March 2025 Federal Policy Roundup

Throughout February, the fledgling second Trump administration continued to make announcements with broad and significant impacts to the management of public lands and waters. This includes the nomination of key positions to oversee our nation’s vast natural resources, as well as their first directives. Meanwhile, Congress has been busy introducing legislation with implications for conservation and access, though congressional leadership primarily remains focused on fiscal and budgetary procedures that provide a pathway to potentially sell our public lands.

Interior Secretary Burgum Issues First Secretarial Orders

On Feb. 3, Department of the Interior Secretary Burgum issued his first tranche of secretarial orders including a number of directives criticized by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers that would require an unprecedented 15-day review of numerous decisions and rulemakings within the jurisdiction of the Interior.

Included in the Orders is a directive to review the following with the intent of “unleashing” energy and natural resource development: 

• Every national monumentback to the very first established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. 
• Every mineral withdrawal, ranging from protections for the Boundary Watersin Minnesota to Colorado’s Thompson Divide. 
• Every Bureau of Land Management (BLM) resource management plan. 

In addition to this review, orders were issued to “suspend, revise or rescind” rules supported by hunters and anglers that aimed to balance conservation with other uses in the management of our public lands. Chief among these is the BLM Public Lands Rule, which established innovative restoration partnerships and recognized that conservation is a valid use on BLM-managed lands – alongside energy development, timber harvest, grazing, and recreation. This review also includes the BLM Oil and Gas Leasing Rule, which implemented fiscal reforms to ensure the oil and gas industry pays for the cleanup of projects, while prioritizing leasing near existing infrastructure or in areas with high potential for oil and gas production to avoid the fragmentation of intact habitat.  

Read BHA's response to Burgum’s first secretarial orders HERE

USDA Secretary Nominee Advances

On Feb. 3, Brooke Rollins’ nomination for Secretary of Agriculture was reported unanimously by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Her nomination was confirmed by the full Senate on Feb. 13 with a vote of 72-28.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) houses the U.S. Forest Service which manages 193 million acres of our public lands across 43 states. USDA also encompasses the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which coordinates management and research of chronic wasting disease.

See BHA's response to Rollins' nomination HERE

Legislation Would Streamline Mining on Doorstep of the Boundary Waters

On Feb. 5, the Superior National Forest Restoration Act (H.R. 978) was reintroduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN). This legislation would overturn the 20-year mineral withdrawal advocated for by thousands of BHA members – a withdrawal that halted the proposed Twin Metals mine and protected the Boundary Waters, America's most visited wilderness area, from regionally untested sulfide-ore copper mining. It would also reissue previously canceled leases and arbitrarily preclude those leases and permits from judicial review.

On his first day back in office, President Trump issued an executive order that would require the review of all public land withdrawals including the aforementioned withdrawal issued to protect the Boundary Waters. On the campaign trail he promised to reverse the withdrawal. Only Congress has the ability to enact a permanent mineral withdrawal, which is why BHA supports legislation led by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) that would do just that: the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act (H.R. 588)

Read the Minnesota Chapter of BHA’s response statement HERE

Click HERE to take action in support of legislation that permanently protects the Boundary Waters

Nevada Public Land Legislation Reintroduced

On Feb. 6, the Truckee Meadows Public Land Management Act (S. 462) was reintroduced by Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV). This legislation, among other provisions, would designate approximately 223,039 acres of Wilderness, 551,427 acres as National Conservation Areas, and withdraw 173,919 acres from mineral development. 

“The Nevada Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is pleased to support the Truckee Meadows Public Land Management Act as recently introduced by Sen. Rosen and we thank her for her leadership. We see this legislation as a good representation of compromise by many stakeholders and interests that took many years and many versions to achieve,” said Bryce Pollock, Vice Chair for the Nevada Chapter of BHA. “We are very appreciative of Sen. Rosen’s consideration to ensure that public land access would not be limited for hunters and anglers along the Truckee River. We look forward to the conservation of more than one million acres of public lands, including many valuable recreation areas in North Washoe County, and are excited for the addition of a public shooting range that hunters can utilize for many generations to come.”

President Trump Nominates Directors for USFWS, BLM

On Feb. 14, nominations for two key positions were announced by President Trump. The nomination of Brian Nesvik to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Kathleen Sgamma to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are the latest of these announcements with vast implications for hunters and anglers across the U.S. BHA remains committed to advocating for balanced, science-based stewardship of our shared natural resources and ensuring that these agencies uphold their mandates to serve all Americans—not just private interests.

Read BHA's response to each nomination HERE

White House Fires Thousands of Staff at DOI, USFS

In recent weeks, it was reported that more than 5,000 staff at the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service were fired by a directive from the Trump administration in an effort to reduce the federal workforce. BHA has raised serious concerns regarding this detrimental decision which was done without regard for staff roles or performance, but rather targeted individuals with "probationary status" who were hired, or switched federal jobs, within the last year.

With growing pressures on our public land – including increased visitation, spread of invasive species, and wildfires – the long-term consequences of this decision, if not immediately addressed, have the potential to cause devastating damage to the already understaffed agencies and the natural resources they steward.

These firings follow news from last year that the USFS will be unable to hire non-fire seasonal employees due to a budget shortfall. Lawmakers have sought to underfund and short-staff these agencies in an attempt to promote the transfer or privatization of our public lands, such as an amendment by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), a public land transfer advocate, that would have cut 50% of the BLM’s funding – a move that received 144 votes in favor.

On Feb. 20, an amendment led by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and supported by BHA that would have restored the federal workforce responsible for maintaining infrastructure, advancing habitat restoration projects, improving wildfire resiliency, supporting emergency response and more, failed to pass on the Senate floor.

Read more HERE in this article from our friends at Field & Stream

Share your concerns about the impacts of these firings on our shared natural resources HERE

Legislation Introduced to Close Conservation Funding Loopholes

On Feb. 21, the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act (H.R. 1494) was introduced by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Blake Moore (R-UT). This legislation would close loopholes that have allowed online purchases of imported sportfishing and archery equipment to skirt these excise taxes which fund state fish and wildlife agency conservation efforts. This would be achieved by requiring online marketplaces to collect federal excise taxes for the purchase of these imported goods, that are otherwise levied on domestic manufacturers. Current estimates suggest closing this loophole would increase funding for the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs by $17 million annually, a figure that is expected to increase.

“The American System of Conservation Funding has long been supported through excise taxes on equipment used by hunters and anglers,” said Patrick Berry, President and CEO of BHA. “The result has been remarkable success in the conservation, restoration, and management of fish and wildlife habitat. We thank Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Blake Moore for their leadership on bipartisan legislation that would close a loophole for overseas manufacturers to ensure that revenue is properly captured for state fish and wildlife agencies.”

Take action HERE to support closing tax loopholes that shortchange fish and wildlife conservation

Legislation Reintroduced to Support Public Access to Private Lands

On Feb. 25, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act (H.R. 1565/S.704) was reintroduced by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

This legislation would reauthorize and increase funding for the USDA’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) – the only federal program specifically designed to facilitate public access for hunters and anglers on private lands. VPA-HIP is not only widely recognized as one of the most effective public access tools in the United States, it also helps landowners improve habitat stewardship and incentivizes restoration practices that benefit fish and wildlife.

VPA-HIP operates by extending competitive grants to state and tribal governments – grants that are used to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily allow public access. The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act increases funding from $50 million to $150 million over the next five years for this popular and widely utilized program.

“By reauthorizing and expanding the only federal program specifically designed to increase opportunities for hunters and anglers on private land, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act addresses the number one barrier to participation in our sporting traditions, lack of public access,” said Kaden McArthur, director of policy and government relations for BHA. “We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Sens. Steve Daines, Roger Marshall, and Michael Bennet on legislation that would expand public recreation opportunities as well as enhance fish and wildlife habitat.”

Read BHA’s full press release HERE

Take action HERE to advocate for increased public access on private lands

Legislation Reintroduced to Expand Wilderness in Arkansas

On Feb. 26, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act (H.R. 1612) was reintroduced by Rep. French Hill (R-AR). This legislation would permanently conserve approximately 2,200 acres of the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas by adding them to the adjacent Flatside Wilderness Area. These public lands have been recommended for wilderness designation by the U.S. Forest Service and are already managed as such under the Ouachita National Forest Management Plan.

“We commend and sincerely thank Representative French Hill for his continued leadership on conservation projects in Arkansas. We are very excited to continue our support for his Flatside Wilderness Additions Act,” said Kip Kruger, Policy Chair for the Arkansas Chapter of BHA. “This legislation would expand the Flatside Wilderness Area within the Ouachita National Forest. This wilderness was designated in 1984 with President Ronald Reagan's signature. The U.S. Forest Service has deemed this area worthy of additional wilderness designation, as it is a pristine backcountry landscape that holds habitat for deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and numerous other game species. Additions to the wilderness area would be a huge win for the public land hunters in Arkansas.”

Read BHA’s full press release HERE

Take action HERE to support the expansion of wilderness in Arkansas

Legislation Reintroduced to Protect Colorado Public Lands

On Feb. 27, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act was reintroduced by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO). This legislation would protect 420,000 acres of public lands, including areas that provide some of the best big game hunting opportunities in the state, in addition to thousands of rivers and streams.

The CORE Act includes four previously introduced bills:

• The Continental Divide Recreation and Wilderness Legacy Act– which designates 39,000 acres of wilderness areas and 14,000 acres of wildlife conservation areas. This legislation no longer includes certain provisions following the designation of the Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument in 2022.
  • This includes 10,000 acres of severe winter elk range and 474 miles of streams which serve as headwaters that feed clean, cold water into multiple Gold Medal fishing sections and supply 11 miles of native cutthroat trout stream habitat along with half a dozen cutthroat trout lakes.
• The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act– which designates 64,000 acres of wilderness areas; 22,000 acres of special management areas; and a 6,000-acre mineral withdrawal.
  • Encompassing headwater tributaries of the Animas River among more than 325 stream miles that contain nearly five miles of cutthroat stream habitat. Four lakes spanning more than six acres within the proposed Sheep Mountain Special Management Area also hold the native cutthroat trout.
  • This also includes 50,000 acres of summer range and calving areas for mule deer and elk. An elk winter concentration area is found along the proposed mineral withdrawal area that includes cutthroat trout habitat.
• The Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act– which would make a permanent a 20-year administrative mineral withdrawal issued in 2024 for more than 200,000 acres.
  • This covers 34,000 acres of elk migration corridors along with 83 miles of native cutthroat stream habitat and nearly 12 acres of cutthroat lake habitat.
• The Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary Establishment Act – which increases fishing access to offset streams lost by historic dams, and formally designates a national recreation area boundary of 50,000 acres.
  • This includes more than two miles of cutthroat trout streams and 775 acres of cutthroat lake habitat, 5,926 acres of mule deer migration corridors, and 7,123 acres of elk migration corridors in addition to 50,323 acres of elk winter range.

Read BHA’s full press release HERE

Take action HERE to support the conservation of public lands in Colorado