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Audubon of Kansas has been making news across the country recently, and we wanted to fill you, our members, in on all of the exciting news! In this issue of the AOK Newsletter you will find a call to action to help stop the use of the deadly poisons, Rozol and Kaput-D. You will also find updates on Audubon Chapters across Kansas as well as an update on the USFWS open houses which will focus on the creation of the Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area. Please feel free to e-mail us to let us know how you feel about the cruel treatment of wildlife in Logan County, as well as about the use of rozol on Prairie Dogs. You can also support our constant battles by donating to our cause!
- Mike Hudson |
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Stop the Use of Dangerous Poisons:
A Call to Action 
We-And Prairie Wildlife--Need Your Assistance
Audubon of Kansas spearheaded the call for corrective action in a lengthy letter to EPA in May 2007. Our major concern remains the threat of secondary poisoning, which is resulting from the widespread use of the anti-coagulant poison, Rozol, used to kill prairie dogs. Ferruginous hawks, golden and bald eagles, swift foxes, badgers and other wildlife are being killed with this poison-distributed first by the semi load in western Kansas, and now in other states.
The November-December edition of Audubon Magazine has an article by independent advocate for the environment, Ted Williams, on this threat. However, we do not have time to wait for distribution of that article before we, as individuals, need to take action.
Please copy and paste this form below into an e-mail, to urge the EPA to ban the use of Rozol and Kaput-D so that we can avoid the senseless secondary poisoning of imperiled Great Plains wildlife that feed on prairie dogs. The deadline for comments is October 23rd, so we don't have much time.
Send to: aok@audubonofkansas.org (We will forward them as a package)
As someone who cares about prairie wildlife and environmental health, I'm writing to strongly oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to register Kaput-D for use in eradicating prairie dogs in ten states across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain Region. The Environmental Protection Agency should not approve Kaput-D, and should immediately rescind its May 2009 approval of Rozol, a similar poison used to kill prairie dogs.
In addition to killing black-tailed prairie dogs - species that has become an at-risk species in several states and could become a candidate for federal protection - widespread use of these poisons will put other imperiled species at unacceptable risk in violation of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Act and other federal laws.
Black-tailed prairie dogs have declined by more than 95% from their historic numbers due to habitat loss, poisoning, and a non-native disease. As a keystone species, the drastic decline of black-tailed prairie dogs has had a negative effect on several other prairie wildlife species -- including black-footed ferrets, one of the most imperiled mammals in North America.
With these facts clearly established, why would the EPA even consider approving two new poisons that will hasten the decline of these already at-risk, threatened or endangered species?
Rozol and Kaput-D cause prairie dogs to slowly bleed to death over a period of from one to three weeks. These chemicals also set off a chain reaction of secondary poisoning that can kill imperiled animals that consume dead or "still-living" prairie dogs with lethal or sub-lethal doses of these poisons-- including black-footed ferrets, swift foxes, badgers, golden and bald eagles, magpies and ferruginous hawks.
In September, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials requested that your agency consult with them before approving Rozol -- and to put Kaput-D on hold completely -- because prairie dog poisoning had been shown to be a "major factor in the decline of [black-footed] ferrets" and because they had serious concerns about the effects these two poisons could have on other prairie wildlife.
But despite these requests, the EPA went ahead and approved the use of Rozol without properly consulting with federal wildlife experts and without giving the public a chance to weigh in on this deadly decision. And now the agency is poised to approve Kaput-D.
The Environmental Protection Agency was created to help protect our natural environment and the wildlife that depend upon it. I hope you will reconsider your decision to disregard the adverse impacts of these poisons, and alternatively rescind your decision to approve these deadly poisons.
Thank you for considering my views on this urgent matter. I look forward to your reply. |
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Propose Creation of The Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area 
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO HOLD OPEN HOUSES
AT ALMA, COTTONWOOD FALLS, AND WICHITA TO
SOLICIT PUBLIC COMMENTS ON PROPOSED CREATION OF
THE FLINT HILLS LEGACY CONSERVATION AREA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced it will host a series of open houses to provide information about and receive public comment on the Service's proposed Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area project. The proposed Project involves the acquisition of conservation easements from willing sellers in the Flint Hills whose lands provide important habitat for fish and wildlife resources.
Service staff will share information, answer questions and take public comments about the easement program at the following open house meetings:
Monday, November 30, in Alma, Kansas at the City of Alma Community Center, 244 E 11th Street, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
Tuesday, December 1, in Wichita, Kansas at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E 29th Street North, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
Wednesday, December 2, in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas at the Cottonwood Falls Community Building, 220 Broadway, from 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
The Service will consider all public comments in the development of an environmental assessment for establishing the Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 directs the Service to provide for the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitat within the System; ensure effective coordination, interaction and cooperation with adjoining landowners; and, assist in maintaining adequate quantity and quality of water supplies to support the System mission and refuge proposes.
The establishment of the Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area would provide an opportunity to conserve a significant amount of high quality tallgrass prairie through the use of conservation easements.� The Service welcomes all interested public to learn more about the proposed easement acquisition and contribute comments on the proposal.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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Audubon - Happenings Around Kansas
Jayhawk Audubon Society -
Jayhawk Audubon Society Presents:
"Sequestering Carbon Dioxide in Kansas"
By Rex Buchanan, Deputy Director of Kansas Geological Survey
Monday October 26
Program 7:30 pm at Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall, 1245 New Hampshire
This program will focus on potential CO2 sequestration strategies -- capturing CO2 and storing or locking it up as it is produced by power plants or factories -- in Kansas.
Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society -
Sperry Galligar Audubon Society Presents:
"Water Issues in Southeast Kansas"
By Jim Triplett, Professor of Biology at PSU
Thursday, October 29
Program 7:00 PM at Room 102, Yates Hall
This report is an update on where we are with respect to surface and groundwater quantities and quality, and what the Federal, State and local governments are doing to protect these resources.
Attention Audubon Chapters of Kansas:
We would like to showcase each Audubon Chapter across the state in our newsletters. If you have something you would like announced in the AOK Newsletter, please send it to mike.hudson@audubonofkansas.org. |
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Please Help With this and Other Important AOK Conservation Initiatives
We need your help. Please donate now to keep Audubon of Kansas on the front lines undeterred by controversy or the absence of other conservation organizations in the trenches, working for wildlife in every forum possible, joining landowners and others who strive to protect prairie landscapes and ecological values, pushing agencies to change operational paradigms and go beyond their comfort zones. We greatly appreciate any support you can provide.
To donate online, simply to go to:
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/AudubonofKansas/OnlineDonation.html
Or send a check and money order to:
Audubon of Kansas
210 Southwind Place
Manhattan, KS 66502 |
We hope you enjoyed this issue of AOK E-News. If you have any suggestions, comments, or ideas please send them to aok@audubonofkansas.org. We also hope you consider making a donation towards the AOK cause. We need your support in this crucial time for Kansas wildlife! |
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Sincerely,
Ron Klataske, Executive Director
Bob McElroy, Board President
Mike Hudson, Director of Development |
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Donate Now!
Please Help With This and Other Important AOK Initiatives
We need your help. Please donate now to keep Audubon of Kansas on the front lines undeterred by controversy or the absence of other conservation organizations in the trenches, working for wildlife in every forum possible, joining landowners and others who strive to protect prairie landscapes and ecological values, pushing agencies to change operational paradigms and go beyond their comfort zones. We greatly appreciate any support you can provide.
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