Juneau -- Efforts to displace a newsworthy beaver have caught the attention of Senator Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell). In his effort to bring attention to the D.C. celebrity beaver, who to this day has eluded all captors, Taylor has introduced a Resolution (SJR 20) to "Keep Bucky Free".

Senator Robin Taylor Comments on Bucky's Situation:

"The North American beaver inhabited the District of Columbia for eons before the first humans occupied the area. The beaver became extinct in the District of Columbia when development and the Capital's urban sprawl killed them off. Two years ago, one brave pioneering young beaver floated down the Potomac River and is now attempting, on his own without a government subsidy, to establish a colony of beavers in an area know as the tidal Basin.

Let's call him Bucky.

Although Bucky is oblivious of the fact he qualifies for special protection under the Endangered Species Act, and the land he is using is habitat critical to his survival.

Unfortunately the Clinton/Gore Administration is protecting cherry trees instead of Bucky Beaver. Their Park Service employees are harassing poor Bucky by stealing his food and trying to trap him in a cage.

These Federal agencies are required by Federal law to stop all human activities and development projects in that critical habitat area. In fact, this beaver may very well be the latest evolutionary example of beaver adaptation, a unique sub-species that has evolved and learned to survive in the pollution and corruption that exists in Washington D.C. at almost toxic levels.

Less than 150 years ago, free roaming wild North American beaver lived and raised their young in the Tidal Basin and throughout the District. Government killed them off and now they are going to trap, tranquilize, tag, and transport this beaver out of town.

I say NO - let little Bucky Beaver alone. Enforce your Federal laws and protect him as zealously as you protect kangaroo rats and spotted owls. The trees eaten by the beaver were alien species not native to the area, planted for their decorative value. The beaver lived there first. He is native to the area and his historic use predates man's. If the environmentalists are correct ... man is the trespasser, not Bucky Beaver.

Keep Bucky free. Let's leave it to Beaver."

Broadcasters note: Audio comments and Senator Taylor's Ode to Bucky the Beaver are available on the Majority Actuality line, 1-800-478-6540
= Robin Taylor, 141 K = Ode to Bucky the Beaver, 62 K

| Top | Senator Taylor's Home Page |