Kill the hunting plan on Santa Rosa Island
Once again, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) has proposed legislation to continue deer and elk hunting on Santa Rosa Island past the existing end date of 2011 (May 2). If this legislation passes, almost all of the island will be off limits to all but a few.
The island was purchased with public tax dollars so it could be open to all of us. The continued presence of these nonnative animals on the Channel Islands puts rare and endangered endemic plants and animals at risk of extinction. Hunting is an inappropriate activity in a national park. This sets a dangerous precedent that could affect all of our national parks. This legislation is a misguided attempt to hijack the national park system. It is unfair to the public, inconsistent with the purpose of a national park and harmful to the island environment.
DAVID BEGUN
Westlake Village
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