Category Archives: wildlife

3 Policy Issues. Eminent Domain and Wildlife.

The federal government’s Texas border wall illumates 3 eminent domain issues that impoact wildlife. 

The border wall is planned to run through the National Butterfly Center, a reserve for residential and migratory birds and butterflies and the impact to wildlife has been:

  • Access.  Surveyors have left gates open after deaprting the facility
  • Changes to wildlife environment. equipment and stakes impact sanctuary grounds
  • Communication  Communication between the surveyors and the wildlife center…

Anatomy of a Bill that Sped up Water Project Development & Prohibited Eminent Domain

Florida’s SB10 (2017 |FL) did 2 things:

  • prohibited the use of eminent domain &
  • “mandated the construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee”
    • “to reduce discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries in an effort to quash the harmful blue-green algal blooms that have wreaked havoc on Florida waters in recent years”

This week, the results are clear, the reservoir is on target a pace faster than anticipated and no eminent domain is being used.

Florida Politics | U.S. Sugar…

Lege TREND. Legislative Plan to Preempting Tree Ordinances. An exception + the Opposition

Michiugan will consider SB 1188 (2018 | MI) that will preempt local ordinances barring tree removal by:

  • prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances or charters “prohibiting or restricting the removal of trees or other vegetation.”

What exception did the author accept?

  • allow local governments to willingly enter into contracts with private landowners to allow local control of storm water mitigating vegetation

What are cities saying in repsonse?

  • vegetation and tree…

Private Property Rights TREND. 20th State Adds Right to Hunt & Fish to State Constitution,

Voters approved the constitutional change in North Carolina to add a right to hunt and fish to the state constitution.

Enabling legislation: SB 677 (2018 | NC)

Article I of the North Carolina Constitution will be amended by adding: “Sec. 38. Right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife.The right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife is a valued part of the State’s heritage and shall be forever preserved for the public good. The people have a right, including the right to use…

Lege TREND + Legal TREND. Gov. Sues Attorney General over AG Opinion on Conservation Easements.

Where: Montana

What did this Attorney General Opinion say that prompted  a lawsuit by the Governor?

  • state land board is required to vote on all but the smallest conservation easements that state agencies proposed

Why is this a big deal?

  • Impacts a state program supporting Hunting & Fishing
  • Impacts private property rights by limiting use of ranch land

Missoula Current | Bullock sues AG Fox over approval authority for conservation easements

Texas Attorney General Opinion. Land Owner Liability.

What question is being answered: whether Chapter 75, Title 4 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code appl[ies] to private property owners on whose property agro-tourism related private aircraft lands.

What is the answer:  Yes, if:

  • a property owner conducting agritourism on his or her agricultural property invites or grants permission to individuals to enter the premises of the property for recreation
  • and, if all other elements of chapter 75  are met
  • that would include injuries or damages…

New Kid on the Block. Anatomy of a Rural Association. 9 Types of Members +2 Unexpected Issues

WHERE: Oklahoma

WHAT: New Oklahoma Rural Association

WHO are members of the ORA?

  • energy
  • agribusiness
  • manufacturing
  • financial services
  • equipment
  • utilities sectors
  • including associations like: Farm Bureau, American Farmers and Ranchers, the Cattlemen’s Association
  • corporations
  • &  landowners.

Additional Issues they will engage the Legislature on:

  •  education
  • health care

The Oklahoman | New Oklahoma Lobbying Group to represent rural communities

Property Rights TREND. Chronic Wasting Disease Rules. 4 Key Points. Apple Blossom State.

Michigan’s new hunting rules to combat chronic wasting disease include:

  • Reduce Antler Requirement. In the 16-county CWD Management Zone, reduced the 4 pt. on a side requirement to at least 1 3 inch antler
  • Private Land license. Created a discounted antlerless license in the CWD Management Zone on private land
    • limited to 10 per hunter
  • Ban urine based lures. Statewide ban on the use of all natural cervid urine-based lures and attractants
  • Ban baiting & feeding in Management Zone. Immediate…

Anatomy of a Property Rights Coalition that Includes Law Enforcement

A trespass law in Idaho, H0658 (2018 | ID), created the Idaho Property Rights Coalitionwhich opposes the “stronger” trespass law.

The Idaho Property Rights Coalition members are:

  •   Idaho Cattle Association

  •   Idaho Grain Producers Association

  •   Idaho Farm Bureau Federation

  •   Idaho Wool Growers Association

  •   Food Producers of Idaho

  •   Idaho Eastern-Oregon Seed Association

  •   Idaho Mint Growers Association

  •   Milk Producers of Idaho

  •   Idaho…

Lege TREND. Trespass Law Protects Property Owners. Endangers Hunters & Fishermen and women

Idaho passed a trespass law H0658 (2018 | ID)  that ended a requirement that large tracks of land in the backcountry post no tresspass signs before a person can be charged with trespassing.

Law enforcement and its coalitionsays the new tresspass law endangers hunter and fishers by:

  • allows for criminal charges when a person has no knowledge of the trespass 
  • innocent people will be charged with crimes
  • the law is so vauge collecting a frisbee on land could be a crime