Fall 2007 Gulf Currents Newsletter

Published on January 2017 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 36 | Comments: 0 | Views: 343
of 8
Download PDF   Embed   Report

Comments

Content

GRN NEWS
Volume 11, Issue 3 September 2007

GULF DEAD ZONE AMONG LARGEST EVER
EPA CONTINUES TO STALL ON SETTING LIMITS ZONE-CAUSING POLLUTION
FOR

Inside this issue:

DEAD

Dead Zone (continued) The Katrinaversary: The Slow Path to Recovery

2

3 4

The Dead Zone has made its annual visit off the coast of Louisiana and Texas – and the news is not reassuring. The average size of the Dead Zone is growing, and this year’s 7,900 square mile area was the third largest since measurement began in 1985. As things get worse for the crabs, fish, and shrimp that must try to flee or suffocate in the oxygen-deprived Dead Zone, there has been little action on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce the pollution that is causing the problem.

Thank You AVEDA! GRN on the Ground and on the Move in Florida!

5

Member spotlight: Environment Texas The Dead Zone forms each year in the summer as nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. When Mississippi River water reaches the Gulf of Mexico, it is loaded with Network News Updates excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, sewage from Across the Gulf treatment plants, and other industries. The polluted water acts as a fertilizer, causing large blooms of algae. When the algae die, they sink to the saltier water below and decompose, thereby depleting the already low oxygen in the deeper water.

6

7

The Dead Zone poses tremendous risk to not only aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico, but also to the people who rely upon its resources. The value of the Gulf fishery is estimated at $2.8 billion per year. In years that the Dead Zone is at its largest, fishermen have to travel much further offshore to find brown shrimp, and usually end up catching less shrimp for the season. While these impacts already harm shrimpers, the chief concern is that a sustained Dead Zone could eventually result in a collapse of the entire Gulf ecosystem. This is already an unfortunate reality that has occurred in other parts of the world that experience similar lowoxygen conditions. The economic and social impact of such a crash would be felt all the way from coastal fishing towns in the Gulf to inland seafood consumers throughout the country. Despite the major threat that the Dead Zone poses, nitrogen
(Continued on page 2)

GRN CRITICIZES EPA’S DEAD ZONE POLICIES
(Continued from page 1)

pollution levels in the Mississippi River remain high, and current trends suggest that levels may be increasing in the future. One reason for an increase is that farmers are planting more fertilizer-intensive corn than they have in years. Driven by high demand for corn ethanol, farmers planted 92.9 million acres of corn this year, the largest crop in 63 years. Much of the fertilizer applied to fields is never captured by corn plants, and instead runs off the land and into local waters that eventually reach the Mississippi River. Scientists believe that roughly two-thirds of the nitrogen pollution that causes the dead zone is a result of agriculture. The rest of the pollution comes from sources such as sewage treatment plants and industry. While the size of the Dead Zone continues to increase, federal agencies have done very little to address the problem. Though nitrogen and phosphorus are some of the most common pollutants in our nation’s waters, the EPA has yet to set limits for how much of each pollutant should be allowed in water. As a result, sewage treatment plants and industry remain free to discharge large amounts of these pollutants, despite the fact that nitrogen and phosphorus cause the Dead Zone, as well as many other pollution problems throughout the country. At a meeting of the Dead Zone Task Force this summer, the Gulf Restoration Network criticized the EPA and the Task Force for their lack of action to address nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. However, industry and farm trade associations were present to push for further studies and less action. The Iowa Farm Bureau is now calling for more studies of the Dead Zone and the scientific processes involved, despite the fact that the EPA has now nearly completed its second multi-year comprehensive study of the Dead Zone and its

©2007 Nancy Rabalais

causes. A sewage treatment plant trade association has made the extreme statement that if the EPA were to put limits on nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from sewage treatment plants, it would “stop or eliminate economic growth.” It is imperative that such foundationless statements be challenged, and the GRN is working to ensure that the focus of the Dead Zone Task Force remains on reducing the pollution that causes the Dead Zone. The Gulf Restoration Network will continue to track the Dead Zone and push the EPA to establish limits to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. There are a number of upcoming opportunities to make sure that EPA and Congress take concrete steps to reduce the size of the Dead Zone. If you would like to get involved, you can start by visiting healthygulf.org to take action and send a letter to Congress, requesting that they fund programs to reduce the Dead Zone.

Keep up-to-date on conservation developments and our work in the Gulf at www.healthygulf.org/blog.

Page 2

SEPTEMBER 2007

THE KATRINAVERSARY: THE SLOW PATH TO RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY
August 29th. It is one of those anniversary dates of a cataclysmic event when someone asks, “Where were you?” If you are one who was directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina, the next question will likely be, “How are things going down there?” Congress by December 2007. It is vital that these two plans are actually integrated and do not just rely on levees and floodgates. They must take into account the flood mitigation, and ecological and social importance of the wetlands that are our first and most sustainable protection against hurricanes. To mark the Katrinaversary, the GRN

The short answer is that there have been many grand plans, few organized over 130 home and community of which have culminated in any screenings of Louisiana Public Broadcasting One ray of hope is that all of these real results. The one plan that and award-winning independent producer proposals and plans will bring the bears some hope of realization is Christina Melton’s documentary “Washing restoration and recovery of the the proposal to close the Away: Losing Louisiana,” which artfully Gulf Coast within the realm of Mississippi River Gulf Outlet illustrates the importance of Louisiana's possibility. Unfortunately, no (MRGO). Two years after the coastline and wetlands to all of America by matter how good any plans are, effort is gaining momentum telling the story of six Louisianans struggling there must be money available for which could shrink this cancer them to result in action. And, to recover from the aftermath of Hurricanes on Southern Louisiana’s Katrina and Rita. With events spanning from although Louisiana has a landscape. By December, the significant amount of federal Corps of Engineers is expected to Alaska to Florida, Maine to San Diego, and money to begin some restoration finalize a plan that will describe even an international event in Germany, we projects, it will take Congressional how this ever-widening know our coastal message was heard well navigation boondoggle will finally beyond the Gulf Coast. The GRN would like authorization and money to get the Corps to begin restoration in be closed. That’s the good news. to thank all our hosts for their efforts. earnest. The not-so-encouraging news is that the Corps’ plan will probably The most promising legislation under consideration, only address the physical closure of the canal and Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), would not the wetland destruction that the MRGO has make a major impact on the future of Louisiana’s caused since its completion in 1965. This vitally coast. The current bill, which passed the House in needed wetland restoration is then expected to be July, will help stop the continuing loss of wetlands addressed by two other proposals currently being that protect our communities from storms. developed by Louisiana and the Corps – yet more Regrettably, the Act does not require an independent plans without solutions! scientific review of Corps projects, nor does it contain a process to prioritize Corps projects. Although far On May 30th, the Louisiana Legislature approved from perfect, this bill is currently the only hope another long-awaited plan from the Coastal Louisiana has of moving forward, quickly and Protection and Restoration Authority. Called the comprehensively. Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, it is intended to integrate structural and non-structural coastal defenses. Ideally, this plan should work in conjunction with another plan that is currently being developed by the Corps, The Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Technical Report that is due in
Volume 11, Issue 3

Yet, despite its obvious value to the Gulf Coast, the President is threatening to veto WRDA on the grounds that it is too expensive. On this anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, will he remember his promise that the government would "stay as long as it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives." We must hold our government to this promise. We must ensure they authorize and fund projects that will protect our coast. Strong healthy wetlands are the lynchpin of healthy communities on the Louisiana coast, so we must remain vigilant in making sure these projects can move forward!
Page 3

©2007 NASA

THANK YOU AVEDA!
AVEDA SALONS & THEIR CUSTOMERS UNITE FOR A HEALTHY GULF
Once again, Aveda distributors the Neill Corporation and The Salon People joined with the Gulf Restoration Network to raise money for a healthier Gulf. During this year’s April Earth Month activities, salons across the southeast and their customers raised thousands of dollars for our Healthy Waters campaign and were invaluable in helping to raise awareness on the threats to our waters across the Gulf. The funds raised from this year’s Earth Month activities will support the following efforts: Protecting our Waters from harmful pollution including sewage. The GRN is producing a citizen’s guide entitled “Our Waters, Our Health.” The GRN will utilize this manual to train and empower concerned citizens across the Gulf to tackle sewage pollution issues in their communities. Preserving and Protecting Wetlands which help filter pollutants out of rivers and lakes. Wetlands also provide important storm protection for coastal communities. The GRN will continue to watchdog coastal development projects and the agencies that oversee them to ensure that wetlands are protected. Building a broader base of concerned and active citizens across the Gulf to ensure that state and federal agencies protect our waters. We at the GRN hope that you too will express your thanks to Aveda. Please take the time to visit your local Aveda salon. You can find the local salon on our web site. Your support of Aveda salons throughout the year translates into support for a company committed to protecting the natural resources of the Gulf region. Thanks to the Earth Month donations we received last year, the GRN launched our Save Our Cypress campaign. We have been working with our supporters across the country to pressure Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s to stop selling cypress mulch made from the Gulf’s best natural defenses.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEP 15 29 People's Conference, Louisiana Environmental Action Network, Sheraton Hotel Atrium, Baton Rouge. http://leanweb.org Hard Corps Training Made Easy, Comfort Inn Downtown, Memphis. Contact Corps Reform Network Coordinator George Sorvalis at [email protected] or 202-797-6617. Voodoo Music Experience, City Park, New Orleans. www.voodoomusicfest.com/2007 GRN is the nonprofit partner. Visit our booth! Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Public Hearing, Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi Katrina Disaster and Sustainable Coastal Development: An Integrated Perspective and the Role of Land and Water Sciences, New Orleans. www.acsmeetings.org JAN 10 14 Coastal Bend Bay Foundations’ 5th Annual Conservation & Environmental Stewardship Awards Program, Corpus Christi. www.baysfoundation.org or 361-882-3439. Protecting Communities By Reforming the Army Corps of Engineers, Corps Reform Network 2007 Annual Meeting, Hilton Garden Inn, New Orleans. [email protected] or 202797-6617. Ecosystem Functions and the Dynamic Atchafalaya River from the Old River Control Structure to the Continental Shelf, Louisiana Room, LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge.

DEC 2-4

OCT 26-28

29 NOV 2 4-8

Page 4

SEPTEMBER 2007

GRN ON THE GROUND AND ON THE MOVE IN FLORIDA!
After several years of successful planning and fundraising to establish a presence in Florida, GRN opened its first Florida Office in June and hired Joe Murphy as the Florida Programs Coordinator. Joe is a former GRN Board of Directors member, a native Floridian, and has been active in conservation issues in Florida since 1990. The new office is centrally located in west/central Florida, and we are looking for active volunteers to get involved in our campaign efforts in Florida. The Florida Office has expanded GRN’s daily, on-the-ground operations in the state. GRN is focusing on two priority issues in Florida: Healthy Waters and Protecting Habitat for Endangered Species. Ongoing efforts to protect cypress forests and wetlands in Florida, protect Florida’s coastal water quality, and protect places like Florida’s Nature Coast will define GRN’s work in Florida in 2007. GRN has also worked to influence appoints to the FFWCC, and oppose bad development permits. To find our more about our new work, staff, and office in Florida please contact Joe Murphy at 352-583-0870, or via email at [email protected].

CHARLIE CRIST: GOVERNOR GREEN? WE WILL SEE…
After eight years of Governor Jeb Bush’s poor environmental record in Florida, the conservation community and the public were eager for a change. Hopes ran high with the 2006 election of Gov. Charlie Crist who was reputed to have a better environmental record. With only six months under his belt, Gov. Crist highlighted global warming in his State of the State speech. So is Gov. Crist also “Gov. Green?” Well, in some ways yes and in some ways no. On the positive side, Crist came out early in his tenure in opposition to a massive road project called the Heartland Parkway. This classic “road-to-no-where” would have been a can opener to the country side leading to massive sprawl and coastal water pollution in central and southwest Florida. He also opposed a string of new proposed coal fired power plants along the Gulf Coast of Florida and near the Everglades. It seemed as though the Governor was just warming up! Earlier this year, Crist held a statewide summit on climate change. What could have simply been a photo opportunity with some empty rhetoric was actually a historic and groundbreaking event where he committed to serious policy changes. Floridians are very excited and proud that our state is leading the commitment to energy reform. Unfortunately, not all of the news is good news. Crist recently appointed three new commissioners to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), all heavily tied to the land development community. This does not bode well for an agency charged with protecting wildlife. GRN was one of fourteen groups who signed a letter urging Crist to select better candidates. He has also come out as a strong proponent of the new Bay County Airport. This classic boondoggle will lead to overdevelopment in the panhandle. As part of this project, the US Army Corp of Engineers just granted a wetland fill permit that will lead to thousands of acres wetlands being destroyed. So, the jury is still out on Governor Crist. GRN will continue to work with the governor and promote sound and good environmental policy. We hope that the commitment that we have seen on energy will be seen on wildlife and clean water.
Page 5 Volume 11, Issue 3

Environment

Texas
Environment Texas, headquartered in Austin, TX, is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. Our professional staff combines independent research, practical ideas and tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of powerful special interests and win real results for Texas' environment. Environment Texas draws on over a decade of success in tackling our state's top environmental problems. Environment Texas focuses exclusively on protecting Texas' air, water and open spaces. They speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives. In 2007, Environment Texas helped pass HB 12 in the Texas Legislature ensuring substantial funding increase in the state budget for parks. organization helped build support for HB 12 by documenting the plight of the parks in two reports, producing a short film narrated by Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke, sending the State Parks Express RV on a 1500 mile road trip around Texas, educating more than 100,000 Texans about the issue through a door to door canvass, telephone calls and direct mail, and generating thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and petitions in to key legislative offices. The group also joined forces with Health Professionals for Clean Air, The Houston Citizens Environment Coalition, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office to hold an event calling on Congress to establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard. This would require that utilities generate 20% of their electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2020, an issue that was debated in the United States House and Senate in August. In July, Environment Texas released Feeling the Heat: Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United States a new report showing that as scientists have documented globally, many Texas cities are also seeing trends of higher temperatures. To obtain a copy of the report go to www.environmenttexas.org. They garnered support for H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act, which would limit global warming pollution to levels that current science says are needed to prevent its worst effects. Environment Texas 15 Brazos, Suite 600 Austin, Texas 78701 Phone: (512) 479-0388 Fax: (512) 479-0400 www.environmenttexas.org

Founded in 1994, the Gulf Restoration Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.

Board of Directors
Robert Hastings - Chairman Montgomery, AL Mark Davis - Secretary/Treasurer Tulane Institute for Water Policy and Law New Orleans, LA Juan Parras Citizens’ League for Environmental Action Now Houston, TX Bob Schaeffer Public Policy Communications Sanibel, FL Louis Skrmetta Ship Island Excursions Gulfport, MS Susan Spicer Bayona Restaurant New Orleans, LA Page Williams Sierra Club—Lone Star Chapter Houston, TX Robert Wiygul Waltzer and Associates Ocean Springs, MS

Staff
Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director Aaron Viles, Campaign Director Dan Favre, Campaign Organizer Matt Rota, Water Resources Program Director Jeff Grimes, Asst Director, Water Resources Stephanie Powell, Outreach Assoc, Water Resources Briana Kerstein, Director Organizational Development Jessica Netto, Development Coordinator Lynn Powers, Office Manager Joe Murphy, Florida Program Coordinator Casey DeMoss Roberts, Special Projects Coordinator Amy Medtlie, Outreach Assistant Marianne Cufone, Fisheries Consultant

Page 6

SEPTEMBER 2007

NETWORK NEWS
UPDATES FROM MEMBER GROUPS ACROSS THE GULF
The GRN Issues Annual Report for 2006
The year 2006 was a year of great victories and growth here at the GRN, and we've managed to capture it all in a beautiful Annual Report. From beating Shell Oil to protect Gulf fisheries to helping close MR-GO, the action-packed story is all there. You can download the report on the GRN homepage, www.healthygulf.org.

GRN Campaign Director Gets Leadership Award
We are proud to announce that Aaron Viles, GRN’s Campaign Director, has won the Sarah Forslund Fund for Environmental Leadership Award. Aaron was selected for his outstanding leadership and commitment to creating a more sustainable future. For more information on Sarah Forslund Fund visit: www.sierrafund.org/content.php?content.92

FEMA Acknowledges Formaldehyde Problem in Trailers
Sierra Club volunteers and staff working to expose formaldehyde problems in FEMA trailers recently won a big victory in July. The U.S. House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform held hearings that exposed that FEMA knew about high formaldehyde levels in some of their travel trailers. Testing done by EPA for FEMA showed that even after being thoroughly ventilated for three weeks, FEMA trailers averaged more than three times over the limit for formaldehyde. Many residents of Louisiana and Mississippi living in trailers since the hurricanes of 2005 have been experiencing serious health problems. For more information on this issue, see www.toxictrailers.com.

Gulf Guardian Awards
The Gulf Guardian Awards were created in 2000 by the partnership of the Gulf of Mexico Program to recognize environmental excellence in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. In 2005, the Gulf of Mexico Program partnership added a new Bi-national category, to recognize successful cooperative projects between the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. GOMP is now accepting applications for the 2007 awards. First, Second and Third place winners are awarded in 7 categories. All 21 winners receive an impressive marble and glass memento at a special ceremony. For more information go to: www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfgaurd.html.

International Ocean Institute Opens First US Center at University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
USF St. Petersburg has been designated as the first Operational Center of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) in the United States. Founded in 1972, as a knowledge-based, non-governmental, non-profit organization, the IOI promotes the sustainable use of the ocean and coastal resources through education, outreach, and research programs. The International Ocean Institute challenges the university to be an international steward that actively promotes awareness, education, and research.

GOT NEWS OR EVENTS?
If you are a member group, we invite you to share your news or events with us. Whether it’s a short update on a current campaign or a full page article, we’d like to hear what you’re up to. Please send submissions to [email protected].
Volume 11, Issue 3 Page 7

United for a Healthy Gulf

P.O. Box 2245 New Orleans, LA 70176 Phone: (504) 525-1528 Fax: (504) 525-0833

www.healthygulf.org

The GRN would like to thank the following for making this newsletter, and the work of the GRN, possible: The Arntz Family Foundation, Aveda, The Booth-Bricker Foundation, The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Currents of Change, The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, Patagonia, The Joe W. and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trust, The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and The RosaMary Foundation.

PROTECT WETLANDS, PROTECT OURSELVES
As we ride out another hurricane season, we on the Gulf Coast know the importance of safeguarding our natural defenses. The Gulf Restoration Network is working hard to ensure that the state and federal coastal restoration and protection plans adequately address the need for protection and restoration of natural storm barriers such as coastal wetlands and barrier islands. Your support helps us in this vital effort. Please be as generous as you can to help us safeguard all the natural resources that protect and enrich our coastal communities. Thank you in advance.

Mail to: GRN, P.O. Box 2245, New Orleans, LA 70176 __$50 __$75 __$150 __$30(min memb.) ______Other THANK YOU! Please make your checks payable to GRN

Name: __________________________________ Address: ________________________________ City: ___________ State: ______ Zip: _____ E-mail:__________________________________

Printed on recycled paper using vegetable-based ink

Sponsor Documents

Or use your account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Forgot your password?

Or register your new account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close