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FW: Navy Threatens Nat Wildlife Refuge in NC - TAKE ACTION by Aug 18



Hello all,

Please see the following information regarding the Navy's proposed
landing field.  I hope all of you will take action as well as contacting
all of your friends nationwide and asking for their assistance in
stopping this assault on the National Wildlife Refuge at Pocosin Lakes.

Lena

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lena Gallitano
Raleigh, NC
Subject: Navy Threatens Nat Wildlife Refuge in NC - TAKE ACTION by Aug
18

NAVY PLAN FOR LANDING FIELD THREATENS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IN NORTH
CAROLINA

The Navy has recommended building a jet landing field just a few miles
from a National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. The plan threatens
the refuge, its wildlife, and the surrounding community. We only have
until AUGUST 18TH to let the Acting Secretary of the Navy know it is a
bad idea and to ask him to consider other options.

The recommendation came as the Final Environmental Impact Statement on
proposed basing for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft was released
July 18. At risk is the globally significant Pocosin Lakes National
Wildlife Refuge located on the Albemarle Peninsula of North Carolina.
The refuge is the historic winter grounds for 100,000 large migratory
waterfowl, including Snow Geese and Tundra Swans from as far away as
Alaska and Arctic Canada. Bald Eagles, red wolves, and many other
significant wildlife species call the area home.

Throughout the EIS process, Audubon and many other conservation groups,
state and federal biologists, and even a senior military safety expert
warned the Navy of the severe risk of birds hitting planes at the
location and the massive disruption to refuge operations and wildlife
the 150 low-level flights per day would cause. To try to "manage" the
risks, the Navy has now announced plans to buy-out or condemn 30,000
acres of family farms around the 2,000-acre landing field and make it
unappealing to birds. If that doesn't work, they will harass the birds
and even kill them if necessary. Local citizens are in turmoil over the
impacts to their communities and livelihoods.

Please contact the Navy Secretary and your congressional representatives
to let them know what a bad idea this is. For quick action, go to
Audubon's automated response website: 

http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/summary.asp?subject=252

Or, fax your own letter to Acting Secretary Hansford T. Johnson at
703-697-3991; be sure to also alert your senators and representatives so
they can make sure the Navy does the right thing and protects our
natural heritage and communities.



*****************************************
Chris Canfield
Executive Director
Audubon North Carolina
410 Airport Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC  27514
919-929-3899/fax: 919-929-4599
email: ccanfield@audubon.org
*****************************************