News

News about the National Wildlife Refuge System and the Blue Goose Alliance (Click on the headline to read the full news story):

Chronology of Events at National Bison Range Updated (4/8/2008)

The Blue Goose Alliance has just posted a completely updated Chronology of Events, including a full array of active references, relating to the continuing threat of an Annual Funding Agreement being implement at the Bison Range.

Annual Bison Range Round Up

The National Bison Range annual roundup: is designed to monitor herd health and remove surplus bison. The following story is reprinted from the Missoulian.

Long-time Alliance board member Florence LaRiviere and her husband Phil Honored

They 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.

National Bisorn Range Annual Funding Agreement Issue Continues To Smolder

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. A recent letter (May 15, 2007) from Representative Nick J. Rahall II, Chairman of the House Committee for Natural Resources, to Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne, lends support to DOI negotiating an AFA with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) of Montana.

CHRONOLOGY 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 important.

2007 Annual Meeting of the Blue Goose Allliance (Updated 3/7/2007)

The 2007 Annual Meeting of the Blue Goose Alliance is being held on March 23 and 24, 2007 at the St. Marks NWR near Tallahassee, FL. This is an open meeting for General Members, Affiliate Members, and Board of Directors. The interested public and potential members are welcome. Board of Director sessions may be closed to the public.

New report focuses on science aspects of National Bison Range management.

This new report, More Than Bison, is the first to apply the National Wildlife Refuge System's own emphasis on science as a perspective that demands consideration in decisions related to the annual funding agreement at the National Bison Range Complex

New book discusses the origins of the Blue Goose Alliance

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 fifty years as a refuge manager and describes, along with many other things, the formation of the Blue Goose Alliance.

Wildlife Refuge Cuts Crippling Conservation, Say Managers

Washington, DC - Sharp cuts in funding and staffing for the National Wildlife Refuge System are precluding needed conservation work while compromising wildlife law enforcement and visitor safety, according to a new survey of refuge managers released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The Bush administration is already implementing double-digit refuge budget cuts in several regions, with further reductions expected to be unveiled next week.

TRIBE SEEKING TOTAL TAKEOVER OF NATIONAL BISON RANGE

Washington, DC — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) are now negotiating the complete takeover of the National Bison Range Wildlife Refuge with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), according to documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Besides the National Bison Range, the CSKT are reportedly also seeking to assume control over the Swan River and Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuges as well as five waterfowl production areas near Kalispell, Montana.

Special Meeting of Blue Goose Alliance

The Blue Goose Alliance will be holding a meeting of affliates on October 10, 2006, in conjunction with the retirees reunion being held in Albuquerque, NM. All affliates are strongly encouraged to attend this important meeting.The meeting will start at 9:00am in "The Board Room" of the MCM Elegante Hotel. Please let John Doebel (JDoebel@aol.com) know if you plan to attend.

Lawsuit by Grazing Interests Threatens Comprehensive Planning Concept

Grazing interests in Stevens County, Washington have filed a lawsuit against the Refuge Manager at Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and both the Regional Director and the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The principal issue is the decision to eliminate grazing made in the Refuge’s 2000 Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and reaffirmed in a 2005 Habitat Management Plan (HMP).

Alaska Road Proposal Again Threatens Vital Refuge Area

Less than 8 years after loosing the battle to build an unnecessary road through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and its designated Wilderness area, the Governor of Alaska is once more seeking to build the road.

New Spotlight on National Wildlife Refuge System

Congressmen Jim Saxton (R-NJ) and Ron Kind (D-WI) recently announced formation of a Congressional National Wildlife Refuge Caucus, and enlisment of founding members in the House of Representatives. The official kick-off date will be September 14 when a breakfast event will celebrate formation of the caucus.

New Book on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Reviewed

A new book on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has just been released, and has been reviewed by Bill Reffalt, former President of the Blue Goose Alliance and presently on the Alliance's Board of Directors.

Blue Goose Alliance Establishes Regional Representatives

The Board of Directors of the Blue Goose Alliance at its annual meeting adopted a proposal to implement a network of regional contacts. The purpose is to provide a direct line of communication for refuge managers and others interested in the Refuge System to ask the Alliance to review major issues and consider acting upon them.