Sierra Club
ADVOCACY OF OUR NATION'S WILDLIFE

by

Michael J. Caire, M.D., Co-Chairman National Wildlife Refuge Subcommittee

Our National Wildlife Refuge System is receiving increased attention for the development of an Organic Act which will be a Congressionally authorized statement of purpose, duties, and responsibilities of the USFWS in the management of cur nation' s Wildlife Refuge System. A Refuge Advocate Program is being developed by the Club to network involved members and to make the general membership more aware of the problems on air refuges.

The problems on our refuges could fill a book and range from Super Fund toxic waste dumps on refuge lands to inadequate funds to staff the minimum functions of refuge management. However, I feel the greatest problem facing our refuges is the lack of commitment by our nation's refuge leaders to the primacy of wildlife in refuge management; and, furthermore, the lack of a true biological perspective in the management of our refuges. By a true biological, perspective I mean acceptance of a viewpoint that has wildlife management as a ecosystem biodiversity preserving/enhancing technique with a continental if not global sphere of influence.

This biological viewpoint can be contrasted with the present reality in which listed species of the Endangered Species Act can be adversely affected by practices on refuge lands and these activities will still be allowed by upper level managers of our refuges until legally challenged and commanded by our court system to cease such activities. The Piping Plover on Chincoteague NWR is just one example of this reality. Another glaring reminder of the lack of commitment by the refuge leaders to a biological viewpoint is the recent Draft EIS for refuge management. This document treated each refuge as independent units not in any way connected together as a system! How can our wildlife be preserved if our refuge managers are not allowed to look beyond refuge boundaries to examine the ecological system in which our nation's wildlife function?

The future of our refuge system demands an ecosystem approach to wildlife management. Biodiversity must be a key end point of management. The restoration of habitat, and the species that dwell there must become true realities of the USFWS, not just words on paper that are given lip service only.

An involved public is one necessary requirement to achieve such a goal and I urge all interested Sierrans to join the National Wildlife Refuge Advocate Program by sending their name, address, telephone number and nearest refuge name to Michael J. Caire, M.D., 221 McMillan Road, West Monroe, Louisiana 71291 - (318-325-6790).
 
Page Index Prev Page 17 Next Issue Index