Establishing taxa as "present"

Considering the fact that this is a special interest group -like those
that are mentioned . Work in unison think collectively and go to the
source. For individuals who have read 7 CFR319.37 and do import into
the USA there are plenty of loop holes and restrictions. It all
depends upon what you want to do. The regulations are a reflection of
discovered problems. No more than that. A bug or problematic plant
enters into the USA and the regulations are amended to deal with the
problem.
This particular CFR has not been revisited since the early 70's back
before the internet and word processors when people relied upon stamps
and good typing skills.
It is in the process of revision.

Everyone that has some influence from the Nature Conservancy - (which
has not employed any APHIS retirees who worked on any of the CFRs),
The American Florist Association - (nope no retirees of importance
there), The American Landscapers Association- (Again no job offers).
American Seed Trade Association- (they managed to get one last year-
but he was previously in charge of PPQ, he may have signed a few rules
but never worked on one.) The International Alpine Association (you
have more members of this group associated with them than APHIS)
Sorry there is no revoling door, X-files maybe, but so far nothing so
easy as to just retire and pick up a cushy job working for those you
use to regulate.

Often a year or two after someone retires their name and most
deffinately their associations are long forgotten by the new hires
that came on to replace them.

Up until 3 years ago, Plants for Planting issues were was not very
high on the list of concerns to USDA officials. Think about the animal
diseases and the impact from one finding of - Mad cow disease and
then look at plant pest incursions Asian Long Horn Beetle, probably-
most likely - followed the import of cheap goods from China as
associated with equally cheap wood packing material. Emerald Ash
borer currently migrating from the US Canadian border now in Virginia
and the beginning of the end for native Ash trees native the bug is
native to China, Korea and Japan. Follows the movement of Ash trees
wood or lumber not treated- again cheap packing material or associated
with live Ash trees, more Bonsai, Bonjae and Penjing plants were
imported than Ash pallets probably. Those are just a couple in the
last 10 years, you could blame some of the bureaucrats for not
anticipating that these pests would be imported and that they would
become established. But the scientists didn't see them coming. And
they are suppose to be educated so how could civil servants write
rules in anticipation? OK then how about stuff that's been here while
say the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid- killing off native eastern hemlock
trees, native to Asia- introduced in the 1920's along with other pests
like snails (French escargot), imported fire ant, Giant African
Snail, African and European Bees (yes our humble honey bee is
originally from Europe) and the pest that followed the pathways
Thrips and Mites . Not to mention that USA is not innocent of sending
our North American native bugs to other countries as well. China is
dealing with Pine shoot Beetle and Pine Nemotode (as always cheap
wood packing material to China)

Individuals do have access to elected officials, and you will get
someone to eventually contact you and they will probably send you a
nice letter to let you know that your important.
But groups of people have more influence and if your a very big group-
say the international association of plant propagators- they get the
ear of the Secretary once in a while.

Still Animal groups have more power in DC, this country was built on
the $ of beef, chicken, turkey and sheep.

The internet is a wonderful tool to communicate, anyone can
participate, but get educated too. There are government types who have
the power to shape the rules participating in groups like this because
they have interests similar to your own.

Do you think that someone wakes up from a comma one day and says I'm
brain dead, maybe I'll go work for the government tomorrow and become
the person in charge of creating stupid rules that don't make sense to
anyone that will only confuse the masses and give them something to
complain about?

I can think of better things to do with my degree in Environmental
Horticulture than that.

If your going to complain, make sure you know what it is you sound
like to those who are doing the work. How would you feel if your job
was to write the rules within the system that is suppose to protect
everyone's interest. From tree huggers to lumbermen only to be
referred to as... well enough of that.

Get educated, think collectively and speak with one voice. This is how
your interests will be heard and your concerns addressed.

Bill Aley
Silver Spring, MD

On Sep 5, 2008, at 9:03 PM, Leo A. Martin wrote:

One opinion

Call your congressman today and let them know your concerns.

Another

No. Snailmail. Pieces of paper can't be "forgotten" and the delete
key
can't be pressed quite so easily.

Mine
It is possible for any citizen to obtain an appointment with their
representatives. This is the best way to raise issues. They have
lots of
requests so it may take many weeks. A quicker way is to speak to their
staff.

US congressional representatives also have plenty of aides whose job
is to
help citizens in their relationships with the US. After all, these
citizens (should) vote. During an election season they listen better.

In the first place, every citizen should know who are their
representatives. It is even better if your representative knows you.
When
they do something you like, write them a letter of congratulations.
If you
would vote for them, send them a campaign contribution, even if it
is a
small one. Even if you wouldn't vote for them, send them a campaign
contribution. It is even more likely they will know you if you
volunteer
on their campaigns or bundle campaign contributions.

In our representative government people and organizations are always
trying to get the government to make them rich or advance their
ideas. So
the big organizations are always pressuring our representatives who
make
the laws or the bureaucrats who make the rules to apply the laws.
Getting
to know your representatives isn't slimy or distasteful; it's
necessary.

If you aren't at the table you are on the menu.

Your representative(s) and senators are listed in every phone book.
Call
each office. Tell the receptionist the nature of the issue. The aides
specialize in various types of issues. The receptionist will take your
number and have the appropriate aide call you back. The more phone
numbers
you leave the better; if they have to leave a message, it may take
you a
while to get them on the phone again, but they will continue calling
until
they have talked to you.

Have your presentation prepared on a piece of paper so you don't
forget
anything. The aide will call you back, usually within a week. Calmly
explain the issue to the aide. Don't get angry; this is likely the
first
time they have ever heard of the issue, and they are likely to be
sympathetic, since congresspeople don't like angry constituents,
especially in September of election years.

Now go out and try this. We have no snap with the bureaucrats; they
are
just waiting out their time to retirement, or their time until they
leave
their government job for a job with the Nature Conservancy. The
revolving
employment door between our US agencies making policy and the special
interest groups (liberal and conservative, policy and business) is
revolting and should be illegal. A bureaucrat may make a decision
greatly
influencing a non-profit or a business and later get offered a plum
job at
just the outfit they benefitted.

Leo Martin
Phoenix Arizona USA

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