T&KBrouse
K, the Crazy Snake Lady
- Messages
- 1,560
This is a response I recieved from Sen. Nelson's office. I'm aware its an automated response. Its riddled with so many inaccuracies, I had to reply.
Dear Rev. Brouse:
Thank you for writing me about S. 373, a bill I introduced that would ban the importation and trade between States of the Burmese python.
Burmese pythons often are released into the wild when their owners can no longer care for them. Though not native to south Florida, Burmese pythons are thriving in the Everglades National Park, threatening natural species, many of which are endangered, and posing the risk of upsetting the delicate ecosystem of the region. We have invested many years and billions of dollars in an effort to restore the Everglades to its natural balance, and non-native species like Burmese pythons threaten to undo that work.
I understand your concern that my bill would punish responsible python owners. My bill will not take away existing pythons from owners. The State of Florida has made progress recently in balancing the needs of pet owners and the concerns for the environment by requiring micro-chipping and permits for reptiles of concern, including the Burmese python. My bill would serve as a Federal companion to help stop the expanding population of large constrictor snakes in the wild.
During a committee review of S. 373, the bill was amended to cover nine constrictor species deemed high or medium risk by a recent U.S. Geological Service report.
I appreciate your taking the time to write me with your views on this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson
And this is my reply. If I don't hear anything back, I'll write him again!
Senator Nelson,
Thank you for responding to my email concerning S. 373. I wish I could say it alleviated some of my concerns about this bill, but unfortunately, it has made me even more wary of its possible outcome. I realize our state has an issue with feral Burmese pythons, but I feel that officials have been given misleading information and cannot, based upon these so-called facts, give proper consideration to the impact this bill would have. I feel that should this law go into effect, it would have the opposite outcome that it intended to, turning good, hard working, responsible people into criminals, or, at worst, causing others to release their animals into the wild.
There is so much negative impact this law has on the herpetoculture society, Senator Nelson. Please, I encourage you to take the time to listen to those it would effect before pursuing this bill any further.
With deepest regards,
Rev. Katherine Brouse
Dear Rev. Brouse:
Thank you for writing me about S. 373, a bill I introduced that would ban the importation and trade between States of the Burmese python.
Burmese pythons often are released into the wild when their owners can no longer care for them. Though not native to south Florida, Burmese pythons are thriving in the Everglades National Park, threatening natural species, many of which are endangered, and posing the risk of upsetting the delicate ecosystem of the region. We have invested many years and billions of dollars in an effort to restore the Everglades to its natural balance, and non-native species like Burmese pythons threaten to undo that work.
I understand your concern that my bill would punish responsible python owners. My bill will not take away existing pythons from owners. The State of Florida has made progress recently in balancing the needs of pet owners and the concerns for the environment by requiring micro-chipping and permits for reptiles of concern, including the Burmese python. My bill would serve as a Federal companion to help stop the expanding population of large constrictor snakes in the wild.
During a committee review of S. 373, the bill was amended to cover nine constrictor species deemed high or medium risk by a recent U.S. Geological Service report.
I appreciate your taking the time to write me with your views on this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson
And this is my reply. If I don't hear anything back, I'll write him again!
Senator Nelson,
Thank you for responding to my email concerning S. 373. I wish I could say it alleviated some of my concerns about this bill, but unfortunately, it has made me even more wary of its possible outcome. I realize our state has an issue with feral Burmese pythons, but I feel that officials have been given misleading information and cannot, based upon these so-called facts, give proper consideration to the impact this bill would have. I feel that should this law go into effect, it would have the opposite outcome that it intended to, turning good, hard working, responsible people into criminals, or, at worst, causing others to release their animals into the wild.
There is so much negative impact this law has on the herpetoculture society, Senator Nelson. Please, I encourage you to take the time to listen to those it would effect before pursuing this bill any further.
With deepest regards,
Rev. Katherine Brouse
