NEWS
Farm Bill expands access program for private lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will release $50 million in funding for the “Open Fields” Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. The program expands funding for state-run programs that provide public access to private land for hunting and fishing. New Mexico’s Open Gate is one such program.
Open Fields was authorized by Congress for the first time in the 2008 Farm Bill. New Mexico Wildlife Federation and other sportsmen’s organizations around the nation have been asking for the expanded funding and are please to see it finally come to fruition.
The program sets aside $50 million for states to create or enhance voluntary hunter-access programs on private lands. It also encourages landowners who enroll their properties to employ best-management practices for fish and wildlife. Landowners can receive a financial incentive in exchange for opening lands to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. The program is strictly voluntary.
“This program will not only help achieve conservation goals, but also increase opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation by providing greater access to privately held lands for wildlife-dependent recreation,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
New Mexico’s Open Gate program is funded by $1 out of each $4 Habitat Management and Access Validation stamp. Earlier this year Open Gate coordinator Aaron Roberts said the program has enrolled about 120,000 acres, giving hunters access to those private lands. Additional funding would allow the program to expand. Montana, for example, has 9 million acres in its Block Management Program.