• House Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Hearing: Hunting and Fishing Access in the Great American Outdoors

By MRAA and NMMA

On January 13, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a hearing titled “Hunting and Fishing Access in the Great American Outdoors” that focused on access to recreation on public lands throughout the United States.

Marine Industry Representation Through Chris Butler

Recommended by the Center for Sportfishing Policy, Chris Butler of Butler Marine in Beaufort, S.C. testified on behalf of the marine industry. Butler, who serves on the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Board of Directors as well as the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance, underscoring his commitment to supporting both the state and national recreational boating industry. In fact, Butler is an excellent example of how marine retailers and MRAA Members can get involved.

Other witnesses joining Mr. Butler include The Honorable Brian Nesvik, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Mr. Jason Tharpe, CEO, Delta Waterfowl; Mr. Paul Johansen, Chief, Wildlife Resources Section of the WV Division of Natural Resources; and Ryan Callaghan, President and CEO, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Butler Highlights Conservation and Boating Technology Issues

Specifically during this hearing, Mr. Butler spoke on access and fisheries issues, stating, “We are the original conservationists … we provide funds to help with conservation. Allow us a seat at the table to talk about ways we can improve what is being done. The Right Whale issue is a perfect example. Had we been brought to the table we would have been able to bring in the new technology. We are working on that technology now.” 

He later added, “I think I am the only one in this room that has seen a right whale … I saw it because of radar about two miles away. And while we didn’t get close to it, that moment has stuck with me 20 years later.”

Lawmakers Emphasize the Need for Stable Conservation Funding

Congressional leaders and Administration officials recognized the impact of the boating industry, and the need for continued investment. Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR-04) stated that “hunters and anglers deserve access to the places their dollars help protect.” Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) went further by highlighting that the Sportfish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, H.R. 3858, introduced by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) “demonstrate(s) the power of science based, well-funded conservation focused on long-term stewardship, and not just short-term gain.” 

Nesvik put a finer point on this by testifying that “Sportfish Restoration fund is absolutely critical for our state partners … They are a lot of the times on the front lines of these issues … They really rely on these funds to do great work for the American people. You can’t have boating access if you don’t have boat docks.”

Committee Leadership Responds to Butler’s Testimony

Furthermore, during the hearing, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04) commended Mr. Butler on his testimony, stating, “Mr. Butler, you made a statement that I think was very profound in your testimony” and goes on to quote Mr. Butler, saying, “Public access is not just a quality of life issue, it is the foundation of the conservation funding model in this country. When access declines, participation declines; when participation declines, conservation funding declines as well; when conservation funding declines, on the water and on the ground, conservation and management decline as well. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Moreover, after reading the statement, Chairman Westerman highlights the importance of conservation funding as well as overviews previous work that the Committee has done to help support conservation, like the Great American Outdoors Act.

Investment in Boating Access Remains Critical Nationwide

The recreational marine industry depends on continued investment into boating access points across the nation. These discussions underscore a focus on strategic action by Congress to prioritize these investments.

The MRAA and the NMMA actively monitor Congressional hearings with implications for the recreational boating industry and engages lawmakers and staff to shape the dialogue where appropriate.

For more information on infrastructure developments or access issues impacting marine retail, contact Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager, at chad@mraa.com.