Federal agency cuts ties with refuge volunteers

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Story Published: Aug 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 22, 2010 at 2:00 PM MST

HAMILTON, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service has terminated its relationship with the Friends of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.

The volunteer group was formed to assist in the protection of the southwestern Montana refuge. It has raised more than $100,000 and donated hours of volunteer labor.

The organization's president, Paul Hayes, says U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Supervisor Dean Rundle wrote a letter in July cutting ties. In the letter, Rundle said the group had expressed "great dissatisfaction" with an agency employee and the way the agency addressed the group's concerns.

Rundle's letter says the volunteer group was seeking an inappropriate role in making decisions about the refuge.

The group appealed the decision and was turned down on Wednesday. Hayes says the situation is shocking and an insult.

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Information from: The Ravalli Republic, http://www.ravallirepublic.com

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