Public Lands Protection Bill Considered
Omnibus Bill S.22 Clears the Way for Protection of Wildlife Habitat
A bill that is being debated in the U.S. Senate, Public Lands Protection Bill (S.22) would, if passed, clear the way for Congress to protect priceless wildlife habitat in some of the best places in the nation for hunting and fishing.
Wyoming Range Legacy Act
The Wyoming Range Legacy Act is part of the omnibus package. This act would protect the home of mule deer, elk, and the country’s largest, healthiest moose population. Although some have argued, in opposition to the act, that it would remove trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and billions of barrels of oil out of production, the U.S. Geologic Survey estimates that the range harbors only an amount of such resources that would be burned through in less than one month of American consumption.
West Walker River Protection
The bill would also provide protection for about 40,000 acres of high-country habitat in California by adding it to the Hoover Wilderness area. The West Walker River headwaters area abounds with trout lakes, deer range, and upland game bird habitat. Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma claims that the purpose of this portion of the bill is to save 500 salmon. However, according to Chris Hunt, of Trout Unlimited, the area is home to more than 30,000 King Salmon, in addition to other salmon species also found in those waters. In addition, other renowned California trout fisheries, such as those along the upper Owens River and Peru Creek, can receive Wild & Scenic designations if the bill is passed.
San Joaquin River Restoration Program
The San Juaquin River Restoration Program is also included in the omnibus bill. Since the completion of the Friant Dam in 1940’s, most of the river’s flow has been diverted to irrigation. The result has been significant loss of fish and wildlife, as well as degraded water quality for much of California’s population. This restoration effort aims to continue action begun in 2006 to restore water flow and salmon to the San Joaquin River below the Friant Dam, and it is one of West’s largest river restoration projects. Restoring the river will improve the condition of the Bay-Delta ecosystem and result in better water quality for much of the state.
Sportsmen Support Future Opportunities
According to Hunt, “Habitat equals opportunity.” Every acre of wildlife habitat that is protected or restored results in opportunities for future sportsmen and women to enjoy the treasured legacies of hunting and fishing. In addition, protected land and waterways result in increased water quality and environmental health for everyone. Although such projects can seem costly, when considered in the light of their results, they produce far more value than they consume.
Dad and Son fishing
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