Posted on June 27 at 11:45 a.m.

After being inspired by Matt Kettmann's story on the California condor recovery program that appeared in the Independent in 2010, I've followed this story for a documentary film on the program and the condor, Shadow of the Condor (facebook.com/condordoc).

Contrary to what some might have you believe, If lead was to be removed from the environment, condors would do just fine. I can tell you that this is an incredibly resilient species. It makes it's living off of the remains of naturally occurring dead animals, including range animals like cattle as well as hunter shot game including feral pigs and the remains of kills that are left in the field as "gut piles".

The NRA would have you believe that removing lead from ammunition is another attrition of second amendment rights. This is the kind of inflammatory logic they use to drive membership and the "us vs. them" positioning they thrive upon. The irony is that hunters play an absolutely key role in the future survival of the species. As the apex predator, hunters provide a significant food source for condors, eagles, turkey vultures and an entire range of scavenging animals. If fragments of lead did not occur in carrion, those animals would all be better off, as would we.

On Lead Kills Condors

Posted on March 29 at 10:49 a.m.

I've been up to take a look at the area along West Camino Cielo where the brush clearing is occurring and I can tell you with certainty that this is not a bird-friendly habitat enhancement activity. I lived through the Tea Fire and defended my home in Sycamore Canyon against a wildfire so this is a topic near to my heart. I know there to be value in some of what the Forest Service is doing. However, the law on migratory bird habitat protection certainly applies here and the Forest Service is not above that statute. So what's the issue? It's illegal. Forest Watch has pointed this out. The forest Service has blown it off. Forest Watch has threatened legal action. The Forest Service is digging in their heels with a "frivolous distraction from our duties" argument. You know what? Tough sh**t. Adhere to the law or be held accountable. It's a wonderful system we have here in America where citizen suits are explicitly written into environmental law for precisely this kind of reason. As public servants the forest Service should be setting an example for all of us on sensitivity to the environment they are mandated to protect.

On Fuel Break Squabble