A bipartisan group of U.S. representatives introduced a multifaceted bill aimed
at protecting fish and wildlife habitat and outdoor opportunities. The
Sportsmen's Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act, or SCORE,
includes seven provisions to reauthorize or implement legislation for programs
on public and private lands. The bill (HR 3173) drew immediate praise from many
organizations, including American Sportfishing Association, Backcountry Hunters
& Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, National Wildlife
Refuge Association, Pheasants Forever, The Nature Conservancy and Theodore
Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Among the bill's sponsors is Jeff Duncan
(R-SC), who recently tried derailing the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Among the provisions in the bill:
Reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for another five years
Reauthorizes the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act through 2020 to
help protect migratory birds
Reauthorizes the Bureau of Land Management's authority to sell land to private
landowners, counties, companies and others for ranching, community development
and various projects. This "land for land" approach creates jobs and generates
funding for BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to acquire critical holdings from willing sellers. The sales
revenue allows agencies to acquire high priority lands with important wildlife
habitat value and recreational access for hunting and fishing
An authorization that would amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act and
allocate 1.5% or $10 million, whichever is greater, of LWCF funding to secure
public access to existing federal public lands
A reauthorization of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program that allows the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide technical and financial assistance to
private landowners to restore, enhance and manage private land to improve fish
and wildlife habitats
David Aborn
Chattanooga, TN
