Public comment open- advertising refuges to nonhunters

[mike rossi]

Last night I listened in on a "webinar" by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Basically it was an information session for refuge stakeholders who volunteer to provide input on refuge policies. Each refuge has a group called Friends of ___________ refuge. As I expected it was predominantly nonconsumptive users on the friends, thus, nonhunters are essentially dictating refuge policy.

The refuge system is about 99% funded by the federal migratory bird conservation trust fund create by congress in the 1930s. That fund is derived from 1) sales of federal migratory waterfowl stamps which are mandatory for hunting ducks and geese 2) Entry fees for the annual art contest in which the winner's art becomes that years stamp 3) sales of prints made of the stamps. This program is one of the most successfull conservation initiatives and one that is almost 100% hunter financed.

Originally refuges were closed to hunting. Later some were open to control deer populations. Then a small number were open to other forms of hunting. Around 1980 the fund for animals sued the USFWS and now before a hunting season is opened on refuges an EA/EIS must be completed.

I have written extensively about the abuse of public trust doctrine possibly interfering with the mandates of federal and state wildlife departments such as the NY DEC. I also cautioned sportsmen that those agencies have already recognized that they must depend on the public majority, not hunters, who are the public minority, to sustain conservation funding. As agencies promote wildlife lands and nonconsumptive uses of those lands, they also promote policy involvement and have developed ways to generate revenue from the public majority.

I acknowlege that this may be necessary but I predict a number of problems from land use conflicts to land overuse - particularily during the warm months when wildlife are rearing young. I also disagree with the development of infastructure at the expense of both land and funds.

The webnar discussed 24 recomendations to be put into draft products which will be open to public comment. The draft communications plan addresses the USFWS vision to promote the refuge system to the public majority and educate them about the refuge system. Causual comments made during the webnar expressed disatisfaction with (quote): "talking about the duck stamp" therefore the role of hunting in funding conservation.

The public comment period for the "draft communications plan" is open. It is important that the current emphasis on deer and trophy hunting does not eliminate sportsmen from having say so in conservation policy and funds. As we bicker about antlers it is the public majority who is helping refuge staff ban doves and waterbirds. The safety of hunting on public lands is an easy card to play especially if everyone is in the hardwoods after that big buck or big bad coyote. Below is information I copied about the public comment period. Please get informed and submit comment and then foward and cross post this message to encourage others to do the same.

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) has released a draft Communications Strategic Plan online for public comment. The purpose of the plan is to increase visitation and awareness of the Refuge System and ultimately fostering the next generation of Refuge supporters by guiding improved communications activities that reach key audiences throughout the next five years. The draft was developed as a fulfillment of recommendations 14 and 15 in Conserving the Future: Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation, a document representing NWRS’ updated vision for the future of America’s wildlife refuges.

The draft Strategic Plan will be online for comment until January 16, 2013. Individuals can view and comment the draft product by signing-up or signing-in to the social network.

You can also email comments to [email protected] or mail them to:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

NWRS-DVSC, Suite 634

4401 North Fairfax Drive

Arlington, VA 22203

Attn: Vision Implementation Coordinator