RJ
07-06-2006, 07:17 PM
The only reason the cottontail is considered endangered is because DEC has destroyed all wildlife habitat on its state lands. It refuses to manage the forest preserve and other lands for wildlife food, shelter, habitat or any other purpose. DEC has destroyed the rabbit population, partridge population, deer population and others.
Don Sage sent this to us:
An animal rights group and an individual recently sued the U.S. Fish and Service over its alleged failure to take action to list the New England cottontail rabbit under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit alleges that the introduction of Eastern cottontails by the States and sporting clubs has contributed to the decline of the NE cottontail. This lawsuit and any action by the FWS to list the NE cottontail would have adverse impacts on hunting in the range of the species. First, hunting of NE cottontails, if any occurs, would cease. Second, due to the similarity of appearance between Eastern cottontails and NE cottontails, the hunting of Eastern cottontails likely would stop in areas also populated by NE cottontails. Third, the official designation of any habitat critical to the survival of the NE cottontail could interfere with the hunting of Eastern cottontails and possibly other game animals in that habitat.
The lawsuit concerns the FWS's compliance with statutory deadlines involved in listing a species. Little can be done to influence the outcome of the case. Likely the FWS will settle and agree to make the required findings within a set deadline. If this occurs, the FWS will seek public comments on whether or not to propose listing the NE cottontail as a threatened or endangered species. This public comment period would likely begin sometime in the next couple of months and run for 60 days. During the public comment period, sportsmen and women can oppose the listing by submitting comments themselves or helping SCI submit comments. The comments should provide scientific and anecdotal information about the NE cottontail, including population numbers and trends, biological data, information about habitat, impacts of listing on other activities, and related topics. SCI often submits comments on legal issues as well.
SCI will continue to monitor the lawsuit and any public comment period concerning the NE cottontail. We ask that if you are interested in this issue, have hunted cottontails in New England, have contacts at any of the affected States' fish and wildlife agencies, have any scientific or anecdotal information about the NE cottontail, and are willing to help, to please contact and provide any information to Doug Burdin, Assistant Litigation Counsel for SCI, at dburdin@sci-dc.org.
Douglas S. Burdin, Esq.
Safari Club International
202-543-8733
Don Sage sent this to us:
An animal rights group and an individual recently sued the U.S. Fish and Service over its alleged failure to take action to list the New England cottontail rabbit under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit alleges that the introduction of Eastern cottontails by the States and sporting clubs has contributed to the decline of the NE cottontail. This lawsuit and any action by the FWS to list the NE cottontail would have adverse impacts on hunting in the range of the species. First, hunting of NE cottontails, if any occurs, would cease. Second, due to the similarity of appearance between Eastern cottontails and NE cottontails, the hunting of Eastern cottontails likely would stop in areas also populated by NE cottontails. Third, the official designation of any habitat critical to the survival of the NE cottontail could interfere with the hunting of Eastern cottontails and possibly other game animals in that habitat.
The lawsuit concerns the FWS's compliance with statutory deadlines involved in listing a species. Little can be done to influence the outcome of the case. Likely the FWS will settle and agree to make the required findings within a set deadline. If this occurs, the FWS will seek public comments on whether or not to propose listing the NE cottontail as a threatened or endangered species. This public comment period would likely begin sometime in the next couple of months and run for 60 days. During the public comment period, sportsmen and women can oppose the listing by submitting comments themselves or helping SCI submit comments. The comments should provide scientific and anecdotal information about the NE cottontail, including population numbers and trends, biological data, information about habitat, impacts of listing on other activities, and related topics. SCI often submits comments on legal issues as well.
SCI will continue to monitor the lawsuit and any public comment period concerning the NE cottontail. We ask that if you are interested in this issue, have hunted cottontails in New England, have contacts at any of the affected States' fish and wildlife agencies, have any scientific or anecdotal information about the NE cottontail, and are willing to help, to please contact and provide any information to Doug Burdin, Assistant Litigation Counsel for SCI, at dburdin@sci-dc.org.
Douglas S. Burdin, Esq.
Safari Club International
202-543-8733