Category Archives: Law

Arkansas Ivory-Bill Vs. Army Corps Judge Recuses

by Amy Posted on 24 January 2006

The judge in the case of the environmentalists vs. the planned Grand Prairie Irrigation Project in Arkansas has recused himself, delaying the proceedings until 6 February. The judge had donated to the Audubon Society in the past and recused himself after learning they had filed a brief in the case. Read Rob Moritz’s story in the Arkansas News Bureau.

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Environmentalists Sue To Save Ivory-Billed

by Amy Posted on 23 January 2006

The National Wildlife Federation and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation will present oral arguments in Little Rock federal court this week to try and prevent the Army Corps of Engineers work on the Grand Prairie Irrigation Project. The environmentalists believe the project threatens the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, thought to be extinct since 1944 but spotted in Arkansas’ Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in 2004. The refuge is 20 miles from the current Irrigation Project construction site.

The groups want the project halted so that scientists can study the project’s environmental effects. Two previous lawsuits filed by the groups were defeated, but both of those suits were filed before the rediscovery of the Ivory-Billed.

The Grand Prairie Irrigation Project plans to draw 158 billion gallons of water each year from the White River – 1.5% of the river’s annual flow – and distribute it to approximately 1,000 area rice farmers. Project leaders say that failure to complete the project will cost farmers as much as $46 million per year. The project will take 13 years to complete at a cost of $319 million.

Supporters of the National Wildlife Federation’s attempt to stop the Irrigation Project from continuing can visit the NWF’s campaign website.

Sources:
Environmentalists say irrigation project would harm rare bird
Bird’s Advocates Challenge Corps
Woodpecker’s discovery brings call to stop irrigation project

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Posted in Endangered, Extinct, Law, North America | 1 Comment

Local Government Debates Over Gull Nuisance

by Amy Posted on 19 January 2006

The problem of aggressive, loud and annoying gulls has been on the political radar of Leiden, the Netherlands since 1988. That was when the fox population of the nearby sand dune area Meijendel was displaced. Because the gulls built their nests in the Meijendel sand, they were easy prey for the foxes. Since there are no foxes in the area anymore, the population of gulls in the dunes has increased so much that individuals must seek shelter elsewhere. So the gulls came to Leiden.

The gulls cause the most nuisance during their breeding season, when they make the most noise. They shriek the loudest at possible predators or behaviors they regard as potentially dangerous. The gulls can become aggressive if they feel threatened enough. The breeding season begins in mid-April.

In April 2005 the local government issued a statement with recommendations on how to reduce the nuisance caused by the gulls. The most significant recommendation was to reduce the amount of garbage on the city streets, which the gulls forage for food. “A clean city insures less annoyance.”

This year another proposal has been given. Leiden council member Sabine Verschoor from the political party D66 is promoting the shaking of gull eggs in order to limit the population and therefore the nuisance caused by the cacophonous birds. Thus far, shaking has been prohibited as the gull is a protected bird. Verschoor hopes that a pilot phase allowing shaking will bring clarity to the situation: “Now you cannot do anything, while half of Leiden suffers from the nuisance.”

D66 Leiden has proposed another solution for dispersing the annoying birds: placing wires on rooftops which will make them undesirable places for the birds to roost.

According to council candidate Aad van der Luit, a solution such as this will only work if entire streets will participate in the program. If the birds are able to find an alternative rooftop on which to land nearby, the wire program will fail.

Source: Raadslid wil proces over illegaal schudden meeuweneieren

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Illegal trade in birds flourishes in Netherlands

by Amy Posted on 9 January 2006

Trade in protected birds flourishes in the Netherlands. According to a spokesperson from the animal protection group Dierenbescherming, the illegal trade is a new trend. In 2005 a total of 663 protected birds were confiscated. In 2002, the number was just 54.

In mid-December another animal protection group found 51 protected birds which were being kept illegally in personal aviaries in the southern town of Eersel. Among the birds confiscated were field larks and hedge sparrows. The perpetrator was already known to the agency as an illegal trader of wild birds.

The fine for holding such protected birds is EUR 44 per bird. On the black market, the birds are worth EUR 10 to EUR 75.

Source: Handel beschermde vogels floreert Trade of protected birds flourishes

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