>GREENLines, Wednesday, March 17, 1999 from GREEN, the GrassRoots >Environmental Effectiveness Network, A project of Defenders of Wildlife >(c) GREEN/Defenders of Wildlife 1999 > >SCIENTISTS EMPHASIZE FOREST HEALTH: The Salt Lake Tribune 3/16 >reported a scientific panel reviewing forest management policies >released their findings to the public. The report was applauded by >environmental groups, because it suggested the US Forest Service should >focus on forest health above logging. The report also suggested making >forest plans more flexible, ensuring species are protected, and >considering regional factors when developing forest management plans. >Mary Munson of Defenders of Wildlife said, "The biggest questions now >are to what extent the [agency] will actually heed the scientists' >recommendations...." The Forest Service will issue draft rules based >on the panel's findings later this year. > >PELICAN BUTTE PLAN UNDER INVESTIGATION: The 3/11 Eugene Register-Guard >reported US Forest Service has begun an internal investigation into >whether Winema National Forest officials violated federal conflict of >interest laws while approving the Pelican Butte ski area in Oregon. >Forest Ranger Rob Shull played a "key role" in the agency's development >of the ski area's environmental impact statement, but also served as >president of the Klamath Falls Chamber of Commerce. Another official >who wrote the EIS reportedly worked out of the offices of the >corporation seeking approval for the ski resort. Andy Stahl of Forest >Service Employees for Environmental Ethics said Shull, "impeached the >pubic trust in the Forest Service." > >PLOVERS NONE TOO FOND OF BEACH DRIVING: The US Fish and Wildlife >Service is recommending increased restrictions on beach driving on >beaches north of Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge according to the >3/9 Philadelphia Inquirer. The agency seeks to protect threatened >piping plovers, whose populations decreased 18% between 1997 and 1998. >Local off-road groups are opposed to the closure, which would apply >only from April 1 to August 15. > >RARE TROUT SURFACES IN SOUTHERN CA: The 3/10 San Diego Union-Tribune >reported a local fisherman unexpectedly caught a rare southern >steelhead trout in San Diego County. The National Marine Fisheries >Service concluded in 1997 that steelhead populations south of Los >Angeles were extinct, and delineated federal endangered species >protections for populations to the north. If genetic tests confirm the >find, environmentalists will urge extending ESA protections to >southern California. > >APOPKA DEATHS INCREASE: The Orlando Sentinel 3/10 reported the St. >John's Water District is moving forward with plans to restore Lake >Apopka despite concerns over pesticide-contaminated lands and the >suspected poisoning of nearly 800 birds. Said Gian Basili of the >Florida Audubon Society, "We're going to have a lot more birds dying. >We're not done with this yet." > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
