§16.  Preservation of public lands for hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities

A.  The commissioner shall exercise his authority to manage public lands in a manner to support, promote and enhance public hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities to the extent authorized by law.  The commissioner shall recognize, to the extent authorized by law, hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities as primary uses of public lands that are available for public hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities.  The commissioner shall make land management decisions based on criteria that include public hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities as a primary consideration.

B.  Before March first of each calendar year, the commissioner shall submit to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment a written report containing a listing of all acreage managed by the commissioner that is available for public hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities and a listing of all acreage that was lost or gained for such purposes.

Acts 2006, No. 561, §1; Acts 2008, No. 580, §5.