Environmental

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Water Quality · Environmental · Genetically Engineered Crops

Vieques National Wildlife Refuge (see below)

Endangered Puerto Rican Amazons Stolen from Fish and Wildlife Aviaries (see below)

U.S. NAVY TRANSFERS 3,100 ACRES ON THE ISLAND OF VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO

TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge comprises 3,100 acres on the western end of the island and contains several ecologically distinct habitats including beaches, coastal lagoons, mangrove wetlands, and upland forested areas. The marine environment surrounding the refuge contains coral reefs and sea grass beds. The refuge and its surrounding waters are home to at least four plants and 10 animals on the Federal endangered species list including the West Indian manatee, the brown pelican, and four species of sea turtles. In addition to its ecological value, the new refuge includes historical and archeological sites that will be protected under Service management.

"The western part of Vieques contains some of the best examples of sub-tropical forest in the Caribbean," said Sam Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. "The area contains unique resources that deserve to be protected for the enjoyment of the people of Vieques and all Americans. We are looking forward to working with the citizens of Vieques to protect these important environmental resources."

Since the first refuge was established in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to include more than 535 refuges and thousands of waterfowl production areas. At least one refuge is located in each of the 50 states, U.S. territories and insular areas. National wildlife refuges provide stopovers and destinations for millions of migratory birds, provide sanctuary for hundreds of endangered species, and support important recreational and commercial fisheries.

Every year, approximately 30 million people visit national wildlife refuges to participate in one or more of the six priority public uses encouraged on these lands; hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, interpretation, photography and environmental education. An economic study conducted in 1997 concluded that visitors' spending at national wildlife refuges generate economic activity throughout the local economy.

The Service must consider wildlife first but will work with the citizens of Vieques to determine what priority public uses should be considered for the land. The Service will soon begin the planning process to determine what public uses are compatible with the management of the refuge. The participation of the public will be encouraged during the planning process to help guide the management programs of the refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies.

Endangered Puerto Rican Parrots Stolen from Federal Aviary : Reward Offered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of those involved in the break-in at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aviary located at the Caribbean National Forest. The Federal facility was burglarized on April 22, 2001. An undisclosed number of birds were taken from the facility. This theft is a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

The parrots were being used for a captive-breeding program to reintroduce them into the wild for the purpose of bringing back the only native parrot in Puerto Rico. Less than 50 Puerto Rican parrots exist in the wild, all in the Caribbean National Forest. About 100 parrots, part of the reintroduction effort, live in two aviaries in Puerto Rico. Anyone with information about this incident should call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Luis Santiago at (787) 749-4338.

For more information about the Puerto Rican parrot reintroduction program, visit: http://southeast.fws.gov/prparrot/index.html .

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.


	BIRDMAG DOT COM \| Table of Contents Water Quality · Environmental · Genetically Engineered Crops Vieques National Wildlife Refuge (see below) Endangered Puerto Rican Amazons Stolen from Fish and Wildlife Aviaries (see below) U.S. NAVY TRANSFERS 3,100 ACRES ON THE ISLAND OF VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge comprises 3,100 acres on the western end of the island and contains several ecologically distinct habitats including beaches, coastal lagoons, mangrove wetlands, and upland forested areas. The marine environment surrounding the refuge contains coral reefs and sea grass beds. The refuge and its surrounding waters are home to at least four plants and 10 animals on the Federal endangered species list including the West Indian manatee, the brown pelican, and four species of sea turtles. In addition to its ecological value, the new refuge includes historical and archeological sites that will be protected under Service management. "The western part of Vieques contains some of the best examples of sub-tropical forest in the Caribbean," said Sam Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. "The area contains unique resources that deserve to be protected for the enjoyment of the people of Vieques and all Americans. We are looking forward to working with the citizens of Vieques to protect these important environmental resources." Since the first refuge was established in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to include more than 535 refuges and thousands of waterfowl production areas. At least one refuge is located in each of the 50 states, U.S. territories and insular areas. National wildlife refuges provide stopovers and destinations for millions of migratory birds, provide sanctuary for hundreds of endangered species, and support important recreational and commercial fisheries. Every year, approximately 30 million people visit national wildlife refuges to participate in one or more of the six priority public uses encouraged on these lands; hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, interpretation, photography and environmental education. An economic study conducted in 1997 concluded that visitors' spending at national wildlife refuges generate economic activity throughout the local economy. The Service must consider wildlife first but will work with the citizens of Vieques to determine what priority public uses should be considered for the land. The Service will soon begin the planning process to determine what public uses are compatible with the management of the refuge. The participation of the public will be encouraged during the planning process to help guide the management programs of the refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies. Endangered Puerto Rican Parrots Stolen from Federal Aviary : Reward Offered The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the conviction of those involved in the break-in at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aviary located at the Caribbean National Forest. The Federal facility was burglarized on April 22, 2001. An undisclosed number of birds were taken from the facility. This theft is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. The parrots were being used for a captive-breeding program to reintroduce them into the wild for the purpose of bringing back the only native parrot in Puerto Rico. Less than 50 Puerto Rican parrots exist in the wild, all in the Caribbean National Forest. About 100 parrots, part of the reintroduction effort, live in two aviaries in Puerto Rico. Anyone with information about this incident should call U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Luis Santiago at (787) 749-4338. For more information about the Puerto Rican parrot reintroduction program, visit: http://southeast.fws.gov/prparrot/index.html . The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.