[Birdtalk] Forwarded message from Bill Fenimore

[Utah Birds]

Betsy:
 
Here is the letter that I sent to Congressman Bishop:
 
December 12, 2007

Dear Congressman Rob Bishop:

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge (BRMBR) in Box elder County is a very important refuge for people as well as for the birds.  It is a major eco tourism attraction that drives significant income and tax revenue for local business merchants, employees and political entities.  A recent study, “Banking On Nature 2006” by Erin Carver and James Caudill, Ph.D., Division of Economics, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service September 2007, details the economic benefits to the local communities in Box Elder County from eco tourism at Bear river Migratory Bird Refuge.  This report shows “as public interests have expanded beyond consuming wildlife to emphasize watching and photographing wildlife, the role of refuges has also evolved. The economic effects of eco tourism are determined to assist refuge planning and to facilitate the interaction of refuges and local communities.”

Recent visits by the public at BRMBR show 42,209 visits in 2006.  Non-consumptive recreation accounted for 32,500 visits, hunting accounted for 9,097 visits and fishing for 612 visits.  Non-residents accounted for 25,660 visits, or 61 percent of Refuge visits.  The revenue generated in the local communities, as a result of these visits was $1,962,400, plus $625,000 in wage income and $300,000 in tax revenue.  This study revealed that a ratio of $2.31 was generated for every $1 of BRMBR budget expenditures in total economic effects. 

This economy is in jeopardy and we solicit your intercession and help in protecting the Refuge, as well as the local economy of your constituents in Box Elder County and the resident and nonresident tourists who enjoy this beautiful area.  Congress has authorized funds for completion of the Bear River Refuge road improvement project, but they have not yet "allocated" those funds.  Until this is done, the road project is at a standstill.  I ask that you intervene and see that these authorized funds are allocated, so that the bid process for the project can move forward and keep this important Refuge transportation road on schedule.

Sincerely yours,

William N. FenimoreUtah 
Audubon Policy Advocate




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