On July 19, more than 20 wildlife conservation groups collectively submitted comments to the National Park Service (NPS), recommending the Service halt its proposed Management Plan for Developed Water Sources and Environmental Assessment in the Mojave National Preserve (MNP).
As it currently stands, the proposed Management Plan would result in the NPS decommissioning and/or destroying manmade wildlife water developments – often called “guzzlers” – many of which were put in place by sportsmen’s conservation organizations to supplement natural water sources for the benefit of both game and non-game species prior to the establishment of MNP.
The groups recommended that the MNP work with sportsmen and other conservation stakeholders to initiate a broader, regional analysis and management plan that addresses multiple factors, including wildlife movements and groundwater hydrology. In order to ensure changes to the water development process does not negatively impact wildlife or humans, the comments recommended preparing a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) rather than an Environmental Assessment (EA). An EIS would address conservation and wildlife habitat impacts.
Finally, the MNP proposal does not reference the recent Interior Secretarial Orders 3362, 2256, or 3347, nor Executive Order 13443, which direct federal agencies to advance conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting.
The comment period on this management plan closed July 19, and comments are currently being reviewed.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
