Summer 1997 SEJournal The Quarterly Publication of the Society of Environmental Journalists Vol. 7 No. 2 Interview Dodging Numbers Newspaper has Reporters avoid the population crunch seven reporters By MICHAEL MAHER Typically a story describing urban Many environmental stories chroni- sprawl or disruption of wildlife habitat on environment cle the inevitable collisions between mentions only the land developer as the By CHRIS BOWMAN finite nature and growing human popula- cause of the problem, and ignores the Peter Bhatia, managing editor of tion. Journalists, however, are reluctant role of population growth in providing the Portland Oregonian, explains why to use the ÒPÓ word in covering environ- the market demand that makes land the stateÕs largest mental issues. development possible. A typical water newspaper fosters In a study published in the March shortage story mentions only the drought a commitment to 1997 issue of the journal Population and or the inadequate water conveyance environmental jour- Environment, I analyzed how newspaper infrastructure as a cause, and ignores the nalism unmatched by journalists depicted causality in urban fact that many more people now want any other general sprawl, water shortage, and endangered access to a limited supply of water. circulation newspa- species stories. Using Lexis-Nexis, the The 10.7 percent of stories that do per in the country. worldÕs largest database of full-text acknowledge population growth as a news stories, I dredged up thousands of cause typically fail to mention that popu- Q. The decision to devote seven re- stories and sampled them randomly. I lation stability might be a solution. This porters to writing about the environ- found that just slightly more than one happens because journalists do not advo- ment must be unprecedented, certainly story in 10 mentions population growth cate policy change in news stories. But for a newspaper of your size. Why so as a source of the problem. And less than the reader is left with the impression many reporters on the beat? one story in 100 mentions population that, although population growth might A. When you ask readers what issues stability as a possible solution. (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 9) In this issue Cyber scribe tells all SEJ News n Board president steps down...... page 3 Writing for the web Online Bits & Bytes n Pulitzer winners describe research via By DAVID TENENBAUM The employer was the National internet resources...... page 14 In 1995, After 10 years of full-time Institute for Science Education, which freelancing, I heard about an intriguing, had a grant from the National Science Features challenging job opening and fired off a Foundation (NSF) to fund, among other n Scientists, journalists cooperation needed rŽsumŽ. The challenge would be writing things, a Web site to cover the science page 16 to convey environmental news ...... on the World Wide Web, a brand-spank- behind the daily news for a general audi- Viewpoints ing-new medium that neither I, nor any- ence. The staff would be three part-time n Industry, advocacy voice opposing body else, understood. specialists in science writing, computers, thoughts on disclosure ...... page 18 In case youÕve been snoozing, the and graphics. Science Survey Web is a system of Internet-linked com- From that meager starting point, n Chicken a la dioxin ...... page 20 puters that all babble a common lan- with help from others in the Office of Reporters Toolbox guage. For relatively little money, indi- News and Public Affairs at University of n Las Vegas growth woes...... page 21 viduals and organizations can make text, Wisconsin-Madison, we concocted a bi- graphics, even some audio and video weekly feature magazine covering sci- Green beat accessible to anybody with the right ence, health and environment. We aimed n State by state roundup ...... page 28 hardware and Internet connection. (Continued on page 11))
© Copyright 1997 the Society of Environmental Journalists, P.O. Box 27280 Philadelphia, PA 19118 ÒResignation is the only avenueÓ New job poses membership conflicts for SEJ president SEJournal Editor Noel Grove has ly the other board members and staffÑI Thank you for the wonderful opportu- been on my back for weeks because my owe an apology for abandoning the orga- nity. LetÕs keep up the good work. column was late. For once, I had a valid nization at mid-course. I am confident, reason for procrastinating. however, that the remaining board will From the Executive Committee: Saying goodbye is never easy. By the carry on until board elections are held at During the eight years since a group of time you read this I will have resigned the annual meeting in Tucson. I am, of veteran journalists including Rae Tyson from the board, and the presidency of an course, going to do all I can to make the decided to create SEJ, Tyson has been vital organization I helped create. transition as seamless as possible. to its evolution as one of the nationÕs most It has not been an easy decision. And The unsaid part of all this is that I also vibrant journalism organizations. this, in essence my farewell to the presi- have supreme confidence in SEJ Tyson brought a statesman-like pres- dency, is certainly not easy to write. Executive Director Beth Parke and her ence to every role he accepted, from mem- bership chairman to president. His quiet wis- Let me explain how all this came staff as the organization works through dom, focused leadership and institutional about. Most of you know that I left USA this difficult period. And it isnÕt just my memory will be missed when the board Today in February after nearly two resignation that makes this a challenging meets to debate difficult issues. decades as an environmental reporter and time for SEJ. As Tyson has often said, an associate editor for the Gannett chain. I said then membership entitles him to participate fully in SEJÕs activities and program committees; the that I hoped to stay in the environmental Report from the only exception is that he canÕt be president or reporting business. And I will. vote for SEJÕs next one. We hope he will con- I have accepted a job as societyÕs president tinue to volunteer his talents. editor/reporter for Environmental Science Upon TysonÕs formal resignation on & Technology, an excellent magazine pro- Tuesday, July 1, Marla Cone assumed the duced by the American Chemical Society. duties of acting president pending the elec- tion of a new SEJ president at the boardÕs It is a job that will allow me to continue previously scheduled meeting on July 18-19 writing about the environment while giv- in Los Angeles. According to the societyÕs ing me an opportunity to work in close bylaws, in the event of the presidentÕs resig- harmony with scientists and chemical nation, the societyÕs Òfirst vice president engineers. For those of you unfamiliar (Cone) and second vice president (Kevin with ACS, it is the worldÕs largest scientif- Carmody), in that order, shall perform the duties of president.Ó ic society, a non-profit organization based By The bylaws also require that the board, in the heart of Washington, D.C. Rae at its subsequent meeting, fill a vacancy in But the SEJ bylaws as written, and Tyson any officer position for the remainder of the interpreted, disqualify me from active unexpired term. Thus, by the time most of membership. Once I accepted the job at We are wrestling with perplexing you read this, SEJ will have a new president who will serve at least until October. ACS. I automatically became an associate issues related to membership. We are fac- Following the board election at the annu- member, a status that does not allow me ing some financial challenges because sev- al meeting in Tucson in October, the board to hold office in SEJ. I will, of course, eral of our major foundation grants are will, as it does each year, fill all five officer remain a loyal member and do what I nearing an end. And we are trying to initi- positions for the next year. can to further the mission of SEJ. There ate and maintain some of the most ambi- Although the society faces some chal- are many ways to serve other than on tious outreach and education programs in lenges, as Tyson outlines above, it also has an experienced professional staff in place to the board. the organizationÕs history. assure that member services are not inter- Ironically, as one of the founders I On the other hand, my departure from rupted during times of transition. SEJ has helped write those bylaws. As vice presi- the board means that new leadership must evolved far beyond the point where Tyson dent of the board, I was until this year the step forward to fill the void. I am confi- and the other co-founders literally ran the chief enforcer and interpreter of SEJÕs dent that new leaders will take this organi- organization out of desk drawers with a mail- membership criteria. To avoid even the zation to new heights. In a sense, it is time ing address borrowed from Scripps HowardÕs Washington, D.C., news bureau. Not to vaguest appearance of impropriety, I for a change, though I would have pre- diminish Tyson contributions, but SEJ is now decided that resignation is the only ave- ferred not to force the issue this way. far bigger than any individual officer or mem- nue available to me. I also recused my- For those of you who have given your ber of the boardÑ because the society draws self from any discussion involving possi- time and energy to SEJ, I want to thank it strength collectively, from its members. ble changes to the current membership you. SEJ has a vitality that we never imag- Any eligible individual who has the time and energy to devote to a term on the board structure. I felt that I had no choice in ined when the organization was founded. is encouraged to run for a seat. Eligible mem- either instance. It has, without a doubt, been one of the bers will be receiving a letter this month out- To the membership of SEJÑespecial- most gratifying experiences of my life. lining the process and requirements.
2 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Letters SEJ ournal On trashing the Meeman Archives SEJournal (ISSN: 1053-7082) is published quarterly by the Society of To The Editor: Environmental Journalists, P.O. Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118. An article in the Spring SEJournal ÒPortions of Meeman Membership $35 per year (student rate $30). Subscription fee $50; $30 Archive trashedÓ misrepresents the efforts that I and Professor library rate. © 1997 by the Society of Environmental Journalists. Paul Nowak of the University of MichiganÕs School of Natural Editor Resources and Environment made to preserve that collection Noel Grove of articles. Editorial Board Chair We did not casually trash the archive, as the article implies. Kevin Carmody Rather, we tried for more than five years to interest SEJ in mak- Design Editor ing the collection a more effective tool for reporters. We suggest- Chris Rigel ed ways to link its content to the SEJ Web site. We asked the board to suggest steps to make more SEJ members aware of the Section Editors resource. When the board showed no interest, we tried to find a Viewpoints Peter Fairley new home for the collection at either Michigan State University On-line Bits & Bytes Russ Clemings or the University of Colorado. Science Survey Sara Thurin Rollin I personally told Jim Detjen at MSU and Len Ackland at Media on the Move George Homsy Colorado nearly two years ago that the collection would be lost Book Shelf Nancy Shute New Members List Chris Rigel if they could not act to save it. And on one of DetjenÕs visits to Calendar Janet Raloff Ann Arbor last year, I showed him the filing cabinets that held Green beat Kevin Carmody the collection--the cabinets that the article says he ÒfoundÓ in February. Having exhausted University of Michigan funds allo- SEJournal will accept unsolicited manuscripts. Send story ideas, cated for the project, we asked the Scripps Howard Foundation articles, news briefs, tips, and letters-to-the-editor to Noel Grove, for supplemental money so that we could pay the monthly stor- [email protected], P.O. Box 1016, Middleburg, VA 22118. Send age costs, but were turned down. Despite that, we kept the arti- calendar items to Janet Raloff, Science News, [email protected], 1719 N cles another six months, but then had no choice but to throw Street N.W., Washington, DC 20036. For Green beat, contact Kevin them away. Carmody, [email protected], 1447 1Ú2 W. Fletcher Street, Chicago, The article quotes me as saying many of the articles in the IL 60657; (708) 633-5970. For book reviews, contact Nancy Shute, collection were Òin tattersÓ. I suspect the reporter simply misun- [email protected], (202) 378-9110, 2730 Wisconsin N.W., derstood. The materials in storage were in fine shape, with the Washington, DC, 20007. first ten years of the collection properly catalogued and orga- For inquiries regarding the SEJ, please contact executive director nized and the next five years stored in the boxes they came in. Beth Parke at the SEJ office, P.O. Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118; The articles of the last two years were in less complete shape, Ph:(215) 836-9970; Fax: (215) 836-9972. Via Internet: [email protected] largely because SEJ did not promptly return those articles which we put on display at the SEJ convention at M.I.T. I agree with The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is a non-profit, tax exempt, the anonymous source the article quotes as saying that the loss of 501(c)3 organization. The mission of the organization is to advance public understanding of environmental issues by improving the quality, accuracy the original articles was Òtragic.Ó What makes it particularly sad and visibility of environmental reporting. We envision an informed society is that is that the loss could have been avoided had SEJ, MSU, through excellence in environmental journalism. As a network of journal- the University of Colorado or the Scripps Howard Foundation ists and academics, SEJ offers national and regional conferences, publica- cared enough to save the stories. tions and online services. SEJÕs membership of over 1,100 includes journal- ists working for print and electronic media, educators, and students. Non- ÑJonathan Friendly members are welcome to attend SEJÕs national conferences and to sub- University of Michigan scribe to the quarterly SEJournal. Jim Detjen responds: SEJournal on the World Wide Web: http://www.sej.org Contrary to Jonathan FriendlyÕs assertions, the SEJ board SEJ Board of Directors: President, Rae Tyson, (703) 830-5997; vice and Michigan State University have made repeated efforts over president, Marla Cone, The Los Angeles Times, (800) 528-4637, ext. several years to preserve the Meeman Archives. 73497; vice president Kevin Carmody, Chicago Daily Southtown, (708) Since SEJ was launched in 1990 the board of directors has 633-5970; secretary, Gary Lee, The Washington Post, (202) 334-4457; worked to make the archives more accessible. We have written treasurer, Sara Thurin Rollin, Bureau of National Affairs, (202) 452-4584; articles about it in the SEJournal, arranged tours of the collection Emilia Askari, (810) 546-5783; Russell Clemings, Fresno Bee, (209) 441- 6371; Erin Hayes, ABC News, (312) 899-4015; Mike Mansur, Kansas City at the University of Michigan during our second national confer- Star, (816) 234-4433; Tom Meersman, Minneapolis Star Tribune, (612) ence and spoken to numerous officials at U of M and the Scripps 673-4414; Gary Polakovic, The Press Enterprise, (909) 782-7564; David Howard Foundation (which has generously supported the collec- Ropeik, WCVB-TV, Boston, (617) 449-0400; Angela Swafford, tion over many years) about ways to preserve the collection. Telenoticias, (305) 376-2168. Representative for academic members: Since I arrived at Michigan State University in January 1995 JoAnn Valenti, Brigham Young University, (801) 378-7020; I have told Jonathan on at least three occasions that MSU was Representative for associate members: Adlai Amor, International Center for Journalists, (202) 737-3700; Jim Detjen, ex officio board member: interested in the collection and that I would personally drive to (517) 353-9479, Michigan State University. the University of Michigan to ÒrescueÓ it, if necessary. In each SEJournal is printed on recycled paper (Continued on page 27)
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 3 SEJ offers newsroom help By MARLA CONE organizations in similar media cover the environment beat. In The Society of Environmental Journalists might be in your each case, the visiting journalists will research local issuesÑ newsroom soon. In an effort to make environmental journalism from Superfund sites to endangered speciesÑbefore they venture more accessible to reporters and editorsÑand ultimately readers, into the newsrooms so they can provide specific story ideas viewers, and listenersÑSEJ plans to mount a pilot program this and tips. year that will provide training sessions in newsrooms across the The National Association of Science Writers and country. Through SEJ, experienced environmental journalists Investigative Reporters and Editors already have will visit newsrooms that currently do not cover environ- established successful outreach programs. SEJ plans mental issues or are seeking more expertise. The idea to fill in the gap by providing training on environmental is to provide practical tips for covering environmental reporting, which in many areas goes unreported. issues with a limited staff. SEJ board members and staff are in the process of Provided free of charge, this service will be tai- choosing candidates for this pilot program, and it is likely lored to suit the needs of the specific editors and the first newsroom visit will occur in August. reporters in each newsroom. One editor might prefer The program is designed to meet one of the goals the that the ÒteachersÓ meet with only one or two SEJ News SEJ board has dubbed a priorityÑoutreach into news- reporters, while others may want most of the staff to participate. rooms across the country. The idea is to bring high-quality envi- Training may last a half-day or stretch out to two or three days in ronmental journalism into more newsrooms, even when staff can- others. Visits to TV news rooms will offer testimonials from not afford a full-time environment reporter. news directors who actively cover the environment beat, along with videotaped examples of work being done elsewhere. Some sessions may culminate in published stories, while SEJ board member Marla Cone reports on the environment others will be purely informational, describing how other news for the Los Angeles Times.
The Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with Greenwire, the electronic news ser- solutions. Also Knighted is Boston Globe went to John McQuaid and Mark vice he founded. Now he freelances from environment reporter Scott Allen. He will Schleifstein of The Times-Picayune in home as he writes his next book, this one join seven other science journalists at the New Orleans. Their series, ÒOceans of about international environmentalism. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Trouble: Are the worldÕs fisheries Michael Nitz, University of Idaho Bruce Ritchie is trading flatlands for doomed?Ó resulted from 15 months of School of Communication, has received a flatirons with a Ted Scripps Enviro reporting (see Bits and Bytes, page 12). one-year Fullbright Fellowship to study Journalism Fellowship at the University McQuaid and Schleifstein also captured German media coverage of environmental of Colorado in Boulder. HeÕll be leaving the Phillip D. Reed Memorial Award for news. He will also teach communication The Gaines-ville Sun this month. Ritchie Outstanding Writing on the Southern classes at the Institute for Political also won first place from the Florida Environment, sponsored by the Southern Science, University of Hamburg. Society of Newspaper Editors for in- Environmental Law Center, which also Craig Trumbo is now assistant pro- depth reporting for The SunÕs ÒStruggling honored Bill Finch and Sam Hodges for fessor in Cornell UniversityÕs Dept. of with SprawlÓ series in March, 1996. their ÒAlabama Forest Cut ShortÓ which Finally, Jim Schwab is brushing up appeared in the Mobile Register. Media on the Move on his fiction writing skills, having been By mixing green and green, reporter selected for the prestigious Breadloaf Mike Ivey has come up with the gold. Compiled by George Homsy Writers Conference in Middlebury, Ivey covers the environment for the busi- Vermont. Started in 1927, the conference ness desk of The Capital Times of Communication where he will teach and has hosted such greats as Norman Mailer, Madison. The Wisconsin Newspaper study reactions to public health risks, an Truman Capote, and Toni Morrison. Association singled him out for ongoing extension of his doctoral thesis. Trumbo Schwab, a researcher for the American environmental coverage including a fea- says, Òif my results hold up, I can go Planning Association and author of the ture on a utility companyÕs effort to back and ask for a bigger grant.Ó More book Deeper Shades of Green, hopes to restore native prairie. importantly, he hopes the research will use the conference to get his novel about The New York Times has a new sci- help communities facing public health life after a homeless shelter on track. ence editor. Cornelia Ryan moved to the problems better communicate with gov- Big Apple from the nationÕs capitol where ernment aid agencies she had been Deputy Washington Editor. This yearÕs class of Knight Fellows Write a book? Start a fellowship? Switch Former Times environmental reporter at Stanford University includes Gary jobs? Contact George Homsy. Fax: (617) Philip Shabecoff has moved his base of Polakovic, environment writer with the 868-8659; Ph: (617) 520-6857;
4 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 SEJ News Tucson conference set Wild west rendezvous for SEJ By JAY LETTO unique open-air zoo/botanical garden/mu- ItÕs time to dust off those cowboy seum, followed by a traditional dinner of boots and dig out that old bolo tie that Southwestern cuisine. Saturday afternoon Share your work some uncle gave you 100 years ago. mini-tours include trips to the Laboratory ThatÕs right, pardner, Ôcause SEJÕs of Tree-Ring Research and an attempted SEJ members are encouraged to headinÕ out West. sustainable community, Civano, the origi- bring copies of recent books and arti- The real West. Tucson. Flanked on nal ÒSolar Village.Ó cles or radio or television news clips two sides by Saguaro National Park and Be sure to make travel plans so you for display in the Reading Room. surrounded by the stunning Sonoran can stick around for our Sunday sessions. Equipment will be available for listen- Desert and picturesque mountain ranges, We head out to Biosphere 2 for exclusive ing and viewing. Tucson is the site of SEJÕs Seventh guided tours inside the $200 million, Academic members are invited to National Conference, October 2-5, 1997. three-acre facility, built to be its own sep- bring copies of recently published Early sign-ups indicate an attendance fig- arate biosphere, now run by Columbia research articles and books for similar ure of about 400, similar to last yearÕs University. Held there will be the popular display in the Reading Room. Contact showing at St. Louis. Hosts this year are ÒWriters on WritingÓ and ÒEnvironmental Academic Board Representative the University of Arizona, the Morris K. HistoryÓ panels, the latter focusing on the JoAnn Valenti if you have questions. Udall Foundation, and the Udall Center legacy of Ed Abbey. YouÕll get an opportunity to test your for Studies in Public Policy. If thatÕs not enough, sign up for the skills, because this yearÕs conference fea- And, we promise to get you Òout post-conference Grand Canyon trip where tures SEJÕs first Environmental Reporting thereÓ to see a piece of the West. you can enjoy its grandeur and talk to Trivia Contest. The written quiz will be Thursday tours include trips to: Nogales, experts about threats to its future. Space handed out in registration packets, and Mexico, to examine border environment is limited and attendance restricted to SEJ answers, with winners and prizes issues; a working ranch and rangeland, to members only. announced at SEJÕs membership meeting address conflict and resolution between Amid the usual plethora of topic pan- Saturday afternoon. ranchers and environmentalists; the els, computer workshops, small-group For more information, call the SEJ University of Arizona Desert Lab, to sessions with newsmakers, debates, and office or check SEJÕs Environmental learn about desert ecology and cultures; reporting tips sessions, will be plenty of Journalism Home Page at http://www. and Hughes Missile Systems and other time for socializing. The opening recep- sej.org. The deadline for early registration sites where trichloroethylene (TCE) has tion Thursday evening will take place at is August 1. See you in Tucson. caused groundwater problems and the Arizona Historical Society Museum. charges of environmental racism. Dinner and reception Friday will be at the Friday afternoon and evening at the Desert Museum. Network lunch on Jay Letto is SEJÕs national confer- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum features Saturday and brunch Sunday morning are ence coordinator and a freelance journal- special presentations throughout this at Biosphere 2. ist in White Salmon, WA.
Biosphere 2, an experiment in enclosed ecosystems, will be a site for several of SEJÕs national conference sessions.
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 5 SEJ News TipSheet use quadruples, spurs memberships By JIM QUIGLEY giving more attention to international The circulation of SEJÕs biweekly issues. Readers have cited specific story Favorite TipSheet Fishing Holes: TipSheet, one year old July 1, has grown ideas they have used, and have offered substantially since a news item about it additional information to be passed on to ¥ Amazing Environmental ran in the winter 1996-97 issue of the the listserv, or used as future tips. Organization WebDirectory! SEJournal. At that time it was reported Since half of the TipSheet readers are http://www.webdirectory.com that the TipSheet had about 400 sub- non-member journalists, the SEJ office ¥ American Lung Association: scribers, split fairly equally between those also gets occasional requests for informa- http://www.lungusa.org receiving it by fax and those receiving it tion and membership applications from ¥ ENN Daily News: by e-mail. Currently, there are 1,622 sub- TipSheet readers. Since the expansion of http://www.enn.com/newstoday/news.htm scribers, 910 via e-mail and 712 by fax. the TipSheet distribution list to include ¥ Envirobiz Press Releases: The SEJ office continues to get regular more broadcasters, the SEJ office has http://www.envirobiz.com/pr.htm requests for new subscriptions. noticed a pick-up in membership applica- ¥ EPA Press Releases: ÒWeÕre delighted with the results,Ó tions from broadcast journalists. http://earth1.epa.gov/PressReleases/ said Beth Parke, SEJ Executive Director. The TipSheet also carries the SEJ ¥ EurekAlert! News Releases (AAAS): ÒThe TipSheet is not only a service for Website address in its footer. While it is http://www.eurekalert.org/Elert/current/pu improving the visibility of environmental impossible to determine how visits to the blic_releases/releases_long.shtml news, it also spreads the word about SEJ.Ó Website are elicited, the SEJ office sur- ¥ GreenWire: http://www.apn.com Distributed every other Wednesday, mises that some must be due to the ¥ National Biological Service (USGS, the TipSheet provides story ideas for jour- TipSheet. The office reports that since Dept. of Interior): nalists in the areas of environmental, sci- early spring more than half of all new http://www.nbs.gov/nbs/nbshp2_2.htm ence and health. It is a joint production of membership applications have been gener- ¥ SciNews-MedNews (client-driven SEJ, the Radio and Television News ated from the SEJ Website
6 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 SEJ News Bear with us in the great outdoors Experts say you are more likely to be struck by lightning ments, exciting it further. As the huge animal rose on its hind than attacked by a bear, but tell that to your imagination. legs, obviously agitated, the nine-year-old in the family climbed Following are a few bear tales by SEJ members: into a carÑnot even hisÑand cowered, not watching. The Mom ä Bear? What bear? Freelancer Margie Kriz of Bethesda, smilingly snapped pictures with a still camera, thinking the MD, was following House candidate Georgiana Lincoln on the rangerÕs 9 mm pistol ensured her safety. The 12-year-old stood campaign trail in Alaska last summer when their small plane by her mother and nicknamed the cute carnivore ÔMr. Fuzzy.Õ was fogged in overnight at the small village of Tanana. ÒDad, brave Dad, grabbed the family video camera and shot ÒThe wonderful folks there found a nice vacant apartment footage of what would surely make network news that night as a for Georgiana, her campaign manager, the pilot, and me to bear attack on a crowd of tourists. But the animal opted for stay in,Ó said Margie. ÒEarly next morning as we prepared for berries instead and ambled away. the two-mile walk to the airport, the phone rang. A ÒGood thing, for the video was later found to be unusable. townswoman said she just wanted us to know that it was okay Too shaky from being held by the supposedly calm newsman. for us to leave now, they had killed the bear. No one had told us Like they say, the camera never lies.Ó there had been a wild bear wandering around the little town for ä A priest, a rabbi, and a minister... From Sarah Gilbert, several weeks! of BoulderÕs Daily Camera: ÒAbout four years ago I took a heli- ÒAs we walked to the airport Georgiana, a Native copter flight into Kluane National Park in the Yukon with a American, and other Native Americans geologist, a botanist, and a mammalo- who had joined us, assured me that if a gist. We landed in this incredible alpine woman meets up with a bear she need Grin & Bare It meadow well above timberline and only moon it and the bear would run about a 10-day hike from civilization. away. I accused them of pulling my leg but they said no, it was ÒWhile I was soaking in all the beauty on that crisp summer one of those weird tales passed along.Ó day the geologist exclaimed, ÔWow, look at these rocks!Õ Bear suit, anyone? ÒThe botanist replied, ÔThatÕs nothing, look at these plants!Õ ä Not recommended! Freelancer Greg Breining of St. ÒThe mammalogist offered, ÔThatÕs nothing, look at this Paul, MN, tells of rounding a corner on a trail while backpack- bear (scat)Õ!Ó ing and meeting a big bear and two cubs. ä Playing bear. Camping in a California state park, Paul ÒI thought the sound of my beating heart would scare them Rogers of the San Jose Mercury News and his girlfriend were into Canada but miraculously, they didnÕt see me,Ó he said. awakened one night by a rustling under the tentÕs rain fly. They ÒThey merely continued to forage through bushes next to unzipped the tent fly in time to see a fleeing raccoon. ÒHeÕs got the trail. one of our hiking boots!Ó the girlfriend shrieked. ÒI tiptoed back around the bend and thought a moment. ÒI noted with relief that it was one of hers, not mine,Ó said Should I wait for them to go? No, that might take too long. Paul, Òbut in the name of chivalry I ran naked after the maraud- What if I just walk through? No, that might startle them. Maybe ing animal and chased it to a standstill at the edge of a precipice. I should make noise and hope they move off. I yelled. I waved my arms, but it wouldnÕt drop the boot. As a ÒSo I marched around the bend again, opened my mouth last resort I did my best impersonation of a grizzly bear. I put and, in one of the most stupid decisions IÕve ever made, uttered the flashlight in my teeth, raised my arms high, roared, and a noise I had made often in playing with my young daughter: I lunged forward. The raccoon dumped the boot and I was a hero growled, loud and mean. for the rest of the trip.Ó ÒWho would have believed that a full-grown bear could ä Avoidance behavior. Mike TaugherÕs girlfriend tried to jump three feet in the air, spin completely around and achieve nudge him awake while camping in Yosemite, to point out that 30 miles an hour before touching the ground? When she did she a bear was brushing back and forth along the side of the tent. was aimed at me, and closing fast. I sprinted for a tree and as I ÒI groggily told her not to worry, that it was just the people prepared to hoist myself up, expecting at any second to feel bear across the lake zipping and unzipping the fly on their tent, teeth on my skull, I couldnÕt resist one last look over my shoul- which is how the sound was being interpreted in my dream. She der. All three bears were gone.Ó didnÕt rest well that night but since sheÕs a nice person, she let ä Cool Dad. Board member David Ropeik has inside me sleep.Ó information on a family of four in a Òbear jamÓ at Glacier Which may help explain why sheÕs now his wife. National Park, watching a grizzly on a hillside at safe distance, along with hundreds of other tourists. Suddenly a second grizzly stepped out of the bushes 100 feet away. Anything humorously connected to the environment ever ÒA park ranger ordered everyone into their vehicles as happen to you, be it bears, boats, or boomerangs? E-mail your quickly and quietly as possible. The bear ambled toward the tales to Noel Grove at [email protected], or send to same at crowd where many continued to make noise and sudden move- Box 1016, Middleburg, VA. 20118.
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 7 Cover Story arenÕt putting all that they know about (from page 1) environmental causality into their stories. Dodging Numbers... Why not? Many admitted that population cause environmental problems, population duced no mention of population growth, I is a controversial issue and said they pre- stability is too loony-fringe an idea even brought up the subject by saying that fer to avoid it if possible. One reporter to be mentioned in the news. many environmental writers considered said, ÒItÕs such an incendiary issue. If you Why would journalists want to avoid population growth one of the ultimate say, ÔIt all comes down to too many peo- mentioning population growth in stories causes of environmental problems. Then I ple,Õ youÕll have everybody from about environmental problems? In Part II asked the journalist if population growth Operation Rescue to the Catholic Church of the study I interviewed a sample of 25 had affected the problem the journalist calling you.Ó journalists to find out. had described. Another said, ÒWe as journalists are My sampling drew from many parts of Eight interviewees mentioned popula- nervous to discuss population.Ó Another the country to ensure a good geographic tion in response to an open-ended ques- told me, ÒMost of us (reporters) wait until distribution of interviewees. I also sought tion. Six discounted population as an influ- somebody says it.Ó Another recalled the reporters from different-size newspapers: ence on the environmental problems they furor over the Philadelphia InquirerÕs nine were from papers with less than had written about. Eleven reporters did not advocacy of Norplant for local teen preg- 250,000 circulation, 10 were from papers volunteer a perspective on population nancy, which produced charges of racism with circulation of 250,000-500,000, and growth, but agreed that it was a significant by area black people. six were from papers with greater than cause after I brought up the subject. Of But in addition to averting controver- 500,000 circulation. these 11, only two seemed unfamiliar with sy, the most common reason journalists In interviewing journalists, I explained the environmental effects of population gave for avoiding population growth in I had retrieved their story via Lexis-Nexis, growth. The other nine were quite conver- their stories was that population growth and I recounted some details of their story. sant with the role of population growth, did not fit within the event frame that Then I asked each reporter, Òwhat would and several mentioned that they write served as their news peg. ÒIÕve got 20 you say was the cause of the problem you about it as an issue occasionally. One inches to explain why a garter snake is wrote about?Ó If that open-ended question reporter who did not mention population in endangered. ThereÕs no room for popula- produced no mention of population, I response to my open-ended questions told tion growth in the story,Ó one reporter asked, ÒCan you think of any other caus- me she had chosen not to have children in said. Another said, ÒI donÕt think globally es? Perhaps at a deeper level of causa- part from environmental concerns. when I write a story; I think, Ôwhat do the tion?Ó If two open-ended questions pro- These responses imply that journalists people in this town want to know about?ÕÓ wildlife habitat into subdivisions and outlet malls: Does population matter? The two primary determinants of the need for home and As the doomsayers/naysayers debate at the St. Louis SEJ commercial construction are population growth and the demoli- annual conference demonstrated, the debate about population tion and retirement of existing facilities, according to When Real can be confusing and rancorous. Estate and Home Building Become Big Business, by L. A generation ago the books that scared everyone about pop- Goodkin. Growth in population creates a need not only for ulation growthÑPaul EhrlichÕs The Population Bomb and the housing but also for supporting real estate facilities such as Club of RomeÕs The Limits to GrowthÑfocused on how popula- shopping centers, service stations, medical clinics, schools, tion would soon grow beyond the supply of food and mineral office buildings, and so on. resources. But what the neoMalthusians predicted would be The From All About Investing in Real Estate Securities by I. Age of Famines is today better remembered as the Age of Cobleigh, ÒThe main idea to keep in mind as you search for Polyester Leisure Suits, and the price of gasoline in constant rewarding corporate reality investments is that in general, land dollars has never been lower. prices are the resultants of population. As more people come on The past generation has shown that population growth has a given section of land, whether to build homes, to work in much more impact on those commodities that do not respond to stores, office buildings, factories, financial institutions, or super- market incentives, that human ingenuity cannot cause to multi- markets, they create a demand for living space, land and struc- ply. Nature, for instance. Although agronomists have tripled or tures. This demand, except during a recession, seems likely to quadrupled the yield per acre of grain, the maximum sustainable expand indefinitely.Ó yield of the worldÕs natural fisheries is fixed by Darwinian, not And from Property Development: Effective Decision- market, forces. Hence the worldÕs fisheries have failed to keep Making in Uncertain Times by J. McMahan: ÒDemand for real up with the demand from growing human numbers, and have estate at the national level is influenced by national population been declining since 1988. The amount of fresh water is also growth and demographic change, coupled with expanding finite and is not keeping up with population growth in many employment opportunities and rising per capita incomes.Ó countries. And the supply of land is actually shrinking, so popu- So yes, human population growth is an important influence lation growth inevitably has great impact on land use. Indeed, on the environment. Journalists are on solid ground when they land developers are very forthcoming about the importance of connect local environmental problems like urban sprawl, water population growth to their mission of converting farmland and shortages, and wildlife habitat loss to population growth.
8 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Cover Story Many interviewees were aware of the of news pegs about population-driven In their 1995 book, Attitudes Toward constraints of being a local reporter. They environmental problems, but donÕt have the Environment: Twenty-Five Years felt that population growth was simply the space or the scope to connect these After Earth Day, Ladd and Bowman con- too broad and distant to problems to a nation- cluded that the domestic population issue figure in their stories. As The number of al issue like popula- in the United States is essentially dead. one reporter told me: ÒI tion growth. The Despite its low salience in the news donÕt know that you can Americans who feel national media can and growing public indifference, U.S. get (population) into the population growth discuss national population continues to grow 10 times as story. There are space within the United issues, but they can- fast as the growth rate of an average limitations and the con- States is a major prob- not peg their stories developed country and at the highest ventions of journalism lem diminished from around local prob- growth rate in the developed world. Our are such that you have lems that, from a population has doubled in the past 50 to keep your paragraphs 41 percent in 1971 to national perspective, years and at current rates could double germane to one another. 29 percent in 1992. seem trivial. again in 60 years. Given AmericansÕ per- If youÕre talking about Less than half of What does this capita consumption rates, this will have wildlife habitat and then Americans polled by pattern of causal stunning environmental effects. all of a sudden youÕre Gallup in 1992 felt myopia in the news A group is forming to try to resurrect talking about world pop- mean to public opin- domestic population growth as an issue. ulation growth, youÕve that population would ion? A May 1992 The U.S. Population Policy Project got to explain to an editor be a problem by the Gallup poll showed (US3P, for short) is co-chaired by Doug how you got there and year 2000. that the number of LaFollette, Wisconsin Secretary of State, use a lot of paragraphs to Americans who feel and David Pimentel of Cornell do that.Ó population growth University. It will sponsor a series of Another said in a similar vein: ÒIt is within the United States is a major prob- workshops, focus groups, and eventually the role of journalists to include popula- lem had diminished from 41 percent in a national population policy conference, tion growth as a source of problems. But 1971 to 29 percent in 1992. Less than half tentatively set for Autumn 1997. The aim on a daily story, you can practically never of Americans polled by Gallup in 1992 of this group is not a one-shot set of do that. On a daily story, itÕs almost felt that population would be a problem meetings, but a continuing dialogue on impossible. If I were to try, my editor by the year 2000. the role of population growth in would probably want me to spend more A second poll, done in 1993 for the American life. This effort is just coalesc- time defining terms, and we donÕt have Pew Global Stewardship Initiative, ing, but it has a Web site: http://www.iti. space for that.Ó showed similar results: less than half of a com/iti/US3P/. Yet another said, ÒOften daily jour- sample of Americans agreed that lower- In the meantime, as U.S. population nalism doesnÕt include the broad context; ing the U.S. birthrate was important for continues to grow blithely, environmental you find that in the op-ed pages. the environment. reporters are guaranteed to have plenty of Journalists are self-conscious about Most tellingly, a nationwide series problems to write about. appearing intellectual; they donÕt want to of focus groups on population and envi- appear self-indulgent.Ó ronment concluded that most Americans From these and other similar com- cannot make the connection between Dr. Michael Maher is assistant pro- ments, I concluded that the working prin- population growth and environmental fessor of communication at the University ciples of journalism create a vast causal problems. The focus groups were spon- of Southwestern Louisiana, and an acade- dissociation with regard to population and sored by the Pew Global Stewardship mic member of SEJ. He can be reached at environment: local reporters have plenty Initiative in 1993. [email protected].
To some people itÕs as fundamental as driving down the freeway Interview...(from page 1) going to work in the morning and being able see Mount Hood. ItÕs that simple for people, as well as for the serious outdoors matter to our readers, people in Portland respond quite similarly people, hunters and fisherman and people who protest timber to the way they do in most metropolitan areas. Quality of life cuts. issues like education, transportation and commuting and enter- Q. Does The Oregonian have a strong tradition of environmental tainment show up loud and clear. What distinguishes this area I reporting? think from other places is that the environment is on that short A. A few years ago we had two or three full-time environmental list, too. ThatÕs because people in the Northwest are invested in reporters and other people who worked around the periphery. the environment. They spend time in the forests, on the streams, WeÕve not only added reporters to the beat, weÕve also tried to at the beach. A lot of people live here because they enjoy the out- make the coverage much more utilitarian, more accessible so door life. A lot of couch potato people care about the environ- people understand what the impacts of certain actions might be ment here, too, because of the natural beauty of the area and upon the environment they use and live in. because the quality of life, relatively speaking, is so good here. Q. Utilitarian?
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 9 Cover Story A. Yeah, a gross oversimplification might be that instead of writ- paper might be seen. Or the big-time investigative reporter. It has ing just about the science of salmon runs declining--how and that kind of status. why that happens--you write about how to reverse that, or what Q. Are your environmental writers criticized as advocates more the financial impact would be if the Columbia River salmon than other reporters on your staff? became extinct. You would bring that cost home to the customer. A. The fundamental obligation for environmental reporters is no If more river water bypasses the dams to save the fishery, then different than for any other reporter. And thatÕs to tell the truth. that could increase utility rates. We have worked real hard to make sure that our coverage is in Q. ThatÕs asking for a much harder level of reportingÑgetting to the middle. ItÕs an easy area to attack journalists because few the consequences. people understand environmental A. Yes, it is harder, but the potential issues deeply. You are dealing with payback is tremendous in terms of Environmental coverage in things like parts-per-million and sci- helping people understand whatÕs Portland is the equivalent of ence. ItÕs harder for readers to sort going on their world and how it has Capitol Hill coverage at the that out. That makes environmental an impact. Washington Post or state capitol reporting easy to attack because the Q. Do you actually have a Òsalmon coverage in Sacramento. risk of attacking is lower. The beat is reporterÓ? relatively new. A. If the car is the symbol for Detroit, At Northwest newspapers, being In sports journalism, itÕs okay to say if the oil business defines an environmental writer is seen as almost anything because ultimately it Houston, then the icon for the an elite job, in the way that perhaps doesnÕt matter. ItÕs not going to Northwest--at least west of the a national writer at a national change the course of civilization. And Cascades--is the salmon. Certainly in political journalism the boundaries fishing has been a huge industry here. paper might be seen, or the big- have long been established and that The salmon is a fine symbol, not just time investigative reporter. It has allows some room for interpretation. economically, but also defining the that kind of status. In environmental journalism, which is independence that has always been a really the phenomenon of the last 20 part of the Northwest. years, the boundaries are not as clear- The salmonÕs struggle has been used to define qualities that ly defined. It really has been up to the reporters to figure out have been valued in the region--intuitiveness, straightforward- where those are. So the opportunity for criticism is greater ness. ItÕs not the kind of thing people talk about at a dinner party because no one is quite sure exactly how and where to draw or think about at their desk during the day. But there is sort of a lines, if you should draw lines. spiritual connection here with the salmon. The story is really But many of the traditional standards apply. Make sure never ending, with issues over salmon recovery, endangered the stories are fair and complete. Make sure the responses are species designations, fishing season limitations, the scientific full and the explanations are clear. And if there are other plausi- debate over how you save the salmon and the more fundamental ble sides to the story, just bend over backward to make sure they debate over whether you want to pay the cost of saving the fish. are there. Q. What is this Ònatural heritageÓ beat? Q. ArenÕt there times, when the debate on an environmental issue A. We want to tell stories about the particular character of the is highly polarized or muddled, that reporters need to immerse Northwest. A couple of our writers do this especially well. When themselves in the subject and draw their own conclusions on the they wade into a stream, they see things based on their experi- validity of competing claims? ence, the time they have spent talking to scientists and farmers A. ThatÕs exactly right. One of the things that is so important to and environmentalists. They see things other reporters might not journalism now is the development of expertise. ThatÕs especially see if they had the opportunity. They see the spiritual connection true in environmental reporting. We have all believed for a long to the environment, the undercurrent. time that in health science and medical journalism that reporters Q. Is your beefed-up environmental coverage in response to have to have expertise, that they have to be able to converse with news competition in the region? doctors and specialists. They at least have to have enough of a A. Tacoma is 150 miles from here. Seattle is 180 miles from working knowledge to be able to sort through the BS and to be here. ThereÕs some competition, but itÕs really more in response able to explain for readers whatÕs going on, and not in scientific to issues that are right in front of us, and to people wanting to jargon. know more about them. The list is endless. ItÕs not just salmon Q. So you believe environmental reporters should address rela- recovery in the Columbia or trees dying in the Cascades. ItÕs also tive risk, scientific uncertainty and other issues that are hard to grazing in eastern Oregon. ItÕs the wise-use movement and explain? Òproperty takings.Ó ItÕs the Endangered Species Act. A. I really do believe that. But itÕs very hard work, and it takes Environmental stories are a fundamental part of what we do. great patience on the editorsÕ part. Because great and experienced You could make an argument that environmental coverage in and talented environmental writers didnÕt get that way just from Portland is the equivalent of Capitol Hill coverage at the doing stories. They got that way from studying and reading and Washington Post or state capitol coverage in Sacramento. At doing hours of interviews that yielded nothing in terms of prod- Northwest newspapers, being an environmental writer is seen as uct for the paper. Traditionally we are very tolerant of that in an elite job, in the way that perhaps a national writer at a national some of the established specialties like medical or science writ-
10 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Cover Story ing. We say that medical writers have got to spend a lot of time which is where some of our critics get off the point. ItÕs about talking to doctors to really understand things. Well, if you are connecting the dots, and about explaining the world that they live going to report with depth about the environment, you have to in. The children who grew up with Earth Day and recycling spend hours and hours listening to scientists, to environmental- are going to be caring adults, wanting to know the world in ists, to bureaucrats. Just understanding the Clinton Forest Plan is which they live. ItÕs not like when we grew up and took for almost a Ph.D. experience. granted that the air was clean, the water was safe. They are grow- If there is an incremental decline in environmental reporting ing up in a time when those assumptions arenÕt quite the same. nationwide it may be because of the time that the beat requires. The environmental ethic is going to produce an appetite for Staffs are smaller, but the pressure to produce stories is no less. reporting that explains things for them. ItÕs fundamental to news- But environmental coverage is only going to become more paper survival anyway. ThatÕs what we do uniquely well. We can important to readers. Our children are being raised in an era explain well. where environmental awareness is fundamental. They see mom and dad putting the newspapers out on the curb every week. They talk about recycling and preservation in school. Now that doesnÕt Chris Bowman, a senior reporter at the Sacramento Bee, has mean they are going to grow up and chain themselves to trees to covered environmental and natural resource issues in California prevent salvage logging. But it does mean the generation that is and the West for several years. He is the first U.S. journalist to coming to age now is connected to the environment. be appointed Environmental Nieman Fellow at Harvard The connection is so important. And itÕs not about advocacy, University.
(from page 1) I break up my 4,000-word articles with sidebars, photos, hot- Cyber scribe... links to other sources, or humor. Humor is a hallmark of Web- at becoming a top-flight, electronic-only magazine and a test bed writing, probably because it grew out of the hacker culture, not for research on how people might use the Web. Since going on- out of J-schools. The negative side of that history is a loss of line in Feb., 1996, The Why Files has been drawing 9,000 to accuracy. The positive side is a looser, more enjoyable use of 15,000 readers per week. language. In a recent article on health and emotion, for example, In writing about topics from astronomy to technology, from I referred to those most prone to stress as being on the Òbest- social science to environment, from sports to eye disease, we stressed list.Ó How many print editors would let that stand? decided to tell stories with this point of view: science is cool. Our audience is a big unknown. E-mail responses and You can understand it once the fancy lingo is stripped away. records of those who log-on include computer geeks and first- Our Òscience behind the newsÓ led us, on the anniversary of time Webbers. They come from 100 countries and range from 5th the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, to cover the graders to teachers to bench scientists. Judging from our e-mail, changing view of radiationÕs health effects. Last ValentineÕs Day we canÕt talk down to our readers. The science has to be rigorous I wrote about male-female attractions, citing evidence that (and accurate, given that NSF sponsorship). But at what level do humans may communicate, without realizing it, with we write? ThatÕs a riddle weÕll never solve definitively. pheromones. In one test, women sniffing T-shirts worn by differ- To write on the Web you must keep up with the marketÑ ent men were attracted to those from men with different immune study what else is being done out there. Do that, and youÕll prob- characteristics. This seems to comprise a natural and subtle method for preserving immune function in offspring. ably notice the differences between Web-writing and print-writ- Every two weeks, I write a 4,000 to 5,000-word story. I also ing. HereÕs my advice for handling some of those differences: write headlines, subheads, and captions, and prepare the glossary First of all, the reader has control over the order in which an and bibliography. When I cruise cyberspace looking for links for article appears, and even where to start. A reader searching, for our stories, I sometimes feel like an alien. IÕm a writer, a believer example, for information on Òradiation hormesisÓ would come in the journalistic tradition epitomized by Upton Sinclair and directly to our page on that topic without reading the dozen pages Rachel Carson. But in Web-roaming I find myself in a virtual on Hiroshima and Chernobyl that had set up the topic. So that valley where the goals are often flashiness, techno-whizzery, and page on radiation hormesis must stand on its own for the special- complexity for its own sake. IÕm not the first one to wonder what ist, but it must fit into the flow of the entire article for those who happened to accuracy, readability, and balance in a medium are reading from the top. At the same time, we allow that special- where ÒwritingÓ is known as Ògenerating content.Ó In the culture ist who landed at ÒhormesisÓ to return to the beginning of the clash between computerdom and journalism, between whiz-bang article and read it all. and Òcontent,Ó between West Coast and Rest-Of-Us Coast, I I suggest avoiding unneeded electronic complexity in creat- stand with the scribes. ing an article. Golly-gee, whiz-bang gimmicks on a Web site But that doesnÕt mean I believe in dumping onto the Web favor the rich, high-tech publishers and sabotage the democratic material that was written for paper. Although that may work on a Òanybody-can-publishÓ ethos of a year or two ago. A lot has Web site created for a specialized audience, it seldom works for a improved in terms of sophisticated presentation, but itÕs not all for general audience. To place an entire article from a print magazine the better. There may be fewer sophomoric, home-built pages, but onto the Web and expect the average surfer to read it is about as thereÕs also more of a need to download this plug-in, rejigger that sensible as throwing the text of War and Peace on the screen of setting, and most significantly, buy a higher-horsepower comput- prime-time television and hoping for good ratings. er. There are giant commercial battles over browsers and comput-
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 11 Cover Story
at hundreds of photos of the atomic bombings. These hotlinks may appear in the story (using explicit language that tells readers where the hotlink will take them) or in the bibliography that accompanies each article. (Heeding the primacy of print, the bib lists books and magazine articles before Web resources.) We try to keep the reader ÒfoundÓ rather than lost in cyber- space. To that end, we rely heavily on subheads, captions and graphics to keep readers oriented. We use simple drawings, or even cartoons, to de-jargonate stories. We offer definitions for readers who need them in a glossary thatÕs just a click away. We help the reader keep up-to-date on the future by linking to sites that present current information. In our forest fire story, we linked to a U.S. Forest Service map that shows yesterdayÕs forest-fire danger around the country. (Thus, tomorrow, the site will show todayÕs conditions. Try that with print!) We print e- mail from scientists (but only with permission and only if they can actually write). In our volcano story, we ranÑon a lined- paper backgroundÑa great letter from an expert on recoloniza- tion of an island destroyed by a volcano. We use a provocative toneÑto keep the reader awake if noth- ing else. Links to the next page commonly ask pugnacious ques- tions: ÒSo-and-soÕs theory sounds crazy, but could there be some- thing to it?Ó or ÒI bet you were starting to believe this bunkum...Ó Finally, we occasionally tickle the ears. We ran heartbeat noises, barely audible, on the intro page to our story about The National Institute for Science EducationÕs Web site, Web heart surgery. page above, is maintained by three part-time specialists. The Why Files is entirely written by our staff of three part- er languages, with gigabucks riding in the balance. timers, but as the Web matures, some publications are starting to Since relatively few readers have high-class connections, IÕd buy freelance material. Still, I expect that more work will come suggest using some bells and whistles but remembering that most from the increasing number of organizations that are initiating people canÕt take advantage of them yet. So complicated whiz- Web sites, or replacing a boringly institutional site with some- bang should remain secondary to the task of telling the story. The thing more lively, entertaining, and digestible. Web is entertainment, and unfortunately most readers are I often run across biases against the Web, such as Òanything slouched at a desk, not sitting in an easy chair. so trendy must be equal parts fraud and hype.Ó ThereÕs consider- In light of these technology-for-its-own-sake precautions, able truth to that. But itÕs also true that this kid we call the Web how does The Why Files use video, sound, interactivity, and links is the only candidate for global bookstore and world library. As a to other Web sites? We rely heavily on other Web resources to medium barely out of toddlerhood, it has phenomenal potential. fill out our stories. As a non-commercial site, weÕre happy to And it can be a cool place to write. direct readers to great, free sites where readers can find a bound- less supply of extra information. In our ÒRadiation RevisitedÓ story, for example, we linked to Web sites run by the Radiation David Tenenbaum is the feature writer at The Why Files, a Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima, The U.S. Department biweekly electronic science magazine housed at University of of Energy, and a medical physics organization, where readers Wisconsin-Madison (http://whyfiles.news.wisc.edu). He is also a could meet experts, read abstracts of science studies, and goggle freelancer and science correspondent for ABCNEWS.com. SEJ online services not difficult to access ¥ The SEJ web page
12 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 New Members
Environmental News Network, ENN Website, NYC The following list represents new SEJ Online, Sun Valley North Dakota members recorded from April 1, 1997 through June 29, 1997. Memberships Illinois ¥ Heather Larson (academic), University recorded after June 29 will appear in ¥ Max Bazerman (academic), of North Dakota, School of SEJournal volume 7, Number 3. Northwestern University, Organization Communication, Grand Forks Alaska Behavior, Evanston Ohio ¥ Doug Schneider (associate), University ¥ Sheryl A. Reda (associate), Conscious ¥ Michelle Tedford (active), The Dayton of Alaska NOAA-Sea Grant College Choice Journal of Ecology, Chicago Voice, Dayton Program, Fairbanks ¥ Mark D. Uehling (active), Chicago Oregon California ¥ Robert Vosper (associate), The Field ¥ Christy George (active), Oregon Public ¥ Steven Church (active), The San Museum of Natural History, Chicago broadcasting, Marketplace, Portland Bernardino Sun, San Bernardino Indiana Pennsylvania ¥ Jennie Fitzhugh (academic), San Jose ¥ Benjamin Cox (academic), Indiana Univ. ¥ Joseph Robert Lankard (academic), Penn State University Journalism Department, Purdue Univ., The IUPUI Sagamore, State University, Indiana Porterville Indianapolis Texas ¥ John Ince (associate), Earth Aid ¥ George Howard (academic), University ¥ Ames Presley (active), Texarkana Foundation, New Paradigm Series of Notre Dame Dept. of Psychology Utah Sausalito Louisiana ¥ Brent Israelsen (active), Salt Lake ¥ John J. Tipton (active), Porterville ¥ Marilyn Barrett-OÕleary (associate), Tribune, Salt Lake City Recorder, Porterville Louisiana State University Sea Grant, Virginia Colorado Baton Rouge ¥ Lynn M. Davis (associate), Virginia ¥ Anna Perea (academic), Colorado State ¥ Mike Maher (academic), University of Tech College of Forestry and Wildlife University, Journalism & Technical Southwestern Louisiana, Communication Resources, Roanoke Communication, Fort Collins Department, Lafayette ¥ Tracey Grau (active), WSET-TV, Connecticut Massachusetts Lynchburg ¥ Clare Condon (active), Business & Legal ¥ Ross Gelbspan (active), Brookline ¥ Joan Hustace Walker (active), Ashburn Reports, Inc., Environmental Compliance, ¥ Anne Harding (active), Stow Washington Madison ¥ Deborah Knight (associate), Lexington ¥ Laura T. Coffey (active), Seattle Daily ¥ Ira Flatow (active), ScienCentral, Inc., ¥ Marie D. Natoli (associate), Suffolk Journal of Commerce, Seattle Stamford University Law School, Dicta, Wellesley Wisconsin District of Columbia Michigan ¥ Jennifer Fessler (academic), UW- ¥ Eliene Augenbraun (active), ¥ Jon Hoban (active), Great Lakes Radio Stevens Point Communication, Biology ScienCentral, Inc. Consortium, Ann Arbor Department, Stevens Point ¥ Patricia B. Kelly (associate), ¥ David Reich (associate), Wayne State Canada ¥ Kevin McManus (active), Washington University, Exemplar, Detroit ¥ Arlene Bouwman (active), Templegate Post Minnesota Information Services Inc., Canadian Florida ¥ Mark Neuzil (academic), University of Environmental Regulation and ¥ Jan Hollingsworth (active), The Tampa St. Thomas, Department of Journalism & Compliance News, Georgetown, Ontario Tribune, Tampa Mass Communication, St. Paul Czech Republic Idaho New York ¥ Xavier A. Cronin (associate), 15500 ¥ Stephen Schowengerdt (active), ¥ Conn Nugent (active), Liberty Tree Prague 5 said they get ideas for print or broadcast coverage from the SEJournal submission deadlines pages. The comment was once made that many members read Fall Ô97 ...... October 15, 1997 the Journal from the back to the front. Winter Ô98...... January 15, 1998 This is not heavy lifting. Most members are aware of events Spring Ô98 ...... April 15, 1998 in their state (or sometimes more than one state) anyway, so a Summer Ô98...... July 15, 1998 quick wrap on the top stories, how they are being covered, and contact information about those who did the work suffices. Submissions should be sent to Noel Grove, editor, Positions for Green Beat correspondent are open to any SEJ [email protected], P.O. Box 1016, Middleburg, VA 20118 members, though preference will be given to journalists or edu- Want to contribute to the best-read section of the SEJournal cators. Anyone interested may call Kevin Carmody at (773) and brag about your region at the same time? 229-2814, or Chris Rigel, [email protected] or at SEJ head- The Journal has several vacancies for correspondents in the quarters at (215) 836-9970 Green Beat section, where environmental writers in states and YouÕll be making an important contribution to SEJ and will regions around the country report on coverage being done in have your name listed among the Green Beat correspondents, no their area. The section is very popular with readers. Many have small honor.
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 13 Listservs, web sites help win Pulitzer Member of Times-Picayune team describes electronic research By MARK SCHLEIFSTEIN Gulf of Mexico. The only way to explain the GulfÕs problems and potential hazards was to compare it to fisheries worldwide. EditorÕs note: Earlier this year a team from the New John also discovered that fisheries management was not the safe, Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper won the Pulitzer Prize for steady system that the managers wanted the public to envision. public service, for an eight-day special report entitled ÒOceans It was a politically-operated bureaucracy that itself was threaten- of Trouble: Are the WorldÕs Fisheries Doomed?Ó SEJ member ing fisheries. Mark Schleifstein reports here on the long process of gathering Once the worldwide scope was decided upon, the question information for the series. was, where to go. We felt we needed to understand Online the Japan fish market. Without understanding how In December 1994, I wrote a simple paragraph that set Japanese buyers made decisions on where to buy fish, bits & bytes in motion the biggest reporting project IÕve ever undertaken. weÕd never really answer the question of what drove My editors had asked for ideas about projects for the com- fishing in the Gulf and elsewhere around the world. ing year. I glanced through a list of story ideas in my com- Since we were going that far, a stop in puter and wrote the following: Thailand to study their shrimp aquaculture made ÒSeafood: We need to do a major take-out on sense, since foreign competition was a sore point how the rapidly declining stocks of a variety of for Gulf shrimpers. The shrimpers were being seafood species, ranging from redfish to shrimp to sea trout, are forced to the verge of bankruptcy by the combination of cheap affecting the state. This is a huge story that weÕve covered poorly imports and new, expensive shrimp-fishing rules, such as on a daily basis, inasmuch as seafood is the third or fourth largest requirements for devices that exclude turtles and a bycatch of industry in the state. I see this as a bells-and-whistles project.Ó juvenile fish. The editors went for the idea and decided to team me with We also needed to compare other fishing areas to the Gulf, three people: John McQuaid, our Washington correspondent, and other habitat problems with LouisianaÕs wetlands. John went who has covered environmental issues both in Congress and dur- to Japan, Thailand, and New England. Bob went to Alaska. I ing two years as our Central American correspondent; Bob traveled the Everglades system through Florida. Marshall, our nationally respected outdoors writer; and photogra- We found our best source of leads for both scientists and pher Ted Jackson, whose expertise is in filming both complicated fishers was the listserv. A listserv is an e-mail mailing list that people stories and wildlife stories. Keeping track of what we connects people with like interests. You subscribe to it, and all of were doing would be political editor Tim Morris. a sudden, you receive copies of all mail sent to that list. We had to learn everything we could about fish as fast as we When we began our project, America Online had its own could, a process that took more than a month and required a searchable list of listservs, so I started there. Today, there are search for general books on fisheries and specific books on several internet sites that serve the same purpose. For instance, issues we discovered. We used listservs from the very beginning, an index of fish-related listservs can be found at lurking at first on a variety of fisheries and environmental lists,
14 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Bits & Bytes
¥ Coastnet, scientists and others discussing coastal issues. three file boxes full of notes, two bookshelves full of books and ¥ FISH-ECOLOGY, discussion of scientific fisheries issues; reports and a desk full of odds and ends. And those were just my ¥ FISHERIES, a similar sort of list; paper files. I had eight 3-inch computer disks full of notes and ¥ FISHFOLK, a discussion of social science and fisheries, John had 20 of his own, in addition to his own huge file boxes used by sociologists, anthropologists and economists. John used that he kept shipping by UPS between Washington and New this list to gather quite a bit of information about the effects of a Orleans. And we had stored a staggering 600 files of notes in the system called individual transferrable quotas that was being con- paperÕs mainframe computer. We kept getting blamed by other sidered as a tool for limiting the number of fishers on both the reporters every time the computer system crashed. east and west coasts. John also met his fiance, an anthropologist While we were reporting, Tim and other editors were at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, through the list. reminding us to keep graphic artists informed of potential graph- ¥ INFOTERRA, an environmentalist-oriented worldwide list. ics. Ted was doing his own research on the internet, quizzing This list proved quite useful other photographers on the best over the past year in our cover- In the end, we had too much information way to take underwater pictures age of issues involving gold and the potential for good pho- mining in Indonesia by for the space available over eight days, and tographs at locations to which Freeport-McMoran, a fortune left whole stories, many photos, and several he would accompany us. 500 company based in New I used my tried-and-true Orleans. We were able to track method of going back through rumors involving the Bre-X all my notes and extracting gold mine scam on this list, because it is used by quite a few quotes, and then categorizing them. That helped me come up non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with indige- with story themes that I could flesh out with information from nous peoples. reports, or with more reporting to fill in holes. At the same time, ¥ SHELLFISH, a discussion of shellfish culturing issues for Tim would hammer out draft outlines that we would kick around oyster, mussel and clam growers. and see if they fit our notes, or vice versa. John and I started signing up for a number of the lists. I As we wrote, we would run drafts by our artists, who would already was a member of SEJ-L, the Society of Environmental pull out information for their graphics. We also would do addi- Journalists listserv, as well as CARR-L and NICAR-L, all of tional reporting for the artists, finding photos and drawings of which proved useful during the project. Signing up consists of specific fish, and a variety of maps. sending a message to a special address, normally the home com- In the end, we still had too much information for the amount puter of the list. You generally send an e-mail that includes the of space available over eight days, and left whole stories, many word Òsubscribe,Ó the name of the list and your name. photos and several graphics on the cutting-room floor. What we Web pages also proved invaluable. Numerous scientific ended up with, however, outlined the breadth of fisheries prob- papers have been posted on the Web; we could even pull up pic- lems facing Louisiana, the United States and the world, and won tures of a small piece of the coast of Norway to better describe a Pulitzer Prize. the area affected by a dead zone similar to the one in the Gulf. Writing our series turned out to be the most difficult and frustrating job. We had done so much reporting, gathered so Mark Schleifstein has been a reporter with the Times much information, talked to so many people. I had accumulated Picayune since 1984. First environmental cybermeeting planned A British chemical engineering soci- All of the conference proceeding will a so-called flesh conference to discuss ety is planning what may be a first this be free, and all will be online at the the problem, we can actually make fall: An environmental conference held Environment97 Web site, http://www.en things worse.Ó entirely online, over the Internet. vironment97.org, where registration is Whether a virtual conference will Environment97 will have more than already available. prove as valuable to its participants as an 150 technical and general papers on sub- The conference will be held over two actual one wonÕt be known until it hap- jects that range from climate change and weeks, from Monday Nov. 3 to Sunday pens. To prove their point, Environ- urban air quality to pollution prevention Nov. 16. Sponsor is the Institution of ment97Õs organizers plan to do a life- and the future of wind power. Each Chemical Engineers, an international cycle analysis of their conferenceÕs envi- keynote paper will also have a corre- body of chemical and process engineers ronmental impacts and compare it with sponding online discussion group, and based in Rugby, UK. conventional conferences. there will be audio interviews with 10 ÒIt is ironic that conferences, particu- ÒAt the end of Environment97,Ó environmental experts on future develop- larly international ones, have such a large Smith said, Òwe will know how many ments in environmental protection, along environmental impact,Ó said the organiza- kilograms of carbon dioxide weÕve saved with transcripts for those whose comput- tionÕs safety, health, and environment by running Environment97 over the ers canÕt play sounds. manager, Dr. Mark Smith. ÒBy running Internet.Ó
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 15 Features Bridging the gap to science Teamwork necessary in reporting environmental issues By KRIS M. WILSON least one scientist agrees with many news gatekeepers (e.g., news directors, reporter assessments of his colleagues. reporters, editors, photographers, produc- Excerpts from a speech by Kris M. Atmospheric scientist John Firor told a ers) who come in contact with the news Wilson, Ph.D., to scientists attending gathering of environmental journalists, and then filter it through their own percep- the Science and Its Critics Conference, ÒThe scientific community is the main tions and experiences. Many of these peo- March 1997. culprit in miscommunicating information ple who frame our world have limited sci- For most people, the reality of science about global warming to the pressÑwe ence backgrounds. Getting on the news is what they see in the media. For those of speak in jargon, and have focused too agenda means clearly demonstrating the you in the audience who are scientists, this much on just temperature change.Ó relevance of scientific research to the may be a disturbing notion. But study ÒThe current global warming debate: average consumerÕs life. after study indicates that television is the is it science or just media hype?Ó asks Competition among news outlets can primary source of news and information in Steve Schneider, one of the most outspo- also constrain good science reporting by our society. My research has found this is ken proponents of a global warming. Even encouraging a premium on Òbreaking true with scientific topics as well. Schneider cannot find an easy answer to news,Ó and discouraging the coverage of As a crude example, with a show of the question, since he is part of both the long-term issues. Climate change is just hands, how many of you learned about the hype and the science. one example of a long-term scientific successful sheep cloning by reading the ÒScientists need to get some broad- issue that is difficult to cover for a daily original article in the journal Nature? (One based support, to capture the public imagi- news budget. A short-term drought hand goes up, that of the editor for nation,Ó Schneider continues. ÒThat, of episode is much easier to visualize and Nature!). How many of you read about it in course, entails getting loads of media cov- portray. Ninety seconds of testimony is a newspaper or saw it on TV? (Nearly all erage. So we have to offer up scary sce- boring stuff for television, but images of hands go up). Even among this esteemed narios, make simplified, dramatic state- scorched land, sweaty brows on farmers, group of scientists, the important role of the ments, and make little mention of any and shots of the blazing sun all add spice media is evident. It makes sense then that doubts we might have. Each of us has to to the climate change story. we discuss ways to strengthen this impor- decide what the right balance is between Mother Nature cooperated in the sum- tant, necessary relationship between scien- being effective and being honest.Ó mer of 1988, providing the visuals of tists and journalists. My research has This particular quote has embroiled drought as scientists warned about possi- focused on the scientific topic of climate Schneider in an on-going debate with sev- ble future droughts in an enhanced green- change reporting, so I will refer to it often eral other climate-change scientists who house world. Whether the two are actually as one example of science journalism. say that Schneider has created his own linked is impossible for current science to According to Dorothy Nelkin in her ethical bind. Certainly this fractious evaluate, but regardless, the images are groundbreaking book Selling Science, atmosphere among scientists is account- now part of the televised portrayal of a many scientists are quick to condemn the able for some of the miscommunication to greenhouse world, and a part of the reality media, to criticize the quality of science and in the media about climate change, of climate change for those viewers rely- reporting, and to attribute negative or but there are other factors as well. IÕd like ing on television news. The need to visu- naive public attitudes toward science and to mention some of the realities of jour- alize the greenhouse story has exacerbated technology to the images conveyed in the nalism in hopes that you may better the Òdueling scientistÓ scenario postulated press. William Burrows in his 1980 arti- understand the environment in which sci- and promoted by Steve Schneider. cle, ÒScience meets the press,Ó describes ence is reported. Another limitation to solid science the uneasy relationship between scientists Science stories are not only affected reporting is the overwhelming pressure of and journalists this way: ÒScientists think by the often turbulent and tenuous rela- deadlines which tends to make stories that whatever they tell a reporter is bound tionship between scientists and journalists, overly-simplified and one-sided. Under to come out wrong. Most ordinary but also with a number of journalistic con- pressure of a deadline, a reporter is tempt- reporters would practically cross the street straintsÑfactors such as space, competi- ed to rely on one source. My research to avoid running into an expert since they tion, economics, deadlines, one-source indicates that most reporters rely on each consider scientists to be unemotional, stories, and complexity. A finite amount other as primary sources of climate uncommunicative, unintelligible creatures of space is available in a newspaper, and change information. A similar situation who are apt to use differential equations an even smaller amount of time is open in likely exists with other scientific topics. and logarithms against them the way a daily news broadcast in which to report I refer to this as food chain journal- Yankee pitchers use inside fast balls and the dayÕs events. Science stories must ism, and it has its roots in the biological breaking curves.Ó compete to get on the news agenda. concept. Once a science story gets on the With the topic of climate change, at These decisions are made daily by news agenda at a national newspaper, such
16 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Features as the New York Times, it trickles its way many of these general assignment be accomplished. down the news food chain until it is reporters. Complexity acts as a constraint Modern journalists and scientists can picked up at the local level. Results from because some journalists may not know find a refreshing reminder of the optimal my climate change study indicate goal of science reporting in the this is highly problematic. Any ÒTrue descendants of Prometheus, words of one of the earliest sci- errors in reporting, which are science writers take the fire from the scien- ence writers, William Laurence common with single source sto- of the New York Times, who ries, are often compounded lower tific Olympus, the laboratories and the uni- wrote: ÒTrue descendants of on the food chain. versities, and bring it down to the people.Ó Prometheus, science writers Most reporters tend to rely on take the fire from the scientific previously published newspaper Olympus, the laboratories and stories as their primary informa- the universities, and bring it tion sources, but those reporters who go how to recognize what is important and down to the people.Ó directly to scientists are significantly better may, therefore, miss a newsworthy story. When Laurence began his career in informed. As a scientist, you can help Simplification is an important process for the 1930s he was one of only a handful of improve science reporting first-hand by the press to help the audience understand journalists concerned with science. Today being available and accessible to reporters, complex concepts, but oversimplification the media are paying increased attention and making sure they are getting their can lead to a host of crucial errors for to science, technology, and the environ- information from credible sources. This journalists. As SchneiderÕs quote demon- ment, creating more opportunity for scien- will help reduce the problems associated strates, scientists themselves are also tists and journalists to interact. Science with food chain journalism. implicated in the oversimplification of and journalism have been forced into an Like other commercial enterprises, complex scientific concepts. uneasy marriage that is necessary, but news organizations are in business to Scientists often feel the need to talk strained. With some concerted effort this make money. The need to turn a profit can down to reporters and the public, and this marriage can be saved, for the betterment also act as a constraint to effective science can lead to strained relationships. Most of the democracy which science and jour- reporting. In the 1990Õs many news orga- scientists are much more comfortable talk- nalism both serve. nizations have cut back on science and ing with each other through scientific environmental reporting because of the journals than to the mass media. About extra time and investigation necessary to 50,000 journals and one million scientific Kris Wilson, assistant professor in the cover these issues. Many specialized papers are published every year. William Allen White School of Journalism, reporters have been reassigned off the Unfortunately, few ordinary citizens read University of Kansas, earned his Ph.D. in environmental beat, leaving complicated these scholarly publications. Today, when Geography at the University of Colorado- scientific stories in the hands of general most scientific research is publicly fund- Boulder specializing in climatology and assignment reporters. ed, I would argue that scientists have an climate change. He spent more than a A final constraint to good science obligation to inform taxpayers on what decade in the television news business as reporting is the complexity of science, and their dollars are discovering. Only through a news director, anchor, executive pro- the lack of education and/or training for the mass media can such communication ducer, reporter and weathercaster. Institute for reporting marine and enviro issues funded An institute that would enable journalists in reporting on Michael P. Metcalf, former publisher of the Providence, (RI) developments in marine and environmental sciences came closer Journal-Bulletin, who had a special interest in marine and envi- to reality in June with a $725,000 gift from the A.H. Belo ronmental matters. It will consist of biennial seminars which bring Corporation of Dallas. GSO scientists and others into a working relationship with profes- The gift bolsters a $250,000 challenge grant pledged by the sional journalists and students from the URI Journalism Providence Journal Charitable Foundation in 1995, to endow Department. This unique pairing of the scientific and journalistic such an institute as part of the University of Rhode IslandÕs communities will allow each to learn how the other conducts Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). The Washington research and addresses issues that impact on the public, and PostÕs Philip L. Graham Fund has also contributed to building enable the two communities to collaborate on reporting about sci- the endowment. entific research. The biennial sessions will be based at the GSO The A. H. Belo Corporation is the Dallas-based television and managed in conjunction with the URI Journalism Depart- and newspaper company that recently acquired the Providence ment. The grants will provide funds to design the institute and Journal Co. The universityÕs GSO is the largest marine science cover tuition for up to eight participants to attend the first session. education program in the United States, and one of the worldÕs ÒThis institute will allow us to provide journalists from foremost marine research institutions. It serves a community of across the country with the specialized information they need to scientists who are researching the causes of and solutions to such communicate about the often complex findings in the marine and problems as acid rain, global warming, air and water pollution, environmental research areas,Ó said Barbara Luebke, chair of oil spills, overfishing, and coastal erosion. URIÕs Journalism Department. ÒWe feel this should make for The new institute is envisioned as a tribute to the late better-informed reporters and better reporting to the public.Ó
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 17 Electronic emission reports Disclosure: are helping corporate spies By MARK GREENWOOD Second, EPA is seeking data integra- description of environmental conditions tion through ENVIROFACTS and other possible. Second, information providers Does Web site disclosure of chemical projects. Data integration serves several must explain the significance of environ- emissions do more harm than good? useful purposes, but it also increases the mental data by providing contextual infor- Opposing views are presented on these clarity with which competitors can view mation such as information about the two pages. the operations of particular facilities. comparative risk of chemicals, the quality With the arrival of the Information Third, EPA is seeking to boost the of scientific assessments or facility data, Age, governmental agencies concerned currency of its information by supplying or a description of what can and is being with environmental protection have recog- Òreal timeÓ data about environmental con- done about a problem. nized the power of information disclosure ditions. EPAÕs Website now includes real A serious commitment to Òenviron- as a means of influencing private behav- time (i.e., 30 minute) updates of air emis- mental information stewardshipÓ by pub- ior. Agencies like the U.S. Environmental sion data collected at air monitoring sta- lic agencies means hard work and new Protection Agency are adopting an Òinfor- tions in several states. This can only investments. Some argue that primary mation providerÓ role, disseminating a improve the value of these data for espi- responsibility for data quality lies with the large array of data bases, software tools onage purposes. private sector. EPA officials have said and other information ÒproductsÓ to the publicly that the best way to improve data public for their use. EPAÕs Worldwide quality on facilities is to disseminate what Web site (www.epa.gov) now houses Viewpoints is available, knowing that some of the 400,000 pages of material and receives 7 is a regular feature offering a data is inaccurate, and wait for the adverse million ÒhitsÓ per month. This new forum forum to those who deal with reactions to prompt the business commu- for public discourse on environmental environmental issues in the media. nity to update the files. issues will generate much debate in the Opposing viewpoints are welcome. This approach is the abdication of next several years. stewardship. Facility operators have a Two issues promise to be particularly EPA should recognize that trade responsibility to file accurate reports, but controversial. First, the government will secrets go beyond the formula of a partic- the government has an obligation to estab- have to find the proper balance between ular product. For example, understanding lish reasonable procedures to allow for serving public needs for information and a competitorÕs inventory situation can discovery and correction of errors, which protecting the privacy of legitimate trade allow a firm to gain pricing advantages in may have been made by the facility sub- secrets. Second, the government will need the marketplace. A sound system for pro- mitting the data or by the governmentÕs to take on new responsibilities to assure tecting trade secrets must also face up to information managers. The dissemination that the information it provides the public the Òjigsaw puzzleÓ problem. Incremental of inaccurate data in EPAÕs public is accurate, understandable and fair. disclosures of otherwise unremarkable resources hurts legitimate private inter- Many advocates for public disclosure data can be assembled, particularly ests, undercuts EPAÕs credibility and does dismiss the trade secret concerns as a through computer networks and tools, in a a major disservice to the public. perennial business complaint aimed at dis- manner that can reveal the outline of a Stewardship also necessitates a care- couraging any and all public disclosure. trade secret. ful assessment of public information Several factors, however, suggest that Finally, EPA must begin to consider needs and an ongoing effort to determine there has been a quantum leap in the the institutional dilemma created by its how the public uses existing resources and threats that environmental disclosures can adoption of the public Òright to knowÓ what the priorities for the future should present to proprietary interests. ethic as a core principle for the Agency. be. To date, EPA has primarily relied on For example, one data base tool on This new policy direction creates a ten- public interest groups as its source of EPAÕs Website known as ENVIRO- sion with EPAÕs traditional role as a neu- information about public needs. While FACTS allows anyone in the world to call tral arbiter of disputes concerned with these groups deserve to be heard, the up the agencyÕs public files on emissions, public disclosure and protection of propri- Agency must also seek to understand the wastes and product inventory at a particu- etary information. needs of average citizens. EPA has done lar facility. While these data have always A second and larger class of chal- very little in this regard. technically been in the public domain, lenges raised by EPAÕs embrace of infor- they have often been hard to find. By mation technology involves Òenvironmen- empowering citizens in communities, tal information stewardship.Ó The essence Mark Greenwood, a partner at the EPA has also allowed these data to be eas- of this is twofold. First, information Washington law firm Ropes & Gray, ily transferred to the desktops of our eco- providersÑwhether they be private firms serves as counsel to the Coalition for nomic competitors all over the world, or government agenciesÑmust tell the Effective Environmental Information, an greatly reducing the cost of economic truth. There must be an absolute commit- industry association. He worked at EPA espionage. ment to communicating the most accurate for 16 years.
18 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Viewpoints Industry emission reports Disclosure: arm Davids against Goliaths By GARY D. BASS access to government information, the con- claims exceeded two-hundredths of one In a democratic society, information cept should be applauded. To the extent percent of TRI forms submitted. In 1995, is power. In todayÕs Information Age, that ÒstewardshipÓ becomes another back there were 13 claims among more than access to information has allowed journal- door way to gut public access or stymie 73,000 forms submitted. Right-to-know is ists in the United States to pursue greater EPAÕs implementation of public protec- not about forcing Coca-Cola or any other public accountability and, in general, seek tions, it must be vilified. company to divulge their secret formula. the truth. It has empowered citizens to The federal government does face EPA should move aggressively to tackle economic, social, and environmen- some real information management chal- adopt the trade secret principles used tal justice issues, and it has made the pub- lenges. EPA and other agencies need to under TRI as an over-arching agency poli- lic a wiser consumer. develop a comprehensive plan for manag- cy. This new policy should require parties In the environmental area, the Toxics ing information through its entire life to substantiate confidentiality claims at the Release Inventory (TRI) has proved to be cycle, from collection to dissemination to time of filing by showing that: (a) disclo- an equalizing force beyond compare. The maintenance and archiving. Such a plan sure is likely to cause substantial harm to 1986 law creating the TRI the competitive position of the required manufacturing facilities It should be no surprise that industry company; (b) the information has to report annually on releases of has paid public lip service to the values of not been disclosed by industry to toxic chemicals to the air, water, the TRI while working to gut the program. any other person, except those and land. EPA was mandated to bound by confidentiality agree- make this data accessible to the ments; and (c) chemical identity public Òthrough computer telecommunica- would improve enforcement, help the pub- can not be readily Òreverse engineeredÓ by tions and other means to any person.Ó lic by amplifying the right-to-know agen- industry insiders from other public infor- Today, anyone can use the Internet or da, and help the regulated community by mation. There should be penalties for false consult a paper copy to learn about toxic eliminating redundant and duplicative trade secret claims and filings should be releases in their community. Time and reporting requirements. signed by a high level corporate official. again the TRI proved that, when armed Data quality and quantity can be Increasingly, industryÕs new mantra is with information, a small band of Davids improved. Most information collected by global competitionÑand that right-to- can slay the corporate Goliaths. The scale EPA is self-reported by industry, and dis- know puts U.S. companies at an economic has tilted away from powerful, special closure will press businesses to ensure that disadvantage because foreign competitors interests operating in secret to a more their reports are accurate. The range of do not face similar disclosure require- balanced and publicly accountable environmental, public health, and eco- ments. If industry believes this, we sug- situation. So it should be no surprise nomic information made available to the gest that it work with the public interest that industry has paid public lip service public should be expanded. EPAÕs propos- community to promote universal right-to- to the values of the TRI while working al to add chemical use information is one know policies. Use the power of trade hard behind the scenes to gut the program. example. In addition, the data must be pre- agreements, which business strongly sup- During the ill-fated 1995-96 congres- sented in user-friendly form by, for ports, to accelerate the international sional fight over the RepublicanÕs instance, cross-linking databases. spread of public access policies. Contract with America, industry used its On the issue of protecting trade By no means is right-to-know a Òsolu- weight to insert provisions in regulatory secrets, while there are legitimate trade tion,Ó but it is a powerful tool. Some may ÒreformÓ legislation to undermine the secrets that should be protected, confiden- see similarities between what Greenwood program. This year, several industries tiality must not become a euphemism for proposes and what we suggest. To the launched an intense lobby campaign thwarting the publicÕs right-to-know. extent that the objectives are similar, let against EPAÕs move to require additional Since TRI began, industry has complained the debate begin. Beware, however: letting companies to report under the TRI, and about loss of trade secrets. Despite years industry direct policy on the publicÕs industry has pronounced EPAÕs intention of claims of likely industrial espionage, right-to-know is like letting Richard to require reporting on chemical use a there has not been one concrete example Nixon control how much information to Òbattle royal.Ó of damage wrought by TRI. reveal about Watergate. Accountability Against this background, it should be Under TRI, unlike other disclosure and democracy demand more. no surprise that the public interest commu- regimes such as the Toxics Substances nity is skeptical when industry raises ideas Control Act (TSCA), industry must justify for ÒimprovingÓ public access. Mark its claims of confidentiality. As a result, Dr. Gary Bass is executive director of Greenwood has suggested that EPA must trade secret claims are 10 to 1500 times OMB Watch, a nonprofit research and embrace Òenvironmental information stew- less frequent under TRI than under TSCA, advocacy group that provides environ- ardship.Ó To the extent that Greenwood is depending on how you count them. In mental data to the public through RTK proposing improved management and fact, at no time have TRI trade secret NET services.
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 19 Study shows dioxins in chicken Government agencies scurry to find sources, determine risks By SARA THURIN ROLLIN Of the 80 chickens studied, two birds prise, officials said, because chicken meat Government researchers found a had elevated dioxin levels compared to the is not as fat-laden as other meats previous- much higher dioxin contamination than rest of the sample group, said Denise ly studied by EPA and USDA. Dioxins are expected in the U.S. chicken supply dur- Kearns, an EPA spokeswoman, who known to be stored in the fat cells of ani- ing a re-evaluation of the health risks from added that the random sample of birds mals and humans. The levels in chicken dioxins and relation chemicals. came from 24 states. The dioxin levels were higher than those seen in separate As of mid-June the data and conclu- were about 1.8 parts per trillion for 78 government studies of beef and pork. sions from the 80-chicken study had not birds, and 16.8 ppt and 19.2 ppt in the ele- Top government officials spent most been broadly disseminated and the federal vated samples. The continuing investiga- of May and June trying to figure out what agencies were not prepared to issue state- tion is focused on the south central United the chicken data meant. Unfortunately the ments about whether the findings were States, she said. U.S. federal government does not know significant or posed a public health threat. Following the discovery of the two whether the chicken contamination is sig- Risk assessments that would help put the ÒhotÓ chickens in the large study, federal nificant enough to pose a health threat. data into context were not yet completed, Nor does it have a health standard that officials said. would establish a safe-level of dioxin con- The data from the chicken and other tamination in foods to use in comparison food studies are supposed to be incorpo- Science with the chicken data. The U.S. food safe- rated into the exposure analysis for the ty laws require that a maximum pesticide Environmental Protection AgencyÕs huge Survey residue limit be set before any foodstuff dioxin risk reassessment that will be used that was treated with a commercial pesti- as the scientific basis for pollution control researchers ÒsnatchedÓ two more chickens cide product can be legally sold in the regulations. The study is still ongoing. from the same area as a double check. United States. There is no similar federal An investigation into possible sources The scientists became more concerned regulation for dioxins. of the dioxin contamination in chicken when these chickens showed dioxin For more than 15 years U.S. environ- feed, water supply, litter, and other envi- levels around 30 ppt, higher than the mental groups have urged EPA to either ronmental media are underway, according ÒhotÓ chickens. ban dioxin emissions, if possible, or high- to officials. Because dioxins are not intentionally ly regulate its release into the environ- ÒBased on what we know now, the produced, serve no function in manufac- ment. In the mid-1980s a flurry of public dioxin levels found in samples donÕt turing, and are ubiquitous in the environ- concern emerged when environmentalists present an immediate risk to the public,Ó ment, all U.S. agencies have struggled showed that dioxins were leaching from said officials from the EPA and Food and to find appropriate and feasible regula- paper milk cartons. The concern about Drug Administration. Neither the govern- tory controls. dioxin-in-milk prompted the FDA to eval- ment nor food producers have never done Dioxins are a class of 75 chemicals uate all food contact paper as a possible extensive dioxin-in-food testing because that have caused cancer in all laboratory route of human exposure to dioxins. EPA the studies are very expensive and diffi- animals tested. Most studied is TCDD, and numerous state environmental regula- cult and companies are not required 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, tors also strengthened their regulations of by law or regulation to test for this which became famous as a contaminant in pollution stemming from paper mills that contaminant. Agent Orange, a defoliant used in the were linked to the dioxin contamination. Vietnam War. Scientists have shown that As the U.S. federal government eval- substances with similar chemical struc- uates the chicken contamination issue, it For more information: tures as dioxins, such as a subgroup must also decide whether to act on a of polychlorinated biphenyls, are capable recent determination by an international ¥ USDA Food Safety and of causing similar health effects because group of scientists who agreed that data they react with cells in the same manner linking dioxin exposure to ill-health Inspection Service: as TCDD. effects was significant enough to label Tom Billy (202) 720-7025 The chicken study is the third food- TCDD as a Òknown human carcinogen.Ó Joanna Pierce, communications/ supply study the federal government has The scientists, including some from the press office: 720-4623. done in recent years as part of the EPAÕs U.S., met in February, under the auspices dioxin reassessment project, which was of the International Agency for Research ¥ EPA press office (202) 260-4355 launched in 1991. The 80 chicken study on Cancer in Lyons, France. was designed and conducted by EPA and ¥ FDA press office: Agriculture Department scientists and is Lawrence Bachorik (301) 443-1130 considered scientifically sound. Sara Thurin Rollin is a reporter for The high dioxin levels came as a sur- the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
20 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Reporters Toolbox Digging out dirt on Las Vegas Boat rides, billionaire help pinpoint the dangers of growth By MARY MANNING 350 milligram range in hot summer months, but on this cold When the Las Vegas Sun Newspaper decided to focus on December day we recorded 400 milligrams of it and bacteria too growth in Southern Nevada, it opened a PandoraÕs box of envi- high to count. ronmental quality issues that local officials did not want to talk Around that time, I received an e-mail from an old friend liv- about. The late billionaire Howard Hughes had a handle on these ing in Idaho that included two paragraphs from a memo written problems more than 30 years ago, and became a posthumous ally by billionaire Howard Hughes, who went to Governor Paul as I dug into coverage of them. Laxalt in 1968 and tried to stop the Southern Nevada Water My first major investigations began after an Internet search System, the delivery pipe for our drinking water. Nearly 30 years showed that 43 Las Vegas Valley residents had died during 1994 ago, Hughes feared contamination. in a cryptosporidiosis outbreak investigated by the Centers for ÒWhen I spoke to Governor Laxalt, I told him I was truly Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The disease is caused and urgently alarmed, the way authorities are rushing in the by a parasite that triggers diarrhea and painful abdominal cramps Southern Nevada Water Project,ÕÕ Hughes wrote. ÒI told him the in healthy people, but can kill people with suppressed immune entire plan was not palatable.ÕÕ systems. The Southern Nevada out- Hughes, then the richest man in the break remains the second largest in In effect, Las Vegas uses Lake world, was also a brilliant engineer the United States, right behind Mead as a toilet, then drinks from and could see which way the sewage Milwaukee, where 400,000 people flowed. I spent three weeks reading became ill and 100 died in 1993. it. There are 1.1 million residents six books, digging into archives and Crypto organisms can survive today and the city could double its eventually interviewing HughesÕ top chlorine and other treatments, and are population within five years. Also aide in Nevada, Robert Maheu. difficult to detect. In Las Vegas they drinking and flushing are more Thanks to this bit of history, I devel- survived one of the most modern than 31 million visitors a year. That oped a three-part series, starting with treatment facilities in the world. Both the polluted plume, reporting the the Southern Nevada Water Authority adds up to the State of California Hughes memos and ending with a pos- and the Clark County Sanitation making water demands on this sible solution: restoring 2,000 acres of District are enhancing their water and desert community. water-filtering wetlands destroyed by wastewater treatment systems to catch the rushing effluent over the past 20 crypto before it comes out the tap. years. The series ran this February, There have been no reported cases in Las Vegas this year, for the with a photograph of the plume visible on the bayÕs surface, first time in four years. which I captured from cliffs above the man-made reservoir. In 1996 after two monthsÕ research, I wrote a two-part series Photographer Aaron Mayes and I spent a day in Las Vegas Wash on how this happened. The articles explained how three sewage recording the 50-foot cuts into its banks from the roaring waters discharge pipelines drain into the Las Vegas Wash and then to of surface runoff that carried sewage and other pollutants with it. Las Vegas Bay, where six miles from those outflows lies Las Vegas water problems havenÕt gone away. But as a Southern NevadaÕs drinking water intake line. The Las Vegas result of research and publicity on the problems, federal, state, Wash is the natural channel that drains the entire valleyÕs water- and local authorities have formed the Lake Mead Water Quality shed. Every drop of treated effluent, floodwaters and surface Forum involving water and wastewater experts, and the public. runoff flows through it. Now all can share information, from current research to the latest In effect, Las Vegas uses Lake Mead as a toilet, then drinks on endocrine disrupters. At the end of May, the National Park from it. Drinking-water officials in Southern Nevada were ignor- Service also posted signs in the Las Vegas Wash and the Las ing wastewater treatment officials, or at least not sharing com- Vegas Bay, so families fishing and snacking along the shoreline mon information, such as water sampling results. There are 1.1 wonÕt paddle in possibly contaminated waters and then eat their million residents today and the city could double its population bags of chips. within five years. Also drinking and flushing are more than 31 This environmental writer feels grateful that by informing million visitors a year. That adds up to the State of California and educating the community about some of the negative effects making water demands on this desert community. of a seven percent growth rate, maybe she has helped offer them The newspaper wasnÕt the only one worried. Teams of and their many visitors a cool, clean drink of water. federal scientists boated into the Las Vegas Wash, the Las Vegas Bay and onto Lake Mead, sampling water, sediments and fish. Last year I accompanied limnologist James LaBounty of Mary Manning writes for the Las Vegas Sun newspaper and the Federal Bureau of Reclamation onto the lake where we has been covering environmental issues from nuclear wastes to tracked a plume of filthy water, literally a dirty river within the chemical pollution for 30 years. She is the first environmental lake. Other scientists had discovered chlorophyll at levels in the sciences Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 21 though itÕs wise to be wary of ÒfactsÓ presented along with such Yukking with the greens a singular point of view. The Cartoon Guide to The Environment The Cartoon Guide To the Environment is an ideal read for people who donÕt know much about environmental issues, and by Larry Gonick and Alice Outwater want to learn more. Even environmental journalists well-ground- Harper Perennial. (year) ed on those issues, however, will learn a lot, and theyÕll have a 230 pages. $14.00 lot of fun too. ÑDavid Ropeik Reading a textbook on the environment? Maybe youÕll learn something. You probably wonÕt Solar Power to the People have much fun. How about a book of cartoons on the environ- Who Owns the Sun?: People, Politics and the ment? You might not learn much, Struggle for a Solar Economy but at least you can look forward by Daniel M. Berman and John T. OÕConnor to a few laughs. Larry Gonick, a Chelsea Green. 1997, contributing editor to Discover $24.95 magazine, and Alice Outwater, a wastewater engineer, have come During the oil embargo in the early 1970s, President Richard up with a combination. A Cartoon M. Nixon promised that America would be free of energy Guide to the Environment teach- imports by 1980. Five years later, President Jimmy Carter put a es. It entertains. YouÕll learn. And youÕll laugh. solar water heater on the White House roof. Essentially, this is a textbook with basic scientific lessons The solar hot water heater is long gone from the White youÕd get in a freshman ecology class, and explanations of major House roof. President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore, environmental issues like ozone depletion both of whom campaigned on energy efficiency and indepen- and global climate change, along with dence, have let renewable energy go to the wayside. Berman and thoughtful examination of the systemic OÕConnor contend that because politiciansÕ declarations have roots of those problems. There is also a done little to foster long-term and widespread use of good measure of Save-The-World solar energy, citizens should take the matter Journalism Dictionary polemic throughout, from the Man vs. Environmental into their own handsÑnot by joining mili- Directory Book Shelf Nature cover art to the closing admoni- tias, but by taking back the power of the oil tion to live sustainably and ÒDonÕt forget to turn out the lights.Ó industry and unresponsive utility companies and democratizing But neither the teaching nor the preaching slow things down. their electricity. GonickÕs wonderful art and his easy wit make the book a delight. Berman, a journalist, teacher, and director of the Jobs and I canÕt remember having this much fun reading a textbook. Environment Campaign, and OÕConnor, founder of the National So there are basic explanations of the carbon, nitrogen and Toxics Campaign, document Òthe business strategies behind the phosphorous cycles, of allopatic and sympatric speciation, and r public rhetoric of the energy giants,Ó and analyze decentralized and k reproductive strategies. And there are cartoons along the and innovative energy providers in the United States and Europe. way, like the fellow with the bird dropping on his head, mutter- Because states are deregulating electric power, citizens need to ing his #*$&@! cartoon profanities while his friend says ÒNo, organize now to ensure that they have viable solar options, the you should say ÒThanks for the phosphorous.Ó In the cartoon on authors say. ozone depletion, a chlorine atom is portrayed as an evil-looking Even if consumers donÕt get stuck with a $264 billion bill to little Pac Man with a malicious grin hungrily chasing down O3 pay for and retire the nationÕs nuclear power plants, they still be molecules and chewing up their molecular bonds. ItÕs the first losers in the deregulation process. Berman and OÕConnor con- time I ever thought of the process of ozone depletion as cute. tend there will be no beneficial competition for residential con- Things get more political and less scientific as the book pro- sumers, and that poorer communities, which may have higher gresses. There is an unapologetically stark chapter about human rates of bill nonpayment, may see their service deteriorate. The impact on biodiversity. ÒWe warn you,Ó the authors promise Òit authors advocate the need for publicly owned, democratically isnÕt a pretty picture.Ó Later they add ÒAt some point we have to operated utilities as the only way to energy independence. face the fact that we are just part of a limited biosphere. There is A substantial percentage of New Hampshire rate payers have only so much matter and energy available.Ó And the female car- had the opportunity to choose their electricity providers, and they toon character-narrator, presumably Outwater, declares in the have been barraged with information and offers from competing next cartoon: ÒIn the long run, this can mean only one thing; A suppliers. Is that test case an exception to their rule? Have the no-growth economy, in which people enjoy a good quality of life competing utilities offered solar power options? Though the but donÕt consume so much stuff.Ó Sounds more like Paul deregulation experiment has been going on for about a year, it Ehrlich or Donella Meadows than a text book. may be too recent for the authors to have fully analyzed it, Ultimately, itÕs probably fair to call this book a political tract though it does merit mention, given their critique of private utili- that summons science in support of its save-the-world message. ties and passion for public control. It is also undeniably funny ,witty, entertaining, and informative, ÑSuzanne Spencer
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24 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Calendar JULY August 20-23. Estrogens in the Environment (sponsored by the 3-7. Biodiversity: Global Issues (annual meeting of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Arlington, American Institute of Biological Sciences). Montreal. Contact: VA. Contact: National Toxicology Program Liaison Office. Marilynn Maury, AIBS, 1444 Eye St., NW, Ste. 200, Ph: (919) 541-0530; Fx: (919) 541-0295; E-mail: britton@ Washington, DC 20005. Ph: (202) 628-1500; E-mail: niehs.nih.gov [email protected]; WEB: http://www.aibs.org
20-26 Coastal Zone 1997, the 10th biennial international confer- 4-8. Disturbance in Boreal Forest Ecosystems: Human ence on coastal-zone management (with sessions on public Impacts and Natural Processes (sponsored by the International health, sustainable development, oil spills, and coastal engineer- Boreal Forest Research Association). Duluth. Contact: Elizabeth ing). Boston. Contact: Chantal Lefebvre, Urban Harbors Institute, Schmucker, USDA Forest Service-FFASR (1C-Aud), 201 14th University of Massachusetts, 100 Morrissey Blve., Boston, MA St., SW, Washington, DC 20250. Ph: (202) 205-1561; E-mail: 02125. Ph: (6174) 287-5576; E-mail: lefebvre@umbsky. [email protected] cc.umb.edu; Web: http://infinitefaculty.com/cz97/ 10-14. American Society of Agricultural Engineers annual 21-23. International Low-Level (Radioactive) Waste meeting (with sessions on technologies to control pesticide drift, Conference (sponsored by the Electric Power Research sustainable agriculture technologies, soil erosion, gaseous emis- Institute). Providence, RI. Contact: Lori Adams, EPRI. P.O. Box sions from agricultural sources, and wetlands restoration). 10412, Palo Alto, CA 94303-9743. Ph: (414) 855-8763; FX: Minneapolis. Contact: Susan Buntjer, ASAE, 2950 Niles Rd., St. (415) 855-2041. Joseph, MI 49085-9659. Ph:(619) 428-6327; E-mail: [email protected]; WEB: http://asae.org/ 21-23. Innovative Remediation Technologies (from Òbioslurp- ingÓ and phytoremediation to the use of surfactants, heat, 11-14. Changing Ecosystems: Natural and Human Influences and granular iron). Boston. Contact: IBC USA Conferences, (sponsored by the Ecological Society of America). Albuquerque. 225 Turnpike Rd., Southborough, MA 01772-1749. Ph: (508) Contact: Fred Wagner, Ecology Center, Utah State University, 481-6400; Fx: (508) 481-7911; E-mail: [email protected]; Logan, UT 84322-5205. Ph: (801) 797-2555; E-mail: http://www.ibcusa.com/conf/innovative [email protected] 17-22. The Practice of Pollution Prevention: A critical evalua- 22-23. Environmental Cleanup Technologies ConferenceÑ tion (sponsored by the Engineering Foundation). Crested Butte, Midwest Marketplace (sponsored by the Environmental CO. Ph: (212) 705-7836; Fx: (212) 705-7441; E-mail: Protection Agency). Chicago. Contact: JoAnn Saville, SAIC, 768 [email protected] N. Bethlehem Pike, Ste. 205, Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002. Ph: (800) 783-3870; Fx: 215) 628-8916; E-mail: jo-ann.m.saville@ 18-20. Putting the Native Back into Wild Trout. Bozeman, cpmx.saic.com MT. Contact: Robert Gresswell, US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, 23-26. Managing Ecosystems on a Watershed Basis (the annu- OR 97456. Ph: (541) 750-7410; E-mail: gresswer@ al meeting of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, with ses- ccmail.orst.edu sions on wetlands management, ecosystem restoration, tillage erosion, and determining which degraded environments are 25-28. Fisheries at Interfaces: Habitats, Disciplines, and worthwhile restoring). Toronto. Contact: SWCS, 7515 NE Cultures (sponsored by the American Fisheries Society). Ankeny Rd., Ankeny, IA 50021-9764. Ph: (515) 289-2331 or 1- Monterey, CA. Contact: Betsy Fritz, AFS, 5410 Grosvenor La., (800) THE-SOIL; Fx: (515) 289-1227; E-mail: [email protected]; Ste. 110, Bethesda, MD 20814-2199. Ph: (301) 897-8616, ext. WEB: http://www.swcs.org 212; Fx:( 301) 897-8096; E-mail: [email protected]
30-31. Sustainable Agriculture (with sessions on biological 24-29. Making a Business from Biomass in Energy, controls, manure management, constructed wetlands, and nitro- Environment, Chemicals, Fibers and Materials (the third gen management). Ames, IA. Contact: Rich Pirog, Leopold Biomass Conference of the Americas). Montreal. Contact: Joan Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, 209 Ross, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Center for Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA 50011-1050. Ph: (515) 294-3711. Renewable Chemical Technologies and Materials, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401-3393. Fx: (303) 275-2905; E-mail: 30-August 2. Midwest Oak-Savanna and Woodland [email protected], or Ralph P. Overend: overendr@ Conference (on the ecology, conservation, and restoration of tcplink.nrel.gov these woodlands). Madison. Contact: Alan Haney, College of natural Resources, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, WI 25-28. Third Biomass Conference of the Americas. Montreal. 54481. Ph: (715) 346-2955; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: Contact: Joan Ross, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, http://www.uwsp.edu/acad/cnr/oaksavan/wiconf97.htm 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401. Ph: (303)-275-4321; Fx:
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 25 Calendar (303) 275-4320; WEB: http://www.nrel.gov/bioam/ 3-5. Natural Resources and the Environment in an Era of 25-29. Combined Utility Air Pollutant Control Symposium Deregulation (sponsored by McMaster University, with sessions (sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute, Department on economics and challenges in the practical management of of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency). Washington, resources. Hamilton, Ontario. Contact: Andrew Muller, Dept. of D.C. Contact: Lori Adams, EPRI. P.O. Box 10412, Palo Alto, Economics, McMaster University. Ph: (905) 525-9140 ext. CA 94303-9743. Ph: (414) 855-8763; Fx: (415) 855-2041. 23831; E-mail: [email protected]
25-29. Dioxin Ô97 (with sessions on toxicology, risk assessment, 8-11. Fishery Stock Assessment Models for the 21st Century wildlife effects, human exposures, and health effects). (sponsored by Alaska Sea Grant). Anchorage. Contact: Brenda Indianapolis. Contact: Indiana University Conference Bureau, Baxter, Alaska Sea grant College Program, University of Alaska, Indiana Memorial Union, Room 671, Bloomington, IN 47405. P.O. Box 755040, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5040. Ph: (907) 474- Ph: (812) 855-4661; Fx: (812) 855-8077; E-mail: cbadir@indi- 6701; Fx: (907) 474-6285. ana.edu 12-14. The State of Our Estuaries (an international conference 27-30. Bridging Natural and Social Landscapes (sponsored by of the Estuarine Research Federation). Providence, RI. Contact: the Natural Areas Association and Exotic Pest Plant Council, it ERF. Ph: (410) 458-0997. will explore the role of natural areas in society). Portland, OR. Contact: NAA, 1997 Conference Information, P.O. Box 23712, 17-18. Environmental hearing: Women, Health & Tigard, OR 97281-3712. Environment: Action for Cancer Prevention (sponsored by WomenÕs Environment & Development Organization (and September Greenpeace). Contact Taalibah Kariem-White, (215) 924-4309
26-29. International Neurotoxicology Conference: 1-6 World Congress on Water: Perspective on wter resources ManganeseÑAre there effects of long-term, low-level expo- in the 21st Century. Montreal. Contact: Aly M. Shady, Canadian sures? Little Rock. Contact: Joan M. Cranmer, Dept. of International Development Agency, 200 Promenade du Portage, Hull, Quebec, Canada, K1A 0G4. Ph: (819) 994-4098; Fx: (819) Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1120 953-3348; E-mail: [email protected] Marshall St., Rm. 304, Little Rock, AR 72202. Fx: (501) 320- 4978; E-mail: [email protected] 10 Zebra Mussels: Lessons learned in the Great Lakes (a national videoconference. There is no charge to downlink the November conference, but you must pre-register by Aug. 31 to guarantee delivery of satellite coordinates and site materials in your state). 2-6. Annual Review of Research on Biological Effects of Contact: Patrice Charlebois, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, Ph: (847) Electric and Magnetic Fields from the Generation, Delivery 872-0140; Fx: (847) 872-8679; E-mail: [email protected]; and Use of Electricity (sponsored the Electric Power Research Web: http://www. aes.purdue.edu/acs/zm/regis.html Institute and Department of Energy). San Diego. Contact: William Wisecup, W/L Associates, Ph: (301) 663-4252; Fx: 28-30. The Human Experience in Greater Yellowstone (301) 371-8955; E-mail: [email protected] (described as the fourth biennial conference on the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem). Yellowstone National Park, WY. 16-20. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Contact: Joy Perius. Ph: (307) 344-2209; Web: http://www.nps. annual meeting (sessions including watershed management, life- gov/yell/ycr.htm cycle assessment of products, endocrine disrupters, contaminants in the Sierra Nevadas, and oil spills). San Francisco. Contact: 28-Ocober 1. Lead Tech Ô97 (with sessions on new trends in Rod Parrish, SETAC, Ph: (904) 469-1500; Fx: (904) 469-9778; lead detection, cleanup, and health effects, sponsored by IAQ E-mail: [email protected]; WEB: http://www.setac.org Publications). Arlington, VA. Contact: IAQ Publications, 7920 Norfolk Ave., Ste. 900, Bethesda, MD 20814. Ph: (800) 394- Application Deadlines 0115; Fx: (301) 913-0119; Web: http://www.iaqpubs.com August 1. The Whitaker Foundation is accepting awards entries October for the American Association for the Advancement of ScienceÕs science journalism awards.Entrants must have published nomi- 2-5. SEJ annual meeting.Tucson. (see p. 5) nated work (up to 3 submissions) between June 30, 1996 and July 1, 1997. ItÕs open to newspaper, magazine and broadcast 3-5. Center for Health, Environment, and Justice National stories on nonmedical topics that were intended for a general Grassroots Convention (sponsored by CHEJ, formerly the audience. Contact: AAAS Office of News and Information, 1200 Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste). Contact: P.O. Box New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005. Ph:( 202) 326- 6806, Falls Church, VA 22040-6806. Ph: (703) 237-2249. 6440; Fx: (202)-789-0455.
26 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Letters proposal to host the Ted Scripps Meeman archives...(from page 3) Fellowships in Environmental Journalism case, Jonathan said that wasnÕt needed and and maliciously insinuating. SEJ should noted that we were interested in talking that he was working to raise funds to pre- be ashamed to have printed it. with the Scripps Howard Foundation serve it. If the reporter or the editor had con- about moving the Meeman Archives to Perhaps, one of the most telling tacted me, I could easily have corrected Colorado. The Foundation sponsors both examples of JonathanÕs stewardship of the the skewed picture you painted of me and the Fellowships and the Meeman Awards, collection occurred at SEJÕs Boston con- my colleague, Jonathan friendly, and our but as separate projects. ference in 1995. handling of the Archive. After the Foundation awarded the Jonathan brought with him some of For well over a year he and IÑand CEJ the Fellowships program in August, a the most recent entries to display. At the the Scripps Howard FoundationÑtried to Foundation staffer asked me to check into end of the conference, these entries were find a way to preserve the original articles the Archives but said that the foundation left on the floor piled among trash in the Archive. In conversations with the was not prepared to fund their upkeep. to be carted away by custodians. SEJ University of Colorado, to which the Ted I talked on September 24, 1996 with president Emilia Askari, SEJ executive Scripps Fellowships program was trans- Paul Nowak, the University of Michigan director Beth Parke, and I loaded them ferred, and with Michigan State caretaker of the Meeman Archives. He into a box and I carried them back to MSU University, we were explicit about our explained that Michigan began receiving for safekeeping. inability to continue to maintain the the Meeman entries in 1982 and had When I gave them back to Jonathon, Archive and about what would happen to picked up some of the earlier entries. His I asked for reassurance that they would it if no new home was found. While I am group prepared electronic abstracts of the be preserved, which assurance he gave. pleased that Michigan State now says it contest winners and also copied an esti- I again offered to drive to Ann Arbor will develop the Archive, that decision mated 1,500 articles. That copying to pick up the collection if the archives simply came too late. We didnÕt suddenly stopped in about 1992, he said, after the ever were in jeopardy. He assured me throw the Archive away; we bowed to the foundation decided not to give more fund- that they were not. Within 10 months fact that no one seemed to want it. ing for the archives. Jonathan threw these away and most I have often felt that SEJ was dis- Nowak said the electronic abstracting of the rest of the collection, the most valu- hearteningly unaware of the role the stopped in 1995 and that entries from able archive of environmental journalism Archive played in the creation of the soci- recent years were simply stored in boxes. in the country. ety. University of Michigan students, with He described the Archives as Òin pretty There is one positive note in all of moral and financial support from David shabby condition right now.Ó this. We now have at MSU sixteen filing Stolberg, now retired from Scripps Nowak estimated that the cost of han- cabinet drawers of copies of the Meeman Howard, keyboarded the entries to start dling the archives properly would run Archives brought from Ann Arbor (the the Archive and then, excited about the about $30,000 a year. Short of that, original documents were thrown away) work they saw, arranged to put the award Nowak suggested that for about $800 he and are working to catalog them and make winners in touch with one another. That could pull the winning entries and mail them accessible to journalists, which was led rapidly to the creation of a founding them to a designated location and store the SEJÕs goal all along. We are also working board for the Society. rest in a storage vault. I sent the founda- to rebuild the collection and to obtain SEJ was only one of the good things tion a memo describing all of this and copies of many of the articles that were that grew out of the Meeman Archive. We offering CEJ facilities for storing the thrown away. We would welcome copies at Michigan did not take our responsibility Archives. of outstanding environmental reporting by for that resource lightly. Watching a In addition, I repeated our earlier sug- SEJ members to add to our collection. resource we had created disappear because gestion that we would be interested in of the indifference of the institutions that putting Meeman winners and other materi- ÑJim Detjen could have saved it hurt deeply. Your arti- al on our Internet home page and would be Knight Chair, Michigan State University cle, with its unwarranted criticism, adds to willing to put together a funding proposal founding SEJ President that hurt. Your should check the factsÑ since the CEJ had no resources available and then you should apologize. for this project. I never heard back from To the editor: the Foundation and, unfortunately, was so I am not a journalist, but as Director ÑPaul F. Nowak swamped preparing the Ted Scripps of the Meeman Archive for the last 15 Director, Meeman Archive Fellowships program and other things, that years, I have come to recognize the differ- University of Michigan I failed to follow up. Mea culpa for that. ences between good and bad journalism. The next I heard was the dumpster story. Your unsigned article, ÒPortions of the ÑLen Ackland Meeman Archive Trashed,Ó was the latter. Len Ackland responds: Director, Center for Environmental It violated all the standards of responsible The Center for Environmental Journalism journalism. It was inaccurate, incomplete JournalismÕs (CEJ) March 11, 1996 University of Colorado
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 25 Green Beat Correspondents
Iowa Ñ Perry Beeman at the Des Moines Ferre at El Nuevo Dia, Box 297, San Juan, Contribute to Green Beat Register, P.O. Box 957, Des Moines, IA PR 00902, (809) 793-7070, ext. 2165. The Green Beat is designed as an 50304, [email protected], (515) 284- idea exchange for environmental journalists 8538. Rocky Mountain Region Ñ Elizabeth and educators. It relies on information sub- Manning, High Country News, P.O. Box mitted by reporters about important issues, Kansas Ñ Mike Mansur at the Kansas City 1274, Paonia, CO 81428, elimanning@earth- outstanding coverage, and developments in Star, 1729 Grand Ave., Kansas City, MO link.net, (303) 527-4898 environmental education and the communi- 64108, [email protected], (816) 234- 4433. Tennessee and Mississippi Ñ Debbie cations profession on a state-by-state basis. Gilbert at The Memphis Flyer, 460 Ten- To submit ideas or copies of Kentucky Ñ Andrew Melnykovych, nessee St., Memphis, TN 38103, memfly- series for possible mention in The Green Louisville Courier-Journal/Metro Desk, 525 [email protected], (901) 521-9000. Beat, contact the SEJ correspondent for the West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40201, (502) appropriate state(s). They are: 582-4645 Texas and Oklahoma: Louisiana Ñ Bob Anderson at The Morning North Texas and Oklahoma Ñ Alabama Ñ Vacant Advocate, Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, Randy Loftis at The Dallas Morning News, Alaska Ñ Vacant. (504) 383-1111. 508 Young St., Dallas, TX 75202, [email protected], (800) 431-0010. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont Arizona and New Mexico Ñ Vacant Ñ Robert Braile, Boston Globe correspondent, Central and West Texas Ñ Arkansas Ñ Vacant P.O. Box 1907, Exeter, N.H., 03833, Robert Bryce at The Austin Chronicle, 3812 braile@nws.globe.com, 603) 772-6380. Brookview, Austin, TX 78722, (512) 454- California: 5766 Maryland and Delaware Ñ Tim Wheeler, Northern California Ñ Vacant The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD East and Coastal Texas Ñ Bill Bay Area/San Jose Ñ Jane Kay at 21278, [email protected], (301) 332-6564. Dawson at The Houston Chronicle, Box the San Francisco Examiner, Box 7260, San 4260, Houston, TX 77210, Michigan Ñ Vacant Francisco, CA 94120, [email protected], [email protected], (713) 220-7171. (415) 777-8704. Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Ñ Utah and Wyoming Ñ Vacant Tom Meersman at the Minneapolis Star Southern California Ñ Marni Tribune, 425 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, Virginia and North Carolina Ñ Vacant McEntee, Los Angeles Daily News, 20132 MN 55488, [email protected], Observation Drive, Topanga, CA 90290, (612) 673-4414. Washington State Ñ Julie Titone of (805) 641-0542. the Spokesman Review & Chronicle, Missouri Ñ Bill Allen, St. Louis Post- Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615, Colorado Ñ Ronald Baird, Colorado Daily, Dispatch, 900 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, (509) 459-5431. 839 Pearl St., Boulder, CO, 80302, (303) MO 63101, [email protected], 443-6272. (314) 340-8127. West Virginia Ñ Ken Ward at the Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. East, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts Montana Ñ Vacant Charleston, WV 25301, Ñ Bob Wyss at the Providence Journal, 75 [email protected], (304) 348-1702. Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902, (401) Nebraska Ñ Vacant 737-3000. Wisconsin Ñ Chuck Quirmbach of New Jersey Ñ Vacant Wisconsin Public Radio, 111 E. Kilbourn District of Columbia Ñ Cheryl Hogue, Ave., #1060, Milwaukee, WI 53202,quirm- BNA, Daily Environment Report, 1231 25th New York Ñ Vacant [email protected], (414) 271-8686 or St., N.W., Room 361-S, Wash., DC 20037, Nevada Ñ Mary Manning at the Las (608) 263-7985. [email protected], (202) 452-4625, fax (202) Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View Blvd., Las 452-4150. Vegas, NV 89107, (702) 259-4065 or Jon Canada Ñ Doug Draper, The Standard,17 Queen Street, St. Catherines, ON L2R 5G5, Florida: Christiansen of Great Basin News, 6185 Franktown Road, Carson City, NV 89704 (905) 684-7251 x229 North Florida Ñ Bruce Ritchie at [email protected], (702) 882- the Gainesville Sun, P.O. Box 147147, 3990. SEJ is urgently looking for Gainesville, FL 32614, [email protected], (904) 374-5087 Ohio, Indiana Ñ Charlie Prince at Ohio Green Beat correspondents Environmental Reporter, 516 Ludlow Ave. Please note new openings in several states. If South Florida Ñ Vacant. Cincinnati, OH 45220, [email protected], you are interested in becoming a Green Beat cor- Georgia and South Carolina Ñ Vacant (513) 221-0954. respondent, please contact Kevin Carmody at (708) 633-5970 or Chris Rigel at rigel@voice Hawaii Ñ Vacant Oregon Ñ Orna Izakson, The News Journal, net.com, or (215) 836-9970. 261 S.W. 30th Street, Newport, OR 97356- Positions are open to SEJ members, though Idaho Ñ Rocky Barker of the Post- 3624, [email protected], (503) 265-8571. preference is given to journalists or educators. Register, 1020 11th St., Idaho Falls, ID, To submit ideas or copies of stories for possi- 83404, (208) 529-8508 or Julie Titone Pennsylvania Ñ John Bartlett, Erie Daily ble mention in The Green Beat, contact the SEJ of the Spokesman Review & Chronicle, Times, 513 13th St., Franklin, PA 16323, correspondent for the appropriate state. If no cor- [email protected], (509) 459-5431 (814) 437-6397. respondent is listed for that state, please email your submission to [email protected] or fax to Illinois Ñ Vacant Puerto Rico/Caribbean Islands Ñ Albi (215) 793-4377 or (215) 836-9972.
28 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 The Green Beat California as penance for its oily mistake. From ä Local environmental regulators Seward, San Jose Mercury News reporter were virtually ignored when aerial ä Because of a boom in the popular- Paul Rogers wrote May 19 that much of malathion spraying began in Tampa Bay, ity of sport utility vehicles, national the land, located across the scenic south- The Tampa Tribune reported on June 30. trends in fuel efficiency are heading down ern Alaska Coast and in Prince William The newspaper earlier reported that high after 25 years of steady improvement fol- Sound, was slated to be logged or devel- levels of the pesticide were found in area lowing the 1970s energy crisis, reported oped. (With sidebar on what Capt. Joseph lakes and ponds. Malathion was sprayed the San Jose Mercury News. For the first Hazelwood is up to these days).. Call over residential areas to kill the medfly, a time, DetroitÕs Big Three automakers (408) 920-5045. pest that state agriculture officials say have announced they expect to fail this threatens FloridaÕs multi-billion dollar cit- year to meet the federal fuel efficiency ä After years of study, biologists rus crop. Critics say the stateÕs malathion standard of 20.7 miles per gallon for their from the National Marine Fisheries task force is violating provisions of a spe- fleets. Meanwhile, motorists donÕt care; Service have recommended proactive cial EPA permit that requires buffer zones AmericaÕs reliance on foreign oil is at shooting of sea lions off California, around major water bodies. Contact Chip record levels and gasoline usage is at an Oregon, and Washington as a way to save Power, Tampa Tribune, (941) 284-2737. all-time high. Reported on June 5. Call endangered salmon populations. The rec- Paul Rogers at (408) 920-5045. ommendations, which go now to ä A new state brownfields law may Congress, are expected to spark a battle legalize pollution next door to the stateÕs ä Off the coast of Santa Cruz under between fishermen and animal rights most downtrodden residents, environmen- a new moon, a rubber Zodiac boat bobbed activists. The San Jose Mercury News talists charged in an Orlando Sentinel in the ocean, carrying a group of scien- story ran March 29. Call Paul Rogers, report. The law was touted as an environ- tists. Silently, they watched pairs of rare (408) 920-5045. mentally friendly way to persuade devel- sea birds sleeping on the open waters. The opers to use abandoned city lots rather boat slowly motored closer to the 8-inch ä Twenty years after the San Mateo than virgin land. The law allows the birds. With the snap of a switch, a spot- County Housing Authority built a federal- Florida Department of Environmental light temporarily blinded and confused ly subsidized housing project, Midway Protection to give a clean bill of health for the prey. ÒKir! Kir! Kir!Ó the birds softly Village, nearly 40 percent of the 500 low- land that is still contaminated. The Legal called, fluttering to escape. The income, predominantly minority residents Environmental Assistance Foundation is researchers defty netted a bird. Thus report serious illnessesÑincluding repro- concerned the law sets another standard began an effort to unravel the mystery of ductive and neurological problems, for environmental threats to inner city res- the endangered marbled murrelet, whose breathing and digestive difficulties, can- idents. Contact Katherine Bouma at The fleeting presence in CalfiorniaÕs ancient cer, skin discoloration, and growths. For Orlando Sentinel, (407) 420-5055. redwood forests is at the heart of a fierce more than a decade of that time, residents controvery over logging. The story ran did not know that they lived amid toxic Iowa May 26 in the San Francisco Examiner. waste from lampblack, a powdery carbon, Call Jane Kay, (415) 777-8704. and coal tar left behind from gas manu- ä The Des Moines Register wrote facturing a century ago. April 27. Call several stories detailing the controversy ä The Contra Costa Times reported Jane Kay at the San Francisco Examiner that followed the Iowa Department of that Mount Diablo State Park failed to at (415) 777-8704. Natural ResourcesÕ failure to notify the public, and the Des Moines Water Works, take steps to protect a rare native strain of Florida rainbow troutÑsuspected of being the last of Sac CityÕs bypassing of raw sewage pure native rainbow trout in a 180-square ä A population of more than 1 mil- into the Raccoon River, which provides drinking water to more than 250,000 mile watershed. After the story, a scientist lion in Jacksonville is taking its toll on Iowans, for over two weeks. The incident offered to study the creek and local envi- FloridaÕs largest river, according to a followed a series of hog-waste spills, a ronmentalists vowed to restore habitat. series in The Florida Times-Union. Fish huge underground gasoline leak, and other Call Jim Bruggers at (510) 943-8246. with gaping sores began appearing in the pollution problems the state failed to the St. Johns River this spring for the first report. The Register ran a blistering edito- ä With little attention from the time this decade. Scientists say flesh-eat- rial cartoon of an Iowan diving into a pol- Lower 48, state and federal officials in ing microorganisms may be attacking the luted stream as a DNR worker says ÒI for- Alaska have bought 522,000 acres of land fish. Grass beds where sea life begins with money from the $900 million civil turned white and died in some areas this got to tell you something. Oh well.Ó The settlement that Exxon paid state and fed- spring. Efforts by the city to improve DNR vowed to do a better job of inform- eral government agencies following the water quality are behind schedule, and ing the public and affected water supplies. 1989 Exxon Valdez spill. Within three agencies are reluctant to demand tighter Contact Perry Beeman, (515) 284-8538 or years, the target is to have purchased protections without guarantees of bene- email, [email protected]. 750,000 acres. Put another way, Exxon fits. Contact Steve Patterson, Florida Kansas has been forced to buy an area the size of Times-Union, (904) 359-4111. Yosemite for parks and wildlife preserves ä An Orkin Exterminating Co. crew,
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 29 The Green Beat responding to a termite problem, injected tact Jim Malone in The Courier-JournalÕs Weinstein, (207) 791-6368 at the Dursban into the ventilation system of a western Kentucky bureau in Paducah, Portland Press Herald. Harper, Kan., church. The congregation, (502) 443-1802. months later, called in state investigators New Hampshire to confirm the contamination. Soon, the ä Alan Breed, the APÕs eastern ä The New Hampshire Valley News church was closed down and negotiations Kentucky correspondent, has taken a hard and other media reported in May that US were ongoing with Orkin about cleaning look at the stateÕs program for cleaning Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and US Sen. the church and its ventilation system of up leaking underground storage tanks. Judd Gregg (R-NH) expect Congress to the pesticide. Contact Mike Mansur, His series showed that a few people and pass legislation this year intended to bet- Kansas City Star, (816) 234-4433. companies have cleaned up financially, ter protect 26 million acres of forest in while many property owners have paid northern Maine, New Hampshire, ä Murphy Farms of North Carolina, exorbitantly for questionable cleanups. Vermont and New York. The senators the nationÕs largest hog producer, has set Contact Breed at (606) 432-4965. first sponsored the Northern Forest its sights on Kansas. Hearings may be Maine Stewardship Act in 1995. The bill cleared held on a draft permit that could become the Senate last year but never made it final in August. It would allow Murphy to ä The New York Times, The through the House. It would provide fed- operate a 14,300 head swine operation in Portland Press Herald, and other media eral funds for conservation and promote southwest KansasÕ Hodgeman County. reported in June that the state of Maine stewardship on private lands. Companion For information, contact Craig Volland of has jumped ahead of proposed federal legislation would provide tax breaks to the Sierra Club at (913) 334-0556. rules on dioxin discharges from paper make it easier for family foresters to keep Kentucky mills into waterways, passing rules of its their land in production rather than sell it own that Gov. Angus King called Òthe for development. The legislation grew out ä Record rains in early March tightestÓ in the nation. King, along with of a four-year study by the Northern caused KentuckyÕs worst flooding in Maine state Sen. John Nutting, actually Forest Lands Council, a group represent- decades and created a story with many jumped into the Kennebec River on June ing landowners, environmentalists, state environmental angles. The Courier- 10 to celebrate the new rules. officials and the timber industry from the Journal in Louisville traced the land-use Environmentalists had hoped for even four states, that in 1994 recommended decisions that allowed extensive develop- stronger rules that would have banned steps on the local, state and federal levels ment in floodplains, examined current chlorine bleaching chemicals, and they to ease the ecologic and economic pres- floodplain regulations, and looked at the say Maine missed an opportunity for sures on the forest, one of the last large hydrology of flooding and the effect of innovative pollution prevention. But the contiguous tracts in the country. Contact high water on wildlife. Follow-up stories new rules appear to be stronger that those Suzanne Spencer at the Valley News, focused on a controversy over the stateÕs proposed by the US Environmental (603) 298-8711). allocation of money for the purchase of Protection Agency, and they are on a Massachusetts flood-prone properties. For more informa- faster timeline for enactment. The EPA tion, contact Andrew Melnykovych at rules will be effective in the fall. ÒIt used ä HereÕs another development in the (502) 582-4645. to be said in politics, As Maine goes, so continuing story about the impact the mil- goes the nation. We ought to resurrect the itary has on the environment. In an ä A late May spill of 10,000 pounds slogan for approaches to dioxin regula- unprecedented move, the EPA has of highly toxic hydrogen fluoride at a tion,Ó said EPA-New England Admin- ordered the National Guard to stop using Louisville DuPont plant made for some istrator John P. DeVillars. The rules call live ammunition at the Massachusetts anxious moments, especially for people for the most toxic form of dioxin to be Military Reservation in Bourne, near living near the cityÕs Rubbertown chemi- reduced to nondetectable levels by July Cape Cod. The move was made because cal complex. The Courier-Journal looked 31, 1998 in the mills. Dioxin discharges of concerns that toxics in the ammunition at the plantÕs recent safety record and from the mills must end by Dec. 31, 2002. are poisoning an aquifer that supplies found it has improved, largely because of Less toxic furans must be reduced to non- drinking water for up to 500,000 people. new OSHA regulations. Contact detectable levels by 2000. State officials National Guard officials were not pleased Melnykovych for more information. hope the rules will prove effective enough with the order issued in mid-May by EPA to allow them to lift warnings on consum- Regional Administrator John DeVillars, ä Large-scale hog farming is com- ing freshwater fish from three rivers with and sought unsuccessfully to have the high dioxin levels. The paper companies ing to western Kentucky, which recently order overturned. Groundwater contami- operating the mills felt pressured by King had a similar surge in in mega chicken nation has been an increasing concern in and environmentalists to support the rules farms and processing plants. While there the Cape Cod area. because of a referendum last fall to ban were only a few clucks of concern about clearcutting and impose stiff new forest the chickens, the prospect of hogs has ä Should environmental organiza- practice rules on the timber industry. The generated squeals of protest from people tions join forces with power companies to referendum nearly passed. Contact Dieter aware of the industryÕs record in North buy dirty electric generating plants? That Bradbury, (207) 791-6328 or Joshua Carolina and elsewhere. For details, con- was the question raised after the Boston
30 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 The Green Beat Globe reported in May that the between officials from two Massachusetts Kitzhaber and as a blueprint for future Conservation Law Foundation of Boston cities and builders to find ways of cutting state efforts to bypass the federal has put in a bid to buy the generating through regulations to more quickly rede- Endangered Species Act. But only three facilities of New England Electric System velop brownfields sites in the cities, and weeks after NMFSÕ decision, The in partnership with AES Corp. of is being paid by EPA redevelopment (Portland) Oregonian reported that tem- Virginia. AES owns a number of electric money provided to the cities. Foy perature rises in the equatorial Pacific generating facilities, some of which are believes that when it comes to advocacy, Ocean may signal an unprecedented fueled with coal. CLF said the plan was to laws and regulations have hit their limits. fourth El Nino event in six yearsÑevents acquire the NEES plants because they are He also believes that environmental many blame for the salmonÕs decline. El significant sources of pollution and CLF issues have become far more complex Ninos lead to dryer conditions in the wanted to work to close them and replace over the last decade, and in many cases Pacific Northwest, lowering river levels the generation with cleaner fuel sources. simply do not lend themselves to litiga- and hindering salmon migrations. They But news of the partnership outraged tion. Profit may be more an incentive to also decrease ocean upwelling, which some environmental organizations, espe- companies than principle when it comes brings critical deep-sea nutrients to the cially since CLF has been one of the to environmental good deeds, and indeed, fish. For more information, contact biggest proponents in the environmental profit and purpose may serve the same Oregonian reporter Jonathan Brinckman community in favor or restructuring the ends. Ultimately, it may be time for envi- at (503) 221-8190, or JBrinckman electric utility industry in New England ronmentalists to trust their enemies, he @aol.com. and making it more competitive. CLF says. But others, including other environ- says it has now been eliminated from the mental groups, say CLF cannot fight pol- ä The Daily Astorian on June 13 bidding in the NEES sale, because its luters while taking money from them, reported that a local manÕs 25-year histo- offer was too low. But more utility sys- even if it leads to environmental good. It ry of logging violations could make him tems will be for sale, and CLF says it cannot advocate and arbitrate at the same the first person in the United States to plans to make more offers. For details, time. Contact Robert Braile at the Boston face serious jail time for destroying contact Scott Allen, Boston Globe, (617) Globe, (603) 772-6380. salmon habitat. Clarence Edward 929-3000. Missouri HorecnyÕs case helped prompt a new state law authorizing the Oregon Department ä The Boston Globe reported on ä Times Beach will soon become a of Forestry to stop repeat offenders from April 20 that the Conservation Law park. Having completed incineration of logging until they pay their fines and cor- Foundation, New EnglandÕs premier envi- dioxin-contaminated dirt and other mater- rect their violations as much as economi- ronmental group, was shifting from liti- ial from Times Beach and 26 other east- cally feasible. Horecny, 69, faces three gating against its adversaries to negotiat- ern Missouri dioxin sites in late June, the felonies and 17 misdemeanors for ing with them, following 31 years of Missouri Department of Natural allegedly causing $67,000 in damage to Òtough, in-your-faceÓ advocacy rooted in Resources announced that the old resort coho and chinook salmon nests by bull- the defense of federal environmental town on the Meramec River, 25 miles dozing a log jam in November 1996. For laws. The group, whose courtroom victo- southwest of St. Louis, would become a more information, contact Astorian ries include the cleanup of Boston Harbor state park commemorating Route 66. It reporter Zaz Hollander at (503) 325-3211, and an oil drilling ban on Georges Bank, may even feature a cafe from the pre- or [email protected]. believes the environmental times have interstate era. For more information con- changed. It says consensus is in, conflict tact DNR spokeswoman Nina Thompson ä Rather than make further cuts in is out, and thereÕs more to be gained envi- at (573) 751-1010. already brief fishing seasons, scientists ronmentally through the former than the Oregon and West Coast fishermen agree that buy- latter. Others say such a shift could prove ing back trawl fishing permits may be the costly to CLFÕs image, and to the envi- ä On April 25, the National Marine best way to salvage both the fishing fleet ronment, leaving no other regional group Fisheries Service decided not to list coho and apparently flagging groundfish with the scientific, political and legal salmon as a threatened species along most stocks. Fishermen want to fund the buy- savvy, the breadth of concerns, and the of the Oregon coast. The agency based its back program through a percentage of the sheer will to fight for nature. But CLF is decision on a precedent-setting and large- fishing earnings. But a new version of the up to more than just consensus building. ly voluntary state plan, a memorandum of Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and The groupÕs executive director, Doug understanding outlining necessary Management Act calls for potentially Foy, says CLF is also pursuing Òtransac- improvementsÑmostly related to deeper harvest cuts that could hinder tion artistry.Ó Rather than fight govern- forestryÑNMFS and the state would efforts to generate money for the pro- ment agencies, municipalities or compa- make to OregonÕs plan, existing logging gram. A June story in The Daily Astorian nies, it wants to broker deals between restrictions on federal land, and evidence analyzed this Catch-22 in the fishery them that would benefit all sides. And it that coho numbers were growing under a many turned to when salmon runs wants to be paid for its services, setting three-year harvest moratorium. The wide- flagged, also looking at the controversy up a separate unit, CLF Services, to cut ly reported move was lauded as a signifi- surrounding the assessments on which the deals. It is already brokering deals cant victory for Oregon Gov. John catch restrictions are based. For more
SEJournal, P.O.Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Summer 1997 31 The Green Beat information, contract Astorian reporter have been regularly covered by Anna from laws on recycled-material content Zaz Hollander at (503) 325-3211, or Minicucci in her weekly outdoors column last year. Journal Sentinel publisher Keith [email protected]. appearing in the Warwick Beacon and Spore blamed his paperÕs problems on Cranston Herald. The DEM, with a staff delays encountered by newsprint suppli- Rhode Island of 550 and a $71.5 million budget, exe- ers, and said the JS plans to exceed the ä Is bad odor worth going to jail cutes all regulatory permits, operates the content goals this year. The claims against for? Four farmers in Tiverton, RI face a stateÕs recreation areas and oversees the Journal Sentinel had been reported in total of 61 felony counts as a result of an activities such as hunting and forestry. other media. The paper ran its own story investigation by the stateÕs Department of Minicucci reports that the commissionÕs on page 7 of its Business section. The dis- Environmental Management that was trig- investigative probe is likely to result in pute comes as Wisconsin legislators gered by neighborsÕ complaints of nox- reform legislation to streamline the debate whether to end state funding of ious odors. The farmers, John and Antone department. She can be reached by fax at recycling by the year 2001. Keith SporeÕs Moniz, and their sons, operate adjoining (401) 464-6015 and e-mail: awriter203 phone number is (414) 227-2040. @earthlink.net. dairy and hog farms. Most of those who Canada have been to the farms believe the odors Wisconsin came from clambellies and other fish ä A full-scale demonstration of a parts that John Moniz began feeding his ä The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is technology for destroying hazardous hogs last year. But the DEM investigators ending its ÒFocus EnvironmentÓ page that waste is nearing completion in St. also discovered thousands of cubic yards ran every Tuesday for the past couple Catharines, Ontario. Developed by of clamshells piled on the farms and years, and also discontinuing most of its Canadian scientist Doug Hallett, the tech- charged the farmers with multiple counts other special ÒFocusÓ pages that ran on nology uses hydrogen to break down of creating solid waste landfills. John was other days. A Journal Sentinel editor says PCBs, DDT, etc. into non-toxic con- paid by a New Bedford shellfish dealer to the work of Environment Reporter Don stituents without the byproducts resulting take the shells. Antone says he didnÕt Behm will be incorporated into the daily from burning. HallettÕs company, Eco make any money off the deal; he simply paper. The syndicated feature, Logic Inc. of Rockwood, Ontario, took shells to pave an access road and ÒEarthweek: A Diary of the PlanetÓ will received a permit from OntarioÕs Ministry lime his fields. Local farming officials move to the newspaperÕs Monday Health of Environment and Energy more than a believe DEM was wrong to arrest the section, and join a locally written science year ago for a full-scale pilot test of the farmers since clamshells are an agricultur- column that also appeared on the system on large quantities of PCB-laden al material, not a solid waste. Meanwhile, ÒEnvironmentÓ page this spring. A nation- liquids and solids at a General Motors some odors continue to offend neighbors. al weather map will replace the ÒFocusÓ plant in St. Catharines. The tests have not For details, contact Peter Lord, features on page 2B. For more informa- gone without what the ministry calls the Providence Journal, (401) 277-7000. tion, contact Behm at (414) 227-2040. usual start-up glitches, but the ministry also reports from ongoing air monitoring, ä The Rhode Island House of ä Local recycling officials say The stack tests, etc. that the system is more Representatives has extended the term of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is Òunder- than meeting the standards for destroying a legislative commission that has been mining WisconsinÕs recycling effortsÓ by toxic waste in Canada and the US. Latest examining the performance of the stateÕs using too little paper collected from the coverage in the series ran April 16. Call Department of Environmental Manage- stateÕs recycling programs. In all, about Doug Draper at the St. Catharines ment. The commissionÕs proceedings 17 state publications sought exceptions Standard, (905) 684-7251.
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32 Summer 1997 SEJournal, P.O. Box 27280, Philadelphia, PA 19118