President Trump signed two executive orders on September 17 aimed at expanding public land access for fishing and hunting, the White House said in a fact sheet posted on the administration website.
The White House fact sheet said the orders “expand access to America’s public lands and waterways” and move to “foster and recruit the next generation of hunters,” while a separate Department of Commerce statement said the actions will streamline permitting for recreational fishing charters, allowing multi-year terms for compliant businesses.
The Department of the Interior press release and the White House fact sheet describe the measures as making additional federal lands and waters available for hunting and fishing and loosening some federal fishery restrictions, language echoed by The Hill’s coverage of the orders.
Texas-based and national outdoor groups that attended the Rose Garden event were described in coverage as stakeholders; the White House said President Trump hosted more than 100 outdoorsmen at the signing, according to Fox News.
The Commerce Department’s news release said the orders include permitting changes that “streamline permitting for fishing charters by allowing multi-year terms, relying on a presumption of approval for compliant charter businesses.”
The moves build on Interior actions earlier this year: the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed expanding hunting and fishing access at national wildlife refuges and hatcheries in May, and the department issued a January secretarial order to expand opportunities, both documents show.
Conservation and sporting groups have debated similar changes in the past; when the Interior proposed broader refuge access in May, the agency said the proposal would affect 111 field stations and make more acres available for hunting, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service press release.
This article situates the executive orders in that ongoing policy thread and summarizes the administration’s stated goals and the specific permitting changes the Commerce Department flagged.
Sources
- White House — fact sheet on the executive orders and White House description of expanded access.
- Department of Commerce — press release describing permitting changes, multi-year terms for fishing charters.
- Department of the Interior — press release and earlier secretarial order proposing expanded hunting and fishing access.
- The Hill — coverage of the executive orders and related reporting.
- Fox News — coverage noting the Rose Garden event and attendees.
Further reading: Trump news: what to know about the latest developments and Trump signs executive orders to expand meat processing and livestock competition.
