Safe Harbor Fulfills Its Promise Kerry Russell Remembers the Day U.S

Vol. XXXII, No. 5 September 2001 Safe Harbor fulfills its promise Kerry Russell remembers the day U.S. Russell is rallying his neighbors Climate: Fish and Wildlife Service agents to join Safe Harbor and encouraging U.S. in the arrived at his ranch with a low-bid pur- his children to help conserve this hot seat 2 chase offer and the threat of confisca- unfragmented landscape. “I’d still be tion through eminent domain if he fighting the U.S. government if it refused to sell. Russell’s 130-acre weren’t for Environmental Defense,” Media blitz spread on the edge of Austin, TX, is he says. “Thanks to you guys, I’ve seen to save prime habitat for two endangered a huge change in how Fish and energy 3 birds, the golden-cheeked warbler and Wildlife works.” black-capped vireo. More than two million acres in Russell grew up on his land, seven states are now enrolled in Safe wanted to stay but distrusted the gov- Harbor, providing an ark for endan- A helping ernment. Then he discovered our Safe gered species. The program has been hand for Harbor program. This Environmental used by public and private organizations farmers 5 Defense initiative helps landowners including The Nature Conservancy, restore critical habitat voluntarily with- Ducks Unlimited, Amoco and West- out adding new federal restrictions on vaco, a forest products company. The Choosing their property. Safe Harbor is vital for Peregrine Fund used it to reintroduce healthy wildlife, since most endangered species the northern aplomado falcon into the food 6 inhabit private lands. wild. And on the island of Molokai, we “I prefer to help the birds on my are helping reestablish the nene goose, own terms,” says Russell. “You folks Hawaii’s state bird. help me do it the right way. Safe “This program buys desperately Oil giant Harbor is a breath of fresh air—the needed time for vanishing wildlife,” cuts first concerted effort to work with says our scientist David Wolfe. emissions 7 landowners by a national organization that I’ve seen.” Ted Turner Golden-cheeked to protect warblers are true Texas rare birds 8 natives. Because of urban sprawl and brush clearing, how- Stopping ever, their habitat has shrunk to a sliver of offshore the state. Six warblers drilling 8 live on Russell’s property, but now, he noted, “they’ve done Director’s message 2 nesting and are round- Regional news 4 ing up and heading to Lasley W. Greg Guatemala.” The golden-cheeked warbler: a Texas survivor. DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Taking the long view

Along with millions of other Americans, I went to a national park this summer. As I walked out

onto the south rim of the Grand Brian Seirup Canyon and let my eyes roam over a magical world, I discovered that Has the U.S. missed the train on global warming? With America sidelined at the sixth the famous view had been clouded Conference of the Parties (COP 6) in Bonn, we worked with Japan and others. by a haze of particulates. Visibility in the canyon, I was told, is now A breakthrough on global warming only one-half to two-thirds of what it once was and should be. CLIMATE AGREEMENT PUTS U.S. IN THE HOT SEAT Constant vigilance is required to keep our national parks healthy. This summer, 178 nations hammered national emissions trading system that These fragile treasures depend on out an agreement setting in place the allows countries to achieve reduction an intricate and sometimes rules requiring industrialized countries targets cost-effectively. Although the obscure safety net of regulations. to cut emissions of greenhouse gases accord fails to address tropical defor- Without them, our parks would linked to global warming. The estation, it does provide a framework quickly deteriorate. eleventh-hour agreement in Bonn res- for partial crediting of carbon “sinks.” ––––– cued the Kyoto Protocol from collapse. “This agreement is a turning A cloudy future Six months ago, success seemed point,” said our attorney Joe Goffman. impossible. With the U.S. on the side- “It is now up to each country to ratify for national parks? lines, Environmental Defense worked the treaty.” Even though the U.S. is not ––––– behind the scenes with delegates from party to the agreement, there is new In 1999, Environmental Japan, Russia and the European momentum on Capitol Hill to pass leg- Defense helped achieve historic Union to reach consensus. “This islation calling for mandatory cuts in EPA regulations controlling haze in agreement is a monumental achieve- emissions of carbon dioxide, a main national parks. A park, we argued, cannot function without clean air. ment,” said our executive director Fred provision of the Kyoto treaty. Now these EPA regulations are Krupp, whose advice at a critical Many corporate leaders are con- under attack. Numerous electric moment helped Japan’s efforts on the vinced the United States will eventu- utilities and mining companies, compromise. ally join the fight against global claiming distress, have filed suit to The final agreement, adopted warming, and would prefer to begin overturn them. We’re spearhead- unanimously, allows industrial nations making capital investments now, ing a coalition of 15 groups helping with the highest emissions of green- before the job becomes more expen- the government fight off this chal- lenge in federal court. house gases to achieve their cuts with sive. Eight major U.S. corporations, Why, you might ask, are we greater flexibility, something the including BP and DuPont, have vol- assisting the federal government? United States has long advocated. “It untarily pledged to cap their green- Simple. Our involvement helps is a sad irony that the U.S. was absent house emissions through our Part- ensure that the government at its own victory party,” said our chief nership for Climate Action. defends our national treasures scientist Dr. Michael Oppenheimer. “It’s not too late for the Bush with the utmost vigor. We’ll be The Bonn agreement incorpo- administration to reengage in the keeping you posted. rates several ideas championed by process,” said Goffman. “If we fail to —Fred Krupp Environmental Defense, including a act, the global climate—and American firm compliance regime and an inter- competitiveness—will suffer.” 2 Get Green tips save cash and the planet

New TV and radio ads will urge Americans to use energy more effi- ciently at home and on the road, saving money and reducing pollution. The campaign, called Get Green for its environmental and economic bene- fits, expands our 14-year partnership on recycling with The Advertising Council. Last year the media donated more than $100 million of ad time and space to our recycling campaign, ranking it first among the Ad Council’s 30 major What began as a hobby of painting and observing wildlife grew into a calling that campaigns like “Take a bite out of inspired the modern environmental movement. crime,” Smokey Bear and “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Dennis Puleston, 1905 - 2001 The humorous Get Green ads HE LEFT THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE draw people’s attention to simple energy-saving steps like adjusting your Dennis Puleston never forgot a sky- encounters with cannibals, pirates, thermostat at home, having your car lark that began singing amidst the buried treasure, a pet boa constrictor serviced regularly and keeping tires terror of the invasion of Normandy. and capture by the Japanese during properly inflated. For more tips, view- For the rest of his life he repaid that the Sino-Japanese war. Puleston’s cap- ers are directed to getgreen.com. bird. Puleston, the founding chair- tors were so impressed by a handwrit- McCann-Erickson, the world’s man of Environmental Defense, died ten thank-you note from the emperor, largest ad agency network, generously June 8, at 95, having dedicated his to whom he had given his pet cocka- donated its services in creating the Get life to environmental protection. too, that they released him. Green campaign. Additional support An expert naturalist and bird In 1941, Puleston settled on came from the Alliance for Clean Air painter, Puleston was a close observer Long Island. He helped design the and Transportation, the Federal of Long Island’s osprey colony. In the DUKW amphibious landing craft Highway Administration and EPA. 1960s, he noted an alarming decline that brought troops ashore in World in osprey chicks because DDT War II. For this President Truman thinned eggshells. He joined other gave him the Medal of Freedom. scientists in legal action to stop local At an age when most people DDT spraying, pioneering the use of retire to a rocking chair, Puleston science and law to protect the envi- began leading expeditions to acquaint ronment and spurring the creation of people with the urgent need for inter- our organization, then called the national protection of Antarctica. His Environmental Defense Fund. In last environmental victory, over a pro- 1972, DDT was banned nationwide. posed mall, came last year at age 94. An old-style adventurer born in Nearly 350 people gathered at England, Puleston grew up in a fish- his home to celebrate his achieve- ing village on the Thames estuary, ments. Many recounted how their where he developed a love for the nat- lives intertwined with this modest, ural world and a curiosity about far- gentle, and compassionate man. “He

Tim Connor away places. In 1931, at 25, he set off persevered,” said our executive direc- in a 31-foot yawl to sail around the tor Fred Krupp. “He cared so deeply Underinflated tires threaten safety and waste more than two million gallons of world. It took six years and included that he inspired others to care.” gasoline a day. 3 NORTHEAST Regional News

A new weapon against sprawl

When planners proposed changing the state land-use plan to allow high-density development in Alpha, NJ, some resi- dents were taken aback. The proposal covered farmland and other environmentally sensitive lands they cherished. Rather than giving in to encroaching sprawl, they took action. Armed with a state-of-the-art computerized analysis by Environmental Defense, the citizens convinced town officials to rethink their zoning. “The analysis served as a

wake-up call.,” says Laura Oltman, a member of the Cumming/Viesti Richard Collection Phillipsburg Riverview Organization, a local conservation group. “It also showed the state planning comission that it At our urging, New York State is considering alternative energy. lacks the information it needs to make smart decisions.” Although it’s too soon to declare victory in Alpha, the New York takes a stand on neighboring townships of Lopatcong and Pohatcong in the greenhouse gas emissions New Jersey Highlands have used our Geographic Informa- tion System (GIS) analysis to avert similar zoning changes. When New York State resi- due by year’s end, will be a Our (GIS) model displays the future impact of dents opened their energy model for other states eager development decisions made today. It combines informa- bills recently, they saw a letter to combat global warming. tion from land-use plans, environmental maps, census from Governor George Pa- The task force created data and other geographic details and presents it in a way taki offering a $75 rebate for five working committees; En- the lay public can understand. “Towns often don’t realize replacing inefficient air con- vironmental Defense is repre- the implications of their decisions,” notes our scientist ditioners and discounts on sented on three. Economist Jason Patrick. “By examining the demographic, land-use compact fluorescent bulbs. Robert Bonnie is focusing on and environmental impacts of development, planners can The governor’s goal is agriculture and forestry,Tripp plan for smart growth.” to make New York State a is tackling transportation, leader in addressing global and both Tripp and business climate change. To that end, liaison Andrew Aulisi are on he has asked our General the trading committee. Counsel James Tripp to serve “This is a great oppor- on the state’s Greenhouse tunity to show how econom- Gas Task Force. Charged with ic incentives can achieve cuts recommending policies and in greenhouse gas emissions,” actions to achieve major says Tripp. “At a time when greenhouse gas reductions the U.S. is getting a black eye statewide, the group com- worldwide for pulling back prises 18 people-six each on international efforts, we’re

Grant Grant Heilman Photography from business, state agencies delighted that Governor Pa- and environmental organiza- taki is launching this major Our tool shows citizens the consequences of land-use choices. tions. The recommendations, initiative.”

Environmental Defense Newsletter Editor: Peter Klebnikov Contact the editor at 800-242-3251, Environmental Defense Offices 257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010 by fax at 212-616-1489, or by email at New York, NY • Washington, DC • Oakland, CA Main number: 212-505-2100 [email protected]. Boulder, CO • Raleigh, NC • Austin, TX Project Offices: Boston, MA • Los Angeles, CA ©2001 Environmental Defense. Published bi- Member services: 800-684-3322 or monthly at New York, NY. ASSN 0163-2566 [email protected] Online at www.environmentaldefense.org

4 N Family farmers recruited for a safe, clean environment

In Cortland County, NY, the average dairy farm nets $27,000 a year. Karen Dove isn’t in the business to make money. “You want to do right by the land,” she says, “but conservation is ex- pensive.” A federal program has helped Dove and her husband install fences and paddocks to graze their 130 milk cows in rotation among separate pastures, allow- ing parts of the land to rest and protect- ing the Tioughnioga River. Most conservation oriented farmers aren’t as lucky. Even though a record $32 billion was doled out to farmers last year, our research shows that most farm- Agricultural Service Research ers who apply for conservation grants are “Farmers are our natural allies,” says our attorney Scott Faber. “They should be turned down for lack of funds. Phil allowed to participate in conservation.” Ludwig, who administers federal conservation programs in Cortland County, proposes $8 billion in farm subsidies to Midwest has created a New Jersey- reports a backlog of farmers who want to help farmers who undertake conserva- sized “dead zone” in the Gulf of sign up. “At least in my small part of the tion measures. It would provide $500 Mexico. Reduced use of farm chemicals world, this is government money well million annually for open space protec- and increased waterside planting of spent,” he says. tion, $2 billion for water protection and trees can protect rivers from pollution. Environmental Defense has tar- $750 million to help wildlife. It also At the same time, farms can be a geted farm legislation now before boosts funding to restore habitat, plant positive environmental force. They are Congress as the nation’s best opportu- trees along urban rivers and help farm- frequently the front line of defense nity for improving water quality, ers switch to organic farming. against sprawl. But without help to wildlife habitat and human health. The bill has rapidly gained support purchase conservation easements to Aiming to expand conservation in Congress and now has over 100 co- hold onto their land, farmers are often incentives, we helped write the sponsors. To accelerate its passage, we forced to sell. The number of farms has Working Lands Stewardship Act. helped form a diverse coalition of envi- dropped from six million to two mil- Introduced by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) ronmentalists, farmers, ranchers, sports- lion, leading to increased urban sprawl and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), this bill men and public health groups.The same and a loss of biodiversity. coalition will be invaluable when “The incentives we helped intro- Congress acts on the 2002 Farm Bill. duce can help ensure a vibrant future for the family farm, healthier food and REDUCING FARM POLLUTION a cleaner environment,” says our attor- Current farm policy subsidizes over- ney Scott Faber. production of commodity crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat and rice. Grown with heavy applications of pesticides and fertilizers, these commodity crops do significant damage to the environment. Farmland accounts for 55% of the land in the lower 48 states. Farm practices affect up to 80% of the water we drink and also have a major Grant Grant Heilman Photography impact on estuaries. For instance, nitro- NASA More than two million acres of rural land gen from fertilizer washing down the Fertilizer washed into the Gulf of Mexico has are converted to urban use each year. Mississippi River from farms in the created a “dead zone” the size of New Jersey.

5 GREEN LIVING

Today’s specials

The following resources explore the changing American diet. For a full list of organizations providing useful information, visit our web site at www.environmentaldefense.org/more/10542 or contact these groups directly:

The Agricultural Marketing Service lists farmer’s markets nationwide. Director, Wholesale and Alternative Markets, USDA STOP 0269, 1400 Independence

Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250- Tim Connor 0269; 800-384-8704. Organic goes mainstream. To meet the growing demand, big corporations now ship organic food long distances. If you have the opportunity, choose local products. The Center for Science in the Public Interest gives an overview of food safety. 1875 Connecticut Healthy food for a healthy planet Avenue, N.W., Suite 300, Washing- ton, D.C. 20009; 202-332-9110. WHO SAYS IT CAN’T TASTE GREAT? Much of the popular, affordable fare ucts certifies they were produced with- The Co-op Directory Service pro- favored by Americans is fat-laden and out the use of pesticides, genetic engi- vides state-by-state listings of food co-ops. 1254 Etna Street, St. burdened with chemical additives. neering, growth hormones, irradiation Paul, MN 55106; 651-774-9189. What’s more, our food is often grown or antibiotics. Most supermarkets now in ways that take a heavy toll on the have organic sections. For online information on the best environment. But after you cut down seafood choices, visit www.environ- on these negative impacts, what’s left Join your local co-op. Food co-ops mentaldefense.org/more/10543. to eat? Should you buy only free- offer affordable produce (often organ- range meat and eggs? Go organic? ic) and other staples through the buy- The Food Alliance supports sus- Become a vegan? ing power of their members. The tainable agriculture and useful labeling programs. 1829 NE These are important questions. modern co-op movement has its roots Alberta, #5, Portland, OR 97211; When the Union of Concerned in the 1960s back-to-the-land move- 503-493-1066. Scientists studied consumer decisions ment. Today’s co-ops, however, offer that have the greatest impact on the everything from gourmet cheese to Food First/Institute for Food and environment, food choices came in fat-free cookies. Development Policy works to near the top of the list, second only to establish food as a fundamental transportation. Consider community-supported ag- human right. 398 60th Street, Here are a few tips for a some- riculture. CSAs are a new variation Oakland, CA 94618; 510-654-4400. times confusing issue: on the food co-op. Groups of con- The Robyn Van En Center main- sumers buy shares in a local farmer’s tains a national resource directo- Look for USDA Organic. The new crop, thus ensuring themselves a ry of Community-Supported Agri- nationwide organic standard comes weekly supply of fresh food and the culture (CSA) projects. 1015 into play this year. The USDA Organic farmer a regular income. This cuts Philadelphia Avenue, Chambers- seal on produce, meat and dairy prod- down on transportation impacts, burg, PA 17201; 717-261-2889. This guest article is one of a series by the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine (for subscription information: 800- 967-6572 or www.emagazine.com). Opinions are the author's and not necessarily those of Environmental Defense staff. 6 helps hold the line against sprawl and Defense, the National Audubon Society may be the best deal yet in terms of and other groups. (See box at left.) A Different Kind of Gift freshness and taste. Making a Char- Drink shade-grown coffee. Tradi- itable Gift Annu- itiy to Environ- Visit the farmers’ market. Without tional growing methods use little or no mental Defense joining anything, you can shop at one fertilizer and pesticides and preserve will hel perpet- of the 2,800 farmers’ markets operat- songbirds. Not all shade-grown coffee uate your com- ing throughout the United States. is organic or vice versa, but there is a mitment so that we can keep the Here, consumers get access to locally natural connection. world healthy grown, farm-fresh produce and grow- for all living creatures. With a gift of ers skip the middleman to deal direct- Push for better labeling. Environ- $10,000 or more, you earn a fixed ly with the customer. mental Defense is pressing for labeling annual sum for life and receive an immediate charitable deduction. of genetically engineered foods (to pro- Choose seafood wisely. Many of the tect consumers who may be allergic to To learn about how your gift can make a big difference, please check the box fish we love to eat are disappearing from an introduced gene) and is partnering on the form facing page 5, call toll- the world’s oceans, while other species with The Food Alliance to label certain free 1-877-677-7397 or write: are abundant and caught in environ- foods produced using certified sustain- Anne B. Doyle mentally sustainable ways. Make an able agriculture methods. Environmental Defense 257 Park Avenue South informed choice by consulting the “fish New York, NY 10010 finders” offered by Environmental By Jim Motavalli

Mexican oil giant joins us to reduce greenhouse gases

One of the world’s largest oil companies has joined forces with Environmental Defense to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions voluntarily. The state-owned Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), which supplies all of Mexico’s oil and gas, has begun a company-wide program to cut carbon dioxide emissions. We will help develop the program and ensure it cuts emissions substantially. “Saving energy reduces costs and preserves natural resources,” says PEMEX director general Raul Munoz Leos. “We’re honored to receive support from Environ- mental Defense for [the program’s] design.” During the first six-month phase, the company will use an internal emissions-trading program to reduce gases

1% below 1999 levels. It will then set an extensive, 10-year Cilff Stock Hollenbeck/International reduction target. PEMEX supplies the oil and gas for every car in Mexico. Implementing a cap-and-trade approach that we pioneered, PEMEX will establish an overall cap on emissions requires a shift in the mindset of the entire company down and allocate it to the company’s subsidiaries. Each facility to the worker adjusting valves in a refinery.” can then trade its assigned reductions with other facilities. The agreement comes at a time when 180 countries are In this way, the lowest-cost reductions will be found while poised to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. The the overall cap will not be exceeded. U.S. administration has criticized the pact for, among other “We applaud PEMEX for taking an emissions cap,” says reasons, failing to require commitments from developing our executive director Fred Krupp. “Part of the responsibility countries. “This agreement is critical because PEMEX of a world-class company is to address climate change.” appears to be the first company from the developing world Reducing emissions “won’t be easy in a period of to commit itself to firm greenhouse gas reductions,” says our growth,” says our business liaison Millie Chu. “This chief scientist Michael Oppenheimer.

7 Turner helps species

Environmental Defense has joined forces with the Turner Endangered Species Fund to initiate Florida’s first- ever Safe Harbor program. The initiative at Ted Turner’s 2,800-acre Avalon Plantation Annex in the Florida panhandle will restore habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Safe Harbor, pioneered by us, insulates landowners from increased regulation. “Ted’s goal is to use this project as a template to persuade other landowners to participate,” says Greg Hagan, who Robert Sollen manages the Turner properties in the A 1969 oil rig blowout off Santa Barbara served as a national wake-up call. Southeast. “We’re big believers in Safe Harbor. It offers landowners flexibility.” Drawing the line on offshore drilling Turner is America’s largest individ- ual landowner with a keen interest in The cold waters of the North and the Senate to pass bipartisan bills endangered species. His Avalon planta- Atlantic meet the Gulf Stream off this summer favoring an extension of tion is distinguished by its stands of rare, Cape Hatteras at a place named The the moratorium. We also successfully old-growth longleaf pine favored by the Point. Endangered right whales, sea urged the Bush administration to sig- woodpeckers. “This is some of the nicest turtles and migratory fishes congre- nificantly scale back its proposal to fish habitat I’ve ever seen,” says our gate here to feed in the nutrient-rich lease tracts off the Florida panhandle economist Robert Bonnie. waters. “Ecologically, this is one of not included in the moratorium. “Environmental Defense lent our the most important areas of the We are also working to close a project a lot more credibility with gov- Western Atlantic,” says our scientist major loophole exploited by oil com- ernment,” says Hagan. Building on the Dr. Douglas Rader. panies. An amendment by Senators success of our Turner effort, Florida is The Point may also contain nat- Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John planning a statewide Safe Harbor pro- ural gas deposits and is coveted by oil Kerry (D-MA) would block oil com- gram for the woodpecker. companies. For nearly 20 years, the panies from conducting seismic tests Outer Banks—and much of the U.S. in waters covered by the moratorium. coastline—have been protected by an “The amendment will ensure that annual moratorium on new offshore these activities cannot be conducted oil leases. Now the Bush administra- by stealth in protected areas.” says our tion wants to lift it and has targeted marine advocate Richard Charter. the Outer Banks for possible explo- These successes offer a measure ration. “This could become Ground of protection for national treasures Zero for new drilling,” says Rader. such as The Point. “We must remain Working with congressmen and vigilant,” says Charter. “Victories shoreline communities, we helped lay may only be temporary, but our loss- the groundwork for both the House es are permanent.” Prime habitat:Turner’s Avalon plantation.

Totally chlorine free 100% recycled (75% post-consumer) paper NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE

257 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10010 Address Service Requested CENTRAL Regional News

Paradise lost ... and regained?

“This milk-and-honey wilderness,” is how ecologist Aldo Leopold described the Colorado River delta in 1922. Back then, the vast, fertile wetland supported abundant wildlife along the U.S.-Mexico border. Ten dams and 80 diversions later, “less than one percent of the water actu- ally reaches the delta,” says our scientist Jennifer Pitt. By 1980, headlines proclaimed that the ecosystem, once larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined, Capstone Turbine Corp. Capstone Turbine was dead. Yet that same year the tide began to turn. With the last reservoir finally full, high-water years New microturbine generators produce less pollution without diesel. sent floodwaters to the delta for the first time in decades, reestablishing riparian habitat for animals like the vaqui- Clamping down on small and ta porpoise, the world’s smallest and rarest marine mam- filthy diesel generators mal. A prolonged drought, however, could again reduce the amount of water reaching the delta to a trickle. The Clean Air Act succeed- The issue wasn’t on the Responding to recommendations by Environmental ed in regulating most large radar screen of the Texas Defense and its partners, the U.S. and Mexico have coal-fired power plants. But Natural Resources Conser- agreed to study restoration plans for the delta. Pitt is it has done little to curb vation Commission until helping organize a symposium in Mexicali this month to emissions from highly pol- MacLeod helped bring it to brief stakeholders on current scientific understanding of luting, small-scale electricity their attention last spring. the river. With bi-national cooperation, we may yet pre- generators. These facilities, After months of intense serve the delta that inspired Aldo Leopold’s words. most of which are fueled by debate, the agency became Our report, A Delta Once More, is available at diesel, have remained largely the first in the nation to www.environmentaldefense.org/more/10546. unregulated. establish stringent clean-air Until recently these standards for small genera- generators were used only in tors. The rules will cut emis- emergency situations. But sions by up to 80% and in California and Texas this severely restrict the use of year, small generators have diesel fuel. been fired up routinely, a Over the next 20 years, result of electricity restruc- the government estimates turing and warnings of price that small generators could spikes. “They pollute 40 to contribute up to 20% of the 100 times more than larger nation’s new electricity. power plants,” says our ener- Realizing that something gy specialist Mark Mac- needs to be done, and inspired

Jennifer Jennifer Pitt Leod. “They undermine the by the new Texas rules, Better water management can save the Colorado Delta. air quality gains we’ve made California and New York are under the Clean Air Act.” considering similar steps.

Citizens track smog

Our intern Jamie Ramsay warns her friends not to phone after 3:00 pm. That’s when the volunteers in her home- town of Dayton, OH, call her to report smog levels they’ve measured in their neighborhoods that day using special hand-held monitors we’ve provided. Ramsay passes on the data to our Pollution Prevention Alliance and by morning it’s on our web site for all to see. The Dayton network, organized jointly with Ohio Citizen Action, is one of several programs using the John Rae monitors. Working with neighborhood activists, we’ve At our urging, EPA stood firm against a food giant. started similar programs in Cleveland and Atlanta. Activists are equipped with the small devices and trained StarLink corn banned for humans to take daily readings of ground-level ozone (which leads to smog) to pinpoint hot spots. The Environmental Protec- But the EPA panel EPA monitors only three Dayton neighborhoods for tion Agency has decided not concluded there is a “medi- smog. Our program monitors ten. In producing the new to let even trace amounts of um likelihood” that the pro- data, we are working with city and county officials who genetically modified StarLink tein in StarLink is an aller- have begun sending us their employees to be trained. corn into human food. The gen. Our scientist Dr. Re- “Our data is not as precise as EPA’s,” says our econ- decision follows the release of becca Goldburg made com- omist Carol Andress, “but it’s valuable. We can say, ‘Here a report by an agency advisory ments to the advisory panel, are places with consistently high ozone levels. Perhaps we panel to which we con- reminding it that Aventis should focus strategies or health services there.’ ” tributed information. has neither fully evaluated For the latest smog levels visit www.environmen- StarLink was never potential exposure to the taldefense.org/more/10545. approved for human con- toxin nor taken into account sumption but last year it the greater susceptibility of leaked into the food supply, children. causing the recall of taco “There is no safe mar- shells. Its maker, Aventis, gin for allergens,” said then petitioned EPA to allow Goldburg. “Even a small the corn in human food. amount can trigger a reac- StarLink contains a tion.” EPA then decided bacterial gene for a protein against the company. that kills pests. To evaluate We continue to press its safety, the government for stricter biotech stan- tested 17 people who com- dards. Due in part to our plained of allergic reactions efforts, EPA recently final-

John Bowman to StarLink and found no ized its regulations for evidence that they were genetically engineered crops Our volunteers are trained to uncover pollution hotspots. allergic to the corn. with pesticidal traits.

Citizens track smog

Atlanta smog reports come from a single EPA monitor located 18 miles west of downtown. So where can an asthma sufferer from another part of the city turn for local air-quality information? Environmental Defense has equipped and trained volunteers in 25 areas around Atlanta to measure ground-level ozone (which leads to smog) using cell- phone-sized monitors in their backyards every weekday. The readings are phoned in and posted on the

Environmental Defense web site. Corbis This Atlanta effort, organized jointly with the Giant farms cause giant water pollution problems. Moorehouse School of Medicine, is the latest ozone monitoring network we’ve established, following ongoing Hog moratorium extended programs in Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. Smog causes numerous health problems and induces attacks among The North Carolina legisla- South Carolina quickly asthma sufferers, and Atlanta’s case is particularly urgent. ture extended the state’s passed its own moratorium The city is classified as being in “severe non-attainment” moratorium on new factory on new factory farms. Soon for its smog, which routinely exceeds federal air quality hog farms until 2003, but afterward, the Canadian standards. Yet Atlanta has fewer monitors than other waste disposal standards for province of Quebec, one of cities with similar air quality problems. today’s highly polluting the world’s largest producers “If we pinpoint neighborhood hot spots, that could farms remain unchanged. In of pork, said it would cap focus efforts to deal with this serious health threat,” says response, we have stepped hog farm size in 165 towns our Atlanta- based attorney John Bowman. up our campaign to elimi- for environmental reasons. For the latest smog levels visit www.environmen- nate open-air waste lagoons, Environmental De- taldefense.org/more/10544. which are responsible for air fense aims to convince the and water pollution and attorneys general of North public health problems. Carolina, South Carolina The world’s largest hog and Virginia to join forces producer, Smithfield Foods, and eliminate harmful waste has a pact with North lagoons in favor of improved Carolina’s attorney general technologies. “The problem to replace its lagoons by of hog lagoons knows no 2005. But until then, it boundaries,” says Jane Preyer, seems to be business as usual our North Carolina office for Smithfield. The compa- director. “Our lawmakers ny has applied for permits to must ban lagoons at factory

John Bowman build several large hog farms hog farms once and for all.” in South Carolina using out- See Hog Watch at Our volunteers are trained to uncover pollution hotspots. dated lagoons. www.hogwatch.org.

Paradise lost ... and regained?