The Interior Dept. today announced the decision by the Fish & Wildlife Service to open new or expanded hunting and fishing opportunities on 2.1 million acres spanning 88 National Wildlife Refuges and one National Fish Hatchery, calling it “the largest expansion of outdoor recreation opportunities in recent history” and consistent with the administration’s effort to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
Interior Sec. Deb Haaland called increase access to outdoor recreation “essential to advancing the Administration’s commitment to the conservation stewardship of our public lands,” adding that “[r]responsible hunting and fishing helps to promote healthy wildlife habitats while boosting local recreation economies.”
The decision opens or expands 910 hunting and fishing “opportunities” (“opportunity” defined as one species on one field station).
