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NFC: Fw: River Policy Update, Week of July 2
To read the River Policy Update online, visit American Rivers' Online
Newsroom at http://www.amrivers.org/policyupdates/update.htm and
click on "River Policy Update."
American Rivers' Policy Update
Week of July 2, 2001
IN THIS WEEK'S UPDATE:
* Congressional leadership
* Agricultural policy
* Water policy
* Wildlife
* Bush administration environmental nominees
* Congressional calendar
* Take action
* Special trip deal
* Jobs
CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
The Senate approved a new organizational structure late Friday.
Democrats will gain one-seat majorities in all committees when
Congress reconvenes after the Independence Day recess.
AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
The House is expected to resume debate on the FY '02 agriculture
appropriations bill when it returns from the Independence Day
recess. The House bill, H.R. 2330, has received criticism from the
environmental community, farmers, and some members of the Senate for
its failure to include the Wetlands Reserve Program, Farmland
Protection Program, and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.
WATER POLICY
Energy and Water bill: Auburn dam rider out, Missouri River rider in
A controversial provision of the House FY '02 energy and water
appropriations bill that would have provided for a new study of the
Auburn Dam on the American River in California was struck before the
bill was voted on. The withdrawal of the Auburn dam measure, which
had been backed by Rep. John Doolittle (D-CA), clears the way for the
August completion of an Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study on
addressing flood control concerns by raising the existing Folsom dam.
The full House passed the energy and water bill on Thursday without
removing another rider, inserted by Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), that
would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from revising Missouri and
Mississippi river operations to benefit wildlife. The environmental
community adamantly opposes this rider, and plans to target it when
the Senate and House negotiate over the final energy and water bill.
Conservationists argue that allowing a more natural seasonal rise and
fall of water levels would not prevent traditional uses of the rivers
or their floodplains, but that it is critical to the survival of
several endangered species, including the pallid sturgeon, piping
plover, and interior least tern. To encourage the Army Corps to
revise its operation of Missouri River dams, American Rivers listed
the Missouri as its number one Most Endangered River this year.
WILDLIFE
On the markup of the Interior appropriations bill for FY '02, the
conservation community welcomed news last week that the Senate
Appropriations Committee, like the House of Representatives, refused
to attach riders backed by the Bush administration that would
eliminate listing deadlines under the Endangered Species Act and fund
a study of oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
BUSH ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENTAL NOMINEES
Last week President Bush nominated Donald Schregardus to head the
Environmental Protection Agency's office of enforcement and
compliance assurance. Schregardus worked for the EPA's Midwest
office for 17 years, where he managed wastewater compliance and
enforcement and conducted air, waste, and water studies. More
recently he has worked as an environmental consultant.
Conservationists expressed concern about Schregardus' commitment to
enforcing environmental laws. Bush also nominated Marianne Lamont
Horinko to be EPA assistant administrator for solid waste and
emergency response. Horinko was attorney advisor to the assistant
administrator for solid waste and emergency response during the first
Bush administration.
CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR
Congress is in recess this week for the Independence Day holiday.
TAKE ACTION
Follow the latest American Rivers' Action Alerts and Press Releases!
Take action to help save America's Rivers. Visit
http://www.amrivers.org/takeaction/.
SPECIAL TRIP DEAL
Go rafting in Cataract Canyon!
Rapids, waterfalls, and ancient Pueblo ruins, all in the heart of
Utah's Canyonlands National Park. Discount rate; several dates are
available. A great trip for families! Click here for the itinerary
and more information:
http://www.away.com/postcards/american_rivers_members
JOBS
American Rivers currently has a number of job openings. See our
employment page at http://www.americanrivers.org/jobs/default.htm
about the following opportunities:
* Online Community Manager
* Conservation Assistant-Outreach
* Organizer/Outreach Specialist-Missouri River Campaign
* Communications Assistant
* River Restoration Financing Associate
Questions?
Contact Michael Garrity, Conservation Associate, at 202-347-7550.
Legislative information taken from sources including: Environment and
Energy Daily, Greenwire, Congressional Green Sheets, and members of
the American Rivers conservation staff.
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Thank you robertrice at juno_com for helping to protect and
restore America's rivers.
To contact American Rivers, send an email to Rebecca
Sherman at outreach at amrivers_org or call 202-347-7550.
To update your information, please visit:
http://amriversaction.ctsg.com/profileEditor
Encourge friends to become an online river activist, by visiting
www.americanrivers.org/takeaction. To become a member of American
Rivers, visit www.americanrivers.org/joindonate
Join the nation's online river community at www.americanrivers.org
for free online resources, toolkits, and ways to unite with other
activists on your important issues. AOL Keyword: American Rivers
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