Interior reopens waterfowl hunting areas, works with states to open some national parks
October 12, 2013 | 03:24 PM
Reacting to the economic impact of the absence of hunters, fishers and tourists during the government shutdown, the Interior Department has reopened waterfowl hunting areas and some national parks.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on Friday praised the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service decision to reopen waterfowl production areas to hunters, but said the government shutdown still needs to come to an end.
Waterfowl production areas are grassland and wetland ecosystems reserved for wildlife, including waterfowl, and are funded mostly through the sale of federal duck stamps. More than 2 million acres of waterfowl production areas are concentrated in the prairie pothole region of Minnesota, Montana and North and South Dakota.
“As hunting seasons open — in the Great Plains and across the country — sportsmen’s calls have been heard, and the administration has acknowledged the economic impact of hunters and anglers,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh.
But Fosburgh added, “Conservation in America continues to suffer and no region better exemplifies the ongoing destruction and loss of important fish and wildlife habitat than the prairie pothole region where so many WPAs are located. Congress must reach an agreement to end this crisis and advance crucial conservation programs, including a federal farm bill, posthaste.”
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has reached agreement with governors in some states that have agreed to pay the salaries of Interior Department personnel to reopen key monuments and parks, The Washington Post reported today.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on Friday praised the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service decision to reopen waterfowl production areas to hunters, but said the government shutdown still needs to come to an end.
Waterfowl production areas are grassland and wetland ecosystems reserved for wildlife, including waterfowl, and are funded mostly through the sale of federal duck stamps. More than 2 million acres of waterfowl production areas are concentrated in the prairie pothole region of Minnesota, Montana and North and South Dakota.
“As hunting seasons open — in the Great Plains and across the country — sportsmen’s calls have been heard, and the administration has acknowledged the economic impact of hunters and anglers,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh.
But Fosburgh added, “Conservation in America continues to suffer and no region better exemplifies the ongoing destruction and loss of important fish and wildlife habitat than the prairie pothole region where so many WPAs are located. Congress must reach an agreement to end this crisis and advance crucial conservation programs, including a federal farm bill, posthaste.”
Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has reached agreement with governors in some states that have agreed to pay the salaries of Interior Department personnel to reopen key monuments and parks, The Washington Post reported today.
- The Washington Post — Interior allows a dozen iconic national parks to reopen with state funding
- Department of Interior — National Park Service Enters Agreements to Re-open:
