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Biodiversity
Humans are dependent upon the products supplied by the diversity
of biological organisms on earth and their associated ecosystems.
If humans neglect to protect biodiversity, we will be faced with
the imminent inability of ecosystems to provide human health benefits,
food, and shelter. Nature seems separate from the daily lives of
a majority of the American population living in urban and suburban
areas. They may only experience wild forests filled with native
birds or rivers abundant with fish a few times a year, but they
would be surprised and unhappy if they no longer had access to wild
and natural places. Instead of protecting biodiversity for future
generations we are destroying wild, open, natural spaces and the
biological resources they support at rates that scientists equate
with a mass extinction. Governments, conservation groups, private
companies, and the public have recognized the need to preserve biodiversity
and have developed a variety of programs and policies at all levels
aimed at halting the loss of biological resources. It is now important
to coordinate existing local, regional, state, private and public
efforts to preserve biodiversity. By allowing different biodiversity
conservation efforts to stand alone, some states are making significant
investments and still failing to preserve biodiversity. For more
information on how your state can protect its biodiversity, visit:
http://www.serconline.org/biodiversity/index.html. |
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Indiana
to Fight Invasive Species (Northwest Indiana Times 8/4)
Indiana has finally started to take action against the 162 non-native
species that have invaded the Great Lakes region. By forming a group
to create an aquatic species nuisance plan, the state has taken
the first step towards securing federal funding for invasive species
control efforts. The state also expects to use $1.1 million from
boat license fees next year. Other Great Lakes states are further
along in the process of fighting invasive species like purple loosestrife,
Asian carp, and zebra mussels. Wisconsin and Minnesota, for example,
spend around $1 million per year to combat invasive species, which
can have a strong negative impact on the economy. For more on how
your state can control invasive species, visit: http://www.serconline.org/invasives/pkg_frameset.html
and http://www.serconline.org/ballast/index.html. |
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States
Tie Their Own Hands with "No More Stringent" Laws
It's not news that the federal government is rolling back environmental
protections laws. The Bush administration has been doing it since
day one -- whether it's drilling for oil and gas on protected lands,
gutting the Clean Air Act, or cutting forests to save them, they've
tried it. They're weakening the laws and rules that protect our
environment left and right. And, across the country, states are
realizing that if they want a healthy environment, they're going
to have to protect it themselves. But some states can't do that.
About one-third of the states have statutory provisions that limit
the ability of their regulatory agencies to adopt environmental
regulations that are more stringent than federal ones. These provisions,
known as "no more stringent" laws, vary in what they cover.
In some states (MS, KY, NC, IA and OR) the provision is limited
to certain aspects of the Clean Water Act. In others, (ME, FL, PA,
WI, UT, IN and OH) it requires a more extensive review for proposed
state regulations that go beyond federal ones. Montana requires
a public hearing and detailed study before rules "more stringent
than the comparable federal regulations or guidelines" can
be put in place. Other states (e.g., SD and ID) outright prohibit
any rules that go beyond federal regulations that cover "an
essentially similar subject or issue," even if the federal
program is voluntary, or only covers a certain geographic area.
Missouri recently tried to pass an even more egregious provision,
HB215, which would have prohibited agencies from regulating anything
the federal government doesn't. These provisions endanger the health
of both citizens and the environment. In a time when federal environmental
protections are disappearing, states should be free to do what's
right, not hindered by a "no more stringent" law. |
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State
Parks Suffering from Budget Woes
(Stateline.org 8/6)
Budget crises around the country have hit the nation's state
parks where it hurts. Increases in fees, reductions in staff,
and corporate deals all have changed the look and feel of
state parks. Campgrounds are open for shorter periods, beaches
are increasingly "swim at your own risk," and a
dozen or so states have negotiated exclusive soft drink deals
with Pepsi or Coca-Cola. Some states, Indiana among them,
are even exploring the possibility of corporate sponsors for
such things as park shelters and conference centers. Such
sponsors would be recognized with a plaque or sign. Especially
concerning is the fact that many state parks have closed for
extended periods or entire seasons. Many state park directors
believe that they can stand maybe one or two more years of
severe budget constraints, but that's it. |
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Michigan
County May Use State Bottle Law to Limit Trash Imports from
Toronto (The Detroit
News 8/8)
Wayne County, Michigan, is getting crafty, attempting to use
the state's bottle law to keep Toronto's trash out of the
county's landfills. Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano expects
to sign an ordinance within the next week that would ensure
trash imported to Michigan does not contain items such as
refillable glass bottles that must be separated and recycled
under Michigan law. Wayne County officials would inspect Toronto
garbage. If they find items that would be recycled in Michigan,
the landfill owners will face substantial fines. Because Ontario
doesn't have a recycling law like the one to be applied, requiring
the separation of such items as bottles could make it too
expensive for Toronto to send its waste to Michigan. An attorney
for a waste disposal company expects the proposed county ordinance
would be successfully challenged in court, claiming that the
ordinance would violate the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution
as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement. For more
information on bottle bills, visit: http://www.serconline.org/bottlebill/index.html. |
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NY,
NJ, and CT Win Verdict Against Ohio Power Utility
(NY Times 8/7)
In what has been hailed as a precedent-setter by Northeastern
states and regarded as an isolated, inconsequential decision
by power companies, a federal district court judge ruled that
Ohio utility company, Ohio Edison, violated the Clean Air
Act when it failed to install better pollution controls at
one of its coal-burning power plants. The chemicals produced
by such plants, especially nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides,
are a major contributor to air pollution in the northeast
United States. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of acid rain deposition
in the Adirondacks results from about 70 coal-burning power
plants located in the Ohio Valley. Of the four dozen or more
lawsuits brought during the Clinton administration, this was
the first to be decided in a courtroom. The judge sided with
the Northeastern states and their belief that the Clean Air
Act was clearly written and only needed to be enforced. "[The]
EPA's failures in enforcement do not absolve [the utility]
from liability under a law that has always been clear,"
Judge Sargus said. Power companies believe the decision will
have little impact on how things are done, claiming that "it's
just a district court in Ohio." New York State Attorney
General Eliot Spizer, however, believes "the impact goes
far beyond Ohio Edison, because other utilities that have
raised the same legal objections will realize their legal
arguments will not prevail." For more on how your state
can clean up its power act, visit: http://www.serconline.org/clean/index.html. |
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New
Jersey's Top Environmental Threat is Land Use Change
(ENS 8/6)
According to a report released by the New Jersey Comparative
Risk Project, the conversion of undeveloped land is the top
risk for New Jersey's environment and population. Other threats
include invasive species, and indoor and outdoor pollution.
The analysis, done by the steering committee made up of various
members of the business, government, and environmental communities,
found that the physical alteration of habitats lead to another
set of problems including the loss of species and permanent
ecological damage. The steering committee handed down 19 recommendations,
including collaboration between the Department of Environmental
Protection and state and local officials, to implement stronger
initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of land use
change. Curbing sprawl is one of Gov. McGreevey's top policy
items for the year. For more information on how your state
can minimize damage from land use change, visit: http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
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California
Moves to Further Protect Its Coastal Areas
(NRDC Action Alert 8/4)
A bill seeking to expand the Coastal Act protections that
currently safeguard wetlands, sensitive habitat, and public
access to include cultural resources and sacred sites has
been making its way through the Assembly and is set to be
heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee next month. AB974
would allow Native Americans to provide input to the permit
process when proposed development would displace or destroy
land that has cultural, archaeological, or religious significance.
Existing California law does not prevent development of Native
American cultural and religious sites, but requires consideration
of impacts to sites that may contain artifacts or fossils.
Allowing Native Americans' input earlier in the process would
minimize delays such as those seen with a development on Seal
Beach in Orange County that was delayed for more than a year
after Native American artifacts were discovered. |
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Pennsylvania
Bill to Protect Preservation Fund
(PennEnvironment Alert 8/6)
In an effort to protect the future raiding of the funding
for the Growing Greener program, Rep. O'Neill introduced HB501.
The bill would eliminate a loophole that leaves the program
vulnerable during a fiscal crisis. The Growing Greener program
is one of two programs in Pennsylvania aimed at reducing critical
habitat loss and preserving open space. Last year, then Gov.
Schweiker, proposed a large cut to the program, but its funding
was restored although it was left vulnerable in future budgets.
HB501 would remove the power of the legislature and the Governor
to raid the Growing Greener program fund. For more information
on how your state can protect its environmental funds while
balancing its budget, visit: http://www.serconline.org/greenscissors.html. |
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West
Virginia Panel Hears Water Options
(The Charleston Gazette 8/5)
West Virginia Sen. John Unger, who is also co-chairman of
a joint interim select committee, invited Larry Morandi, an
official from the National Conference of State Legislatures,
to explain to the committee what other states do to manage
their water. "We want to try to protect the quantity
of water for our stakeholders in the state," said Unger.
West Virginia lawmakers learned that failure to regulate its
use may leave the state high and dry as the Supreme Court
held that a state can't stop an out-of-state company from
diverting its water if that state fails to manage water use
among its own residents. Like other states in the humid East,
West Virginia hasn't regulated water use because of its steady
supply. Neighbors to a waterway generally get to draw from
it as long as their use is deemed reasonable. Morandi said
the rigid controls and drawn-out court battles now common
in Western states may not work for West Virginia. Mississippi
tried to apply that method in the 1950s but abandoned it after
30 years. Several surrounding states have enacted laws to
manage their water. Virginia created a permitting process
for major water users in the late 1980s. Pennsylvania recently
chose to require those who consume 300,000 or more gallons
a month to register with the state. For more information on
how your state can promote water conservation, visit: http://www.serconline.org/waterconservation/pkg_frameset.html. |
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New
Mexico Forest Service Considers ATV Restrictions
(The Santa Fe New Mexican 8/5)
The five national forest supervisors of New Mexico are having
qualms about a policy that allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
nearly limitless access that results in erosion. The forests
are crisscrossed with ruts left by three- and four-wheel dune-buggy-like
ATVs, even where the Forest Service or local police try to
block access to protect eroded areas. "When an off-highway
vehicle (OHV) user drives across the country, it leaves a
mark on the land that other people see. After four or five
passes, the land starts to really show the use," said
Marcia Andre, forest supervisor of the Gila. "We get
unplanned roads created each year from OHV users going cross-country.
We find it's growing exponentially from this OHV use."
Five national forest supervisors in Arizona expect to sign
a uniform ban on backcountry ATV travel by Sept. 30. Andre
said New Mexico forest supervisors are working on an off-road
strategy, also expected to be completed in September. The
first step will likely be an inventory of current roads and
trails and input from the public, Andre said. By 2005, she
said, forests could specify limits on ATV use. For more on
how your state can promote responsible ATV use, visit: http://www.serconline.org/orv/pkg_frameset.html. |
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San
Francisco Adopts the Precautionary Principle
(San Francisco Chronicle 8/4)
San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown signed into law a landmark
municipal Environment Code and Precautionary Principle last
week. The Code will improve the city's environmental decision
making process. Decisions will be based on the best available
science, but lack of proof of harm will not be treated as
proof of safety. Rather, the city will analyze alternatives
and choose those least likely to cause harm. SF Environment
Director Jared Blumenfeld said "San Francisco's Precautionary
Principle outlines a commonsense approach to reduce the risk
of environmentally destructive practices. It acknowledges
that our world will never be entirely risk-free -- but a risk
that is unnecessary, and not freely chosen, is never acceptable."
For more on how your state can adopt the precautionary principle,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/childrensHealth/index.html. |
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Maryland
Nutrient Runoff to be Focus of Summit
(Sunspot.net 8/4)
The struggle over reducing nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake
Bay will take center stage this week when Gov. Robert Ehrlich
delivers on his campaign promise to "listen to farmers"
and tackle their concerns about over-regulation by the state.
In an all-day nutrient management summit planned for Aug.
5, more than 300 farmers, poultry processors, agricultural
consultants, environmental activists and state officials will
discuss Maryland's rules and whether they ought to be changed.
Nutrient runoff was blamed for a 1997 outbreak of the fish-killing
Pfiesteria piscicida bacteria, which led to 1998 legislation
requiring stringent management plans for agricultural fields.
Maryland and other states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
have agreed to cut nutrient runoff in half by 2010, not just
through agriculture, but also by upgrading waste-water treatment
plants. Ehrlich has said funding for improvements to the plants
is one of his top environmental priorities. For the agricultural
community, the summit offers a chance to make a case for simplified
paperwork and a relaxation of some regulations. But environmentalists
say that if Maryland is to fulfill its pledge to significantly
cut nutrient runoff by the end of this decade, the state can't
afford to roll back regulations or avoid potentially expensive
solutions for the safe handling of hundreds of millions of
pounds of poultry manure. |
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