Nebraska Wildlife Reserves

April 1, 1986 Resolutions

Number: 1986-03

 

WHEREAS, the agricultural economy of Nebraska is in disarray and depression, with rapidly declining farm land values, farm bankruptcies and a declining business structure in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, Nebraska has millions of acres of unique geological features which could be protected as large reserves; and

WHEREAS, one of the world’s largest concentrations of waterfowl, which uses the U.S. Central Flyway for annual migrations and largely depend on these unique geological features and offer some of the world’s finest opportunities for hunting and viewing waterfowl; and

WHEREAS, Nebraska has fascinating Old West history and attractions which, in conjunction with the annual waterfowl migrations and other opportunities to view wildlife, would attract tourists, thereby creating new businesses and jobs; and

WHEREAS, the creation of natural wildlife reserves in Nebraska would help stimulate this process; and

WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers selling their lands to create such large reserves could retain their homesteads, buildings, equipment and livestock to help them create new businesses to serve tourists and allow them to remain on the land; and

WHEREAS, the purchase of several million acres of farm and ranch land, from willing sellers, would slow the downward spiral of land values, place a floor on agricultural land prices and thereby help restore the agricultural economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 20-23, 1986, in Seattle, Washington, urges the Nebraska state legislature to establish quasi-independent, non-profit corporations to serve as authorities to issue bonds, buy, sell and trade land, acquire easements and enter joint ventures with private industry and private non-profit organizations to create natural wildlife reserves and to protect unique geological features while simultaneously helping to tap the tourism potential of these areas for creating new jobs and businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the land acquired would serve as security for long-term bonds and repayment of the bonds would come from:

  1. Grazing fees and other rental fees of land deemed usable for certain farming practices within the guidelines of good range management for wildlife on the reserves;
  2. User fees from visitors to attractions, parks, recreation areas and other areas within the reserve;
  3. License fees for concessions allowed within the reserves;
  4. Private donations from state and national groups, corporations and individuals to be used especially to build the infrastructure of wildlife viewing facilities and recreational support equipment;
  5. Special hunting, trapping and fishing licenses created for the reserve, in conjunction with good game management practices; and
  6. Future sale of non-essential land, as land values appreciate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, since there is an urgent need for this program and reserves should be created as soon as possible, private non-profit authorities be established outside state government to accomplish the above goals, should the state legislature not take appropriate action in 1986.