go to WASHINGTON FREE PRESS HOME (subscribe, contacts, archives, latest, etc.)
May/June 2000 issue (#45)
|
|
Over a dozen environmental and animal protection groups from Minnesota and around the country have formed the Coalition to Protect Predators, dedicated to protecting rare, threatened and endangered predators, according to the Environment News Service. The alliance wants to "confront the many anti-predator attitudes that still exist and to bring about public awareness of the importance of predators," said Linda Hatfield, of Help Our Wolves Live (HOWL), one of the Coalition members. The coalition also includes the Minnesota Wolf Alliance, GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network (GREEN) and the Humane Society of the U.S., among others. Meanwhile, the Predator Conservation Alliance (PO Box 6733, Bozeman, MT 59771; 406-587-3389) notes that the Fish and Wildlife Service has been "hard on wolves" that stray outside the boundaries of parks where they are protected. "Aggressive lethal control of wolves is used far too often"-most often in the service of livestock owners.
Few people realize that the U.S. mining laws of 1872 are still in effect. This means mining companies pay $2.50 an acre for the right to mine (and contaminate) public land with cyanide, cadmium, arsenic and lead. Since 1872, mining operations have left 500,000 abandoned mines and a cleanup bill that could amount to $70 billion, according to the excellent Mineral Policy Center newsletter. Says the MPC: "Modern mines are typically very large operations, with massive effects on the landscape and water resources." One industry lawyer says, "You're not talking about environmental impacts, you're talking about environmental removal." For example, Montana's Berkeley Pit, an abandoned mine that is part of the largest Superfund site in the nation, contains over 25 billion gallons of contaminated groundwater. As a result, Butte's water quality and supply are severely threatened. Estimated amount of cyanide used annually at one gold mine in Montana: 1 million pounds. People in the West are mobilizing against the Kendall gold mine and the proposed Rock Creek copper and silver mine in Montana, and the Crown Jewel gold mine in Washington. MPC newsletter (www.mineralpolicy.org; 1612 K St NW, Suite 808, Washington DC 20006) follows the action and suggests ways people can help preserve land from the ravages of mining.
The latest issue of PRS Reports (Physicians for Social Responsibility) warns about growing toxics in US drinking water. The physicians group lists three main problems: 1) chemical contaminants including arsenic, radon, pesticides and industrial synthetic chemicals. These include known or probable carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, possible reproductive and developmental toxins, and neurotoxic agents; 2) microbial agents, which can be fatal to those with weak immune systems; and 3) aging distribution and home plumbing systems, which contaminate the water as they continue to decay. PSR concluded that the "lakes, rivers, and groundwater providing our drinking water are under increasing strain from agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes. PSR is dedicated to peace, the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and "the achievement of a sustainable environment." PSR, 1101 Fourteenth St NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005; www.psr.org
Volunteers are needed to place I-713 on the November ballot. The measure would make it illegal to capture an animal with a steel-jawed leg-hold trap or other body-gripping trap, or to poison an animal with certain poisons. I-713 would also make it illegal to buy or sell a pelt from an animal killed in these ways. Petitions are at Protect Pets and Wildlife, 5200 University Way NE, #201; 206-526-0949. Deadline to mail in petitions is June 26.
High Country News is a biweekly environmental newspaper covering the monumental struggles in Western states from Montana to California and Wyoming. The paper shows what the enviros are doing, and what the loggers, "developers," miners and farmers are doing-and where all parties can sometimes cooperate. A recent issue looked at sprawl and how some 250 land trusts are acquiring open space under various legal and financial agreements in order to save it from the bulldozers. An aerial photograph showing one lone farm holdout in San Jose, CA, surrounded by sterile subdivisions, showed that the natural world needs protection from everyone-quickly. Subscriptions are $32 per year; 1-800-905-1155; POB 1090, Paonia, CO 81428; circulation@hcn.org
Zero Population Growth (ZPG) says nearly 50 percent of all pregnancies in the US are unintended, and "the only way to prevent the global population explosion are family planning programs and other aid intended to enhance the rights and opportunities for women." ZPG says people should write to their elected officials to express concern, and support voluntary family-planning programs.
|
go to WASHINGTON FREE PRESS HOME |