2003 RESOLUTIONS
OPPOSITION TO LANDING FIELD NEAR POCOSIN LAKES NWR
WHEREAS, 113,647 acres in Hyde, Washington & Tyrrell Counties, NC were established in 1990 as Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (PLNWR); and,
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Refuge System was created for the citizens of the United States to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats; and,
WHEREAS, PLNWR is part of the Atlantic Flyway and wintering habitat for upwards of 67,000 migrant snow geese, nearly half the world’s known population of tundra swans, and tens of thousands of ducks; and,
WHEREAS, PLNWR is located in one of the most ecologically significant and sensitive regions in the Eastern United States and serves as one of the worlds most important winter sanctuaries for wildlife; and,
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of visitors travel from all over to view and hunt these birds; and,
WHEREAS, the PLNWR is a popular destination for the Annual Wings Over Water premier ecotourism attraction held annually in early November; and,
WHEREAS, the US Navy has proposed a practice landing field for F/A-18 Super Hornet jets on adjacent property; whereby, an average daily 70 landings would be completed; and,
WHEREAS, the Navy acknowledges that, in particular, tundra swan wingspans reach 7 feet and they weigh up to 18 pounds and that Navy environmental studies show a severe risk of pilot collisions, especially in fall and winter when the population numbers are at their greatest; and,
WHEREAS, jet noise would, invariably, cause continuous disruption of bird feeding and roosting habits that are necessary for the survival of a 3,000 mile migration as well as flushing birds into potential collisions; and,
WHEREAS, the Navy’s Bird/Animal Strike Hazard program’s proposed solution to avoidance is to convert the ecosystem by draining waterways and encouraging area farmers to plant non-bird food source crops such as cotton; and,
WHEREAS, human intervention in attempts to change nature invariably fail;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, gathered in convention at Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15th, 2003, strongly opposes a new landing strip in the vicinity of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges Senator Elizabeth Dole, Senator John Edwards, US Representative Walter Jones, and Governor Mike Easley to heed President Theodore Roosevelt’s creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System and his advice that, “wild beasts and birds are by right the property not merely of the people who are alive today, but the property of unborn generations, whose belongings we have no right to squander”, thereby taking every appropriate action to make sure the proposed landing field is built elsewhere.
Electronics Recycling Program
Whereas, reducing and managing solid waste is one of the state’s most pressing environmental problems; and
Whereas, the contamination of lead, cadmium, and mercury in landfills is a major concern for the future protection of wildlife habitat and human health; and
Whereas, the leaching of lead from cathode ray tubes used in television, computer monitor, radar, electronic test equipment, medical, and other applications can damage the central nervous system, the kidney, and the reproductive system of both wildlife and humans; and
Whereas, the leaching of cadmium from circuit boards, cathode ray tubes, and nickel-cadmium batteries can cause cadmium to build up in the kidneys causing kidney disease, lung damage, and bone damage to wildlife and humans; and
Whereas, mercury which is widely used in flat screen displays and switches for computers and automotive applications, is highly toxic and accumulates in the fatty tissue of wildlife and humans causing brain damage, kidney damage, and reproductive damage; and
Whereas, mercury contamination threatens North Carolina’s estimated annual one billion dollar recreational and commercial fishing industry; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation worked to pass Senate Bill 111 in 1989 to reduce the amount of waste being disposed as well as ensuring conservation of wildlife habitat in North Carolina; and
Whereas, local government-operated programs have been found to be an efficient way to provide recycling services to citizens in our State.
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15, 2003, supports establishing an Electronics Recycling Program which will reduce the amount of contaminates in our soil and water and conserve critical wildlife habitat in our state.
Revision of Chapter 581 SB 616 An Act to Provide Safe Distances for the Hunting of Migratory Waterfowl (Hereafter referred to as the Safe Hunter Law)
WHEREAS, The North Carolina Wildlife Federation fully supports those laws which improve and encourage safe hunting practices; and
WHEREAS, The Safe Hunter law as now on the books is indefinite in what constitutes a blind or permanent hunting place; and
WHEREAS, individuals are using this lack of clarity in the law to restrict the lawful use of public waters in Carteret and Pamlico Counties through the erection of false or non-useable hunting structures; and
WHEREAS, this restriction amounts to a taking of public waters for private use and prohibits those persons hunting from boats or floating blinds use and access to the waters; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in annual convention assembled at Research Triangle Park on February 15, 2003 urges the North Carolina General Assembly to reform or amend this law as follows:
- That the term “blind” be defined to include terminology setting forth minimum sizes, and conditions of viability and maintenance.
- That the law include language setting forth that for the lawful distance to be enforced only if said viable blind be occupied by a bonafide hunting party one hour before legal shooting time.
Support for Wildlife Corridors
WHEREAS, wildlife habitats are being greatly reduced and compromised in North Carolina through development and strong growth pressures; and
WHEREAS, growth pressures have led to Winston-Salem/Greensboro to be ranked the 2nd worst, and Raleigh/Durham 3rd worst sprawl region in the country by a recent national study, while the greater Charlotte region loses approximately 41 acres per day; and
WHEREAS, much of the development and certain forestry practices have led not only to loss of habitat, but also fragmented habitat which according to numerous empirical studies is extremely detrimental to the long-term health, sustainability, and biodiversity of plant and animal species; and
WHEREAS, numerous scientific studies have mentioned that strips of connecting habitat known as corridors allow safe travel between larger ecosystems for wildlife species; and,
WHEREAS, the mission of NCWF is to be the leading advocate for all North Carolina wildlife and its habitat; and
WHEREAS, a recently published large-scale study also reports that corridors function positively by increasing habitat roaming areas as well as plant and seed dispersal plus increased gene flow, and benefit species diversity; and
WHEREAS, wildlife corridors include, but are not limited to: riparian and forested buffers, field borders, greenways, creeks, and hedgerows; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention assembled at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15th, 2003 urges the North Carolina General Assembly to recognize the benefits corridors have in affecting plants, animals, and their interactions in fragmented landscapes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges the General Assembly to support restoring, acquiring and protecting wildlife corridors by fully funding the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, Natural Heritage Trust Fund, and the State Park Trust Fund.
Recognition and Protection of NC National Wildlife Refuge System
WHEREAS, the mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation is to be the leading advocate of all North Carolina Wildlife and its habitat; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation has always supported scientific wildlife and habitat management practices; and
WHEREAS, the charges and goals of the National Wildlife Refuge system are to “administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.”; and
WHEREAS, hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation are the public activity goals of all National Wildlife Refuges; and
WHEREAS, the year 2003 marks the 100 year anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System by President Theodore Roosevelt; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation has always supported the ten National Wildlife Refuges in our state and has actively advocated on their behalf; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention assembled at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15, 2003 urges the North Carolina General Assembly to formally recognize the wildlife habitats and their value to North Carolina sportsmen and wildlife enthusiasts in our 10 National Wildlife Refuges in 2003 as the 100 year anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge system through proclamation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges the General Assembly, and the NC Senate and House Representation to acknowledge the benefits of the states’ 10 National Wildlife Refuges and ensure that the integrity of all the State’s present National Wildlife Refuges are not undermined or diminished,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges its Federal Congressional Representation to take offense with and to strongly oppose the proposed jetty project that would affect the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, which was established to manage, protect and restore migratory birds and other wildlife; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges its Federal Congressional Representation to strongly oppose the proposed altering of the habitat for tens of thousands migratory game birds including tundra swans and snow geese in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge for a practice landing field when other sites are more suitable from economic, practical, and safety standpoints.
OPPOSITION TO REDUCTION IN PROTECTION OF ISOLATED WETLANDS
WHEREAS, the US Supreme Court’s SWAANC Decision has resulted in dramatic guidelines weakening federal protections of isolated wetlands and intermittent streams under the Clean Water Act, and no longer grants protection based solely on interstate commerce connections between a state and the rest of the nation via migratory birds and consumptive use of fish species; and
WHEREAS, isolated wetlands and intermittent streams are scientifically recognized as critical and integral habitats to an enormous variety of wild animals, from salamanders and tree frogs, to tundra swans and ducks, to striped bass; and
WHEREAS, the most recent scientific studies conclude that isolated wetlands and intermittent streams are not unconnected to navigable waterways, but are instead biologically and functionally adjacent to navigable waterways via groundwater connections and travel corridors used by terrestrial organisms; and
WHEREAS, isolated wetlands and intermittent streams in regions outside of North Carolina, for example, prairie potholes, Arctic polygonal ponds, and vernal pools, directly supply North Carolina with migrating waterfowl, neotropical migrating songbirds, and recreational opportunities related to the enjoyment of wildlife resources; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina wetlands are constantly under threat by urban sprawl, exurban second home development, road building, and agricultural practices; and
WHEREAS, isolated wetlands and intermittent streams provide critical groundwater and surface water cleansing to human water supplies; and
WHEREAS, isolated wetlands and intermittent streams perform important surface water holding functions and groundwater recharge functions; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina currently has stronger and stricter standards concerning isolated wetlands and intermittent streams, but these standards are being opposed and litigated on by the development and forestry industry.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15th, 2003, opposes any proposed US Corp. of Engineers and EPA guidelines that weaken protection of isolated wetlands and intermittent streams.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges the Governor and the General Assembly to ensure that the State’s wetlands protection standards are not weaken.
SUPPORTING NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION ACTIONS PERTAINING TO CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND CAPTIVE CERVIDS
WHEREAS, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an infectious, fatal disease that affects animals in the Family Cervidae (cervids), including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, fallow deer, caribou, and other species; and
WHEREAS, CWD has been found in captive elk in eight states and two Canadian provinces; and
WHEREAS, CWD has been diagnosed in free-ranging wild deer or elk in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Saskatchewan; and
WHEREAS, there are epidemiological links among affected captive cervid herds, and between infected captive cervid herds and free-ranging cervid populations; and
WHEREAS, the incubation period for the pathogen to manifest CWD in cervids is thought to be up to five years; and
WHEREAS, there is no live-animal test for detecting CWD in elk and no practical live-animal testing for detecting CWD in deer; and
WHEREAS, cervids have been imported into a licensed North Carolina facility from a Wisconsin county adjacent to the zone now know to have CWD-infected deer; and
WHEREAS, the movement of CWD-infected cervids into or within North Carolina would result in serious jeopardy and harm to the conservation of wildlife resources, including free-ranging white-tailed deer; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 106-549.97, provides for the production and sale of captive cervids and NCGS 113-272.5 provides for licensing and regulation of wildlife held in captivity; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has regulatory authority pertaining to captive cervids; and
WHEREAS, on May 15, 2002 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission issued temporary rules, as amended on October 4, 2002 and December 4, 2002, placing additional restrictions on cervid importation [15A NCAC 10B.0101]; captivity and transportation [15A NCAC 10B.0301]; facility standards, record keeping, tagging, inspection, and reporting requirements [15A NCAC 10B.0302]; and license revocation and forfeiture of wildlife [15A NCAC 10B.0303] to protect the wildlife resources of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, these rules adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission strengthen protection of free-ranging white-tailed deer populations and the social and economic activities and benefits derived from this source; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation supports sound principles of wildlife management and protection and perpetuation of North Carolina’s diverse wildlife resources, including while-tailed deer; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation supports hunting and nonextractive utilization of free-ranging deer in North Carolina;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15, 2003 does hereby support all efforts by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to prevent CWD from entering into or spreading throughout North Carolina.
OPPOSITION TO THE NORTH SHORE ROAD
WHEREAS, the Little Tennessee River was dammed in 1943 to generate war-time electricity thereby, creating Fontana Lake in Swain County, NC -the southern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; and,
WHEREAS, the sacrifice made by Swain County involved 44,170 acres of land being transferred to the Department of the Interior (DOI) and made part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; and,
WHEREAS, DOI, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Swain County, and the state of North Carolina entered into a memorandum of understanding containing a provision requiring DOI to replace submerged NC Highway 228, and,
WHEREAS, NC has subsequently built NC 28 south of the lake, effectively replacing NC 228; and,
WHEREAS, the National Park Service effectively halted construction of a thirty mile proposed road after 7 miles due to serious environmental concerns; and,
WHEREAS, the position of the National Park Service between 1980 and 2000 has been not to continue the North Shore Road construction “due to serious environmental concerns [and the lack of funds]”; and,
WHEREAS, in 1982 the general management plan for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was “developed with strong public involvement,” calls for the road not to be constructed; and,
WHEREAS, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is already the most visited National Park in the country as well as the National Park listed as most affected by air pollution; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed road would pass through one of the largest remaining roadless areas in the southeastern United States – the largest such tract of forest east of the Mississippi River; and,
WHEREAS, road building invariably causes a reduction in wildlife and its habitat, most notably the regions’ black bear and elk, which require large blocks of non-fragmented, undeveloped wilderness to survive; and
WHEREAS, the steep terrain would cause large demolition of the ridges and deep cuts which would expose Anakeesta formations, extremely acidic rocks that produce acids and heavy metals that are leached into streams, degrading and compromising aquatic life; and
WHEREAS, an environmental impact statement required by the National Environmental Policy Act is currently examining additional options, including offering a cash settlement to reimburse the residents of Swain County for indebtedness incurred for loss of land; and,
WHEREAS, these monies could be used for schools, hospitals, tourism promotion and other Swain County needs.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in convention at the Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15th, 2003 opposes the construction of the North Shore Road and urges Congress and the National Park Service to permanently end the project once and for all.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges Swain County be fully compensated, including inflationary adjustments, in lieu of the North Shore Road.
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK LAND EXCHANGE
WHEREAS, a land exchange from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been proposed by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians; and,
WHEREAS, the parcel of land discussed in said exchange is approximately 170 acres near the confluence of Raven Fork and the Oconaluftee River, heretofore, referred to as the Ravensford Tract, proposed to be exchanged for approximately 214 acres of privately held property in Jackson County, NC, heretofore referred to as Waterrock Knob; and,
WHEREAS, the lands for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were preserved on a permanent basis for the overall good of the people and our wildlife; and,
WHEREAS, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park with over 9 million visitors annually. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most used unit of the National Park System. The Ravensford tract sits at the junction of these two great national resources; and,
WHEREAS, part of the land is alluvial floodplain which is a rare type of wetland important for wildlife habitat; and,
WHEREAS, the All Taxa Biodiversity Study has identified 55 species new to science on the Ravensford Tract as well as significant populations of wood frogs, three-lined salamanders, and meadow voles; plus, two species of Federal concern, the olive darter “Percina squamata” and the hellbender “Cryptobranchus alleganiensis”; and,
WHEREAS, any development in this area will impact the stream and aquatic wildlife; and,
WHEREAS, any land transfer from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remove several miles of streams from public access limiting recreational fishing; and,
WHEREAS, according to 16 U.S.C. § 4601-22(b), (any land acquired by the Department of Interior must either be within the boundary of a National Park or land under jurisdiction of the Department of Interior; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed land (Waterrock Knob) to be exchanged for is privately owned; and,
WHEREAS, the federal government has a legal duty to conserve the scenery and natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." This responsibility is spelled out in the Organic Act of 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1), the law that created the National Park Service; and,
WHEREAS, National Park Service Management Policies 2001 §1.4.5 prohibits impacts that would "harm the integrity of park resources or values, including the opportunities that otherwise would be present for the enjoyment of those resources or values." In addition, NPS policy §3.5 states "before recommending the deletion of land from a park boundary, a finding would have to be made that the land did not include a significant resource, value, or opportunity for public enjoyment related to the purpose of the park;" and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation gathered in convention at Research Triangle Park, NC on February 15, 2003 urge the United States Congress and the Department of Interior to oppose exchanging the Ravensford Tract from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation is opposed to any land exchange from the National Park system that has negative impacts on wildlife or its habitat.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation urges the United States Congress and the Department of the Interior to procure funding to acquire Waterrock Knob for inclusion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in order to preserve its unique flora and fauna for future generations and whereby in doing so, add to the integrity of said park and its creation.
WILDLIFE AND OUR PUBLIC FORESTS
WHEREAS, in order to have diverse wildlife there must be diverse habitat;
WHEREAS, diverse habitat is provided by a diverse forest;
WHEREAS, for a variety of reasons the United States Forest Service (USFS) has been hampered in its efforts to manage for a diverse forest;
WHEREAS, the USFS’s inability to manage for a diverse forest has resulted in large areas of older, even aged forest;
WHEREAS, these older, even aged forests lack the diversity to support a variety of wildlife such as migratory neo tropical song birds, small mammals, turkey and deer;
WHEREAS, this lack of diverse habitat and wildlife is not “natural” and is in contradictory to the interests of those interested in wildlife and its habitat, as well as sportsmen and women;
WHEREAS, The North Carolina Wildlife Federation understands and supports that roadless areas, old growth areas, and wilderness areas are part of the continuum of a diverse forest;
WHEREAS, The North Carolina Wildlife Federation strongly supports forest management through enforcement of best management practices, particularly as it concerns water quality;
WHEREAS, our public forests should be managed so as to satisfy a wide variety of interests;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) publicly support the USFS in its efforts to provide forest diversity through small clear cuts and the logging necessary to provide forest diversity;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NCWF strongly urges the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to also publicly support, and work with, the USFS in its efforts to manage our public forests so as to produce diverse habitat and therefore diverse wildlife.
Amend Fisheries Reform Act to Delete Language Pertaining to Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass
WHEREAS, the Fisheries Reform Act determines how Fisheries Management Plans are developed, structured, and implemented; and
WHEREAS, the Fisheries Reform Act now requires Fisheries Management Plans to be formulated based on Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass; and
WHEREAS, Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass are not definable and therefore not achievable; and
WHEREAS, deletion of language pertaining to Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass does not weaken or alter the purpose and scope of the Fisheries Reform Act; and
WHEREAS, formulation of Fisheries Management Plans not based on Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass will allow a more holistic management system to be developed; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Fisheries Reform Act is to ensure that long-term viability of the state’s commercially and recreationally significant species of fisheries (NC general statute 113-182.1(b); and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Fisheries Reform Act is realistically more achievable if Fisheries Management Plans are based on data and concepts that are definable and understandable and can be applied to system wide management.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation requests the General Assembly to amend the Fisheries Reform Act by deleting language requiring Optimum Yield, Maximum Sustainable Yield, and Spawning Stock Biomass to be the basis for all management plans; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the North Carolina Wildlife Federation requests the Secretary of DENR to ensure that Fisheries Management Plans move toward area/system management of fisheries resources.
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