Environment

U.S. Expands Fishing, Hunting Access In National Wildlife Refuges

The rule opens seven national wildlife refugees that were previously closed to hunting and sport fishing and expands those activities at 70 others.

U.S. Expands Fishing, Hunting Access In National Wildlife Refuges
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The Trump administration has officially expanded hunting and fishing access in dozens of national wildlife refuges.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — which is part of the Interior Department — announced the controversial changes last month, but they weren't published in the Federal Register until Tuesday.

The new rule opens seven national wildlife refuges that were previously closed to hunting and sport fishing and expands those activities at 70 others.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said last month the move is the "largest single effort to expand hunting and fishing access in recent history" and called it a "big win" for sportsmen and -women across the U.S.

But critics aren't seeing it as a victory. One conservationist told The Associated Press officials don't seem to have a way to monitor how the changes might affect the wildlife in those areas.