Review of NWRs and Fish Hatcheries

[SAJ-99]

More bad news. Full review ordered. Sounds like they want shut some down.

The Trump administration says it will ‘review’ the nation’s wildlife refuges

The Trump administration said this week that it plans to “review” the nation’s wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries. The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) posted a directive on its website this week …

thehill.com

 

[Hunting Wife]

The Service has lost 20% of its staff this year. Perfect opportunity to start closing things.

 

[Big Fin]

Not sure who is pushing this effort. I have my concerns as to the motives behind it. Will be interesting to see what Nesvik and Coursey suggest; two Wyoming folks with strong ties to the hunting world.

 

[F250]

I am hoping this review will get some of the Refuges, at least from my prospective, back on track. One particular Refuge that I frequent, has lost it’s way. The Refuge land was purchased many decades ago with Duck Stamp money. The focus was always on waterfowl with duck banding, nest boxes, a dike system to manipulate water levels for maximum nesting effort, a strong law enforcement presence during the waterfowl season, biologists bag checks at boat launch sites, etc. Over the past decade all of those activities have stopped. Staff spends most of their time staring at a computer screen. The focus is on frogs, butterflies, and turtles .

 

[Hunting Wife]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but this review is most certainly not going to result in what you’re hoping.

 

[S.Dak Drifter]

USFWS has been forced to operate on skeleton crew budgets, it’s crushing over the long term to do more and more with less. Gotta have people to make the wheels turn ultimately. Having been a previous USFWS employee, I have witnessed the effects of shrinking staffing models over time- it is not good. I would not be surprised if some hatcheries are given to state or tribal entities to manage.