This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_01BDD77D.376E47E0 ---------- > From: News from Environmental Defense Fund <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Sept. 1998 EDF Letter--Electronic Edition > Date: Thursday, September 03, 1998 3:57 PM > > EDF LETTER -- ELECTRONIC EDITION VOL. XXIX, NO. 3 > A Report to Members of the Environmental Defense Fund > September 1998 > _____________________________________________________________ > (c) Copyright 1998 by Environmental Defense Fund, New York, > New York. All rights reserved. Editor: Norma H. Watson > ISSN 0163-2566 > > The EDF LETTER -- ELECTRONIC EDITION is an experimental version > of EDF LETTER whose continuation depends on reader support. > > ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND ---EDF MEMBERSHIP LINES--- > National Headquarters Phone: 202-387-3525 > 257 Park Avenue South Fax: 202-234-6049 > New York, NY 10010 Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > 212-505-2100 > > ************************************************************* > I N D E X T O F E A T U R E S > ************************************************************* > > *1* GLOBAL WARMING COULD RAISE SEA LEVEL UP TO 20 FEET > > *2* EDF SEEKS TO CURB POLLUTION FROM FACTORY FARMS > > *3* STATE UPHOLDS LONG ISLAND PINE BARRENS PROTECTION PLAN > > *4* NY STATE WEIGHS ALTERNATIVES TO EXPANDING I-287 > > *5* ACID RAIN PROGRAM INCENTIVES ARE SPURRING UTILITIES TO > REDUCE SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS > > *6* DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: FAIRNESS ON THE ROAD > > *7* TEXAS WILL CONTROL SHRIMP FARMS > > *8* USING PHONY SCIENCE TO DISCREDIT GLOBAL WARMING > > ============================================================= > BECOME AN EDF PARTNER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT > ============================================================= > > *9* EPA BACKS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW CHEMICAL RISKS > > *10* UPS REUSABLE SHIPPING ENVELOPE CUTS WASTE > > *11* CELEBRATE RECYCLING AND WIN A DREAM HOUSE! > > *12* EDF PEOPLE: ATTORNEY JIM MARSTON KEEPS HIS EYES ON THE > BALL > > *13* EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR OFFICE "GREENER" > > *14* WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THREATS TO ENDANGERED WILDLIFE? > > *15* TEXAS ENDANGERED SPECIES NEED MORE PROTECTION, EDF > FINDS > > *16* EDF COALITION FIGHTS FOR COLORADO WILDERNESS > > *17* FACTORY FARMING THREATENS COLORADO ENVIRONMENT > > *18* PARTNERSHIP OF EDF, GENERAL MOTORS, AND COMMUNITY IS > PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING > > *19* ILLINOIS COURT UPHOLDS 1997 VICTORY OVER OIL PIPELINE > > *20* WISCONSIN HOLDS THE LINE ON PERMITS FOR NEW MINES > > *21* EDF URGES NORTH CAROLINA TO GET TOUGHER ON HOG FARMS > > *22* RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS GET STATEWIDE SAFE HARBOR IN > SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRAM > > *23* CONSERVING ESSENTIAL HABITAT FOR CAROLINA FISHERIES > > *24* EDF WORKS WITH CHURCH GROUPS TO PROMOTE GREEN POWER > > *25* CRITICS SEEK MAJOR REDESIGN OF BAY-DELTA RESTORATION > PLAN > > *26* VOLUNTARY TRADING PLAN WILL REDUCE CALIF. FARM RUNOFF > > > ************************************************************* > > *1* GLOBAL WARMING COULD RAISE SEA LEVEL UP TO 20 FEET > > Emissions of greenhouse gases projected over the next century > may lead to the disintegration of the West Antarctic Ice > Sheet, according to an article published May 28 in the > scientific journal Nature. This would cause a 13- to 20-foot > rise in sea level and major coastal flooding. Dr. Michael > Oppenheimer, EDF atmospheric physicist and author of the > peer-reviewed article, concluded that if emissions continue > unabated, the gradual loss of land-based ice into the ocean > is most likely to occur over the next five to seven > centuries, and could become irreversible within 100 years. > Eventually, if complete collapse of the West Antarctic Ice > Sheet occurred, all of South Florida and more than 25% of > Louisiana would be permanently submerged, as would parts of > Washington, DC, and other coastal cities. Areas where 10 % or > more of the population of Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, > Virginia, New York, and New Jersey now live would be > permanently lost, according to an earlier National Academy of > Sciences report. > The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is composed of ice streams, > vast rivers of land-based ice that end at floating ice > shelves. Warming of the deep ocean by only a few degrees, > which is expected to occur in the next 100 years, could cause > one or more of the floating ice shelves surrounding West > Antarctica to thin and eventually break up. Since ice shelves > float, their disintegration does not increase sea level. But > if the flow of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet into the ocean > increased as a result, global sea level would rise. The rapid > collapse of smaller ice shelves along the Antarctic Peninsula > in recent years raises the possibility that the West > Antarctic shelves might disintegrate quickly once they have > been thinned by warming. > Oppenheimer examined other plausible scenarios, which he > considered less likely: (1) continued melting of some of the > floating ice shelves accompanied by an increase of the land- > based ice due to additional precipitation; (2) very fast > collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet within as little as > 250 years. He largely ruled out a catastrophic collapse > occurring within less than a century. > "The good news is that collapse of the West Antarctic Ice > Sheet is not imminent, but the bad news is that warming gases > emitted during the next century could make its future > collapse inevitable," Oppenheimer said. "We cannot afford to > take such a high-risk gamble. The potential for unprecedented > loss of coastal regions should move policy makers to take > swift and responsible action against global warming. Once the > ice sheet begins to disintegrate, there will be no turning back." > > How You Can Help > Join the EDF Action Network and support action to reduce > global warming; to join, send your name, e-mail address, and > address where you vote to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or call EDF's > Membership Office at 1-800-684-3322 and ask for "20 Simple > Steps to Reduce Global Warming," or go to > www.edf.org/more/10501. > > [Caption: Global warming could ultimately cause the huge West > Antarctic Ice Sheet to disintegrate, leading to increased > calving of icebergs and a 13- to 20-foot rise in sea level > worldwide.] > > [Caption: Michael Oppenheimer.] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *2* EDF SEEKS TO CURB POLLUTION FROM FACTORY FARMS > > Corporate farms housing thousands of hogs and poultry in > assembly-line conditions have multiplied in recent years, > spreading into many states that lack adequate environmental > controls. These "factory farms" produce an estimated two > trillion pounds of animal waste per year, posing one of > America's serious pollution threats. > A typical factory hog farm containing several thousand > swine produces millions of gallons of liquid waste (urine, > feces, and water) annually. Huge volumes of hog waste are > stored in primitive open-air holding ponds or lagoons and > then aerially sprayed on adjacent land. Improper collection > and disposal of untreated animal waste has harmed groundwater > and human health. Nutrients and bacteria from animal waste > can cause fish kills and harm shellfish in contaminated > streams, creeks, and estuaries. Dangerous and offensive odors > and other air pollutants are also emitted. > The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a > strategy for controlling factory farm pollution, but EDF and > other environmental and family-farm groups believe it falls > far short of addressing environmental and public health > threats. Most notably, EPA's draft strategy would not require > many factory farms to implement better pollution controls > until the year 2005. EPA and the U.S. Department of > Agriculture are now developing a control strategy. > EDF is working at both the national level and in several > states to strengthen environmental standards for factory > farms. EDF also urges a nationwide moratorium on new and > expanding factory farms until effective Federal and state > programs are in place to protect air and water quality and > rural communities. EDF recommends the following steps to > prevent today's problems from getting worse and improve > conditions at new and existing factory farms: > *Enforce existing laws and regulations. > *Hold all animal owners accountable for any environmental > violations. > *Clean up abandoned manure lagoons. > *Phase out use of manure sprayfields and anaerobic (oxygen- > free) manure lagoons. > *Control odor and pollution by eliminating atmospheric > emissions of ammonia and other offensive gases. > *End manure runoff and spills that contaminate groundwater > and surface water. > "New growth of factory farms must be halted until an > effective plan is developed to clean up the environmental and > health problems created by thousands of existing ones," said > EDF scientist Dr. Joseph Rudek. "Federal, state, and local > governments should promptly reign in serious and long- > standing problem, which is a growing threat to citizens and > the environment." > > [Caption: Once primarily a feature of family farms, hog > production has increasingly become a corporate enterprise > involving thousands of animals and assembly-line methods.] > > [Caption: Joseph Rudek] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *3* STATE UPHOLDS LONG ISLAND PINE BARRENS PROTECTION PLAN > > The world's second largest pine barrens ecosystem recently > won further protection when a New York State court upheld the > Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Plan, which preserves > 52,500 acres of pine barrens on eastern Long Island and > fosters compact development in an adjacent 47,500-acre growth > area. The Long Island pine barrens is not only a unique > ecosystem, it also sits atop the main recharge zone for > Suffolk County's drinking water supply. > The developer WJF Corporation, owner of 272 acres of dwarf > pine barrens within the protected core area, had challenged > the constitutionality of the plan's Transfer of Development > Rights (TDR) program. TDR's allow landowners within the > protected core to transfer their development rights to nearby > areas deemed suitable for higher density development. The > Suffolk County Supreme Court ruled that, "The TDR > provisions...do assure preservation of the real economic > value of the development rights as they existed when still > attached to the underlying property." > EDF General Counsel James T.B. Tripp, who helped engineer > the TDR plan and is chair of the Pine Barrens Credit Clearing > House, welcomed the ruling. "The plan protects a valuable > ecosystem and assures the continued protection of safe > drinking water for Long Island," Tripp said. > > [Caption: Jim Tripp in the Long Island Pine Barrens, which > sits atop an underground aquifer that is the main source of > drinking water for Suffolk County.] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *4* NY STATE WEIGHS ALTERNATIVES TO EXPANDING I-287 > > The task force assembled by New York Gov. George Pataki to > discuss alternatives to widening I-287 held its first meetings > this summer. The proposed $400 million expansion of > I-287, one of the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area's > most congested highways, has been a major target of EDF's > efforts to slow growing traffic volume and to remedy air > quality problems in the Northeast. > EDF and others sued in 1994, to ensure that I-287 was not > expanded without full evaluation of all other transportation > alternatives, including better transit service, carpooling > incentives, and tolls that would vary by time of day and by a > vehicle's number of occupants. Last January, Governor Pataki > canceled the widening plans and agreed to assemble the task > force. He appointed five state officials and 12 advisory > members to the group, including EDF General Counsel James > T.B. Tripp. > "This task force has the opportunity to create and > implement the first comprehensive demand-reduction program in > a congested suburban corridor in the United States," said Tripp. > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *5* ACID RAIN PROGRAM INCENTIVES ARE SPURRING UTILITIES TO > REDUCE SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS > > Responding to the incentives of the 1990 Clean Air Act's acid > rain program, formerly high-emitting power plants in the > Midwest and South have cut their emissions of sulfur dioxide > (SO2) by 30% more than the law requires. The "cap and trade" > program, which EDF helped write, gives power plants a > financial incentive to reduce their SO2 emissions below the > mandatory level. It is too early to say for certain that the > SO2 reductions are curbing acid rain, but in 1995 the U.S. > Geological Survey recorded a noticeable decrease in rainfall > acidity of the sort associated with SO2 emissions. > EDF has urged the Environmental Protection Agency and > states in the Eastern United States to cut emissions of > nitrogen oxides (NOx), which likewise contribute to acid > rain. NOx travels long distances and also leads to the > formation of urban smog, a major problem in cities in the > Midwest and Northeast. > Several years ago, EDF proposed a region-wide cap on NOx > emissions, since the long-distance movement of NOx makes > state-by-state controls insufficient. States in the Northeast > have adopted this approach and the EPA recently put forward a > proposal to extend it to the entire Eastern United States. > > [Caption: An Adirondack mountain lake. Acid rain has wiped > out entire fish populations and other aquatic life in nearly > 100 lakes in New York's Adirondack mountains, which lack > buffering minerals to neutralize rain that can be as acidic > as lemon juice.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *6* DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: FAIRNESS ON THE ROAD > By Fred Krupp, Executive Director > > Car use not only causes air pollution and greenhouse gas > emissions, but also leads to loss of open space and wildlife > habitat through highway construction and urban sprawl. New > approaches, such as tolls that vary by time of day and number > of vehicle occupants, have shown promise in reducing > congestion, pollution, and the pressure to build new roads. > EDF has been in the forefront of advocating such efficient > solutions. > But transportation solutions must also be equitable. > People without cars or with limited access to cars are > disproportionately low-income people of color, low-income > women, the elderly, and the disabled. Equitable > transportation policies must insure that all people have > access to jobs, food stores, health care, loved ones, > churches, parks, and the other basic needs of life that many > of us take for granted. The average American commutes more > than 10 miles to work. Without a car, or fast transit > service, a person's livelihood and independence are at risk. > EDF is committed to fairness on the road. Last year, we > helped win a victory that will bring $1 billion of additional > bus service to Los Angeles, the city with the greatest unmet > demand for public transportation. Now we are working with > policy makers and the U.S. Department of Transportation to > extend the lessons of the Los Angeles case to other cities. > A sustainable environment requires policies that are > equitable and just and that affirm the environmental rights > of the poor and people of color. The transportation planning > process needs to include community and grassroots > organizations, civil rights groups, and environmental justice > advocates. New revenue from programs such as variable tolls > on highways can support better transit services in > disadvantaged communities, which in turn will bring expanded > economic opportunity to those communities. The benefits of > efficient and fair transportation will accrue to all > citizens--and to the environment. > > [Caption: Fred Krupp] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *7* TEXAS WILL CONTROL SHRIMP FARMS > > Pressure from EDF and a broad citizens' alliance led to the > first-ever requirement that Texas shrimp farms must obtain > state wastewater discharge permits. Shrimp farms in Texas > have operated for nearly 20 years without important > environmental safeguards, causing water pollution that > threatens the state's coastal ecosystems and the clean waters > of its shallow bays and lagoons. > Texas had actively promoted shrimp farming in the hope of > creating jobs and diversifying the coastal economy. The state > exempted shrimp farmers from water rights permit requirements > and created regulations favoring the industry. But the number > of jobs and the other benefits to coastal communities have > proved small compared with those of other industries, and the > environmental damage caused by the shrimp farms has spurred > local opposition. > Huge volumes of polluted waste-water discharged by the > farms threaten tourism, sport fishing, and other coastal > activities. Wild shrimp fishers fear that exotic shrimp > species and disease could spread from the farms and cause > ecological and economic damage throughout the Gulf of Mexico. > EDF, led by fisheries biologist Pamela Baker and economist > Dr. Peter M. Emerson, helped organize an alliance of local, > regional, and national environmental groups, local > governments, and sport and commercial fishers, to identify > coastal communities' needs and strengthen regulation of > shrimp farming. > > New Discharge Permits Must Be Strengthened > EDF is now working to strengthen the newly required permits, > which currently may encourage farms simply to dilute their > pollutants rather than reduce them. EDF also aims to > eliminate an exemption that has allowed one shrimp farm to be > classified as a "research facility," even though it is a > commercial operation that produces the same pollutants as > other farms. > Shrimp farms can be designed to do less environmental > harm. Recently, EDF and the Lower Laguna Madre Foundation > secured three key protections in a permit for a new shrimp > farm. The farm must: (1) limit total discharges of water and > waste material to coastal bays, (2) use best management > practices to minimize pollution, and (3) allow citizens to > monitor operations. EDF is working to have these measures > added to all state permits. > To reduce the spread of exotic shrimp species and disease, > EDF advocates classifying them as "pollutants," which must be > regulated, and is working with the state to develop effective > monitoring and quarantine procedures. EDF also urges Federal > action to develop a comprehensive plan to manage shrimp > viruses. > Concern is growing worldwide about the environmental and > social problems caused by coastal shrimp farming. EDF's work > in Texas can serve as a model for South Carolina, Florida, > Hawaii, and for 50 countries around the world where coastal > shrimp farming is virtually unregulated. > > Become an Activist for the Oceans! > EDF members can help protect oceans and coastal ecosystems by > joining EDF's Oceans Action Network. At no charge, ocean > activists will receive e-mail messages from EDF when > important decisions are about to take place in Congress, > state legislatures, and regulatory agencies. To join, send > your name, e-mail address, and the address where you vote to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [Caption: Pamela Baker examines the water quality of a Texas > shrimp pond. High water quality is key to environmentally > sound shrimp farming.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *8* EDF COLUMN: USING PHONY SCIENCE TO DISCREDIT GLOBAL > WARMING--By EDF trustee Dr. John W. Firor, a physicist at the > National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. > > At the Kyoto climate change negotiations last December, > thousands of national delegates, interest groups, observers, > and press people were present, but only a dozen or so climate > scientists. This statistic is not surprising; the issue being > discussed in Kyoto was not the nature or present state of > climate change science. Instead it was what we should do > given the reasonable probability that, if allowed to continue > unabated, the human-induced change in the climate will give > our world a lot of trouble. > That there is such a reasonable probability is widely > accepted among national leaders worldwide, among climate > experts worldwide, and clearly among the official delegations > in Kyoto. This also is no surprise, since scientists have > studied a human-induced climate change for a hundred years, > and governments of major countries and the United Nations > have reviewed the scientific progress repeatedly, generally > concluding that the probability of trouble is high enough to > warrant action. > In the United States, however, anyone observing the > raucous, anti-Kyoto, nature of some statements appearing in > pamphlets and the press might surmise that the issue is still > at the starting gate. > > Petition Appears in Thousands of Mailboxes > Much of this confusion seems to come from a group of people, > many associated with the George C. Marshall Institute in > Washington DC, who have set themselves the task of opposing > any consideration of what to do about the probability of > trouble. The group is somewhat mysterious, with unannounced > funding sources, but the Marshall Institute is known for > having published several anti-climate-change pamphlets since > 1989. In addition, of course, many industrial and fossil fuel > businesses openly oppose any cutbacks in fossil fuel use-- > cutbacks implicit in the Kyoto agreement. > Recently, the strangest and most convoluted message from > this group appeared in tens or hundreds of thousands of > mailboxes. The package consisted of an op-ed piece about > climate change science published earlier in the Wall Street > Journal, an unpublished article disguised as a reprint from a > reputable scientific journal, a short note from a famous > retired scientist, and a petition to be signed by the > recipient asking the U.S. government to ignore Kyoto and "any > other similar proposals." > This is a strange set of documents--the article, for example, > has numerous references, but it contains out-of-date > calculations, mislabeled figures, misquoted numbers, and > assertions shown to be wrong years ago. Everybody makes > mistakes, of course, but scientists generally have their work > reviewed by colleagues, a process that reduces the chance of > serious errors. This material evidently did not have a > critical outside look before it was distributed--almost every > paragraph and graph is either a half truth or needs > correction. > Here are examples: One graph in the article tries to show > that something called flux correction, used to overcome a > problem in climate model calculations, is much larger, and > therefore more important, than is the effect of greenhouse > gases. In fact, up-to-date models do very well with no flux > correction at all, much less a large one, and these models > continue to show troublesome climate heating if we continue > to emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide. > Another graph has two problems. It purports to show a big > difference between model projections of global surface > climate heating from 1978 to 1988 and actual temperature > change. But the projected heating shown is about twice as > large as in the reference quoted, and it is compared, not > with measurements of the surface temperature as projected by > the model, but with measurements made higher in the > atmosphere, measurements whose connection with surface > temperature is not yet established. > Later, some publicity about the petition claimed that it > had been signed by 15,000 scientists. No attempt was > apparently made to verify the credentials of the signers, > however, since the names of entertainers and fictional > characters appear among the signatories. > Use of science in the public arena frequently requires > clarifying and simplifying, but not untruths. These > documents, sadly, only add to public confusion about the > climate issues in front of governments today, and they do > nothing to further public discussion about these issues. > > [Caption: John Firor.] > > [Caption: Global warming debunkers say increased carbon > dioxide will be beneficial in stimulating plant growth, but > in fact the effect of increased CO2 in natural ecosystems > such as this rainforest is highly uncertain. Most scientists > believe it is unlikely to counteract the harmful effects of > rapid climate change.] > > ============================================================= > LET'S CLEAR THE AIR > You can help do that and much more through a Life Income gift > to EDF. Together, we can create a wholesome environment for > all living creatures. > > Here's how: Join EDF's Charitable Gift Annuity program with a > gift of $10,000 or more. The benefits to you are a life > income and a charitable deduction. > > For information, contact Anne B. Doyle, Dir. of Planned Giving, > EDF, 257 Park Avenue So., New York, NY 10010. (212) 505-2100. > ============================================================= > > *9* EPA BACKS THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW CHEMICAL RISKS > > As part of an expanded "environmental right-to-know" program, > the Environmental Protection Agency joined EDF's call for > chemical companies to conduct basic health tests on about > 3,000 widely used chemicals and make those data publicly > available. EPA threatened to require such disclosures if the > industry doesn't make them voluntarily. > EDF launched a campaign for this testing in July 1997, > when it released an EDF study, "Toxic Ignorance." The study > documents that basic health-effects test data are missing > from the public record for most chemicals produced in annual > quantities of more than one million pounds. > "This EPA initiative is a big step toward effective public > health protection," said EDF attorney Karen Florini, a > coauthor of "Toxic Ignorance". Florini noted that, in recent > Congressional testimony, Dr. Kenneth Olden, the director of > the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, > stated that 'We are clearly in a state of toxic ignorance.' > Said Florini, "EPA is now saying that ignorance is no longer > acceptable, beginning with chemicals that are used in large > volumes." > "Toxic Ignorance" is available for $10 from EDF > Publications, c/o the Washington office. The full report is > also available online at www.edf.org/more/10504. > > Internet Scorecard Hits Home > A few days before EPA's announcement, EDF unveiled its > Chemical Scorecard, on the Internet at www.scorecard.org. > Visitors to the site can enter their zip code and see a map > highlighting local pollution sources. The "fax local > facilities" feature has spurred Scorecard visitors to begin > dialogues with companies to ensure that adequate testing has > been done to assure that their community is not at risk. > "Chemical Week," a major industry magazine, featured the > Scorecard in a cover story, entitled "Internet Bomb: Web > Access Hits Home." Commenting on the website's impact on the > industry, Chemical Week's editor wrote, "But fundamentally, > the answer for industry has to be a renewed onslaught on > emissions," suggesting that the Scorecard could help drive > emissions to zero. > "EDF will post companies' responses, as long as they > evaluate the threat posed by their emissions and support the > response with data," said EDF toxicologist Dr. William Pease, > who designed the Scorecard. "Generating a dialogue about > chemical hazard is what Scorecard is all about." > > [Caption: EDF Executive Director Fred Krupp joined Vice > President Al Gore in announcing the new testing initiative.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *10* UPS REUSABLE SHIPPING ENVELOPE CUTS WASTE > > The shipping industry's first reusable express envelopes are > now available for all United Parcel Service Next Day Air > Letter shipments. This new two-use envelope, catalyzed by a > joint project between the Alliance for Environmental > Innovation and UPS, will cut express envelope packaging waste > and pollution in half. > "Reusability is the fastest and most efficient path to > reducing the environmental impacts of express shipping > packaging," said Alliance project leader Elizabeth Sturcken. > "UPS's leadership in introducing reusable packaging into the > express shipping business is commendable and promises both > environmental and customer benefits." The Alliance, a joint > project of EDF and The Pew Charitable Trusts, continues to > work with UPS on improving environmental performance across > all of the company's air express packaging. > The UPS reusable envelope is made of 80% post-consumer > recycled fiber using a bleach-free process. It can be > identified by a green "Reusable" oval on the front and by a > second adhesive flap that folds down to reseal the package > for its second use. The new envelope is available in both > letter and legal sizes. > The Alliance study, "Preferred Packaging: Accelerating > Environmental Leadership in the Overnight Shipping Industry" > ($10 prepaid), is available from EDF Publications, c/o the > Washington office. The full report is also available online > at www.edf.org/more/10503. > > [Caption: The new UPS Next Day Air Letter can be identified > by a green "Reusable" oval on the front.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *11* CELEBRATE RECYCLING AND WIN A DREAM HOUSE! > > Sunday, November 15 is the second annual America Recycles > Day, when communities across the country will celebrate the > environmental benefits of recycling and buying products made > from recycled materials. To draw attention to the increasing > practicality of using recycled materials, an entire house > built primarily from such materials will be given away in a > drawing that day. The "American Green Dream House," valued at > $200,000, will be built for the winner, with up to $35,000 > allotted for the purchase of land. > To enter the American Green Dream House contest, print > your pledge to recycle and buy recycled along with your > complete name and address on a 3" x 5" piece of scrap paper > and mail it before November 15 to America Recycles Day > Contest, c/o Remanufactured Industries Council International, > P.O. Box 10807, Chantilly, VA 20153-0807. > For more information or to help with America Recycles Day > events in your state, call your state coordinator. > Coordinators' phone numbers are available from EDF member > services at 1-800-684-3322 or go to www.edf.org/more/10502. > > [Caption: Sgt. Robert Portillo of Fort Hood, TX, won last > year's Green Dream House, which is now being built for him.] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *12* EDF PEOPLE: ATTORNEY JIM MARSTON KEEPS HIS EYES ON THE > BALL > > Texas attorney Jim Marston was worried. With Austin > temperatures frequently soaring above the 100-degree mark, > many of his over-40 basketball buddies weren't showing up at > the Marston backyard slab on Sunday afternoons as usual. > "Where is everybody?" he wondered one blazing afternoon as he > and two of his 10 regulars shot and sweated. "Y'all think we > ought to switch to nine in the morning?" > Basketball is big for Marston, whether he's watching > college hoops on TV, traveling to Fort Worth to see his > beloved Texas Christian University Horned Frogs do battle, or > playing the role of the proud dad as his 10-year-old daughter > perfects her game in scrimmages at the Lady Longhorn summer > camp. "Amanda is better with her left hand at 10 than I was > at 15," says Marston, still ruddy-cheeked and boyish at 45. > "What's great about basketball," he adds, "is that it's a > combination of planning and spontaneity. It's a little bit > like politics or environmental work. You can plan, but when > they start to double-team you, you've got to improvise." > And improvise he does. "Marston has the best public-policy > instincts I've ever seen," Austin mayor Kirk Watson says. > "Everyone relies on his talent to get good results and cut > through any messes." > > From Civil Rights to Environment > Marston's own basketball career ended with high school in > Tulsa, but as political operative and environmental lawyer, > he's a 20-year veteran. After graduating with honors from TCU > in 1975, he was accepted as a Root-Tilden Scholar at New York > University School of Law. "I thought I was going to be a > civil rights litigator," he says. "I came of age, at least > politically, during the Civil Rights era, and the folks I > admired were the ones standing up for civil rights." > But an internship at the Natural Resources Defense Council > and a roommate's interest in environmental law combined to > shift the focus of Marston's career. "I decided the > environment was an important area to work in," he recalls, > "so I came back to Texas and worked on environmental law in > attorney general John Hill's office." > As Assistant Attorney General for Environmental > Protection, Marston worked primarily on toxic waste issues. > "We had the first case in Texas in which there was a penalty > of more than $100,000," he recalls, "for a toxic waste site > in West Dallas." > In 1980, Marston became a partner in the law firm of state > Senator Lloyd Doggett, a former University of Texas student > body president who represented an Austin district. (Doggett > is now a U.S. Representative.) "Doggett was still a kid > Senator in his 30's," Marston recalls, "but he was a hero to > me. He was unafraid. He didn't want to be in office just to > be part of the club. He passed consumer protection laws, > sunset laws, campaign finance reform." > Marston was with Doggett's firm for nine years. When > Doggett was elected to the Texas Supreme Court in 1988, > Marston and his colleagues had to take stock of their own > careers. "I wanted to go back and do environmental work," he > recalls. > > Opening EDF's Texas Office > It was Austin environmental attorney Rick Lowerre who asked > Marston to work full-time on opening EDF's office in Austin. > "Jim's ability to set up a truly professional office > convinced a lot of funders to get involved," Lowerre says. > "It was quite an accomplishment, because Texas wasn't all > that interested in environmental issues." EDF's Texas effort > was a success, Marston says, not only because a great many > people worked hard to make it happen, but because more and > more Texans were becoming aware that the state had serious > environmental problems. > Today, eight years after the office's opening, Marston > works alongside fellow EDF attorney Melinda Taylor, economist > Dr. Pete Emerson, and scientists Dr. Ram-n Alvarez and Dr. > Carlos Rincon. They are engaged on issues ranging from > electric power plants to wildlife habitat to pollution > prevention along the U.S.-Mexico border, where Marston > travels frequently. > When he's not traveling for EDF, Marston enjoys traveling > with his wife, Annette LoVoi, and daughter Amanda. LoVoi, who > worked on insurance issues for former Texas Governor Ann > Richards, is now executive director of the Texas Appleseed > Foundation, an initiative of the Texas bar that deals with > education, welfare, and immigration issues. > "Annette and I are different in many ways," Marston says. > "She's introspective and intellectual; I'm more action- > oriented. She likes ballet; I like basketball. The two things > we share are politics and travel." > Marston and LoVoi went to China in 1985, Eastern Europe in > 1992, and South Africa this summer. They took Amanda with > them. "We went to South Africa because we thought it was a > fascinating place with interesting politics," he says. "And > we wanted our daughter to know more about apartheid and about > students her own age who had been out in the streets saying > no to apartheid." > Thinking back to the time Amanda was born reminds Marston > of why he wanted to get involved in defending the > environment. "Having Amanda made me think about what was > important," he says. "I realized that the lessons I learned > from my parents were not what they told me but what they did. > I had a chance to do something that would show her what I > thought was important. So I took a chance." EDF and the Texas > environment are the better for it. > > By Joe Holley > > [Caption: Comfortable in settings that range from down home > to big city, Marston is able to work with diverse > constituencies on the environmental issues he cares about.] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *13* EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR OFFICE "GREENER" > > If you're one of the more than 50 million Americans who work > in an office, it may surprise you to learn how great an > impact we office workers have on the environment. Whether > your office is large or small, whether it's in a large > corporation or at a local community group, school, or church, > there are plenty of ways you can help the environment in the > choices you and your co-workers make every day. > Each day, office workers consume approximately 145 million > gallons of fuel while commuting to work and generate some 1.4 > million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, the primary > greenhouse gas. En route and during the day, we drink about > 49 million cups of coffee--mostly from disposable cups--and > either recycle or discard some 40 million newspapers. Once > on the job, we produce more than our own weight in waste > paper each year--about 360 pounds per person, nine million > tons in all. > Today, U.S. businesses are generally polluting less and > becoming more energy efficient. But there are still many > simple steps that offices and workers can take to save > energy, reduce waste, and even save money. All the following > tips have worked out well at EDF's own offices. > > Use Devices That Shut Themselves Off > Installing light switches with motion detectors can save a > lot of electricity, since these devices shut off the lights > automatically whenever a room is unoccupied. Similar savings > come from copiers, computers, and other equipment that can be > programmed to turn off after a period of inactivity. Look for > the Environmental Protection Agency's "Energy Star" symbol as > one indication of these power-saving features when buying new > office equipment. > Here's an easy idea: Buy a reusable travel mug for your > morning commute and to use at the office. You'll save natural > resources, conserve energy and landfill space and, if you > fill up at home, you'll save some money, too. > If you commute by train or subway, you'll find many > stations now have designated bins for recycling newspapers. > Use them. > If you drive, consider car pooling, riding a bike, or > walking to work or to a nearby mass transit station. If your > company permits it, telecommute. More than eight million > Americans now telecommute at least one day a week. > Telecommuting cuts down on pollution, saves energy, and may > even increase staff productivity. In a two-year pilot > project, Northern Telecom found that having 500 employees > work at home three days a week saved about 200 gallons of > gasoline annually per employee and increased productivity by > an average of 30%. > Whether you work in the office or at home, reducing paper > consumption and recycling used paper is a must. Where > possible, use e-mail instead of paper memos. Make sure your > business cards have your e-mail address on them, and ask for > the e-mail addresses of others. Eliminate cover sheets when > faxing. Post or circulate materials whenever possible, rather > than making multiple copies. Program your printer and > photocopier for two-sided printing. Publish or distribute > documents electronically whenever possible. And, before you > print a document, always use the Spell Check and Print > Preview functions first! > In nearly every community, you can recycle paper, steel, > aluminum, glass, and some kinds of plastic. Set up convenient > recycling areas in the office and post instructions for > recycling each material. You can also reuse envelopes for > interoffice mail and cut up used paper for note pads. > > Buy Recycled! > If you're in charge of purchasing office supplies, choose > stationery and other office supplies with the maximum post- > consumer recycled content available, at least 20%. And buy > the lightest-weight paper possible for the job. > Look for unbleached or "totally chlorine free" supplies > and paper first. If you don't find these in stock, ask your > suppliers how to order alternative products. Avoid "manila" > folders and envelopes, which are actually bleached and then > dyed to achieve their distinctive color; look for unbleached > varieties instead. Whenever possible, avoid deep-hued and > neon-colored papers, envelopes with plastic windows, and > peel-and-stick labels, all of which can interfere with the > recycling process. > Office managers can provide a supply of reusable coffee > mugs, plates, and utensils, and encourage their use. When > ordering take-out or having an event catered, select > establishments that use reusable food service ware. > And of course, don't forget to turn off your lights, > computer, and monitor before leaving for the day--and > remember to take your travel mug home for tomorrow morning's > commute! > > By Cheryl Roberts > > [Caption: Computers are key to many "green" actions you can > take--from telecommuting to using e-mail instead of paper and > setting your machine to turn off after a period of inactivity.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *14* WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THREATS TO ENDANGERED WILDLIFE? > > Although scientists generally believe that habitat loss is the > major threat to endangered species, few studies have ever > quantified the actual threat from this and other suspected > factors. Now, an article published in the August issue of the > journal "BioScience" confirms that habitat loss is the > greatest single threat to species, imperiling 85% of > endangered species in the continental United States and > Hawaii. The spread of non-native species ranks next, > affecting nearly half of endangered species. Pollution, > overexploitation, and disease are lesser threats (see graph), > although, for aquatic species, pollution is second only to > habitat loss as a cause of endangerment. > The article, "Quantifying Threats to Imperiled Species in > the United States," represents the most comprehensive > assessment of threats to U.S. endangered species. It ranks > the threats to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, > plants, and certain groups of invertebrates. Given the > magnitude of harm caused by habitat destruction, it also > examines in greater detail the extent of harm from specific > activities, such as agriculture, commercial development, dams > and other water projects, grazing, and outdoor recreation, > including use of off-road vehicles. The study was a > collaborative effort by the Association for Biodiversity > Information, EDF, The Nature Conservancy, and the Network of > State Natural Heritage Programs. > EDF ecologist Dr. David S. Wilcove, lead author of the > peer-reviewed article, noted that while habitat loss leads > the list of threats, it is followed rather closely by harmful > non-native species. "Controlling these alien plants and > animals will require active management of the habitat, such > as pulling up weeds and trapping out invasive exotic > animals," he said. > "We must find a way to provide landowners with financial > and regulatory incentives to undertake the proper management > of the habitats on their property." EDF has encouraged such > actions through programs such as Safe Harbor, in which more > than one million acres of privately owned lands are being > managed for the benefit of endangered species. > > [Caption: (Percentages total more than 100 because more than > one source may be a threat.)] > > [Caption: Two whooping cranes. (Reprinted with permission > from the cover of "BioScience," Vol. 48 No. 8, August 1998.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *15* TEXAS ENDANGERED SPECIES NEED MORE PROTECTION, EDF > FINDS > > EDF scientists are calling for economic incentives to protect > the state's endangered wildlife, particularly its rare plants > and wildflowers. In a recent report, EDF revealed that two- > thirds of Texas plants and wildflowers are in decline, twice > the national average, despite Federal protection under the > Endangered Species Act. > "Only 7% of Texas's listed plants are showing stability or > improvement, compared with the national average of 30%," said > EDF attorney Melinda Taylor. "And data are simply unavailable > for more than one-quarter of the listed plant species in > Texas. Clearly, Federal listing alone is not protecting these > vital species from eventual extinction." > "Key to the decline of these plants," said Taylor, "is > that over 97% of the Texas land base is private property. The > law does not require private landowners to protect rare > plants." EDF is working to promote voluntary, private > cooperation in protecting the state's endangered plants > through landowner education and incentives such as tax > credits, payments, and cost-sharing agreements. > EDF's report also shows that 35% of Texas's listed animal > species are stable or recovering, but that 19%--including the > golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped vireo, the red- > cockaded woodpecker, and the ocelot--are facing increased > threats. Safe Harbor, an incentives-based program first > advocated by EDF, is being used by agencies to address > threats on private land. It is part of the draft bill to > reauthorize the Endangered Species Act. > > [Caption: The ocelot is one of several species that are > facing increased threats in Texas.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *16* EDF COALITION FIGHTS FOR COLORADO WILDERNESS > > Together with the League of Conservation Voters and the > Wilderness Society, EDF is helping to form a coalition > calling for the wilderness designation of six Colorado sites > managed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A > joint member action alert garnered unprecedented support to > protect nearly 200,000 acres in Bangs Canyon, Castle Peak, > Pinyon Ridge, South Shale Ridge, Vermillion Basin, and Yampa > River Valley. > The effort produced more than 160 letters of support to > Colorado Senator Wayne Allard, who held a hearing in Grand > Junction in June to review redesignation of the BLM lands. > About 100 representatives from timber, mining, and off-road > vehicle special interests voiced their opposition at the hearing, > but they were outnumbered three-to-one by wilderness > supporters. > "These areas protect endangered plants and animals, > ancient petroglyphs, colorful escarpments, pristine forests > and rivers, and incomparable recreation opportunities," said > Scott Ingvoldstad, EDF outreach coordinator in the Rocky > Mountain office. "A statewide poll commissioned by EDF and > the League of Conservation Voters last fall found that four > out of five Coloradans support the wilderness designation, > yet these pristine areas remain unprotected." > > EDF members can voice their support by joining the > Colorado Action Network at www.edf.org/rockymtn. > > [Caption: Conservationists are urging BLM to designate the > scenic Castle Peak roadless area as wilderness.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *17* FACTORY FARMING THREATENS COLORADO ENVIRONMENT > > Recently, thousands of new factory-farm operations have > sprung up in Colorado and other states that have little > experience with factory farming and few or no environmental > controls. Notorious for their threats to the environment and > human health, factory farms--especially massive hog > operations which may produce more than two trillion pounds of > animal waste each year--have already come under sharp > scrutiny in North Carolina, Maryland, and other states. > Groundwater contamination, fish kills, toxic shellfish > harvests, and offensive air pollution are just a few of the > issues that states and the courts are trying to address. > In Colorado, EDF has helped forge a coalition of > environmental, family farm, and sustainable agriculture > groups to stem the tide toward factory farming, which has > also prompted national efforts in Congress and proposals from > the Environmental Protection Agency (See related story, page > 1). EDF considers EPA's proposed national standards as only a > baseline and is advocating stricter state policies in the > form of a ballot initiative called, "Protecting Colorado's > Water and Economy." > EDF is gathering signatures for the initiative, which > calls for regulations to protect water and air quality, more > corporate responsibility for environmental and health > damages, and better waste management systems. If EDF and its > allies can collect enough signatures to qualify this issue > for the ballot, Coloradans will have a chance to vote on it > this November. > > [Caption: EDF members can help support the initiative > campaign by calling EDF's Rocky Mountain office at (303) 440- > 4901 or by sending e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *18* PARTNERSHIP OF EDF, GENERAL MOTORS, AND COMMUNITY IS > PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING > > Working with an alliance of industry, environmental, > neighborhood, and government representatives, EDF has > developed a "how to" plan for achieving environmentally > better vehicle manufacturing and healthier communities. EDF's > Pollution Prevention Alliance, General Motors, and other > partner organizations have outlined a model Alternative > Regulatory System for GM based on three fundamental > principles: better environmental performance, increased > operational flexibility, and more public involvement. > In the alternative regulatory model, environmental and > environmental justice groups and plant neighbors are part of > the process from the start. Dayton, Ohio, area groups such as > the Edgemont Neighborhood Coalition and the Citizens Policy > Center, along with EDF's Alliance staff and the Ecology > Center of Ann Arbor, all took part in efforts to address > pollution threats from future GM operations. > Integrating workers, product designers, and process > engineers into the planning process insures better > environmental performance and operational flexibility. > "The Alternative Regulatory System should not only improve > the environment and the manufacturing process but also > democratize the way these decisions are made," said Kevin > Mills, director of the Pollution Prevention Alliance, which > now represents more than 200 non-profit groups throughout the > Midwest. "Environment and community welfare can no longer be > treated as problems at the margin of a company's attention, > but must become core business challenges, part of the > corporate mission." > > [Caption: GM has made efforts to reduce waste and introduce > pollution prevention technologies at its Orion, MI, assembly > plant.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *19* ILLINOIS COURT UPHOLDS 1997 VICTORY OVER OIL PIPELINE > > Illinois communities and EDF's Pollution Prevention Alliance > hailed a second court victory against construction of a > potentially harmful, and arguably unnecessary, crude-oil > pipeline that would have stretched from Western Canada to > Chicago-area refineries. In a unanimous decision, the > Illinois Court of Appeals upheld the 1997 Illinois Commerce > Commission decision denying eminent domain for the pipeline. > "The pipeline project posed several dangers, including > water contamination, forest loss, soil degradation, methane > generation, fish kills, and explosions," reported EDF > engineer Lois Epstein, who was an expert witness in the > Illinois case. "But what turned the case against the pipeline > company was the lack of public need for additional lines to > the Chicago area, not the potential for environmental > damage," Epstein explained. > "Federal pipeline regulations are inadequate, yet states > are not allowed to exceed Federal safety requirements," > Epstein added. "The current system is biased toward pipeline > interests and against concerned communities. Any meaningful > pipeline reform will require a broad base of support and very > hard work." > To protect communities nationwide from similar, ill- > planned pipelines, EDF has joined Friends of the Earth, labor > unions, local governments, grassroots organizations, industry > groups, and others to form the National Pipeline Reform > Coalition. > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *20* WISCONSIN HOLDS THE LINE ON PERMITS FOR NEW MINES > > After withdrawing their first mining proposal, the Nicolet > Minerals Company (formerly Crandon Mining) is again seeking > state approval for a controversial copper and zinc mine in > northern Wisconsin. Given concerns about this kind of mining, > and this mine in particular, a broad coalition of groups, > including EDF, joined together to oppose this project. > In response to Wisconsin members' concerns, EDF > investigated the Nicolet mine and submitted comments on the > potential impacts to the Wisconsin Department of Natural > Resources. Citing concerns about groundwater and lake > contamination, Governor Tommy Thompson signed legislation on > Earth Day that requires mining companies to prove there will > be only minimal environmental impact before new operations > are approved, a major obstacle to Nicolet's permit for its > potentially hazardous mine. > Copper compounds leach from tailings ponds and are > persistent, acutely toxic substances that damage human health > and kill natural algaes that are crucial to aquatic > ecosystems. Past discharges into lakes from copper mines have > even created sediment strata with mineable quantities of > copper. > "The Nicolet mine would create a tailings pond more than a > half square mile in size and would have major impacts on > distant ecosystems," said EDF Great Lakes specialist Bill > Davis. "The company has proposed to pipe waste to the > Wisconsin River, 38 miles away, and even to discharge > directly into the pristine Wolf River, which empties into the > Great Lakes. If these types of mines are allowed to continue > business as usual, it would be a major detriment to the > future health of the Great Lakes." > > [Caption: Waste from the proposed mine threatened the Wolf > River, one of the last wild rivers in the Midwest.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *21* EDF URGES NORTH CAROLINA TO GET TOUGHER ON HOG FARMS > > North Carolina's hog farm industry is second only to Iowa's, > and unlike farms in the Hawkeye State, most North Carolina > hog farms are concentrated in one area--in a handful of > counties on the state's coastal plain. The combination of > high water table, heavy rains, and an abundance of nutrient- > sensitive wetlands and rivers makes the area especially > vulnerable to hog farm runoff. (See related story, page 1.) > In August 1997, at the urging of EDF and other > environmental groups, North Carolina's General Assembly > imposed an 18-month moratorium on new hog farms and ordered > the state Department of Agriculture to draw up a plan to > phase out the current use of primitive methods of disposing > of manure in open-air lagoons and sprayfields. > Unfortunately, the department's proposed plan does not > address key problems. "The proposal talks about the > cumbersome permitting process, but fails to address lagoons > and sprayfields," said North Carolina EDF Director Jane > Preyer. "The reality is that the moratorium is on the verge > of being lifted with no meaningful solutions in place." > EDF is developing its own lagoon phase-out proposal and is > asking the state to examine alternative technologies, such as > biogas recovery and aerobic treatment systems, which show > promise to help control the waste produced by the state's 10 > to 13 million hogs. "No one specific system solves all the > problems yet," said Preyer, "but there are some promising > technologies out there." > EDF is urging the state to extend its moratorium and to > create an effective phase-out plan to help existing farms > convert to safer waste disposal techniques before permitting > future expansion of the industry. > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *22* RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS GET STATEWIDE SAFE HARBOR IN > SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRAM > > The first state-wide "safe harbor" habitat protection program > is underway in South Carolina's longleaf pine woods. More > than seventy million acres of longleaf pine forest once > covered the Southeast. Today, following intensive forestry > and development, only three million acres remain. South > Carolina is home to 369,000 acres, much of it on private > lands. > Among the many species dependent upon this habitat is the > endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, which requires mature > pine woods occasionally swept by fire that reduces the > understory. EDF, which developed the safe harbor idea, worked > closely to launch the new program with the South Carolina > Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Conservation Coalition; state > officials; landowners; forest-products company Westvaco; > forest industry representatives; and the U.S. Fish and > Wildlife Service. So far, 15 landowners--representing 84,000 > acres and 150 woodpecker colonies--have committed to sign > onto the agreement. We believe their success will encourage > other landowners to sign up. > Safe harbor agreements encourage landowners to manage > habitats to benefit endangered species while protecting the > owners from incurring added legal liability for endangered > species that move onto their land. EDF is monitoring the > South Carolina agreement and working to secure financial > incentives to assist landowners with the cost of protecting > large tracts of mature timber and administering prescribed > burns. > > [Caption: Red-cockaded woodpecker on a longleaf pine tree.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *23* CONSERVING ESSENTIAL HABITAT FOR CAROLINA FISHERIES > > EDF's long effort to shore up fishery management programs in > the Southeast is paying off. In the 1996 reauthorization of the > Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, > EDF pushed for and won a provision requiring regional fishery > management councils to designate "Essential Fish Habitat" > (EFH), areas that provide essential habitat for all life stages of > important commercial fish species, or species complexes of > closely related fishes. > The councils must designate EFH for commercial fish > species by October. EDF's North Carolina staff is urging the > Mid-Atlantic and South-Atlantic councils to extend EFH > designations beyond the geographic boundaries of their > jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the EFH provision has come under > fire from home-builders' associations and other groups that > want to develop shoreline areas. > EDF is also urging North Carolina's fisheries, water > quality, and coastal management divisions to coordinate their > efforts under the state's year-old Fisheries Reform Act. > Similar to the Federal fishery management process, this act > requires the state Division of Marine Fisheries to develop > Coastal Habitat Protection Plans. These plans will provide > protection for coastal fish habitat and ensure that the actions > of the three divisions are consistent with one another. > > EDF members can support the Magnuson Act's Essential Fish > Habitat provision in letters to state and national > legislators and at public hearings and council meetings. Call > 919-881-2601 for information on dates and times. > > [Caption: Biologist Doug Rader leads EDF efforts to protect > Southeastern coastal and ocean areas.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *24* EDF WORKS WITH CHURCH GROUPS TO PROMOTE GREEN POWER > > Now that all California residents can choose how their > electricity is produced, the Episcopal Diocese of > California's Commission for the Environment hopes to purchase > its own wind turbine to meet the electricity needs of parish > facilities, clergy, and parishioners. By reducing demand for > traditional, environmentally harmful ways of generating > electricity, such as burning fossil fuels, the Commission > hopes to set an example of how human needs can be balanced > with those of nature. > Dubbing their efforts the "Episcopal Power and Light" > program, advocates such as San Francisco's Rev. Sally > Bingham, an EDF trustee, are working with more than 80 > parishes to recruit at least 1,000 "green energy" customers > before October 17, when the Diocese will vote to endorse the > purchase of a 750-kilowatt windmill. Green Mountain Energy > Resources, selected by the Diocese Commission, will absorb > the windmill construction cost if 3,000 green energy > customers can be recruited within a year. > "We believe that choosing renewable energy sources is an > appropriate and moral response to the crisis of global > warming that now confronts humanity," said Rev. Bingham, who > also has helped forge the Interfaith Taskforce on Renewable > Energy, a coalition of Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, and other > religious groups. "EDF has been vital to our efforts, > providing technical assistance on global warming, coal > mining, and the environmental impacts of electricity use," > she said. > > EDF members wishing more information about the Episcopal > Power and Light Program can contact Rev. Sally Bingham by > e-mail, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [Caption: Wind power emits no pollution and has little impact > on the land.] > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *25* CRITICS SEEK MAJOR REDESIGN OF BAY-DELTA RESTORATION > PLAN > > In response to criticism by EDF and other environmentalists, > CALFED, a state-Federal partnership, has agreed to redesign > its draft plan for restoring the San Francisco Bay-Delta > ecosystem and improving water management. The CALFED proposal > was issued for public review in March. > EDF comments charge that CALFED's proposals are too > dependent on building water projects--dams and canals--that > caused many of the environmental problems. For example, the > proposal: > *assumes the severely-depleted Bay-Delta system can supply > "new" water for more consumption as well as for restoration; > *fails to recognize the value of price and market incentives > in efficient water use; > *fails to clarify who will pay for the new dams and canals; > fails to emphasize that a restored ecosystem is critical to > secure the benefits of better water management; and > *does not ensure that ecosystem health will be restored and > sustained over time. > CALFED has made significant progress in launching the > ecosystem restoration program required to achieve long-term > stability for California's water resources. Most evident are > the more than $150 million in new ecosystem funds awarded in > the past several years through CALFED's "Ecosystem > Roundtable" process. EDF staff serve as appointed members on > the Roundtable's policy and scientific advisory panels. > EDF welcomed CALFED's decision to issue a revised draft > for public review late this year. EDF will work to ensure > that the final plan remedies these problems. > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > *26* VOLUNTARY TRADING PLAN WILL REDUCE CALIF. FARM RUNOFF > > With support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, > California farmers and EDF scientists have created an > innovative program to reduce polluted agricultural runoff. > Following the recommendations of EDF's 1994 report, Plowing > New Ground, an independent regional farm group is > implementing a new program to reduce polluted runoff from > farms by 15% through a tradable discharge allocation program. > It promises to cut pollution from a key source that existing > regulatory programs have failed to address. > The California program is the first agricultural trading > program to require that specific pollution limits be met. Its > focus is selenium, a toxic element that is leached from the > soil by irrigation water and discharged into one of > California's most degraded rivers. Selenium levels exceed > health standards in the San Joaquin Valley and other > California areas and have severely damaged fish and wildlife. > "By focusing on selenium, farmers will also dramatically > reduce the amounts of other toxins now polluting the river," > said Dr. Terry F. Young, EDF scientist and advisor to the > farm group. "The associated cut in irrigation will ultimately > improve conditions throughout the region. These farmers are > proving that economic incentives and partnership can > successfully go where no regulation has gone before." > > [Caption: EDF's Terry Young is helping California farmers use > economic incentives to reduce polluted runoff.] > > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > The EDF LETTER--ELECTRONIC EDITION is an experimental > version of EDF LETTER whose continuation depends on reader > support. A subscription to the bimonthly hard-copy EDF > LETTER (an 8-page newsletter with photographs and postage- > free Member Response Form) is included with annual > membership. (Regular membership is $24 per year; student, > senior, and limited income rate: $10 per year. Outside USA: > $35 per year. Contact EDF Membership at the address below.) > > ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND EDF MEMBERSHIP LINES-- > National Headquarters Phone: (202) 387-3525 > 257 Park Avenue South Fax: (202) 234-6049 > New York, NY 10010 Internet: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > (212) 505-2100 ------=_NextPart_000_01BDD77D.376E47E0 <html><head></head><BODY bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF"><p><font size=3D2 = color=3D"#000000" face=3D"Arial"><br><br>----------<br>> From: News = from Environmental Defense Fund <<font = color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000">><br>> To: <font = color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000"><br>> Subject: Sept. 1998 EDF Letter--Electronic = Edition<br>> Date: Thursday, September 03, 1998 3:57 PM<br>> = <br>> EDF LETTER -- ELECTRONIC EDITION = VOL. XXIX, NO. 3<br>> = A Report to Members of the Environmental Defense Fund<br>> September = 1998<br>> = _____________________________________________________________<br>> = (c) Copyright 1998 by Environmental Defense Fund, New = York,<br>> New York. All rights reserved. = Editor: Norma H. Watson<br>> ISSN = 0163-2566<br>> <br>> The EDF LETTER -- ELECTRONIC EDITION is an = experimental version<br>> of EDF LETTER whose continuation depends on = reader support.<br>> <br>> ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND = ---EDF MEMBERSHIP LINES---<br>> = National Headquarters = Phone: = 202-387-3525<br>> 257 Park Avenue South = Fax: = 202-234-6049<br>> New York, NY 10010 = &= nbsp; Internet: <font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000"><br>> 212-505-2100<br>> <br>> = *************************************************************<br>> = I N D = E X T O F E A T U R E = S<br>> = *************************************************************<br>> = <br>> *1* GLOBAL WARMING COULD RAISE SEA LEVEL UP TO 20 = FEET<br>> <br>> *2* EDF SEEKS TO CURB POLLUTION FROM FACTORY = FARMS<br>> <br>> *3* STATE UPHOLDS LONG ISLAND PINE BARRENS = PROTECTION PLAN<br>> <br>> *4* NY STATE WEIGHS ALTERNATIVES = TO EXPANDING I-287<br>> <br>> *5* ACID RAIN PROGRAM = INCENTIVES ARE SPURRING UTILITIES TO<br>> REDUCE SULFUR DIOXIDE = EMISSIONS<br>> <br>> *6* DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: FAIRNESS ON THE = ROAD<br>> <br>> *7* TEXAS WILL CONTROL SHRIMP FARMS<br>> = <br>> *8* USING PHONY SCIENCE TO DISCREDIT GLOBAL = WARMING<br>> <br>> = =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br>> = BECOME AN = EDF PARTNER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT<br>> = =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br>> <br>> *9* EPA BACKS = THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW CHEMICAL RISKS<br>> <br>> *10* = UPS REUSABLE SHIPPING ENVELOPE CUTS WASTE<br>> <br>> *11* = CELEBRATE RECYCLING AND WIN A DREAM HOUSE!<br>> <br>> *12* = EDF PEOPLE: ATTORNEY JIM MARSTON KEEPS HIS EYES ON THE<br>> = BALL<br>> <br>> *13* EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR = OFFICE "GREENER"<br>> <br>> *14* WHAT ARE THE = GREATEST THREATS TO ENDANGERED WILDLIFE?<br>> <br>> *15* = TEXAS ENDANGERED SPECIES NEED MORE PROTECTION, EDF<br>> = FINDS<br>> <br>> *16* EDF COALITION FIGHTS FOR COLORADO = WILDERNESS<br>> <br>> *17* FACTORY FARMING THREATENS = COLORADO ENVIRONMENT<br>> <br>> *18* PARTNERSHIP OF EDF, = GENERAL MOTORS, AND COMMUNITY IS<br>> PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE = MANUFACTURING<br>> <br>> *19* ILLINOIS COURT UPHOLDS 1997 = VICTORY OVER OIL PIPELINE<br>> <br>> *20* WISCONSIN HOLDS = THE LINE ON PERMITS FOR NEW MINES<br>> <br>> *21* EDF URGES = NORTH CAROLINA TO GET TOUGHER ON HOG FARMS<br>> <br>> *22* = RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS GET STATEWIDE SAFE HARBOR IN<br>> = SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRAM<br>> <br>> *23* CONSERVING ESSENTIAL = HABITAT FOR CAROLINA FISHERIES<br>> <br>> *24* EDF WORKS = WITH CHURCH GROUPS TO PROMOTE GREEN POWER<br>> <br>> *25* = CRITICS SEEK MAJOR REDESIGN OF BAY-DELTA RESTORATION<br>> = PLAN<br>> <br>> *26* VOLUNTARY TRADING PLAN WILL REDUCE = CALIF. FARM RUNOFF<br>> <br>> <br>> = *************************************************************<br>> = <br>> *1* GLOBAL WARMING COULD RAISE SEA LEVEL UP TO 20 = FEET<br>> <br>> Emissions of greenhouse gases projected over the = next century<br>> may lead to the disintegration of the West = Antarctic Ice<br>> Sheet, according to an article published May 28 in = the<br>> scientific journal Nature. This would cause a 13- to = 20-foot<br>> rise in sea level and major coastal flooding. Dr. = Michael<br>> Oppenheimer, EDF atmospheric physicist and author of = the<br>> peer-reviewed article, concluded that if emissions = continue<br>> unabated, the gradual loss of land-based ice into the = ocean<br>> is most likely to occur over the next five to = seven<br>> centuries, and could become irreversible within 100 = years.<br>> Eventually, if complete collapse of the = West Antarctic Ice<br>> Sheet occurred, all of South Florida and more = than 25% of<br>> Louisiana would be permanently submerged, as would = parts of<br>> Washington, DC, and other coastal cities. Areas where = 10 % or<br>> more of the population of Florida, Louisiana, South = Carolina,<br>> Virginia, New York, and New Jersey now live would = be<br>> permanently lost, according to an earlier National Academy = of<br>> Sciences report.<br>> The West Antarctic = Ice Sheet is composed of ice streams,<br>> vast rivers of land-based = ice that end at floating ice<br>> shelves. Warming of the deep ocean = by only a few degrees,<br>> which is expected to occur in the next = 100 years, could cause<br>> one or more of the floating ice shelves = surrounding West<br>> Antarctica to thin and eventually break up. = Since ice shelves<br>> float, their disintegration does not increase = sea level. But<br>> if the flow of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet into = the ocean<br>> increased as a result, global sea level would rise. = The rapid<br>> collapse of smaller ice shelves along the Antarctic = Peninsula<br>> in recent years raises the possibility that the = West<br>> Antarctic shelves might disintegrate quickly once they = have=0A= > been thinned by warming.<br>> Oppenheimer = examined other plausible scenarios, which he<br>> considered less = likely: (1) continued melting of some of the<br>> floating ice = shelves accompanied by an increase of the land-<br>> based ice due to = additional precipitation; (2) very fast<br>> collapse of the West = Antarctic Ice Sheet within as little as<br>> 250 years. He largely = ruled out a catastrophic collapse<br>> occurring within less than a = century.<br>> "The good news is that collapse = of the West Antarctic Ice<br>> Sheet is not imminent, but the bad = news is that warming gases<br>> emitted during the next century could = make its future<br>> collapse inevitable," Oppenheimer said. = "We cannot afford to<br>> take such a high-risk gamble. The = potential for unprecedented<br>> loss of coastal regions should move = policy makers to take<br>> swift and responsible action against = global warming. Once the<br>> ice sheet begins to disintegrate, there = will be no turning back."<br>> <br>> = &= nbsp; How You Can Help<br>> Join = the EDF Action Network and support action to reduce<br>> global = warming; to join, send your name, e-mail address, and<br>> address = where you vote to <font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000"> Or call EDF's<br>> Membership Office at = 1-800-684-3322 and ask for "20 Simple<br>> Steps to Reduce = Global Warming," or go to<br>> www.edf.org/more/10501.<br>> = <br>> [Caption: Global warming could ultimately cause the huge = West<br>> Antarctic Ice Sheet to disintegrate, leading to = increased<br>> calving of icebergs and a 13- to 20-foot rise in sea = level<br>> worldwide.]<br>> <br>> [Caption: Michael = Oppenheimer.]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *2* EDF SEEKS TO CURB POLLUTION FROM FACTORY = FARMS<br>> <br>> Corporate farms housing thousands of hogs and = poultry in<br>> assembly-line conditions have multiplied in recent = years,<br>> spreading into many states that lack adequate = environmental<br>> controls. These "factory farms" produce = an estimated two<br>> trillion pounds of animal waste per year, = posing one of<br>> America's serious pollution threats.<br>> = A typical factory hog farm containing several = thousand<br>> swine produces millions of gallons of liquid waste = (urine,<br>> feces, and water) annually. Huge volumes of hog waste = are<br>> stored in primitive open-air holding ponds or lagoons = and<br>> then aerially sprayed on adjacent land. Improper = collection<br>> and disposal of untreated animal waste has harmed = groundwater<br>> and human health. Nutrients and bacteria from animal = waste<br>> can cause fish kills and harm shellfish in = contaminated<br>> streams, creeks, and estuaries. Dangerous and = offensive odors<br>> and other air pollutants are also = emitted.<br>> The Environmental Protection Agency = has proposed a<br>> strategy for controlling factory farm pollution, = but EDF and<br>> other environmental and family-farm groups believe = it falls<br>> far short of addressing environmental and public = health<br>> threats. Most notably, EPA's draft strategy would not = require<br>> many factory farms to implement better pollution = controls<br>> until the year 2005. EPA and the U.S. Department = of<br>> Agriculture are now developing a control strategy.<br>> = EDF is working at both the national level and in = several<br>> states to strengthen environmental standards for = factory<br>> farms. EDF also urges a nationwide moratorium on new = and<br>> expanding factory farms until effective Federal and = state<br>> programs are in place to protect air and water quality = and<br>> rural communities. EDF recommends the following steps = to<br>> prevent today's problems from getting worse and = improve<br>> conditions at new and existing factory farms:<br>> = *Enforce existing laws and regulations.<br>> = *Hold all animal owners accountable for any = environmental<br>> = violations.<br>> = *Clean up abandoned manure lagoons.<br>> = *Phase out use of manure sprayfields and anaerobic = (oxygen-<br>> free) = manure lagoons.<br>> *Control odor and pollution by = eliminating atmospheric<br>> = emissions of ammonia and = other offensive gases.<br>> *End manure runoff and spills = that contaminate groundwater<br>> = and surface = water.<br>> "New growth of factory farms must = be halted until an<br>> effective plan is developed to clean up the = environmental and<br>> health problems created by thousands of = existing ones," said<br>> EDF scientist Dr. Joseph Rudek. = "Federal, state, and local<br>> governments should promptly = reign in serious and long-<br>> standing problem, which is a growing = threat to citizens and<br>> the environment."<br>> <br>> = [Caption: Once primarily a feature of family farms, hog<br>> = production has increasingly become a corporate enterprise<br>> = involving thousands of animals and assembly-line methods.]<br>> = <br>> [Caption: Joseph Rudek]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *3* STATE UPHOLDS LONG ISLAND PINE BARRENS PROTECTION = PLAN<br>> <br>> The world's second largest pine barrens ecosystem = recently<br>> won further protection when a New York State court = upheld the<br>> Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Plan, which = preserves<br>> 52,500 acres of pine barrens on eastern Long Island = and<br>> fosters compact development in an adjacent 47,500-acre = growth<br>> area. The Long Island pine barrens is not only a = unique<br>> ecosystem, it also sits atop the main recharge zone = for<br>> Suffolk County's drinking water supply.<br>> = The developer WJF Corporation, owner of 272 acres of = dwarf<br>> pine barrens within the protected core area, had = challenged<br>> the constitutionality of the plan's Transfer of = Development<br>> Rights (TDR) program. TDR's allow landowners within = the<br>> protected core to transfer their development rights to = nearby<br>> areas deemed suitable for higher density development. = The<br>> Suffolk County Supreme Court ruled that, "The = TDR<br>> provisions...do assure preservation of the real = economic<br>> value of the development rights as they existed when = still<br>> attached to the underlying property."<br>> = EDF General Counsel James T.B. Tripp, who helped = engineer<br>> the TDR plan and is chair of the Pine Barrens Credit = Clearing<br>> House, welcomed the ruling. "The plan protects a = valuable<br>> ecosystem and assures the continued protection of = safe<br>> drinking water for Long Island," Tripp said.<br>> = <br>> [Caption: Jim Tripp in the Long Island Pine Barrens, = which<br>> sits atop an underground aquifer that is the main source = of<br>> drinking water for Suffolk County.]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *4* NY STATE WEIGHS ALTERNATIVES TO EXPANDING = I-287<br>> <br>> The task force assembled by New York Gov. George = Pataki to<br>> discuss alternatives to widening I-287 held its first = meetings<br>> this summer. The proposed $400 million expansion = of<br>> I-287, one of the New York-New Jersey metropolitan = area's<br>> most congested highways, has been a major target of = EDF's<br>> efforts to slow growing traffic volume and to remedy = air<br>> quality problems in the Northeast.<br>> = EDF and others sued in 1994, to ensure that I-287 was = not<br>> expanded without full evaluation of all other = transportation<br>> alternatives, including better transit service, = carpooling<br>> incentives, and tolls that would vary by time of day = and by a<br>> vehicle's number of occupants. Last January, = Governor Pataki<br>> canceled the widening plans and agreed to = assemble the task<br>> force. He appointed five state officials and = 12 advisory<br>> members to the group, including EDF General Counsel = James<br>> T.B. Tripp.<br>> "This task = force has the opportunity to create and<br>> implement the first = comprehensive demand-reduction program in<br>> a congested suburban = corridor in the United States," said Tripp.<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *5* ACID RAIN PROGRAM INCENTIVES ARE SPURRING UTILITIES = TO<br>> REDUCE SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS<br>> <br>> Responding = to the incentives of the 1990 Clean Air Act's acid<br>> rain program, = formerly high-emitting power plants in the<br>> Midwest and South = have cut their emissions of sulfur dioxide<br>> (SO2) by 30% more = than the law requires. The "cap and trade"<br>> program, = which EDF helped write, gives power plants a<br>> financial incentive = to reduce their SO2 emissions below the<br>> mandatory level. It is = too early to say for certain that the<br>> SO2 reductions are curbing = acid rain, but in 1995 the U.S.<br>> Geological Survey recorded a = noticeable decrease in rainfall<br>> acidity of the sort associated = with SO2 emissions.<br>> EDF has urged the = Environmental Protection Agency and<br>> states in the Eastern United = States to cut emissions of<br>> nitrogen oxides (NOx), which likewise = contribute to acid<br>> rain. NOx travels long distances and also = leads to the<br>> formation of urban smog, a major problem in cities = in the<br>> Midwest and Northeast.<br>> Several = years ago, EDF proposed a region-wide cap on NOx<br>> emissions, = since the long-distance movement of NOx makes<br>> state-by-state = controls insufficient. States in the Northeast<br>> have adopted this = approach and the EPA recently put forward a<br>> proposal to extend = it to the entire Eastern United States.<br>> <br>> [Caption: An = Adirondack mountain lake. Acid rain has wiped<br>> out entire fish = populations and other aquatic life in nearly<br>> 100 lakes in New = York's Adirondack mountains, which lack<br>> buffering minerals to = neutralize rain that can be as acidic<br>> as lemon juice.]<br>> = <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *6* DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: FAIRNESS ON THE ROAD<br>> = By Fred Krupp, Executive = Director<br>> <br>> Car use not only causes air = pollution and greenhouse gas<br>> emissions, but also leads to loss = of open space and wildlife<br>> habitat through highway construction = and urban sprawl. New<br>> approaches, such as tolls that vary by = time of day and number<br>> of vehicle occupants, have shown promise = in reducing<br>> congestion, pollution, and the pressure to build new = roads.<br>> EDF has been in the forefront of advocating such = efficient<br>> solutions.<br>> But = transportation solutions must also be equitable.<br>> People without = cars or with limited access to cars are<br>> disproportionately = low-income people of color, low-income<br>> women, the elderly, and = the disabled. Equitable<br>> transportation policies must insure that = all people have<br>> access to jobs, food stores, health care, loved = ones,<br>> churches, parks, and the other basic needs of life that = many<br>> of us take for granted. The average American commutes = more<br>> than 10 miles to work. Without a car, or fast = transit<br>> service, a person's livelihood and independence are at = risk.<br>> EDF is committed to fairness on the = road. Last year, we<br>> helped win a victory that will bring $1 = billion of additional<br>> bus service to Los Angeles, the city with = the greatest unmet<br>> demand for public transportation. Now we are = working with<br>> policy makers and the U.S. Department of = Transportation to<br>> extend the lessons of the Los Angeles case to = other cities.<br>> A sustainable environment = requires policies that are<br>> equitable and just and that affirm = the environmental rights<br>> of the poor and people of color. The = transportation planning<br>> process needs to include community and = grassroots<br>> organizations, civil rights groups, and environmental = justice<br>> advocates. New revenue from programs such as variable = tolls<br>> on highways can support better transit services in<br>> = disadvantaged communities, which in turn will bring expanded<br>> = economic opportunity to those communities. The benefits of<br>> = efficient and fair transportation will accrue to all<br>> = citizens--and to the environment.<br>> <br>> [Caption: Fred = Krupp]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *7* TEXAS WILL CONTROL SHRIMP FARMS<br>> <br>> = Pressure from EDF and a broad citizens' alliance led to the<br>> = first-ever requirement that Texas shrimp farms must obtain<br>> state = wastewater discharge permits. Shrimp farms in Texas<br>> have = operated for nearly 20 years without important<br>> environmental = safeguards, causing water pollution that<br>> threatens the state's = coastal ecosystems and the clean waters<br>> of its shallow bays and = lagoons.<br>> Texas had actively promoted shrimp = farming in the hope of<br>> creating jobs and diversifying the = coastal economy. The state<br>> exempted shrimp farmers from water = rights permit requirements<br>> and created regulations favoring the = industry. But the number<br>> of jobs and the other benefits to = coastal communities have<br>> proved small compared with those of = other industries, and the<br>> environmental damage caused by the = shrimp farms has spurred<br>> local opposition.<br>> = Huge volumes of polluted waste-water discharged by = the<br>> farms threaten tourism, sport fishing, and other = coastal<br>> activities. Wild shrimp fishers fear that exotic = shrimp<br>> species and disease could spread from the farms and = cause<br>> ecological and economic damage throughout the Gulf of = Mexico.<br>> EDF, led by fisheries biologist Pamela = Baker and economist<br>> Dr. Peter M. Emerson, helped organize an = alliance of local,<br>> regional, and national environmental groups, = local<br>> governments, and sport and commercial fishers, to = identify<br>> coastal communities' needs and strengthen regulation = of<br>> shrimp farming.<br>> <br>> = New Discharge Permits Must Be = Strengthened<br>> EDF is now working to strengthen the newly required = permits,<br>> which currently may encourage farms simply to dilute = their<br>> pollutants rather than reduce them. EDF also aims = to<br>> eliminate an exemption that has allowed one shrimp farm to = be<br>> classified as a "research facility," even though it = is a<br>> commercial operation that produces the same pollutants = as<br>> other farms.<br>> Shrimp farms can be = designed to do less environmental<br>> harm. Recently, EDF and = the Lower Laguna Madre Foundation<br>> secured three key protections = in a permit for a new shrimp<br>> farm. The farm must: (1) limit = total discharges of water and<br>> waste material to coastal bays, = (2) use best management<br>> practices to minimize pollution, and (3) = allow citizens to<br>> monitor operations. EDF is working to have = these measures<br>> added to all state permits.<br>> = To reduce the spread of exotic shrimp species and = disease,<br>> EDF advocates classifying them as = "pollutants," which must be<br>> regulated, and is working = with the state to develop effective<br>> monitoring and quarantine = procedures. EDF also urges Federal<br>> action to develop a = comprehensive plan to manage shrimp<br>> viruses.<br>> = Concern is growing worldwide about the environmental = and<br>> social problems caused by coastal shrimp farming. EDF's = work<br>> in Texas can serve as a model for South Carolina, = Florida,<br>> Hawaii, and for 50 countries around the world where = coastal<br>> shrimp farming is virtually unregulated.<br>> = <br>> = B= ecome an Activist for the Oceans!<br>> EDF members can help protect = oceans and coastal ecosystems by<br>> joining EDF's Oceans Action = Network. At no charge, ocean<br>> activists will receive e-mail = messages from EDF when<br>> important decisions are about to take = place in Congress,<br>> state legislatures, and regulatory agencies. = To join, send<br>> your name, e-mail address, and the address where = you vote to<br>> <font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000"><br>> <br>> [Caption: Pamela Baker examines the = water quality of a Texas<br>> shrimp pond. High water quality is key = to environmentally<br>> sound shrimp farming.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *8* EDF COLUMN: USING PHONY SCIENCE TO DISCREDIT = GLOBAL<br>> WARMING--By EDF trustee Dr. John W. Firor, a physicist at = the<br>> National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, = Colorado.<br>> <br>> At the Kyoto climate change negotiations last = December,<br>> thousands of national delegates, interest groups, = observers,<br>> and press people were present, but only a dozen or so = climate<br>> scientists. This statistic is not surprising; the issue = being<br>> discussed in Kyoto was not the nature or present state = of<br>> climate change science. Instead it was what we should = do<br>> given the reasonable probability that, if allowed to = continue<br>> unabated, the human-induced change in the climate will = give<br>> our world a lot of trouble.<br>> That = there is such a reasonable probability is widely<br>> accepted among = national leaders worldwide, among climate<br>> experts worldwide, and = clearly among the official delegations<br>> in Kyoto. This also is no = surprise, since scientists have<br>> studied a human-induced climate = change for a hundred years,<br>> and governments of major countries = and the United Nations<br>> have reviewed the scientific progress = repeatedly, generally<br>> concluding that the probability of trouble = is high enough to<br>> warrant action.<br>> In = the United States, however, anyone observing the<br>> raucous, = anti-Kyoto, nature of some statements appearing in<br>> pamphlets and = the press might surmise that the issue is still<br>> at the starting = gate.<br>> <br>> = Petition Appears in Thousands = of Mailboxes<br>> Much of this confusion seems to come from a group = of people,<br>> many associated with the George C. Marshall Institute = in<br>> Washington DC, who have set themselves the task of = opposing<br>> any consideration of what to do about the probability = of<br>> trouble. The group is somewhat mysterious, with = unannounced<br>> funding sources, but the Marshall Institute is known = for<br>> having published several anti-climate-change pamphlets = since<br>> 1989. In addition, of course, many industrial and fossil = fuel<br>> businesses openly oppose any cutbacks in fossil fuel = use--<br>> cutbacks implicit in the Kyoto agreement.<br>> = Recently, the strangest and most convoluted message = from<br>> this group appeared in tens or hundreds of thousands = of<br>> mailboxes. The package consisted of an op-ed piece = about<br>> climate change science published earlier in the Wall = Street<br>> Journal, an unpublished article disguised as a reprint = from a<br>> reputable scientific journal, a short note from a = famous<br>> retired scientist, and a petition to be signed by = the<br>> recipient asking the U.S. government to ignore Kyoto and = "any<br>> other similar proposals."<br>> = This is a strange set of documents--the article, for = example,<br>> has numerous references, but it contains = out-of-date<br>> calculations, mislabeled figures, misquoted numbers, = and<br>> assertions shown to be wrong years ago. Everybody = makes<br>> mistakes, of course, but scientists generally have their = work<br>> reviewed by colleagues, a process that reduces the chance = of<br>> serious errors. This material evidently did not have = a<br>> critical outside look before it was distributed--almost = every<br>> paragraph and graph is either a half truth or = needs<br>> correction.<br>> Here are examples: = One graph in the article tries to show<br>> that something called = flux correction, used to overcome a<br>> problem in climate model = calculations, is much larger, and<br>> therefore more important, than = is the effect of greenhouse<br>> gases. In fact, up-to-date = models do very well with no flux<br>> correction at all, much less a = large one, and these models<br>> continue to show troublesome climate = heating if we continue<br>> to emit massive amounts of carbon = dioxide.<br>> Another graph has two problems. It = purports to show a big<br>> difference between model projections of = global surface<br>> climate heating from 1978 to 1988 and actual = temperature<br>> change. But the projected heating shown is about = twice as<br>> large as in the reference quoted, and it is compared, = not<br>> with measurements of the surface temperature as projected = by<br>> the model, but with measurements made higher in the<br>> = atmosphere, measurements whose connection with surface<br>> = temperature is not yet established.<br>> Later, = some publicity about the petition claimed that it<br>> had been = signed by 15,000 scientists. No attempt was<br>> apparently made to = verify the credentials of the signers,<br>> however, since the names = of entertainers and fictional<br>> characters appear among the = signatories.<br>> Use of science in the public = arena frequently requires<br>> clarifying and simplifying, but not = untruths. These<br>> documents, sadly, only add to public confusion = about the<br>> climate issues in front of governments today, and they = do<br>> nothing to further public discussion about these = issues.<br>> <br>> [Caption: John Firor.]<br>> <br>> = [Caption: Global warming debunkers say increased carbon<br>> dioxide = will be beneficial in stimulating plant growth, but<br>> in fact the = effect of increased CO2 in natural ecosystems<br>> such as this = rainforest is highly uncertain. Most scientists<br>> believe it is = unlikely to counteract the harmful effects of<br>> rapid climate = change.]<br>> <br>> = =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br>> = &= nbsp; LET'S CLEAR THE AIR<br>> You = can help do that and much more through a Life Income gift<br>> to = EDF. Together, we can create a wholesome environment for<br>> all = living creatures.<br>> <br>> Here's how: Join EDF's Charitable = Gift Annuity program with a<br>> gift of $10,000 or more. The = benefits to you are a life<br>> income and a charitable = deduction.<br>> <br>> For information, contact Anne B. Doyle, Dir. = of Planned Giving,<br>> EDF, 257 Park Avenue So., New York, NY 10010. = (212) 505-2100.<br>> = =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D<br>> <br>> *9* EPA BACKS = THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW CHEMICAL RISKS<br>> <br>> As part of an = expanded "environmental right-to-know" program,<br>> the = Environmental Protection Agency joined EDF's call for<br>> chemical = companies to conduct basic health tests on about<br>> 3,000 widely = used chemicals and make those data publicly<br>> available. EPA = threatened to require such disclosures if the<br>> industry doesn't = make them voluntarily.<br>> EDF launched a campaign = for this testing in July 1997,<br>> when it released an EDF study, = "Toxic Ignorance." The study<br>> documents that basic = health-effects test data are missing<br>> from the public record for = most chemicals produced in annual<br>> quantities of more than one = million pounds.<br>> "This EPA initiative is a = big step toward effective public<br>> health protection," said = EDF attorney Karen Florini, a<br>> coauthor of "Toxic = Ignorance". Florini noted that, in recent<br>> Congressional = testimony, Dr. Kenneth Olden, the director of<br>> the National = Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,<br>> stated that 'We are = clearly in a state of toxic ignorance.'<br>> Said Florini, "EPA = is now saying that ignorance is no longer<br>> acceptable, beginning = with chemicals that are used in large<br>> volumes."<br>> = "Toxic Ignorance" is available for $10 from = EDF<br>> Publications, c/o the Washington office. The full report = is<br>> also available online at www.edf.org/more/10504.<br>> = <br>> = I= nternet Scorecard Hits Home<br>> A few days before EPA's = announcement, EDF unveiled its<br>> Chemical Scorecard, on the = Internet at www.scorecard.org.<br>> Visitors to the site can enter = their zip code and see a map<br>> highlighting local pollution = sources. The "fax local<br>> facilities" feature has = spurred Scorecard visitors to begin<br>> dialogues with companies to = ensure that adequate testing has<br>> been done to assure that their = community is not at risk.<br>> "Chemical = Week," a major industry magazine, featured the<br>> Scorecard in = a cover story, entitled "Internet Bomb: Web<br>> Access Hits = Home." Commenting on the website's impact on the<br>> industry, = Chemical Week's editor wrote, "But fundamentally,<br>> the = answer for industry has to be a renewed onslaught on<br>> = emissions," suggesting that the Scorecard could help drive<br>> = emissions to zero.<br>> "EDF will post = companies' responses, as long as they<br>> evaluate the threat posed = by their emissions and support the<br>> response with data," = said EDF toxicologist Dr. William Pease,<br>> who designed the = Scorecard. "Generating a dialogue about<br>> chemical hazard is = what Scorecard is all about."<br>> <br>> [Caption: EDF = Executive Director Fred Krupp joined Vice<br>> President Al Gore in = announcing the new testing initiative.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *10* UPS REUSABLE SHIPPING ENVELOPE CUTS WASTE<br>> = <br>> The shipping industry's first reusable express envelopes = are<br>> now available for all United Parcel Service Next Day = Air<br>> Letter shipments. This new two-use envelope, catalyzed by = a<br>> joint project between the Alliance for Environmental<br>> = Innovation and UPS, will cut express envelope packaging waste<br>> = and pollution in half.<br>> "Reusability is = the fastest and most efficient path to<br>> reducing the = environmental impacts of express shipping<br>> packaging," said = Alliance project leader Elizabeth Sturcken.<br>> "UPS's = leadership in introducing reusable packaging into the<br>> express = shipping business is commendable and promises both<br>> environmental = and customer benefits." The Alliance, a joint<br>> project of = EDF and The Pew Charitable Trusts, continues to<br>> work with UPS on = improving environmental performance across<br>> all of the company's = air express packaging.<br>> The UPS reusable = envelope is made of 80% post-consumer<br>> recycled fiber using a = bleach-free process. It can be<br>> identified by a green = "Reusable" oval on the front and by a<br>> second adhesive = flap that folds down to reseal the package<br>> for its second use. = The new envelope is available in both<br>> letter and legal = sizes.<br>> The Alliance study, "Preferred = Packaging: Accelerating<br>> Environmental Leadership in the = Overnight Shipping Industry"<br>> ($10 prepaid), is available = from EDF Publications, c/o the<br>> Washington office. The full = report is also available online<br>> at = www.edf.org/more/10503.<br>> <br>> [Caption: The new UPS Next Day = Air Letter can be identified<br>> by a green "Reusable" = oval on the front.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *11* CELEBRATE RECYCLING AND WIN A DREAM HOUSE!<br>> = <br>> Sunday, November 15 is the second annual America = Recycles<br>> Day, when communities across the country will celebrate = the<br>> environmental benefits of recycling and buying products = made<br>> from recycled materials. To draw attention to the = increasing<br>> practicality of using recycled materials, an entire = house<br>> built primarily from such materials will be given away in = a<br>> drawing that day. The "American Green Dream House," = valued at<br>> $200,000, will be built for the winner, with up to = $35,000<br>> allotted for the purchase of land.<br>> = To enter the American Green Dream House contest, = print<br>> your pledge to recycle and buy recycled along with = your<br>> complete name and address on a 3" x 5" piece of = scrap paper<br>> and mail it before November 15 to America Recycles = Day<br>> Contest, c/o Remanufactured Industries Council = International,<br>> P.O. Box 10807, Chantilly, VA 20153-0807.<br>> = For more information or to help with America Recycles = Day<br>> events in your state, call your state coordinator.<br>> = Coordinators' phone numbers are available from EDF member<br>> = services at 1-800-684-3322 or go to www.edf.org/more/10502.<br>> = <br>> [Caption: Sgt. Robert Portillo of Fort Hood, TX, won = last<br>> year's Green Dream House, which is now being built for = him.]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *12* EDF PEOPLE: ATTORNEY JIM MARSTON KEEPS HIS EYES ON = THE<br>> BALL<br>> <br>> Texas attorney Jim Marston was = worried. With Austin<br>> temperatures frequently soaring above the = 100-degree mark,<br>> many of his over-40 basketball buddies weren't = showing up at<br>> the Marston backyard slab on Sunday afternoons as = usual.<br>> "Where is everybody?" he wondered one blazing = afternoon as he<br>> and two of his 10 regulars shot and sweated. = "Y'all think we<br>> ought to switch to nine in the = morning?"<br>> Basketball is big for Marston, = whether he's watching<br>> college hoops on TV, traveling to Fort = Worth to see his<br>> beloved Texas Christian University Horned Frogs = do battle, or<br>> playing the role of the proud dad as his = 10-year-old daughter<br>> perfects her game in scrimmages at the Lady = Longhorn summer<br>> camp. "Amanda is better with her left hand = at 10 than I was<br>> at 15," says Marston, still ruddy-cheeked = and boyish at 45.<br>> "What's great about = basketball," he adds, "is that it's a<br>> combination of = planning and spontaneity. It's a little bit<br>> like politics or = environmental work. You can plan, but when<br>> they start to = double-team you, you've got to improvise."<br>> = And improvise he does. "Marston has the best = public-policy<br>> instincts I've ever seen," Austin mayor Kirk = Watson says.<br>> "Everyone relies on his talent to get good = results and cut<br>> through any messes."<br>> <br>> = From = Civil Rights to Environment<br>> Marston's own basketball career = ended with high school in<br>> Tulsa, but as political operative and = environmental lawyer,<br>> he's a 20-year veteran. After graduating = with honors from TCU<br>> in 1975, he was accepted as a Root-Tilden = Scholar at New York<br>> University School of Law. "I thought I = was going to be a<br>> civil rights litigator," he says. "I = came of age, at least<br>> politically, during the Civil Rights era, = and the folks I<br>> admired were the ones standing up for civil = rights."<br>> But an internship at the Natural = Resources Defense Council<br>> and a roommate's interest in = environmental law combined to<br>> shift the focus of Marston's = career. "I decided the<br>> environment was an important area to = work in," he recalls,<br>> "so I came back to Texas and = worked on environmental law in<br>> attorney general John Hill's = office."<br>> As Assistant Attorney General = for Environmental<br>> Protection, Marston worked primarily on toxic = waste issues.<br>> "We had the first case in Texas in which = there was a penalty<br>> of more than $100,000," he recalls, = "for a toxic waste site<br>> in West Dallas."<br>> = In 1980, Marston became a partner in the law firm of = state<br>> Senator Lloyd Doggett, a former University of Texas = student<br>> body president who represented an Austin district. = (Doggett<br>> is now a U.S. Representative.) "Doggett was still = a kid<br>> Senator in his 30's," Marston recalls, "but he = was a hero to<br>> me. He was unafraid. He didn't want to be in = office just to<br>> be part of the club. He passed consumer = protection laws,<br>> sunset laws, campaign finance = reform."<br>> Marston was with Doggett's firm = for nine years. When<br>> Doggett was elected to the Texas Supreme = Court in 1988,<br>> Marston and his colleagues had to take stock of = their own<br>> careers. "I wanted to go back and do = environmental work," he<br>> recalls.<br>> <br>> = &= nbsp;Opening EDF's Texas Office<br>> It was Austin environmental = attorney Rick Lowerre who asked<br>> Marston to work full-time on = opening EDF's office in Austin.<br>> "Jim's ability to set up a = truly professional office<br>> convinced a lot of funders to get = involved," Lowerre says.<br>> "It was quite an = accomplishment, because Texas wasn't all<br>> that interested in = environmental issues." EDF's Texas effort<br>> was a success, = Marston says, not only because a great many<br>> people worked hard = to make it happen, but because more and<br>> more Texans were = becoming aware that the state had serious<br>> environmental = problems.<br>> Today, eight years after the = office's opening, Marston<br>> works alongside fellow EDF attorney = Melinda Taylor, economist<br>> Dr. Pete Emerson, and scientists Dr. = Ram-n Alvarez and Dr.<br>> Carlos Rincon. They are engaged on = issues ranging from<br>> electric power plants to wildlife habitat to = pollution<br>> prevention along the U.S.-Mexico border, where = Marston<br>> travels frequently.<br>> When he's = not traveling for EDF, Marston enjoys traveling<br>> with his wife, = Annette LoVoi, and daughter Amanda. LoVoi, who<br>> worked on = insurance issues for former Texas Governor Ann<br>> Richards, is now = executive director of the Texas Appleseed<br>> Foundation, an = initiative of the Texas bar that deals with<br>> education, welfare, = and immigration issues.<br>> "Annette and I = are different in many ways," Marston says.<br>> "She's = introspective and intellectual; I'm more action-<br>> oriented. She = likes ballet; I like basketball. The two things<br>> we share are = politics and travel."<br>> Marston and LoVoi = went to China in 1985, Eastern Europe in<br>> 1992, and South Africa = this summer. They took Amanda with<br>> them. "We went to South = Africa because we thought it was a<br>> fascinating place with = interesting politics," he says. "And<br>> we wanted our = daughter to know more about apartheid and about<br>> students her own = age who had been out in the streets saying<br>> no to = apartheid."<br>> Thinking back to the time = Amanda was born reminds Marston<br>> of why he wanted to get involved = in defending the<br>> environment. "Having Amanda made me think = about what was<br>> important," he says. "I realized that = the lessons I learned<br>> from my parents were not what they told me = but what they did.<br>> I had a chance to do something that would = show her what I<br>> thought was important. So I took a chance." = EDF and the Texas<br>> environment are the better for it.<br>> = <br>> By Joe Holley<br>> <br>> [Caption: Comfortable in = settings that range from down home<br>> to big city, Marston is able = to work with diverse<br>> constituencies on the environmental issues = he cares about.]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *13* EASY TIPS YOU CAN USE TO MAKE YOUR OFFICE = "GREENER"<br>> <br>> If you're one of the more than 50 = million Americans who work<br>> in an office, it may surprise you to = learn how great an<br>> impact we office workers have on the = environment. Whether<br>> your office is large or small, whether it's = in a large<br>> corporation or at a local community group, school, or = church,<br>> there are plenty of ways you can help the environment in = the<br>> choices you and your co-workers make every day.<br>> = Each day, office workers consume approximately 145 = million<br>> gallons of fuel while commuting to work and generate = some 1.4<br>> million tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, the = primary<br>> greenhouse gas. En route and during the day, we drink = about<br>> 49 million cups of coffee--mostly from disposable = cups--and<br>> either recycle or discard some 40 million newspapers. = Once<br>> on the job, we produce more than our own weight in = waste<br>> paper each year--about 360 pounds per person, nine = million<br>> tons in all.<br>> Today, U.S. = businesses are generally polluting less and<br>> becoming more energy = efficient. But there are still many<br>> simple steps that offices = and workers can take to save<br>> energy, reduce waste, and even save = money. All the following<br>> tips have worked out well at EDF's own = offices.<br>> <br>> = Use Devices That = Shut Themselves Off<br>> Installing light switches with motion = detectors can save a<br>> lot of electricity, since these devices = shut off the lights<br>> automatically whenever a room is unoccupied. = Similar savings<br>> come from copiers, computers, and other = equipment that can be<br>> programmed to turn off after a period of = inactivity. Look for<br>> the Environmental Protection Agency's = "Energy Star" symbol as<br>> one indication of these = power-saving features when buying new<br>> office equipment.<br>> = Here's an easy idea: Buy a reusable travel mug for = your<br>> morning commute and to use at the office. You'll save = natural<br>> resources, conserve energy and landfill space and, if = you<br>> fill up at home, you'll save some money, too.<br>> = If you commute by train or subway, you'll find = many<br>> stations now have designated bins for recycling = newspapers.<br>> Use them.<br>> If you drive, = consider car pooling, riding a bike, or<br>> walking to work or to a = nearby mass transit station. If your<br>> company permits it, = telecommute. More than eight million<br>> Americans now telecommute = at least one day a week.<br>> Telecommuting cuts down on pollution, = saves energy, and may<br>> even increase staff productivity. In a = two-year pilot<br>> project, Northern Telecom found that having 500 = employees<br>> work at home three days a week saved about 200 gallons = of<br>> gasoline annually per employee and increased productivity = by<br>> an average of 30%.<br>> Whether you work = in the office or at home, reducing paper<br>> consumption and = recycling used paper is a must. Where<br>> possible, use e-mail = instead of paper memos. Make sure your<br>> business cards have your = e-mail address on them, and ask for<br>> the e-mail addresses of = others. Eliminate cover sheets when<br>> faxing. Post or circulate = materials whenever possible, rather<br>> than making multiple copies. = Program your printer and<br>> photocopier for two-sided printing. = Publish or distribute<br>> documents electronically whenever = possible. And, before you<br>> print a document, always use the Spell = Check and Print<br>> Preview functions first!<br>> = In nearly every community, you can recycle paper, = steel,<br>> aluminum, glass, and some kinds of plastic. Set up = convenient<br>> recycling areas in the office and post instructions = for<br>> recycling each material. You can also reuse envelopes = for<br>> interoffice mail and cut up used paper for note = pads.<br>> <br>> = &= nbsp; Buy = Recycled!<br>> If you're in charge of purchasing office supplies, = choose<br>> stationery and other office supplies with the maximum = post-<br>> consumer recycled content available, at least 20%. And = buy<br>> the lightest-weight paper possible for the job.<br>> = Look for unbleached or "totally chlorine = free" supplies<br>> and paper first. If you don't find these in = stock, ask your<br>> suppliers how to order alternative products. = Avoid "manila"<br>> folders and envelopes, which are = actually bleached and then<br>> dyed to achieve their distinctive = color; look for unbleached<br>> varieties instead. Whenever possible, = avoid deep-hued and<br>> neon-colored papers, envelopes with plastic = windows, and<br>> peel-and-stick labels, all of which can interfere = with the<br>> recycling process.<br>> Office = managers can provide a supply of reusable coffee<br>> mugs, plates, = and utensils, and encourage their use. When<br>> ordering take-out or = having an event catered, select<br>> establishments that use reusable = food service ware.<br>> And of course, don't forget = to turn off your lights,<br>> computer, and monitor before leaving = for the day--and<br>> remember to take your travel mug home for = tomorrow morning's<br>> commute!<br>> <br>> By Cheryl = Roberts<br>> <br>> [Caption: Computers are key to many = "green" actions you can<br>> take--from telecommuting to = using e-mail instead of paper and<br>> setting your machine to turn = off after a period of inactivity.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *14* WHAT ARE THE GREATEST THREATS TO ENDANGERED = WILDLIFE?<br>> <br>> Although scientists generally believe that = habitat loss is the<br>> major threat to endangered species, few = studies have ever<br>> quantified the actual threat from this and = other suspected<br>> factors. Now, an article published in the August = issue of the<br>> journal "BioScience" confirms that = habitat loss is the<br>> greatest single threat to species, = imperiling 85% of<br>> endangered species in the continental United = States and<br>> Hawaii. The spread of non-native species ranks = next,<br>> affecting nearly half of endangered species. = Pollution,<br>> overexploitation, and disease are lesser threats (see = graph),<br>> although, for aquatic species, pollution is second only = to<br>> habitat loss as a cause of endangerment.<br>> = The article, "Quantifying Threats to Imperiled = Species in<br>> the United States," represents the most = comprehensive<br>> assessment of threats to U.S. endangered species. = It ranks<br>> the threats to birds, mammals, reptiles, = amphibians, fish,<br>> plants, and certain groups of invertebrates. = Given the<br>> magnitude of harm caused by habitat destruction, it = also<br>> examines in greater detail the extent of harm from = specific<br>> activities, such as agriculture, commercial = development, dams<br>> and other water projects, grazing, and outdoor = recreation,<br>> including use of off-road vehicles. The study was = a<br>> collaborative effort by the Association for = Biodiversity<br>> Information, EDF, The Nature Conservancy, and the = Network of<br>> State Natural Heritage Programs.<br>> = EDF ecologist Dr. David S. Wilcove, lead author of = the<br>> peer-reviewed article, noted that while habitat loss = leads<br>> the list of threats, it is followed rather closely by = harmful<br>> non-native species. "Controlling these alien plants = and<br>> animals will require active management of the habitat, = such<br>> as pulling up weeds and trapping out invasive = exotic<br>> animals," he said.<br>> = "We must find a way to provide landowners with = financial<br>> and regulatory incentives to undertake the proper = management<br>> of the habitats on their property." EDF has = encouraged such<br>> actions through programs such as Safe Harbor, in = which more<br>> than one million acres of privately owned lands are = being<br>> managed for the benefit of endangered species.<br>> = <br>> [Caption: (Percentages total more than 100 because more = than<br>> one source may be a threat.)]<br>> <br>> [Caption: = Two whooping cranes. (Reprinted with permission<br>> from the = cover of "BioScience," Vol. 48 No. 8, August 1998.]<br>> = <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *15* TEXAS ENDANGERED SPECIES NEED MORE PROTECTION, = EDF<br>> FINDS<br>> <br>> EDF scientists are calling for = economic incentives to protect<br>> the state's endangered wildlife, = particularly its rare plants<br>> and wildflowers. In a recent = report, EDF revealed that two-<br>> thirds of Texas plants and = wildflowers are in decline, twice<br>> the national average, despite = Federal protection under the<br>> Endangered Species Act.<br>> = "Only 7% of Texas's listed plants are showing = stability or<br>> improvement, compared with the national average of = 30%," said<br>> EDF attorney Melinda Taylor. "And data are = simply unavailable<br>> for more than one-quarter of the listed plant = species in<br>> Texas. Clearly, Federal listing alone is not = protecting these<br>> vital species from eventual = extinction."<br>> "Key to the decline of = these plants," said Taylor, "is<br>> that over 97% of the = Texas land base is private property. The<br>> law does not require = private landowners to protect rare<br>> plants." EDF is working = to promote voluntary, private<br>> cooperation in protecting the = state's endangered plants<br>> through landowner education and = incentives such as tax<br>> credits, payments, and cost-sharing = agreements.<br>> EDF's report also shows that 35% = of Texas's listed animal<br>> species are stable or recovering, but = that 19%--including the<br>> golden-cheeked warbler, the black-capped = vireo, the red-<br>> cockaded woodpecker, and the ocelot--are facing = increased<br>> threats. Safe Harbor, an incentives-based program = first<br>> advocated by EDF, is being used by agencies to = address<br>> threats on private land. It is part of the draft bill = to<br>> reauthorize the Endangered Species Act.<br>> <br>> = [Caption: The ocelot is one of several species that are<br>> facing = increased threats in Texas.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *16* EDF COALITION FIGHTS FOR COLORADO WILDERNESS<br>> = <br>> Together with the League of Conservation Voters and the<br>> = Wilderness Society, EDF is helping to form a coalition<br>> calling = for the wilderness designation of six Colorado sites<br>> managed by = the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). A<br>> joint member = action alert garnered unprecedented support to<br>> protect nearly = 200,000 acres in Bangs Canyon, Castle Peak,<br>> Pinyon Ridge, South = Shale Ridge, Vermillion Basin, and Yampa<br>> River Valley.<br>> = The effort produced more than 160 letters of support = to<br>> Colorado Senator Wayne Allard, who held a hearing in = Grand<br>> Junction in June to review redesignation of the BLM = lands.<br>> About 100 representatives from timber, mining, and = off-road<br>> vehicle special interests voiced their opposition at = the hearing,<br>> but they were outnumbered three-to-one by = wilderness<br>> supporters.<br>> "These = areas protect endangered plants and animals,<br>> ancient = petroglyphs, colorful escarpments, pristine forests<br>> and rivers, = and incomparable recreation opportunities," said<br>> Scott = Ingvoldstad, EDF outreach coordinator in the Rocky<br>> Mountain = office. "A statewide poll commissioned by EDF and<br>> the = League of Conservation Voters last fall found that four<br>> out of = five Coloradans support the wilderness designation,<br>> yet these = pristine areas remain unprotected."<br>> <br>> = EDF members can voice their support by joining = the<br>> Colorado Action Network at = www.edf.org/rockymtn.<br>> <br>> [Caption: Conservationists are = urging BLM to designate the<br>> scenic Castle Peak roadless area as = wilderness.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *17* FACTORY FARMING THREATENS COLORADO = ENVIRONMENT<br>> <br>> Recently, thousands of new factory-farm = operations have<br>> sprung up in Colorado and other states that have = little<br>> experience with factory farming and few or no = environmental<br>> controls. Notorious for their threats to the = environment and<br>> human health, factory farms--especially massive = hog<br>> operations which may produce more than two trillion pounds = of<br>> animal waste each year--have already come under sharp<br>> = scrutiny in North Carolina, Maryland, and other states.<br>> = Groundwater contamination, fish kills, toxic shellfish<br>> harvests, = and offensive air pollution are just a few of the<br>> issues that = states and the courts are trying to address.<br>> = In Colorado, EDF has helped forge a coalition = of<br>> environmental, family farm, and sustainable = agriculture<br>> groups to stem the tide toward factory farming, = which has<br>> also prompted national efforts in Congress and = proposals from<br>> the Environmental Protection Agency (See related = story, page<br>> 1). EDF considers EPA's proposed national standards = as only a<br>> baseline and is advocating stricter state policies in = the<br>> form of a ballot initiative called, "Protecting = Colorado's<br>> Water and Economy."<br>> = EDF is gathering signatures for the initiative, = which<br>> calls for regulations to protect water and air quality, = more<br>> corporate responsibility for environmental and = health<br>> damages, and better waste management systems. If EDF and = its<br>> allies can collect enough signatures to qualify this = issue<br>> for the ballot, Coloradans will have a chance to vote on = it<br>> this November.<br>> <br>> [Caption: EDF members can = help support the initiative<br>> campaign by calling EDF's Rocky = Mountain office at (303) 440-<br>> 4901 or by sending e-mail to <font = color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000">]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *18* PARTNERSHIP OF EDF, GENERAL MOTORS, AND COMMUNITY = IS<br>> PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING<br>> <br>> Working = with an alliance of industry, environmental,<br>> neighborhood, and = government representatives, EDF has<br>> developed a "how = to" plan for achieving environmentally<br>> better vehicle = manufacturing and healthier communities. EDF's<br>> Pollution = Prevention Alliance, General Motors, and other<br>> partner = organizations have outlined a model Alternative<br>> Regulatory = System for GM based on three fundamental<br>> principles: better = environmental performance, increased<br>> operational flexibility, = and more public involvement.<br>> In the = alternative regulatory model, environmental and<br>> environmental = justice groups and plant neighbors are part of<br>> the process from = the start. Dayton, Ohio, area groups such as<br>> the Edgemont = Neighborhood Coalition and the Citizens Policy<br>> Center, along = with EDF's Alliance staff and the Ecology<br>> Center of Ann Arbor, = all took part in efforts to address<br>> pollution threats from = future GM operations.<br>> Integrating workers, = product designers, and process<br>> engineers into the planning = process insures better<br>> environmental performance and operational = flexibility.<br>> "The Alternative Regulatory = System should not only improve<br>> the environment and the = manufacturing process but also<br>> democratize the way these = decisions are made," said Kevin<br>> Mills, director of the = Pollution Prevention Alliance, which<br>> now represents more than = 200 non-profit groups throughout the<br>> Midwest. "Environment = and community welfare can no longer be<br>> treated as problems at = the margin of a company's attention,<br>> but must become core = business challenges, part of the<br>> corporate = mission."<br>> <br>> [Caption: GM has made efforts to reduce = waste and introduce<br>> pollution prevention technologies at its = Orion, MI, assembly<br>> plant.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *19* ILLINOIS COURT UPHOLDS 1997 VICTORY OVER OIL = PIPELINE<br>> <br>> Illinois communities and EDF's Pollution = Prevention Alliance<br>> hailed a second court victory against = construction of a<br>> potentially harmful, and arguably unnecessary, = crude-oil<br>> pipeline that would have stretched from Western Canada = to<br>> Chicago-area refineries. In a unanimous decision, the<br>> = Illinois Court of Appeals upheld the 1997 Illinois Commerce<br>> = Commission decision denying eminent domain for the pipeline.<br>> = "The pipeline project posed several dangers, = including<br>> water contamination, forest loss, soil degradation, = methane<br>> generation, fish kills, and explosions," reported = EDF<br>> engineer Lois Epstein, who was an expert witness in = the<br>> Illinois case. "But what turned the case against the = pipeline<br>> company was the lack of public need for additional = lines to<br>> the Chicago area, not the potential for = environmental<br>> damage," Epstein explained.<br>> = "Federal pipeline regulations are inadequate, yet = states<br>> are not allowed to exceed Federal safety = requirements,"<br>> Epstein added. "The current system is = biased toward pipeline<br>> interests and against concerned = communities. Any meaningful<br>> pipeline reform will require a broad = base of support and very<br>> hard work."<br>> = To protect communities nationwide from similar, = ill-<br>> planned pipelines, EDF has joined Friends of the Earth, = labor<br>> unions, local governments, grassroots organizations, = industry<br>> groups, and others to form the National Pipeline = Reform<br>> Coalition.<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *20* WISCONSIN HOLDS THE LINE ON PERMITS FOR NEW = MINES<br>> <br>> After withdrawing their first mining proposal, = the Nicolet<br>> Minerals Company (formerly Crandon Mining) is again = seeking<br>> state approval for a controversial copper and zinc mine = in<br>> northern Wisconsin. Given concerns about this kind of = mining,<br>> and this mine in particular, a broad coalition of = groups,<br>> including EDF, joined together to oppose this = project.<br>> In response to Wisconsin members' = concerns, EDF<br>> investigated the Nicolet mine and submitted = comments on the<br>> potential impacts to the Wisconsin Department of = Natural<br>> Resources. Citing concerns about groundwater and = lake<br>> contamination, Governor Tommy Thompson signed legislation = on<br>> Earth Day that requires mining companies to prove there = will<br>> be only minimal environmental impact before new = operations<br>> are approved, a major obstacle to Nicolet's permit = for its<br>> potentially hazardous mine.<br>> = Copper compounds leach from tailings ponds and = are<br>> persistent, acutely toxic substances that damage human = health<br>> and kill natural algaes that are crucial to = aquatic<br>> ecosystems. Past discharges into lakes from copper mines = have<br>> even created sediment strata with mineable quantities = of<br>> copper.<br>> "The Nicolet mine = would create a tailings pond more than a<br>> half square mile in = size and would have major impacts on<br>> distant ecosystems," = said EDF Great Lakes specialist Bill<br>> Davis. "The company = has proposed to pipe waste to the<br>> Wisconsin River, 38 miles = away, and even to discharge<br>> directly into the pristine Wolf = River, which empties into the<br>> Great Lakes. If these types of = mines are allowed to continue<br>> business as usual, it would be a = major detriment to the<br>> future health of the Great = Lakes."<br>> <br>> [Caption: Waste from the proposed mine = threatened the Wolf<br>> River, one of the last wild rivers in the = Midwest.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *21* EDF URGES NORTH CAROLINA TO GET TOUGHER ON HOG = FARMS<br>> <br>> North Carolina's hog farm industry is second only = to Iowa's,<br>> and unlike farms in the Hawkeye State, most North = Carolina<br>> hog farms are concentrated in one area--in a handful = of<br>> counties on the state's coastal plain. The combination = of<br>> high water table, heavy rains, and an abundance of = nutrient-<br>> sensitive wetlands and rivers makes the area = especially<br>> vulnerable to hog farm runoff. (See related story, = page 1.)<br>> In August 1997, at the urging of EDF = and other<br>> environmental groups, North Carolina's General = Assembly<br>> imposed an 18-month moratorium on new hog farms and = ordered<br>> the state Department of Agriculture to draw up a plan = to<br>> phase out the current use of primitive methods of = disposing<br>> of manure in open-air lagoons and sprayfields.<br>> = Unfortunately, the department's proposed plan does = not<br>> address key problems. "The proposal talks about = the<br>> cumbersome permitting process, but fails to address = lagoons<br>> and sprayfields," said North Carolina EDF Director = Jane<br>> Preyer. "The reality is that the moratorium is on the = verge<br>> of being lifted with no meaningful solutions in = place."<br>> EDF is developing its own lagoon = phase-out proposal and is<br>> asking the state to examine = alternative technologies, such as<br>> biogas recovery and aerobic = treatment systems, which show<br>> promise to help control the waste = produced by the state's 10<br>> to 13 million hogs. "No one = specific system solves all the<br>> problems yet," said Preyer, = "but there are some promising<br>> technologies out = there."<br>> EDF is urging the state to extend = its moratorium and to<br>> create an effective phase-out plan to help = existing farms<br>> convert to safer waste disposal techniques before = permitting<br>> future expansion of the industry.<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *22* RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS GET STATEWIDE SAFE HARBOR = IN<br>> SOUTH CAROLINA PROGRAM<br>> <br>> The first state-wide = "safe harbor" habitat protection program<br>> is underway = in South Carolina's longleaf pine woods. More<br>> than seventy = million acres of longleaf pine forest once<br>> covered the = Southeast. Today, following intensive forestry<br>> and development, = only three million acres remain. South<br>> Carolina is home to = 369,000 acres, much of it on private<br>> lands.<br>> = Among the many species dependent upon this habitat is = the<br>> endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, which requires = mature<br>> pine woods occasionally swept by fire that reduces = the<br>> understory. EDF, which developed the safe harbor idea, = worked<br>> closely to launch the new program with the South = Carolina<br>> Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Conservation Coalition; = state<br>> officials; landowners; forest-products company = Westvaco;<br>> forest industry representatives; and the U.S. Fish = and<br>> Wildlife Service. So far, 15 landowners--representing = 84,000<br>> acres and 150 woodpecker colonies--have committed to = sign<br>> onto the agreement. We believe their success will = encourage<br>> other landowners to sign up.<br>> = Safe harbor agreements encourage landowners to = manage<br>> habitats to benefit endangered species while protecting = the<br>> owners from incurring added legal liability for = endangered<br>> species that move onto their land. EDF is monitoring = the<br>> South Carolina agreement and working to secure = financial<br>> incentives to assist landowners with the cost of = protecting<br>> large tracts of mature timber and administering = prescribed<br>> burns.<br>> <br>> [Caption: Red-cockaded = woodpecker on a longleaf pine tree.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *23* CONSERVING ESSENTIAL HABITAT FOR CAROLINA = FISHERIES<br>> <br>> EDF's long effort to shore up fishery = management programs in<br>> the Southeast is paying off. In the 1996 = reauthorization of the<br>> Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and = Management Act,<br>> EDF pushed for and won a provision requiring = regional fishery<br>> management councils to designate = "Essential Fish Habitat"<br>> (EFH), areas that provide = essential habitat for all life stages of<br>> important commercial = fish species, or species complexes of<br>> closely related = fishes.<br>> The councils must designate EFH for = commercial fish<br>> species by October. EDF's North Carolina staff = is urging the<br>> Mid-Atlantic and South-Atlantic councils to extend = EFH<br>> designations beyond the geographic boundaries of = their<br>> jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the EFH provision has come = under<br>> fire from home-builders' associations and other groups = that<br>> want to develop shoreline areas.<br>> = EDF is also urging North Carolina's fisheries, = water<br>> quality, and coastal management divisions to coordinate = their<br>> efforts under the state's year-old Fisheries Reform = Act.<br>> Similar to the Federal fishery management process, this = act<br>> requires the state Division of Marine Fisheries to = develop<br>> Coastal Habitat Protection Plans. These plans will = provide<br>> protection for coastal fish habitat and ensure that the = actions<br>> of the three divisions are consistent with one = another.<br>> <br>> EDF members can support the Magnuson Act's = Essential Fish<br>> Habitat provision in letters to state and = national<br>> legislators and at public hearings and council = meetings. Call<br>> 919-881-2601 for information on dates and = times.<br>> <br>> [Caption: Biologist Doug Rader leads EDF efforts = to protect<br>> Southeastern coastal and ocean areas.]<br>> = <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *24* EDF WORKS WITH CHURCH GROUPS TO PROMOTE GREEN = POWER<br>> <br>> Now that all California residents can choose how = their<br>> electricity is produced, the Episcopal Diocese of<br>> = California's Commission for the Environment hopes to purchase<br>> = its own wind turbine to meet the electricity needs of parish<br>> = facilities, clergy, and parishioners. By reducing demand for<br>> = traditional, environmentally harmful ways of generating<br>> = electricity, such as burning fossil fuels, the Commission<br>> hopes = to set an example of how human needs can be balanced<br>> with those = of nature.<br>> Dubbing their efforts the = "Episcopal Power and Light"<br>> program, advocates such as = San Francisco's Rev. Sally<br>> Bingham, an EDF trustee, are working = with more than 80<br>> parishes to recruit at least 1,000 "green = energy" customers<br>> before October 17, when the Diocese will = vote to endorse the<br>> purchase of a 750-kilowatt windmill. Green = Mountain Energy<br>> Resources, selected by the Diocese Commission, = will absorb<br>> the windmill construction cost if 3,000 green = energy<br>> customers can be recruited within a year.<br>> = "We believe that choosing renewable energy = sources is an<br>> appropriate and moral response to the crisis of = global<br>> warming that now confronts humanity," said Rev. = Bingham, who<br>> also has helped forge the Interfaith Taskforce on = Renewable<br>> Energy, a coalition of Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, = and other<br>> religious groups. "EDF has been vital to our = efforts,<br>> providing technical assistance on global warming, = coal<br>> mining, and the environmental impacts of electricity = use,"<br>> she said.<br>> <br>> EDF members wishing more = information about the Episcopal<br>> Power and Light Program can = contact Rev. Sally Bingham by<br>> e-mail, at <font = color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font color=3D"#000000"><br>> = <br>> [Caption: Wind power emits no pollution and has little = impact<br>> on the land.]<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *25* CRITICS SEEK MAJOR REDESIGN OF BAY-DELTA = RESTORATION<br>> PLAN<br>> <br>> In response to criticism by = EDF and other environmentalists,<br>> CALFED, a state-Federal = partnership, has agreed to redesign<br>> its draft plan for restoring = the San Francisco Bay-Delta<br>> ecosystem and improving water = management. The CALFED proposal<br>> was issued for public review in = March.<br>> EDF comments charge that CALFED's proposals = are too<br>> dependent on building water projects--dams and = canals--that<br>> caused many of the environmental problems. For = example, the<br>> proposal:<br>> *assumes the severely-depleted = Bay-Delta system can supply<br>> "new" water for more = consumption as well as for restoration;<br>> *fails to recognize the = value of price and market incentives<br>> = in efficient water use;<br>> *fails to = clarify who will pay for the new dams and canals;<br>> = fails to emphasize that a restored = ecosystem is critical to<br>> secure = the benefits of better water management; and<br>> *does not ensure = that ecosystem health will be restored and<br>> = sustained over time.<br>> = CALFED has made significant progress in launching = the<br>> ecosystem restoration program required to achieve = long-term<br>> stability for California's water resources. Most = evident are<br>> the more than $150 million in new ecosystem funds = awarded in<br>> the past several years through CALFED's = "Ecosystem<br>> Roundtable" process. EDF staff serve as = appointed members on<br>> the Roundtable's policy and scientific = advisory panels.<br>> EDF welcomed CALFED's = decision to issue a revised draft<br>> for public review late this = year. EDF will work to ensure<br>> that the final plan remedies these = problems.<br>> <br>> = ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> *26* VOLUNTARY TRADING PLAN WILL REDUCE CALIF. FARM = RUNOFF<br>> <br>> With support from the U.S. Environmental = Protection Agency,<br>> California farmers and EDF scientists have = created an<br>> innovative program to reduce polluted agricultural = runoff.<br>> Following the recommendations of EDF's 1994 report, = Plowing<br>> New Ground, an independent regional farm group = is<br>> implementing a new program to reduce polluted runoff = from<br>> farms by 15% through a tradable discharge allocation = program.<br>> It promises to cut pollution from a key source that = existing<br>> regulatory programs have failed to address.<br>> = The California program is the first agricultural = trading<br>> program to require that specific pollution limits be = met. Its<br>> focus is selenium, a toxic element that is leached from = the<br>> soil by irrigation water and discharged into one of<br>> = California's most degraded rivers. Selenium levels exceed<br>> health = standards in the San Joaquin Valley and other<br>> California areas = and have severely damaged fish and wildlife.<br>> = "By focusing on selenium, farmers will also = dramatically<br>> reduce the amounts of other toxins now polluting = the river,"<br>> said Dr. Terry F. Young, EDF scientist and = advisor to the<br>> farm group. "The associated cut in = irrigation will ultimately<br>> improve conditions throughout the = region. These farmers are<br>> proving that economic incentives and = partnership can<br>> successfully go where no regulation has gone = before."<br>> <br>> [Caption: EDF's Terry Young is helping = California farmers use<br>> economic incentives to reduce polluted = runoff.]<br>> <br>> = :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::<br>> = <br>> The EDF LETTER--ELECTRONIC EDITION is an experimental<br>> = version of EDF LETTER whose continuation depends on reader<br>> = support. A subscription to the bimonthly hard-copy EDF<br>> = LETTER (an 8-page newsletter with photographs and postage-<br>> free = Member Response Form) is included with annual<br>> membership. = (Regular membership is $24 per year; student,<br>> senior, and = limited income rate: $10 per year. Outside USA:<br>> $35 per = year. Contact EDF Membership at the address below.)<br>> = <br>> ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND = EDF MEMBERSHIP = LINES--<br>> National Headquarters = &= nbsp; Phone: (202) = 387-3525<br>> 257 Park Avenue South = &= nbsp; Fax: = (202) 234-6049<br>> New York, NY 10010 = &= nbsp; &n= bsp;Internet: <font color=3D"#0000FF"><u>[EMAIL PROTECTED]</u><font = color=3D"#000000"><br>> (212) 505-2100</p> </font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></font></f= ont></font></font></font></font></font></font></body></html> ------=_NextPart_000_01BDD77D.376E47E0--
