This week, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup on 12 bills supporting outdoor access, science-based species management, outdoor recreation and more. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today, our committee took steps to advance a wide-ranging slate of bills that will ensure we follow science and commonsense to manage America's rich wildlife and help support outdoor access for hunters and anglers. I'd like to thank my colleagues for their work on this extensive list of thoughtful bills, and I look forward to working with them as these solutions continue through the legislative process."

Background

H.R. 281, the Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear from the endangered species list.

H.R. 435, the Direct Hire to Fight Fires, introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), will give the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior permanent direct hire authority to hire qualified wildland firefighters on an expedited basis. The bill also directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to identify policies and propose changes to reduce the time and complexity of hiring wildland firefighters and support personnel.

H.R. 556, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), will prohibit the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under their jurisdiction and made available for hunting or fishing activities, unless such ban is backed up by site-specific data and done in coordination with state wildlife agencies. In addition, the Secretaries may not issue regulations relating to the level of lead in ammunition or tackle to be used on federal land or water.

H.R. 831, the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), will allow the non-federal portion of the available funds for the program to be placed into an interest-bearing account. This action will help offset the effect of inflation without any additional funding needed from either federal or non-federal partners.

H.R. 1676, the Make SWAPS Efficient Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), will promote government efficiency by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to approve the wildlife conservation and restoration program of a state in a timely manner.

H.R. 2293, the Cormorant Relief Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), reinstates the Aquaculture Depredation Order for double-crested cormorants, which gives aquaculture managers more tools to manage double-crested cormorant populations responsibly.

H.R. 2405, the White Oak Resilience Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), would authorize the White Oak Initiative, create pilot programs for white oak regeneration, and allow private funding to be utilized for white oak management and reforestation. White oaks are a keystone species that plays a critical role in supporting healthy forest ecosystems. They are also prized commercial trees that are used for a variety of purposes, including flooring, furniture and barrels for wine and spirits.

H.R. 2462, the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.), would give ranchers and cattlemen more options to address the devastating impacts of black vulture predation. 

H.R. 3187, introduced by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer a vacant U.S. Forest Service building and 0.81 acres of surrounding land in Perryville, Ark., to Perry County to meet local community needs. This property has been vacant since Oct. 2024, and the Forest Service has no future plans for it. 

H.R. 1809, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Quiqley (D-Ill.), reauthorizes the Great Lakes Fishery Research Program to support the diverse ecosystem and economic engine of the Great Lakes. 

H.R. 2860, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), will reauthorize the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. This commission works with local, state, and federal entities to design projects and offer recommendations to improve the Northwest Straits.

H.R. 3858, the Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), will support and bolster America's outdoor recreation economy by reauthorizing and reforming the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.