🚀 go-pugleaf

SIGN ON LETTER  for all grassroots groups-- STOP THE ESA
MORATORIUM and repeal "LOGGING WITHOUT LAWS"
 
 
Dear Activist,
 
We know from inside sources that while the Congress is out of
town, the White House is at a critical decision-making point on two
key issues.
 
Will the White House insist that the moratorium on the listing of
endangered species be removed from the Interior Department
funding bill to be taken up by the Congress March 15?   Of will
they cave to Sen. Slade Gorton and stick us with a continuation of
the moratorium for the rest of the year?
 
Will the White House endorse legislation filed by Rep. Elizabeth
Furse to repeal the "logging without laws" timber rider, which
suspends the ESA, Clean Water Act, and other environmental laws
on our national forests?  Or will they let the slaughter of our forests
continue?
 
Frankly, this should be one of the biggest sign-on letters for the
104th Congress so far.  The ESA moratorium and "logging without
laws" are the two bad environmental laws which HAVE PASSED
and are drawing blood.
 
If we don't speak up when damage is being done, how can we
expect anyone in the Capitol to be convinced there is any kind of
political price to pay for rolling back our environmental laws?  
From that standpoint, we would hope everyone would sign this
letter and let the White House know we're watching!.PLEASE
RESPOND BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS TUESDAY.
 
We will be listing the names of groups only, so that will be
adequate information although if you want to give us a contact
name and phone that is great.  Thanks.
 
 
Steve Holmer and Jim Jontz for WAFC --  (202)789-2844x291, fax
682-1943, email WAFCDC@igc.apc.org
 
 
p.s.  Thanks to many of you for signing on the FOREST
CONGRESS letter.  We are still taking signatures (whether you are
going to the Forest Congress or not).  Sorry to have so much going
on at one time, but it's all directed at the same goal: REPEAL THE
RIDER, PROTECT THE FORESTS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dear President Clinton:
 
 Your strong position against roll-back of environmental laws has
the support not just of the environmental community, but of the
American public.  Overwhelmingly, people believe that the laws
protecting our waters, our wildlife, and our land should be stronger,
not weaker.
 
However, as you are aware, there were two cases last year where
the Congress passed, and you signed, roll backs of important
environmental laws as riders to unrelated spending bills.
 
The first was the moratorium on the listing of endangered species
and critical habitat passed as a rider to the Defense Supplemental
Appropriations bill.
 
This moratorium has been in effect for almost one year.  It is the
first time in the ESA's history that the listings process has been
halted.  The results are irreversible damage to our nation's wildlife
heritage, as species inch closer to extinction and recovery becomes
more difficult and costly, if not impossible. 
 
Over 500 species are now awaiting listing decisions, with almost 250
dangerously close to extinction.  The Florida black bear, the Atlantic
salmon, the Pacific coho and steelhead, the jaguar, the Steller's sea
lion, and over 100 rare plants in California and Hawaii alone are
awaiting ESA protection.     
 
The second rider was the section of the Rescissions Act (P.L. 104-19)
which suspends our nation's environmental laws for timber sales on
public lands.
 
This "logging without laws" rider was described by writer Jessica
Matthews as "arguably the worst public lands legislation ever."  It
has caused the clearcutting of native forests, the entry of roadless
areas, the pollution of rivers, the loss of valuable wildlife habitat,
and the endangerment of fish. Ancient Forest which we thought
was protected is now being liquidated; green timber sales in the
Western Interior which couldn't pass environmental requirements are
now being rewritten as "salvage" sales.
 
You assured us that environmental standards would be met for
"logging without laws"  but ample evidence indicates that has not
been the case.  In the name of "forest health," our aquatic and
forest ecosystems are being assaulted.
 
Mr. President, we know that when you signed these laws you made
clear your opposition to each.  However, the damage the
environment has suffered has been severe and irreversible.  Please
use your influence now to halt the moratorium on listing of
endangered species, and repeal -- completely -- the "logging without
laws rider."  Enough harm has been done.   
 
Thanks for your consideration.