I, the undersigned, endorse the principles and recommendations contained in the "FACTS for Fish and Wildlife." As a volunteer for Hunters and Anglers for Responsible Development, I request you use these recommendations when planning for development on public lands. The use of these principles will help balance the needs of fish and wildlife while developing energy resources. A highlight of the FACTS principles is stated below.

Funding:
In times of increasing pressure from energy development on our public lands, fish and wildlife management needs more funding, not less. In recent years, there have been regular increases in federal funding for expediting energy development - but no comparable increases for fish and wildlife conservation. State fish and wildlife managers do not have the funding resources necessary to manage habitats and populations where energy development is taking place. In addition, funds targeted for fish and wildlife are being redirected to the processing of permits for expanded energy development. Providing long-term funding to monitor, evaluate and protect fish and wildlife populations influenced by energy development is essential.

Accountability:
Substantial new accountability measures should be established to ensure that the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service manage our public lands equally for multiple uses and resources, maintaining a balance of energy development and fish and wildlife habitat. To hold the agencies accountable, the public should be able to track their compliance with law, policy, plans and, most importantly, commitments in decision documents.

Coordination:
Public involvement and coordination between the federal government and all stakeholders - including local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, sportsmen and others - should be assured throughout the energy development process. Better coordination will ensure that habitat management meets the goals and objectives of fish and wildlife populations and deals with the impacts from energy development.

Transparency:
Federal and state resource management agencies are managing a public trust, and their decisions on energy development must follow an established, transparent planning process that allows for public review. A consistent planning and decision-making process that follows administrative law and policy will make sure that the public is supportive of land management decisions.

Science:
Effective fish and wildlife management based on science must be used when assessing and mitigating the impacts on fish and wildlife from energy development. Adaptive management processes that allow for a systemic approach to adjusting development must be implemented to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife.

Yours in Conservation.