The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined 17 other conservation, hunting and other groups in support of a bill (AB 1169) to expand outdoor recreation opportunities in California.
Currently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program provides incentives to private landowners to make their property available to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. However, it is only available in a limited number of California counties because of statutory restrictions.
If passed, the bill removes landowner payment limitations and allows DFW to determine the appropriate amount to pay each participating landowner, subject to an existing requirement that it is commensurate with the quality of the outdoor opportunity provided. It also requires the DFW to contract some of the work involved with the program to nonprofit conservation groups. Doing so would help to increase the number of landowners and members of the public participating in the Program.
Below is the letter sent to Diane Papan, chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.
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March 31, 2025
The Honorable Diane Papan, Chair
Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
1020 N Street, Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 1169 (Gonzalez) – SHARE Program Implementation – SUPPORT
Dear Assembly Member Papan:
Our organizations respectfully request that you support AB 1169 (Gonzalez), which would help increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities offered through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Program.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) SHARE Program provides incentives to private landowners to make their property available to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation. SHARE is modeled on other voluntary, private land access programs in many other states, which have proven popular with both outdoor enthusiasts and landowners. There is even a federal grant program (the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide grant funding for such programs.
Despite this, SHARE currently only offers outdoor opportunities in a limited number of California counties. This makes it difficult for outdoor enthusiasts in some parts of the state to participate.
Part of the problem stems from statutory restrictions on the amount DFW may pay participating landowners (i.e., maximum payments per acre or per public participant) when the SHARE Program was created back in 2003. Note that these payment limitations have not changed or been adjusted for inflation since they were created over 20 years ago.
In addition, while the SHARE statutes state that the Program shall be a partnership of DFW and nongovernmental organizations, DFW does not currently contract with such groups in a significant way despite the fact that some nonprofit organizations run their own outdoor access programs, have the necessary relationships with private landowners or own their own land.
The bill would: 1) remove the landowner payment limitations and instead allow DFW to determine the appropriate amount to pay each participating landowner, subject to an existing requirement that the payment is commensurate with the quality of the outdoor opportunity provided; and 2) require DFW to contract some of the work involved with the Program to nonprofit conservation groups. These changes would help to increase the number of landowners and members of the public participating in the Program.
Please also note that the goals of the SHARE Program are consistent with the Governor’s 30×30 objective of ensuring public access for all Californians to the outdoors.
For these reasons, please support AB 1169 when it is considered by your committee.
Sincerely,
Mark Hennelly, Vice President of Advocacy – California Waterfowl Association
Marc Engstrom, Manager of Government Affairs – Western Region Ducks Unlimited
Paul Buttner, Manager of Environmental Affairs – California Rice Commission
Christopher Hoon, Manager of Government Relations – Western Region Delta Waterfowl
Todd Manley, Director of Government Relations – Northern California Water Association
Lisa McNamee, Legislative Coordinator – SCI California Coalition
Fred Harpster, President – The Black Brant Group
Chris Hall, CEO California Deer Association
Mike Costello, HOWL for Wildlife
Steve Miller, President – Tulare Basin Wetlands Association
Gary Brennan, President – San Diego County Wildlife Federation
Ken Akins, President – Sacramento Safari Club
Clark Smith, President – San Francisco Bay Safari Club
Candi Muse, President – California State Chapter of NWTF
Don Martin, President – California Wild Sheep Foundation
Chriss Bowles, President – California Bowmen/Hunters/State Archery Association
Lori Jacobs, President – California Houndsmen for Conservation
Ryan Bronson, Director of Government Affairs – Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)