Washington, DC. – Following yesterday evening’s announcement by president-elect Trump that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum will serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), BHA President and CEO Patrick Berry offered this response:
“President-elect Trump’s return to office, including nominations such as this, offer his administration a renewed opportunity to support America’s sportsmen and women. Governor Burgum has now been tasked with the tremendous responsibility of overseeing our nation’s vast natural resources, notably the irreplaceable assets owned by all Americans and managed by the Interior Department: our public lands and waters. As governor of an energy-producing state with very limited public lands, Governor Burgum will need to transition to the broader view of natural resource stewardship in which management reflects a balance of appropriate activities and includes conservation values, fish and wildlife habitat, and access and opportunity for generations of sportsmen and women. BHA is committed to engaging with Governor Burgum to help advance policies that reflect the value of outdoor recreation, the importance of public lands for hunters and anglers, and maintain the legacy of ensuring that public lands stay in public hands.”
DOI is responsible for managing more than 400 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of subsurface minerals. This includes the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service. These public lands encompass a wealth of hunting and fishing opportunities, support robust wildlife populations, and sustain coldwater fisheries.
As the leading advocate for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the access and opportunities provided by our shared natural resources—regardless of who holds office in the administration or Congress. Through education and tireless work, BHA seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in natural settings endures for generations to come. To learn more about the issues important to BHA’s membership, visit www.backcountryhunters.org/our_issues. To ensure your voice as a Public Land Owner is heard, consider joining BHA today.
https://www.backcountryhunters.org
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