Western WA gophers going on endangered species list

[bigtex]

WDFW combined with Gophers Forever and the Eastern European Crabgrass Foundation has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to Sept. 7th, 2016 poaching incident of a juvenile collared pocket gopher.

Wouldn't be WDFW, it would be US Fish and Wildlife. Once an animal is on the ESA the feds take the law enforcement lead.

[ICEMAN]

Biftex, how many federal officers are around in the Thurston county area who have time to dedicate to this issue?

[bigtex]

Biftex, how many federal officers are around in the Thurston county area who have time to dedicate to this issue?

Well it's not like your going to have a contingency of officers going out looking for gopher poachers. However, if a poaching occurs, or illegal damage to habitat is done then the USFWS would essentially have the first grab at the case, and if for some reason they don't want it they can pass it off to WDFW.

The supervisory patrol officer for USFWS patrol officers in western WA is actually stationed at the Nisqually Refuge in Thurston County so he could respond to any gopher issues. However, typically off-USFWS lands violations typically go to USFWS Special Agents and not the officers. The officers typically stick to federal lands, for the most part. USFWS has a Special Agent office in Redmond.

So to answer your question, more then you actually think. Also, remember that WDFW Officers are "deputized" USFWS and NOAA/NMFS federal officers. Will any LEOs be dedicated to gophers? Of course not.

[ICEMAN]

Ok, thanks. Interesting.

[pianoman9701]

WDFW combined with Gophers Forever and the Eastern European Crabgrass Foundation has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to Sept. 7th, 2016 poaching incident of a juvenile collared pocket gopher.

Wouldn't be WDFW, it would be US Fish and Wildlife. Once an animal is on the ESA the feds take the law enforcement lead.

Correct me if I'm wrong, BT, but the DFW will pursue animals killed which are receiving ESA protection. Just because it's a federal protection doesn't mean the DFW LE is going to wash their hands of it.

[bigtex]

WDFW combined with Gophers Forever and the Eastern European Crabgrass Foundation has posted a $10,000 reward for information leading to Sept. 7th, 2016 poaching incident of a juvenile collared pocket gopher.

Wouldn't be WDFW, it would be US Fish and Wildlife. Once an animal is on the ESA the feds take the law enforcement lead.

Correct me if I'm wrong, BT, but the DFW will pursue animals killed which are receiving ESA protection. Just because it's a federal protection doesn't mean the DFW LE is going to wash their hands of it.

Well these gophers are and have been protected as "threatened" under state law. So WDFW have and can still make a case on it. However, just under basic operating agreements with states and the feds, when a federally listed ESA species gets poached the feds get notified.

Now on the NMFS side (salmon, steelhead, etc) they typically let the state pursue the case unless it's a larger case; the guy taking one endangered Chinook isn't going to face criminal ESA charges. The guy netting endangered Chinook will most likely face federal charges. However, NMFS can pursue civil ESA charges in addition to WDFW criminal charges and it's not double jeopardy and this is typical in the case where one guy keeps an endangered Chinook.

On the USFWS side they typically will pursue the individual who killed one animal listed under ESA. An example of this is the wolf, any wolf taken in WA that is still federally protected will be investigated and the case handled by USFWS, WDFW will certainly assist, but the actual prosecution will be by the feds.

Now if your asking if WDFW simply won't respond if USFWS has the jurisdiction, then that's not correct. All federally protected ESA species are also protected under state law, and since WDFW Officers are also deputized NMFS/USFWS they also can act as a federal officer when responding/dealing with these crimes.

But when it comes to the ESA; on the USFWS side the feds typically seek prosecution first, on the NMFS side for a non-egregious violation WDFW typically seeks criminal prosecution and NMFS can also seek civil prosecution.

[huntrights]

This is NOT good.  Private property rights are definitely at risk.

Watch these videos for a sample of what may be in our future:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7iCHh5TRMw0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcwNOb9sYfE&feature=related


Here is a related thread from a few years ago.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,88195.msg1109068/

[timberfaller]

While the "list" get made bigger the "Stick" become bigger and longer!!

ESA has become that "stick" AGAIN it only about "Control"  NOT about protecting a "species"

How's that salmon dinner tasting!!

[WAcoyotehunter]

1600 acres of critical habitat.... Big deal.  You guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.  Literally.

[Special T]

Its not a big deal unless you own a piece of the 1600 acres... Then it IS a big deal!  Divide and conquer.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Then you have to consider the gopher when permitting. We log in grizzly bear, lynx, caribou, wolverine (soon to be listed), fisher...... Critical habitat areas.  It's not that big of a deal... Being listed doesn't mean that 1600 acres has become de facto wilderness.

[buckfvr]

So are you saying we still have caribou ?   Verified ?

[huntrights]

1600 acres of critical habitat.... Big deal.  You guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.  Literally.

The big issue will be how these listings affect private property rights, local economies, and the ability to use our natural resources.  The videos illustrate the hardship placed on individuals due to the presence of the Mazama Pocket gopher.  This type of activity is happening all around the country.

"VITTER: Endangered Species Act’s hidden costs - Respect for private property at risk"
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/8/endangered-species-acts-hidden-costs/

"The Radical Abuse of the ESA Threatens the US Economy"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2013/02/18/the-radical-abuse-of-the-esa-threatens-the-us-economy/

"Lawsuit challenges feds over 'sue and settle' tactics on endangered species"
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/18/lawsuit-challenges-feds-over-sue-and-settle-tactics-on-endangered-species/

"Abuse of Endangered Species Act threatens American's private property rights"
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/12/28/abuse-endangered-species-act-threatens-american-private-property-rights/

[WAcoyotehunter]

So are you saying we still have caribou ?   Verified ?

yes.  There is a small herd up here on the border with ID and BC.  They spend some time in each area.

[WAcoyotehunter]

1600 acres of critical habitat.... Big deal.  You guys are making a mountain out of a molehill.  Literally.

The big issue will be how these listings affect private property rights, local economies, and the ability to use our natural resources.  The videos illustrate the hardship placed on individuals due to the presence of the Mazama Pocket gopher.  This type of activity is happening all around the country.

"VITTER: Endangered Species Act’s hidden costs - Respect for private property at risk"
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/8/endangered-species-acts-hidden-costs/

"The Radical Abuse of the ESA Threatens the US Economy"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidblackmon/2013/02/18/the-radical-abuse-of-the-esa-threatens-the-us-economy/

"Lawsuit challenges feds over 'sue and settle' tactics on endangered species"
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/18/lawsuit-challenges-feds-over-sue-and-settle-tactics-on-endangered-species/

"Abuse of Endangered Species Act threatens American's private property rights"
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/12/28/abuse-endangered-species-act-threatens-american-private-property-rights/

These articles all detail INDUSTRY... it doesn't mention a farmer or small landowner wanting to build a house, or a little old lady that is not allowed to put in her garden.

Why are HUNTERS (We are hunters here right???) in favor of our big pieces of federal land being developed by industry??  Seriously...why?

How much have gas prices dropped since the 10,000 oil wells have been drilled in ND???  Are the American people so stupid to let industry destroy OUR public lands with the promise of energy independence??? 

Industry is screwing the American people and you guys are cheering them on.