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Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 10:45am

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/n9j5wz4027587f8/SB%2091%20Senate%20hearing%20MA.pdf?dl=0

 

MEDIA ALERT

SB 91 to define shelter for companion animals in extreme weather scheduled in Senate Committee

WHAT:   SB 91 – Animal Welfare Amendments sponsored by Sen. Gene Davis (D) to define shelter for domestic dogs and cats outside in extreme weather is on the agenda to be heard by the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 a.m. in room 250 at the State Capitol.

WHEN:  Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 a.m.

SB 91 is third on the agenda

WHO:    Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Standing Committee

WHERE:   Utah State Capitol, room 250
350 North State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84114

WHY:   The current law is vague, and owners could face criminal charges depending on the interpretation of individual officers or prosecutors. A clearly defined law is necessary to help owners understand what they are required to provide for the humane treatment of their pets and to eliminate confusion among officers and the court so the law can be applied consistently.

“Currently, Utah law states that you must provide food, liquid water and shelter for a companion animal but there is no definition for shelter,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “We are in support of amending the language to define what is considered adequate shelter and provide a better tool for animal control officers to educate pet owners.”

 
Media
Contact: Deann Shepherd: cell 801-747-9136, deann@utahhumane.org

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About the Humane Society of Utah

The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state of Utah. HSU is the largest open-admission

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private animal

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shelter in the state

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and welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. As a member of the No-Kill Utah (NKUT) Coalition, the HSU works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any state tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations. Read more about the HSU online at www.utahhumane.org.

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One-third of America’s fish and wildlife is at-risk of becoming endangered and many Utah species are affected. A fundamental enhancement in how Congress finances fish and wildlife conservation is desperately needed. 

 

A Congressional hearing will be streamed live today at 2:30 PM ET in the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands and wanted to share since Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-1) and Rep. John Curtis (UT-3) are both active members. The hearing will review the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 4647), which creates a modern approach to financing fish and wildlife conservation.

 

Utah currently receives only $701,602 in wildlife grants annually and would receive $21,596,213 annually to implement the state’s wildlife action plan with passage of H.R. 4647. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is the solution as it establishes a proactive mechanism for the conservation of fish and wildlife.

 

A press release is attached with details on the hearing, along with an Alliance member list and a fact sheet showing Utah species affected. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

 WASHINGTON, DC – February 14, 2018 – The Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife is pleased to learn the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a hearing on five bills, including the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (H.R. 4647), on Thursday, February 15, at 2:30 PM ET. The Alliance applauds Chairman Tom McClintock (R-CA) for his leadership in bringing H.R. 4647 up for a subcommittee hearing, which will be streamed live on the House Committee on Natural Resources YouTube page. 

 

Scientists estimate that one-third of wildlife species in the United States are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered without much needed funding for their conservation. The solution to this wildlife challenge is passage of the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, introduced by Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI).  

 

The bill will redirect $1.3 billion annually to the existing Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program to conserve the full array of fish and wildlife. This solution is complementary to existing natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation programs and will not require taxpayers or businesses to pay more, but instead allows all Americans to become investors in fish and wildlife conservation. 

 

“The Alliance greatly appreciates Chairman McClintock’s leadership in bringing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act to the attention of the Subcommittee. This hearing is an important opportunity to advance H.R. 4647 and create a modern funding mechanism to conserve more than one-third of our nation’s at-risk fish and wildlife in a manner that is economically viable to both taxpayers and the regulated business community,” stated Virgil Moore, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Director of Idaho Fish and Game.  

 

A lot is at stake if we do not act soon. In advance of the Subcommittee hearing, Alliance member CEOs sent a letter to Members of Congress urging swift passage of H.R. 4647.  

 

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act incorporates many of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources,” said Bruce Culpepper, U.S. Country Chair & President, Shell Oil Company. “The legislation reflects the input of a diverse coalition of conservationists to dedicate $1.3 billion annually in existing revenue to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program.” 

 

Every American benefits when we have healthy and accessible fish and wildlife. We need to start down a new path where we invest proactively in conservation rather than reactively. 

 

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About the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife 

 

The Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife formed in 2017 to secure funding for much needed conservation of our most precious natural resources, our fish and wildlife. The Alliance was built upon the strong partnership created by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources. The Alliance consists of members in the outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions, sportsmen’s and other conservation organizations, and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies representing more than a trillion dollars of economic impact, millions of nonexportable jobs, and tens of millions of members and consumers across the country, all who rely on healthy fish and wildlife populations.. Our goal is to partner with all Americans to conserve our natural resources for future generations. Learn more at OurNatureUSA.com. 

 

Follow the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife 

 

 Facebook – Our Nature. Our Nation. Our Future.  Instagram - @OurNatureUSA  YouTube –  Our Nature USA  Twitter –  @OurNatureUSA  Tumblr – @OurNatureUSA 

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What is the Alliance for  America’s Fish & Wildlife?

The purpose of the Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife is to secure funding for much needed conservation of our most precious natural resources, our fish and wildlife. 

This campaign has expanded out of the strong partnership created by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources, whose members represent the outdoor recreation retail and manufacturing sector, the energy and automotive industries, private landowners, educational institutions, conservation organizations, sportsmen’s groups and state and federal fish and wildlife agencies.  

 

How Our Wildlife is Currently Funded

Congress requires each state to develop a State Wildlife Action Plan –  a proactive, comprehensive conservation strategy which examines health and recommends actions to conserve wildlife and vital habitat before they become more rare and costly to protect. License fees and excise taxes help, but without adequate, dedicated funding to implement these plans, Utah won’t be able to conserve the full array of its treasured fish and wildlife. 

 

Primary Challenge to  Conserving Utah’s Wildlife 

As our nation’s population increases, so does the stress we put on our shared natural resources. When a species is pushed to the brink and becomes endangered, society risks losing a piece of our natural environment that we may never get back.

If this trend of federal underfunding continues, fewer Utahns will understand the importance of or need for fish and wildlife conservation. Among the species of greatest conservation need are those familiar to all Utahns, including the sage-grouse, Bonneville cutthroat trout and boreal toad.

Utah has made the health of the greater sage-grouse a priority, creating a scientifically based plan built on decades of research and the species is responding positively. 

The year-to-year population numbers for sage-grouse typically cycle up and down over time, but have cycled up over recent years. In fact, the 10-year rolling average number of males counted shows an increasing population trend since the late-1990s. 

One-third of sage-grouse habitat and 55 percent of sage-grouse leks are on private property, so the efforts of private landowners are essential to the conservation of the species, providing a success story for the rest of the country for how collaboration works in conservation.

Conservation efforts to prevent listing for the sage-grouse, as well as the Bonneville cutthroat trout and boreal toad, benefit multiple users (e.g., private property owners, anglers, hunters, water users, agriculture producers/ranchers) and help protect multiple uses of the landscape. 

Although there have been great strides in conservation made for important species, without much needed funding, states won’t be able to stay ahead of the pressures that keep pushing our fish and wildlife further toward becoming endangered.

Working Together for the Future  of all our Precious Resources 

A lot is at stake if we don’t act soon. Every American benefits when we have healthy and accessible fish and wildlife. We need to start down a new path where we invest proactively in conservation rather than reactively to avoid contentious endangered species battles that inhibit business, slow the economy and pass on the high cost of species recovery to the next generation. 

We invite you to join us in our quest to advance a 21st century vision for conservation of our valuable natural resources. Please visit OurNatureUSA.com to write a letter to your U.S. Representative requesting their support for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Alliance for America's Fish & Wildlife National Membership List 

 

 

American Fisheries Society  American Sportfishing Association American Wind Wildlife Institute Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Audubon Bass Pro Shops  Bat Conservation International Cabela’s  Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ducks Unlimited Hess Corporation Izaak Walton League of America Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation National Shooting Sports Foundation National Wild Turkey Federation National Wildlife Federation Outdoor Industry Association Pure Fishing REI Co-op Richard Childress Racing Roughed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Shell  Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership The Wildlife Society Toyota  White River Marine Group Wildlife Habitat Council  Wildlife Management Institute Yale University