What They're Saying in Support of the Natural Resources Management Act
S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, is a bipartisan package of more than 100 public lands, natural resources, and water bills that was reintroduced in January 2019 by Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and former committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Numerous groups, including local and tribal governments, as well as national, regional, and local associations that represent travel, hunting, fishing, wildlife conservation, and outdoor recreation industries, have voiced their support for S. 47.
S. 47 reflects the bipartisan Senate-House agreement reached near the end of the last Congress. It strikes a balance between creating new opportunities for natural resource and community development, primarily in western states, with limited, locally-supported conservation. The package will improve public lands management, protect treasured landscapes, and increase public access for recreation while protecting private property rights.
What They’re Saying About the Natural Resources Management Act:
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: “The public lands legislation is a bipartisan measure that expands public access opportunities across our nation…As the Senate considers legislation, we urge you to pick up where you left off and pass S. 47 to support our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. This effort is supported widely by the American people.”
American Fly Fishing Trade Association; American Sportfishing Association; American Woodcock Society; Angler Action Foundation; Archery Trade Association; Backcountry Hunters & Anglers; Bass Anglers Sportsman Society; Bear Trust International; Bonefish & Tarpon Trust; Boone & Crockett Club; California Waterfowl Association; Camp Fire Club of America; Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; Conservation Force; Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports; Delta Waterfowl; Ducks Unlimited; Fly Fishers International; Houston Safari Club; Izaak Walton League of America; Land Trust Alliance; National Deer Alliance; National Marine Manufacturers Association; National Shooting Sports Foundation; National Wildlife Federation; North American Falconers Association; Orion: the Hunter’s Institute; Outdoor Industry Association; Outdoor Recreation Roundtable; Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever; Pope & Young Club; Public Lands Foundation; Quality Deer Management Association; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Ruffed Grouse Society; Sportsmen’s Alliance; Texas Wildlife Association; the Nature Conservancy; Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Trust for Public Land; Whitetails Unlimited; Wildlife Forever; and Wildlife Management Institute: “As hunting, fishing, wildlife conservation, and outdoor-recreation-based organizations, we are writing to encourage your support for timely Senate floor consideration of the bipartisan and bicameral public lands package that was negotiated in the final days of the 115th Congress...The legislation is comprised of more than 100 locally and regionally specific public-land bills, wildlife conservation program reauthorizations, and provisions that would benefit American sportsmen and women, including the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and provisions to improve access for the outdoor recreation community…We urge you to pass this landmark legislative package so that future generations of Americans can enjoy our public lands, waterways, and the wildlife that inhabit them for years to come.”
Southeast Tourism Society: “In meeting the dual imperatives of telling the story of one of America’s special places and creating opportunities for people to connect with the national parks, S. 47 has earned the enthusiastic support of the travel and tourism industry.”
The Pew Charitable Trusts: “The Pew Charitable Trusts strongly supports passage of the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47)…Pew has long worked to conserve pristine lands and waters while increasing access and opportunities for public land users to camp, hunt, hike, fish, and paddle. S. 47 accomplishes these goals while honoring other needs of local communities through land exchanges and conveyances that provide local and state governments with economic and planning certainty.”
The CorpsNetwork: “I write in support of bringing the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) to the Senate floor for a vote…S.47 represents a balance between conservation and recreation and developing new ways to engage the next generation of outdoor stewards and volunteers on our public lands and in Corps.”
U.S. Travel Association: “With provisions supported by nearly 90 Senators, the Natural Resources Management Act is a bi-partisan and constructive first step toward ensuring our national parks remain an accessible attraction for domestic and international visitors in the future.”
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (American Horse Council; American Sportfishing Association; Archery Trade Association; Association of Marina Industries; Boat Owners Association of the United States; The CorpsNetwork; International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association; Marine Retailers Association of the Americas; Motorcycle Industry Council; National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds; National Marine Manufacturers Association; National Park Hospitality Association; National Shooting Sports Foundation; PeopleForBikes; Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association; RV Dealers Association; RV Industry Association; Specialty Equipment Market Association; Specialty Vehicle Institute of America): “The House and Senate should take full advantage of this unique opportunity to pass legislation that enjoys bipartisan support and will benefit all Americans while boosting the national economy. Congress must act swiftly to guarantee America’s Great Outdoors receive the attention and resources they so richly deserve and to ensure the outdoor recreation economy continues to grow.”
National Shooting Sports Foundation: “Your important legislation would provide states with greater flexibility to use Pittman-Robertson funds for the development and maintenance of shooting ranges, which will result in more conservation funding being put back into the Pittman-Robertson Trust Fund, and help ensure that the Pittman-Robertson Act continues to maximize wildlife conservation. NSSF strongly supports S. 94, [the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act].”
The Public Lands Council; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; American Sheep Industry Association: “[We] would like to take this opportunity to express our support for S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act…Ranchers who hold grazing permits on federal land do vital work that benefits public land including managing water sources, improving wildlife habitat, and maintaining the open space that Americans enjoy. Passage of this lands package will ensure they are able to do that important work more efficiently and effectively.
Association of American State Geologists: “We are pleased to see that S. 47 contains reauthorization of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act…an integral program within the U.S. Geological Survey that provides accurate geologic maps and three-dimensional framework models that help to sustain and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation.”
Muscogee (Creek) Nation: “In 1934, Congress recognized the importance of our Creek Burial Mounds and created the Ocmulgee National Monument. A good number of our Creek Burial Mounds are within its boundaries, but other mounds and places of spiritual, cultural, and historical relevance remain outside the current boundaries of the Ocmulgee National Monument and remain without the protection they need. S. 47 fixes this situation…should this legislation be enacted into law, it will ensure that all these sites will be preserved in perpetuity and a critical part of our heritage will not be lost as so many other have been.”
National Congress of American Indians: “We are writing to express support for S. 785, the Alaska Native Veterans Land Allotment Equity Act…NCAI urges Congress to pass legislation that removes obstacles preventing Alaska Native Vietnam veterans from obtaining allotment land and provides a fair opportunity for them to do so.”
County of Ventura, California: “Thank you for including the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument in S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act. Please continue to work with Senators Harris and Feinstein to enact this legislation.”
John Rothschild, Mayor of Tucson, Arizona: “I write in support of S. 47, the Natural Resources Management Act, and in particular, Section 1004…[which] will bring closure to a historic agreement made between the City of Tucson and the Bureau of Land Management at a popular urban park in Tucson’s northeast business and residential area.”
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: “It is a pleasure to support…the California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act, a measure which provides for conservation and recreation activities in the California Mojave Desert Region…[and] will assure Metropolitan’s vital access to the Colorado River Aqueduct.”
Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District: “I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Upper Gunnison River Conservancy District to support enactment of…the Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017, that provides for continued annual funding of the Upper Colorado and San Juan endangered fish recovery programs.”
Fannin County Commissioners: “The Commissioner Court asks that Lake Fannin be returned to the citizens of Fannin County so that local individuals and government officials can continue the process to restore, preserve, and protect the historical significance and beauty this lake has to offer for years to come.”
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce: “We believe that Camp Nelson’s nationally significant contributions to the Union Army’s war efforts and to social progress at that time make the Park a worthy addition to our nation’s esteemed National Park System…Thank you for your continued support of Camp Nelson and for your efforts in Congress to help it earn this important designation.”
Benedict College: “Benedict College stands behind the reauthorization of Bill S. 1446 through a lands package…[which] assures that national historical sites will be able to remain beacons of light for education and reminders of the importance of the founding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”
For more information on the bipartisan lands package, click here.
