Today, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a legislative hearing on bills promoting hunting and fishing access and legislation to aid in beach habitat restoration. Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) issued the following statement in response: 

"Today’s Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Legislative Hearing focused on promoting hunting and fishing access for America’s sportsmen and sportswomen.  If passed, H.R. 2872 would provide waterfowl hunters with a simplified way of purchasing Federal Duck Stamps and continue to steer user fees towards habitat protection. Similarly, H.R. 615, if passed, would ensure that the Biden administration cannot ban lead in hunting ammunition or in fishing tackle, thus stopping dramatic increases in the cost of these activities while at the same time protecting hunting and fishing access in our National Wildlife Refuge system. This Subcommittee, which I Chair, will continue to provide a check on the Biden Administration when it ignores science and undermines state wildlife law. I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to hold this hearing, and I look forward to continuing to protect and enhance hunting and fishing activities, and to protecting access to areas where we can fish and hunt."

Background

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) administered lands and waters that provides habitat for fish and wildlife resources across the United States and U.S. territories. Hunting is allowed at nearly 400 refuges, 35 wetland management districts and 20 national fish hatcheries and is part of healthy wildlife management.

H.R. 615 promotes hunting and fishing access to our National Wildlife Refuge system by ensuring that the Biden administration cannot impose a blanket ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle. Such a ban would ignore science, undermine state wildlife law and raise costs for sportsmen and women.

H.R. 2872 would modernize the Duck Stamp program and specifically allow waterfowl hunters the option for immediate purchase of an electronic Duck Stamp, which they could carry with them on their license or on their phones for the entire waterfowl season. Historically, sportsmen and women have been required to carry a physical signed copy of their Duck Stamp attached to their license.

Lastly, the Biden administration has reinterpreted the Coastal Barrier Resources Act in a way that hinders restoration projects for certain coastal communities. H.R. 524 is a return to previous policies which allow for more efficient restoration of beach habitat for communities in need.