URGENT: Help Stop the Dike Removal at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

[huntrights]

Help Stop the Dike Removal at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge


This is an urgent request for help from Washington State sportsmen, waterfowl hunters, and conservation minded citizens.  I will post it in the Hunting Activism & 2nd Amendment Issues and Waterfowl forums.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are planning to remove the dikes at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.  This is something we do not want to have happen.  A friend that is closely involved in the issue has provided the following summary information to explain why we don’t want the dikes removed.

“1.  Many of these refuges (including Willapa) were purchased for the specific purpose of "Waterfowl Conservation" and the law states that the original purpose of the proclamation justifying the purchase cannot be changed, altered, or degraded.
 2.  The primary source of funding for many of these refuges was monies from the sale of waterfowl stamps (52% in the case of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge) per the "Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Act".
 3.  Much of the WNWR was procured via condemnation from unwilling sellers under the authority of the Migratory Bird Act" specifically for the conservation of "Waterfowl" (ducks, geese, brant).  This proclamation states waterfowl and references no other wildlife species.
 4.  The dike removals and creation of marine estuarine habitat at other sites such as Nisqually and South Bend have had a devastating effect on waterfowl utilization of at least a 90% reduction. 
 5.  Waterfowl do use our natural marine estuarine habitats but not nearly in the densities that they utilize the freshwater habitat and short grass fields behind these dikes.  Diversity of habitats is the key.
 6.  Since the completion of alterations at other sites there has been no marked improvement in utilization by waterfowl or other wildlife species.
7. Stopping the dike removals has the support of many organizations;  Cranberry Growers Association, several Washington State County Farm Bureaus, Washington State Farm Bureau, Discovery Coast Audubon Society, Pacific County Commissioners, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, and the Washington Waterfowl Association to name a few.”

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler has introduced language into the Interior Appropriations portion of the Omnibus Appropriations bill that would prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from using any of these monies to remove the dikes at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge.  If this language is accepted it would eliminate these funds as a possible source of funding for the removal these dikes.

The House appears to be willing to accept the language into the bill but it will be an uphill battle to get it through the Senate.  To help get this language into the bill, please contact Senator Patty Murray via her website; she is the representative that will play a key role in getting this through.  Your message to her can be as simple as the following:

“Please support the insertion of the language proposed by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler into the Interior Appropriations portion of the Omnibus Appropriations bill regarding the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge."

It is as simple as that for you to make a contribution in stopping the removal of these dikes and the loss of this very important freshwater habitat.  You can only make a difference if you get involved; Senator Murray will be more likely to support this language insertion if enough people contact her.  If you can get family and friends to do the same, it would be very helpful.

Senator Murray’s web contact form:

http://murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme

Thank you in advance for your help.

[duck stamp]

You no that after that town meeting we had in february down at llwaco I thought we had won the battle. In september I called the Willapa wildlife office and talk to this nice lady about this coming season and I ask her about the dikes and she said that they decided to go with Plan #2 which will be the end of the dikes.  I wish all waterfowlers would send Patty M that E-mail and tell her to try to keep the dikes up.

[Special T]

What a bunch of @ss clowns!

[Humptulips]

So easy with that link you provided. Took me two minutes.

[280ackley]

Done

[huntrights]

Pass the word along.  That's the only way things will change.  Thank you.

[huntrights]

You no that after that town meeting we had in february down at llwaco I thought we had won the battle. In september I called the Willapa wildlife office and talk to this nice lady about this coming season and I ask her about the dikes and she said that they decided to go with Plan #2 which will be the end of the dikes.  I wish all waterfowlers would send Patty M that E-mail and tell her to try to keep the dikes up.

Get your friends and family to write to Senator Murray, I've provided the simple message and the link to get it to her; it just needs to come from all of you.  I wrote Senator Murray immediately once I heard Congresswomen Jamie Herrera Beutler's proposal would help prevent the destruction of this important waterfowl habitat.  We need to help our representative help us; please send those emails to Senator Murray.

[jeepguy]

nothing wil help this  they have made thier mind up and they will carry through with it  it sucks big time but thats the trend anymore used to have afew good places togo up north the blew all the dikes open  no  way to stop it . we lost our fields to tidal waters now the few land areas are over crowded over hunted now you gotta have some sort of watercraft and moniter tides  .if they dont break'em we should be able to get ours closed up again it just aint right i feel your pain  goodluck  envoromental  B.S  its too late to save the fish  too bad IDIOTS have no touch of  F'N reality the game department  SUCKS ASS BIG TIME!

[huntrights]

It is very important that you write to Senator Murray.  Please trust what I am telling you!

[huntrights]

If you don't write, there is less chance of stopping this.  It's as simple as that.

[fethrduster]

I grew up hunting the salt marshes in Willapa Bay a LOT.  The hunting was always good, sometimes excellent. Being new to this issue, am I to understand that the main problem is that some freshwater fields will be wiped out?  Since the hunting is just as good in the salt marshes, I'm not sure I understand the problem completely. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

We're to 'ASK' Patti Murray for something?  (yes, it was difficult to type that bit@$'s name)...   

I'd like to hear more about the affects of the surounding lands behind the dikes if the dikes are removed. Who will pay for the removal? Is there a dike district in in charge? The paw is not a big river, but floods do happen. What will this do to the locals that live near/beyond current flood areas?

-Steve

[duck stamp]

If they take the dikes down the salt water will kill all the fresh water grasses, every other year they drain the Porter Point unit in the spring to let this Smart Weed grow and then just before hunting season they let the fresh water come in to the normal level.  when they do this there are hundreds `of ducks  feeding on this smart weed, its a sight to see also there is  about 150 elk that live just behind the dikes and the grasses that grow in the fresh water are one of there main foods that would be lost if the dikes are removed.  If you are ever driving down hi way 101 right after the town of South Bend you will see Potter Sough the state took out the dikes there about 4yrs ago? If you look towards the Willapa river every thing is dead  on the other side of the hiway where the fresh water is you will see ducks and geese feeding.

[JackOfAllTrades]

How would this affect areas up stream towards Lbam?

Also, other than feed for the Elk, how would this floodding affect the limited lands that the Elk have to roam. Do the dikes (depth of water) keep, (for the most part), Elk from wandering across the hiway?

-Steve

[duck stamp]

If they take out the dikes the Elk would have no more grass to feed on and they would head right for the cranberry bogs and in time they would be in Long Beach.   As far as flooding there is only 5 streams that are behind the dikes and 2 of them dry up in the summer and these streams have nothing to do with Lban they are small streams and the only time they get high is when there is a lot of rain.  but with 2 fish ladders on the dike they can regulate the flow of fresh water from the streams. If you get a chance drive down there and check it out your self  you can hunt ducks Sunday- Mondays and Thursday at Porter Point and if you like you can take a small boat and hunt on the inside of the dikes in the fresh water.

[huntrights]

I would like to thank those of you that have taken the time to read and respond to the original post.  I hope all of you have written Senator Murray and respectfully made your request.   I also hope that you have passed this on to your friends and family.

There were a few questions or comments that I personally did not have the answer to so I asked a friend who is very familiar with the situation.  The main point made is that it is not a done deal to remove the dikes.  All of you, your friends, and family are encouraged to write Senator Murray.  Letters/emails in large volumes will get her attention; we need help with that.  We have the backing of the Pacific County Commissioners, and 3 State Reps. on this already, and they too are contacting, or have contacted the Senator.  The key is to have the people, that would be all of us, write Senator Murray.  I am going to quote the rest of the response:

“As for the post in regards to good hunting in the Willapa salt marshes.  Waterfowl deplete available food sources in our marine estuarine habitats by the end of November at the latest.  For healthy waterfowl populations, and to hold birds in these locales, nearby upland fresh sheetwater and food sources must be present.  If we lose them, the quality of the hunting in these estuaries will be degraded.  This is well proven by the decline in waterfowl utilization at Nisqually and the subsequent drop in waterfowl hunting success in the nearby estuarine and inland habitats.  The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge held over 55,000 ducks and geese at peak times, now it peaks at less than 10,000 birds and maintains around 4,000 maximum.  The fresh sheetwater habitats and short grass fields hold and sustain much higher waterfowl concentrations than any marine estuarine habitat, though both are necessary and complement each other.”

I hope that helps clarify the need to keep these dikes intact.

Again, thank you in advance for your help by writing Senator Murray.

[huntrights]

Your voice has made a difference.  Thank you.  However, keep this on your radar; the battle is not over.  Please be ready to write your representatives when the call comes again.


December 21, 2011
Congress Approves Federal Protection for Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife directed to not breach dikes
 
Washington, DC – Today Jaime Herrera Beutler commended the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate for recently approving temporary federal protection for the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge in Pacific County, Washington.  Jaime fought for this specific protection that directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to refrain from flooding the refuge until at least April of 2012.
 
This protection for Willapa was part of the 2012 federal appropriation bill that was passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in Congress last week.  Specifically, the bill’s conference report contains language directing the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife to refrain from removing the levee systems on the Lewis Point, Porter Point and Riekkola units, allowing it more time to address strong community concerns over this management alternative that would flood the refuge.  The measure was approved by the House on Friday, December 16 (passed 296-121) and Senate on Saturday, December 17 (passed 67-32).   
 
“This is good news for the folks of Southwest Washington who care about the future of this refuge,” said Jaime.  “It’s clear that the proposal to permanently alter this valued community treasure does not have the public fully behind it.  I will continue to do whatever it takes so that this permanent change doesn’t move forward without the support of this community.
 
“I’ve been glad to take this issue to Congress for the folks of Pacific County, but we secured this protection because of the collaborative work of many.  Senator Hatfield, Representative Blake and Representative Takko, Pacific County Commissioners Jon Kaino, Norman Cuffel, and Lisa Ayers, recreationalists, hunters, cranberry growers, and local citizens deserve credit for making their voices heard.
 
“I’ll continue working hard so that residents of Southwest Washington are the ones who shape the future of this refuge they care so deeply about.”
 
Background:
 
In early 2011, Jaime became aware that the USFWS was pursuing controversial management alternatives that would flood and permanently alter the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge – and the Pacific County Community largely knew nothing about it. 
 
Jaime worked with USFWS to extend the public comment period, and in March personally hosted a listening session in Ilwaco for hundreds of Pacific County residents to ask questions and express concerns.  Despite the lack of local support, however, USFWS officials were readying plans to breach the dikes in preparation for their preferred management alternative.
 
She helped lead a bipartisan coalition of elected officials and citizens to successfully convince the Salmon Recovery Funding Board to cancel funding for the dike breach in May.  The Army Corps of Engineers subsequently cancelled the permits to demolish the dikes.  Yet efforts to move forward with this change to the refuge are not dead, and Jaime continues to hear from concerned citizens who want to preserve the refuge as it has been for nearly 75 years.
 

[duck stamp]

thanks jshunt for all the work you have done on this important subject (taking more land away from waterfowl hunters) I have hunted down on that willapa refuse for more then 50yrs and what a shame it would be if they take the dikes down.

[Encore 280]

I've noticed that area on the right side of the hiway for a few years now. Was down there this weekend. I thought that was that invasive grass that they've been trying to kill off. The last few summers they've been running around in those airboats and going into the flats and spraying. Look's kinda ugly now. On the left side of the hiway there's a couple of duck blinds in there and that's where we saw the elk yesterday. Nice looking spot in there.

[sakoshooter]

If you don't voice your opinion on Willapa, it'll end up just like Nisqually - a fraction of what it used to be.

[pianoman9701]

Message to Sen. Murray sent.