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U.S. Secretary of the Interior announces expansion to hunting and fishing areas nationwide

Announcement was made while visiting Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Ohio — A special visit from the secretary of the Department of Interior in Northwest Ohio, was to promote a plan by the Federal Government to open up more land to hunters and anglers across the country.

Wednesday at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, multiple officials including David Bernhardt, Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior announced plans to expand the areas where hunting and fishing can take place across the United States.

1.4 million additional acres of land will see hunting and fishing regulations either removed or reworked at 74 national wildlife refuges and 15 national fish hatcheries.

"For the first time in history across all service lands, including some of our hatcheries," said Margaret Everson, Deputy Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is one of two locations to see those expansions in Ohio.

Local leadership said lack of access to areas where hunting and fishing is allowed is the biggest hurdle for some who are beginners.

"One of the biggest questions that we get from our hunters and anglers is 'Where's our access? We need access," said Jason Lewis, manager of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

Secretary of the Interior Bernhardt said hunters and anglers are not only some of the biggest proponents of nature conservation, but the license fees are also the driving economic factor for conservation funding.

The goal is in expanding areas where people can hunt and fish opens up the opportunity for more people to participate.

"With all of the hope that we get more people out. And that drives securing the model of wildlife conservation we've had because if we can't get people out, that jeopardizes the model itself," said Bernhardt.

"It helps reduce herds, it keeps herds healthy; you're taking out the excess population. And it's providing individuals that enjoy the outdoors and opportunity to get out and do a traditional, cultural use," said Jason Lewis.

To be implemented by 2020, these new federal regulations need to be finalized by this fall. 

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