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Today, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) reintroduced bipartisan legislation, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act, to reauthorize and strengthen the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provides grants to states and tribal governments to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily open their lands for public use while upholding private property rights. The bill increases the program’s funding from $50 million to $150 million over 5 years, from fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation.
 
A lack of access to land is a common barrier to participation in outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, angling, and wildlife viewing. The VPA-HIP seeks to address this challenge by expanding public access to land for recreation purposes. It would stimulate local economies by supporting jobs in the outdoor recreation economy, specifically in our rural communities. Funding from this program is also utilized to provide assistance to landowners for wildlife habitat improvement and enhancement programs. 
 
“Outdoor recreation like fishing and hunting have always been central to Michigan’s culture and heritage, and continuing to expand access to land for public use is important to continuing these rich traditions,” said Rep. Dingell. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act will expand outdoor recreation opportunities nationwide, improve access to the outdoors for all Americans, and bolster critical conservation efforts. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral effort to help people get outside and enjoy Michigan’s natural beauty.” 

“Encouraging conservation and public access to land through a voluntary program promotes personal freedom and agency, rather than the government’s heavy hand,” said Rep. Johnson. “This program’s success will protect outdoor recreation traditions for future generations of South Dakotans.”

The 2018 Farm Bill made $50 million available for the VPA-HIP, of which Michigan received $1,587,600. Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources used these funds to increase public access for hunting through the Hunting Access Program (HAP). This funding has particularly benefited the Southern region of the state, where most of the state’s population lives and where 97 percent of the land base is privately owned. The HAP has provided access to quality hunting land, specifically near urban centers for those who would otherwise lack access to the outdoors.

The bill is supported by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation, the American Sportfishing Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever, the National Deer Association, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Ducks Unlimited, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. 

“State-led access programs are hurting this year without support from VPA-HIP, and including the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act in a 2025 farm bill would be a major positive development for hunters and anglers," said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We are thrilled to see such an influential, bipartisan group of leaders recognize the importance of increased hunting and fishing access by introducing this legislation. Thank you, Representatives Dingell and Johnson and Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall, for your leadership and support."

“Recovering wildlife, restoring habitat, and expanding recreational access on private lands is a win-win for both wildlife and the hunters, anglers, and outdoorspeople, who power the outdoor recreation economy,” said Aviva Glaser, Senior Director of Agriculture Policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “This common-sense, bipartisan bill will ensure farmers, ranchers, and private land owners have the tools and resources they need through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to ensure our shared wildlife heritage endures for future generations. Thank you to Representatives Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Senators Steve Daines, Michel Bennet, and Roger Marshall for working to pass this important bipartisan legislation.”

“Since 2008, the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program has provided crucial support to increase fishing access on private lands,” said Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act will expand this proven program, working with landowners to open waters for America’s anglers while supporting the $230 billion economic impact generated by recreational fishing. The American Sportfishing Association thanks Representatives Dingell and Johnson and Senators Daines, Bennet and Marshall for championing this bipartisan legislation, and looks forward to working with them to enhance fishing opportunities and public access.”

"High-quality access is one of the greatest challenges facing sportsmen and women. The VPA Improvement Act addresses this challenge head-on while rewarding the landowners who work tirelessly to provide quality habitat on their properties,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President and CEO Jeff Crane. “We appreciate the leadership of Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Members Reps. Dingell and Johnson, CSC Members Sens. Daines and Bennet, and CSC Vice Chair Sen. Marshall for leading this legislation.”

“We greatly appreciate the continued leadership and support of Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Dusty Johnson and Sen. Daines, Sen. Bennet and Sen. Marshall for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) and their sponsorship of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act. All duck hunters know the importance of new and incremental access to quality habitat and this bill will enhance the resources to work with willing farmers and ranchers who are uniquely positioned to both enhance habitat within their operations and allowing new hunting opportunities. We look forward to working with the sponsors to include these provisions in the Farm Bill," said John Devney Chief Policy Officer, Delta Waterfowl.

“There are dozens of state programs throughout country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible,” said Ariel Wiegard, Vice President of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Representatives Dingell and Johnson and Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall for their leadership and support for this very successful program.”

“We are proud to support Representative Dingell’s reintroduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act, alongside Representative Johnson, Senator Daines, Senator Marshall, and Senator Bennet,” said Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO of the National Deer Association. “Reauthorizing and strengthening the Act will ensure that landowners and sportsmen alike can continue to benefit from sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation for generations to come.”

“The grants administered by this important program are crucial in allowing state fish and wildlife agencies to support public access for wildlife-dependent recreation on private lands,” said Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act will provide much needed funding to increase public access to private lands for recreational opportunities and enhance fish and wildlife habitats.”

“Hunting access is one of the most significant barriers for both new and experienced hunters,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited Managing Director of Federal Affairs. “The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act is a win-win for sportsmen and landowners, and we thank Sens. Daines, Bennet, and Marshall for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate, as well as Reps. Dingell and Johnson for their leadership in the House.” 

“By reauthorizing and expanding the only federal program specifically designed to increase opportunities for hunters and anglers on private land, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act addresses the number one barrier to participation in our sporting traditions, lack of public access,” said Kaden McArthur, director of policy and government relations for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Sens. Roger Marshall and Michael Bennet on legislation that would expand public recreation opportunities as well as enhance fish and wildlife habitat.”

See the text of the bill here.