DSC applauds the efforts of the Trump Administration and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt to increase recreational access on public lands. Bernhardt announced a historic proposal for new and expanded hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 2.3 million acres at 97 national wildlife refuges and 9 national fish hatcheries. This rule proposal represents the largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities in history by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Secretary Bernhardt has kept his promise of expanding public lands for hunting and fishing. The additional 2.3 million acres is in addition to the 1.4 million acres created just last year by the FWS for new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities. Since President Trump has taken office, the Department of the Interior’s total expansion of lands for hunting, fishing and public access totals 4 million acres nationwide.
“We are very excited to see the Administration’s focus on getting Americans access to their great outdoors” said DSC’s Executive Director Corey Mason. “On behalf of all members of DSC, I want to thank Secretary Bernhardt and FWS Director Aurelia Skipwith for their efforts in making this additional access a reality. Opening these new expanded lands for hunting and fishing will aid in conservation of our nations’ land and animals and give a boost to our economy.”
Public comments on the proposed rule are open for the next 60 days. The notice is available at Regulations.gov, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-0013, and explains how to submit comments. Please offer your support of the proposed rule.