 |
|
|
 |
Mercury
Poisoning Reduction
Mercury is the poison that's right under our nose, in more ways than
one: It's everywhere and few are aware of its toxic properties. This
dangerous combination leads to thousands of Americans unnecessarily
exposing themselves and others to this dangerous poison. People usually
throw away products containing mercury, such as thermometers and old
computers. Eventually mercury from those products finds its way into
our air and waters. Once mercury has been introduced into an environment
it is quite difficult to remove. Mercury exposure is especially detrimental
to children and pregnant women and can result in nervous system damage,
tremors, and insomnia. Recently the California Attorney General filed
a lawsuit against several grocery and restaurant chains for not labeling
mercury contaminated fish and the Environmental Council of the States
(ECOS) drafted a resolution promoting a cooperative governmental effort
to reduce excess mercury. For more information on how your state can
deal with mercury, visit: http://www.serconline.org/mercury/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
California
Adopts Tough Mining Rules
(Casper Star Tribune 4/13)
California, the "Gold Rush" state, has put into effect the
nation's strictest open-pit mining regulations. The regulations approved
by the California State Mining and Geology Board require mining companies
to refill new mines and flatten mine waste piles back to nearly the
original landscape. Once open-pit mines have been fully utilized,
the steep walls that remain are difficult to use for recreation and
often turn the surrounding area toxic. Board members feel the regulations
essentially enforce a 1975 law that says pit mines should be restored
to beneficial use. Industry leaders feel the regulations are too expensive
for mining companies and predict companies will look to other states
to mine gold and other precious metals. The new regulations jeopardize
many potential and high profile mines, including a site near Fort
Yuma Reservation that the Quechen tribe has contested for eight years. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
New
Threats to Michigan Wetlands
The Michigan legislature has introduced legislation that, if passed,
would be extremely devastating to Michigan's 3,288 miles of shoreline
and coastal wetlands. HB4257 is cleverly disguised as a tool for beach
maintenance activities. The bill, whose primary sponsor is Representative
Brian Palmer, allows riparian property land owners to use mechanized
means -- plowing, bulldozing, etc. -- to "maintain" their
property. Maintenance includes the removal of topsoil, removal of
vegetation, and the relocation of naturally deposited sand. This property
that would be maintained is land between the ordinary high water mark
and the water edge of Lake Michigan's, Huron's, Erie's, and Superior's
public water trust bottomlands. Furthermore, these activities would
not be subject to any oversight or environmental review even though
they would be occurring on public lands, including wetlands. HB4257
has already passed the House and is awaiting introduction in Senate,
whereas the Senate's version, SB244, primarily sponsored by Jim Barcia,
has not made it out of committee. These bills not only exclude the
public's input, but will destroy public land in the interest of a
property owner's aesthetic tastes. Hopefully, the property owners
will not be too burdened by removing man-made garbage, as required
by the bill, after relocating portions of the natural environment. |
| back
to top |
| |
 |
Earth
Day 2003
Earth Day will be celebrated for the 33rd time this Tuesday,
April 22nd 2003. The 1st Earth Day, April 22nd 1970, is commonly
referred to the beginning of the environmental movement. The
environmental movement has produced many memorable successes,
including the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. The Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has assembled a list of the
"Best on the Web" for this upcoming Earth Day. One
site provides information on events occurring throughout the
nation. For more information visit: http://www.nrdc.org. |
| back
to top |
| |
Maine
Bill Would Add Limits on Arsenic
(Press Herald 4/14)
LD1309, introduced by Representative Scott Cowler, would lead
to new restrictions on the disposal of arsenic treated wood
and will require homeowners to be more forthcoming about the
presence of arsenic in their homes. Currently arsenic in pressure
treated wood is used in many household structures, including
backyard decks and play sets. Arsenic is a significant public
health issue and is a potential cancer risk to children. This
bill, a compromise between environmentalists, the real estate
industry, and wood treaters, would make Maine one of the first
states in the country to restrict the disposal of arsenic treated
wood. |
| back
to top |
| |
Oregon
House Passes Miles-Based Insurance Measure
(Associated Press 4/15)
Oregon's residents who walk, bike, or take the bus instead of
drive could be paying less in car insurance under a bill passed
by the House Revenue Committee. The bill would grant insurance
companies a tax credit for offering drivers per-mile premium
rates instead of fixed yearly rates. Oregon's Environmental
Council estimates that vehicle miles traveled will be reduced
by 5 to 15 percent under the bill, thus reducing traffic congestion,
air pollution and wear and tear to the roads. Currently, Texas
is the only state that offers miles-based insurance. The program
has been effective in Texas, with some insurance premiums dropping
as much as 25 percent. |
| back
to top |
| |
Tennessee
Committee Votes to Limit Wetlands Takeover Fund
(Tennessean 4/10)
A Tennessee committee has derailed an effort by Governor Bredesen
to remove all the money from a fund set up for wetlands and
other land acquisitions in an attempt to balance the state's
budget. The fund was to be fully raided, whereas other funds
were set to be tapped at 9%. Senators questioned why the governor
planned to fully raid the fund and felt it deserved to be treated
equally. The wetlands fund receives its funding from real estate
property transfers. The money from the fund is used for acquisitions
and maintenance of wetlands, along with providing funds for
soil conservation, buffers, and other land for parks. The fund
has provided benefits for all counties of the state in recent
years. |
| back
to top |
| |
New
Law Provides Tax Credits for Land Conservation
(New Mexican 4/11)
Governor Richardson signed the Land Conservation Incentives
Act into law this week. The act creates a state income-tax credit
for individuals and corporations who donate land or conservation
easements to government open-space programs or other environmental
stewards. The Act encourages private citizens to protect land
by allowing taxpayers to deduct half of the appraised value
of the donation from their state income taxes. The credit can
be used over a period of 20 years and must be approved by a
seven member committee comprised of various representatives
in state government. This is a valuable tool that can be used
during economically difficult times to protect land. Similar
laws exist in other states, including Delaware and Virginia.
For more information on how your state can protect land visit:
http://www.serconline.org/conservationfunding/index.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Georgia
Senators Reject Sale of Rights to Water
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution 4/18)
The Georgia Senate rejected a bill Thursday that allows for
the sale of water rights. The bill would allow for factories
or farmers to sell water withdrawal permits in scarce regions
or to one another. Opponents to the bill say that the sale of
water rights would lead to overuse of rivers and underground
aquifers. However, bill proponents argue that permit trading
is an effective tool for redistributing water in times of increased
scarcity. |
| back
to top |
| |
North
Carolina Hog Farms' Growth Nixed
(News Observer 4/16)
The North Carolina Senate is poised to extend a moratorium on
the creation of new and the expansion of current hog farms until
September 2007. The move comes because research on alternative
waste handling technology is behind schedule. The moratorium
was set to expire this September and has been in place since
August of 1997. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
has levied $30,000 worth of fines in the last three weeks due
to illegal manure spreading and for failure to report full lagoons,
both which can release harmful waste into public waters. Environmentalists
are urging the legislature to move past the moratorium and permanently
ban lagoons and aerial spraying. For more information on how
to deal with similar issues in your state visit: http://www.serconline.org/cafos.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Blueprint
for Revitalizing the Nation's Capital
(LA Times 4/18)
Officials in Washington DC have unveiled a blueprint for the
city in an attempt to revitalize blighted areas, generate affordable
housing, and attract middle-class families back to the city.
This is an attempt to attract people back to the city from surrounding
suburbs. The blueprint identifies approximately 12 areas near
Union Station and major universities that would be targeted
for redevelopment in the next three to five years. The redevelopment
would also modernize the public school system and the city's
public transportation. The plan also calls for the city to develop
strong relationships with "anchor organizations,"
including the city's major hospitals and federal agencies. For
more information on how your state can deal with sprawl visit:
http://www.serconline.org/sprawl/pkg_frameset.html. |
| back
to top |
| |
Vermont
Senate Supports Regulation of Genetically Altered Seeds
(Time Argus 4/8)
SB163, introduced in the Vermont Senate, requires genetically
altered seeds sold to Vermont farmers be labeled and registered.
This move follows regulations that currently require seeds treated
with herbicides, pesticides, and rodent-controlling substances
to be labeled and registered. If the bill passes through the
Senate it will be the first of its kind in the nation, according
to CropLife America who lobbied on the bill. Organic farmers
welcome the move that would allow farmers to know what they
are growing and would prevent cross-pollination that could compromise
crop integrity. |
| back
to top |
|
|
