Governor and Legislature is attempting to raid G&F funds intended for Sheep Conservation
In an effort to to make up for budget shortfalls, the Governor's Office and some members of the legislature are attempting to raid
dollars intended for bighorn sheep conservation. There are nearly $2.8 million that are included within the budget sweeps presently being
considered. These are from the La Osa Settlement against developer George Johnson.
You may recall that this developer released goats into the
Silver Bell mountains near Tucson and the State's Attorney General office, along with the AZ Game and Fish Department sought recovery of damages caused by
this.
The overall settlement with George Johnson was around $12.4 million, of which $2.8 million was suppose to go to the AZ Game & Fish Department
to help with the recovery of the Silver Bell bighorn sheep population.
ADBSS has sent letters to the House Appropriations Committee, to Lori Faeth
in the governor's office, Duane Shroufe of the Game and Fish Department, and Bill McLean, Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman.
We urge
you to email your legislators immediately. We have a sample letter posted on our website you may wish to use. Just change the items highlighted in
red to address the legislators for your district and to personalize.
If you are not sure who to contact, follow the link below for the roster. The page also contains a link to help you determine which district you
are in.
