H.R. 1444: To require that hunting activities be a land use in all management plans

112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1444

To require that hunting activities be a land use in all management plans for Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the Federal land is managed, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 8, 2011

Mr. BROUN of Georgia (for himself, Mr. BOREN, Mr. ROSS of Arkansas, Mr. ALTMIRE, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. REHBERG, Ms. JENKINS, Mr. MILLER of Florida, and Mr. MATHESON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned


A BILL

To require that hunting activities be a land use in all management plans for Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the Federal land is managed, and for other purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,


SECTION 1. HUNTING ON FEDERAL LAND.


(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to require that hunting activities be a land use in all management plans for Federal land to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the Federal land is managed.


(b) Hunting Allowed Unless Incompatible- When developing or considering approval of a management plan (or any amendment to such a management plan) for Federal land, the head of the agency with jurisdiction over such Federal land shall ensure that hunting activities are allowed as a use of such Federal land to the extent that such use is not clearly incompatible with the purposes for which the Federal land is managed.


(c) Prohibiting or Restricting Hunting-


(1) REASONS SET FORTH IN MANAGEMENT PLAN- If hunting activities are not allowed or are restricted on Federal land, the head of the agency with jurisdiction over such Federal land shall set forth in the management plan for that Federal land the specific reason that hunting activities are not allowed or are restricted.


(2) RESTRICTION CLARIFIED- For the purposes of this subsection--


(A) allowing contract or quota thinning of wildlife shall not constitute allowing unrestricted hunting; and


(B) a fee charged by any entity related to hunting activities on Federal land that is in excess of that needed to recoup costs of management of the Federal land shall be deemed to be a restriction on hunting.


(d) Fees- Fees charged related to hunting activities on Federal land shall be--


(1) retained by the head of the agency with jurisdiction over such Federal land to offset costs directly related to management of hunting on the Federal land upon which hunting activities related to the fee are conducted; and


(2) limited to what the Secretary reasonably estimates to be necessary to offset costs directly related to management of hunting on the Federal land upon which hunting activities related to the fee are conducted.


(e) Definitions- In this section--


(1) the term ‘Federal land’ means Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior (excluding lands held in trust for an Indian or an Indian tribe) or the Secretary of Agriculture;


(2) the term ‘hunting’ means hunting, trapping, netting, and fishing; and


(3) the term ‘management plan’ means a management plan, management contract, or other comprehensive plan or agreement for the management or use of Federal land.


(f) Applicability- This section shall apply to all management plans developed, approved, or amended after the date of the enactment of this section.