National Hunting And Fishing Day
Floor Speech
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I am here today in recognition of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which was recognized on September 26. Hunters and anglers contribute significantly to our Nation's economy. More than 1 million hunters and anglers add over $3 billion each year into Michigan's economy alone.
From the very beginning, hunting and fishing have been at the center of Michigan's history and culture. Our two great peninsulas, surrounded by the magnificent Great Lakes, are home to over 8 million acres of public hunting land, tens of thousands of rivers and streams, and some of the best hunting and fishing in the United States. Whether meandering along Hemingway's Fox or Two Hearted Rivers for brook trout and ruffed grouse, or making the annual trip to deer camp with friends and family, Michigan's proud heritage comes with a sense of profound responsibility to protect that legacy for future generations.
We have made some important progress. I have been pleased to spearhead a number of efforts including Federal funding to stop the invasive cormorant from destroying our fisheries. This project has already shown conclusive results in bringing back once-decimated fishing areas. Through my work on the Senate Agriculture Committee, we have invested over $4 billion in new conservation efforts that will protect wildlife habitats and increase access for hunters and anglers across the country. Most recently, the Senate passed $400 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up the Great Lakes.
While we have made progress, there is more work to be done. I will continue to work for passage of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act and the Clean Water Restoration Act, which will help preserve Michigan's 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, including over 1,000 miles of blue-ribbon trout streams. I will also continue to work to ensure access to public lands and waterways.
Working together, we can preserve our natural resources so others can enjoy our rich hunting and fishing heritage for generations to come.
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