U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Welcomes Public Input to Enhance Access to Federal Lands

Recognizing that all Americans deserve and appreciate access to our federal lands, the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act that President Trump signed into law in 2019 directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other federal land management agencies to develop and publish a priority list of public lands where access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities can be granted or improved. The Dingell Act directs agencies to update their priority lists every two years, so the USFWS announced it will accept our nominations for USFWS-managed lands through Jan. 16.

As we hunters and shooters consider the public lands where we most want to see new or improved access for our recreational activities, keep in mind that USFWS-managed lands include our national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. This gives us numerous parcels of land to consider as the National Wildlife Refuge System alone includes 573 NWRs and 38 wetland management districts while the National Fish Hatchery System comprises 70 facilities all dedicated to sustainable recreational fishing.

Underscoring the intent to make sure everyone has access to the outdoors, Cynthia Martinez, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, said, “By enhancing and increasing public access on national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries, people can visit and enjoy quality outdoor recreation experiences in these remarkable places.” Thanks to the Dingell Act, the USFWS already has increased public access to nearly 7,000 acres at the following three national wildlife refuges: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland, Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama and Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.

Public land nominations are being accepted over a 30-day comment period from Dec. 16, 2024, through Jan. 16, 2025. To be considered, land must meet five criteria:

• They must be managed by the USFWS.
• They must be at least 640 contiguous acres.
• They must have significantly restricted access or no public access.
• They must be open under federal or state law to hunting, fishing or use of the land for other public recreational purposes.
• They should have potential for public access and the likelihood of changing the current lack of public access or restriction to public access.

Those submitting recommendations are asked to provide details as to why a nominated parcel should be considered. The USFWS will begin considering nominations on Jan. 17 based on the above considerations as specified by the Dingell Act. For more information, click here.

As 2024 comes to a close, we hunters, shooters and our NRA look forward to a pro-hunting administration that is dedicated to continuing to create or expand outdoor access for all Americans.

Happy New Year!