EDWARDS UNVEILS “HUNTING AND FISHING BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES”
Announces Iowa Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Edwards Committee
Glenwood, Iowa – Today, as Senator John Edwards kicks off a four-day tour focused on supporting Iowa families and Iowa values, he unveiled a “Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” to protect Iowa’s hunting and fishing tradition and to ensure that we protect our country’s natural resources for future generations.
“Growing up in small, rural towns, I learned early that America has been blessed with a wealth of natural resources,” said Edwards. “Just as it is our right to enjoy America’s forests, mountains, fields and streams, it is also our responsibility to protect them for generations to come. But the Bush Administration has waged war on the environment, putting corporate interests ahead of our natural heritage at every turn. It’s time to reverse this destruction and renew our commitment to protecting our natural treasures.”
The Edwards campaign also announced Iowa Sportsmen and Sportswomen for Edwards – comprised of more than 350 Iowans who share Edwards’ commitment to protecting and nourishing the important traditions of hunting and fishing.
Edwards is committed to listening to the concerns and standing up for the values of regular, hard-working Iowa families from across the state. During this trip, Edwards will reach a major milestone in his campaign: having visited and answered questions from Iowans in all 99 Iowa counties.
Edwards grew up in small, rural towns where he spent time outdoors, hunted, fished and learned to appreciate our nation’s natural resources. He believes all Americans have a right to enjoy these resources and share a responsibility to protect them. His “Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities” outlines five principles for access to public lands, gun rights, conservation, and safe, healthy fishing.
Improve Access to Public and Recreational Lands. Because too often Americans are unable to enjoy America’s natural places and wildlife, Edwards will support “Open Fields” programs that encourage private landowners to let people hunt and fish on their land. He also supports setting up regional Public Access Councils to give local sportspeople a voice in land management and, instead of opening up backcountry for logging and drilling the way President Bush has done, Edwards will work to preserve our roadless backcountry.
Protect the Tradition of Responsible Gun Ownership. Edwards hunted when he was young and grew up in rural areas where owning a gun was part of a way of life. He respects that way of life and believes that we can do two things at once: protect gun rights and promote gun safety.
Preserve Access to Clean, Healthy Water for Fishing. Edwards will restore the Clean Water Act’s authority over all our nation’s waters and fight mercury pollution in our fish by requiring power plants to reduce their emissions.
Secure our Natural Heritage for Future Generations. Edwards will get the Bureau of Land Management back in the business of protecting our public land instead of working for the oil and gas industry. He will re-invest in the National Park system and work to protect our habitats from invasive species that are skyrocketing in part because of foreign imports that the current administration isn’t willing to regulate.
Expect Citizens to Share Responsibility for Stewardship. Edwards will create new ways for regular Americans to take responsibility for conserving America’s natural treasures. He will help private landowners protect their land through the Conservation Reserve Program and will create an Outdoor Career Corps to train young people for jobs in conservation or park rangers. Finally, when national parks need to cull their game species because of over-population, Edwards supports saving taxpayers millions by having local hunters, instead of paid sharpshooters, do the job.
