Hello,

In case you are not aware, the USFWS has recently released a draft
environmental assessment titled: "Proposal to establish operational general
swan hunting seasons in the Pacific Flyway." The public comment period is
now open and we have been told it will remain open for at least the next
60 days. One or more public hearings will also probably be held in mid-May.

Copies of the draft EA are available from USFWS/MBMO Pacific Flyway
Representative Bob Trost in Portland and can be obtained by phone or email
request to his office (ph: 503-231-6162, Robert_Trost at fws.gov).

The scope of this document is much broader than simply determining the
future for swan hunting regulations. In addition to proposing to
permanently authorize
harvest of migrant Rocky Mountain Population trumpeters in Utah, Nevada, and
Montana, this
document will also establish USFWS direction for their future efforts to
reduce the
vulnerability of Canadian and US nesting trumpeters in the western US.

The Trumpeter Swan Society is preparing our position response to the EA. I
urge all of you to get a copy of this document and consider commenting.

For background information on the issue and dates of the two scheduled
public meetings (Idaho and Utah) you can go to www.swansociety.org and read
an article that appeared in a recent issue of the National Wildlife Refuge
Association's newsletter.
I will be posting it in the next day or two so please be patient. If
you know someone who might be interested in this issue, please
send them this message. We need the support from all sectors -
conservation, hunters, general public, etc..

When The Trumpeter Swan Society's comments are finalized, they will be
available on our website (www.taiga.net/swans/index.htm) or from our main
office (ttss at hennepinparks.org). You may obtain a copy of the EA by
sending an e-mail message to:
robert_trost at fws.gov

Martha Jordan
marthaj at swansociety.org