Removal of Water Sources and Wild Burros from Mojave Preserve
Posted 05/23/2006
Citizens Against Recreational Eviction-USA
Another very much appreciated support letter going to Senator Feinstein. This is taking a life of its own. We do believe the people are speaking loudly. We thank everyone for supporting this issue. Everyone continue to pray the for the Burros.
Ken & Jennifer Foster
Public Land For Public Use
Sample Letter:
May 19, 2006
Mr. James Peterson
Office of Senator Diane Feinstein
11111 Santa Monica Boulevard #915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Dear Mr. Peterson,
I represent a nationwide coalition of recreational enthusiasts who have strong feelings about how our public lands are being managed. Although we have many concerns, today I would like to focus on the ecosystem management principles being used in the Mojave Preserve. We have been monitoring the actions taken by the land managers of the Preserve closely. We find the removal of water sources and species, such as, the wild burros unacceptable.
The arbitrary removal of wells and windmills that have supplied water to both domestic animals and wildlife in an effort to restore the desert landscape to some non-existent point in the past has caused extreme distress and even death to scores of animals that live there. These water sources have, over the hundred or so years of their existence, become part of the desert landscape. Many animals, birds and reptiles have become so accustomed to the availability of water in these locations that removal of them has been extremely detrimental to the desert ecosystem on both a macro and micro scale. The justifications given for their removal are based on extremely limited research and, in our opinion, show a strong bias against the wild burros. These burros have found a niche in the desert ecosystem where they have thrived for more than a hundred years. Removal of these living legends is a grievous assault on the underlying principle upon which the National Park Service was established which is to protect and conserve examples of our national heritage.
The burros found on the Mojave Preserve and in the Clark Mountain area are protected under the Wild-Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. However the National Park Service has determined that they be eliminated, apparently in pursuit of the so-called “purity doctrine”. This is a totally unacceptable decision as it seeks to eliminate a living symbol of our Pioneer Heritage. We sincerely hope that these burros will be recognized as an important part of our history and recognized as integral members of the desert ecosystem.
We strongly encourage Senator Feinstein to support an amendment to the Northern and Eastern Mojave Plan that will provide an acceptable Herd Management Area for the Clark Mountain burros and recognize their unique niche in the desert environment.
Sincerely,
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