🚀 go-pugleaf

TO:       All Forest Activists
FROM:     Steve Holmer
DATE:     May 14, 1996
 
SUBJECT:  Craig Bill Negotiations Continue/New Riders Rumored
 
     According to staff of the Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee, negotiations with Democratic Senators "have
been positive and productive," prompting the Committee to cancel
tomorrow's scheduled markup to allow for a few more days of
talks.  Regardless of the outcome, the bill will be marked up next
Wednesday, May 22.
 
     Neither side in the negotiations would characterize the status
of specific issues of discussion such as repealing the rider. 
However, Democratic staff indicated that there were a number of
non-negotiable items including, repealing the rider (including Senator
Murray's Section K language), protecting roadless areas, and no
limitations on citizen appeals.
 
     We are very concerned that "a deal" will lead to weaker
environmental standards and permanent changes in law making
"forest health" the priority consideration in all land management
planning for decades to come.  Such a deal, would be a clear
victory of Sen. Larry Craig and his allies who brought us the
Clearcut Logging Rider.  
 
     Looking ahead, we can expect the House of Representatives
to offer a forest health bill that would be far worse than anything
coming from the more moderate Senate.  According to House
Resources Committee Staff, the House is waiting for the Senate bill
to begin action, but if it is delayed much longer, we can expect to
see a bill start moving.  
 
             RIDER REPEAL, NO FOREST HEALTH DEAL!
 
     Please keep the calls coming to the following Senators and
urge them to oppose any forest health legislation based on a bogus
claim that there is a forest health crisis that justifies taking the
extreme measures found in the logging rider and the Craig bill. 
Urge them to support repealing the rider, the only major rollback of
environmental laws still in effect from 1995:
 
Ron Wyden (D-OR) 202/228-2717 224-5244  Alexandra Buell
Max Baucus (D-MT) 202/228-3687     224-2651  Curt Rich
Tom Daschle (D-SD) 202/224-2047    224-2321  Eric Washburn
Patty Murray (D-WA) 202/224-0238   224-2621  Marla Marvin
Christopher Dodd (D-CT) 202/224-1083   224-2823   Sheila Duffy
Bill Bradley (D-NJ) 202/224-8567        224-3224       Ruth Fleischer
Patrick Leahy (D-VT) 202/224-5902       224-4242       Brooks Preston
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 415/956-6701       224-3553       Linda Delgado 
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)202/228-3954     224-3841  Kathy Lacey
 
New Riders Rumored
     Rep. George Nethercutt is reported to be preparing a "forest
health" rider to be attached to the Interior Appropriations bill
expected to be marked up the week of May 28-31.  We have not
seen any language at this time but will make it available as soon as
possible.  Rep. Nethercutt denies the report.  
 
     Conservationists in Georgia have successfully brought suit
under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 to stop the incidental
killing of songbirds from seven timber sales.  Judge Frank Hall
issued a preliminary injunction until Sept. 15 when the nesting
season is over before logging can resume on the seven sales.  In
response, Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC) is reported to be preparing a
rider to overturn the temporary injunction and preclude the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act from being used to protect the migratory
songbird's habitat.  There will be a hearing in the House Resources
Committee about this issue tomorrow, May 15.
 
     We must be vigilant against any new attacks on our
environmental laws.  Staff for Appropriations Chairman Robert
Livingston (R-LA) and Interior Appropriations Chairman Ralph
Regula (R-OH) have both indicated their concerns about riders and
expressed a hope that none would be attached to the Interior
Appropriations bill this year.  
 
     Please contact both Chairman, and urge them to oppose all
anti-environmental riders dealing with forest health or threatened
bird species in the Appropriations bill.  
 
Rep. Robert Livingston (R-LA)      Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)
House Appropriation Committee House Interior Subcommittee 
Phone 225-2771                     Phone 225-3081, Fax 225-9069
H-218 Capitol                 B-308 Rayburn  
Washington, D.C. 20515             Washington, D.C. 20515