Spring 2004

“W” Is For Wildlife
by James Cummins

This past year has been a very busy one to say the least. I had the opportunity to be with President Bush on three occasions. The only other President I had ever met was “41” – who is “43’s” Dad. And I had only met him on a campaign swing in Greenville in 1992. However, with “Dubwa,” I had the opportunity to talk to him – personally – about bobwhite quail, wetlands, fishing and forest management. After this visit there was no doubt that “W” is for wildlife.

The most recent occasion was with other leaders from the conservation community. The meeting, which took place in both the Oval Office and the Roosevelt Room, was the first in at least a decade, and one of the few in the history of The White House, where conservation organizations were invited to discuss issues of importance to conservation, hunting and fishing with the President.


President George W. Bush meets with leaders of wildlife conservation organizations Friday, December 12, 2003, in the Roosevelt Room to thank them for their help with passing the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and to highlight other important conservation initiatives. White House Photo by Paul Morse.

During the hour-long meeting, President Bush thanked Wildlife Mississippi and the conservation community for their support of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill and other pieces of conservation legislation that were supported by his Administration.

We expressed appreciation to President Bush for the work of his Administration, most notably Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, for their open communication and their support for common sense conservation programs such as Partners For Fish and Wildlife, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, the Grasslands Reserve Program, the Wetlands Reserve Program and the Healthy Forests Reserve Program.

President Bush stated his commitment to maintaining a policy of “no net loss” of wetlands, which his father put in place. He expressed concern for the decline in bobwhite quail populations and the need to improve them. The President discussed the importance of hunting and fishing in America’s society and stated that it was disappointing that the political correctness of today endangers the future of outdoor traditions. He also recognized the economic impact hunting, fishing and bird watching plays throughout America and especially in rural communities. He related this economic importance to the Great Texas Birding Trail, which he helped establish when he was Governor. President Bush stated that the spirit of the outdoors is a major part of his Administration and he believed that his was one of the most outdoors-oriented Administrations ever.

On Tour Of Crawford Ranch, President Emphasizes Trees
The first time I was made aware of the President’s concern about wildlife and natural resources was through a transcript of a tour of his ranch in Crawford, Texas (for a complete transcript of the President’s tour of his Crawford ranch, go to www.wildlifemiss.org). President Bush has been criticized more times than not about his lack of knowledge about the environment. Early on, I was even concerned about his actions. This transcript is not a scripted speech with Teleprompters. It did not include a team of speech writers hiding behind every rock and tree. It was genuine. It was from the heart. President Bush spoke extensively, knowledgeably and passionately about natural resources and their management. Let’s further explore his comments.

The President made almost 100 references to natural resources (trees, wildlife, plants and soil) and their management. He mentioned hardwood or a hardwood species 33 times. He indicated that there are at least 18 different hardwood species on his property and he specifically identified 10 species (hackberry, ash, pecan, burr oak, live oak, chinkapin oak, sycamore, willow, cedar elm and cedar). He referred to at least 10 specific wildlife species (golden cheek warbler, fox, deer, dove, quail, turkey, armadillo, buzzards, cottonmouth and bass) and at least three different plant species (poison ivy, Johnson grass and buffalo grass). He made at least 12 direct references to actively improving the natural resources of his land. He even talked about how certain trees were important “because they become nesting materials for things like the golden cheek warbler...”

Bush also said, “I’m interested in these trees. This place you learn to fall in love with trees.” When asked if he was in his element, he replied, “I am in my element here. We really like it. It is one of the few places where I can actually walk outside my front door and say, I think I’m going to go walk two hours. And although I’m not totally alone, I can walk wherever I want to walk. And I can’t do that in Washington...I like that. I love nature. I love to get in the pickup truck with my dogs as the sun is setting, go look for game.”

When a reporter asked him how did he learn all this stuff about these trees, President Bush replied, “Well, we’ve got a book. And I knew some of the trees, you know. But we had two professors at Texas A & M. They had heard we had some beautiful hardwoods on it. And they came and were really pleased with the health of our trees and the quality of our trees.” Another reporter stated, “Quite the arborist” and President Bush replied, “I am. Tree man. I like trees, but I have come to appreciate them a lot and I’m guarding them...”

President Signs Healthy Forests Restoration Act


President George W. Bush signs the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 at the Department of Agriculture Wednesday, December 3, 2003. White House Photo by Tina Hager

Besides his own forest, President Bush said, “Another critical environmental priority is the health of our nation’s forests. In recent years, millions of acres of forests, rangeland and communities have been destroyed by wildfires. So last December, I signed the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to reduce the risk of fire, save lives and property and improve the health of our forests. The law opens millions of acres of forest land to vital thinning projects. And by expediting the environmental review process, and directing courts to consider long-term threats to forest health, the law allows us to protect more of our nation’s precious forests.”

Wildlife Mississippi joined President Bush at this December signing ceremony for legislation that will improve forest management, minimize devastating wildfires and improve fish and wildlife habitat. This legislation will also improve air quality and habitat for threatened and endangered species.

The bill that was signed into law was the product of months of hard work by the conservation and forest communities. Wildlife Mississippi worked closely with its allies in the conservation community and with members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to ensure that the final product would help to protect, restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat through active forest management. Many species of wildlife depend on a mosaic of different forest stand age classes and densities, including early succession habitats.

This law provides federal land managers with the ability to address our most serious forest health threats without compromising important environmental protections. A lack of proper forest management has caused undue stress, resulting in an unnaturally high risk of catastrophic wildfires and large-scale insect and disease outbreaks. This has resulted in excessive fuel accumulation on over 190 million acres of Federal lands.

This law creates the unique opportunity to recover threatened and endangered species and improve water quality through forestry practices. We can also take advantage of our nation’s satellite technology to help detect pests and pathogens on forested lands and quantify carbon, with an emphasis on hardwood forests.
President Bush said, “I appreciate the members of Congress...members who listen to the people, who know what they are talking about...starting with Senator Thad Cochran. Thad has done a fabulous job of getting the bill out of the U.S. Senate.”

“ Wildlife Mississippi placed a high priority on enacting forest management legislation and worked to craft a bi-partisan solution,” said W.A. Van Devender, one of Wildlife Mississippi's Trustees. “It was an awesome experience to be part of one of the greatest pieces of conservation legislation since the bi-partisan efforts of the 1970s and to work with Senator Cochran, Congressmen Bennie Thompson and Chip Pickering and President Bush on it.”

“ It is obvious that President Bush cares passionately about fish, wildlife, trees and the land. We are glad he put some common sense back into forest management for the good of the forests and the wildlife that reside there,” continued Van Devender.

"W" Also Stands For Wetlands


President George W. Bush provides a tour and overview of the Oval Office to a group of wildlife conservation organizations Friday, December 12, 2003. White House Photo by Paul Morse.

President Bush has also been very supportive of wetland conservation. Two years ago he signed into law the reauthorization of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Its purpose is to encourage voluntary partnerships among public agencies and the private sector to conserve wetlands.

According to President Bush, this legislation will “conserve North America’s wetlands, which will help keep our water clean and help provide habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife.” Through this legislation, the federal government will continue its partnership with landowners, conservation groups and states to save and improve millions of acres of wetlands. “With this signature today, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act will be reauthorized for five years. The law authorizes federal money to match donations from sportsmen, state wildlife agencies, conservationists and landowners. Since 1991, more than $462 million in federal grants have helped to encourage $1.3 billion in contributions from others.”

“ Together these funds have restored streams and rivers, re-established native plants and trees, and acquired land that is home to more than a third of America’s threatened and endangered species. Because about 75 percent of the wetlands are held privately, we need to encourage cooperation with our landowners. This legislation shows that when government, landowners and conservationists work together, we can make dramatic progress in preserving the beauty and the quality of our environment.”

Proposed projects are ranked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s North American Wetlands Conservation Council. Selected, prioritized proposals are recommended to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for consideration of funding. Membership consists of the Secretary of the Interior, who serves as Chairman; the Secretaries of Transportation and Agriculture; two Members of the Senate (one is Senator Thad Cochran); and two Members of the House of Representatives. The Commission is authorized to approve, reject or reorder the priority of the proposed projects.

In December 2003, the President reiterated his commitment to assuring no net loss, following a Supreme Court ruling that removed federal regulatory protection of certain isolated wetlands. His FY 2005 budget includes an additional $5 million to help states address the gap created by the Court.

“ We are reaffirming and bolstering protections for wetlands, which are vital for water quality, the health of our streams and wildlife habitat,” said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Mike Leavitt. Assistant Secretary of the Army John Paul Woodley Jr. added, “We will continue our efforts to ensure that the Corps’ regulatory program is as effective, efficient and responsive as it can be.” The Supreme Court's 2001 decision in the case of Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (commonly referred to as to “SWANCC”) overturned the Corps’ assertion of federal jurisdiction over certain isolated wetlands based on the presence of migratory birds. The EPA and the Corps responded by issuing revised guidance to their field offices. At the same time, the Agencies reaffirmed federal jurisdiction over the majority of wetlands not impacted by the decision.

On Earth Day, President Bush increased his support for wetland conservation by saying, “From the Gulf of Maine, to the Gulf of Mexico, Americans are blessed to live amid many incredible wonders of nature. Wetlands are among our most important natural resources. They provide a habitat for wildlife, trap pollution, reduce the impact of floods and provide recreational opportunities. For many years, our nation has sought to slow the loss of our wetlands. We’ve made tremendous progress. And on Earth Day, I was proud to announce a new goal: Instead of just limiting our losses, we will expand the wetlands of America. To accomplish this objective, my administration will work to restore, improve and protect at least 3 million acres of wetlands over the next five years. This new wetlands policy reflects an enduring national commitment, carried forward by both parties, to protecting the environment.”

New figures recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that, for the first time in history, America has reversed the annual net loss of wetlands on our farms. The United States was losing almost 500,000 acres of wetlands per year 30 years ago, but today, that loss is down dramatically.

To meet this goal, the President called on Congress to pass his FY 2005 budget request, which includes $4.4 billion for conservation programs that include funding for wetlands – an increase of $1.5 billion (53%) over FY 2001. The President’s FY 2005 budget requests more than $4 billion for conservation programs that include wetlands, notably the Farm Bill Wetlands Reserve Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Conservation Technical Assistance Program, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program ($1.4 billion more than FY 2001 enacted); $54 million for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grants Program ($14 million more than FY 2001 enacted); $50 million for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program ($13 million more than FY 2001 enacted) and $13 million for the Coastal Program ($3.7 million more than FY 2001 enacted).
In case there was any doubt that this President is serious about the health and future of our natural resources, you can now rest easy knowing that “Tree Man” is not only being a good steward of his own land by actively managing it for improved health, but he is also working to help make it easier for us to do the same on our own treasured lands and small farms.

So what else does “W” stand for? As this group of conservation leaders was getting a tour of The Oval Office by the Man himself, - from the history of the desk that President John F. Kennedy used, to the carpet on the floor - President Bush asked the group if they knew who the person in a particular painting was. Since he had been “cutting up” on several occasions that morning, I knew it was George Washington, but I wasn’t about to say anything. A few moments passed and he responded. “That is the first George W.”