- March 8, 2012 Coalition Applauds Senate for Dedicated Conservation Funding
- February 13, 2012 Coalition Applauds President's Continued Support for Conservation Funding
- December 17, 2011 Conservation, Business and Sportsmen Groups Applaud Congressional Efforts to Protect LWCF Funding in FY12 Budget
- July 25, 2011- New Bipartisan Poll Shows Overwhelming Support Across America for Land and Water Conservation Fund
- July 13, 2011- National Bipartisan Poll Memo
- May 31, 2011- Over One-Third of the U.S. House of Representatives Sign Letter Supporting Funding for LWCF
- April 14, 2011- Conrad Anchor Testimony Release
- December 20, 2010 - Senate Urged to Join House and Pass Bill with Full Funding for Conservation Program »
- August 3, 2010 - Senate Urged to Join House and Pass Bill with Full Funding for Conservation Program »
- July 15, 2010 - House Committee Passes Bill Securing Funding for Conservation and Recreation Program »
- April 16, 2010 - America's Great Outdoors Conference Focuses on Need for Vital Land, Recreation Funding »
- February 1, 2010 - Obama's Budget Includes Key Funding for Land & Water »
- November 6, 2009 - Senate Bill Would Fulfill Longstanding Promise for Conservation and Recreation Program »
- September 17 , 2009 - Coalition Supports Conservation at House Hearing »
Tester introduces bill to open up hunting, fishing access on public lands
Senator’s bipartisan plan uses Land and Water Conservation Fund resources to ‘make public lands public’
Thursday, May 5, 2011
(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today introduced legislation to open up access for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation on existing public lands.
Tester’s bipartisan Making Public Lands Public Act would direct the U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to spend at least 1.5 percent of Land and Water Conservation Fund resources each year on projects like easements and road maintenance, to open up access to public lands. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is funded with revenue from offshore drilling, which means it does not add to the federal deficit.
For every dollar invested in LWCF, $4 is invested in local economies, which Tester says strengthens rural communities and creates jobs.
Tester, chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, said that access to public land is one of the biggest issues for Montana hunters, anglers and outdoorsmen.
“Montana’s public lands are some of the best in the world, and they’re where we pass on our outdoor traditions to our kids and grandkids,” Tester said. “But we’re seeing too much of this land blocked, surrounded by private land with closed gates. Montanans who own land are good neighbors. Most are good partners in our fight for public access, and this responsible bill builds on that partnership.”
Tester’s bill is supported by more than forty hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, including the NRA, Safari Club International, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Nature Conservancy.
Land Tawney, President of Hellgate Hunters and Anglers and Senior Manager of Sportsmen’s leadership for the National Wildlife Federation, praised Tester’s legislation.
“Hunting and fishing is a way of life in Montana,” said Tawney, a fifth-generation Montanan. “Public lands provide all Montanans the opportunity to hunt and fish. Access to public lands is a significant challenge for too many Montana sportsmen. Senator Tester’s legislation tackles this problem head on. We appreciate Senator Tester listening to hunters and anglers and representing our values in the Senate.”
A 2004 report found that more than 35 million acres of public land across the country have inadequate public access.
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