This is a step in the right direction...



Secretary Zinke Announces the Creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council

https://www.doi.gov/pressrelea...conservation-council

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. It will focus on increased public awareness domestically regarding conservation, wildlife law enforcement, and economic benefits that result from U.S. citizens traveling abroad to hunt.

“Built on the backs of hunters and anglers, the American conservation model proves to be the example for all nations to follow for wildlife and habitat conservation,” Secretary Zinke said. “The conservation and long-term health of big game crosses international boundaries. This council will provide important insight into the ways that American sportsmen and women benefit international conservation from boosting economies and creating hundreds of jobs to enhancing wildlife conservation.”

The Council will advise the Secretary of the Interior on the benefits that international recreational hunting has on foreign wildlife and habitat conservation, anti-poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking programs, and other ways in which international hunting benefits human populations in these areas.

The duties of the Council will be solely advisory and will include, but not be limited to:

Develop a plan for public engagement and education on the benefits of international hunting.
Review and make recommendations for changes, when needed, on all Federal programs, and/or regulations, to ensure support of hunting as:

◦ An enhancement to foreign wildlife conservation and survival;
◦ An effective tool to combat illegal trafficking and poaching;
◦ An economic engine and job-creating force for local communities.

Develop strategies to benefit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s permit office in receiving timely country data and information so as to remove barriers that impact consulting with range states.
Recommend removal of barriers to the importation into the United States of legally hunted wildlife.
Ongoing review of import suspension/bans and provide recommendations that seek to resume the legal trade of those items, where appropriate.
Review seizure and forfeiture actions/practices and provide recommendations to regulations that will lead to a reduction of unwarranted actions.
Review the Endangered Species Act’s foreign listed species and interaction with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, with the goal of eliminating regulatory duplications.
Recommend streamlining/expedite process of import permits.

You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the following methods:

Mail or hand-carry nominations to Joshua Winchell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; or Email nominations to: joshua_winchell@fws.gov

The Council will meet approximately two times annually, and at such other times as designated by the Designated Federal Officer. The Council will terminate 2 years from the date the Charter is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is renewed in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

The Council will not meet or take any action without a valid current charter. The Council is established in furtherance of 43 U.S.C. 1457, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. §§ 742a-742j), and other Acts applicable to specific bureaus. This Council is regulated by the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

WOWW!!!! never thought i'd see this happen

F!@# me! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. This surprises the heck out of me.

Mark

Trump is getting things done!

Excellent.

Trump = hunter friendly!

Well, well, well...

Two best things to happen so far in President Trump's administration, is Gorsuch and Zinke.

Both, extremely important.

Finally ....

About time!

Excellent news. Now we need to see how it's implemented.

quote:

Originally posted by ijl:
Excellent news. Now we need to see how it's implemented.

Yes.

And how it will affect hunters in general.

Nice to have truly refreshing news about something isn't it? It may take me a while to get used to the strange feeling.

A huge step forward!

If you have any doubts at all about Trump, just imagine where we'd be if the Wicked Witch of Chappaqua had been elected.

Trump has an excellent cabinet, the stock market is up and those two things sure as hell do matter to those of us who like to hunt overseas.

It would be interesting to be on that council, just to see how it works.

President Trump is doing all the right things.

.

I would very much like to be on that council should anyone feel compelled to support my nomination.

Lane,

How do we go about supporting your nomination?

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Lane,

How do we go about supporting your nomination?

Mark

Here...
Mail or hand-carry nominations to Joshua Winchell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; or Email nominations to: joshua_winchell@fws.gov

I bet there's more to come...soon.

Bravo, Secretary Zinke!

Thanks Karl and thanks Mark.

I am sending in a letter espressing my will to serve along with a CV. But I am sure I will need support from others to be selected.

Lane,

Keep us posted. once your letter has been received I'll be happy to support your nomination. You've exhibited the knowledge and a willingness to do the work through your involvement with lion conservation. I think you'd be perfect for the job and could contribute significantly to the Council.

Mark

Lane: Keep us posted on your progress. If letter writing/email sending/phone call making would help get the contact information posted here and I for one would be happy to voice my support for you.

The contact information is posted above.

But here it is again:

You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the following methods:

Mail or hand-carry nominations to Joshua Winchell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; or Email nominations to: joshua_winchell@fws.gov

Thanks everyone.

Lane,
I think you would be great on the council. Ben Carter, too, if he's interested.
In addition to AR members supporting you, you would be well advised to contact your US Representative and a few others, and one of our senators (if you can get to them). Those are the guys who really grease the skids on stuff like this.
kh

Don't think its the elder Trump its Jr and Zinke. Bravo to all three.

Hi All

I put my name in the hat as well. Hopefully the hunting community will now have a voice with regards to USF&W regulations.

Any support would be appreciated.

Mitch Stepro

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
Hi All

I put my name in the hat as well. Hopefully the hunting community will now have a voice with regards to USF&W regulations.

Any support would be appreciated.

Mitch Stepro

Done for you and Lane but you will have to forward your contact details etc :

Mr. Baldry,

Thank you for the nominations to the International Wildlife Conservation Council (IWCC). While there is no set format for an application package to the IWCC, at a minimum it should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the IWCC and to permit us to contact the nominees. Here are the IWCC membership requirements and description of duties:

IWCC Membership

Members must be senior-level representatives of their organizations and/or have the ability to represent their designated constituency.
Wildlife and habitat conservation/ management organizations;
U.S. hunters actively engaged in international and/or domestic hunting conservation;
The firearms or ammunition manufacturing industry;
Archery and/or hunting sports industry; and
Tourism, outfitter, and/or guide industries related to international hunting.
IWCC Duties
Developing a plan for public engagement and education on the benefits of international hunting;
reviewing and making recommendations for changes, when needed, on all Federal programs, and/or regulations, to ensure support of hunting as: (a) An enhancement to foreign wildlife conservation and survival, and (b) an effective tool to combat illegal trafficking and poaching;
recommending strategies to benefit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s permit office in receiving timely country data and information so as to remove barriers that impact consulting with range states;
recommending removal of barriers to the importation into the United States of legally hunted wildlife;
ongoing review of import suspension/bans and providing recommendations that seek to resume the legal trade of those items, where appropriate;
reviewing seizure and forfeiture actions/practices, and providing recommendations for regulations that will lead to a reduction of unwarranted actions;
reviewing the Endangered Species Act’s foreign listed species and interaction with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, with the goal of eliminating regulatory duplications;
recommending methods for streamlining/expediting the process of import permits.

quote:

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the creation of the International Wildlife Conservation Council. The Council will provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. It will focus on increased public awareness domestically regarding conservation, wildlife law enforcement, and economic benefits that result from U.S. citizens traveling abroad to hunt.

Unbeknownst to Secretary of Interior Zinke, a similar wildlife conservation council already exists. It's membership includes many world renown wildlife scientists and researchers including, but not limited to, Chelsea Clinton, Brigitte Bardot, Ellen DeGeneres, Wayne Pacelle, Jimmy Kimmel, etc.

Bless his heart!