Military spending millions to protect gophers, while workers go on furlough

Fox News ^ | July 12, 2013 | Dan Springer

[jazusamo]

A total of 650,000 civilian employees are now being furloughed at U.S. military bases in response to sequester cuts -- but the Department of Defense is still spending millions to protect fuzzy critters.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state just received a $3.5 million department grant to purchase land around the base in an effort to protect the Mazama pocket gopher, a species that has not even been listed as endangered or threatened.

The expense is not sitting well with furloughed workers.

"That really makes me mad that they would do that," said Matt Hines, one of 10,000 civilian employees forced to take a 20 percent pay cut. "I'm all for saving animals, but at what cost?"

Under REPI (Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative), the Department of Defense and other federal agencies have spent $397 million to protect 264,000 acres around bases since 2003.

Sarah Hamman, from the Center for National Lands Management, has been tracking the Mazama pocket gopher in the prairie land around JBLM and says the military's involvement has been critical.

"The Department of Defense is a really important partner in this process in terms of providing the funding and providing the land for these species," Hamman said.

In addition to the Mazama pocket gopher, environmentalists say the purchase of 2,600 acres of prairie land around JBLM will also help Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks.

[jazusamo]

Another example of out of control enviro-nazis and our DOD supports them.

[Secret Agent Man]

This is more agenda 21 off limits land purchases. that’s all it is. They can use whatever excuses they want, that’s what they are doing.

[jazusamo]

Little doubt that you're right but it's criminal in my view it's coming from our defense budget.

[Secret Agent Man]

From any budget it is.

[jazusamo]

Unbelievable gopher ping.

[TurboZamboni]

It would be even more unbelievable if the Gophers ever made a real bowl game.

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

[GraceG]

Just open a range where there is gophers, problem solved, no more gophers and better trained officers!

[Jack of all Trades]

But the varmint will never quit - ever. They’re like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong

[CrazyIvan]

In before the Bill Murray pic.

[444Flyer]

But the varmint will never quit - ever. They’re like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong

This thread is useless without pics:

[444Flyer]

Drat! You got in just under the wire.;)

[jazusamo]

I can verify there’s no danger of gophers going extinct in Washington state, they’re a real pain.

[444Flyer]

Separated at birth?

[a fool in paradise]

"PROTECT THE GOLFERS! NOT GOPHERS!!!"

[blueunicorn6]

Welcome to the Democrat party. All military should claim that they are pig farmers and deserve $50,000 from the taxpayers.

[moovova]

I surrender. I’m going to:

=switch from Independent to Democrat
=take a position as a school teacher
=join a union
=buy a Volt... maybe a Subaru
=go on food stamps
=get an Obama phone
=buy a “Hillary 2016” t-shirt
=stop telling Weiner jokes

There’s no hope. Stick a fork in us... we’re done

[george76]

He is growing his national civilian army and FEMA camps; he has little need for the DOD

[T-Bird45]

Agreed - they are a real pain here in OK, too. I currently have an eradication program underway on my place for the pocket gophers that are creating mini-volcanos on my back lawn. I’m getting pretty good with about a 50% success rate. Crossing my fingers — my lawn was free of gopher mounds when I departed this morning.

[jazusamo]

Yep, in fact I'd bet he feels our military is a threat to him.