I just sent a letter to Wisconsin DNR. There is a fear that if they approve
these policies it could spread faster than WNS :{
The letter I sent is below, it has more WI personal stuff than some of you may
have. I'm also sure some of you have better ideas on how to express to them how
silly it is to propose to close habitat to hibernating bats in order to try
stop the spread of WNS. Even sillier than soaking your rope in bleach between
non-bat caves a few miles apart.
The DNR of Wisconsin is proposing some potentially dangerous WNS related
regulation. If you are interested in this issue, please send an email in the
next day.
thanks,Jen
>From NSS CaveChat where more info may appear -
>http://forums.caves.org/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=10861#p92713: WIDNR just
>posted the PDF discussing their proposed WNS management
>rules-http://dnr.wi.gov/org/nrboard/2010/Octo ... 10-3B1.pdfThis will be
>discussed on October 27 in Madison, WI.28 pages. Enjoy. Deadline for written
>comments is 4PM this Friday(22nd)- send to Laurie.Ross@wisconsin.govWhen
>submitting a written comment, please provide the following information:1. Your
>Name2. Name of Organization(s) you represent (if none, state that you are
>"representing self")3. Topic or agenda item number and whether you support or
>oppose it4. City of Residence5. Phone Number6. Email or mailing address (to
>receive confirmation of your appearance or receive a reply to your written
>comment)
---------------------------------At one point Northern Wisconsin was my dream
future. But during a New Years Eve 2000 College Reunion Party, in Rhinelander
WI, I realized a place where rivers run brown and were not solid and white
snowmobile trails for 4 months of the year was really pretty nice too.
Anyways.Here is the letter I just sent to WI DNR and will re-send to my
noncaver midwest conservationist friends:I am writing to submit comments on the
proposed DNR WNS rule. I live in New Mexico, and have been active in caving and
hibernating bat research for over 10 years. The entire nation is watching your
proposed orders.I first really learned about the disturbance that humans can
have to bats when someone spoke at a "Tech Tea Time" at Michigan Tech in the
early 90's. It may be neat to go into mines, but in the winter you would be
killing the hibernating bats just by being there. We all know education of the
general public can be key.Taking over rights to private property is not a good
action. Heck, calling the conservation community an unwilling party to saving
anything is just plain silly. EARLY DETECTION AND MONITORING will not prevent
WNS arrival. Destroying bat habitat will not prevent WNS arrival. Knee-jerk
reactions just to say you tried something are not helpful. Destroying bat
habitat and relationships with the public is permanent. Please consider
monitoring for WNS without destroying your relationship to the public and
putting more positive effort into actions that will prevent the loss of bat
habitat and bats.Jennifer FooteNational Speleological Society DirectorOct 2010
Topic 3.B.1: opposeSanta Fe, nm505-552-2831bigredfo...@hotmail.com
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