The Senate recently passed S.47 (92 - 8 vote), historic public land legislation that preserves thousands of acres of public land and recreational access to it, promotes outdoor access and education for kids and critically, permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund which although having been established in 1964 to ensure recreational access, expand public lands, and improve habitat through royalties payed by energy exploration and drilling activities, was only fully funded once since inception. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program too is a big winner in this bill.
My hope is that the bipartisan nature of this bill demonstrates a new commitment to our public lands and their responsible management, for the benefit of public, rather than more shallow corporate and political interests. However, it needs to get through the House. I'm hopeful that since quite a few anti-public land representatives retired or were swept from office last year, S.47 has a good chance of passing the House however. As bird hunters, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts we, and our children, will all benefit greatly from this bill.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership is working to ensure its passage. TRCP is supported by many of the groups we belong to, including Phez/Quail Forever, American Woodcock Society and many, many other hunting and fishing industry and advocacy groups (1400 to be exact). Advocacy, conservation and industry groups coming together to help ensure our public lands stay that way and are managed effectively to promote access for the public, habitat for wildlife and a robust outdoor economy.
I encourage those that desire to visit TRCP.org where you can read about S.47 and contact your Representative to urge him or her to support its passage in the house.
