Open Fields Funding Finally Hits the Ground
It has taken years and lots of hard work and persistence by many individuals and groups, including the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, union leaders and union members, but at long last, monies for Open Fields are hitting the ground and enhancing and expanding public access to private lands in 17 states.
Officially called the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, Open Fields was part of the 2008 Farm Bill. And while the wheels of government often turn slowly, they do turn, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack recently announced that 17 states will receive a total of $11.76 million dollars for public access programs.
Interestingly, grants were awarded to states in the east, mid-west and far west, benefitting sportsmen and women across the nation - not just one region of the country. Those grants are listed below:
Arizona: $600,000
Colorado: $445,318
Idaho: $400,000
Illinois: $525,250
Iowa: $500,000
Kansas: $1,500,000
Kentucky: $651,515
Michigan: $457,499
Minnesota: $582,367
Nebraska: $1,091,164
North Dakota: $300,000
Oregon: $786,795
Pennsylvania: $1,500,000
South Dakota: $558,325
Utah: $84,837
Washington: $836,999
Wisconsin: $936,040
With access to good hunting and fishing becoming a greater challenge each year, this is good news for all of us. And you can bet the USA will be working to expand and enhance public access through its new Boots on the Ground program in the years to come.
