• Panel Finds No Danger From Playground Wood
  
• Lawsuit Planned Over Puget Sound Orcas
  
• Michigan Voters Approve Millions for Conservation
  
• Contrails Linked to Temperature Changes
  
• Wandering Skipper Listed as Endangered
  
• Court Petition Seeks Protections for Pronghorn
  
• Dawn Donates Money to Aid Oiled Wildlife
  
• Increasing Corn Yields May Cost Just Peanuts
  

Panel Finds No Danger From Playground Wood

The panel of six physicians was appointed last year at the request of the Florida Department of Health to study the use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative that contains arsenic.

"The amount of arsenic that could be absorbed from playground soil and CCA treated wood is not significant compared to natural sources and will not result in detectable arsenic intake," the panel wrote in a report issued this week.

As a result, the physicians concluded that the level of "arsenic in or around CCA treated wood in playgrounds and recreational facilities does not appear sufficient to adversely affect the health of children or adults."

The wood products industry says the report supports their assertions that wood treated with CCA is safe for a variety of uses, including playground equipment.

"After a year spent reviewing all aspects of CCA treated wood, this expert panel of doctors came to a simple conclusion - CCA treated wood is safe for use in playsets," said Parker Brugge, executive director of the Treated Wood Council and president of the American Wood Preservers Institute. "Treated wood has been used safely for nearly 70 years. Based on this report, parents can be assured that children can safely play on recreational equipment made of preserved wood."

The Florida Physicians Arsenic Workgroup conducted an extensive review of the medical literature concerning the toxicity and carcinogenicity of arsenic, its environmental and natural occurrence, bioaccessibility and bioavailability, and past medical uses.

"Used since the 1960s, CCA treated wood has never been linked to skin diseases or cancer in children exposed during recreational use," the panel wrote.

In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached an agreement with the construction industry to reduce the use of CCA treated wood in homes, playground equipment and other consumer goods. By January 2004, the agreement would move consumer use of treated lumber products away from wood treated with CCA in favor of new alternative wood preservatives.

The initiative affects almost all residential uses of CCA treated wood, including wood used in play structures, decks, picnic tables, landscaping timbers, residential fencing, patios and walkways/boardwalks.

Environmentalists have argued that the measures do not move far enough, or fast enough, to protect the public health. Last December, 13 national, regional and state environmental groups petitioned the EPA to ban CCA and other wood preservatives, including dioxin containing pentachlorophenol (penta).

After the EPA's February announcement, the groups said that while they welcome any action that reduces continued exposure to these chemicals, which are linked to cancer, nervous system damage and birth defects, they say that there is no justification to allow continued public exposure because alternative materials are available.

"Nothing short of a ban of all uses of the hazardous wood preservatives will protect the public from the chemical's short and long term adverse health effects," said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides, the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides. "Since less toxic and non-toxic alternatives are available for all wood preservative uses, it is wrong and unnecessary to allow any use to continue," Feldman added.

More information on the EPA announcement is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/citizens/1file.htm

Information from the wood treatment industry is available at: http://www.treatedwood.com

A copy of the Florida report is available at: http://www.preservedwood.com

Lawsuit Planned Over Puget Sound Orcas

Acting on a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and 11 other groups and individuals to list this group of orcas, or killer whales, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, NMFS determined that the Puget Sound population of orcas is a discrete population, and is in danger of extinction. However, the agency determined that the whales did not meet the criteria of a "significant" population - criteria that the environmental coalition calls "subjective."

The groups issued a 60 day notice of intent to sue this week, challenging NMFS decision not to protect these whales. The coalition argues that the Endangered Species Act protects discrete populations of rare species within the United States, even if the species may survive in other nations or in international waters.

"This was an historic and ominous determination: we know of no other determination where an agency baldly stated that it won't protect an endangered species because it considers the species insignificant," said Brent Plater, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. "This lawsuit will ensure that Puget Sound's killer whales are protected, and that the Fisheries Service never makes such a blatantly illegal determination again."

The Center for Biological Diversity was joined by Ocean Advocates, Orca Conservancy, Friends of the San Juans, People for Puget Sound, Project SeaWolf, former Secretary of State Ralph Munro, Karen Munro, Earth Island Institute, and other groups in filing the 60 day notice.

Over the past six years, the population of Puget Sound resident killer whales has declined by almost 20 percent, leaving only 78 individuals in the population at the end of the 2001 survey year. The cause of the current decline appears to be the combined effects of high levels of toxic pollutants, a population decline in their preferred salmon prey, and human disturbances.

Instead of listing the Southern Residents as endangered, NMFS has begun considering whether the Southern Residents should be classified as "depleted" under a different statute, the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The coalition argues that assigning the whales a depleted status will not address the threats now facing the population.

"The 'depleted' designation is a sham, because it is only useful to address threats such as unsustainable harvest levels and fishery bycatch. But we know that neither of these threats are impacting the Southern Residents," said Fred Felleman of Ocean Advocates. "The Fisheries Service is using this as a way to deflect attention away from the whales so their inaction on salmon declines and the threat of oil spills won't be noticed by the public."

More information is available at: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/orca/index.html

Michigan Voters Approve Millions for Conservation

Business leaders, conservationists and environmental leaders around the state cheered Tuesday's passage of Proposal 2, which will increase the money available for several state environmental funds. The measure was approved by 62 percent of voters.

"Passing Proposal 2 means more money for local parks, lakes and wildlife," said Garret Johnson, director of government relations for the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. "We thank the voters for their continued support for preserving Michigan's natural heritage."

In 1976, Michigan became the first state in the nation to establish a land trust fund supported by revenues generated from the exploration and production aspect of oil and gas industry. Since its inception, more than $540 million has been used to finance more than 1,200 recreational projects throughout the state.

Proposal 2 will increase the amount of funds available for several state funds, including the Michigan State Park Endowment Fund and Natural Resources Trust Fund, at no cost to taxpayers. Money for the Trust Fund and endowment fund comes from royalties received from oil and gas revenue on state owned land leased to private companies.

The measure will adjust the cap on the Trust Fund from $400 to $500 million and allow up to one third of the Trust Fund revenue to be spent each year. It will also allow half of the money that goes into the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund every year to be spent on state park improvements.

The proposal will also allow for further investments in the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, Game and Fish Trust Fund, Civilian Conservation Corps Endowment Fund and the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.

"We're grateful that the voters took the time to understand such a complex issue," said Dennis Fox of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). "MUCC is proud to have again enhanced the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The changes in Proposal 2 mean an additional $750 million in funding for outdoor recreation and conservation."

The Nature Conservancy-Michigan Chapter, MUCC, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Recreation & Park Association joined with other organizations to form the Funds for the Future Committee in support of Proposal 2. Others involved in supporting Proposal 2 included: Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Oil And Gas Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Michigan Chemistry Council and the Michigan Environmental Council.

"This diverse coalition really came together to demonstrate the spirit of collaboration," said The Nature Conservancy's Johnson. "Their work really paid off. We also owe a great deal to the media for helping us get the word out. Virtually every paper in the state endorsed Proposal 2, and we're certain that made the difference in the support shown at the polls."

Contrails Linked to Temperature Changes

David Travis, a climatologist at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, conducted a study that offers some of the first evidence for the climate changing effects of the wispy trails left by jets. His results appear to indicate that jet contrails - short for condensation trails - are leveling off "diurnal temperature ranges" in certain regions of North America, making average days cooler and nights warmer than normal.

The contrails and climate connection was almost impossible to quantify before the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the resulting three day shutdown of all commercial airline traffic. The satellite data from September 11-13 provided scientists with a view of almost contrail free skies for the first time in a half century.

Travis' research team, which includes Penn State University geographer Andrew Carleton and UW-Whitewater undergraduate Ryan Lauritsen, used satellite images to compare cloud cover from those three days to 30 years of data for mid-September. Then they reviewed daytime and nighttime surface air temperatures across North America collected from 4,000 weather stations.

The group calculated the 30 year climate norm for those three days, using temperature data from the same sources between 1971 and 2000. A final step was to calculate the "diurnal temperature range," which is the difference between the warmest spike during daytime and the coldest point of night.

When compared against the 30 year record, the group found that diurnal temperature ranges on September 11-13, 2001 expanded as much as three to five degrees Fahrenheit. That was more than double any random year to year variation over that time.

The researchers also found sharp regional differences in temperature change - ones that correspond closely with where contrails form. Contrails, which are formed by a combination of below freezing temperatures and high atmospheric moisture, are most common through the nation's midsection, the northeast and the northwest.

The biggest temperature changes, as much as five degrees, were in those regions.

"Scientists have been noticing unusual changes in diurnal temperatures for quite some time, but can't explain why," said Travis. "We're providing one possible explanation here. Maybe jet contrail coverage is one of the reasons for this shrinking temperature range."

Travis said the findings may complicate the global warming debate, since in some regions contrails offset the temperature increases predicted in global warming models. The study also underscores the point that not all climate drivers are global, as factors like contrails can make a difference on a regional scale.

The U.S. military first began contrail studies in the 1960s because of the fact that they give away fighter jet locations. Travis said there is no evidence contrails pollute, and some have argued that reduced diurnal temperature ranges could save heating and cooling costs in major cities.

But, Travis added, it would be harder to find more tangible, visible proof that human activity affects climate.

"Unlike greenhouse gases, we can all look up in the sky and see contrails and imagine how they might increase cloud coverage," Travis said.

The study appears in today's issue of the journal "Nature."

Wandering Skipper Listed as Endangered

The Carson wandering skipper is a small, tawny orange butterfly found only in northwestern Nevada and northeastern California.

"We know of only two populations of the skipper, and both are threatened with habitat destruction," said Robert Williams, supervisor of the USFWS Nevada office. "Butterflies are important environmental monitors. They react to slight changes in their habitat, which can be a signal that something is wrong in that area."

One of a dwindling number of Carson wandering skippers. (Photo by Virginia Rivers, courtesy USFWS)

The action was taken because the butterfly's two remaining populations face numerous threats including off road vehicles, livestock grazing, nonnative plant invasion, development and other human activities. Pending water export proposals at both sites would likely lower the ground water and contribute to the loss of salt grass, the butterfly's larval food source.

Action was taken on the butterfly as part of a settlement agreement announced by Interior Secretary Gale Norton and several conservation groups in August 2001. The agreement was intended to free up funds that had been set aside for litigation and allowed the USFWS to evaluate several species in need of federal protection, including the skipper.

The two skipper populations - one in Washoe County, Nevada, and one in Lassen County, California - are found on a mixture of state, federal and private lands. Due to the small, isolated nature of the known populations of the butterfly, the populations face immediate extinction threats from natural events and human activities, the USFWS says.

"The Carson Wandering skipper has a very tight relationship with its host plant (saltgrass) and adjacent nectar sources," said Mace Vaughan, staff entomologist for the Xerces Society, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates.

"Because its habitat requirements appear to be very specific, it will be important that any suitable habitat is protected and surveyed for the butterfly right away," Vaughan added.

The Xerces society filed a petition to list the skipper as an endangered species in November 2000, but the USFWS refused to accept the petition because the insect was already on the agency's candidate list, where it had remained without further agency action since 1984.

The butterfly has now been listed thanks to a negotiated settlement between the USFWS, the Center for Biological Diversity, the California Native Plant Society and the Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Project.

More information is available at: http://nevadafwo.fws.gov/species/carsonskipper.htm

Court Petition Seeks Protections for Pronghorn

The endangered pronghorn's habitat has been fragmented by grazing allotments, a military bombing range, and activities by at least seven federal agencies, leaving the animals unable to move to better foraging areas in the face of an ongoing drought.

Defenders of Wildlife has filed a motion in federal court charging Interior Secretary Gale Norton with failing to meet the requirements of a February 2001 ruling. The ruling, by U.S. District Court Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, called on Norton to analyze the cumulative impact of the activities of various federal agencies - including the Border Patrol, Bureau of Land Management, the Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service - on the pronghorn, and explore whether any of these activities should be curtailed.

Defenders is asking the judge to enforce her previous court order. The group also wants Judge Huvelle to order the removal of cattle now grazing on 90,000 acres of federal grazing allotments, and the removal of fences around the allotments that impede the pronghorns' search for water and forage.

This year, drought conditions have led to the loss of almost all new fauns, and killed at least four otherwise healthy adults that could not find enough food and water. Biologists estimate that the U.S. population of the Sonoran pronghorn is down from 250 animals a few years ago to between 50 and 80 animals this year.

"Deserts go through droughts. But for the Sonoran pronghorn, this particular drought is even worse than usual because the animal's habitat is so badly cut up by public grazing, military activities, and damage from ill advised water management," said William Snape, vice president for law and litigation at Defenders of Wildlife. "While the Fish and Wildlife Service has acknowledged that these animals are in real trouble - and that more than just the weather is to blame - it's tough to take them seriously when Secretary Norton is thumbing her nose at steps the court has ordered her to take."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service have announced plans to take emergency actions in southwestern Arizona to help the pronghorn, such as providing new sources of water and food.

"This is a red alert situation," said H. Dale Hall, USFWS Southwest regional director. "The drought is posing a severe threat to a subspecies already low in numbers. But with our partners, we are committed to doing everything we must to keep this animal from extinction."

Dawn Donates Money to Aid Oiled Wildlife

From now through December 31, consumers can help raise funds for two leading animal rescue groups when they purchase Dawn through the Save-A-Duck campaign. Dawn will donate 10 cents per bottle sold during these months to the International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) and Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research.

To involve families in the effort to safeguard wildlife, Dawn is offering thousands of dollars in educational grants for wildlife related classroom programming for school children in kindergarten through grade six that save and redeem the most caps from bottles of Dawn by November 15, 2002. Individual grants of $10,000, $3,000 and $2,000 will be awarded to the classrooms that collect the most caps.

Dawn is also releasing special broadcast and print ads that focus on the cleanup of aquatic birds that have been affected by oil spills. The ads will encourage viewers to visit http://www.saveaduck.com to learn and do more about rescuing wildlife.

For more than two decades, many animal rescue groups have chosen Dawn to clean aquatic birds affected by oil spills, because the dishwashing liquid is effective at cleaning and removing oil while being gentle to birds' feathers and skin. The brand has donated thousands of gallons of its product to rescue efforts.

"We have tried all kinds of cleaning solutions, but we continue to choose Dawn, the dishwashing liquid, as it does an effective job of removing oil while being gentle to birds' feathers and delicate skin," said Jay Holcomb, executive director of the IBRRC in Fairfield, California.

Although major oil spills have decreased in the U.S., smaller accidents still happen everywhere and have a major effect on wildlife. Animals encounter harmful oily substances every day, such as runoff from lawnmowers, boats and streets soaked in oil from cars and trucks.

"At IBRRC, we are working hard to limit the impact of oil spills, whether large or small, on our planet's wildlife," said Holcomb. "Each bird that we rescue brings hope for the future of wildlife. We appreciate the makers of Dawn bringing pollution issues to the attention of the general public so that they can also play a role in the survival of our wildlife."

The success rate for rehabilitating oil spill victims has increased from a mere three percent up to 90 percent, depending on the type of spill.

"We are proud of the role we've been able to play in the rescue of wildlife affected by oil spills for over twenty years," said Kristen Nostrand, home care marketing director at Procter & Gamble, the makers of Dawn. "Now we're calling on Americans to join with us in our expanded effort to save aquatic birds and teach young people to respect them and all wildlife."

Increasing Corn Yields May Cost Just Peanuts

Corn, the preferred staple crop in many countries, requires large amounts of nitrogen for its growth, making fertilizer a necessary addition to sustain good yields. Penn State graduate student Ylva Besmer is trying to find ways to improve corn yield for subsistence farmers in Zimbabwe without fertilizer.

"The government of Zimbabwe no longer provides a subsidy for fertilizer, resulting in significantly lower corn yields," said Besmer, a doctoral candidate in ecology. "The old fashion use of legumes (members of the bean family) in crop rotations may prove to be a solution to this problem because of their ability to fix nitrogen and, thus, provide nitrogen for subsequently grown corn."

"We have shown in Zimbabwe, however, that legume growth and nitrogen fixation can be limited by the availability of phosphorus in the soil," Besmer added.

In order to improve nitrogen fixation in legumes, farmers mush somehow increase the availability of phosphorus in the soil.

"Mycorrhizal fungi are common in nature. They colonize the roots of many plant species including legumes," Besmer explained on Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in Tucson.

"These fungi live symbiotically with their hosts, absorbing phosphorus from the soil, and transporting it to the root systems," she continued. "In preliminary tests we have shown that enhanced mycorrhizal colonization of a number of legumes grown in soil from Zimbabwe increases nitrogen content indirectly by increasing phosphorus uptake."

Besmer said she chose to look at peanuts because they are a member of the legume family often grown by subsistence farmers.

"Peanut growth and nitrogen content was strongly limited by phosphorus availability, and by amending the soil with mycorrhizal fungi, peanut nitrogen content was significantly increased," reported Besmer.

Besmer is working with Roger Koide, professor of horticultural ecology, and Robert Myers, soil scientist with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), to find ways to increase the abundance of the beneficial mycorrhizal fungi in Zimbabwean soils.

"While peanut was a logical crop to study, it may not be the best legume to use in Zimbabwe to enhance soil fertility for corn production because most of the nitrogen resides in the nut, which is harvested and removed from the soil," Besmer noted. "Another legume, commonly called lablab, looks promising because it grows more vigorously and its stems and leaves contain more nitrogen."

The best way to use any legume to increase soil fertility is to plow most of the plant back into the soil or let animals graze on the plants and allow their manure to fertilize the field, she added.

"For subsistence farmers in the semi-arid tropics, the proper selection of legumes coupled with simple practices to increase the abundance of naturally occurring mycorrhizal fungi could sustain or increase corn yields without fertilizers," Besmer concluded.