ALEXANDRIA, Va. -

In college athletics, football and basketball reign supreme in televised competition. However, there's a new sport in town that has begun to crown champions on a field of play far removed from the grid iron or field house - collegiate bass fishing. The sport's governing body, the Association of College Anglers (ACA), has announced its 2010 tournament season has now grown to five televised events. The schedule includes the fifth annual BoatU.S. Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship , which returns to Texas' Lake Lewisville May 24-28, 2010.

Richmond, Texas -

Limited water resources in the Highland Lakes are driving the Lower Colorado River Authority to propose reductions in "interruptible" water, the lifeblood of rice farmers and other producers that rely on LCRA's irrigation districts in Matagorda, Colorado and Wharton counties. Ducks Unlimited (DU) representatives expressed their concern over the proposed restrictions at a public meeting on October 20 in Matagorda.

Memphis, Tenn. -

Ducks Unlimited members and waterfowl hunters throughout the U.S. are utilizing DU's Migration Map in unprecedented numbers. Surpassing more than 1.5 million page views within the site's first two months is allowing waterfowl hunters to utilize the migration map to improve their success in the field.

Alexandria, VA -

“As NOAA’s Administrator I am committed to adopting policies that will ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful activity,” Lubchenco said in her remarks. “We are responding to the concerns expressed by your leaders that we don’t pay enough attention to recreational fishing. I’m here to tell you that we do think you are important, that we will pay attention and that we will work with you.

Houston -

If water equaled waterfowl, duck and goose hunters looking forward to Saturday's opening day across most of Texas would have plenty to celebrate.  As it stands going into this season, water promises to prove a short-term mixed blessing to waterfowl and waterfowlers. Long-term, it's a great thing.

Texas -

The Texas Wildlife Association strongly supports the passage of Proposition 11 on the November 3 ballot to help protect homeowners and private property owners from abusive eminent domain.

Texas -

The Texas Legislature proposed a constitutional amendment that if approved by voters in the Nov. 3 election will improve private property rights in the state. Proposition 11 critics say it is "counterfeit eminent domain reform."

Texas -

Anyone interested in Lake Fork should save this date: February 4, 2010.  On that date the Wood County Industrial Commission and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be hosting a public meeting at Lake Fork. This “State of the Lake” meeting will feature presentations by TPWD Inland Fisheries biologists and Sabine River Authority representatives.

Washington, D.C. -

This week, Congress approved $90 million for the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program as part of the $32.2 billion Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriation Act for 2010. The increase is $15 million over last year's level and also includes a change in the nonfederal match requirement from 50% to 35%.

Washington, D.C. -

Parks and recreation facilities around the country received good news on Thursday when the House and Senate Interior Appropriations Conference Committee announced the allocation of $40 million to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside Assistance Program for fiscal year 2010.