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International Panel to Review New Mad Cow Regulations WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is convening an international panel of experts to review current regulations related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman says.Testifying Wednesday before the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, Veneman said the Bush administration's response to the discovery of a single case of mad cow disease in Washington state was swift and appropriate. USDA officials first learned of the BSE positive test result on a downer cow in Mabton, Washington December 23 and publicly announced the finding the same day. The international panel, which will begin meeting in Washington within days, includes experts that investigated the single case of BSE announced May 20 in Canada and an expert from the World Organization for Animal Health, or OIE. Veneman said the panel will review USDA rules on testing of individual cows and surveillance of herds for signs of the disease. It also will review monitoring systems at meat processing plants and testing laboratories, she said. Most industry analysts are satisfied with the USDA response so far, said Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, the committee's chairman. The response includes the banning for human consumption meat from animals too sick or injured to stand or walk unassisted - called downer animals - and strengthening regulations to keep central nervous system tissue out of the food supply. Brain and spinal cord tissue can contain abnormal proteins known as prions, which are the agents of the disease. The regulation related to central nervous system tissues "mirrors" one adopted in Canada after its discovery of a case of BSE in Alberta, Veneman said. Veneman added that the USDA plans to double the number of downer animals it will inspect for BSE in 2004 from 20,000 to 40,000. The secretary promised to speed the adoption of a national animal identification system, which will help with the quick identification of animals' herdmates and sources of feed. Because the infected cow identified in Washington state had been tagged by its originating dairy farm in Canada, she said, locating members of the same herd was made easier. More than 30 countries have announced bans of U.S. beef imports since the BSE case was announced. In 2003 Japan was the largest market for U.S. beef in terms of value and Mexico the largest in terms of volume. Veneman praised decisions by Canada and the Philippines to reopen their markets to low risk U.S. beef products. About 10 percent of U.S. beef is exported, Veneman said, amounting to about $3.8 billion in trade in 2003.
Lawsuit Filed to Force Atlantic White Marlin Protection WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - Environmentalists have filed suit challenging a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service not to list the white marlin as an endangered species. The groups allege the federal agency's conclusion that listing was "not warranted" ignored ample evidence that the species is in trouble and in need of protection."We are confident the courts will overturn this unlawful decision," said Brendan Cummings, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. The Turtle Island Restoration Network joined the Center in filing the suit last week in federal district court in Washington, DC. The primary threat to the white marlin is commercial fishing, which accounts for some 99 percent of the reported mortality for the species. More than 90 percent of this mortality is as bycatch in longline fisheries seeking swordfish and tuna. Some scientists estimate white marlin has plummeted to six percent of their pre-exploitation levels. Federal biologists and conservationists say current harvest levels are unsustainable, but the Bush administration is reluctant to impose stricter regulations on longline fisheries. Scientists believe there are two Atlantic populations of white marlin, which are impacted by the fishing fleets of numerous countries. Protecting the South Atlantic population would require international agreements, but the plaintiff groups say the United States has a unique opportunity to protect the North Atlantic population. The primary spawning and feeding habitats of North Atlantic population of white marlin are in U.S. waters and listing the species would give the National Marine Fisheries Service further authority to close those critical areas to longline fishing, "We may not be able to save the South Atlantic white marlin, but we can save the North Atlantic population since it spends much of its adult life in U.S. waters," said James Chambers, a fisheries biologist and author of the original petition seeking protection of the white marlin under federal law. "Doing so will also help restore healthy populations of North Atlantic blue marlin, swordfish and sailfish since they use the same hot spots for spawning and feeding," Chambers said.
Capital District River Pollution Lands EPA in Court WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The Anacostia River flows through the nation's capital city, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is failing to set appropriate limits on pollution flowing into the river, environmentalists say in a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court.Earthjustice, representing Friends of the Earth, filed the lawsuit charging that pollution caps approved and issued by the EPA are insufficient to clean up the Anacostia. The river is so severely polluted that the government warns District of Columbia area residents of health risks from swimming or fishing in its waters. Pollution in the Anacostia is caused by the discharge of sewage and storm water runoff into the river during and shortly after rainfall. Much of the Capital District is still served by an antiquated combined sewer system that cannot handle the flow. Sewage from homes and businesses is combined with rainwater draining from streets, and it all flows through the ancient system. Even relatively light rainfall can exceed the capacity of the pipes, resulting in the discharge of raw sewage and storm water directly into the river. The federal Clean Water Act requires the EPA to address continuing pollution problems plaguing the Anacostia by approving or establishing "total maximum daily loads" (TMDLs) for each relevant pollutant. These loads must be set at a level necessary to bring the Anacostia into compliance with federal water quality standards. Friends of the Earth alleges that the first two TMDLs established for the Anacostia - one for biochemical oxygen demand and one for total suspended solids - are too weak and allow continued violation of water quality standards. The environmental organization says the TMDLs allow averaging of pollution levels over long periods of time - as much as a year - even though the Clean Water Act requires that TMDLs be set as "daily" limits. "We have been battling for years against pollutant discharges into the Anacostia River," said Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder. "By putting a stamp of approval on pollution caps that will not do the job, EPA is not only breaking the law, but also robbing District residents of the chance to enjoy this wonderful river."
Federal Auditor Blasts Pentagon's Munitions Cleanup Plan WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has made limited progress in its program to identify, assess, and clean up sites contaminated with military munitions, according to a report from the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, the General Accounting Office.More than 15 million acres in the United States are suspected or known to be contaminated with military munitions. These sites include ranges on military installations that are in the process of being shut down, closed ranges on active installations, and formerly used defense sites. The DOD is required by law to assess and clean up these sites - an effort the military estimates will cost some $8 billion to $35 billion. As of September 2002, the DOD had identified 2,307 potentially contaminated sites. Officials say they continue to identify additional sites and are not likely to have a firm inventory for several years. The report by the General Accounting Office says the Defense Department does not have a complete and viable plan for cleaning up these sites. There are 1,387 of these potentially contaminated sites that the DOD has not begun or not completed its initial evaluation or has determined that further study is needed before a cleanup plan can be written, the report details. The DOD's plan does not "contain goals or measures for site assessment and cleanup," for these sites the GAO reports. The Defense Department says it intends to use a new procedure to assign a relative priority for these remaining sites, but will not complete the reassessments until 2012. But by then, the General Accounting Office report warns, the DOD's preliminary cost estimates can change greatly and cleanups may rely on the reallocation of funds that may not be available. The report recommends that the Defense Department develop a comprehensive approach to revising its plan in order to establish firm deadlines for completing its inventory, reassess its timetable for completing risk assessment of potential sites, and establish specific targets.
Maryland Overrides Governor's Veto of Energy Efficiency Bill ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The Maryland General Assembly voted Tuesday to override Governor Robert Ehrlich's veto of a 2003 measure to increase the state's energy efficiency standards. The lawmakers voted 92 to 47 to enact the bill, which sets energy efficiency standards for certain new appliances and equipment sold in Maryland starting in 2005.The Maryland Senate voted 32 to 15 last week to override Governor Ehrlich's veto. Environmentalists and energy efficiency advocates hailed the move and said it reflects growing frustration with the federal government's failure to move on the issue. "Congress dropped the ball on similar national energy efficiency standards," said Gigi Kellett of the Maryland Public Interest Research Group. "Now, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and others should act to improve the efficiency of appliances sold within their borders." The new law will set minimum efficiency standards for nine products commonly sold or installed in the state of Maryland, including commercial clothes washers, freezers and refrigerators as well as ceiling fans and torchiere lights. Ehrlich, the state's first Republican governor since 1966, said he vetoed the bill because he believes such standards should be set by the federal government. Supporters say the law could save more than 200 megawatts in 2010 and 400 megawatts in 2020. It is also expected to save Maryland consumers and businesses some $30 million by 2010 and $600 million by 2020. If such standards were implemented nationally, it could save some 16,500 megawatts and $27 billion through 2020, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Maryland's action could have impacts that "reach far beyond its borders," said Steve Nadel, executive director of ACEEE. "It encourages other states to take similar action, and pushes Congress and product manufacturers to come to consensus at the national level." Similar legislation is now being considered in other states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and many of the New England states.
New Mexico Wins Accelerated Cleanup Funds for Sandia Lab ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The Department of Energy has reached an agreement with the New Mexico Environment Department on the terms of a consent order that will facilitate accelerated environmental cleanup at Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico.The consent order is the culmination of many months of negotiations between the DOE, Sandia National Laboratories and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson served as Energy Secretary in the Clinton administration, so he is familiar with all the details of contamination at Sandia and all of the other 16 national laboratories administered by the Department of Energy. The consent order means that an additional $2.4 million will be provided by DOE’s Office of Environmental Management from its accelerated cleanup account, approved by Congress to fund targeted cleanup projects at facilities around the DOE complex. The additional amount brings the DOE's total Sandia funding commitment to $20.3 million for fiscal year 2004. From 1945 to the present, Sandia National Lab has generated, treated, stored, disposed of, and otherwise handled solid wastes, hazardous wastes, hazardous waste constituents, and hazardous wastes mixed with radioactive wastes. This handling, storage, treatment and disposal of wastes have caused hazardous waste and hazardous constituents to be released into the environment. Wastes released include chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents, high explosives, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, nitrates, and radionuclides. In several locations, there has been contamination of the regional aquifer, from which many entities including the city of Albuquerque draw drinking water. No drinking water wells currently in use by the city are contaminated by Sandia operations, according to NMED. There are a total of 126 sites at Sandia National Lab that require corrective action. Under the consent order, these sites will be cleaned up following ironclad schedules that the state will enforce with stipulated penalties of up to $3,000 a day if deadlines are missed. “The DOE believes that this agreement is in the best interest of all parties and the public,” said Jessie Roberson, DOE assistant secretary for environmental management. “We are willing to support agreements that are negotiated in good faith and will provide funding to support the terms of those agreements. The agreement with the New Mexico Environment Department demonstrates the DOE’s willingness to work with state governments to find solutions to environmental issues.” The consent order has been issued for a 30 day public comment period by the New Mexico Environment Department. Once finalized, the order satisfies congressional requirements for the additional $2.4 million accelerated cleanup funding to be released to the site. This agreement is the 17th such agreement in the DOE complex to facilitate a site's access to additional accelerated cleanup dollars. “The successful conclusion of this order shows that this Department can work with DOE and that DOE can work with an order that is enforceable by the state,” said NMED Secretary Ron Curry. “The willingness of Sandia to sit down and hammer out an order that protects the health of New Mexicans gives me hope that DOE may come to their senses on Los Alamos National Laboratory.” For Los Alamos National Laboratory, NMED's baseline cleanup commitment, which does not include accelerated cleanup funds, stands at $77 million for fiscal year 2004.
Park Police Chief Yanked for Revealing Low Staffing Levels WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - The oldest, largest and most prestigious organization of police chiefs has joined law enforcement rank and file organizations calling for the reinstatement of U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, according to letters released Tuesday by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).The International Association of Chiefs of Police has written to Interior Secretary Gale Norton citing the “tremendous respect among her peers” that Chief Chambers enjoys and requesting that “consideration be given to allowing this proven, outstanding performer” to remain. Last December, days after Chambers gave an interview to a "Washington Post," reporter in which she spoke of low staffing levels at the National Park Service, Park Service Deputy Director Donald Murphy placed Chambers on administrative leave, stripped her of law enforcement credentials, and imposed a “gag order” barring her from granting any further interviews. The U.S. Department of Interior, the parent organization for the Park Service, is now determining Chambers’ professional fate. Chambers has attracted much support from her follow police officers. Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey who worked closely with Chambers on a range of local enforcement issues, said, “All I know is Teresa Chambers is one hell of a police chief. I think it's a huge mistake if they get rid of her. She has a lot to offer in this region.” Organizations representing both current park police officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, District of Columbia Lodge #1, and retired officers, the Retired United States Park Police Association, have both come out in support of Chambers. “Those people who know her best, who have worked both with her and for her, give Chief Teresa Chambers a ringing vote of confidence,” said PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch. “These organizations are taking action because the Chambers case has come to symbolize a fight for integrity in law enforcement.” Less than a week before proposing Chambers' termination, the Park Service offered to forego pursuing any disciplinary action and fully restore her as Chief if she would agree to allow Deputy Director Don Murphy to screen all future media and congressional contacts, according to a document released by PEER. The offer, extended by Interior Associate Solicitor Hugo Tuefel and reaffirmed by Murphy himself, was made to Chambers and her lawyer, Peter Noone of the Belmont, Massachusetts firm of Avery, Dooley, Post, & Avery, on December 12, 2003 in a meeting held at the U.S. Geological Survey headquarters in Reston, Virginia. In return for not pressing a list of alleged violations, the officials asked that Chambers agree to have no media contact or communication with Congress without prior approval as to the contact and content of these communications – a requirement that amounted to continuation of the “gag” order Murphy had already imposed on her. Chief Chambers rejected the offer, concerned that continued micromanagement and interference from Murphy would have rendered her and the United States Park Police ineffective. Although this offer was extended with a request for confidentiality, last week Park Service officials breached that confidentiality when they revealed information about the settlement negotiations to members of Congress. On December 2, Chambers had filed a complaint against Murphy for harassment. Hours later Murphy ordered her to cease interviews of any kind. Three days later she was ordered by Murphy to surrender her badge, sidearm, and identification to armed Special Agents of the National Park Service who then, at Murphy’s direction, publicly escorted her from the building. On December 18, the National Park Service formally proposed to terminate Chief Chambers on the same charges they had been willing to drop just one week prior. Since then, the Park Service has rebuffed further attempts to settle the matter.
Victims of Natural Disaster Can Call for Free Financial Help WASHINGTON, DC, January 22, 2004 (ENS) - A new free financial advisory service has been established to help those affected by natural disasters and national emergencies in their recovery.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Los Angeles based Operation HOPE, Inc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding Wednesday initiating the new service. Under the new agreement between Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and HOPE Coalition America, disaster victims who contact FEMA following a Presidentally declared disaster or emergency will be directed to HOPE Coalition America to receive free financial counseling. The joint venture was established last November when thousands of Californians faced economic uncertainty as a result of the wildfires that devastated Southern California. "The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are committed to accessing every available public and private means to support those impacted by natural disasters and emergencies," said Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge. "Operation HOPE is one of the nation's leading efforts in promoting economic literacy, and we are pleased that these private sector leaders are making their expertise available to people in times need." HOPE Coalition provides free economic counseling to workers and families affected by disaster. Originally created after the September 11th terrorist attacks and supported by financial institutions, HOPE Coalition's staff and volunteer bankers provide clients with the practical information and tools they need to rebuild their financial lives . HOPE Coalition America and its private sector, government and community partners have assisted more than 1,000 people from 125 cities in 35 states, and have provided one-on-one economic counseling to almost 700 people nationwide. They offer advice on budgeting, home ownership, personal financial organization and working with creditors. Referrals to emergency relief, job training and job placement programs are offered, as is placement in long term economic empowerment programs. "The United States has the world's strongest network of first responders to the immediate health, safety and infrastructure needs after disasters, and HOPE Coalition America will make it even stronger by working to address the economic and financial challenges of communities that are devastated by disasters," said John Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE and HOPE Coalition America. "Working in partnership with government, community, and the private sector, we will help restore the faith and rebuild the lives of families and small businesses who suffer economically from natural disasters and national emergencies." People affected by natural disasters or national emergencies can contact HOPE Coalition America by calling 1-888-388-HOPE or by visiting: http://www.hopecoalitionamerica.org
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