U.S.F.W.S. proposed rules

[Eric Metzler]

I post this to BIODICEN-L, TAXACOM, ENTOMO-L, ENT-LIST, and
LEPS.  Please cross post to other lists of interested scientists.

We thank Michael C. Thomas for alerting us to the U.S.F.W.S. proposed
rules.  Things changed since only one scientist commented in 1991.  You must
make your thoughts known now!

Remember to mention the procedures that make your research easier.  Ask that
rules be written to encourage your research.  For example, right now
IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE THE U.S. MAIL to send any specimens out of the
United States or into the United States.  It doesn't matter what U.S. Customs
says, you cannot afford to be prosecuted by the U.S.F.W.S.  The proposed
rules retain this ban on the U.S. Mail.  You should explain that we must be
allowed to use the U.S. Mail for otherwise dead legal specimens for curatorial
or systematic purposes.

Take the time to be politically correct.  Make reference to the National
Biological Survey and other national objectives.  Explain what is necessary for
you to contribute to the national objectives.

Tell the U.S.F.W.S. to reopen the comment period to accommodate our recent
awareness of the rules that affect our research.

Here are some things you MUST DO:

1.   Address your letters to:  Director
                        U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
                        P.O. Box 3247
                        Arlington  Virginia  22203-3247  USA

2.   You must make reference to:  Federal Register, September 14, 1994,
     Vol. 59, pages 47212-47216.  Mention 50 CFR Parts 13 and 14.

3.   The comments MUST REACH U.S.F.W.S. by 14 November 1994.
     Allow at least one week for domestic mail to reach the U.S.F.W.S.
     You cannot afford to wait.  If you miss the deadline, you wasted a lot
     of time.  Late comments don't count.

Here are some things you SHOULD DO:

1.   Share your thoughts on the Internet.  Our own thoughts can spark ideas
     in other persons.  Collectively we can do better.  I knew about the ban
     on using the U.S. Mail.  What do you know that I do not know?

2.   Go to the library and get a copy of the Federal Register, Sept. 14, 1994
     so you can read what is being proposed.

3.   Send a copy of your comments to: The Honorable Bruce Babbitt, Secretary,
     Department of the Interior, 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240.  Ask
     Secretary Babbitt to work with the U.S.F.W.S. to make things better.

4.   Comment only on what the U.S.F.W.S. should do.  Acrimonious,
     hateful, insulting, and disparaging comments do not help our cause.
     Save those thoughts for the coffee break at work.

5.   Researchers outside the United States should also send comments to the
     U.S.F.W.S.  Please comment on your relationships with U.S.
     scientists.  Please mention how your interactions are
     affected by the rules of the U.S.F.W.S.  Please allow lots
     of time for snail mail to be delivered.

6.   Remember that the U.S.F.W.S. reads the Internet.  We need their help
     to rectify the current situation.  Don't anger them.

Now lets get busy and write those letters.  There is not a moment to lose.

Eric H. Metzler
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Columbus  Ohio  43224  USA
metzler at nrult1.dnr.ohio.gov
(614) 265-6774