Just weeks after a wave of backlash prompted the House to remove a provision mandating the sale of public lands from its budget proposal, the U.S. Senate has revived the idea, this time with an even larger footprint. The latest Senate budget reconciliation proposal includes a provision to sell off more than 2 million acres of federal public land. That’s considerably more than the House’s initial proposal. While no specific parcels have been identified, the intent is clear – and the threat is real. Our position remains the same as it was in our May 9 statement on the House proposal:...
Action Alert
Standing up for Public Lands
This week the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee passed a budget bill ordering the sale of thousands of acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada. Using a budget bill is an unacceptable departure from the proper means of evaluating land transactions. Existing laws for sale or exchange of public lands require due process and the return of revenue to the public land system. A budget bill meets neither requirement, preventing evaluation and diverting revenue to the Treasury. RGS & AWS is joining many partners in advocating the removal of the land sale provisions from the forthcoming budget bill on...
West Virginia Grouse Survey Discontinued – New Opportunities to Contribute
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) recently discontinued their grouse-specific hunter survey due to limited participation. Although this was a difficult decision, the data was no longer providing valuable insights for wildlife management. However, hunters still have opportunities to support conservation efforts. WVDNR encourages hunters to participate in two ongoing surveys: the Bowhunter Survey and the Spring Gobbler Survey. These citizen science surveys collect essential data on wildlife, helping shape conservation strategies across West Virginia and the broader Southern Appalachians region. Even if you don’t hunt grouse, your observations as a bowhunter or turkey hunter can make a significant impact....
Maine’s Upland Hunting Season Proposal
We need your voice! A recent proposal aims to change Maine’s upland hunting season, with the season now potentially starting later and closing on cast-and-blast weekends. This means fewer opportunities for families, bird hunters, and out-of-state visitors to enjoy Maine’s outdoor heritage. Our community members have spoken out against this change at recent public hearings, raising several concerns: Impact on Local Economies: Shortening the season could cost small businesses, like guides and lodges, up to $64,000 for just a few days of lost hunting trips. Lack of Data: The proposal seems to be based on perceived “conflicts” rather than actual data on moose...
VT ACTION ALERT: ANR Planning Rule
We encourage all of our Vermont members and audience to review and comment on the ANR Planning Rule. Comments are accepted through November 1, 2024.
As always, we are in favor of responsible, science-based active management to achieve healthy forests that benefit wildlife.
Learn more about the proposal here.
Submit your comments here.
Read our comments here.
Action Alert: Stearns Ruffed Grouse Habitat Management Project
RGS & AWS commends the Forest Service on their efforts to restore young forest habitat at biologically significant scales. We’re fully supportive of the proposed action outlined in the Stearns Ruffed Grouse Habitat Management Project on the Stearns Ranger District of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Urgent action is needed at the landscape scale, above and beyond localized habitat improvement efforts, to halt the decline in ruffed grouse and other forest wildlife in eastern Kentucky before it’s too late. Speak out in support of managing for early successional wildlife habitat today! Public comment is being accepted until October 18, 2024. Below are some...
