The weighty bio report from NOAA in the USDA beaver trapping decision has been making slow and unfriendly waves. The latest is an excellent letter from our friends at the Center for Biological Diversity who were involved in the original lawsuit.
OP-ED: Trump Admin Rationalizes Oregon Beaver Killing, Endangers Salmon
In a long-awaited analysis, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued its findings on the impact on salmon and steelhead of continued killing of Oregon beavers by Wildlife Services, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The analysis highlighted the importance of beavers in creating excellent fish habitat and demonstrated that beavers have been reduced to only 3-10% of their historical populations. Despite the clear connection between beavers and healthy salmon and steelhead populations, the National Marine Fisheries Service concludes that Wildlife Services’ beaver killing will not “jeopardize” 12 species of salmon and steelhead that require protection under the Endangered Species Act because their populations are so imperiled.
“NMFS acknowledges in this opinion that Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead evolved with beaver dams and adapted to their presence, yet, in the same document turns a blind eye to a federal agency killing 400 or more beavers a year in the Beaver State,” said Andrew Hawley, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC). “Allowing Wildlife Services to resume business as usual, NMFS missed the opportunity to set clear guidelines on when beaver killing shouldn’t and should be allowed given beavers’ importance to the threatened and endangered fish of Oregon.
I can’t imagine what it is like to be Michael Pollock today, working for a federal government that does exactly the opposite of what his research recommends. At least the report QUOTES him, even if it doesn’t listen.
This is my favorite part.
“This opinion is a classic mix of science and politics in the Trump era,” said Nina Bell, executive director of Northwest Environmental Advocates. “The science overwhelmingly says that beavers are essential to preserving and creating salmon habitat, yet the federal agencies conclude that continued beaver killing should proceed so long as they send reports about it. Unfortunately, there is no link between more paperwork and salmon survival.”
Oh man that’s good. Very droll. That’s almost British it is so dry. Nina Bell is my new favorite person. If you google her you will see a resume 5 miles long. She has testified more times than you mother can count.
“Unfortunately, there is no link between more paperwork and salmon survival.”
Numerous studies show that beavers benefit endangered salmon and steelhead by creating ponds that provide fish with food and habitat. Despite these well-established ecological benefits, in past years, Wildlife Services killed hundreds of beavers annually with traps, snares and firearms. In 2016 the program in Oregon killed more than 400 beavers — the official state animal.
Just keep repeating that over and over. If beavers can’t win the war they can at least win the battle of public opinion. Teach people why they should live with beavers and you are two thirds of the way home.
Its not as if USDA wants to trap beavers in their spare time and gets lonely without it. They do it because they are paid to do it by cities, counties and landowners who complain about beavers.
Get rid of the complaint and you get rid of the USDA.
