WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided most of the funds to support the Cooperative Wildlife Research Units since the inception of the unit program in 1935; and
WHEREAS, cooperative wildlife units are located at 22 land grant universities throughout the nation, and are supported jointly by these universities, their states' conservation departments, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute; and
WHEREAS, unit research results have led to better understanding of wildlife populations and habitats; more incisive evaluations of proposed water, land, and energy projects; application of progressively modern methods of wildlife management; enlightened environmental legislation; and increased public appreciation of the environment in general and wildlife resources in particular; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1983 fiscal year budget provides no funds for continuing its support of the cooperative unit program, thereby terminating the program effective 30 September 1982;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Society of Mammalogists strongly urges the Congress of the United States and the President to restore the funds necessary to preserve the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit program.