FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS

---

REMOVAL OF NON-NATIVE DEER AND ELK FROM SANTA ROSA ISLAND IN THE CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK (CALIFORNIA)

    U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has proposed that a hunting reserve for disabled veterans be established on Santa Rosa Island within the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California west of Santa Barbara. He was successful in having his proposal attached as a rider to the House version of the annual Defense Appropriation Bill, which was adopted in May 2006 by the House.

    This island was purchased in 1986 by the Federal government for $30 million with the intention of including it as part of Channel Island National Park. Under terms of the sale, the ranching family that owned the island can operate a hunting lodge offering deer and elk hunting until 2011, at which time all deer and elk, as well as the hunting operation itself, must be removed.

    The National Park Service, wildlife advocates, and environmentalists, U.S. Senators Feinstein and Boxer of California, and Rep. Lois Capps (CA) oppose this proposal. Recently the 21,000 member Paralyzed Veterans of America wrote a letter to Rep. Hunter indicating that the proposal presented "numerous obstacles inherent to the island, including ingress and egress, logistics, personal safety and cost", and requested that Rep. Hunter consider an alternative, namely relocating the deer and elk to nearby Nicholas Island, already controlled by the military.

    The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs supports the removal of non-native deer and elk from Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Island National Park (California) and supports the phase- out of recreational hunting there. Further, the FWOC opposes the deliberate retention of any non-native plant or animal species on the island or other parts of the Channel Islands National Park.

[contact: David Czmanske dczmanske@hotmail.com]


next >>