Air and water are fundamentally different from soil, it seems to me, in that
our use of the former causes pollution that can, in theory at least, be
mitigated. Soil, on the other hand, is transformed, not "polluted." If we
build on it, we compact it and destroy its structure. If we pave it over, we
destroy aerobic life forms and terminate biogeochemical processes. If we farm
it, we drastically transform its properties.
My point is, the policy response is different, at least. What form could a
Clean Soil Act take? We need a different model all together, I think. We CAN
mitigate our impacts on the soil, but how do we specify a policy structure that
does not have to proceed on a case by case basis? The Endangered Species Act
is so imperfect that it is not much help either, as I have argued elsewhere.
What we need, I would argue, is an Endangered Ecosystems Act. Or better yet,
an Ecosystem Management Act. That gets us closest to where we want to go,
ecologically speaking. If the Ecological Society of America is willing to take
this on, I'd love to participate.
Cheers,
-
Ashwani
Vasishth [EMAIL PROTECTED] (818) 677-6137
http://www.csun.edu/~vasishth/
>This is an important policy step. Of course ecologists,soil
>scientists, and geologists (as well as farmers!) have long recognized
>that soil is a natural resource.
>
>We currently have a Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and many others.
>But what of a Clean Soil Act?? Wouldn't this be appropriate.
>Consider how much is dumped on soil without consideration. Generally,
>if compounds are bound in the soil we consider them sequestered from
>harming water resources such as ground water. Maybe I am forgetting
>legislation of this kind, but I believe most environmental legislation
>does not do for soil what the clean water act does for water. There
>is an incredible ecosystem in the soil, and you can argue it is a
>primary driver of the planet's biosphere. So, why not a clean soil
>act???? Its no just dirt!
>
>Malcolm McCallum
>
>On Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 4:25 AM, Ashwani Vasishth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Senate_Resolution_Shines_Spotlight_On_The_Importance_Of_Soils_999.html
>>
>> Senate Resolution Shines Spotlight On The Importance Of Soils
>> The Resolution acknowledges the work of soil scientists and soil
>> professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all Americans by improving
>> stewardship of the soil, combating soil degradation, and ensuring the future
>> protection and sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.
>>
>> by Staff Writers
>> Washington DC (SPX) Jul 09, 2008
>>
>> The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) applauds the visionary action
>> taken by Senator Sherrod Brown and his colleagues in the Senate who helped
>> usher in legislation to recognize soils as an "essential" natural resource,
>> placing soil on par with water and air.
>>
>> On June 23, Senator Brown was joined by co-sponsoring Senators Kent Conrad
>> (D-ND), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Harkin (D-IA),
>> Ken Salazar (D-CO) and George Voinovich (R-OH) to successfully pass Senate
>> Resolution 440, which also highlights the "critical role" soils
>> professionals play in managing our nation's soil resources.
>>
>> "This resolution comes at a time when soil is widely undervalued," says
>> Rattan Lal, Ohio State University, SSSA Past President. "Soil, and
>> specifically sound soil management, is essential in our continued quest to
>> increase the production of food, feed, fiber, and fuel while maintaining and
>> improving the environment, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
>>
>> Being the essence of all terrestrial life and ecosystem services, we cannot
>> take the soils for granted. Soil is the basis of survival for present and
>> future generations."
>>
>> The Senate resolution passed six months after the European Union's Soil
> > Protection Framework was tabled due to irreconcilable differences among
>> Parliament membership.
>>
>> "My years growing up working on our family farm taught me the value of hard
>> work and the importance of soil," says Senator Brown. "Often overlooked,
>> healthy soil is vital to maintaining our natural resources and feeding our
>> nation. This resolution is an important first step in cultivating awareness
>> of our nation's soil policies."
>>
>> The Resolution acknowledges the work of soil scientists and soil
>> professionals to continue to enrich the lives of all Americans by improving
>> stewardship of the soil, combating soil degradation, and ensuring the future
>> protection and sustainable use of our air, soil, and water resources.
>>
>> The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive, international
>> scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to
>> sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the
>> professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of
>> soil science.
>>
>> It provides information about soils in relation to crop production,
>> environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste
>> management, recycling, and wise land
>>
>> *** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
>> is distributed, without profit, for research and educational purposes only.
>> ***
>>
>> __._,_.___
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>
>--
>Malcolm L. McCallum
>Assistant Professor of Biology
>Texas A&M University-Texarkana
>Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology
>http://www.herpconbio.org
>
>Spring Teaching Schedule & Office Hours:
>Genetics: W 6:00 to 9:40pm
>Herpetology: TR 10:00-11:40am
>Histology: MW 1:00-2:40pm
>Seminar: T 2:30-3:30pm
>Office Hours:
>M: 3:30-5:00pm
>T: 11:40-1:00pm; 3:30-5:00pm
>W: 4:00-6:00pm
>
>"We live in a time when lemonade is made with artificial flavoring,
>and furnisher polish is made with fresh lemons."
>-Alfred E. Neuman
