Solutions Vol. 35, No. 4 September-October 2004 Preserving the web of life Court urges SHELTERING AMERICA’S TINIEST TURTLE WILL PROTECT snowmobile AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM cleanup 3 he tiny, elusive bog turtle spends which we all depend for evolution. Tmost of its life half-buried in the “Every species has the potential to teach muck, far from sight. What impact us something new,” adds Male. could its survival possibly have on the Since most endangered species China’s grand scheme of things? inhabit private lands, Environmental green Plenty, says our wildlife scientist Defense partners with landowners to experiment 4 Dr. Tim Male. Besides occupying an restore habitat. “To make a difference, important niche in mid-Atlantic wet- we have to enlist the support of regular lands, the turtle may provide insight into people who share their land with these how to restore and maintain vanishing animals and plants,” explains Male. An alliance ecosystems. More than 11,000 animal to replenish and plant species are now threatened AN UNLIKELY MASCOT the seas 7 with extinction. Not since an asteroid hit The bog turtle’s habitat—wet meadows Earth 65 million years ago have so many and other shallow, sunny wetlands—is species been at risk. fast disappearing as farm pastures are Biodiversity loss, says renowned swallowed up by development and non- Reclaiming biologist Edward O. Wilson, is the one native vegetation. America’s smallest tur- a fabled thing for which our descendants are least tle is also threatened by the high price it likely to forgive us. Unless we change brings through the illegal pet trade—up valley 8 our ways, he warns, half of all species to $2,500 in Tokyo pet shops. Bog turtles could vanish by the end of this century. in the Northeast have declined by 50% The damage is more than aesthetic. over the past two decades. Remodeling Many threatened species are critical to Because bog turtles and livestock your home, preserve the pool of genetic variations on Please see Cover Story, p. 2 naturally 10

Russia holds key to Kyoto 12

Where we stand 2

Mailbag 3

Regional update 6

News briefs 9 Richard Olsenius/Getty Richard Pictures Action center 11 Former dairy farms that are now overgrown, like this one in the Northeast, can welcome rare wildlife with the help of livestock. Cows and sheep fill an ecological niche left vacant when yesterday’s grazers—bison, elk and mastodon—vanished. WHERE WE STAND By Fred Krupp, President This election, let’s put the environment above politics As president, As voters, it is our responsibility to midst of the energy crisis. So did the Theodore Roose- demand environmental commitments elder George Bush when he champi- velt did not just from the candidates—and to hold those oned the 1990 Clean Air Act amend- talk about conser- elected accountable, not just at the ments, driving down power plant vation; he threw federal level but at the state and local emissions and reducing acid rain. the full weight of levels as well. Important initiatives, Fortunately, there are ways to his office behind like California’s landmark law to limit help the environment that also help it. At a time of global warming pollution from vehi- the economy, such as using market intense industrial ‒‒‒‒‒ incentives to achieve the greatest pol- expansion, he quadrupled the lution reductions at least cost. By national forests and preserved 18 We must demand commit- building an environmental majority areas as national monuments, ments from candidates. and appealing to the best in our polit- including the Grand Canyon. ical leaders, we can protect America’s As the election nears, it seems ––––– natural heritage far into the future. fitting to call upon the candidates to cles, often pass by slim margins. The The election offers a special exercise the political courage of people we choose to represent us do opportunity to restore the environ- Roosevelt. If we are to tackle the big make a difference. ment to its rightful place as a top environmental challenges of our The environment should not be a priority. I urge you to make your time—global warming and oceans partisan issue; we all share the same voice heard. protection—we need to elect lead- planet. Jimmy Carter understood this ers willing to put the environment when he expanded protection for the above politics. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the

COVER STORY: Landowners bring species back from the brink Continued from page 1 can live side-by-side in wet pastures, considering reintroducing cows or goats such species as the San Joaquin kit fox, we’re teaming up with farmers like 83- to keep the land open for the benefit of nene goose and golden-cheeked warbler. year-old Isaac McGhee in northern the turtle and other rare wetland species “This is about more than individ- Maryland. Recently retired, McGhee like the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, ual species,” says Male. “It’s about still leases his crop fields to other farm- sedge wren and lady slipper orchid. restoring ecosystems that are integral to ers, but his dairy herd is long gone. McGhee is one of dozens of land- America’s natural heritage.”

Today, the pastures are overgrown with owners we’re working with in Maryland, For more information on helping endan- invasive red maple and thistle. New York and Pennsylvania to save the gered species, visit www.backfromthe- “Back when I was grazing cows, the bog turtle. The project, part of our Back brink.org. land was open,” he recalls. “You could see from the Brink campaign, serves as a a rabbit run across it. You couldn’t see an model for restoring ecosystems nation- elephant run across it now.” wide. The landowners’ efforts are funded Solutions Work has already begun to cut back in part by conservation monies we helped Editor: Peter Klebnikov the invasive plants, and McGhee is now secure in the Farm Bill. “Some rare Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue species thrive if we simply set land South, New York, NY 10010. Main number 212- 505-2100. aside,” says Male, “but many, like the Membership questions: Call 800-684-3322 or bog turtle, require active management.” email [email protected] Mailbag: Mail to address above, call 800-242- TEN YEARS OF SAFE HARBOR 3251 or email [email protected] This year marks the 10th anniversary of ©2004 Environmental Defense. Published our Safe Harbor program, which encour- bimonthly at New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 ages landowners to restore habitat volun- New York • Washington • Oakland tarily with the promise of no new restric- Boulder • Raleigh • Austin • Boston Project office: Los Angeles tions on their property after endangered Brian Zarate species arrive. More than two million Online at www.environmentaldefense.org The future of the bog turtle is in our hands. acres have been enrolled, helping protect 2 Environmental Defense Solutions Member 25 Main Street Anytown, NY 11199

Environmental Defense 257 Park Ave. South New York, NY 10003 MAILBAG Washington watch

Editor: Court victory on EPA faces pressure I would like to thank you for publish- ing “Toxic trail leads to your door” snowmobile to strengthen (May-June Solutions). I was appalled pollution mercury standards by the array of chemicals in our everyday products. I immediately With Congress and the courts dead- Despite a nationwide outcry over checked the labels on the products locked over whether snowmobiles weak mercury standards, EPA has yet that I use. I am working with my belong in national parks, Environ- to agree to analyze stronger measures. parents to find alternatives to the mental Defense won a victory to clean EPA’s proposal, announced last products we use with chemicals that up these dirty machines nationwide. December, would delay significant were mentioned in the article. A single snowmobile can pollute cuts in mercury from power plants Gabrielle Miller as much as 100 cars, but affordable until 2018, even though the technol- Midland, MI technologies can cut pollution 90%. ogy exists to cut the toxic pollutant When EPA issued snowmobile stan- by 90% years earlier. The proposal dards requiring only 70% of machines provoked a record half a million to cut pollution by 2012, we filed suit. comments from the public—includ- In June, the federal appeals court in ing tens of thousands through our D.C. agreed that EPA had no good action alerts. reason for exempting so many snow- The agency in 2001 convened an mobiles from clean air standards. advisory group, including our air pol- The ruling requires EPA to lution expert Michael Shore, that rec- reconsider its standards and justify the ommended strict regulations. But last loophole, something we think it will year, EPA abruptly disbanded the What you don’t know about your be hard pressed to do. panel and developed its weak proposal household cleaning products can “EPA’s snowmobile loophole behind closed doors. hurt you. makes no sense,” says our attorney We’re pressing the agency to go Janea Scott. “It’s the agency’s legal back to the drawing board. “EPA Editor: responsibility to require that all snow- can’t justify ignoring the science, I’m encouraged by your “Where We mobiles meet basic clean air stan- ignoring the experts and ignoring Stand” article (July-Aug. Solutions). dards.” We’re pressing EPA to set the unprecedented public demand Environmental Defense seems to be standards that protect Americans’ for stronger mercury standards,” says successfully pursuing a nonpartisan approach. I’m a conservative Re- health and the environment. Shore. publican and support environmental issues. I don’t mind your disagree- ing with the current administration (I disagree with them on a number of environmental issues), but the way you do it appears to be aimed at getting the best solution politi- cally possible. I hope you continue this approach. Environmental issues should transcend political leanings and find support from all political persuasions. Jack James Vilas, NC

PLEASE WRITE US!

See addresses at left. Jeff & Henry/Peter Arnold Alexa Should machines always have the right of way?

www.environmentaldefense.org 3 In depth To tackle pollution, China tries out a market approach “Enough shovels of earth—a will double its ener- mountain. Enough pails of gy use by 2020, requiring 100 new water—a river.” power plants. Its car Traditional Chinese proverb market is growing 80% a year. Half its hen Environmental Defense chief urban residents

Weconomist Dr. Dan Dudek breathe unclean air, Tim Connor attends meetings between Chinese and and China is the For many Chinese, prosperity has arrived at a dizzying pace. U.S. officials, he invariably finds his world’s biggest nametag on the American side. He emitter of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a major decrees as manager of China’s expanding always moves it, to sit with his Chinese component of acid rain. Pollution already SO2 trading regime. Working with the partners of nearly ten years. “Business in costs China $70 billion a year—and does- national environmental agency and China is intensely personal,” he explains, n’t stay home: Gobi Desert dust storms Beijing universities, we have trained 1,000 “based on relationships, ‘guanxi.’ pick up toxics in China’s industrial belt policy makers and enforcement officials, “Many Americans come for a year, and carry them all the way to Texas. published two books, created a Chinese- see no return and shutter their doors, Environmental Defense saw an language web site and brought Chinese leaving only suspicion. From the begin- opportunity, and in 1996 we began what ‒‒‒‒‒ ning, Environmental Defense made a our climate program director Peter long-term commitment and tried to Goldmark calls “the world’s biggest envi- In 1996 we began understand the Chinese way of thinking. ronmental experiment.” We had recently “the world’s biggest We found the most dynamic place on pioneered a U.S. emissions trading pro- environmental experiment.” Earth, the most receptive to new ideas.” gram allowing companies that cut SO2 With China’s environment suffering emissions more than required to sell cred- ––––– the consequences of rapid growth, such its to companies that don’t. Dudek, who’d officials to the United States to visit optimism is crucial. Already the world’s helped persuade the first Bush administra- power plants and SO2 brokers. second-largest energy consumer, China tion to adopt that market approach, Moving to a still bigger scale, Dudek offered two pilot projects to has begun developing cooperative agree- China, one in the rust-belt city ments across provincial boundaries. Most of Benxi and the other in the recently, he and our trustee Frank Loy, for- modern, light manufacturing mer U.S. undersecretary of state for global city of Nantong. affairs, helped launch the Yangtze River Delta pollution- CREATING LOCAL reduction project in ENVIRONMENTAL Shanghai, Jiangsu Yangtze CHAMPIONS and Zhejiang River Delta “You have to get your hands provinces. “If any dirty at the local level,” says place can be the Dudek, “to create local champi- nucleus for a national ons, people who can stand up program,” says and tell their story.” Over time, Dudek, “it will be Dr. Dan Dudek the program grew from a this delta, which is The areas covered by our programs (shown in dark municipal to a provincial scale. China’s most sophisticated region and the green) encompass one-third of China’s sulfur dioxide Environmental Defense was real engine of its economic development.” emissions. officially named in a series of To date, China has completed ten 4 Environmental Defense Solutions trades totaling 25,000 tons of Leading the way in all In the market for a tax break? SO2, the first few pails in a this has been Jiangsu province. Your real estate can benefit very big river. It did the first SO2 trade, the the environment—and you—in Fortunately, China’s en- first trans-boundary trade and a variety of ways. vironmental consciousness is the first offset transaction, •Donate your real estate: receive a tax deduction and growing almost as fast as its achieving net zero SO2 emis- avoid capital gains tax. energy consumption. The sions for a new power plant. •Use your real estate to estab- government has created a Jiangsu was also the birthplace lish a charitable trust or gift new 40,000-person pollution of Dudek’s two adopted annuity. prevention agency and is daughters, Laura Ling and •Remain in your property during your lifetime, giving developing a new economic Ella. “Everything in our house Environmental Defense the remainder interest indicator, a “green GDP,” that is made in China, including To explore these options—and others—please contact Anne takes into account the costs our kids,” he jokes. Seems he’s Doyle. Environmental Defense, 257 Park Avenue South, New York, of environmental damage. definitely in it for keeps. NY 10010; 877-677-7397; [email protected]

This dragon breathes fire In the next 30 years, China will become the biggest econ- ecosystems and human health costs 8% of China’s GDP, omy in the world. In the past two years alone its energy degrades the quality of life, and stirs tensions across the use grew by an amount equal to Brazil’s total energy out- Pacific region. To help rein in these costs—outlined put. As the 21st century’s powerhouse, China is paying an below—Environmental Defense is exporting its market immense environmental price. Damage to air, water, based solutions to China, with growing success.

Of the world’s 20 most pol- By 2020, China could pass luted cities, 16 are in China. the U.S. to become the world’s biggest source of global warming pollution.

By 2010 one-third of the smog-forming ozone polluting California will Respiratory illnesses come from Asia. cause 18% of all deaths in China. While the average Chinese male lives 69 years, traffic cops have an average China used 820 million lifespan of 40 years. tons of cement last year, more than the rest of the world combined. It used a third of the world’s steel supply.

China already is the world’s fourth largest car market, even In the past two decades, the though only three of Chinese economy has doubled every 1,000 Chinese in size every six years. own a car today. Paul Paul Conkin/PhotoEdit

www.environmentaldefense.org 5 Regional update

Religious and environmental groups forge new connections

“The idea that taking care of the environment is a religious duty is new to many faith communities, but one that’s begin- ning to resonate,” says Alice Loyd, coordinator of Climate Connections, an “interfaith eco-justice network” in North Carolina. Environmental Defense has partnered with Climate Connections to explore what people of faith can do about global warming. Together, we will spread the word about cli- mate change at three conferences next spring. Such religious-environmental collaborations are increas-

ingly common. Last year, Environmental Defense and the Wilma E. Frey New Mexico Conference of Churches cosponsored a confer- On a clear day, you can see a future for wilderness in New Jersey. ence, “Is Global Warming Too Hot to Handle?” One result was the Sustainable Energy Campaign, an ambitious, long- term vision for New Mexico that calls for a 70% reduction of New Jersey bills demonstrate greenhouse gas emis- best and worst of land-use ––––– sions by 2025. planning Spreading the word on Our trustee, the global warming Rev. Sally Bingham, has In politics they say that to get York City and provide clean ––––– long devoted herself to something, you need to give drinking water to some 14 “deepening the connec- something up. The question million people. But new tion between ecology and faith.” Her Regeneration Project’s is, how much? Last month interstates have brought “Interfaith Power and Light” campaign already has enlisted Environmental Defense cele- huge development pressures close to 1,000 churches, synagogues, mosques and temples in brated a major victory against to the region. 14 states to help wean the U.S. from fossil fuels. The cam- urban sprawl when Governor The Highlands bill paign focuses on global warming because faith traditions James McGreevey signed a establishes transferable devel- include taking responsibility for the poor, who will be devas- bill to protect 145,000 acres opment rights, an anti-sprawl tated by unchecked climate change. of open space in New Jersey’s tool we helped pioneer in Loyd has a simple explanation for the growing involve- vital Highlands region. But, New Jersey’s Pinelands and ment of faith communities in the environment: “A lot of ordi- with no real input from the ‒‒‒‒‒ nary people may not find scientific arguments that persua- environmental community, Politics could sive,” she says. “Many are looking for moral guidance.” the governor then turned around and signed another weaken protections bill, widely seen as payback to ––––– the construction industry. Long Island’s Pine Barrens, The new bill would allow which allow towns to direct “fast-track” development per- growth away from undevel- mits and undermine federal oped areas to areas where environmental programs. We increased density has less envi- are prepared to challenge this ronmental impact. “Unfor- “EZ Pass for Polluters” in the tunately,” warns our general courts. counsel James Tripp, who Protection of the chairs the Highlands Coali- Highlands has long been a tion that helped write the priority for Environmental Highlands bill, “much of the Defense. Relatively undis- environmental value of these Ariel Skelly/Corbis Congregations are increasingly buying green power. turbed until recently, the provisions could be under- Highlands are close to New mined by the fast-track bill.” 6 Environmental Defense Solutions Saving a small fish could help bigger fish, too MENHADEN BRINGS ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND RECREATIONAL FISHERS TOGETHER

ext to a sport fisherman rowing cause for the loss of Nout to hook a striped bass, the body mass among huge industrial fishing boats prowling the Chesapeake’s the Chesapeake Bay look like some- striped bass. The thing out of Star Wars. Aided by spot- average Bay bass ting planes circling overhead, these 170- now has 25% of the foot long “mother ships” deploy smaller fat found in a boats to encircle schools of fish with an healthy fish. This immense “purse seine” net, dragging loss of fat may con- them into the ship’s refrigerated hold. tribute to the grow- Delivered to a Virginia processing ing incidence of plant, the fish are ground for animal mycobacteriosis and feed or squeezed like a load of olives for pfiesteria. their most valuable component, oil. Shared con- NOAA A single Houston-based company, cern for the role of Each year, Omega’s giant nets scoop up 300 million pounds of Omega Protein, harvests two-thirds of menhaden as a key menhaden from the Chesapeake Bay. the entire East Coast catch of this small forage species has now spawned an forage species,” says our marine biolo- oily fish, called menhaden, or some- unprecedented alliance between gist Dr. Michelle Duval. “And we need times bunker or pogies. Much of this Environmental Defense and the Coastal to complete multi-species models to Conservation Association (CCA), which address the cascading impacts of the represents 95,000 recreational fishermen harvest on other fisheries and species.” from Texas to Maine. The two organiza- As filter feeders, feasting on algae, the tions have not always agreed: while we menhaden have yet another ecological worked to defeat “Freedom to Fish” bills ‒‒‒‒‒ in 11 states, CCA helped pass Mary- The fish are harvested for land’s bill, which makes it nearly impos- sible to protect critical habitat from animal feed and fish oil. recreational fishing. But as CCA’s Dick ––––– Brame says, “That’s what I like about role, helping clean the water of excess Environmental Defense. Even when we nutrients. Such filtering is key to the disagree, it’s not a parting of ways. We health of major estuaries like the move on to the next thing.” Chesapeake and Pamlico Sound, which In this case we’ve joined forces to have serious water quality problems. reform menhaden management in Only by addressing these ecosys- Virginia’s half of the Chesapeake Bay, to tems as a whole can the menhaden, and insure that enough little fish are left for the striped bass, thrive. the big fish, osprey and loons to eat. Most other Atlantic states have banned Robert K. Brigham/NOAA industrial menhaden fishing, but Coming soon to a vitamin store near you. Virginia is home to Omega’s biggest harvest is turned into Omega-3 oil processing plant. While it delegates nutritional supplements. every other fish to its marine resource But humans are not the only species commission, the Virginia state legisla- eager for the high fat and nutrient con- ture manages menhaden itself. tent of these foot-long fish. Juvenile Thanks to our efforts with CCA, menhaden make up 80% of the diet of a however, the Atlantic States Marine mature striped bass, and Chesapeake Bay Fisheries Commission will meet this fall is the spawning ground for 90% of all to frame a better management plan. Bill Schild/Corbis striped bass. If menhaden are being “We need to develop new scientific Striped bass, a favorite among sport fish- depleted in the bay, that could be one tools to detect localized depletion of ermen, depend on abundant menhaden. www.environmentaldefense.org 7 Doctors deliver a Paradise regained? prescription for NEW STUDY SHOWS CALIFORNIA’S MAGNIFICENT VALLEY CAN BE RESTORED clean air Dr. Bonnie New will never forget trying to show some visitors the Houston skyline. “The air was so dirty we could not see a single building,” says New. “It doesn’t take a physi- cian to understand that’s a health problem.” New decided doctors needed to be part of the clean air debate in Houston. The city’s air is the second dirtiest in the nation. “Medical research ties bad air quality to health problems like asthma. Every doc- tor I know is concerned about it,” New says. “But you don’t see doctors testifying before legislatures. I wanted to make it easy for doctors to make their voices heard.” New emailed a few dozen colleagues Tim Connor in March 2003 and Doctors for Clean Air Yosemite Valley refreshes millions. A reclaimed Hetch Hetchy could too. was born. The group partnered with the Picture paradise: Waterfalls cascade ple. “There’s no question that Hetch Texas office of Environmental Defense. off soaring cliffs. Groves of pine and Hetchy Valley can be restored,” says “Environmental Defense helps us keep oak shade a meandering river. Such our water analyst Spreck Rosekrans. on top of air quality policy development, so images bring to mind California’s “The only question is who will have we know where to speak out,” New says. Yosemite Valley, but few know that a the vision and imagination to lead Already, the doctors’ coalition has tes- second magnificent valley once graced the way.” tified against EPA rules that would allow . increased industrial air pollution and con- praised the Hetch DISCOVER HETCH HETCHY fronted the Texas Legislature, which then Hetchy Valley as “one of nature’s rarest CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED passed a $650 million bill providing incen- and most precious mountain temples.” Congress preserved Hetch Hetchy tives to replace old diesel engines. Today the valley lies submerged under Valley in 1890 but two decades later Now the group is calling on EPA to 300 feet of water, a giant storage tank allowed the valley to be inundated, set tighter limits on airborne particulates for the Bay Area. despite a nationwide outcry. linked to cardiopulmonary problems. Environmental Defense will Now a historic opportunity has Doctors for Clean Air recently soon release a report outlining cost- arisen to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley became Health Professionals for Clean Air, effective alternatives for continuing as upgrades its water bringing nurses, researchers and others to the supply of high-quality Tuolumne system. We’ve joined with the Sierra the effort. Partnerships in other cities are in River water while returning Hetch Club and Restore Hetch Hetchy to the works. Interested health professionals Hetchy Valley to the American peo- press for restoration based on our pro- can join by visiting www.hpcatx.com. posal, developed with leading industry consultants. “Can you imagine today’s teenagers, like my own, visiting the valley when they’re 30, and then 40, and watching it come back to life?” asks Rosekrans. “That would be an amazing experience.”

Tim Connor What you can do: Visit www.Discover– HetchHetchy.org to join our campaign Behind the 312-foot-high O’Shaugh- and take an interactive tour of the val- Colin Rowan nessy Dam lies a sunken treasure. ley as it once was, and could be again. In this video image, Dr. New links pollution and health. 8 Environmental Defense Solutions NEWS BRIEFS 51 Club members aid fight to cut ‘carbs’ The contributions flood of e-mails to get the attention of from more than 10,000 an elected official.” donors will help fire up WHAT YOU CAN DO: Visit www.undoit.org grassroots efforts in five to sign the Climate Stewardship Act peti- key states: Arkansas, tion and recruit others to sign. Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Tennessee. The sup- port also allows us to inun- Most chemical date television, radio, companies agree to newspapers and the Inter- net with our message. “I provide health data want to extend my heart- More than 330,000 people have signed a petition to felt appreciation to every secure her future. 51 Club member,” said our Members of our 51 Club amassed an president Fred Krupp. Environmental Defense Action Fund These hard-hitting citizen efforts war chest of more than $800,000, help- will counter the massive public relations ing kick into high gear our campaign to campaigns of entrenched opponents. We win 51 Senate votes and pass the aim to gather one million petition sig- McCain-Lieberman Climate Steward- natures demanding action from Capitol ship Act. The bipartisan measure will cut Hill. As the bill’s co-sponsor Senator Image State ‘carbs’—the carbon dioxide pollution John McCain said recently, “There is We need to know which chemicals are unsafe. that causes global warming. nothing like a flood of phone calls or a Environmental Defense in 1997 published a landmark study, Toxic Ignorance, demon- Drive less, pay less for auto insurance strating that the public lacks basic health Drivers have reason to celebrate. GMAC Council to help pass a state law that pro- information for most common chemicals. Insurance, one of the nation’s largest auto vides tax credits to insurers who offer Our findings sparked a voluntary program insurance providers, has begun offering pay-as-you-drive policies. with EPA and the American Chemistry discounts in some states to motorists who “GMAC’s leadership on this issue Council challenging manufacturers to pro- drive less than 15,000 miles a year. could pave the way for more rational vide the missing data. “This is a huge step forward,” says pricing,” says Replogle. “Hopefully oth- Our recent report on the High our transportation director Michael ers will follow suit.” Production Volume Chemical Challenge

Replogle, a leading advocate of the pay-as- WHAT YOU CAN DO: Take the pay-as-you- shows producers of 90% of these chemi- you-drive concept. “It is one of the few drive pledge at: www.environmentalde- cals have agreed to supply basic hazard strategies that could cut pollution and fense.org/go/actioncenter. data. A few hundred common chemicals reduce traffic congestion while remain “orphans”—their producers have saving money for consumers— declined to supply data on them. “It’s and at no cost to government.” frustrating to see some companies shirk- Economists predict that pay-as- ing their responsibilities when, as a you-drive incentives, if adopted whole, the challenge is on track to be nationwide, could result in a incredibly successful,” said our scientist 10% reduction in annual miles Dr. Richard Denison. We’re using the driven. report to pressure “deadbeat parent” Last year, 16,000 Envi- companies to act. ronmental Defense activists We also want companies to provide pledged to buy pay-as-you- health information voluntarily on all

drive insurance if it was avail- Image State recently introduced high volume chemi- able. We also worked with the Another reason to leave it in the garage: cheaper cals. If they don’t, EPA should require Oregon Environmental insurance premiums. them to. www.environmentaldefense.org 9 Green living

Building blocks

The National Association of Home Builders (1201 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005; 800- 368-5242; www.nahb.org) holds its National Green Building Conference March 13-15 in Atlanta, GA.

The Healthy House Institute (430 North Sewell Road, Bloomington, IN 47408; 812-332-5073; www.hhinst.com) offers assis- tance to do-it-yourself green home builders. Michael Keller/Corbis

An online guide to nontoxic paint Environmentally friendly renovation used to cost much more. No longer. is at www.healthyhomede- signs.com/articles/information5.p hp. RD Coatings are available Green building comes of age from Acryltech (167 Avon Street, FOR BOTH BUILDERS AND REMODELERS, NEW Stratford, CT 06615; 203-380- TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS ARE AT HAND 9466; [email protected]). In the early 1990s, actor Dennis Weaver Depot and Lowe’s, have caught on, thanks Non-toxic wood preservative (McCloud) made news by moving into a in part to pressure from environmentalists. brands include NatureWood solar-heated house he called an “earth- Stores now stock their shelves with a full (www.osmose.com/wood/usa/pre served/naturewood/product), ship.” Today few would notice. The range of green building materials. Wolmanized Natural Select (1955 industry’s leading trade group, the Green services and materials may Lake Park Drive, Suite 250, National Association of Home Builders come at a modest price premium, but eco- Smyrna, GA 30080; 866-789- this year published model green home design is no longer just for the rich. In 4567; www.naturalselect.com) building and remodeling guidelines to fact, it can be very cost-effective. “Going and ACQ Preserve (www.treated- “take green to the mainstream.” Accord- green can, in fact, save money, particularly wood.com/products/preserve). ing to the group, some 19,000 U.S. when costs are calculated over the life cycle homes were built under local green build- of the building,” points out Washington, Composite decking is made from ing ordinances between 1990 and 2001. DC-based architect Harry Gordon. a mixture of reclaimed wood and In 2002 alone, an additional 13,000 green Ready to start hammering out a plastic. Trex (800-289-8739; houses were constructed. plan? Here are a few basics: www.trex.com), Weatherbest “The natural building movement is (www.weatherbest.lpcorp.com), where organic food was 20 years ago,” •Sustainable wood. The Forest Steward- Nexwood (1327 Clark Boulevard, Brampton, ON Canada, L6T 5R5; says Joe Kennedy, co-editor of the book ship Council certifies lumber from sus- 888-7NEXWOOD; The Art of Natural Building. tainably managed trees. Wood products www.nexwood.com). Today’s green builders, construction bearing its label are now widely available. companies and do-it-yourselfers can draw “Virgin” wood can also be complemented All-plastic decking is available at on recent (and ancient) sustainable build- with reclaimed boards taken from old U. S. Plastic Lumber, Ltd (2300 ing experience while applying the latest barns and shipping pallets. Glades Road, Suite 440W, Boca technology to save energy and materials. Raton, FL 33431; 561-394-3511; And building-supply retailers, including •Natural decks. Until the end of 2003, the www.usplasticlumber.com). home improvement chains like Home wood used in decking, kids’ playground

Guest columnist Jim Motavalli is editor of E/The Environmental Magazine (for subscription information: 800- 967-6572 or www.emagazine.com). Opinions are the author’s and not those of Environmental Defense staff. Environmental Defense makes no endorsement of the products for sale. 10 Environmental Defense Solutions equipment and other outdoor uses was ing. For a super-durable finish (lasting up pressure-treated for longevity with chro- to 20 years), look for waterborne acrylic mated copper arsenate (CCA), which RD Coatings from Belgium, just emerg- contains carcinogens. Several nontoxic ing as a house paint after decades of use wood preservatives are available as alter- painting bridges and other big things (like natives. Recycled plastic wood or compos- the Chrysler Building). ites made from a mixture of reclaimed wood and plastic will not splinter, never •A house of straw? There are good green need a preservative, and win high marks alternatives to the wood framing used in for strength and durability. Robert Ginn/PhotoEdit W. 90% of new U.S. homes. These include Green building skills have entered the steel framing (which has a high recycled mainstream. •Low-emission paint. We’ve removed content); straw bale (unlike the “Three lead from paint, but not the toxic solvents paints, some of which are certified organic Little Pigs” version, the straw sits within known as volatile organic compounds and use plant oils as solvents, are labeled wood or masonry frameworks); adobe (VOCs). These substances, including “no-VOC” or “low-VOC.” Milk-based brick and concrete; and rammed earth formaldehyde and benzene, are known paints like those used in colonial times are (clay, sand, water and cement in a form). carcinogens. Environmentally friendly VOC-free, but not necessarily long-last- By Jim Motavalli

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE ACTION CENTER September: Decision time in Congress After months of wrangling, Congress could finalize two multi-billion dollar measures this month that will profound- ly affect Americans’ health, quality of life and environment. Here’s the latest on the massive measures facing Congress and what you can do to prevent an environmental debacle.

Transportation Equity Act A House-Senate panel hopes to finalize a bill to determine how nearly $290 billion in tax dollars are spent on trans- portation projects over the next six years. The proposed measure weakens the Clean Air Act,

allowing increases in pollution that contributes to asthma, Nathan Benn/Corbis heart disease and cancer. It also strips protections for parks, Should a great river be sacrificed for a few barges? wildlife refuges and historical sites. And it limits local par- ticipation, paving the way for unwanted roads to be bull- harm the environment. dozed through communities. “Rather than rushing to com- We’ve joined ranks with Senators Russ Feingold (D- plete this measure, Congress should come back next year WI), John McCain (R-AZ) and others to try to win with a new transportation bill that reflects the priorities of amendments that would submit Corps projects to indepen- communities, not the road building industry,” says our dent review and strengthen environmental protections, such transportation director Michael Replogle. as requiring the Corps to replace each acre of wetlands or

Tell Congress to drop its transportation funding fiasco. Go to: wildlife habitat it destroys. www.environmentaldefense.org/go/actioncenter. Our reforms face concerted opposition from senators who support unjustified projects, such as a $2.4 billion plan to Water Resources Development Act expand upper Mississippi River locks despite declining barge A fight is brewing in the Senate over a measure to authorize traffic. “It’s time for the Corps to revive the nation’s rivers and $13 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood control and coasts instead of destroying them,” says our water resources dredging projects on beaches, rivers and wetlands nation- specialist Scott Faber. “We’ll fight to make sure that happens.” wide. The National Academy of Sciences and others have What you can do: Write your senators. Urge them to support called for comprehensive reform of the Corps, noting that authentic reform of the Army Corps and to oppose costly, damaging its massive projects often waste tax dollars and needlessly projects. Go to www.environmentaldefense.org/go/actioncenter.

www.environmentaldefense.org 11 Moscow holds the key to Kyoto climate treaty ENLISTING RUSSIA’S BIGGEST COMPANIES TO SLOW GLOBAL WARMING Russian companies to Environmental Defense and allies to demonstrate the environ- show the dangers of global warming and mental and economic bene- the economic benefits of emissions trad- fits of reducing emissions. ing. We revealed that by cutting carbon Our involvement with dioxide, conventional pollutants would Russian corporations began also be reduced, preventing at least in 2000 when we were 35,000 deaths per year. approached by Russia’s elec- As we help create a robust market tric power monopoly, in pollution reduction, our partnerships Unified Energy Systems, to with business are bound to increase. Says help monitor and reduce our economist Dr. Alexander Golub: the company’s greenhouse “Russian business is ready and willing to gases. Its 365 aging power take action to prevent global warming.” plants account for 2% of the world’s carbon emissions— more than the entire state of California. Following that suc- cessful partnership, Envi- Earth index ronmental Defense was asked by Russia’s largest •Percent of China’s rivers that aluminum company and were severely polluted in 2000: by the country’s natural 42%. In 2002: 71% gas monopoly to help •Amount of unwanted fish dis- reduce their global warm- carded globally each year: 60 Sprawled across its vast territory, aging industries could be ing pollution. billion pounds. Percent of an unexpected boon to Russia’s economy. For these companies, world’s catch discarded: 25% Amid the medieval landscapes of Kyoto’s carbon market would be a god- Russia’s far north lies one of the coun- send. Under the treaty’s proposed emis- •Number of beach closings and try’s most progressive companies. The sions trading scenario, Russia has pollu- pollution advisories in 2003: sprawling Arkangelsk Pulp and Paper tion credits it can sell to more polluting more than 18,000 Mill is working to voluntarily reduce its countries. It stands to earn up to $20 •Number of dams higher than 50 greenhouse gas emissions by 390 tons billion in desperately needed foreign feet built since 1950: 45,000 annually while boosting productivity. investment to revitalize its industry. The initiative is one of several launched “We’re creating a brand-new commodity •Percent of America’s 128 million with the help of Environmental Defense here,” exults Mikhail Rogankov, head of workers who use public trans- to encourage Russia to take a stand on the nonprofit Carbon Energy Fund. portation: 4.7% global warming. The Russian government has lis- For the Kyoto global warming treaty tened. In May, President Vladimir Putin •Increase in global wind power capacity in the past six years: to go into force, it must be ratified by pledged to “speed up” Russia’s ratifica- 415% Russia. Early on, we recognized the tion of the Kyoto treaty. Putin’s com- importance of partnering with the biggest mitment followed concerted efforts by

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Environmental Defense Totally chlorine free 100% recycled (75% post-consumer) paper NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE 257 Park Avenue South PAID New York, NY 10010 ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE Address Service Requested SPECIAL CALIFORNIA BULLETIN Solutions Paradise regained? New study shows Hetch Hetchy Valley can be restored

magine yourself in Hetch IHetchy on a sunny day in June, standing waist-deep in grass and flowers, while the great pines sway dreamily.... Those are the words of the great 19th century naturalist John Muir, who praised Hetch Hetchy Valley as a twin of nearby Yosemite, with comparable soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Today, we have to take Muir’s word for it. Hetch Hetchy lies submerged beneath 300 feet of water, the result of San Francisco’s damming the valley in the 1920s to create a giant water storage tank for the Bay Area. But now the city is mak- ing plans to mend and up- grade its water-supply infra- structure, which is in serious disrepair. San Francisco’s $3.2 Library Bancroft billion water system overhaul This hand-tinted 1913 photograph suggests how a restored Hetch Hetchy Valley might appear. provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reassess the need for the dam. stored,” says our water analyst Spreck Rosekrans. “The only ques- Environmental Defense is about to release a report showing tion is who will have the vision and imagination to lead the way.” how, with the removal of the dam, Hetch Hetchy Valley could be restored to its former glory. Our analysis, the most in-depth study RECOVERING A NATIONAL TREASURE conducted to date, finds there are cost-effective engineering solu- Hetch Hetchy Valley lies along the western slope of the Sierra tions that would continue to supply the Bay Area with the same Nevada mountains, 160 miles east of San Francisco and 3,700 high-quality drinking water from the while feet above sea level. The same glacial forces that sculpted returning Hetch Hetchy to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley created Hetch Hetchy. Glaciers gouged through “There’s no question that Hetch Hetchy Valley can be re- the Tuolumne River canyon, leaving towering granite domes and cliffs bejeweled with waterfalls that plunged hundreds of feet to Discover Hetch Hetchy: Get involved! the grassy valley floor. Congress preserved Hetch Hetchy Valley in 1890 as part This special in-depth feature—exclusively for our Califor- of Yosemite National Park. But just two decades later, in a stun- nia members and friends—provides a sneak preview of ning political turnaround, Congress approved San Francisco’s our new Discover Hetch Hetchy campaign. Please see petition to dam Hetch Hetchy, despite a nationwide outcry. The the back page for ways you can help spread the word. 312-foot-high O’Shaughnessy Dam is the only dam of its scale Continued on back page Valley’s future could mirror its past splendor icture paradise: Waterfalls cascade Poff soaring cliffs thousands of feet above a flowering mountain meadow. Groves of pine, fir, dogwood and oak shade the banks of the meandering Tuolumne River. This was Hetch Hetchy Valley before the construction of O’Shaughnessy Dam in the early twenti- eth century. And this is Hetch Hetchy as it could be again. A drought in the 1970s left the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir nearly empty and provided a rare glimpse of lands that had been inundated for decades. In a 1988 National Park Service study, biolo- gists and resource managers used their knowledge of local ecology to forecast

what would happen if the dam were Tim Connor removed. A National Park Service study found that a restored Hetch Hetchy Valley would rebound, Among their conclusions: The beginning to resemble its neighbor Yosemite Valley (above) within 50 years. Tuolumne River would reoccupy its orig- inal channel and return to pristine condi- ing, with the oldest trees reaching up to the idea as “not in keeping with the pub- tion. Willows would recolonize the river- 90 feet. lic interest.” But after the devastating banks. Meadows would reappear with Indeed, Hetch Hetchy as it might 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, grasses, sedges and other plants, thanks have been seen by our forebears could be ––––– to the proximity of seed sources. Animals seen again in all its splendor by our chil- would return from nearby habitats. dren and grandchildren. The Hetch Hetchy Valley Some human assistance would be of our forebears could needed to limit the potential of invasive UNDOING A TRAGEDY be a restored park species and to restore natural contours Native Americans lived in the Yosemite for our children. and soil types, allowing plant communi- region for thousands of years before the 1849 gold rush lured prospec- ––––– tors to the area. Soon, home- a sympathetic Congress acquiesced to steaders descended on the city’s request. Yosemite Valley. The loss of Hetch Hetchy dev- Alarmed by this astated John Muir and mobilized a new onslaught, John Muir and generation of conservationists, deter- other naturalists lobbied mined to protect natural treasures that Congress to protect Yosemite. are too precious to lose. In 1864, President Lincoln signed a bill to preserve the area for “public use, resort and

Bancroft Library Bancroft recreation...inalienable for all time.” In 1890, Yosemite Even chief dam engineer Michael O’Shaughnessy came to appreciate Hetch Hetchy Valley. He sent an National Park was born, image of it to friends in a 1919 Christmas card. encompassing Hetch Hetchy Valley. ties to reestablish themselves. The The ink on the bill establishing the

“bathtub ring” on the cliffs surrounding park had hardly dried, however, before Library of Congress the reservoir would disappear naturally San Francisco proposed damming the John Muir was heartbroken when Hetch over time. After 50 years, forests would valley as a water reservoir. Teddy Hetchy was sentenced to vanish under be well established, though still develop- Roosevelt’s administration ruled against 300 feet of water. www.DiscoverHetchHetchy.org What we propose: A safe, reliable and affordable plan

etch Hetchy Valley can be restored access its water Honly after putting in place a safe, bank—which can The San Francisco Public Utilities water system reliable and affordable plan to replace the hold nearly double Cherry Hetch Hetchy water storage and hydropower currently the volume of Hetch Reservoir Reservoir provided by Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Hetchy—San Fran- System The new Environmental Defense study cisco will need to pipelines will unveil just such a plan. modify its agree- San Francisco Under our proposal, San Francisco ment with Don Yosemite Valley would continue to rely on Tuolumne Pedro’s owners, the River water for the vast majority of its Turlock and Modes- Tuolumne River needs. In winter and spring, the river’s to irrigation districts. Don Pedro natural flow would provide ample water In the driest Reservoir and power to the Bay Area, as it does years, which occur today. In summer and fall, reservoirs out- once every five The blue circles are proportional in size to San Francisco’s stor- side Hetch Hetchy would provide enough years, the extra age capacity in system reservoirs. Improving the city’s access to other reservoirs would make Hetch Hetchy unnecessary, our water for all users, while leaving adequate water needed (up to study concludes. “carryover” supplies as insurance. 25% of total de- Our plan would call for San mand) could be supplied in a variety of groundwater exchanges or transfers with Francisco to access its other reservoirs and ways already used throughout California, irrigation districts. its water bank in Don Pedro Reservoir. To including increased local surface storage, The cost of retrofitting the water and power infrastructure in these ways is significant, although far less expensive than the water system overhaul already Hetch Hetchy dream team underway in San Francisco. In the A leading player in state water poli- fell in love with the Sierra as a child process of restoring Hetch Hetchy, the tics once referred to our California and regularly rafts its rivers. Using interests of those who depend on the regional director and attorney Tom computer models and other tools, he Tuolumne River must be protected, Graff as “the brains of California’s shows how water systems can protect while the costs should be apportioned environmental movement.” California fish and wildlife while meeting the among all those who would benefit. Lawyer magazine just calls him “The needs of people. Godfather.” In the more than 30 Graff and Rosekrans worked DESIGNING OUR PROPOSAL years since he opened our first with our economist Dr. Nancy Ryan, In developing our proposal, we created a California office, Graff has helped water analyst Ann Hayden and others computer model to evaluate water supply shape the state’s water policy. He pio- on our staff to develop restoration alternatives for the Bay Area. We were neered water-marketing arrange- options for Hetch Hetchy. joined by three of the most respected ments, allowing thirsty farms and “Can you imagine today’s consulting firms in the field: cities to meet their needs without teenagers, like my own, visiting the •Schlumberger Water Services provided building dams. valley when they’re 30, and then 40, engineering analyses and modeling assis- While Graff navigates the poli- and watching it come back to life?” tance. tics, Spreck Rosekrans works the asks Rosekrans. “That would be an details. Rosekrans, a mathematician, amazing experience.” •Eisenberg, Olivieri and Associates ana- lyzed water quality issues. •Somach, Simmons & Dunn assessed the legal landscape. Academic experts provided peer review of the study. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, and the Turlock and Modesto irrigation Attorney Tom Graff Water analyst Spreck Rosekrans districts also provided information to help ensure a complete and accurate report. www.DiscoverHetchHetchy.org Launching our new Discover Hetch Hetchy campaign Continued from front page

ever erected in a national park. The idea of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley isn’t new. President Reagan’s Interior Secretary Don Hodel proposed it in 1987, and the National Park Service completed a study show- ing the valley would recover fully over time. Nor is the idea of removing a dam new. For decades, the public has supported removing obsolete or unwanted dams. At least 465 dams have been removed from the nation’s waterways since 1912. California alone has dismantled 47. Nonetheless, returning Hetch Hetchy Valley to the people will require a broad public effort, and the new Environmental Defense study helps inform that process. We have joined forces with the and Restore Hetch Hetchy and will soon ask local, state and federal officials to review our findings and involve the public in a plan to restore the valley. Tim Connor A restored Hetch Hetchy Valley would be a popular destination With a little imagination, the cooperation of government for lovers of the outdoors. officials and the support of dedicated Americans, Hetch Hetchy Valley can recover its natural glory. refrigerator magnet with a hologram-like image that alternates between depictions of the submerged and HELP RESTORE A NATIONAL TREASURE! restored valley. Environmental Defense needs your help to spread the word And be sure to visit www.DiscoverHetchHetchy.org, about the historic effort to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley. where you can get the latest news and educate and involve Please show your support by signing the “Discover Hetch your friends with our easy-to-use “tell a friend” features, Hetchy” pledge below and returning it today. like an emailable postcard showing what Hetch Hetchy In honor of your pledge, we’ll send you a special could be like.

‘DISCOVER HETCH HETCHY’ PLEDGE 3 EASY STEPS YES, I enthusiastically support the Environmental Defense campaign to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. Please keep me informed about your progress. I have marked the ways I’d like (1) Mark the ways to help as opportunities arise: you’d like to help; ❑ I’d like to receive email updates on the Discover Hetch Hetchy campaign. My email address is: (2) Detach this ______form; and ❑ I am willing to send letters to public officials in support of restoring Hetch Hetchy. (3) Mail it back to ❑ I am willing to attend public meetings to support restoring Hetch Hetchy. us (using the ❑ I am willing to write a letter to the editor of my local newspaper. envelope in the ❑ I’ll help spread the word about the Discover Hetch Hetchy campaign to my friends and family. center of this newsletter) ❑ Other: ______

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