CLIFFNotes Vol 3 No 26

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Vol 3 • No 26, June 28th, 2008

Its always handy to have a a few bottles filled with water and frozen for those hot summer days. The photographer here seems to have taken a little artistic license and tells us no ferret was harmed in the making of these photos. Apparently the furkid really loves his water bottles though!

Environmental Impact Report Update

Various opinions have emerged amongst those of us putting together the initial research before the EIR is initiated with the state of California. Opinions range from "...based on the research available, we won't need an EIR" to "...let's file it today!"

I favor hiring a particular consultant who had this to say:

First, an EIR is only initiated once an agency is presented with a discretionary action, such as an application for a development permit, the securing of funding, the listing of a species, etc. In this case, the action is an appeal to remove this species from an restricted list. If there is no immediate discretionary action, launching an EIR is not appropriate. That's why I said it was important to decide what avenue would be taken to get the species deregulated - whether via an appeal to CDFG, an act of legislature, etc. If you go the route of an appeal to CDFG, then you, or your representative, need to begin consultation with CDFG immediately. Remember that the EIR, regardless of who prepares it, must be acceptable to, and adopted and certified by, the lead agency (California Department of Fish and Game) as if they had written it themselves, so that CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) compliance is met for the discretionary action in question. Note that the CDFG constantly faces lawsuits over CEQA compliance for other species, so even if CDFG were on your side, the EIR would have to be rigorous and live up to potential law suits from your opponents.

I'd like to get all the people who have been working on this and come up with a compromise - a plan we can all live with. But the differences of opinion are keeping everyone from being focused at this point.

Further, our donor says she will put $5000 up for the EIR right now. She has not decided which strategy is best and sent in:

"I'm having second thoughts about the idea of having several approaches at once to legalization - it may dilute the effort and confuse things. Perhaps its better to start with one approach, assess the obstacles,and move on to another if necessary."

I think we've been counting on one person too much to fund this. If we can come to an agreement, or if I become the group dictator, there will be an appeal for funds coming. The initial cost of the EIR is $10,200, which means we will need to raise another $5,200. There are about 3,200 people recieving this email so I might be asking for a few bucks from everyone next week.

A few comments came in about the EIR - here is the most complete:

I think that it is vital that we do an EIR.

Pros

1. This is how California Government works.

2. Once you have an EIR that backs our opinion, that Ferrets will not harm California’s environment, only a lawsuit can change it.

3. DFG must listen to an EIR – they can challenge it, but from what I hear, they have no money.

4. This issue is not going to move 38 million people, 10 million voters – so proposition is probably the wrong direction. 1 Million signatures is hard to get.

5. If you get the right EIR consultant, California will believe it more than the Bible.

Cons

1. This is not a “do it your self deal”, you must get a well connected and respected consultant.

2. It takes 6 months to a year.

3. On the off chance that DFG challenges it, it will cost money.

I would suggest that you ask for sponsors to pay for a consultant (i.e. Marshall Farms, PetCo etc..). After all they will be benefitting if we are successful. EIRs are not all that difficult the problem is that you want to make yours unassailable.

Just my thoughts,

Mike H

Click on the graphic for more infol

Time Running Out For the LegalizeFerrets.org YouTube Video Contest!!

There's still time to get yout video in for your chance to win:

1st Prize - $500 cash !

Other Prizes:

Marshall Pet Products Gift Assortment
$25 gift certificate from Dr Fosters and Smith
$25 gift certificate from Pingsford Porridge
Lifetime supply of chew weasels and foam fries ~ thank you Hyperfur!
$50 gift certificate from Dr Rene Gandolfi at the Castro Valley Companion Animal Hospital

If you have submitted a video and don't see it on the http://www.legalizeferrets.org/, please let me know! The deadline is July 4th, voting is by subscribers to CLIFFNotes the next week.

We have seen an increase in sign ups - so maybe this contest is working in getting more people involved in ferret legalization. To be honest, I don't see the sterling video we were hoping for - so be creative and make those videos. Please see our rules first!

Videos must be uploaded on YouTube between now and July 4th 2008
They must reference the LegalizeFerrets.org video contest and put a link to www.legalizeferrets.org
Voting will start on July 5th and end on July 12th and is open to CLIFFNotes subscribers only - but people can subscribe at any time.
First place is $500 cash. Additional prizesare being donated by companies and ferret supporters. Please contact us if you would like to donate a prize
Everyone submitting their videos will allow their videos to be freely distributed on the Internet without concern to copyrights.
Email CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.orgwith the YouTube url of the video you have posted.

Senate Bill 1424 Causes a Little Concern

A Bill authored by Senator Machado making it easier for the state to ban certain animals caused a proliferation of email early in the week. It all started with this:

Hi, I'm letting as many people as I can reach know about a bill in California to further outlaw ferrets in our state.... it's called SB1424 by Senator Mike Machado.... please help me sound the alarm! Ask the Governator for a veto on SB1424!

Here's a link to the bill: http://leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1401-1450/sb_1424_bill_20080527_amended_asm_v98.html

Senator Machado is not a friend of ferrets. He seems to be very interested in Big Agriculture. But all this bill would do is move ferrets from one prohibited list and put them on another. It is a "reorganization of listings" according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

Ferret Confiscated At the Border

I received this email I would like to share with everyone to show the emotional pain we endure because of the ferret ban.

Hi,
I was returning from a trip to Texas, my mother had gotten me a beautiful 5 month- old sable ferret.
Upon crossing the California border, my Ferret (Jack) was taken from me. My son was in tears and I was dumbstruck! I insisted on seeing the "list" and was surprised to see parakeets and many other common house pets on it. I am dismayed not only for the loss of Jack but more importantly for the loss of personal freedom indicated by this incident. Are we living in the land of the free or a police state? Fish and game has ferrets listed as "wild animals" to my knowledge ferrets have been domestic for over 2,000 years. It is too late for Jack, he is up for adoption in Yuma, Arizona, I do hope and pray for an end to such inviro-gestapo tactics.
Respectfully,
Stephen V.

More Member Photos:


	Send in your photos, videos, comments, etc. This newsletter is a lot more fun when we get submissions from readers!

Pet Sitter Needed

Can anyone in the San Jose, Santa Cruz or Castroville do some ferret sitting? If so, I will forward the info to our person in need. Dates needed are July 3rd to July 12th.

In Conclusion

Thank you everyone for continuing to support ferret legalization in California. Our numbers are growing - but next week when I will probably be asking for a few bucks for the Environmental Impact Report we'll see how much commitment is really out there.

We're not getting any younger - let's legalize these little guys!

Pat Wright
CLIFFNotes Editor
CLIFFNotes@legalizeferrets.org
(619) 303-0645

Lance M.
Founder, OCFerrets /
President, Ferrets Anonymous
Website: http://www.ocferrets.org/
OCF Email: info@ocferrets.org
(949) 303-8481