Current Wildlines

America is in the midst of the most severe drought in recent memory. Soils are parched, wells are dry, and reservoirs are depleted. Rural farmers, small towns, and cities now face water shortages across the country. While there is little states can do to make it rain (some are talking about cloud

seeding), legislators can help to make the available water go further with proper planning practices. Many states and communities have adopted policies to encourage more efficient use of water because the resulting economic and environmental benefits will continue to pay dividends long after a drought has passed. Some states are legislating particular conservation measures statewide, while others are making state financial assistance or permit approval contingent upon local implementation of "best management practices" to improve water use efficiency. Since urban water use inevitably leads to demands on wastewater treatment systems, water conservation is now seen as an important tool for achieving water quality objectives, even in regions where water supplies are not scarce. For more on how your state can improve water efficiency, visit http://www.serconline.org/waterconservation/.

Headliner: New risk group for mercury poisoning (San Francisco Chronicle, 11/5)

A new study shows that affluent, health conscious people may have high levels of toxic mercury in their bodies. Anyone who eats a lot of fish, whether by choice or necessity, is at risk for mercury poisoning. Mercury from airborne pollution precipitates into bodies of water, where it is absorbed by microorganisms and passed up the food chain. Popular fish like tuna and swordfish are high on the food chain, and thus have high amounts of mercury in their tissues. Many health conscious people have increased the amount of fish in their diet in an effort to reduce their fat intake, not realizing that they’re increasing their mercury intake at the same time. The study highlights the need to increase public awareness about mercury and to reduce mercury pollution. For more information about how your state can reduce mercury poisoning, see http://www.serconline.org/mercury/.

North Carolina’s Pesticide Board is considering revising its regulations on aerial spraying to remove buffer strips around homes, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, churches and public roads. The proposed regulations would allow pesticide residues up to 6 ppm in former ‘no spray’ zones and would rely on victim reporting – that is, companies violating the rules would only be fined if someone complains. Even then, the maximum fine is only $2000. North Carolina’s organic farmers are opposed to the proposed changes because even trace amounts of pesticides on their crops could cost them their organic certification and thus their livelihood. Activists are concerned that health problems linked to pesticides will increase if the proposed changes are adopted. They argue that the current regulations are already too lenient.

Seattle sawmill discovers the urban forest (Seattle Post- Intelligencer, 11/4)

A partnership between a small sawmill and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNR&P) is keeping urban wood out of landfills. Urban wood, including pallets, construction debris, and the leftovers from tree trimming, is usually discarded, used as boiler fuel or turned into mulch. The DNR&P program, LinkUp, looks for high value ways to market urban wood. This partnership is one such market – the sawmill takes trees cut down by utility crews, mills them, and produces cabinetry and furniture. Plans are in the works to supply urban wood to other similar businesses as well. The program is an excellent example of diverting materials from landfills and finding creative profitable uses for them.

Research campus in NC a model of green building techniques (Raleigh News & Observer, 11/8)

The U.S. EPA’s new campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, has become a popular destination for those interested in learning about green building. The campus opened in mid 2000, and its 1.2 million square feet of office and lab space make it the largest complex the agency has ever built. Some of the many environmentally friendly innovations include recycled cement blocks for building shells, walls reinforced with recycled steel, dimmers and motion detectors that turn off unused lights, and windows and an atrium designed to garner natural light. The campus also collects and treats storm water with plants and soil rather than equipment, and the drive into the complex uses solar powered street lights.

Kentucky regulators respond to sediment pond problems (Louisville Courier-Journal, 11/6)

After receiving 44 complaints since April about sediment ponds, Kentucky’s Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement tightened permit requirements for strip mines in the state. Under the new requirements, coal companies must conduct more thorough evaluations of geological and hydrological conditions of areas above sediment ponds before building them to determine if the ponds are large enough to catch runoff and dirt from mines. The new requirements came as the result of local residents voicing concerns over flooding and potential property damage when rain causes the ponds to overflow.

Groups say Iowa is not telling U.S. of all troubled waterways (DesMoines Register, 11/7)

Iowa Department of Natural Resouces’ list of polluted waters is dangerously incomplete, according to state environmental groups. The comment period for the state’s latest draft list ended Friday, November 8th with only 159 waterways identified as needing federal Clean Water Act (CAA) regulation. CAA requires states to set standards to stop sources of pollution in listed streams, wetlands and rivers. Farm groups lobbied heavily in 2000 to pass a law limiting the data used to compile the list. According to the DNR, similar 1998 data restrictions caused the removal of protections for 111 waterways. Iowa’s list awaits comments from the U.S. EPA before finalization.

New data shows that energy consumption did not rebound to 2000 levels following the energy crisis of 2001—Californians may have continued to conserve energy in the wake of rolling blackouts and spiraling prices. Utilities report a rebound of only 10 to 60 percent of the 6 to 9 percent sales slump of 2001. Some attribute the decrease to changes in consumer lifestyle, sales of new energy efficient appliances, and the more than 200 energy-saving programs conducted statewide in 2001 and 2002. Others emphasize that the data is merely preliminary and only time will tell if this is a long- term trend. To learn more about encouraging energy efficiency in your state, see http://www.serconline.org/efficiencystandards/.

After an outcry by CA dry cleaners, South Coast Air Quality Management District officials are considering a more lenient chemical industry draft for pollution reduction. It would continue to allow the use of perc, giving dry cleaners until 2007 to switch to machines that emit about 40 percent fewer perc fumes, provided fumes do not increase residents’ risk of cancer to more than 25 in 1 million, a standard also applied to oil refineries and manufacturing plants. Perc is one of the region’s most prevalent air toxins, emitting 850 tons annually and linked to kidney, liver, and breast cancer. Many fear that small businesses are at risk and note that dry cleaners have already reduced emissions by 80 percent in the last decade. The technologies proposed under the original plan are currently used in New York City, San Francisco, and Germany.

73 percent of Oregon voters rejected Measure 27 last Tuesday which would have required labels on food with genetically engineered material. The food industry and other opponents, including Monsanto, General Mills Inc., Procter & Gamble Co., and PepsiCo Inc., raised more than $5 million for the Coalition Against the Costly Labeling Law’s efforts to combat the initiative, warning of higher food costs across the board; supporters of the bill raised less than $85,000. Despite the loss, initiative supporters vow to press the labeling issue.

Maine Forest Service has taken steps to educate landowners on sustainable forestry and land management strategies. The program ‘Be Woods Wise’ provides free advice from foresters and a free educational kit that illustrates woodlot management techniques. 5.5 million acres of Maine forest land is owned by private individuals, with a growing percentage of that land in smaller parcels. To see Maine’s program, see http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/woodswise/. To learn more about forest management legislation, see http://www.serconline.org/forestrystateinfo.html.

NY Gov. Pataki signed legislation last month that will make it easier to build wind farms across the state. The bill exempts wind farms from property taxes for 15 years, allowing companies to negotiate payments with municipalities in lieu of property tax. Wind power, which currently accounts for less than 1 percent of the state’s power, could account for as much as 10 percent in the next 20 years. For more information on clean energy, see http://www.serconline.org/cleanenergypage.html.