Response from Lou Barletta

[gandabrenzo]

Here is my response I got from Congressman Lou Barletta regarding H.R.511.

Dear Mr. Brenzovich:



Thank you for informing me of your opposition to H.R. 511,a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injurious speciesof constrictor snakes. Your thoughts on this important matter are most welcome and appreciated.



As you know, snakes canbe a lethal species and attack when threatened by a human being. Snake bites can potentially be lethal. It is especially important to be cautious when engaging in outdoor activates in areas where snakes maylive.



On March 9, 2011, Representative Thomas Rooney (FL) introducedH.R. 511, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation of various injuriousspecies into the United States. If enacted, this legislation would amend the federalcriminal code to ban certain injurious reptiles, such as the boa constrictor, from importation into theUnited States. Presently, H.R. 511 awaits actionin the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the House Judiciary Committee.



Rest assured, your thoughts on this important matter willbe remembered throughout the 112th Congress. Again, thank you for contacting me and for all that youdo for our community in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Should you have further comments or questions onthis, or any other issue, please contact me at my Hazleton, Taylor, Wilkes-Barre, or Washington, D.C.office.





Very truly yours,

Lou Barletta
Member of Congress

 

[hhmoore]

So he's pretty much clueless, in other words.

As you know, snakes canbe a lethal species and attack when threatened by a human being. Snake bites can potentially be lethal. It is especially important to be cautious when engaging in outdoor activates in areas where snakes maylive.

(or should I say that the aide, or secretary, that responded is clueless?)

 

[AbsoluteApril]

Crazy!

This was the response from my congressman Peter Stark (to the form letters sent out by USARK)

Dear Ms. Yohn :

Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposed Fish and Wildlife Service rule that would prevent the unregulated importation and interstate transport of nonnative constrictors.

This rule serves a good purpose. There is no need for people in the US to import these kinds of snakes and sell them as pets. People should not own snakes that grow to be so large that they become a threat to the surrounding environment and to the owners themselves.

Sincerely,

Pete Stark
Member of Congress

 

[gandabrenzo]

This was my reply to his reply;

Mr. Barletta,



I am ashamed to admit that I had voted for you in the last election. Your views on this matter do not make much sense. The studies done by the USGS have been discredited by the scientific community and have been said they are not to be used on the basis of legislation. I am attaching links to the studies done by actual peer reviewed boards that should be used in making legislation. I would also like to ask you of you know the number of deaths each year attributed to pet constrictor snakes? It 0.4 deaths per year from an estimated 2 million pet snakes in the US, dogs account for an average of 32 deaths per year Horses are about 20. So my question to you is what is more dangerous? Another fact is with all accounted pet snake deaths in the US with the exception of 1 it is always the owner of the animal that is killed making it not a public hazard. Most deaths caused by dogs are to unfamilar people to the animal. Again, which is more dangerous?

I would hope you reconsider your viewpoint on these magnificent animals and I would be pleased to meet with you and introduce you to a wonderfull animal that you may not have ever considered.



Sincerely,

George Brenzovich

 

[Gatorhunter1231]

May I ask where you are getting the info for attacks? I need a linkable source to spread around.
Thanks

 

[gandabrenzo]

Wow, that is crazy April, I'll never move to CA or florida with people like that in charge.

Here is the link I found the numbers on animal deaths, pet snakes are not included because thay are so rare.
http://historylist.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/human-deaths-in-the-us-caused-by-animals/

 

[Gatorhunter1231]

thanks

 

[reptilebaby]

I don't want to demonize other animals, because I don't want to have them start banning ALL animals.

 

[gandabrenzo]

The agenda of these special interest groups is to ban all pet ownership. They ate starting with "easier" targets then will move on up to birds, fish, small mammals, etc... Until they get to dogs and cats.

 

[Snake-Queen]

This is what I received from Kay Hagan:

January 20, 2012

Dear Friend,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the decision by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to classify certain large constrictor snakes as injurious. I greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue.

On January 17, 2012, the FWS finalized a rule that bans the importation and interstate transportation of four nonnative constrictor snakes. The final rule lists the Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern and southern African pythons as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act because these snakes pose a threat to the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems.

Under the injurious wildlife provisions of the Lacey Act, the Interior Department is authorized to regulate the importation and interstate transport of wildlife species determined to be injurious to humans, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or wildlife in the United States.

While I understand your concerns with the final rule, I believe the scientists at the FWS have tried to make this new regulation as practical as possible. However, be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as the FWS considers similar regulations in the future.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,



Kay R. Hagan

 

[JoeTaffis]

George, you know Lou Barletta was the mayor of Hazleton Pa. for a long time. Hazleton has had a ban on all constrictors (excluding small colubrids) for many, many years. I don't think you're gonna change his way of thinking no matter what you say to him.

 

[patfusster]

Here is mine from Richard Nugent

Another clueless one :

January 26, 2012


Dear Mrs. Ervin,



Thank you for contacting me regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) final rule on the constrictor ban. I can't effectively serve as your voice in the House of Representatives without knowing what matters the most to you, so I appreciate you reaching out to me on this issue.



On April 7, 2011, the FWS filed a final rule with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding constrictors. This rule, also known as the constrictor ban, adds nine non-native, non-venomous snakes to the Lacey Act's "injurious reptiles" list, therefore making it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, buy or possess any of the snakes or other reptiles found on this list. The OMB is currently reviewing this rule to determine the costs and benefits of its implementation.



As you may know, South Florida has been invaded by non-native wildlife, which has disrupted our fragile ecosystem and preys on native species. The Burmese Python is one of the most dangerous examples of a non-native predator that has established a thriving breeding population in Florida. I'm sure we've all seen the sad reports of children who have been killed by these invasive constrictors. As a father of three sons, these tragic stories really bring the dangers of invasive species home.



The State of Florida, the USFWS, and the Everglades National Park, among others, have dedicated countless resources and time to eradicate these invasive snakes. Their funding and ability to continue eradication programs, while still performing their core missions, would be in jeopardy, and that is why I have joined some of my Florida colleagues in signing a letter to President Obama urging him to direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to release USFWS's proposed rule on large constrictor snakes.



While I know we may not see eye to eye on every issue I encourage you to keep in touch about the many important issues facing our nation. The letters, emails, and calls I receive from you are the best way to keep up with what is affecting Florida's 5th District. If you have a free moment, please visit my website, http://Nugent.house.gov. There, you can find more information about my stance on a variety of issues and sign up for "the SITREP," my weekly newsletter that discusses the current issues Congress is considering.






Sincerely,

Richard Nugent
Member of Congress

 

[gandabrenzo]

I knew he was mayor of Hazleton, I'm right down the road. I didnt know that they had banned constrictors though.

 

[hhmoore]

Another response....

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Fish and Wildlife Service's final rule on the constrictor ban. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.

On April 7, 2011, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), a government agency responsible for the management of fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats, filed a final rule with the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) regarding constrictors. This rule, also known as the constrictor ban, adds nine non-native, non-venomous snakes to the Lacey Act's "injurious reptiles" list, therefore making it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, buy or possess any of the listed snakes. On January 17, 2012, the FWS issued the final rule, listing "four nonnative constrictor snakes that threaten the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems across the United States." These included the Burmese python, the yellow anaconda, and the northern and southern African pythons as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. Additionally, five other species listed in previous reports, the reticulated python, boa constrictor, DeSchauensee's anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda, will continue to be considered for listing.

While I am not a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, Judiciary, or Oversight and Government Reform, all of which would most likely have jurisdiction over this issue, rest assured I will continue to monitor this situation closely. Given some of the projected costs of this rule, I do have concerns over enacting it without due congressional oversight or approval.

On a related note, H.R. 10, Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2011 was introduced by Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) and was cosponsored by 204 members of both parties in the House of Representatives. The REINS Act rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval before major rules written by the executive branch take effect. Currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them.

The REINS Act defines a "major rule" as any rule, including an interim final rule, that has resulted in, or is likely to result in, an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in costs or prices, or significant adverse effects on employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or U.S. competitiveness. The bill includes a provision that allows a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without Congressional approval if the President determines the rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement.

I was proud to be a cosponsor of the REINS Act and also to vote in favor of the bill when it passed the House of Representatives on December 7, 2011 with bipartisan support by a vote of 241-184. By our Founding Fathers' intent, it is the role of Congress to make laws and provide federal agencies with their regulatory powers. However, in recent years, several regulations have been issued as a means of skirting our country's law-making process. I do not support the implementation of major regulations with far-reaching effects on economic growth that were not approved by our lawmaking bodies and signed into law.

Thank you, again, for contacting me with your concerns. Please don't hesitate to inform me in the future through my website http://gibson.house.gov or over the phone at (202) 225-5614.

 

[ROBERT SIDERS]

WHEN CONTACTED ,USGS TOLD ME THEY HAD NO HERPETOLOGISTS,ON STAFF SHE REPLIED WE ARE GEOLOGISTS,NEED I SAY MORE