by Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Virginia
For many families in the Sixth Congressional District,
sitting down at the dinner table is welcome ground for an old tale of a past
hunting or fishing trip. Whether it’s a love of the sport, or simply spending
time in the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting are
traditions shared by the young and old. Ensuring that these activities are
available to share with future generations is an important part of our heritage
as Americans.
The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, or SHARE Act, is a package of bills that revises several existing programs to expand access to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. The SHARE Act, which passed the House of Representatives with my support, also helps eliminate some of the federal red tape standing in the way of outdoor sporting activities.
The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, or SHARE Act, is a package of bills that revises several existing programs to expand access to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. The SHARE Act, which passed the House of Representatives with my support, also helps eliminate some of the federal red tape standing in the way of outdoor sporting activities.
The federal government currently owns 640 million acres of
land, or roughly 30 percent of the United States. In Virginia, the federal
government owns 2.5 million acres of land, including vast areas in the Sixth
District. Oftentimes, federal agencies block access to hunting, fishing, or
recreational shooting on these lands. One critical aspect of the SHARE Act is
that it will require federal agencies, like the Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management, to open certain public lands for recreational sports. These
are your American taxpayer funded lands – why shouldn’t you have access to
them?
Our Second Amendment rights are safeguarded by the United States Constitution.
This is a fundamental individual right that neither Congress nor the
Administration may infringe upon. The SHARE Act includes a provision
protecting law-abiding citizens’ right to carry a firearm on Army Corps of
Engineer lands, like campgrounds. Read more about the SHARE Act in my weekly
column.
Each year, $2.5 billion is spent in Virginia alone on fishing and hunting.
Opening additional lands to these activities will only help to boost the
economic benefits for our communities. I understand the importance of future
generations of Virginians having access to the great outdoors, without
roadblocks put in front of them by the federal government. Hunting, fishing,
and recreation opportunities should be increased, not reduced, and the SHARE
Act goes a long way toward strengthening the outdoor heritage shared by
millions of Americans.
******************************
Think of the land that Purcellville owns. More could be done with the over 1200 acres of land at the Purcellville watershed. It is a shame that the taxpayers do not have access to this land, yet the taxpayers have the burden. Email the town council with your concerns.
For those on Facebook, follow Friends of the Purcellville Watershed
