Your help is needed. Below is important information on a trumpeter swan
management plan revision for the Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter
swans. This area is from the Cascade Mountain crest going east through 9
western states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, N. & S. Dakota, Montana, Wyoming,
Nevada, Utah).
The main issue regards making it LEGAL TO HUNT TRUMPETER SWANS during
regular tundra swan hunts in those areas where tundras are hunted. Note:
The RMP trumpeter population is not doing well, and biologically may qualify
for threatened status if better management policies are not made and
implemented. The RMP includes the trumpeters at Red Rock Lakes NWR and
Yellowstone National Park among other areas.
Presently, the USFWS is looking at a new management plan and their
intent is to not publicize what they are doing. We are working to get the
word out that we want a full Environmental Assessment, not just a
supplemental and with full public involvement including open meetings or
hearings. The USFWS is presently unwilling to do this. Please read on to
find out what you can do to encourage the process to be made public.
You can also call me to discuss the issue at (425)787-0258

Below is message from Ruth Shea, TTSS Executive Director and then Bob
Trost, USFWS Waterfowl Manager for Region 1, USFWS
The reference to swan seasons means the hunting season.

Martha Jordan
marthaj at swansociety.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Ruth Shea, TTSS Executive Director
Date: Friday, February 25, 2000 11:39 AM
Subject: Fw: Swans & NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act)


Hi,
I sent the following out to a number of intersted parties, perhaps you know
of some in your area.

USFWS is planning to address the RMP trumpeter swan/swan hunt issues
through a "Supplemental EA". We are not aware of any formal notice to
the public of the process and understand that there may not be any public
scoping of issues and concerns. The following (forwarded) message from
Bob Trost seems to have been the only public notification that the process
is underway.

The Trumpeter Swan Society wants to make sure that all groups and
members of the public who are interested in RMP trumpeter swan restoration
will
follow closely and participate in the decision process that will occur in
the next 5
months.

We will be providing background information and updates to all
interested parties, as the decision process unfolds.

This issue has major ramifications for the future of RMP trumpeter swan
restoration, as well as interpretation and administration of the 1997
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. If this issue is
significant to you, would
you please contact Robert Trost, USFWS, Office of Migratory Bird Management,
911 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232-4181 and request that you be
included in all opportunities for public comment. Bob can also be contacted
by
email (robert_trost at fws.gov) and/or fax (503-231-6228).


You might also ask him to clarify when public scoping of issues and
concerns will occur, and the timetable for public involvement. This is
not
clear to us at this time.

If FWS attempts to complete the draft EA by March 6, there is little
time
for public comment regarding issues, concerns or possible alternatives,
and
your request to be kept informed of opportunities for involvement should
probably be made very soon.

Sincerely,

Ruth Shea
Executive Director
The Trumpeter Swan Society
--------------------


----Original Message-----
From: Robert_Trost at fws.gov <
Date: Tuesday, February 08, 2000 1:00 PM
Subject: Swans & NEPA

All:

After consultation within the Service, I have been asked to advise you
that it is the Service intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental
Assessment (SEA) regarding the future of the experimental general swan
seasons in
the Pacific Flyway. A tentative time line for this process is to prepare
a draft SEA for distribution and review by March 6th. There will be an
open comment period (length still to be determined, but likely somewhere
between 30 and 60 days). Please advise others that you think would be
interested in this information.

Bob T.