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DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
January 31, 2001
"The Senate on Tuesday voted 75-24 to approve Gale Norton's nomination to head the Interior Department. Norton, 46, a two-term Colorado attorney general, has been criticized by environmental groups for her pro-property and states' rights views, interest in drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and support of industry self-regulation."
UPDATES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
I. Maui EPEC Campaign Success
II. URGENT CALL TO ACTION regarding the Everglades and Homestead Air Force Base!
III. Sierra Nevada Plan - a cause for celebration!
FEATURE CALL TO ACTION: TELL YOUR SENATOR TO VOTE NO ON ASHCROFT!!!
Call your senators and tell them to vote NO on Ashcroft's nomination. Please thank them if they have already announced they are going to vote against Ashcroft. The vote is expected to take place as early as TOMORROW morning (Eastern time). Let them know that Ashcroft's long and documented anti-environmental record cannot be overturned with 3 days of his testimony. Ashcroft averaged less than a dismal 4% record in voting for the protection of our environment; he led efforts to mine in nationally protected areas of the Ozarks; his most recent campaign accepted more than $700,000 in Dirty Money contributions from anti-environmental interests; and he repeatedly voted and advocated weakening enforcement of clean air and clean water laws.
Call your senators and tell them to vote NO on Ashcroft's nomination for Attorney General.
Background: Senator Ashcroft's nomination has not been voted on by the full Senate. The debate on the nomination will end by tomorrow morning. So, act now --- while we still have time!
1. Call the U.S. Congress Switchboard at: 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senator's office.
2. Fax your Senator's office a hand written letter: fax numbers are available at www.senate.gov
I. Maui Campaign EPEC Success (by Lucienne deNaie) Hello all- For the past year the Maui EPEC campaign has focused (often rather quietly and out of the headlines) on fighting sprawl by building public demand for coastal preservation in Maui both thru better enforcement of existing laws and direct efforts to purchase or protect coastal lands threatened by development. The culmination of this effort was the recent formation of a coastal land trust headed by a broad coalition of prominent and respected community members. These efforts are now beginning to pay off as witnessed by this recent excerpt in the Honolulu Advertiser. We still have many miles to go, but a real flame has been ignited, thanks to the support of the Club's EPEC program in creating public awareness and respect for coastal protection.
By Timothy Hurley Advertiser Maui Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui - Calling the environment critical to both Maui County's economy and the well-being of its citizens, Mayor James "Kimo'' Apana yesterday announced a $1 million donation to a new organization that aims to preserve coastal open space and beach access.
Apana said he wants the county contribution to be used by the Maui Coastal Preservation Trust as seed money to help attract additional money for land acquisition.
"The preservation of open space benefits everyone,'' Apana said in his annual State of the County address in the chambers of the Maui County Council.
"It is time to put aside the false arguments of economic growth vs. the economy. In truth, our environment is critical to our economy, our health and to the well-being of all citizens.''
II. URGENT CALL TO ACTION regarding the Everglades and Homestead Air Force Base!
Florida Governor Jeb Bush needs to publicly support the recent Air Force decision prohibiting commercial aviation at the former Homestead Air Force Base. The proposed airport would have hosted more than 630 flights per day at low altitudes over Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Ask Governor Bush to now publicly support the Air Force decision which provides economic benefits and protects the Everglades, subject of a $7.8 billion restoration.
THIS CALL is CRITICAL!
HABDI, the company seeking to build an airport, has filed a lawsuit, and Miami-Dade County, led by Mayor Alex Penelas is considering legal actions against the Air Force.
How to reach the Governor: Governor Jeb Bush, 850-488-4441 ph. (M-F, 9 am - 5 pm EST) You can also fax him a letter, especially important from organizations, to 850-487-0801 (fax) or e-mail to: jeb@jeb.org (there's no need to cc: us)
BACKGROUND: On January 16, the U.S. Air Force offered 700 acres of surplus property at Homestead AFB to Miami-Dade County, for mixed-use development. In the decision, the Air Force stipulated that the property can never be used as a commercial airport.
III. Sierra Nevada Plan - a cause for celebration!
By Barbara Boyle, Sierra Club Sr. Regional Representative
On January 12, 2001, the Record of Decision for the Sierra Nevada National Forests Framework Plan was signed by the Regional Forester in Sacramento. This plan was the culmination of many years of extraordinary work by forest activists in the Sierra and around the country, a model coalition effort including Sierra Club, NRDC, the Wilderness Society, and scores of statewide and local conservation organizations working with the Sierra Nevada Forest Protection Campaign.
This rangewide plan, covering eleven national forests, for the first time emphasizes ecosystem protection and restoration in a multi-national forest region. It strongly curtails damaging logging in Sierra Nevada forests, bringing the timber cut to a tiny fraction of what it was over a decade ago. Overall, the plan represents a huge change in focus for the Sierra. >From a time of timber dominance a decade ago, we have arrived at the intention to let science and ecosystem protections govern. Further, with a strong fuels management program, the issue of fire danger will be addressed where it should be, in the urban interface.
Tomorrow, or next week, we'll be gearing up to prevent the forces of darkness from undermining or overturning this decision. But in the meantime, thank you from the bottom of my heart, and the hearts of all your sisters and brothers in this great quest.
The poetry of earth is never dead;... The poetry of earth is ceasing never. -Keats, On the Grasshopper and Cricket
I. TAKE ACTION: FIGHT ANTI-ENVIRONMENTAL NOMINEES
II. MIAMI-DADE DELAYS DECISION ON USES FOR HOMESTEAD BASE
III. TAKE ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING ACTION: MEET WITH YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
I. TAKE ACTION: OPPOSE GALE NORTON AND JOHN ASHCROFT
Want to do more? The U.S. Senate will vote on these nominees this week...action is needed.
1. Keep the pressure on at https://getactivehub.com/campaign/gale_norton
2. Visit the following sites to stop Ashcroft: https://www.naral.org/actnow/ash_alert.html & https://www.opposeashcroft.com
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.
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."
The Sierra Club also 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.
II. MIAMI-DADE DELAYS DECISION ON USES FOR HOMESTEAD BASE
County commissioners deferred a decision Tuesday on what to do about the former Homestead Air Force Base, keeping alive the possibility that it still could be used as a commercial airport. Last week, the outgoing Clinton Administration declared the base off limits to commercial aviation because of the danger that would pose for nearby Biscayne and Everglades national parks.
Instead of continuing to talk about an airport, said Jonathan Ullman of the Sierra Club, commissioners "should be celebrating the opportunity to develop the property in an acceptable format that protects the Everglades."
The Air Force, which owns the base, says it is willing to convey 717 acres to the county for mixed development, while retaining the runways and taxiways for its own uses. That decision is being contested in federal court in Washington, D.C., by a group of influential developers who have a lease with the county to build an airport.
III. DISTRICT WORK WEEK STARTS ON FEB. 19TH: TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING
District Work Week for members of Congress is taking place the week of February 19. This is a good opportunity to meet with your representatives to discuss Global Warming and Energy issues.
Representatives should be aware that:
-It is more effective to drill under Detroit than under the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
-Making cars and light trucks go further on a gallon of gas is the biggest single step to curb global warming. -Representatives can sign the Sierra Club's Clean Car Letter to express their support for raising CAFE.
-The federal government should look to increase funding for clean energy alternatives, and cut funding into fossil-fuel research
-Raising awareness of Global Warming as a serious threat to the environment, both locally and globally.
If you are interested in arranging a district office visit, or if you would like more information, please contact Alex Veitch at alex.veitch@sierraclub.org or at 202-547-1141.
DC staff are available to provide assistance with arranging visits, and will provide talking points and information on the issues. We would like to keep track of which offices are visited, and how the meeting went.
Find out more about steps you can take to help curb global warming at our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming.
"After one of the closest elections in our nation's history, there's one thing the American people are unanimous about --they want their government back. We can do that by ridding politics of large, unregulated contributions that give special interests a seat at the table while average Americans are stuck in the back of the room. The Senate needs to act early on campaign finance reform so we can achieve meaningful reform and restore the public's faith in their government." ---Senator John McCain (R-Arizona)
I. TAKE ACTION: VOTE FOR REAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
II. 3 PART TAKE ACTION: PROTECT OUR FORESTS FROM PRESIDENT BUSH
III. TAKE ACTION: STOP BUSH'S ATTACKS ON FAMILY PLANNING
IV. TAKE ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING ACTION: MEET WITH YOUR
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
I.TAKE ACTION: Vote for real Campaign Finance Reform!!
Senator John McCain is considering a proposal that would increase the amount of money individuals can give to candidates from $1,000 to $3,000. This is the same idea suggested by President Bush who raised record-breaking sums from maximum donors during his campaign. Increasing existing contribution limits by any amount is not reform. American elections are already in the hands and pockets of a wealthy few. Higher limits would just bring more big money into politics and would diminish the influence of average Americans, who do not have the financial means to contribute at such high levels. Let Senator McCain know that $1,000 is enough! Go to McCain's website and vote against bringing more big money into politics. https://www.straighttalkamerica.com/ (The poll is on the right hand side). If you are interesting in writing letters to the editor on campaign finance reform and banning unregulated campaign contributions called soft money, contact Eli Levitt at eli.levitt@sierraclub.org or call at 202-547-1141.
II.TAKE ACTION: TO PROTECT OUR WILDLANDS, NATIONAL FORESTS, & THE ARCTIC
A. Help Protect Our Wild Forests -- Write your Representative Last year thousands of Sierra Club members wrote letters, attended hearings and spoke out to protect our Wild Forests. Because of your good work the Wild Forest Protection Plan was signed and will protect 60 million acres from road construction and commercial logging. Now we need your help to defend Wild Forests from attacks by the Bush Administration. Please take a moment to write your Senators and Representatives and urge them to stand up to attacks on our Wild Forests. You can call your Members of Congress through the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Urge them to oppose all efforts to derail the Wild Forest Protection Plan!
B. Protect and Restore Our National Forests Commercial logging destroys wildlife habitat, degrades recreation opportunities, impacts our clean water sources and wastes taxpayer money. It is time to stop the subsidies of forest destruction and invest in forest restoration. Please write a letter to your local newspaper and urge your friends and neighbors to do the same. You can find a sample letter on the Sierra Club website at www.sierraclub.org/takeaction/logging For more information call Mitzi Emrich at (202) 547-1141.
C. WATCH SHOW ON THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Jan 30 - watch Arctic Refuge Documentary Mark your calendars and notify people far and wide! Hopefully this documentary will motivate people to become strong Arctic Refuge defenders -- and we need the strength in numbers to win the big fight that's ahead! Earth Rescue - Pipe Dreams: Big Oil vs. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Premiering Tuesday, January 30 at 10 PM ET/PT on Outdoor Life Network To receive the bi-weekly, electronic Arctic Refuge Activist Newsletter, please contact julie.hudson@sierraclub.org
III. TAKE ACTION: STOP PRESIDENT BUSH'S ATTACKS ON FAMILY PLANNING President Bush Damages International Family Planning Programs
Only two days his inaugural address, President George W. Bush reinstated the global gag rule on international family planning. The global gag rule bars international family planning organizations that receive a single dollar of U.S. funds from using their own money to talk about abortion with their patients, provide abortion services, or lobby to change abortion laws in their countries. Under this rule, overseas organizations cannot use their own revenue for these purposes. If they do, they may be barred from receiving U.S. humanitarian aid that goes to help maternal mortality and child survival programs. In reality, U.S. law has prevented U.S. taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions overseas since 1973.
Reinstating the global gag rule will hurt women and the environment. This policy will ultimately impact all efforts to protect the environment. Because rapid population growth exacerbates every environmental problem, it is intimately linked to all our efforts to protect the environment. By limiting access to information and services that help families to decide the timing and spacing of their children, President Bush is making it more difficult to protect the natural resources that are under pressure from the demands of rapidly increasing population.
TAKE ACTION: Let President Bush know that you disagree with the reinstatement of the global gag rule and that you disapprove of this blatant attack on women and the environment. This should not be one of Bush's first acts as President.
Contact the White House, the Secretary of State, the National Security Advisor, your Senators and Representative to state your disapproval of this action.
President George W. Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20500 202-456-1414 comment line 202-456-2461 fax president@whitehouse.gov
Secretary of State Colin Powell 202-647-4000 202-261-8577 fax
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice 202-456-9481
U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
For further information: Contact Laurie Mignone, Global Population & Environment Program, laurie.mignone@sierraclub.org.
IV. DISTRICT WORK WEEK STARTS ON FEB. 19TH:
TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CURB GLOBAL WARMING
District Work Week for members of Congress is taking place the week of February 19. This is a good opportunity to meet with your representatives to discuss Global Warming and Energy issues.
Representatives should be aware that:
-It is more effective to drill under Detroit than under the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
-Making cars and light trucks go further on a gallon of gas is the biggest single step to curb global warming.
-Representatives can sign the Sierra Club's Clean Car Letter to express their support for raising CAFE
-The federal governmentshould look to increase funding for clean energy alternatives, and cut funding into fossil-fuel research
-Raising awareness of Global Warming as a serious threat to the environment, both locally and globally.
If you are interested in arranging a district office visit, or if you would like more information, please contact Alex Veitch at alex.veitch@sierraclub.org or at 202-547-1141.
DC staff are available to provide assistance with arranging visits, and will provide talking points and information on the issues. We would like to keep track of which offices are visited, and how the meeting went.
Find out more about steps you can take to help curb global warming at our website: https://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming.
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