(2) The "Protect All Waters" Amendment, to be offered by Rep. Oberstar and others, which will stop the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from continuing to implement the illegal policy of refusing to enforce the Clean Water Act in many waters of the United States. This policy, in place since 2003, has left thousands of wetlands, headwaters streams, lakes, ponds, and even some rivers without any federal anti-pollution safeguards.
(3) The Hastings Environmental Justice Amendment, which would prohibit federal funds allocated to EPA from going to programs that conflict with the goal of achieving environmental justice for minority and low-income communities. No community should be exposed to disproportionately high levels of pollution because of race or income level.
My Note: The Republican Leadership Didn't Schedule These Amendments for Consideration.
From: Who's Got The Sootiest Air Year-Round?
The ALA lists the 25 U.S. metropolitan areas most polluted by year-round particle pollution (soot). Again, ties are listed with the same number:1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.
2. Bakersfield, Calif.
3. Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.
4. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
5. Fresno-Madera, Calif.
6. Detroit-Warren-Flint, Mich.
7. Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.
8. Cleveland-Akron-Elyria, Ohio
9. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, Ala.
9. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, Ga.-Ala.
11. Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, Ill.-Ind.-Wis.
12. Weirton-Steubenville, W.Va.-Ohio
13. York-Hanover-Gettysburg, Pa.
13. St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, Mo.-Ill.
13. Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.
16. New York-Newark-Bridgeport, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn.-Pa.
16. Lancaster, Pa.
18. Merced, Calif.
18. Canton-Massillon, Ohio
20. Charleston, W.Va.
21. Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va.
22. Reading, Pa.
22. Hagerstown-Martinsburg, Md.-W.Va.
24. Indianapolis-Anderson-Columbus, Ind.
25. Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, Ky.-Ind.
A separate list shows that the top five towns for ozone were all in California (Bakersfield, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Visalia-Porterville, Fresno-Madera, and Merced).
My Note: Of all the Polluted Areas 11 are in California;...Riverside (Where I live) is the Worst in Both Particle Pollution and Ozone. Pombo Has Done Nothing to Try to Alleviate This Unhealthy Situation.
SECRET PLAN TO CUT NATIONAL PARK FUNDING BY 30% IN 5 YEARS
Parks Glide Path to Impoverishment Breaks Bush Campaign Pledge
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2006
Contact: Chas Offutt (202) 265-7337
Washington, DC: The Bush administration has directed the National Park Service to substantially decrease its reliance on tax-supported funding, according to internal documents released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). In a turnabout from the last two presidential campaigns when candidate Bush promised greater funding of parks, new talking points distributed last week to all park superintendents urge them to begin honest and forthright discussions with the public about smaller budgets, reduced visitor services and increased fees.
Using a new approach called Core Operations Analysis, each park is asked to develop budgets based on a 20 to 30% reduction in appropriation support. In this exercise, park superintendents decide which visitor services or other functions can be jettisoned (staffing and funding alternatives based on realistic funding projections, in the words of the Park Service). Whatever shortfalls in support for essential operations that remain must be made up for with fee hikes, cost shifting or increased reliance on volunteers.
My Note: Pombo Rubber Rubber Stamps the Bush Administration on All These Kind of Decisions.
A Response By Senator Feinstein to My Letter on Proposed Environmental Legislation
April 3, 2006
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the environment as we commemorate the 36th anniversary of "Earth Day." I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
First, I am strongly opposed to President Bush's policies in regards to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Instead of drilling in ANWR, we should explore alternative ways to address our energy crisis, such as increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
Secondly, I believe that our national parks are America's cathedrals. Their pristine air quality, the quiet of their rugged beauty, and the wild character of their land are just a few of their extraordinary qualities. I am seriously concerned that the proposed revisions to the National Park Service Management policies will erode the protections that make our parks such remarkable places. In my view, any significant change in the mission and responsibility of the National Park Service is of serious concern and merits close attention. I have sent a letter to the Director of the National Park Service detailing my concerns with these proposed revisions.
In addition, I am a strong advocate of protecting America's threatened and endangered species, as well as providing for their recovery. Like you, I am concerned by Representative Pombo's bill that would amend many provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Please know that I will carefully review this bill since the conservation of America's land and wildlife is important to me.
Your letter also addresses concerns about a recent proposal that would have led to the sell-off of tens of thousands of acres of national forests, parks, and wilderness areas. I was relieved by the withdrawal of this language, which was a great victory for those of us who treasure our public lands. In addition to sending my own letter to House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo urging him to withdraw these provisions from the Budget reconciliation bill, I also sent a letter to Senate leadership, along with several Western Senators, requesting this provision be excluded from consideration during the Budget reconciliation process. Protecting our natural resources and public lands is a high priority of mine, and I will remain vigilant of any efforts that would undermine these protections of our public lands.
My Note: Pombo is trying to Gut the Endangered Species Act and Sell off Tens of Thousands of Acres of National Forests, Parks, and Wilderness Areas.
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