Hi Larry and others,
I didn’t mean to imply that the phase II award from the NPS to Utah
State University was a poor use of our tax money. I believe the white bark
pine/Clark’s Nutcracker relationship needs more study. I’m thrilled some money
is being routed this direction.
By way of explanation, in my work world there are about several monikers
that all mean Congress is specifically telling a Federal Agency how they will
spend some of the dollars appropriated to them. Pork barrel, earmarked, and
single source recipient are all terms that indicate a competitive award of the
fund is not occurring and the money will be spent as Congress line items it. I
guess the term pork barrel has gained a negative reputation but that wasn’t
what I meant by using it.
Susan Hazelwood
MOBirds-L Co-Owner
Columbia, MO
From: Larry Lade
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 6:44 PM
To: Hazelwood, Susan
Subject: Re: No Sightings - Some Pork Barrel for Avian Research
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So, Susan do think that this is really a "pork
barrel" venture? Or do you think that it is a legitimate project looking
out for the fauna (nutcracker) and habitat in Utah?
The National Park Service, US
Department of the Interior, has announced plans (at the direction of
Congress) to continue Phase II of a cooperative agreement with Kim Sullivan,
Department of Biology, Utah State University to study the “Home Range and
Resource Use of Clark’s Nutcrackers in Glacier National Park.” Amount
of the award is $25,000 and it will run through May 30, 2012. Point of
contact with the National Park Service is Jenny Sommer, Agreements
Specialist, Phone 303/969-2392. The abstract of the proposed work
says: “Utah State University (USU) will
continue its collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) to
quantitatively measure habitat use by Clark’s Nutcracker at Glacier National
Park. This study will specifically investigate the gaps in the mutualist relationship
between the nutcracker and whitebark pines, the importance of conifer
habitats, population wide fecundity and the relationships between monitoring
protocols and the Clark’s Nutcracker. Substantial involvement on the part
the National Park Service (NPS) is anticipated for the successful completion
of the objectives to be funded by this award. NPS staff will work with
USU researchers to provide park guides, field logistics coordination, and
potential study locations. NPS staff will also aid in the project planning
and product review.” Glacier NP is such a beautiful
place. Just thought I’d share a tidbit of what is happening bird-wise out
there. Susan Hazelwood MOBirds-L Co-Owner Columbia, MO 65211 [log in to unmask]" target="_blank">[log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ |