It should be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm not familiar with the
situation in PA - what prompted these proposed reg's?
>
> Dear Mr. Conti:
>
> I want to thank you and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for
> proposing regulations to increase the protection of native reptiles,
> particularly those proposals that will help you to control the
> undesirable transfer of non-native morphs into Pennsylvania and so
> prevent their release into the wild. The genetic makeups of native
> populations of animals and plants are under threat from indiscriminate
> movements by individuals and tradespersons. Most individuals are
> usually unaware, and education generally helps in such cases, but
> tradespersons often do know what they are doing.
>
> Some persons have suggested to me that, as they read your proposals,
> some of the changes you are considering may not be based on sound
> science. While I am sure that your personnel have made every effort to
> develop regulations that reflect the knowledge we have, please do
> review all proposals in light of demonstrated scientific findings.
> However, that said, I recommend application of the precautionary
> principle where conservation is concerned. That is, if an action is
> not known to be beneficial to wildlife, and has potential for harm,
> then it is probably undesirable and should not be allowed.
>
> I understand that you have proposed to forbid citizens from having in
> their possession in the field certain implements commonly used in the
> censusing, handling, and collecting of reptiles, such as hooks and
> tongs, except during a defined open season for rattlesnakes. Are there
> legitimate uses for these implements outside the open season? Would
> allowing possession of these implements make enforcement of collecting
> or disturbing regulations difficult or impossible? Finally, I presume
> that a scientist, with proper permits for his or her experimentation or
> collecting, would be exempt from such a regulation. If the answers to
> the questions I posed are (1) yes, and (2) no, then perhaps this
> particular component of the proposal could be reconsidered.
>
> Thank you again for making efforts for conservation of native wildlife.
>
> David L. McNeely, Ph.D., Professor of Biology
> Langston University; P.O. Box 1500
> Langston, OK 73050; email: dlmcneely-in-lunet.edu
> telephone: (405) 466-6025; fax: 405) 466-3307
> home page http://www.lunet.edu/mcneely/index.htm
>
> "Where are we going?" "I don't know, are we there yet?"
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>
--Irate
"Goat Feces is a Miracle Cure. And when you smoke it, you can play any Burl Ives
tune, automatically. Amazing, try it."
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/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association (NANFA). Comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of NANFA. For more information about NANFA,
/ visit http://www.nanfa.org Please make sure all posts to nanfa-l are
/ consistent with the guidelines as per
/ http://www.nanfa.org/guidelines.shtml To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get
/ help, visit the NANFA email list home page and archive at
/ http://www.nanfa.org/email.shtml