home of the wildlife conservation environmental and freedom activist

Natural Resources Defense Council's

CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION ALERT

NRDC's California Activist Network was formed to mobilize and provide
action tools to Californians and others concerned with protecting the
state's extraordinary wealth of natural treasures and the health of
its citizens.
========================================
October 1, 2001

Note:  While NRDC was deeply saddened by the tragic events of
September 11th and continues to offer its deepest sympathies to all
those affected, the need for our work, and our commitment to
protecting the health and well-being of our planet and its
inhabitants, remain strong. We are therefore continuing our regular
publication of the California Activist Network Action Alert, and
include our sincerest wishes that our readers and their loved ones are
all safe and well.
======================================================

In This Issue:

--Action alerts--

1. Urge Governor Davis to act on the year's top environmental bills

2. Tell your representative to oppose a water bill that would damage
California's environment and economy

======================================================
You will also find these alerts in NRDC'S Earth Action Center, which
includes tools for taking action easily online, at
http://www.nrdc.org/action

(Please do not reply to this message; see the instructions below for
how to unsubscribe or contact NRDC with questions or comments.)

=============
Action alerts
=============

1. Urge Governor Davis to act on the year's top environmental bills

On September 15th, the California legislature finished its work and
sent hundreds of bills to Governor Davis, who has until October 14th
to either sign or veto them. Among the most important bills concerning
the state's environment and public health are:

** AB 1602, The California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood
Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 -- The legislature approved
placing this $2.6 billion bond on the March 2002 primary ballot. If
signed by the governor and approved by voters, the bond would invest
funds in California's land, air and water, including money for state
park acquisitions, neighborhood parks, clean beaches, diesel pollution
reduction and agricultural land protection.

** AB 599, The Groundwater Quality Monitoring Act of 2001 -- This bill
would improve California's ability to monitor and protect its
groundwater, the source of drinking water for half the state's
population.

** SB 497, Subdivision Map Act Clarification -- This bill would close
a loophole in existing law that is being exploited by developers to
drive up the cost of acquiring land for conservation purposes. The
current Subdivision Map Act enables land speculators to subdivide and
rearrange lots based on sketchy 19th century records; speculators are
abusing the law to realize windfall profits at the expense of
taxpayers and philanthropists.

** SB 1170, State Vehicle Fleet Fuel Efficiency -- This bill would
require purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles and replacement tires for
the state vehicle fleet to help address the problem of increasing
gasoline consumption in California, which threatens the state's
environment and economy.  

** SB 1, Rigs to Reefs -- This bill would allow old offshore oil rigs
to be left in place as artificial reefs. Environmental and commercial
fishing interests oppose the bill because there is no clear scientific
evidence that rigs provide additional habitat, and believe that
offshore drilling operators should return the ocean to its previous
state when their extraction activities are completed.

== What to do ==
Contact Governor Davis and urge him to sign (or, in the case of SB 1,
veto) these important bills before his October 14 deadline.

== Contact information ==
You can contact Governor Davis directly from NRDC's Earth Action
Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. Or use the contact information
and sample letter below to send your own message.

Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:  916-445-2841
Fax:  916-445-4633
Email:  graydavis@governor.ca.gov

== Sample letter ==

Subject:  Sign AB 1602, AB 599, SB 497, SB 1170; Veto SB 1
  
Dear Governor Davis,

As you consider the hundreds of bills on your desk, I call your
attention to several that affect the quality of California's
environment. Specifically, I urge you to sign four bills (AB 1602, AB
599, SB 497 and SB 1170) that improve protection of the state's land
and water and to veto one (SB 1) that threatens California's oceans.

AB 1602 would give California voters a chance to approve a $2.6
billion bond on the March 2002 primary ballot. We need this investment
to protect California's land, air and water, all of which are
threatened by the state's surging growth. AB 599 would improve
California's ability to monitor and protect its groundwater, the
source of drinking water for half the state's population (the state
currently fails to comprehensively monitor and assess this vital
natural resource). SB 497 and SB 1170 would close a loophole in the
Subdivision Map Act and require purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles
and replacement tires for the state vehicle fleet, respectively.
Please sign all of the aforementioned bills.

Please do *not* sign SB 1, which would allow old offshore oil rigs to
be left in place as artificial reefs. We have no clear scientific
evidence that rigs provide additional marine habitat; offshore
drilling operators should, therefore, return the ocean to its previous
state when their extraction activities are completed.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

2. Tell your representative to oppose a water bill that would damage
California's environment and economy

Last spring we alerted you that Sen. Feinstein had drafted a bill that
would authorize the construction of costly and environmentally
destructive new dams across the state. Now, Rep. Calvert (R-Riverside)
has introduced H.R. 1985, legislation that would be even more damaging
than Senator Feinstein's. H.R. 1985 supposedly is designed to
implement CALFED, an ambitious joint state-federal program that would
help restore the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, and improve water
quality and water supply reliability for all Californians. CALFED also
supports ecosystem restoration and water conservation. But Rep.
Calvert's bill would destroy the balance in the CALFED plan and could
seriously harm California's environment.  

Specifically, the bill would:

** Interfere with ecosystem restoration and endangered species
protection by blocking land purchases to restore habitat or even
diverting ecosystem restoration funds to provide new water subsidies
for agribusiness.

** Eliminate the requirement to obtain congressional authorization
before beginning the construction of new dam and canal projects across
the state, including raising Shasta Dam, which would flood the
state-protected McCloud River. Instead, the bill would give Interior
Secretary Gale Norton sweeping authority to authorize virtually any
dam project in the Central Valley.

** Authorize unlimited new federal taxpayer subsidies to pay for these
facilities.

** Guarantee subsidized water to agribusiness at the expense of
endangered Bay-Delta fish species, ecosystem restoration and other
urban and agricultural water users.

The bill will move through the House Resources Committee during the
first half of October and will come to a floor vote before the House
adjourns for the year.

== What to do ==
Tell your representative to oppose H.R. 1985.

== Contact information ==
You can email or fax your representative directly from NRDC's Earth
Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. If you prefer to call
your representative, the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.

==================================================
About Our Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe
==================================================

NRDC distributes three bulletins by email. To subscribe to any or all
of them or to join our activist networks, go to:
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/subscribe.asp.

If you already subscribe and want to change your subscriptions or
update your email address or other information, go to:
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/profileeditor
(or see the unsubscribe information below).

The CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION ALERT is distributed monthly to
members of NRDC's California Activist Network and provides action
tools to Californians and others concerned with protecting the state's
natural resources and the health of its citizens. To unsubscribe from
the California Activist Network Action Alert, send an email message to
wildcalifornia@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the subject line.

EARTH ACTION is sent biweekly and calls out urgent environmental
issues at the national level and from around the country. To
unsubscribe from Earth Action, send an email message to
earthaction@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the subject line.

LEGISLATIVE WATCH is sent biweekly when Congress is in session and
tracks environmental bills moving through the federal legislature. To
unsubscribe from Legislative Watch, send an email message to
legwatch@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the subject line.

==========
About NRDC
==========

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a nonprofit environmental
organization with over 500,000 members nationwide and a staff of
scientists, attorneys and environmental experts. Our mission is to
protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and ensure a safe and
healthy environment for all living things.

For more information about NRDC or how to become a member of NRDC,
please contact us at:

Natural Resources Defense Council
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-727-4511 (voice) / 212-727-1773 (fax)
General email: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
California Activist Network email: wildcalifornia@nrdc.org
http://www.nrdc.org

Also visit:
BioGems -- Saving Endangered Wild Places
A project of the Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.savebiogems.org

1. Introducing HOT n' BOTHERED! Student Climate Activists vs. Citigroup
2. CALL TO ACTION - October 3 Citigroup Global Warming Phone Zap
3. How to Organize a Call in Day
4. Talking Points for Speaking your Mind straight to Citi

For more info on Citigroup's destructive activities around the world check
out :  www.ran.org   for more information about global warming check out :
http://www.freetheplanet.org/CoolThePlanet/index.html
www.shiftpower.org
email organize@ran.org or hot_an_bothered@hotmail.com
or call 415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN

* * * * * * * * * *
#1
Greetings from HOT n' BOTHERED

Hi everyone,

We wanted to let y'all know about a new global warming campaign we've been
working on.

President Bush has made it painfully clear that we can't expect our
government to do anything to curb global warming, let alone develop the
renewable energy sources that we need to really begin fighting climate
change.

The only hope is in convincing, or forcing, other institutions to pick up
the government's slack. In order to do this the Hot n Bothered Climate
Campaign works on two levels: (inter)national and local.

Nationally, students will be working to make Citigroup, the world's largest
financier of fossil fuels, stop underwriting the destruction of our climate.
We will come together on days of action with students across the country,
Rainforest Action Network), Power Shift, Free The Planet! and other
grassroots organizations to demand that Citi stops financing fossil fuel
projects and stops discriminating against renewable energy.

Right now Citigroup gives extremely generous loans to oil pipeline
development projects, which not only lead to more greenhouse gas emissions,
but also destroy eco-systems and displace indigenous people in the process.
At the same time, the loans that Citi offers people interested in purchasing
solar panels make solar power more costly than it has to be. Rather than
giving people long-term, low-interest loans to buy solar panels, Citi makes
people pay off their loans before the panels pay themselves off. This must
stop.

On a local level students will be working to end their campus's dependence
on fossil fuels for electricity. Students will be working with Greenpeace
and Free The Planet! to get our colleges and universities to procure 100% of
their electricity from renewable sources. This will ensure that we stop
being part of the problem and start being part of the solution to the
approaching climate catastrophe. This goal may sound lofty, but it is
necessary if we are to break our society's addiction to fossil fuels.

If you're interested in learning more about what you can to stop Citigroup
from destroying our climate or about how to start shifting your campus to
renewable electricity or just want to give some feed-back on the campaign
and its goals please email hot_an_bothered@hotmail.com.

all the best,
Matt Ewing and Vanessa Pierce


* * * * * * * * * *
#2
TAKE ACTION - CALL CITIGROUP AND TELL THEM TO STOP FUNDING GLOBAL WARMING!
OCTOBER 3 NATIONAL PHONE ZAP

As we speak, the earth is heating up.

Thousands of people all over the world are becoming climate refugees as
floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather events increase in frequency.

Tropical diseases are migrating north and will soon be coming soon to a city
near you.

Eco-systems are disappearing.

The driving force behind global warming-related destruction is the fossil
fuel industry, an industry reliant on huge loans in order to finance its
devastating business of fossil fuel exploration. And who is willing to
finance these dirty energy projects? Citigroup.

Citigroup, the world’s largest financial institution, finances dirty energy
projects far more generously than clean energy. In fact, Citigroup has no
system of accounting for global warming, species extinction, and a whole
host of other problems that result from its investments.

In the face of this blatant disregard, it's time for students from across
the country to take the matter into their own hands. We need to start
fighting for the solutions to this impending climate catastrophe. We must
organize to stop Citigroup from underwriting the destruction of our future
with more fossil fuels and start investing in solar and other renewable
energies.

Wednesday, October 3 is the national call-in day of action against
Citigroup. Join students across the country calling on Citigroup to:
· Stop financing fossil fuel projects
· Start providing loans for renewable energy that can make solar and wind
competitive against dirty fossil fuels

Call Investor Relations toll-free at:
1-888-250-3985 and dial 0 to reach a human operator.

Below are some sample talking points for the call as well as a general
instruction sheet on how to organize a call-in day of action.

THE TIME HAS COME TO TELL CITI TO CLEAN UP ITS ACT!

If you are interested in taking part in this day of action, or working with
us to build the CLIMATE COMPONENT of the Citigroup coalition please email
us at : hot_an_bothered@hotmail.com

The Hot n Bothered Climate Campaign is a student run and developed campaign
working to end our society's deadly addiction to fossil fuels within one
generation by promoting renewable energy alternatives. HBCC works with
student and national groups to reach this goal.

* * * * * * * * * *
#3

ORGANIZING A CALL IN DAY!
Because call-in days are effective way to generate hundreds, even thousands,
of calls in a short amount of time, they are a great way to demonstrate
public support for an issue.  Through the sheer volume of calls focused on
one issue, we can make Citigroup take our concerns seriously.

Step 1:
Set a date for the call-in (in this case, the date is Oct. 3) and figure out
where to set up your table for the call-in.  If you can organize this with
other student groups at colleges in your area, you can increase the
effectiveness of your message.  Set a goal for the number of calls you want
to generate, so that you know what you are working towards.  Figure out how
many phones that you will need (figure you can generate at most 20 calls per
hour per phone) and how many people you need to staff the table during the
call-in day.  Start recruiting people for the event.

Step 2: Arrange to have some cell phones donated for the event.  Contact
local cell phone dealers, let them know that you’re a student group on
campus, and that if they would be willing to donate some phones for your
event, you’d be willing to advertise for them (this could be a sign on the
table that says “Cell phones donated by XXX).  If you can’t get phones
donated, set your table up near a payphone or, use a cordless phone, or set
your table up near a phone jack and use your own phone for the action.

Step 3: Make up some signs for the day of the call-in, and get together any
other materials you may need for the call-in day.

Step 4: Plaster the campus with posters a few days prior to the event.
Contact somebody from your campus paper, and get them to write up an article
or print something in the “calendar of events” section if there is one.  Put
more posters up the night before the call-in day.

Step 5: The call-in day!  Be out early to set up your table, and rock out
the calls.  Don’t be shy!  Ask everyone who passes by the table to make a
call and catch their attention with a quick opening like, “Hey, will you
make a quick call to protect the environment?”  Make sure to send us an
update on what went down, along with those great media clips.  Also, send a
thank you note to the cell phone company.

* * * * * * * * * *

#4

SPEAK YOUR MIND STRAIGHT TO CITI! - SAMPLE TALKING POINTS
Watch out Sandy we have phones in our hands and we’re not afraid to use ‘em!

Caller: Hello, this is XXXX XXXXX calling from XXXXX (your community or
campus) I was would like to speak with Sandy Weill.

Receiver: I am sorry you can’t speak with him right now. How can I help
you?

Caller: Yes, I would like it if you could rely a message for me. I am
calling because I’m deeply concerned about Citigroup’s role in funding
global warming. I’m upset that Citigroup continues to invest in
destructive fossil fuel projects while discriminating against renewable,
clean energy sources. It is time that CitiGroup offers mortgages and
long-term loans to make renewable energy sources competitive in the energy
marketplace. It has been shown that this is a $4 billion market and
CitiGroup can lead the way, and help us address global warming before its
too late.

Until Citi takes action to stop destructive investments I will not be doing
business with your corporation and I will be urging all my friends and
neighbors to take similar action.

Please pass my message along the Sandy and the Board of Directors. It would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.

OTHER TALKING POINTS :

Citi is one of the largest funders of the oil, mining and gas industry
around the planet. These projects not only accelerate global warming but
many of them are also threaten fragile ecosystems and indigenous peoples.
Why isn’t Citi phasing out investments in fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are the next tobacco of the investment community. The moral,
social and environmental cost of investing in fossil fuels is too high.
Citi should be sending a strong message to the oil industry by investing in
the transition to clean renewable energy sources rather than funding further
fossil fuel development.

Some of the destructive fossil fuel projects Citi is currently involved in
include :
1) Underwriting over half of all coal production on the planet
2) The OCP pipeline in Ecuador which will cut through the Mindo cloudforest
reserve and other pristine areas and expand oil drilling across the
Ecudorian Amazon.
3) Funding a pipeline across Venezuela’s Orinoco river delta through the
homelands of the Warao people.
4) Investing in the Camisea natural gas project in Peru which will bring
drilling to pristine rainforests that are home to uncontacted peoples.

Frontline Information Service   -   News 10/01/01
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HLS Scum of the week: Charter House Clinical Research Unit
__________________________________________________________

The HLS Scum of the week this week is Charter House Clinical Research Unit.

Charter House send all sorts of blood and other samples off to HLS to be
analysed.

They are giving money to HLS who poison and abuse over 500 animals every day of
the week, they have been sent all the info and still they give money to the
animal killers at HLS.

We have tried to contact Charter House and their medical director over 20 times
in the last 3 months and have had every excuse in the book ranging from
meetings to holidays and even ‘he has just popped out to the post box on the
corner’!

It is time to show Charter House that we do not take kindly to HLS Scum
ignoring us. Ring them, email them, write to them and fax them AGAIN and AGAIN
and AGAIN.

The last two companies who were announced HLS SCUM OF THE WEEK have been driven
around the twist by YOU so keep it up.

There are animals dying at HLS right now and that is the fault of companies
such as Charter House.

ADDRESS:

Charterhouse Clinical Research Unit Ltd,
The Stamford Hospital,
Ravenscourt Park,
London W6 0TN, UK

Charter House are based on the 3rd floor.

TELEPHONE:

020 8741 7170

FREE PHONE:

0800 036 0366

FAX:

020 8741 5986

EMAIL:

bd@charterhouse-clinical.com
daryl.bendel@charterhouse-clinical.com

WEBSITE

If you go to http://www.paystostayinbed.com you can sign up for one of their
human drug trials. Wouldn’t it be a shame if people kept wasting Charter
Houses’ time by signing up to these and then deciding that they do not want to
work for a company who deals with animal killers?!

Remember that it is up to you whether Charter House pulls out of HLS or not.


**********************************************************************
For More Information:
http://www.adl-online.com
http://www.shacusa.net
http://www.stephenskills.com
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****************************
* WILD ALERT
* Monday, October 1, 2001
****************************

Dear WildAlert Subscriber,

Rare unity shown by members of Congress in the aftermath of the
September 11th attacks is beginning to unravel, due to efforts by
Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) to attach an Arctic Refuge oil drilling
provision to an unrelated, but critically urgent Defense Authorization
bill.  Please contact your Senators today and tell them that you
are proud of the unity Congress has shown, and that the Senate should
resist attempts to add unrelated measures to bills that need to move
quickly following the terrorist attacks.  

You can send a message from
http://www.wilderness.org/takeaction/?step=2&item=653 but please
personalize your message -- it's the best way to be heard.

RARE UNITY
In the weeks following the devastating terrorist attacks, Congress has
shown remarkable strength and unity by focusing on legislation
considered vital to meeting America's needs following this crisis.  
Members of all parties have made significant compromises, withdrawing
or refraining from controversial amendments to these "must-pass"
bills.  The sense on Capitol Hill is that long-term and controversial
legislation should be postponed until Congress has the time to fully
debate and consider bills that aren't immediately needed.

"...IN POOR TASTE"
One of those contentious issues is energy, specifically oil drilling
in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  On September 19th, Sen. Frank
Murkowski (R-AK), the chief proponent in the Senate of Arctic Refuge
oil drilling, announced that he would not add an Arctic oil drilling
provision to the Defense Authorization bill, saying, "It would be
inappropriate and in poor taste."

But two days later, Sen. Inhofe did just that, submitting two separate
amendments to the Defense bill, including provisions to open
the Arctic Refuge to oil drilling.

Despite pleas from leaders and other members of his own party -- "I  
don't think [the Arctic Refuge] should be a part of this equation,"
said Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) -- Sen. Inhofe refuses to back down.  
Fearing that this brewing battle would fracture the Senate, the
Defense bill was withdrawn last week.  It is scheduled to be taken up
again this week, with a key vote coming as soon as tomorrow.

Late last week, Sen. Murkowski reversed himself and issued a bold
threat to "hold up normal legislative business to get an energy bill
to the floor," matching Sen. Inhofe's threat to attach an energy bill
to "every single piece of legislation that comes through the Senate"
this year, contrary to the country's needs and the desires of the
American people.

ARGUMENTS REMAIN
The terrorist attacks have not changed the critical reasons why oil
drilling in the Arctic is unwarranted and inappropriate:
   - Arctic oil will do little or nothing to ensure America's energy
security -- it only constitutes 0.3% of the world oil supply.
   - Oil from the Arctic will not reach market for 10 years.
   - Arctic oil will not affect world oil prices, nor gas prices at
the pump.  With oil prices plummeting in the last week, ironically,
Arctic oil becomes less and less attractive, as it is far more
expensive to extract than oil elsewhere.
   - Arctic oil will not reduce our dependence on imported oil, more
of which comes from countries in North and South America than from the
Persian Gulf.

As the Los Angeles Times editorialized on Sept. 28th, "Drilling in the
Arctic refuge was a bad idea before Sept. 11 and is just as bad today.   
... Would we harness Old Faithful for its geothermal energy? Put a
hydroelectric plant at Yosemite Falls? You could not measure the
potential cost to the environment in Yellowstone or Yosemite, nor can
you in the Arctic."

TAKE ACTION
Supporters of Arctic oil drilling have made it clear that, tragedy or
not, they intend to push forward their narrow agenda immediately,
ignoring pleas from their colleagues, the public, and the media to
hold off until a more appropriate time.

Please contact your Senators with this message:
   - Thank them for the remarkable unity they have shown in the
aftermath of the terrible terrorist attacks.
   - Ask them to resist attempts to add *any* unrelated measures onto
must-pass legislation -- it's inappropriate and shamefully
opportunistic.

Send a fax from http://www.wilderness.org/takeaction/?step=2&item=653
but please personalize the letter for maximum effect.

Or send a message from your Senators' web sites: http://www.senate.gov

***************************************************************
For a full list of Action Items, visit
http://www.wilderness.org/whatcan/takeaction.htm

***************************************************************
An archive of past Wildalerts can be found at
http://www.wilderness.org/wildalert/wildalerts.htm

***************************************************************
WildAlert is an email action alert system brought to you by The
Wilderness Society to keep you apprised of threats to our wildlands --
in the field and in Washington.  WildAlert messages include updates
along with clear, concise actions you can take to protect America's
last wild places.  You are welcome to forward Wildalerts to all those
interested in saving America's wildlands.

FEEDBACK: If you need to get in contact with the owner of the list,
(if you have trouble unsubscribing, or have questions about the list
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TO SUBSCRIBE: If you have been forwarded this message and would like
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http://www.wilderness.org/forms/subscribe.htm or send a message to
wildalert@tws.org with 'SUBSCRIBE' in the subject line.

Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to protect America's
wilderness and to develop a nation-wide network of wild lands through
public education, scientific analysis and advocacy.  Our goal is to
ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water,
wildlife, beauty and opportunities for recreation and renewal that
pristine forests, rivers, deserts and mountains provide. To take
action on behalf of wildlands today, visit our website at
http://www.wilderness.org

Dear WWF Conservation Action Network Activist:

The thoughts and prayers of all of us at World Wildlife Fund go out
to the rescue workers, families, friends, and loved ones affected by
the tragic events of September 11. As we come together to offer
support, assistance, and compassion to one another, let us also
further our resolve to leave our children a better world and a
healthier planet--one filled with consideration, unity,
understanding, and respect.
- Kathryn Fuller, President, World Wildlife Fund  


While it is difficult to think of anything else in this time of
sadness and unease, WWF urges all of our activists in the United
States to take action today to oppose oil drilling in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, the crown jewel of our national wildlife
refuge system.  Some senators are arguing that we should allow
drilling in the refuge as part of a national response to the terrible
events of September 11.  Please follow the simple steps below to send
free messages urging your senators to block any such misguided
effort.  Now is the time for unity in our country, not the divisive
pursuit of narrow ends.

Drilling in the Arctic Refuge will not increase our safety and would
result in unnecessary environmental damage.  As a nation, we hold
only 3 percent of the world's reserves of oil, yet we consume almost
25 percent of the world's daily production.  As long as this is the
case, we will remain dependent on world oil markets, and we will pay
the world price for oil, whether it is produced domestically or
abroad.  The safest and fastest way to increase our energy security
is to improve the energy efficiency of our cars, trucks, homes,
factories, and offices, and to increase the role of renewable non-
petroleum sources of energy in our economy.

********************TAKE ACTION NOW!*************

We have made some changes to the Conservation Action Network  
(http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/) to make it easier for you to
take action and make your voice heard.  If you have any questions or
problems with taking action, contact us at
actionquestions@takeaction.worldwildlife.org for help.

THE EASIEST WAY TO TAKE ACTION

Now it's easier to take action if you are short on time.  To send the
message at the bottom of this letter as it is to your senators,
hit "reply" to this email and then "send" and we will automatically
send it for you.  However, we urge you to greatly increase your
impact by adding your own thoughts to your message.  Personalizing
your message only takes a minute; see below for details.

TO ADD YOUR OWN THOUGHTS TO YOUR MESSAGE AND INCREASE YOUR IMPACT  

Go to your Personal Action Center (log in at
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/login.asp) (IMPORTANT NOTE: your
log-in information has changed; see below).

There, you can now add your own thoughts to your letter.  As before,
we will automatically send your message to your senators by email or
fax at no charge.  Or, if you wish, we now make it easy for you to
print out and mail the letter to your senators.  

We strongly encourage you to edit your message because personalized
messages carry greater weight with decision makers.  To have the
greatest impact of all, print out your personalized message, add a
short handwritten note, and mail it to your senators.

In order to edit and/or print out the message, you will need to log
in to your Personal Action Center with NEW log-in information.  

NEW LOG-IN INFORMATION

Your method of logging in to your Personal Action Center has changed.
Before, you were asked to enter a username and a password to get into
this area.  Your OLD username and password were:

Now, to log in to your Personal Action Center, you will need to enter
your email address and a password.  Your password will remain the
same as the one you had before.  

You may change your password and any of your contact information by
visiting your Personal Action Center and clicking on "edit your
profile."  If you have recently edited your profile, please
double-check that our system has made those changes.  

Thank you for participating in the Conservation Action Network.  We
hope you make frequent use of its opportunities to help protect
endangered spaces, save endangered species, and address global
threats to the environment.  Please encourage your friends and family
to take part as well and to join the urgent campaign to protect the
Arctic Refuge.

********************LETTER TEXT******************
Dear Senator ...,

I urge you to work to block any effort to use the tragedy of
September 11 as a pretext to pass drilling provisions for the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge or other environmentally damaging energy
legislation.

The terrorist attacks should not be used to prematurely cut off
debate on the many difficult policy issues raised by energy
legislation that has not yet been considered by the appropriate
committees of the Senate.  Drilling in the Arctic Refuge will not
increase our national safety and will result in unnecessary
environmental damage to our nation.

As a nation, we hold only 3 percent of the world's reserves of oil,
yet we consume almost 25 percent of the world's daily production.  As
long as this is the case, we will remain dependent on world oil
markets, and we will pay the world price for oil, whether it is
produced domestically or abroad.  The safest and fastest way to
increase our energy security is to improve the energy efficiency of
our cars, trucks, homes, factories, and offices, and to increase the
role of renewable non-petroleum sources of energy in our economy.

I urge you to consider carefully the long-term implications of these
energy policy issues as part of an orderly process of the
consideration of energy matters, rather than in the midst of the
present crisis.

Your name and address
will be inserted here  
*****************END OF LETTER TEXT*****************

To:   All Activists
From: Dave Willis, Soda Mountain Wilderness Council
Date: Oct. 2, 2001

URGENT: Send a Cascade-Siskiyou Nat'l Monument E-Message to Sec. Norton

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY

The Bush Administration is considering rollingback protection for the
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon.  We must keep the
pro-monument messages going into the Department of Interior. Here's an
easy way. Even if you've already used this method once, you can now do
it again.  The Bush administration needs to be reminded that you're
still watching them closely.

WWF has changed their alert system. You can now send another -- or your
first -- Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument pre-written or personally
edited message to Interior Secretary Gale Norton
via http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org. Please go to this website and
select "National Monument At Risk."

While you're at it, you can also send a pre-written or personally edited
message to your senators by selecting "Urgent! Senate to Vote On the
Arctic" to save Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from drilling
and desecration.

Thanks,
Dave Willis
Soda Mountain Wilderness Council
Steve Holmer
Campaign Coordinator
American Lands
726 7th Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202/547-9105
202/547-9213 fax
mailto:wafcdc@americanlands.org
http://www.americanlands.org/A>

Alaska needs your help.....

### VOTE NOW!  VOTE " NO" and PROTECT THE ARTIC REFUGE! ###

Please vote now to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and
counter Senator Inhofe's  (R-OK) pro-drilling rider.

Vote NOW at: http://www.vote.com/vote/36279946/index.phtml?cat=6834308

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Should the Alaskan Refuge drilling be attached to the Defense Bill?
VOTE NO!
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Senator Inhofe,  a proponent of a pro-drilling amendment to any number
of "must-pass" bills, has claimed wide public support for his position
based upon the results of an open ballot at vote.com.

VOTE NOW TO COUNTER THIS CLAIM!  And vote to show wide public support of
protecting the Refuge from oil drilling.

Today, the US Senate will have a cloture vote that could potentially
stop Inhofe from adding his rider to the Defense Authorization bill.

To help stop the pro-drilling Inhofe rider VOTE NOW.
Steve Holmer
Campaign Coordinator
American Lands
726 7th Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202/547-9105
202/547-9213 fax
mailto:wafcdc@americanlands.org
http://www.americanlands.org

Dear Members of Global Response's "Quick Response Network:"

Thanks to all who contacted U.S. senators and convinced them to keep energy
provisions out of the defense authorization bill.  Here's an update from the
Indigenous Environmental Network, who circulated the Action Alert on behalf
of the Gwich'in Nation, which opposes drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

From Indigenous Environmental Network:

The Senate voted unanimously to keep the energy provisions out of the
defense authorization bill.

You can cease generating calls to the Senators for now, but we must always
remain on high alert.  A person never knows when riders and attachments are
put into U.S. bills.

Much thanks for ALL your help.


Dated material (September 29, 2001), but it provides some updates between
the first IEN communiqué and the message listed above.

NEWS
AMERICA'S ORDEAL / Senate GOP Pushes for Arctic Drilling
Ellen Yan. WASHINGTON BUREAU

09/29/2001
Newsday
QUEENS
A20
(Copyright Newsday Inc., 2001)

Washington - Senate Republicans have revived their drive to open the
pristine arctic tundra to oil drilling and are using as leverage a defense
bill that would fortify the military in its battle against global terrorism.

The proposed drilling would boost national security by making the country
less dependent on foreign oil, supporters said. But congressional opponents
and environmentalists argue that it would take a decade to tap even a drop
of up to 16 billion barrels of oil in the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge.
Opponents also criticized pro- drilling lawmakers for effectively delaying
action this week on the defense authorization bill as the nation girds for a
battle against terrorism.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) had wanted to complete action on
the defense bill this week, saying that there was no "more urgent" bill. But
Daschle, opposed to drilling in the arctic, was forced to shelve the bill
until next week when he could not reach an agreement over the energy issue
with Minority Leader Trent Lott (R- Miss.)

"I think a majority of the Senate is all of a sudden faced with a new
reality: that we are highly dependent on Middle East oil and that any glitch
in that system would find us all in a very desperate situation with our
economy and our people," Sen. Larry Craig (R- Idaho) said Thursday,
predicting that the Senate will soon pass an energy bill.

The stalemate threatens to poison the bipartisan spirit springing from the
terrorist attacks on U.S. soil on Sept. 11. Daschle has said he's eager to
keep a united front.

But as Congress became mired in aviation security and airline workers relief
bills this week, lawmakers in both parties warned against using the crisis
to score political points by pressing issues with no direct connection to
the counterterrorism priority.

"I'm troubled by cynical efforts to divide us under the guise of national
security," said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), one of the most vocal opponents
of drilling in the arctic refuge. "Rather than be diverted by red herring
proposals like drilling in ANWR, we should instead focus on bipartisan,
responsible approaches to a national energy policy which will in fact help
us in the fight against terrorism."

Some lawmakers argued it was unseemly to focus on the controversial drilling
proposal. Even lawmakers pushing for drilling acknowledge that they're not
likely to succeed using the defense bill as a vehicle, but are pressing
ahead in an effort to win a commitment from Daschle that the Senate will
consider a broader energy bill. There are at least three energy bills
pending in the Senate, where some think the energy issue has been lost in
the shuffle.

"I strongly believe we need to address energy," Daschle said this week. "I
just don't know, given these circumstances . . . when we can say we will
address it. But it is our intention to bring up energy, to address the
myriad of issues that the energy policy debate will bring about."

Last Friday, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) lost a bid to get the Senate to add
the House-passed energy bill, which contains arctic drilling, to the defense
bill amid opposition from senators from both parties.

Now, Republicans have put forth a streamlined energy bill that still
includes the drilling provision. All 11 Republicans on the Senate energy
panel signed a letter Monday to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D- N.M.), the committee
chairman, urging him to move forward on this energy legislation.

"Fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships and destroyers don't run on natural
gas, much less solar power or hot air," Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) said
on the floor Wednesday.

Some Republicans contend that Daschle pulled the defense bill because he
lacked the votes to stop arctic drilling.

**************************

Indigenous Environmental Network
PO Box 485
Bemidji, MN 56619 USA
Tel:  + 1 218 751 4967
Fax: + 1 218 751 0561
Email:  ien@igc.org
Web:  www.ienearth.org 

********************************
Paula Palmer, Executive Director
Global Response
PO Box 7490
Boulder CO 80306
Tel. 303-444-0306
Fax. 303-449-9794
Website: www.globalresponse.org

Mission:  Global Response empowers people of all ages, cultures, and
nationalities to protect the environment by creating partnerships for
effective citizen action.  At the request of indigenous peoples and
grassroots organizations, Global Response organizes international
letter-writing campaigns to help communities prevent environmental
destruction.  Global Response involves young people as well as adults in
these campaigns, to develop in them the values and skills for global citizen
cooperation and earth stewardship.

NEW!  Now you can make donations online at: www.globalresponse.org .

Final House of Representatives Vote on Farming and
the Environment!
Take action and help fundamentally reform federal agriculture
policies.

You can take action on this alert either via email
(please see directions below) or via the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/farm_reformII/wk8bxn2l78xb6d

Spread the word about this urgent vote on farming and
the environment. Visit the web address below and tell
your friends to take action on this important campaign!
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/farm_reformII/forward/wk8bxn2l78xb6d

We encourage you to take action by October 6, 2001

Help Farmers Help the Environment

----------------------

***************************  
Action Network from Environmental Defense.  
Finding the ways that work.  
***************************  
This week, the House of Representatives will vote on
a ten-year, $170 billion Farm Bill that could severely
hurt the environment. The Farm Bill (H.R. 2646) would:
* Virtually repeal laws designed to protect wetlands;
* Subsidize polluting technologies by huge factory
farms;
* Eliminate the most basic technical assistance to
farmers to help the environment; and
* Continue to deny funding and aid to most farmers
seeking federal help to protect the environment.

But Representatives Sherwood Boehlert of New York,
Ron Kind of Wisconsin, Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland,
and John Dingell of Michigan will offer a bipartisan
amendment to delete the bill's anti-environmental provisions
and boost federal funds to preserve farm, ranch, and
forest lands; improve water quality; protect food and
drinking water supplies; and restore habitat for wildlife.
This amendment represents a fundamental, progressive
shift in environmental policy, and we need your support
to make it happen. Frankly, in light of the ongoing
national effort to deal with terrorism, we would prefer
not to have other national debates right now. But since
some in the Congress insist on forcing this issue under
the radar, we need your help now.

Take action! Urge your Representative to help farmers
help the environment by voting for the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell
Conservation Amendment to the Farm Bill this week.

In addition to sending an email, PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!
Phone calls are especially important and effective.
To get your Representative's phone number, visit http://www.congressmerge.com .
For talking points, visit http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Ecosystems/AgriReform/repaction.html


For more information about the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell
Conservation Amendment and Environmental Defense's
efforts to reform agricultural practices, visit: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/programs/Ecosystems/AgriReform/

Questions? Contact Suzy Friedman, Agriculture Policy
Analyst and Organizer, at sfriedman@environmentaldefense.org


----------------------

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action
on this alert by going to the following URL:

http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/farm_reformII/wk8bxn2l78xb6d  

INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA EMAIL:
Just choose the "reply to sender" option on your email
program, and edit the letter below as you wish. Do
not delete "-YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER BELOW-" and "-END
OF LETTER-". Please do not add your name and address
to your letter. Our system automatically does this
for you.  

We STRONGLY encourage you to make edits directly to
our sample letter below, and put the alert talking
points into your own words. An individualized letter
is worth ten computer generated letters. Of course,
hundreds of unedited letters will still create a large
impact, so please reply even if you don't have time
to personalize the letter.

-------YOU MAY EDIT THE LETTER BELOW---------

I urge you to reward farmers, ranchers, and forest
landowners who want to help meet our environmental
challenges by voting for the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell
Conservation Amendment to the Farm Bill this week.


The Farm Bill proposed by Representative Combest (H.R.
2646) would continue to provide huge subsidies to the
nation's largest factory farms in a handful of states
and will weaken many of our basic environmental protections.
By shifting funding from these subsidies into USDA
conservation programs, the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell
Conservation Amendment will offer assistance to many
more farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in all
regions of the country, and will help them provide
clean water, wildlife habitat, and open spaces.  

Today, two out of three farmers seeking USDA conservation
assistance are rejected due to inadequate funding.
Boosting annual funding for voluntary incentive-based
conservation programs not only helps protect the environment,
but also contributes to farm and ranch income, helps
ease regulatory burdens, and reduces water treatment
costs. These reforms will ensure that all farmers,
including dairy farmers, livestock operators, and fruit
and vegetable producers, are eligible for federal assistance.
The Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell Amendment will
also help ensure that agricultural subsidies do not
violate our trade agreements.

Unless we reward farmers when they meet our nation's
environmental challenges, one-third of our rivers and
lakes will remain polluted, hundreds of species will
creep closer to extinction, and millions of acres of
open space will be lost forever.  

I urge you to vote for the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell
conservation amendment to the Farm Bill this week.


-------END OF LETTER-------------------------

========================================
NRDC's EARTH ACTION:
The Bulletin for Environmental Activists

October 3, 2001

Note:  While NRDC was deeply saddened by the tragic events of
September 11th and continues to offer its deepest sympathies to all
those affected, the need for our work, and our commitment to
protecting the health and well-being of our planet and its
inhabitants, remain strong. We are resuming our regular publication of
Earth Action with this issue, and include our sincerest wishes that
our readers and their loved ones are all safe and well.
========================================
In This Issue:

--Action alerts--

1. ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE: Tell your senators to protect the
Arctic Refuge from opportunistic political attacks

2. WATER/HABITAT PRESERVATION: Urgent -- House vote today! Tell your
representative to vote YES on an important farm bill amendment

3. BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS: Tell Congress to increase, not reduce,
funding for environmental protection in the new budget

4. WATER QUALITY PROTECTION: Speak out to protect the waters in our
nation's capital and the Chesapeake Bay from raw sewage discharges

======================================================
You will also find these alerts in NRDC'S Earth Action Center, which
includes tools for taking action easily online, at
http://www.nrdc.org/action

(Please do not reply to this message; see the instructions below for
how to unsubscribe or contact NRDC with questions or comments.)

=============
Action alerts
=============

1. ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Tell your senators to protect the Arctic Refuge from opportunistic
political attacks  

While most members of Congress are working in a unified and bipartisan
manner to enact defense and recovery legislation in the wake of the
September 11th terrorist attacks, a few are instead using the tragedy
as an opportunity to try to push forward narrow and divisive
interests. Until yesterday, when the Senate voted to cut off debate,
Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) held up a vote on the emergency Defense
Authorization bill by filing unrelated amendments that would authorize
$38 billion in new spending to benefit the oil, coal, nuclear and auto
industries, as well as open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling. And after initially stating that using the nation's
tragedies as an opportunity to gain passage of controversial energy
legislation would be "in poor taste," Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) is now
threatening to stall Senate action if an energy bill isn't brought to
the floor imminently.

These senators claim that drilling in the Arctic Refuge is necessary
to reduce U.S. dependence on oil imports (the U.S. imports more than
50 percent of its oil). But America cannot drill its way to energy
independence. In fact, the government's own estimates show the Arctic
Refuge holds just a 6-month supply of oil, which would take 10 years
to reach consumers. By contrast, raising automobile fuel efficiency by
three miles per gallon would save more oil in a decade than could ever
be recovered from the refuge.

== What to do ==
Contact your senators and urge them to oppose any efforts to enact
harmful energy legislation and to instead focus on protecting the
nation's safety.

== Contact information ==
You can email or fax your senators directly from NRDC's Earth Action
Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. If you prefer to call your
senator, the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.

2. WATER/HABITAT PRESERVATION
Urgent:  House vote today! Tell your representative to vote YES on an
important farm bill amendment

This week the House of Representatives is considering H.R. 2646, the
Farm Security Act of 2001. During the floor debate (which is scheduled
to occur *today*), Reps. Boehlert (R-NY), Kind (D-WI), Gilchrest
(R-MD) and Dingell (D-MI) will offer an amendment that would help
farmers protect water quality, conserve our nation's critical natural
resources, and conserve prime farmland as well as wetlands, forests,
grasslands and other wildlife habitat.

== What to do ==
Call your representative **today** (the Capitol Switchboard number is
202-224-3121) and urge him or her to vote "Yes" on the
Boehlert/Kind/Gilchrest/Dingell amendment to H.R. 2646 when it is
offered on the floor. If you wish to offer specific points in support
of your position, tell the person taking your call that the amendment
makes both economic and environmental sense because it would:

** use conservation and technical assistance to reduce long-term water
treatment and dredging costs, protect wildlife, preserve farmland and
open space, enhance urban forests and greenspace, enhance public
health, and protect and enhance privately owned forests;
** continue excluding large livestock farms from receiving funding to
construct massive waste lagoons that harm water quality and threaten
human health (the committee-passed bill would require taxpayers to
subsidize the construction of new cesspools); and
** help communities curb suburban sprawl by protecting threatened
farmland by compensating farm owners to continue farming instead of
selling their property to developers.

== Contact information ==
You can reach your representative's office by calling the Capitol
Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

3. BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS
Tell Congress to increase, not reduce, funding for environmental
protection in the new budget

Congress and the Bush administration right now are deciding how much
money to spend on environmental protection next year. Although costs
related to the September 11th terrorist attacks have already been paid
for with emergency funding, some members of Congress want to shift
more resources away from environmental needs such as conserving our
land and water, saving endangered species, increasing energy security,
and enforcing pollution laws. Still others are attempting, behind
closed doors, to slip special exemptions for polluters into budget
bills.   

== What to do ==
Contact your senators and representative and urge them to provide the
money the nation needs to clean its air and water, and to save its
open space and wildlife.  

== Contact information ==
You can email or fax your senators and representative directly from
NRDC's Earth Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. If you
prefer to call, the Capitol Switchboard number is 202-224-3121.

4. WATER QUALITY PROTECTION
Speak out to protect the waters in our nation's capital and the
Chesapeake Bay from raw sewage discharges

Combined sewer overflows are discharges of raw sewage that foul waters
with trash, fecal matter, toxins, oil, grease and a host of other
pollutants that make the water unsafe for human contact and unfit for
wildlife habitat. Washington, DC's hundred-year-old sewer system has
been plagued by generations of neglect; as a result, sewer overflows
occur in DC every time over half an inch of rain falls there.  

Earlier this year, DC's Water and Sewer Authority released its draft
long-term plan for controlling combined sewer overflows. But the
proposed plan would continue to dump raw sewage in DC's waters,
allowing more than a quarter of a billion gallons of sewage to be
discharged each year. The plan also would roll back clean water
standards that protect the public from becoming ill from swimming in
DC waters, and relies too heavily on outdated and ineffective
treatment and storage facilities instead of newer, greener options
that would not only clean the wastewater, but also clear the air,
reduce flooding and beautify the city.

The Water and Sewer Authority is accepting official comments on the
proposed plan through November 22nd.

== What to do ==
Send an official comment before the November 22nd comment deadline,
insisting that the proposed plan be strengthened, and that existing DC
water quality standards not be compromised.

If you live in the DC area and want to do more, come to a public
hearing and speak out for a stronger plan:

Monday, October 22
6:00pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
901 G Street, NW
Washington, DC

For more information about the plan or the hearing, you may call
NRDC's Jim Woodworth at 202-289-2429 or visit the DC Water and Sewer
Authority's webpage at http://www.dcwasa.com/css/

== Contact information ==
You can send an official comment directly from NRDC's Earth Action
Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action. Or use the contact information
and sample letter below to send your own message, and please include
your own reasons why preserving DC's water quality and solving the
city's sewer overflow problem is important to you.

Dr. Mohsin Siddique, Project Manager
D.C. Water and Sewer Authority
5000 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C.  20032
Fax:  202-787-2453
Email:  Mohsin_Siddique@dcwasa.com

== Sample letter ==

Subject:  Draft Long-Term Control Plan for combined sewer overflows

Dear Dr. Siddique,

I am concerned about the DC Water and Sewer Authority's Long-Term
Control Plan for combined sewer overflows. While I am pleased your
agency is beginning to address the health and environmental risks
posed by combined sewer overflows, the proposed plan does not go far
enough to adequately protect the future water quality of the Anacostia
and Potomac Rivers, Rock Creek and the Chesapeake Bay.

The District's rivers are important regional waterways that contribute
to the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay. I therefore
strongly oppose any weakening or rollback of DC's existing water
quality standards or a combined sewer overflow plan that would allow
the continued, repeated overflow of raw sewage into DC waters.
Instead, WASA must uphold existing water quality standards, and
advocate for strong, comprehensive, regional solutions to controlling
combined sewer overflows and improving water quality in the Chesapeake
Bay. These solutions should include water conservation, water reuse,
pollution prevention measures and the use of green infrastructure such
as "low impact development."

Strengthen the proposed plan to protect our waters, not allow their
continued degradation.  

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

==================================================
About Our Bulletins/How to Subscribe & Unsubscribe
==================================================

NRDC distributes three bulletins by email. To subscribe to any or all
of them or to join our activist networks, go to:
http://www.join.nrdcaction.org/subscribe.asp.

If you already subscribe and want to change your subscriptions or
update your email address or other information, go to:
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EARTH ACTION is sent biweekly and calls out urgent environmental
issues requiring immediate action. To unsubscribe from Earth Action,
send an email message to earthaction@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the
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LEGISLATIVE WATCH is sent biweekly when Congress is in session and
tracks environmental bills moving through the federal legislature. To
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legwatch@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the subject line.

The CALIFORNIA ACTIVIST NETWORK ACTION ALERT is distributed monthly to
members of NRDC's California Activist Network and provides action
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natural resources and the health of its citizens. To unsubscribe, send
an email message to wildcalifornia@nrdcaction.org with REMOVE in the
subject line.

==========
About NRDC
==========

The Natural Resources Defense Council is a nonprofit environmental
organization with over 500,000 members nationwide and a staff of
scientists, attorneys and environmental experts. Our mission is to
protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and ensure a safe and
healthy environment for all living things.

For more information about NRDC or how to become a member of NRDC,
please contact us at:

Natural Resources Defense Council
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-727-4511 (voice) / 212-727-1773 (fax)
General email: nrdcinfo@nrdc.org
Earth Action email: nrdcaction@nrdc.org
http://www.nrdc.org

Also visit:
BioGems -- Saving Endangered Wild Places
A project of the Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.savebiogems.org

===========

TAKE ACTION!

REMINDER - Give Citi a call today!

Be polite and speak from your heart.
Urge them to stop investments in fossil projects that accelerates global
warming and instead invest in clean renewable energies!

* * * * * * * * * *
#1
TAKE ACTION - CALL CITIGROUP AND TELL THEM TO STOP FUNDING GLOBAL WARMING!
OCTOBER 3 NATIONAL PHONE ZAP

As we speak, the earth is heating up.

Thousands of people all over the world are becoming climate refugees as
floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather events increase in frequency.

Tropical diseases are migrating north and will soon be coming soon to a city
near you.

Eco-systems are disappearing.

The driving force behind global warming-related destruction is the fossil
fuel industry, an industry reliant on huge loans in order to finance its
devastating business of fossil fuel exploration. And who is willing to
finance these dirty energy projects? Citigroup.

Citigroup, the world’s largest financial institution, finances dirty energy
projects far more generously than clean energy. In fact, Citigroup has no
system of accounting for global warming, species extinction, and a whole
host of other problems that result from its investments.

In the face of this blatant disregard, it's time for students from across
the country to take the matter into their own hands. We need to start
fighting for the solutions to this impending climate catastrophe. We must
organize to stop Citigroup from underwriting the destruction of our future
with more fossil fuels and start investing in solar and other renewable
energies.

Wednesday, October 3 is the national call-in day of action against
Citigroup. Join students across the country calling on Citigroup to:
· Stop financing fossil fuel projects
· Start providing loans for renewable energy that can make solar and wind
competitive against dirty fossil fuels

Call Investor Relations toll-free at:
1-888-250-3985 and dial 0 to reach a human operator.

Below are some sample talking points for the call as well as a general
instruction sheet on how to organize a call-in day of action.

THE TIME HAS COME TO TELL CITI TO CLEAN UP ITS ACT!

If you are interested in taking part in this day of action, or working with
us to build the CLIMATE COMPONENT of the Citigroup coalition please email
us at : hot_an_bothered@hotmail.com

The Hot n Bothered Climate Campaign is a student run and developed campaign
working to end our society's deadly addiction to fossil fuels within one
generation by promoting renewable energy alternatives. HBCC works with
student and national groups to reach this goal.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

#2
SPEAK YOUR MIND STRAIGHT TO CITI! - SAMPLE TALKING POINTS
Watch out Sandy we have phones in our hands and we’re not afraid to use ‘em!

Caller: Hello, this is XXXX XXXXX calling from XXXXX (your community or
campus) I was would like to speak with Sandy Weill.

Receiver: I am sorry you can’t speak with him right now. How can I help you?

Caller: Yes, I would like it if you could rely a message for me. I am
calling because I’m deeply concerned about Citigroup’s role in funding
global warming. I’m upset that Citigroup continues to invest in
destructive fossil fuel projects while discriminating against renewable,
clean energy sources. It is time that CitiGroup offers mortgages and
long-term loans to make renewable energy sources competitive in the energy
marketplace. It has been shown that this is a $4 billion market and
CitiGroup can lead the way, and help us address global warming before its
too late.

Until Citi takes action to stop destructive investments I will not be doing
business with your corporation and I will be urging all my friends and
neighbors to take similar action.

Please pass my message along the Sandy and the Board of Directors. It would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.

OTHER TALKING POINTS :

Citi is one of the largest funders of the oil, mining and gas industry
around the planet. These projects not only accelerate global warming but
many of them are also threaten fragile ecosystems and indigenous peoples.
Why isn’t Citi phasing out investments in fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are the next tobacco of the investment community. The moral,
social and environmental cost of investing in fossil fuels is too high.
Citi should be sending a strong message to the oil industry by investing in
the transition to clean renewable energy sources rather than funding further
fossil fuel development.

Some of the destructive fossil fuel projects Citi is currently involved in
include :
1) Underwriting over half of all coal production on the planet
2) The OCP pipeline in Ecuador which will cut through the Mindo cloudforest
reserve and other pristine areas and expand oil drilling across the
Ecudorian Amazon.
3) Funding a pipeline across Venezuela’s Orinoco river delta through the
homelands of the Warao people.
4) Investing in the Camisea natural gas project in Peru which will bring
drilling to pristine rainforests that are home to uncontacted peoples.

Please post and distribute.

************
ACTION ALERT
************

URGENT REQUEST: Please send letters immediately to Peruvian government
officials requesting that they halt illegal logging operations in Tahuamanu,
Madre de Dios, and provide all necessary protection for the uncontacted
indigenous tribes in the region.

September 25, 2001

Dear Friends:

The uncontacted indigenous tribes of northern Madre de Dios, Peru need your
critical support at this moment. The Mashco Piro, Yora, Amahuaca, and
Yaminahua peoples are again being threatened by the illegal operations of
large scale logging companies in their lands. These tribes have chosen to
remain in isolation from Peruvian society because of past tragic encounters
with colonizers. The uncontacted peoples' way of life, as well as their
health and the natural resources upon which they depend are severely
threatened by these logging operations.

The Native Federation of Madre de Dios River and Tributaries (FENAMAD), has
endeavored to protect the lands of the uncontacted peoples for many years
and has achieved notable victories, despite unending pressure from loggers
and miners.  FENAMAD has recently joined in an alliance with the local
affected communities and small scale loggers in the region to pressure the
government to:

1) stop the large scale logging companies from continuing the illegal,
uncontrolled and indiscriminate exploitation of forests in the province of
Tahuamanu,
2) verify information presented in a study prepared by FENAMAD that
delineates the territory of the uncontacted indigenous peoples, and
3) establish zones for sustainable logging for the local small scale loggers
in areas OUTSIDE of the lands inhabited by the uncontacted indigenous
peoples, that will permit them to sustain their families and support the
local economy.

Elected leaders from FENAMAD, along with representatives of the local
alliance, met with Peruvian authorities in Lima this week to
present their requests and lobby the government to take immediate action.
They were able to make significant progress and need your support to pressure authorities to follow through with their promises. Please show your support for protection of the uncontacted indigenous peoples and their lands by faxing a letter to officials now.

There is a real opportunity for this Administration to once and for all
establish permanent legal protection for the uncontacted indigenous tribes
and the biodiverse forests in which live.

Following you will find a model letter in Spanish and English and fax
numbers for Peruvian authorities, as well as an open letter signed by
FENAMAD and other members of the local alliance describing the situation and
their demands. Please copy any letters you send to FENAMAD at
<marinke@terra.com.pe or 011-51-84-572-499.  For more information, contact
the Alliance coordinating office or Racimos de Ungurahui at
ungurahui@amauta.rcp.net.pe.

Thank you for your active support.

Betsy Boatner
Amazon Alliance

********************************************************
FAX NUMBERS FOR PERUVIAN AUTHORITIES

(If faxing from the United States, dial 011 prior to the number.)

Dr. Alejandro Toledo Manrique, Presidente de la Republica del Peru,
511-426-6770

Dr. Carlos Ferrero, Presidente del Congreso, 511-427-0195

Mr. Alvaro Quijandria, Ministro de Agricultura, 511-431-0109

Dra. Doris Sanchez, Ministra del Ministerio de la Mujer y del Desarrollo
Humano, 511-428-7478

Dr. Fernando Rospgliosi, Ministro del Interior, 511-475-6770

Dra. Elianne Karp de Toledo, Primera Dama de la Nacion, 511-426-9933

Dr. Walter Alban Peralta, Defensor del Pueblo, 511-426-7889

Dr. Fernando Olivera, Ministro de Justicia, 511-4223577, 511-4282829

Dr . Diego Garcia-Sayan, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, 511-311-2406

Ing. Matias Prieto Celi, Jefe del Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales,
INRENA, 511-224-3218


********************************************************

MODEL LETTER

September 25, 2001

Dr. Alejandro Toledo Manrique, President of the Republic of Peru
Dr. Carlos Ferrero, President of the Congress
Mr. Alvaro Quijandria, Minister of Agriculture
Dr. Doris Sanchez, Minister of the Ministry of Women and Human Development
Dr. Fernando Rospgliosi, Minister of the Interior
Dra. Elianne Karp de Toledo, First Lady of Peru
Dr. Walter Alban Peralta, Public Defender
Dr. Fernando Olivera, Minister of Justice
Dr . Diego Garcia-Sayan, Minister of Foreign Relations
Mr. Matias Prieto, Celi, Director of the National Institute of Natural
Resources, INRENA

Dear Sirs and Madam:

We are deeply concerned that the activities of large scale logging companies
in the Department of Madre de Dios are once again threatening the lives of
uncontacted indigenous peoples in the region and degrading the biodiverse
forest ecosystems.  We understand that these large scale logging companies
are illegally felling and extracting truckloads of mahagony day and night in
the province of Tahuamanu in an uncontrolled and indiscriminate manner,
while operating under the guise of a legal permit authorizing recuperation
of timber felled prior to a government injunction in 1999.  We are aware
that these companies are not only operating in the area to recuperate felled
timber, but that they are cutting new and extensive areas of forest and have
obtained permit extensions in order to continue these illicit activities.

These destructive activities threaten the physical and cultural survival of
the uncontacted peoples by increasing their risk of exposure to outsiders
and germs and by degrading the natural resources upon which their lives
depend.  These activities also threaten the incredible biological diversity
of the forests in the region and undermine the ability of the local
communities to sustain themselves and pursue sustainable economic
development.

In recognition of these enormous costs, we support the requests of FENAMAD
in an alliance with the local affected population and small scale loggers of
Iberia, Inapari, Tambopata and Tahuamanu, that the Peruvian government
immediately stop the extensive exploitation of forests by large scale
logging companies in Tahuamanu. In addition, we request that the Peruvian
authorities initiate studies to verify the data presented in the "Study of
Territorial Demarcation of the Isolated Indigenous Peoples" by FENAMAD and
provide the isolated indigenous peoples with all necessary protection.

President Toledo, we are convinced that your Administration will not let
this opportunity pass to act with justice and establish now a permanent
legal protection for the territory of the isolated indigenous peoples. We
urge you to embrace this opportunity to create a legacy of cultural and
environmental preservation for your presidency.

Sincerely,


XXXXX


Cc:
Antonio Iviche Quique, Presidente de la Federacion Nativa del rio Madre de
Dios y Afluentes, FENAMAD
Gil Inoach Shawit,  Presidente de la Asociacion Interetnica de Desarrollo de
la Selva Peruana, AIDESEP
Celso Robles Guitierrez, Presidente de Comite de Lucha en Defensa de los
Recursos Naturales de la Provincia de Tahuamanu

**********************************************

CARTA MODELA

25 de Septiembre del 2001

Dr. Alejandro Toledo Manrique, Presidente de la Republica del Peru
Dr. Carlos Ferrero, Presidente del Congreso
Sr. Alvaro Quijandria, Ministro de Agricultura
Dra. Doris Sanchez, Ministra del Ministerio de la Mujer y del Desarrollo
Humano
Dr. Fernando Rospgliosi, Ministro del Interior
Dra. Elianne Karp de Toledo, Primera Dama de la Nacion
Dr. Walter Alban Peralta, Defensor del Pueblo
Dr. Fernando Olivera, Ministro de Justicia
Dr. Diego Garcia-Sayan, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Ing. Matias Prieto Celi, Jefe del Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales
INRENA


Estimados Senores y Senoras:

Estamos profundamente preocupados porque las empresas madereras
industriales, que operan en el departamento de Madre de Dios, de nuevo estan
amenazando la vida de las poblaciones indigenas en estado de aislamiento
voluntario y depredando la biodiversidad y los ecosistemas presentes en la
region. Entendemos que estas empresas de extraccion forestal, de manera
indiscriminada, ilegalmente y sin control, estan talando intensamente caoba
y transportando en camiones dia y noche desde la provincia de Tahuamanu.  El
ingreso y la nueva tala ilegal, esta ocurriendo bajo la excusa de portar un
permiso legal que autorizo en febrero del 2001, a recuperar la madera dejada
en el bosque antes de la paralizacion ordenada por el Gobierno en 1999.
Estamos informados, que los madereros no solo ingresan a la zona a recoger
la madera ya talada, sino que estan talando nuevas y extensas areas y para
ello han obtenido la prorroga de este permiso que utilizan para estos
ilegales fines.

Estas actividades amenazan la supervivencia fisica y cultural de los pueblos
no contactados, aumentando el riesgo de exposicion a enfermedades foraneas a
las que son muy vulnerables, y depredando los recursos naturales de las que
sus vidas dependen. Estas actividades tambien amenazan la diversidad
biologica de importancia mundial de los bosques de la region y excluye la
posibilidad de las comunidades locales para sostenerse y seguir el
desarrollo economico sustentable.

Reconociendo estos enormes costos, nosotros respaldamos las demandas de
FENAMAD en alianza con la poblacion local afectada y los pequenos
extractores de madera de Iberia, Inapari, Tambopata y Tahuamanu, y
solicitamos que el Gobierno peruano detenga la explotacion incontrolada del
bosque de Tahuamanu, que vienen realizando principalmente las empresas
madereras. Ademas solicitamos a las autoridades peruanas que ordenen el
inicio de los estudios para verificar los datos del Estudio de Demarcacion
Territorial de los Pueblos Indigenas en Aislamiento", presentado por
FENAMAD, y que se brinde la proteccion necesaria que estos pueblos indigenas
en aislamiento requieren.

Presidente Toledo, nosotros estamos convencidos que su Gobierno no dejara
pasar la oportunidad de actuar decididamente con justicia al establecer
ahora una proteccion legal y permanente para el territorio de los pueblos
indigenas en aislamiento y aprovechar la oportunidad para dejar un legado
historico a la preservacion cultural y medioambiental de su pais.

Atentamente,

XXXXXXXXXX


Cc:
Antonio Iviche Quique, Presidente de la Federacion Nativa del rio Madre de
Dios y Afluentes, FENAMAD
Gil Inoach Shawit,  Presidente de la Asociacion Interetnica de Desarrollo de
la Selva Peruana, AIDESEP
Celso Robles Guitierrez, Presidente de Comite de Lucha en Defensa de los
Recursos Naturales de la Provincia de Tahuamanu

************************************************

OPEN LETTER - HISTORIC ACCORD FOR THE UNITY OF SMALL LOGGERS, AND
SUSTAINABLE FOREST DEVELOPMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MADRE DE DIOS, PERU


CARTA ABIERTA

ACUERDO HISTORICO POR LA UNIDAD DE LOS PEQUENOS EXTRACTORES MADEREROS, Y EL
DESARROLLO FORESTAL SOSTENIBLE EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE MADRE DE DIOS-PERU

Al Presidente de la Republica, Dr. Alejandro Toledo Manrique
Al Presidente del Congreso, Dr. Carlos Ferrero
Al Ministro de Agricultura, Ing. Alvaro Quijandria
A la Ministra de la Mujer y Desarrollo Humano, Sra.Doris Sanchez.
Al Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Dr. Diego Garcia-Sayan
Al Ministro de Justicia, Dr. Fernando Olivera
Al Ministro del Interior, Dr. Fernando Rospgliosi.
A la Primera Dama de la Nacion, Dra. Elianne Karp de Toledo
Al Defensor de Pueblo, Dr. Walther Alban
Al Jefe del INRENA, Ing. Matias Prieto Celi
Al Vicario Apostolico de Madre de Dios, Monsenor Luis Larraneta,
A nuestras autoridades departamentales, a la opinion publica nacional e
internacional, y a nuestros queridos compatriotas Madrediocenses:

La Asociacion de Pequenos Extractores Forestales de Tambopata, (APEFOT)
La Asociacion de Pequenos Extractores de Madera de Inapari, (APEMI)
La Asociacion de Pequenos Extractores de Madera de Iberia, (APEMIB), y
La Asociacion de Pequenos Extractores de Madera de la Provincia del
Tahuamanu, (APEMAP-T)

Como organizaciones sociales de base del departamento de Madre de Dios,
dedicados a la actividad de extraccion maderera, cumplimos con informarles
lo siguiente:

El sector social dedicado a la actividad forestal en Madre de Dios, esta
constituido por: pequenos extractores madereros, conformados por familias
que habitamos en los distritos de Iberia, Inapari, Tahuamanu, Tambopata,
Inamabari, Las Piedras y otros, y por otro lado, no mas de cinco empresas de
extraccion forestal, constituidas por familias migrantes radicadas en Puerto
Maldonado, algunas de ellas asociadas con empresas extranjeras.

De todos los bosques primarios de la Amazonia peruana, los de Madre de Dios,
y en particular, el bosque de la provincia del Tahuamanu, constituye una de
las areas de mayor concentracion de especies como el cedro y la caoba, y por
ello muy codiciado por su alto valor en el mercado.

Es por esta razon, que en 1998, durante el Gobierno de Fujimori, autoridades
del Ministerio de Agricultura de este departamento, otorgaron ilegal
licencia en el Tahuamanu,- que en ese entonces era una zona no autorizada
para la extraccion forestal- a algunas empresas locales y a la transnacional
Newman Lumbre Co. y empresas representantes del grupo Bosovich.

La ambicion y la impune ilegalidad de esta situacion, generaron un desorden
social incontrolable en la provincia: las empresas pugnaban entre si por
extraer la caoba lo mas rapido posible derivando en enfrentamientos
violentos entre grupos armados de estas empresas, la empresa Industrial
Maderera Tahuamanu, asociada con la empresa norteamericana Newman Lumber Co.
construyeron una carretera ilegal de 180 kilometros para el transporte de la
madera extraida, cientos de pequenos madereros ingresaban a los bosques para
la extraccion forestal por su cuenta o como habilitados de las empresas,
mientras la poblacion local demandaba impotente que se restablezca el orden
social y se paralice el saqueo de sus bosques.

Las insistentes denuncias publicas lograron que en el mes de julio del 2000,
el Estado, se viera obligado a atender esta situacion, y como resultado se
obtuvo que:
- El orden social, quedo restablecido con la declaracion temporal del Estado
de Emergencia en la provincia del Tahumanu.
- La mas importante area de bosque virgen de Madre de Dios, quedo depredado
en mas de trescientos mil hectareas.
- Las empresas, comercializaron 4 millones de pies cubicos de caoba y cedro
ilegalmente extraida, con una ganancia de muchos millones de dolares.
- Las autoridades responsables, siguen siendo investigados por la
Contraloria, desde hace 3 anos sin resultados concretos.
- El Estado peruano, se encuentra defendiendose en varios procesos
judiciales iniciados al INRENA por la empresa Newman Lumber Co.
- Las familias de pequenos extractores madereros del departamento, fuimos
castigadas con la prohibicion de extraccion forestal, y con ello se impidio
el desarrollo de nuestro unico medio de subsistencia.

Las demandas sociales por esta ultima medida, impulsadas durante los ultimos
meses del Gobierno de Fujimori por las asociaciones de pequenos madereros,
alentadas tambien por las empresas de extraccion forestal, paralizaron a
todo el departamento, situacion que al heredar el Gobierno de Transicion del
Dr. Paniagua, se empezo a resolver, devolviendo la madera decomisada a los
pequenos extractores y tambien a las empresas, y otorgando un plazo de dos
meses para recoger la madera que fuera talada y dejada en el bosque, durante
la mencionada orden de paralizacion en 1999.

Pero el problema de fondo aun continua, pues la actividad forestal en Madre
de Dios se encuentra legalmente aun imposibilitada de acceder formalmente a
la explotacion ordenada de los bosques, porque aun no se han definido las
areas de produccion forestal permanente como manda la nueva Ley Forestal y
mientras sigue pasando el tiempo, algunos pequenos extractores ante el
apremio de las necesidades de sustento familiar, y las empresas madereras
cada vez mas intensamente, estan ingresando a realizar nuevas talas ilegales
aprovechando los dispositivos de ampliacion de los plazos para recuperacion,
y con ello se esta descremando nuestros bosques.

Las asociaciones que suscribimos el presente comunicado, no queremos que
esto siga sucediendo, en defensa del sustento de nuestras familias y el
desarrollo sostenible de nuestro departamento.

Por ello, superando algunas diferencias, hemos suscrito Actas de reuniones
en Lima, el dia 29 de agosto, en la oficina del Congresista Eduardo
Salhuana, y el mismo dia ante las autoridades y en el local de INRENA en la
misma ciudad capital, ratificando los acuerdos de:

1. Que el Estado establezca de manera inmediata los bosques de producción
forestal permanente para el aprovechamiento de los recursos forestales en el
area desde la coordenada 343,000 E. hacia el este exceptuando las areas de
dominio privado y publico.

2. Que el Estado inicie las gestiones conducentes a la ejecucion del Estudio
de Contrastacion de la informacion correspondiente al "Estudio de
Delimitacion Territorial de las Poblaciones Indigenas Aisladas" presentado
por la Federacion Nativa del rio Madre de Dios y Afluentes, FENAMAD, al
Estado, en la zona que va desde la coordenada 343,000 E. hacia el oeste,
hasta alcanzar los limites con la Zona Reservada Alto Purus, con
participacion de FENAMAD y las organizaciones forestales del departamento, y
aplicando una metodologia apropiada considerando la condicion de aislamiento
y vulnerabilidad de estas poblaciones.

Posteriormente, en Puerto Maldonado, los dias 12 y 13 de setiembre, con el
mejor espirtu positivo y reafirmado la unidad de los Pequenos Extractores
Madereros, hemos suscrito nuevas Actas de acuerdos, ratificandonos en
nuestra decision en Lima, y avanzando en la armonizacion de nuestras
solicitudes de areas de produccion forestal de nuestras representadas, sin
ninguna sobreposicion y respetando el area en Estudio de contrastacion de
los indigenas en situacion de aislamiento, asi como hacia el fortalecimiento
de la unidad de nuestro gremio y el avance de nuestras concepciones de cara
a la responsabilidad que nos toca, en el desarrollo de nuestro querido Madre
de Dios.

Sin embargo, queremos informar, que por otro lado el gremio de las empresas
madereras vienen tratando de bloquear estos esfuerzos para establecer las
areas de produccion forestal permanente, a pesar de haber suscrito el Acta
antes indicada en la ciudad de Lima, pues su estrategia es la de continuar
con los plazos ampliatorios para supuesta recuperacion de la madera talada
en 1999, con la finalidad de continuar con la extraccion de la caoba, y
mantener una extraccion ilegal e incontrolada en su afan de no permitir el
manejo forestal sostenible.

Por todo lo dicho senores autoridades nacionales, departamentales, y
conciudadanos, creemos que la situacion amerita la atencion definitiva que
se requiere para empezar a resolver los problemas de los pequenos madereros:
el establecimiento inmedito de las areas de produccion forestal permanente a
las asociaciones de pequenos madereros, en las areas mutuamente concertadas,
y solicitamos a las autoridades departamentales y nacionales el apoyo y
respaldo a nuestra unidad y la ejecucion de los acuerdos para impulsar el
manejo y desarrollo forestal sostenible, y con ello contribuir
significativamente a mejorar la calidad de vida de una gran mayoria de
familias del departamento de Madre de Dios.

Puerto Maldonado, 14 de setiembre del 2001.


Sr. Fernando Quesada Echevarria Sr. Ignacio Cardenas Rojas
DNI 05064243 DNI 05063375
Presidente- APEMIB Presidente- APEMAP-T

Sr. Wilson Miranda Pacheco Sr. Alfonso Cardoso Mouzolli
DNI 04816632 DNI 05060162
Presidente- APEFOT Presidente- APEMI

Como Veedores:

Antonio Iviche Quique Celso Curi Paucarmaita
DNI 04963291 DNI 05060872
Presidente-FENAMAD Presidente- CINDAMAD

Victor Zambrano
DNI 04826210
Coord. Grl. FADEMAD

************************************************************
Distribuido por:      Distributed by:
'AMAZON ALLIANCE' FOR INDIGENOUS AND
TRADITIONAL PEOPLES OF THE AMAZON BASIN
1367 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036-1860
tel (202)785-3334
fax (202)785-3335
amazon@amazonalliance.org
http://www.amazonalliance.org

Disclaimer: All copyrights belong to original publisher.  The Amazon
Alliance has not verified the accuracy of the forwarded message. Forwarding
this message does not necessarily connote agreement with the positions
stated there-in.

Todos los derechos de autor pertenecen al autor originario. La Alianza
Amazonica no ha verificado la veracidad de este mensaje.  Enviar este
mensaje no necesariamente significa que la Alianza Amazonica este de acuerdo
con el contenido.

La Alianza Amazonica para los Pueblos Indigenas y Tradicionales de la Cuenca
Amazonica es una iniciativa nacida de la alianza entre los pueblos indigenas
y tradicionales de la Amazonia y grupos e individuos que comparten sus
preocupaciones por el futuro de la Amazonía y sus pueblos. Las ochenta
organizaciones del norte y del sur activas en la Alianza Amazonica creen que
el futuro de la Amazonia depende de sus pueblos y el estado de su medio
ambiente.

The Amazon Alliance for Indigenous and Traditional Peoples of the Amazon
Basin is an initiative born out of the partnership between indigenous and
traditional peoples of the Amazon and groups and individuals who share their
concerns for the future of the Amazon and its peoples. The eighty
non-governmental organizations from the North and South active in the
Alliance believe that the future of the Amazon depends on its peoples and
the state of their environment

OIL OPPORTUNISM: Special interests try to exploit national crisis

WOLF AWARENESS WEEK: Speak up for the comeback canids

PROTECTING DOLPHINS: Panel looks at fishing practices

EVOLUTION OF WHALES: They once could crawl from the sea

CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT: House debates agricultural bill

NEW FINANCIAL BENEFIT FOR DEFENDERS' SUPPORTERS - DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS

REMEMBER CHESSIE? Headline-grabbing manatee swimming north again

DO ANIMALS THINK? Check out the latest edition of Defenders magazine

1. OIL OPPORTUNISM: Special interests try to exploit national crisis Threatening the national political unity that has prevailed since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, some senators closely aligned with the oil industry are trying to enact a harmful energy bill that calls for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma tried to tack the controversial proposal onto a $345 billion anti-terrorism defense bill. That delayed passage of that important measure for a week until the Senate voted to block his amendment. Sen. Frank Murkowski of Alaska is threatening to "hold up normal legislative business to get an energy bill to the floor." Inhofe is vowing to attach an energy bill to "every single piece of legislation that comes through the Senate." Newspapers across the country are rebuking these senators in editorials for trying to exploit the national crisis. The Boston Globe called it "oil opportunism," and the Orlando Sentinel said it was "brazen politics." The Honolulu Star-Bulletin wrote, "Now in this time of national emergency, Congress must move wisely and quickly to implement measures that can’t wait ... High on the list of actions that must not be rushed is approval of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge." Other senators, Democrats and Republicans alike, are pointing out that there’s only enough oil in the refuge to satisfy our national demand for six months and that it would take 10 years to bring any oil to market. They say that what our country needs instead are more alternative fuels and energy efficiency. The energy bill would not only allow drilling in the Arctic refuge but also hand Big Oil $30 billion in tax subsidies and open vast, new stretches of public land to for-profit exploitation. "I’m troubled by cynical efforts to divide us under the guise of national security," Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said. As the Los Angeles Times wrote, "Drilling in the Arctic refuge was a bad idea before Sept. 11 and is just as bad today." Go to http://www.savearcticrefuge.org to urge your senators to save America’s greatest wildlife sanctuary for future generations. 2. WOLF AWARENESS WEEK: Speak up for the comeback canids National Wolf Awareness Week is approaching -- a time to dispel misconceptions about wolves and to educate the public about the importance of these magnificent animals in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Defenders is sponsoring educational events across the country the week of Oct. 14-20 and urging governors in all 50 states to proclaim Wolf Awareness Week. "The history of the wolf in the United States has been one of misunderstanding and persecution, long shrouded by myth and superstition. This week provides an important opportunity to set the record straight," Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen said. This year’s events come as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is trying to strip federal protections from many wolves. Just as wolves are roaming free again over some of their historic range, the FWS is pushing prematurely to remove the comeback canids from the endangered species list in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Wolves are just now struggling for survival again in the wild, and they need protection to continue their fragile recovery. Here’s how you can help: Go to www.savewolves.org to sign our petition urging Interior Secretary Gale Norton to support strong protections for wolves. 3. PROTECTING DOLPHINS: Panel looks at fishing practices Fishermen, environmentalists and scientists are searching for ways to save bottlenose dolphins along the Atlantic coast. The National Marine Fisheries Service, which enforces the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, has created a 44-member panel to look at fishing practices and gear used from Maine to Florida. The panel is focusing on gill nets that kill hundreds of dolphins every year in North Carolina alone, according to the Charlotte Observer. Anchored at the bottom, gill nets enmesh dolphins and drown them. "The point of this exercise is to assure that marine mammals remain functioning components of their ecosystem," said Aleta Hohn, a biologist advising the new panel. For more information, go to www.savedolphins.org. 4. EVOLUTION OF WHALES: They once could crawl from the sea Two new studies suggest that whales are closely related to a group of hoofed animals that include pigs, sheep goats, cows and hippos. Scientists unearthed fossilized bones of two whales that lived on Earth 47 million years ago. The anklebones show that early whales still had hoofs on their front feet. They probably used the hoofs to crawl onto shore. "If you saw these animals in a zoo today, they’d look like a cross between a pig and a dog," one of the scientists, Hans Thewissen, told USA Today. For more information on whales, go to www.saveourwhales.org. 5. CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT: House debates agricultural bill The House of Representatives is debating a farm subsidy bill that benefits big agribusiness at the expense of both family farmers and conservation. But there’s a bipartisan amendment being offered to give farmers more financial help to improve the quality of our air and water, stem the march of urban sprawl and protect enough wildlife habitat to cover 22 Yellowstone National Parks. More than 40 percent of our nation's threatened and endangered species are on private land. So farm conservation programs are crucial to protecting biodiversity. For more information, go to www.familyfarmer.org. 6. NEW FINANCIAL BENEFIT FOR DEFENDERS' SUPPORTERS - DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS Defenders has arranged to offer consumer deposit accounts with special rates through MBNA America Bank, N.A. for Certificates of Deposit Accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts, and Money Market Deposit Accounts. All have the full protection of FDIC insurance up to $100,000 per depositor. MBNA will also make a contribution to Defenders at no additional cost to you. For more information go to www.mbna.com/goldportfolio/rates/defenders or call MBNA toll free at 1-800-900-6653. If you call, please mention priority code JA03P so that they know you are a Defenders supporter entitled to the special rates. 7. REMEMBER CHESSIE? Headline-grabbing manatee swimming north again Chessie, the north-loving Florida manatee who has made headlines by swimming all the way to the Statue of Liberty and beyond, is at it again. U.S. Geological Survey scientists have confirmed that a manatee spotted last month at Great Bridge, Va., was Chessie. Florida manatees frequently swim north to the Carolinas in the summer to feast on marsh grasses. But they rarely go into the colder water farther north. Chessie first became famous in 1994 when he made it into the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured him when it got cold in October and returned him to Florida on a Coast Guard plane. He was radio tagged, and in 1995, researchers tracked him as he swam north to the Chesapeake Bay, the Delaware Bay, into salt marshes near Atlantic City, N.J., past the Statue of Liberty, and through Long Island Sound. He made it all the way to Point Judith, R.I., in mid-August 1995. That time, he went home on his own. 8. DO ANIMALS THINK?  Click here to check out the latest edition of Defenders magazine: www.defenders.org/magazinenew/magazine.html * FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO A FRIEND. HELP SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION. * CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES DENlines is a bi-weekly publication of Defenders of Wildlife, a leading national conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. It is known for its effective leadership on endangered species issues, particularly predators such as brown bears and gray wolves. Defenders also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with more than 400,000 members and supporters. To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to denlines@defenders.org and put the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Defenders of Wildlife 1101 14th Street, N.W. Suite 1400 Washington, DC 20005 Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2001

To:  All Activists
From: Steve Holmer
Date: October 3, 2001

Help Protect National Forests - Call Your Representative Today to Stop
Stupak Amendment to the Farm Bill

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) is offering an amendment to the Farm Bill that
would force the US Forest Service to offer more timber sales on
each National Forest regardless of environmental or market conditions.
Each National Forest has an "allowable sale quantity" of timber
that they can offer each year. This level is set as a high limit but in
years past the Forest Service has used the allowable quantity as a
target of timber they should sell off our National Forests. This results
in an unsustainable amount of damaging logging in old-growth
stands, roadless areas and other sensitive forest areas. The Stupak
Amendment would require the Forest Service to plan more timber
sales in order meet this artificial logging level.

The planning of any timber sale should be based on ecological conditions
and scientific information, not on a directive by Congress to produce a
specific amount of timber. The US Forest Service should be restoring
damaged forest areas, not spending more resources on
taxpayer-subsidized commercial logging.

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY, OCT. 3 and THE REST OF THE WEEK!
Call your Congressional Representative and urge him/her to vote against
the Stupak Amendment to the Farm Bill.
You can reach your Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard at
(202) 224-3121.

Keep your calls going through the week, and thanks for doing something
today for our National Forests!

Steve Holmer
Campaign Coordinator
American Lands
726 7th Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
202/547-9105
202/547-9213 fax
mailto:wafcdc@americanlands.org