Number: 2005-02
Incentives for Access to Private Lands WHEREAS, in a large number of states, the great majority of land is held in private ownership; and
WHEREAS, in such states therefore, a sizeable proportion of fish and wildlife habitat exists on private lands; and
WHEREAS, private property rights legally restrict the opportunity for the public to use such lands for hunting, fishing, bird watching and other fish and wildlife-related pursuits; and
WHEREAS, the lack of access for the public on private lands, at times, inhibits the ability of state fish and wildlife agencies to adequately manage fish and wildlife species; and
WHEREAS, in the 108th Congress, bipartisan legislation (S. 1840/H.R. 3482) known as the “Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Act of 2003” (Open Fields Bill) was introduced; and
WHEREAS, this legislation proposed to establish a $50 million grant program for states to use to provide financial incentives for private property owners to open their lands for public hunting, fishing, bird watching and related outdoor activities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 1-2, 2005, in Washington, D.C., hereby urges the President and the Congress to take all necessary action to pass legislation providing financial incentives for private property owners to open their lands for fair and equitable public hunting, fishing, bird watching and related outdoor activities.