Page 13 - WCA Ketch Pen August 2020

In the North Cascades
As a result of lots of local political pressure, pressure from Representative Dan Newhouse , the NCBA, the Farm Bureau and WCA threats, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced in Omak, WA the Service’s termi- nation of the process to compile an EIS on grizzly bear reintroduction under the current NCRP. This is a battle victory for our side but only a temporary reprieve based on current Federal Politics. We are not close to winning the war. Everybody presently involved and/or could be negatively impacted by the reintroduction of grizzly bears should keep all their notes and comments, stay involved because the environmental community is unrelenting, and the grizzly bear issue WILL RAISE ITS HEAD AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Comment by Jeff Keane, WCA 2nd Vice Pres- ident:
Washington Cattlemen’s Association has always and continues to work hard on issues affecting Washington State cattlemen and private landowners. Property rights, water
motivating people to comment and helping get a local event organized for people to voice their concerns to the people that were making the decisions about bear reintroduction. Having a strong, united voice on this issue and many others affecting everyone in the cattle business is more important than ever in these crazy times.
Comment by Randy Good, Skagit County Vice President:
In Skagit County there is an abundance of rivers with many salmon, which happens to the primary food source of bears. These lush river valleys also happen to be where many Skagit County cattle producers graze their cattle and operate their ranches. Cattle producers in Skagit County would have been immediately affected by the introduction of grizzly bears into the Northern Cascades, as grizzly bears do not stay in one place, they are opportunists and will move to the easiest food source. Thankfully, Skagit County commissioners have been strongly opposed from the start. In 2018 Secretary Zinke promoted introduction at a public
problems, endangered species and
grazing allotments concerns are just
a few of the issues WCA is involved
with on behalf of its members. Just last paying our WCA dues...” week, July 7, WCA members were at a
meeting where some very good news
was received. Grizzly bears will not be introduced into the
North Cascades ecosystem. WCA members can be proud of
the time spent by District One Representative, Jeff Dawson,
Public Lands Chairmen Daryle Asmussen and Vic Stokes
along with Wildlife/Rancher/Sportsman Chairman Dave
Duncan and Vice Chair Jay Holzmiller. Many WCA mem-
bers also testified at various grizzly bear hearings. WCA
especially thanks the great work of Congressman Dan Ne-
whouse and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. It is
truly refreshing to work with officials in an administration
who listen to the concerns of citizens, study the entire issue,
then promptly act on the conclusions of that review. With
that kind of cooperation, there is hope for cattlemen and all
landowner’s concerns of preserving our way of life.
Comment by Kent Clark, Okanogan County 1st Vice President:
It is great to see that the voices of the local people who would most be affected by the reintroduction of grizzly bears in the North Cascades were heard. Thankfully the national environmental groups that would only have to read about the problems bears would have created, didn’t get to shove their plans down our throats. Thank you to WCA for
I am proud of WCA for sticking it out, being at every possible meeting, and representing private landowners and ranchers through this hard fought and finally won decision to NOT reintroduce grizzly bears into our state. Take a
look at the picture... Who is at the table? A bunch of elected officials, an association executive, and TWO MEMBERS of the WCA. That is right, WCA had members invited to a seat at the table. This association works for its members tirelessly with respect for others so that we are invited and welcome at the table to find solutions to the challenges that could put you out of business. This, my friends, is a win and a prime example why we pay our WCA, NCBA and PLC dues!
Comment by Vic Stokes, WCA Public Lands
Committee Vice Chair:
When Congressman Dan Newhouse invited Department of Interior Secretary Bernhardt to Omak a few weeks ago to announce that the North Cascades Grizzly reintroduction plan would not go forward, a lot of us in North Central Washington breathed a sigh of relief.
“...this is the perfect example meeting in Sedro Woolley, but thank
of why we must continue
you to WCA, Congressman Newhouse and all other parties involved we have been able to shut this thing down.
Ketch Pen www.washingtoncattlemen.org
Comment by Sarah Ryan, past Executive of WCA:
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August 2020