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Environment Action
Alerts for
January 1 - January 7, 2001
Save Arctic Wildlife Refuge
Bush's Appointees for Energy & Interior
Look East to See Future ENS News Jan 2
ENS News Jan 4
60 Million Acres of Wild Protect Arctic Refuge
Stop Bad Treatment of
House Enviro-Com. Chair Out ENS News Jan 3
Sierra Club Action vol 3 #2
ENS News Jan 5 Help Protect the Habitat
Groundbreaking Media
California Ativist Network NRDC Earth Action Bulletin
Protect Hawaii's Reefs
Great News Re: Tongass!
Last Chance for Arctic Refuge
Judge Lets MInnesota
Before Bush Takes Office
are Step Backward for Environment
of Western Wolves
Forests Ptotected!
With One Phone Call
Venezuelan Protesters
of Step with Public Concerns
of the Colorado River Delta
Coverage for U'wa
Action Alert
Take Action Now!
Wolf Proposal Stand
from Global Response January 2, 2001
Dear Members of Global Response's "Quick Response
Network:"
Happy New Year! Let's try to save the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge
before George W. Bush takes office.
U.S.
Senator Frank Murkowski had a column in last Sunday's Outlook Section
of The
Washington Post, calling for opening up the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge
to oil exploration. U.S. President-elect Bush says this is going to
be one
of his priorities.
Even though President Clinton is president
for only a few more weeks, he
can still designate the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to be a National
Monument, which would forever protect that
pristine wilderness from oil
drilling and other commercial development. If
Clinton fails to act, Bush
has already stated that he will turn the Refuge
over to big oil. Clinton is on his way
out and is sympathetic to this cause.
He has already protected more wildlands since
Teddy Roosevelt was president.
All he needs is a big push from the public.
Please call the White House
hotline at (202)456-1111 (press "0" when
prompted) from 8:30-5:00 EST and
tell the comments-line operator that you want
President Clinton to declare
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to be
a National Monument as the last
positive environmental act of his
presidency. This one action may result in
the protection of more animals than almost
anything else you can do.
You may also send the president an email at this website:
www.whitehouse.gov
or send email directly to:
president@whitehouse.gov.
or fax: 202-456-2461 (Attn: President Clinton)
Your message or phone call can simply say:
Dear Mr. President,
As the last environmental act of your presidency, I am asking you to
designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to be a National Monument.
Please culminate your presidency with this great environmental legacy.
Thank you,
Your Name
Please send this Action Alert to
everyone that you know!
--------------------------------------
GLOBAL RESPONSE is an international letter-writing network of environmental
activists. In partnership with indigenous, environmentalist and
peace and
justice organizations around the world, GLOBAL RESPONSE develops
"Actions"
that describe specific, urgent threats to the environment; each
"Action"
asks members to write personal letters to individuals in the
corporations,
governments or international organizations that have the power
and
responsibility to take corrective action. GR also issues
"Young
Environmentalists' Actions" and "Eco-Club Actions" designed to
educate and
motivate elementary and high school students to practice earth
stewardship.
P.O. Box 7490 Phone: 303/444-0306
Boulder CO, USA
80306-7490 Fax: 303/449-9794
To receive Global Response
"Actions" and "Emergency Actions" by email:
Send a blank message to:
globresmembers-subscribe@igc.topica.com
Visit our website at: http://www.globalresponse.org
from Environment News Service January 2, 2001
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
(ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We
Cover the Earth For You"
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U.S. Energy Demand, Greenhouse Emissions to Rise
WASHINGTON, DC,
January 2, 2001 (ENS) - As California's
electricity grid is stressed by high
demand, scant reserves,
skyrocketing fuel prices and power shortages, the
federal
government has issued a 20 year energy forecast warning
Americans to brace for more of the same across the country.
For full
text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-02-01.html
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China to Create First National Tiger Reserve
CHANGCHUN, China,
January 2, 2001 (ENS) - A Chinese nature
reserve that is inhabited by four
to six Siberian tigers is
about to be upgraded to a national park, according
to the
Chinese state information service.
For full text and graphics
visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-02-02.html
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Surf Videos Could Help Fight Erosion
COLUMBUS, Ohio, January 2,
2001 (ENS) - Researchers at Ohio State
University have developed a new way
to map the ocean currents
that erode beaches, cost coastal towns millions of
dollars in annual
property losses, and threaten a tourist industry worth
billions
of dollars.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-02-04.html
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ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE: AMERISCAN JANUARY 2, 2001
Bush's
Energy Secretary Called an Environmental Zero
Buffalo Protectors Rally
at Inauguration of Montana's Governor
Ford Presents Hollywood Stars on
National Geographic Telecast
New York to Assess Impact of Mosquito
Control Pesticides
Vieques Bombing Protesters Rip Down Navy Fence
Four New Long Island Homes Destroyed by Arson
Apply Now for
Environmental Justice Small Grants
California University First to be
Designed to Green Standards
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-02-09.html
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SEND NEWS STORY
TIPS TO news@ens-news.com
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TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
NVID Resubmits 10SB to
Meet Reporting Requirement for OTC:BB
CLEARWATER, Fla., Jan. 2
-/E-Wire/-- NVID International, Inc.
(Pink Sheets:NVID) announced Tuesday
that Form 10SB, which is a
Registration Statement to comply with the
Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 has been resubmitted on Dec. 26, 2000 in
response to
the Securities & Exchange Commission.
/CONTACT: NVID
International, Inc., Clearwater Corporate Office: David
Larson, 727/669-5005
Fax: 727/669-4701 dLarson@aquabiotech.com
NVID's or Sales Office: Michael
Redden, 941/312-9100 Fax: 941/312-9300
aquabiotech@home.com/
/Web
site: http://www.aquabiotech.net/
For full text visit:
http://ens-news.com/e-wire/Jan01/02Jan0101.html
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SEND YOUR PRESS RELEASE ON E-WIRE -- 1-888-764-NEWS
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from Center for Marine Conservation January 2, 2001
Over the next few weeks we have an important
opportunity
to help protect a cherished national treasure, the
Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. This spectacular
wild place
is threatened by oil companies who would
like to drill in the very heart of
the refuge for short-term
profit. Time is running out!
President Bill Clinton can designate the Arctic Refuge
as a National
Monument. We need your help to urge
the President to take this
historic action before he
leaves office, and permanently protect one of our
last
pristine wild places.
The coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge is
the biological
core of the last unspoiled Arctic ecosystem in North
America. It is also known to be the largest polar
bear
denning site on the continent. Numerous species
of wildlife,
including grizzly bears, wolves, musk
oxen, and tundra swans, all call this
unique place
home for at least part of the year.
On January 3, 2001 . The Arctic Monument Nationwide
Call-In Day .
thousands of supporters will be calling
the White House to voice their
support for the Arctic
Wildlife National Monument.
Contact the White
House directly through their comment
line and make your voice
heard! The number is 202-456-1111.
Let the White House operator
know that YOU WANT PRESIDENT
CLINTON TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT THE ARCTIC
NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT. Ask your friends
and colleagues to make the call as well!
Thank you for your help
with this important issue!
from Environment News Service January 3, 2001
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
(ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We
Cover the Earth For You"
************************************************************
U.S.
AGENCIES SEEK TO TURN RADIOACTIVE METALS INTO CONSUMER ITEMS
By Brian
Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, January 3, 2001 (ENS) - The manufacture of
consumer
products out of radioactively contaminated materials discarded from
commercial
nuclear power plants and government bomb factories could become a
fact of
American life. In an extraordinary move, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission today asked the National Academy of Sciences to sanction the
controversial practice.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-03-15.html
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COMBINATION OF PESTICIDES LINKED TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE
ROCHESTER, New York, January 3, 2001 (ENS) - A combination of two widely
used agricultural pesticides - but neither one alone - creates in mice the
exact pattern of brain damage that doctors see in patients with Parkinson's
disease. The research offers the most compelling evidence yet that everyday
environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-03-06.html
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SOUTH AFRICA TO SET EMERGENCY FISHING LIMITS
CAPE TOWN, South
Africa, January 3, 2001 (ENS) - The severe depletion of at
least 20 species
of fish has been recognized by the South African
government. Environmental
Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa will
soon announce "emergency
measures" aimed at rebuilding the numbers of these
fishes, a government
spokesman said today.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-03-03.html
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COURT SINKS FRENCH ENERGY TAX PLAN
PARIS, France, January 3,
2001 (ENS) - The French government's program of
ecological tax reform was
dealt a serious blow on December 28 when the
country's constitutional court
rejected a planned industrial energy tax
that was due to take effect on
January 1.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-03-02.html
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ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: JANUARY 3, 2001
EPA Sets
Water Quality Criteria for Nutrients, Methylmercury
Ancient Underground
Fractures May Threaten Ground Water Supplies
Mercury Research Strategy
Unveiled
Clinton Bounces Japan Whaling Issue to Bush
Sierra Club
Calls on Bush to Protect Environment
South Pole Snowpack Reveals
Century's Air Quality
Critical Habitat Proposed for 32 Hawaiian Plants
EPA Issues Guidelines for Environmental Economics
For full text
and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-03-09.html
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2000 All Rights Reserved.
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SEND NEWS STORY
TIPS TO news@ens-news.com
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TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Thermal
Oxidizer Removes VOCs from Process Exhaust. . .
Heat Recovery Adds Even
Greater Efficiency
PATERSON, NJ, Jan. 03,
-/E-Wire/-- This direct fired recuperative
thermal oxidizer, designed and
manufactured by Glenro Inc., is being
used to clean a manufacturing exhaust
stream that contains organic
hydrocarbon contaminants. The oxidizer system
not only processes
21,000 scfm of exhaust, but also uses primary and
secondary heat recovery
subsystems to recapture a large amount of heat
energy for reuse in
the process.
/CONTACT:Jim Alimena Glenro, Inc.
jimva@glenro.com or info@glenro.com
Voice: 1-888-GLENRO1 (1-888-453-6761)/
/Web site: www.glenro.com/
For
Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0105.html
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TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
EarthCare Completes
Acquisition of Solid Waste Company
DALLAS, TX,
Jan. 03, -/E-Wire/-- EarthCare Company (Nasdaq: ECCO) announced
today that
it has completed the acquisition of EarthCare Florida (formerly
Liberty Waste, Inc.). EarthCare Florida is
located in Tampa, and owns a
construction and
demolition landfill in Ruskin, Florida, near Tampa, and has
transfer stations in Clearwater and
Tampa. Currently, EarthCare Florida has
annual revenues of approximately $19 million and services
commercial,
industrial and residential customers in the
Tampa area. There are also plans
to expand
its operations into other cities in Florida. EarthCare Company
issued approximately 490,100 shares of its common stock to
acquire the
remaining 56% interest in EarthCare Florida
it did not previously own.
/CONTACT: Lew Nevins,
Vice President, Investor Relations of EarthCare
Company, 972-858-6025/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0106.html
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TO MEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
Aethlon Medical
Confirms HIV Treatment Presentation
SAN DIEGO, CA, Jan. 03,
-/E-Wire/-- Aethlon Medical, Inc., (OTCBB:
AEMD)
confirmed today that it has accepted an invitation to present its
HIV-Hemopurifier(TM) treatment technology at Cambridge
Healthtech
Institute's Seventh Annual Blood Product
Safety Conference on Tuesday,
February 6, 2001.
/CONTACT: Investors: The
Investor Relations Group, Inc., New York
Dian Griesel,
Ph.D., 212/736-2650 or Corporate Contact: James A. Joyce,
Chairman, 858/456-5777 jimjoyce@aethlonmedical.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0104.html
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TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
The Copano Institute Announces an
Agricultural Breakthrough
AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 3,
-/E-Wire/-- Mr. Guy McGowen, President of Biozome,
(an
agricultural research and development company founded in 1998), is
please to announce a breakthrough in a revolutionary new
way of helping
plants grow.
/CONTACT: Guy V.
Mcgowen, Phone: (512) 282-2087
/Web
site: http://www.biozome.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0103.html
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TO NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
Environmental and
Animal Protection Groups to Make Major Announcement on Federal Manatee
Protection Lawsuit
WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 03,
-/E-Wire/-- PRESS CONFERENCE:
WHO: Helen
Spivey, co-chair, Save the Manatee Club (SMC)
Eric
Glitzenstein, attorney, Meyer & Glitzenstein
Patrick
Rose, director of governmental affairs, SMC
Dr.
Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist,
Humane
Society of the U.S., and representatives from
19
national environmental and animal protection groups
/CONTACT: Howard
White/Humane Society of U.S.: (301) 258-3072
D'Arcy
Kemnitz/Wildlife Advocacy Project: (202) 588-5206
Judith
Vallee/Save the Manatee Club: (407) 539-0990/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0102.html
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TO POLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
Environmental Issues
in the Bush Administration Website offers
resources,
background on urgent issues
WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 03,
-/E-Wire/-- Reporters covering President-elect
Bush's
environmental policy and appointees should make http://www.EMS.org
their first
stop for background, analysis and links to additional
information.
/CONTACT: Jan
Vertefeuille at EMS, 202/463-6670,
/Web site: http://www.EMS.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/03Jan0101.html
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SEND YOUR PRESS RELEASE ON E-WIRE --
1-888-764-NEWS
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from Environmental Defense January 3, 2001
You can take action on this alert either by email or
preferably on the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A14248B0103014845C189
Alert expires on January 12,
2001
Here's what this alert is
about:
Help protect the
habitat of the Colorado River Delta
----------------------
The delta of the mighty Colorado River hangs on by
a thread, sustained by less than 0.1% of the river's
water. Although much reduced from its pre-development
grandeur, the delta continues to provide the most important
wetland habitat in the southwestern desert of North
America, and more native riparian habitat than in the
rest of the lower Colorado River. Birds like the
southwestern
willow flycatcher and the Yuma clapper
rail thrive
in the Colorado River delta but elsewhere
are threatened
with extinction. Where the delta meets
the Gulf of
California, you can still find the vaquita
porpoise,
the world's smallest - and possibly most
endangered
- marine mammal.
These animals survive today
because water flows to
the delta, albeit in small
amounts. But this water
is under serious threat of
disappearing, as water users
upstream in the United
States, who already use 90%
of the river's water,
attempt to divert yet more water
from the river. If
they are successful, they will virtually
ensure that
less water will reach the delta. This proposal
is
intended, in the long term, to reduce California's
use
of Colorado River water, a laudable goal. But the
reality of nature is that the long term - in this case
15 years - may be too long: depriving the delta of
water for 15 years is likely to cause irreparable damage.
Please raise your voice
against this needless destruction
of one of the last
great desert estuary/wetlands ecosystems
in North
America. Join us in asking the United States
government
to ensure that water continues to sustain
the delta and
the species that depend on it.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Pitt,
senior resource analyst, at jpitt@environmentaldefense.org.
More information on the Interim Surplus Criteria is
available at: http://www.lc.usbr.gov/~g4000/surplus/SURPLUS_FEIS.HTML
----------------------
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE
WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take
action
on this alert by going to the following URL:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A14248B0103014845C189
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA
EMAIL:
Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your
email
program, and edit the letter below as you
wish. You
must include the whole letter in
your response including
"-YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER
BELOW-" and "-END OF LETTER-".
Please do not add your
name and address to your letter.
Action Network
automatically does this for you.
We STRONGLY encourage you to make edits directly to
our sample letter below, and put the alert talking
points into your own words. An individualized letter
is worth ten computer generated letters. Of course,
hundreds of unedited letters will still create a large
impact, so please reply even if you don't have time
to personalize the letter.
Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Ms. Jayne Harkins
-------YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER
BELOW---------
I am writing to
object to the preferred alternative
in the Final EIS
for the Colorado River Interim Surplus
Criteria.
Implementation of these criteria will deprive
the
Colorado River delta of life-sustaining water,
destroy
important native riparian habitats, and push
numerous
endangered species perilously close to extinction.
I recognize that these criteria
are proposed for a
worthy reason: to give California a
"soft landing"
as it reduces its water use to its legal
entitlement
to Colorado River water. However, the cost
is too high.
Without ensuring that the Colorado River
delta receives
adequate water to sustain its riparian
ecosystems,
these criteria virtually ensure that they
will be lost.
The delta should not be forced to
shoulder the burden
of California's excessive use. I
urge the Bureau to
ensure that these impacts are
mitigated, by dedicating
sufficient water to meet the
needs of cottonwoods and
willows throughout their
life-cycle. In addition, I
urge the Bureau to issue a
supplemental EIS that includes
the proposal submitted
by the Pacific Institute on
behalf of ten environmental
organizations as a reasonable
alternative, an analysis
of this alternative, and an
analysis of the impacts on
the Mexican delta for each
alternative.
Thank you for your consideration.
-------END OF
LETTER-------------------------
Sincerely yours,
from Natural Resources Defense Council January 3, 2001
EARTH ACTION: The Bulletin for Environmental Activists
January 3, 2001
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Contents:
1) alerts
a) CABINET APPOINTMENTS: Urge your
senators to reject President-elect Bush. s nominee for Interior secretary
2) Status Of Previous alerts
3) About Our Bulletins
4) About NRDC
You will also find these alerts in
NRDC'S Earth Action Center (http://www.nrdc.org/action), which includes tools for
taking action easily online.
******************************************
1) alerts
CABINET APPOINTMENTS
Urge your senators to reject President-elect Bush. s
nominee for Interior secretary
On December 29, 2000, President-elect George W. Bush
announced Gale Norton as his nominee for secretary of the interior. Many
environmental organizations (including NRDC) believe this appointment is a slap
in the face to the great majority of Americans who, time and time again, have
said they want our parks and public lands protected from exploitation by
well-financed, politically connected oil companies and other businesses.
While the secretary of the
interior should be an advocate for protecting public resources, Norton. s
record, sadly, is the opposite. As a lawyer in James Watt. s interior department
in the mid-1980s, she attempted to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to
development. While Colorado attorney general, she defended a state law that
allowed polluters to hide evidence and avoid penalties if they reported
environmental violations and pledged to clean up their act. The EPA criticized
the law because it kept details of companies. actions confidential, preventing
citizens and government agencies from investigating even egregious violations
that could have dramatic impacts on public health and the environment.
Norton has worked for the Mountain
States Legal Foundation, an anti-environment lobbying group supported by
industry, and is also chair of the Coalition for Republican Environmental
Advocates, another lobbying group funded by industry and one which favors free
market approaches far more beneficial to its funders than the environment. Her
record shows that she supports big polluter interests far more than she would
support the public interest, while her belief that industry should be allowed to
regulate itself will give a green light to those who would misuse what doesn't
belong to them -- our public lands that should be held in trust for our
children.
== What to do ==
Contact your senators immediately urging them to oppose
Norton. s nomination as interior secretary, and feel free to include your own
reasons for wanting to fill this cabinet post with someone who will truly
protect America. s public lands.
== Contact information ==
You can
email or fax your senators directly from NRDC's Earth Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. If you prefer to call your
senators, the Capitol Switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.
..........
2) Status Of Previous alerts
LEGISLATIVE RIDERS
In our last alert we asked you to urge your senators and
representative to oppose two anti-environment riders that were buried deep
within the final bill Congress passed on December 15, a massive $108+ billion
funding measure for several federal agencies. One rider prevents the Park
Service from reducing snowmobile use in national parks during the next two
winter seasons. While this rider does not directly affect Yellowstone or Grand
Teton National Park (see below for more on that), it will likely be the first of
many riders attempting to block efforts to eliminate snowmobile pollution in our
parks. The other rider, as originally introduced, would have jeopardized the
survival of endangered Steller sea lions. As passed in the final bill, this
rider now represents a compromise reached between the Clinton administration and
Sen. Stevens (R-AK), who had previously attempted to completely suspend
application of the Endangered Species Act as it relates to the sea lions. Thanks
in p!
art to your strong public outcry (and in part to
a threatened presidential veto), Sen. Stevens withdrew his proposal, but the
resulting agreement delays full implementation of the strong protections for sea
lions until 2002, creating a phase-in period during which fishing restrictions
will be limited and exceptions to conservation measures may be allowed to
maintain the income of small-boat fishermen and on-shore processors. Many thanks
to the literally thousands of you who mobilized during the final hours of the
106th Congress to help us control the last-minute damage.
DIESEL REGULATIONS
Last June we asked you to contact the EPA and urge the
agency to adopt strong new diesel fuel and emission rules that would help clean
up the nation. s air. Thousands of you responded (the EPA reported receiving
more than 70,000 emails supporting strong new rules) and, on December 21, the
agency announced it had approved tough new standards that will require stringent
tailpipe emission limits on new large trucks and buses and virtually sulfur-free
diesel fuel to power them. Over the next decade, the new standards will reduce
smog-causing nitrogen oxide by 95 percent and microscopic soot (associated with
increased asthma attacks, cancer and heart disease) by 90 percent. NRDC hailed
the new rules as the biggest public health advance since the removal of lead
from gasoline in the 1970s . THANK YOU for helping bring about this important
victory!
YELLOWSTONE
SNOWMOBILES
Last June we asked you to contact the
Clinton administration urging a ban on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and other
national parks, where these vehicles cause severe air, water and noise
pollution, disturb wildlife and interfere with visitors. enjoyment. On December
22 the National Park Service announced it will phase out snowmobile use in
Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, bringing in snowcoaches that will
allow continued winter use of the parks without limiting visitor numbers, yet
still eliminating the harmful impacts of snowmobiles. Thanks to everyone who
took action in defense of the parks! While we. d like to believe this is a
secure victory, in reality the Park Service. s plan likely will face future
threats, so we. ll keep close tabs on this issue and let you know if future
action is needed.
SNAKE RIVER
SALMON
In August we asked you to write the Clinton
administration in support of a salmon recovery plan that included removing four
dams along the lower Snake River. On December 21 the administration released its
final plan, which, thanks to your messages and others. , contains significant
improvements over the draft. The plan still falls far short, however, of what is
needed to restore these endangered fish. While it includes stronger language
recommending removing the dams if performance standards for protecting the
salmon aren't met at 3-, 5- and 8-year checkpoints, instead of designating
specific, science-based habitat restoration actions, the plan simply creates
another planning process to determine what measures will be tried, delaying the
start of such measures for many months despite the urgent need for action. The
first test of whether the plan stands a chance of working will be the 107th
Congress. s willingness to fully fund it, including the dam removal engineering
studies it!
requires. We. ll keep you posted on
developments as they arise and let you know when we need you to contact Congress
or the Bush administration.
FACTORY FARM POLLUTION
In
September we asked you to contact the EPA demanding strong rules that will
control the millions of gallons of animal waste pollution produced by factory
farms every year. On December 15 EPA administrator Carol Browner signed a
proposed rule that, while holding corporate owners responsible for the waste,
still contains permitting loopholes and does not require factory farms to
effectively control animal waste pollution, which flows into nearby waterways,
killing fish, polluting drinking water supplies, and spreading
antibiotic-resistant bacteria into the environment. We will continue to press
for more stringent regulations and will keep you posted as to when your action
is next needed on this important issue. In the meantime, thanks to all of you
who took action for keeping the pressure on the EPA.
..........
3) About Our Bulletins
The Natural Resources Defense
Council distributes three bulletins by mailing list:
EARTH ACTION is sent biweekly and
calls out urgent environmental issues requiring individual action. To subscribe,
visit the Earth Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action or send a message to
nrdcaction@nrdc.org with SUBSCRIBE EARTH ACTION BULLETIN in the subject line. To
unsubscribe from the EARTH ACTION BULLETIN, send an email message to
nrdcaction@nrdc.org with UNSUBSCRIBE EARTH ACTION BULLETIN in the subject line.
LEGISLATIVE WATCH is sent
biweekly when Congress is in session and tracks environmental bills moving
through the federal legislature. To subscribe to Legislative Watch, send an
email message to nrdcaction@nrdc.org with SUBSCRIBE LEGISLATIVE WATCH in the
subject line. To unsubscribe, send an email message to nrdcaction@nrdc.org with
UNSUBSCRIBE LEGISLATIVE WATCH in the subject line.
The CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION ALERT is distributed
bimonthly to members of NRDC's California Activist Network and provides action
tools to Californians and others concerned with protecting the state's natural
resources and the health of its citizens. To join the network, visit NRDC's Save
Wild California website at http://www.nrdc.org/wildcalifornia or send an email
message to wildcalifornia@nrdc.org with SUBSCRIBE CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK in
the subject line. To unsubscribe, send an email message to
wildcalifornia@nrdc.org with UNSUBSCRIBE CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK in the
subject line.
..........
4) About NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense
Council is a nonprofit environmental organization with 400,000 members
nationwide and a staff of scientists, lawyers and environmental experts. Our
mission is to protect the world's natural resources and improve the quality of
the human environment.
For
more information about NRDC or how to become a member of NRDC, please contact us
at:
Natural Resources Defense
Council
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-727-4511
(voice) / 212-727-1773 (fax)
General email:
nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
Earth Action Network email: nrdcaction@nrdc.org
from League of Conservation Voters January 4, 2001
WASHINGTON, DC -- The nomination of former Senator Spencer
Abraham and
former Colorado Attorney General Gale
Norton to head the departments of
Energy and Interior,
respectively, is a giant step backwards for
environmental protection, the League of Conservation Voters
(LCV)
concluded today. Bush announced
Abraham's nomination today and Norton's
last Friday.
For the full release, please
see:
http://lcv.org/presidential/releases.html
from Environment News Service January 4, 2001
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
(ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We
Cover the Earth For You"
************************************************************
ENVIRONMENT MADE HEADLINES
OVER PAST 30 YEARS
By Cat
Lazaroff
WASHINGTON, DC,
January 4, 2001 (ENS) - The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) turned 30 years old in 2000. To mark this
anniversary, the
EPA's Pacific Southwest regional
office has compiled a timeline of 30 of
the top
national environmental news stories of the past 30 years, and 30 of
the top regional stories.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-04-06.html
************************************************************
ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAIL
SETTLEMENT IN MANATEE LAWSUIT
By Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC, January 4, 2000 (ENS) - A coalition of
environmental groups
today announced a landmark legal
settlement that could help to pull back the
imperiled
Florida manatee from the brink of extinction.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-04-15.html
************************************************************
EUROPE TO LAUNCH NEW EARTH
MONITORING SATELLITES
GENEVA,
Switzerland, January 4, 2001 (ENS) - A powerful new European
weather satellite to be launched early next year will
strengthen
environmental monitoring in Europe and 45
African, Caribbean and Pacific
countries.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-04-03.html
************************************************************
NORWAY TURNS ITS BACK ON
HYDROPOWER
OSLO, Norway,
January 4, 2001 (ENS) - Norwegian prime minister Jens
Stoltenberg has created a mini-sensation in Norway by
declaring in his
traditional New Year's Eve national
address that "the era of large-scale
new hydropower
development is over" and that several big hydro projects are
to be abandoned.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-04-02.html
************************************************************
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
AMERISCAN: JANUARY 4, 2001
Coast Guard Violated Oil Pollution Act, Judge Rules
California Governor Calls Special
Legislative Session on Energy
Solar Energy to be Standard Feature in New Homes
4000+ Communities Targeted for
Enhanced Fire Protection
Limits Placed on Crab Fishing Vessels in Bering Sea
California Poachers Busted in
Colorado
Energy Secretary
Names Head of Office of River Protection
Washington State Seeks Public Input on Water Quality
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens.lycos.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-04-09.html
Copyright Environment News
Service (ENS) 2000 All Rights Reserved.
************************************************************
SEND
NEWS STORY TIPS TO news@ens-news.com
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO CITY, BUSINESS AND
ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
John
Elkington and Paul Gilding to Headline
'GEMI
2001: An Odyssey to Environmental Excellence'
WASHINGTON, DC Jan. 04, -/E-Wire/--
The Global Environmental Management
Initiative (GEMI)
today announced two of its key speakers for its Annual
Conference that will take place March 19-20, 2001 at the
Renaissance
Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, MD.
/CONTACT: Amy Goldman of
the Global Environmental Management Initiative,
202-296-7449/
/Web site: http://www.gemi.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/04Jan0105.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO CITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
Chester County Watershed Protection Forum
Announced by the Delaware River
Basin
Commission and Chester County Water Resources Authority
WEST
CHESTER, Pa., Jan. 4 -/E-Wire/-- A discussion on integrating
water resources protection in land use planning will take
place January 8 in
West Chester, Pa.
/CONTACT: Clarke Rupert
of the DRBC, 609-883-9500, ext. 260, or
crupert@drbc.state.nj.us/
/Web site: http://www.chesco.org/water /
/Web site: http://www.state.nj.us/drbc /
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/04Jan0104.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
International
Paper and The Nature Conservancy Announce
Historic
Conservation Agreement for the Adirondacks
ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 04, -/E-Wire/--
International Paper (NYSE: IP) and
The Nature
Conservancy today announced a historic agreement that will conserve
the forested character of the Adirondack Park, protect
important ecological
resources, create significant new
outdoor recreation opportunities, and
maintain the
economic benefits of the region's working forest.
/Web sites: http://www.internationalpaper.com
/Web
sites: http://www.tnc.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/04Jan0103.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Arbor Day Foundation Hosts Vote for America's National Tree
NEBRASKA CITY, NE, Jan. 04,
-/E-Wire/-- Now, for the first time, the
American
public has the opportunity to vote for a national symbol. The
National Arbor Day Foundation is hosting a process that
makes it possible
for people to vote for America's
National Tree, either by visiting the
Foundation's
website, arborday.org, or through the mail.
/CONTACT: Gary
Brienzo, Information Coordinator, The National Arbor
Day Foundation, (402) 474-5655, gbrienzo@arborday.org/
/Web
site: http://www.arborday.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/04Jan0102.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS:
Little
Ha-Ha, Ecologically Friendly Children's
Book
Now Available at Major Book Stores
SANTA MONICA, CA, Jan. 04,
-/E-Wire/-- Kissing Deer Press, LLC.
Christopher Boyce,
author of the Little Ha-Ha series of children's books and
read-a-longs announced the distribution of his first title
through Ingram
Book Distributors, Lavergne, Tennessee.
Both the book and the book & CD,
featuring Irene
Bedard, the voice and visual inspiration for Disney's
Pocahontas, will be available.
/CONTACT: Kissing
Deer Press, LLC 1223 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 897,Santa
Monica, CA 90403-5400 (310)288-1655ph (310)451-5921fx/
/Web
site: http:www.littlehaha.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/04Jan0101.html
************************************************************
SEND YOUR PRESS RELEASE ON E-WIRE --
1-888-764-NEWS
************************************************************
from Sierra Club January 4, 2001
SC-Action Volume III, #2
DEFENDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL
AGENDA
January 3, 2001
-----------------------Quote of the
Day-------------------------------
A hard beginning maketh a good
ending.
--John Heywood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Take
Action: Urge your Senators to oppose the nominations of Ashcroft
and Norton, and support the nomination of
Mineta. Call the Capitol
Switchboard
at: (202) 224-3121
The Sierra Club Opposes:
Attorney General -- Sen. John Ashcroft
(R-Mo.)
Interior Secretary -- former
Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton
The Sierra Club Supports:
Transportation Secretary -- Rep. Norman
Mineta (D-Calif.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The Sierra Club's
Position on Bush Cabinet Appointments
Attorney General -- Sen. John Ashcroft
(R-Mo.)
The Sierra Club opposes the
appointment of John Ashcroft as Attorney
General. Ashcroft has an exceedingly poor
environmental voting record
and is
openly hostile to most environmental laws. Ashcroft voted against
additional funding for environmental
programs including the Clean Water
Action Plan and toxic waste cleanups at
Superfund sites. He also voted
for a
bill to roll back clean water protections, to prevent the EPA from
enforcing arsenic standards for drinking
water, and to allow mining
companies
to dump cyanide and other mining waste on large areas of
public lands next to mining sites.
Ashcroft also
opposes campaign finance reform. He voted against the
McCain-Feingold bill for a complete ban
on soft money contributions to
political parties, which would have
closed a loophole that allows
mining,
timber and other interests to gain influence by contributing
huge unregulated sums of money to
political parties.
Interior Secretary -- former Colorado
Attorney General Gale Norton
The
Sierra Club opposes Bush's selection of Gale Norton as Interior
Secretary. During the Reagan presidency,
Norton served as associate
solicitor
at the Interior Department under Interior Secretary James
Watt. In that capacity she authored and
signed legal opinions in support
of
drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and provided legal
advice on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's controversial approval of
Two Forks Dam. Norton has also called the
government's handling of
endangered
species cases as an example of excessive regulation.
Watt later hired
Norton as a lawyer for the arch-conservative Mountain
States Legal Foundation, which often
represents loggers, miners,
ranchers
and water developers in fights against environmental groups.
Norton is also the founder and serves on
advisory committee of the
Coalition
of Republican Environmental Advocates (CREA), which is
considered by the Republicans for
Environmental Protection (a legitimate
GOP environmental group) to be "a
transparent attempt to fool voters who
care about environmental protection."
Contributors to CREA include
several
energy companies and associations representing the mining,
logging, chemical and coal industries.
Transportation Secretary -- Rep. Norman
Mineta (D-Calif.)
Rep. Norm Mineta is
a sound choice to head the Department of
Transportation. Secretary Mineta
supported mass transit during his
tenure in the House of Representatives
and co-sponsored a bill to
increase
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that would
increase fuel
efficiency. Mineta also worked to make public
transportation more accessible for all
Americans.
Rep. Mineta is open to protecting air and
conserving precious natural
resources, and hopefully he will have a
strong voice in the Bush
Administration.
Energy Secretary
-- Sen. Spenser Abraham (R-Mich.)
The
Sierra Club is concerned about the poor environmental record of
Bush's nominee for Energy Secretary, Sen.
Spencer Abraham. Abraham led
the
Senate's efforts to prevent the Clinton Administration from
increasing fuel economy in cars and light
trucks. He co-sponsored two
separate
bills that would have allowed drilling for oil in the fragile
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He also
voted to kill an amendment that
would
have added $62 million to the Energy Department's solar and
renewable energy programs from being
considered by the full Senate, and
he
voted to delay reforming the way oil companies pay royalties for
drilling public lands. Abraham also
supported establishment of an
above-ground "interim" nuclear waste dump
near Yucca Mountain in Nevada,
which
the Sierra Club opposed.
In 1999, Abraham sponsored legislation
that would have abolished the
Department of Energy.
Americans' broad
support for clean air and water makes the environment
the perfect test of President-elect
Bush's pledge to heal the nation's
wounds. Unfortunately, Senator Abraham is
a pathetic choice to guide our
energy
policy. The Club calls on the Senate to vigorously question
Abraham about his opposition to higher
fuel efficiency standards, and
his
unwillingness to support conservation and renewable energy programs.
EPA
Administrator New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman (R)
Gov. Christine Whitman has a mixed record
on the environment, but on
balance we
believe the Sierra Club could work with her as EPA
Administrator. As New Jersey governor,
Whitman worked to safeguard
Sterling
Forest and other unspoiled treasures from developers and
sprawl. She also stood at the forefront
of the clean air fight when she
pushed the nation's governors to support
efforts to reduce soot and smog
air
pollution.
Unfortunately, Whitman also oversaw
severe cuts to her state's
environmental law enforcement efforts,
which cause us deep concern. By
cutting New Jersey's environmental
budget, she hampered her state's
efforts to enforce the nation's
environmental standards. As EPA
Administrator, Gov. Whitman will have a
duty to fight for funding to
effectively enforce the standards that
protect Americans from pollution.
For
that reason, the Club hopes the Senate will press her about the need
to enforce strong, mandatory
environmental standards.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, former
California Agriculture
Secretary Ann
Veneman's record is a cause for concern.
For example, in her private law practice,
Veneman has
represented clients whose
positions run
counter to the
environmental protections that Americans want.
Specifically, she represented the Sierra
Nevada Access, Multiple Use and
Stewardship Coalition on the issue of the
Sierra Nevada Environmental
Program.
This coalition represents the interests of loggers, miners and
off-road vehicle enthusiasts who pushed
for fewer protections for wild
forests and wildlife. (The
Agriculture Department oversees the Forest
Service.).
In addition, as California's Agriculture
Secretary she opposed efforts
to ban
methyl bromide -- a toxic ozone-depleting pesticide, and when
stumping for Bush in California, she told
farmers and ranchers they
would no
longer be subjected to "unnecessary and burdensome" government
environmental and safety protections
under a Bush administration.
Veneman
also has played a major role in promoting free trade agreements
without adequate environmental, safety,
labor and human rights standards
(such as NAFTA).
It will be
critical that the Senate quiz Veneman extensively on what
basic environmental and safety
protections she thinks should no longer
be enforced.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sierra Club Legislative Hotline - 202-675-2394
Sierra Club National Headquarters
- 415-977-5500
Sierra Club
World Wide Web - http://www.sierraclub.org
Sierra Club Vote Watch Website - http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/
White House Comment Line -
202-456-1111
White House Fax
Line - 202-456-2461
Clinton's
e-mail - president@whitehouse.gov
Gore's e-mail - vice-president@whitehouse.gov
White House Address - 1600
Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121
To contact your senators - http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm
To contact your representative -
http://www.house.gov/writerep
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from Global Response January 4, 2001
Dear Members of Global Response's "Quick Response Network:"
Since mid-1998, Global
Response letter-writers have supported the
indigenous
Pemon in their struggle to stop the construction of an
electrical power line through their territory, from
Venezuela to Brazil
(see GR Action #3/98 at http://www.globalresponse.org/gra_index/1998.html)
Now, Amnesty International is calling for letters to
Venezuelan officials
because of reported harassment and
ill treatment of Pemon protesters by the
Venezuelan
military. Please continue our support for the Pemon and their
forest homeland. Thanks -- Paula Palmer
U R G E N
T A C T I O N A P P E A L
---------------------------------------------------
4 January 2001
UA
03/01 Fear for Safety / Ill-treatment
VENEZUELA
Pemon indigenous people in San Rafael de Kamoiran
Juan Ramon LEZAMA
Silviano CASTRO
Pemon
indigenous people protesting against the construction of an
electricity supply network in Venezuela's Gran Sabana
region have
been harassed by soldiers, and one person
has been severely ill-
treated. Amnesty International
fears for their safety.
In the
early hours of 29 December 2000, Juan Ramon Lezama was
reportedly held by the neck and beaten by two soldiers till
he fell
unconscious. On regaining consciousness, he
attempted to escape
but was chased by the soldiers. He
ended up tangled in some barbed
wire where he was
deliberately left. He apparently suffered injuries to
his neck, arms and legs. Amnesty International does not
know
whether he remains in detention.
The incident took place after the
army reportedly began keeping the
Pemon indigenous
community of San Rafael de Kaimoran in the
municipality
of Gran Sabana, Bolivar state, under routine surveillance
in late December 2000. Troops first visited the community
on 26
December, offering the inhabitants free food. The
community rejected
the offer in the belief that it was
an attempt to persuade them to
abandon their campaign
against the construction of a major electrical
power
line in the region. Over the following three days, troops
returned to the community where they interrogated community
members and confiscated work-tools. They also
surrounded the
home of Silviano Castro, the head
(cacique) of the community.
Members of the community have said that the continuing
harassment
by the army 'takes place on our own
territory and affects our daily life,
our culture and
our safety' ('occurre en nuestro propio territorio y
afecta nuestra vida cotidiana, nuestra cultura y nuestra
seguridad').
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION
Pemon indigenous
people are protesting against the construction of
an
electricity supply network (tendido electrico) running pylons and
high voltage cables across Venezuela's Canaima National
Park,
Imataca Forest Reserve and the Gran Sabana
region. Work on the
network began in 1997 following an
agreement for Venezuela to
supply northern Brazil with
electricity.
Pemon indigenous
people protesting against the construction of the
network have been subjected to acts of intimidation. In
October 2000,
Amnesty International issued an Urgent
Action on another Pemon
indigenous community, Santa
Cruz de Maupari, after inhabitants
there received death
threats (UA 332/00, 30 October 2000).
The Venezuelan Constitution adopted in 1999 includes
provisions for
the protection of indigenous people and
their environment. It also
provides for the protection
of human rights, and states that
international human
rights treaties and conventions are an integral
part of
the rule of law in Venezuela.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters:
- expressing concern about reports that Juan Ramon Lezama
was
detained and beaten by soldiers on 29 December 2000
in San Rafael
de Kaimoran in the municipality of Gran
Sabana, Bolivar state;
- urging that if he is still in
custody, he be charged with a recognizable
criminal
offence or be immediately released;
- calling for a
prompt and independent investigation into his alleged
ill-treatment, for the findings to be made public and for
those
responsible to be brought to justice;
- expressing concern for the safety of all members of San
Rafael de
Kaimoran, including Juan Ramon Lezama and
Silviano Castro, and
urging the authorities to take the
necessary steps to guarantee their
safety.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic:
Sr. Hugo Chavez Frias
Presidente
de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de
Miraflores
Esquina de Bolero
Av. Urdaneta
Caracas, Venezuela
Fax: 011
582 806 3101/ 3325 (It may be difficult getting
through
to this number. Please be patient and keep trying)
Salutation: Senor Presidente
Minister of the Interior and
Justice:
Sr. Luis Alfonso Davila
Ministro del Interior y Justicia
Ministerio del Interior y Justicia
Avenida Urdaneta Esquina de Platanal
Edificio Interior y Justicia
Despacho del Ministro, piso tres
Caracas, Venezuela
Fax: 011
582 861 1967/0363
Salutation: Senor Ministro
COPIES TO:
Indigenous rights organisation:
AMIGRANSA
Apartado Postal
50460,
Caracas 1050-A, Venezuela
Ambassador Alfredo Toro Hardy
Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th St. NW
Washington DC
20007
Email: politica@embavenez-us.org
Please send appeals immediately.
Check with the Colorado office
between 9:00 am and 6:00
pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if
sending appeals
after February 15, 2001.
This information is from Amnesty International's research
headquarters in London, England. A.I. is an independent
worldwide
movement working for the international
protection of human rights. It
seeks the release of
people detained because of their beliefs, color,
sex,
ethnic origin, language or religious creed, provided they have not
used nor advocated violence. These are termed prisoners of
conscience. It works for fair and prompt trials for all
political
prisoners and works on behalf of such people
detained without
charge or trial. It opposes the death
penalty, extra-judicial executions
(political killings),
'disappearances' and torture or other cruel,
inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment of all prisoners
without reservation. Amnesty International promotes
awareness of
and adherance to the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and
other internationally recognized
human rights instruments, the
values enshrined in them
and the indivisibility and interdependence
of all human
rights and freedoms.
Please do
not repost this appeal to any part of the Internet
without prior permission from Amnesty International. Thank
you for
your help with this appeal.
Please read the monthly Urgent
Action Network Newsletter posted on
the web at: http://www.amnesty-USA.org/urgact/newslett.html
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box
1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: sharriso@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgact/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
--------------------------------------
GLOBAL RESPONSE is an international letter-writing network
of environmental
activists. In partnership
with indigenous, environmentalist and peace and
justice
organizations around the world, GLOBAL RESPONSE develops "Actions"
that describe specific, urgent threats to the environment;
each "Action"
asks members to write personal letters to
individuals in the corporations,
governments or
international organizations that have the power and
responsibility to take corrective action. GR also
issues "Young
Environmentalists' Actions" and "Eco-Club
Actions" designed to educate and
motivate elementary and
high school students to practice earth stewardship.
P.O. Box 7490 Phone: 303/444-0306
Boulder CO, USA 80306-7490
Fax: 303/449-9794
To receive Global Response "Actions" and "Emergency Actions"
by email:
Send a blank message to:
globresmembers-subscribe@igc.topica.com
Visit our website at: http://www.globalresponse.org
from Rainforest Action Network January 4, 2001
GROUNDBREAKING MEDIA FOR THE U'WA IN THIS UPDATE!
The Oil and Gas Journal, a petroleum
industry
mouthpiece, recently reprinted an article on
the U'wa
campaign. This uncensored article is taken
largely from a
press release U'wa Defense Working Group
members sent out.
The petroleum industry is taking
increasing notice of our
sustained activism in support
of the U'wa.
Congratulations to
everyone who organized against
Fidelity and Sanford
Bernstein!
Keep up the Great
Work!
For more ideas on how to
continue pressuring Sanford
Bernstein and support the
U'wa struggle see #2 and #3 below-
In this Post :
1. Oil and Gas Journal article Dec 27, 2000
2 Keep the pressure on Sanford Bernstein
3. 10 things you can do for the U'wa
--------------------------------------------------------
#1
OIL AND
GAS JOURNAL
December 27, 2000
Environment-Finance: Activists
Target Investors of US
Company Drilling in Colombia
WASHINGTON, Dec 27 (IPS) - Having
had no luck convincing
a US oil company
to halt drilling on land in Colombia
claimed by an
indigenous tribe, opponents to the project
are now
declaring some success in targeting investors of
the
corporation. Since 1992, when Occidental Petroleum
was
granted drilling rights in northeast Colombia by the
government, the 5,000-strong U'wa tribe - which is
against the project and claims the land as their sacred
territory - has received international support in
opposing the project. But when condemnation from
environmental and human rights groups worldwide did
not change Occidental's plans, activists began targeting
the largest shareholder in the corporation, Fidelity
Investments.
After a 10-month campaign by the Rainforest Action
Network, Amazon Watch, and other environmental groups, the
Boston-based firm sold more than 60 percent of its
holdings
in Occidental totalling 400 million dollars.
Even though
Fidelity says that there was no connection
between its
divestment and the campaign, activists are
claiming that
it was a result of the impact their
numerous protests in
the United States and Europe had
on the investor's
reputation.
''Fidelity learned the hard way
that being Oxy's
business partner is hazardous to their
company's image,''
says Atossa Soltani, director of
Amazon Watch, a California-
based group. While
activists are still trying to get Fidelity
to divest
its remaining shares in the corporation, pressure
groups are now taking aim at another Occidental
shareholder,
the investment firm Sanford C. Bernstein
and Co. and its
parent company Alliance Capital
Management.
''We are urging
Sanford Bernstein and other major
Occidental Petroleum
shareholders to follow Fidelity's example
and divest
from this morally bankrupt company and unethical oil
project,'' says Soltani. The firm has 53 million shares,
valued
at 1.19 billion dollars, in Occidental. Earlier
this month
Roberto Perez, chief of the U'wa nation,
delivered a letter to
the firm demanding that it sell
its stock in the oil company.
''Occidental's drilling on our ancestral territory runs
the risk of destroying the ancient culture of our ancestors
that
we have carried on from generation to
generation,'' says the letter
addressed to Roger
Hertog, Vice Chairman of Alliance Capital
Management
and Sanford C. Bernstein. "For that reason, we demand
... that you divest entirely from Occidental.'' The
investment firm is declining requests for comment from
reporters.
The letter from Perez was a follow-up to a surprise
visit by Perez and activists with the U'wa Defense Working
Group, made up
of US and European human rights and
environmental groups, to Sanford C.
Bernstein's New
York offices in April, when they called on the money
management fund to divest from the oil company. During the
unannounced visit
Hertog said he would investigate the
issue. In the meantime, the firm
increased its holdings
by 10 million shares to become Occidental's largest
investor. Since the company began drilling for oil in
November, the tribe
says its
homeland has become heavily militarized because rebel
groups target oil
operations.
Just north of the U'wa territory,
guerrilla attacks on
an Occidental pipeline have caused
2.3 million barrels of oil to seep
into the ground,
according to the state oil firm Ecopetrol. Perez says
that unless the project is cancelled, the U'wa will be
caught in the
cross-fire of Colombia's civil war.
Besides increased violence in the
area, the tribe is
also opposed to the drilling believing oil is ''the
blood of mother earth''and must not be touched.
Based on a 300-year-old precedent,
they have threatened
to commit mass suicide if
Occidental is allowed to go ahead with its
plans. In
the late 17th century, several U'wa jumped to their deaths from a
cliff to avoid coming under the authority of a group of
Spanish
missionaries and tax collectors. While the
government argues that the oil
project is located
outside the demarcated indigenous reserve, the U'wa say
all land within what was known as the Samore oil block -
even that not
encompassed by the designated indigenous
reserve - is its sacred ancestral
territory.
The U'wa and their supporters are
currently trying to
halt the drilling by legally
challenging the company's license. They are
basing
their current case on land deeds from the King of Spain which were
uncovered in September dating back to the 1600s. The deeds
granted the tribe
surface and subsurface mineral rights
on the land they claim is their
territory. In 1873, the
Colombian government claimed all sub-surface mineral
rights as property of the nation except those previously
ceded by the royal
land deeds.
--------------------------------------------------------
#2
The
campaign against Sanford Bernstein and their
corporate
parent Alliance Capital is starting to get the
attention of the industry.
Let them know that they must take action for the U'wa
people now!
You can write, call or fax Sanford Bernstein's
Vice Chairman Roger Hertog at their US Corporate
Headquarters at:
Mr. Roger Hertog
Vice Chairman
Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY
10153-0185
Or fax him at : 212-756-4453
Or call him directly at: 212-756-4389
Also call Alliance Capital at
1-800-221-5672
Bernstein Investment Research and Management has offices
in New York,
Chicago, Dallas,
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle,
Washington D.C.
West Palm Beach, White Plains, NY, and London
To find complete contact info for
these offices go to:
<http://www.bernstein.com/locations.htm>
Sanford's parent company Alliance
Capital has offices in
Cleveland,
San Antonio, Minneapolis, Secaucus NJ, as well as
locations around
the world (UK,
Germany, Africa, Australia, Japan, India,
Canada,
etc.) for more information go to
http://www.alliancecapital.com
click on "Contact Alliance" then "About Alliance" and
then "Locations"
ORGANIZE LOCALLY! Visit
your nearest SB/Alliance
Capital office and tell them
to divest from Oxy.
Organize a demonstration, vigil,
informational picket
or non- violent direct action.
We've got to show SB that
we will not
tolerate them profiting off the destruction of
U'wa
lands and culture.
Amazonwatch
has just finished a new updated version of
their
excellent 10 minute video "Kajka Ika : Defending
the Heart of the World".
Get a
copy from them and show it in your community.
It's a
great way to educate people and raise funds for the U'wa.
To get a copy contact Amazonwatch at amazon@amzonwatch.org
or call 310-455-0617. You can also see it on
Amazonwatch's
website www.amazonwatch.org.
Distribute the attached Sanford
Bernstein factsheet -
modify it to reflect your groups
focus and add your local contact.
Other materials are
available in downloadable formats at www.ran.org
and
www.amazonwatch.org
For more information on this issue, or to let us know
about a demonstration planned in your area call Patrick at
415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN or e-mail him at
organize@ran.org <mailto:organize@ran.org>.
For background info on the
U'wa struggle and the
international
solidarity campaign check out :
www.ran.org www.amazonwatch.org www.moles.org
--------------------------------------------------------
#3
10 Things You Can Do For the U. wa
Over the last year, the U'wa
have repeatedly raised
blockades at Oxy's proposed
Gibraltar 1 drillsite. They
have been joined in
non-violent resistance by thousands
of local
campesinos, students, other indigenous peoples,
and
striking workers. The Colombian government has
pushed
Oxy's project ahead by militarizing the region
and
attacking the blockades, leaving three children
dead,
11 people missing and dozens of peaceful
protesters
injured. Oxy began test drilling on November
3,
protected by the military. Despite the continuation
of
this devastating project the U. wa and their
supporters
have vowed to continue their non-violent
campaign to
stop Occidental. Petroleum from destroying
U. wa land
and culture. There has never been a
more crucial moment
to show your support for the U. wa!
Here. s what you
can do:
1. Support Organizing
in Colombia.
The U'wa and their supporters are
continually organizing
and doing incredible outreach
throughout Colombia. They
are occupying the areas
surrounding the well-site, and
continue to work on
legal strategies that call for a
suspension and
ultimate cancellation of Oxy's egregious
project. The
U'wa need financial support to help them
continue their
work. Please send donations to:
Amazon Watch
115 South Topanga
Topanga Canyon, CA 90290
Earmarked: U'wa Defense
2. Target Sanford Bernstein, a
subsidary of Alliance
Capital Management.
Activist pressure led Fidelity Investments to divest 60%
of their Occidental stock this past year. Sanford
Bernstein is now Occidental. s largest shareholder. Last
April, Sanford Bernstein. s president, Roger Hertog,
assured the U. wa that he would look into his company.
s
investments and come to a "just and fair" solution,
but
instead the company bought 10 million more Oxy
shares!
Call, visit, leaflet or organize a direct
action at your local Sanford Bernstein office.
To find the Sanford Bernstein
office nearest you go to:
www.bernstein.com/locations.htm
3. Stop Military Aid to Colombia.
This past summer Congress approved a $1.3 billion
dollar
"aid" package to Colombia, most of which will go
to the
police and military. Occidental Petroleum Vice
President
Larry Meriage testified before Congress in
support of
Plan Colombia, stating that the Colombian
military was,
"vastly underarmed". Oxy currently spends
10% of it. s
operating budget on security expenses.
Further military
aid to Colombia will make it easier
for the petroleum
industry to continue to exploit
Colombia. s natural
resources, while increasing human
rights violations on
the part of the military and
paramilitary. Contact your
Senators and Representatives
at www.ciponline.org/
colombia/aid/senvotes.htm and
urge them to vote no on
military aid to Colombia.
4. Spread the News.
Write a letter to the editor or an opinion piece for
your local newspaper about the U'wa's struggle against
big oil and big politicians. Link your letter to
campaign coverage or other current news stories to help
its chance of getting published. This is a very
effective way to reach a large number of people in your
area!
5.
Reduce Dependence on Fossil Fuels
The world cannot
afford to burn the reserves of fossil
fuels that have
already been discovered without risking
potentially
devastating global climate change. However,
the oil
industry continues to search for the new oil
reserves
in the Earth's most fragile ecosystems,
endangering the
U'wa and indigenous cultures around the
world. Work in
your community to promote alternatives to
fossil fuels.
To learn more about the connection between the oil
industry and global climate change, download the report
Drilling to the Ends of the Earth at http://www.ran.org/
ran/oilreport. Hard copies are available from:
Project Underground
1847 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-705-8981
6. Educate Your Community
Organize a teach-in, demonstration, or direct action in
your area in support of the U'wa. Be sure to invite the
press! For ideas and support, contact Patrick
Reinsborough, Grassroots Coordinator, Rainforest Action
Network: 1-800-989-RAIN or organize@ran.org
A new educational video is available from Amazon Watch,
Kajka Ika: Defending the Heart of the World. To order
contact Amazon Watch at amazon@amzonwatch.org or 310-
455-0617
7. Write to Colombian President Andres Pastrana.
The Colombian government has the authority to revoke
approval for Occidental's deadly project, which was
granted in violation of its constitutional obligation to
consult with affected indigenous communities. It is
also
using soldier and riot police forces to intimidate
and
attack the U'wa people and their supporters. Demand
that
President Pastrana: 1) Stop escalating the
violence in
U'wa territory by pulling armed forces out
of the
region. 2) Respect the fundamental rights of the
U'wapeople, and 3) Stop the drilling on U'wa ancestral
territory before it's too late.
President Andres
Pastran
Presidente de la Republica de
Colombia
Palacio de Narino
Bogota, Colombia
8. Join the U. wa in Their Prayers
U'wa spiritual leaders invite all concerned activists
to
join them in prayer and spiritual renewal to
continue
our struggle for Mother Earth.
9. Stay informed. Subscribe to the
U'wa urgent alert
listserve, and distribute the alerts
widely to your
networks! The listserve is the best way
to keep up-to-
date on crucial developments. To
subscribe, send a blank
e-mail from your e-mail account
to uwa_updates-
subscribe@igc.topica.com
10. Support organizations like
Rainforest Action
Network, Project Underground, Amazon
Watch and the U. wa
Defense Working Group in their
campaigns to support the
U. wa people.
For more info:
Rainforest Action Network-www.ran.org
Project Underground-www.moles.org
Amazon Watch-www.amazonwatch.org
from Environmental Defense January 5, 2001
You can take action on this alert either by email or
preferably on the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A14490B0104092906C136
Alert expires on February 3,
2001
Here's what this alert is
about:
Help Protect Hawai'i's
Reefs
----------------------
Aloha. Many thanks to all of
you who have responded
to our Northwest Hawaiian
Islands alerts over the last
several months. Your
support (10,000 letters sent!)
has meant that President
Clinton was able to withstand
tremendous political
pressure to leave the NWHI open
to unbridled
exploitation. In December 2000, Clinton
issued an
Executive Order (EO) designating the NWHI
Coral Reef
Ecosystem Reserve. Under anti-reserve pressure,
the
President has requested direct public input again
on
protection measures outlined in the EO the BY JANUARY
8, 2001. We need your help to strengthen the EO and
make the designation of the Reserve permanent. PLEASE
TAKE TIME TO WRITE AND If possible, PERSONALIZE YOUR
LETTER. For more details see: http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov
or
review previous alerts.
The
President's EO incorporates numerous elements developed
at the KAHEA community workshop in July. The EO bans
drilling and mining, and caps all extractive activities-of
which there are currently few-at existing levels of
this year's take/catch. It provides for Kanaka Maoli
(Native Hawaiians) cultural and religious access to
the region and grandfathers in the existing bottomfish
permits. Federal hearings held throughout the Hawaiian
Islands in December consistently showed resounding
public support for a strong NWHI Reserve. The EO is
a good beginning but has several serious flaws that
your comments can help to correct.
Key problems include: serious gaps
in enforcement;
allowing fishing in certain shallow
areas with marginal
economic importance but crucial
biological importance;
no acknowledgement of the NWHI
as ceded lands-(lands
held in trust for Kanaka Maoli);
allowing war games
to be held in the Reserve, and no
measures to prevent
the impacts of the massive cruise
ship industry.
YOUR HELP IS
NEEDED BY JAN 8 to ensure that (1) at
the very least,
the proposed levels of protection for
the NWHI are made
permanent, despite the powerful political
campaign
designed to weaken the EO; (2) the President
acts,
while there is still time, to increase the proposed
levels of protection to protect endangered monk seals
and sensitive coral reefs. Again, if you can take the
time to personalize or edit this letter, please do
so. Thank you for helping to encourage the President
take an historic step and protect this vast and fragile
region.
Mahalo nui loa,
Stephanie Fried, Ph.D.
Senior
Scientist
Environmental Defense
P.O. Box 520
Waimanalo, HI 96795
----------------------
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE
WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take
action
on this alert by going to the following URL:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A14490B0104092906C136
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA
EMAIL:
Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your
email
program, and edit the letter below as you
wish. You
must include the whole letter in
your response including
"-YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER
BELOW-" and "-END OF LETTER-".
Please do not add your
name and address to your letter.
Action Network
automatically does this for you.
We STRONGLY encourage you to make edits directly to
our sample letter below, and put the alert talking
points into your own words. An individualized letter
is worth ten computer generated letters. Of course,
hundreds of unedited letters will still create a large
impact, so please reply even if you don't have time
to personalize the letter.
Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Mr. Roger Griffis, NOAA
-------YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER
BELOW---------
I support
permanent protection of the Northwestern
Hawaiian
Islands and welcome the President's bold initiative
to
do so. The decision against monument status was
made
with the assumption that sanctuary status will
accomplish the same level of protection. I welcome
the restrictions placed on a range of damaging activities
while allowing Native Hawaiian access. I support caps
on existing levels of this year's catch and effort.
I am
concerned that the Executive Order (EO) is not
sufficiently strong to protect threatened and endangered
species. I would like the President act to strengthen
it in the following manner:
1. No fishing in waters shallower
than 50 fathoms:
The EO allows commercial bottomfishing
in 10 and 20
fathoms around a number of islands,
atolls, and the
majority of the non-contiguous banks.
Bottomfish are
caught in waters 50 to 150 fathoms deep
or deeper.
The President should mandate no
bottomfishing or other
take - in waters shallower than
50 fathoms. This will
lessen the chances of vessel
groundings in shallower
waters and monk seal
interactions.
2. Ceded lands:
The NWHI are ceded lands held in trust
for Kanaka Maoli
(Native Hawaiian people). As such,
the EO should
acknowledge the status of Reserve as
encompassing ceded
lands and must ensure their return
to the Native
Hawaiian people at the time of the settlement
of claims
in the main Hawaiian Islands.
3. Enforcement and Sanctions: I am concerned about
enforcement of the EO. Efforts to protect the NWHI
hinge on reliable enforcement measures and clear penalties
for violations. The NWHI are remote and vast and
impossible
to patrol. As such, I support 24 hour/7-day
a week
Automatic Vessel Monitoring Systems, with
notification
to multiple agencies for All-American
vessels entering
the Reserve. I support that vessels be
bonded and that
observers be on all commercial and
recreational vessels
operating within the Reserve. The
consequences of violations
should be substantial and
clearly stated--i.e. Criminal
charges, significant
fines, confiscation of boats,
equipment; and those in
violation of regulations not
be allowed to keep
possession of illegally taken marine
life or coral.
4. Strongest possible protection
for Kure Atoll, French
Frigate Shoals, and Pearl and
Hermes: Under the current
EO, Federal waters
surrounding these areas are protected
from all forms of
fishing out to a depth of 100 fathoms.
Kure, the
northern-most atoll in the world, is an area
of
exceptional scientific importance and is home to
massive and ancient living coral colonies. It is of
vital importance that Kure and other fragile locations
are protected.
5. Concern about NWHI State waters: 0 to 3 miles: I
am concerned about the fate of Hawai'i waters which
are not included in the Reserve. The State should work
with the Reserve authority to secure protection in
State waters that are consistent with Reserve goals,
including no take of lobster and virtually no harvest
of precious corals in the NWHI.
6. Routine military exercises/war
games: I am deeply
concerned that the EO currently
allows routine military
exercises and war games in the
NWHI Reserve. These
activities must banned from the
Refuge.
7. Cruise ship
impacts: By 2004, Hawai'i is slated
to become a home
port for an fleet of mega-cruise ship,
each one capable
of carrying 9,000 people per week.
A single cruise ship
may discharge an average of 350,000
gallons of
wastewater per day. The EO explicitly allows
the discharge of wastewater into the Reserve. Chemically
treated bio waste and other hazardous materials could
be dumped. Should cruise ships be allowed, the EO
should
be modified to prevent the discharge of
wastewater
and other negative impacts on Reserve
waters.
8. Fishing and Take
Reporting Requirements: to ensure
transparency of
operations and sound management, all
catch/take/harvest
within the Reserve shall be reported
to the State and
NOAA and be made available to the
public.
-------END OF
LETTER-------------------------
Sincerely yours,
from Coalition to Protect Predators January 5, 2001
Folks we have got to get together on this ... Note : "The
issue will now
take center stage in Minnesota".. the
hype and spin is beginning ... Make
no
mistake no matter how they cloak it in "science" The Minnesota Plan is a
killing plan ... Karlyn
Article from Pat Morris .. is a
clear signal ...
>>>
>>>Look east to see future of Western wolves
>>>
>>>By
Todd Wilkinson in the Bozeman Chronicle
>>>
>>>Her human-given name was B45-F, and when
she crossed the Snake River a year
>>>ago
>>>on a nomadic journey from Idaho into Oregon,
the lone, gray wolf opened a
>>>Pandora's Box
of questions involving the mixed feelings that people have for
>>>reintroduced wildlife predators.
>>>
>>>The issue
will now take center stage in Minnesota as the state releases its
>>>long-awaited proposal for managing wolves when
they are removed from the
>>>federal list of
threatened species.
>>>
>>>The recovery of wolves in the Land of 10,000
Lakes represents the finest
>>>example of
government conservation agencies pulling a large controversial
>>>carnivore back from the brink of annihilation.
In 1974, just a year after
>>>the
>>>Endangered Species Act was passed, Minnesota
was forced to protect the last
>>>pocket of
wild wolves left in the Lower 48 states, a scattered population of
>>>only a few hundred lobos.
>>>
>>>Today,
researchers place the number at more than 2,400 - almost double what
>>>scientists said would be necessary to "recover"
the population.
>>>
>>>As if drawing an invisible biological line in
the sand, Minnesota is
>>>demarcating where
the popular - and sometimes reviled - predators can be
>>>shot
>>>and
where they will be afforded more stringent protection.
>>>
>>>Framing
the debate is L. David Mech, the revered wolf biologist with the
>>>United
>>>States Geological Survey's Biological Resources
Division. Ironically, though
>>>Mech has been
a fierce advocate of ushering wolves back after a century of
>>>persecution, his latest stand has drawn fire
from environmentalists.
>>>
>>>Mech says that unless Minnesota allows more
leniency for wolf killing in the
>>>farm
country straddling the western and southern regions of his state,
>>>citizens
>>>may ultimately exhibit less tolerance for
wolves in the forests of the north
>>>that
provide exceptional habitat.
>>>
>>>What Mech fears is a negative public backlash
to wolves if society itself is
>>>not prepared
for headline-making encounters that are bound to occur. "Wolves
>>>are starting to move into areas that have the
densest livestock operations
>>>in
>>>the state and that's where we can expect the
greatest conflict. My opinion
>>>is
>>>we shouldn't devote a lot of time and money to
wolves in areas where they
>>>will
>>>never be fully welcomed," Mech says.
>>>
>>>According
to officials inside the agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service is
>>>contemplating a move to delist or downlist all
gray wolf populations in the
>>>lower 48
states - those that presently exist and others proposed - soon
>>>after
>>>the
Minnesota wolf management plan is released.
>>>
>>>Minnesota's benchmark plan for managing wolves
follows a roundtable attempt
>>>at
>>>building consensus among a diverse range of
citizen interests. The two-year
>>>effort,
however, was torpedoed by agriculture groups which tried
>>>unsuccessfully
>>>to convince the Minnesota Legislature to take a
hard line on wolves.
>>>
>>>Pro-wolf activists in Minnesota worry that an
open hunting season on wolves
>>>sends a wrong
message and encourages poaching. Every year, one of every four
>>>wolves in Minnesota is killed illegally.
Hunters claim wolves will decimate
>>>big
>>>game herds (which has not happened) and
ranchers insist that livestock
>>>losses
>>>will put them out of business -- it's happened
but in rare instances.
>>>
>>>"The level of paranoia and hysteria is
completely predictable," says Ed
>>>Bangs,
>>>the Western wolf recovery coordinator for the
Fish and Wildlife Service in
>>>Montana. "You
hear the same stories over and over but eventually the end of
>>>the
>>>world
stuff wears thin. You build up a tolerance for wolves and allow them
>>>to
>>>live in
peace."
>>>
>>>Despite intensive public education campaigns
launched to dispel the age-old
>>>myths
surrounding wolves, hysteria yet abounds. For several months, the Fish
>>>and Wildlife Service has attempted to restore
Mexican wolves to New Mexico
>>>and
>>>Arizona but several animals have been poached.
>>>
>>>"You
can't force these wolves down the throats of people who see them as a
>>>threat," J. Zane Walley with the New
Mexico-based Paragon Foundation, a
>>>property
rights group supported by anti-wolf ranchers.
>>>
>>>Walley
claims that transplanted Mexican wolves snatched a cat off a front
>>>porch
>>>in
Glenwood, N.M., during the last week, prompting parents not to let their
>>>kids play in the schoolyard down the street.
>>>
>>>Predation on livestock has increased with more
wolves in Minnesota but in
>>>the
>>>West, livestock losses have been below original
estimates. To date,
>>>Defenders
>>>of Wildlife has paid roughly $108,000 to 110
different producers for 325
>>>animals killed
by wolves over the last dozen years.
>>>
>>>"It's hardly the doom and gloom scenario that
the anti-wolf forces predicted
>>>and tried to
use to keep the efforts in Yellowstone from moving forward,"
>>>says
>>>Bob
Ferris, Defenders' vice president of species conservation.
>>>
>>>The
biggest lesson emerging from Minnesota for other areas in the West is
>>>that
>>>zoning has to be part of the equation, Mech
says. "There must be areas where
>>>wolves
will not be allowed to live. You will never erase civilization."
>>>
>>>Tolerance
only increases, he says, if farmers have the option of killing a
>>>wolf
>>>suspected of trying to eat their livestock.
Just as Westerners have learned
>>>to
>>>live in habitat shared with grizzly bears and
mountain lions, humans need to
>>>understand
that sharing wild country with wolves brings remote but real
>>>risks.
>>>-----
>>>Todd
Wilkinson lives in Bozeman and writes for several national magazines
>>>and
>>>newspapers.
>>>
>>>http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=311&NewsID=25235&show=localn
>>>ews
>>>&om=4
>>>
>>>
>>><> <> <>
<> <> <> <> <> <>
<> <>
>>>"On the ragged
edge of the world
>>>I'll roam.
>>>And the home of the Wolf
>>>Will be my home."
>>>
>>>Robert
Service
>>><> <>
<> <> <> <> <> <>
<> <> <>
>>>http://www.geocities.com/wlfskr
>>>http://forums.delphi.com/wolfseeker
>>>http://www.paonline.com/wolfsanc
>>><> <> <>
<> <> <> <> <> <>
<> <>
from League of Conservation Voters January 5, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
contacts:
Scott
Stoermer at (202) 785-8683 x599 or
Lisa Wade Raasch at
x586
LCV Calls New House Environmental Committee Chairs Out
Of Step With
Public. s Conservation Concerns
WASHINGTON (January 4, 2001) -
Probable new environmental committee
chairmen are
poised to lead environmental policy in the wrong direction,
the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) announced
today. The new leaders
of the 107th
Congress. committees with environmental jurisdiction are
among the most anti-environment members of Congress
according to their
performance on LCV. s National
Environmental Scorecard and do not reflect
the growing
public desire for stronger environmental laws.
With an average environmental score for the 106th Congress
of seven
percent, the new chairmen rank far below the
national average for House
members (47
percent). Such poor past performance on important
conservation and public health protection issues leaves
little room for
optimism that environmental progress
will be made in these committees.
"The American public has clearly signaled its desire for
stronger, better
enforced environmental laws - not
weaker ones," said Deb Callahan, LCV
president. "We learned valuable lessons from the
2000 congressional
elections: smart environmental
policy makes smart local politics and bad
environmental
policy can lead to bad news on election day. Republicans,
Democrats and Independents alike benefit from cleaner air,
safer water,
and open spaces, which could be at risk
with the election of these new
chairmen."
The probable chairmen of key
committees and appropriations subcommittees
are:
Jim Hansen (R-Utah)
House Resources Committee
106th
Congress LCV score:
10%
Lifetime LCV score: 9%
Billy Tauzin (R-La.)
House Energy
and Commerce
Committee
106th Congress LCV score:
7%
Lifetime LCV score: 21%
Don Young (R-Alaska)
House
Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee
106th Congress LCV score:
7%
Lifetime LCV score: 10%
Joe Skeen (R-N.M.)
House Interior
Appropriations Subcommittee
106th Congress LCV score:
7%
Lifetime LCV score: 9%
Sonny Callahan (R-Ala.)
House
Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee
106th
Congress LCV score:
3%
Lifetime LCV score: 7%
Callahan added, "Hostile anti-environmental legislation
during the last
Congress met with opposition from
environmentalists, the public, and the
Administration. With the president's veto threat
now questionable and a
closely divided Congress, the
environmental community will have to be even
more
vigilant in its efforts to hold these committee chairmen and the rest
of Congress accountable to the public for their
environment actions."
Returning chairmen of House panels with environmental
jurisdiction include
Larry Combest (R-TX) at the
Agriculture Committee (106th Congress LCV
score: 7
percent) and James Walsh (R-N.Y.) at the VA-HUD Appropriations
Subcommittee (106th Congress LCV score: 37 percent).
The League of Conservation Voters
(LCV) is the political voice of the
national
environmental and conservation community. LCV is the only
national organization working full-time to hold members of
Congress
accountable for their environmental
votes. For each session of Congress,
LCV
produces the National Environmental Scorecard that assigns a
percentage score to each representative and senator based
on their votes
on the year's key environmental
measures.
from Sierra Club January 5, 2001
Dear Sierra Club Family:
You did it! Thank you! Today
President Clinton and Secretary Glickman
will sign the
paper giving formal protection to 60 million acres of wild
forests. Twenty-five years ago the Club launched
a campaign to protect all
roadless areas from logging
and road-building. Today we harvest the
victory.
This is the biggest single land protection measure since
the Alaska Lands
Act in 1980. It has
involved every part of the Sierra Club -- from
Advancement, to SIERRA, to Development, to our sister
organization the
Sierra Club
Foundation. Thousands of volunteer hours combined with over
100 staff (both chapter and national) made this
happen. At times it
seemed beyond our grasp,
but at each roadblock we just reached deeper and
pushed
harder. When they tried to exclude the Tongass, we wouldn't let
them. When they tried to have a loophole for
helicoper commercial logging,
we wouldn't let
them. Your determination and dedication and morale
authority and dedication to the lands we love made this
possible. This is
a proud moment for the
Sierra Club.
Already the State
of Idaho is preparing its lawsuit to overturn this. Sen.
Larry Craig is looking at a Congressional
override. President-elect Bush
says he will
review it once he takes office. But all the years we spent on
this, all the hundreds of hearings and over 1 million
letters of support we
generated, all the media and
Congressional support we developed will make
it
extremely difficult if not impossible for them to prevail. We will
need
to remain vigilent, through the courts and the
Congress and the new
Administrative processes, to hold
on to this victory, but for today let's
savor it and
celebrate. This weekend, go to your favorite roadless area
and feel proud and relieved for the role you played in
passing on 60
million acres of wild
forest -- untrammeled -- to future generations. You
made history.
Bruce Hamilton
Conservation
Director
To: Field Staff, Volunteer Leaders
Fr: Tanya Tolchin & Sean Cosgrove
The following note outlines the
details of today's record of decision.
Congratulations
to all! Your great work helped to create important
improvements in the Wild Forest Protection plan!
The changes between the preferred
alternative in the FEIS and Record of
Decision are as
follows:
* Protection for the Tongass Rainforest
from logging and road
construction will take effect
immediately with the following caveat: all
timber sales
for which there are published DEISs as of the date of
publication of this rule in the Federal Register (expected
12/12) will
proceed to completion. By
contrast in the Lower 48, only timber sales with
signed
records of decisions as of the date of publication of this rule in
the Federal Register will be allowed to proceed.
* The stewardship
language has been dropped from the rule altogether.
Instead, the decision will prohibit commercial logging in
roadless areas
but allow by exception, limited logging
only in tightly defined
circumstances whereby roadless
area values are maintained or improved and
if it
restores ecosystem composition and structure through the cutting of
(mostly) small trees post-dating fire suppression in areas
where the forest
used to burn
frequently. The details of this provision are a bit sketchy
but the language appears to be clearly more protective than
the loose
stewardship language that appeared in the
preferred alternative of the
FEIS.
* New oil
and gas leases for currently unleased areas will have a
provision that prohibits road construction within roadless
areas. On the
flip-side, existing oil and
gas leases that allow road construction within
roadless
areas can be renewed with the provision allowing road construction
within roadless areas.
* In previously roaded and developed
sections of roadless areas, logging
can occur within
delineated areas of previous disturbance.
At every step of the process, from the Interior
Appropriations fight during
the summer of 1997 when
roadless area protection was but a glimmer in all
of
our eyes, to the interim moratorium on road construction in roadless
areas that never even contemplated permanent roadless area
protection, but
only a series of road construction
standards and guidelines, to the DEIS
that would have
protected roadless areas from only new roads and exempted
the Tongass, to the FEIS, that included delayed and
uncertain protection
for the Tongass and prohibited
commercial logging, to the ROD, which will
accord more
immediate protection to the Tongass and tighten the
restrictions around roadless area logging, this initiative
has been
strengthened at every step.
Friday should be a day for serious
celebration. This policy will protect
60
million acres -- more land than is encompassed within the entire
National Park System. With this rule in place,
the Sierra Club and our
collegues will turn our
attention to defending the plan. Timber industry
allies in Congress have already launched an effort to
overturn this
historic rule. Environmentalists will
also work at the local level to
ensure that this plan
is fully implemented and that our last wild forests
are
fully protected. Sierra Club members across the nation, along with
our
colleague organizations, that have worked on this
historic initiative the
last 28 months all deserve
great credit and hearty congratulations.
from Environment News Service January 5, 2001
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
(ENS) http://ens-news.com
"We
Cover the Earth For You"
************************************************************
CLINTON PRESERVES PRISTINE
ROADLESS NATIONAL FORESTS
By
Brian Hansen
WASHINGTON, DC,
January 5, 2000 (ENS) - In a move that ranks among the most
significant environmental policy initiatives in U.S.
history, President Bill
Clinton today announced the
adoption of a comprehensive strategy that bans
road
construction and commercial logging on nearly 60 million acres of U.S.
Forest Service land.
REBUBLICANS VOW TO UNDO THE RULE
WHITE HOUSE FIRES BACK
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05-15.html
************************************************************
CLEAN AIR RENEWABLE ENERGY
COALITION LAUNCHED IN CANADA
By Bill Eggertson
CALGARY, Alberta, Canada, January 5, 2001 (ENS) - A
coalition of
corporations, environmental groups, and
municipal organizations has been
formed to accelerate
development of Canada's renewable energy industry.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05-01.html
************************************************************
ENVIRONMENT LOSING GROUND TO
GROWING POPULATION
WASHINGTON,
DC, January 5, 2001 (ENS) - As world population continues to
grow, natural resources are under increasing pressure,
threatening public
health and social and economic
development, warns a new report from the
Johns Hopkins
School of Public Health.
For
full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05-06.html
************************************************************
EUROPE DEFINES NEW POLICY FOR
ECO-FRIENDLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS
BRUSSELS, Belgium, January 5, 2001 (ENS) - The outlines of
a future
European Union policy to reduce the
environmental burden of manufactured
products have been
sketched out by the European Commission's environment
directorate in a draft green paper submitted to other
Commission directorates.
For
full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05-02.html
***********************************************************
ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE
AMERISCAN: JANUARY 5, 2001
Sierra Club Mounts Campaign to Defeat Norton, Ashcroft
Conservation Agreement Saves
26,5000 Adirondacks Acres
Yellowstone Bison May Not Favor Groomed Roads
Activists Arrested Attempting to
Protect Bison
Developer Gives
Michigan an Island Refuge
New
Hampshire Proposes Tighter Arsenic Drinking Water Standard
Dole Food to Offer Organic Bananas
Nontoxic Shots Approved for
Waterfowl Hunting
For full
text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05-09.html
************************************************************
HEALING OUR WORLD: WEEKLY
COMMENT
By Jackie Alan Giuliano, Ph.D.
It Does Pay to Fight -
Environmental Success Stories
Every day, millions of people stand up for what they
believe in, demanding
protection for the Earth's
species and life support systems. Injustice
abounds in
our world, but more people than you think are willing to take on
the long, often arduous, frustrating and demoralizing
battles to protect
our world.
The well funded conservative
opposition does its best to make opponents
feel like
they are wrong and going against the American way. The corporate
controlled mainstream media does its best to represent
these activists as
loners and misfits. But these hard
fought efforts by individuals and groups
of all ages
around the world do have an impact. They are changing the face
of our culture.
For full text and graphics visit:
http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2001/2001L-01-05g.html
Copyright Environment News Service
(ENS) 2000 All Rights Reserved.
************************************************************
SEND
NEWS STORY TIPS TO news@ens-news.com
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
Murphy Oil Announces
Drilling Success in Malaysia
EL DORADO, Ark., Jan. 5
-/E-Wire/-- Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR -
news)
announced the successful drilling and testing of its first well in
Malaysia. The West Patricia No. 2 exploration well,
offshore Sarawak, tested
2,900 barrels of oil per day
of 37 degree gravity crude with a gas oil ratio
of 290,
from a single zone at 3,021 feet.
/CONTACT: Murphy Oil Corp.,
El Dorado Kevin G. Fitzgerald, 870/864-6272
(Investor
Relations) or Betty LeBrescu, 870/864-6222 (Public Relations)/
/Web
site: http://www.murphyoilcorp.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/05Jan0104.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
International Paper First to Enroll in
Nature Conservancy Program
WAKEFIELD, Va., Jan. 5 -/E-Wire/--
International Paper today became
the first private
landowner in Virginia to enroll in The Nature Conservancy's
"Safe Harbor" program in Sussex County. Under
the agreement, International
Paper will manage 286
acres adjacent to the Conservancy's Piney Grove Preserve
to enhance habitat for the only breeding population
remaining in Virginia of
the endangered red-cockaded
woodpecker.
/CONTACT: James Foster
of International Paper, 912-238-7240,
james.foster@ipaper.com; or Daniel White of The Nature
Conservancy,
804-295-6106, dwhite@tnc.org/
/Web
site: http://www.internationalpaper.com
/Web site: http://www.tnc.org/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/05Jan0103.html
****************************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
****************************************************************************
TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND
TECHNOLOGY EDITORS:
EPA Unveils `Window to
My Environment,' An Internet Path to Local
Environmental
Information
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 5 -/E-Wire/--
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency today unveiled
a user-friendly Internet program that connects the
public, news media, and environmental groups to a broad
array of environmental
data for any community by simply
typing in a ZIP code or a city/state location
and
clicking the mouse button.
/CONTACT: Roy Seneca of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic
Region, 215-814-5567/
/Web site: http://www.epa.gov /
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/05Jan0102.html
***********************************************************************
E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS
RELEASE
***********************************************************************
TO BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDITORS:
CBI's
Clean Air Act Compliance
Meet New
Standards and Minimize Costs through Monitoring,
Integrated
Reduction Strategies and Trading Programs
WOBURN, Mass., Jan. 4
-/E-Wire/-- The Center for Business Intelligence
announces its Clean Air Act Compliance conference, March
26-27, 2001, in
Washington, DC.
The
EPA has issued a plan to reduce ground-level ozone in the Eastern
half of the nation by controlling emissions of nitrogen
oxides in upwind
states, known as the NOx SIP Call. The
SIP call has a deadline of 2003.
Emissions reduction is
not an option, but is required by the EPA rules.
/CONTACT: The Center for
Business Intelligence Luci Santillo 781-939-2412
l.santillo@cbinet.com/
For Full Text Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Jan01/05Jan0101.html
************************************************************
SEND YOUR PRESS RELEASE ON E-WIRE --
1-888-764-NEWS
************************************************************
from Natural Resources Defense Council January 5, 2001
Natural Resources Defense Council's
CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION
ALERT
NRDC's California
Activist Network was formed to mobilize
and provide
action tools to Californians and others
concerned with
protecting the state's extraordinary wealth
of natural
treasures and the health of its citizens.
January 5, 2001
Contents:
1) alerts
a) Urge Senators
Feinstein and Boxer to reject
President-elect Bush's
nominee for Interior secretary
b) Tell the
Army not to sacrifice tortoises for tanks
c) Demand funding for an LA park in this year's
state
budget
2) Status of Previous alerts
3) About Our
Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe
4) About NRDC/How to Contact Us
******************************************
1) alerts
Urge Senators Feinstein and Boxer
to reject President-elect
Bush's nominee for Interior
secretary
On December 29,
2000, President-elect George W. Bush
announced Gale
Norton as his nominee for secretary of the
interior.
Many environmental organizations (including NRDC)
believe this appointment is a slap in the face to the great
majority of Americans who, time and time again, have
said
they want our parks and public lands protected
from
exploitation by well-financed, politically
connected oil
companies and other businesses.
The Interior secretary will have
authority over the national
parks and monuments in
California, including Yosemite and
the new Giant
Sequoia Monument, our offshore coastal waters
-- and
the oil and gas deposits under them -- and the
federal
waters that flow into our rivers and San Francisco
Bay.
The secretary should be an advocate for protecting
these and other public resources, but Norton's record,
sadly, is the opposite. As a lawyer in James Watt's
interior
department in the mid-1980s, she attempted to
open the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to
development. While
Colorado attorney general, she
defended a state law that
allowed polluters to avoid
legal action if they reported
environmental violations
and pledged to clean up their act.
The EPA criticized
the law because it kept details of
companies' actions
confidential, preventing citizens and
government
agencies from investigating even egregious
violations
that could have had dramatic impacts on public
health
and the environment.
Norton
has worked for the Mountain States Legal Foundation,
an
anti-environment lobbying group supported by industry,
and is also chair of the Coalition for Republican
Environmental Advocates, another lobbying group funded by
industry and one which favors free market approaches
far
more beneficial to its funders than the
environment. Her
record shows that she supports big
polluter interests far
more than she would support the
public interest, while her
belief that industry should
be allowed to regulate itself
will give a green light
to those who would misuse what
doesn't belong to them
-- our public lands that should be
held in trust for
our children.
== What to do ==
Contact Senators Feinstein and Boxer immediately and
urge
them to oppose Norton's nomination as interior
secretary.
== Contact
information ==
You can email or fax Senators Feinstein
and Boxer directly
from NRDC's Earth Action Center at
http://www.nrdc.org/action. Or use the contact
information
and sample letter we've provided below, and
feel free to
include your own reasons for wanting to
fill this cabinet
post with someone who will truly
protect California's -- and
all America's -- public
lands.
Senator Dianne
Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202)
224-3841
District Phone: (310) 914-7300
Fax: (202) 228-3954
Email:
senator@feinstein.senate.gov
Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3553
District
Phone: (415) 403-0100
Fax: (202) 228-1338
Email: senator@boxer.senate.gov
== Sample letter ==
Dear Senator ,
I strenuously oppose
President-elect Bush's nominee for
secretary of the
interior, Gale Norton, and urge you to
reject her
appointment when it comes before the Senate. Ms.
Norton's record shows that she supports big polluter
interests far more than she supports the public interest.
As a lawyer in James Watt's
Interior department in the
mid-1980s, Ms. Norton
attempted to open up the Arctic
National Wildlife
Refuge to development. While Colorado
attorney general,
she defended a state law that allowed
polluters to
avoid legal action if they reported
environmental
violations and pledged to clean up their act.
The EPA
criticized the law because it kept details of
companies' actions confidential, preventing citizens and
government agencies from investigating even egregious
violations that could have had dramatic impacts on
public
health and the environment.
I (and every other American) need,
want and deserve an
Interior secretary who will be a
true steward of the
nation's natural heritage and an
advocate for the protection
of our resources. Here in
California, those resources
include our national parks
and monuments, our offshore
coastal waters -- and the
oil and gas deposits under them --
and the federal
waters that flow into our rivers and San
Francisco Bay.
Gale Norton's record has demonstrated that
she should
not be entrusted with these and other great
natural
treasures. Please vote against her appointment and
urge
your Senate colleagues to oppose her as well.
Sincerely,
[Your name and address]
...
Tell
the Army not to sacrifice tortoises for tanks
California's desert tortoise -- the state reptile --
desperately needs our help. Since being designated a
"threatened" species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
about ten years ago, the tortoise population in the
western
Mojave Desert has continued to decline, due
principally to
disease and ongoing degradation of its
habitat. Now a huge
new threat to its habitat and
continued existence has
emerged -- expansion of Fort
Irwin's National Training
Center onto 88,000 acres of
designated critical habitat. The
final omnibus spending
bill signed by President Clinton last
month included
provisions for protecting the tortoise as the
U.S. Army
fast-tracks its expansion plans, but now the Army
must
hear from people who believe that tortoises need not be
sacrificed to tanks.
== What to do ==
Send a message to the Army urging that assurances for the
desert tortoise's survival be incorporated into the
Fort
Irwin expansion plans.
== Contact information ==
You can email the Army's General James Thurman directly
from
NRDC's Earth Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. Or
use the contact information and sample letter below to send
your own message.
Brigadier General James D. Thurman
National Training Center
Fort
Irwin, CA 92310
Phone: 760-380-6268
Email: wingardw@irwin.army.mil
== Sample letter ==
Dear General Thurman,
The desert tortoise needs your help. Since it was listed as
a threatened species some ten years ago, the tortoise
has
continued to be pushed toward extinction in the
Mojave
desert. While I recognize the Army's legitimate
need to
maintain military readiness, I urge you to meet
that need
without jeopardizing the survival of the West
Mojave
population of this imperiled
species.
I call
upon you to examine all available alternatives to
taking critical tortoise habitat for tank maneuvers,
including removing unexploded ordnance from the existing
training area. The tortoise has no available
alternatives --
it is dependent on your commitment to
its continued
survival.
Please don't sacrifice tortoises to tanks.
Sincerely,
[Your name and address]
...
Demand funding for an LA park in this year's state budget
Last July we asked you to take
action urging the mayor of
Los Angeles to reject a
proposal to turn the "Chinatown
Cornfield" -- a former
rail yard located between Chinatown
and the Los Angeles
River and the last vast open tract of
land in downtown
LA -- into an industrial warehouse
development.
Hundreds of you responded and now, thanks in
part to
your messages, the proposed project's developer has
agreed to discuss the possibility of a deal that would
enable public acquisition of the Cornfield. Plus, thanks to
voters' approval last March of Propositions 12 and 13
-- the
parks and water bonds -- funding may be
available to
purchase the land. But in order to get
those funds allocated
to this project, we need you to
make your voice heard again.
Los Angeles has fewer acres of parks per thousand residents
than any other major city in the country. While
Majestic
Realty Corporation's proposal would turn the
Cornfield into
warehouses, a coalition of community,
environmental, civil
rights, historic preservation and
business interests has
offered a proposal to turn the
area into a 48-acre urban
parkland. Instead of
warehouses and industry, the
coalition's alternative
would create a badly needed park as
well as provide
land for a middle school or high school and
recreational facilities for the neighboring communities. It
would also protect historic resources like the Juan
Bautista
de Anza National Historic Trail, recently
recognized as a
National Millennium Trail, and be a
major building block in
a long-term plan to reclaim and
restore the Los Angeles
River.
== What to do ==
Contact Governor Gray Davis and urge him to provide funds
in
this year's budget to purchase the Cornfield and
convert it
into an urban park.
== Contact information ==
You can email Governor Davis directly from NRDC's Earth
Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. Or use the
contact information and sample letter below to send your
own
message, and feel free to include your own reasons
why open
space in downtown LA is important to you.
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento,
CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email: graydavis@governor.ca.gov
== Sample letter ==
Dear Governor Davis,
I am writing to urge you to insure
that funds are available
in this year's budget to help
purchase the Chinatown
Cornfield in Los Angeles and
convert it into an urban park.
Los Angeles has fewer acres of parks per thousand residents
than any other major city in the country. The Chinatown
area
suffers not only from a lack of parks, but also
from a lack
of schools, and the William Mead housing
project is
desperately in need of recreational
facilities. The
Cornfield is an essential building
block in plans to reclaim
this area as well as to
restore the Los Angeles River.
While Majestic Realty Corporation has proposed developing
the Cornfield into warehouses and industrial
facilities, the
Chinatown Yard Alliance has offered
instead to convert the
area into a 48-acre urban
parkland of open space,
playgrounds, a school, a
bikeway, and, at the same time,
restore a critical
section of the Los Angeles River.
Majestic has agreed
to discuss the possibility of such a
deal, but the plan
will succeed only if public funds are
allocated to
acquire the land.
Again,
please do all you can to include funds in this year's
budget to purchase the Cornfield and convert it into
desperately needed parkland for Los Angeles' children and
other residents.
Sincerely,
[Your name and address]
...........
2) Status of Previous alerts
YOSEMITE RESTORATION PLAN
Several months ago, we asked you to contact the National
Park Service and urge the agency to adopt a bold,
strong,
and detailed plan for protecting and restoring
Yosemite
National Park. On November 14, Interior
Secretary Bruce
Babbitt announced the Park Service was
doing just that, with
a $441 million restoration plan
that will reduce Yosemite's
traffic jams, turn parking
lots back into meadows, and
restore Yosemite Valley's
riverbanks and other natural
habitat. If you were one
of the more than 10,000 people who
wrote the Park
Service or Secretary Babbitt urging them to
adopt a
plan that would truly protect this beloved American
treasure, thank you for helping us secure this resounding
victory! [Want more information? Go to
http://www.nrdc.org/wildcalifornia/yos.html]
CLEAN-FUEL SCHOOL BUSES
Due in part to the hundreds of emails they received from
California Activist Network members (thanks to all of
you
who responded to our late November emergency
alert!), the
California Air Resources Board on December
7 cut the share
of the $50 million of clean school bus
funds that will go to
new diesel school buses, revising
the funding allocation so
that natural gas and other
clean alternative fuel buses will
now get twice as much
funding as so-called "green" diesel
buses. While we
would have preferred that no funds at all be
used to
buy new diesel school buses, convincing the board to
reduce the funds available for diesel buses is an important
step in the right direction. The Board also increased
the
funds available for cleaning up existing diesel
school buses
to help reduce the risk to children from
these
cancer-causing buses.
In the coming months, as we push
for more funding for clean
fuel buses and fight for the
South Coast Air Quality
Management District to adopt a
fleet rule which would
require local school districts
to buy only alternative fuel
buses, we'll keep you
posted as to when we need you to
contact state and
local officials. Thanks again for your
continued
commitment in our ongoing efforts to dump dirty
diesels
throughout California.
NOVEMBER 7 BALLOT INITIATIVES
In
our last alert we urged you to go to the polls on
election day and vote NO on Proposition 37, the Polluter
Protection Act, which would have allowed oil, tobacco
and
alcohol industries to avoid paying the clean-up
costs of the
environmental and health damage they cause
and shifted those
costs to taxpayers instead. We also
asked those of you
living in San Francisco to vote YES
on Proposition R, which
favors turning Pier 45 on the
city's historic waterfront
into an environmental
education center instead of a
tourist-driven theme
park. Prop 37 was soundly defeated and
Prop R
overwhelmingly passed -- thanks to everyone who got
out
and voted on one or both of these initiatives.
NAVY SONAR
In our last alert we
asked you to contact the California
Coastal Commission
and urge the agency to deny a request
from the U.S.
Navy to operate a new extended-range submarine
detection system that would flood the Pacific Ocean with
230-decibel level noise that could cause permanent
hearing
loss, serious physical injury, or even death to
whales and
other marine life. The commission was to
hold a hearing on
the matter on December 12 but, at the
last minute, the Navy
withdrew its request (undoubtedly
as a result, at least in
part, of the hundreds of
opposition messages they received
from California
Activist Network members). Thanks to
everyone who
helped achieve this reprieve for the whales and
other
marine mammals! Victory is only temporary, however, as
the Navy has indicated it intends to re-submit its request
to the commission in March. You can be certain we'll
let you
know when we need you speak up about this issue
again.
...........
3) About Our
Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe
NRDC distributes three bulletins by email. To subscribe to
any or all of them or to join our activist networks, go
to
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/subscribe.asp. If you
already
subscribe and want to change your subscriptions
or update
your email address or other information, go
to
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/profileeditor (or see
the
unsubscribe information below).
The CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK
ACTION ALERT is distributed
bimonthly to members of
NRDC's California Activist Network
and provides action
tools to Californians and others
concerned with
protecting the state's natural resources and
the health
of its citizens. To unsubscribe from the
California
Activist Network Action Alert, send an email
message to
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subject line.
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send an email message to legwatch@nrdcaction.org
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...........
4) About NRDC/How to
Contact Us
The Natural
Resources Defense Council is a nonprofit
environmental
organization with over 400,000 members
nationwide and a
staff of scientists, attorneys and
environmental
experts. Our mission is to protect the
planet's
wildlife and wild places and ensure a safe and
healthy
environment for all living things.
For more information about NRDC or how to become a member
of
NRDC, please contact us at:
Natural Resources Defense Council
40 West 20th Street
New York,
NY 10011
212-727-4511 (voice) / 212-727-1773 (fax)
General email: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
California Activist Network email: wildcalifornia@nrdc.org
from Rainforest Action Network January 5, 2001
Great News! President Clinton today announced Alaska. s
Tongass will be immediately included in the Roadless Policy. Many
thanks to all of you who submitted comments, made phone calls, sent faxes and
letters, it is because of your dedication that this landmark decision occurred!
Congratulations to all!
For
immediate release
January 5, 2001
Alaska. s Tongass is in!
President Clinton includes Alaska.
s Tongass --- World. s Largest Temperate Rainforest . in Historic Roadless Area
Protection Plan
WASHINGTON,
Jan. 5, 2001 --- President Clinton today included Alaska. s Tongass in the
Forest Service. s Roadless Protection Plan. The plan offers substantial
protection for 58.5 million acres of roadless wilderness in national forests
across the nation. Alaska. s Tongass contains the world. s largest intact
temperate rainforest tracts. It had initially been exempted from the policy that
would have allowed continued road building and large-scale commercial logging of
its roadless, old growth, forest tracts.
. By immediately protecting Alaska. s Tongass Rainforest,
President Clinton has assured future generations the opportunity to experience
the grandeur of this magnificent forest,. stated Marty Hayden of Earthjustice
Legal Defense Fund. . These wild areas protected by President Clinton are a
living legacy of ancient forests and their wildlife that have been decimated
elsewhere in the nation, if not the world..
Brian McNitt, of the Alaska Rainforest Campaign, praised
Clinton. s action as a . bold initiative. that validated the most extensive
public comment process ever held by the Forest Service on a rule making
procedure. . Over a million people submitted comments in support of the Tongass
nationwide and over 62% of the Alaskans testifying wanted the Tongass roadless
areas protected,. stated McNitt.
Pat Veesart, of the Sitka Conservation Society reports that
in Southeast Alaska, the heart of the Tongass, nearly 75% of people who
testified in the four largest cities supported its inclusion. Veesart noted that
this is an opportune time to extend protection of the old growth forest, . &
current low timber cut levels in the Tongass mean that it can be included right
now without major economic dislocation..
We have long advocated for the permanent protection of
important roadless wildlands on the Tongass and this administrative decision is
an excellent first step in that direction,. said Katya Kirsch, of the Southeast
Alaska Conservation Council, a coalition of Southeast Alaska conservation
organizations.
-xxx
If at
anytime you wish to unsubscribe please visit http://www.akrain.org/howtohelp.asp where you can
easily remove yourself from the list. To speak with someone directly
please e-mail info@akrain.org or call 907-222-2552.
Thanks for your support.
Alaska Rainforest Campaign Staff.
from World Wildlife January 5, 2001
Last Chance for the Arctic Refuge?
Dear WWF Conservation Action
Network Activist:
With only 14
days remaining in Bill Clinton's presidency, time is
quickly running out for him to designate the crown jewel of
our
nation's wildlife refuge system, the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge,
as a national monument in
order to protect it from destructive oil
drilling. President-elect George W. Bush has
said that he supports
allowing oil companies access to
the refuge.
Given the
importance and urgency of this issue, we are asking you to
do something different - make a phone
call. Please call 1-888-750-
4897 - a
special toll free number that has been set up to route calls to
the White House operator. Let the operator know
that you want
President Clinton to protect the Arctic
Refuge as a national monument.
(If you have
trouble getting through using that number, you can also
call the White House at
202-456-1111.) Many of you have already
sent President Clinton emails and faxes urging him to
protect the
refuge. But even more is needed;
please call today.
After you
have called the White House, please take one more action.
A broad coalition of residents and organizations has
proposed
designation of a new Siskiyou Wild Rivers
National Monument in
Oregon. The monument
would encompass more than 1 million acres
that include
the highest concentration of wild and scenic rivers in the
nation, the best remaining salmon and steelhead habitat in
the Pacific
Northwest, and globally significant plant
diversity. Please go to
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ to send a free
message urging
the administration to designate this
area as a national monument.
Thank you for
helping to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
and the Siskiyou Wild Rivers region, two outstanding
national
treasures.
from Coalition to Protect Predators January 6, 2001
Judge lets wolf management proposal stand
>
>
> Pioneer
Press
>
St. Paul, MN
>
> Published:
Saturday, January 6, 2001
>
>
>
> MINNESOTA
> Judge lets wolf
management proposal stand
> Lawsuit called plan
legislative `log-rolling'; groups pledge appeal
>
>
> DENNIS LIEN STAFF
WRITER
>
> A Ramsey County
judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to strike
> down a
> state wolf
management plan because it was included in a separate
> legislative bill.
> District Court
Judge Louise Dovre Bjorkman said several animal-rights
>
and environmental groups failed to demonstrate that the bill approved
by
> the 2000
Minnesota Legislature was an example of log-rolling, a practice
> in which
unrelated subjects are lumped into one bill, often to increase
> the chances of
passage.
> The
groups contended that legislators, frustrated in their attempts to
> pass a
wolf-management plan, violated the state Constitution by
> attaching it to a more popular fish and
wildlife-funding bill. That bill
> included hunting
and fishing license fee increases, the wolf-management plan,
> and
> illuminated fishing
lures.
> Bjorkman, however,
said all the issues fall under the broad subject of
> ``natural
resources,'' and could not logically be categorized any
> other way. She also
said that while the wolf-management component was the
> result of political
compromise, legislators had debated it extensively. ``In
> short, the
legislators knew what they were doing,'' Bjorkman said.
> Betsy Schmiesing, a
Minneapolis lawyer representing the groups, said
> they almost
certainly will appeal.
> ``The wolf
management plan consistently failed to pass until it was
> attached to a much
more popular provision,'' Schmiesing said. ``That
> is the sort of
trade-off that the log-rolling provision in the
> Constitution is
meant to preclude.''
> The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service wants to change the gray wolf's
> protection status
across much of the nation from endangered to
> threatened -- as it
already is in Minnesota -- as a first step toward returning
> control of wolf
populations to states. First, however, it must approve
> Minnesota's state
plan.
> The
Legislature's wolf management plan breaks the state into two
> zones, each
providing different levels of protection. In the first, covering
> the northeastern
third of the state, property owners could kill wolves if
> they observed them
stalking, attacking or killing domestic animals. In the
> rest of the state,
however, property owners could destroy wolves if they
> thought they
represented a threat to domestic animals.
> The lawsuit was
filed against Gov. Jesse Ventura, as the state's chief
> official. The
plaintiffs were the Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra
> Club's North Star
Chapter, the Humane Society of the United States, Friends
> of Animals and
Their Environment, Help Our Wolves Live, the Minnesota
> Wolf Alliance and
the Animal Protection Institute.
>
