Wildlife
The differences between a wild fish and a hatchery fish are as great as the differences between a wolf and a dog. Both species can interbreed, but they are obviously quite different. Society would be the worse off for not having both wolves and dogs. The same cannot be said for hatchery fish.
Andy Kerr
More National Wildlife Refuges
National wildlife refuges (NWRs) are administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). There is interest in establishing new or expanding existing NWRs by transferring Bureau of Land Management (BLM) holdings to the FWS. Since enactment of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, there are two ways to establish a national wildlife refuge from BLM holdings: an Act of Congress or an FLPMA “withdrawal” by the secretary of the interior.
In general, FLPMA withdrawals are limited to a maximum of twenty years but can be renewed. However, the question has arisen as to whether an FLPMA withdrawal would have to be renewed every twenty years to keep an NWR in the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). For the reasons set forth below, I believe the answer is no. The question remains as to whether a public lands withdrawal for an NWR that also withdraws the new refuge lands from mining lasts only twenty years or is permanent. In this case, a twenty-year mineral withdrawal renewal may be required, but the secretary of the interior may not have the discretion to not renew such a withdrawal.
See my 4-page memorandum entitled “Establishing national wildlife refuges out of BLM holdings.”
Articles
I got a lot of positive feedback for my section of rattlesnakes in Oregon Desert Guide. Here is a paragraph form the rattlesnake excerpt:
The data are clear; you've little to fear. Your chances of being bit—such that they are—are much greater if you are male, in your twenties, and intoxicated. Why? Because a significant portion of this cohort thinks their penis size increases by harassing rattlesnakes. Silly boys. That's only (possibly) true if the harasser is naked.
No Room for Energy Development on Public Lands argues that any kind of energy development—even renewables like wind and solar—are driving species such as desert tortoise, prairie chicken and sage grouse toward extinction. Wind towers should be limited to private land and solar panels to rooftops.
Wallowa County Chieftain Columns
"Welcome Back the Wolf" argues, among other points, that Oregonians who want the wolf back could buy deer and elk tags and assign their chance to kill big game to the wolves.
"Saving the Primates and Free Willy" argues that human have a special affinity for and obligation to our fellow primates and other very-large brained mammals.
"Moving Loop Road Would Save Salmon, More" argues that not rebuilding a road destroyed by a flood in the same place makes sense.
"Amphibians on Earth Like Carnary in Coal Mine" stretches an analogy to make a point; however when the canary keels over in the coal mine, the miners knew it was time to get out, where amphbian die-offs tell us we have a problem, but like most environmental problems the consequences are not imminent.
"Lions and Hunters and Bears, Oh My!" argues that it isn't sporting to shoot a mama bear in the butt while she has her head in a barrel eating doughnuts.
"Sage Grouse: The Spotted Owl of the Desert" suggests that the sage grouse is even more mediagenic than the spotted owl.
Links
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Quotes
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