Post by: fireweed on February 12, 2015, 06:34:33 PM
WASHINGTON D.C. — After two failed attempts in 2012 and 2014, a group of bipartisan U.S. Senators will try to get a bill passed that expands sportsmen’s access to public lands and improves conditions for outdoor recreationalists.
The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 was introduced last week by Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico. The bill expands on the proposals introduced but defeated by previous congresses.
Some of the key provisions of the legislation designed specifically for hunters, anglers and recreational shooters include:
•Stripping the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating lead-based ammunition and fishing equipment under the Toxic Substances Control Act, leaving regulatory authority to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state fish and game agencies.
•Making more funds available to the states to develop shooting ranges on public lands.
•Requiring Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands to be open for hunting, fishing and shooting unless specifically closed.
•Allowing hunters to legally transport their bows and crossbows across National Park Service lands.
•Requiring 1.5 percent of the annual Land and Water Conservation Fund to be directed to securing sportsmen access to public lands, particularly land that is landlocked or difficult to get to
Post by: timberfaller on February 15, 2015, 04:01:20 PM
You can respond to them, but all you'll get is a computer form letter, Thanking you!! :o
Post by: JLS on February 15, 2015, 04:09:33 PM
That's nice BUT YOU DO know who our 2 worthless ones are don't you? :yike:
You can respond to them, but all you'll get is a computer form letter, Thanking you!! :o
You do realize that both of Washington's Senators voted in support of this bill last time it was in the Senate, don't you? The same two Senators that incidentally voted in support of the LWCF, which was NOT reauthorized, to the detriment of sportsmen and women across the nation?
Post by: Knocker of rocks on February 15, 2015, 07:43:59 PM
That's nice BUT YOU DO know who our 2 worthless ones are don't you? :yike:
You can respond to them, but all you'll get is a computer form letter, Thanking you!! :o
You do realize that both of Washington's Senators voted in support of this bill last time it was in the Senate, don't you? The same two Senators that incidentally voted in support of the LWCF, which was NOT reauthorized, to the detriment of sportsmen and women across the nation?
TF doesn't need facts JLS, he just operates on assumptions and goes where ever that chip on his shoulder leads him
Post by: idahohuntr on February 15, 2015, 09:50:27 PM
:chuckle:That's nice BUT YOU DO know who our 2 worthless ones are don't you? :yike:
You can respond to them, but all you'll get is a computer form letter, Thanking you!! :o
You do realize that both of Washington's Senators voted in support of this bill last time it was in the Senate, don't you? The same two Senators that incidentally voted in support of the LWCF, which was NOT reauthorized, to the detriment of sportsmen and women across the nation?
TF doesn't need facts JLS, he just operates on assumptions and goes where ever that chip on his shoulder leads him
Post by: bearpaw on February 18, 2015, 07:52:31 AM
Quote
The legislation has drawn support from numerous conservation and outdoor recreational groups, including the National Rifle Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association and the National Wildlife Federation.
Jim Risch, R-Idaho, was one of the original co-sponsors of the bill, said the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 has received strong support among both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate.
But earlier versions of the bill in 2012 and 2014 were plagued by partisan election year politics.
“The bipartisan group who authored this package has reached consensus where the groups from 2012 and 2014 could not,” Risch said in a written statement. “This package involved more give-and-take but the final product is one that offers something for everyone at the table.”
Suzanne Wrasse, Risch’s press secretary, said an important provision in the bill involves allowing gun owners to legally carry firearms on lands managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
“Under the current laws, you can be out hunting and walk 10 feet one way and if you are carrying a firearm on lands you’re not allowed to, you’re violating federal law,” she said.
Trout Unlimited has also voiced its support of the bill. Greg McReynolds of Pocatello works for the organization and believes the bill is great for Idaho sportsmen.
“We’re grateful for Sen. Risch’s leadership on this issue,” he said. “It’s great to see Congress work together on a bipartisan bill that’s going to do good things for hunting and fishing.”
This bill seems to have some good changes and is a step in the right direction, it might pass the house and the senate since it's got support in both parties. The big question, will Obama sign it?