| |
| |
| Wildlines
Archives |
|
Volume
I, Number 49 |
December 9, 2002 |
A
publication of the State Environmental Resource Center (SERC)
bringing you the most important news on state environmental issues
from across the country. |
|
 |
|
|
 |
Developers
Rush to Build in Wetlands after Ruling (USA Today 12/5)
Thousands of acres of wetlands across the country are being bulldozed
or filled with dirt because of a 2001 Supreme Court decision that stripped
them of federal protection. Millions of acres more are still vulnerable.
When these swamps and bogs vanish, so does their capacity for preventing
floods, cleansing water of pollutants and sheltering waterfowl and fish.
The wetlands singled out in the court decision are "isolated,"
that is, no channel connects them to a larger body of water. Wetlands
are too unstable to support heavy structures, so a developer must fill
a wetland with dirt, destroying it, before building on top of it. The
fate of isolated wetlands is nearly undocumented. Acres are disappearing
fastest where state wetland laws are weakest. The results, many biologists
say, will be devastating, especially as more landowners learn of the decision.
Since the Supreme Court ruling, a few states have taken action. Wisconsin
took the most drastic step, passing a wetland-protection law four months
after the Supreme Court ruled. Even so, isolated wetlands are still at
risk in most other states. Developers have filed suit against several
states, including Indiana and Virginia, for their efforts to protect isolated
wetlands. Some state legislatures won't grant regulators the power or
the cash to do the job. For more on how your state can protect wetlands,
visit
www.serconline.org/wetlands/index.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
Voters
Support Preservation, Managed Growth (Great Lakes Bulletin News
11/14)
Last Election Day, voters by the millions elected scores of candidates,
and approved hundreds of new taxpayer investments and regulatory safeguards
dedicated to countering sprawl and improving the quality of life. All
across the country, by overwhelming majorities in most cases, voters supported
new spending and activist government programs to build new public transit
systems, save farmland and open space, strengthen local zoning to block
sprawling construction, and invest in urban neighborhoods. By far the
most telling evidence of the powerful constituency for growth management
is the consistently high approval rates for property tax increases and
bonds to pay for preserving farmland and open space. They approved some
80 percent of the 79 ballot measures that called for more public investment
to put land off limits to sprawling development, according to a tally
by Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization. Major
investments in light rail and other alternatives to roads also enjoyed
broad support. In Michigan, Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm
swept into the governor's office due in part to the coherent plan she
prepared to diminish congestion, improve land use planning, and reduce
sprawl in Michigan, which is consuming 100,000 acres of farmland and open
space a year. Voters also supported ballot referendums to reverse the
engines of sprawl. In California's Simi Valley, and in Santa Paula voters
rejected efforts by developers to expand urban growth boundaries to accommodate
more sprawl, in both cases by more than 60 percent margins. For more,
see http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
Censorship
and Science (Des Moines Register 12/1)
A disturbing trend is emerging in scientific research – the censorship
of unpopular research and results. This can happen at several levels,
from the approval and funding of research projects, to the publication
of results in the scientific literature. The impact on our health and
the health of our environment could be dramatic, since often the research
that is suppressed examines causes of human health and environmental problems—information
critical for good policy-making. As corporations become more involved
in funding scientific research, they also gain control over the research
agenda. For example, the USDA maintains a list of research topics that
may not be pursued with out permission from its national headquarters.
The list contains just about anything having to do with the pollution
of air, water or soil by agriculture – in other words, anything that might
upset the corporate agriculture interests that sit on USDA advisory councils.
Even if such research is conducted, it may not be published or made available
to the public. A federal swine researcher in Iowa was told not to publish
his results that found evidence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in air
emitted from hog confinements. The same researcher was denied opportunities
to present his work publicly, despite repeated requests from outside groups.
Perhaps most disturbing is the possibility that, because of events like
these, scientists may self-censor, deciding to pursue non-controversial
topics to keep their supervisors and funders happy. Good information is
critical to addressing to protecting our health, and right now independent
research is being compromised. For more watchdogs, visit http://www.serconline.org/watchdog/watchdogpage.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
Low-Emission Car
Bill Stalls in NJ Legislature (Trenton
Times 12/6) (Concord Monitor 11/26)
For a bill with an impressive bipartisan roster of sponsors, a long-standing
proposal to tighten emission standards for cars sold in the Garden
State has struggled mightily to see the light of day. The bill,
which would require New Jersey to adopt the tougher auto emissions
standards set by California, has dozens of supporters in the Assembly
and the Senate but has failed to even win release from legislative
committees in either house. Environmental advocates, including PIRG
and the New Jersey Environmental Federation, contend that more than
a third of the smog here and about 80 percent of chemicals such
as benzene are generated by cars and trucks. The automobile industry
has lobbied strenuously against the bill. New York, Massachusetts,
Vermont, and Maine have already adopted the stricter standards and
are moving ahead to implement them. Pennsylvania, meanwhile, is
considering the standards, but the New Jersey bill appears to have
little momentum. Gov. James E. McGreevey voiced support for the
measure during the campaign but has said little about it since.
His spokesman, Kevin Davitt, said recently that "he would certainly
support it if it comes to his desk." Environmental advocates
here argue that reducing car emissions is even more important as
the Bush administration relaxes pollution rules for refineries,
power plants and manufacturers. |
| back
to top |
| |
Maryland Working to Restore
Natural Shorelines
(Annapolis Capital-Gazette
12/2)
As part of an ongoing effort to conserve and restore natural shoreline
in the Chesapeake Bay area, Maryland is replacing fortress-like
bulkheads with submerged plants and artificial islands. Area ecologists
point out that while the bulkheads effectively secure the shoreline
and prevent erosion, they also create an unnatural barrier to fish,
crabs, and other wildlife that depend on shoreline marshes as spawning
grounds. Replacing the bulkheads with natural marshlands maintains
the needed shoreline protection without disturbing the movement
and behavioral patterns of wildlife. |
| back
to top |
| |
Pennsylvania Advocates Block
Anti-Preservation Proposal
(Philadelphia Inquirer
12/3)
In the final days of Pennsylvania’s legislative session last week,
the lobbying group representing the state’s developers attempted
to persuade legislators to pass a proposal that would have limited
the ability of municipalities to protect open space. The proposal
was attached to a bill that had nothing to do with land use but,
if passed, the amendment would have required the state's 1,457 "second-class
townships" to meet strict new requirements to preserve land.
However, the lobbying group behind the amendment, the Pennsylvania
Builders Association, underestimated the tenacity and organizational
ability of the state’s preservation advocates. 10,000 Friends of
Pennsylvania and its 220 member organizations launched an intense
four day campaign of direct lobbying and grassroots organizing.
Letters, phone calls, and emails poured into the offices of state
legislators urging them to oppose the measure and these efforts
successfully prevented the proposal from being brought to a vote. |
| back
to top |
| |
Nebraska Feedlot Size not Affected
by Corporate Farming Ban
(Lincoln Journal Star 12/4)
A recent study by the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University
found that feedlot size in four states (NE, TX, CO, KS) has increased
over the past decade, and that Nebraska’s ban on corporate ownership
of farms hasn’t influenced feedlot size in that state. Initiative
300, which banned corporations from owning real estate used for
farming or ranching, passed in 1982. The initiative focused on ownership,
not size, of farms. This study did not examine changes in ownership
or numbers of farms or feedlots, and thus cannot estimate the total
effectiveness of Initiative 300. For more on feedlot operations
please see http://www.serconline.org/cafos.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Activists Sue over Delay in Watercraft
Rules
(Times Union 12/4)
The New York Public Interest Research Group sued the NY Department
of Environmental Conservation this week over the DEC’s delay in
issuing clean air regulations applying to personal watercraft. Personal
watercraft emit significantly more pollutants than the average car,
but are often unregulated. The legislature required the DEC to adopt
regulations based on California’s emissions standards by September
2001, but the Department has yet to issue the rules. The regulations,
which should reduce emissions from personal watercraft by 50 percent,
will be phased in over several years. NYPIRG contends that the delay
in rule making means that the standards won’t go in to effect until
2007. A DEC spokesman wouldn’t comment on the suit, but said the
regulations would be available for public comment "soon".
For more on protecting our air and water, please see
http://www.serconline.org/safeair&water.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Timber Certification Tainted,
Forest Group Alleges (Environment
News Service 11/20)
The international body created to certify responsible forestry management
has for years been knowingly "misleading" the public according
to a new report released by the Rainforest Foundation. The report
finds serious flaws in the certification system used by the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), which is responsible for auditing timber
companies worldwide and for certifying that wood and paper is produced
in an environmentally and socially acceptable way. According to
the report, "Trading in Credibility: The Myth and Reality of
the Forest Stewardship Council," FSC's authorized auditors
have a vested commercial interest in certifying timber companies,
regardless of whether or not they comply with the body's requirements.
FSC disputed the findings of the report and expressed confidence
in its model of operation. The Rainforest Foundation report can
be found at:
www.rainforestfoundationuk.org/FSC/FSCReport.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Toyota, Honda Deliver First
Zero-Emission Hydrogen Cars
(San Diego Tribune 12/2)
Toyota and Honda delivered their first market ready zero-emission
hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles last week. The City of Los Angeles
is leasing five Honda fuel cell test vehicles for "real world"
driving by city staff. UC Irvine and UC Davis got Toyotas in what
was described as the first step in a plan to establish California
fuel-cell "community" partnerships of government, business
and higher education that will tackle product, infrastructure and
consumer-acceptance challenges. The universities are at the forefront
of fuel-cell vehicle research, development and implementation. The
vehicles are based on the Toyota Highlander five-passenger mid-size
sport utility vehicle. They have a range of 180 miles and a top
speed of 96 mph. Its hydrogen fuel-cell system features four 5,000-psi
hydrogen fuel tanks. Hydrogen gas feeds into the fuel-cell stack
where it is combined with oxygen, and the chemical reaction of combining
hydrogen and oxygen to form water generates a peak of 90 kilowatts
of electricity. The electricity powers a 109 horsepower electric
motor to charge the vehicle's nickel-metal hydride batteries. |
| back
to top |
| |
Colorado Lawmakers Hear about
Challenges of Drought, Fire, Disease
(Rocky Mountain News 12/3)
The chief of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources told legislators
Monday that priorities have changed dramatically and unexpectedly
for his agency in four years. But, Greg Walcher said, no one could
have guessed either the problems that would crop up - drought, wildfires
and chronic wasting disease - or their magnitude just four years
ago. The comments came as Walcher appeared before the legislative
Joint Budget Committee to discuss funding needs and the impact of
cuts made in his department. Sen. Dave Owen, R-Greeley, budget committee
chairman, predicted at least 20 bills will be introduced in the
2003 legislative session to increase water supplies. Some say it
will be more like 90. But the water experts at the hearing said
money problems this year have been a major obstacle. State water
engineer Hal Simpson said unfilled vacancies have made it harder
to carry out water inspections and enforce water regulations. |
| back
to top |
| |
New Jersey Lawmakers Pass Litter
Tax Bill
(BNA Daily Tax Report 11/20)
On November 18, the New Jersey Assembly passed a measure (A. 2069)
that would require manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and
retailers of litter-generating products to pay a “user fee” on the
sale of their products within the state. The funds generated (an
estimated $14 to $16 million a year) would support recycling grants
to counties and municipalities and anti-littering initiatives. The
fee would amount to 0.03 percent of sales of litter-generating products
for wholesalers and distributors and 0.0225 for retailers. The legislation
exempts sales by wholesalers or distributors to other wholesalers
or distributors; retailers with under $500,000 in annual sales of
litter-generating products; and restaurants with less than ten-
percent take-out food sales. “Litter-generating” products include
beer, wine, soft drinks, cleaning agents and toiletries, newsprint
and magazine paper stock, and tobacco products. New Jersey’s
previous litter tax expired in 2000. |
| back
to top |
| |
Local Lawmakers Flock to Join
Va. Growth-Control Coalition
(Washington Post 12/3)
Prince William County, Virginia appears ready to join its outer
DC suburban neighbors in a lobbying group designed to give voice
in Richmond to resident concerns about unabated residential development
in Northern Virginia and elsewhere in the state. Prince William
Board of County Supervisors Chairman Sean T. Connaughton (R-At Large)
said the sound defeat at the polls last month of a measure that
would have increased the sales tax to fund new roads and transportation
projects in the region is one reason to join. The tax measure's
failure is widely seen as a repudiation of more road building to
serve suburban development. Primarily, the group is fighting for
passage of an adequate public facilities measure in Virginia and
for the right to impose fees on developers to help pay for new classrooms,
roads and other services necessitated by new development. Supporters
of such tools say they would give counties the clout to make development
pay for itself and to phase it in gradually, once roads and other
infrastructure are in place. Many local politicians also said they
think voters sent a slow-growth message on Election Day that General
Assembly members will heed because they all face elections next
year. |
| back
to top |
|
|
For
more information about SERC, or to use our services, contact our national
headquarters at: |
State
Environmental Resource Center
106 East Doty Street, Suite 200 § Madison, Wisconsin
53703
Phone: 608-252-9800 § Fax: 608-252-9828
Email: [email protected] |
