Groundbreaking, Bipartisan Natural Resource Management Legislation Passes U.S. Senate

lschultz • February 20, 2019

Senate Bill 47 (S. 47) passed the U.S. Senate last week with measures to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund and support other important conservation programing across the nation.

The Natural Resource Management Act of 2019 was co-sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-WA. This bill represents a major commitment by Congress to our public lands, outdoor recreation industry and the heritage of sportsmen and women nationwide. In early February, 43 organizations submitted a letter of support for this legislation, including the National Wildlife Federation, which MUCC is an affiliate of.

Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Joe Manchin, D-WV, specifically applauded the National Wildlife Federation for their role in working on this legislation.

First passed in 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Act is one of the largest land acquisition programs ever established. However, this program has been allowed to lapse and has not ever been funded in full. It most recently expired in September of 2018. Senate Bill 47 would permanently reauthorize this fund, with three percent or $15 million of annual appropriations allocated for securing additional access for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting and other outdoor recreation activities. These funds are critical for the sportsmen and women of the state of Michigan, and MUCC fully supports the reauthorization of this program, said MUCC Executive Director Amy Trotter.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of our greatest resources for increasing access to our public lands,” Trotter said. “The passage of this bill would be a huge asset for the sportsmen and women of the state of Michigan.”

The value of this legislation can’t be overstated, said Sen. Murkowski, R-AK.

“This package contains huge wins for Americans,” Murkowski said in a statement . “It also expands and enhances access for our sportsmen and women on federal lands for hunting, fishing  and other outdoor activities.”

This bill, if it becomes a law, would also amend the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, informally known as the Pittman-Robertson (PR) Act, to allow certain funds to be used for shooting sports facilities. This landmark legislation was passed in 1937 and established an excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund state wildlife agencies. In concert with hunting and fishing license fees, PR funds from sportsmen and women make up the vast majority of state game agency budgets, like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. By allowing these funds to be used for shooting ranges and hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation, our legislators are seeking to maintain this fund for wildlife management activities for future generations.

In addition to these two major pieces of legislation, this bill would also:

  • Authorize the transportation of archery equipment through National Park Service (NPS) lands.
  • Direct the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service to open lands for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting unless specifically closed.
  • Direct the NPS, BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify lands where recreational access is currently restricted or unavailable.

This bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further contemplation and a vote. If the bill in identical language passes in the House, it will move to the president’s desk.

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch April 24, 2025
Historically, Michigan experienced a lumber era in which the state was a leading producer for 50 years starting in 1860.
By Katelyn Helsel April 23, 2025
Rochester Hills, MI — On the Ground, MUCC’s volunteer stewardship program, celebrated its 250th habitat improvement project in Oakland County this past weekend. In partnership with Metro-West Steelheaders and the Clinton River Watershed Council , 62 volunteers removed more than 460 pounds of trash from the Clinton River watershed and surrounding areas, restoring more than 80 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Volunteers focused on picking up trash and other debris in the river near Yates Park and along various walking trails near the Yates Cider Mill. Many different items were collected, including a couple of tires, fishing line, old cans, a sign, and even a car bumper. “We definitely wanted to clean up as much trash as possible because that's going to help the watershed as a whole, and it’s going to clean up the river for both humans aesthetically, and also the animals that live in it, and create safer drinking water” said Olivia Triltsch, MUCC’s Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator.
By Olivia Triltsch April 17, 2025
In addition to their impact on water quality, these three orders of insects are an important part of the diet of game fish, making anglers, especially fly fishermen, interested in the conservation of these small animals.
More Posts