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Wildlife:
wildlife habitat restoration committee; appropriation

Our Position: oppose
Bill Number: SB1441
Sponsor: Allen, Arzberger, Bee, et al
Legislative Session: 2006 Legislative Session

The bill appropriates $3.5 million to Game and Fish, but it attaches strings and directs them on how to spend the money.  The projects listed are some pet projects of the proponents of this legislation, including various water catchments -- these have questionable benefits to wildlife. Over the years, sportsmen and women as well as those representing environmental organizations have fought hard to protect the Game and Fish Commission and to reduce the political influence of both the Arizona Legislature and the Executive.  (This included a referendum back in the mid 1990’s to keep the governor from being able to dismiss board and commission members at will.)  Unfortunately, a group of sportsmen are now working to undermine this independence. 

Status

We will want to keep an eye on this with the Game and Fish Commission.

Action Needed

More information

To review the striker, go to http://www.azleg.gov/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/2R/proposed/H.1441%2DSE%2DMASON%2EDOC.htm 

Contact

Background

The Sierra Club has a significant interest in wildlife management and habitat protection in Arizona.  We have members who enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, backpacking, hunting, and fishing and many who also work hard on habitat protection and restoration.  We also have a number of active members who have helped Game and Fish with reintroduction and research projects – from helping to locate desert tortoises to helping relocate burrowing owls to assisting with spotlighting black footed ferrets, we have been engaged in helping Arizona’s wildlife for many years.  We care about wildlife and normally would support additional funding for wildlife programs.

SB1441 NOW: wildlife habitat restoration fund; appropriation (Allen, Arzberger, Bee, et al) gives $3.5 million to the Game and Fish Department for wildlife projects, but it comes with strings including requiring them to use it for a few of the specific pet projects of the bill’s supporters. 

While some of the projects named in the bill might be good projects, some could also do more harm than good for certain species of wildlife or for the habitat overall.  When deciding whether or not to pursue a project, it is incumbent on the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Commission to determine whether the project would actually benefit wildlife.  There is no such mandate in this bill.

The mandate to build more wildlife waters is just one area of controversy.  More research is needed on waters and wildlife and the effects of these waters on overall habitat.  They should not be built because of a legislative mandate.  Do these waters advantage one species to the detriment of others?  There are indications, for example, that these catchments result in the increased mortality of the Mojave desert tortoise.  (See issues relating to management of the Mojave National Preserve.)  There is also research which indicates that improper construction and maintenance can result in bats drowning in the catchments.  Do these waters result in the overall habitat being hammered during times when it can sustain fewer animals?  Do they even help bighorn sheep?  Arizona State University biologist David E. Brown has observed that helicopter surveys of dry ranges south of the border have indicated a higher density of bighorn sheep than similar areas in the United States that have these water catchments.  (See “Artificial water holes awash in controversy” Arizona Daily Star, 01/18/04.)  None of this is likely to be considered the context of this legislation as the specific projects are already designated.