Colorado River Native Nations Alliance
Fort Mojave • Chemehuevi • Quechan • Cocopah • Colorado River Indian Tribes


HELP STOP THE PROPOSED RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMP!

Alice Karl, the tortoise biologist under employ of US Ecology for the last several years, has lost her permit to "study" tortoises at the proposed dump site!! BAN Waste Coalition, Save Ward Valley and other groups have long protested Alice Karl's unprofessional field methods including digging tortoises out of their burrows (for which she was reprimanded), subjecting tortoises to x-rays to determine their fertility, and excessive handling. In addition, Karl has attached transmitters to a number of tortoises with an epoxy that covers sensitive growth areas between shell segments.

It is our understanding that the Bureau of Land Management also expressed concerns about Karl's activities at Ward Valley to the Fish and Wildlife Service which issues the permits. Karl had applied to renew her permit this month. Over the years, Karl has been an aggressive dump proponent arguing that the dump project would actually help the tortoise. Her attitude toward campers and other dump opponents has often been belligerent. Karl has protested the decision.

We must now be vigilant and make sure that ALL transmitters are removed from some of the most studied tortoises in the world. Eventually, we will restore Ward Valley to its age-old destiny - a wide tilting desert valley of creosote and bursage and safe home for the recovery of an ancient and sacred animal.

by Phil Klasky

NOTE: We have learned that Alice Karl and her assistants should be back in Ward Valley in April or so. We would expect that she will, at that time, be removing the transmitters from the tortoise's backs.

We propose forming a Citizens Inspection Team to make sure that all transmitters are removed and that the removal is done properly and in a humane way. If you or your organization is interested in participating in such an inspection team, please contact the Save Ward Valley office (address, phone, etc. listed below)

THIS IS TRULY A TIME OF CELEBRATION!!!! Please join us at Ward Valley February 12-15 to celebrate the 1-year anniversary occupation of Ward Valley, honor those that participated in the occupation, say "Adios! US Ecology" and, now, to celebrate the end of the torture of the desert tortoise!!