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10-31-2007, 05:29 PM
Wildlife Management Remains Priority in Kofa Refuge
Anti-hunters halt their advance against sporting rights in Arizona District court
October 30, 2007 (Arizona)
Threats to immediately halt critical wildlife management on federal hunting land has been overted, at least for the present.
On Oct. 18, environmental groups withdrew a motion for a temporary restraining order, which sought to shut down wildlife watering devices on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona until a legal complaint against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is settled. The suit was brought in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona by groups that claim the agency is violating federal environmental policies and Wilderness statutes by restoring and maintaining the waterers. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and other conservation groups that have filed to join the suit are satisfied with the withdrawal, which will allow the watering facilities to continue supporting desert wildlife, including wild sheep.
“While it is impossible to fully know why the environmental groups withdrew their motion, the USSAF and other wildlife advocates, along with federal and Arizona agencies, had vigorously argued against the temporary restraining order,” said Rick Story, USSAF senior vice president. “Why grant an emergency cessation to interrupt the watering facilities, especially when the plaintiffs are unlikely to ultimately prevail on the merits of their lawsuit?”
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has argued in previous suits that a Wilderness designation does not preclude wildlife conservation. It worked with the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and other conservation partners to urge the Interior Secretary to protect wildlife management on the Sonoran Desert National Monument when environmentalists sued to prevent the upkeep of watering devices. It also urged the National Park Service to allow watering devices on the East Mojave Desert National Preserve when wilderness advocates petitioned to end their use.
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is home to desert bighorn sheep and an array of other wildlife species. In 1990, more than 80 percent of the refuge was designated Wilderness by Congress.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is joined in the suit by Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. Plaintiffs in the case against the FWS include Wilderness Watch and Arizona Wilderness Coalition.
Anti-hunters halt their advance against sporting rights in Arizona District court
October 30, 2007 (Arizona)
Threats to immediately halt critical wildlife management on federal hunting land has been overted, at least for the present.
On Oct. 18, environmental groups withdrew a motion for a temporary restraining order, which sought to shut down wildlife watering devices on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona until a legal complaint against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is settled. The suit was brought in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona by groups that claim the agency is violating federal environmental policies and Wilderness statutes by restoring and maintaining the waterers. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and other conservation groups that have filed to join the suit are satisfied with the withdrawal, which will allow the watering facilities to continue supporting desert wildlife, including wild sheep.
“While it is impossible to fully know why the environmental groups withdrew their motion, the USSAF and other wildlife advocates, along with federal and Arizona agencies, had vigorously argued against the temporary restraining order,” said Rick Story, USSAF senior vice president. “Why grant an emergency cessation to interrupt the watering facilities, especially when the plaintiffs are unlikely to ultimately prevail on the merits of their lawsuit?”
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation has argued in previous suits that a Wilderness designation does not preclude wildlife conservation. It worked with the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and other conservation partners to urge the Interior Secretary to protect wildlife management on the Sonoran Desert National Monument when environmentalists sued to prevent the upkeep of watering devices. It also urged the National Park Service to allow watering devices on the East Mojave Desert National Preserve when wilderness advocates petitioned to end their use.
The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is home to desert bighorn sheep and an array of other wildlife species. In 1990, more than 80 percent of the refuge was designated Wilderness by Congress.
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is joined in the suit by Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Yuma Valley Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association. Plaintiffs in the case against the FWS include Wilderness Watch and Arizona Wilderness Coalition.