December 16, 2005—Alexandria, VA—Yesterday, a provision in a House budget reconciliation bill that would have made possible the sale of public lands to mining and other companies was pulled from the bill. The American Sportfishing Association joined forces with 24 other fishery and conservation groups in a united effort to have the provision removed. A joint letter was sent to members of Congress opposing the sale of public lands to mining companies and other developers because it would "open these previously public lands to development, fragmentation, habitat loss and potential pollution."

"The language was complex, but the bottom line is that selling public lands for any reason hits a sensitive nerve in the angling community," said Gordon C. Robertson, ASA’s vice president.

The letter requested that the measure "…be done in a stand-alone bill as part of regular legislative order with opportunity for public hearings and input, thorough public exposure and scrutiny, and open debate on the details and merits of the proposed legislation."

While the groups are pleased that the sponsors pulled the measure, it is expected to return in the next session of Congress and the groups which signed the letter will now have time to study its potential impact and offer constructive comment for its improvement.

Groups signing the letter were: American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Sportfishing Association, Archery Trade Association, Bear Trust International, Berkley Conservation Institute, Boone and Crockett Club, Bowhunting Preservation Alliance, Campfire Club of America, Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, Dallas Safari Club, ESPN/BASS, Federation of Fly Fishers, Houston Safari Club, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, International Hunter Education Association, Izaak Walton League of America, North American Bear Foundation, North American Grouse Partnership, Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association, Orion, The Hunters Institute, Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Wildlife Forever and Wildlife Management Institute.

The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, uniting more than 650 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing.