Letter from TIA Board to Representative Collin Peterson
February 10, 2007
Collin Peterson
United States Representative
2211 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Peterson,
The Tamarac Interpretative Association, Friends of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in Becker County, Minnesota, call on you, Mr. Peterson to reject sharp cuts in federal funding for the National Refuge System. Citing the escalating stewardship backlog of $3.1 billion, the Board of Directors are concerned about the budget cuts that will imperil wildlife refuges, including Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Due to lack of funds from Congress the system is being forced to de-staff refuges and severely cut stewardship resources making the future of Tamarac Wildlife Refuge uncertain.
In our Midwest region, by the end of fiscal year 2009, 71 positions will have been eliminated and in Minnesota alone there will be 27 positions lost. This has to have a huge impact on the fulfillment of the missions and maintaining the performance-involving habitat management, the environment and visitor services. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is a major contributor to the economic benefit of Becker County. The latest in-depth study ‘Banking on Nature 2004: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation’ (using 2003 data) indicated over 35,000 visitors enjoyed a variety of recreational activities, over 40% were non-residents, and generated $55,000 in tax revenue for our county. The 2006 statistics indicate that visitation numbers have increased by 40%.
The Refuge System already suffers from a crippling backlog in top priority wildlife and habitat needs. Aggressively cutting funding for refuges this year will harm our ability as a nation to conserve America’s unique wildlife heritage. The president’s FY 2007 budget requests of $381.7 million for the System is approximately $11 million less that requested in PY 2006. As a consequence the System needs an increase of over $15 million each year to cover increased costs of energy, rent, utilities etc. To bring the Refuge System back to a funding level that accounts for Inflation, Congress needs to appropriate $451 million for FY08 to stop the cutbacks and regain the ground lost In the recent past.
Refuges across the country have strong support from eager and enthusiastic volunteers, many of whom belong to the 200 volunteer Friends groups like the Tamarac Interpretive Association. They are dedicated to supporting the local refuges and the Refuge System. We know the System depends on the volunteer groups for approximately 20% of the workload system.
The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is home to the restoration project re-establishing the Trumpeter Swans in the wild in Minnesota and this very successful endeavor must be continued. Our local jewel in the system of lakes and wildlife must continue and remain for generations to come.
Thank you for your attention to this petition.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Greenland
President
Tamarac Interpretive Association |
