To All Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT:
Sara Leonard
sara@sportsmenslink.org
202-543-6850 x 11
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Issues Sportsmen-Supported Orders 
on Day One
March 2, 2017 (Washington, DC) - On March 1, Ryan Zinke was confirmed as the 52nd Secretary of the Interior under the Trump Administration, with a bipartisan vote of 68 - 31 in the Senate. Prior to his nomination, Zinke was an active Member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), the largest bipartisan caucus in Congress, and many of his CSC colleagues, including all four Senate CSC leaders, voted favorably.

Following his confirmation, Zinke met with representatives from sportsmen and other wildlife organizations today, including Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane, to discuss how the Department will focus on sportsmen's and other conservation priorities during this Administration. Zinke, an avid sportsman, has shown commitment to working with the sportsmen's community to seek a balanced approach to natural resource and public land management. He also understands the important role that outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing, plays in the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.

At today's meeting, Zinke signed two Secretarial Orders benefiting the sportsmen's community. Order 3346 overturns the recent ban lead ammunition and fish tackle used on Fish and Wildlife Service lands, waters, and facilities. Order 3347 advances conservation stewardship, improves game and habitat management, and increases outdoor recreation opportunities by directing bureaus and agencies to immediately identify areas where outdoor recreation can be expanded. The order also requests the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council to provide recommendations on enhancing and expanding access on public lands and improving habitat for fish and wildlife.

"Outdoor recreation is about both our heritage and our economy. Between hunting, fishing, motorized recreation, camping and more, the industry generates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity," said Secretary Zinke. "Over the past eight years however, hunting, and recreation enthusiasts have seen trails closed and dramatic decreases in access to public lands across the board. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the land-owning elite. This package of secretarial orders will expand access for outdoor enthusiasts and also make sure the community's voice is heard."

"CSF looks forward to working closely with Secretary Zinke on developing a list of priorities that will protect and advance fish and wildlife and public lands conservation, as well as keep federal lands open for public access and recreation," said Crane. "Today's meeting on the Secretary's first morning in office was a clear indication of his commitment to these shared goals."

Prior to Zinke's confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on January 18, more than 40 of the nation's leading hunting, fishing, and other conservation organizations expressed their support and encouraged a favorable vote within the Committee.

Secretary Ryan Zinke signing Secretarial Orders for sportsmen and women on day one (Source: Department of the Interior)

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Since 1989, the Congressional Sportsmen 's Foundation (CSF) has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted sportsmen's organization in the political arena. CSF's mission is to work with Congress, governors, and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping. The unique and collective force of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), the Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC), working closely with CSF, and with the support of major hunting, angling, recreational shooting and trapping organizations, serves as an unprecedented network of pro-sportsmen elected officials that advance the interests of America's hunters and anglers.

     
 

 

Working with Congress, governors and state legislatures to protect and advance hunting,
angling, recreational shooting and trapping.

 

For more information on the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation go to SportsmensLink.org or contact Sara Leonard at 202.543.6850 x 11 or email sara@sportsmenslink.org.

 

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