All,



This post is not quite related directly to herp laws and CITES but, indirectly, it is as they ARE all encompassed within the realm of biodiversity, habitat conservation, endangered species, invasive species, etc...



As I posted earlier, the “Buying, Selling, and Trading Biodiversity in Washington: A Bazaar for Biodiversity” by Bartholomew McQuire Martin, February 2007 (Defenders of Wildlife), is just a proposal for the future so what is already going on? For one thing, agencies of the government have been using “takings” and/or “mitigation” to acquire private lands. These agencies are also in “partnership(s)” with GSE and NGO entities to acquire land via “easements” (TNC) as well.



In the government’s eyes it is apparent that the 5th Amendment of the Constitution is an impediment to their definition of progress to implement the green movement agenda. So how does this relate to biodiversity? It is directly related because it is being done under the auspices of the ESA (and the supposed “mandate” to preserve endangered species, native habitats, etc). In fact, after reading several testimonies of several congressional hearings, it is clear that the mission of a noted federal agency is land acquisition (it’s obviously is not recovery of endangered species).



Go read this information (below)…These are THEIR words as recorded as part of THEIR congressional testimony…Notice the disdain at which several “experts” hold for the 5th Amendment of the Constitution…These are the people that are behind HR-669, the Reauthorization of the ESA, etc, etc, etc. They are ALL connected and inseparable as the entire forest of the green movement…And to think I used to support this stuff…



1. H.R 1142, “To ensure that landowners receive treatment equal to that provided to the Federal Government when property must be used”, Hearing before the Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Report 56-932, Serial Number 106-23, 106th Congress, First Session, April 14, 1999, Washington, D.C.



2. “American Land Sovereignty Protection Act”, Hearings before the Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, 105th Congress, First Session on H.R. 901, Tannersville, New York, May 5, 1997 and Washington D.C., June 10, 1997, Serial Number 105-26.



OK, sound far fetched? Remember back to ca 1996-97 when a map was being discussed that showed the entire United States divided up into three zones (core area, buffer zone and the transition area) as a result of the UN’s World Heritage Site visit to Yellowstone National Park (currently a US World Heritage Site-among MANY others including the Everglades National Park)? As a result of this, there were congressional hearings held before the House Natural Resources Committee but, none of it ever became law. It just went under ground and has been STILL IN EXISTENCE but, is not part of public discussion. So how is this related to legislation such as HR-669? It is not directly stated but is “implied” because the stated intent of ALL of the green movement agenda is conservation of habitat for the preservation of native habitat, invasive species, biodiversity, climate change, etc.



So what exactly is this “umbrella”? It is called Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program that has been the driving force behind ALL of this here in the US. No, I’m not of my rocker, a few months ago, I would not believe it either but after doing some research about this “stuff”, I believe it now. Here are some “recommended” reading items (just for starters) and in doing so, you’ll bump into other items just like I did…



1. U.S. Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, U.S. Biosphere reserve Directorate, Report to the U.S. National MAB Committee, “Designation of the U.S. MAB Areas and Recognition of Entities Contributing to the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program”, February 1996 (PDF)



2. Strategic Plan for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program, Biosphere Reserve Directorate, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, 1994 (PDF)



3. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, International Coordinating Council of “The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program”, 20th Session, Palacio Municipal de Congresos, Room Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 5-8 February 2008, Final Report (PDF)



4. Legislative Committee on Public Lands, Nevada, Exhibit H by Les Thrasher, March 25, 2004 and “Explanation of the Biodiversity Treaty and the Wildlands Project” by Michael S. Coffman, Ph.D. for Property Rights, September 13, 2003 (PDF)



After reading them (I suggest that you print them out), compare what they actually envision (mission)…Notice the names of the “entities” that are recognized in the 1996 MAB report…They’re still here today. Compare the 1996 US MAB report to UNESCO's 2008 Madrid “Final Report” (also called the Madrid Action Plan-MAP). Notice that there are timelines, responsible “entities”, success indicators and “partners” (notice some of the names of some of the “entities”). Some of which are the very same “entities” that are government NGO’s currently involved in partnership(s) with several US agencies of the Department of the Interior.



Pay particular attention to the “zonation” aspects and also note how the MAP calls for financial support of the MAP…Can you say, Biodiversity in Washington using a new “market based” philosophy of a “mitigation bank” and the government’s control of the “local economy” via “ecoregions” (the resistance of the people with forced regulation is so troublesome)…Compare this information to the last exhibit “H”…Zonation (core area, buffer zone & transition area) = Ecoregion (Mr. Martin’s paper in another post)…Ever heard of the “Wildlands Project” (it’s now called the “Wildlands Network”-Notice how the MAP addresses “networks”)?



During the reporting process of the congressional report to accompany HR-901 and HR-1142, there was a “dissenting views” included within the reports to congress in which it was stated by the “dissenters” (including Rep. George Miller of HR-669 fame) that a US World Heritage Site recognition by UNESCO was purely “honorific”. Really? Then why are so many federal agencies still involved in this process? How many hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have spent on this? Why is so much money and time being spent on something that is purely “honorific” in nature?



It may be “honorific” in nature but, all it will take is for the US Senate to “ratify” this concept as part of a “treaty” and guess what? It WILL be US law…Can you say NAFTA? “Honorific” my _ _ _!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then there are the "horror" stories of the government "taking" private lands...The Natural Resources Committee has better things to do than to listen to these "horror" stories...After all, its only the taxpayers we're talking about here...



Did you know that at least one of these MAB’s currently exists in the United States (as noted in the US MAB, 1996 Report)? It’s called the Southern Appalachian MAB (SAMAB). When you research this, notice the size of it (geographic square acres and how many states it is located)…If you don’t believe me, go check it out for yourself…Why does this MAB exist? Who is allowed to live within the “buffer zone”…None of us can afford to live there…



Just when is the government, its “stakeholders”, etc, going to publically reveal the existence of the Southern Appalachian MAB? Also, there is a “trans-boundary” MAB in the Southwestern United States/Mexico called the “International Sonoran Desert Alliance", Which STILL exists today…Imagine that (noted in the 1996 US MAB)?



Several folks that have posted on this forum have been perplexed by the NSF’s “strange” activities…They are a “recognized” entity of the US MAB. I used to enjoy publications of the TNC as well but, no longer…They are ALSO a recognized “organization” of the US MAB and have been since at least 1996…Notice that in 2008, the UNESCO lists them as a “partner” in their MAP. OK, a partner for what?



I guess it is purely coincidence that the TNC is one of the LARGEST land broker of lands here in the United States (and internationally) with gross receipts of $2,799,814,100 (that’s billions) according to their 2007 IRS Form 990 (open for public inspection)! Here are a few other items from the TNC’s 2007 IRS Form 990 which include;



From Part 1, Line 1.b. Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balance-Direct Public Support (not included on line 1a) = $753,810,465!



From Line 1.d. Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balance-Government contributions (grants) (not included on line 1a) = $110,616,412!



Part 1, Line 21. Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balance-Net Assets of Fund Balances at end of year, Combine lines 18, 19, and 20 = $4,888,099,555! So after everything is said and done, the TNC has a NET asset balance of over $4 BILLION dollars and they received over $110 million in government grants from the taxpayers?



In 2006, they reported “Net Assets” of $4,714,953,376…Now to fully put this in perspective…The TNC is listed on Line J, Organization Type (check only one) as a 501(c)(3) organization! This means that according to the IRS code, they are TAX-EXEMPT and NON-PROFIT organization…WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT RECEIVES GOVERNMENT GRANTS FROM THE US TAXPAYER! How many non-profit, tax-exempt organizations do you know of are worth BILLIONS?



Did you know that if a certain agency of the Federal Government happens to find an endangered species on your land and you cannot “mitigate” with them (meaning you donate some of your land to them), then they proceed with a “taking” (using “imminent domain” to seize your land) to protect the “critical habitat” of the “found” endangered species (forget the 5th Amendment)…And if you fight it in court, it might take you 10 years to take it to the Supreme Court and averages between $200,000-500,000…Which most folks can not afford, so what is a remedy? Why you can donate it your land to the TNC



Later,

Jim.


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CSRAJim

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