[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.
____________________