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Aquatic
Invasive Species
Invasive species are non-native species that wreak environmental
and economic havoc in an ecosystem beyond their native range. Experts
estimate that invasive species cost the United States more than
$135 billion annually. Aquatic invasive species, such as the zebra
mussel, sea lamprey, Eurasian water milfoil and round goby, have
reduced game fish populations, destroyed boat engines, blocked industrial
water intake systems, reduced property values, made swimming areas
unusable, and severely altered natural ecosystems. Invasive species
are difficult and expensive to control because they reproduce and
spread quickly. Control programs use a variety of methods, but prevention
is the most cost-effective and beneficial approach. States are taking
steps to control the spread of exotic species within their borders
and to prevent the introduction of new invaders from other states.
As they move between bodies of water, boaters sometimes inadvertently
spread invasive species. Education and inspection efforts can limit
this activity. For more information on how your state can curtail
the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit: http://www.serconline.org/aquaticInvasives.html.
For related information on this topic, visit: http://www.serconline.org/ballast/index.html
and http://www.serconline.org/invasives/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Illinois
Bill Would Require Residents Be Notified of Pollutants (Daily
Herald 2/23)
http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intID=380402
Illinois lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require the
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to warn local residents
of pollution hazards in their area. The introduction of the Toxic
Chemical Disclosure Act comes after Lisle, Illinois, residents discovered
that the state knew their water was polluted with trichloroethylene
and failed to warn them of the danger. Shawn Collins, an attorney
representing Lisle families affected by the incident said, "The
awful truth in Illinois is that there's a conspiracy of silence
between polluters and some in government to keep secret serious
environmental problems." In another case, residents in Downers
Grove were not notified that toxic chemicals had seeped into an
aquifer that supplies their water. Downers Grove residents have
complained of adverse health effects and decreased property values.
The new bill, backed by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, would require the IEPA
to notify residents of environmental cleanups or investigations
near their homes via mail notices and postings in newspapers and
online. |
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ALEC's
Pesticide Preemption Act
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate-controlled
advocacy group, is circulating legislation throughout the country
that would eliminate a local government's ability to control pesticide
"registration, notification of use, advertising and marketing,
distribution, applicator training and certification, storage, transportation,
disposal, disclosure of confidential information, or product composition."
This legislation leaves communities defenseless against the risks
of toxic pesticide exposure from unsafe application methods, poisonous
ingredients, and genetic crop modifications. Most alarmingly, the
bill would even limit a community's right to know about such risks.
Keeping communities in the dark is part of a system of pesticide
regulation that ALEC calls "safe, effective, and scientifically
sound." We know better. For more information on this issue,
visit: http://pesticide.net/insider/insider.aspx.
For more information about ALEC's model bills, see: http://www.serconline.org/alecIndex.html. |
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New
Jersey: Luxury Homebuyers May Pay New Tax (Bergen
Record 2/26)
http://sierraactivist.org/article.php?sid=41537
New Jersey Gov. McGreevey's new budget includes a 1 percent
real estate transfer tax on homes worth $1 million or more
and would raise $24 million for the state over the next fiscal
year. Luxury home builders say it imposes another closing
fee on homebuyers. Proponents say homebuyers could get around
the tax by structuring their purchase in stages, but that
it's a step in the right direction for property tax fairness
in the state. The money raised will go to the state treasury,
not to a dedicated source, but will help fund property tax
relief measures. The governor has been a vocal opponent of
sprawl throughout his tenure, but made no reference to land
use in regards to the proposed real estate tax. |
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Colorado
Preparing to Study Wolf Management (San Francisco
Chronicle 2/23)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/02/23/state2106EST7880.DTL
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is considering its options
for wolf management as the state faces inevitable wolf migration
from other states. Wolves have been sighted just north of
the Colorado-Wyoming border. Colorado's native wolves were
found in every county in Colorado until a bounty program in
the 1930s virtually wiped them out. The division thinks they
need to coordinate with federal officials and develop a plan
before people take wolf management into their own hands. One
wolf advocacy group thinks that fully reintroducing the controversial
carnivores might be the best way to ensure their success in
the state. Over the past decade, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service reintroduced gray wolves in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana,
New Mexico, and Arizona. Polls show strong support for wolf
reintroduction in Colorado. By the current timeline, a management
plan will be in place by the end of this year. For more information
on wolf preservation, visit: http://www.serconline.org/wolfpreservation/index.html. |
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Virginia:
Dam Removal Aids Wildlife Migration (LA Times 2/24)
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-dam24feb24,1,3181666.story?coll=la-news-environment
Army explosive experts blasted open a 130-foot section of
the Embrey Dam on the Rappahannock River in Virginia this
week. The demolition is symbolic of a growing trend of communities
rallying around efforts to get rid of dams, many of which
are no longer needed for power, drinking water, or flood control.
The Embrey was the largest of at least 137 dams that have
been removed since 1999, according to American Rivers, an
environmental group that tracks restoration projects. Its
destruction was significant because it reestablished the longest
free-flowing river -- 184 miles -- into the Chesapeake Bay,
reopening traditional migrations of American shad, blueback
herring, alewife, and other fish that live in the bay and
the Atlantic Ocean but return to freshwater to spawn. The
restoration project follows the pattern of many other rivers,
from California to Maine, over recent years. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, which primarily is known for construction
projects that manage rivers, has found a new role in helping
bring rivers back to their natural states. U.S. Senator John
Warren, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was
able to secure from Congress the $10 million need for the
project. The Corps will destroy the rest of the dam within
the next few years and rebuild the banks of the river. |
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Arizona
and Maine Losing Rural Land (Arizona Republic 2/27;
Kennebec Journal 2/27)
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0227lostfarms27.html
http://www.centralmaine.com/news/local/447555.shtml
Recently conducted studies and surveys show declining amounts
of rural land in Arizona and Maine. Arizona lost almost a
third of its farm and ranch land over the past quarter-century,
12 million acres in all, or nearly 55 acres every hour, according
to a U.S. Department of Agriculture census. Much of the land
was converted to build homes and businesses in urbanizing
areas around Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal County. Some was converted
to low-density ranchette-style subdivisions in rural areas.
As the land was disappearing, the number of farms actually
increased during the 1978-2002 census period. The number of
small farms more than doubled, while the number of large farms,
decreased by half. Farms owned by families or individuals
grew, offsetting a decline in the number of corporate farms.
In Maine, a study revealed the state needs more money for
its Land for Maine's Future Program to keep the state's shoreline
and farm fields from being purchased by private landowners.
A study released last week shows that rural land in Maine
is being converted to other uses faster than in other states.
According to the report, authored by researchers at the University
of Southern Maine and the University of Maine, in the last
20 years, Maine has lost more than 70,000 acres of land that
had been used to produce feed for livestock. For more information
on how your state can conserve valuable rural areas, visit:
http://www.serconline.org/conservationfunding/index.html. |
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Utah
Bill to Encourage Water Conservation (Salt Lake Tribune
2/27)
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Feb/02272004/utah/142999.asp
HB 71, a Utah bill to encourage water agencies to develop
sound water conservation policies, was unanimously approved
by the state Senate on February 26th. The bill is now waiting
for the governor's signature. Utah has required water suppliers
to submit conservation plans to the state's Division of Water
Resources since 1998, but that law has been ignored by many
large suppliers because it fails to provide penalties. HB
71 would not allow any loans or grants to be dispersed to
water suppliers who fail to submit a conservation plan. "We
now we have a substantive law that will save water,"
said Erica Thoen, of the Utah Rivers Council. "But this
is just the beginning of a long road for Utah. Long-term conservation
planning is essential to long-term water savings and taxpayer
dollar savings." For more information on water conservation
issues, visit: http://www.serconline.org/waterconservation/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Washington:
Plan Would Create Eco-Terror Registry (Seattle Post-Intelligencer
2/26)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/162152_ecoterror26.html
A Senate budget proposal includes a $50,000 request to create
a database of people and organizations allegedly involved
in eco-terrorist activities. Specifically, "the Senate
budget would provide $50,000 to the Washington Association
of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to do 'an assessment of environmentally
or politically motivated crimes against animal or natural
resources facilities,' and to create a database with 'a list
of persons and organizations involved in eco-terrorism activities.'"
A similar proposal was contained in SB 6114, a bill introduced
earlier this year, that failed to move forward due to the
increased expense of enacting the stiffer penalties required
by the legislation. The bill was modeled after the American
Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) model bill entitled,
"Animal and Ecological Terrorist Act." Critics of
this request contend that state law does not define ecoterrorism
and anyone could appear in the database. Supporters of the
measure feel it is another tool for law enforcement to use.
For more information on ALEC's Animal and Ecological Terrorist
Act, visit: http://www.serconline.org/alec/alec21.html. |
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California
Wetlands at Risk (San Francisco Chronicle 2/25)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/25/EDG3B56O7I1.DTL
The Bush administration has quietly redefined federal rules
on wetlands and water-quality protection. The administration's
action has removed from federal protection seasonal wetlands
-- those that are non-navigable or dry for part of year. This
equals 20 percent of the nation's -- and more than half of
California's -- wetlands. Because California receives most
of its rain and snow during the winter, many of its streams
and lakes are dry for much of the year, while others are not
navigable. It is these waters that are no longer provided
the basic protections of the Clean Water Act. Wetlands play
an important role in ensuring the public's health by acting
as natural filters, which help remove contaminants and purify
the water. With more than 20 million Californians depending
on these seasonal or non-navigable waters for sources of potable
water, the destruction of wetland areas will have grave consequences
for the state. Given the serious threat to human health and
the environment that the federal "guidance" creates,
several states, including New York and Wisconsin, have introduced
or passed legislation to require their state governments to
provide the water protections formerly provided by the federal
government. SB 1477, a bill expected to be introduced by Sen.
Byron Sher, would fill in the loophole and help protect California's
economy, public health, and its environment. For more information
on how your state can protect wetlands, visit: http://www.serconline.org/wetlands/pkg_frameset.html. |
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States
Consider Appliance Efficiency Standards (CONNPIRG
and MASSPIRG updates 2/25)
Bills requiring that nine types of residential and commercial
appliances meet higher energy efficiency standards have been
introduced in nine states this year. The states include IL,
PA, CT, NJ, RI, NC, MA, HI, and VT. In Connecticut, SB 145
sets efficiency standards that are achievable today. By 2010,
the standards will reduce summertime peak energy demand by
65.5 megawatts. By 2020, the reduction will be 126 megawatts.
The cost savings from this reduced energy usage amounts to
$39.5 million by 2010 and $384.2 million by 2020. This reduced
energy demand would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power
generation by 145,724 pounds per year by 2020. Standards and
testing procedures for the efficiency standards already exist,
meaning the state would not need to spend a lot of money creating
new regulations to enforce the standards. In fact, estimates
are that just one of the eight standards in the bill -- for
transformers -- would save state government $450,000 per year
in reduced energy costs. In Massachusetts, HB 4363 would require
that all such products sold in the state after January 1,
2005, meet minimum energy efficiency standards. The bill would
only set standards at levels that are already being met by
appliances and equipment in the marketplace, and the appliances
would pay back the efficiency investment in less than two
years -- often in less than one. The bill also authorizes
the adoption of efficiency standards for other appliances
as a tool for the future. The bill has the potential to save
Massachusetts consumers and businesses $1.5 billion over the
next 20 years. For more information on energy efficiency standards,
visit: http://www.serconline.org/efficiencystandards/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Midwest
Coalition of Fishing Groups Backs Mercury Reduction (Post-Crescent
2/25)
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_14883553.shtml
A coalition of fishing groups from six Midwestern states heavily
affected by high mercury levels in fish has united to demand
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take steps
to ensure reduced mercury contamination. A letter to the EPA,
co-signed by representatives from the fishing groups, was
introduced as testimony at a national public hearing in Chicago
to address proposed federal rules aimed at mercury emission
reductions. According to EPA estimates, coal-burning power
plants account for the vast majority of U.S. mercury emissions,
emitting about 50 tons annually. In lakes and rivers, mercury
reacts with bacteria to form methyl mercury, a neurotoxin
that accumulates in the bodies of humans and wildlife and
interferes in nervous system development. The federal Clean
Air Act requires that mercury pollution controls be established
by 2008, but the Bush administration's proposed plan would
replace that requirement with regulations to reduce emissions
from coal-fired power plants by 30 percent by 2010 and 70
percent by 2018. Representatives from Midwest states, which
contain a large percent of the nation's coal-burning power
plants, say the Bush plan doesn't go far enough. "A good
plan, if implemented, would reduce mercury emissions by 90
percent by 2008," said Sam Washington, executive director
of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. For more information
on reducing mercury contamination in your state, visit: http://www.serconline.org/mercury/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Washington
Bill on Cruise Ship Wastewater Dies (Seattle Post
Intelligencer 2/26)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/162146_cruise26.html
A measure to more tightly regulate pollution from cruise ships
in Puget Sound has died in the legislative committee where
it was introduced, but its chief sponsor vowed to try again.
The measure would have imposed $25,000-a-day penalties against
cruise ships that discharge a variety of wastes into state
waters, including untreated sewage, sludge from ship toilets
and sinks, and oily liquid from bilges. It would have allowed
state inspectors onto ships. Opponents were concerned that
the bill would conflict with federal law, which limits state
regulation of waste discharges, and that it might prompt the
cruise industry to stop calling in Seattle and go to Vancouver,
B.C., instead, costing the Puget Sound area jobs. A memorandum
of understanding between the state and the industry over waste
discharges is also being negotiated. Environmentalists have
opposed the memorandum, saying it doesn't have enough teeth
in it. An agreement is supported by the industry, which opposed
the bill and promised that, even without the legislation,
it would reduce or avoid discharges to a greater extent here
than elsewhere in the country. Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson said
she'll try again to get a similar measure passed. "If
the cruise industry follows the pattern in other states, they
will end up breaking their memorandum of agreement, and I'll
have all the ammunition I'll need to pass this bill,"
she said. |
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Washington
Senate Panel Considers Bill on Electronic Waste (Seattle
Post-Intelligencer 2/26) http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/162116_recycling26.html
Washington state lawmakers and environmentalists hope to start
a recycling program for worn-out electronics. "If we
don't do something, we'll have piles of computers just like
we have piles of tires," said Rep. Mike Cooper, D-Edmonds,
prime sponsor of a House measure to study electronics recycling.
When initially proposed, the measure would have demanded that
manufacturers develop and finance an electronics recycling
program by 2006, but the proposal morphed into a bill requiring
the Department of Ecology to research electronics recycling
and report findings to the Legislature. Last year, Seattle
residents were storing about 223,000 televisions, computers,
and monitors, according to Chris Luboff, solid waste planning
supervisor for Seattle Public Utilities. According to a King
County survey last year, 25 percent of the county's residents,
not including Seattle residents, have a computer they aren't
using, and another 16 percent have a TV they aren't using.
For more information on how your state can deal with electronic
waste, see http://www.serconline.org/ewaste/pkg_frameset.html. |
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