Bill > HR528

This bill, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act, mandates that federal public land management officials, specifically those from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service, must facilitate access to and use of federal public lands for fishing, sport hunting, and recreational shooting. These lands are to remain open for these activities unless the managing agency closes them for specific reasons like resource conservation, public safety, energy production, water supply facilities, or national security. The bill also requires agency heads to use their existing authorities to lease or permit land for shooting ranges and designate areas for recreational shooting. Furthermore, any permanent or temporary closure or significant restriction of 640 or more contiguous acres of federal public land for fishing or hunting activities will require prior notice, coordination with state wildlife agencies, and notification to congressional committees. The bill defines "Federal public land" as land managed by the BLM or Forest Service, and clarifies terms like "hunting," "recreational fishing," and "recreational shooting." It also specifies that these provisions do not affect the National Park Service or diminish state authority over fish and wildlife management.