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Ken Perrotte's outdoor column Date published: 7/29/2010
SECRETARY OF THE Interior Ken Salazar and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday the appointments of 18 people to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council. The group was created in February to advise about recreational hunting and shooting sports activities and associated wildlife and habitat conservation. Members serve two-year terms (see list). The new council replaces the Sporting Conservation Council (a 12-member council established in March 2006) and reflects a broad range of interests. While previously represented organizations Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association are absent in the new membership, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has taken a place at the table. Other interesting additions include The Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation and the chief executive of Cabela's, as well as a representative of the Alaska Professional Hunters Association Inc. "At the recent America's Great Outdoors conference, President Obama said that few pursuits are more satisfying to the spirit than discovering the greatness of America's outdoors. I look forward to working with the council to help fulfill my generation's obligation to ensure that the next generation enjoys a thriving wildlife heritage," Salazar said. Added Vilsack: "Maintaining and conserving wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage in the face of today's conservation challenges requires a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local officials and partners in the private sector." Salazar noted that revenue from hunting licenses, duck stamps and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment provides billions of dollars to purchase and maintain habitat for wildlife across the nation. Revenues also provide the principal source of funding for state wildlife agency conservation work.
Wolves at the Door? How would you like wolves roaming the farms and forests of Virginia? One topic likely to be on this new council's agenda over the next year is the issue of wolf reintroduction and continued protection. A 19-page petition filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last week by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity is calling for gray wolf introduction across America.
Date published: 7/29/2010
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