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November 2, 2003, 11:24 AM
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10447190&BRD=1128&PAG=461&dept_id=97933&rfi=6
Daschle sponsors bill to open new land for hunting
BY ROGER LARSEN, OF THE PLAINSMAN November 01, 2003
As he prepares to head home for his annual hunting trip to the Winner and Gregory areas of south central South Dakota, Sen. Tom Daschle is sponsoring a bill to open new land to the hunting public.
"The demand for good places to hunt is beginning to exceed the supply," he said. "That problem seems to be getting worse every year."
Daschle and Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., will introduce an "Open Fields" program which would provide incentive payments to farmers and ranchers who allow public access on their land for hunting and other outdoor activities.
The legislation would provide the framework, but individual states would have the flexibility to decide the specifics, including payment levels.
Daschle and Conrad are proposing a $50 million annual federal appropriation to fund the program.
"Open Fields" legislation would complement the three million acre increase in the Conservation Reserve Program included in the new farm bill. South Dakota received a smaller than expected allotment of CRP acres and Daschle said he has written to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman for an explanation.
The legislation could also encourage more commercial hunting development, he said. Hunting provides a tremendous recreational opportunity in South Dakota.
"Our basic premise is we want to find more and more ways to encourage hunters to come into states like ours," Daschle said.
Meanwhile, he also told reporters in a conference call that for the first time uninsured National Guard and reserve forces will have access to the military health care system even when not on active duty.
A Senate conference committee negotiating the Iraq supplemental appropriations bill agreed to allow members of the Guard and reserves who don't have access to private insurance to purchase Tricare coverage for a modest premium of about $1 a day. The premium is about $430 per year for an individual and about $1,440 for a family.
"That's a big, big start," he said of the committee's approval. "It's a very solid beginning."
No progress was made in moving the energy bill closer to final passage within the last week, Daschle said.
"There are those in the House who want to roll back many of the significant and critical issues which benefit ethanol, on the tax side and policy side," he said.
"It may not get out of conference if this standoff continues," Daschle said.
Supporters of renewable fuels, including all three members of the South Dakota delegation, have been battling opponents.
"I would say the power of the special interests have fought us tooth and nail," Daschle said.
Daschle sponsors bill to open new land for hunting
BY ROGER LARSEN, OF THE PLAINSMAN November 01, 2003
As he prepares to head home for his annual hunting trip to the Winner and Gregory areas of south central South Dakota, Sen. Tom Daschle is sponsoring a bill to open new land to the hunting public.
"The demand for good places to hunt is beginning to exceed the supply," he said. "That problem seems to be getting worse every year."
Daschle and Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., will introduce an "Open Fields" program which would provide incentive payments to farmers and ranchers who allow public access on their land for hunting and other outdoor activities.
The legislation would provide the framework, but individual states would have the flexibility to decide the specifics, including payment levels.
Daschle and Conrad are proposing a $50 million annual federal appropriation to fund the program.
"Open Fields" legislation would complement the three million acre increase in the Conservation Reserve Program included in the new farm bill. South Dakota received a smaller than expected allotment of CRP acres and Daschle said he has written to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman for an explanation.
The legislation could also encourage more commercial hunting development, he said. Hunting provides a tremendous recreational opportunity in South Dakota.
"Our basic premise is we want to find more and more ways to encourage hunters to come into states like ours," Daschle said.
Meanwhile, he also told reporters in a conference call that for the first time uninsured National Guard and reserve forces will have access to the military health care system even when not on active duty.
A Senate conference committee negotiating the Iraq supplemental appropriations bill agreed to allow members of the Guard and reserves who don't have access to private insurance to purchase Tricare coverage for a modest premium of about $1 a day. The premium is about $430 per year for an individual and about $1,440 for a family.
"That's a big, big start," he said of the committee's approval. "It's a very solid beginning."
No progress was made in moving the energy bill closer to final passage within the last week, Daschle said.
"There are those in the House who want to roll back many of the significant and critical issues which benefit ethanol, on the tax side and policy side," he said.
"It may not get out of conference if this standoff continues," Daschle said.
Supporters of renewable fuels, including all three members of the South Dakota delegation, have been battling opponents.
"I would say the power of the special interests have fought us tooth and nail," Daschle said.