Plan
Text: The wording of the policySpecs: Those things that describe how the policy functions

Planning-

    (1) EFFECTS OF PLANS AND ACTIVITIES-

      (A) EVALUATION OF EFFECTS ON OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN RECREATIONAL FISHING, HUNTING, OR SHOOTING- Federal public land planning documents, including land resources management plans, resource management plans, travel management plans, general management plans, and comprehensive conservation plans, shall include a specific evaluation of the effects of such plans on opportunities to engage in recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting.

      (B) NOT MAJOR FEDERAL ACTION- No action taken under this Act, or under section 4 of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd), either individually or cumulatively with other actions involving Federal public lands, shall be considered to be a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and no additional identification, analysis, or consideration of environmental effects, including cumulative effects, is necessary or required.

      (C) OTHER ACTIVITY NOT CONSIDERED- The fact that recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting occurs on adjacent or nearby public or private lands shall not be considered in determining which Federal public lands are open for these activities or for setting levels of use for these activities.

    (2) USE OF VOLUNTEERS- If hunting is prohibited by law, all Federal public land planning documents of listed in paragraph (1)(A) of an agency shall, after appropriate coordination with State fish and wildlife agency, allow the participation of skilled volunteers in the culling and other management of wildlife populations on Federal public lands unless the head of the agency demonstrates, based on the best scientific data available or applicable Federal statutes, why skilled volunteers shall not be used to control overpopulations of wildlife on the land that is the subject of the planning documents.

(d) Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service Lands-

    (1) LANDS OPEN- Lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, including lands designated as wilderness or administratively classified as wilderness eligible or suitable and primitive or semi-primitive areas but excluding lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, shall be open to recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting unless the managing Federal agency acts to close lands to such activity. Lands may be subject to closures or restrictions if determined by the head of the agency to be necessary and reasonable and supported by facts and evidence, for purposes including resource conservation, public safety, energy or mineral production, energy generation or transmission infrastructure, water supply facilities, protection of other permittees, protection of private property rights or interests, national security, or compliance with other law. The head of the agency shall publish public notice of such closure or restriction before it is effective, unless the closure or restriction is mandated by other law.

    (2) SHOOTING RANGES-

      (A) IN GENERAL- The head of each Federal agency--

        (i) may lease its lands for shooting ranges; and

        (ii) may designate specific lands for recreational shooting activities.

      (B) LIMITATION ON LIABILITY- Any designation under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not subject the United States to any civil action or claim for monetary damages for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by any activity occurring at or on such designated lands.

(e) Necessity in Wilderness Areas-

    (1) The provision of opportunities for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting, and the conservation of fish and wildlife to provide sustainable use recreational opportunities on designated wilderness areas on Federal public lands shall constitute measures necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the wilderness area.

    (2) The ‘within and supplemental to’ Wilderness purposes, as provided in Public Law 88-577, section 4(c), means that any requirements imposed by that Act shall be implemented only insofar as they facilitate or enhance the original or primary purpose or purposes for which the Federal public lands or Federal public land unit was established and do not materially interfere with or hinder such purpose or purposes.

(f) Annual Report-

    (1) IN GENERAL- Not later than October 1 of each year, the head of each Federal agency who has authority to manage Federal public land on which fishing, hunting, or recreational shooting occurs shall publish in the Federal Register and submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes--

      (A) any Federal public land administered by the agency head that was closed to recreational fishing, sport hunting, or shooting at any time during the preceding year; and

      (B) the reason for the closure.

    (2) CLOSURES OR SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS OF 640 OR MORE ACRES-

      (A) IN GENERAL- Other than closures under subsection (c), the withdrawal, any change of classification, or any change of management status that effectively closes or significantly restricts 640 or more contiguous acres of Federal public land or water to access or use for fishing or hunting or activities related to fishing and hunting (or both) shall take effect only if, before the date of withdrawal or change, the head of the Federal agency that has jurisdiction over the Federal public land or water--

        (i) publishes notice of the closure, withdrawal, or significant restriction;

        (ii) demonstrates that coordination has occurred with a State fish and wildlife agency; and

        (iii) submits to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate written notice of the withdrawal, change, or significant restriction.

      (B) AGGREGATE OR CUMULATIVE EFFECTS- If the aggregate or cumulative effect of small closures or significant restrictions affects 640 or more acres, such small closures or significant restrictions shall be subject to these requirements.

(g) Areas Not Affected- Nothing in this Act requires the opening of national park or national monuments under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service to hunting or recreational shooting.

(h) No Priority- Nothing in this Act requires a Federal agency to give preference to recreational fishing, hunting, or shooting over other uses of Federal public land or over land or water management priorities established by Federal law.

(i) Consultation With Councils- In fulfilling the duties set forth in this Act, the heads of Federal agencies shall consult with respective advisory councils as established in Executive Orders 12962 and 13443.

(j) Authority of the States-

    (1) IN GENERAL- Nothing in this Act shall be construed as interfering with, diminishing, or conflicting with the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of any State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife under State law (including regulations) on land or water within the State, including on Federal public land.

    (2) FEDERAL LICENSES- Nothing in this Act authorizes the head of a Federal agency head to require a license or permit to fish, hunt, or trap on land or water in a State, including on Federal public land in the States, except that this paragraph shall not affect the Migratory Bird Stamp requirement set forth in the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (16 U.S.C. 718 et seq.).

CONTEXT(Help)
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Argumentation and Debate - 49431 »Argumentation and Debate - 49431
Scott Rea »Scott Rea
Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act »Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act
Ensure opportunity to fish, hunt, & shoot on federal public land.  »Ensure opportunity to fish, hunt, & shoot on federal public land.
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