Wildlife refuge cuts don't make sense

Cuts are planned at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge in Bonners Ferry, and that's a shame.

Cuts are planned at other national wildlife refuges in the region, and that's even more of a shame.

The cuts are in anticipation of the Bush administration's budget recommendations for the coming year. Refuge managers in North Idaho and Eastern Washington have been told to expect 20 percent cuts in staff over the next three years.

That translates into four of the combined 18 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees at the Bonners Ferry refuge as well as the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in northern Spokane County and the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge southeast of Colville in northeastern Washington.

The Bonners Ferry refuge has five staff positions. The cuts mean that when two employees retire during the next few years, they won't be replaced.

The 2,774-acre refuge was established in 1965 to provide critical habitat and nesting grounds for migrating waterfowl. With wetlands, meadows, riparian forests and cultivated agricultural fields, it offers a variety of habitat that attracts more than 300 different species of wildlife.

There's a lot for the staff to do. By trying to save a few pennies by cutting staff positions, we run the risk of losing more than we can afford in the way of programs, Some even fear it could be the beginning of the end of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

I hope not. We all gain when we have a rich, diverse ecosystem in which to play, learn and visit.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.