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CEC Austin Environmental Update 01/30/04
CEC:AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS UPDATE =AD 1/30/04
__________________________________________________ _______________________= 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 __________________________________________________ _____________________ 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. __________________________________________________ _______________________= _ = 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/ __________________________________________________ _______________________= _ (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 __________________________________________________ _______________________= 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 |
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