Posted on 11/19/2004 5:23:44 PM PST by neverdem
Department of Environmental Commissioner Bradley Campbell's attempt to "take control" of wildlife management in the state could cost New Jersey millions in federal aid.
In a letter released yesterday, the U.S. Department of the Interior threatened to withdraw $2 million in annual wildlife aid to New Jersey because Campbell has violated federal regulations by interfering with a planned bear hunt authorized by an... The letter was made public during a hearing yesterday on a lawsuit to stop Campbell from closing state-owned land to bear hunters.
The Interior Department contends Campbell is improperly "attempting to take control" of wildlife management authority bestowed on the independent state Fish and Game Council and the DEP's own Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The $2 million in aid is used for statewide conservation efforts, which include studying and management of wildlife populations like deer and bear.
In a telephone news conference later yesterday, Campbell said he has contacted the federal agency in hopes of settling the issue.
"We will not do anything that will imperil federal funds," he said.
Campbell lost one battle to stop next month's bear hunt when a state appeals court ruled Tuesday that he overstepped his authority by refusing to issue permits to hunters who want to join the bear hunt, scheduled for Dec. 6-11.
Yesterday, the same appeals court heard arguments on whether Campbell again went too far when he banned bear hunters from state- controlled land -- about 198 square miles of a larger, 1,558-square-mile region in northwest New Jersey where the hunt would be conducted.
The Safari Club International, a hunting group, filed suit to overturn that ban.
Campbell has said that if his court battles fail, he will not try to further impede the hunt. Last year, New Jersey held its first bear hunt in 33 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Now there is one heck of a pleasant change of focus for our federal government!
2 million in Wildlife Aid ?
Aid for Families with Dependant children I can sorta understand.
But why are the animals on welfare ?
;-)
They can't go into the city for food stamps cause we'll shoot at them ?
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