ban cyanide used in public lands

Thank you, panellist. Hi, my name is Hanin. And I choose to bring upon the legal
issue of Ban on ‘cyanide bombs’ on US public lands.
First off, I'll explain a little bit about cyanide. So, a cyanide is a chemical compound
that contains a functional group which is known as cyano group, consists of carbon
atom triple bonded to a nitorgen atom. In organic cyanides, the cyanide group is present
as the cyanide anion which is extremely poisonous. And, soluble salts such as sodium
cyanide and potassium cyanide are highly toxic.
Next, I'll move on to the definition of public land. Public land refers to government-
owned and managed land. It serves various purposes and is overseen by different
entities. The National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and United States
Forest Service are some of the agencies that manage public land. State and federal
public land is often available for recreational use, including state parks, national parks,
forests, wildlife refugees, monuments, memorials, historic sites, and more.
Benefit (if they ask): Public lands confer a multitude of benefits to society, the
environment, and the economy. They provide accessible spaces for recreational
activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife spotting, thereby fostering physical
health and wellness. Public lands also serve critical environmental functions such as
preserving biodiversity, contributing to climate resilience by absorbing carbon dioxide,
and safeguarding watersheds that supply drinking water to millions. Public landowners
can also lease their land for renewable energy sources, contributing to renewable
energy goals and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Finally, they play a significant role
in local economies, drawing tourists, businesses, retirees, and outdoor recreation
seekers.
And now let's move on to the case. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
banned the use of M-44 cyanide bombs on land it administers throughout the country
for a minimum of five years due to safety concerns. Cyanide bombs are a cyanide
based predator control devices or also known as M-44's. It is a spring-loaded device,
that primarily planted on private holdings with permission from landowners, BUT THEY
ARE ALSO SOMETIMES DEPLOYED ON PUBLIC LANDS. These devices have a
scented bait (which intended to attract predators) and then release a cloud of sodium
cyanide resulting in death within one to five minutes when they are triggered by a

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 physical disturbance. As I mentioned just now sodium cyanide is highly toxic, and it can
quickly kill. For decades, Wildlife Services, a little known federal program within the US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service uses
these devices to kill wild animals or predators and other wildlife like coyotes that can
prey on livestock and cause other problems for agricultural interests. Non-target
animals, including imperiled wildlife and family pets, have repeatedly died by these
devices as well. Wildlife Services has used these devices for decades, mostly in the
West, as part of a broader program to control predators. You might ask why did they do
all this. Is it that necessary or something. Yes, According to The American Sheep
Industry Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association were among 100
industry groups that wrote to Congress this year, stressing the importance of the
program. they said predators cause more than 232 million dollars in livestock losses
annually.
The legislation, known as “Canyon's Law” was first introduced in 2017 following a
string of tragic incidents involving M-44s, where Canyon Mansfield, a 14-year-old boy
was walking with his yellow lab (dog), Kasey in the hills behind his family home in
Pocatello, Idaho, about 122 meters from their home, which was quite close. Then, he
spotted what he thought was a sprinkler head. Then, due to curiosity, he reached for the
device, and accidentally triggered a cyanide bomb that Wildlife Services employee had
placed on federally owned land abutting the Mansfields' property. Then, it sprayed both
Canyon and Kasey in the face with sodium cyanide. The dog then started convulsing
and died, while Canyon was rushed to the emergency room because he was poisoned
but fortunately, spared from death. In 2020, the federal government admitted negligence
and agreed to pay the family 38,500 dollars to resolve a lawsuit. Several weeks after
this case, Wildlife Services agreed to stop using M-44s in Idaho. 2 years later, Oregon
banned them statewide and New Mexico partially banned, where some state agencies
can still use them.
Executive Director of Predator Defense, said that he has witnessed what these
indiscriminate devices have done to families. Countless people have lost beloved pets,
and both children and adults have been poisoned. These events have scarred
permanent emotional scars. And, according to him, since M-44s can never be used
safely, they must be banned, and a public lands ban is a great start. Also, according to
carnivore conservation program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, these
poison spewing devices are too dangeerous to be used on public lands and there are
an increment of tragic reports of cyanide bombs injuring people and killing untargetted

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 victimes like dogs and rare wildlife. And he said that congress can prevent the next
tragedy by finally banning these indiscriminate devices. From 2014-2022, the agency
said M-44s intentionally killed 88,000 animals and unintentionally killed more than 2000
animals.

Advocates are still hailing the ban as a major step forward, alhough the BLM says
that less than 1% of the M-44s used by Wildlife Services in 2022 were planted on its
managed lands. After all, several of the most high profile human involved M-44
poisonongs, including the Mansfield incident, occured on BLM land. Advocates also
believe that the BLM's decision could help push additional land management agencies
such as the US Forest Service, as well as other state governments to prohibit cyanide
bombs.

The decision of BLM would build on existing limitations in several States and extend
across all public lands managed by the BLM. To implement the decision, the BLM has
renewed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Wildlife Services regarding wildlife
damage management. The BLM will also amend internal guidance, as appropriate, to
clarify the prohibition. Animal Wellness Action President Wayne Pacelle helped lead
successful ballot initiatives in the first two states that banned M-44s more than two
decades ago — California in 1998 and Washington in 2000. The BLM’s decision to ban
M-44s that deliver sodium cyanide on public lands follows existing bans or use-
limitations in Idaho, Oregon, California and Washington. There is pending legislation to
ban the use of M-44s on all public lands, and their use is currently prohibited on
National Wildlife Refuges and National Park Service lands.

My Opinion:

These cyanide bombs pose a significant threat to not only the targeted predators but
also to other wildlife and even humans. It is crucial to ban the use of cyanide bombs on
public lands to protect the ecosystem and ensure the safety of all living beings. The
harmful effects of sodium cyanide cannot be overlooked, and alternative methods of
predator control should be explored to prevent further environmental damage.
In order to address the issue of predator control without resorting to the use of
cyanide bombs, alternative methods should be explored. This could include
implementing non-lethal deterrents, such as fencing or noise devices, to protect
livestock from predators. Additionally, promoting coexistence between wildlife and

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 agricultural interests through education and habitat management can help mitigate
conflicts and reduce the need for lethal control measures.
By banning the use of cyanide bombs on public lands, we can take a significant step
towards safeguarding the ecosystem and protecting the diverse range of species that
inhabit these areas. It is essential that we prioritize the well-being of both wildlife and
humans, and work towards finding sustainable and humane solutions to predator
control.

Additional infos:

1. Benefit:

2. Biggest federal land: The federal government is the largest landowner in Alaska,
owning approximately 65% of the total area. Alaska is the largest state in the United
States in terms of land area and the least densely populated. Alaska boasts a vast
expanse of untouched and unaltered natural beauty. From federal lands like Glacier
Bay National Park and Denali National Park to state parks such as Chugach and
Kachemak Bay, this state is home to breathtaking landscapes. With over half of the
nation's park lands and the largest national forest in the U.S., Alaska is a haven for
outdoor enthusiasts.

3. Who manages public land?

Here’s a breakdown of the top agencies and the amount of land they own as of 2023:

Bureau of Land Management - 245 million acres

United States Forest Service - 193 million acres

Fish and Wildlife Service - 95 million acres

National Park Service - 85 million acres

Bureau of Indian Affairs - 56 million acres

Department of Defense - 25 million acres

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 American citizens trust state and federal agencies to regulate and protect these lands.
While the government's large land ownership is controversial, the objectives are clear:
preserve nature and wildlife, educate people on conservation, enable global enjoyment,
and conduct vital research for future improvement.

4. MOU: A memorandum of understanding is an agreement between two or more

parties outlined in a formal document. It is not necessarily legally binding, which
depends on the signatories' intent and the language in the agreement, but signals
the willingness of the parties to move forward with a contract. Under U.S. law, an
MOU is similar to a letter of intent. In fact, arguably a memorandum of
understanding, a memorandum of agreement, and a letter of intent are all similar
documents. All communicate an agreement on a mutually beneficial goal and a
desire to see it through to completion. MOUs communicate the mutually accepted
expectations of the people, organizations, or governments involved. They are most
often used in international relations because, unlike treaties, they can be produced
relatively quickly and in secret. They also are in use in many U.S. and state
government agencies, particularly when major contracts are in the planning stages.

5. LOI: LOIs are useful when two parties are initially brought together to hammer out
the broad strokes of a deal before the finer points of a transaction are resolved.
LOIs often include provisions stating that a deal may only go through if financing
has been secured by one or both parties, or that a deal may be squashed if papers
are not signed by a certain date. Since LOIs typically discuss potential points of
deals that have yet to be cemented, they are almost universally intended to be non-
binding.

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