On 8 November, I had the privilege of attending the Boise State University Scholar -Donor Luncheon for Academic Excellence on behalf of the Idaho Chapter of The Wildlife Society. The luncheon brings together those individuals/organizations donating to scholarship funds at Boise State University with those students who are the current recipients of the respective scholarships. The Idaho Chapter sponsors the Richard Olendorff scholarship at Boise State. We also sponsor the Norenberg /Meiners scholarship at the University of Idaho, and the Edson Fichter scholarship at Idaho State University. These are an excellent and most fitting way to remember and honor distinguished past members of our Chapter and to support the future of our profession.

Lynda Leppert, the 2000 recipient of the Richard Olenforff scholarship, joined me at the BSU luncheon. Lynda came to BSU after having worked many years as a veterinary lab technician with a love of blood. I have seen many wildlife graduate students passionate about the animals they study, but never one so passionate about all the things you can discover about an animal by looking at its blood. I quickly became the student and she the teacher. Lynda is conducting research on Heterophil:Lymphocyte Ratio as a Reliable Indicator of Stress and Circadian Leukocyte Distribution in Three Species of Owls. I asked Lynda to provide a brief summary of her research proposal for the Chapter members (I removed the numerous citations; if you want them I can provide them).

Special Message: A Friend and Colleague is Gone

Michael Gratson, Idaho Department of Fish and Game senior wildlife research biologist, was killed in a helicopter crash along with pilot Mike Haygens on Thursday 29 December while conducting mountain lion surveys along the Lochsa River near Lowell. The surveys were part of a complex elk/habitat/predation study to address the underlying mechanisms in the decline of the Lochsa elk herd. Idaho Fish and Game wildlife technician Matt Lucia survived the crash and is recovering at home. Michael was an active member of the Idaho Chapter and had served as our newsletter editor. Michael received his BS and MS degrees in wildlife biology from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and his PhD in zoology from the University of Victoria. His sharp intellect and wit, and his dedication to the wildlife resources and to being the best scientist he could be will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues. Memorial Services were held 4 January in Lewiston. Michael’s family has requested that donations be made to the Michael Gratson Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Clearwater Regional Office, 1540 Warner Avenue, Lewiston, ID 83501. The Idaho Chapter will also be contributing a portion of the funds raised at this year’s auction/raffle to the scholarship fund.   ==Chuck Harris==

For the record, or specifically for our records we need to have everyones e-mail address so that we can update our mailing list for this newsletter. We would like to get as many members as possible linked to the electronic highway to cut down on newsletter mailing expenses. Send your e-mail addresses to my e-mail address following this section. Thank you.

We will continue to send hard copies to those without e-mail service.

Also note that the Chapter will be producing a new membership directory following the spring meeting.in March. If you are not going to be at the meeting be sure to let Michelle Commons know your current address, phone, fax, and e-mail address.   She can be reached at:  mcommons@idfg.state.id.us

Please send newsletter correspondence to:

Joseph Butsick
19 Havens Lane
Salmon, Idaho 83467

Fax – 208-768-2502
Phone – 768-2515 (home is 208-756-3813)

E-Mail jonabrem@salmoninternet.comor at work at mailto:jbutsick@fs.fed.us
 

In recent years, populations of amphibians and reptiles (herps) have declined significantly in North America and throughout the world. A coordinated, cooperative program of research, monitoring, management, public policy, and education is needed to identify vulnerable species and habitats for prudent, workable conservation initiatives and to develop public appreciation for the environmental welfare of all species of herps.

In June 1999, an organizational meeting for Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) was held in Atlanta, Georgia, with representatives from 170 different universities, museums and nature centers, state wildlife departments, federal agencies, conservation organizations, research laboratories, forest products companies and other industries, and pet trade organizations. The PARC mission is to conserve amphibians, reptiles, and their habitats as integral parts of our ecosystem and culture through proactive and coordinated public/private partnerships. PARC’s 5 priority conservation needs are: (1) educate the public about herpetofauna and conservation; (2) establish a dynamic database on the ecology and habitat requirements of amphibians and reptiles; (3) standardize data collection and inventory techniques; (4) create a user-friendly database of all management information and existing policies on herpetofauna; and (5) establish a PARC fellowship and internship program.  Organizationally, PARC is modeled after Partners in Flight (PIF). A national coalition that helps coordinate and facilitate regional and state working groups. On 17 November, IPARC held its organizational meeting (Idaho is only the second state to have held such a meeting). In attendance were representatives from Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Transportation Department, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Boise Cascade Corporation, Idaho Power, Science Applications International Corporation, URS Corporation, and the Idaho Herpetological Society. Dr. Mike Lannoo, Indiana University (U.S. Coordinator for the Declining Amphibians Population Task Force) gave a presentation on the status of amphibians in the United States followed by several reports on amphibian research projects being conducted around Idaho. The most important portion of the meeting will consisted of short presentations by the attendees concerning their organization’s involvement in herpetological conservation and the development of a list of priorities for conserving amphibians and reptiles in Idaho.

IPARC is off to a great start. There will be another IPARC meeting in conjunction with the Idaho Chapter TWS meeting, so check the next newsletter or the web site for details. IPARC is open to everyone and anyone with an interest in herp conservation. To learn more about PARC see the web site at http://www.parcplace.org/   Information on IPARC will be on Chuck Peterson’s home page http://www.isu.edu/~petechar

 
 

In the grand words of Lyndon Baines Johnson, "Son, in politics you've got to learn that overnight chicken shit can turn into chicken salad."

Crude, but true. The reverse might also be true in the case of CARA, but as you will see we did not do too bad. We went for the gold and got the bronze medal instead. A quick recap of events in case you have lost track of all that has happened this year, and especially the past few weeks.

The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA, HR 701) passed the House 11 May on a 315 to 102 vote. This legislation provided $2.8 billion per year from off shore oil and gas leases for 15 years for wildlife, parks, coastal protection, and a variety of other conservation programs. Wildlife Conservation and Restoration (Title III) would have received $350 million per year via the established Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Program (P-R), with IDFG's share being about $3.9 million per year (plus our 25% match).

On 25 July, the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee voted 13 to 7 to report CARA to the full Senate. The Senate version of CARA had a few changes from HR 701, but wildlife would still have received $350 million per year with IDFG's annual share being about $3.7 million. Shortly thereafter Congress went home for their August recess and reconvened after Labor Day with the expectation of adjourning the session by 22 September to go home and campaign for the November election. All efforts focused on getting CARA brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote (63 Senators had signed a letter to the Senate leadership indicating their support for CARA). With only 3 weeks to get 11 of 13 appropriations bills passed, a big tax cut bill, and other major legislation still looming, there was great potential for CARA to get lost in the shuffle. Options were: (1) CARA would be voted on by the full Senate; (2) CARA would be attached as a rider on to one of the appropriations bills; or (3) CARA would become part of a large omnibus bill passed at the end of the session.

A couple weeks passed with no clear indication of which avenue CARA would take. During the week of 25 September it became apparent that some form of CARA was going to be attached to the Interior Appropriations bill. It also became apparent that members of the Appropriations Committee were attempting to weaken CARA by reducing the amount of funding, reducing the time period, and keeping control of the funding (no automatic appropriation). On 29 September the Interior appropriations conference report was filed (dubbed CARA lite), and it was not good for wildlife or any of the other original CARA titles. The following week, the bill was passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Clinton.

The CARA portion of the Interior Appropriations bill (technically termed Title VIII -- Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement program rather than CARA lite) provides $1.2 billion for FY01 in 6 program categories. State wildlife funding ($50 million for FWS – State Wildlife Grants) is in the program category "State and Other Conservation Programs," that provides a combined total of $300 million in FY01.

The following is a summary of the state wildlife funding provided by the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. There is actually very little to summarize, because there is much work yet to be done by the Fish and Wildlife Service before the funds can be dispersed.

1. Funding for State Fish and Wildlife Agencies in the Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement program is $50 million in FY01 and is part of a competitive grants program that will be administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

2. Funds in the Land Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement program can potentially ramp up over the following 5 fiscal years, but there is no assurance of even $50 million for wildlife in future years. The report language says: "The program is not mandatory and does not guarantee annual appropriations." There is discussion of fences and caps but the caps are just that: maximums, and there is no floor or minimum for any program. The bill merely contains $160 million each year in authorizations that the Appropriations Committees can spend or not spend for any program they desire.

3. The mechanism for States to use the initial $50 million is so complicated that it is doubtful that any state would get funds for anything, except possibly for planning, in the foreseeable future. The states are required to develop wildlife conservation plans to "meet requirements that are established by the Service." The Service "may" use a portion of the $50 million for grants to states to prepare the plans and if the State has developed the required plan or commits to develop the plan by a mutually agreed date certain then the Service can grant money to the States under a cost-shared, competitively-awarded, project-based program. The service's proposal must be presented to the "House and Senate Committees on Appropriations for review and approval prior to the use of any funds for these grants. The funds should not be distributed on a formula basis and every effort should be made to leverage Federal funding to the maximum extent possible."

4. It is estimated that it would take a state about 3 years to develop a plan to meet the "requirements that are established by the Service." Each plan is to "provide for the conservation of the State's full array of wildlife and their habitats, with emphasis placed on those species conservation efforts that are most underfunded and have the greatest conservation need." The Service is prohibited from providing a grant "to any state unless the State has, or commits to develop by a mutually agreed date certain, the required plan." At this point the State can request a competitively awarded, project-based grant. The net effect of all these requirements is the promise of some federal funds for specific projects as determined by the Fish and Wildlife service about 3-4 years from now! It has taken the Service more than 2 years to develop the requirements for a $10 million competitive grants program for nontrailerable boats contained in the last amendments to the Sport Fish Restoration Act. This provision is immensely more complicated.

In spite of what appeared to be a total defeat for the CARA coalition in the Interior Appropriations bill, this was a good civics lesson and a reminder of just how powerful members of the appropriations committees are. While some of the coalition packed their bags and went home to plan next year's strategy, the wildlife coalition refused to give up. There were still some complex procedural avenues open (tricks only master parliamentarians know) for getting something better for wildlife, so with the help of some very supportive Congressmen and Senators, the fight was on. It lasted for almost 3 weeks, but on 27 October the final appropriations bill for Commerce, Justice, and States (CJS) was passed by the House and Senate that included more funding for wildlife. There is, however, a veto threat hanging over this bill by President Clinton because of differences regarding immigration policy, tobacco litigation, and FCC licensing of new FM radio stations, so it’s not completely settled yet. Should he veto the bill and send it back to Congress, the only provisions that Congress is expected to revisit would be those at issue. Because the wildlife program language and money have been agreed to by both the House and Senate and the White House, there is no need to reopen the discussion on our wildlife program.

CJS is fairly good news for state wildlife agencies. Basically, this is an additional 1-year $50 million appropriation for wildlife conservation within the FY01 CJS appropriations measure. The authorizing language attached to CJS to amend the P-R legislation does not exactly track the House-passed CARA's wildlife Title III, but it is very similar. While it is not everything we had hoped for, it is a good, reasonable, encouraging start and an adequate marker for future improvements. Below are some points as to what this language will do:

* 1-year appropriation of $50 million for wildlife conservation, recreation (capped at 10% of a state's allocation), and education, but no money for enforcement because this activity is not allowed under P-R.

* Amendments to the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson) to create the new wildlife conservation program.

* Provides funds directly to the states based upon a formula (1/3 land area and 2/3 population) with a 1% floor and 5% ceiling (IDFG will get about $560,000 plus our 25% match; as with other P-R funds we can spread this out over 2 years if we need to).

* Includes many of the same definitions as found within the House-passed CARA Title III.

* Provides a priority for funding for species with the greatest conservation need as defined by the State wildlife conservation and restoration program.

* Provides up to 3% of funds to be used to administer the new program.

* Includes the wildlife conservation strategy as part of a state's plan, as some groups had requested (a change from the House-passed CARA).

* Provides that funds for wildlife education may not be used for anti-hunting efforts.

The exact language for CJS can be found in two parts (wildlife begins on page 41 of the second document and goes through page 57) at: http://www.house.gov/rules/cjs1.pdf, and
http://www.house.gov/rules/cjs2.pdf

We (the CARA coalition) can not look at these two appropriations riders as a defeat.  Great progress was made in the past year in building a strong and dedicated coalition, making key legislative contacts and congressional allies, raising awareness of the need for state wildlife funding, and sending a loud message that we will be back next year seeking elevated and permanent funding because wildlife conservation programs can not operate on year to year appropriations, we can not build trust and conservation agreements with private landowners on uncertain funding, and we can not address the long-term issues of declining species and habitats with minimum dollars.

We will provide more details in a second memo about what we think will be required in the comprehensive plan and wildlife conservation strategy in order to obtain funding from the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration account and how we as a Department will go about pulling the plan and strategy together.  If you have any questions, contact Wayne Melquist, Chuck Harris, or Jon Beals in the Wildlife Bureau.
 

Committee Chairs Needed:

The success of our Chapter, and TWS as a whole, is based upon the work of dedicated volunteers. The work of TWS cannot get done by the small paid staff in Bethesda, Maryland, or the executive boards of the Chapters and Sections. We need you to volunteer to be chairs and members of the standing committees of the Chapter. Toni, Michelle, Anna, and I cannot do it all.

Please consider volunteering for one of the committees below. Contact the committee chairperson or Chuck if you have an interest in chairing or working on any of the following committees.

Don Kemner has retired (thanks for all your work Don), and we need a chair and members by 1 October 2001 to select a new slate of candidates to run for office. There will be no problems with ballots, chad, etc. If we have a tie vote, like last year’s secretary position, we settle it at the business meeting with the flip of a coin.
 
 

Awards:  Kerry Reese is chair and could use some assistance in selecting the Professional Wildlifer Award and Special Recognition Award. Please send your nominations to Kerry ASAP. kreese@uidaho.edu

Ted Trueblood Communications Award:  Alan Dohmen has stepped down after many years of pulling together a group of professional biologists and students to evaluate the presentations and posters and each year’s meeting. Thanks Alan for all your hard work. Now someone else needs to step forward if we wish to continue honoring the best student and professional papers at our annual meeting.
 
 

EDITOR’S NOTE: I know you’re out there, come on folks get me some material for the next newsletter. If you are not a researcher but know someone who is, poke him or her in the ribs and get them to send me some material. Thanks! Let’s try posting some digital photos too. Or if you only have photos send them to me and I will scan them.
 

The biennial Rare Animal Workshop will be held on Wednesday 7 March. The focus of this year’s workshop will be a review/revision of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Species of Special Concern list, a review of the revised U.S. Forest Service Regions 1 and 4 Sensitive Species lists, possibly a revised BLM Sensitive Species list, and the new criteria used to develop these lists. If there are any other topics of interest that members would like to see on this year’s agenda, please contact Chuck Harris (334-2920; charris@idfg.state.id.us). Idaho Partners in Flight and the Idaho Bat Working Group may also be holding meetings in conjunction with the Chapter meeting.

Rod Sando, the new Director of the Department of Fish and Game, has graciously accepted our invitation to give the plenary address on Thursday morning. Being optimistic about the passage of The Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA) we will fill the remainder of Thursday morning with a session on CARA implementation in Idaho. In light of the interest, editorials, and commentary on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission’s new Policy for Avian and Mammalian Predation Management, we are planning a session along the general theme of "Predator Control and Management: Past and Present" on Thursday afternoon. We envision this session will include invited papers to present an overview of predation effects and predator control on big game populations, an overview of predation effects and predator control on upland game bird populations, a historical review of predator control activities in Idaho, and a presentation on the Commission’s current predator policy. These general presentations will then be followed by reports on current predator/predation research projects in the state. Friday and Saturday morning (if needed) will be filled with contributed paper sessions. Given our past fire season and all the media and political attention to wildland fires, we are considering a session that would address the effects of fire on wildlife populations and habitats. The banquet auction is planned for Friday evening. We have extended an invitation to nature photographer Art Wolfe to give a talk/slide presentation and afford him an opportunity to promote his new book "The Living World" (and maybe donate some signed posters for the auction). We will keep you posted and make alternate plans if needed.

Any ideas about special workshops or sessions should be submitted to Toni Holthuijzen by the end of October to be incorporated into the program. Updates on the meeting, deadlines, and reminders (pleadings) to submit abstracts will be forthcoming. Please address any inquiries and suggestions about workshops, symposia, or anything else that may be of interest to the annual meeting to Toni Holthuijzen, tel. 208-388-2352, e-mail tholthuijzen@idahopower.com
 
 

For full information on the Conference and its activities visit the website at www.albertadirectory.com/actws. The Banff Park Lodge and Conference Centre has reserved a block of 100 rooms at special conference rates. Make reservations by January 2, 2001 at 1-800-661-9266 and mention that you are attending the Wildlife Society meeting, Alberta Chapter.

For more information on abstracts and registration, please visit:  www.albertadirectory.com/actws