The Fish and Wildlife Service is shocked and severely disappointed with the actions of the rioters on Vieques who overran the national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge at midnight last night, assaulting our employees and destroying our vehicles and equipment, most of which had been transferred from the Navy to the Service just hours before.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is a natural resource and land management agency which works closely with local communities around the country to manage lands for the benefit of wildlife and people. Our dedicated employees have been working with the community of Vieques for several months and were assured that the "Paz Para Vieques" would be peaceful. We hope that continued work with the municipality, the Commonwealth, and, most importantly, the people of Vieques, we can eventually ensure a safe refuge for all.
Unfortunately, the actions of a few will have long-term repercussions for everyone who wants to visit and enjoy the refuge. Without equipment and vehicles, the Service will be unable to guarantee public safety. This will limit our ability to open the refuge for public use, as we had hoped. Due to last night
