>From today's ARRL news bulletin
Access to Navassa, Desecheo may require Act of Congress (Feb 16, 2005) -- A bill calling on the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to permit public access to Navassa (KP1) and Desecheo (KP5) islands has been introduced in the 109th Congress. Both islands are under FWS jurisdiction. US Rep Nick Rahall (D-WV) introduced HR 298 January 25, "To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge." Such action would open the islands to future DXpeditions. US Rep Richard Pombo (R-CA) co- sponsored the measure, which has been referred to the House Committee on Resources. Rahall sponsored identical legislation in the last Congress. Citing unexploded ordinance and potential danger from drug traffickers in the area, the FWS recently denied a group of Ohio DXers permission to land on Desecheo. The agency has not issued Amateur Radio permits since 1993. Navassa and Desecheo are among the top 10 most-wanted DXCC entities, according to the 2004 The DX Magazine survey. The KP1/5 Project Team, in conjunction with the Lone Star DX Association, is encouraging members of the DX community to contact their congressional representative to urge co-sponsorship and support of HR 298. (Correspondents can look up their nine-digit ZIP Code on the US Postal Service Web site.) The KP1/5 team recommends following up e-mail or USPS correspondence with a telephone call and to establish a point of contact for any followup calls. The KP1/5 Project Web site includes a sample letter to a member of Congress, news updates and additional information about the KP1/5 Project. Representatives of the KP1/5 Team will travel to Washington April 8 to brief lawmakers on the measure. For further assistance, e-mail the project, [EMAIL PROTECTED] The full text of HR 298 is available via the Library of Congress Web site. ---------------------------------------------------------- Archives http://www.mail-archive.com/dx-news@njdxa.org THE DXR is sponsored by the North Jersey DX Association. Please visit our website: http://www.njdxa.org/index.php scroll to bottom for subscribe/unsubscribe options ----------------------------------------------------------
