WASHINGTON — B.A.S.S. and 39 other organizations petitioned the United States Senate to pass the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012, a bill that — among other things — would require recognition of fishing as an activity on more public lands and would prevent the EPA from banning lead fishing tackle.
“B.A.S.S. is pleased with the strong pro-sportsmen’s package outlined in the House Bill, and we hope this bill will pass the Senate,” said Noreen Clough, B.A.S.S. National Conservation Director. “It represents a significant step in recognizing the importance of hunting, recreational fishing and shooting, and will facilitate the expansion and enhancement of these pursuits. Moreover, it contains an important provision clarifying that EPA does not have jurisdiction to regulate lead fishing tackle.”
The letter follows in its entirety.
May 7, 2012
The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell:
The undersigned organizations from the recreational fishing, hunting, shooting, and wildlife conservation community ask that the Senate take up H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. This legislation, which passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote on April 17th, is comprised of several priority sportsmen’s bills being championed by the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. Additionally, in these fiscal times, none of the provisions of H.R. 4089 contain any authorization for funding. We understand that not all of the eight sportsmen’s priority bills are included within H.R. 4089; however, we recognize the importance of quickly moving a strong, pro-sportsmen’s package in the Senate.
H.R. 4089 is a significant first step in recognizing the importance of and facilitating the expansion and enhancement of hunting and recreational fishing and shooting. H.R. 4089 is basically a compilation of three stand-alone Senate bills (S. 2066, S. 1066, and S. 838), plus an additional provision, that promotes and advances our hunting and recreational fishing and shooting heritage. Specifically, and of particular interest to this community, this legislation:
- requires hunting and recreational shooting and fishing to be recognized activities on all Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands and incorporates much of the language and the intent of S. 2066;
- amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow hunters who legally harvested polar bears in Canada prior to its listing under the Endangered Species Act to purchase permits in order to transport their trophies into the U.S. and incorporates much of the language and the intent of S. 1066;
- clarifies that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the jurisdiction to regulate traditional ammunition with lead components and lead fishing tackle and incorporates the language and the intent of S.838 and
- protects recreational shooting on National Monuments under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
The passage of H.R. 4089 is an important step in the advancement of America’s sporting heritage. We urge you to take up H.R. 4089 and quickly move a strong, pro-sportsmen’s package in the Senate. With your support, we can help overcome the obstacles facing sportsmen and women today and further the sportsmen’s tradition so that it can be handed down for generations to come.
Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to working with you to advance our hunting and recreational fishing and shooting heritage.
Sincerely,
American Sportfishing Association
Archery Trade Association
B.A.S.S. LLC
Boone and Crockett Club
Bowhunting Preservation Alliance
California Outdoor Heritage Alliance
Campfire Club of America
Catch-A-Dream Foundation
Center for Coastal Conservation
Coastal Conservation Association
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Conservation Force
Dallas Safari Club
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Ducks Unlimited
Houston Safari Club
Mule Deer Foundation
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Trappers Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
North American Bear Foundation
North American Gamebird Association
North American Grouse Partnership
Pheasants Forever
Pope & Young Club
Quail Forever
Quality Deer Management Association
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Safari Club International
Shimano
Texas Wildlife Association
The Bass Federation
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
Wild Sheep Foundation
Wildlife Management Institute
Whitetails Unlimited