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Supporting sportsmen
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April 21, 2012 |
By Raul Labrador
US Congressman
We all have wonderful memories of recreation
with family and friends in any of Idaho’s
beautiful wildlife areas. Whether it’s boating
in McCall or hunting in Clearwater County, Idaho
has so much to offer its citizens and visitors
outdoors.
That’s why on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, I voted
in favor of H.R. 4089, or the “Sportsmen’s
Heritage Act of 2012.” This bipartisan
legislation passed overwhelmingly by a vote 274
to 176, and it enjoyed the support of dozens of
our Democratic colleagues.
H.R. 4089 is comprised of four
previously-introduced bills: H.R. 2834, H.R.
3440, H.R. 991 and H.R. 1558, all of which
expand hunting, shooting and recreational
opportunities on federal lands. Specifically,
the legislation limits the ability of the
federal government--- especially unelected
bureaucrats in the U.S. Forest Service,
Environmental Protection Agency and Bureau of
Land Management--- to impose excessive
regulations on America’s federal lands.
According to the University of Idaho, more than
64 percent of land in the Gem State is currently
owned by the federal government. Of all 50
states, Idaho has the largest portion of its
land—almost 39 percent--- in the National Forest
System of lands administered by the U.S. Forest
Service.
With nearly two-thirds of Idaho’s land owned by
the federal government, Idahoans must be
constantly mindful of the restrictions on
recreation imposed by regulatory agencies. One
of our most beloved pastimes and most important
industries in Idaho is recreation--- whether
that’s hunting, fishing or marksmanship. This
legislation, if enacted into law, would not only
improve our local economy, but it would also
provide additional recreational opportunities
for Idaho families and visitors to enjoy.
Recreation is an important thread woven many
years ago into Idaho’s cultural fabric. I am
proud to represent you in Congress, and I will
continue to fight to make our federal lands
accessible for responsible recreation use by all
Idahoans. |
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