Update
on the Army Corps of Engineers Nesting Habitat ThreatUpdate
on the Army Corps of Engineers Nesting Habitat Threat
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The U. S. Army Corp of Engineers plan to
wipe out Swainson's Hawk nesting habitat on California's levees has been
stopped. The Corps is now working with State Water Resources to define
a more workable levee vegetation policy for California. Swainson's Hawks and other birds nest in old, tall trees along California's rivers and streams. The California Water Resources Department and Department of Fish and Game have persuasively argued that the Corp's policy of stripping levees of vegetation will not only harm California's wildlife, but will also create a much bigger risk for public safety from levee failure than leaving the vegetation. Thanks to all our partners and supporters in achieving this goal. We are grateful that key California Members of Congress responded to our call for help and persuaded the Corps to be flexible. Doris Matsui, Member of Congress, on March 4, 2011 told FOSH that "the Corps of Engineers has since postponed the release of the final Policy Guidance Letter for the vegetation policy. Going forward, the Corps of Engineers will work more closely with federal resource agencies and will also publish a revised draft policy that will be available for public comment later this year." See our May letter to Congressional leaders asking for help to change Corp policy. See the joint letter we signed with other environmental groups to Congressional leaders in June photos courtesy Swainson's Hawk TAC |
