Partners in Conserving America's Resources

Issues

Continued Support for Project -- With One Exception

From (name): Dennis Jordan
Organization: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
City and State (or City and Province): Gainesville, Florida
E-mail Address: Dennis_Jordan@fws.gov
Comments on: See subject line above
This issue or subject is considered to be: Very Important
This issue or subject is:
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Date: 13 Apr 1998
Time: 12:37:02
Remote Name: host-207-205-112-126.bct.bellsouth.net
Remote User:

Comments

Since 1993, Fish and Wildlife Service staff have been involved as reviewers and workshop participants in Phases 1 and 2 of your "Panthers & Private Lands" project....

The original project's basic concept of providing economic incentive/compensation to private landowners for protecting and maintaining panther habitat on their lands has been wholeheartedly endorsed by the Service. The strategy of utilizing tax credits (Federal income and/or state) appears to appeal to many landowners. Phases 1 and 2 focused on bringing key landowners, public agencies and other entities together in attempting to craft a mutually acceptable process. Any program that results in a private landowner viewing an endangered species on his or her land as an asset rather than a perceived liability is a plus.

The goal of the expanded Phase 3 effort is the, "protection of essential habitat for threatened and endangered species on private agricultural and forestry lands throughout Florida and the U.S." The Service certainly supports this goal and we clearly understand that most of the processes that will be required to achieve project success are yet to be finalized.

However, we would be remiss if we did not make clear our position on one of the processes being discussed. Specifically, the concept of providing payment to landowners in the event of permit denial because of adverse impacts to the Florida panther (Lease, Paragraphs 2.04(a) and 3.04(i)), causes us great concern. This appears in essence to be a payment for the takings of certain property rights. Because of the legal and policy ramifications, it is a process we cannot support. These issues are of such significance that they would have to be approved by our Director and perhaps the Department.

If you have any further questions about our stance on this issue and the program, please don't hesitate to give me a call [or post your comment to this website]. Again, we reiterate our support for the general concept of the project and look forward to continued involvement in the process.

Sincerely,
Dennis B. Jordan
Florida Panther Coordinator

Last changed: October 16, 2003