Field & Stream Magazine Issues Conservation Report Card For Obama Administration

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Feb 25, 2010, 01:09 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Field & Stream, the world's leading outdoor magazine, issued a conservation report card for President Barack Obama's first year in office—and the results don't place the administration on the honor roll. The magazine graded the President and his administration on four conservation issues critical to sportsmen and the most common mark was an I for Incomplete. The report card appears in the March 2010 issue of the publication which hits newsstands this week.

"Obama's campaign made many promises to sportsmen, and a year later we're still waiting for him to deliver," says Bob Marshall, conservation editor for Field & Stream. "Hopes were high for Obama's team in part because the bar on conservation had been pushed so low during the Bush administration. While there's been some good news on the energy front in 2010, most in the conservation community fear this administration is taking hunters and anglers for a familiar ride of all talk and no action."

The four conservation issues Obama and his administration were graded on by Field & Stream were: Clean Water Restoration Act; Conservation Reserve Program; Energy Policy Reform; and Mining Reform.

According to Field & Stream, the majority of the Obama's poor grades can be attributed to inaction due to the administration's focus on what it has deemed "bigger" political issues like the economy and health care. That alibi has been costly to conservation though, allowing opponents of critical reform to mount lobbying efforts that will cause more harm to fish and wildlife. This argument is particularly true for the Clean Water Restoration Act, which garnered Obama a D, his lowest grade from the magazine. Once viewed as a slam dunk, this bill reinstates long-standing protections for some wetlands that were striped by two Supreme Court decisions and a compliant Bush administration. Dawdling on the part of the Obama administration, however, has allowed opponents to develop the issue into a dogfight with fish and wildlife, and hunters and anglers, the likely big losers.

Obama's C for Energy Policy Reform was his highest mark from the magazine. The administration was rewarded for changes to BLM lease review plans that include considerations for fish and wildlife, however its not clear if the same considerations will be given in the rush for solar and wind energy development.

Field & Stream issued Incompletes to Obama for the Conservation Reserve Program and Mining Reform. Obama officials have offered strong support for reform on both issues but conservationists have seen little action yet.

"Every month this administration delays keeping its promise more precious fish and wildlife acres are lost forever," says Marshall. "Fish and wildlife habitat lost to development is never regained so in order to hold onto what we've got, we encourage sportsmen to demand action instead of words from their representatives and president."

For the complete article, please see the March 2010 issue of Field & Stream.

Field & Stream®, The World's Leading Outdoor Magazine, is the country's largest special-interest title and most recognized outdoor publication. Devoted to the complete outdoor experience and lifestyle, Field & Stream (www.FieldandStream.com) gives its readers the knowledge and inspiration to pursue the sports they love. It celebrates the outdoor experience with great stories, compelling photography and sound advice, while honoring the traditions hunters and fishermen have passed down for generations. Established in 1895, Field & Stream is published 11 times per year by the Bonnier Corporation.

The Bonnier Corporation (www.bonniercorp.com), one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences through more than 40 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events.

SOURCE Field & Stream