Migration Corridors and Seasonal Habitats on USFS Lands
A letter was sent to Randy Moore, Chief, U.S. Forest Service to encourage the U.S. Forest Service to prioritize the conservation of migration corridors and seasonal habitats for big game and other species. Specific recommendations included working closely with NRCS and DOI bureaus to coordinate and align wildlife corridor conservation and enhancement, on public and private lands, through voluntary, non-regulatory measures that respect the rights and privacy sensitivities of private landowners; incorporating and acknowledging the benefit to wildlife corridors, seasonal habitats and habitat connectivity from investments made through implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the nearly $3 billion for the 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy; directing USFS regions to work closely with states and tribes to consider and incorporate the conservation of wildlife corridors and seasonal ranges into land use planning; and to consider conservation benefits that can be created through implementation level decisions, such as vegetation management projects and transportation planning and contributing at least $2 million in FY23 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big Game and Migration Corridors Program.
Support for Continuation of Funding via The 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act
Correspondence was sent to Chairman Ron Wyden, Senate Committee on Finance, Chairman Richard Neal, Ways and Means Committee., Ranking Member Mike Crapo, Senate Committee on Finance and Ranking Member Kevin Brady, House Ways and Means Committee to express support for the American System of Conservation Funding as it is currently configured under The 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act. The Act directs an excise tax on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment and is a primary funding source for state fish and wildlife agencies who utilize the funds to undertake wildlife conservation, provide for hunter and recreational shooter recruitment, public shooting range construction and other activities. Last year alone, these excise taxes generated more than $1 billion in funding to assist state wildlife agencies in fulfilling their missions and has generated $15 billion over the lifetime of the program. There has been some discussion around generating all Pittman-Robertson funding from alternative sources. The letter states these actions would negatively impact the outdoor community’s relationship with state fish and wildlife agencies. The summary request was that legislators take these points into consideration before introducing or supporting legislation that would alter the American System of Conservation funding.
