AR-News: Fw: PLEASE ACT TODAY: USDA Presses NJ Gassing: Contact DEP

[Susan Russell]

> PLEASE ACT TODAY
>
>
> > URGENT ALERT            PLEASE CROSS POST
> >
> >
> > USDA presses forward with gassing -- GOOSE RESPONSE IS NECESSARY
BEGINNING
> > MONDAY, SEPT. 8
> >
> > AND: ORDER YOUR POSTCARDS NOW!
> >
> > THE PROBLEM:   MEGA-AGENCIES FIGHT BACK:    U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE
> SERVICE,
> > USDA, LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES  PROMOTE GASSING.   The September 7, 2003
> > issue of the New York Times New Jersey Section features an article,
> "Edging
> > Closer to Gassing the Geese,"  that is extremely weighted in favor of
> > gassing proponents.   A response to an earlier article which featured
both
> > sides and pro-geese GeesePeace and public anti-gassing views, this
article
> > is not yet available online.  It is not fair:   ignoring the Blum &
Weprin
> > poll showing nearly 69% of New Jersey residents against gassing, the
piece
> > depicts a populace eager for "relief."   No mention is made of the DEP's
> > GeesePeace pilot project.   The article repeatedly justifies gassing and
> did
> > not include our public opinion/health remarks, given the Times at the
last
> > minute.   The general tone went something like this:
> >
> > "Initially, we faced a fair amount of criticism," said Charles Sigmund,
> the
> > Union County parks and recreation director.  "But once the program
> > concluded, the support of our actions was overwhelming."
> >
> > and:
> >
> > "I'm not in favor of how they did it, but if there's no other way to
> control
> > them, I'm in favor of it."  --The local baseball team coach.
> >
> > The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and USDA Wildlife Services
> > officials also lobbied for gassing.   The League has in fact become a
> major
> > opponent of wildlife protection in the state.   Its executive director,
> > William Dressler, works closely with the Division of Fish and Wildlife
and
> > with the Farm Bureau.
> >
> > ACTION
> >
> > WHAT WE MUST DO.  Response isn't optional and it must be quick and
> forceful.
> > We are all overloaded and we appreciate the extra 5 MINUTES the below
will
> > take.   In the immediate future, two actions must be taken:
> >
> > 1.   Priority:  Please telephone and fax Bradley Campbell, Commissioner
of
> > the Department of Environmental Protection.  Please ask co-workers,
> friends
> > to do so as well, or make the call for them.   TODAY..  Contact
> information
> > is as follows:
> >
> > Bradley M. Campbell
> > Commissioner
> > 401 East State Street
> > 7th Floor  East Wing
> > P.O. Box 402
> > Trenton, NJ  08625
> >
> > Tel:  609-292-2885
> > Fax:  609-292-7695
> >
> > A sample letter is provided below:
> >
> > Dear Commissioner Campbell:
> >
> > The overwhelming majority of registered New Jersey voters do not want
> > Canada geese killed by any means and desire statewide non-lethal
programs.
> >
> > According to a July Blum & Weprin poll, an overwhelming 75 percent of
> > registered New Jersey voters demand statewide non-lethal programs and
> > training to resolve Canada goose conflicts.  Sixty-nine percent oppose
> > killing of any kind. Seventy percent say that gassing should be banned.
> >
> > We appreciate the Monmouth County pilot project.  The DEP should
promote
> > GeesePeace integrated non-lethal management statewide.    It is the
> > mainstream, registered voter view that NO Killing is acceptable.
Killing
> > programs are ineffective: within weeks, geese re-population elimination
> > areas.
> >
> > Unlike killing programs, non-lethal actions draw communities together.
> >
> > The foremost health experts in the state and the country strongly refute
> > claims that geese are a health "threat."
> >
> > Gassing and lethal programs are the agenda of USDA and other agencies
> > with a vested interest in killing wildlife.  USDA salaries are paid by
> > contracts
> > signed with private and public clients.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > 2.  Weigh in at the Times.  It's difficult without the paper on-line,
but
> > many of you get it.  Bottom line:  Bring up public opinion, opposition
to
> > gassing, above. Even if you haven't read it.  Briefly.
> >
> > letters at nytimes.com.
> >
> > The Center will address this at the Congressional and other levels as
> well.
> > But there must be IMMEDIATE,  FORCEFUL response to this article.
> >
> > ORDER YOUR POSTCARDS
> >
> > We are also ordering 50,000 bright yellow post cards urging Governor
> > McGreevey and the Commissioner to institute STATEWIDE non-lethal goose
> > programs in New Jersey.  Please place your orders now by contacting the
> > Center at the Rumson address, below.
> >
> > CENTER FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION
> > PO BOX 253
> > RUMSON, NJ  07760
> > mail at centerforanimalprotection.org
> > 732.842.3565
> >
> > These federal and state agencies are threatened in New Jersey as they
have
> > been nowhere else.   They are playing hardball -- with these animals'
> > precious lives.    Just last night,  a harried V-formation flew right
over
> > our car.  They are on the run now, all over the state, because of a
> hunting
> > season that permits a "take" of seven animals per day.  It is the new
U.S.
> > wildlife Diaspora:  they are persecuted wherever they go, whatever time
of
> > year.   Let's begin to turn that around.
> >
> > Make those calls, and order those postcards.
> >
> > Thanks.   Honk!Honk!
> >
> >
>