You are here

UPDATED | Funding Cuts Imperil Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Program At Padre Island National Seashore

Published Date

July 16, 2020
Releasing the hatchlings, Padre Island National Seashore / Rebecca Latson

Padre Island National Seashore's highly acclaimed sea turtle recovery program is to be scaled back by the National Park Service, which says it's too costly/Rebecca Latson file.

Editor's note: This adds National Park Service comments, reaction from the Center for Biological Diversity, along with additional details from the review report.

A National Park Service review of the renowned Kemp's ridley sea turtle recovery program at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas is calling for substantial funding cuts and programmatic changes that would greatly hamstring the program and amount to "conservation malpractice," Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility charged Thursday.

The cuts are called for in a June report that reviewed the history of the recovery program. While the review noted the Sea Turtle Science and Recovery Program has drawn widespread acclaim for its work in boosting numbers of Kemp's ridley turtles, the most endangered of the five species of sea turtles, it said that funding for the program "is disproportionately high compared to the number of partners involved and the percentage of the turtle population being addressed."

"The program should not rely on additional parkwide base fund allocations or short-term project funding to cover long-term operational costs," it added.

The report also questioned how the program has been run, called for a "formal 5-year strategic plan," and said the recovery program should focus on protecting turtle nests and not an incubation program. It also expressed concern about the amount of overtime accrued by the program staff, and said that fuel charges constituted "possibly as much as half of the parkwide fuel used in a season."

Dr. Donna Shaver, who long has overseen the program and is considered one of the world's leading sea turtle experts, was under a gag order and could not discuss the review or the funding cuts.

At the National Park Service's Intermountain Region Office in Denver, which signed off on the review document and its recommendations, spokesperson Vanessa Lacayo said the recommendations will improve the turtle program.

"The National Park Service review not only underscores the importance of this program to the park, but also outlines goals to strengthen its mission, clarify its priorities, and expand opportunities for the program’s shared stewardship," she said in an email. "The National Park Service’s only plan forward is to strengthen the program, which is built by the support of our employees and volunteers."

That perspective was dismissed by Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

"Slashing the National Park Service’s sea turtle research and conservation program is a disaster. Totally unacceptable," said Suckling. "There would be no Kemp’s ridley sea turtles in the United States were it not for Park Service’s incredibly successful, incredibly popular reintroduction program starting in 1978. The Kemp’s population is steadily growing and has started to expand into Alabama, but it’s still endangered with just 262 nests in Texas this year. The Park Service should be increasing its sea turtle budget to get the Kemp’s turtle over the line to full recovery, not pulling back."

"The bureaucrats’ argument that they need to slash the budget now, when funding is healthy, because funding might decline in the future makes no sense at all," Suckling added. "It’s a cover for the Trump administration’s attack on science and conservation within all federal agencies."

PEER said it was acting on Dr. Shaver's behalf by filing a legal complaint under the federal Information Quality Act demanding that the review of the sea turtle program "be retracted due to many misleading findings, inaccuracies, and actions that violate law as well as NPS policy. One of many issues is new restrictions placed on the scope of sea turtle research, in violation of the agency’s Scientific Integrity Policy."

The National Park Service has 60 days to respond to the complaint and Dr. Shaver may appeal any denial of her demand for retraction.

Within its 28-page complaint PEER said the review's recommendations to scale back the turtle recovery program are contrary to the Park Service's mission to work to recover species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The Kemp's ridley sea turtle has been listed as endangered since 1970. The green and loggerhead sea turtles, which also appear at Padre Island National Seashore, also are listed as endangered.

"NPS personnel have a duty to proactively protect these species with practices that are proven to be successful here and elsewhere in the world, contrary to the conclusions of the review," PEER's filing said.

The review, however, maintained that the national seashore's practice of incubating eggs from green and loggerhead sea turtles at the seashore and then releasing them into the Gulf of Mexico isn't warranted and should be discontinued.

"There seems to be no conservation reason to maintain this practice, and no (environmental assessment), (Biological Opinion), or other directive exists to support this management action. The majority of organizations interviewed suggested that this practice should stop," said the 51-page document signed off on by Michael Reynolds, the director of the Park Service's Intermountain regional office.

The document also said the turtle recovery program's $2,196,055 budget represents nearly a quarter of the national seashore's entire annual budget, to the detriment of other programs.

"The Science and Resources Management division’s budget ($248,670 in FY20), which is used to manage all other natural and cultural resources science and stewardship, planning and compliance, and Native American relations, is only 4.3 percent of the park’s base budget," it noted. "The perception of some park staff is that most natural and cultural resource management programs have been largely ignored as a result of the intense and disproportionately high allocation of financial and staff resources applied to the sea turtle program."

Although the turtle program has a 20-year record of successfully landing grants and other funding, the review document said those sources can't be expected to continue forever and so the program's budget should be reined in by 30 percent. At the same time, the document suggested the park look to friends groups and outside non-governmental organizations for financial support.

“Padre Island is cannibalizing one of its best and most important programs for bureaucratic reasons having nothing to do with the recovery of sea turtle populations,” said Jeff Ruch, PEER's Pacific director. “The steps Padre Island is now pursuing will result in many needless sea turtle deaths.”

Support National Parks Traveler

Your support for the National Parks Traveler comes at a time when news organizations are finding it hard, if not impossible, to stay in business. Traveler's work is vital. For nearly two decades we've provided essential coverage of national parks and protected areas. With the Trump administration’s determination to downsize the federal government, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s approach to public lands focused on energy exploration, it’s clear the Traveler will have much to cover in the months and years ahead. We know of no other news organization that provides such broad coverage of national parks and protected areas on a daily basis. Your support is greatly appreciated.

 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Comments

I agree with everything that you so elegantly stated. We have to have a saner and smarter administration in charge of our National Parks and our country. Hopefuly enough pressure can be mustered to dely any of the ill founded changes. As a former teacher, I am in awe of your vocabulary.


The title program was run by donated grants through the parks service.it is the new Ranger at this park who cut the funding and the program. He is also from what has been said is now trying to stop all vehicle traffic from accessing the beach. This guy is not the sharpest tool in the shed to say the least. Everyone who possible can should email the new head of the park service in Washington and complain. The turtle program was vital and this guy didn't like the grant and fuel monies being spent on the tirtles. Maybe he needs to find another job.


Who does this think he is. The turtle program has saved so many and will as long as we have the program. HE NEEDS TO GO!!!!!!!!!


I would hope that by this time park management is aware of said ranger with said negative views.

 

I'm an outsider, both to this park and to this issue or field of science. Is there, perhaps, someone keeping up with comments ongoing, who could say or do something to change the situation?


I want to endorse everything HP said.  I started my career with endangered species under James Watt and I thought he was awful, but he's nothing compared to the crowd now in power.  I'm hoping for some big changes, starting January 20.


Donate Popup

The National Parks Traveler keeps you informed on how politics impact national parks and protected areas.

Become a sustaining member.

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.