All,

Please find my sample letter below. Fax to TPWD Commissioners and email to: robert.macdonald@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Only ONE salamander on the "White List"

The Honorable Joseph B.C. Fitzsimons
FAX - (210) 829-1641

The Honorable Donato D. Ramos
FAX - (956) 727-5884

The Honorable Mark E. Bivins
FAX - (806) 373-3557

The Honorable J. Robert Brown
FAX - (915) 775-0985

The Honorable T. Dan Friedkin
FAX - (713) 580-5220

The Honorable Peter M. Holt
FAX - (210) 648-0078

The Honorable Philip Montgomery
FAX - (972) 490-4905

The Honorable John D. Parker
FAX - (936) 632-4503

The Honorable Lee Marshall Bass
FAX - (817) 390-8408


Michael Welker
3105 Eads Place
El Paso, TX 79935
915-595-8831

May 23, 2005

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78744

Why the “White List” is a bad idea

The “White List” protects species that are not in demand but allows commercial harvest in species that are in demand: This is counter to conservation. Why protect a species that has virtually no demand while allowing harvest in species with high demand? This is the million dollar question.

The “White List” regulates just for the sake of regulation: Since there is very little demand for the species protected by the “White List” this regulations function will be to regulate just for the sake of regulation.

The “White List” goes against the Mission Statement of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: “To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” The “White List” will ban commercial activity in a large number of species thus taking away “...opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”

The “White List” could protect species into extinction. Development, roads, human population growth and the policies of “economic growth” are running rampant in this country and this state. This threatens the continued existence of almost all species. The captive population of live amphibians and reptiles is a “safety net” against this uncontrolled growth. This captive population requires access to founder animals and commerce in these species to help maintain the costs of captive propagation and the dissemination of these species to others.

The “White List” will restrict scientific research in those species not listed. Researchers do not have the means to go into the field and collect all the species or tissue samples they may need for research. They rely on companies and individuals in the area of the species occurrence to go out and collect these species. These individuals are trying to earn a living and feed their families while contributing to scientific knowledge. These acquisition companies have a myriad of expenses including gas, vehicle maintenance and equipment expenses among many other expenses. They must charge for their services. The “White List” will put them out of business. I have an order right now from Dr. Daniel J. Meinhardt of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for 12 Leopard Frogs (NOT on “White List”) for a research project so this will definitely hamper research.

The “White List” will hamper conservation and education efforts for the species not listed: The “White List” will not allow zoos, museums and educators to purchase the species they need for conservation (wise use) and education programs they are involved in. As with scientists, zoos, museums and educators cannot travel around the country to collect the species they may need thus they rely on acquisition companies and individuals to do the work for them and these people have expenses and they are trying to earn a living just like everyone else.

The “White List” will eliminate the knowledge gained regarding captive propagation techniques and captive reproductive biology of the species not listed on the “White List” because hobbyists will not be able to commerce in these species to help offset costs of captive propagation: The costs of setting up, maintaining and inducing reproduction in many species not listed on the “White List” is very high. Hobbyists require the ability to commerce in these species in order to help control the costs of captive maintenance. The knowledge gained from hobbyists is invaluable to the knowledge base for the species they work with. The “White List” will put an end to that.

The “White List” protects common and wide ranging species: The “White List” serves no function in regards to conservation or knowledge gained. It protects a whole host of species that are very common like the Cricket Frog and the Leopard Frog. Both of these species are used in research and are used as food items for hobbyists and zoos working with species that feed on this species.

The “White List” will decimate captive breeding and commerce in many turtle species that have been bred in captivity for decades: It will be illegal to sell captive born offspring if the “White List” is enacted. This is totally against ANY conservation principles and a horribly thought out idea. Captive propagation and the commerce in captive bred offspring is essential to the survival of many species. It is a “safety net” against the REAL forces causing declines in our wildlife populations. It would a MAJOR blunder to make this illegal.

The “White List” takes way the privileges of many law abiding, conservation oriented people by punishing them for the sins of a few. Further, too much regulation will cause people to lose interest in the hobby and this could deny the growth of our next great herpetologist: The “White List” will ban the commerce in many species. If conservation is a concern because of over collecting then bag limits should be put in place. All of the conservation oriented and law abiding people should not be punished because of the greed of a few. That is not fair nor does it conform to the Mission Statement of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Too much regulation can be a deterrent for up and coming herpetologists.

Please reconsider this BAD idea. If over collection is a concern, then put bag limits in place. It is not right, fair or logical to put this “White List” regulation in place. It will only tie people’s hands and damage conservation efforts. As a point of reference I will give you my credentials. I have an AS degree in Zoo Animal Technology from Santa Fe Community College, a BS in Wildlife Science from North Carolina State University, one semester way from completing my MS in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver and a Certificate in GIS. I have several publications in Herp Review and numerous contributions to journals and books. I am the former head of the Herpetology Department at the Central Florida Zoo. I have worked on many wildlife research projects over my 20 year career working with: Dr. Reed Noss, Dr. Dan Smith, Dr. Steve Tilley, Ray Ashton, and Dr. Perran Ross and many others. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Michael Welker
Herpetologist/ Wildlife Scientist
Ocotillo Herpetofauna & Invertebrates
3105 Eads Place
El Paso, Texas 79935
915-595-8831
352-256-4000
herpcon@cox.net

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