The latest from USARK:





Take Action Against S373 Today!



Senator Bill Nelson of Florida has Proposed a FEDERAL BAN on ALL Pythons. S373 is a Very Simple Bill that calls for no Appropriations (funding). That makes it Dangerous because it would be so easy to pass without any real consideration. We must take Action NOW to try and STOP this Bill from passing as written.



What it is:



* S373 is a Federal Ban that would effect ALL pythons in EVERY State.

* This Bill is an effort to bypass the established process of 'Rule Change' to the Injurious Wildlife List of the Lacey Act that was initiated by the South Florida Water Management District last year. This process is moving into it's second year and is ongoing. USARK warned last April at the 'Herp Summit' in Chicago that a political move was afoot to go around the normal 'Rule Change' process. Although ridiculed by some as "Not Possible", S373 proves that prediction true.

* This is an issue regarding Burmese Pythons living feral in South Florida. No other species. No where else. Other pythons have nothing to do with feral populations of Burmese Pythons in South Florida.

* S373 has been moved into the Water & Wildlife Sub- Committee. It will be heard there and if given a favorable rating move back to the full Environment & Public Works Committee. (see contact info below)



What it isn't:



* This is NOT HR669 the other Federal Bill that we have been campaigning against.

* There is NO Scientific Evidence to support the premise that passing S373 will have any impact whatsoever on the Burmese Python situation that is confined to the Southern tip of Florida.

* There is absolutely NO Evidence of any kind to support that this is a problem anywhere outside of South Florida.



What USARK is doing:



* USARK is working with Scientists on the ground in South Florida and throughout the SE to understand the real dynamics of what has occurred with the Burmese Python. Not the hype but the Hard Facts. During their annual conference South Eastern Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (SE PARC) established an Invasive Species Task Force to look into these questions. ALL of the Best Minds on the Subject from all the top universities and government agencies were on hand. Dr. Warren Booth, PhD Invasive Species Biologist & Andrew Wyatt, both of USARK, played a leadership role in the formation of the Task Force.

* Shawn Heflick is leading USARK's participation in a PBS Documentary arranged by Tom Crutchfield/ Shawn Heflick and Hosted by Nigel Marven to publicize the truth behind the Burmese Python & other potential Invasive Herps in South Florida.

* USARK is not only working chest deep in the Everglades, but we are actively working to influence key personnel in the US House and Senate, as well as the National Park Service and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. From the Everglades to Washington DC we are working hard on behalf of our community and industry to assure that if any legislation is passed, it will be fair and in the best interests of the Herp Community. We have No other conflicting allegiances.

* USARK has introduced State Legislation including Non- Release & Escape Prevention provisions providing safety measures at the State level.



What Can You Do Today to STOP S373?



1. Join USARK's Reptile Nation!There is Strength in Numbers... Protect Your Rights!

2. Call, write, email & fax the Sponsor and the Sub-Committee for S373. (contact info & sample letter below)

3. Be Polite & Professional. If you can't do this don't bother because it will damage our efforts.

4. ***Forward this to everyone on your email list, post it on every forum/ social networking site.

5. When you have finished with the steps above, send an email to senate373@yahoo.com with 'No on S373' in the Subject Line so that USARK can track the number of responses.



Sample Letter (cut & paste):



Subject: NO on S373



I oppose S373 as written. The Burmese Python issue is a South Florida issue not a National one. There is No credible evidence to show that these animals can exist north of Lake Okeechobee. Many different species of Pythons have been imported into the US over the last 50 years. The only pythons that have been established have been Burmese Pythons, but only in South Florida; no where else. No evidence exists anywhere to suggest that Banning all Pythons will have any positive impact on the effected area in the southern tip of Florida.



Banning all pythons nationwide would have a devastating effect on an already troubled economy. It would destroy thousands of hardworking American families and small businesses. Not just the breeders and dealers but hobbyists, dry goods, equipment manufacturers, food providers, shippers, trade shows, hotels and restaurants. To overlook the crushing blow this would have to an entire segment of the economy is irresponsible.



(add what S373 would mean to you and your family)



Sincerely,



(signature line)







Contacts:



Senator Bill Nelson



716 Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-5274

Fax: 202-228-2183



http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm











Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI

Hart Senate Office Building, Room 502, Washington, D.C. 20510

email: form at http://whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/ phone: 202-224-2921Fax: 202-228-6362



Tom Udall, D-NM

B40D Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

email: form at http://tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

phone: (202) 224-6621



Jeff Merkley, D-Ore

SDB-40B Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

email: form at http://merkley.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm phone: (202) 228-3997fax: 202-2283997



Mike Crapo, Ranking Member, R-Idaho

239 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510

email: form at http://crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

phone: (202) 224-6142fax: 202-228-1375



John Barrasso, R-WY

307 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

email: form at http://barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm

phone: (202) 224-6441

tollfree: (866) 235-9553



Lamar Alexander, R-TN

455 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

email: form at http://alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

phone: (202) 224-4944fax: 202-228-3398

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