Reps. Lyons, Rendon, Glardon, Bumstead, Poleski, Huuki, Crawford, McBroom, MacMaster, Pettalia, Outman, Cotter, Kowall, Foster, Shirkey, Gilbert, Wayne Schmidt, Nesbitt, Heise and Tyler offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 178.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact the "Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act."

            Whereas, Michigan has a long and distinguished heritage of hunting, fishing, and shooting sports as a form of wildlife conservation management and recreation; and

            Whereas, Hundreds of thousands of Michigan citizens participate in these traditional activities each year; and

            Whereas, Recreational fishing and hunting are environmentally acceptable and beneficial activities that occur and can be provided on federal public lands and waters without adverse effects on other uses or users; and

            Whereas, Recreational fishing and hunting are often the original or primary purpose for which federal public lands were established; and

            Whereas, Recreational anglers, hunters, and associated industries have generated billions of dollars of critical funding for fish and wildlife conservation, research, and management by providing revenues from purchases of fishing and hunting permits and stamps. In addition, excise taxes on fishing, hunting, and shooting equipment have also generated billions of dollars of critical funding for fish and wildlife conservation, research, and management; and

            Whereas, Opportunities to recreationally fish, hunt, and shoot are declining, which depresses participation in these traditional activities, and depressed participation adversely impacts fish and wildlife conservation and funding for important conservation efforts; and

            Whereas, A recent decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has the potential to reduce federal public lands traditionally available for hunting, fishing, and shooting sport activities; and

            Whereas, The public interest would be served, and our citizens' fish and wildlife resources benefitted, by action to ensure that opportunities for fishing and hunting on federal public lands are promoted; and

            Whereas, Congressman Dan Benishek has introduced H.R. 2834, known as the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act, for the 112th Congress aimed at recognizing "the heritage of recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting on Federal public lands" and to "ensure continued opportunities for these activities"; and

            Whereas, During Michigan’s 96th Legislature the House and Senate have passed resolutions to oppose bans on firearm hunting and snowmobile recreation in certain areas of the Huron-Manistee National Forest; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to enact the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act and encourage the continued advancement of opportunities and recognition of recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting activities on federal public lands; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan Congressional delegation.