Stewart Reptiles

Archive for the ‘Legislations’ Category

ALERT: USARK Challenge/USFWS Rule Change

As we have stated previously, successfully challenging the USFWS Proposed Rule Change that could add 9 constrictor snakes to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act involves a multi- pronged strategy.  This strategy is currently being implemented by USARK in coordination with coalition partners representing various like-minded constituencies. Making public comment is vitally important, but just one piece of our strategic plan. Here is a brief overview of the necessary steps as we see them.

1.  Make Public Comment to USFWS: Deadline Tuesday May 11, 2010: USARK has requested a 90 day extension (we have it on authority that our request will be denied). Please comment ASAP! Go to www.Kill-RuleChange.com for guidelines on making comment.

2.  Challenge USFWS  Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA): IRFA is the USFWS economic analysis. Although USARK is spearheading an independent Economic Assessment of the entire reptile industry with a Georgetown firm, our job at present is to show the problems with the USFWS assessment- Click here to read USARK IRFA Response:http://www.usark.org/uploads/Response%20to%20USFWS%20IRFA.pdf.

3.  Challenge the USGS report on constrictor snakes under the Information Quality Act (IQA): The IQA requires that when federal agencies consider regulation that is unprecedented, controversial and/or would have significant economic impact, that they be held to a very high standard as to the quality of information used to support such regulation. It also requires all alternatives be considered. We believe USGS/ USFWS have failed on all accounts- Click here to read USARK IQA Challenge:http://www.usark.org/uploads/USARK%20IQA%20Challenge.pdf.

4.  Prepare a Superior Alternative: USARK is working with state wildlife agencies and leading academics to set up a State/ Locality based Risk Assessment and industry Best Management Practices as an alternative to Lacey Act listing.

5.  Prepare to file a Federal Lawsuit: In anticipation that USFWS ignores the fact that there are gross inequities, misrepresentations and inaccuracies in the Proposed Rule and agency reports used to support the Proposed Rule. There are also alternatives that have not been fully explored.

Although each step is interrelated and extremely important, one of the most crucial parts of this puzzle is the IQA Challenge. Our IQA document was prepared by the same person handling the most prominent IQA challenge in the country, which many of you may know involves the delta smelt in the central California valley.  Although some have characterized our challenge as being too critical of government agencies, USARK disagrees. We believe that the agencies involved have done an extremely poor job of supporting their position, and our IQA challenge will bring that point to the fore and establish it as part of the public record. Our IQA document is in large part the product of a coalition effort that USARK has been engaged in for roughly four months.  If we are successful then it is likely the focus will move to our proposed alternative.

The most immediate need is for Reptile Nation to make public comments on the proposed rule. Groups advocating this “snake ban” have their members engaged and producing comments in large numbers.  It is therefore essential we get our folks engaged and that everyone go online and submit comments.  Please make those Public Comments prior to the DEADLINE of May 11th! We have set up a page on the USARK website to help you along.  Please visit www.Kill-RuleChange.com for suggestions for your consideration.

On Wednesday February 3rd GA Senate Bill 303 was heard before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & the Environment. This was the second hearing in a week regarding S303. Prior to the hearing USARK President, Andrew Wyatt, contacted Senator Douglas (the bill’s sponsor), Committee Chair Senator Tolleson and Vice Chair Senator Bulloch, and presented USARK’s Model State Legislation as a potential Committee Substitute. At the hearing USARK was represented by B.W. Smith of Atlanta who distributed copies of USARK’s proposal  to the rest of the Committee Members. He then eloquently outlined the proposal and answered questions. S303 in its current form is cost prohibitive and does not address issues of secure containment and escape prevention. Further it makes no provision for the animals that could be rendered worthless and homeless overnight.

The benefits of the USARK proposal are:

* Secure Containment Required
* Safety & Escape Prevention Protocols
* No Permits, Fees or Central Administration
* Clear Remedy for Violations
* No Cost to State

The Committee decided to postpone a vote on S303 while members review the USARK proposal as a potential Committee Substitute. USARK would like to thank Senators Douglas, Toleson and Bulloch, as well as all the Members of the Committee, for their consideration. USARK looks forward to working with Committee Staff and Members to craft a bill that will provide best industry management standards for addressing the issues of secure containment and escape prevention without being prohibitive and forcing undue pressure on small business. If passed as written S303 could mean the loss of hundreds of jobs.

We need many more emails sent to provide grass roots support of our message in the GA Senate. Let’s show the GA Senate the Reptile Nation is serious. OPPOSE S303-  Send an Email to the Senate Natural Resources Committee today to OPPOSE S303. Click here: http://usark.org/campaign.php?id=10

***Stay tuned for date and time of next Committee Hearing. Please attend if possible. There is Strength in Numbers… Protect Your Rights!***

This is a link to the USARK press release in the Atlanta Business Chronicle: http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/prnewswire/press_releases.

The DEADLINE for getting your letters opposing S373 to Tom Wolfe has been extended to Wednsday January 20th. Last day to overnight will be Tuesday the 19th. We don’t believe the Senate will be back for a vote untill then. We have an extra 10 days to push our numbers up higher. Please take advantage of this opportunity! This is extremely serious. If we do not succeed 1/3 of the Reptile Nation could be destroyed! Thousands will lose jobs. Many businesses will be bankrupted. Individuals could lose their homes. The time to ACT is NOW!!!!

We need an ALL OUT effort right now. It is very simple. Write your letters like we did when we killed HR669. It is the MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do right now. Follow the instructions below:

1. Letters to your Senators- Go to www.Kill-S373.com and follow the instructions. Use the ‘Sample Letter’. Watch the instructional video. There is no substitute for REAL letters. Do it NOW!!!

2. Email your Senators- This is NOT a substitute for REAL letters. Click here we have made it easy for you. http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2705/tell-us-senate-to-stop-python-ban/

3. Contact the Media- ‘Pythons, Politics & Death of the American Dream’ campaign. Click on the links below:
     • MSNBC- http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2766/msnbc-pythons-politics-death-american-dream/
     • CNN-  http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2765/cnn-pythons-politics-death-american-dream/�
     • FOX News- http://www.rallycongress.com/united-states-association-of-reptile-keepers/2726/pythons-politics-death-american-dream/

The future of the Reptile Nation could be decided by what you as an individual are prepared to do over the next few days. Do not miss this opportunity to make a difference! Our community needs to pull together as never before. Do NOT let this be the final days of the Reptile Industry and Hobby!

Special Message to Industry Leaders: If you make your living in the reptile trade you need to do all of the things listed above that the rest of the Reptile Nation is doing… and more! It is your responsibility to get a meeting with your Senator and make your case. You represent the industry in your state. By making direct contact with your Senators you give them a reason to oppose S373. Jobs and the Economy are important. Make your case. The time is NOW!!!

***Please Click the USARK Donate Button at the top of this page and contribute $10 to help pay for the USARK Kill S373 Letter Campaign***

www.Kill-S373.com - NEW DEADLINE January 20, 2010… overnight mail by January 19th.