Budget proposal has stipulation for more access to public lands

Over recent days, the proposed federal budget for 2013 has garnered attention from a wide variety of interest groups, including those of us concerned about hunters, fishermen and wildlife conservation. While following the budgetary process at any level of government is about as interesting as watching paint dry, it's always a good idea to take a look at some of the details.

One of the items within President Obama's budget that could have an impact on Nevada's outdoorsmen is funding for improved hunter access to existing public lands. The fiscal year 2013 budgets for the U.S. departments of Agriculture and the Interior include a total of $7.5 million that, if appropriated, would be used to acquire hunting and fishing access easements on private property, in those areas where land ownership patterns prevent access to public lands.

"Sportsmen and women want the Forest Service and (Bureau of Land Management) to provide better access to our national forests and BLM lands for hunting and fishing. This new federal budget tackles this problem head-on with this bill," said Ben Wallace, president of the Boone and Crockett Club.

In its statement of support, the Boone and Crockett Club cited the findings of a 2004 report to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, which concluded that "more than 35 million acres of U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service land have inadequate access."

Joining Wallace in support of this proposal is the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which posted the following statement on its blog:

"Reduced access to federal lands is cited as a primary reason that hunters, anglers and target shooters stop participating in these traditional sports. Given this, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the trade association for the firearms industry -- is pleased that the Fiscal Year 2013 budget includes a total of $7.5 million for improving hunting and shooting access to federal lands administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. Securing this funding is a priority for NSSF.

"Once appropriated by Congress, the funding will allow the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to significantly enhance and expand hunting and shooting access on existing federal lands -- many of which are currently closed or extremely difficult to access."

While much of Nevada's public lands are still fairly accessible, there are some places where public access has long been an issue and others where it is a growing concern.

One of those areas is along the Ruby and East Humboldt mountain ranges of Elko County, where private landholdings at the base of those ranges significantly limit access to the publicly owned lands behind them. While some landowners permit public access, others do not, or they charge a healthy access fee. Perhaps this is an area where some of that $7.5 million can be used to purchase access points.

As folks from urban communities continue to relocate in Nevada's rural areas, we are sure to see an increase in "No trespassing" signs where this hasn't been an issue before. A program such as this just might be the key to keeping our public lands accessible to all. Of course, anytime a private landowner opens his gates to let us pass, we need to show them and their property the utmost respect.

For some light budgetary reading, you can access the budgets for the Interior and Agricultural departments at www.doi.gov/budget/2013/13Hilites/toc.html and www.obpa/usda.gov/budsum/FY13budsum.pdf.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at intheoutdoorslv@gmail.com.