April 2013 Recap: Read the latest USARK newsletter reviewing all our work in April including another trip to D.C., the California “swap meet” bill and herp community networking. Read the press release HERE.
California AB 339: The “swap meet” bill has been amended to exclude reptile and aquatic trade shows. The bill has been amended in Assembly, read a second time and re-referred to Committee on Appropriations. Thanks to your voices through USARK’s action alerts and collaboration between PIJAC and USARK, reptile and aquatic shows will now be safe. Thanks for your support and action!
South Carolina Action Alert: H 3985 was introduced into the South Carolina House of Representatives on April 18, 2013. This “DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS ACT” seeks to ban possession of many species of reptiles and mammals including boa constrictors, reticulated pythons, Burmese pythons and crocodilians. Under this legislation, “it shall be unlawful for any person to import, possess, sell, transfer, or breed a dangerous wild animal.” This bill needs to be stopped. View the Action Alert HERE
New bill in South Carolina: “Regulation of Dangerous Wild Animals” H 3985 was introduced and referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs yesterday. Full text can be found at the link. More details coming soon. http://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SC3895.pdf
On Friday, April 12, USARK President Phil Goss and USARK’s Washington legal counsel from Kelley Drye met with senior staff at the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to press the case for withdrawal of the remaining rule and reversal of the current rule designating several snake species as injurious under the Lacey Act. Read more HERE
USARK demands that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdraw listing proposals for five species of constrictor snakes and calls listing of four constricting snakes “arbitrary and capricious.” Read more HERE
California AB 339 Update: This bill moved from the California Committee on Public Safety and was re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations on April 2. California residents need to act now! Click HERE
Connecticut HB 5832 Update: April 3rd is the JF Deadline (the date by which each committee must report out bills or resolutions for further consideration by other committees or the full General Assembly). The bill will be “dead” tonight. This bill would have banned boa constrictors and Burmese pythons in Connecticut. Thanks to everyone who used the USARK Action Alert to voice their opinions.
H.R. 996 Action Alert: The Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2013 (“IFWP”) has been introduced. Among other things, the IFWP creates a new system for designating species as “injurious” and banning import, interstate commerce, and transportation of listed taxa. Find more information HERE
Nevada Action Alert: Assembly Bill 246, as written, would ban reptile shows in Nevada by prohibiting the sale of animals at swap meets. Please support your fellow herpers. View the Action Alert here: http://usark.org/campaign/nevada-assembly-bill-246/
Nevada Action Alert: Hearing March 28! Please read the entire alert. Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to send your emails and share this webpage with Nevada residents. USARK appreciates your support!
Announcement: USARK and our D.C. legal team are currently analyzing HR 996 (a reintroduction of HR 669: Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act to summarize), corresponding with assigned committees and building an appropriate plan of action. It is prudent to develop our strongest strategy. USARK will keep you updated on noteworthy happenings. View a summary of the bill HERE
ACTION ALERT: Minnesota and Coon Rapids, MN Residents.
A proposal to limit the number of domestic animals kept as pets, including herps, to twelve. See the Action Alert HERE
USFWS Overtime Resolved and NARBC Recap
USFWS has lifted the restriction of overtime operations. Special thanks to Marshall Meyers, PIJAC and everyone who utilized the USARK Action Alert campaign. NARBC Tinley Park saw great attendance and raised over $28,000 at the Saturday night auction, including $10,200 for Rico Walder. Read more HERE
ShipYourReptiles.com now offers a convenient donation option to support USARK and PIJAC. USARK greatly appreciates this new program from ShipYourReptiles.com! Read more HERE!
ISSUE RESOLVED: USFWS Suspends Overtime for Wildlife Import/Export Operations
USFWS has announced that effective immediately, it will suspend all inspection and clearance of wildlife imports/exports during overtime hours on weekdays, weekends, or Federal Holidays. This draconian measure is in response to the recent across the board budget cuts implemented by the White House as part of the budgetary sequester. As a result, shipments will be delayed and animals will be put needlessly at risk. See the Action Alert here: http://usark.org/press-releases/action-alert-usfws-suspends-overtime-for-wildlife-importexport-operations/
California Action Alert – ACT NOW
Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails in 30 seconds. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to send your emails and share this webpage with California residents. USARK appreciates your support!
via Turtle Survival Alliance: It is with a deep sense of loss that we report the untimely passing of Greg Fleming, DVM of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Greg died in Mozambique, after apparently suffering a stroke that led to cardiac arrest. The zoo and turtle community are stunned this morning over this tragic news and Greg’s death leaves a hole in our ranks that will be impossible to fill. Greg had a huge personality, a sarcastic wit, a sharp intellect and was always surrounded by laughter. Aside from being a good clinician, Greg was an accomplished turtle breeder, managing one of the few successful breeding groups of Sulawesi Forest Turtles in the US. He was a former member of the TSA Steering Committee and a frequent fixture at TSA conferences. In fact we were just recently on conference call with Greg and he had planned to join a team of vets at the Turtle Survival Center in early April for the first wave of incoming turtles. Over the years Greg contributed valuable time and resources to the TSA, helping to treat and rehabilitate countless turtles and tortoises that had been placed in our care by USFWS. Please join us in extending our condolences to Greg’s family in Calgary and the entire Disney team for their loss. Decisions are still being made regarding services, where cards may be sent, and what special cause Greg’s family recommends in lieu of flowers. As soon as the Disney family has more details, they will share them.
USARK sends support and condolences to Dr. Fleming’s family, friends and colleagues.
This article updates that Blanding’s turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins have been added by CITES as Appendix II animals. “For species included on this list, international trade is regulated by a system in which permits are issued only when trade has been determined to be non-detrimental to species survival. CITES-listed species are also subject to mandatory reporting requirements.” Click HERE for full article.
Click HERE to read an informative article from the Washington Times concerning potential flaws with the current Endangered Species Act process. The article cites flaws with using the “best available research” which may not be adequate or accurate. It also mentions a proposed bill that may ban the use of taxpayer dollars to fund lawsuits, and also give state and county governments the opportunity to block settlements. Read more HERE.
CITES Summit 2013 Update (additions to Appendix II, etc.)
CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) is meeting in Bangkok, Thailand March 3-14, 2013. Several species of reptiles, amphibians and insects are being proposed for addition, exclusion or movement to Appendices I and II. NOTE: Spotted turtle, Blanding’s turtle and Diamondback Terrapins being considered for addition to Appendix II. More details can be found HERE.
Reptile Times Interview with USARK President, Phil Goss
USARK President, Phil Goss, answers a few questions for Reptile Times. Goss discusses USARK’s fight for the entire industry, uniting the herp community, the importance of reptile education to the masses, monkey-tailed skinks, boas and more. The full article can be found HERE.
Montana Action Alert - ACT NOW
Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails in 30 seconds. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to send your emails and share this webpage with Montana residents. USARK appreciates your support!
USARK Receives PIJAC Membership and NARBC Arlington Recap
The PIJAC Board of Directors voted unanimously to provide USARK an honorary membership. Also, NARBC Arlington raised $12,090 for USARK/PIJAC and an additional $2730 for Rico Walder. USARK appreciates continued support from NARBC! The complete press release with a full list of auction contributors and volunteers can be read by clicking HERE
New document made public from HR 511 Hearing
Below is a link to the Georgetown Economic Services response to the questions posed by Rep. Sablon and a rebuttal of the criticisms of the GES report by the witnesses during the hearing on HR 511. The letter and the GES report are part of the public record for the hearing.
CLICK HERE to view the document
USARK’s new President visits Washington D.C.
USARK President, Phil Goss, visited Washington D.C. last week. Goss had several meetings on Capitol Hill. Not only did Goss address Capitol Hill, he also collaborated with Kelley Drye and Warren LLP, USARK’s Washington-based legal experts, to finalize USARK’s legal strategy. Kelley Drye is the foremost authority regarding reptile and animal law and is the most influential lobbying firm concerning reptile legislation.Click HERE or the photo to the left to see the full story.
World-renowned snake breeder Rico Walder was diagnosed with brain cancer. His close friends and family have set up this fund in order to help ease the financial burden during his time of need. Please help support one of the herp community’s finest members and help him get back on his feet. Any and all donations are appreciated! Thank you!
Click HERE or the pic to the left to visit the Rico Relief Effort page. Thank you for you time and consideration.
West Virginia Action Alert - ACT NOW
Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails in 30 seconds. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to share this webpage with West Virginia residents. USARK appreciates your support!
Connecticut Action Alert – ACT NOW
Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails in 30 seconds. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to share this webpage with Connecticut residents. USARK appreciates your support!
New York Action Alert – ACT NOW
Follow this link (CLICK HERE) and send your emails in 30 seconds. Be sure to share this with others. It is very important to share this webpage with New York residents. USARK appreciates your support!
