HOG
10-01-2004, 04:21 PM
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation - the Sportsmen's Link to Congress
Volume 3, Number 24
October 1, 2004
On the Hill
Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Sage Grouse
Eight-Month Highway Bill Extension Passed by House and Senate
Congress to Address Appropriations During Lame Duck Session
Administration News
Presidential Proclamation for National Hunting & Fishing Day
On the Hill
Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Sage Grouse
On Friday, September 24th, the Senate Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, chaired by Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Vice-Chair Senator Mike Crapo, held a hearing on the management of sage grouse. Sage grouse populations have declined steadily in the eleven western states where it lives since the early 90's causing several organizations to file a petition to list the bird as an Endangered Species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the petition and is scheduled to make a decision on the listing in April 2005. The hearing was conducted in order to discuss the causes for sage grouse declines and the current conservation efforts to improve the populations.
"Western States that include portions of the current range of sage grouse are upgrading their conservation plans to address issues such as habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, and predation, and to identify opportunities for habitat restoration and enhancement," Senator Crapo said. "The goal is to find and implement local solutions for sage grouse conservation." To read the Senator's full release, go to: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/2004/September/pr09232004b.htm
Eight-Month Highway Bill Extension Passed by House and Senate
Congress passed an extension of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (also referred to as TEA-21 or the Highway Bill) on September 30th, giving them until May of 2005 to complete the bill. Leadership in both the House and the Senate said that differences were too great between the two bills, primarily on the overall funding level, for them to finalize conference negotiations prior to the elections. While it is possible they will be able to address the bill during the expected lame duck session in November, the likelihood is that the bill will now have to begin the process again in the 109th Congress.
CSF, along with our conservation partner organizations, has worked with the House and Senate to ensure that the Highway Bill included provisions important to sportsmen. Of primary importance were reauthorization of the Wallop-Breaux Sportfish Restoration Act, recapturing the full 18.3 cents per gallon of the motor boat fuel excise tax for boating and fishing programs, funding for refuge roads and recreational trails, culverts for fish passage and signage for hunter and angler access to federal lands. To read more about the conservation community's priorities, go to: http://www.sportsmenslink.org/issues/legislation/TransConfereesLetter.asp
Congress to Address Appropriations During Lame Duck Session
As Congress prepares to recess on October 8 through the November elections, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies at their FY 2004 levels through November 20. To date, only one of the 13 FY05 appropriations bill has been signed into law and the new fiscal year begins today. Lawmakers are expected to take up all remaining appropriations bills during a lame duck session after the November 2 elections.
Administration News
Presidential Proclamation for National Hunting & Fishing Day
On September 24, President George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation to celebrate September 25, 2004 as National Hunting & Fishing Day. The proclamation called upon the American people to pay tribute to the "contributions of America's hunters and anglers, and all those who work to conserve our Nation's fish and wildlife resources." National Hunting & Fishing Day marked its 33rd anniversary this year after being created by Congress and President Nixon to recognize hunters and anglers for the time and money they have given to fish and wildlife conservation programs.
In the proclamation, President Bush states: "America's hunters and anglers represent the great spirit of our country and are among our Nation's foremost conservationists. These citizens have worked to protect habitat and restore fish and wildlife populations. They volunteer their time, talents, and energy to countless conservation projects, because they recognize the importance of maintaining the natural abundance of our country for future generations."
To read the entire National Hunting & Fishing Day 2004 proclamation, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040924-22.html
Volume 3, Number 24
October 1, 2004
On the Hill
Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Sage Grouse
Eight-Month Highway Bill Extension Passed by House and Senate
Congress to Address Appropriations During Lame Duck Session
Administration News
Presidential Proclamation for National Hunting & Fishing Day
On the Hill
Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Sage Grouse
On Friday, September 24th, the Senate Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, chaired by Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Vice-Chair Senator Mike Crapo, held a hearing on the management of sage grouse. Sage grouse populations have declined steadily in the eleven western states where it lives since the early 90's causing several organizations to file a petition to list the bird as an Endangered Species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the petition and is scheduled to make a decision on the listing in April 2005. The hearing was conducted in order to discuss the causes for sage grouse declines and the current conservation efforts to improve the populations.
"Western States that include portions of the current range of sage grouse are upgrading their conservation plans to address issues such as habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, and predation, and to identify opportunities for habitat restoration and enhancement," Senator Crapo said. "The goal is to find and implement local solutions for sage grouse conservation." To read the Senator's full release, go to: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/2004/September/pr09232004b.htm
Eight-Month Highway Bill Extension Passed by House and Senate
Congress passed an extension of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (also referred to as TEA-21 or the Highway Bill) on September 30th, giving them until May of 2005 to complete the bill. Leadership in both the House and the Senate said that differences were too great between the two bills, primarily on the overall funding level, for them to finalize conference negotiations prior to the elections. While it is possible they will be able to address the bill during the expected lame duck session in November, the likelihood is that the bill will now have to begin the process again in the 109th Congress.
CSF, along with our conservation partner organizations, has worked with the House and Senate to ensure that the Highway Bill included provisions important to sportsmen. Of primary importance were reauthorization of the Wallop-Breaux Sportfish Restoration Act, recapturing the full 18.3 cents per gallon of the motor boat fuel excise tax for boating and fishing programs, funding for refuge roads and recreational trails, culverts for fish passage and signage for hunter and angler access to federal lands. To read more about the conservation community's priorities, go to: http://www.sportsmenslink.org/issues/legislation/TransConfereesLetter.asp
Congress to Address Appropriations During Lame Duck Session
As Congress prepares to recess on October 8 through the November elections, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund federal agencies at their FY 2004 levels through November 20. To date, only one of the 13 FY05 appropriations bill has been signed into law and the new fiscal year begins today. Lawmakers are expected to take up all remaining appropriations bills during a lame duck session after the November 2 elections.
Administration News
Presidential Proclamation for National Hunting & Fishing Day
On September 24, President George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation to celebrate September 25, 2004 as National Hunting & Fishing Day. The proclamation called upon the American people to pay tribute to the "contributions of America's hunters and anglers, and all those who work to conserve our Nation's fish and wildlife resources." National Hunting & Fishing Day marked its 33rd anniversary this year after being created by Congress and President Nixon to recognize hunters and anglers for the time and money they have given to fish and wildlife conservation programs.
In the proclamation, President Bush states: "America's hunters and anglers represent the great spirit of our country and are among our Nation's foremost conservationists. These citizens have worked to protect habitat and restore fish and wildlife populations. They volunteer their time, talents, and energy to countless conservation projects, because they recognize the importance of maintaining the natural abundance of our country for future generations."
To read the entire National Hunting & Fishing Day 2004 proclamation, visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040924-22.html