Jul 11, 2024
In February, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a proposed rule and updated policy for “biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH)” on the National Wildlife Refuge System.
In February, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a proposed rule and updated policy for “biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH)” on the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Based on the language and restrictions proposed, Colorado Farm Bureau provided public comment along with 200,000 plus submissions and FWS has now paused these policy efforts.
Carlyle Currier, Colorado Farm Bureau President, shared a comment that said, “The internal policy changes purported in these proposals will impose undue restrictions on the local management activities of our National Wildlife Refuges. In fact, we were alarmed to learn that several of our state’s refuge managers were unaware of the proposed changes before they were released. These proposals by the Service seemed to suggest top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions rather than solutions that incorporate local guidance and local management experience. It seems the Service fell short of their commitment to remaining “close to communities” with the announcement of these proposals in February. Cooperative agriculture provides wildlife management benefits and species success, and it must have the collaboration of local staff.”
In the proposed rule under “management activities and uses with potential to ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health,” the following language was included:
(3) Use of genetically engineered organisms. We prohibit the use of genetically engineered organisms unless their use is determined necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.
(4) Invasive species management. We pursue actions to control invasive species as part of an integrated pest management plan when necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health.
(5) Pesticide use. We may allow the use of pesticides, following review and approval of their use as part of an integrated pest management plan, when necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health. Such use must not result in adverse effects on populations of nontarget species.
(6) Agricultural uses. We prohibit the use of agricultural practices unless they are determined necessary to meet statutory requirements, fulfill refuge purposes, and ensure biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health, and where we cannot achieve refuge management objectives through natural process.
Now that the effort is paused, President Currier celebrated by saying, “we are pleased to see that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pausing this effort to allow more time to review comments and work with local communities to find better solutions.”