February 25, 2025
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the bipartisan and bicameral introduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act (H.R. 1565/ S.704). The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, known as VPA-HIP, is a grant program appropriated through the Farm Bill under which state fish and wildlife agencies and tribes can apply for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand public access to private lands for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife dependent recreation. If enacted, the Volunteer Public Access Improvement Act will increase funding for this important program to $150 million over the life of the Farm Bill.
“The grants administered by this important program are crucial in allowing state fish and wildlife agencies to support public access for wildlife-dependent recreation on private lands,” said Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act will provide much needed funding to increase public access to private lands for recreational opportunities and enhance fish and wildlife habitats.”
The 2018 Farm Bill allocated $50 million for VPA-HIP over five years, and 26 states and one tribe received grants. Increasing the funding level to $150 million will allow prior grant recipients to expand access opportunities, while also enabling states and tribes that have not previously participated to create their own public access programs.
The Association thanks representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Roger Marshall (R-CO) for their leadership in sponsoring this legislation. We look forward to advocating for this legislation to be incorporated into future Farm Bill legislative proposals.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.