Speaking of which, does anyone know what effect Hurricane Opal had
on CP populations? Did it destroy any existing sites or create any
new ones (i.e. wetlands where there was forest)?
> Mass collection for trade is bad, but by far, the
> worst threat to Sarracenia stands in the south is
> habitat destruction by developers and corporations.
I agree.
> Why is it illegal for someone to collect endangered
> species,
Usually because people collect them from property that they
don't own.
> Why is it illegal for someone to collect endangered
> species, yet the equivalent to a nuclear bomb can be
> dropped on acres of Sarracenia by a corporation and
> not an eyelash is batted! ? Where is the Nature
> Conservancy? where are federal and state government
> laws that protect these species? I don't get it!
> Are these corporations above the law?
There's a similar battle going on here in North Carolina. A man
owns several hundred acres of pine that he wants to log. The govt.
says "No you may not, that forest harbors red-cockaded woodpecker
which is an endangered species." The battle lines are drawn as the
rights of the private citizen versus the duty of the govt. to protect
endangered species. In the case you mention, the corporation's
actions may have been illegal but it may prove easier for them to
ask forgiveness (i.e. pay a fine) that ask permission (i.e. court
battle with wacko environmentalists == lots of money and bad
publicity).
In addition, it may have been legal, strangely enough, under the
Federal Wetlands Protection (ha!) Act. This act, which became law
during the Bush administration, allows companies to destroy wetlands
as long as they promise to create as much as (or more than?) they
destroy. You and I know that this can cover a lot of sins, and a
study released by the Univ. of North Carolina this year indicates
that despite this act, NC is still losing wetlands at at vigorous
rate. Still, money talks. If you promise the politicians of an
economically depressed area that you can provide money and jobs,
never mind about this or that study and oh by the way do you mind
if we pave over this useless swampland here? which do you think will
win, the money or the swamp? I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it
is what happens.
As far as the Nature Conservancy goes, their resources are limited.
They buy as much land as they can but they can't get all of it. That
goes for EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) too (and Greenpeace, Earth
First!, etc.). EDF's mission as I understand it (any EDF members
listening?) is to throw legal hurdles in the path of companies that
are contemplating environmentally unfriendly action. Perhaps they
fought on this battle and lost.
Please, with the same vigor and conviction that you write to us,
write to your government representatives (and get your friend to do
so too). You can even do it online -- go to:
http://www.fedworld.gov/legislat.htm
and click on "Congressional Directories" under "House of
Representatives" for "Listings of phone and fax numbers to
Congresspeople and Senators." It includes email addresses. And
while you're in cyberspace, visit Bob Dole online
(http://www.dole96.com/) and let him know what you think. And while
you're at it, tell him that I think he's a chowderhead.
Speaking of chowderheads, what is the name of the paper company
that did the dastardly deed?
-- Phil (bonz@nando.net) Save the Earth - shoot yourself.