Penn Game Commission Gets Fed Funds for WNS

[Wm Shrewsbury]

This just came in:
http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/sh ... 0D9663D5CC

Of which this is the important part:
* Pennsylvania Game Commission: White Nose Syndrome – Multi-State Coordination, Investigation and Rapid Response to an Emerging Wildlife Health Threat – This project will support a region-wide coordinated approach to the spread of White Nose Syndrome (a syndrome causing unprecedented mortality among cave bats in the Northeast). The project will investigate the causative agent(s), transmission, and control; detect new occurrences and manage the threat to adjoining regions; and implement response and control strategies. Eleven states (CT, DE, MD, NH, NJ, NY, PA, VA, VT, WI, WV) are participating as active partners.

Federal funds awarded: $940,870; non-federal match: $431,940

Wm

[Lost]

Cool

[Cheryl Jones]

[PYoungbaer]

This is the same grant mentioned in the WNS Grant by Secretary of Interior thread above.

This is a two -year grant, actual start date being determined since the award was just announced. It was originally intended to start this past February, but got delayed. The $940,000 is for two years. The grant was written prior to the PA, WVA, and VA confirmations of WNS, so its narrative somewhat lags the actual field developments.

These funds are for state agencies, not the federal agencies, such as USFWS, USGS, BLM, NPS, USFS, etc. Mostly, they will cover state personnel who have run out of money to cover their WNS work (or never had any to begin with). $200,000 is set aside for unspecified research, such as laboratory work as the research needs change with new developments.

It's certainly welcome money, but only a fraction of what is needed, which is why we are continuing to contact Congress with requests for funding.

On that front, Sen. Lautenberg's staff (NJ) has organized a congressional briefing for members on May 1. If you have not already e-mailed your Senator or Representative asking them for a hearing on WNS and funding, please do so. The entire Vermont delegation has also sent a letter. The NSS sent a letter (signed by Gordon Birkhimer), which was copied to all the grottos through the IO network, along with information about how to contact your members. You can get that letter through your grotto contact, or send an email to wnsliaison@caves.org, and we'll send you a copy.

The key here is to generate buzz prior to May 1, so that your Senators and Representatives hear from their constituents that they want action on WNS. Other organizations and research scientists are involved, including Bat Conservation International, NCKRI, regional bat working groups, cave conservancies, and wildlife refuges organizations. The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Audubon Society and others have been asked to join in.

Contacting your Senators and Representatives will make a difference. Thank you.