The Bulletin is issued by the Blue Goose Alliance (BGA) on an "as needed" basis to inform interested persons about National Wildlife Refuge System and the Alliance's campaign to promote the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a separate agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior.

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Bulletin #58 - January 21, 2008

Recentlly appointed Interior Assistant Secretary Lyle Laverty directed reinitiating deliberations on an Annual Funding Agreement Between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes at the National Bison Range.  His directive included an action plan and called for completion of a new AFA no later than March 28, 2008.

Bulletin #57 - October 1, 2007

Long-time Alliance board member Florence LaRiviere and her husband Phil were honored on September 19, 2007 with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at a heavily attended function by the Santa Clara County League of Conservation Voters.

Bulletin #56 - August 15, 2007

The Blue Goose Alliance (BGA) continues to challenge the Department of the Interior (DOI) use of Annual Funding Agreements (AFA) as justification to convey management authority of National Wildlife Refuges to Native American Indian Tribes. 

Bulletin #55 - July 18, 2007

The Blue Goose Alliance, along with other conservation organizations, have joined together in objecting to H.R. 2801, legislation sponsored by Representative Don Young, that would authorize a land exchange and road corridor through the very heart of the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and its Congressionally-designated Wildderness.

Bulletin #54 - March 6. 2007

New Chronological Summary available for the National Bison Range Complex (NBRC) Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) Issue.  Now at four years and running, it has become increasingly difficult for a concerned individual to keep track of events, details and documents related to the NBRC AFA. That problem complicates communication with elected officials, NGOs and individuals.  Key points need documentation, and details such as dates can be very important.

Bulletin #53 - February 26, 2007

There is a new voice of advocacy for the National Wildlife Refuge System and you can contribute your thoughts and comments.  It is a new BLOG  called "The National Wildlife Refuges Advocacy Blog" and well worth a visit  to keep up with what is going on. [The blog site has moved (from http://www.nationalwildliferefugejournal.com to http://nationalwildliferefugeadvocacy.blogspot.com) effective 3-15-2007, and the copy of Bulletin 53 on this website updated to reflect the new location.  Copies of the Bulletin previously mailed out still contain the old url.]

Bulletin #52 - February 6, 2007

A  new book by Ed Crozier, currently on the Board of Directors of the Blue Goose Alliance, has just been released.  It covers his nearly 50 years of involvement with the wildlife resource and longtime association with the National Wildlife Refuge System and describes, along with many other things, the formation of the Blue Goose Alliance.

Bulletin #51 - October 24, 2006

An Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) at the National Bison Range, between the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) expired on September 30, 2006.  The CSKT has refused to sign an extension until they receive additional personnel positions and additional funds.

Bulletin #50 - September 7, 2006

The Blue Goose Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Redfearn as president.  He was a founding member of the Alliance and has served on the Board since its inception.

Bulletin #49 - August 30, 2006

Requests by Montana Indian Tribes to have Secretary Kempthorne renew an agreement enabling them to perform numberous tasks on the National Bison Range Complex near Moiese, Montana should be denied according to the Blue Goose Alliance.

Bulletin #48 - August 16, 2006

The Blue Goose Alliance announces the opening of its newly redesigned and updated  website.  The website has been dedicated to the memory of Danny Redfearn, one of the Alliance's founding members.

Bulletin #47 - July 27, 2006

The Blue Goose Alliance, along with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and other conservation organizations, is asking everyone who has an interest in national wildlife refuges to urge their congressional representatives to join the newly formed Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.

Bulletin #46 - July 10, 2006

Establishment of Regional Representatives. At the annual meeting, the Board of Directors of the Blue Goose Allliance decided to establish regional representative positions to be a first line of contact for bringing issues to the attention of the Alliance for possible action.

Bulletin #45 - July 25, 2005

Vision Statement. Recently, the Blue Goose Alliance issued a Vision Statement which describes its view of the National Wildlife System as a separate agency with the Department of Interior. That statement is contained in this Bulletin.

Bulletin #44 - July 8, 2005

Fulfilling the Promise Report Card. In October 2004, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a progress report on implementation of the goals set in the 1999 vision publication “Fulfilling the Promise.” The FWS addressed 42 individual goals in that report. The Chief of the Refuge System in the forward stated, “We've made incredible progress.”

The Blue Goose Alliance Board of Directors commends the Service and Refuge Managers for the progress made to date. However, the BGA believes the Service's performance is somewhat less than "incredible." The experience of former refuge managers does not appear to warrant the upbeat assessment of the progress report. The BGA asked several recently retired senior refuge managers to complete a “report card” rating the progress made on achieving the identified goals. This Bulletin presents the results of this analysis.

Bulletin #43 - April 15, 2005

Report of 2005 Annual Meeting. The Blue Goose Alliance held its annual meeting at the Hampton Inn, Covington, Louisiana, on March 10 - 12, 2005. This Bulletin summarizes the meeting.

Bulletin #42 - December 21, 2004

National Wildlife Refuges Face Emerging Threat of Co-Management. Despite strong opposition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has signed an agreement that requires transferring supervision of approximately half of the staff positions and budget for the National Bison Range Complex in Montana from the Refuge Manager to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). The Alliance strongly urges all people interested in the welfare of the National Wildlife Refuge System to write specific congressional representatives and ask them to hold hearings and make needed modifications to the Bison Range AFA. This Bulletin summarizes the need for such action.

Bulletin #41 - October 31, 2004

Heroic FWS Managers Join Opposition to Unworkable Bison Range Agreement. In a nearly unprecedented move, 23 Refuge and Hatchery Managers have written to the Bison Range Complex Manager raising serious concerns about the proposal to allow turnover of important refuge activities to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). This Bulletin presents a summary of their objections.

Bulletin #40 - October 22, 2004

Alliance and Friends of Refuges Win One. In Bulletin #38, issued on May 21, 2004, the Blue Goose Alliance announced its opposition to the construction and operation of a large scale amphitheater adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Minneapolis. Recently, the Blue Goose Alliance was pleased to learn that the Scott County Board had decided to deny Q-Prime's application. This Bulletin details the circumstances of that denial.

Bulletin #39 - October 11, 2004

Alliance Comments on National Bison Range Management. Recently, Bill Reffalt, President of the Blue Goose Alliance, submitted comments to the Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the Service's proposal to enter into an annual funding agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for management of major functions of the National Bison Range and other refuges. Because of the complicated nature of this proposal, Mr. Reffalt's comments are included in this Bulletin in their entirety.

Bulletin #38 - May 21, 2004

REP America Advocates Separate Refuge System. REP America (Republicans for Environmental Protection) adopted a policy which advocates the separation of the National Wildlife Refuge System from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and creation of a separate U.S. National Wildlife Refuge Service within the Department of Interior.

Alliance Joins Fight Against Development Affecting Minnesota Valley NWR. The Blue Goose Alliance has announced its opposition to construction and operation of a large scale amphitheater adjacent to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Minneapolis.

Bulletin #37 - March 27, 2004

Alliance Comments on Yukon Flats Annual Funding Agreement. Recently, Alliance President Bill Reffalt submitted comments to the refuge manager of Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge regarding a proposed annual funding agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments (CATG) for work projects on the Yukon Flats NWR. This Bulletin contains the text of those comment.

Bulletin #36 - February 7, 2004

Report of 2004 Annual Meeting - BGA Moving Forward. The Blue Goose Alliance held its annual meeting at South Padre Island, Texas on January 24th. This Bulletin summarizes that meeting.

Bulletin #35 - December 21, 2003

Annual Report of Activities. With the next annual meeting of the Blue Goose Alliance (BGA) approaching, President Noreen Clough released the Alliance's Annual Report of Activities. This Bulletin contains the text of that report. (The annual meeting will be held January 24, 2004, at the Howard Johnson Express Inn-South Padre Island Resort, South Padre Island Texas.)

Bulletin #34 - October 3, 2003

Alliance Speaks Out on Refuge Law Enforcement Issue. Recently, Alliance President Noreen Clough sent a letter to Interior Secretary Gail Norton expressing the opinion of the Alliance regarding the law enforcement program within the National Wildlife Refuge System. This Bulletin contains the text of that letter.

Bulletin #33 - September 21, 2003

Alliance Board Member Responds to Audubon Magazine's June, 2003 issue titled "SAFE HAVENS--The National Wildlife Refuge System Turns 100." BGA board member Phil Morgan wrote to the editors of Audubon magazine. This Bulletin contains the text of his letter. A much condensed version was published in the September issue of the magazine.

Bulletin #32 - July 23, 2003

Separate Agency Status Not Entirely New Idea. They say that history repeats itself. One might conclude that the recent interest in the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) as a separate agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior is a new idea. However, a review of the historical record of the National Wildlife Refuge System reveals that separate agency status was proposed over a quarter century ago, by, among others, the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA). As part of the proposal, the then-fledgling NWRA identified intense problems facing the National Wildlife Refuge System and developed colorful posters to publicize this issue.

Bulletin #31 - July 8, 2003

Refuge System Funding Analysis. The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is woefully under funded. The condition is dramtically illustrated by an analysis of the funding history of the Refuge System and comparable conservation systems, i.e.., the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The results of this analysis leads the Alliance to conclude that the NWRS is burdened by handicaps not hampering the NPS and USFS, such as lower annual budget-ceilings and frequent, stifling internal agency reductions. This Bulletin presents a summary of this funding history analysis.

Bulletin #30 - June 20, 2003

Alliance Approves Resolution Regarding Management of Refuges. This Bulletin contains a resolution of the Blue Goose Alliance regarding the proposed delegation by the Department of the Interior of management authority over National Wildlife Refuges to Indian Tribes under authority of the "Self-Governance Act," P. L. 103-413 of 1994.

Bulletin #29 - June 20, 2003

Management of National Wildlife Refuges - An Inherent Federal Responsibility. There are current efforts in the Interior Department, in Washington, DC, to negotiate a contract with the Confederated Tribes of western Montana regarding the National Bison Range, Pablo and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuges, and the NW Montana Wetlands District that raise many disturbing issues concerning the legal authority to allow such action. Section 403(k) of the 1994 "Self-Governance Act," the authority Interior cites for proposing to sign over management of at least 40 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and 30 National Parks to various tribal organizations, explicitly excludes "functions or activities that are inherently federal" from the agreements. This Bulletin describes why the management of national wildlife refuges is an inherent Federal responsibility.

Bulletin #28 - June 20, 2003

The National Bison Range Issue - A Briefing Statement. In May of this year it was disclosed that Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Paul Hoffman was negotiating under the Indian Self-Governance Act, with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) in Montana, for CSKT to assume management responsibility for the National Bison Range, Pablo and Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuges, and the NW Montana Wetland District, collectively called the National Bison Range complex (NBR Complex). This Bulletin contains the details of this issue.

Bulletin #27 - April 8, 2003

Alliance Holds Special "Centennial" Meeting. Members and Officers of the Blue Goose Alliance held a special meeting on March 16, 2003, in Sebastian, Florida. The meeting date and location were scheduled to coincide with the celebration of the Centennial of the National Wildlife Refuge System in and around Sebastian. This Bulletin summarizes the results of that meeting.

Bulletin #26 - February 9, 2003

Alliance Plans March Meeting in Florida. In conjunction with the upcoming Refuge System Centennial celebration in Florida, the Blue Goose Alliance plans a special meeting and other events. This Bulletin describes the plans.

Bulletin #25 - December 1, 2002

A Gentle Reminder About Year-End Gifting. Recently, Noreen Clough, Alliance President, issued a letter regarding year-end contributions. This Bulletin contains the text of that letter.

Bulletin #24 - November 3, 2002

Blue Goose Alliance Holds Third Annual Meeting. Members and Officers of the Blue Goose Alliance gathered October 19-20, 2002, for their 3rd Annual Meeting. The meeting was held in Newark, California, across the highway from Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This Bulletin summarizes the results of that meeting.

Bulletin #23 - October 8, 2002

FWS Director's Office Functions Affirm Alliance's Contention. In Bulletin #16, issued on January 26, 2002, the Alliance pointed to Congressional questioning of Steve Williams at his Senate confirmation hearings as further evidence that the FWS Director cannot devote adequate attention to National Wildlife Refuge System matters. In a recent memorandum to the Service Directorate, Director Williams detailed the "roles and responsibilities in the immediate office of the Director in Washington, D.C.." This Bulletin summarizes those roles and responsibilities which affirm the Alliance's contention.

Bulletin #22 - October 4, 2002

Alliance Writes to Refuge Centennial Commission Members. Recently, Noreen Clough, President of the Blue Goose Alliance, wrote to each member of the Refuge Centennial Commission calling their attention to the need to elevate the Refuge System to agency status within the Department of Interior. This Bulletin contains the text of that letter.

Bulletin #21 - September 10, 2002

Position Paper Prepared by Alliance. In response to a need to summarize the Alliance's position in a single document, a new paper has been produced. This document is titled "The Case for a National Wildlife Refuge Service, The Alliance Perspective" and is available on the Alliance's website.

Bulletin #20 - June 22, 2002

Alliance Announces New Website. In this Bulletin, the Alliance announces its new website.

Bulletin #19 - January 26, 2002 (Revised June 15, 2002)

National Wildlife Federation Affiliates Endorse Alliance Mission. Two prominent affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation have resolved their full support for the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System as a separate agency within the U. S. Department of the Interior.

Bulletin #18 - January 26, 2002

Alliance Develops Working Group. Alliance members have decided to develop a "Working Group" and to describe that group as a way of introducing who in the Blue Goose Alliance is developing and implementing the day to day strategy of the Alliance. This Bulletin contains that description. This information is also available directly from the Home Page by clicking on "Who is the Alliance?".

Bulletin #17 - January 25, 2002

Alliance Announces New Membership Category. The Alliance has decided to create a new general membership category which will be open to everyone. To avoid the cost of maintaining a paper-based membership system, this new membership group will be electronic and Internet based. It will use the same Yahoo! Groups facility used to distribute the BGA Bulletins. This Bulletin describes the new membership category.

Bulletin #16 - January 26, 2002

Second Major Environmental Organization Endorses Blue Goose Alliance Mission! In recent correspondence, Frances Beinecke, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council endorsed the mission of the Blue Goose Alliance.

"Part-Time" Director Revealed by Congressional Questions. Recently the Senate conducted confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill for Steve Williams, nominated as Fish and Wildlife Service Director. These hearings have only reaffirmed the underlying reasons why Blue Goose Alliance members believe agency status is essential to the future well being of the Refuge System. This Bulletin explains why.

Bulletin #15 - January 26, 2002

Alliance Meets in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The Blue Goose Alliance held its second annual meeting at the Days Inn Beach Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, on November 18 and 19, 2001. This Bulletin reports on the accomplishments at that meeting.

Bulletin #14 - October 23, 2001

Terrorist Attacks Affected Us All. Like everyone else, we were shocked, saddened, and angered by the acts of terror on September 11, 2001. Each of us shares, in one way or another, the loss of those who perished. We are keenly aware that Rich Guadagno, Refuge Manager, Humboldt Bay NWR, was a passenger aboard United Flight 93 which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania. Those who knew Rich personally are convinced that he played a major role in preventing the airplane from reaching the terrorists' intended target.

Bulletin #13 - July 28, 2001

Alliance Granted Tax Exempt Status by IRS. On July 12, 2001, the Internal Revenue Service notified the Blue Goose Alliance that it had determined the Alliance to be exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3). The Alliance is considered by the IRS to be a publicly supported organization.

Bulletin #12 - April 23, 2001

Alliance Files for 501(c)(3) Status and Seeks Donations. On April 18, 2001, a formal application was submitted to the Internal Revenue Service for recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. With this Bulletin, the Alliance began actively seeking tax-exempt contributions to the Blue Goose Alliance.

Bulletin #11 - April 18, 2001

Alliance Mission Featured on High Country News Radio. Recently, High Country News devoted its weekly radio program to the Blue Goose Alliance and our campaign to promote the establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge Service. Betsy Marston interviewed John Martin, Vice President of the Alliance, and asked some excellent questions about our proposal. In addition, she interviewed Noah Matson, Don Barry, and Dan Ashe to obtain contrary points of view. This Bulletin identifies the High County News website where the broadcast could be heard and describes procedures for obtaining the program. The broadcast may no longer be available on the Internet.

Bulletin #10 - April 5, 2001

High Country News Features Refuge Service Proposal. On February 26, 2001, the High Country News, in its Western Roundup Section, printed an article describing the troubles facing the National Wildlife Refuge System and efforts to create a separate agency for Refuges within the Department of the Interior. This Bulletin contains the complete text of that article and the Alliance's response by President Clough.

Bulletin #9 - February 11, 2001

Alliance Member Speaks at Regional Refuge Conference. Recently, Phil Morgan, Blue Goose Alliance member and Georgia resident, was invited by the Fish and Wildlife Service to join a leadership panel at a regional refuge manager's conference in Florida. Phil was asked to make a presentation on the Blue Goose Alliance. This Bulletin contains the text of Phil's comments.

Bulletin #8 - December 22, 2000

Alliance Formally Organizing as a Non-Profit. A majority of the informal group known as the Blue Goose Alliance met in Tijeras, New Mexico, on December 8 and 9, 2000, and voted unanimously to formally incorporate in New Mexico and apply for Federal 501(c)(3) non-profit status. As such, the Alliance will be able to seek tax-deductible contributions from charitable funding sources.

Bulletin #7 - November 5, 2000

Open Letter to Friends of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Earlier this year, a number of former refuge employees recognized the importance of the National Audubon Society's proposal to create a separate agency for the National Wildlife Refuge System. A letter expressing their support for this proposal was prepared and 36 individuals added their names. This Bulletin contains that letter.

Bulletin #6 - August 28, 2000

Important Questions Regarding The National Wildlife Refuge Service. The questions and answers in this Bulletin were prepared in anticipation of questions arising from a proposal to create a new National Wildlife Refuge Service within the Department of the Interior. This information is also available directly from the Home Page.

Bulletin #5 - August 2, 2000

Refuge Association Joins Audubon Society in Requesting Further Reforms in Administration of Refuge System. In June 2000, the Board of Directors of the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) unanimously passed a resolution stating that the NWRA believes further administrative improvements are needed. These improvements include a vertical structure for the Refuge System encompassing policy, budget, and programs separate from the other Fish and Wildlife Service Divisions, and a chief who has direct authority over the Refuge System. The Board also agreed that the conservation community should continue to explore, develop, and assess all proposals for organizational reform of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Bulletin #4 - July 22, 2000

Getting the Message to Friends Group Members. Recently, Don Redfearn met with the Board of Directors of the Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR to discuss the Refuge System and the proposal to create a new National Wildlife Refuge Service. The Board requested a brief article on this subject for their newsletter. While developing this article, the Alliance felt that it should be provided to other Friends Groups who might wish to share it with their members through their own newsletters. This Bulletin contains the article. With appropriate introductory material, the article is also suitable for newsletters of other organizations such as National Wildlife Federation affiliates, Sierra Club chapters, Isaac Walton League chapters, and others.

Bulletin #3 - June 29, 2000

Testimony on Refuge Needs. Testimony Submitted to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans of the House Committee on Resources regarding the current status and future needs of America's National Wildlife Refuge System.

Bulletin #2 - June 28, 2000

Testimony supporting Centennial Legislation. On Thursday, June 15, 2000, the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife & Oceans of the House Resources Committee held a hearing on H.R.4442, To establish a commission to promote awareness of the National Wildlife Refuge System among the American public as the System celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2003, and for other purposes. The Alliance submitted testimony in support of that legislation. This Bulletin contains the text of that testimony.

Bulletin #1 - June 27, 2000 (Revised January 26, 2002)

This inaugural issue of the Blue Goose Alliance Bulletin describes the Alliance, why it was formed, and how it plans to achieve its objective. The background and nature of the Bulletins are also discussed.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES....WHERE THE EXTRAORDINARY IS EVERY DAY!