matthewp45 Report post Posted July 9, 2007 I recieved this email today about some green groups trying to sew the FWS for putting in man made waterholes in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. I have hunted the Kofas a lot and the animal situation is terrible. The drought has had a huge effect on the population of game in the area. Along with predators as well. Along with the email I heard from our club treasure YVR&GC that if they kill anymore collared lions they will also start litigation. This is crazy, here we are out there spending our money, some peoples time and hard work to help the game population and the greenies are there to try and help wipe out our game. Anyway if I keep going on I will start cussing and loose all sense. Here is the email that I recieved, Dear Arizona SCI Members: We need your help immediately! SCI's Litigation Department has become aware of a new lawsuit that two wilderness groups recently brought in federal court in Arizona. The lawsuit challenges important bighorn sheep conservation efforts. The two groups have sued to challenge the FWS's installation of artificial water developments in wilderness areas in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The two water developments were installed on the refuge by the Arizona Department of Game and Fish with the help of the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and others to help alleviate the drought conditions that are having an impact on the bighorn sheep in Kofa. In order for SCI to participate in a case, we need a few members who can help us tell the court how the lawsuit affects their interests. For example, we are looking for SCI members who have hunted bighorn sheep on the refuge in the past, and/or individuals who have concrete plans to hunt bighorn sheep on the refuge in the future. We are also looking for members who are involved with bighorn sheep conservation, including those who may have participated in water development projects on the refuge. We would also be interested in hearing from members who visit the refuge for other reasons, and enjoy the presence of bighorn sheep, even if they are not able to hunt them. We will ask members who have had such experiences to help us to draft a declaration describing their SCI membership, hunting experiences, and interest and involvement in sheep hunting and conservation on Kofa NWR. A declaration is a legal document that is essentially a sworn statement. We will use the declarations that we receive from members to help us to assert SCI's interests if and when we decide to try to intervene in the lawsuit to defend against the wilderness groups' challenge. If you have been involved in any of the activities described above, please contact us immediately. Thank you. Anna M. Seidman aseidman@sci-dc.org Chief Litigation Counsel Safari Club International 202-543-8733 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KidBowHunter Report post Posted July 9, 2007 Anybody know what two groups are making the trouble? Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted July 9, 2007 Wilderness Watch Arizona Wilderness Coalition Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted July 9, 2007 Thanks for sharing and please keep us posted on any updates. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted July 9, 2007 From what I read, the opposition was to the motorized vehicles that were brought into the wilderness areas and the that it was all done without any public input, not to the actual water catchments. There are not supposed to be any motorized vehicles in a designated wilderness area. Does seem funny that they would sue to have them removeded though. Wouldn't it take more vehicles to get the drinkers out, not to mention that it (the lawsuite) will be a huge waste of time and money that could have been spent on better things. Just goes to show what these groups are all about. They rarley, if ever, actually spend any time or money on actual projects but mostly just try to keep Americans off public land. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewp45 Report post Posted July 10, 2007 There is motor vehicle travel allowed on the designated roads. I am not sure if these two tanks are located on these roads. There are also a lot of tanks that are located 2-3 miles off of the roads. I guess everything will have to be brought in by helicopter. Wait the helicopter prop may disturb the sand. Oh well I guess we will just let everything die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGAINES Report post Posted July 10, 2007 The Center for Biological Diversity is the firm listed in the lawsuit the lawyer is from tucson, Erik B. Ryberg. They do not want tanks in there period, it is mentioned in the lawsuit that these tanks will allow predators to expand their range into the area and that would hurt the bighorn sheep population, it is also mentioned that there would be ravens which could affet the desert tortoise population, and in the next paragraph it mentions how it makes it easier for hunters with the water holes. The groups listed in my above post aren't anti hunting groups when you read their websites, they are more the tree hugger greenie types, but they are allying themselves with anti groups for this. We need to fight this to the end, whatever their reasoning behind this is, I see it as wrong and it is bad for all parties in the end if they win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
