For those that raise, breed, promote conservation of endangered species or for the matter, any tortoise keeper. We will be looking for assistance on the enclosed matter.
It has been brought to our attention over the past 8-12 months, that no new CBW Permit has been issued by USFWS for endangered tortoises i.e. Galapagos, Radiated Tortoises. The branch chief of the permit process name is Timothy Van Norman. He seems to feel that only zoos and AZA certified facilities should be able to transfer these listed species across state line. The purpose of the permit was to allow creation of genetic diversity by shipping said animals across state lines. The permit was meant to be a necessity if compensation of the transaction took place. The cost of the permit is 200$. By stopping all permits, USFWS has kept tax payers money with no intention of issued the requested permit. I have enclosed a copy of the letter I sent to Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. I would advise those interested in participating, to use the enclosed letter and change anything germain to your state senator. This is bureaucratic nonsense that should not continue. Thanks for everyone's time.
Evan aka deadheadvet
Mr. Tillis:
It is my understanding that you are on the subcommittee of Fish and Wildlife under the umbrella of the Dept. of Interior. I am reaching out to you as a fellow republican in regard to a matter that has come up in the US Fish and Wildlife Services. The ESA was enacted for the purpose of protection of vulnerable species throughout the United States. In many ways the endangered species listed have been saved from extinction through great efforts. A matter in regard to one of the listed species is becoming a problem for the transportation of a specific species across state lines. Any animal listed on ESA requires a special CBW permit in order to move across state lines. The species in question is the Radiated Tortoise. Astrochelys radiata is native to Madagascar, not the United States. This species is CITES appendix 1 which bans the movement of any tortoises from Madagascar or movement from any country where they exist. There are likely over 10,000 Radiated Tortoises in the United States. USFWS specifically Chief of permits Timothy Van Norman, has taken upon himself to stop the issuance of any Federal CBW Permits unless the facility is a zoo or an AZA Certified facility. The intent of the permit is to allow the movement across state lines with all parties required to possess said permit. If there is any compensation to take place between parties, each individual must possess a CBW permit. Any transfer of animals across state lines with any attached compensation, would make the transfer illegal. It is my understanding that Mr. Van Norman has stopped issuance of any permits this calendar year. There is a lengthy process and a non-refundable fee of 200$. Letters of denial have taken as long as 13 months with numerous reasoning by the permit chief supervisor. I personally know of at least 20 applications that were denied for numerous reasons. Typically the permit dept. will look for whatever reason on their part to deny the permit. It is paramount to stealing the 200$ fee since the dept. has no intention of issuing the permit. I know of at least 12 parties in multiple states that were denied the permit. All parties are experienced Tortoise hobbyist/conservationists. Their sole purpose including myself is to expand the gene pool of this wonderful species. We have every intention of helping repopulate this species of tortoise when we asked to participate. We would ask for your office to look into this matter as it seems that the USFWS Permit Dept. is working with a specific agenda that is out of bounds from the purpose of the permit process. If the said applicant submits a completed comprehensive application, there should be no reasoning to deny the application. At a minimum the applicant should be entitled to a refund since there never was going to be an issuance of the permit. The previous permit supervisor (Mike Carpenter) reviewed the applications and issued a comment or approval or denial letter in a timely fashion. That has not been the case since Mr. Van Norman took over. I am available to discuss this matter in detail at your choosing. I understand that this is a very busy time for you and the Republican party and hope that good things take place this November.
Sincerely, Evan Rosenoff DVM
It has been brought to our attention over the past 8-12 months, that no new CBW Permit has been issued by USFWS for endangered tortoises i.e. Galapagos, Radiated Tortoises. The branch chief of the permit process name is Timothy Van Norman. He seems to feel that only zoos and AZA certified facilities should be able to transfer these listed species across state line. The purpose of the permit was to allow creation of genetic diversity by shipping said animals across state lines. The permit was meant to be a necessity if compensation of the transaction took place. The cost of the permit is 200$. By stopping all permits, USFWS has kept tax payers money with no intention of issued the requested permit. I have enclosed a copy of the letter I sent to Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina. I would advise those interested in participating, to use the enclosed letter and change anything germain to your state senator. This is bureaucratic nonsense that should not continue. Thanks for everyone's time.
Evan aka deadheadvet
Mr. Tillis:
It is my understanding that you are on the subcommittee of Fish and Wildlife under the umbrella of the Dept. of Interior. I am reaching out to you as a fellow republican in regard to a matter that has come up in the US Fish and Wildlife Services. The ESA was enacted for the purpose of protection of vulnerable species throughout the United States. In many ways the endangered species listed have been saved from extinction through great efforts. A matter in regard to one of the listed species is becoming a problem for the transportation of a specific species across state lines. Any animal listed on ESA requires a special CBW permit in order to move across state lines. The species in question is the Radiated Tortoise. Astrochelys radiata is native to Madagascar, not the United States. This species is CITES appendix 1 which bans the movement of any tortoises from Madagascar or movement from any country where they exist. There are likely over 10,000 Radiated Tortoises in the United States. USFWS specifically Chief of permits Timothy Van Norman, has taken upon himself to stop the issuance of any Federal CBW Permits unless the facility is a zoo or an AZA Certified facility. The intent of the permit is to allow the movement across state lines with all parties required to possess said permit. If there is any compensation to take place between parties, each individual must possess a CBW permit. Any transfer of animals across state lines with any attached compensation, would make the transfer illegal. It is my understanding that Mr. Van Norman has stopped issuance of any permits this calendar year. There is a lengthy process and a non-refundable fee of 200$. Letters of denial have taken as long as 13 months with numerous reasoning by the permit chief supervisor. I personally know of at least 20 applications that were denied for numerous reasons. Typically the permit dept. will look for whatever reason on their part to deny the permit. It is paramount to stealing the 200$ fee since the dept. has no intention of issuing the permit. I know of at least 12 parties in multiple states that were denied the permit. All parties are experienced Tortoise hobbyist/conservationists. Their sole purpose including myself is to expand the gene pool of this wonderful species. We have every intention of helping repopulate this species of tortoise when we asked to participate. We would ask for your office to look into this matter as it seems that the USFWS Permit Dept. is working with a specific agenda that is out of bounds from the purpose of the permit process. If the said applicant submits a completed comprehensive application, there should be no reasoning to deny the application. At a minimum the applicant should be entitled to a refund since there never was going to be an issuance of the permit. The previous permit supervisor (Mike Carpenter) reviewed the applications and issued a comment or approval or denial letter in a timely fashion. That has not been the case since Mr. Van Norman took over. I am available to discuss this matter in detail at your choosing. I understand that this is a very busy time for you and the Republican party and hope that good things take place this November.
Sincerely, Evan Rosenoff DVM