Subject: Toppenish NWR to change hands?
Date: Jul 21 20:16:04 1995
From: STEPNIEWSKI at delphi.com - STEPNIEWSKI at delphi.com





~Tweeters Alert,

I have heard that a serious move is afoot to transfer ownership of Toppenish
NWR and Conboy NWR from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to the Bureau of
Indian Affairs, effective very soon (like next week). The refuges, in this
proposal, would be managed by the Yakama Indian Nation, which historically has
not been responsive to interests other than their own. Apparently the USFWS
may be trying to rid themselves of low priority (?) refuges in these lean
times.

There has been essentially no public input into this decision, which is a
horrible oversight by those in charge. I fear that future direction of
mangement of these refuges will try to maximize hunting and grazing, which
provide revenue to the tribe. Important wildlife habitat may also be lost.

Please send your comments and a plea to formally request a public review of
this proposal to:

Michael Spear
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
East Side Federal Complex
911 NE 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97232-4181

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato, WA