|
 |
|
|
|
AWB Calls for Independent Investigation of Lynx Hoax |
|
|
|
Written On: December 19, 2001 |
|
|
|
Written By: Richard Davis |
|
|
|
Olympia -- In letters to President Bush, Governor Locke and Washington’s congressional delegation, AWB President Don Brunell called for an immediate independent investigation into whether federal and state biologists planted fur from an endangered lynx in two national forests in Washington to halt resource management in those areas.
According to federal officials, seven employees of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife allegedly planted the fur in the Gifford Pinchot and Wenatchee National Forests.
The Canadian lynx is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. If a lynx had settled in those forests, U.S. officials would have had to close off significant portions of the land from resource reclamation and recreational uses.
Brunell says that an investigation must begin as soon as possible to maintain the integrity of both the ESA and the state and federal wildlife protection agencies.
“What really is at stake here is the Endangered Species Act itself and the credibility of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,” Brunell said in his letter. “If those entrusted to fulfill the obligations of the law are skewing it, then the law itself is weakened and endangered.
“If state and federal government scientists cannot be trusted to produce solid, unbiased, honest and complete scientific information, then the confidence of those agencies is severely eroded.”
|
|
|
|
