Washington, D.C. – Alaskan Congressman Don Young Tuesday applauded the Senate’s passage of H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, which included an amendment he added to the bill in Committee to exempt subsistence hunters in rural Alaska from being required to purchase the annual permit.
“The passage of the Federal Duck Stamp Act and the subsistence exemption is a major victory for rural Alaska, our many residents who rely on the resource as a critical food supply, and those in remote villages who have faced hardships in obtaining the federal duck stamp,” said Congressman Don Young. “I must thank the numerous Alaska organizations who came forward and asked me to include this important language in the base bill and for supporting me through the process. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law and continuing my work on behalf of all our interest.”
“For many years, subsistence users in Alaska were not required to purchase a stamp, but this changed due to a recent solicitor’s opinion,” said Congressman Young. “Subsistence hunters are not sport hunters. Instead, they are hunting waterfowl to feed their families. While I support raising the price of the duck stamp for sportsmen, myself included, we should not be adding a burden to individuals who rely on subsistence hunting as a means to feed their families. Alaska Natives, and frankly all Alaskans, have done their part to preserve waterfowl habitat and other lands. Tens of millions of acres in Alaska are already tied up in some sort of conservation designation. As a result, none of the funds generated by the duck stamp are spent in Alaska.”
H.R. 5069, the Federal Duck Stamp Act of 2014, now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
