Interior Dept. Opens Up More Federal Land to Hunting, Fishing

[douglas9]

The Department of Interior on Friday announced an initiative to open federal lands to more hunting and fishing, a move environmentalists called “cognitive dissonance” given the Trump administration’s recent interest in reducing national monuments.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signed an order he says will enlarge hunting and fishing opportunities on federal lands while enhancing conservation stewardship, improving wildlife management and increasing recreational opportunities.

“Hunting and fishing is a cornerstone of the American tradition, and hunters and fishers of America are the backbone of land and wildlife conservation,” Zinke said. “The more people we can get outdoors, the better things will be for our public lands.”

Some hunting is already allowed at national monuments, but Zinke’s plan seeks to significantly expand those areas and allow shooting at some monuments where it is currently forbidden.

Environmental organizations greeted the news with suspicion, saying the expansion of recreational opportunities on public lands contradicts steps the Trump administration has taken to shrink certain monuments and allow the development of oil and gas extraction on others.



https://www.courthousenews.com/interior-dept-opens-federal-land-hunting-fishing/

[randr]

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