NEWS
NOVEMBER 16 2016
RCP HAS MET THEIR GOAL FOR DEER DENSITY. ISN'T IT TIME TO STOP THE KILLING?
We sent this letter to NPS yesterday by our lawyers Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks LLP
Sally Jewell, Secretary
United States Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Tara D. Morrison, Superintendent
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Lane, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-1207
Bob Vogel, Regional Director
National Capital Region
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, D.C. 20242
Re: Request for Supplemental Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act Regarding
Lethal Control of White-tailed Deer in Rock Creek Park
Dear Secretary Jewell, Director Jarvis, Superintendent Morrison, and Director Vogel:
I am writing on behalf of several individuals who live near Rock Creek Park, including
Anne and John Barton, Carol Grunewald, Mary Rowse, Robert Love, Joan Schaffner, Margarita
Fallin, Luigi Toma, Jean Collison, and Susan Pizza. On their behalf, I request that the National
Park Service (“NPS”) conduct a supplemental review under the National Environmental Policy
Act (“NEPA”), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., of the need for the lethal control of white-tailed deer in
Rock Creek Park before engaging in any such additional control this year and in the future. As
explained below, such review is required by NEPA and the Council of Environmental Quality
(“CEQ”) regulations that implement that statute.
A. The Park Service’s Current Lethal Management Control Program
Since 2013, the NPS has been implementing a “white-tailed deer management strategy”
in Rock Creek Park – a national park located in Washington, D.C. As explained by the Record
of Decision (“ROD”) for that program, the purpose of the strategy is to “support[] long-term
protection, preservation, and restoration of native vegetation and other natural and cultural
resources in Rock Creek Park. (ROD at 1).
Several of my clients previously brought litigation against NPS challenging this program as unnecessary, particularly in light of the voluminous evidence demonstrating that any problem with native forest regeneration is caused not by the native deer in the Park, but rather by the overgrowth of non-native invasive plant species that has
existed now for decades in the Park and is only getting worse. Some of my clients also sent a
Petition to the agency on August 5, 2013, requesting the NPS to halt further lethal control based
on an extensive scientific analysis by Dr. Oswald Schmitz, Director of Yale University’s
Institute for Biospheric Studies, showing that deer are not preventing the Rock Creek Park forest
from regenerating, and that a much more serious threat to the Park’s native vegetation is the
increasing number of invasive exotic plants choking the Park’s vegetation, which is also forcing
the deer to leave the Park in search of food, resulting in an increased risk of car collisions and
damage to neighboring landscaping. A copy of that Petition, which is hereby incorporated by
reference, can be found at http://www.savetherockcreekparkdeer.com/.
Despite the evidence that invasive plant species are the more serious threat to native
vegetation, the ROD stated that the purpose of the deer management program was to establish a
deer density in “the range of 15 to 20 deer per square mile” which the NPS believed would in
turn allow for “successful forest regeneration.” ROD at 2. The agency further informed the
public that “[b]ecause the goal of the action is to manage for successful forest regeneration
within the park, the results of removal will be documented through monitoring of forest
regeneration,” and that “[i]f monitoring indicates that vegetation is not regenerating, then
management actions can be adjusted.” ROD at 4 (emphasis added).
B. Because the Deer Density Is Now Within the Desired Goal, the Agency
Should Not Continue to Kill this Wildlife Without Analyzing Whether Any
Additional Lethal Control is Actually Needed to Address Any Forest
Regeneration Problem.
According to documents we recently received under the Freedom of Information Act
(“FOIA”), the deer density as of December 2015 – the most recent data provided to us – was 19
per square mile. See Attachment. Thus, the agency has reached the deer density objective that
was the basis for the lethal control program.
Unfortunately, although we have also requested such information under FOIA we have
not been provided data regarding forest regeneration in the Park. However, we suspect that if
such data exist they do not demonstrate that the deer are responsible for thwarting such
regeneration – i.e., based on Dr. Schmitz’ analysis and the agency’s own historical data, we
would be surprised if the agency can demonstrate a positive effect on forest regeneration as a
result of the lethal reduction of deer over the last three years. This is because, as far as we can
ascertain, the agency has done very little to address the invasive plant species problem, which is
the true source of any problem with native forest regeneration.
In any event, now that the agency has reached the desired deer density that was the basis
for the lethal management decision, it certainly should not continue to kill this native wildlife –
or reduce the desired deer density objective – unless and until it has a basis for doing so, which
would require supplemental analysis and review under NEPA, with appropriate public input.
The CEQ regulations provide that agencies “shall prepare supplements” to final
environmental impact statements if “[t]he agency makes substantial changes in the proposed
action that are relevant to environmental concerns,” or “[t]here are significant new circumstances
or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its
impact.” 40 C.F.R. § 1502.9(c)(1)(i)-(ii). Although “an agency need not supplement an EIS
every time new information comes to light,” Marsh v. Oregon Nat. Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360,
373 (1989), it must do so when “new information provides a seriously different picture of the
environmental landscape.” Nat’l Comm. for the New River v. FERC, 373 F.3d 1323, 1330 (D.C.
Cir. 2004) (emphasis added).
We believe that the fact that the agency has reached the desired deer density that was the
basis for the lethal control program, coupled with the fact that there has been no significant
change in forest regeneration, demonstrates that deer were not and are not the cause of any
interference with forest regeneration in this Park. Therefore, the Park Service is certainly faced
with a “seriously different picture of the environmental landscape” – since the present facts
undermine the entire basis for this extraordinary action to begin with – i.e. killing native wildlife
in this Park for the first time in its 120-year history. Accordingly, pursuant to NEPA and the
CEQ regulations, the agency must not continue with this action – or now reduce the desired deer
density – unless and until it prepares a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement justifying
such a course of action.
Conclusion
As the Park Service traditionally engages in lethal deer control beginning in December of
each year, we request a response to this letter by no later than the end of the day, November 25,
2016 so that we can assess whether to take any further action.
Sincerely,
Katherine A. Meyer
cc: Eleanor Holmes Norton
Chris Van Hollen
Jamie Raskin
RCP HAS MET THEIR GOAL FOR DEER DENSITY. ISN'T IT TIME TO STOP THE KILLING?
We sent this letter to NPS yesterday by our lawyers Meyer Glitzenstein & Eubanks LLP
Sally Jewell, Secretary
United States Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Tara D. Morrison, Superintendent
Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Lane, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-1207
Bob Vogel, Regional Director
National Capital Region
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, D.C. 20242
Re: Request for Supplemental Review Under the National Environmental Policy Act Regarding
Lethal Control of White-tailed Deer in Rock Creek Park
Dear Secretary Jewell, Director Jarvis, Superintendent Morrison, and Director Vogel:
I am writing on behalf of several individuals who live near Rock Creek Park, including
Anne and John Barton, Carol Grunewald, Mary Rowse, Robert Love, Joan Schaffner, Margarita
Fallin, Luigi Toma, Jean Collison, and Susan Pizza. On their behalf, I request that the National
Park Service (“NPS”) conduct a supplemental review under the National Environmental Policy
Act (“NEPA”), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., of the need for the lethal control of white-tailed deer in
Rock Creek Park before engaging in any such additional control this year and in the future. As
explained below, such review is required by NEPA and the Council of Environmental Quality
(“CEQ”) regulations that implement that statute.
A. The Park Service’s Current Lethal Management Control Program
Since 2013, the NPS has been implementing a “white-tailed deer management strategy”
in Rock Creek Park – a national park located in Washington, D.C. As explained by the Record
of Decision (“ROD”) for that program, the purpose of the strategy is to “support[] long-term
protection, preservation, and restoration of native vegetation and other natural and cultural
resources in Rock Creek Park. (ROD at 1).
Several of my clients previously brought litigation against NPS challenging this program as unnecessary, particularly in light of the voluminous evidence demonstrating that any problem with native forest regeneration is caused not by the native deer in the Park, but rather by the overgrowth of non-native invasive plant species that has
existed now for decades in the Park and is only getting worse. Some of my clients also sent a
Petition to the agency on August 5, 2013, requesting the NPS to halt further lethal control based
on an extensive scientific analysis by Dr. Oswald Schmitz, Director of Yale University’s
Institute for Biospheric Studies, showing that deer are not preventing the Rock Creek Park forest
from regenerating, and that a much more serious threat to the Park’s native vegetation is the
increasing number of invasive exotic plants choking the Park’s vegetation, which is also forcing
the deer to leave the Park in search of food, resulting in an increased risk of car collisions and
damage to neighboring landscaping. A copy of that Petition, which is hereby incorporated by
reference, can be found at http://www.savetherockcreekparkdeer.com/.
Despite the evidence that invasive plant species are the more serious threat to native
vegetation, the ROD stated that the purpose of the deer management program was to establish a
deer density in “the range of 15 to 20 deer per square mile” which the NPS believed would in
turn allow for “successful forest regeneration.” ROD at 2. The agency further informed the
public that “[b]ecause the goal of the action is to manage for successful forest regeneration
within the park, the results of removal will be documented through monitoring of forest
regeneration,” and that “[i]f monitoring indicates that vegetation is not regenerating, then
management actions can be adjusted.” ROD at 4 (emphasis added).
B. Because the Deer Density Is Now Within the Desired Goal, the Agency
Should Not Continue to Kill this Wildlife Without Analyzing Whether Any
Additional Lethal Control is Actually Needed to Address Any Forest
Regeneration Problem.
According to documents we recently received under the Freedom of Information Act
(“FOIA”), the deer density as of December 2015 – the most recent data provided to us – was 19
per square mile. See Attachment. Thus, the agency has reached the deer density objective that
was the basis for the lethal control program.
Unfortunately, although we have also requested such information under FOIA we have
not been provided data regarding forest regeneration in the Park. However, we suspect that if
such data exist they do not demonstrate that the deer are responsible for thwarting such
regeneration – i.e., based on Dr. Schmitz’ analysis and the agency’s own historical data, we
would be surprised if the agency can demonstrate a positive effect on forest regeneration as a
result of the lethal reduction of deer over the last three years. This is because, as far as we can
ascertain, the agency has done very little to address the invasive plant species problem, which is
the true source of any problem with native forest regeneration.
In any event, now that the agency has reached the desired deer density that was the basis
for the lethal management decision, it certainly should not continue to kill this native wildlife –
or reduce the desired deer density objective – unless and until it has a basis for doing so, which
would require supplemental analysis and review under NEPA, with appropriate public input.
The CEQ regulations provide that agencies “shall prepare supplements” to final
environmental impact statements if “[t]he agency makes substantial changes in the proposed
action that are relevant to environmental concerns,” or “[t]here are significant new circumstances
or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its
impact.” 40 C.F.R. § 1502.9(c)(1)(i)-(ii). Although “an agency need not supplement an EIS
every time new information comes to light,” Marsh v. Oregon Nat. Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360,
373 (1989), it must do so when “new information provides a seriously different picture of the
environmental landscape.” Nat’l Comm. for the New River v. FERC, 373 F.3d 1323, 1330 (D.C.
Cir. 2004) (emphasis added).
We believe that the fact that the agency has reached the desired deer density that was the
basis for the lethal control program, coupled with the fact that there has been no significant
change in forest regeneration, demonstrates that deer were not and are not the cause of any
interference with forest regeneration in this Park. Therefore, the Park Service is certainly faced
with a “seriously different picture of the environmental landscape” – since the present facts
undermine the entire basis for this extraordinary action to begin with – i.e. killing native wildlife
in this Park for the first time in its 120-year history. Accordingly, pursuant to NEPA and the
CEQ regulations, the agency must not continue with this action – or now reduce the desired deer
density – unless and until it prepares a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement justifying
such a course of action.
Conclusion
As the Park Service traditionally engages in lethal deer control beginning in December of
each year, we request a response to this letter by no later than the end of the day, November 25,
2016 so that we can assess whether to take any further action.
Sincerely,
Katherine A. Meyer
cc: Eleanor Holmes Norton
Chris Van Hollen
Jamie Raskin
● FEBRUARY 7 2015, YESTERDAY'S PROTEST AGAINST KILLING MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEER : A young advocate joined us! See story and video
● JANUARY 21, 2015: COURT DECIDES AGAINST ROCK CREEK DEER
Yesterday, the Court of Appeals issued its decision in agreement with the lower court, citing the need to defer to the National Park Service on technical, policy, and interpretation issues. This practice of deferring to the Agency allows the National Park Service to get away with extreme bias, deception and scientific distortion. Until the NPS is required to get an independent science review from a respected Agency such as the National Academy of Sciences we cannot hope to get a valid review of the NPS’s analysis leading to the Rock Creek Park bait-and-shoot killings. ● December 10, 2014: KILLING STARTED. LATE NIGHT PROTEST
Wildlife Services were out killing deer on Monday and Tuesday nights December 8 and 9. Some of us were out protesting on the 9th until after midnight. Our surveillance team discovered the activity in the evening and we were able to get out before 10. A few hardy souls kept going until well after midnight. Sign up for alerts to be notified when we find the killing is going on and call an emergency protest. |
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● November 26, 2014: Last winter’s deer killed included 17 fawns
We got a reply to our second Freedom Of Information Act request (no reply to the first one). It gave the number of deer killed by age/gender group and date. Although adult females were the presumed target, the Wildlife Services killed 17 fawns (16%) and 34 adult males (32 %).
Rock Creek Park Deer killed by Wildlife Services, Jan-March 2014.
Jan 6 2014 16 0 fawns, 4 adult males, 12 adult females
Jan 7 2014 13 2 fawns, 6 adult males, 5 adult females
Jan 8 2014 14 2 fawns, 6 adult males, 6 adult females
Jan 9 2014 10 2 fawns, 2 adult males, 6 adult females
Feb 24 2014 26 5 fawns, 8 adult males, 13 adult females
Feb 25 2014 19 3 fawns, 7 adult males, 9 adult females
Mar 18 2014 8 3 fawns, 1 adult males, 4 adult females
2014 Total 106 17 fawns, 34 adult males, 55 adult females
● November 22, 2014:
NPS PLANS ANNOUNCED AT GARDEN CLUB MEETING NOV 2014
RCP staff spoke at a local Garden Club meeting recently. Thanks to two of our local activists, we can tell you what they said about their plans for the upcoming season. Although our lawsuit appeal is still pending, it does not require the Park Service to cease their lethal control and they are planning to kill deer again this winter. They will start by doing a deer density estimate. They estimated 77 deer/ square mile in November of 2013, which they say equates to 211 deer in the park, and killed 106 deer in 7 nights during January through March of 2014, thus meeting their goal of killing half the deer during that period. They expect to find 45 deer/square mile when they complete their estimate sometime in November 2014. They will start killing deer early next year and plan to concentrate on the area north and south of the central area (golf course, park police stables, Oregon Ave) where most of the earlier killing took place. Their goal for number of deer killed will depend on the population density estimate.
● November 9: : Park Service will present status of RCP deer plans at garden club meeting in Chevy Chase DC on November 12. The club is also asking for garden protection strategies.
“Deer in the Park- the CCCA next Garden Club meeting is Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7:15 pm. The topic is the status of the deer plan in Rock Creek Park discussed by Ken Ferebee and Nick Bartolomeo from the National Rock Creek Park Service. Also the Rock Creek Conservancy and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will briefly talk about their activities. Bring strategies you use to foil the deer in your garden. The meeting is in the DC Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Conn Ave., everyone is welcome to come. For more details, email bbaldwing@yahoo.com”
We got a reply to our second Freedom Of Information Act request (no reply to the first one). It gave the number of deer killed by age/gender group and date. Although adult females were the presumed target, the Wildlife Services killed 17 fawns (16%) and 34 adult males (32 %).
Rock Creek Park Deer killed by Wildlife Services, Jan-March 2014.
Jan 6 2014 16 0 fawns, 4 adult males, 12 adult females
Jan 7 2014 13 2 fawns, 6 adult males, 5 adult females
Jan 8 2014 14 2 fawns, 6 adult males, 6 adult females
Jan 9 2014 10 2 fawns, 2 adult males, 6 adult females
Feb 24 2014 26 5 fawns, 8 adult males, 13 adult females
Feb 25 2014 19 3 fawns, 7 adult males, 9 adult females
Mar 18 2014 8 3 fawns, 1 adult males, 4 adult females
2014 Total 106 17 fawns, 34 adult males, 55 adult females
● November 22, 2014:
NPS PLANS ANNOUNCED AT GARDEN CLUB MEETING NOV 2014
RCP staff spoke at a local Garden Club meeting recently. Thanks to two of our local activists, we can tell you what they said about their plans for the upcoming season. Although our lawsuit appeal is still pending, it does not require the Park Service to cease their lethal control and they are planning to kill deer again this winter. They will start by doing a deer density estimate. They estimated 77 deer/ square mile in November of 2013, which they say equates to 211 deer in the park, and killed 106 deer in 7 nights during January through March of 2014, thus meeting their goal of killing half the deer during that period. They expect to find 45 deer/square mile when they complete their estimate sometime in November 2014. They will start killing deer early next year and plan to concentrate on the area north and south of the central area (golf course, park police stables, Oregon Ave) where most of the earlier killing took place. Their goal for number of deer killed will depend on the population density estimate.
● November 9: : Park Service will present status of RCP deer plans at garden club meeting in Chevy Chase DC on November 12. The club is also asking for garden protection strategies.
“Deer in the Park- the CCCA next Garden Club meeting is Wednesday, Nov 12 at 7:15 pm. The topic is the status of the deer plan in Rock Creek Park discussed by Ken Ferebee and Nick Bartolomeo from the National Rock Creek Park Service. Also the Rock Creek Conservancy and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will briefly talk about their activities. Bring strategies you use to foil the deer in your garden. The meeting is in the DC Chevy Chase Community Center, 5601 Conn Ave., everyone is welcome to come. For more details, email bbaldwing@yahoo.com”
● September 14: Appeal now awaiting decision
There were some hopeful signs at the hearing last week.. The judges asked a couple of key questions of the governments lawyer, which he did not seem able to answer satisfactorily. And at the end our lawyer Kathy Meyers (who did a fantastic job all along) rose above the nitpicking of words and punctuation and described what is really going on. The deer, whose population is not increasing, have been forced out of the park into the roads and neighborhood by the great overgrowth of exotic species, which destroys their natural food and which NPS has never effectively controlled.
However, it is an uphill battle with the deference automatically given to the Agency, so we need to keep our fingers crossed. We can do no more at this stage. Stay tuned!
There were some hopeful signs at the hearing last week.. The judges asked a couple of key questions of the governments lawyer, which he did not seem able to answer satisfactorily. And at the end our lawyer Kathy Meyers (who did a fantastic job all along) rose above the nitpicking of words and punctuation and described what is really going on. The deer, whose population is not increasing, have been forced out of the park into the roads and neighborhood by the great overgrowth of exotic species, which destroys their natural food and which NPS has never effectively controlled.
However, it is an uphill battle with the deference automatically given to the Agency, so we need to keep our fingers crossed. We can do no more at this stage. Stay tuned!
● September 9: Hearing time and place Thursday
The oral argument on our appeal of the lawsuit scheduled for this Thursday, September 11, 2014 before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals – at the U.S. Courthouse and 3rd and Constitution – 5th Floor. The session starts at 9:30 AM and each side gets only 15 minutes. Ours is scheduled to be second, so 10 am would be the best guess for time, but it is possible that the first case might be dismissed or shortened, so earlier would be safer.
The oral argument on our appeal of the lawsuit scheduled for this Thursday, September 11, 2014 before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals – at the U.S. Courthouse and 3rd and Constitution – 5th Floor. The session starts at 9:30 AM and each side gets only 15 minutes. Ours is scheduled to be second, so 10 am would be the best guess for time, but it is possible that the first case might be dismissed or shortened, so earlier would be safer.
● June 12 2014 APPEAL COURT DATE!
Last September we filed an appeal in our suit against the National Park Service for killing the RCP deer. Well, we finally have a date for the oral argument. It is September 11, 2014 at 9:30 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. We don't yet know who will be hearing it.
• May 27 2014 ANIMAL LAW NIGHT AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
From 6 to 8 pm on Thursday May 29 at GWU Law School, Faculty Conference Center Floor Burns Building
716 20th St. NW Washington DC 20052
Includes: THE FIGHT TO SAVE THE ROCK CREEK PARK DEER by Michelle Sinnott Law Fellow, Meyer, Glitzenstein & Crystal
For additional details and the full calendar of events for the week,
● May 1, 2014 Great Article on Non-lethal Methods
HSUS tells the story of two methods NPS could be using in RCP and the communities that are using them.
● April 1 2014, Killing Update
The infamous Wildlife Services killed 106 deer this year in RCP, according to NPS. They say slaughter will continue in the fall.
See News story here
• January 13 2014, Rock Creek Park, Killing Update
Since Jan. 6, the NPS has set up unannounced road blocks at some roads leading into the Park and manning them with Park Rangers and U.S. Park Police. Hired guns from the USDA's notorious Wildlife Services Department have been baiting the deer with food and then shooting them at night using infrared equipment. This year, the National Park Service began shooting the deer who live in the Park on Jan. 6 and have continued to shoot on subsequent nights since. So far, at least 21 deer have been killed in at least two nights of shooting in bitter cold temperatures.
The killings that we are aware of so far have centered on an area between Oregon Ave., and 16th St., NW, in the vicinity of Beach Drive north of Broad Branch Rd., Ross Drive, Wise Rd., Grant Rd., Sherrill Drive, Joyce Road, Morrow Drive, and Bingham Rd., NW. Last night shots were heard, and NPS activity was seen, south of Military Rd. along Glover Rd.
The Park Service's announced goal is to kill 106 deer -- almost half of the deer still remaining in the Park -- between now and March 31.
• Emergency Protest Rally - Blog
January 19, 2014
• Managing The Region's Deer Population
Kojo Nnamdi Radio Program
January 9, 2014,
• TruthOut Racing to save our deer friends
January 9, 2014
Thu Jan 9, 2014. See this wonderful editorial written by John Morlino about his reaction to seeing signs announcing deer killing in Wheaton Regional Park.
• Mass killing of Rock Creek Deer in bitter cold Monday night
January 8, 2014
In record-breaking bitter cold temperatures that reached into the single digits with 40 mph wind gusts the National Park Service last night set up unannounced road blocks around Rock Creek Park and turned its guns on the herd of 300 deer who live there.
Although gunshots could not be heard, Park Police acknowledged to passers-by that the killing was taking place. The NPS has announced in the past that silencers would be used on guns so that residents who live near the Park would not be disturbed. We do not know if archery, an unusually cruel method of killing animals, was used.
Last night's killing was the first in a series of killings of the Park's animals that the NPS has promised to undertake this year.
Unlike last year's killing, in which the NPS announced the dates of the slaughter in advance, the NPS has now changed its tactics. In an attempt to outwit deer supporters, the NPS has announced that it will conduct surprise kills on unannounced nights through March 31. The NPS stated that the killing would occur between sunset and 4 am when the Park is closed to visitors.
Last night's killing was exceptionally unconscionable because it took place during a record-breaking cold spell during which wild animals need to preserve their heat and energy by hunkering down. Hunting the deer during such extreme weather stressed not only the deer but all the other animals who live in the Park.
Blocked roads were manned by Park Police who handed out flyers to passers-by stating that the killing was necessary because "deer browsing is limiting the growth of the Park's forests." However, as supporters of the Rock Creek Park deer have been publicizing for months, science does not support the NPS claim.
• December 22, 2013, Article
Wyoming Star Tribune
Feds: Investigation into Wyoming trapper will remain private
WILDLIFE CRUELTY CONDONED? This is the organization hired to kill deer in Rock Creek Park!
• December 4, 2013, Letter to the Editor
Washington Post
Reduce the number of Bambis — peaceably
This letter to the editor points out that the increase in deer problems may be a sign that the kill policy is failing -- and there are successful alternatives.
• December 2, 2013, Article
Washington Post
As deer encroach on Washington suburbs, attitudes about kills shift
SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! This Washington Post Story implies that most people in the DC area favor killing deer. Go to the page, take the poll, leave a comment or even send a letter to the editor. We have had great comments from our fans, lets pass them on!
• July 5, 2013, Article
The New York Times
A Kinder, Gentler Way to Thin the Deer Herd
• March 29, 2013, Article
Washington Post
Rock Creek Park deer hunt spurs more protests
• February 1, 2013, Opinion Article
Washington Post
Don’t kill the deer in Rock Creek Park
Last September we filed an appeal in our suit against the National Park Service for killing the RCP deer. Well, we finally have a date for the oral argument. It is September 11, 2014 at 9:30 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. We don't yet know who will be hearing it.
• May 27 2014 ANIMAL LAW NIGHT AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
From 6 to 8 pm on Thursday May 29 at GWU Law School, Faculty Conference Center Floor Burns Building
716 20th St. NW Washington DC 20052
Includes: THE FIGHT TO SAVE THE ROCK CREEK PARK DEER by Michelle Sinnott Law Fellow, Meyer, Glitzenstein & Crystal
For additional details and the full calendar of events for the week,
● May 1, 2014 Great Article on Non-lethal Methods
HSUS tells the story of two methods NPS could be using in RCP and the communities that are using them.
● April 1 2014, Killing Update
The infamous Wildlife Services killed 106 deer this year in RCP, according to NPS. They say slaughter will continue in the fall.
See News story here
• January 13 2014, Rock Creek Park, Killing Update
Since Jan. 6, the NPS has set up unannounced road blocks at some roads leading into the Park and manning them with Park Rangers and U.S. Park Police. Hired guns from the USDA's notorious Wildlife Services Department have been baiting the deer with food and then shooting them at night using infrared equipment. This year, the National Park Service began shooting the deer who live in the Park on Jan. 6 and have continued to shoot on subsequent nights since. So far, at least 21 deer have been killed in at least two nights of shooting in bitter cold temperatures.
The killings that we are aware of so far have centered on an area between Oregon Ave., and 16th St., NW, in the vicinity of Beach Drive north of Broad Branch Rd., Ross Drive, Wise Rd., Grant Rd., Sherrill Drive, Joyce Road, Morrow Drive, and Bingham Rd., NW. Last night shots were heard, and NPS activity was seen, south of Military Rd. along Glover Rd.
The Park Service's announced goal is to kill 106 deer -- almost half of the deer still remaining in the Park -- between now and March 31.
• Emergency Protest Rally - Blog
January 19, 2014
• Managing The Region's Deer Population
Kojo Nnamdi Radio Program
January 9, 2014,
• TruthOut Racing to save our deer friends
January 9, 2014
Thu Jan 9, 2014. See this wonderful editorial written by John Morlino about his reaction to seeing signs announcing deer killing in Wheaton Regional Park.
• Mass killing of Rock Creek Deer in bitter cold Monday night
January 8, 2014
In record-breaking bitter cold temperatures that reached into the single digits with 40 mph wind gusts the National Park Service last night set up unannounced road blocks around Rock Creek Park and turned its guns on the herd of 300 deer who live there.
Although gunshots could not be heard, Park Police acknowledged to passers-by that the killing was taking place. The NPS has announced in the past that silencers would be used on guns so that residents who live near the Park would not be disturbed. We do not know if archery, an unusually cruel method of killing animals, was used.
Last night's killing was the first in a series of killings of the Park's animals that the NPS has promised to undertake this year.
Unlike last year's killing, in which the NPS announced the dates of the slaughter in advance, the NPS has now changed its tactics. In an attempt to outwit deer supporters, the NPS has announced that it will conduct surprise kills on unannounced nights through March 31. The NPS stated that the killing would occur between sunset and 4 am when the Park is closed to visitors.
Last night's killing was exceptionally unconscionable because it took place during a record-breaking cold spell during which wild animals need to preserve their heat and energy by hunkering down. Hunting the deer during such extreme weather stressed not only the deer but all the other animals who live in the Park.
Blocked roads were manned by Park Police who handed out flyers to passers-by stating that the killing was necessary because "deer browsing is limiting the growth of the Park's forests." However, as supporters of the Rock Creek Park deer have been publicizing for months, science does not support the NPS claim.
• December 22, 2013, Article
Wyoming Star Tribune
Feds: Investigation into Wyoming trapper will remain private
WILDLIFE CRUELTY CONDONED? This is the organization hired to kill deer in Rock Creek Park!
• December 4, 2013, Letter to the Editor
Washington Post
Reduce the number of Bambis — peaceably
This letter to the editor points out that the increase in deer problems may be a sign that the kill policy is failing -- and there are successful alternatives.
• December 2, 2013, Article
Washington Post
As deer encroach on Washington suburbs, attitudes about kills shift
SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT! This Washington Post Story implies that most people in the DC area favor killing deer. Go to the page, take the poll, leave a comment or even send a letter to the editor. We have had great comments from our fans, lets pass them on!
• July 5, 2013, Article
The New York Times
A Kinder, Gentler Way to Thin the Deer Herd
• March 29, 2013, Article
Washington Post
Rock Creek Park deer hunt spurs more protests
• February 1, 2013, Opinion Article
Washington Post
Don’t kill the deer in Rock Creek Park