Congressman Steve Buyer is attempting to scuttle the Grand Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge Proposal. Buyer has successfully attached an amendment to the Department of the Interior's Appropriations Bill. The amendment prohibits the National Fish and Wildlife Service from acquiring land for the refuge - from WILLING sellers. This amendment was adopted by the House on July 22.   Here's a copy of the amendment...

House Amendment 767
AMENDS: H.R.4193
SPONSOR: Rep Buyer, (introduced 07/22/98)

An amendment to prohibit any funds to be used to establish a national wildlife refuge in the Kankakee River watershed in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois.

STATUS:
Jul 22, 98 Amendment Offered by Representative Buyer.
Jul 22, 98 On agreeing to the Buyer amendment (A015) Agreed to by voice vote.

If you are a refuge supporter, it is VERY IMPORTANT to Act Now!   The Appropriations Bill is now in the Senate. If your Senators don't hear from you, the bill will pass as is - WITH Buyer's Refuge killing amendment intact.

As of July 28, 1998, the breakdown of comments received by the US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the proposed National Wildlife Refuge is as follows...

Total comments:

 Citizens For The Refuge:      6807
 Citizens Against The Refuge:  913

Congressman Buyer used a legislative ploy to do an "end run" around the will of the people.  But  it's not too late to stop him from succeeding.  The Appropriations Bill still has to get through the Senate.  After that, the Bill goes to a joint conference committee of the House and Senate. Our Senators and Representatives can remove Buyer's amendment if they hear from us -- we have the numbers to win this fight!  Please contact your Senators and Representatives - TODAY.