Letter to Representative Ron Kind from the American Wildlife
Conservation Partners (AWCP)
regarding access to federal lands for recreational purposes.
July 30, 2010
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Dear Representative Kind: The non-governmental organizations comprising the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), with millions of members across the United States, consider access to federal lands for recreational purposes, including hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting, a top priority. With that priority in mind, a number of the members of AWCP are working to re-focus a very small portion of LWCF monies on enhancing access to existing public lands specifically for small parcels, easements or rights-of-way that will open or enhance access to inaccessible or significantly restricted federal lands. Our “Making Public Lands Public” (attached brochure) initiative is designed to give the public access to those federal lands they own, but are unable to enjoy. Although the AWCP organizations have not collectively taken a position on the underlying bill, we are supportive of your amendment that would direct that not less than 1.5 % of the annual authorized LWCF funding amount will be used for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers. This will improve sportsmen’s access to hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land annually. Similar language is included in legislation in the Senate. For the 32 million American hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters, federal public lands are an increasingly important destination. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands. In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters and anglers stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the House Appropriations Committee concluded that more than 35 million acres of BLM and US Forest Service land have inadequate access. Your amendment will return substantial benefits to the growing sector of the public that puts a premium on outdoor recreation, including hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. Sincerely, Archery Trade Association |