Goodlatte gets NRA appreciation for Farm Bill provision

From staff reports
Published: June 13, 2008

Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte was thanked Friday by leaders of the National Rifle Association for his support of the “Open Fields Initiative’‘ language in the 2008 Farm Bill.
The langauge in the House and Senate versions comprise the Voluntary Public Access and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program to increase public access to private hunting grounds.
The bill will provide $50 million during fiscal years 2009-12 to fund state efforts to develop voluntary, incentive-based programs that expand public access to private lands.
The initiative would also amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to encourage owners and operators of privately-held farm, ranch and forest lands to voluntarily make their lands accessible to the public under programs administered by states and tribal governments.
If fully funded, the “Open Fields Initiative’‘ will open up more than 10 million new acres of private land to the public each year.
Chris Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist, said the NRA wanted to thank Goodlatte “for his leadership and support to bring this proposal to law.“