Call To All members here....

I was watching fox news just a moment ago ( ya know, they got that little scrolling ticker on the bottom of the screen ) and I saw that the " invasive florida python population was effected by the recent cold snap and nearly 50% were killed. "They went on to say ,march 8 I believe it was was the beginning of the " python hunting season " in florida. They then stated not one python has been caught during this " hunting season "thus far . They really must be over run to not be able to find one in over 30 days. i think the 50% number is under estimated to say the least.

No way will this bill pass,only 4% are for the bill! Things are looking up,lets just keep voting,spreading the word and really smash the out of that 4%!

You do realize that the thing you are voting on doesn't mean squat, right? The 96% of us that are apposed to the bill will not overturn a majority vote in congress. Go here to make a real difference.

The following are guidelines from USARK to the Reptile Nation on “How to” make an effective and highly impactful public comment on the USFWS proposed ‘Rule Change’. If enacted ‘Rule Change’ could add 4 pythons, 4 anacondas and Boa constrictor to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. It is very important that your public comment be thoughtful and pertinent. During the Notice of Inquiry in 2008 only 115 public comments out of approximately 1500 were used because most failed to answer what was asked by USFWS.

USARK Recommendations on Making Public Comment:

1. Do Not plead for your animals and write how unfair this is.
2. Do Not give your political philosophy or your feelings about government regulation.
3. There is a list of questions that should be addressed if you have the knowledge to address them. Look for USARK suggestions in italics. Answer only questions you feel comfortable and knowledgeable on.
4. Be thoughtful and as original as possible with your comments.
5. Comment on the effectiveness of using the Lacey Act.
6. Give alternatives to Lacey Act. (such as USARK Industry Best Management Practices...USARK Accreditation)
7. Comment on the unprecedented nature of listing animals that are so widely held by American public. (use the word ‘unprecedented’)
8. Unintended consequences of reducing the value of as many as 2 million animals to $0 overnight. What will happen to animals that owners can no longer afford to care for?
9. The fact that USFWS has done such a poor job making their scientific and economic case has created a highly controversial situation. Many credible scientists, economists and industry leaders disagree with USFWS. (use the word ‘controversial’)
10. Comment on the economic impact on you and your family.

Click here to make public comment: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Re...00006480abc25c

USFWS Questions to be Answered by Public Comment:

(1) What regulations does your State have pertaining to the use, transport, or production of any of the nine constrictor snakes? What are relevant Federal, State, or local rules that may duplicate, overlap, or conflict with the proposed rule?

(2) How many of the nine constrictor snakes species are currently in production for wholesale or retail sale, and in how many and which States? (Burmese python, reticulated python, northern African python, yellow anaconda, green anaconda and Boa constrictor. Which ones are in your state?)

(3) How many businesses (do you?) sell one or more of the nine constrictor snake species?

(4) How many businesses (do you?) breed one or more of the nine constrictor snake species?

(5) What are the annual sales (your sales) for each of the nine constrictor snake species?

(6) How many, if any, of the nine constrictor snake species are permitted within each State? (are they banned in your state?)

(7) What would it cost to eradicate individuals or populations of the nine constrictor snakes, or similar species, if found? What methods are effective? (unless you are in south Florida $0, because there is NO evidence they can live in your state)

(8) What are the costs of implementing propagation, recovery, and restoration programs for native species that are affected by the nine constrictor snake species, or similar species? (unless you are in south Florida $0, because there is NO evidence they can live in your state)

(9) What State threatened or endangered species would be impacted by the introduction of any of the nine constrictor snake species? (unless you are in south Florida NONE, because there is NO evidence they can live in your state)

(10) What species have been impacted, and how, by any of the nine constrictor snake species? (unless you are in south Florida NONE, because there is NO evidence they can live in your state)

(11) What provisions in the proposed rule should the Service consider with regard to:
(a) The impact of the provision(s) (including any benefits and costs), if any, and
(b) What alternatives, if any, the Service should consider, as well as the costs and benefits of those alternatives, paying specific attention to the effect of the rule on small entities?

(12) How could the proposed rule be modified to reduce any costs or burdens for small entities consistent with the Service’s requirements? (allow for interstate trade in captive bred animals to continue)

(13) Why we should or should not include hybrids of the nine constrictor species analyzed in this rule, and if the hybrids possess the same biological characteristics as the parent species.

Took me about 30 seconds to vote and register. EVERYONE PLEASE GET ON BOARD!!!!!

Funny the stats on how few people agree with this bill... it is almost a shut out!

Originally Posted by edenspets

I was watching fox news just a moment ago ( ya know, they got that little scrolling ticker on the bottom of the screen ) and I saw that the " invasive florida python population was effected by the recent cold snap and nearly 50% were killed. "They went on to say ,march 8 I believe it was was the beginning of the " python hunting season " in florida. They then stated not one python has been caught during this " hunting season "thus far . They really must be over run to not be able to find one in over 30 days. i think the 50% number is under estimated to say the least.

If they are saying 50%, this indicates they know how many (wild pythons) were in existence prior to the freezes.

When I found out about the ban I was emailing everybody I could, local congressman, white house, ect. through links on forums,k about 2 weeks later I got a letter from the congress in Washington DC and told me that he like to hear from the public and that he's not familiar with the bill but if it ever came by his desk that he would look more into it...Sounds like someone has already paid him off!!!! and countless others to let this bill crush all of our hobbies- business

Originally Posted by wowman5

When I found out about the ban I was emailing everybody I could, local congressman, white house, ect. through links on forums,k about 2 weeks later I got a letter from the congress in Washington DC and told me that he like to hear from the public and that he's not familiar with the bill but if it ever came by his desk that he would look more into it...Sounds like someone has already paid him off!!!! and countless others to let this bill crush all of our hobbies- business

When did you email? This bill has been dead for along time. It was changed to a rule change of the Lacey Act. Go here to fight the rule change. http://www.kill-rulechange.com/

Originally Posted by bondoron

When did you email? This bill has been dead for along time. It was changed to a rule change of the Lacey Act. Go here to fight the rule change. http://www.kill-rulechange.com/

I heard it through forums and then googled S373

Yes every member here should participate in the comment. USARK has examples of proper format for this at http://www.kill-rulechange.com/
Come on people now is the time for action, dead line is May 11th.