US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has filed a final rule with the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB). This filing has no material changes from the proposed rule that would add 9 constricting snakes to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. This would make import or interstate transport of the 9 constrictors a felony with heavy fines and potential jail time. This is the final stage of the rule making process. OMB's role is to review the proposed rule to ensure that the costs to businesses do not outweigh the purported benefits. In spite of USARK's information to the contrary, and the Small Business Administration's findings that FWS did not do its due diligence in determining economic impact, we remain unsure of OMB's position. As many as a million American citizens could be negatively impacted if this rule is enacted. It would create a whole new class of criminal out of law abiding citizens engaged in what is now a perfectly legal trade.
There is also likely to be an oversight hearing at the US House Natural Resources Committee because of the potential to destroy a viable $1.4 billion cottage industry; and the flagrant disregard by FWS for mandated process and procedure under the Administrative Procedures Act and Information Quality Act. USARK has uncovered evidence that appears to point to an intentional effort to manufacture science to support a policy directive based on staff preference at FWS. This preference by FWS could mean the loss of thousands of jobs and the destruction of viable sector of our nations economy in a time of hardship.
Members of the Reptile Nation should prepare themselves for the “Big Fight”. This process should take about 45 days to unfold. USARK calls upon the OMB, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate to look closely at how FWS has circumvented due process to create policy based on staff preference. USARK believes that these actions by a government agency, upon close examination, will be found to be arbitrary, capricious and unlawful.
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I immediately donated and if we don’t ALL we can forget about our passion. We have spent 10s of thousands of dollars for our collections and hope to produce animals that will assist recuperate that investment over time, and maybe even leave a little left over however this is over if these laws pass. It is more vital to invest and protest than anything else you could be doing for this hobby. this is as vital to your boas as cleaning, watering and feeding them. Either grab a picket sign and hit 1600 Pennsylvania avenue or send money so people with the wherewithal on how to get matters like these resolved can be hired by USARK....donate and don’t be cheap, as the consequences will be dire and costlier in the end.....
USARK needs the Reptile Nation to pull together as never before. This is our chance to overcome unfair regulation.
