The Department of Interior announced Aug. 13 it plans to add 1,500 hunting and fishing opportunities across over 90 million acres \u2014 including Utah land.\u00a0The department said hunting does not pose a threat to the wildlife populations, and it may even be necessary for staff to reasonably manage the area and to boost local economies.\u00a0Some Utah wildlife advocacy groups believe the Trump administration\u2019s fixation on improving the economy and its commitment to a broad deregulation agenda comes as a detriment to Utahns.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump has been no stranger to deregulating government land for the benefit of the public, including the controversial shrinkage of Bears Ears<\/a> last month. At the beginning of his second term, Trump\u2019s Executive Order, \u201cUnleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation\u201d<\/a> directed the Department of Interior to remove barriers to hunting and fishing access. <\/p>\n On Aug. 13, the DOI announced that\u2019s what it plans to do. <\/p>\n Their new rule will add nearly 1,500 hunting and fishing opportunities at 111 refuges and hatcheries across 32 states. <\/p>\n More than 90 million acres \u2014 about 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands<\/a> \u2014 are available for hunting. In Utah, this may include well-known areas such as Jones Hole, Bear River, Green River and more<\/a>. <\/p>\n This new rule will open hunting and fishing at refuges and hatcheries, increase access to sport fishing in areas that were once closed, and expand upland game, migratory bird and big game hunting. <\/p>\n \u201cAmerica\u2019s hunters and anglers now have something significant to look forward to in the fall … \u201d said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. \u201cUnder President Trump\u2019s leadership, we are committed to building on and increasing access for hunters and anglers on our public lands and waters.\u201d <\/p>\n Beyond opening new opportunities, the rule will also streamline federal regulations: The department is simplifying over 1,000 regulatory provisions, making it easier for hunters to understand and comply with rules.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden and working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities,\u201d said Burgum. <\/p>\n What this means for Utah\u2019s wildlife \u2014 and economy<\/p>\n The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claims fishing and hunting can be an important \u201crecreational management tool\u201d: <\/p>\n \u201cNational wildlife refuges exist primarily to safeguard wildlife populations through habitat preservation,\u201d the service wrote on its website. <\/p>\n The word \u2018refuge\u2019 implies creating a safe haven for wildlife \u2014 one that might seem inconsistent with the DOI\u2019s new rule. \u201cHowever, habitat that normally supports healthy wildlife populations produces harvestable surpluses that are a renewable resource.\u201d<\/p>\n The DOI claims that hunting does not pose a threat to the wildlife populations \u2014 and it may even be necessary for staff to reasonably manage the area. <\/p>\n