U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke recently illustrated his commitment to preserving hunting heritage for generations to come. He declared his pursuit of expanding access to hunting and fishing as one of his top priorities. By increasing opportunities for families to enjoy public waters and lands, Zinke believes he is also maximizing the opportunity to pass down the legacy of hunting.
This proposal increases access to hunting and fishing in nine National Wildlife Refuges in Georgia, South Carolina, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Wisconsin. The public comment period for information pertaining to the proposed rule is open until early September.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced more than $48 million in federal funding to go to state wildlife agencies through the State Wildlife Grant Program. With this program, the funding will go to support species and their habitats as outlined in state wildlife action plans. The plans include projects involving everything from general research and monitoring to wildlife surveys and habitat management.
The Deputy Secretary also announced that more than $4 million of federal funds will go to Native American and Alaska Native tribes in 14 states to support fish and wildlife conservation and key partnerships through the Tribal Wildlife Grant (TWG) program.
For an example of projects in the TWG program, the Tesuque Pueblo will receive nearly $200,000 for its Mule Deer Management and Habitat Enhancement Program in New Mexico.
Source: Department of Interior
