USSA Leads the Way on Protecting Outdoor Activities in National ParksAfter a recent court decision, the antis have been given a possible loophole to exploit and shut down hunting, angling, and trapping in national parks. USSA is working with sportsmen’s groups and other conservationists to close the loophole and stop the antis before they strike. Referring to official National Park policies, a U.S. District Court barred any visitor activity in a national park that would have an “adverse impact” and was not “necessary and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of the park.” The language is open to enough interpretation that it doesn’t take much imagination to see that the antis could successfully use that to argue hunting, angling, and trapping would have an adverse impact and are not necessary to the functioning of a park. The Park policy language the court referred to in its decision was taken completely out of context and does not accurately reflect the intent of the National Park Service. USSA is asking that the language in the section referred to by the court be changed so that it can’t be reinterpreted by those who would shut down sportsmen activities. Numerous sportsmen groups have joined with USSA in working to close this loophole as have many from the recreational community, such as snowmobile drivers and rock climbers. |
