Action Alert: Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge Needs Your Help

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge Needs Your Help You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom. Please take five minutes to express your opinion on Piedmont NWR. Your comments definitely count. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is developing a plan that will guide the future direction of the Refuge over the next 15 years. Public comments will be used to develop the draft management alternatives. Please take this opportunity to express issues, concerns, and needed management programs on the Refuge and share your vision of the Refuge. I have been involved with Piedmont NWF for over 35 years and they do an excellent job of managing the Refuge for the public. Their emphasis is managing the habitat for all species of wildlife and providing the public opportunities to enjoy the wide variety of wildlife related recreation that is available on the Refuge. They provide hunting, fishing, bird watching, wildlife watching, hiking and educational opportunities for students and adults. They have an excellent burning program that provides quality habitat for game and nongame species including the endangered red cockaded woodpecker. It has some of the best hunting in Georgia. They have provided a very well managed refuge for many years. They do not anticipate a concerted effort by the anti-hunting groups to stop hunting on Piedmont NWF. But you never know. The anti-hunting groups have used these type opportunities in other states to try to stack the deck against hunting. We just need to keep them honest and to cover our bases by letting the Piedmont NWR officials know that hunting is a priority. There are only 5 questions that you need to answer. They are below, along with some suggested responses. Please do not limit yourself to these responses. Edit your message. They want to know your opinion. Your message will be sent to each of the following targets: Carolyn Johnson A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending. Comments on Piedmont NWR Dear Ms. Johnson 1)What do you think are the most important refuge management issues facing Piedmont NWR? Funding Piedmont NWR along with most refuges has experienced serious budget cuts the last few years. Several positions have been lost. I have serious concerns that adequate habitat management cannot be implemented due to lack of funding. I also have concerns that public recreational opportunities will likely be restricted because of lack of funds. 2)How do you think the above issues should be addressed? Adequate funds should be provided by Congress. If recreational opportunities are reduced because of budget cuts, hunting and fishing should be the priority since hunters and fisherman provide most of the funding for wildlife conservation in America thru their license purchases and excise taxes paid on hunting and fishing equipment. 3)How would you like to see the habitats and wildlife be managed at Piedmont NWR? Habitat and wildlife management has been excellent. No changes suggested. 4)Are the types of public use and visitation permitted and encouraged by the Refuge appropriate? Yes! No changes needed. 5)Please provide any other comments or suggestions for how you would like to see Piedmont NWR managed over the next 15 years. No changes in management recommended. Keep emphasis on opportunities for sportsmen. Your name and address here This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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