On April 23, President Trump signed the Keeping America’s Refuges Operational Act (H.R. 3979) into law.
This bipartisan piece of legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on October 5, 2017 by Congressmen Hakeem Jeffries (NY) and Gregorio Sablan (MP), along with Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Congressmen Rob Wittman (VA), Garret Graves (LA), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), and Mike Thompson (CA). The Senate companion, S. 1940, was introduced by CSC members Senator John Barrasso (WY) and Senator Tom Carper (DE).
H.R. 3979 reauthorizes the National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer Services, Community Partnership, and Refuge Education Programs through Fiscal Year 2022. This reauthorization will allow continued access and opportunities for sportsmen and women to participate in our time-honored traditions of hunting and fishing on our National Wildlife Refugees.
In 2016 alone, 40,000 volunteers contributed over 1.3 million hours to the National Wildlife Refuge System. These volunteers who donate their time to the National Wildlife Refuge System are critical to ensuring these public lands and waters remain accessible to the public.
In total, there are more than 600 National Wildlife Refuges, with more than 360 National Wildlife Refuges that are open to open to hunters, and more than 300 Refuges that are open to recreational fishing.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation applauds the many Members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus who championed this common-sense legislation throughout the process and the President for signing it into law.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
