Summary: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed the largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing access in its history, spanning 111 stations across 32 states, while also seeking public comment on rescinding previous lead ammunition and tackle restrictions.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has “announced the largest proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the [agency’s] history.” The proposal would open or expand over 1,450 opportunities across 111 stations within the National Wildlife Refuge System in 32 states. The announcement also proposes more than 500 revisions and deletions to existing regulatory provisions, which are intended to reduce regulatory burdens for sportsmen.
How Does the Federal Duck Stamp Program Fund Public Lands?
Sportsmen, through the Federal Duck Stamp program, are the primary financial contributors to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Congress recognized this in the 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, which declares that hunting and fishing are priority uses of the refuge system – an initiative conceived and pushed through Congress by the Sportsmen’s Alliance. Accordingly, the Fish and Wildlife Service proposes expanded hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the system on an annual basis through these “station-specific” rules.
Will the New FWS Rule Ban Lead Ammunition and Tackle?
Recent expansions, however, have come with a catch. They have restricted the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle. Extremist groups have also sought to ban lead throughout the refuge system through litigation. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation intervened in and defended a lawsuit seeking to ban lead on the Canaan Valley Refuge in West Virginia. We also moved to intervene and dismiss a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity that sought to invalidate the 2020 “station specific” rule, which allowed the use of lead ammunition in the newly expanded opportunities.
This proposal, however, takes a different approach. It seeks comments on rescinding the prior administration’s lead ammunition and tackle bans.
How Is the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation Responding?
“Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation applauds the Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal to expand hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the refuge system,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “We know that access is one of the biggest hindrances to sportsmen, and this rule squarely addresses that. We look forward to submitting comments and helping the service craft a final rule that benefits our members.”
When Does the Public Comment Period Begin for the FWS Proposal?
Today’s proposal is the first step in the rulemaking process. Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register, a 30-day public-comment opportunity will begin. The final rule will be published after the comments have been received and considered. And it’s safe to assume that a lawsuit will follow, as they have in prior years.
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Issues like these are at the heart of the Sportsmen’s Alliance mission and we will continue to monitor this important issue. Don’t stand on the sidelines join us as a member or a donor of the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund in protecting tomorrow’s hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage today.
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