President Trump Signs Resolution Overturning U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regulation
End-of-term Obama Regulation Seized Alaska’s Authority to Manage Fish and Game
WASHINGTON, DC – The Alaska Congressional Delegation today applauded President Trump’s signing of H.J. Res. 69, a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn an August 5, 2016 rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that seized authority away from the State of Alaska to manage fish and wildlife on federal refuge lands in Alaska:
“Upholding the rule of law and protecting Alaska’s authority to manage fish and game throughout our state is critically important to me – which is why I worked tirelessly to eliminate this unlawful rule from the federal register,” said sponsor of H.J. Res. 69 Congressman Don Young. “I thank all those that made this moment a reality, including Senators Sullivan and Murkowski, the State of Alaska, numerous stakeholders, and our partners in Congress and the White House. The FWS rule was entirely inappropriate. Not only was it a major violation of laws passed by Congress, it undermined years of scientific and peer reviewed game management in Alaska and falsely vilified the people of my state. Because so many people have fallen victim to blatant falsehoods pushed by the Humane Society and others, it’s important to note that this resolution does not allow for ‘brutal, inhumane or unsporting’ hunting practices. The State of Alaska is very clear about that, this does not occur. This resolution was about the authority to manage fish and game in Alaska – as outlined in the Alaska Statehood Act and ANILCA. The Obama administration never ceased to amaze me when it came to trampling upon the promises made to the Alaskan people, and this rule was yet another blow to the rural residents of my state. I applaud all those that stood united with the Alaskan people. I’m proud to say logic, reason and the law won the day.”
“I thank President Trump for signing this important measure into law. This unlawful and unprecedented Fish and Wildlife rule was a prime example of why having the Congressional Review Act is so important,” said Senator Sullivan. “Specifically, the rule undercut meaningful public participation in refuge management decisions, utterly disregarded the legal protections and rights given to the state in the Alaska Statehood Act and ANILCA, and upended the cooperative relationship that has existed between federal agencies and the state for years. I was proud to work alongside Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to pass this resolution in both bodies of Congress to restore the sovereignty of Alaska in managing fish and wildlife on our lands.”
“I was pleased to get a call from President Trump yesterday after he signed the disapproval resolution to overturn the rule restricting Alaska's ability to manage wildlife on federal refuge lands,” Senator Murkowski said. “By signing it, the president has upheld states’ rights, protected Alaska’s hunting and fishing traditions, and put a swift end to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s wanton effort to take greater control of nearly 77 million acres of our state. I thank all who supported this resolution – including Sen. Sullivan and Rep. Young, who sponsored the Senate and House versions of it – to restore our authority to determine the best practices for wildlife management in Alaska.”
On February 7, 2017, Alaska Congressman Don Young introduced H.J. Res 69 to overturn a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rule that significantly undermines public participation and restricts the state’s ability to manage fish and wildlife on federal refuge lands in Alaska. Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski are both the sponsors of Senate companion legislation to H.J. Res 69.
H.J. Res 69 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on February 16, 2017. The Senate passed H.J. Res 69 on March 21, 2017.
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