The CSF Honors the Passing of Don McMillan
Minnesota and the conservation and sportsmen's communities lost a tireless advocate with the passing of Don McMillan. He was an honorable leader in the political arena and a passionate champion of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Most recently, he served as the president of the Minnesota Outdoors Heritage Alliance (MOHA) and often volunteered his leadership to outdoor organizations and caucuses, including the Minnesota Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF). Don was a regular attendee of the CSF's NASC Annual Sportsman-Legislator Summit and he will be genuinely missed.
McMillan died Thursday, April 19, following a heart attack earlier that week. Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 24. To read the eulogy given by friend and former MOHA president Mark LaBarbera,click here.
ON CAPITOL HILL:
Unprecedented Pro-sportsmen Legislation Passed in the U.S. House of Representatives
On April 17, 2012, The Sportsmen's Heritage Act of 2012 (H.R. 4089) was passed by a strong bipartisan vote of 274 to 146 in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by the leaders of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the bill hit the House floor after being reported out of the House Committee on Natural Resources in late February.
An amendment, supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF), to clarify that the protection given hunting and fishing in wilderness areas is not intended to permit motorized recreation, mineral extraction, etc. was adopted. Three amendments the CSF strongly opposed on the grounds that they would gut key provisions of this pro-sportsmen legislation were resoundingly defeated.
On April 18, 2012, The Sportsmen's Heritage Act was received in the Senate. As this legislation progresses, the CSF will continue to be a voice and an advocate for hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters across our great nation.
Click here to see the CSF press release on the passage of H.R. 4089.
The Truth about H.R. 4089: How This Legislation Will Impact Our Nation's Treasures
Since the passage of H.R. 4089 in the House, several groups have come out against the bill due to misinterpretations of what the specific provisions of this bill actually accomplish. As a group that played a pivotal role in garnering congressional support for this legislation, the CSF would like to clarify certain provisions of the bill that have been misinterpreted.
First and foremost, there is no language in this bill suggesting wilderness areas currently closed to motorized activities would now be opened to them. Opening areas for hunting is not synonymous with opening areas for motorized access. The titles in this legislation relating to access strictly promote access for hunting, recreational fishing, and shooting.
Secondly, the proposed amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) would not remove any powers currently held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has already stated (in three separate petition decisions on the subject) it does not hold the jurisdiction to regulate ammunition and fishing tackle. What the proposed amendment does do for the EPA is codify into law that TSCA does not apply to lead ammunition and fishing tackle. This will prevent the EPA from being forced to go through the costly and time consuming process of evaluating petitions and fighting unwarranted litigation from groups that continue to pursue this avenue despite the EPA's consistent refusal to regulate these items.
The final claim to address is in regards to national historic sites. It is true there are no provisions exempting military parks, national memorials, and national historic sites from being considered for sporting opportunities. However, it is important to realize that although these areas are not explicitly closed off it does not mean these areas will now be open to hunting, fishing, and shooting. Most of these areas, such as the National Mall or Gettysburg National Military Park, are neither suitable nor desirable areas to participate in sporting activities and would be covered under the current exemptions, such as safety provisions.
National Marine Protected Areas Center Undergoes External Review Process
The National Marine Protected Areas Center (MPA Center) has recently conducted an External Review of MPA Center activities. The CSF, along with partners in the recreational fishing community, submitted comments on how the MPA Center could improve, including: focusing on the current members of the national system instead of adding additional sites; distancing the MPA Center from the biased recommendations of the MPA Federal Advisory Committee; making recreational fishing a priority use in the national system of MPAs; and remembering that MPAs are but one tool among a suite of resources available for marine resource management and are not a catch all solution to marine problems. To read the full set of recommendations from the recreational fishing community click here.
The MPA Center external review panel incorporated some of the recommendations presented by the recreational fishing community. Suggestions from the MPA external review panel include: incorporate more partners, including groups that are in opposition to MPAs; consider current marine policies in addition to the executive order that established the MPA Center; and pursue strengthening and enhancing the national system of MPAs before pursuing further expansion of the system. While these recommendations are a step in the right direction, the recreational fishing community hopes the MPA Center will go further in supporting recreational fishing in our nation's waters and incorporating the recommendations of this community into practice.
Click here to read the full external review panel recommendations to the MPA Center.
Continuing Concerns Over National Park Service Recreational Fishing Closures
On April 11, 2012, the CSF, along with partners in the recreational fishing and boating community, participated in a conference call with the superintendent and other staff members of the National Park Service involved in the establishment of a new General Management Plan for Biscayne National Park. The collective communities expressed concerns regarding the non-combustion engine zones and the proposed marine reserve zone that would cut off access to popular recreational fishing areas.
Additionally, on April 27th, 2012 The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hold a hearing to review the management plans of Biscayne National Park and Cape Hatteras National Seashore, including the discussion of the Preserving Access to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area Act (H.R. 4094),which would address the severe restrictions on public access to one of the East Coast's most popular surf fishing areas. H.R. 4094, if passed, would reinstate the 2007 Interim Management Strategy governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area and allows a more balanced approach to wildlife management concerns and provides for adequate recreational fishing access. Contact your Congressman today and urge him to support the passage of H.R. 4094. Click here to find your Congressman.
IN THE STATES:
Maryland Passes Historic Pro-Sportsmen Measures
Recently, two historic pro-sportsmen measures have made their way through the Maryland Legislature and have been signed into law by Governor O'Malley. In both cases, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, supported and guided by the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation, led the way to the passage of these measures. Specifically, the Wildlife Poaching Prevention Act of 2012 (HB 1052) strengthens the penalties for those who would violate Maryland's wildlife laws by allowing their hunting privileges to be stripped from them for up to five consecutive years. Additionally, Maryland's sportsmen-leaders worked with the Governor to secure a record $248,000 in general appropriations funds for the Maryland-based Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program beginning July 1, 2012 and running through June 30, 2013. These important tax dollars will be used to provide an estimated 1 million meals to the state's most needy citizens via venison donations from Maryland hunters to approved processors statewide. For further details on either of these topics, please refer to the links above, or contact Brent Miller at Brent@sportsmenslink.org.
Vermont Caucus Reception a Resounding Success
Last Tuesday, the Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus hosted a reception which drew together the many leaders of the sportsmen's community in Vermont. Governor Peter Shumlin, a member of the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus, attended and spoke about the sportsmen's heritage in Vermont; Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott was also in attendance. Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Co-Chairs, Representative Patrick Brennan and Senator Alice Nitka, along with many members of the Caucus, were there to interact with leaders of the Vermont sportsmen's NGO community and staff from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. All proceeds raised from the event are to be donated to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department for their use in rebuilding a youth camp heavily damaged last year by Hurricane Irene. For more information, please contact Brent Miller at Brent@sportsmenslink.org.
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration 75th Anniversary
Last week, Governor Martin O'Malley (MD) became the third governor to formally acknowledge the contributions of hunters, trappers, boaters, and recreational shooters and anglers to conservation funding through the signing of an official proclamation recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration programs. Additionally, the State Legislatures of Kentucky and Vermont passed resolutions last week which also acknowledge the profound impact the sportsmen's community has had on conservation. Resolutions or proclamations celebrating the unique "user pays - public benefits" American System of Conservation Funding have now been passed or signed in 14 states. For more information on this topic, or to learn whether the elected officials in your state have thanked their sportsmen-constituents for their dedication to conservation, please contact Brent Miller at Brent@sportsmenslink.org.
CSF EVENTS:
Southeastern Region - Fishing Tournament and Raffle to Benefit CSF - ONE WEEK LEFT!!
The National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses has partnered with the Central Florida Shootout - a unique charity tournament that recognizes the need for a voice for sportsmen in the fishing community. In addition to their original charity, Space Coast Intervention Center, this year the Central Florida Shootout will benefit the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. You can help support the CSF and enter for a chance to win a brand new boat package worth over $33,000! Just visit the Central Florida Shootout site and purchase a $40.00 Grand Prize entry ticket. For more information, please contact Jennifer Lundy at: Jennifer@sportsmenslink.org.
The CSF and the NRA Gear Up for the 2012 National Conventions
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) are preparing to host Shoot-Out events during the upcoming Democratic and Republican 2012 National Conventions.
On Tuesday, August 28th, of the Republican National Convention, the CSF and the NRA will be hosting activities at Tampa Bay Sporting Clay's in Land O Lakes, Florida. Participants will be engaging in sporting clays and archery activities.
On Tuesday, September 4th, of the Democratic National Convention, activities will be hosted by the CSF and the NRA at The Fork Farm and Stables in Norwood, North Carolina. Activities include a tower shoot and the sporting clays game "double trouble."
All activities are daytime events with times to be announced.
Current sponsors include the National Shooting Sports Foundation and ATK. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please direct any questions regarding the event or sponsorship opportunities to: PJ Carleton, 202-543-6850 ex: 22; pj@sportsmenslink.org.
The CSF Ducks Unlimited and National Shooting Sports Foundation Host Briefing on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act
On April 17, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation partnered with Ducks Unlimited and the National Shooting Sports Foundation to host a breakfast briefing on the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). The briefing highlighted the history and impact of the bill.
NAWCA, passed in 1989, provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The program requires every federal dollar provided through NAWCA to be matched by one dollar from non-federal sources; the program is often matched 3 to 1 by non-federal funding. This highly successful Act is set to sunset at the end of fiscal year 2012.
On April 16, the CSF and 32 conservation organizations sent a letter to Members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus to request they co-sponsor the bipartisan bills (H.R. 1960 and S. 2282) introduced to reauthorize NAWCA. Although funding for NAWCA was approved for $35.5 million in FY 2012, NAWCA appropriations have declined by 25 percent-or $12 million-over the last two years. Due to this decline, $48 million in on-the-ground conservation work, which supports jobs and local economies, cannot be accomplished.
Please contact your Congressmen urging them to support the reauthorization of NAWCA. Click here to find your Congressmen.
The CSF Co-Sponsors Jim Range National Casting Call Reception
On April 17, the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) partnered with American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA), American Sportfishing Association, National Fish Habitat Partnership, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited to sponsor the Jim Range National Casting Call Reception on Capitol Hill. This annual event highlights the links between the conservation, recreational fishing, and congressional sportsmen's communities.
During the reception, Members of Congress and representatives of the conservation community took time to recognize the critical role recreational anglers play in providing for fisheries conservation. Each year, the Jim Range Conservation Award is given to a Member of both the House and Senate who have demonstrated a commitment to fish habitat conservation, science, and education. This year Jeff Crane, president of the CSF, presented the awards to Representative Reichert and Senator Stabenow.
