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A Cold Hard Case of Seabird Semantics

Well if you haven’t heard the news that a federal court has upheld protections for the threatened marbled murrelet…now you have.  But what I found most intriguing was the short AP piece released on July 8th that describes the breaking news for this old growth nesting seabird.  As I first read the article I took it simply as an announcement of the decision, especially since it contained no more than 123 words. However, it was the last sentence that spoke volumes  and initiated my ‘WHAT!’ response.

“Partin adds the council continues to believe that food shortages in the ocean are a bigger problem for the birds than limited nesting habitat.” (Associated Press)

Tom Partin of the American Forest Resource Council, was reported to have contributed the above response after learning that the court dismissed the timber industry’s lawsuit aimed at removing murrelet protections in the Pacific Northwest.

The ironic part of the council’s belief is in the term ‘bigger problem.’  So if I understand correctly the American Forest Resource Council does recognize that the felling of old growth trees upon which murrelets need for nesting is still a problem. And if it is indeed a problem in their view then I am left scratching my head as to why the lawsuit to remove the seabird’s protection was justified. Especially since we would not want to compound one problem (ocean food shortage) with another (limited nesting habitat). If this was valid logic I could have avoided a speeding ticket by telling the officer that I was not going as fast as the other cars in front of me.

Speaking about beliefs, I contend that we are witnessing a cold hard case of semantics in which pointing the finger at another industry/issue dismisses your contribution to the problem in an attempt to salvage profits.

 

*The American Forest Resource Council ‘s website includes a member list of 70 logging and timber product companies.

Data: The Center for Responsive Politics (July 9,2009)
Data: The Center for Responsive Politics (July 9,2009)

Original AP Article: Court dismisses challenge to seabird protection

Scott Artishttp://www.journowl.com
Scott serves as Director of Development & Communications for Audubon Canyon Ranch (focusing on preservation, education and conservation science) and has almost fifteen years of experience spanning for-profit and nonprofit sectors in biotech, wildlife conservation and management, communications, and philanthropy. In addition to a strong track record in organizational growth and leadership, he is the founder of Urban Bird Foundation and Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, and presided over ECHO Fund, a coastal protection and restoration organization, as President for four years. Scott holds an M.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Policy, degrees in Micro & Molecular Biology and Environmental Sciences, and has complemented his studies with a Master's certificate in Environmental Resource Management.
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