Henrico Times

Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) has praised the inclusion of key provisions from the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023 in the FY24 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. These provisions specifically prevent the use of allocated appropriations to ban the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands or waters designated for recreational hunting and fishing. The bill, known as H.R. 615, has garnered support from 50 cosponsors and aims to protect the accessibility and affordability of lead ammunition and tackle for sportsmen and women.

"Wittman Applauds Passage of Key Provisions of Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act in 2024 Appropriations Bill," said Congressman Wittman. "Effective environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation rely on the valuable contributions of our hunters and anglers, and affordable lead ammunition and tackle are crucial to reducing financial barriers that limit accessibility for sportsmen and women. I am pleased to see key provisions from my bill reflected in this year’s appropriations bill, and I look forward to the progression of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act through both the House and the Senate."

The need for this legislation arose after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service engaged in settlement negotiations with litigants such as the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) over a lawsuit concerning the use of traditional ammunition and lead on millions of acres of federal land. The potential banning of lead ammunition and tackle would make hunting less accessible by creating financial obstacles for those participating in these activities.

It is worth noting that the Biden administration issued a final rule on October 27, 2023, to prohibit the use of lead ammunition and tackle in eight national wildlife refuges. However, the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act aims to prevent any arbitrary banning of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands unless there is scientific evidence of harm to wildlife.

The bill received favorable passage from the House Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support on June 21, 2023. With its inclusion in the appropriations bill, it is expected to progress through both the House and the Senate.

The full text of the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act can be found here, and the full text of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 can be found here.

In summary, Congressman Wittman's efforts to protect the accessibility and affordability of lead ammunition and tackle for hunters and anglers have seen success with the passage of key provisions from the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act in the 2024 appropriations bill. This legislation aims to prevent arbitrary bans on lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands unless there is scientific evidence of harm to wildlife. With bipartisan support, it is expected to progress through Congress and ensure that sportsmen and women can continue their activities without unnecessary financial barriers.

Click this link to access more information: https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5306