(Washington, DC) — U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today successfully offered an amendment to the National Landscape Conservation System Act (H.R. 2016) to protect sportsmen’s right to hunt and fish on nearly 27 million acres of public land.

Congressman Altmire’s amendment will ensure that this bill does not – in any way – limit access for hunting, fishing, trapping or recreational shooting on land enrolled in the National Landscape Conservation System. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 416-5 and the entire bill passed by a vote of 278-140.

“Hunting and fishing are a vital part of our nation’s heritage. I strongly support the rights of our nation’s sportsmen and offered this amendment to make it absolutely clear that they should not be infringed upon,” Altmire said. “With passage of my amendment, access for hunting, fishing, trapping or recreational shooting will not be limited on public lands enrolled in the National Landscape Conservation System.”

The National Landscape Conservation System Act officially recognizes the already-functioning National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS), which provides protective and restorative services to nearly 27 million acres deemed to have significant historical, cultural, ecological, scientific, or scenic value. The amendment was endorsed by 17 environmental and sportsmen organizations including the National Rifle Association, Trout Unlimited and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.