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DEFENDING ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA
October 6th, 2000
"Given George W. Bush's poor environmental record in Texas with Houston becoming the smog capital of the nation, how confident are you that he will be able to protect the environment as president of the United States?" --Erika Kreider, DC Media Intern, to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), live on CNN's "Crossfire", 10/06/00 (see item 2iv)
1) FEATURED ITEM: TELL THE PRESIDENT TO FULLY PROTECT OUR WILD FORESTS
2) BIRD-DOGGING: Who Says Accountability Can't be Fun?
3) RIDERS UPDATE: CARA/Land Legacy and Interior
4) TAKE ACTION: The Arctic Refuge Under Attack in Congress
5) TAKE ACTION: Our Streams and Wetlands Need Protection from Sprawl
6) HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Vigils at Mexican Consulates Across Country Support Montiel and Cabrera
7) IN THE NEWS: VOTER EDUCATION IN PHILLY
TELL THE PRESIDENT TO FULLY PROTECT OUR WILD FORESTS
Right now, the Forest Service is deciding the fate of the last remaining unspoiled roadless areas in our National Forests. They are deciding whether or not to ban logging in our last wild forests and whether or not to protect the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. You are probably one of the more than ONE MILLION Americans who signed a postcard, wrote a letter or spoke at a meeting this summer calling for full protection of all of our last wild forests.
The Forest Service has counted and considered the public comments and now they are making decisions! But there is political pressure to weaken and derail this historic plan. So, we are asking you to speak out on behalf of our wild forests once again.
TAKE ACTION: Please call President Clinton at 1-800-663-9566 (press zero to bypass the long recording) and tell them to ensure that the final roadless rule truly protects all of our last unspoiled roadless areas by banning logging and other destructive activities. And tell them to include the Tongass National Forest in Alaska! Thank you!
2) WHO SAYS ACCOUNTABILITY CAN'T BE FUN? BIRD-DOGGING EVERYWHERE!
2i: Vice Presidential debate, Danville, Kentucky. From Glen Brand, EVEC Organizer
We had a fun day yesterday at the VP debate in Danville, KY. Ten Sierra Club volunteers (mostly from Lexington and Louisville) passed out nearly a thousand Pres. and VP voter guides, and we talked to so many folks who were receptive to our message. Louisville EVEC organizer Carrie Henninger even managed to get a voter guide in the hands of KY governor Patton as he whisked by.
The toxic waste drum costume was a big hit, attracting lots of people, especially kids. At least a dozen people took photos of the costume wearer (Dayton club member and real tropper Scott Hadley, Carrie, and me). Locals wanted to pose with the costume for an tourist mememto. If possible, I advise greater number of costumes for future events.
At 8 pm, Hank Graddy, representing the Cumberland chapter, and I spoke at the "Speakers Park" stage while volunteers waved signs and SC banner.
All day, I worked the media, but they were very hard to get to at the site. I did an interview on tape with CNN radio as well as with a reporter from the Kentucky Post (I haven't check the afternoon paper yet). The costume and our large blowup of the pres. voter guide was photographed and videod by several news organizations (NBC Lexington affiliate, print and others whom I couln't identify).
Media attention to the "protest" scene focused mostly on two large groups: the vocal and colorful Nadar-open the debate crowd, and the anti-capital punishment marchers. TV and print covered the Nadar mob blocking the gate to the debate site for a while, and the death penalty candlelight vigil. Considering all this competing action, I think we still were successful in getting our message out, particularly to the debate audience and residents of Danville.
Special thanks to Alex Veitch who really hustled to make this possible.
2ii: Report from The Bush Birddog in Royal Oak From Dan Farough, EVEC Organizer
The Toxic Drum once again attracted alot of attention in Michigan and was accompanied by a compliment of Sierrans dressed in Toxic suits and Gas masks. The Detroit Free Press' Hugh McDiarmid spoke with us at some length and a photographer took several pictures. Nothing has appeared in today's paper, but perhaps the photo will yet make an appearance at a later date.
The rally itself was quite raucous. Bush and Gore supporters were about equal in number and continually tried to out maneuver each other, making for a rather amusing hour of body chess between the two sides. For some reason or other, the Bush supporters eventually outmaneuvered themselves onto a private lawn and locked themselves behind a 4 1/2 foot fence. Suspecting a personal visit to supporters behind the fence, the Toxic drum tried (in vain) to sneak past security and join the 50 or so Bush supporters who locked themselves inside. Unfortunately The drum was apprehended trying to blend in with the cheering mass of Bush supporters and was told in no uncertain terms that this was private property and that he, in particular, was not welcome. The drum was embarrassed to be rejected so. In a last ditch effort to "slip" past the guard dogs, the drum tried to explain that perhaps he was misunderstood and that the 'clean up Texas slogan' emblazoned across is chest was not a general criticism of all Bush's policies, but rather an attempt to have a constructive dialogue with the Governor on his environmental policy and perhaps some of the supporters inside. Needless to say the drum's overture at peaceful dialouge was rejected.
So the drum resumed his position outside and yelled encouraging slogans to the Governor, such as Don't drill the Great Lakes, and Clean up Texas, and Kids don't like smog.. I still believe the Drum was misunderstood. If only he could speak to the Governor one on one, then maybe, he would revise his policies. Ahh, alas, there is still time with one month to go to reach the Governor and reform his ways. Please send the toxic drum back to Michigan.
2iii: FROM NV EVEC ORGANIZER, JESSICA HODGE
Nevada is NOT a Wasteland Events- statewide Jessica Hodge NV01
For the first time in history, the 14 Nevada environmental groups joined together to celebrate the beauty of Nevada. On September 30th, the Sierra Club joined with groups such as Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Citizen Alert, Nevada Trout Unlimited and many others to publicize "Nevada is Not a Wasteland Day." This day has been traditionally focused on the fight to keep high-level nuclear waste out of Nevada. The coalition of groups wanted to broaden the slogan to include many of the issues the environmental community is working on. Here in southern Nevada, there was a concert and fair to bring public awareness of the threats to Nevada's air, water, and pristine wilderness. We had around 300 people in attendance. We handed out over 500 voter guides. People were very willing to take extras to give to their friends and neighbors.
2iv: DC MEDIA INTERN ERIKA KREIDER GRILLS SEN. HUTCHISON ON CROSSFIRE
On October 5th, CNN Crossfire hosted Bush advisor Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and DSCC Chairman Senator Torricelli (D-NJ) at The George Washington University. In the second half of the show, four students were able to ask questions of the Senators. Erika Kreider, Sierra Club intern, held Hutchison's feet to the fire on Gov. Bush's environmental record in Texas:
ERIKA: My question is, given George W. Bush's poor environmental record in Texas with Houston becoming the smog capital of the nation, how confident are you that he will be able to protect the environment as president of the United States?
HUTCHISON: Well, we're all sorry about Houston being put in that position, but that's not the fault of Governor Bush. We have many plants in Houston. We have some significant problems. I think he will be good for the environment, and he will also bring common sense and a respect for private property rights into the equation.
TORRICELLI: Well, I have to -- I have to add that for those us who remember 10 years when Boston Harbor was dirty, you can bet it was Mike Dukakis' fault. If Houston has the worst air in America, the governor bears some responsibility.
3) Riders Update: CARA/Land Legacy and Interior
CLUB'S TAKE ON LAND FUNDING (CARA/LAND LEGACY) AND INTERIOR RIDERS
The deal on the Interior Appropriations bill is a mixed bag. Although many of the anti-environmental riders have been stripped from the bill, several potentially damaging riders remain, and we have not seen the details on some of the compromises made on other riders. Of particular concern are riders that threaten to increase logging in our National Forests, allow lead mining in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri, and allow the livestock industry to extend destructive grazing operations on public lands without environmental review.
In the same bill, negotiators struck on a deal on the so-called CARA/Land Legacy funding proposal. The bill provides enhanced funding levels for many important programs and helps to encourage the Congress to consistently fund these programs for six years into the future. The deal also dropped out dangerous provisions in the CARA (Conservation and Reinvestment Act) bill that would have threatened our fragile coasts with increased oil drilling and the construction of destructive infrastructure projects. However, the powerful promoters of these bad provisions are likely to attempt to insert them into other budget bills next week (Commerce, State and Justice appropriations).
We must remain vigilant. Our environment is far from safe at this point.
4. The Arctic Refuge Under Attack in Congress
With oil prices reaching $37 a barrel and energy becoming a central issue in the Presidential race, the fate of the Arctic Refuge is once more a central topic of debate. Sierra Club volunteers and staff are engaged in a major lobbying, public education, and media campaign.
In the Senate, Majority Leader Trent Lott has said he plans to bring the so-called "National Energy Security Act of 2000," (S.2557) to the Senate floor again next week for debate. This, despite the record level of support for the Arctic Wilderness bills in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Sierra Club is strongly opposed to S.2557 first and foremost because the legislation would authorize oil and gas drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Protecting the Arctic Refuge from encroaching oil development has long been a top priority for the Sierra Club. Home to wolves, grizzly bears, musk ox and the calving grounds for the 129,000 member Porcupine River caribou herd, this spectacular landscape is truly one of our nation's natural treasures. The Sierra Club believes that the coastal plain--the last 5% of Alaska's vast North Slope that remains off-limits to drilling--should be permanently protected as Wilderness.
The Sierra Club also objects to other provisions of S.2557. We believe the legislation focuses too heavily on tax breaks and subsidies to the polluting oil, coal, and nuclear industries. We urge the Senate to reject the failed policies of the past and instead craft a long-term sustainable energy policy.
America needs a comprehensive energy strategy based on conservation, renewables, alternative energy sources and raising the fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks. We urge the Senate to craft a national energy strategy that would cut our dependence on oil and slash pollution, while allowing us to protect national treasures like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for future generations.
5) Our Streams and Wetlands Need Protection from Sprawl
Developers are exacerbating sprawl by turning wetlands into strip malls, tract housing and golf courses -- all without any environmental review. Why? They are exploiting a 1998 court ruling that struck down the "Tulloch Rule" and opened a loophole in the Clean Water Act enabling developers and others to do various ditching, draining and excavating projects without public notice or a permit.
Destroying these wetlands and streams harms the quality of our nation's water, aggravates flooding, robs a wide array of birds, fish and wildlife of critical habitat and invites sprawling development in sensitive ecosystems.
You can help protect our streams and wetlands by supporting a rule the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed to limit the destructiveness of this loophole and by urging these agencies to do more to stop sprawl from invading sensitive ecosystems.
TAKE ACTION: The comment period on this rule ends on Oct. 16, 2000, so urgent action is necessary. Please send a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers today making similar points to the list below. If you want to do more to help with this campaign or need further details, call the Sierra Club at (202) 547-1141 or visit our Web site at www.sierraclub.org/wetlands/tulloch.
apply the full Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands by strengthening and clarifying the proposed rule as follows:
- Provide clarity in the rule that specific activities -- such as sidecasting, stockpiling, clearing, grading, leveling and backfilling -- always require environmental review to ensure that developers are not able to exploit any vagueness within the rule;
- Develop stronger language to protect our streams from toxics, heavy metals and other pollutants that are sent downstream by ditching and dredging.
The Army Corps must seize this opportunity to protect our nation's streams and wetlands from the widespread destruction this loophole has created. I urge you to finalize the rule with the above revisions as soon as possible. Please count this as my formal comment in support of the proposed rulemaking for limiting the Tulloch loophole.
Mail to: Mr. Mike Smith Office of the Chief of Engineers ATTN CECW-OR (3 F73) Further Revisions to Definition of Discharge or Dredge Material 441 G Street NW Washington, DC 20314-1000
Email to: CECWOR@HQ02.USACE.Army.Mil
6) HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT Vigils at Mexican Consulates Across Country Support Montiel and Cabrera
Sierra Club and Amnesty International are holding joint vigils next week at Mexican Consulates around the country to support and call for the release of Rodolfo Montiel Flores and Teodoro Cabrera Garcia. Montiel and Cabrera, two Mexican anti-logging environmentalists, were convicted of trumped up charges on August 28, 2000. Their convictions relied principally on confession they signed under duress of torture. We are calling on the Mexican government to release these environmental defenders immediately and unconditionally. They are heroes to be celebrated, not criminals to be imprisoned.
To join a vigil in your community, please contact Sam Parry at sam.parry@sierraclub.org or (202) 547-1141. Listing of all Mexican Consulates can be found at www.embassyofmexico.org/english/2/1/directory_of_consulates.htm. If there isn't already a vigil organized in your community, we have all the materials you would need to get one started and will be happy to help you in your efforts to defend those who give the earth a voice.
7) IN THE NEWS: VOTER EDUCATION IN PHILLY FROM ADAM DIAMOND, PA EVEC ORGANIZER Adam Diamond, Pennsylvania EVEC Conservation Organizer and Dan Weiss, national Sierra Club Political Director conducted a roll-out press conference at Bartram's Garden yesterday in Philadelphia for the Presidential Video Voter Guides, which compare the stances of Bush and Gore on protecting clean air and water. With the Philadelphia skyline in the background we showed the ads to three local tv stations, including the local ABC affiliate, the FOX station, and an all local news station, and talked about the EVEC voter guides in the context of Philadelphia/Pennsylvania water and air quality problems. Afterwards, Dan had a telephone interview with WHYY, the local NPR station.
"I'm not going to be a pick-and-chooser." -Texas Gov. George W. Bush during the 10/03/00 Presidential debates
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
TAKE ACTION: Contact Kraft Foods, Ask them to Produce Safe Food
I. ROBBIE COX JOINS WITH LABOR TO TAKE ILLINOIS BY STORM
II. CARL POPE HITS A HOME RUN IN COLORADO
III. DEBATE IN WASHINGTON HEATS UP
TAKE ACTION: FIGHT GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD RISKS
On September 18th, the Sierra Club announced that it was launching a campaign to urge Kraft Foods, a subsidiary of Philip Morris, to stop using genetically engineered (GE) crops in their foods. According to a report released by the 7 groups comprising the Genetic Engineering Food Alert, Taco Bell taco shells sold by Kraft contain genetically modified corn that the U.S. government has rejected for human consumption. The Sierra Club cited this case as one that illustrates the dangers posed by genetically engineered crops.
Presently, half of all soy and a third of all corn is genetically engineered. Kraft is the maker of over 7,000 products, many of which contain these ingredients. Crops that have been genetically manipulated with viral, bacterial, and animal genes pose significant environmental risks. Recent studies confirm that corn that has been gene spliced with the bacterium Bt releases a toxin that is lethal to the Monarch butterfly.
What can you do to urge Kraft Foods to protect our environment and public health from genetically engineered foods?
Contact Kraft:
1) Write Betsy Holden, CEO of Kraft Foods, Inc. at 3 Lakes Drive, Northfield IL 60093. See sample letter below.
2) Call 1-800-847-1997 to say NO to Kraft's genetically manipulated foods.
3) Send an e-mail via the Kraft web site: www.kraft.com/html/email/email.html
4) Contact Laurel Hopwood, Sierra Club Genetic Engineering Chair, for a supply of postcards to distribute to your friends, family, and colleagues, to send to Kraft at jhopwood@wviz.org
I. ROBBIE COX JOINS WITH LABOR TO TAKE ILLINOIS BY STORM
On Tuesday the 26th the EVEC program teamed up with the Quad City Federation of Labor and held a rally talking about trade policies such as the WTO and NAFTA. We had approximately 70 people show to hear Robbie Cox, the President of the Sierra Club, and Laurie Clements, the Director of the Labor Center in Iowa City.
We had a direct live feed on the 6:00 news with the ABC affiliate, and we were covered both by ABC and CBS at 10:00. The ABC affiliate also ran the piece again Wednesday morning during their Good Morning Quad Cities broadcast. The print article from the Rock Island Argus follows below.
"Fair Trade the goal, Q-C rally told By Jonathan Turner Staff writer
MOLINE - Increased global trade must include living wages, fair working conditions, strong health standards and environmental protection, Quad-Cities union members were told at a Tuesday rally.
Sierra Club national president Robbie Cox and Laurie Clements, director of the University of Iowa Labor Center, addressed a crowd of about 45 Sierra Club and AFL-CIO members near the CNH Global Case plant.
"The labor movement is not against trade," said Mr. Clements, who also is a member of the American Federation of Teachers and Communication Workers of America. "What we want is fair trade, and the right to compete on a level playing field."
Allowing countries like China and Mexico to pay minuscule wages, abuse workers and operate with lesser health and environmental rules is not fair, he said.
The Moline event - cosponsored by the Quad City Federation of Labor - was among rallies nationwide to show solidarity with protests in Prague, at a joint meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
Mr. Cox said it is natural for environmental groups and labor to work together, as they did to protest the World Trade Organization last fall in Seattle. Both are committed to the health and safety of families and to hold companies accountable for their actions, he said.
Mr. Cox thanked U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Rock Island, for "his dedication, for his steadfast work" in support of fair trade, human rights and environmental standards and urged others to do the same.
"Now we need his help and friendship more than ever," Mr. Cox said.
II. CARL POPE HITS A HOME RUN IN COLORADO "Sierra Club keeps pressuring Tancredo By The Denver Post
Oct. 3, 2000 - First it was an ad campaign, now it's a challenge to debate.
The Sierra Club has been running ads criticizing U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO06)for his voting record on arsenic in drinking water. Now Carl Pope, the executive director for the nationwide environmental organization, has challenged the Republican to a debate.
In a Monday letter to the freshman congressman, Pope said he wants a debate on a local radio program or some other forum.
Tancredo, fighting to get reelected to his 6th Congressional District seat, has been in the club's sights because he voted against a measure that directed the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce current water quality standards on arsenic. The organization has run three ads attacking Tancredo.
Sierra Club targets Tancredo Group puts lawmaker on attack list for his environmental record; aide dismisses move
By Gary Gerhardt Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
"The Sierra Club has put Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., on its attack list because of what they say is his weak environmental record.
"Tancredo is one of 25 congressional candidates we are targeting where there are clear choices between candidates concerning environmental questions," said Carl Pope, executive director.
Pope was in Denver on Monday to support Tancredo's opponent, Ken Toltz.
Pope said the Sierra Club has given Tancredo a 20 percent environmental rating for his voting record in Congress. Among the group's complaints is that Tancredo voted to support the Conservation and Reinvestment Act, which funds coastal conservation and provides impact assistance, but then voted against appropriating the funds."
III. DEBATE IN WASHINGTON HEATS UP
Bill Arthur, Sierra Club's WA Director, just finished debating U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton's (R-WA) Chief of Staff, Tony Williams, for an hour on Seattle's NPR affiliate. The subject was Slippery Senator Slade Gorton's dismal anti-environmental record.
Tony Williams said that regardless of whether you agree or disagree with Sen. Slade Gorton, that you know where Sen. Slade Gorton stands on issues and that he tells it like it is. And he thought that even Bill would agree with that. Bill responded that yes it is generally true. Sen. Slade Gorton is clear about where he stands, but that every six years he pulls out the green rhetoric and misrepresents his record in a conscious attempt to convince the public that he's pro-environment. And that his (Bill's) job is to make sure he doesn't get away with it.
Tony Williams: "And he does a very good job of it, which drives me crazy." Last word, debate over.
Score one for the good guys and gals.
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