National Effort to Protect Sea Turtle Beaches Gathers Steam. Conservation Groups Join to Protect the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.

Date: August 13, 2001
Contact: David Godfrey
Phone: (352) 373-6441

How You Can Help

On August 13th, 2001, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation joined with National Audubon Society, the Ocean Conservancy and several other sea turtle protection groups in calling on Congress to allocate money for the purchase of the largest remaining undeveloped parcel of sea turtle nesting beach within the boundaries of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. A letter from the groups was sent to all the key congressional players involved in securing the funding. At stake is a parcel of land known as the Aquarina tract. This 1/3 mile stretch of undeveloped beach, surrounded by intense development hosts between 600 and 1000 nests per year. If you would like to help in this effort see below for details and contact information.

ARCHIE CARR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ALERT
Senate Fails to Appropriate Funds for the Purchase of Important Lands in the Refuge
PLEASE CONTACT KEY SENATORS
August 2001

Negotiations are underway to purchase large sections of undeveloped beachfront property within the boundaries of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR). The parcels, known as the Aquarina tract, are the largest undeveloped pieces of property still available for purchase within the refuge. This beach front property is essential to the future management of the refuge. There is no doubt this prime real estate will be quickly filled with intensive development if not put under federal protection soon. The problem is that no money was allocated for the refuge in the President’s budget. So money for the refuge needed be included in the House and Senate budgets which are now being debated. A minimum of $2.5 million is needed for these acquisitions. The Caribbean Conservation Corporation and other conservation groups are spearheading an effort to secure these funds.

The House Interior Budget Subcommittee, because of all the people that contacted committee members, allocated $1 million to the Archie Carr Refuge. However the Senate failed to include any money in its budget for ACNWR. The House and Senate budget negotiators will now come together in a Conference Committee to reconcile the two different budgets. We must convince the Conference Committee negotiators to include $2.5 million for Archie Carr.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

NOW is the time to contact the key players in the conference committee process and request that they fund land acquisition in the Archie Carr Refuge at $2.5 million for FY 2002. It would also be helpful to contact both Senator Bob Graham and Senator Bill Nelson or Florida, they are both long time friends and active supporters of the refuge. So please make sure to recognize and thank them for all their past support as you request their continued support of the refuge.

Ask the congressmen listed below to specifically request $2.5 million for the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Remind them that the money will go directly toward the purchase of the Acquarina parcels in Brevard County which include some of the most important undeveloped nesting beaches still remaining within the refuge boundaries. If enough people contact these Senators they will find a way to include the funds in the budget. Time is short so write or fax as soon as possible. It also helps to call the Congressman’s office and let them you support the refuge and that you have sent a letter.