Liberty Matters News Service

May 7, 2003  

Invasive Species Advancing

Congress is considering 14 bills that confer federal jurisdiction over any plant or animal within the United States deemed an "Invasive Species." Only three people out of 17 invited to testify spoke out against the bill: Fred V. Grau, Jr. President of Grasslyn, Inc. a farming and seed business; Mr. Ray Arnett, President Reagan's Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and Mr. Jim Beers, retired wildlife biologist. Mr. Arnett said there is no need for "invasive species" legislation because adequate authority to deal with harmful and noxious pests already exists in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970, the National Forest and Management Act of 1976, the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1982, The Clean Water Act Amendments of 1987 and the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2002. Grau noted that common flowers such as daisies, irises and day lilies could be eliminated because they too arrived after Columbus. Mr. Beers said; "Today the National Park Service seeks to eliminate highly desirable species like lake trout and chukars because they weren't [here] in 1492 AD," and warned that the proposed legislation usurps the states' powers, creates and expands more bureaucracies, and encourages environmental lawyers to press for more regulations on private property. All three likened the proposed legislation to the misused Endangered Species Act, as expressed by Mr. Grau; "If current policy mistakes are codified, 280 million Americans will be senselessly shackled by the newest weapon in the extremist's arsenal: an 'Invasive Species Act.'"
Statement of Fred V. Grau, JR
Statement of James M. Beers

Two Tales Of Abuse

Kill a rattlesnake and go to jail. That may be the fate of a Michigan man who has been found guilty of "killing a protected reptile without a state permit." James Galloway claimed he felt threatened by the snake and whacked it. He removed the reptile from a path to avoid possible danger to a nearby family with the intent of releasing it into the woods, but the snake objected and Galloway dispatched it with a shovel. A woman witnessed the incident and called the law. Galloway faces a possible 90 day jail sentence and a $500 fine. "I'm stunned that the snake had more rights than a human being," Galloway said. And in a federal court in Florida, a towboat operator has been found guilty of speeding in a manatee zone, a crime that could net him six months in prison and a $25,000 fine. Rick Rescott was rushing to the scene of a sinking boat when he was accosted by three federal agents, who kept him trapped for 30 minutes, long enough for attorney John Overchuck's boat to sink. Rescott chose to go to court rather than pay the $100 fine, which he defined as "ludicrous." Overchuck expressed amazement at the conviction; "That's incredible that he got convicted. I like manatees, but there are zealots taking this way too far."
Captain Convicted For Speeding During Rescue
Man Faces Jail For Killing Rattler In Self-defense

Roads To Ruin

Scientists and government agencies are investigating the role highways play in the dissemination of invasive, non-native plants. It has given rise to a new field of study called road ecology, which explores how roads alter the environment. Supposedly, researchers have determined that the driving public is responsible for the rapid spread of non-native plants scattered along highways eventually making their way into fields and forests. Dave Thomas of the U.S. Forest Service says: "[Invasive species] are displacing native plants, threatening endangered species, [and] they upset biodiversity…" He acknowledged the weed issue will spark a national debate on road-building in forestland, although "Invasive species will not be forcing roads closed." Forest Chief Dale Bosworth says his agency has identified invasive species as one of his four top priorities. Jonathan Gelbard, who is studying the issue for his doctorate, said he observed that "graded surfaces promoted weed growth more than four-wheel drive tracks, and paved roads more still."
Weeds At Home On Our Roadsides

The Washington Post Investigates The Nature Conservancy

The Washington Post has conducted an investigation into the powerful Nature Conservancy and reports indicate TNC may not be the environmental puritan it claims. Staff writers, Joe Stephens and David B. Ottaway spent months delving into the inner workings of TNC to discover the "giant green money machine" appears to place more importance on fundraising than science. "The role of scientists is insufficiently valued in TNC and much less valued than that of fundraisers," said one unidentified scientist. "There are a lot TNC folks like me out there who do work on the ground that would not pass academic [or] scientific muster," according to another. The Post reported the non-profit organization was also worried it could be portrayed as having "systematically colluded with wealthy individuals and corporations to conduct land transactions that manipulate the tax code to the benefit of the affluent." "One concern involved easements, which are binding restrictions on land development rights. The resulting reduction in the land's value may be tax deductible if the easement is 'donated' to a conservation group." And after much effort, the Post learned that TNC fudged when reporting their president, Steven J. McCormick, was paid $275,000 when, in fact his compensation was $420,000 for 2002, along with a $1.55 million loan from the Conservancy to buy a $1.7 million home in McLean, Virginia.
$420,000 a Year and No-Strings Fund
BIG GREEN : Inside the Nature Conservancy
Image Is a Sensitive Issue
Conservancy Scientists Question Their Role