Should Recreational Fishers, Hunters, and Marksmen Have More Access to Federal Lands? (H.R. 2406)

What is H.R. 2406?

(Updated April 23, 2019)

This bill would revise existing programs and establish new laws related to the management of federal lands with the goal of expanding access and opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on those lands.

The Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act would be revised to allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other agencies of the Dept. of the Interior (DOI) to use funds from the sale of lands they administer to purchase inholdings (private land surrounded by federal land). It’s expected that extending this authorization will lead to more sales and purchases by the agencies, rising from a projected level of $7 million during the 2016-2022 period to $36 million.

Also included within this bill would be the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act, which opens up wilderness areas and other lands managed by BLM and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to fishing, hunting, and recreational shooting. Causes for restrictions to remain in place would include public safety or national security concerns, and other federal laws precluding those activities, in addition to discretionary limits established through a public, scientific process.

Under this legislation the authority of the DOI and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the use of ammunition and fishing tackle based on its lead content would be limited. Components of firearms, ammunition, and sport fishing equipment would be exempted from chemical substances regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

An existing law known as the Pittman-Robertson WIldlife Restoration Act would be amended to:

• Increase the proportion of funding from the Act that states may use to acquire land for public target ranges;

• Delay by 10 years until 2026 the date after which interest from the wildlife conservation and restoration fund is available for apportionment.

The National Park Service (NPS) would be authorized to establish hunter access corridors, but wouldn’t be able to prohibit individuals from transporting bows and crossbows if certain requirements are met. Standards used to determine what constitutes a ‘baited area’ related to the prohibition on taking migratory game birds would be revised.

This bill also contains a provision aimed at preventing the illicit trafficking of animal products by requiring verification that imported polar bear parts were taken legally from approved populations in Canada before the animal was listed as threatened in 2008. Programs related to African Elephant conservation would be reauthorized through fiscal year 2020 at a funding level of $5 million per year.

The Army Corps of Engineers would be blocked from prohibiting the possession of a firearm in public areas of a water resources development project.

Argument in favor

This is a bipartisan bill that would responsibly expand access to federal lands for people who enjoy recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting.

Argument opposed

There should be no more fishing, hunting, or recreational shooting on federal land than already takes place, or it should be further restricted.

Impact

People who would fish, hunt, or shoot recreationally on covered federal lands; the USFS; the BLM; the NPS; the Army Corps of Engineers; and the DOI.

Cost of H.R. 2406

The CBO estimates that implementing this bill would cost $24 million over the 2016-2020 period, and $1 million thereafter.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) introduced this bill to protect and enhance opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing, and shooting:

“This bipartisan legislation is full of important initiatives that facilitate access to outdoor sporting activities and uphold the values and traditions celebrated by sportsmen and women across the United States. I am eager to continue working with my colleagues on the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and in the House of Representatives to continue moving this meaningful bill forward on behalf of America’s hunters and anglers.”

This legislation was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee on a vote of 21-15, and it currently enjoys the bipartisan support of 37 cosponsors — including four Democrats and 33 Republicans.

Of Note: In a 2011 survey compiled by the DOI — the entity that oversees agencies that manage federal lands and waterways — it was estimated that there are more than 33.1 million anglers (i.e. people who fish) in the U.S., and about 13.7 million people who hunt. It further projected that anglers spent nearly $42 billion on fishing in 2011, while hunters spent $34 billion on their hobby.

The BLM, which has 245 million acres of public land under its administration, is in charge of more federal land than any other agency. It holds that claim over the Forest Services, which manages 193 million acres. Together, they manage 438 million acres —  684,375 square miles — an area larger than Alaska.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) Press Release
  
• CBO Cost Estimate
  
• Ammoland