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.

July 9, 2001
========================================
In This Issue:

--Action alerts--

1. Tell the Bush administration to uphold protections for
the Giant Sequoia National Monument

2. Speak out to increase protection for California's ocean
life

3. Keep up the pressure to protect state parks from harmful
roadbuilding

--Updates on Previous alerts--

1. State energy shortage
2. Endangered species protection

======================================================
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. Tell the Bush administration to uphold protections for
the Giant Sequoia National Monument

In April 2000, responding to an outpouring of support from
California Activist Network members and others, President
Clinton created the Giant Sequoia National Monument. The
monument is designed to save the last unprotected giant
sequoias, along with their surrounding forest ecosystem and
the wildlife and cultural artifacts found there. It's also
supposed to ensure ready access and use by the public,
without new roads or other ecosystem damage.

Now, much of the monument's fate hinges on a special
management plan to be drafted by the U.S. Forest Service.
The service has a spotty record on Sierra Nevada forestry,
sometimes conducting aggressive, industrial logging,
ostensibly to remedy past management damage.         

The management plan process begins this month, and the
Forest Service is now accepting public comments.  

== What to do ==
Send a comment to Forest Service officials developing the
management plan, telling them to ensure that the plan puts
the health of the giant sequoia groves, and the ecosystems
upon which they depend, first.

== Contact information ==
You can contact the Forest Service directly from NRDC's
Earth Action Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action (we'll
send a copy of your message to Ann Veneman, secretary of the
Agriculture department, which oversees the Forest Service).
Or use the contact information and sample letter below to
send your own message, and please include your own reasons
for wanting to insure that the monument is afforded maximum
protection.
  
Jim Whitfield, GSNM Team Leader
U.S. Forest Service
Sequoia National Forest
900 West Grand Avenue
Porterville, CA 93257
Fax:  559-781-4744
Email:  jwhitfield@fs.fed.us

Secretary Ann M. Veneman
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC  20250
Fax:  202-720-2166
Email:  agsec@usda.gov

== Sample letter ==

Subject:  Create a strong management plan for the Giant
Sequoia National Monument

Dear Mr. Whitfield,

In response to the Forest Service's request for public
comments regarding its intention to prepare a management
plan for the Giant Sequoia National Monument, I am writing
to let you know that I strongly support a plan that will
provide comprehensive protection to the *entire* monument.
Such a plan must not only protect the giant sequoia groves,
but all the surrounding ecosystem as described in the
monument proclamation, including the unique wildlife and the
cultural, archeological, and geological treasures contained
in the monument.  

In particular, I urge the Forest Service to create a
management plan that prohibits *all* industrial-scale
logging in the monument area. Any logging permitted must be
strictly limited to clearing small trees, no more than 10
inches in diameter, using only the existing road system. I
also urge the Forest Service to ensure that existing public
access and use, including camps and other facilities that do
not harm the monument's health, integrity, or designated
objects, be permitted, and that the Tule River Indian Tribe
be assured of the ongoing input into monument management
decisions needed to protect cultural sites and promote
tribal interests.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

cc:  Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture

2. Speak out to increase protection for California's ocean
life

As you may remember from previous alerts, the Marine Life
Protection Act, passed in 1999, is a landmark law (the first
of its kind passed anywhere in the U.S.) to protect the
diverse habitats and species found off California's coasts.
The MLPA creates new marine parks, conservation areas, and
reserves -- areas that prohibit all "extractive" uses, from
oil exploration to fishing. (Currently, less than one
percent of the state's waters are fully protected as
reserves.)

Over the summer, the California Department of Fish and Game
will decide where to create these new protected areas.
Throughout July, the DFG will also hold ten public meetings
concerning where to site these new areas. If you live in one
of the communities where a meeting will occur, we'll send
you a special alert with further information. In the
meantime...

== What to do ==
Send a message to the Department of Fish & Game supporting a
strong network of marine reserves to protect and preserve
California's ocean waters and marine life.

== Contact information ==
You can email the director of the Department of Fish and
Game 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 other special ocean places you would like to see
protected.

Robert Hight
Director, California Dept. of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth St., 12th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Email:  rhight@dfg.ca.gov

== For background ==
Keeping Oceans Wild
http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/mpa.asp

California Department of Fish & Game
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/

== Sample letter ==

Subject: Strengthen plans for California's underwater parks
and wilderness areas

Dear Director Hight,

I support establishing an effective network of marine
protected areas along California's coast to protect and
conserve marine life. Just as parks and wilderness areas
protect our terrestrial wildlife and habitat, the oceans and
coastal zones should include a comprehensive system of
protected areas for marine wildlife and habitats.  

I also urge you to create more marine life reserves than are
currently proposed in the department's draft plans. Fully
protected reserves, where all extractive activities are
prohibited, will protect biodiversity and promote healthy
ecosystems.

I specifically ask you to create fully protected reserves at
Ano Nuevo, the Big Sur coast, the Farallones underwater
pinnacles, the Channel Islands, and in other scenic or
diverse underwater spots along the California coast.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

3. Keep up the pressure to protect state parks from harmful
roadbuilding

In our June alert, we asked you to take action to prevent
harmful freeway and tollroad construction in California's
state parks. The bill that would protect our parks from
construction of unnecessary roads and highways, SB 116,
passed the Senate, but has since gotten stuck in the
Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, chaired by
Assemblymember Florez (D-Bakersfield).

== What to do ==
Show committee chair Florez the breadth of support for
protecting California's state parks by sending him a message
to pass SB 116.

== Contact information ==
You can contact Assemblymember Florez 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.

Assemblymember Dean Florez
Chairman, Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
State Capitol, Room 5135
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone:  916-319-2030
Fax:  916-319-2130
Email:  assemblymember.florez@assembly.ca.gov

== Sample letter ==

Subject:  Support and pass SB 116

Dear Chairman Florez,

I strongly support SB 116, which would prevent the
inappropriate siting and construction of roads through
California's state park system.

As you know, our state parklands are often purchased at
great cost to the public, and are managed to provide
wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and recreational
opportunities for millions of Californians. Yet, all over
the state, from Del Norte County to San Diego County and
inland, over 20 separate projects to construct roads through
our world-renowned state park system have been proposed. SB
116 provides common-sense standards that allow appropriate
road improvements within state parks, yet also prevents
their destruction.

Again, I urge you to support this carefully crafted
legislation so it moves expeditiously through your committee
to the assembly floor.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

==========================
Updates on Previous alerts
==========================

1. STATE ENERGY SHORTAGE
Since the beginning of the year we've been sending you
energy efficiency and conservation tips to help ease the
burden on the state's stressed electricity grid. Well, all
your efforts are paying off. The California Energy
Commission reports that weather-adjusted June electricity
consumption was down 10.5 percent, and peak consumption down
12.2 percent, compared to June 2000. This helps explain why
we've not had any Stage 1 or 2 alerts (when electricity
reserves start to get dangerously low) in California this
June, compared with six last June, even though June 2001 was
appreciably hotter. The weeks ahead looks like the hottest
yet this year, so don't become complacent, but do give
yourselves a pat on the back for doing your part to help
avert a real crisis, and keep up the good work!

2. ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION
In our last alert we asked you to speak out against
President Bush's proposed budget provision to weaken the
Endangered Species Act by revoking citizens' rights to
petition the government to list or protect endangered or
threatened species. While the Bush administration did not
back down, the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee on
June 8th struck the provision from nearly $8.5 million it
approved for the Fish and Wildlife Service to list and
designate critical habitat for endangered species next
fiscal year. The provision could still be re-inserted later
in the appropriations process as a legislative rider; we'll
keep you posted if this happens. In the meantime, thanks to
all of you who took action on this issue.

==================================================
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

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
AMERICAN LANDS ALLIANCE

NEWS Monday, July 10, 2001

Contact:     Paul Mason, EPIC, 707-923-2931
Daniel Hall, American Lands, 503-978-0511

Pacific Lumber Claims Old Growth Logging Sustainable
Conservationists Contest
Timber Industry's SFI Certification as "Greenwashing"

GARBERVILLE, CA -- On Wednesday, the Pacific Lumber Co. announced it had
been blessed by the American Forest & Paper Assn's "Sustainable Forestry
Initiative" (SFI).  Conservationists questioned Pacific Lumber's claims
of sustainability, saying it reveals SFI to be little more than
"greenwashing."   "To call Pacific Lumber's ongoing liquidation of
ancient forests "sustainable" exposes the self-serving nature of this
program" commented Paul Mason of the Environmental Protection
Information Center (EPIC).  The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is the
timber industry's program for certifying sustainably managed forests.

Pacific Lumber (PL) has been embroiled in controversy since its takeover
by Maxxam Corporation in the mid-1980's.  Shortly thereafter, PL began
logging the Headwaters Forest's renowned old growth redwoods.  In March
of 1999, PL completed the "Headwaters Deal" and California State and the
Federal government approved future logging of PL lands, including
ancient forests, under what are known as Habitat Conservation Plans
(HCPs) and Sustained Yield Plans.

Unfortunately, these plans authorize the company to harm endangered
species and continue liquidating over 10,000 acres of ancient forest
over the next few years.  The relatively-protective interim standards
governing the company's logging are also currently being rewritten
through a controversial "Watershed Analysis" process of dubious
scientific merit.  So far, the Watershed process has excluded public
participation, ignored independent scientists, and has been used as
justification to weaken protections and allow more logging near streams
and on landslide prone slopes.

Pacific Lumber's Sustained Yield Plan is currently being challenged in
court by EPIC and the Sierra Club.  The United Steelworkers of America
are also challenging the plan because of its likely adverse effects on
the economic stability of the area and the stability of the workforce.

"There are highly credible certification programs out there; the
industry's SFI program isn't among them," said American Lands' Daniel
Hall.  "SFI really just represents the 'Same old Forest Industry.'"  
"Consumers should be aware that AF&PA's SFI is far from independent,
fails to protect the environment, and is not a credible certification
system," continued Mr. Hall.  "Pacific Lumber's compliance isn't the
real issue -- virtually any timber company could meet SFI's vague
parameters."

Indeed, the AF&PA considers all member companies to be in compliance
with the SFI standards.  According to Mr. Hall, the SFI system's
standards and procedures are fundamentally inadequate, and many other
AF&PA companies are also harming endangered forests, wildlife, and
environmental quality, are disregarding workers' and indigenous peoples
rights, and are not managing their forests sustainably.  

Additional information is available at:  www.wildcalifornia.org and
www.americanlands.org/forestweb/SFI.htm


The Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
P.O. Box 397, Garberville, CA 95542
Phone 707-923-2931, Fax 707-923-4210

###

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

I recently learned (from BBC News) that as much as 50% of the world's
chocolate comes from cocoa produced by farms with children stolen from
their homes and then sold into slavery in the Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast),
sometimes children as young as eight or nine. These children are used to
grow and pick cocoa beans, are barely fed and are severely beaten if they
work too slowly or try to escape.

I wanted to get as much information as possible for you all before I passed
this info along, so I put together a web site. The site includes
information on some chocolates which are produced without slavery
(according to the companies) along with links to more information. I will
continue to update it as more information becomes available.  I have now
contacted over 200 companies.  Visit the site at:

http://www.radicalthought.org/

Please take a look at the site above and think about your next chocolate.
Purchase chocolate only from producers you feel comfortable with. Write to
any chocolate company that doesn't do their best to avoid slave labor -
I've included contact information for the companies where possible. If you
have info you'd like to add, please send me a note.

The first page of the site is available in English and Japanese, with
German coming soon.  If you would like to translate it into your own
language, please let me know!

Please forward this message to whoever you think is appropriate.

Sincerely,

Steven R. L. Millman
Doctoral Candidate in Political Science, MIT

UCS NEWS - a monthly guide to news you can use
from  The Union of Concerned Scientists' website
http://www.ucsusa.org
                          
Monday, July 9, 2001                      

1. Drilling in Detroit

2. West Wing star joins UCS

3. A Perfect Balance

4. Clean Energy Blueprint

5. Subscription information

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

1.  DRILLING IN DETROIT:
     Tapping Automaker Ingenuity to Build
     Safe and Efficient Automobiles

This recent UCS report shows how existing and
emerging technologies could more than double
fuel economy by 2020, without compromising
crash safety.

http://www.ucsusa.org/vehicles/?drill_detroit-exec.html

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

2. WEST WING STAR JOINS UCS

Fan's of West Wing's Brad Whitford should check
out his streaming videos on our website. And join
with him (and UCS) in supporting a federal grant
program to clean up the polluting buses 23 million
children ride to and from school.

Brad Whitford membership video
http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=realimpact
/ucs/general_video/ucsci_whitford02b.rm

Clean Schoolbuses
http://www.ucsusa.org/vehicles/
?fedschoolbus.campaign.html

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

3.   A PERFECT BALANCE
Back by popular demand, this trailer, produced by
the Union of Concerned Scientists and the
Earth Communications Office in Hollywood and
narrated by Oscar winner Linda Hunt, is showing
in movie theaters across the United States.
Versions are also airing on television and radio,
both here and abroad.

You don't have to wait for it to appear at a theater
near you. Just click on FEATURES in our bottom
menu bar, then click MOVIES to see this and other
summer blockbusters.

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

4.   BLUEPRINT FOR CHEAPER, CLEANER ENERGY

A balanced energy plan could save money protect the
environment better than the Administration's National
Energy Policy, according to a new UCS study. UCS's
Clean Energy Blueprint details how renewable energy
sources -- wind, biomass,geothermal, and solar -- could
supply 20 percent of US electricity and save $67 billion
annually by 2020.

Read it at
http://www.ucsusa.org/energy/CEblueprint-exec.html. 
          
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.   SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, reply to this
message with the words "unsubscribe ucsnews"
in the subject line or body of the email.  To resubscribe,
use the words "subscribe ucsnews" in reply or use
the signup on the homepage of our website.

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

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit
partnership of scientists and citizens combining rigorous
scientific analysis, innovative policy development and
effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical
environmental solutions.

http://www.ucsusa.org

To: ALL ACTIVISTS
From: JASON TOCKMAN, AMERICAN LANDS
DATE:   JULY 9, 2001

AFL-CIO SPONSORS NATIONAL CALL-IN DAY AGAINST FAST TRACK: JULY 17

Your action is needed now to derail Fast Track and the Free Trade Area
of the Americas (FTAA), which would expand NAFTA to virtually the entire
Western Hemisphere. President Bush and transnational corporations want
to rush trade agreements like the FTAA through Congress with no changes
and minimal review, through Fast Track trade negotiating authority.

If Congress passes a Fast Track bill, we can expect:

    -- More and faster trade deals like NAFTA, including the FTAA,
    -- Accelerated destruction of the world's forests and ecosystems,
    -- More attacks on workers' rights across the globe, and
    -- More devastating pollution of our air and water.

You can help stop Fast Track and the FTAA in their tracks. Congress is
expected to decide in July on giving President Bush Fast Track trade
negotiating authority. Here is what you can do:

Please call your members of Congress on Tuesday, July 17---the AFL-CIO's
Fast Track National Call-in Day.  Call them toll-free at 1-800-393-1082.

Please tell your member of Congress: We need fair and balanced trade
that protects people and the environment---NOT Fast Track or the Free
Trade Area of the Americas.
---------------------------------------------
Jason Tockman, Director
International Trade Program
American Lands Alliance
PO Box 555
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 594-5441

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

We’ve said it once... and we’ll say it again: Americans Value National Forest Protection!

Because once our forests are gone... they're gone forever

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

July 11, 2001
========================================
In This Issue:

--Action alerts--

1. MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION: Tell Congress to protect whales and other
marine life from dangerous Navy sonar

2. GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT: Tell the Bush administration to
uphold protections for the Giant Sequoia National Monument

3. WHITE HOUSE NOMINATIONS: Last Chance! -- Urge your senators to
reject Bush nominee John Graham

======================================================
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. MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION
Tell Congress to protect whales and other marine life from dangerous
Navy sonar

A few months ago, we asked you to send a message to the National
Marine Fisheries Service opposing "low-frequency active" (LFA) sonar
-- a dangerous new system that the U.S. Navy intends to deploy in as
much as 80 percent of the world's oceans. Thanks to your efforts,
public hearings were held in three cities, and the Fisheries Service,
which has proposed letting the Navy harm whales, dolphins, and other
species by operating the system, is continuing to review how to
proceed. Meanwhile the fight has turned to Congress, which has
authority to either appropriate or withhold funding for the system.

We now have a critical window of opportunity, as Congress decides over
the next several weeks whether to appropriate funds for deploying LFA.

== What to do ==
Send a message to your senators and representative urging them to
protect whales and other marine life by withholding funds to deploy
this dangerous new technology.

== 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 your congresspersons, the Capitol Switchboard number is
202-224-3121.


2. GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL MONUMENT
Tell the Bush administration to uphold protections for the Giant
Sequoia National Monument

In April 2000, responding to an outpouring of support from NRDC
activists and others, President Clinton created Giant Sequoia National
Monument. The monument is designed to save the last unprotected giant
sequoias, along with their surrounding forest ecosystem and the
wildlife and cultural artifacts found there. It's also supposed to
ensure ready access and use by the public, without new roads or other
ecosystem damage.

Now, much of the monument's fate hinges on a special management plan
to be drafted by the U.S. Forest Service. The service has a spotty
record on Sierra Nevada forestry, sometimes conducting aggressive,
industrial logging, ostensibly to remedy past management damage.

The management plan process begins this month, and the Forest Service
is now accepting public comments.  

== What to do ==
Send a comment to Forest Service officials developing the management
plan, telling them to ensure that the plan puts the health of the
giant sequoia groves, and the ecosystems upon which they depend,
first.

== Contact information ==
You can contact the Forest Service directly from NRDC's Earth Action
Center at http://www.nrdc.org/action (we'll send a copy of your
message to Ann Veneman, secretary of the Agriculture department, which
oversees the Forest Service). Or use the contact information and
sample letter below to send your own message, and please include your
own reasons for wanting to insure that the monument is afforded
maximum protection.
  
Jim Whitfield, GSNM Team Leader
U.S. Forest Service
Sequoia National Forest
900 West Grand Avenue
Porterville, CA 93257
Fax:  559-781-4744
Email:  jwhitfield@fs.fed.us

Secretary Ann M. Veneman
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th & Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC  20250
Fax:  202-720-2166
Email:  agsec@usda.gov

== Sample letter ==

Subject:  Create a strong management plan for the Giant Sequoia
National Monument

Dear Mr. Whitfield,

In response to the Forest Service's request for public comments
regarding its intention to prepare a management plan for the Giant
Sequoia National Monument, I am writing to let you know that I
strongly support a plan that will provide comprehensive protection to
the *entire* monument. Such a plan must not only protect the giant
sequoia groves, but all the surrounding ecosystem as described in the
monument proclamation, including the unique wildlife and the cultural,
archeological, and geological treasures contained in the monument.  

In particular, I urge the Forest Service to create a management plan
that prohibits *all* industrial-scale logging in the monument area.
Any logging permitted must be strictly limited to clearing small
trees, no more than 10 inches in diameter, using only the existing
road system. I also urge the Forest Service to ensure that existing
public access and use, including camps and other facilities that do
not harm the monument's health, integrity, or designated objects, be
permitted, and that the Tule River Indian Tribe be assured of the
ongoing input into monument management decisions needed to protect
cultural sites and promote tribal interests.

Sincerely,

[Your name and address]

cc:  Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture

3. WHITE HOUSE NOMINATIONS
Last Chance! -- Urge your senators to reject Bush nominee John Graham

In May, we asked you to contact your senators and urge them to vote
against President Bush's nominee to direct the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget, John
Graham. This position plays an extremely powerful role in establishing
(or blocking) regulatory safeguards in every agency in our federal
government, and Graham has a long record that is pro-industry and
anti-environment, anti-consumer, and anti-health protection.

After a delay in considering various administration appointments while
the Senate re-organized under the new Democratic leadership, Graham's
nomination is scheduled for a vote next week.

== What to do ==
If you haven't already, send your senators a message urging them to
say "No" to John Graham.

== 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
senators, 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).

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
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.

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, 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

You can take action on this alert either via email
(please see directions below) or via the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23068B0711114315C188

Visit the web address below and tell your friends to
take action on this important campaign!
http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/OCS_FL/forward?rk=OdqUq8d1f716W

We encourage you to take action by July 14, 2001

Senate to Vote Tomorrow on Oil Drilling off Florida Coast

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

YOUR QUICK ACTION CAN SAVE THE COAST OF FLORIDA FROM
OFFSHORE DRILLING:

***************************  
Action Network from Environmental Defense.  
Finding the ways that work.  
***************************  

Florida's sparkling white sand beaches need your help
RIGHT NOW. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has just offered
an amendment on the Senate Floor that will be voted
on TOMORROW, Thursday morning, July 12.

Senator Nelson's amendment would delay for six months
a proposed offshore drilling plan called Lease Sale
#181. New drilling rigs would target 1.5 million acres
in an area of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico where new
offshore drilling has previously not been permitted
because of the risk of spills and routine pollution
of our coastal waters.  

Senator Nelson needs your help to see that his amendment
is accepted as the Senate considers the appropriations
bill that will fund the Department of Interior for
the upcoming year.

Please join us in expressing timely support for the
Nelson amendment. Take action and Action Network will
send the attached message to your Senators supporting
this important initiative.

MORE OFFSHORE DRILLING THREATS EXPECTED:
Congress is now taking up portions of President Bush's
National Energy Plan, which calls for opening up our
coastlines and public lands to oil, gas and coal development.
The oil companies have their eyes on more than just
the Florida coast. Thousands of Action Network activists
have already expressed their opposition to new oil
drilling off our coastlines, and Environmental Defense
will continue to keep you informed of these threats
as they arise.

Thanks for acting quickly on behalf of our marine environment.

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

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/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23068B0711114315C188  

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.

Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Charles Schumer


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

We strongly urge your support for the Now-pending amendment
by Senator Bill Nelson to protect the coast of Florida
as the Senate considers the Interior Appropriations
Bill.

The white sand beaches of the Panhandle and along the
Gulf Coast of Florida are national treasures, represent
some of the most beautiful shoreline in the world,
and support economic sectors such as coastal dependent
tourism and important fisheries.

Senator Nelson's amendment will ensure that the Senate
Interior bill meets the same level of protection for
key coastal areas that was recently adopted by a wide
bipartisan margin in the House.

Thank you for your consideration.

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

Due to the urgency of this vote, please consider calling
your Senator to express support for the Nelson-Graham
amendment. The Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) can
connect you to your Senators' offices. You can find
out who your Senators are by connecting to the US Senate
homepage (www.Senate.gov).  

You can take action on this alert either via email
(please see directions below) or via the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23088B0712101423C175

We encourage you to take action by July 14, 2001

Protect Florida's beaches - please Act by noon EST

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

If you cannot make a call, please send the attached
letter.

YOUR QUICK ACTION CAN PROTECT FLORIDA'S BEACHES FROM
NEW OFFSHORE DRILLING:

Florida's sparkling white sand beaches need your help
RIGHT NOW. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Bob Graham
(D-FL) have offered an amendment on the Senate Floor
which will be voted upon TODAY, JULY 12 AT NOON EASTERN
STANDARD TIME.

The Nelson-Graham amendment would delay for six months
a proposed offshore drilling plan called Lease Sale
#181. The amendment would provide short-term protection
for six million acres in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
and provide more time to develop a longer-term plan
to protect the area.  

Offshore drilling is completely incompatible with the
unique and fragile coastline of Florida. This coastline
is a favorite vacation spot of tourists worldwide and
provides important habitat for marine life and shorebirds.
Both routine pollution from offshore drilling and the
threat of a deep-water oil spill could do serious damage
to this precious coastline.  

Senators Nelson and Graham need your help to see that
their amendment is accepted as the Senate considers
the appropriations bill which will fund the Department
of Interior for the upcoming year.  

Please join us in protecting the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
by calling your Senators THIS MORNING and urging them
to support the Nelson-Graham amendment.

Thanks for you help.

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

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/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23088B0712101423C175  

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.

Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Charles Schumer


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

We strongly urge your support for the now-pending amendment
by Senators Bill Nelson and Bob Graham to protect the
coast of Florida as the Senate considers the Interior
Appropriations Bill.

The white sand beaches of the Panhandle and along the
Gulf Coast of Florida are national treasures, represent
some of the most beautiful shoreline in the world,
and support economic sectors such as coastal dependent
tourism and important fisheries.  

The Nelson-Graham amendment will ensure that the Senate
Interior bill meets the same level of protection for
key coastal areas that was recently adopted by a wide
bipartisan margin in the House.

Thank you for your consideration.

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

To:   All Activists
From: Steve Holmer
Date: July 12, 2001

URGENT VOTE ALERT: NEW RIDERS THREATEN WILDLANDS

The Senate will resume the Interior Appropriations bill in a few
minutes.  We are expecting important votes including one on a new rider
by Sen. Gordon Smith to suspend the ESA in the Klamath Basin.

Please contact your Senators ASAP at 202/224-3121 and urge him/her to:

1.  Oppose the Smith Klamath Basin Rider
2.  Support the Nelson Amendment to protect the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
from offshore drilling
3.  Oppose the Stevens Amendment on Glacier Bay

Here is some additional information about each of these votes:

Dear friends of the Klamath and of the ESA:

    PCFFA has just learned that Oregon's Senator Gordon Smith intends to

introduce an anti-ESA 'rider' in the Interior Appropriations Bill (H.R.
2217)
as early as TOMORROW (7/12) which would:

    (1) Ignore the science to more or less permanently override the ESA
and roll back ALL ESA mandated water reforms in the Upper Klamath Basin to
an obsolete 1992 Biological Opinion's level which has failed to protect
Klamath Lake fish or wildlife, but which gives most of the water to farmers,
even in a drought year;

    (2) Override the ESA and ignore the best available science to
freezes ALL future water deliveries for downriver coho salmon (and other
valuable salmon runs) at 1999 levels, regardles of drought and regardless of
whether the fish need more to prevent extinction.

    (3) Require that before water flows can IN ANY WAY vary from those
repudiated BiOps, that USFWS MUST FIRST accomplish a number of tasks,
some of which will take years, some (particularly areation of Upper Klamath
Lake, item (c)) which have been thoroughly discredited by the scientists and
which will provide little or no benefit at great cost, and some of which may
prove impossible to accomplish.  In other words, the ESA exemption would be
more or less permanent.

THIS IS THE FIRST SERIOUS EFFORT TO OVER-RIDE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES
ACT,
USING THE PLIGHT OF THE DROUGHT STRIKEN KLAMATH FARMERS AS THE POSTER
CHILD
FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

If this rider succeeds, it will guarantee the ultimate extinction of two

species of mullet (prejoratively called 'suckers' by the farmers), the
abrogation of Tribal obligations and fishing rights for both mullet and
coho salmon, and the final destruction of most of the remaining west coast
salmon fishing industry from at least Fort Bragg, CA to Florence, OR where
Klamath salmon mostly migrate.   

PLEASE TAKE WHATEVER STEPS YOU CAN TO HEAD OFF THIS 'SUFFICIENCY' RIDER
AND THIS MAJOR ATTACK ON THE ESA.   Attached is the rider language itself  
in both PDF and WordPerfect formats just as it came from Senate staff.  
PCFFA is not opposed to funding many of these measures (except the giant 'bubble
machine' aeration idea) but they should in NO WAY be linked to roll
backs of ESA requirements in the existing Biological Opinions which are the
minium necessary to give fish, and the ecosystem, a chance for recovery.

For more information on the Klamath Irrigation Project's devastating
impacts on downriver salmon fishermen, see:  www.pcffa.org/klamath.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Glen H. Spain, Northwest Regional Director
Pacific Coast Federation of
Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA)
PO Box 11170, Eugene, OR 97440-3370
(541)689-2000   Fax: (541)689-2500
Home Page: <http://www.pcffa.org>
E-mail: <fish1ifr@aol.com>

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

Dear Ocean Lovers:

This morning, Thursday, July 12, there will be a decisive vote in the
Senate to either protect the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from offshore
drilling
or let the Interior Department sacrifice these waters to the oil
industry.

Late on Wednesday, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) offered an amendment to
the 2002 Department of Interior Appropriations Bill which would delay for
six months 1.5 million acres of the proposed Lease Sale #181 off the west
coast of Florida.

The Nelson amendment will be voted on as the Senate reconvenes on
Thursday morning, and faxes to key Senate offices can be sent immediately at:

http://www.actionnetwork.org/campaign/OCS_FL

You should also phone the offices of your own Senators.

Action is needed VERY QUICKLY.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/12/01 *NPCA Special Alert!

EXTREMELLY URGENT!!!!
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW TO PROTECT GLACIER BAY & HUMPBACK WHALES!
FLOOR ACTION IS TODAY, JULY 12, 2001!

**This Special Alert is coming to you from the National Parks
Conservation Association (NPCA).
You are receiving this message because you are either a member of our
organization, have taken action, or indicated interest in taking action on national park issues.
To stay informed, join the Park Action Network and begin receiving our free, weekly electronic
newsletter, National Park Lines. Just send an email to TakeAction@npca.org with your email
address and ask to be subscribed, or visit http://www.npca.org/take_action/action_alerts/,
take action on any issue, and sign up today!! **

Oppose the Stevens Amendment on Glacier Bay! Call Your Senators TODAY!

Senator Stevens is pushing a last-minute amendment that would lock in an
increased number of cruise ships allowed to enter Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
(Alaska) without adequate environmental protections.  The amendment overturns a recent court order
requiring a reduction in the number of ships until full the National Park Service completes a
full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Without appropriate evaluation of potential
impacts and adoption of pollution mitigation measures, an increase in cruise ship traffic would
threaten the endangered humpback whale population that spends summers in Glacier Bay, as well as
the air and water quality of the park.  The original National Park Service Vessel
Management Plan (VMP) had a plan for pollution minimization, but this has been stripped out.  Under
Stevens' amendment, the NPS would have no authority to control cruise ship pollution.  If
Senator Stevens wants the number of cruise ships to increase, then he should provide the NPS with
the authority to minimize cruise ship pollution.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW!  This is EXTREMELY URGENT and calls to your
Senators are needed IMMEDIATELY!  Because the floor vote is expected close to 12:00 p.m.
EST, phone calls are urgently needed.  Even if you get this alert after that time - PLEASE
still make your calls! Here's what to do:

1.  ALASKA RESIDENTS:  CALL Senator Ted Stevens and ask him to protect
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve from cruise ship pollution.  Ask him to withdraw his
amendment that will sacrifice Glacier Bay and endangered humpback whale populations for the
benefit of the polluting cruise ship industry.  Senator Stevens' phone number is
202/224-3004.  

2.  ALL OTHER U.S. CITIZENS:  CALL your Senators and ask them to ask
Senator Byrd to prevent this amendment from being accepted into the FY 02 Senate Interior
Appropriations bill.  Stress that this amendment will sacrifice Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
and endangered humpback whale populations for the benefit of the polluting cruise ship industry.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask to be transferred to your Senator.  
If you are not sure who your Senators are, see the list below the background information.

For more information, contact Catharine Ransom at cransom@npca.org.  To
learn more about the
beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, please visit
http://www.nps.gov/glba/index.htm.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

This increase mandated by Senator Stevens' amendment is based on a 1996
Vessel Management Plan (VMP) developed by the National Park Service (NPS) that approved a 72
percent increase in cruise ship entries.  The plan also called for mitigation measures to
protect the endangered humpback whales and Steller sea lions, and prevent air and noise
pollution and oil spills.  
The original plan had a plan for pollution minimization, but this has
been stripped out.  Under this amendment, the NPS would have no authority to control cruise ship
pollution.  If Senator Stevens wants the number of cruise ships to increase, then he should
provide the NPS with the authority to minimize cruise ship pollution.

Despite the potential environmental consequences of this decision, NPS
did not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Instead, NPS short?circuited the
EIS process by issuing an "Environmental Analysis" acknowledging that the environmental
consequences of the increase in vessel traffic were unknown, but concluding nonetheless that the
increase in vessel traffic would have "no significant impact" on Glacier Bay's environment.  After
this plan was adopted by NPS, Congress adopted a last?minute rider that eliminated NPS
authority to adopt some of the critical mitigation measures contemplated by the 1996 plan.

NPCA challenged the NPS decision to approve the 72 percent increase in
cruise ship entries without completing an Environmental Impact Statement.  In February 2001,
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit directed NPS to prepare an EIS and reduce
cruise ship and other vessel traffic to pre?1996 levels until it is completed.
  
The Stevens' proposal to overturn this court decision should be deleted
from any legislation moving through the 107th Congress because:

·  The Ninth Circuit's ruling is an affirmation of the EIS process and
its integral role in federal environmental decision?making.  Legislating the outcome of an
EIS strikes at the very heart of this environmental legislation.

· Without an EIS, the Park Service cannot adequately identify or
mitigate impacts on the park environment and the humpback whale and Steller sea lion populations.  
Proceeding with a substantial increase in cruise ship traffic without that knowledge could
cause irreparable harm to one of our nation's premier parks.  

·  Several members of the cruise ship industry, including some with
permits to enter Glacier Bay, have demonstrated serious environmental insensitivity and disregard
of U.S. laws.  In the past few years, thirteen states brought litigation against the cruise
industry for practices that harmed the marine environment, including criminal violations
involving dumping and discharge of human and chemical wastes.  The companies paid fines
totaling millions of dollars. The State of Alaska has undertaken its own major initiative, including
legislation and administrative regulations, after recent tests by the Department of
Environmental Conservation confirmed further impacts on water quality by cruise ship operations in
the marine waters of Southeast Alaska's "Inside Passage."  Glacier Bay sits at the northern
end of this ecosystem of islands, straits, and fjords.  Some of the same companies and vessels
that are the subject of these actions enter the park as part of their itineraries.

·  Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and Preserve was established by
Congress for the "use, benefit, knowledge and inspiration" of present and future generations.  
Responsible decision?making can provide opportunities for millions of visitors to
enjoy Glacier Bay's outstanding natural environment and for scientists to gain valuable
knowledge that will aid in the management of marine environments everywhere while ensuring
protection of the unique values of the park.  It is irresponsible to impose major decisions on Glacier
Bay's unique marine environment without a full analysis.  An EIS is the appropriate tool
established by Congress under NEPA and confirmed again by the courts for decisions of such
significance, especially in our national parks.

If the cruise ship industry wants the number of entries per day called
for in the 1996 NPS Vessel Management Plan, they should at a minimum accept the mitigation
measures that seek to protect the park and its resources.  The Stevens amendment sacrifices
park resources and endangered species in favor of an industry whose pollution record speaks
for itself.


THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION TO HELP GLACIER BAY AND THE ENDANGERED
HUMPBACK WHALE!  
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

You can also visit www.environet.org/cleanair/issue/nsr.vtml to learn more about the Clean Air Act protections under attack.

Last Chance For Our Wild Forests?

Dear WWF Conservation Action Network Activist:

Please help prevent a hard-won conservation victory from being
overturned by the Bush administration.  Conservation Action Network
activists were important contributors to an outpouring of public
support that led the U.S. Forest Service to issue a Roadless Area
Conservation Rule in January 2001, ending virtually all commercial
logging, road building, and new coal, gas, and oil leasing in 58 million
acres of America's wildest remaining national forest lands.

Now, the Bush administration is starting the process over and appears
poised to propose a dramatically weaker roadless protection policy.
The Forest Service is taking comments on how our nation's roadless
areas should be managed and will then either propose a new rule,
amend the existing rule, or propose some other mechanism for
addressing roadless areas.  Earlier, President Bush announced that he
plans to provide logging and oil and gas companies more influence at
the local level in the management of roadless areas in national forests.  
Such a change would be a disappointing step backward and would
rehash the past decade's rancorous debates over national forest policy.  
Please go to http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/ to send a free message
urging Dale Bosworth, the chief of the U.S. Forest Service, to keep
these last unspoiled forest lands wild and free.

More than two-thirds of the U.S. national forest system is criss-crossed
by 380,000 miles of roads (enough to circle the planet more than 16
times) that break up habitat, cause soil erosion, and leave fragmented
stands of timber vulnerable to disease.  The dwindling roadless areas
that remain are bastions for large mammals such as bears, wolverines,
and lynx, and they protect watersheds that local communities depend
on for drinking water.  Please act today.

You can change your email address, unsubscribe from this list,
and have a forgotten cybercentre password mailed to you using
the links at the bottom of this message. Please remember to
delete these links before forwarding this message to anyone
else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This issue of Activist News includes Amazon land rights, a Kyoto update, the South Pacific Whale sanctuary, support for anti-GMO activists in China, more news on Star Wars, and a new design for the Greenpeace Cyberactivist Community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HELP PROTECT DENI LAND

The Deni Indians live in a remote area of the Amazon rainforest in the southeast of Amazonas State in Brazil, and are dependent on the forest for their sustenance and survival. Their traditional land is under threat from logging companies, in particular from the Malaysian company WTK.

Under Brazilian law, Indian lands have to be physically demarcated (i.e. the boundaries marked) before they are officially recognized. Once the land is demarcated industrial scale activities, including logging, are forbidden. Unfortunately, after ten years of delays and false starts from the Brazilian government, the Deni land has still not been demarcated.

Thank you to the almost 3000 people who have sent letters to the Brazilian president to support the Deni. This is a good start, but we still need more. If you have not sent your letter yet, please take a moment today to send a letter supporting the Deni from:

http://cybercentre.greenpeace.org/t/s/ams/e?a=Deni&s=blue2

You can send an e-card to your friends asking them to support the Deni at:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ecs/s2?i=58&sk=std

You can also discuss this campaign at:

http://cybercentre.greenpeace.org//t/s/993360039

Since Brazil has failed to demarcate the land, the Deni have asked Greenpeace to help them do it themselves. Our Amazon office has received almost 500 applications from volunteers eager to help out with this project, which is now scheduled for September. They are now preparing a short list of potential volunteers who will be contacted in the middle of July.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KYOTO VICTORY IN EUROPE; JAPAN DISAPPOINTING

The European Union has decided to ratify the Kyoto protocol against climate change with or without the United States. Thank you to the 1761 people who sent letters to EU ministers supporting Kyoto.

The next key country is Japan. More than 6000 Greenpeace cyberactivists sent faxes to Japanese prime minister Koizumi asking him to tell US President George W. Bush that Japan would ratify the Kyoto Protocol when he met with Bush on 30 June. Unfortunately, Mr. Koizumi failed to do so and instead is now talking about attempting to convince the US to support an even weaker version of the Protocol over the next few months. This is totally unacceptable.

To find out how you can help convince Japan to act, please visit:

http://cybercentre.greenpeace.org//t/s/994342583

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ASK DENMARK TO STOP BLOCKING A SOUTH PACIFIC WHALE SANCTUARY

Despite the wishes of the South Pacific nations the future of the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary is far from certain. The sanctuary was discussed at last year’s meeting of the International Whaling Commission, the international body that oversees whaling around the world. At this meeting, not only did Japan, Norway, China and the Eastern Caribbean block the proposal to create a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary, but so did the Danish government. Greenpeace is campaigning to ensure that this doesn't happen again at this year's meeting towards the end of July.

The Danish government has no right to deny the South Pacific nations a whale sanctuary in their own waters. Please send a letter now to the Danish environment and foreign ministers from:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=Whales_dk&s=blue2s

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SUPPORT ANTI-GMO ACTIVISTS IN CHINA

On 28 May, Greenpeace China conducted a peaceful, non-violent protest in Hong Kong, against Nestle for releasing food that contains genetically modified ingredients. Two Greenpeace volunteers, Fung Ka Keung and Fung Kai Yuen, were arrested and charged with "willfully obstructing" police officers in the due execution of their duties.
Please write to the Hong Kong authorities asking them to drop these charges from:

(English)

http://www.gpchina.org/ge/dropcharge_e.html

(Chinese)

http://www.gpchina.org/ge/dropcharge.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GREENPEACE INVADES STAR WARS BASE

On 3 July, more than Greenpeace activists invaded a US spy base located in the peaceful countryside of North Yorkshire, UK. Some activists climbed the razor wire fences surrounding the base. Others, dressed as missiles, marched through the front gate almost unopposed, playing the theme music from "Mission Impossible". Some activists remained locked to a water tower in the base for about 40 hours. The Menwith Hill spy base would play a crucial role in US President George W. Bush's dangerous Star Wars missile defence system.

For more information, see:

http://www.stopstarwars.org

To send a letter to US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, go to:

http://cybercentre.greenpeace.org/t/s/ams/e?a=StarWars_US&s=s01

Please keep sending e-cards to your friends and colleagues about Star Wars from:

http://act.greenpeace.org/ecs/c?i=4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CYBERCENTRE REDESIGNED

The Greenpeace Cyberactivist community site has been given a thorough redesign that we hope will make it easier on the eyes and easier to use. Please visit today!

You can read a feature article about Greenpeace and cyberactivism at:

http://www.greenpeace.org/cyberstory/cyberactivism.htm

VISIT THE CYBERCENTRE

Please don't forget to visit the Greenpeace Cyberactivist Community at:
http://act.greenpeace.org

IN THIS POST:
1) American Banker article on Citi campaign ("Pay Attention to Acitivists or
Pay in Money and Grief")
2) Institutional Investor article ("The New Financial Activists")
3) Cheers and Jeers: recent examples of our message getting through (Asian
Pulp and Paper delisted from the NY Stock Exchange; Single Premium Credit
Loan Victory!)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
INTRO

Friends,

the planet is in a state of crisis.  We are currently living through the
sixth great mass extinction. The rate of species loss has surpassed the
die-off of the dinosaurs and everyday countless species of plant and animal
life disappear forever.  Only 22% of the Earth’s original forests remain
intact. These last old growth forests are home to over half of the planet’s
plant and animal species as well as three quarters of the world’s remaining
traditional indigenous cultures. At the current rate of destruction all the
world’s remaining large tracts of primary forests could be degraded beyond
restoration in the next twenty years.

The assault on the world's forest is shredding the interlocking web of life
on which we depend.   Clearcutting the forests, poisioning the air and
water, disrupting the climate itself with carbon pollution - we are
literally undermining the basic life support systems of the planet.  Quite
simply our global society cannot continue on its current path.  The
corporate global economy - based upon blindly maximizing short term profits
regardless of their impacts on the environment, working people, local
communities, or future generations - is a doomsday machine.  We need to
sound the alarm and organize to confront the root causes of the global
ecological crisis.

WHY CORPORATE FINANCE?
Banks are key conduits in the world of money.  While they claim neutrality,
they profit from moving money from where it's not being used (your bank
account, mutual fund, credit card balance, student loan) to where it's
"needed"--funding oil pipelines in pristine rainforests, building massive
new hydroelectric dams and pulp mills.  They also profit from policies that
prey on unsuspecting and underprivileged consumers, perpetuating a system of
racist exploitation.

Banking decisions are based solely on financial indicators: will this
endeavor turn a profit or not?  Their analysis ignores the realities of
on-the-ground impacts and long-term implications of actions.  And big banks
are instrumental in determining which companies and activities receive
support.  With a vast network of power brokers and a web of interlocking
directorships, they posses a profound influence on the economic agenda for
stock exchanges and companies around the world.

A few incredible recent trends have led to an effective overhaul and
restructuring of the global economy (what pundits call "the new world
economy"):
1) the magnitude of finance-
the sheer volume of money and transactions in the global economy has
exploded at a breakneck pace in recent years.  In 1980 there were $12
trillion in financial assets around the world.  By 1998, that number had
jumped to $80 trillion.  This is unprecedented economic growth.  The nature
of these assets has changed radically as well.  Whereas before, money was
tied to real goods and services, the bulk of the new financial assets now
reflect a speculative economy (currency trading and futures).  In 1970, 80%
of international financial transactions were about the real economy, and 20%
were speculative.  In 1998, 2% were real, and 98% speculative.  The casino
economy doesn't feed anyone, clothe anyone, or put roofs over heads--it's
about rich people trading their money to get richer, while the poor of the
world and the natural world all too often pay the price.
2) the privatization of development-
sources of finance have in recent decades shifted from public coffers to
private ones.  Since 1990, public finance (World Bank, Import/Export banks,
OPIC) has remained static at $50-60 billion per year.  During the same
period of time, private (corporate) finance has increased by 700% from $30
billion in 1990 to $210 billion in 1996.  With development now being largely
funded by private capital, we're seeing rapid economic expansion into
"emerging markets" in wholly unsustainable and unaccountable ways.  The
corporate financial sector is subject to no real social or economic criteria
governing their operations.
3) the decentralization of finance-
the majority of development money flowing to egregious projects now comes
from stocks and bonds rather than consolidated mega-loans.  And Americans'
investments are up.  In 1980, 4.6 million US households owned shares in
mutual funds.  In 1998, 80 million US households did.  There has been a
profound power shift: banks are now arrangers and facilitators, channeling
your money into projects around the world.  This makes destructive projects
vulnerable to the public's demand for sustainable business practices.  And
it makes our role as activists, consumers, investors--as the case may
be--all the more significant.  We have clout to demand that our money
support a sane and healthly present and future for all.

This post is dedicated to examining finance activism as the strategic lever
to transform the landscape of an unaccountable, unsustainable and
fundamentally perilous global system that is destroying lives and land.
With their tendrils exacting a stranglehold on people and the planet,
Citigroup is a posterchild for an economic system based on bad behavior and
based on principals of short-term profits over the long-term health of
communities and ecosystems.  In fighting such a system, we need targets that
help us connect local struggles and global struggles.

We're calling on Citi to be a leader in the industry and to transform the
way Wall Street does business.  This must happen.  Will Citi be a leader or
a laggard?  It's up to us.  How loud is the call?  Will they hear us?  At
the end of the post are two most recent examples of our message  getting out
and getting through.  Congratulations to all who've been engaged in the
struggle to create a better world.  Let's keep up the fight!

IF NOT US, THEN WHO?
DON'T BE AFRAID TO THINK BIG!  OUR TIMES DEMAND IT.....

For background information and downloadable flyers on Citigroup's
destructive practices check out www.ran.org.
For direct local organizing support and networking contact the Rainforest
Action Network :
SF - organize@ran.org  415-398-4404/1-800-989-RAIN
NY - beka@ran.org  718-218-7566/1-888-840-6416
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#1
The American Banker
Pay Attention to Activists Or Pay in Money and Grief
June 15, 2001
By Ricardo Bayon

Financial institutions have escaped the wrath of nonprofit environmental
organizations for many years, but they'd better be careful. Unlike their
colleagues in the oil business, financiers have rarely faced the threat of
boycotts and activist protests. However, the situation is changing rapidly,
and it could cost them billions of dollars and much bad publicity.

In the 1990s activist groups became increasingly interested in the work of
the multilateral financial institutions -- publicly financed banks and
organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and
the World Trade Organization. As a result they began learning about global
financial flows, banking, lending, underwriting, and their impact on
development.

Years of campaigns finally came to a head during the huge protests in
Seattle and the nation's capital last year that made the front pages of
major newspapers around the world. What has not been front-page news,
however, is that a similar process is now under way, and this time the
activists are targeting private financial institutions.

In many ways this was to be expected as the logical extension of campaigns
against the World Bank or the WTO. Sooner or later activists were bound to
realize that most of the money flowing to developing countries comes not
from multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, but from the private
financial sector.

The numbers could not be clearer: According to the World Bank and the IMF,
before 1990, 80% of the money flowing to developing countries was coming
from governments, while 20% came from the private sector. After 1991,
however, government money began to dry up and private financing grew at an
astonishing rate. By last year those numbers had been reversed. Now 80% of
the money flowing into developing countries comes from the private sector,
the rest from government sources. The implications of this shift have not
been lost on the activist groups.

To deal with the fact that the projects they cared about were being financed
by the private sector, and not the World Bank, nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) began learning more about the way money was moved and projects were
financed. They produced training sessions on finance, published booklets on
project finance, and organized campaigns targeting major banks.

All of this has culminated in major initiatives aimed at global institutions
including Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Coincidentally, two of
these relate to projects in China.

The first campaign stemmed from environmental and social concerns
surrounding the construction of the world's largest hydroelectric project,
Three Gorges Dam in China, which environmentalists have seen for years as a
major threat to the local environment. Some have even dubbed it the
"Chernobyl of hydropower."

At first NGOs used their usual tactics -- they lobbied the World Bank,
contacted the Chinese government, etc. The World Bank soon announced that it
would not provide money to this project, but it became clear that the
Chinese government was impervious to the NGOs' attacks. So they revised
their tactics. They began finding out where China was getting the money to
build this dam.

This brought them rather quickly to Wall Street. They saw that in 1997
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., Credit Suisse First Boston Corp., Salomon
Smith Barney (now part of Citigroup), and BancAmerica Securities (now part
of Bank of America Corp.) underwrote a bond worth $330 million issued by the
state-owned Chinese Development Bank. Part of this money, they saw, was to
be used to finance construction of Three Gorges.

So the activists began to see if they could influence the work of these
capital sources.

They began by writing letters and making phone calls. When this didn't work
they resorted to shareholder activism. They built alliances with
institutional shareholders, socially responsible investors, and others to
put forward shareholder resolutions at the companies' annual meetings. As a
result of these campaigns, several of the financial companies agreed to talk
to the NGOs. The pressure was so strong that several financial institutions
sought (and were given) assurances from the Chinese government that money
they helped raise would not be used for Three Gorges.

The dialogue around Three Gorges continues to this day. More important, the
groups began to see that financial activism gave them considerable leverage,
so they began looking into major private banks' involvement in other
development projects around the world.

Eventually this research led to a campaign targeting Citigroup coordinated
by the California-based Rainforest Action Network, which called for people
to boycott the company and mail it their cut-up Citigroup credit cards. Make
no mistake: These campaigns can cause substantial damage, and not just in
public relations. Consider the case of Goldman Sachs and PetroChina. Last
year Goldman Sachs was chosen to help underwrite the sale of American
depositary receipts in China's restructured state oil company, PetroChina. A
source close to the deal said Goldman had initially hoped that the IPO would
raise $4 billion to $5 billion.

As it turns out, numerous environmental groups, human rights activists, and
labor unions were concerned with China's human rights record and with
PetroChina's activities in Tibet and Sudan. To make their point, they
contacted institutional investors and asked them not to invest in
PetroChina. They picketed meetings at Goldman Sachs, filed shareholder
resolutions, and had their colleagues write letters to the company.

In the end, partly because of these activities, the PetroChina IPO raised $3
billion, over $1 billion less than had originally been projected. In other
words, being in the activist spotlight cost the deal anywhere from 25% to
40% of its original value and turned out to be an embarrassment to China and
the bulge-bracket investment banking firm. Not good for company PR.

For activist groups, on the other hand, PetroChina provided a taste of the
power and leverage that was to be had by targeting banks and other financial
institutions.

The Three Gorges, Citigroup, and PetroChina campaigns are likely to be the
first of many. Financial institutions may have flown underneath activist
groups' radar in the past, but they need to realize that these groups have
upgraded their radar systems. Bankers should learn to manage NGO campaigns
or else be prepared to lose money and face a steady dose of boycotts and
protests.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#2
Institutional Investor
June 2000
The New Financial Activists
Deepak Gopinath

In December masses of protesters took to the streets of Seattle, decrying
the depredations of globalization. They snarled traffic, smashed a
Starbucks coffee shop and spray-painted buildings as they denounced the
World Trade Organization. A few months later thousands converged, full of
sound bites and fury, for the spring meetings of the International Monetary
Fund and the World Bank in Washington, D.C.

Now this unlikely coalition of environmental and labor activists is taking
its fight from the streets to the boardrooms. With one eye on following the
money and the other on mobilizing supporters, these activists are targeting
prominent financial institutions that, they charge, are damaging the
environment, trampling human rights and further impoverishing the poor.

"We'll squeeze the carotid artery of financial institutions and cut off the
blood to their brains," vows Kevin Danaher, a co-founder of San
Francisco-based Global Exchange who helped organize the Seattle protests
(he was arrested on the first day). Now he is trying to dissuade investors
from buying World Bank bonds. "It is a strategy we learned from the
antiapartheid movement."

Progressing from multilaterals like the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO to
the major financial intermediaries of the private sector is a logical move
to this new breed of financial activists. After all, private capital now
funds many developing-world projects that were once the exclusive domain of
multilateral development banks like the World Bank.

Major financial institutions are ready-made targets. They're big, they're
global, and they have very deep pockets. Boasting powerful brand names that
they don't want sullied, they can be quite sensitive to pressure. These
financial behemoths make more accessible objects of scorn than vague
concepts like "globalization." It can be difficult for activists to
mobilize supporters against such elusive ideas, harder yet to rally people
against the many companies that build dams or cut through rain forests. But
it is not so tricky to unite them against a handful of financial giants
that make these activities possible.

Among the targets are Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (activists are calling on
consumers to cut up their Discover cards) and Citigroup. Broadly, the
activists want the banks to develop environmental and social guidelines
governing their operations and the types of investments they make. Behind
the campaigns is a host of improbable alliances that join environmental
groups, broad-based direct-action groups, human rights organizations and
even, on a few occasions, labor unions and conservative think tanks. There
aren't many causes that unite Students for a Free Tibet and the right-wing
William J. Casey Institute, but opposition to the Goldman, Sachs & Co.-led
initial public offering of PetroChina Co., a subsidiary of China's
state-owned oil company, did just that.

"Nongovernment organizations are becoming aware of the influential role
private banks play in the issues they care about," says Michelle
Chan-Fishel, coordinator of the Green Investment Program at Friends of the
Earth, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental organization. "It's
increasingly clear that the driver of development is no longer the World
Bank."

Wall Street executives might be tempted to dismiss these activists as loopy
tree-huggers, but they've scored a few victories in the past year, despite
modest budgets. In 1997 the Netherlands branch of FOE launched a letter-
and postcard-writing campaign against ABN Amro Bank to protest its lending
to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, whose Indonesian mining operation has
been criticized by human rights and environmental groups. In December 1998
ABN Amro took the unprecedented step of asking Freeport-McMoRan to allow an
independent environmental and social audit of its Indonesian mine. ABN Amro
also announced that it would adopt environmental and social guidelines for
mining projects it finances.

This spring a coalition of more than 200 mainstream and fringe
organizations, including FOE, the AFL-CIO, the Casey Institute, the Center
for Religious Freedom and a number of pro-Tibetan-independence groups,
conducted a heated publicity campaign against the PetroChina IPO. After
lobbying everyone from U.S. congressmen to pension fund managers, the
deal's opponents enthusiastically declared victory. The offering raised
less than was expected; many pension funds steered clear of the stock.
Goldman Sachs officials maintain that the IPO was a success but concede
that they'd hoped the issue would raise up to $5 billion, instead of the
$2.89 billion it did pull in. Since the April offering, shares have barely
budged from their initial price.

"PetroChina was a fusion of human rights and shareholder activism," says
William Patterson, head of investment at the AFL-CIO, which spearheaded
much of the protest activity. "I think the NGOs played an important role
here. There was a sense coming out of Seattle that changed the way the
world looked at emerging markets."

Wall Street's financial institutions have seen their share of activism over
the years - mostly from shareholders trying to change corporate governance
rules or to urge divestiture from South Africa in the 1980s. What makes
this new activism alarming is that it potentially cuts to the heart of the
way financial markets operate, by attempting to curtail the freedom of
firms to do what they do best: scour the planet for investments with the
highest returns.

Though loathe to talk about protesters for the record - who wants to invite
pickets? - executives at financial houses do not necessarily disagree with
the activists' concerns about human rights and the environment. But they
object to the methods used and worry about being pushed to incorporate
environmental and social criteria into investment decisions, either
unofficially through dialogue with activists or, more ominously, through
government regulation. They think that could tie up the unfettered capital
markets that have served them (and, they would argue, many developing
countries) well over the past decade or so of global market liberalization.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#3
CHEERS AND JEERS

Our message is out and getting through!  Citigroup and the rest of the
corporate financial sector can't expect to operate in a moral vaccuum and
enjoy infinite long-term gains.  Operating decisions that reject
environmental and social considerations WILL come back to haunt them.

2 most recent cases in point...
- - -
JEERS:
Asian Pulp and Paper was delisted from the NY Stock Exchange July 5th.
Their demise underscores the fact that forest destruction no longer pays.
As one of the top institutional investors in AP&P, Citi must face the
results of bad financial advising.  They hold shares for clients around the
world who will be slammed by the delisting.

AP&P is Indonesia's largest pulp and paper company.  75% of their operations
are in primary (1st-growth) forests, and up to 60% of this is thought to be
logged illegally.  Their unsustainable practices of clearcutting have done
more than ravage the environment, they have placed at risk the lives of the
local Sakai people.  Intent on saving their ancestral lands from
clearcutting, the locals blockaded roads to prevent the passage of logging
trucks.  Fifty-two Sakai were injured during the protest.

Citigroup's involvement with an eco-criminal like AP&P belies their lack of
concern for the on-the-ground impacts of their investments.  Citi has
encouraged AP&P to engage in debt-driven expansion, and the paper company
has pumped their product out at alarming rates--distorting the global paper
market with prices that undercut the norm.  Citi has issued bonds and
financed projects ammounting to over $200 million in investments.

Their financial advising has now driven the company to the brink.  AP&P's
total debt amounts to $13.4 billion.  On March 12, 2001, they claimed a
standstill on debt repayment.  On April 4 the NY Stock Exchange suspended
trading on AP&P, and on July 5 the company was delisted.

The case of AP&P exemplifies the need for financial institutions need to
account for the long-term economic and environmental health of their
investments.  Wise up, guys!

for more information on AP&P and Indonesia, check out Friends of the Earth's
report "Paper Tiger, Hidden Dragons" at
http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infoteam/pressrel/2001/20010626103925.html
- - -
CHEERS:
Score for the good guys!  Under increasing pressure from community activists
and ultimately the FTC and Federal Reserve, Citigroup recently announced
that they would stop selling single premiun credit insurance on mortgage
loans.  The practice of rolling credit insurance payments as a lump sum into
mortgage loans and having the borrower pay interest over the life of the
loan is a prime example of abusive predatory lending.  The extra burden of
the typically unnecessary insurance payments can amount to thousands of
dollors, and lead unsuspecting consumers left with no equity, or
worse--homeless--when payments aren't made.

As a result of persistent pressure and public scrutiny, fair-lending
advocates were successful in ending Citi's practice of peddling single
premium credit loans.  Citi is now offering insurance with monthly pay
options.  While they continue to engage in a litany of exploitative
sub-prime lending behaviors, this is a significant step , as well as a model
of partnership on the part of community groups, regulators, and legislators
to hold accountable a key player in the banking industry.

This victory for consumers is a clear indicator that the financial industry
Goliaths are compelled to respond when enough Davids get together.  Let's
keep up the heat!!

for more information on the victory, and on Cit's predatory lending:

www.innercitypress.org
www.self-help.org
www.npa@npa-us.org
www.coopamerica.org

Positive Energy
July 12, 2001
v1.04


Time for another issue of Positive Energy -
the Clean Energy Now Campaign's fantastic weekly online
newsletter providing you with the latest good news on ways
we can achieve clean air, climate justice and renewable
energy solutions to California's current energy crisis.

Up this week:
* The City of Vallejo Goes It Alone!
* California Labor Federation Says: Stop the
Rolling Blackmail!
* Greenpeace Joins International Day of Action
Against ExxonMobil!

>>>>>Vallejo Transforming into Self-Sufficient Green City

Officials believe that Vallejo is the first city in America
to free itself from dependency on outside energy sources
and our rapidly rising energy costs. It will build enough
new clean power generators to make the city offices --
which consume 10 megawatts per year -- be self-sufficient
by the end of the year. Contracts with private businesses
are already being processed to build new wind, solar, and
mircoturbine generators. With the next 30-60 days,
construction may start on a one-megawatt solar generator.

Read more about Vallejo at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/07/06/MN138966.DTL   


>>>>>Californian Workers Rally for the End to Market
Manipulation and Price Gouging

California's 2 million union members are calling for
President Bush and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
to put an end to the Texas energy corporations' highway
robbery. According to California Labor Federation, we are
already seeing layoffs and reduced workweeks, and the
states credit has been tarnished, so investments in housing,
education, transportation, and health care may be delayed.
The workers' battle with generators to make them refund
billions of dollars that were gouged from California
consumers is not over. Join Cal Labor in stopping the
rolling blackmail at a rally on Tuesday July 17 from
11:30 to 1pm in Chula Vista at the Duke Power Plant located
at 1990 Bay Blvd. Lunch will be provided!!!

For more information: http://www.workingcalifornia.org/

>>>>> The Heat Is On: International Day of Action Against
ExxonMobil Draws 100 Protests in 18 Countries!

Banner Drop Outside Dallas Headquarters; Billboard Launch
in London; Human Rights Protest in Indonesia; Board Flooded
with Thousands of Faxes!

Protests in 18 countries - and one here in the San Francisco
financial district -- on Wednesday pressured ExxonMobil and
the U.S. government to support the Kyoto Treaty on climate
change, stop moves to drill in the Arctic Refuge and respect
human rights. Over 100 protests took place in the lead up to
next week's Kyoto climate change negotiations in Bonn,
Germany.  

Clean Energy Now, Bluewater Network, East Timor Action
Network, Indonesian Human Rights Network, and International
Forum for Aceh protested in San Francisco outside of Brobeck,
Phleger and Harrison, a law firm representing Exxon
Corporation in its global environmental coverage litigation
involving more than 3,500 contaminated sites, more than 300
insurance companies, and more than $1 billion of liability.


Other events took place in Dallas (ExxonMobil HQ),
Washington DC, Seattle, and London. The International Day of
Action was coordinated by PressurePoint, a Seattle based
non-profit. To find out more about the Day of Action, visit
PressurePoint at: www.pressurepoint.org

Our "Positive Energy" newsletter and the web site,
http://www.cleanenergynow.org, will give you good news
about ways to achieve clean air, climate justice and
renewable energy solutions to our current energy crisis.

Want to do more? Become a Greenpeace member today!
https://www.greenpeaceusa.org/join2/cen.htm

You can take action on this alert either via email
(please see directions below) or via the web at:
http://actionnetwork.org/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23188B0713031107C189

We encourage you to take action by July 18, 2001

Bush Rolls Back Contraceptive Coverage for Federal
Employees

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

At the urging of President Bush, lawmakers in the House
are moving to revoke contraceptive insurance coverage
for more than one million women who work for the U.S.
government. The coverage, in effect since 1999, is
set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress
renews the policy.

Family planning supporters were stunned when the President's
budget called for the elimination of the coverage,
since the Office of Personnel Management stated that
it had no impact on the cost of health coverage. The
failure of health insurance plans to cover contraceptives
is largely responsible for the fact that women spend
almost 70 percent more than men in out of pocket health
care costs.  

When the House Appropriations Committee considers the
annual Treasury-Postal Service appropriation bill -
the bill that includes funding for the Federal Employees
Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) - Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY)
is expected to offer an amendment to renew the contraceptive
coverage requirement. The vote is expected to occur
on July 17. Please take just a moment to contact your
Representative, who serves on the Appropriations Committee,
today to urge support for the Lowey amendment

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

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/take-action.tcl?key=419220A23188B0713031107C189  

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.

Your letter will be addressed and sent to:
Representative Maurice Hinchey


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

I am writing to urge you to support contraceptive coverage
in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

I understand that the President's budget called for
the elimination of this coverage and that the Treasury-Postal
Service Appropriation bill does not include the provision,
in effect for the past three years, to guarantee this
coverage to the women who work for the people of the
United States. I hope you will support an amendment
to restore this coverage when the Appropriations Committee
considers this legislation.

As you may know, federal law has, since 1999, required
health plans participating in the Federal Employees
Health Benefits program to cover prescription contraceptives
in the same manner they cover other prescriptions.
Previously, the vast majority of health plans participating
in the program offered prescription drug coverage but
discriminated against women by failing to include coverage
for the full range of prescription contraceptives.
In fact, only 19 percent of plans covered all methods
of prescription contraceptives.  

Contraceptives are part of a basic health care package
for women of reproductive age. It makes no sense at
all that health plans routinely deny this essential
coverage and force women to pay out-of-pocket for this
care. This lack of coverage is even more troubling
when we consider that it not only discriminates against
women but also places them at risk for unintended pregnancy
and abortion.  

I strongly urge you to fight for contraceptive coverage
for America's federal employees and their dependents.
This policy provides basic, preventive health care
for women and their families.  

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

BATTLE OVER THE REFUGE: Scientists urge Congress to just say no

PLIGHT OF THE CARIBOU: Calves dying on arduous route

ENERGY DEBATE: Moderates abandoning Bush, looking for better way

DEFENDING WILD LAND: Funding sought for popular conservation programs

ROADLESS ROLLBACK: Make way for the bulldozers

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS: Save wildlife with every charge you make

SAVING CRANES: Researchers wear costumes to bond with birds