ON CAPITOL HILL
CSF President Jeff Crane Continues Conservation Leadership with Reappointment to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council
Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), has been reappointed by Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to sit on the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC). Established in 2010, the WHHCC is an advisory group of 18 appointees, created to advise the Departments on recreational hunting, and wildlife resources, and activities that encourage partnership among the public, conservation community, related industries, and federal and state governments. Gary Kania, Vice President of the CSF, was named as the alternate Council member.
"It is an honor to be reappointed to the WHHCC by Secretary Salazar and Secretary Vilsack. I look forward to continuing to work with the other respected members of the Council to ensure the protection of our conservation heritage," Crane stated. "The WHHCC provides an opportunity for sportsmen and women to advise the federal government on policies related to wildlife and habitat conservation activities that benefit hunting and access to the outdoors."
Secretary Salazar spoke of the Council's effectiveness in a Department of Interior press release, "During its inaugural term, members of the Council provided important recommendations on conserving wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage, as well as enhancing access to the great outdoors. I am confident that today's appointments will provide a strong voice to the nation's conservation and sportsmen communities and ensure that the next generation enjoys a thriving wildlife heritage."
Crane has also been reappointed by Secretary Salazar to the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC). The SFBPC plays a key role in shaping national conservation and angling policy through advising the Secretary of the Interior on aquatic conservation endeavors that benefit recreational fishery resources and recreational boating. Kania will serve as the alternate Council member for the SFBPC. Click here to find the announcement in the April 4 edition of The Sportsmen's Voice.
CSF President Jeff Crane represents Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation at American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) Meeting
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane continued his leadership on conservation issues last week as he attended the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) meeting in Missoula, Montana. Beginning in 2001, AWCP meets twice a year and every four years, concurrent with the presidential election cycle, drafts recommendations for the incoming administration. Crane joined representatives from 35 of the 42 AWCP member organizations to help chart the course for the future of wildlife conservation in the United States.
The AWCP Partners share a common interest in conserving wildlife habitat and in advancing our hunting and trapping heritage, with a commitment to identifying specific needs and working together toward fulfilling those needs.
Co-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Senator Jon Tester sent a staff member to join Crane in highlighting the current bipartisan legislative priorities for sportsmen and women. The presentation encouraged AWCP members to contact their Congressmen and request their support for the inclusion of the proposed Sportsmen's Act of 2012 as an amendment to the 2012 Farm Bill. The Sportsmen's Act of 2012 includes a number of legislative priorities that are important to the sportsmen's community and have been moving in the 112th Congress.
The AWCP is committed to building unity among partner organizations and increasing collective effectiveness by primarily focusing on policy decisions made at the national level. Click here to visit the AWCP website.
National Ocean Policy Final Implementation Plan Release Delayed
On August 15, the administration announced that the final version of the President's National Ocean Policy (NOP) Implementation Plan would not be released as scheduled last week. Instead, the plan will be released to the public at a later date. A coalition of partners in the recreational fishing community, including the CSF, submitted two sets of comments outlining concerns of the draft Implementation Plan on February 27th and March 27th. The CSF will keep you informed on the outcome of our engagement in the NOP planning process.
IN THE STATES
Governor Terry Branstad Signs Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Proclamation
On August 16, Governor Terry Branstad (IA), Vice-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC), was the 7th governor to sign a proclamation highlighting the significant contributions of hunters, recreational anglers and shooters, trappers and boaters to fish and wildlife management. 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, which dedicated an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to wildlife conservation and restoration. Without this historic act, we wouldn't have the wildlife populations that we do today. The wildlife model worked so well that in 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration (also known as Dingell-Johnson) Act was passed, imposing a 10% excise tax on fishing equipment to benefit state fisheries' conservation efforts. Combined with license revenue, these programs constitute the "user pays - public benefits" model of the American System of Conservation Funding. It's a model that is unique to the rest of the world and is funded entirely by the nation's sportsmen and women and the associated industries they support.
"Governor Branstad truly has been a champion for Iowa's sportsmen and women during his time as governor. We are very grateful for his support of our outdoor heritage, and for his recognition of the important role that we, as sportsmen and women, play in the conservation of our nation's fish and wildlife resources," said Chris Horton, Midwestern States Director for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF).
Governor Branstad, along with Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, read and signed the proclamation in the formal Governor's Reception Office. Joining the Governor for the formal signing were members of the Iowa Outdoor Partnership, Safari Club International, the CSF and several staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, including Director Chuck Gipp.
Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Luncheon and Shoot-Out
On Friday, August 17, 2012, the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus hosted an honorary luncheon and shooting event for Senator Eileen Daily, Senate Co-Chair of the Caucus, who will be stepping down this year. Senator Daily has served as a Caucus leader since its formation in October 2003. Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), as well as Connecticut Caucus Leaders, Representatives Craig Miner and Linda Orange, made special presentations to Senator Daily, honoring her for her years of service on behalf of Connecticut's sportsmen and women.
Members of the Connecticut Caucus were joined at this event by DEEP staff, including Commissioner Dan Esty, and leaders of the sportsmen's community from throughout the state. Following the luncheon, attendees took to the range for an afternoon of friendly competition on the trap field, and rifle and pistol ranges. Friday's event was hosted by the Connecticut Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus - a member of the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses since December, 2004 - in conjunction with the Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen and the Bristol Fish and Game Club.
Dan Richards Removed As President of California Fish and Game Commission
Following months of controversy surrounding California Fish and Game Commission President Dan Richards, fellow commissioners unanimously voted to remove Richards from his leadership position on the Commission. His removal as President on August 8 marks the latest twist during a tumultuous time for Richards as he has found himself the target of anti-hunting activists and policymakers since he appeared on the cover of an outdoor news publication earlier this year holding a mountain lion that he legally harvested in Idaho (hunting mountain lions is illegal in California).
After the photo was published, anti-hunting state legislators circulated a letter threatening to remove Richards from the California Fish and Game Commission if he did not resign on his own. Undeterred and remaining steadfastly committed to standing up for California's recreational hunters and anglers, Richards refused to step down and legislators eventually abandoned their efforts to remove him from his post on the Commission. Despite being stripped of his leadership position, Richards has stated that he intends to remain on the commission through the remainder of his term which will expire in February 2013.
CSF EVENTS
Political Convention Events
The Stars & Stripes Shoot-Out occurs every four years in conjunction with the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. This year, the events will be held on August 28, in Tampa, Florida at the Republican Convention and September 4, in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Democratic Convention. These events provide a chance for members of the caucuses affiliated with the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation to join like-minded sportsmen for a day of friendly shooting sports competition. If you have any questions or would like to join us, contact PJ Carleton at (202) 543-6850 ex. 22 or pj@sportsmenslink.org.
23rd Annual Banquet & Auction
The 23rd Annual Banquet & Auction: A Celebration of America's Sporting Heritage will be held Wednesday, September 19. The yearly Banquet & Auction provides an opportunity for the outdoor sporting community, supporters and friends of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation to recognize the tremendous work of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus in keeping sportsmen in the field. If you have any questions or would like to join us, contact PJ Carleton at (202) 543-6850 ex. 22 or pj@sportsmenslink.org.
8th Annual Wine, Wheels & Wildlife
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) has once again partnered with NASCAR legend and CSF board member Richard Childress to celebrate America's outdoor traditions at the 8th annual Wine, Wheels & Wildlife event on Wednesday, October 17. This unique event presents an opportunity for the nation's leading sportsmen and women, along with political leaders and NASCAR affiliates, to enjoy an evening outdoors at Childress Vineyards. If you have any questions regarding this event or if you would like to join us, contact PJ Carleton at (202) 543-6850 ex. 22 or pj@sportsmenslink.org.
National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses' 9th Annual Sportsman - Legislator Summit
The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) will be holding its 9th Annual Sportsman - Legislator Summit in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in late November. The NASC Sportsman-Legislator Summit is the largest gathering of pro-sportsmen legislators that occurs each year. This event provides the bipartisan group of sportsmen-legislators - representing states across the nation - with the opportunity to interact with state and federal natural resource agencies, allied non-governmental conservation organizations and industries concerned with the future of our nation's outdoor heritage. The meeting is also an opportunity for legislators to gather together to discuss issues impacting the sportsmen's conservation community and to share information relevant to America's hunters and recreational anglers and shooters. We encourage you to continue your involvement in the sportsmen's community by attending this year's Summit.
Sponsorship and hosting opportunities are still available for this year's Summit. For more information contact Jennifer Lundy at Jennifer@sportsmenslink.org
