WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) applauded the Secretarial Order 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and Waters.

"I applaud the Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's Secretarial Order that will ensure no lead ban and provide choice for hunters and anglers," said Rep. Wittman. "This effort reflects mimics the legislation - the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act - I introduced last year. It would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands and waters unless such regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science. I call on the House to pass this measure and codify the efforts so that hunters and anglers have the certainty they deserve."

Specifically, the Secretarial Order calls out lead ammunition and tackle:

• Restrictions on lead ammunition or tackle may not be included in station-specific regulations, except in rare circumstances when: (i) site-specific and species-specific scientific evidence demonstrates a direct population-level impact on wildlife; or (ii) required to align with State or Tribal law in the interest of regulatory consistency.

• All lead ammunition or tackle restrictions must be approved by the Director based on aforementioned documented justification.

• FWS may continue implementing voluntary lead-free incentive programs at units where such programs already exist and shall evaluate their effectiveness before proposing any further changes.

This Secretarial Order mimics the Congressman's bill, and last year, both the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Natural Resources Committee favorably reported out the legislation. It is now awaiting full House consideration.

To learn more about the Congressman's Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act, please click here.

To read the full text, please click here.