Subject: FW: SOUTHWEST BIODIVERSITY ALERT #150

      ____________________________________________________
      \       SOUTHWEST BIODIVERSITY ALERT #150          /
       \                    9-3-98                      /
        \                                              /
         \ SOUTHWEST CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY  /
          \        http://www.sw-center.org          /
           \________________________________________/

1. ARIZONA EXPEDITION TEAM COMPLETES HIKE OF AZ TRAIL

2. SOUTHWEST CENTER RELEASED A DETAILED REPORT SHOWING SOUTHWESTERN
   WILLOW FLYCATCHER IS GOING EXTINCT, WHILE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE
   SERVICE PLAYS POLITICS

3. CHICAGO TRIBUNE COVERS DON YOUNG'S WITCH HUNT

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ARIZONA EXPEDITION TEAM COMPLETES HIKE OF AZ TRAIL

On July 30th, the Arizona Expedition Team completed their hike of the
Arizona Trail. Sponsored by the Southwest Center, the hike was
designed to promote environmental responsibility along the way.
Several Southwest Center members met the team when they were near
Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff and were fascinated by the team's
experiences and stories of countless spectacular, and some
devastated, remote areas of Arizona. Greg Jones, the Arizona
Expedition Team's leader, kept a journal which can be found on the
Southwest Center's website, http://www.sw-center.org.
__________

SOUTHWEST CENTER RELEASED A DETAILED REPORT SHOWING SOUTHWESTERN
WILLOW FLYCATCHER IS GOING EXTINCT, WHILE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE
SERVICE PLAYS POLITICS

The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity issued a report today
showing the Southwestern willow flycatcher will go extinct if a
change in management does not occur.  The report, titled "Betrayal of
an Endangered Species: Status and Management of the Southwestern
willow flycatcher," compiles data from numerous sources on population
numbers, reproduction, threats and management of the flycatcher,
which all indicate the flycatcher will continue to decline.

The report shows the flycatcher has declined to approximately 450
pairs in less than 70 widely scattered and isolated locations,
placing the flycatcher at risk of rapid extinction. The primary cause
of the flycatcher's perilous status is loss of habitat to livestock
grazing, dams, invasive species, and agricultural and urban
development. The flycatcher also is threatened by nest parasitism
from the brown-headed cowbird and nest predation.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for consulting with
other federal agencies to ensure they are not jeopardizing the
continued existence of any endangered species. During consultation,
the Fish and Wildlife Service has issued permits to destroy nearly
25% of the total population.

The Southwest Center's report recommends a series of sweeping
reforms, which includes removing cattle from all streams on public
lands, establishing in-stream flow rights, managing dams to increase
riparian vegetation and a ban on further development in river
floodplains.

As a result of two lawsuits by the Southwest Center, the flycatcher
was listed as an endangered species in 1995.

Full report available on our website: http://www.sw-center.org
__________

CHICAGO TRIBUNE COVERS DON YOUNG'S WITCH HUNT

In late July, Don Young (R-AK) sent a letter to the US Forest
Service's Southwest Regional Supervisor, making many demands
including the names of personnel who are members of environmental
groups. The story has been covered by many local and national news
media, characterizing the inquiry as McCarthyism, and Witch Hunting.
A chilling of communication with the public has been the result.

The Chicago Tribune interviewed a Forest Service employee who openly
stated being a member of the Sierra Club, and Erik Ness, director of
communications for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau. It seems
Ness believes it's OK for agency personnel to be members of the Farm
Bureau, but not "radical environmental groups." He defines radical as
any group that wants to put "ranchers out of business."

It seems the conflict of interest that Don Young and Erik Ness are
alluding to is one that conflicts with the interest of ranchers not
protection of public lands and wildlife.
____________________________________________________________________________
Shane Jimerfield                                    Tel: 520.623.5252, ext. 302
Assistant Director                                  Fax: 520.623.9797
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity    email: sjimerfield@sw-center.org
PO Box 710, Tucson AZ 85702-0710                    http://www.sw-center.org