Thought you all may want to know what is going on . Received this from one of
our bird club members today .
----- Original Message -----
From: caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: larnersky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 11:09 AM
Subject: FW: Endangered Species Act at Risk!!!
I thought you might want to forward this to other bird club members.
Caroline Sheridan
-----Original Message-----
From: audubonaction@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:audubonaction@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 5:39 PM
To: caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Endangered Species Act at Risk!!!
BREAKING NEWS:
CONGRESS TO VOTE ON EXEMPTIONS TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT!
The U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives are set to vote on a proposal
to give the Department of Defense (DOD) an exemption from portions of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) on or near military installations in the United
States. This proposal will have devastating effects on endangered, threatened
and recovery bird and wildlife species. And while the measure is designed with
one specific military base in mind, it's written so broadly it could affect
many other military bases in the U.S.
The proposal exempts DOD from following provisions of the ESA that prohibits
them from tapping into resources (critical habitat) necessary for the survival
of endangered and threatened species. While Audubon understand DOD's need to
expand its bases, blanket exemption of environmental laws can result in
irreparable harm to the environment - not to mention opening the door for other
government agencies to seek the same relief. DOD should examine all other
alternatives prior to seeking exemptions from our nation's laws.
The specific base is Ft. Huachuca (wah-choo-kah) in Arizona, where DOD is
looking to expand its facilities. Such development will require them to divert
additional water from the nearby watershed - water that would normally flow
into the San Pedro River -- a congressionally-designated national Riparian
Conservation Area, and one of the richest biological reserves in all North
America. The San Pedro River has been recognized as the first "Globally
Important Bird Area", and one of the world's premiere birding spots. It
provides habitat for more than 400 bird species, and is a critical stopover for
nearly one-half of all migratory birds in the United States. As it is already
being dewatered as a result of water consumption demands of Ft. Huachuca,
further water diversions threaten the River's survival.
While the House will indeed pass this measure as a part of its Supplemental
Appropriations Bill on Thursday, May 23, we have a chance to defeat this in the
Senate. But we can't do it without your help! PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TWO U.S.
SENATORS TODAY AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE EFFORTS TO GIVE DOD AN EXEMPTION FROM
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AT FORT HUACHUCA OR OTHER MILITARY INSTALLATION IN
THE UNITED STATES. You can reach your Senators by calling (202) 224-3121, or
click onto this link and send your free FAX to them today:
http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/contact/default.asp?subject=53
The Senate is expected to take action before Friday, so please make your call
or send your fax as soon as possible! Thank you for your help!
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