President Donald Trump signed two executive orders to open federal lands and remove boating speed limits. The first order expands hunting access, while the second targets restrictions on saltwater anglers and charter operators.
More than 100 outdoor leaders attended a Rose Garden dinner hosted by Trump alongside Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. He told guests he was “opening up millions of acres of federal land for our hunters and fishers,” per RedState. The Interior Department already made more than 92 million acres available for hunting in August.
The new rule expands that access to almost 95 percent of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It also adds 1,488 new species-and-location opportunities for hunters. This includes first-time hunting access at 14 different refuges across 32 states.
Boaters Get Their Speed Back
The second order directs the Commerce and Interior departments to stop enforcing strict speed limits. The Biden administration had tried to “BLUDGEON the boating and maritime industry with a RIDICULOUS boating speed limit of no more than 10 miles per hour,” Trump said. He noted that American boaters can now go as fast as they want.
Per Fox News, the move allows multi-year permitting for charter operators and expands fishing seasons. Industry leaders say this shift supports the outdoor recreation economy. Manufacturers and outdoor groups had long argued that the old rules were unworkable.
Manufacturers See a Signal
National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons told Fox News Digital that the changes are a huge boost. He said “It really sent a signal to manufacturers that the administration was listening to our concerns,” regarding the cuts to emissions standards. Timmons noted that 87 percent of manufacturers would expand operations if permitting were more streamlined.
Timmons warned that uncertainty hurts long-term planning for business owners. He said the timeline proposed by the previous administration was simply not feasible for the industry. Congress still needs to pass laws to make these changes stick against future administrations.
These orders take effect immediately for hunters and boaters across the nation. The RedState report confirms that public lands now belong to the American people again. Bureaucrats can no longer lock the gate on the wilderness.
Trump reminded the crowd that they are the ones who own the country. Claiming he secured 99% of the vote, he quipped about Kamala Harris, asking why he would not. He added that she is not into the world of hunting. The focus remains on getting boots on the ground and enjoying the outdoors.
