AGENDA

Monday, December 19, 2022

11:00 AM EST – 5:00 PM EST or until complete

The Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council will meet via teleconference/web on Monday, December 19, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The meeting is open to the public.

December 23, 2022 

11:00am 

Convene

Welcome and Introductions

    - Doug Hobbs, Council Designated Federal Officer, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Introduction of HWCC Co-Chairs 

Remarks of The Honorable Deb Haaland, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior 

11:30 

Meeting overview 

     - HWCC Co-Chairs 

11:45 

USDA Overview and Update on Animal Disease Surveillance and Management. 

     - Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Overview of Private Land Conservation and Farm Bill programs implemented by the Department of Agriculture. 

     - Bidisha Bhattacharyya, Senior Advisor - Climate and Conservation, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Overview of Wildfire, Restoration and Recreation on National Forest System lands. 

     - Meryl Harrell, Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Meeting Transcript Session #1: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm

1:00pm

Break (30 minutes)

1:30 

Public comments provided by E. Hardy Kern III, Director of Government Relations, Pesticides and Birds Campaign, American Bird Conservancy

Public comments provided by E. Hardy Kern III, Director of Government Relations, Pesticides and Birds Campaign, American Bird Conservancy and Geoff Haskett, President - National Wildlife Refuge Association

Public comments provided by Elaine Leslie

Public comments provided by B. Ker

Public comment provide by Chandra Rosenthal, Rocky Mountain Office Director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

         - PEER rulemaking petition  to the Department of the Interior to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle in National Parks.



         - Letter from The Coalition  to Protect America's National Parks Ongoing use of toxic lead ammunition and fishing

                tackle in units of the National Park System



         - Letter to Secretary Deb Haaland  advocating a ban on use of lead ammunition an fishing tackle on National Parks.

2:00 

Overview and discussion of issues related to future management of the use of lead-based firearm ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands and waters managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

  • Summary of lead-related provisions of 2022 Hunt/Fish rule 

          - Mitch Ellis, Chief - Division of Natural Resources, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

          - Todd Katzner, Ph.D., Research Wildlife Biologist, Forest & Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey 

  • Summary of factors for addressing the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle on National Wildlife Refuge System lands and waters, including available administrative mechanisms and opportunities.  

           - Cynthia Martinez, Chief – National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

3:50

Break (10 minutes)

4:00 

Council discussion and identification of future issues for consideration

4:50 

Closing remarks

    - Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

5:00 

Adjourn 

Meeting Transcript Session #2: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Meeting minutes

                 

Two hunters in dirt camouflage bunker with shot guns raised to the sky.
"The Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council's purpose is to provide recommendations to the Federal Government, through the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, that (a) benefit wildlife resources; (b) encourage partnership among the public; sporting conservation...
Program