On January 8, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairwoman and Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Member Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) introduced the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47).

S. 47 includes a number of longstanding priorities of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) that are critically important to increasing access for sportsmen and women to public lands. Some of the provisions contained in S. 47 include:

• Bows Transported Through National Parks (Sec. 2409)
• Wildlife Management in Parks (Sec. 2410)
• Federal Land Open to Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting (Sec. 4102)
• Identifying Opportunities for Recreation, Hunting, and Fishing on Federal Land (Sec. 4105)
• Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support (Sec. 4301)
• Migratory Bird Framework and Hunting Opportunities for Veterans (Sec. 4401)

Despite the efforts of CSF and the sporting conservation community, similar legislation to the Natural Resources Management Act fell short in the 115th Congress. However, S. 47 has been placed under Senate Rule 14, allowing the bill to bypass committee referral and be placed on the Senate legislative calendar.

“CSF applauds Chairwoman Murkowski and Senator Cantwell for introducing the Natural Resources Management Act. It is important that they work quickly to address the priorities of America’s sportsmen and women early on in the 116th Congress.”  said CSF President Jeff Crane.