NvWF was founded over 50 years ago by dedicated sportsmen that wanted to work on wildlife and wildlife habitat. Our membership consists of affiliate clubs and members. We have nearly 10,000 members.
The public domain lands in Nevada are habitat to many unique plants and animals. We are very concerned about this habitat. I asked for comments from affiliates and members for this testimony.
The general concern of all was the lack of funding to take care of the land. Nevada could use funding to help with long term projects to include:
Flood protection along our few rivers to protect habitat. Water quality needs improvement as we remove mercury, arsenic and other pollutants.
Water issues are a concern on the Stillwater Refuge, and Lahontan Valley wetlands here in the North. There is a severe shortage of water to maintain the wetlands. Invasions of noxious weeds in the riparian areas are stealing valuable water. In the southern part of the state, the Multi Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) will need funding to continue the goals of recovery efforts for fish species such as the bonytail chub and the razorback sucker. (see attachment one)
Walker Lake is an unique situation where the water coming to the lake is allocated at 130% for irrigation. There is a need for money for willing sellers to give water rights to the lake. Right now our Division of Wildlife owns a small amount of water rights that in dry years does not even reach the lake. This desert lake will die and the waters where migratory birds rest will not support them with food.
The Great Basin Initiative is a good start for noxious weed control. There needs to be many educational seminars to educate the public on the weeds and how to control them. Our state needs to be fully involved in this problem with funding.
Several affiliates commented on the lack of funding for control of the wild horses in our state. The herd populations are high and there is little to no money to bring the herds to the set limits of control. We see damage to the habitat from overgrazing in wildlife areas. Now that we are in a dry year there is even more damage. We do not have the man power to do the monitoring and repair work. Some of the range workers in our federal agencies cover more land in a year then what is in some states in the East. It is impossible to do a good job with this much territory. Our federal agencies need budgets increased to meet this problem. State agencies need funding for wildlife habitat improvements. There needs to be grants for conservation groups to help out on projects.
Other affiliates are concerned with the lack of funding to do the proper studies. We need BEST SCIENCE to take the lead in wildlife issues. There needs to be monitoring, research, and studies to show that the program will work or has worked. Often funds dry up before this is done.
Education is vital. The NvWF is using time and money to work with our North West Sage Grouse Working Group for this purpose. We have members from all walks of life making a slide show and pamphlet to educate the public and the agriculture industry on just what a sage grouse needs to survive and stop the declining trends. Our governor has a state wide committee working on Conservation Plans to help stop the decline of sage grouse in our state and we fully support his efforts. (see attachment two)
Other educational programs by NvWF include our annual wildlife poster contest for school age children and Backyard Habitats for those wanting to help provide habitat for wildlife close to home. Our affiliate, the Truckee River Flyfishers started a trout in the class room program where grade school children raise trout fry in the class room and then put them in the river. Ann Privrasky got this program established so well that our Division of Wildlife is going to try to get this program in every grade school in the state.
Education can be as simple as having our city, county, state and federal offices remember we live in a desert state and they should landscape their areas with desert landscaping instead of green lawns and other high water usage plants. This would educate the public also. In summary, our state needs guaranteed funding so we can do long term planning and repair the damage to the land.
The Pittman-Robertson and Dingell Johnson Funds were so successful in funding state agencies to administrate wildlife programs that some states and other local governments have never developed other funding sources to manage wildlife programs. A guaranteed CARA type fund would greatly enhance these programs. (see attachment three)
I thank you for your time and the chance to share some information about Nevada. I will gladly try to answer any questions you may have.
Elsie Dupree NvWF, President.
Hi Elsie,
First, the wildlife title should include a specific amount. The proposed $350 million in HR 701 for state fish and wildlife agencies is a must.
A river and So. NV example you could use in your written testimony is the following:
The second title could be used to provide funding for species recovery activities under habitat conservation plans such as the Lower CO Multi Species Conservation Plan. The MSCP is making a commitment to continue the recovery efforts of threatened and endangered species above the efforts mandated by the Endangered Species Act. While the states and private entities are providing a substantial amount of funding, funding under a species recovery agreement could further the goals of recovery efforts for such fish species as the bonytail chub, humpback chub, and the razorback sucker.
Funding under this title could be used to encourage species restoration efforts while eradicating invasive species. The Lower CO MSCP is encouraging the restoration of native species such as the cottonwood willow while controlling such invasive species as tamarisk and salt cedar.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck! Myra
Subject: Sage Grouse Article
Nevada Wildlife Federation Works on Sage Grouse Booklet & Public Involvement Campaign by Julie Dudley, Chair of Nevada Wildlife Federation's Endangered Species Alliance
Background
Sage grouse are the "ambassadors" of the sagebrush ecosystem, spanning parts of California, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Utah. According to a Jan. 29, 2001 article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, sage grouse once numbered 2 million, but today they are estimated at a mere "140,000 birds." During the past few years, scientists have noted a 30 percent decline in sage grouse numbers, and in some places, 80 percent.
There are many reasons for the decline in sage grouse numbers and no easy solution. Because sage grouse are suffering from extensive loss of sagebrush habitat, the drop in their population is more than worrisome. To many it indicates the beginning of the collapse of the entire sagebrush ecosystem.
In early 2000, the Nevada Wildlife Federation (NvWF) formed the Northwest Nevada Sage Grouse Working Group (NWNVSGWG) to begin discussing the sage grouse problem at monthly meetings in Reno and Carson City. This group's mission is to advocate improvement of habitat for sage grouse and other wildlife dependent on the sagebrush ecosystem in Northwest Nevada.
Former Nevada Wildlife Federation President, Gale Dupree, is chair of the NWNVSGWG and I am the vice chair. The NWNVSGWG has three goals: 1. To educate ourselves about a healthy sagebrush ecosystem and sage grouse habitat requirements
2. To insist state and federal agencies immediately develop and implement sage grouse conservation plans
3. To build public involvement and support among Nevadans about the urgency of improving the sagebrush ecosystem and sage grouse habitat requirements, including operating a Web site with information on sage grouse conservation needs
Based on scientific research conducted throughout the West, there are many reasons for the loss of sagebrush, and thus the decline in sage grouse. These reasons are one or a combination of the following:
-- Invasion of annual, non-native plant species like cheatgrass
-- Increased fire frequency followed by weed invasions Brush control followed by seeding of non-native grass species
-- Invasion of pinyon and juniper woodlands into shrub communities
-- Conversion to agriculture Various livestock management practices Habitat fragmentation due to power lines, fences, roads and urbanization
Because of the sage grouse's potential listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), comparisons are being drawn between the grouse and the spotted owl controversy ("The Next Spotted Owl," Audubon, Nov/Dec 2000) which divided communities in the Pacific Northwest. If the sage grouse is listed under the ESA, much larger areas of the West will be affected than those in the spotted owl controversy. Many Nevadans would like to take positive, preliminary steps to avoid the heated polarization displayed during the spotted owl controversy.
The NNNVSGWG is seeking funding to accomplish one such project by answering Nevada private landowners' questions: "what can we do to restore sage grouse populations?" The Sage Grouse Booklet and Public Involvement Campaign will provide the answers to this question by giving private landowners information about seasonal sage grouse habitats and ways to make conditions more conducive for the birds.
Based on shared information at NWNVSGWG meetings, the Nevada Farm Bureau and Society for Range Management are helping make this project a success. Conservation groups are also well-represented at the working group meetings with members of the Sierra Club, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, American Lands Alliance and Lahontan Audubon Society attending, plus many state and federal agency contacts.
The Sage Grouse Booklet and Public Involvement Campaign aims to print an informational booklet based on science distributed to Nevada private landowners recommending steps to enhance sage grouse habitat. Second-tier audiences include the media, state and federal agency scientists, county commissioners, state and federal legislators and the general public.
Accompanying the printing and distribution of the booklet is a public involvement campaign that includes press releases, media relations, ad placements, flyers and a special sage grouse Web page added to the current NVWF site at www.nvwf.org.
If you would like more information about this project, or would like to attend a NWNVSGWG meeting, please call Julie Dudley, at (775) 323-4500 or Gale Dupree at (775) 885-0405.
ATTACHMENT TWO:
Subject: Testimony thoughts
Elsie, I have been all day on a Black Rock NCA RAC meeting and will be going out shortly for the evening.
So...here are my thoughts.
The Pittman-Robertson and Dingell Johnson funds were so successful in funding state agencies to administer wildlife programs that states and local governments have never developed other funding sources to manage wildlife programs. Without PR and DJ funds, the states, at this time, would have no wildlife program. With all the other commitments, states have made, they are unable or unwilling to step up to the plate now to fund wildlife programs. The PR and DJ funds primarily administer the agencies, some research and contribute to purchase of key lands and water.
Because of federal lands in the West, lakes, reservoirs, and streams, DJ and PR funds have not had to stretch to purchase habitat. Many wildlife management areas and National Wildlife Refuges were created to exist on drain or excess water from irrigation projects. As we know now, "waste" or drain water is a disappearing commodity and too late wildlife agencies both state and federal must purchase water to support these lands.
Belatedly, some states have through bonding issues started to invest in land and water purchases or capitol improvements. The State of Nevada has had parks and wildlife bonds in 1973 and 1990; a bill has been introduced for another park and wildlife bond. Some counties have also invested in open space through bonds. Washoe County recently passed a $38,000,000 bond; however, parks for recreational development were the primary expenditures.
The success of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell Johnson is also a shortcoming. Although states are responsible for managing all wildlife within the states, wildlife agencies spend virtually all of their funds managing game species. Nongame species management is limited.
Federal lands once so vacant and available for wildlife are now becoming filled with receptionists, utility and transportation corridors, energy development, and other uses. Growing populations will require federal lands and tap agricultural water on both private and federal lands.
If we are to sustain wildlife populations, then states must expand their responsibilities to managing wildlife species. All species of wildlife dependent on wetland and riparian areas will require more knowledge of their habitats and distribution, more education of the public and more law enforcement. State wildlife agencies are well equipped to handle these new tasks. Many, like the Division of Wildlife, have with minimal state funding provided limited nongame programs since 1970.
Some of the species which could benefit from these funds are: the long billed curlew which is declining. Development and maintenance of habitat for sandhill cranes. Creation and preservation of wetlands for both waterfowl and shorebirds.
The Spring Mountains in southern Nevada host endemic mammals whose distribution and habitat needs must be incorporated into an area increasingly popular for recreation.
The Division of Wildlife could build Nature trails, and interpretive centers, in existing areas and provide additional education programs for schools. The Division of Wildlife could work more closely with local government and federal agencies, for instances, to identify critical habitat for nongame species and to develop programs to minimize impact on the habitat.
While nongame is important in this legislation, I would like to point out that in the sage grouse potential listing has made us aware that ecosystem protection is important. CARA funds could be blended with game funds to build comprehensive programs. The bear in Nevada is not a game species but is a species which is requiring more time and commitment because people are encroaching on its habitat.
Tina Nappe
Date: Thu. 5 Apr 001 11:00:08-0700
From: Julie Dudley
To: `The Duprees'
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 001 18:35:43-0700
From: Leontine Nappe
To: Elsie Dupree