[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 107 (Thursday, July 10, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4374-S4377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BIPARTISAN SPORTSMEN'S ACT

  Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, in a few minutes the Senate will vote on 
whether to invoke cloture on the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014--
legislation I have introduced with my friend and colleague from Alaska, 
Senator Lisa Murkowski.
  At a time when Washington is stuck in political gridlock, I am proud 
to have partnered with Senator Murkowski to develop this sportsmen's 
package that is cosponsored by 46 of the Senators here in this 
Chamber--almost half of this body--19 Democrats, 26 Republicans, and 1 
Independent.
  We actually put politics aside to get behind a bill that benefits 
tens of millions of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across 
our country--a bill that protects our outdoor traditions for future 
generations and ensures the outdoor recreation economy can continue to 
support jobs and local communities in our States nationwide.
  This kind of widespread bipartisan support has been virtually unheard 
of in these days. And not surprisingly, the list of organizations that 
support the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act is equally long and diverse. 
More than 40 organizations that span the ideological spectrum have 
actually endorsed this bill.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that six letters and 
statements of support that I have received on the Bipartisan 
Sportsmen's Act be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

      [From the Congressional Sportmen's Foundation, Feb. 4, 2014]

    Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Introduces Bipartisan 
                        Sportsmen's Act of 2014

       Washington, DC.--Today, in a significant advancement for 
     sportsmen and women across the country, members of the Senate 
     Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) introduced the 
     Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014. Introduced by CSC Senate 
     Co-Chair, Senator Kay Hagan and CSC member Senator Lisa 
     Murkowski, this bipartisan legislative package includes 12 
     bills that would ensure our sportsmen's traditions are 
     protected and advanced, and addresses some of the most 
     current concerns of American hunters and recreational anglers 
     and shooters.
       The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act is cosponsored by CSC Vice-
     Chair, Sen. Mark Pryor and CSC members, Sens. Mark Begich, 
     John Boozman, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Mary Landrieu, Joe 
     Manchin, Rob Portman, Jon Tester and David Vitter.
       Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) President, Jeff 
     Crane praised the introduction of this vital legislation. 
     ``We thank CSC Co-Chair Senator Hagan and CSC member Senator 
     Murkowski for introducing this bipartisan package of 
     legislation that includes provisions vital to protecting our 
     hunting and angling traditions in the U.S., which the CSC and 
     organizations within the sportsmen's community have been 
     working on for years.''
       The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act contains six bills that are 
     also found in the Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational 
     Enhancement (SHARE) Act (H.R. 3590), which has been 
     introduced in the House of Representatives by House CSC Co-
     Chairs, Representatives Bob Latta and Bennie Thompson and 
     Vice-Chairs, Representatives Rob Wittman and Tim VValz. 
     Similar provisions include protecting traditional lead 
     ammunition and fishing tackle from unwarranted regulation 
     under the Toxic Substances Control Act, amending the Pittman-
     Robertson Act to allocate a greater proportion of funding for 
     shooting ranges, allowing film crews of five or fewer persons 
     on federal lands with an annual permit for $200, and allowing 
     the Secretary of Interior to authorize a permanent electronic 
     duck stamp, among others.
       ``I am proud to have partnered with Senator Lisa Murkowski 
     to develop the bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014,'' said CSC 
     Co-Chair, Sen. Kay Hagan. ``In North Carolina, hunting, 
     fishing and shooting are a way of life. Many of these 
     traditions have been handed down through my own family, and 
     I'm proud that our bill protects these activities for future 
     generations while ensuring that outdoor recreation can 
     continue to support jobs and local economies across the 
     country. At a time when Washington is stuck in political 
     gridlock, our bill demonstrates that Democrats and 
     Republicans can work together to find common ground, and I 
     look forward to working with Senator

[[Page S4375]]

     Murkowski to advance this package through the Senate and into 
     law.''
       In addition to the bills shared by H.R. 3590, priorities in 
     the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act include: reauthorization of 
     the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, which allows 
     the Bureau of Land Management to sell land to private owners 
     for ranching, community development, and conservation 
     projects; reauthorization of the North American Wetlands 
     Conservation Act; and ``Making Public Lands Public,'' which 
     requires that 1.5% of the Land and Water Conservation Fund be 
     used for ensuring recreational public access to federal 
     public lands that have significantly restricted access to 
     fishing and hunting.
       ``Senator Hagan and I have been able to combine the best of 
     the bills from our individual packages to support outdoor 
     recreation and created a truly bipartisan package that will 
     improve access to public lands for anglers, hunters, and 
     recreational shooters across the nation,'' Sen. Murkowski 
     said. ``I'm hopeful that the Senate can follow suit and work 
     together to pass a sportsmen's package this Congress, because 
     these are some of the last remaining 'easy' issues that enjoy 
     widespread support here on Capitol Hill.''
       The SHARE Act is expected to be voted on in the House of 
     Representatives on February 5. CSF will continue to work with 
     our bipartisan partners in the CSC to advance these 
     sportsmen's priorities through Congress.
                                  ____


                 [From the Media Center, Feb. 4, 2014]

      Senate Sportsmen's Bill Upholds Public Access, Conservation

       Washington--A bipartisan legislative package introduced 
     today in the U.S. Senate would increase public access 
     opportunities and advance conservation and is drawing 
     widespread support from prominent sportsmen's groups, the 
     Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today.
       The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act (S. 1996), introduced by 
     Sens. Kay Hagan and Lisa Murkowski, attracted an impressive 
     range of co-sponsors, including Sens. Mark Begich, John 
     Boozman, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Mary Landrieu, Joe 
     Manchin, Rob Portman, Mark Pryor, Jon Tester and David 
     Vitter.
       ``The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership supports 
     the bipartisan sportsmen's package led by Senators Hagan and 
     Murkowski,'' said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh. 
     ``Sportsmen rely on both the conservation of important 
     habitat and, just as important, reasonable access to that 
     habitat to enjoy productive days afield. This package 
     includes bills that achieve both of those goals.
       ``Hunting and fishing directly contribute more than $86 
     billion to the U.S. economy each year and support 
     approximately 1.5 million non-exportable jobs,'' Fosburgh 
     continued. ``Sportsmen also are integral to the broader 
     outdoor recreation and conservation economy, which is 
     responsible for $646 billion in direct consumer spending 
     annually.''
       The Senate legislation includes the following:
       Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage Opportunities Act 
     (S. 170), requiring federal land managers to consider how 
     management plans affect opportunities to engage in hunting, 
     fishing and recreational shooting and requiring the Bureau of 
     Land Management and the Forest Service to keep BLM lands open 
     to these activities.
       Making Public Lands Public, requiring that 1.5 percent of 
     annual Land and Water Conservation Fund monies be made 
     available to secure public access to existing federal lands 
     that have restricted access to hunting, fishing and other 
     recreational activities.
       Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013 (S. 738), 
     authorizing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow any 
     state to provide federal duck stamps electronically.
       North American Wetlands Conservation Act Reauthorization 
     (S. 741), reauthorizing through fiscal year 2017 NAWCA, which 
     provides matching grants to organizations, state and local 
     governments, and private landowners for the acquisition, 
     restoration and enhancement of wetlands critical to the 
     habitat of migratory birds.
       National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization (S. 
     51), reauthorizing NFWF, a nonprofit that preserves and 
     restores native wildlife species and habitats.
       Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting Protection Act 
     (S. 1505), exempting lead fishing tackle from being regulated 
     under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
       Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (S. 
     1212), enabling states to allocate a greater proportion of 
     federal funding to create and maintain shooting ranges.
       Prominent sportsmen's groups commended the bill.
       ``Pope and Young Club, speaking on behalf of bowhunting, is 
     excited to see the bipartisan support for the Bipartisan 
     Sportsmen's Act of 2014,'' said Mike Schlegel, conservation 
     committee chairman of the Pope & Young Club. ``This act 
     contains titles that address key issues of concern within the 
     conservation community nationwide.''
       ``The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 would expand 
     hunter access and enable active habitat management, including 
     conservation of some of the nation's most valuable federal 
     lands,'' said Becky Humphries, executive vice president of 
     conservation for the National Wild Turkey Federation. ``The 
     National Wild Turkey Federation strongly supports this pro-
     sportsmen legislative package.''
       ``More than 140 million Americans participate in outdoor 
     recreation activities, including hunting and fishing,'' said 
     Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. ``DU appreciates the 
     bipartisan effort of this bill in bringing to light the 
     economic impact and importance of sportsmen and -women to the 
     United States. We are also grateful for its inclusion of the 
     North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which is an ideal 
     model for successful private-public partnerships.''
       ``Bipartisanship requires compromise,'' said Dr. Steve 
     Williams, president of the Wildlife Management Institute and 
     former director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ``and 
     this bipartisan bill encompasses many of sportsmen's priority 
     issues. While not all of our needs are addressed, we commend 
     our Senate leaders for introducing legislation that speaks to 
     the values--responsive natural resources management, 
     conservation and increased access opportunities among them--
     that are central to our outdoor traditions.''
                                  ____

                                                    April 8, 2014.
     Re Promoting Legislation to Improve Hunting in America

     Senator Kay Hagan,
     Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, Co-Chair, Washington, DC.
     Senator Lisa Murkowski,
     Energy and Natural Resource Committee, Ranking Member, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators Hagan and Murkowski, We write you to express 
     our sincere gratitude for your leadership during the 113th 
     Congress for hunting and conservation. Individually you 
     introduced pro-hunting and conservation legislation. 
     Collectively we are all recipients of the Diana Award. This 
     award is bestowed on one female huntress annually for their 
     achievement in big game hunting, ethics in the field, and 
     giving of their money, time and energies to enhance wildlife 
     conservation and education.
       We are now delighted to learn you are working together to 
     introduce bipartisan pro-hunting and pro-conservation 
     legislation. Your ongoing effort to introduce bi-partisan 
     legislation is a monumental step in breaking the deadlock 
     that hunters have felt in previous legislative efforts.
       Improving hunting opportunities across the U.S., being good 
     role models for other female hunters, and improving funding 
     for wildlife conservation has been a priority goal throughout 
     our lives. We are proud to see your leadership as fellow 
     female hunter-conservationists in the U.S. Senate. 
     Furthermore as leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen's 
     Caucus and of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 
     your colleagues are all looking to you for guidance on good 
     public policy for hunting and conservation. We applaud your 
     efforts and we are anxious to see you reach your legislative 
     goals.
       Our organization, Safari Club International, has an office 
     in Washington, DC which we trust is working closely with your 
     staffs to see your legislation become law. As fellow female 
     hunters, thank you for your leadership and demonstrating that 
     we all have a vested interest in our hunting heritage and 
     wildlife conservation.
           Sincerely,
         Pamela S. Atwood, Diana Award Winner 1997; Jackie 
           Bartels, Diana Award Winner 2007; Suzie Brewster, Diana 
           Award Winner 2010; Deb Cunningham, Diana Award Winner 
           2002; Abigail Day, Diana Award Winner 2008; Olivia 
           Nalos Opre, Diana Award Winner 2014; Charlotte M. 
           Peyerk, Diana Award Winner 2011; Barbara Sackman, Diana 
           Award Winner 1999; Sandra Sadler, Diana Award Winner 
           2005; Renee Snider, Diana Award Winner 2012; Ingrid-
           Poole Williams, Diana Award Winner 1998.
                                  ____

                                                 National Shooting


                                      Sports Foundation, Inc.,

                                       Newtown, CT, June 11, 2014.
     Senator Kay Hagan,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Hagan: The National Shooting Sports Foundation 
     (NSSF) is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, 
     hunting, and recreational shooting sports industry. On behalf 
     of our over 10,000 members, I would like to express our 
     appreciation to you for your leadership and support in co-
     sponsoring the ``Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014'' 
     (S.2363).
       As you know, S. 2363 is simply the most important package 
     of measures for the benefit of sportsmen in a generation. 
     This package of pro-sportsmen legislation will promote, 
     protect, and preserve our cherished outdoor activities of 
     hunting and the shooting sports.
       This vital piece of legislation will prevent anti-hunting 
     groups from taking away the right of hunters to use the 
     ammunition of their choice, provide state fish and game 
     agencies with more flexibility to use Pittman-Robertson funds 
     to build and maintain badly needed public shooting ranges so 
     that tens of millions of recreational target shooters will 
     have a place to safely enjoy their sport and hunters will 
     have places to sight in their firearms for the hunting 
     season. The bill will also help facilitate and provide for 
     more access to public lands and waters for hunting, 
     recreational fishing, and shooting. It will also prohibit 
     additional fees for commercial filming on federal lands and 
     waterways.
       Companies in the United States that manufacture, 
     distribute, and sell firearms, ammunition, and hunting 
     equipment employ as

[[Page S4376]]

     many of 112,000 people in the United States and are 
     responsible for as much as $37.7 billion in total economic 
     activity in the country. In these difficult economic times 
     the firearms, ammunition, and hunting industries are still 
     one of the few domestic industries that has grown its profits 
     while also contributing increased tax revenues. We as an 
     industry appreciate your continued support of legislation to 
     protect the hunting and shooting sports.
       I want to thank you again for co-sponsoring this important 
     legislation. Thank you for your service on behalf of 
     America's hunting, shooting, and conservation community.
           Sincerely,
     Lawrence G. Keane.
                                  ____



                                       The Wilderness Society,

                                                   Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator, On behalf of The Wilderness Society and our 
     500,000 members and supporters, I am writing to express our 
     support for S. 1996, the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014, 
     sponsored by Senator Hagan. We believe that hunting and 
     fishing are important uses of our public lands, and this 
     legislation would advance several vital programs which would 
     both safeguard sportsmen's access to world class hunting and 
     angling opportunities while simultaneously supporting many 
     programs that protect the high quality fish and wildlife 
     habitat upon which sportsmen rely.
       The Wilderness Society strongly supports several provisions 
     of this legislation, specifically:
       Reauthorization of the Federal Land Transaction 
     Facilitation Act (FLTFA)
       This legislation would also renew FLTFA, an important tool 
     allowing federal land management agencies to fund the 
     acquisition of critical conservation areas--Including 
     wildlife refuges, national parks, national forests and more--
     though the sale of BLM lands with lower conservation values 
     which have been identified for disposal. This common sense 
     ``land for land'' approach not only provides increased public 
     access for hunting and fishing, but also benefits local 
     businesses, counties, economies, private land owners, and 
     other outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
       Making Public Lands Public
       This provision would require the Secretaries of Interior 
     and Agriculture to spend at least 1.5 percent of Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund resources each year on parcels, 
     easements or road maintenance projects which increase access 
     to our public lands for hunters, anglers and other 
     recreational users. We support this provision, and further, 
     we support full and permanent authorization of the Land and 
     Water Conservation Fund to ensure continued access to and 
     protection of our public lands and waters.
       Reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation 
     Act (NAWCA)
       NAWCA is a proven and popular conservation program with 
     more than 25 years of success in partnering with state, local 
     and non-profit organizations to leverage federal dollars in 
     the restoration and protection of over 27 million acres of 
     wetlands. The reauthorization of NAWCA is essential for the 
     protection and restoration of wetland habitat, which supports 
     an enormous variety of waterfowl, fish and other wildlife.
       Reauthorization of the National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation (NFWF)
       Since its inception, NFWF has leveraged $576 million in 
     federal funds into $2 billion in on-the-ground conservation. 
     The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation works with public 
     and private partners in all 50 states to protect species and 
     habitats and promote local stewardship of natural places, 
     from community parks to wildlife refuges. Reauthorization of 
     NWFW will ensure continued substantial leveraging of federal 
     dollars in the protection of species and habitats that 
     sportsmen depend on.
       Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act
       This title gives the Secretary of the Interior authority to 
     permanently authorize electronic duck stamps. For 80 years 
     duck stamps have served a dual role, both as a license to 
     hunt waterfowl and as one of the most effective and important 
     programs to protect wetland and wildlife refuge habitat. For 
     every dollar spent on federal duck stamps, 98 cents goes to 
     acquiring or leasing wetland habitat for protection in the 
     National Wildlife Refuge System. Permanently authorizing the 
     electronic duck stamp will significantly increase both access 
     to hunting licenses for sportsmen and protection of high 
     quality habitat for waterfowl and other species.
       Further, the legislation does not include any of the 
     provisions included in H.R. 3590, the Sportsmen's Heritage 
     and Recreational Enhancement Act, that would undermine the 
     integrity of America's National Wilderness Preservation 
     system.
       For these reasons, we urge you to support S. 1996, the 
     Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act.
           Sincerely,
     Alan Rowsome,
       Senior Director of Government Relations for Lands, The 
     Wilderness Society.
                                  ____

                                                     July 9, 2014.
     Hon. Harry Reid,
     Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mitch McConnell,
     Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
     Hon. Kay Hagan,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Lisa Murkowski,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Majority Leader Reid, Minority Leader McConnell, 
     Senator Hagan and Senator Murkowski: The sportsmen and women 
     conservationists who we represent across the Nation deeply 
     appreciate the strong bipartisan leadership that you have 
     shown to bring the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 (S. 
     2363) to the floor this week. S. 2363 includes valuable 
     provisions to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and expand 
     public access for hunters and anglers. We know that time on 
     the floor of the Senate is extremely limited and precious, 
     but we believe that this bill is worthy of expedited floor 
     consideration.
       It is a rare and splendid occurrence that such a large and 
     diverse coalition of hunting, shooting, angling and other 
     conservation organizations are so united behind a bill. 
     Therefore, we urge you to maximize the value of such a rare 
     opportunity for sportsmen by ensuring that floor 
     consideration of this important legislation and amendments 
     filed to it will be open, transparent and limited to issues 
     that enhance our nation's rich sportsmen's heritage.
       In particular, we urge you to oppose any amendments that 
     would derail the proposal by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
     and Environmental Protection Agency to clarify and restore 
     longstanding Clean Water Act protections for headwater 
     streams and wetlands across the country. On June 3, 2014, we 
     and 12 other sportsmen's conservation groups wrote to you and 
     urged you to reject such legislation (attached). Such 
     legislation would severely undermine, not enhance, 
     sportsmen's interests.
       Please take advantage of the great opportunity that you and 
     the outstanding group of bipartisan cosponsors of S. 2363 
     have worked so hard to achieve on behalf of sportsmen this 
     week. Pass a strong sportsmen's bill.
           Sincerely,
       Collin O'Mara, President and CEO, National Wildlife 
     Federation; Whit Fosburgh, President and CEO, Theodore 
     Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Scott Kovarovics, 
     Executive Director, Izaak Walton League of America; Chris 
     Wood, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited.

  Mrs. HAGAN. I also want to share some excerpts from these letters and 
statements.
  This one is from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The 
Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act ``is simply the most important package of 
measures for the benefit of sportsmen in a generation. This package of 
pro-sportsmen legislation will promote, protect, and preserve our 
cherished outdoor activities of hunting and the shooting sports.''
  The CEOs of the National Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt 
Conservation Partnership, Izaak Walton League of America, and Trout 
Unlimited, in one letter, wrote: The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2014 
``includes valuable provisions to conserve fish and wildlife habitat 
and expand public access for hunters and anglers. We know that time on 
the floor of the Senate is extremely limited and precious, but we 
believe that this bill is worthy of expedited floor consideration. It 
is a rare and splendid occurrence that such a large and diverse 
coalition of hunting, shooting, angling and other conservation 
organizations are so united behind a bill.''
  Then a letter from Jeff Crane, who is president of the Congressional 
Sportsmen's Foundation. Senator Murkowski and I both have worked very 
closely with Jeff Crane, who is president of the Congressional 
Sportsmen's Foundation. In his letter he said:

       We thank Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chair Senator 
     Hagan and CSC member Senator Murkowski for introducing this 
     bipartisan package of legislation that includes provisions 
     vital to protecting our hunting and angling traditions in the 
     U.S., which the CSC and organizations within the sportsmen's 
     community have been working on for years.

  From the Wilderness Society, in their letter:

       On behalf of our 500,000 members and supporters, I am 
     writing to express our support for the Bipartisan Sportsmen's 
     Act of 2014. We believe that hunting and fishing are 
     important uses of our public lands, and this legislation 
     would advance several vital programs which would both 
     safeguard sportsmen's access to world class hunting and 
     angling opportunities while simultaneously supporting many 
     programs that protect the high quality fish and wildlife 
     habitat upon which sportsmen rely.

  That was from the Wilderness Society.
  The women of Safari Club International wrote to Senator Murkowski and 
me. This letter was dated in April.

       We are delighted to learn you are working together to 
     introduce bipartisan pro-hunting and pro-conservation 
     legislation. Your ongoing effort to introduce bipartisan 
     legislation is a monumental step in breaking the deadlock 
     that hunters have felt in previous legislative efforts.


[[Page S4377]]


  The CEO of Ducks Unlimited said:

       More than 140 million Americans participate in outdoor 
     recreation activities, including hunting and fishing. DU 
     appreciates the bipartisan effort of this bill in bringing to 
     light the economic impact and importance of sports men and 
     women to the United States. We are also grateful for its 
     inclusion of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, 
     which is an ideal model for successful private-public 
     partnerships.

  I agree. We have an opportunity today to take action on a bill that 
advances critical priorities for a wide range of sportsmen and 
conservation groups across the country, bringing those two groups 
together.
  I am proud of the package Senator Murkowski and I crafted and put 
together. I also recognize that Members on both sides of the aisle have 
ideas on how to strengthen this bill.
  It was always my hope we could take up, debate, and vote on 
sportsmen-related amendments to the bill, including amendments on some 
gun issues that are important to sports men and women in my State and 
across the country. I am disappointed we were not able to reach an 
agreement to do so.
  However, we should not let partisan politics get in the way of 
passing a good bill that already has strong bipartisan support. It is 
fiscally responsible, and it is endorsed by more than 40 groups and 
stakeholders across the United States--6 of whom I have just made 
statements about from letters we have received.
  So here is what I am going to ask all of my colleagues to do today: 
If you support this bill, vote for this bill. Outdoor recreation 
activities are a way of life in States across the country. Just as 
importantly, they are the lifeblood of many of our local communities. 
These activities actually contribute $145 billion to our economy every 
year, and they support over 6 million jobs in this country. This is big 
business--and especially at a time when we are looking at jobs and the 
economic recovery.
  So at a time when we are desperately trying to help the job market 
and get our economy back on track, I urge my colleagues to please put 
politics aside and vote to move forward with this balanced bipartisan 
bill that boosts our economy, protects our outdoor traditions, and 
preserves the special places in this country where we hunt, where we 
fish, where we enjoy the outdoors, and to do this for our future 
generations.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the Bipartisan 
Sportsmen's Act, S.2363. This legislation aims to support outdoor 
recreation by improving access for anglers, hunters, and recreational 
shooters. It would also advance conservation by reauthorizing programs 
that protect wildlife species and habitats, wetlands, migratory birds, 
and waterfowl.
  Hunting, angling, outdoor recreation, and conservation are important 
economic contributors and support jobs in communities across the 
country, including many across the State of Maine. The Federal 
Government is an important partner in preserving our natural treasures, 
enhancing recreation, promoting economic growth, and helping to protect 
the environment, which are all components in sustaining our Nation's 
outdoor heritage and traditions.
  While I understand the concerns that have been raised about the need 
to strengthen the bill's conservation measures, on balance S.2363 would 
benefit hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and conservation. One 
provision would promote hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on 
Federal public lands, preventing arbitrary closures. Another would help 
States construct and maintain public shooting ranges by allowing a 
larger proportion of Federal funding to be used for this purpose. 
Additionally, the bill would reauthorize the North American Wetlands 
Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which 
leverage funding for critical wetlands, migratory birds, native fish 
and wildlife species, and habitat projects. A permanent authorization 
of electronic duck stamps, the proceeds of which go to the Migratory 
Bird Conservation Fund, is also included in the bill.
  I am also pleased to be the sponsor of a bipartisan amendment that 
highlights the many important contributions of the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund over the last 50 years. In addition to calling for 
the reauthorization of this landmark conservation program, the 
amendment calls for full, permanent, and dedicated funding, making good 
on the promise that was made to the American people in 1964 to take the 
proceeds from natural resource development and invest a small portion 
in conservation and outdoor recreation. I am deeply concerned about the 
continued annual diversion of these funds from their original 
conservation intent to other purposes. We will not balance our Nation's 
books today by shortchanging our future.
  Upholding Maine's strong tradition of outdoor recreation, including 
hunting and fishing, and protecting access to the great outdoors for 
the enjoyment of all Americans continue to be priorities of mine. I 
also strongly support conservation programs and actions to preserve 
wildlife and natural habitats. The people of Maine have always been 
faithful stewards of our environment because we understand its 
tremendous value to our way of life. The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act 
would have a positive impact on hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, 
and conservation, and I support its passage.

                          ____________________