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Wolf
Preservation
Wolves, once found all across North America, were listed as a federal
endangered species in 1974. Since then, wolf populations have slowly
recovered in some states, due to reintroduction plans and natural
recovery. For example, wolves were successfully reintroduced to Yellowstone
National Park in 1995. Despite concern from environmental groups that
wolf populations have not recovered enough, the US Fish and Wildlife
Service has lessened the level of protection that wolves receive under
the Endangered Species Act. States now have the opportunity and responsibility
to protect wolves found within their borders. Unfortunately, several
states have introduced legislation that would remove protections for
wolves. States with existing wolf populations need wolf management
plans that will protect wolves and encourage peaceful coexistence
with humans. States without wolf populations may want to provide protection
for wolves that naturally colonize the state, or even promote reintroduction
programs. For more on how your state can develop a positive wolf management
plan, please visit http://www.serconline.org/wolfpreservation/index.html. |
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Rhode
Island Bill Targets Total Wastes of Energy
(Providence Journal, 4/10/03)
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is considering legislation
aimed at phasing out 10 energy wasting products in favor of those
that use less electricity. The bill requires that certain products
sold in Rhode Island meet minimum efficiency standards by 2005. The
targeted products include consumer items such as cable boxes, halogen
lamps, and ceiling fans, as well as several commercial items. Maryland
passed similar legislation last week, and several other states are
considering similar measures. While energy efficient products are
typically more expensive, they cost less in the long term through
the conservation of electricity. According to the Northeast Energy
Efficiency Partnerships, $44.6 million in savings would result from
the energy savings on the 10 products by 2010. "This is a way,
in a time of budget crunches and belt tightening, we can win on both
saving money and protecting the environment," said Kate Strouse
Canada, a RIPIRG advocate. "It really has become the cheapest
and quickest way to reduce our energy use." For more information
on state energy efficiency standards, see http://www.serconline.org/efficiencystandards/index.html. |
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Montana
House Bill Would Limit Conservation Easements
Conservation easements are a powerful tool for protecting open space
and natural resources. Land owners agree to limit development on their
property through the creation of an easement, which is held by a land
trust or a government agency. The creation of an easement often has
positive tax implications for the land owner, in addition to conservation
benefits. This is an increasingly popular method of protecting our
natural resources, and it's come under attack in Montana. Montana
House Bill 725, introduced by Rep. Maedje, would require all easements
to be approved by the local government, enforce a two year waiting
period on the transfer of any easements, limit the ability of local
governments to accept federal funding for easements, and require organizations
that facilitate the creation of easements to obtain a license from
the state. The bill changes the intention of Montana's existing easement
law to focus on resource use and human communities, instead of biotic
communities and the preservation of resources. This is best evidenced
by a provision which states "a conservation easement may not
prohibit natural resource use." Shouldn't that be the landowner's
choice? Part of the beauty of easements is that they are private decisions
by property owners. This attempt to limit easements is an infringement
on property owner's rights, and an attack on a valuable conservation
tool. |
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New
Jersey Official Pushes for Smart Growth
(PressofAtlanticCity.org 4/9/03)
Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere said recently that
state, county, and local officials need to strike a balance
between the environment and the economy in order to prevent
suburban sprawl. He stressed that "smart growth" is
not the enemy, but rather will help to relieve traffic congestion
that has plagued the northern part of the state and will soon
affect the southern half. Components of Governor McGreevey's
anti-sprawl program include a transportation impact analysis
to prevent costly highway upgrades and transit villages that
are housing developments near train stations to promote use
of mass transit. Mass transit is receiving bipartisan support
across the state as the Transportation Trust Fund is coming
up for reauthorization this year. For more information on how
to reduce suburban sprawl in your state visit: http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Maryland
Group Warns of Bug Spray Hazards
(Capital News Service 4/4/03)
As the Maryland Department of Agriculture prepares to spray
for mosquitoes this spring, the Maryland Pesticide Network is
warning the public about possible interactions between the common
insect repellant DEET and the pesticide permethrin. Studies
conducted at Duke University have suggested that the interaction
of the two may cause brain and testicular cancer. Pesticides,
while tested for individual safety, are rarely tested for interactions
with other chemicals. The Department of Agriculture claims permethrin
is safe when used properly, but Maryland Pesticide Network suggests
removing the standing water in which mosquitoes breed instead
for spraying to kill adult insects with potentially harmful
chemicals. |
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Indiana
Wetlands Stuck in Muck (NWI
Times, 4/07/03)
Two Indiana bills aimed at wetland protection have been stalled
in the House and the Senate. The bills target isolated wetlands,
which have been left unprotected since the Supreme Court Ruling
two years ago, revoking federal protection. Environmentalists
are not dismayed at the potential death of the bills, since
many believe the house bill is poorly written and inadequate
in terms of the amount of protection provided to wetlands. However,
if these bills are not passed, there may be no protected isolated
wetlands in Indiana. For more on how your state can help protect
isolated wetlands, see http://www.serconline.org/wetlands/index.html. |
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Vermont
Senate Passes Renewable Energy Bill
(Times Argus 4/7/03)
The Vermont Senate passed a bill last week that would increase
the states energy independence and promote environmentally friendly
power. The measure promotes green pricing of energy, which allows
consumers to request green power and allocates penalties paid
by oil companies to projects that promote local alternative
energy systems. Most significantly, the bill includes a renewable
portfolio standard (RPS), which would require utilities to purchase
3 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2006. A similar
bill is moving through the House, but it lacks the important
RPS provision. For more on how your state can implement a renewable
portfolio standard, see http://www.serconline.org/RPS/pkg_frameset.html. |
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Oregon
Bill Would Reduce Big Rigs' Idling
(Statesman Journal 4/9/03)
SB823 proposes to cut idling time for trucks, buses, and other
vehicles that weigh more than 8500 lbs, to no more than five
minutes when parked. In addition to reducing diesel emissions,
the bill would also require the state to use low emission vehicles
and to test heavy diesel truck emissions. Diesel exhaust is
linked to cancer, heart, and lung disease. The bill is supported
by the Oregon Environmental Council, which says that adverse
health effects can be prevented by reducing diesel exhaust.
Oregon's Truckers Association supports the bill, but fears trucking
will become difficult if different standards are passed by each
state. For more information on how to reduce diesel exhaust
in your state visit: http://www.serconline.org/schoolbus/index.html. |
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Pennsylvania
Land Program Gets Kudos, Knocks
(Stateline.org 4/9/03)
The Pennsylvania Agricultural Easement Purchase Program has
preserved close to 250,000 acres of farmland from development
since its founding 13 years ago. The program was established
due to an alarming loss of farmland in the 1980's and has allowed
farmers to keep their farms, while selling the developmental
rights to the state. The program has successfully preserved
200 farms, with another 1,700 on the waiting list, but has come
under recent fire by homebuilder associations. Scott Cannon
of the Pennsylvania Home Builders Association feels that there
is enough farmland but not enough affordable housing available.
He feels that improved zoning regulations would better address
the loss of agricultural land. Another opponent of the program
sees education and more ag-friendly business practices as a
better way to preserve the agricultural economy. Ann Bates,
a farmer who sold her developmental rights to states, feels
that without the program there may not be any farms left in
10 to 15 years. |
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Delaware
Committee OKs Environmental Violator Bill
(Newszap.com 4/9/03)
HB109, which passed through the Delaware House Natural Resources
Committee, last week, would penalize corporations dubbed as
"chronic violators." The bill includes provisions
to triple the penalty fines and force corporate officials to
sign sworn statements that their companies are complying with
state environmental laws. Another stipulation is for outside
reviews to be performed by the state for companies that chronically
break laws. "This bill will ensure that bad actors have
something to worry about and the good actors do not," said
House Majority Leader Wayne Smith, R-Wilmington. For more information
on how to enforce environmental laws in your state visit: http://www.serconline.org/enforce/pkg_frameset.html. |
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