Bipartisan LAKES Act Introduced in The House
Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Jared Huffman (D-CA), recently introduced the Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong (LAKES) Act (H.R. 6906). This bipartisan, bicameral bill – companion to legislation introduced in 2023 by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – would improve outdoor recreation facilities in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed areas, provide new opportunities for public-private investments, and give local districts more flexibility to reinvest their resources.
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California Proposes New Changes to Prop 65 Labelling
California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recently noticed a proposed rulemaking to upend short-form warnings under Prop 65. Among its many changes, OEHHA’s proposal would require all short-form warnings to include at least one chemical on the label. Prop 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. ASA recently joined the California Chamber of Commerce, the Consumer Brands Association and dozens of national and state organizations in a letter to OEHHA outlining our numerous concerns with these burdensome and unnecessary proposed changes.
ASA’s Larry Phillips appointed to Advisory Group
Pacific Fisheries Director Larry Phillips was recently appointed to the Columbia River Recreational Advisory Group. The purpose of the group is to advise Washington and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife on issues affecting recreational salmon, steelhead and sturgeon fisheries in the Columbia River.
Larry’s appointment is a welcome addition to the group and increases ASA’s footprint and advocacy opportunities on the west coast.
Gov. DeSantis Awards $100 Million for Projects to Restore the Indian River Lagoon
In a news release, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced the first awards through the newly established Indian River Lagoon Protection Program, which will provide $100 million in state funding to support 21 water quality projects that will reduce the amount of harmful nutrients entering the lagoon. The projects will include investments in wastewater treatment upgrades, septic-to-sewer connections, stormwater treatment and other needed restoration projects.
“We applaud Governor DeSantis’ continued commitment to programs that seek to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon, a unique ecosystem and a jewel amongst Florida’s many waterways,” said Martha Guyas, Southeast fisheries policy director for the American Sportfishing Association. “Ensuring that residents and visitors alike have access to clean water and abundant fisheries is critical to fueling Florida’s angling economy, which supports small businesses and more than 119,000 jobs across the state.”
