On June 30, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and a bipartisan group of senators introduced the Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife (HELP for Wildlife Act, S. 1514). The legislation reauthorizes the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, and several Chesapeake Bay conservation programs. In addition, the bill promotes the building and expansion of shooting ranges, ensures that lead fishing tackle is not regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and contains provisions affecting listing of wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

“We are so fortunate to live in a country as full of natural beauty and as rich in wildlife as the United States, and it’s important we take steps to preserve those resources,” said bill co-sponsor Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV). “This legislative package includes a number of important measures that will help protect our unique ecosystems and enable us to better enjoy our country’s natural gifts, both in wild and wonderful West Virginia and across the country. I am proud to have introduced a number of bills reflected in this legislation—including measures to support the building and expansion of public target ranges, as well as the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay.”