CEC:AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS UPDATE =AD 1/30/04
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LOCAL
(1) Groups sue EPA over Barton Springs salamander
(2) Meeting scheduled to discuss Rancho pipeline

THE WEEK'S EVENTS
(3) Rhizome collective big garden day
(4) Texas Fair Trade Coalition meeting
(5) Rain Water Harvesting class
(6) Spring school gardening workshop
(7) Free computer recycling drop-off event
(8) Chicas verdes luncheon
(9) Intro to Permaculture
(10) Distinguished lecture series

GREEN JOB
(11) Executive director, Keep Austin Beautiful

IN THE NEWS
(12) Austin American Statesman
(13) Austin Chronicle
(14) New York Times
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LOCAL

(1) GROUPS SUE EPA OVER BARTON SPRINGS SALAMANDER
by Erika McDonald

On Monday, the Austin-based Save Our Springs Alliance filed suit
against
the US Environmental Protection Agency for authorizing pesticide use
that
may threaten endangered salamanders in Barton Springs. The Arizona-based
Center for Biological Diversity joined the Austin group in a suit that
accuses EPA of violating the Endangered Species Act.
Research by the US Geological Survey detected the presence of numerous
pesticides in Barton Springs including atrazine, one of the six
pesticides
named in the suit, which has been linked to developmental, neurological
and
reproductive effects in amphibians.
Plaintiffs say the suit is aimed at compelling the EPA to consult with
the
US Fish and Wildlife Service, which has consistently warned about the
impacts of pesticides on the Barton Springs salamander, a species that
exists nowhere else in the world.
"This is not an issue of the laws not being strong enough but of the
agency not following the law," Brad Rockwell of the SOS Alliance said.
Because of widespread pesticide use, Rockwell said it is difficult to
determine what the major source of contamination is, another reason the
groups are asking for further study.
"It could be agricultural, a lot of it could be from landscaping," he
said.
"We just don=B9t know right now and that=B9s exactly why we want more
study." He
said SOS may seek input from other Austin environmental groups and city
officials at a later date.
Attorney Brian Litmans said he thinks plaintiffs have a strong case
under
the Endangered Species Act, which requires the EPA to consult with USFWS
and
the National Marine Fisheries Service when considering whether to
authorize
pesticides.
"The law is pretty straight forward," he said. "Also, there is a lot
of
information out there right now about the negative impacts of pesticides
on
amphibian populations. That, coupled with the specific findings from
USFWS
and the Geological Survey, make EPA=B9s obligation under ESA very clear."=

According to Litmans, if they are successful in their pursuit of a
declaratory order that EPA violated the law, plaintiffs will likely seek
interim injunctions. During consultations between EPA and USFWS,
injunctions
would restrict use of pesticides on a seasonal basis (for example during
peak rains when more run off occurs) and based on proximity to Barton
Springs and aquifer recharge zones. Plaintiffs will not seek to ban
pesticide use completely.
"It=B9s difficult to say until studies have been completed, but we hope=

that
consultation with USFWS will result in stronger protections," Litmans
said.
Some, however, are skeptical. Matt Lechner, formerly a biologist with
the
USFWS in Austin during the Clinton administration, said he thought it
was
unlikely that the agency would advise EPA to restrict pesticide use to
protect the salamanders. He based his opinion on what he called a shift
in
priorities from those of the field staff with whom he had worked.
"We were very active in developing water quality protection measures
but
that approach was abandoned when the new administration took office,"
Lechner said.
Complicating matters are regulatory changes proposed by the
administration
this week that would ease the very rule over which it is currently being
sued. The new rules would allow the EPA to forgo consultations with the
other two agencies when it decides that a pesticide probably will not
adversely affect species' survival.
The Center for Biological Diversity=B9s Daniel Patterson said he was
alarmed
by the administration=B9s plans.
"This is exactly an issue of the administration rolling back laws it
is
violating, rather than analyzing and disclosing environmental and health
effects," he said. =

While EPA officials would not comment on the lawsuit, they did defend
the
proposed rule change. EPA spokesman David Deegan said the purpose of the
rule change is to "streamline" the consultation process to allow for
more
timely reviews. He said the EPA conducts extensive study when
authorizing
pesticides and the new rule would prevent other agencies from having to
duplicate work.
"(Under current rules,) when it comes to official consultations it=B9s
like
starting from scratch," Deegan said. "(The proposed rule) is going to
help
us take advantage of the work EPA is already doing and use that as a
baseline for making decisions."
Litmans said it was unclear how the rule change will affect the
lawsuit.

(2) MEETING SCHEDULE TO DISCUSS RANCHO PIPELINE

Representatives of Austin Energy and Kinder Morgan will meet with
Members
of the Save Barton Creek Association, Sierra Club, SOS Alliance, and
neighborhood groups to discuss the planned conversion of Rancho Pipeline
from transporting crude oil to natural gas. Kinder Morgan has entered
into a
long-term contract to supply Austin Energy's Sand Hill Energy Center in
Del
Valle with natural gas using the 50-year-old pipeline. The meeting will
be
held Monday, Feb. 2, at 7:00 pm, at Ventana Del Soul Cultural Center,
1834
East Oltorf, Second Floor Auditorium. For more information visit
http://www.ventanadelsoul.org.
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_
=

THE WEEK=B9S EVENTS

(3) RHIZOME COLLECTIVE BIG GARDEN DAY

Date: Sat, Jan 31
Time: 11 am-sundown
Location: 300 Allen St.
Contact: (512) 385-3695

(4) TEXAS FAIR TRADE COALITION MEETING
=

Date: Sat, Jan 31
Time: 10 am =

Location: Contact for details
Contact: (512) 472-1915 or

(5) RAIN WATER HARVESTING CLASS

Date: Sat, Jan 31
Time: 8:30-11:30 am
Location: Wells Branch Community Library 15001 Wells Port Dr.
Contact: Call Save the Rain at 210-422-0046 or E-mail:

(6) SPRING SCHOOL GARDENING WORKSHOP

Date: Sat, Jan 31
Time: 8 am-12 pm
Location: Allan Elementary School, 4900 Gonzales
Contact: (512) 443-LEAF or

(7) FREE COMPUTER RECYCLING DROP-OFF EVENT

Date: Sat, Jan 31 =

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (3600 Manor Road, east
of
I-35, south of 290)
Contact: For more details http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/dellevent.htm

(8) CHICAS VERDES LUNCHEON

Date: Tues, Feb 3
Time: 11:45 am
Location: 3700 Lake Austin Blvd
Contact: Katie Jensen, (512) 505-3707, (512) 505-3711 or


(9) INTRO TO PERMACULTURE

Date: Wed, Feb 4 =

Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: Center for Gift Economy 109 W. Johanna
Contact:: Selwyn Polit,
(512) 926-7876

(10) DISTINGUISHED LECCTURE SERIES

Date: Fri, Feb 6 =

Time: 7 pm
Location: Selah Ranch in the Texas Hill Country
Contact: For more information, visit the web site
http://www.wildflower.org/
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_

(11) GREEN JOBS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KEEP AUSTIN BEAUTIFUL

Keep Austin Beautiful is currently seeking an executive director.
Minimum
qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in a related field and four
years
experience working with community beautification programs. Duties and
primary tasks include work in collaboration with the board of directors,
Solid Waste Services and city of Austin departments. The executive
director
will manage and oversee KAB staff, including non-city employees and
volunteers. The qualified candidate will possess excellent communication
skills and sound judgement and decision making. The SWS department
requires
applicants to submit a recent three-year driving record from the Texas
Department of Public Safety. The salary range is $21.36 - $26.70 per
hour.
Apply online at http://waller.ci.austin.tx.us/jobapp/jobs_list.cfm.
__________________________________________________ _______________________=
_

IN THE NEWS =


(12) AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN
(free registration required)

SAN MARCOS POWER PLANT SHUTTING DOWN TEMPORARILY, 1/29/04
Company blames glut of electricity; move could hurt school funding.
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/...ions/thursday=
/me
tro_state_0481eb89762262f200cf.html

CITY EMBRACES NATURAL GAS PIPELINE, 1/28/04
Officials supported project while fighting a separate gasoline pipeline.
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...hursday/news_=
048
1eb0a7622d0a41020.html

SAN MARCOS CASTS FIRST VOTE AGAINST EMISSIONS TESTING, 1/28/04
Council majority says cost is too high for residents
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/...ions/wednesda=
y/m
etro_state_0471d6637622f1b10051.html

IN LAWSUIT SOS SAYS EPA DUCKS ITS DUTIES, 1/27/04
Groups want court to force agency to assess spring's pesticide risk.
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/...ions/tuesday/=
met
ro_state_0461b1095623115e0039.html

NEW FISH FOUND IN WEST TEXAS, 1/26/04
Seven years after being caught, San Felipe gambusia earns recognition.
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/...ions/monday/m=
etr
o_state_04419c75d696401910e1.html

DRY CLEANERS SUE TO HALT POLLUTION PRORAM, 1/25/04
Some who supported concept say Legislature imposed tax unequally.
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/...ions/sunday/m=
etr
o_state_04318798d69670b8004f.html

(13) AUSTIN CHRONICLE

TEMPLE INLAND READS THE WRITING ON THE WALL, 1/29/04
The finger-pointing that followed Temple-Inland Inc.'s decision to
abandon
expansion plans has Chamber of Commerce leaders blaming
environmentalists
for loss of potential jobs.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...ls_feature4.h=
tml

READING ARNOLD=B9S EMAIL, 1/29/04
Among those caught in the polluted backwash of the aborted Temple-Inland
expansion plan was Statesman editorial page editor Arnold Garcia.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...ls_naked2.htm=
l

A SAD PRECEDENT, 1/29/04
The courthouse deal: another chapter in the same old sad downtown saga.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...ls_atlarge.ht=
ml

SUIT TO SAVE THE SALAMANDER, 1/29/04
More on the lawsuit against EPA.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issue...ls_naked10.ht=
ml

(14) NEW YORK TIMES
(free registration required)

INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL, WHY NOT BOTTLE IT? 1/28/04
Central Texan bottles and sells rain water at some Austin restaurants.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/28/dining/28WATE.html
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ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

CEC Environmental News Update is a weekly publication of the Citizens'
Environmental Coalition, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to fostering
dialogue, education and collaboration relating to environmental issues
in
the Houston/Galveston and Austin regions. Visit the CEC online at
http://www.cechouston.org

To subscribe or unsubscribe email To
suggest
items for inclusion or if you have news tips or story ideas, send your
request via e-mail to Erika McDonald at .

Phone: (713) 524-4232
Fax: (713) 524-3311
-- =

Celestial Habitats by J. Kolenovsky
2003 Honorable Mention Award, Keep Houston Beautiful
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.celestialhabitats.com - business
=F4=BF=F4 - http://www.hal-pc.org/~garden/personal.html - personal