LANDSCOPE...News and Views from American Lands

Trophy-Hunting Aficionado Appointed to Head U.S. F & WS

Matthew Hogan has been appointed by the Bush administration as interim head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, replacing Director Steve Williams who resigned earlier in March.  Hogan formerly served as the chief lobbyist for Safari Club International (SCI), a trophy-hunting group that holds competitions where its members shoot at a variety of exotic and sometimes endangered species from around the world.  The generally wealthy members of SCI on occasion take shortcuts to win awards competitions held by SCI, shooting captive animals or animals that have drifted to the peripheries of national parks. 

To appoint a man who enjoys killing rare and endangered species in his spare time as the head of the agency responsible for implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a new low for the Bush administration. SCI has lobbied to weaken the ESA, and to allow increased importation of stuffed trophies of exotic and endangered species into the United States.  Hogan's appointment circumvents congressional oversight because interim heads do not have to go through the congressional confirmation process.   For more information please contact Liz Godfrey, Endangered Species Coalition, lgodfrey@stopextinction.org.

Anti-Environmental Lawyer Nominated for Lifetime Judgeship

Former mining industry lobbyist William Myers III's renomination to be a senior federal judge on the Court of Appeals for the Circuit Court is before the Senate.  His nomination failed before the Senate in 2004 as he has no experience as a judge, and is clearly one-sided in his support for industry issues, unable to objectively view environmental issues.  His approval would be another victory for the Bush administration's efforts to stack the federal courts with anti-environment judges.  Myers has a history of industry friendly actions, including calling extending parts of the Clean Water Act protections to certain wetlands and other waters unconstitutional.  His background makes him a terrible choice to serve as what should be an impartial judge in cases involving natural resources or public health.  For more information go to http://capwiz.com/lcv/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=7253116.

Interior Department Plans to Open Roan Plateau to Drilling

Currently half of the beautiful, unprotected Roan Plateau in western Colorado is free from ownership and leasing by the oil and gas industry.  However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently released its proposed management plan for the area, with its "preferred alternative" opening the entire area, including the currently undeveloped areas, to oil and gas drilling.  The plateau has one of the highest levels of biological diversity in Colorado, with black bears, cougars, golden eagles, and contains a number of areas eligible for wilderness designation.  Opening the second half of the area to drilling would destroy any possibility of wilderness designation.  The BLM is accepting public comments on the proposed management plan through April 11, 2005.  For more information please contact Clare Bastable, Colorado Mountain Club, bastac@cmc.org.

Day of Action: Expose Victoria's Dirty Secret

Join forest activists protesting Victoria's Secret on the National Spring Day of Action on April 14.  Help save the Endangered Forests Victoria's Secret is aiding in the destruction of through its use of virgin paper from key ecosystems like the boreal forest.  For more information on how to get involved please contact Liz Butler, ForestEthics, liz@forestethics.org, or visit www.victoriasdirtysecret.net.

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It's a long-standing conflict. For years ranchers have purchased the right to graze their livestock on public lands (allotments) adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. When wildlife from Yellowstone wander onto these grazing allotments, conflicts result as ranchers naturally want to protect their investment. Consequently, they demand that the government remove the grizzlies, wolves or buffalo that threaten their stock. NWF has come up with a plan that makes sense for both ranchers and wildlife.

Here's how NWF's plan works:

1. NWF approaches ranchers who are grazing livestock on allotments where chronic conflicts with grizzlies, wolves or buffalo occur.
   
2. NWF offers ranchers a cash payment to relinquish their grazing privileges.
   
3. Ranchers can use the payment to find grazing in an area that doesn't have these conflicts.
   
4. The allotment then becomes secure habitat for wildlife and allows wildlife to safely range outside the park without coming into conflict with ranchers and their livestock.

It's a common-sense solution and a classic example of how NWF works sensibly to save wildlife.

Right now we have an opportunity to purchase the land, adjacent to Yellowstone, and save the grizzlies and other species that roam there. To protect these vulnerable wildlife species... please give generously.

Thanks for caring. Hank Fischer Special Projects Coordinator Sterling Miller, PhD. Senior NWF Wildlife Biologist

Choose your donation amount:

You'll receive everything mentioned above PLUS membership in the prestigious Guardians of the Wild program. Benefits include Wildlife Report, an informative wildlife newsletter, exclusive editions of our trademark stamps and note cards, and special invitations to NWF's Annual Meeting.