, (2) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public use and enjoyment of the site, (3) the activity poses public health or safety risks, and (4) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the land's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
Requires the heads of federal public land management agencies to exercise their discretion in a manner that supports and facilitates hunting, recreational fishing, and recreational shooting opportunities, to the extent authorized under applicable law.
Requires that Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service land, excluding land on the Outer Continental Shelf, be open to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting unless the managing agency acts to close lands to such activity. Permits closures or restrictions on such land for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, national security, or compliance with other law.
Allows agencies to: (1) lease or permit use of federal public land for recreational shooting ranges, and (2) designate specific land for recreational shooting activities. Excepts from such use or designation land including a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, land designated as a wilderness study area or administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable, and primitive or semiprimitive areas.
Requires annual reports on closures of federal public lands to hunting, recreational fishing, or recreational shooting. Sets forth requirements for specified closures or significant restrictions involving 1280 or more contiguous acres of federal public land or water to hunting or recreational fishing or related activities.
Instructs federal public land agencies to consult with the advisory councils specified in Executive Orders 12962 (relating to recreational fisheries) and 13443 (relating to the facilitation of hunting heritage and wildlife conservation) in carrying out this Act.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to permit individuals carrying bows and crossbows to traverse the National Park System if the traverse is: (1) for the sole purpose of hunting on adjacent land, and (2) the most direct means of access to such adjacent land.
Prohibits the Secretary of the Army from promulgating or enforcing any regulation that prohibits an individual from possessing a firearm at a water resources development project administered by the Chief of Engineers if: (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and (2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the state in which the project is located.
Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to issue a permit for the importation of any polar bear part (other than an internal organ) from a polar bear taken in a sport hunt in Canada to any person: (1) who submits proof that the polar bear was legally harvested before February 18, 1997 (current law); or (2) who has submitted, with an application submitted before May 15, 2008, proof that the bear was legally harvested before such date from a polar bear population from which a sport-hunted trophy could be imported before such date. (Polar bears were listed as a threatened species by the Department of the Interior on May 14, 2008.)
Amends the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to: (1) authorize a state to pay up to 90% of the costs of acquiring land for, expanding, or constructing a public target range; (2) authorize a state to elect to allocate 10% of a specified amount apportioned to it from the federal aid to wildlife restoration fund for such costs; (3) limit the federal share of such costs under such Act to 90%; and (4) require amounts provided for such costs under such Act to remain available for expenditure and obligation for five fiscal years.
Shields the United States from any civil action or claim for money damages for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death caused by an activity occurring at a public target range that is funded by the federal government pursuant to such Act or located on federal land, except to the extent provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act with respect to the exercise or performance of a discretionary function.
Urges the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM to cooperate with state and local authorities and other entities to carry out waste removal and other activities on any federal land used as a public target range to encourage its continued use for target practice or marksmanship training.
Title II: Duck Stamps - Amends the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 to exempt an authorized taking of migratory birds and collection of their eggs by indigenous inhabitants of Alaska from the prohibition on taking under the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act.
Grants the Secretary of the Interior permanent authority to authorize any state to issue electronic duck stamps.Sets forth state electronic duck stamp application requirements.
Allows the Secretary to determine the number of new states permitted per year to participate in the electronic duck stamp program.Instructs the Secretary to require electronic stamp revenue and customer information collected by each state to be transmitted in accordance with a written agreement between the Secretary and the state.
Title III: Reauthorizations - Amends the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) to reauthorize, until 15 years after this Act's enactment, the program for the completion of appraisals and satisfaction of other legal requirements for the sale or exchange of public land identified for disposal under approved land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
Requires 30% (currently all) of the gross proceeds of the sale or exchange of public land under such Act to be deposited in the Federal Land Disposal Account and 70% of such proceeds to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used for federal budget deficit reduction.
Makes the FLTFA inapplicable to land eligible for sale under specified public land laws.
Amends the North American Wetlands Conservation Act to extend through FY2017 the authorization of appropriations for allocations to carry out approved wetlands conservation projects
.
Title IV: Miscellaneous - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to exclude from the definition of "chemical substance" for purposes of such Act: (1) any component of any pistol, revolver, firearm, shell, or cartridge the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax, including shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, and primers; and (2) any sport fishing equipment the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax and sport fishing equipment components.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), for any film crew of five persons or fewer, to require a permit and assess an annual fee of $200 for commercial filming activities or similar projects on federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary. Makes such a permit valid for such activities or projects that occur in areas designated for public use during public hours on all federal land and waterways administered by the Secretary for a one-year period. Allows an applicable land management agency to deny access to a film crew if: (1) there is a likelihood of resource damage that cannot be mitigated, (2) there would be an unreasonable disruption of the public use and enjoyment of the site, (3) the activity poses public health or safety risks, and (4) the filming includes the use of models or props that are not part of the land's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities.
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