Number: 1983-21
WHEREAS, throughout history U.S. Presidents and the Congress have wisely provided for establishing Federal Research Stations, Experimental Ranges, Experimental Forests, Wildlife Refuges, and other Federal research and natural areas; and
WHEREAS, these stations provide long-term animal and vegetation research areas representative of a large number of differing native ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, these federal lands provide field laboratories for conducting fundamental and applied research to answer questions about our ecosystems and establishing practices which aid in enhancing the environmental quality of our renewable natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the work of these facilities has substantially improved the standard of living and quality of life in the United Stats; and
WHEREAS, disposal, encroachment, or other activities which would alter or divert these experimental areas for other purposes poses a continual threat to their existence and functions; and
WHEREAS, several federal reserves under management of the United States Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service and Forest Service–and the United States Department of the Interior–Fish and Wildlife Service–are threatened with severe disruption through mineral and petroleum exploration, production and the ancillary activities (e.g., pipelines, railroad); and
WHEREAS, these federal reserves conserve native ecosystems with unique species of vegetation and wildlife which if altered through surface or subsurface disturbances would be irreplaceable changed from their intended use and ecological integrity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1983, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, urges the Congress of the United States to take immediate affirmative action to preserve the physical and biological integrity of these federal properties that are so vital to our Nation’s renewable natural resources;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges congressional action to except these lands from mineral and petroleum exploration, production, or the ancillary activities associated therewith, or any surface disturbance which would alter the intended use.