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Audubon
Advisory |
BUSH SHOULD EMULATE GOP CONSERVATIONISTS: The public understands that a clean and healthy environment must go hand in hand with a strong economy. BY: JOHN FLICKER Environmentalists often regard Teddy Roosevelt as our greatest conservation president. To him, being conservative meant conserving our limited natural resources -- our capital assets -- for future generations. Roosevelt's tradition of environmental leadership in the Republican Party lasted most of the 20th century, highlighted by President Nixon signing the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and establishing the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1980, the seeds of a much different Republican tradition sprouted with James Watt as secretary of the interior, arguably the most anti-environment secretary ever. Rather than acting as a conservative steward of natural resources, Watt opened the doors to the public estate for a fire sale to developers craving quick profits. In 1994, then-Speaker Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" attempted to revive the Watt environmental philosophy; a move that voters overwhelmingly rejected. George W. Bush now carries the mantle of a Republican Party with deeply conflicting traditions on the environment. In the coming months, he will choose his course for his administration. Will he reclaim the conservative conservation philosophy of Teddy Roosevelt, or will he further cement his party to James Watt's anti-environment crusade? Bush's recent appointment of Gale Norton, a Watt protege and former employee, is potentially an ominous sign. But this new administration and Norton still have the opportunity to define themselves on environmental issues and instead to create their own positive agenda for conservation. The Watt wing of the party is urging Bush to define his conservation philosophy immediately with two issues. First, they urge opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling. Second, they want to reverse President Clinton's executive order protecting more than 58 million acres of roadless areas in our national forests. For Bush to take this advice and pursue either policy would be misguided. Either of these issues would ignite a protracted, bitter and polarizing national fight. In the end, Bush would lose on both issues in the Congress and in the court of public opinion. The only residue from such a fight would be to define his administration, and the Republican Party, as anti-environment in the tradition of James Watt. Bush said during the campaign that he supported drilling in the Arctic, and opposed President Clinton's plan to protect roadless areas in national forests. Since then the voters have spoken, and sent a clear message. They want Washington to govern from the middle, not from the extremes. The public understands that a clean and healthy environment must go hand in hand with a strong economy. They reject the false choice between the economy and the environment. They overwhelmingly want our public lands protected for future generations, and they reject the extremist approach of the Watt Republicans who are too cozy with special interests, and too eager to destroy wildlife habitat and give away our parks, refuges and protected places to developers. The public does not support development of the Arctic Refuge or roadless areas of our national forests, and the Congress won't either. We would all be better served if the new administration avoided these unnecessary battles, and instead proposed a positive conservation agenda in the Republican tradition of Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon. John Flicker is the president of the National
Audubon Society, 700 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is in danger. The millions of migratory birds, the Porcupine Caribou herd, polar bears, and a spectacular pristine wilderness are threatened by oil development. The pro-development forces are making the strongest push ever to put oil development in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Audubon is also launching an Internet campaign that is expected to reach more than 1 million Americans across the country. It urges them to take action by contacting their Members of Congress and asking them to vote to protect the Arctic Refuge. Audubon's web page, www.audubon.org, has a new Protect the Arctic page where individuals can take action and alert Members of Congress that the time is now to protect the Arctic. In addition, we are mobilizing our members on the ground through more than 30 workshops in 11 states. I would like to make clear there is scant evidence you can drill the Arctic Refuge in an environmentally sensitive manner. Even under tight scrutiny by the American public, oil companies have continued to have accidents and spills, including a 3,000 to 5,000 gallon spill just last week. A footprint in a wilderness area is still a footprint. In the case of oil development, it is much more - it is thousands of acres of roads, pipelines and, yes, muddy, oily steel boots. Destroying the Arctic and harming the wildlife there is simply not worth the 180 days of oil. The pro-development forces are gearing up their
campaigns. The majority of Americans do not want the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge and the birds and caribou that live there destroyed
for short term energy needs. Audubon's Arctic campaign is calling on
people to act. Audubon's Arctic campaign is urging people to let their
Members of Congress know that now is the time to save the coastal
plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Go to Audubon
Advisory for the latest. Audubon Launches "Guide for a Healthy Yard and Beyond" The National Audubon Society today announced the launch of a national, multi-medium, citizen awareness campaign promoting responsible pesticide application and the use of alternatives. The new program features the "Audubon Guide for a Healthy Yard and Beyond," a tool designed to help homeowners, gardeners and land managers meet the challenges of detoxifying the backyards, schools and community spaces of America. It is available now at www.audubon.org. Audubon's campaign also encourages those concerned about minimizing pesticide use to view "Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report," a PBS special to be aired Monday, March 26th (check local listings for broadcast times in your area). "Audubon's 'Guide to a Healthy Yard and Beyond' provides easy-to-use information that Americans need to make informed decisions about the stewardship of green spaces, in their communities and in their homes," said Audubon Senior Vice President of Science Frank Gill. "Spring is an important time to think about creating a safe zone in backyards, parks and other public spaces. Too often, pesticide is used without a specific goal: reduction of that use makes for a healthier environment, for birds and people. Audubon's chart provides easy reference. It contains information on common household pesticides while offering safe alternatives, guidelines for responsible use, information on naturally pest-resistant native plants, and Audubon's "Ten Commandments for a Healthy Yard." This chart is being made available for national distribution and also on the Internet at www.audubon.org. As part of the launch of its pesticide campaign, Audubon is also encouraging its members and other concerned citizens to watch "Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report," PBS, Monday, March 26th. In "Trade Secrets," PBS's Bill Moyers, uses secret industry documents to uncover how the health and safety of millions has been put at risk by the chemical industry. Audubon joins the Environmental Health Fund, The Environmental Working Group, Women's Voices for the Earth and Environment and Justice - who together form "Coming Clean" - in encouraging viewers to tune into the program. GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS FOR WETLANDS: Three announcements related to wetland protection were released in early January – and each will have far-reaching impacts on wetlands in this country. First, the GOOD NEWS: Reports from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service indicate a significant decline in wetland destruction over a recent ten year period. Click here to review the report: http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/NRI/ In addition, the Army Corp and Environmental Protection Agency released a rule that will tighten wetland protection nationally. They announced a solution to the "Tulloch Loophole" – a provision of the Clear Water Act that allowed developers to ditch and drain wetlands without permits. The EPA released a new rule that provides a clearer definition of the types of activities that would likely result in a discharge material and thus require a permit. Click here to review those new provisions: http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/dredgedmat/dredmat.html, and http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/dredgedmat/tullochf.html. And now, the BAD NEWS: Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that federal water pollution control does not extend to isolated ponds and wetlands, at least under certain conditions. This is a major setback for wetland protection, for in 35 states, federal law is the only protection for this type of wetland and this may now effectively be removed. These small wetlands are important for both human and natural health, and play a critical role in water storage in annual flood seasons, plus they are key bird stopovers areas and important breeding areas for birds, amphibians and invertebrates. The court decision is complex, and we will be looking into the affects of this ruling to determine if action is needed. Stay tuned! PROTECTING MIGRATORY SONGBIRDS: In 2000, Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law, first-of-its-kind legislation that directly helps songbirds by helping to restore and conserve their wintering habitat, thus ensure they make it back to our backyards in the spring. The law established a fund to support partnership programs to enhance habitat in the Caribbean and Latin America, where approximately 5 million birds of 500 species, including species such as one of the most endangered birds in North America – the Kirtland’s Warbler, Hermit Thrush, the endangered Black-capped Vireo, and Kentucky Warbler, spend their winters. This is especially important for threatened and endangered species. Much like many Audubon-supported measures, funding for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act must be secured by Congress each and every year for the next five years. We will actively work with Congress to see that they fully-fund this act for Fiscal Year 2002 – and again, we’ll need your help to succeed. ENHANCING AMERICA’S OPEN SPACE
AND WILDLIFE HABITAT: Audubon will also work with Congress to ensure
they fully-fund the Land Conservation Preservation and Infrastructure
Act, legislation signed into law last year that authorizes up to $12
billion over six years for local, state and national conservation
efforts. Each and every year, Congress will determine the level of
funding the program will receive. This year, they can authorize as
much as $2.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2002, and we want to make sure
they do so. That $2.6 billion would go (1) federal and state land and
water conservation programs, including land acquisition to protect
precious lands from development threats; (2) coastal protection
programs, such as pollution control programs; (3) state conservation
programs, such as open space proposals and other state fish &
wildlife conservation programs; (4) urban and historic preservation
programs; and (5) federal lands maintenance, to help reduce backlogs
of maintenance needs in our National Wildlife Refuge System. HISTORIC BILL TO SAVE THE EVERGLADES EVERGLADES: RENEWING THE RIVER OF GRASS: Passing legislation that authorized funding for projects to renew and restore the Everglades was one of our greatest victories in Congress last year. Securing funding for efforts to return the natural flow of water to the Everglades is one of our top priorities for this year. The law passed by Congress last year authorizes $7.8 billion over 30 years for nearly 60 projects that will restore, preserve, and protect the Everglades, and the 68 endangered and threatened species who call the Everglades home. While the 106th Congress authorized the funding, it’s up to each Congress that follows to secure the funding each and every year for the next 30 years. This year, we’re calling on the 107th Congress to fully-fund the Everglades Restoration Act. President Bush has signaled support for fully funding the Act this year, and we’ll work with his Administration, as well as the House and Senate to ensure they do. Many thanks to you for contacting your lawmakers regarding this historic legislation – it made a difference!
The Cerulean Warbler, known for its brilliant blue plumage and its distinctive song, breeds in the summer in eastern U.S. forests and winters in Andean forests of South America. Well-known to wildlife watchers, it once was common but has become rare as forest habitat in both hemispheres has been destroyed and fragmented by logging, road-building, development and other human activities. In the U.S., the Cerulean’s decline has been the worst in the core of its range in the Midwest and Southeast, where the total decline is about 80%. "It’s well-documented that Cerulean Warblers and other migratory songbirds need expansive forests to breed and survive. Conservation of these forests here and in South America is fundamental to saving this species," said Jeffrey Wells, Director for Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society. "Right now, there is no law or regulation specifically protecting the Cerulean’s forest habitat. If the destruction of these forests continues, we will lose this bird in our lifetimes," said Douglas Ruley, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, which prepared the petition on behalf of the coalition. "By listing the Cerulean as a threatened species, we can take significant steps now to save it now and avoid more extensive measures later." Like other migratory songbirds, the Cerulean Warbler performs important ecological roles such as insect consumption and pollination. More important, as an indicator of forest health, the Cerulean's decline tells us that the forests on the two continents are in trouble. Numerous studies over the years show that the Cerulean needs large tracts of unbroken, mature forest. In South America, the evergreen forests along a narrow elevation zone through the Andes where the Cerulean winters have been virtually wiped out for agriculture. In the U.S., millions of acres of forest, especially along stream banks and rivers where Ceruleans like to nest, have been lost to commercial logging, sprawl development, dams and other stream projects. "The Cerulean is sounding a warning that our forests are deteriorating, along with the many benefits they provide such as clean water, recreation opportunities, favorite hunting and fishing spots, and much of our last remaining wild land," said Andrew George, director of the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project, which has worked for years on the issue. The petition filed today represents one of the broadest conservation efforts ever undertaken in the east, and should result in coordinated forest protection throughout the Cerulean’s range. It starts a review process within the FWS to determine if the Cerulean Warbler will be officially protected under the Endangered Species Act. Once it is listed as threatened, the FWS must develop a recovery plan for the songbird. The conservation groups say the best place to start is on public lands, particularly in national forests. "These forests appear to harbor much of the Cerulean’s habitat, but are not automatically protected just because they are in public ownership," Ruley said. "Too many U.S. Forest Service activities continue to degrade the large interior forests that the Cerulean Warbler needs." Under the Endangered Species Act, the FWS would be required to review any federal actions that might jeopardize the Cerulean Warbler. Such actions would include the 10-year management plans developed by the Forest Service for each individual forest as well as individual timber sales on the national forests. Moreover, formally listing the Cerulean would provide the U.S. government and conservation organizations more opportunity for cooperation with their South American counterparts to protect Andean forests. The Cerulean would be the first warbler to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Three other species of warbler found in the U.S. on the list¾ Bachman’s, Kirtland’s, and golden-cheeked¾ are endangered. Unfortunately, the Bachman’s was likely extinct by the time it was listed and so did not benefit from protection under the Act. The Kirtlands’ warbler, on the other hand, has increased since it was listed Joining the National Audubon Society in filing the petition are the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and 22 local, state and regional conservation groups from 15 states. The petition is also supported by several of the nation’s foremost experts on migratory songbirds, including Jeffrey Wells and Frank Gill with the Audubon Society, and John Terborgh of Duke University. |