Legislative Alert

Real Estate Consolidation Could Cripple Fish and Wildlife’s Easement Program
(September 15, 2003)

The Senate Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations is currently considering a proposal that would consolidate the Department of Interior’s real estate appraisal functions, including those of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Delta Waterfowl believes this consolidation would reduce Fish and Wildlife’s ability to take easements on some of the most productive breeding habitat on the continent (see story on The Great American Plowout), and for that reason encourages members to voice their opposition to the proposal.

According to an impact statement issued by the chief of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 6 Division of Realty last July, consolidation of the real estate functions could increase the processing time for grassland and wetland easements by 9 to 12 months, and would reduce by 50 to 80 percent the agency’s ability to protect these imperiled habitats.

Delta Waterfowl has contacted the members of the Senate Subcommittee, asking them to consider an amendment stating that appraisals for conservation easements and fee acquisitons valued at less than $5 million remain within the Fish and Wildlife system.

Delta members are asked to contact the chairman of the subcommittee, Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana, and/or Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota to voice their concern over the consolidation. Sen. Burns’ office can be reached by sending a fax to 202-228-4532. Sen. Dorgan’s fax number is 202-228-2345.

Members also can send an email to any member of the committee by going to www.senate.gov and following the contact instructions.

Members of the subcommittee are Sens. Burns (chairman), Dorgan (ranking member), Ted Stevens (AK), Thad Cochran (MS), Pete Domenici (NM), Robert Bennett (UT), Judd Gregg (NH), Ben Nighthorse Campbell (CO), Sam Brownback (KS), Robert C. Byrd (WV), Patrick Leahy (VT), Ernest Hollings (SC), Harry Reid (NV), Diane Feinstein (CA) and Barbara Mikulski (MD).

Sample Letter

Dear Senator (fill in name),

As a sportsmen, I am concerned that the proposed “reprogramming” of the Department of Interior’s real estate functions will hamper the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s ability to take easements on native grasslands across the prairie pothole region.

These easements are currently protecting some of the best remaining waterfowl breeding habitat on the continent. Easements also help keep family ranch operations on the land.

For that reason, I encourage you to either oppose the consolidation, or to keep appraisals of conservation easements and fee acquisitions valued at less than $5 million within the Fish and Wildlife system.