Conservation News

Call to action: HELP for Wildlife Act needs angler help immediately

Posted on
Written by
Gene Gilliland

The Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife Act, or HELP for Wildlife Act, was introduced as Senate Bill 1514 in October of 2017. But like many bills in Congress, it has languished and not gotten the attention it deserves. Action is needed immediately to push this bill through before Congress adjourns in a few weeks.

The HELP for Wildlife Act includes many provisions that benefit the nation’s anglers including:

  • Protections for traditional fishing tackle from unwarranted regulation by the EPA such as preventing federal bans on lead weights and fishing lures.
  • Authorizing the National Fish Habitat Partnerships program which will conserve, restore and enhance fish habitat throughout the nation, providing better fishing opportunities. This includes the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership and its Friends of Reservoirs Foundation which provides grants to B.A.S.S. Nation clubs to improve bass habitat in aging reservoirs.
  • Provisions beneficial to the Chesapeake Bay, site of several Bassmaster Elite and B.A.S.S. Nation tournaments.
  • Reauthorization of important conservation programs like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation which provide grants to organizations protecting and enhancing fish habitat and water quality.

These provisions enjoy broad, bipartisan support and the support of virtually the entire wildlife conservation community.

We need a flood of action to make this happen…

First, use the Keep America Fishing Action Center page https://keepamericafishing.org/help-wildlife-act/ and send a message to your Senators to get them on board with this legislation. 

Second, contact the Senate and House Committee leadership to express your support for S. 1514, and to encourage its prioritization and consideration during the final weeks of the legislative session.

Call, text or e-mail:

  • John Barrasso (202-224-6441; www.barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form)
  • Tom Carper (202-224-2441; www.carper.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-senator-carper)
  • Rob Bishop (202-225-0453; https://robbishop.house.gov/contact)
  • Raul Grijalva (202-225-2435; https://grijalva.house.gov/email-raul)

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