Post by Okwes on Feb 28, 2007 16:44:26 GMT -5
YAN weighs in on delisting bald eagles
By STEVE AYERS
Staff Reporter
In spite of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' support for removing the desert nesting bald eagle from the endangered species list, the Yavapai-Apache Nation is on record as opposing it.
In a letter to the Arizona Game and Fish, a state agency that has lobbied for removing the birds from federal protection, Yavapai Apache Tribal Chairman Jamie Fullmer has expressed the Nation's dismay with the process that has taken place over the last eight years.
The latter states the tribe was never consulted during the process in spite of having jurisdiction over bald eagle habitat along the Verde.
It is the Nation's opinion, according to the letter, that the science behind the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the bird "has been rushed and is in our mind, fuzzy and inconclusive."
The letter also states that the Memorandum of Understanding between the AGF and the USFWS to be implemented at the time of delisting, does not go far enough to protect the population along the Verde River from development.
The memorandum calls for voluntary participation and according to the letter is viewed by the Nation to be better than nothing, but should not be used as an excuse for removing the eagle's federal protection.
"It is the position of the nation that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should error on the side of protecting the Bald Eagle and exercise patience instead of rushing to a conclusion, which is likely to have negative repercussions..."
"In short," the letter concludes, "it is difficult to see how delisting is a better course of action for Bald Eagles than the current situation."
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"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Life is a learning place. Existence is forever. Challenges are only challenges because life has given you an opportunity to grow in an area of your fear or weakness."
Leonard Peltier, Sept. 2006
By STEVE AYERS
Staff Reporter
In spite of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' support for removing the desert nesting bald eagle from the endangered species list, the Yavapai-Apache Nation is on record as opposing it.
In a letter to the Arizona Game and Fish, a state agency that has lobbied for removing the birds from federal protection, Yavapai Apache Tribal Chairman Jamie Fullmer has expressed the Nation's dismay with the process that has taken place over the last eight years.
The latter states the tribe was never consulted during the process in spite of having jurisdiction over bald eagle habitat along the Verde.
It is the Nation's opinion, according to the letter, that the science behind the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to delist the bird "has been rushed and is in our mind, fuzzy and inconclusive."
The letter also states that the Memorandum of Understanding between the AGF and the USFWS to be implemented at the time of delisting, does not go far enough to protect the population along the Verde River from development.
The memorandum calls for voluntary participation and according to the letter is viewed by the Nation to be better than nothing, but should not be used as an excuse for removing the eagle's federal protection.
"It is the position of the nation that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should error on the side of protecting the Bald Eagle and exercise patience instead of rushing to a conclusion, which is likely to have negative repercussions..."
"In short," the letter concludes, "it is difficult to see how delisting is a better course of action for Bald Eagles than the current situation."
Article Comment Submission Form
campverdebugle.1upsoftware.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=17967&TM=25233.23
Tamra
www.NDNnews.com
www.protectsacredsites.org
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Life is a learning place. Existence is forever. Challenges are only challenges because life has given you an opportunity to grow in an area of your fear or weakness."
Leonard Peltier, Sept. 2006