• U.S. Bans Civet Imports to Prevent SARS Spread
  
• Mad Cow Puts One in Five Americans Off Their Beef
  
• Major Corporations Pledge Greenhouse Gas Reductions
  
• Staples Takes Back Used Electronics for Recycling
  
• Court Again Rules Against Snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park
  
• Parks Advocates Plead for Funding
  
• $2.2 Million Goes to Revitalize New York City Waterfront
  
• Satellites Aid in Study of Wintering Loons
  

U.S. Bans Civet Imports to Prevent SARS Spread

Though the link between the animal and disease is not proven, today's announcement says the decision is intended to prevent transmission and spread of SARS, which is fatal in about 10 percent of cases.

The embargo, which applies to dead and live civets as well as civet products, will remain in place until further notice. Civet products that have been processed to render them noninfectious, such as fully taxidermied animals and finished trophies, are not included in the embargo. The ban does not apply to those who received permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to import civet cats for educational or scientific purposes.

Highly contagious, SARS was first discovered started in Guangzhou, China in late 2002 and began to spread in 2003 as travelers carried the disease to other countries. By the time the global outbreak ended in July 2003, SARS had appeared in 29 countries. More than 8,400 people fell ill with the flu-like disease; almost one thousand died.

SARS is caused by a coronavirus, similar to those pathogens that cause cold and flu. Scientists suspected that SARS might behave like those diseases and reappear when cold weather returned to the northern hemisphere. So far three suspected or proven SARS cases have appeared in China this season - all in Guangzhou.

Public health officials in China are investigating the possibility is that the virus, unknown in the human population before last year, leapt from animals to humans through consumption or handling of the cat sized civets. Guangzhou has several restaurants where wild animals, including civets, are on the menu. One of the suspected SARS cases this season is a waitress who worked in such a restaurant.

On January 8 an international team of public health experts from the World Health Organization traveled to Guangzhou, China where the SARS cases were found. The six-person group will join with counterparts from China's Ministry of Health to look into the potential human, animal and environmental sources of the SARS infection.

WHO's team is headed by Dr. Robert Breiman, a CDC epidemiologist who is an expert in emerging infectious diseases.

Mad Cow Puts One in Five Americans Off Their Beef

The question asked was, "A cow was recently found with mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in Washington state. Do you think this will affect what or where you eat, or does it make no difference?"

Twenty-one percent of respondents said their eating patterns would change in response to the threat of mad cow disease, a fatal brain-wasting illness that can be transmitted to cattle or humans through consumption of infected meat.

Seventy-eight percent of these people say that they would eat less beef while 16 percent of them indicate that they will stop eating beef altogether.

A majority of 88 percent expressed confidence that the government will take necessary steps to avoid the spread of mad cow disease in the United States - 45 percent say that they have a great deal of confidence, and 43 percent say that they have some confidence.

Opinion is split as to whether the government's rules for feeding cattle and inspecting beef have been too lax or were sufficient. Forty-four percent of respondents said the government's rules were too lax or lenient; 33 percent say the rules were sufficient; and 23 percent were not sure.

"If the people who believe they will eat less beef actually do so, beef sales will take a serious short-term hit, and sales of poultry, lamb, pork and fish will rise," says Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll at Harris Interactive. "However, if no further cases of mad cow disease are reported, eating habits are likely to return to what they were before very long."

Major Corporations Pledge Greenhouse Gas Reductions

3M of St. Paul, Minnesota pledged to accomplish a 30 percent cut in total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from 2002 to 2007. 3M is a $16 billion technology company with offerings in consumer and office, display and graphics, electronics and telecommunications, transportation, health care, industrial, safety, security and protection services. The company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries.

3M is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and also is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.

International Paper of Stamford, Connecticut pledged to reduce its total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent from 2000 to 2010. The paper, packaging and forest products company has management of 12 million acres of forestlands, operations in 40 countries, employs more than 90,000 people and exports its products to more than 120 nations.

Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, New York pledged to reduce its total worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent from 2002 to 2008. The imaging company serves the consumer, healthcare, commercial printing and imaging, optics, and cinematography sectors.

With today's announcements, 20 of the 54 companies in the Climate Leaders program have set emissions reduction goals. The EPA estimates that if the companies meet these targets they will prevent a total of 7.5 million metric tons of carbon equivalent per year.

These reductions go beyond the expected rate of improvement in their respective industry sectors and are equal to the greenhouse gas emissions of five million cars per year, the agency said.

The program also added 13 new companies – Caterpillar, Gap, Frito-Lay and Xerox among them.

Companies in the Climate Leader program report emissions of the six major greenhouse gases from all major on-site emissions of greenhouse gases and emissions related to the electricity they purchase.

Companies may also report emissions and reductions from a number of other activities including investments in offset projects.

Staples Takes Back Used Electronics for Recycling

The effort is part of EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling campaign that promotes electronics recycling by working with manufacturers and retailers, including AT&T Wireless, Best Buy, Dell, Envirocycle, Inc., Intel, JVC, Lexmark, Nxtcycle, Panasonic, Recycle America Alliance, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc., Sharp, Sony, and Staples, to increase public awareness and sponsor collection events.

“EPA is looking to other manufacturers and retailers to follow the partnership lead in providing Americans more convenient access to safe recycling of their old electronics,” said Barry Breen, an official in the EPA's office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, who officially unveiled the new partnership.

Electronics are a fast growing portion of America's trash, with 250 million computers destined to become obsolete by 2005, said Breen. Electronics can present an environmental hazard if they are disposed of improperly, because they contain mercury, cadmium, lead, brominated flame retardants and other toxics.

With an average of four pounds of lead in many older TV picture tubes and computer monitors, along with other potentially hazardous materials, electronic products call for special handling at the end of their lives, he said.

Under the partnership with Staples and the Product Stewardship Institute, electronics manufacturers Apple, Brother, Dell, Epson, Intel, Lexmark, Panasonic, Sharp, and Sony will pay for the recycling of their name brand products taken back to Staples.

A recycling company called Envirocycle will ensure safe recycling of these products.

EPA expects to partner with manufacturers and retailers to conduct additional pilot projects in the Pacific Northwest and Minnesota in the coming year. The states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire will undertake the first pilot project in 26 retail stores.

As part of the CES trade show, EPA held an Environmental Recognition Luncheon Saturday to announce the new pilot, commend its partners and recognize Philips Consumer Electronics as the winner of the Innovations Award for Environmental Design for their 30” LCD FlatTV.

The special award was created by the Consumers Electronics Association to recognize companies for integrating environmentally friendly characteristics - efficient and clean energy use, innovative manufacturing processes, durability and end-of-life resource conservation - into their products. Philips’ 30” LCD FlatTV features at least 40 percent less energy consumption and weighs significantly less than comparable products.

The Product Stewardship Institute, operating out of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, assists state and local governments to work with industry to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. The largest show of consumer electronics in the world, the CES drew over 110,000 attendees and 2,300 exhibitors from more than 110 countries.

For more information on the Plug-In To eCycling program, go to: http://www.plugintoecycling.org.

Court Again Rules Against Snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park

But even with reduced numbers of snowmobiles, problems continue. Monday, the National Park Service announced that the "worst case of illegal snowmobile use ever recorded" on Yellowstone's West Entrance road has damaged trees and shrubs in park meadows.

Today's ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a bid by the snowmobile industry to overturn the phaseout less than a month after it began. Manufacturers were seeking to reinstate a decision by the Bush administration to increase the number of snowmobiles in the park beyond historic averages. The administration's decision was ruled illegal last month by another federal judge who said it violated laws intended to protect national parks.

Today's court ruling to continue the snowmobile phaseout drew praise from Betsy Robinson, park guide and business owner of Bozeman, Montana. "I guided 25 visitors to Old Faithful earlier this month. Having made the same trip in many previous winters, I'm certain that Yellowstone is moving in the right direction. We still heard and smelled snowmobiles. But we experienced less air pollution, less noise," she said.

On December 16, 2003, Judge Emmet Sullivan of the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC issued an order to set aside a recent National Park Service (NPS) winter use plan and rule that allowed for limited snowmobile use in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway.

Instead, the November 18, 2002 regulation is in effect. That rule phases out snowmobile use in the three parks in favor of multi-passenger snowcoaches.

The decision to phase out snowmobile use was signed in a November 2000 Record of Decision, with the rule to implement that decision signed in January 2001. The rule called for the gradual phaseout of all recreational snowmobile use by the winter season of 2003-2004 in favor of NPS managed mass transit snowcoaches.

The November 18, 2002 rule delayed the implementation of this decision for one year to allow the NPS to complete the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and plan for the transition to mass transit snowcoaches.

Jackie Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies guide service based in West Yellowstone, Montana supports today's court ruling. She said, "There's no question that our town depends on visitors, but it's essential that we help them visit Yellowstone in a way that preserves the park. What we are slowly transitioning to - snow coach access into the park - is not just a wise environmental plan for Yellowstone; it's also a smart business plan for a town bordering a national park."

Effective the winter of 2004-2005, oversnow motorized recreation access to the three parks will be by NPS managed snowcoach only, with limited exceptions for continued snowmobile access to other public and private lands adjacent to or within Grand Teton National Park.

Roger Kennedy, former director of the National Museum of History and former director of the National Park Service, said, "This decision keeps Yellowstone's recovery on track. It's a victory for due process and sound science and for all Americans who have said they want the first national park protected for their children and grandchildren."

Parks Advocates Plead for Funding

"Our national parks are in triage," said Americans for National Parks Campaign Director Blake Selzer. "Protection of our national heritage should be a national priority."

The fiscal year 2004 budget included a $55 million increase for national park operations - barely covering cost of living increases at most parks and needs in visitor safety and education, scientific research, and historic preservation.

National parks are operating, on average, with less than two-thirds of needed funding - an annual shortfall in excess of $600 million. Americans for National Parks is seeking $240 million in the fiscal year 2005 budget toward this need.

Representatives from a diverse group of organizations, including Republicans for Environmental Protection, City of West Hollywood, the Grand Canyon National Park Foundation, the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, the Association of National Park Rangers, and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance signed the letter, which was delivered to the White House today.

Recognizing the economic and recreational benefits of well funded national parks, several city council members and chambers of commerce also signed the letter.

The more than 350 members in the Americans for National Parks coalition include chambers of commerce, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, government municipalities, and tourism and trade associations.

$2.2 Million Goes to Revitalize New York City Waterfront

“Communities across the Empire State are recognizing the value and potential of their waterfront areas, and we are pleased to help them with projects that will improve the quality of life of their residents,” Governor George Pataki said Friday. “These EPF grants will help local communities improve their waterfronts and expand public access, while also boosting tourism and economic development opportunities.

“The rebirth of New York’s waterfronts is well underway and these grants will help local communities fulfill their visions for these areas,” the governor said.

Secretary of State Randy Daniels, who oversees the Department of State’s Division of Coastal Resources, said, “Governor Pataki has created a strong partnership between the state and local communities to advance projects that will have long term economic, environmental and cultural benefits, and these grants illustrate the success of these efforts.”

The $2.2 million in EPF grants for New York City will fund a variety of projects. Three of the largest grants will go to improve Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs.

Fresh Kills, the landfill that took all the debris from the World Trade Center towers destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, is being targeted for reuse as open space. The New York City Department of City Planning will spend $350,000 of the grant funding to complete a draft master plan for the reuse of the 2,200 acre former landfill site.

Building on the results of the international design competition, the selected consultant team, Field Operations, will seek public and agency input into the master planning process, and will develop an Environmental Assessment Statement and Public Scoping Document for the GEIS.

In the Northwest Staten Island/Harbor Herons Area, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will spend $350,000 to restore 3.5 acres of salt marsh and upland habitat and construct a boardwalk and canoe launch site at Main Creek, a tributary of Fresh Kill in northwest Staten Island.

And $250,000 will be spent on public amenities to the recently reconstructed 845 foot, city owned Pier One in St. George, Staten Island, located directly south of the ferry terminal and adjacent to the former U.S. Lighthouse Services Depot.

A grant of $225,000 will go towards landscape restoration and interpretation of historic resources at Conference House Park. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will alleviate severe erosion at Ward’s Point in historic Conference House Park. The project will include removal of invasive species, bioengineering with native vegetation, and restoration of the park’s rare hackberry forest. Paths will be reconfigured to reduce foot traffic in sensitive areas and educational materials will be developed to increase stewardship of the park’s forests and archeological resources.

The New York City Department of Planning will us a $170,000 grant to enhance public and visual waterfront access at Belden Point, the terminus of City Island Avenue at the southern tip of City Island. The project will include development of conceptual plans, preparation of designs and specifications, construction of public amenities, and interpretation of City Island’s maritime heritage.

Bronx and Westchester counties will receive $200,000 for waterbody management planning for the Bronx River Watershed. Under New York City sponsorship, and in coordination with Westchester County, the Bronx River Alliance will develop an intermunicipal waterbody management plan for the river to ensure a consistent and comprehensive approach to improving water quality.

A small grant will go a long way toward enhancing the little known Bronx River Forest Area. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, in coordination with the Bronx River Alliance, will implement the New York State Coastal Resources Interpretive Program to interpret the resources and ecological restoration activities along the Bronx River in the Bronx River Forest Area. This $20,000 project is intended to increase public understanding of the area’s resources and values, and will complement ongoing projects including flood control, environmental restoration, and Greenway and Blueway Trail development.

Other projects include a land use and development plan for the 300 acre Brooklyn Navy Yard on the East River, master planning and cesign for the WNYC transmitter site on the East River in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The project will examine site constraints and opportunities, esplanade and pier possibilities, and potential reuses of the former radio station building.

Under New York City Department of Parks and Recreation sponsorship, the Riverside South Planning Corporation will design and rehabilitate the West 69th Street transfer bridge as a public pier and ferry and water taxi landing with a grant of $250,000. The transfer bridge will be conveyed by the Riverside South developer to the Department of Parks and Recreation as part of Riverside Park South Phase II.

Three underused parks will be improved with a $100,000 grant. Highbridge Parks in Manhattan and the Bronx, Astoria and Long Island City Waterfront Parks in Queens, and Red Hook and Coffey Parks in Brooklyn will benefit from identification and visioning with key community stakeholders, planning small pilot events and projects, development of outreach materials, and the launch of targeted programming.

Satellites Aid in Study of Wintering Loons

Using satellite techniques, the ACLP will study loon migration to expand conservationists' understanding of common loon natural history. The project will identify migration routes, staging areas, and wintering grounds important to the birds that summer in New York's six million acre Adirondack Park.

"ACLP's loon migration research will fill in missing gaps about the life history of Adirondack loons," said program coordinator Dr. Nina Schoch.

Associated with both the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, Schoch explains that, "By understanding where loons migrate once they leave the Adirondacks, conservationists will be able to better protect these magnificent birds at both their breeding and wintering areas."

In August 2003, ACLP and U.S. Geological Survey scientists equipped two Adirondack loons with satellite transmitters to record the birds' southerly migrations, which, until now, had been unknown. The birds have been tracked as far south as New Jersey. This project will be expanded in future years to outfit additional birds with transmitters.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin Crotty said, "This study will help identify important aspects of the loon's life cycle and will be useful in assessing problems this species encounters in New York State and throughout the Northeast to help further protect the Common loon population." The DEC is providing some of the funding for the study.

High on the food chain, these long-lived birds are indicators of overall environmental health of the area. Current research by the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program is leading to improved knowledge about population trends and factors, such as mercury pollution, that impact the Adirondack loon population. The ACLP is a partnership of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, the DEC, the BioDiversity Research Institute of Falmouth, Maine, and the Audubon Society of New York.

This loon migration research project is a joint effort between ACLP, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The study will complement research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Midwest and in New Hampshire to better determine migration routes, staging areas, and wintering grounds important to North American loon populations.

Find out more at: http://www.adkscience.org/loons