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DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
February 27, 2003
"What really matters is whether the alphabet is used for the declaration of war or for the description of a sunrise." -Mr. Rogers
(1)ENDANGERED SPECIES: "F" for Fish
(2)ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Mining for Water
(3)FACTORY FARMS: New Lagoons Please
(4)TAKE ACTION: Support Yellowstone Snowmobile Phase Out
1. "F" for Fish
The federal Salmon Plan, to regulate dams in the Northwest so salmon are assured vitality, is sinking. A coalition of environmental organizations and members of the sport and commercial fishing industries gave it failing marks. Proper steps have not been taken to ensure the survival of the endangered Columbia and Snake River wild salmon and steelhead.
Currently, seventy percent of the 150 programs of the federal ten-year plan to help the fish have not been implemented. Also, the Bush Administration has not taken the appropriate steps to maintain water quality, water temperature and they haven't restored the required fish habitat.
Read the report here: https://www.wildsalmon.org/ Read an article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer here: https://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/110244_salmon27.shtml
2. Mining for Water
The nation's largest coal mining company, Peabody Coal, is pumping billions of gallons of groundwater a year from the sacred springs under the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. The water is pumped to a dirty power plant, over 100 miles away, that services customers in California, Nevada and Arizona. The Hopis are not planning to renew their contract with the mining company in 2005 because springs are not flowing as they once were and the Hopi nation is worried that the water amount is being threatened by the large quantity extorted by Peabody.
Hear more from Arizona Public Radio: https://www.knauradio.org/News/News.cfm?ID=860&c=17 https://www.knauradio.org/News/News.cfm?ID=861&c=17
3. New Lagoons Please
Anyone up for stricter enforcement? Earlier this week, 3 millions gallons of liquid animal waste leaked into the Clarks River in Kentucky from an overflowing dammed waste lagoon. According to state water-quality officials, the effect will be minimal, so minimal the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection did not inform the public.
The farm with the leak problem had previously been cited due to its aged lagoons. Inspectors found the spill when they visited the farm to make sure the walls were holding up after severe rains pounded the region.
Read the story here: https://www.courier-journal.com/localnews/2003/02/25/ke022503s371898.htm
4. TAKE ACTION - Support Yellowstone Snowmobile Phase Out
The Bush Administration is allowing snowmobiles to continue use and possibly increase in Yellowstone National park.
Act now by contacting your Representative to support the Yellowstone Protection Act, which will enact the Park Service's original plan, to phase out snowmobiles from Yellowstone.
Take Action here: https://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=216&st=curr
"When people tell me 'you're rolling back regulations,' I say, which regulations? Show me the regulations." - U.S. EPA Administrator Christie Whitman
(1)AIR: Hold up of Health (2)NATIONAL FORESTS: Power Struggle
(3)TOXICS: Sycamore or Sick More?
(4)TAKE ACTION: Join The Virtual March
1. Hold up of Health
On Friday, the Sierra Club called upon the Bush Administration to release a long-delayed report on the health risks children face from toxic mercury from coal power plants. On Monday, the EPA released the report (even though it was ready last July) and it states mercury as one of the pollutants that cause health problems and birth defects.
Ironically, the report released yesterday comes at a time when the Bush Administration is touting the so-called "Clear Skies" proposal that would allow 200 percent more toxic mercury into the air than under the existing Clean Air Act.
Read more about the Administration's proposal here: https://www.sierraclub.org/cleanair/action/clear_skies.asp
2. Power Struggle
The Sierra Club, other environmental groups and a local county appealed a US Forest Service decision in Virginia to allow a 765,000-volt power line across the Jefferson National Forest. This action is a response to a Forest Service decision to let American Electric Power begin construction on the power line.
The appeal presented to the US Forest Service cited problems with the environmental impact statement, which failed to properly examine the threats to endangered species. Plus, the studies were funded by American Electric Power instead of the neutral US Forest Service.
Read more locally: https://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story144993.html
3. Sycamore or Sick More?
Bio Energy of Georgia is planning to install four new generators on top of a landfill to turn methane into power for electricity. The catch is that right next door a brand new elementary school is slated to open later this year. The generators would cause more pollution making the air at Sycamore Elementary school truly dirty. Would you want your child going to Sycamore?
Read the story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution: https://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/gwinnett/0203/24sycamore.html
4. TAKE ACTION - Join The Virtual March
Last weekend, millions of people worldwide took to the streets to tell President Bush they don't want a war in Iraq.
The next big protest will be a "Virtual March on Washington" on Wednesday, February 26. We're working with the Win Without War coalition to overwhelm Washington with a simple message: "Don't rush to war. Let the United Nations inspectors do their jobs to resolve the Iraq situation peacefully. And reduce the chance of war in the future by ending the U.S. dependence on oil."
We hope you'll participate. Getting involved is simple. The Win Without War coalition has set up a campaign headquarters at https://www.moveon.org/winwithoutwar with all the information you need to sign up.
Or, on Wednesday, February 26, simply pick up your phone and call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. To look up your Senator's office phone number and email address, go tohttps://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Also, please e-mail this letter to everyone in your address book and ask them to do the same. Together, we can make a difference. As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Below, for your information, is the text of the Sierra Club's resolution on Iraq:
Sierra Club Resolution on Peaceful Solution to Iraq Issue Passed by the Board of Directors on November 16, 2002
"The Sierra Club is concerned about the global dangers presented by possible Iraqi aggression and about the dire environmental consequences of war. The Sierra Club supports disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. The Sierra Club commends the US and the other United Nations Security Council members for their unanimous resolution calling for the restoration of the disarmament inspections process as a means of achieving a peaceful resolution of the Iraq issue, and it urges all nations to work through the UN to achieve this objective. The process of inspection should go forward immediately with, and pursuant to, international consensus as expressed in the UN Security Council resolution."
"Even if the UN succeeds, however, this process will be incomplete if the US and other nations fail to recognize that their continued dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is, itself, a significant de-stabilizing influence in international affairs. The Sierra Club therefore reaffirms its urgent call for the US to move to a clean energy economy, greater efficiency, and use of renewable sources of energy."
"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans -- unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing." - Karl Rove, President Bush's top advisor
(1)GLOBAL WARMING: Twelve Years Later
(2)WILDLANDS: Looking for leaders?
(3)NATIONAL FORESTS: Standing Tall for Sequoias
(4)TAKE ACTION: Join The Virtual March
1. Twelve Years Later
Although hard to believe, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has turned its back on global warming pollution. So the Sierra Club and Our Children's Earth Foundation are turning up the heat. Both organizations are suing the EPA, to update rules for emissions that cause global warming.
The Clean Air Act says the EPA must regulate air pollution affecting public health and must review emission rules of power plants and other pollution sources every eight years. And when was the most recent review? Twelve years ago! This case is being brought to court in conjunction with another lawsuit announced today by seven states against the EPA for not regulating air pollution.
If you don't see the story in your local paper, check cnn at: https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/02/20/global.warning.ap/index.html
2. Looking for leaders?
The Sierra Club has leaders! The US Forest Service recently named Connie and Jerry Heinrich "Volunteers of the Year" for the 20 most eastern states. Their work helped establish Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois as the first federally designated tallgrass prairie in the nation.
The State of Illinois also knows good leaders when it sees them: The Illinois House of Representatives made a resolution to show appreciation for Connie and Jerry's work.
Visit the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie online at: https://www.fs.fed.us/mntp/
3. Standing Tall for Sequoias
The Bush Administration wants to log Sequoia National Monument but the people are standing tall in support of the Sequoias. Over 200 people rallied in Los Angeles and 100 people in Bakersfield at two US Forest Service public hearings. The hearings occurred to provide information and answer questions on the recent draft management plan for the Monument. Sierra Club activists had so many responses for the Forest Service panelists, some weren't allotted time to ask their questions.
The Bush Administration has come forth with a management plan to log 10 million board feet a year. The Administration argues that the heavy cutting is necessary for fire protection, but their plan doesn't hold water. It focuses on removing large, commercially valuable trees in remote areas rather than on fire prevention efforts near communities and homes.
Read more about what you can do here: https://www.sierraclub.org/currents/corcoran_sequoia.asp
4. TAKE ACTION - Join The Virtual March
Last weekend, millions of people worldwide took to the streets to tell President Bush they don't want a war in Iraq.
The next big protest will be a "Virtual March on Washington" on Wednesday, February 26. We're working with the Win Without War coalition to overwhelm Washington with a simple message: "Don't rush to war. Let the United Nations inspectors do their jobs to resolve the Iraq situation peacefully. And reduce the chance of war in the future by ending the U.S. dependence on oil."
We hope you'll participate. Getting involved is simple. The Win Without War coalition has set up a campaign headquarters at https://www.moveon.org/winwithoutwar with all the information you need to sign up.
Or, on Wednesday, February 26, simply pick up your phone and call your Senators through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. To look up your Senator's office phone number and email address, go tohttps://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Also, please e-mail this letter to everyone in your address book and ask them to do the same. Together, we can make a difference. As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Below, for your information, is the text of the Sierra Club's resolution on Iraq:
Sierra Club Resolution on Peaceful Solution to Iraq Issue Passed by the Board of Directors on November 16, 2002
"The Sierra Club is concerned about the global dangers presented by possible Iraqi aggression and about the dire environmental consequences of war. The Sierra Club supports disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. The Sierra Club commends the US and the other United Nations Security Council members for their unanimous resolution calling for the restoration of the disarmament inspections process as a means of achieving a peaceful resolution of the Iraq issue, and it urges all nations to work through the UN to achieve this objective. The process of inspection should go forward immediately with, and pursuant to, international consensus as expressed in the UN Security Council resolution."
"Even if the UN succeeds, however, this process will be incomplete if the US and other nations fail to recognize that their continued dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is, itself, a significant de-stabilizing influence in international affairs. The Sierra Club therefore reaffirms its urgent call for the US to move to a clean energy economy, greater efficiency, and use of renewable sources of energy."
"A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water." - Actor/Director, Carl Reiner
(1)TOXINS: Thirty-Year Old Toxins
(2)TRANSIT: Ripping Through Boston
(3)ARCTIC: Maine Man
(4)TAKE ACTION: Tell the Bush Administration to Protect All of our Waters
1. Thirty-Year Old Toxins
In Kansas City, the Sierra Club posted signs to stay away from local Indian Creek. The Creek is poisoned from PCBs and chemical leaks from the US Department of Energy Plant in Kansas City. While plant officials say there is no danger and see no immediate health concern, the Sierra Club wants the contaminated creek researched more carefully.
PCBs are extremely harmful to humans and they don't break down in nature. PCBs are linked to health problems, including cancer, developmental problems in children born to mothers with PCB exposure, skin conditions, and liver problems.
Read the story in the Kansas City Star: https://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/news/5186377.htm
2. Ripping Through Boston
What will rip up a large portion of Boston's Chinatown, Theater District and Boston Common and cost one billion dollars to construct? The answer is not Godzilla; it is the Silver Line, a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) approved plan to build an underground tunnel for buses. There is an alternative plan that is smarter and cheaper--to use an existing, unused light rail tunnel that could connect where the proposed bus would be located.
Not only would the Silver Line underground bus line be more expensive to build but it would be more expensive for riders. Local neighborhood organizations are protesting it as inadequate and unfair to the low-income, low-car-ownership, minority communities.
Read the Sierra Club column in the Boston Herald: https://www2.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/asyo02162003.htm
3. Maine Man
Sierra Club member Jack Biscoe of Turner, Maine worked as an Alaskan fisherman for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1950s and in 1989, he returned to Alaska to help clean-up oil from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Today, Biscoe lives in Maine and he works as a grassroots organizer to protect what he loves, Alaska's wild places, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Read more about Biscoe and his work to protect the Arctic Refuge in an Associated Press story: https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/02182003/maine/13451.htm
4. TAKE ACTION - Tell the Administration to Protect All of our Waters
The EPA's recent guidance and proposed rulemaking threaten the Clean Water Act's goals of restoring and protecting the nation's waters. The guidance unjustifiably places a broader scope of waters at immediate risk from unregulated pollution and filling. The rulemaking could expand further, abandoning a significant portion of the nation's waters that have been protected from unregulated pollution and filling for more than 25 years.
Contact your US Representatives and Senators and tell them to encourage the administration to withdrawal its guidance and stop the rulemaking: https://whistler.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=215
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