January 13, 2026
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the U.S. Department of the Interior for issuing Secretarial Order 3447, Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Department of the Interior Lands and Waters. The order directs coordination with state fish and wildlife agencies and reinforces a science-based approach to wildlife management, including decisions related to the use of ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands.
“State fish and wildlife agencies manage wildlife for the benefit of all Americans, using science-based frameworks developed over decades of successful conservation,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “We appreciate Secretary Burgum’s commitment to coordination with state fish and wildlife agencies and his recognition that effective conservation is achieved through collaboration, not one-size-fits-all mandates.”
Today, Johansen also provided testimony to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries on the importance of public access for hunting, angling, and recreating. Johansen emphasized that decisions affecting hunting, angling, and wildlife management should be made through cooperative processes that respect state authority, incorporate the best available science, and consider on-the-ground conditions. Secretarial Order 3447 reinforces these principles and provides important certainty for states, hunters, anglers, and conservation partners.
“America’s wildlife conservation model depends on partnership,” said Ron Regan, Executive Director of the Association. “Secretarial Order 3447 helps ensure that federal actions align with state-led conservation programs that have delivered measurable benefits for wildlife and habitat nationwide.”
The Association looks forward to continued collaboration with the Department of the Interior, and all federal partners, Tribes, and conservation stakeholders to advance shared conservation goals and sustain the nation’s wildlife heritage for future generations.
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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.