Exclusive: Trump team goes to bat for NRA-backed bill, deleting Park Service concerns

[babylonsister]

McClatchy DC | McClatchyDC.com

Congress is considering legislation that would allow hunting of bears in their dens, including cubs, in Alaska’s national preserves, by prohibiting the National Parks Service from restricting such practices.

National
Exclusive: Trump team goes to bat for NRA-backed bill, deleting Park Service concerns

By Stuart Leavenworth
August 23, 2017 6:00 AM
WASHINGTON


The National Park Service has several big problems with NRA-backed legislation that would restrict the agency from regulating hunting and fishing within park boundaries. But according to a leaked memo obtained by McClatchy, the Trump administration has so far prevented the parks from voicing such concerns.

National Park Service Acting Director Michael Reynolds prepared a June 30 memo detailing his agency’s objections to the draft legislation, the “Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act.”

Under the bill, the National Park Service would be prevented from regulating the hunting of bears and wolves in Alaska wildlife preserves, including the practice of killing bear cubs in their dens. It also would be prevented from regulating commercial and recreational fishing within park boundaries and from commenting on development projects outside park boundaries that could affect the parks.

Reynolds objected to these and other parts of the bill in a memo sent to the U.S. Department of Interior’s Legislative Counsel. The park service later received a response from Interior, with sections of Reynolds’ concerns crossed out, next to the initials “C.H.”

Agency officials were told they could not repeat their concerns to Congress, according to Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, who obtained the memo and provided a copy to McClatchy.

“It appears the national parks are no longer allowed to give Congress their honest views about the impacts of pending legislation,” said Ruch, whose organization serves as a support network for environmental agency employees and whistle blowers.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article168730552.html

[riversedge]

1. OK folks, Time to be productive-PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW.

[haveahart]

2. Give them the label "FAKE HUNTERS."