A win for Sportsmen

Fritz the Cat

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Back in March of 2019, President Trump signed into law S 47. What the National Rifle Association had to say:

https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2019/3/13/president-signs-lands-bill-that-protects-hunting-access/

[h=1]President Signs Lands Bill That Protects Hunting Access[/h]
by Susan Recce, NRA-ILA Director of Conservation, Wildlife and Natural Resources - Wednesday, March 13, 2019

browns_canyon_national_monument-crop.jpg
Photo credit: Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management






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The mammoth Senate Bill S.47, sponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), passed in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives in February and was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump yesterday. Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior David Bernhardt applauded the President. “President Trump knows that federal lands are meant to provide both peace and prosperity for the American people, and signing this bill allows us to continue managing public lands in a balanced way.” The bill, also known as the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, contains nine titles and 245 sections. Within those titles and sections is language lifted from the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act that passed the House in three previous Congresses as part of a package of sportsmen’s bills, but never made it through the Senate.
All of the provisions in S.47 related to hunting, fishing and recreational shooting (HFRS) were initiated by and/or developed by the National Rifle Association in concert with several other non-government organizations (NGOs) nearly eight years ago. Thus, the passage of S. 47 was a victory in getting sportsmen’s access language and other provisions of importance to hunters—whose dollars fund wildlife conservation—across the Congressional finish line. The NRA is pleased to report that these provisions include:

  • Incorporating “Making Public Lands Public” into the section of S. 47 that permanently reauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund (LWCF). It sets aside 3 percent of LWCF-appropriated funds or $15 million annually—whichever is greater—for projects that will open or improve access for HFRS and other outdoor recreational activities. The authorized LWCF funding level is $900 million to be split 40 percent for state, 40 percent for federal and 20 percent for other projects including deferred maintenance needs.
  • Declaring it is national policy that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) are to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of HFRS.
  • Declaring it is national policy that the BLM and USFS conserve and enhance the management of game species and their habitat, including through hunting and fishing, in concert with state fish and game laws.
  • Declaring it is national policy that the BLM and USFS consider HFRS opportunities as part of federal land, resource and travel management plans.
  • Codifying BLM and USFS policy that the lands they manage are open unless specifically closed to HFRS for reasons of public safety, administration or compliance with applicable laws. (This means that the agencies do not have to justify keeping the lands they manage open to HFRS.)
  • Mandating that closure of federal lands to HFRS must be for the smallest area for the least amount of time to satisfy public safety, administration or compliance with applicable laws.
  • Specifying additional requirements for public notice and comment, including notice to the NGO signatories of the Federal Lands Hunting and Shooting Sports Memorandum of Understanding Roundtable.
  • Ensuring that a decision to close an area to HSRS must explain how issues could not be resolved and that closure is the only answer.
  • Requiring that an annual report of land closures to HFRS be submitted to the Congress and the public.
  • Requiring the development of lists prioritizing areas where there is no public access—or access is restricted on BLM, USFS, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that are open to HFRS and other recreational activities—and developing strategies for providing access.
  • Codifying the use of qualified volunteers (hunters) in wildlife management projects on lands within the National Park System.
Shortfalls of S.47
Despite the hard work of the NRA and like-minded organizations over the past eight years and all of the above provisions in S.47, it fell short of the sportsmen’s package of bills previously passed by the House. Language addressing past anti-hunting court rulings was not included in addition to other NRA-backed provisions. NRA-ILA will continue to work with link-minded organizations, members of Congress, and this Administration on behalf of sportsmen to achieve these goals.

A couple of days ago Secretary of the Interior Bernhardt attended the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City:

https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/202...dges-commitment-to-sportsmen-at-hunting-expo/


[h=1]Interior Secretary Pledges Commitment to Sportsmen at Hunting Expo[/h]

by Karen Mehall Phillips - Monday, February 17, 2020


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“David Bernhardt is the greatest man to serve as Secretary of The Interior in my lifetime. He knows and loves the Constitution, he knows hunters, he opened up 1.4 million acres of federal land to hunting and fishing—and I’m grateful to him."
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), introducing Secretary of The Interior David Bernhardt
at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Feb. 15, 2020

Utah Sen. Mike Lee was spot on in introducing Secretary of The Interior (SOI) David Bernhardt at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo (WHCE) in Salt Lake City on Saturday—and American hunters agree, judging by the applause from the sold-out crowd. Bernhardt’s opening remarks underscored the dynamic partnership between groups like WHCE sponsors—the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW)—to advance conservation, restore wildlife and enhance habitat through private, state and federal partnerships, calling such collaboration “the definition of conservation stewardship.”
“It’s a privilege to serve President Trump as Secretary of The Interior to advance his priorities for the American people, and the state of our Union is exceptional,” he said, touting how Americans continue to benefit from the President’s policies. Bernhardt assured the highly-engaged crowd that the DOI is actively moving to address access to public lands for hunters and anglers—who fund the bulk of conservation nationwide—calling sportsmen the nation’s true conservationists.
Ever humble over the DOI’s accomplishments under his leadership, the avid hunter and angler said, “The President gave me a clear directive to increase access, and just this year we increased it by 1.4 million acres.” Since assuming his position in 2019, Bernhardt has added a total of 1.7 million acres to date—"And I’m going to beat that number by the end of this year,” he said. If the crowd didn’t already know the man of the hour was one of us, they certainly knew it then.
soibernhardt2nd.jpg
Secretary of the Department of The Interior David Bernhardt, left, presented Mule Deer Foundation President and CEO Miles Moretti with a special letter he wrote thanking Moretti for his numerous accomplishments on behalf of the Mule Deer Foundation.

Bernhardt enjoys attending outdoor shows and sharing updates on the work the DOI is doing for the American people. For evidence of such momentum, look no further than the two points he noted in his fireside chat with WHCE attendees that afternoon. In addition to the DOI recognizing the value of protecting certain undeveloped BLM backcountry areas featuring priority habitats for recreationally-important traditional outdoor sports, he promoted its implementation of S. 47, the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed last April. His resulting Secretarial Order No. 3374, among other provisions, specifically expanded hunting and fishing opportunities on wildlife refuges and other public lands and designated timeframes for moving forward on actionable steps within each DOI office or bureau.
For anyone who missed that earlier gathering, Bernhardt restated, “Our [the DOI’s] guidepost for conservation and recreation priorities is Bill S. 47—the first legislation to add public lands in more than a decade. It established for the first time ever the policies of the United States of America is to include facilitating the expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities on federal land.” The crowd applauded, understanding the importance of having such a provision in a statute, or written law. “We removed or revised more than 5,000 federal hunting and fishing regulations to more closely align with state regulations,” he added. “That’s what hunters and anglers asked for.”
With a proven track record, Bernhardt is committed to getting the job done. He closed out his speech reiterating his bottom line—“to advance the President’s priorities for sportsmen and women”—winding down with the heartwarming words we never get tired of hearing: “God bless you and God bless the United States of America.”
As the enthusiastic crowd’s focus switched to the evening’s live auction to raise more money for wildlife conservation, you could feel a lingering sense of pride that comes from being a hunter. Without hunters and leaders like SOI David Bernhardt supporting the natural cycle of wildlife and wild places and working for the humane, science-based management of our renewable wildlife resources, everything would be put at risk. In the words of WHCE Master of Ceremonies Rob Keck—Bass Pro Shops’ director of conservation and host of its “Outdoor World Radio” show—“We salute all those who protect wildlife and our way of life. We salute you, we thank you and we love you.”


 


Brittman

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Rather then comment of Kitty's post.

Join the TRCP (membership is free).

Capture.PNG


Image the hunting opportunities in WY, MT and even western ND if mandatory access or easements are created for all public land completely encircled today by private land.

There used to be some really nice land that was inaccessible in the Little Missouri National Grasslands because if was landlocked by private land. Maybe that has changed with all the drilling, then maybe not. Been awhile since I was out there.
 

PrairieGhost

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There used to be some really nice land that was inaccessible in the Little Missouri National Grasslands because if was landlocked by private land.

That's hard to tell. I see the grader on the east river road where the Trotter ranch is (now sold) but the road says this is a private road no trespass. Same thing at the southern approach to the east end of Wolf Draw. Many places like that.
 


SDMF

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Fritz trying to troll and divide hunters:

535EAEE4-6C95-4B38-B50D-02597735F05B.gif
 

Fritz the Cat

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SDMF,

Do you recognize the template?

Incorporating “Making Public Lands Public” into the section of S. 47 that
permanently reauthorizes the Land and Conservation Fund (LWCF)
.

The LWCF was created by Congress to divert offshore oil leases money away from the US General Treasury and use it for purchasing private property and easements on private property. Remember North Dakota's 5% oil revenue rip off? Same template.

The heartburn for its promoters was the LWCF had to be re-authorized each year and then the tussle over the amount of money began. In 2015 it was not re-authorized and was allowed sun set.

Senators (R) Lisa Murkowski and (D) Michael Bennet gave it new life resurrecting re-authorization in a large public lands Bill S-47. Trump signed it into law March 2019 and less than a month later its proponents circled back for dedicated funding at $900 million.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1081?q={"search":["1081"]}&s=1&r=3

This funding wanting Bill got bogged down in Congress with all the impeachment stuff. Now it's 2020 and Trump's Budget came out. Keep in mind these budgets are just proposals. He made cuts. Cuts are good. He made cuts to the Department of the Interior. Page 63:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/budget_fy21.pdf

I haven't seen it but rumor control says he cut the Land Water Conservation Fund 97%. No money for them. Lots of crying.
 

Fritz the Cat

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Good morning PG,

Did you look at Trump's budget proposal for 2021? Keep in mind it is only a proposal. Page 63. What it says:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/budget_fy21.pdf

"The Budget proposes to eliminate line-item land acquisition projects funding, saving taxpayers $132 million relative to the 2020 enacted level. Eliminating land acquisition projects funding would allow DOI to focus resources on visitor services and facility repairs in existing national parks, refuges, and public lands, which already encompass nearly 500 million acres."

PG, does that makes sense to you? The National Parks and other federal holdings have a maintenance backlog of perhaps $20 Billion. Does it make more sense to work on those 500 million acres or buy more?
 


Fritz the Cat

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Buy more.

Place big stick in and stir.

Anyway, going to have to leave you guys to it for a few days. Heading for Wyoming now with a Polaris Mountain Sled. Going to enjoy "my" public lands. :D

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, I see more guys are chiming in. There is a letter writing campaign about to begin flooding our Congressman's inboxes. You guys know the drill. Some non-profits make a form letter and everyone sends it in.

This has to be done discreetly because if the National Chamber of Commerce or Retailers Association get alerted they may buck.
 

Kurtr

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Place big stick in and stir.

Anyway, going to have to leave you guys to it for a few days. Heading for Wyoming now with a Polaris Mountain Sled. Going to enjoy "my" public lands. :D

- - - Updated - - -

Oh, I see more guys are chiming in. There is a letter writing campaign about to begin flooding our Congressman's inboxes. You guys know the drill. Some non-profits make a form letter and everyone sends it in.

This has to be done discreetly because if the National Chamber of Commerce or Retailers Association get alerted they may buck.


wear your beacons and back packs know a couple guys have died in avys already this year
 


Fritz the Cat

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Beacons and backpacks, yep. My partner is running late. Waiting...……..

This will be my second trip out there. I don't take many risks.
 


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