...and one more.

Peggi
>>=================================================================
>>
>>
>>
>>OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
>>
>>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>> Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416
>>August 5, 1996
>>
>> SECRETARY BABBITT TO ANNOUNCE TRANSFER OF LAND PARCEL NEAR
>> BOSTON FROM ARMY TO WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
>>
>> Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt will travel to
>>Massachusetts today to announce the addition of a parcel of about
>>2,300 acres of U.S. Army land to the Great Meadows National
>>Wildlife Refuge. The land, formerly known as the Fort Devens
>>Sudbury Training Annex, is located near Boston.
>>
>> "This is a great and lasting gift by the U.S. Army to
>>America s National Wildlife Refuge System and to the people of
>>Massachusetts," Babbitt said. "The remaining open spaces around
>>Boston are under enormous pressure and this large parcel, linked
>>with others in the Great Meadows Refuge, will provide wildlife
>>with first-class habitat and a corridor that will ensure their
>>ability to thrive in an increasingly urban environment."
>>
>> Babbitt credited the Army with "completing its mission in
>>this area with a high degree of environmental stewardship. There
>>are numerous examples of truly pristine wetlands, the habitat
>>most necessary for wildlife. This place will provide a living
>>snapshot of the way this countryside once looked in the days
>>before suburban sprawl."
>>
>> According to surveys by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and
>>other conservation groups, the Sudbury Annex provides habitat for
>>a large number of resident bird species, including waterfowl,
>>songbirds, raptors, shore birds and wading birds, as well as
>>migratory birds and waterfowl. In addition, a number of reptile
>>and amphibian species have been observed, some rare or in peril.
>>
>> The proposal to transfer the Sudbury Annex began as a result
>>of recommendations of the Base Closure Commission. The Fish &
>>Wildlife Service requested a no-cost transfer of the Annex in
>>November, 1995, and this request received support from four local
>>towns and several local conservation associations, as well as key
>>members of Massachusetts Congressional delegation, including
>>Senators Kerry and Kennedy and Congressman Meehan. Senator Kerry
>>and Congressman Meehan will join Secretary Babbitt at Monday's
>>official announcement of the transfer.
>>
>> "Senator Kerry and Congressman Meehan are also introducing
>>legislation in Congress to add a 29-mile stretch of the
>>Sudbury-Assabet-Concord Rivers watershed to the Wild and Scenic
>>Rivers System. Their leadership underscores the enormous value
>>of the national resource we are protecting today for present and
>>future generations in Massachusetts."
>>
>> In the future, this parcel will join other units of the
>>Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge in providing compatible
>>recreational opportunities and environmental education, easily
>>accessible to the Boston area s more than two million residents.
>>
>> "This area not only sparked the flame of American
>>independence but is the birthplace of America s spirit of
>>conservation," Babbitt said. "Our actions today are a fitting
>>tribute to Henry David Thoreau, and all those who have followed
>>in his path. The lesson of history shows us that in conserving
>>nature and its wild inhabitants we conserve the best of
>>ourselves."
>>
>> -DOI-
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>Ben & Peggi Rodgers
>Veneta, OR (near Eugene)
>prodgers at efn.org
>peggir at ori.org
>
>"A bird does not sing because it has an answer,
> It sings because it has a song"
>
>
>



Peggi Rodgers
Oregon Research Institute
Eugene, OR
peggir at ori.org
prodgers at efn.org
"A bird does not sing because it has an
answer, It sings because it has a song"