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House Resource Committee Probes Contaminated Lynx Study
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"...[T]he reckless and possibly criminal actions of these
scientists could have jeopardized the public use of millions of acres of
land..." |
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Canada Lynx
(Lynx canadensis) |
On March 6, the House Resources Committee, Chaired by
U.S.
Representative James Hansen (R-Utah), heard testimony on the scandal
surrounding the National Lynx Study - a study tainted by officials from
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and
Washington State's Department of Fish & Wildlife when they were reported
to have planted evidence. The study - which could impact 15 states and 57
national parks - seeks to determine whether there are populations of
Canada Lynx living in the United States and whether they should be
protected under the Endangered Species Act.
The controversy centers around three hair samples clipped from a
captured lynx that were planted in three separate areas of the study
area within Washington State. Two of the areas had never been known to
have a lynx population. These samples were then submitted to the lab at
the University of Montana as study data for DNA testing. When
questioned as to why they planted these illegitimate samples, the
biologists involved claimed that they did not trust the lab, and that
they were simply "testing" the facility. The University's lab director
indicated that there was no justification for the biologists to "test"
his lab or his methodology.
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"...Rep. McInnis [compared] what the
researchers did to a corrupt police officer who plants evidence in order
to secure a conviction..." |
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But while federal studies often have protocols that allow for blind
testing of labs, the researchers did not follow what the National Lynx
Study had proscribed for testing lab methodology. Furthermore, while
the researchers claimed they intended to tell the lab of the false
samples, the lab was never notified, and the study did not provide a
vehicle or opportunity for such notification. Once the false samples
were delivered to the lab and confirmed to be lynx hairs, those samples
would become a part of the survey. We may never know the true
motivation of the researchers, or their true intentions, but we do know
their questionable actions were not brought to light until one scientist
involved reported this information to a superior the day before his
retirement.
U.S. Representative Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) was the standard-bearer for
scientific integrity during the hearings, but several lawmakers weighed
in to try to determine what may have led researchers to act so
outrageously. U.S. Representative Greg Waldon (R-Ore.) likened the
actions of the biologists to that of a U.S. Congressman who, after being
caught accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents during the ABSCAM
investigation begun in the late 70s, claimed he was conducting his own
private "study." Rep. McInnis was just as harsh, comparing what the
researchers did to a corrupt police officer who plants evidence in order
to secure a conviction.
While the study will continue, and has been adjusted to account for the
fraudulent samples, the reckless and possibly criminal actions of these
scientists could have jeopardized the public use of millions of acres of
land in the northern United States. NRA applauds the actions of the
Resource Committee thus far, and NRA-ILA Executive Director James Jay
Baker sent a letter of thanks to Reps. Hansen and McInnis for leading
this effort. Baker also expressed NRA's support for punishing those
involved with creating this controversy, writing, "We...support you in
your efforts to ensure that punishment of the researchers is
commensurate with their actions. Appropriate punishment of those
involved will send a clear message that the federal government cannot
and will not tolerate irresponsible behavior, especially when the public
use of our nation's natural resources hangs in the balance."
We will be
sure to report any additional developments on this front, and we
anticipate that there could be additional hearings still to come.
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