[APWG] Listing of Endangered Species spurs exotic management budgets?

[Craig Dremann]

Dear All,

Prior to petitions submitted in 2002 to List the Sage Grouse as an
Endangered Species, the U.S. Congress was annually budgeting an average
of only 3 cents per acre to manage exotic plants on BLM lands in the
Great Basin.  

Now, with petitions being processed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service,
the FY 2005 budget has been doubled to an average of 6 cents per acre!

If the Sage Grouse is listed, in order to restore the bird's habitat,
the largest-scale ecological restoration and exotic plant management
program in the world will begin, covering about 70 million acres.  

Sincerely, Craig Dremann, Redwood City, California Republic 
(650) 325-7333