In charting the future of our national forests and grasslands, the buck stops here:

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1 America s 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands offer key habitat for numerous fish and game species and provide publicly accessible hunting and fishing opportunities to millions of sportsmen. From wild sheep, deer, elk, turkey and grouse hunting to wild trout and salmon fishing, these lands will only become more important for our outdoor traditions as America s population continues to grow. Sportsmen are uniting in support of a national forest planning rule that conserves wildlife and fish populations, habitat, hunting and angling opportunities and high-quality outdoor experiences. In charting the future of our national forests and grasslands, the buck stops here: Require forest plans to include multiple-use plan components that show how they will provide habitat conditions for relatively common species such as deer, elk, grouse and trout that are enjoyed and used by the public. Such provisions should be consistent with species population objectives set by state fish and wildlife agencies. Require monitoring for non-routine projects and activities to ensure the conservation of fish and wildlife species during and after development. Require forest plans to ensure that healthy populations of fish and wildlife are sustained and distributed throughout each forest, consistent with the habitat. Create a standard 100ft minimum default development buffer for streams, lakes and rivers that assures the conservation of watersheds important to fisheries and anglers. Require that commercial timber cutting in areas identified as suitable for timber production sustains the long-term health and productivity of the land and benefits fish and wildlife. Mandate the use of best available science in planning, management and monitoring. Require cooperation with state fish and wildlife agencies when designing and implementing landuse plans, on-the-ground management activities, monitoring and survey design. Require planning for desirable nonnative species that are recreationally and economically important, such as brown trout and ring-necked pheasants, where compatible with native species. Provide multiple-use language for sustainable cultural and historic uses such as hunting, fishing, trapping and horse packing.

2 Supported by: National American Fisheries Society Gus Rassam, Executive Director American Fly Fishing Trade Association Gary Berlin, Business Manager American Sportfishing Association Gordon Robertson, Vice President Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Jim Akenson, Executive Director Bull Moose Sportsmen s Alliance Tim Mauck, Co-Director Federation of Fly Fishers Philip Greenlee, President Grand Slam Club/Ovis Dennis Campbell, Executive Director Izaak Walton League of America Scott Kovarovics, Conservation Director Mule Deer Foundation Miles Moretti, President & CEO National Wildlife Federation Land Tawney, Senior Manager for Sportsmen Leadership Orion, The Hunters Institute Eric Nuse, Executive Director Pheasants Forever Howard Vincent, CEO Quail Forever Howard Vincent, CEO 2

3 Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership Whit Fosburgh, President & CEO Trout Unlimited Steve Moyer, Vice President for Gov t Affairs Western Native Trout Initiative Robin Knox, Coordinator Wild Sheep Foundation Gray Thornton, CEO Wildlife Forever Douglas H. Grann, President & CEO Wildlife Society Tom Ryder, President Wildlife Management Institute Steve Williams, President Alaska Sportsmen s Alliance for Alaska Scott Hed, Director Arizona Arizona Bighorn Sheep Society Joe Sheehey, President Arizona Deer Association John Koleszar, President Arizona Sportsmen For Wildlife Conservation Jim Unmacht, President Arizona Flycasters Club Roger Cahoon, President Arizona Shooting Sports Education Foundation Russ Gunderson, Chairman Coconino Sportsman Club Tom Mackin, President 3

4 Coues Whitetail Association Amanda Moore, President Mogollon Sportsmen Gary Barcom, President Mohave Sportsman Club Steve Bell, President Outdoor Experience For Everyone Eddy Corona, President Southern Arizona Wildlife Callers Jim Littlejohn, President White Mountain Lakes Foundation John Rohmer, President Colorado Colorado Backcountry Hunter and Anglers David Lien, Co-Chair CO Bowhunters Association Ivan James, Vice Chair of Legislation Colorado Wildlife Federation Suzanne O Neil, Executive Director Idaho Idaho Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Derrick Reeves, Co-Chair Michigan Michigan United Conservation Clubs Erin McDonough, Executive Director Montana Gallatin Wildlife Association Glenn Hockett Helena Hunters & Anglers Association Stan Frasier, President 4

5 Hellgate Hunters & Anglers Land Tawney, President Libby Rod and Gun Club Don Clark, President Meagher County Sporstmen George T. Kirkwood, President Montana Wildlife Federation Craig Sharpe, Executive Director Montana River Action Joe Gutkoski, President Park County Rod and Gun Hayes Goosey, President Yellowstone Buffalo Foundation Joe Gutkoski, President Minnesota Minnesota Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Darrell Spencer, Chair New Mexico Dona Ana County Associate Sportsmen Tony Popp, President Gila/Rio Grande Chapter, Trout Unlimited Jeff Arterburn, President Mesilla Valley Longbeards/National Wild Turkey Federation Jim Bates, Chairman New Mexico Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation Jim Bates, President New Mexico Council, Trout Unlimited William Schudlich, Chairman New Mexico Quail, Inc. John Moen, President 5

6 New Mexico Wildlife Federation Ed Olona, President Southwest Consolidated Sportsmen Dr. Sanford Schemnitz, President Wild Turkey Sportsmens Association C. J. Goins, President New York New York State Conservation Council Howie Cushing, President Nevada Coalition for Nevada s Wildlife Larry Johnson, President Oregon Association of Northwest Steelheaders Russell Bassett, Executive Director Oregon Council, Trout Unlimited Thomas Wolf, Chair Washington Greater Seattle Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America A. William Way, President Washington State Council, Federation of Fly Fishers Don Bolstad, VP for Conservation Washington Wildlife Federation Mark Quinn, President 6