Hunters and Anglers Cheer as Abandoned Mine Remediation Legislation Heads to the President’s Desk

December 12, 2024

House passage follows unanimous Senate passage earlier this year

On Tuesday, the United States House of Representatives passed the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024. This bill will help clean up pollution from abandoned mines by removing barriers and risks for state agencies, nonprofits, and other groups eager to help improve water quality impacted by abandoned hardrock mines. The bill now awaits the president’s signature.

There are an estimated 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features throughout the United States; an estimated 22,500 of those pose environmental hazards. Many of these mines have been abandoned for decades, leeching toxic, heavy metals into water sources. This legislation authorizes a pilot program that grants permits to Good Samaritans, such as state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits, to remediate these mines. It also introduces liability protections that have hampered cleanup efforts in the past.

Trout Unlimited, a conservation organization and TRCP partner dedicated to cold water conservation and the conservation of wild and native trout and salmon, has long championed the need for Good Samaritan protections to accelerate cleanup efforts and played a pivotal role in advocating for the legislation, drawing on decades of on-the-ground restoration experience to raise awareness about the urgent need for action.

“The House’s passage of the bipartisan Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2024 represents a huge step forward for water quality and fish and wildlife habitat in areas surrounding abandoned hardrock mines,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “This legislation has been a priority for the hunting and angling community for a quarter century, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

Photo credit: Kelly Michals

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by: Noah Davis

posted in: Press Releases

TRCP Announces New Conservation Staff Member in Alaska

Alaska senior program manager will bolster organization’s expertise and capacity on key conservation issues

Today, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced the addition of Chelsea Pardo who will fill the vital role of Alaska senior program manager. This position will help the organization achieve its mission to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.

Pardo lives in the Mat-Su Valley of Alaska and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fisheries Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alaska. Most recently, Pardo managed the Governor’s Permit Program through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Conservation Division. In this role, she collaborated with non-profit organizations to raffle or auction hunting and bear viewing permits, raising funds for statewide wildlife management and research efforts.

As Alaska’s senior program manager, Pardo will work to strengthen TRCP’s partnerships with state and federal agencies, rural communities, Tribes, and hunting, fishing, and conservation groups to advance conservation priorities for hunters and anglers.

“I’m thrilled to join the TRCP and focus on conservation efforts for hunters and anglers in Alaska,” said Pardo. “Having grown up in Alaska with the privilege of fishing for salmon and hunting bears, I’m eager to help preserve these opportunities for all.”

Learn more about TRCP’s leadership HERE.

by: Dan Morgan

posted in: Press Releases

December 4, 2024

Hunters and Anglers Applaud House Passage of the Bipartisan ACE Reauthorization Act

The legislation aims to boost funding and provide vital enhancements to conservation programs benefiting fish and wildlife.

The America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed the House on Tuesday December 3, 2024, in a 366-21 vote. The ACE Reauthorization act was sponsored by Representatives Wittman (R-Va.), Kiggans (R-Va.), Dingell (D-Mich.), and Thompson (D-Calif.) and would reauthorize multiple programs that benefit hunting and angling including, the National Fish Habitat Partnership, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It also helps address threats like chronic wasting disease. This reauthorization provides technical improvements, administrative streamlining, and increased authorized funds to improve these programs.

“The America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act will benefit fish and wildlife while enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of hunters and anglers,” said Joel Pedersen, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “TRCP applauds the House’s passage of this important bipartisan legislation and looks forward to building on the success of these crucial conservation programs that will benefit hunters and anglers for generations to come.”

The original ACE Act was passed in 2020 and portions of it were sponsored by Representatives Wittman, Dingell, and Thompson. Many of its authorizations expire next year, necessitating the passage of the ACE Reauthorization Act to ensure these programs can continue to operate in good legal standing.

The legislation is endorsed by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Ducks Unlimited, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation, American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the National Audubon Society.

The ACE Reauthorization Act of 2024 now heads back to the Senate, which passed a different version of the ACE Reauthorization Act by unanimous consent earlier this year.

TRCP works to maintain and strengthen the future of hunting and fishing by uniting and amplifying our partners’ voices in conserving and restoring wildlife populations and their habitat as challenges continue to evolve. Learn more about TRCP’s commitment to healthy habitat and clean water HERE.

by: Noah Davis

posted in: Press Releases

November 21, 2024

MAPWaters Act Advances Out of House Committee

Bill would modernize and increase transparency around public access to federal waters

This week, the House Natural Resources Committee chaired by Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) with ranking member Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) held a markup on several bills which could ultimately be included in an end-of-Congress package advancing public lands, outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, forestry, and fisheries conservation legislation.

Among those bills passed by the committee was the MAPWaters Act, led by Representatives Moore (R-Utah) and Dingell (D-Mich.) and Senators Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and King (I-Maine). The MAPWaters Act would direct federal agencies to digitize and make readily available fishing access and recreational use information on federal waterways.

“TRCP thanks chairman Westerman and ranking member Grijalva for advancing this bipartisan, common-sense bill that would expand access opportunities for anglers, hunters, and outdoor recreationists nationwide,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “The hunting and fishing community stands ready to help advance the MAPWaters Act and countless other bills that could become law through a public lands and waters package this Congress.”

For more than 20 years, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has been at the forefront of conservation, working diligently on behalf of America’s hunters and anglers to ensure America’s legacy of habitat management and access is protected and advanced. Learn more about TRCP’s efforts to enhance access to public lands and waters HERE.

by: Noah Davis

posted in: Press Releases

November 19, 2024

TRCP Legislative Priorities Advance Out of Senate Committee

Included bills would modernize public access to federal waters, address Colorado River water issues, and improve wildlife habitat

Today, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) with ranking member Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) held a markup on 74 bills which could ultimately be included in an end-of-Congress package advancing public lands, outdoor recreation, wildlife conservation, forestry, and fisheries conservation legislation. Several of the bills marked up today would improve the quality of hunting and fishing in America.

“TRCP joins hunters and anglers across the country in thanking Senators Manchin and Barrasso and other members of the committee for their continued efforts to craft a bipartisan public lands package,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Our community stands ready to work to advance legislation that will enhance wildlife habitat, bolster rural economies, and expand hunting and fishing access.”

Below is a list of bills passed out of committee today that we hope to see become law this Congress:

S. 373: The RISEE Act (Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act) would establish several dedicated streams of funding for coastal infrastructure and resiliency to protect vulnerable communities and businesses most impacted by sea level rise and coastal erosion, in turn conserving coastal habitats.
S. 2169: The Watershed Results Act would ensure a streamline approach for identifying watershed improvement projects for improved water quality and quantity, at the lowest cost to taxpayers.
S. 3123: The MAPWaters Act (Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act) would direct federal agencies to digitize water and fishing access and recreational use information on federal waterways and make those resources readily available to the public. 
S. 4576: The Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act would reauthorize the Department of the Interior to fund or participate in pilot projects to increase Colorado River System water in Lake Mead and the Colorado River Storage Project reservoirs through FY2026.

For more than 20 years, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has been at the forefront of conservation, working diligently on behalf of America’s hunters and anglers to ensure America’s legacy of habitat management and access is protected and advanced. Learn more about TRCP’s work supporting the wildlife and fish we love to pursue HERE.