House subcommittee hears same‑day secretarial order to default public lands to open for hunting and fishing

The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries heard testimony on a new Department of the Interior direction intended to increase hunting and fishing access on federal lands and waters.

Brian Nesbick, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told the panel the secretary issued a secretarial order earlier the same day instructing bureaus that federal land should be open to hunting and fishing unless specific, legally supported exceptions apply. Nesbick said the Service will implement the order by identifying new opportunities, streamlining permitting and aligning Service regulations with those of surrounding states and local governments.

Nesbick outlined a near‑term goal that “all refuges and hatcheries are open to hunting and fishing within two years, except in rare cases where conflicts with legal mandates, public safety, or sensitive species or habitats exist.” He cited work already under way to repair infrastructure—blinds, docks and roads—using legacy restoration funding provided through the Great American Outdoors Act.

Committee members from both parties described access as central to recruiting future hunters and anglers and to the revenue model that funds much wildlife conservation. Ranking Member Hoyle and other members repeatedly tied access to funding streams such as Pittman‑Robertson and Dingell‑Johnson excise taxes and to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Nesbick emphasized partnership with state wildlife agencies and tribes, saying many game species remain managed by states and that federal action should complement, not supplant, state programs. He said the Service will solicit and incorporate state and stakeholder input as it identifies new access opportunities.

The hearing record will remain open for written follow‑ups; members asked for additional detail on how the Service will define exceptions, implement regulatory changes, and measure the access goals.