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Comment to prevent brown bear baiting and protect wildlife on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
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A visual summary of proposed Kenai Rule changes that impact wildlife
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Through our phenomenal representation by Trustees for Alaska, AWA and our allies continue ongoing litigation to protect brown bears and reasonable hunting restrictions in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) promulgated these regulations, which have been challenged by the State of Alaska, the Safari Club International, and a coalition called the Alaska Professional Hunters Association. AWA and our allies have intervened in the lawsuit to protect the regulations, and have requested oral argument for the next step in this case.
In the meantime, we need your help. A new rule for the refuge proposes to remove the federal trapping protections and permit brown bear baiting in the refuge.
Submit a public comment by August 10 to maintain federal trapping restrictions and prevent brown bear baiting on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to allow brown bear baiting for the first time in the Refuge and would eliminate any federal trapping permit requirements. The stated intent is to defer to the state’s hunting regulations, which try to boost ungulate populations at the expense of predators. Managing predators to scarcity is blatantly inconsistent with the federal government’s responsibility to manage these public lands for biological integrity and diversity.
How you can learn more
- Read our factsheet to learn about the rule and how to submit your comment
- Listen to this KDLL Kenai Conversation about what the changes would mean for refuge users and wildlife
- Watch tonight's virtual Wildlife Wednesday presentation (July 22nd ) about the rule at 7pm AK time, complete with pictures and Q & A. To see the flyer, click here.
- Read our latest blog, Hijacked by Dr. John Morton, for an inside look at the proposed rule and its impacts to wildlife
- Read Bill Sherwonit's latest article, Another Alaskan debacle: brown bear baiting in a wildlife refuge
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Grey wolf pups with mom| Brenden Garrett
The lie—and shame—of Alaska’s wildlife management
"For far too long, the state of Alaska has pushed a false narrative about its management of wildlife, one that the public has seemed willing to accept. Or perhaps most residents simply don’t care. It’s beyond time to end the charade and hold state officials accountable for their mismanagement, particularly of wolves and bears." -Bill Sherwonit in his latest article about State wildlife management policy.
Read the full article here
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Katmai National Park and Preserve offers spectacular bear viewing opportunities. NPS/R. Wood
The proposed Pebble Mine area has the largest concentration of Brown bears on the planet. Pebble didn’t study that.
Pebble’s permit application is woefully incomplete. The current environmental impact assessment limits the impact area to only within 3 miles of the disturbed mine and is designed specifically to exclude significant numbers of bears that would be impacted by this project. We believe that the Army Corps of Engineers should not consider approving Pebble Mine until the assessment addresses the impacts to the bears and the bear viewing industry, including impacts to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge, Katmai Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Kamishak Special Use Area. Study areas should be greatly expanded to encompass home ranges for bears that use the area.
Click here to submit your letter to EPA - it will take less than 5 minutes!
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We are currently challenging these changes to Alaska's National Preserves
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July 22nd, 7pm-8pm online: Wildlife Wednesday Management changes at Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Why you should care about them with Dr. John Morton
August 5th, 7pm-8pm online: Wildlife Wednesday How hungry Humpback whales work smarter, not harder with Madison Kosma
September 2nd, 7pm-8pm online: Wildlife Wednesday Avian Influenza in the seabirds of Beringia with Maile Branson
PAST EVENTS
If you missed our past Wildlife Wednesdays, have no fear! You can watch recordings of our previous talks on our website:
Wild Alaska Veterinary Pathology with Dr. Kathy Burek
Bears of the Alaska Peninsula with Drew Hamilton
Career Spotlight: Being an Ethical Wildlife Photographer with Carl Johnson
Belugas in Our Backyard with Dr. Alison Gardell and Teresa Becher
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Whales Get A Break As Pandemic Creates Quieter Oceans |NPR News
Bering Region Ocean Report: What’s going on in the Bering Sea ecosystem? | Alaska Ocean Observing System, University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center
Federal court blocks timber sale in Alaska's Tongass Forest | KTUU
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Check out these new ways to give to Alaska Wildlife Alliance!
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