Dear colleagues: The following is an important update based upon information that I have just received from the Union of Concerned Scientists' UCS Scientific Integrity Program at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>.
"Update on EPA Response; Calls Still Needed A few of hours ago, we told you that the Environmental Protection Agency has begun closing its scientific libraries. Several libraries have already been dismantled, with their contents either destroyed or shipped to repositories where they are uncatalogued and inaccessible. Calls are already flooding in and we're having an effect. Thank you for calling in support of preserving the EPA libraries. Unfortunately, we're receiving reports that the EPA is claiming that the Union of Concerned Scientists has false information and that none of the libraries have been closed. Significant evidence proves otherwise. The Evidence On the EPA's own library website, the five libraries that have been closed to date have been removed from the list and had their websites partially or completely shut down: the Headquarters Library, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7, and the Office of Prevention, Pollution, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS). The EPA libraries website links to a plan of action for closing many libraries and dispersing or disposing of materials. We also have first-hand accounts from EPA employees that the libraries have been closed. The four EPA employees unions have sent a letter asking Congress to stop the destruction of the library network. A letter from Representatives Henry Waxman (D-CA), Bart Gordon (D-TN) and John Dingell (D-MI) has prompted an investigation of the library system by the General Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. And members of both the House and Senate have called upon Administrator Johnson to cease and desist with the closures until the investigation is complete and Congress has authorized action; the House letter calls for a response from the administrator by Monday, December 4, 2006. Also, several newspapers have reported or editorialized about the library closures, including the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor, and Cox Newspapers. Additional information is provided by the American Library Association and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility. These are large agencies; it is not uncommon for an agency to go into complete denial when confronted with questions such as the ones we are asking. However, this only underscores the importance of putting the administrator office on notice that we are watching and will hold them accountable." Best regards, Val Smith University of Kansas [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------- Check out the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.
