AMC Conservation Action Network News
October 1999

National Issues:

Land and Water Conservation Fund
Air Quality
Roadless Areas in National Forests

Regional Issues:

Delaware Water Gap Trails Management Community Preservation, Massachusetts
Maine Land Bond Bill

NATIONAL NEWS

Land and Water Conservation Fund: Earlier in the summer, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to allocate $30 million for the state grants program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and $4 million for Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery grants (UPARR). This month, the Senate included $20 million for the state grants program of LWCF and $1.5 million for UPARR. For both programs this is a significant increase in funds. The differences between the House and Senate versions need to be worked out in a conference committee. Neither allocation goes the full distance of providing full and permanent funding to LWCF. There is still time to help make this happen this year.

What you can do:

1. Support LWCF by contacting your Representative or Senators directly through our website: www.outdoors.org/Conservation then click on "act now." Tell your representatives in Congress that LWCF support is bipartisan and this program, if fully and permanently funded, can ensure that generations will benefit from parks, boat access areas, bikeways, campgrounds, forests, clean rivers and ball fields. Or call the Capitol switchboard to reach your Representative's or Senators: 202-224-3121.

2. Attend an activist training and become educated about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and related programs, learn about the annual Appropriations process and become an effective advocate for the Northern Forest and the Highlands region, October 2-4, in Washington DC. For information and to register, contact nfa@nfainfo.org or call 802-223-5256 x10.

3. Attend a strategy meeting for LWCF advocates on October 27th in Boston, MA from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. RSVP to lminnear@amcinfo.org

Air Quality: This month the Senate voted against allowing the Department of Transportation to update the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (C.A.F.E.) Standards. These standards set the minimum level of fuel efficiency that the auto industry must attain. The current standards require cars to meet a fleet-wide average of 27.5 mpg. For pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles, the fleet-wide average is set at 20.7 mpg. The standards were set over a decade ago. The technology exists to increase fuel efficiency in cars, but Congress has not yet had the courage to require the auto industry to meet higher standards.

What you can do: Remind your Senators how important it is to reduce CO2, smog emissions, save consumers money (with the high gas prices) and conserve precious fossil fuels. Contact your Senators directly through our web site: http://www.outdoors.org/Conservation then click on "act now." Or call the Capitol switchboard to be connected to your Senator's office: 202-224-3121.

Roadless Areas in National Forests: This month, the Senate defeated an effort that would have established limits on the amount of logging and road building allowed in National Forests. The amendment would have targeted $33 million from the US Forest Service budget to be redirected away from road building and logging and towards forest restoration, fish and wildlife conservation and watershed rehabilitation. The vote was 54-43 against the amendment. What you can do: Almost all of the Senators in AMC's region voted for the amendment, except Senators Snowe (R-ME), Smith (I-NH), and Santorum (R-PA). Let these three Senators know that this was an unpopular vote. Otherwise, thank your Senators for their support. To contact your Senator, call the Capitol switchboard 202- 224-3121 or contact your Senators directly through our web site: http://www.outdoors.org/Conservation then click on "act now."

REGIONAL ISSUES

Delaware Water Gap Trails Management Plan: The National Park Service (NPS) has extended the public comment period on the Draft Trails Plan for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area until October 5, 1999. For more information: go to http://www.nps.gov/dewa/press-ea.html or contact the National Park Service, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Bushkill, PA 18324

Community Preservation, Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Community Preservation Act. If this bill becomes law, communities will be able to choose to raise funds for open space protection, historic preservation and affordable housing through a real estate transfer tax or through a surcharge on property taxes. This legislation is designed to provide towns and municipalities with the autonomy to take steps to control sprawl and maintain the uniqueness of the community. The next challenge is to pass the bill in the House.

What you can do: Urge your state representative to support the Community Preservation bill. For more information: connect to http://www.environmentalleague.org/activist_network.html.

Maine Land Bond Bill: On November 2nd, Maine voters will have the chance to support a $50 million bond bill for land protection. This will fund the Land for Maine's Future Board, which has protected 66,000 acres throughout the state since the last bond act was funded in 1987. At this point, those funds have all been used. For this reason, the state has been unable to respond to the dramatic shifts in land ownership over the past year, when 4 million acres were for sale. The Land for Maine's Future program has protected among other places, the Nahmakanta tract, the Cutler Coast, Sebago Lake beach and Grand Lake stream over the past twelve years.

What you can do: Vote for this Land Bond bill. Encourage your friends and neighbors to vote for this as well.