Why it matters: Congress is currently considering appropriations bills that provide funding for Fiscal Year 2024. Appropriations bills significantly influence the actions taken by federal agencies by controlling spending levels, directing funding for specific purposes, or restricting certain actions by federal agencies. The passage of these bills at both the Subcommittee and Committee levels are important steps forward in protecting access for sportsmen and women.
- Last week, the House Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee passed a bill which included language to prevent the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from implementing changes to the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed restriction until a real-time monitoring program is in place to inform the rule, a significant step forward in CSF’s efforts to protect fishing and boating.
- Similarly, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Commerce appropriations bill, providing language that directs NOAA to use real-time monitoring to better conserve North Atlantic right whales.
- Additionally, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee passed a bill that includes language to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Last week, two subcommittees, the Commerce and Interior Subcommittees, of the House Appropriations Committee passed respective bills that include important access protections for sportsmen and women, particularly for boaters and anglers along the Atlantic coast. Similarly, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Commerce Appropriations bill that also includes language to help maintain access for sportsmen and women along the Atlantic Seaboard.
Specifically, the House Subcommittee on Commerce Appropriations included language that requires the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to implement real-time monitoring efforts for large Atlantic whales prior to making any changes to the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed restriction rule. A proposed rule currently under consideration by NOAA would amend the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed regulations by requiring boats 35 feet and longer to limit their speed to 10 knots from the shoreline to as far as 90 miles offshore for up to seven months of the year, which would have drastic consequences on recreational fishing and boating along the Atlantic. Additionally, the Senate Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee included language to direct NOAA to implement real-time monitoring efforts of right whales to better protect right whales with the goal of ensuring that anglers and boaters are not excessively restricted if a whale is not present in a specific area.
Finally, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee passed legislation that continues the prohibition against regulating the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which is administered by the Environmental Protection Act. Despite efforts by anti-hunting and fishing organizations, regulating the use of lead ammo and tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act is entirely inconsistent with the intent of TSCA.
The House Commerce and Interior Appropriations are set to receive full Committee votes this week and the Senate Commerce Appropriations bill will receive full Senate consideration later this Fiscal Year. CSF looks forward to working with the Appropriations Committees and the full House and Senate to see these provisions signed into law.
