Today, the House passed H.R. 6013 (U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah), H.R. 5585 (U.S. Rep. William Keating, D-Mass.), H.R. 6299 (U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev.), H.R. 6599 (U.S. Rep. Stephen Knight, R-Calif.), H.R. 6687 (U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif.), H.R. 46 (U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y.), H. Res. 418 (U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis.), and H. Res. 460 (U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis.). Chairman Rob Bishop issued the following statement:

“These bills recognize places of historic and cultural significance and streamline bureaucratic processes. I thank all those who shepherded these bills through the House. Given the large number of bills in our purview in need of action by one chamber or the other, a broader discussion with the Senate on an omnibus lands package becomes increasingly necessary.”

H.R. 6013, amends the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to establish January 31 of each year as the Federal closing date for duck hunting season, and establishes special duck hunting days for youths, veterans, and active military personnel.

H.R. 5585, extends the authorization for the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission.

H.R. 6299, modifies the process of the Secretary of the Interior for examining certain mining claims on Federal lands in Storey County, Nevada, facilitates certain pinyon-juniper-related projects in Lincoln County, Nevada, modifies the boundaries of certain wilderness areas in the State of Nevada, and fully implements the White Pine County Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act.

H.R. 6599, modifies the application of temporary limited appointment regulations to the National Park Service.

H.R. 6687, directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the Point Reyes National Seashore in the State of California consistent with Congress’ longstanding intent to maintain working dairies and ranches on agricultural property as part of the seashore’s unique historic, cultural, scenic and natural values.

H.R. 46, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of Fort Ontario in the State of New York.

H. Res. 418, urges the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the cultural significance of Rib Mountain by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places.

H. Res. 460, requests the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the rich history of the logging industry and the importance of lumberjack sports by adding the Lumberjack Bowl to the National Register of Historic Places.

Stakeholder Support for H.R. 6013:

“Thank you for introducing the bill and advancing the bill through the House of Representatives. The partnership between the Committee and Senator Hyde-Smith will preserve and enhance this hunting heritage as well as give future generations the opportunity to know and love wildlife and the wild places they call home.” – Fred Ferguson, vice president of government relations, Vista Outdoor

“Hunting, and especially hunting waterfowl, is a heritage I want to protect - but it is also bigger than that. You protect what you love and know. I love and know how important wetlands are to the overall well-being of wildlife and our water. I want to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to understand wetlands and all they give us in life.” – Will Primos, founder, Primos

“We support states having the flexibility to end the waterfowl season on January 31^st or earlier if they desire, and we support states having the flexibility to designate special hunting opportunities for our military and veterans. These two aspects of HR 6013 will help continue the rich heritage of waterfowl hunting and conservation of our treasured wetland resources for years to come.” – Dale Hall, CEO, Ducks Unlimited Inc.

###