FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, February 18, 1998
CONTACT:
Michael Markarian, 301-585-2591, mmarkarian@fund.org
Bonnie Holba, 314-398-8388
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI -- In an 8-page comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a group of animal protection organizations and Missouri citizens criticized the Draft Environmental Assessment for the management of white-tailed deer at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. The wildlife advocates claim that the proposed killing of deer violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, and should be immediately halted.
The groups also pointed out that the Draft Environmental Assessment failed to justify the need for the proposed action and did not provide sufficient site-specific data on the deer population and its impacts to substantiate the need for sharpshooting or other lethal management techniques. In addition, it did not provide sufficient analysis of the impacts of the proposed action on the deer population, employees of the cemetery, people who enjoy observing deer, and local residents.
Wildlife biologist D.J. Schubert wrote in the letter criticizing the Draft Environmental Assessment, "Much of its analysis is speculative and appears to be designed to set forth a worst-case' scenario for which there is no supporting evidence. Its consideration and analysis of alternatives is also deficient and biased towards the use of lethal techniques to reduce the deer population."
Michael Markarian, director of campaigns for The Fund for Animals, said, "The sacredness of a cemetery should be treated with peace and tranquility. It is a ghoulish idea to allow sharpshooters to trample over graves and disturb the peace of the dead with the sound of gunfire."
Bonnie Holba, founder of the All Creatures Animal Sanctuary and a member of the St. Louis Animal Rights Team, added, "Local residents do not want to see our deer killed. There are humane ways to solve deer problems, including repellents, fencing, roadside reflectors, and reduced speed limits.
Groups signing onto the letter include The Fund for Animals, a national animal protection organization with 3,000 Missouri members, and the All Creatures Animal Sanctuary, based in Foristell, Missouri. Copies of the 8-page letter and its attachments are available upon request.