I'm doing a little research on the dog trialing thing for an article - wanted to share with you a letter from the Region 3 involved. I'll post more info later.
From: Jon_Parker@fws.gov
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2000 09:41:16 -0600
Wildlife Biologist, USFWS Region 3 Federal Aid
1 Federal Drive
Ft. Snelling, MN 551111-4056
On the "who told who what and when" question - Federal Aid Staff told Michigan upper management that the issue of field trials on Wildlife Restoration - acquired lands would probably be a major audit finding. Federal Aid staff expressed the opinion that staff would support the finding that some field trial activities would interfere with project purposes on some units. It is apparent that Michigan got the impression or understanding that Federal Aid was going to ban field trials on the 3 game areas and 1 recreation area under the threat of loss of Wildlife Restoration funding. That was not our intent. I advised Michigan, verbally, as Penny says, that I thought it would be best if field trials were not scheduled for the coming year on those 4 units. This recommendation was based on the thought that it would be better to give the clubs some advanced notice so that trials could be relocated. If they scheduled trials, the possibility existed that an audit resolution could cause cancellation on short notice. Summary: We did not order Michigan to end field trials, but they seem to think that we did.
Michigan has since asked if they could have a year's "grace period" in which they could hold trial on the 4 areas in question. We told them to go ahead, with the understanding that we do not control audit resolution. Thus it is possible, though unlikely, that scheduled field trials could be cancelled.
Summary: The field trial issue will be addressed as required in the audit resolution process. We will not order a State to end field trials, by threat of ending funding, or otherwise, unless the audit resolution requires us to. We maintain that field trial activities such as mowing courses, and scheduling conflicts with grassland bird nesting season or with hunting seasons or other wildlife dependent public uses may not be in keeping with the spirit or letter of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.
If this is as confusing to read as it was to write. Please follow up by e-mail, or call me at (612) 713-5142 (we're on Central Standard Time), or e-mail your phone number and I'll call you.