Gosar Fish Hatchery Bill Passes Natural Resources Committee

Statement

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee voted 25-17 during a legislative markup to successfully pass his sponsored legislation H.R. 5026, the Fish Hatchery Protection Act.

"Today the Natural Resources Committee passed my commonsense legislation to protect vital recreational fishing industries that provide jobs and important revenues for rural communities throughout the country. I am pleased to see that my colleagues on the Committee agree that only Congress should authorize the termination of fish hatchery facilities or programs.

"Recent testimony heard from the Fish and Wildlife Service on the bill made clear that Service failed to hold a public comment period and did not consider job losses or associated economic impact before terminating important recreational fishing programs. Even Deputy Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, Steve Guertin, admitted, "This was not our [the Fish and Wildlife Service's] finest hour."

This continues a disturbing trend of big government, bureaucratic decisions that harm local communities and this overreach by the Fish and Wildlife Service must be stopped."

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