| Summary: | Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society). ) CHOKECANYONLAWSillT Following approval by the BAS Board of Directors at a special meeting held in March, on March 30, 1988, Bexar Audubon Society filed suit in federal district court in Corpus Christi, along with the Coastal Bt::nd Audubon Society and the Choke Canyon Preservatwn Association, against officials of the federal Bureau of Reclamation, the federal Bureau of Prisons, and the General Services Administration. That suit seeks to set aside the transfer from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Prisons of about 300 acres ofland across the highway from Choke Canyon State Park and to force the Bureau of Reclamation to acquire approximately 8,500 acres of wildlife habitat to replace that lost when Choke Canyon Reservoir was built. Although a 1977 interdepartment~l agreement between Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service required Reclamation to acquire the additional land, Reclamation has not made reasonable efforts to comply with that requirement. Reclamation rubbed salt in the wound when in late 1986 they transferred 300 acres of good brushlan.d habitat, orginally acquired as part of the Reservmr project, to the Bureau of Prisons as the site for a federal medium-security prison across the highway from the recently opened State Park. The suit alleges violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Act which requires environmental impact statements, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Although the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act expressly requires mitigation of the loss of wildlife habitat resulting from federal water projects, the Bureau of Reclamation consistently has failed to comply with these requirements. Bexar Audubon Society, along with the other plaintiffs, hopes to force Reclamation to provide for the management of the 300-acre tract as wildlife habitat and to force them to acquire mitigation lands in the Choke Canyon area. In addition, a victory would establish good legal precedent to force federal agencies to comply with mitigation requirements in relation to other existing and planned federal water projects. You will be kept informed of developments as they occur. g;acRs E, 1988 BAS GENERAL MEETING "Zoologica ation" Corky Witt, San Anto · Zoo June 16, 1988, 7:30p.m. Ruble Center Corky Witt, Education Coordinator at the San Antonio Zoo, will share with us information on the public education prog.rams at the Zoo. ~erhaps you think the Zoo educatton program conststs solely of docents talking to grade-school children about various animals. True, but there is so much more! In addition to the volunteers so important to this effort, there are programs offered for both children and adults, sp~cial events featuring various birds, mammals and rept1les, workshops for elementary and secondary teachers, presentations on various animal topics, student field trips and animal behavioral studies. So join us fo.r this meeting and see what fun and educattonal opportunities await you at the San Antonio Zoo! AUDUBON TV GUIDE Be sure to watch the World of Audubon Special, "Countdown to Zero", with Martin Sheen narrating, on June 6, 9, 18 and 27 broadcast on SuperStation TBS. Consult your TV guide for local times. Audubon's series of specials on wildlife and nature, originally broadcast on cable SuperStation TBS, are coming to PBS this summer on Sunday evenings. The schedule is: June 26 - "Grizzly and Man: Uneasy Truce" (narrated by Robert Redford); July 3-"On the Edge of Extinction: Panthers and Cheetahs" (narrated by Loretta Swit); July 10-"Wood Stork: Barometer of the Everglades" (narrated by Richard Crenna); July 17 - "Whales!" (narrated by Johnny Carson); July 24 - "Messages From the Birds" (narrated by Martin Sheen); July 31 - "Galapagos: My Fragile World" (narrated by Cliff Robertson); August 7 - "Common Ground: Farming and Wildlife" (narrated by Dennis Weaver); and August 14 - "Ducks Under Siege" (narrated by John Heard). · --- · NOTICE During the month of April, and possibly March, the recording device on the BAS telephone answering machine was not functioning properly. If, during that time, you called and left a message and did not receive a reply, please accept our apologies. Should you still have a question or need information, please call again- 822-4503. CONSERVATION UPDATES TPWD and GLO begin a joint venture: the first two units of the Texas Coastal Preserve System, leased by TPWD, were approved last month -one unit of marsh near Port Isabel and one near Port Lavaca. TPWD acquires two new natural areas one adjacent to Honey Creek and one near the Devil's River. USFWS rejects the San Antonio Water Board's mitigation proposal relative to the loss of wild! ife habitat if the proposed Applewhite Reservoir IS constructed. NONGAME WILDLIFE PROGRAMS Texans are invited to make a "Natural Investment in Wildlife" to enhance the future of nongame and endangered species. This investment can be done in several ways, including the purchase of art prints, decals and stamps, or tax-deductible donations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Special Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Fund. "Eve_ry year, ~?~ethan ~0 millior?- Texans engage in re~re~twnal acttvi~tes that mvolve simply appreciating wildlife, much of It nongame and especially sensitive species", said Dr. Bruce Thompson, nongame and endangered species program director. "If only onetenth of those Texans made an annual investment of $5, it would bring $5 million to the fund." The special fund, created by the Texas Endangered Species Act in 1973, may be used for research, man~e!llent and conservation of nongame species, acqUisition and development of their habitat and dissemination of information about nongame species. Prog~ams planned for the future include (1) restoratiOn and enhancement of key habitats for threatened and endangered species, (2) reintroduction of extirpated species, (3) improved law enforcement capabilities,.( 4) cooperative research and management projects among local civic groups and conservation interests, (5) increased audio-visual education and informati~n materials for Texas school systems, and (6) matchmg programs to obtain additional federal support for threatened and endangered species management. To purchase your art prints, decals and stamps, please call Susan Rust at 826-4698 for further information. SA ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION MEETING June 15, 1988 7:30 p.m., Read Strernrnel Gallery John Hamilton, Director of the Texas Conservation Foundation, and Charles Jordan, Director of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and a member of the President's Commission on Americans in the Outdoors, will speak on the recommendations of this President's Committee and how they might relate to San Antonio's Open Space and Parks Planning. Don't miss this important meeting; \ ACT HIGHLIGHTS The Audubon Council of Texas met at South Padre Island on May 20-22, guests of Frontera Audubor Society. Thelma Nungesser and Pat Honsberger were representatives from BAS. Dr. Bruce Thompson, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dep~rtment, gave a very encouraging report on the special nongame and endangered species fund. During the coming months the public will become more a ware of these programs through literature distributed in various state parks, through TV production (especially the "Made in Texas" show), and through newspaper and magazine articles. More importantly, the entire TPWD has committed itself to devoting more resources to the program and becoming more knowledgeable about the needs of nongame species. (See "Nongame Wildlife Programs" article elsewhere in this newsletter.) Jane Lyons was introduced as our new NAS Regional Representative. She will report to our Regional Vice President, Dede Armentrout. Jane was previously the Director of the Natural Science Center in Austin and has served in many capacities in the Travis Audubon Society. We hope to have her as our gues~ soon so we can all get better acquainted with her. Wilma Anderson, our representative on National Audubon Society's board of directors, summarized her many activities; she has agree to run again for this position in the fall (for a 3-year term). Dede Armentrout summarized important environmental bills and appropriations that are of concern to us. Watch future newsletters for more on this subject. And: during a visit to the Pan American University Manne Lab, Dr. Frank Judd explained some of the unique problems of South Padre and the Laguna Madre. All was not business, however! This fine weekend started on Friday evening with an open house at Ann Drefke's beautiful home; included lunch on Saturday (featuring "delicacies of the sea"), again at Ann's· a Mexican Fiesta supper poolside at the Holiday I~n; and concluded with a most interesting program by Cyndy Chapman (the National Audubon Society 1987 Conservationist of the Year) bringing us up to date on the Rio Grande Wildlife Corridor. To finish off a perfect weekend, a variety of field trips was offered on Sunday for those who wished to attend. BAS extends thanks to all the people of Frontera Audubon Society who made this weekend such an enjoyable one for all who attended. THANKS to DAVID DUNLAP, of the Texas Highway Department, for enlightening our group on native plant management along our Texas highways at our May general meeting. to all our BIRDATHON PARTICIPANTS, both spotters and sponsors. Thanks to your efforts, $2,055 was raised this year! to our members who volunteered their "goodies" and their help for our annual yard sale. ;I SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE Santa Fe, New Mexico August 5-7, 1988 Think about wildlife and habitat; talk about your favorite issues; learn about nationwide efforts to save wetlands, forests, critical migratory pathways, endangered species; help develop national and regional strategies to improve habitat for wildlife and for people. Enjoy morning bird walks and distant field trips in some of the most strikingly beautiful scenic areas of the southwest. Come to the regional conference in the cool mountains of New Mexico. What better way to usher in August, 1988! We will meet on the campus of St. John's University, and reasonably priced dormitory rooms are available on a first-registered, first-served basis, so get your reservations in early! A room and three meals adayfor a semi-private room will be $35.00 per day per person; while a private room and three meals .a day will run $45.00 per day. There are only 250 dormitory accommodations available. Should you prefer motel or hotel accommodations, we advise making your reservation as soon as possible. If you stay off campus, meals can be taken with your fellow conferees on campus by purchasing meal tickets in advance. Children's workshops and child care (under 6 years of age) are also planned. Conference registration will be $20.00 until July 1. So come and participate in this important meeting! Meet Audubon's president, Peter Berle; national )oard members from this and other regions; chapter leaders from across the region; Audubon staff from across the country; conservation leaders from other organizations; state and federal agency administrators. Put faces with their names, and become known by them. We11 be working together to help wildlife. We need you! For further information, please contact Pat ·Honsberger, 695-8254. CONSERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT May, 1988 Marge Flandermeyer reported that the peregrine falcon program in Big Bend seems to be under better control this year, and the new park superintendent appears to be more concerned about the birds' welfare. Volunteer monitors are needed to watch the nests during the nesting season. Contact Marge for more information, 684-2668. Bruce Aird reported that he, Susan Rust, Eric Lautzenheiser and Nathan Ratner attended the meeting on the black-capped vireo which was held in Austin in May. Concern was expressed that San Antonio really doesn't know what the population of vireos in Bexar County is because so few people are out looking for the birds. It was proposed that BAS (and perhaps San Antonio Audubon Society) sponsor an "Introduction to the Black-capped Vireo" workshop in late winter to help interested people learn more about the bird and its habitat in Bexar County. Call Susan Rust for more information, 826-4698. Dixie Watkins reported that the San Antonio Open Space Task Force is nearly ready to make its recommendations to the city. Everyone is encouraged to contact his I her council person expressing support for the open space planning concept. The recommendations are expected to be presented to Council by the first part of July. For more information, call Dixie at 695-3357. • Ruth Lofgren reported that the city may obtain an emergency permit to direct water from the Leon Creek Treatment Plant to Mitchell Lake in an effort to slow the drying-up process. In the meanwhile, the Biozed in situ sludge treatment (neutralization) seems to be going pretty well. Recommendations to the city will be to undertake a sequenced approach to both the cleanup and development process, to replace the dam, to maintain Bird Pond, Skip's Pond and additional areas for waterfowl, and to bring the quality of the water in the main lake to that suitable for non-contact recreation. For further information, call 732-5392. ••••••••I•ll•!••••·•-·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·• •·•·•·•·•·•·•·•-• THOUSANDS BOYCOTT SHRIMP! Once again, the integrity of the Endangered Species Act is under fire. A group of Louisiana shrimpers has succeeded in obtaining an injunction that allows Texas and Louisiana shrimpers to continue killing endangered sea turtles with impunity. The Houston Audubon Society has joined a number of conservation groups in calling for a complete boycott of all shrimp originating in Texas or Louisiana until the regulations requiring shrimpers to install Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on their nets are fully implemented and enforced. While an individual shrimper may only catch one turtle every few years, this still amounts to thousands per year when the number of shrimp boats in the Gulf is taken into account. At the present rate of decline, any delay in TED implementation could result in the extinction of Kemp's Ridley sea turtles in a very short time: TEDs are not dangerous or expensive; newer models wight as little as 9 pounds and cost as little as $25 -- a small price to pay to preserve a species. In addition to saving sea turtles, TEDs also reduce bycatch, the large quantity of redfish, sea trout and other edible fish which are caught and die while the shrimpers remove the shrimp. The bycatch may run up to 90% of the haul. If you would like to help this cause, write a letter or make a phone call to both Senator Bentsen and Senator Gramm urging them to (1) demand that the ESA Reauthorization Bill (S.675) be put before the Senate for a vote, and (2) support reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act without any amendments and especially without any amendment delaying use of TEDs. If our Senators don't hear from us, they may well do the shrimpers' bidding and give endangered turtles, such as Kemp's Ridley, a big push toward extinction. Incidentally, there are two interesting articles on this topic in the June issue of Texas Monthly--"Swimming to Oblivion", which stresses the decline of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, and "Better TED Than Dead", some shrimpers' point of view. CALENDAR JUNE 11 2nd Saturday at Friedrich Park, "Insects and Spiders of the Hill Country", BYO picnic, 6:00 p.m.; Kathy Oliver, 533-1415. 15 BAS Conservation Committee meeting, 7:00 p.m., Read Stremmel Gallery. 15 SA Coalition Meeting, "San Antonians Outdoors", Charles Jordan, Austin Parks & Recreation, and John Hamilton, Texas Conservation Foundation; 7:30 p.m., Read Stremme1 Gallery, 100 West Olmos. 16 BAS general meeting, "Zoological Education", Corky Witt; 7:30 p.m., Ruble Center. 18 San Marcos River tubing and aquatic vegetation outing, 9:00 a.m.; Margaret Souby, 648-7857. 25-26 Honey Creek work weekend; contact Luke Thompson (TPWD), 820-0982. 28 Native Plant Society meeti~.: ·~,~e-'~ulbs", / 7:00 p.m., Ruble Center. );~ 28 Regional water plan hearing, Convention Center, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. JULY 5 Corps of Engineers hearing on proposed Applewhite Reservoir, Convention Center, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. 9 2nd Saturday, Friedrich Park.-V~ 14 BAS board meeting, 1032 Shook, 7:30 p.m. 16 "Bats and Botanizing" (BAS/NPS outing), Leslie Ranch and railroad tunnel, 2:00 p.m., Pen Foods parking lot, BYO picnic. For information call 826-4698 or 824-1235. 21 BAS general meeting, "Problems, Pleasures and Progress at the Park", Eric Lautzenheiser, Friedrich Park manager, 7:30 p.m., Ruble Center. AUDUBON SOCIE1Y P.O. BOX 60R4 ·SAN ANTONIO, TEXA.<; 7H209 ~IH(., , f3 • COMING OUTINGS ~ ,~ Join us for tubing and an introduction to aquatrr· vegetatio?- on the San Marcos River on Saturday, Ju -~ 18. We Will meet at 9:00a.m. at the NBC Bank parkin . · ' lot at Perrin-Beitel and Loop 410 on the southeast ~ corner inside the Loop to carpool to San Marcos for a leisurely float down the river. Bring footgearfor water, sun screen, water clothes (swimsuit, etc.), picnic lunch, and money for tube rental. We should see lots of unless you want it! Call Margaret Souby at 648-7857 interesting aquatic flora and fauna, and no whitewater ( for further information. ALERT! There will be a BAS planning meeting held on August 20 for all interested BAS members. The location has not yet been determined. Watch future "Bexar Tracks" for more details. ¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥ BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY OFFICERS AND BOARD Thelma Nungesser, President Nora Driver, Vice President Betty Hughes, Secretary Marge Flandermeyer, Treasurer Russell Smith Manuel Flores Pat Honsberger Nancy Kent Rick Mudd Committee Chairman 824-8199 826-8531 824-5375 684-2668 734-7184 599-1110 695-8254 824-8199 496-579 Conservation, Susan Rust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 826-4698 Education, Betty Minyard . 344-6128 Finance, Mary Anne Moses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 826-6562 Membership, Russell Smith . 734-7184 Newsletter Editor, Pat Honsberger . 695-8254 Outings, Stu and Nettie Birnbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 695-2646 Programs, Margaret Souby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 648-7857 Publicity, Nancy Kent . 824-8199 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Permit No. 590 tf/i!;{P ?'fr/d. tl~¢ 1//o
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