ࡱ> JLIY  ?bjbjWW -P== ;]VVVVVVVjjjjj~$j!$ V VVVVjjVVVV0VV5UjjNative Plant Conservation Campaign News November/December --Economists to Bush: Conservation=jobs December 3, 2003 For more information, contact: Noelwah Netusil (Portland, OR): 503-517-7306; Jason Shogren (Cheyenne, WY): 307-766-5430; Arthur Caplan (Logan, UT): 435-797-0775 Charles Kolstad (Santa Barbara, CA): 805-893-2108; Ed Whitelaw or Ernie Niemi (Eugene, OR): 541-687-0051 ECONOMISTS TELL PRESIDENT BUSH AND GOVERNORS THAT GREATER EFFORT TO CONSERVE THE ENVIRONMENT WILL STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY OF WESTERN STATES Eugene, Oregon-- More than 100 economists from across the country today sent a letter to President Bush and the governors of eleven western states, telling them that protecting and enhancing the quality of the region's natural environment would strengthen the ability of western communities to generate more jobs and higher incomes. The list of signers includes two Nobel laureates: Kenneth Arrow of Stanford University and Robert Solow of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The letter is available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letter.pdf"www.econw.com/pdf/120303letter.pdf Background information is available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letterbkgd.pdf"www.econw.com/pdf/120303letterbkgd.pdf The economists observed, "The West's natural environment is, arguably, its greatest, long-run economic strength" because it underlies "a quality of life that contributes to robust economic growth by attracting productive families, firms, and investments." They concluded, "Nearly all communities of the West will find they cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy environment. The environment's contribution to economic prosperity, however, faces serious threats, including air and water pollution, urban sprawl, the extension of roads and other development into roadless public lands, and fragmentation of habitat for native fish and wildlife. Jason Shogren, Stroock Distinguished Professor of economics at the University of Wyoming, explained, "Some people seem to believe that protecting the environment harms the economy. It is clear from this letter that economists from across the West disagree. They are saying that protecting environmental quality is essential for sustaining economic prosperity in the western states." "The fact that this many economists felt compelled to send this statement at this time suggests the high degree of concern they have with environmentally harmful actions that purportedly help the economy but in fact undermine it," added Ed Whitelaw, President of ECONorthwest and a professor of economics at the University of Oregon. The economists asked the president and the governors to initiate a review of actions by their administrations that affect the environment and the economy. This review should fully describe the economic benefits and costs of actions significantly affecting the environment, reinforce those actions that strengthen the economy by protecting or restoring environmental quality, and arrest those that damage the economy by degrading the environment. This review also should identify opportunities for improving both the environment and the economy, such as eliminating expensive subsidies for environmentally harmful activities. Numerous opportunities exist and they are important because "the sooner we seize these opportunities, the sooner the West will enjoy more jobs, higher incomes, and greater prosperity." The economists conclude that, "Public officials can best promote long-run economic prosperity in the West by encouraging efficient transitions away from harmful activities toward those beneficial to both the environment and the economy." The economists signing the letter come from each of the eleven western states, as well as elsewhere in the US. For more information on conservation economics visit the Native Plant Conservation Campaign (NPCC) Conservation Economics website: HYPERLINK "http://www.cnps.org/NPCC/Economics.htm"http://www.cnps.org/NPCC/Economics.htm Emily --Policies that threaten Link to an updated (12/03) listing of Bush administration environmental initiatives affecting native plants, biodiversity, public lands:  HYPERLINK http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/PDFs/BushFedTable12.03.pdf http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/PDFs/BushFedTable12.03.pdf --Science v. policy on the Missori River For Immediate Release November 5, 2003 Contact: David Hayes, Latham & Watkins, (202) 637-2200; Tim Searchinger, Environmental Defense, (202) 387-3500 ext. 3344 Chad Smith, American Rivers, (402) 477-7910 Eric Eckl, American Rivers, (202) 347-7550 ext. 3023, (202) 486-7877 (cell); Linda Shotwell, National Wildlife Federation, (703) 438-6083 Bush administration sidelines seasoned Missouri River scientists Copies of the October 29 memo are available at HYPERLINK "http://www.amrivers.org/docs/manson_memo_to_williams_10-29-03.pdf"http://www.amrivers.org/docs/manson_memo_to_williams_10-29-03.pdf (Washington, DC) Conservationists warned today that the Bush administration is preparing to sacrifice scientific integrity for political expediency in the management of America's longest river. Conservationists have obtained an Oct. 29 memo from Assistant Interior Secretary Craig Manson to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, removing the agency's Missouri River experts from the job of producing a new "biological opinion" on steps needed to prevent the extinction of three species in the Missouri River. The task will instead be assigned to a new team of biologists inexperienced with the species or river in question. "It appears to us that political appointees at the Interior Department are putting tremendous pressure on federal scientists to reach politically expedient conclusions, regardless of their scientific validity," said Chad Smith, director of American Rivers' Nebraska Field Office. "The subtext of this order is 'since you won't give us the answer we want, we'll ask someone else.'" In 2000, the Fish and Wildlife Service issued the current biological opinion, based on ten years of work, requiring modest efforts to restore some of the natural flow patterns on the Missouri River to halt its pronounced ecological decline and prevent the extinction of three species. This basic requirement was reviewed and endorsed by an independent panel of scientists and by the National Academy of Sciences. A federal judge ruled this summer that the current biological opinion is legally binding. "There is no justifiable reason for replacing a dozen experts with a decade of experience with a completely new bunch, particularly when distinguished outside scientists have repeatedly said the existing team is getting it right," said Tim Searchinger, attorney for Environmental Defense. Senior Bush Administration officials have stated over the last couple of months that they vehemently oppose any flow changes despite the conclusion by the Corps of Engineers that these changes would also improve the economy along the river. The Corps of Engineers has therefore requested a new opinion from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Last month, in an unannounced development, the administration prohibited Fish and Wildlife Service scientists from obtaining independent peer review prior to releasing a new opinion. Conservationists expect that the forthcoming new opinion will omit any call for restoring the Missouri River ecosystem with reforms in dam operations and will instead endorse the use of various mechanical and technical "band aids" that have been discredited in reputable scientific circles. "This action signals that the Bush administration intends to base management of the Missouri on politics rather than on sound science," said John Kostyack, senior species conservation counsel for the National Wildlife Federation. "If politics do win out over science, we stand ready to defend the health of the Missouri River in court." Assistant Secretary Manson has made a number of high-profile commitments to use of sound science to make endangered species decisions. In particular, he testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on October 3, 2001 that "I agree with the view expressed by both the President and Secretary Norton that our natural resources public policies must be informed by sound science." That testimony is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2001/mansonenr.htm"http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2001/mansonenr.htm In addition, Assistant Secretary Manson testified before the House Resources Committee on March 20, 2002 that, "Our data and scientific information must meet the highest possible ethical and professional standards. At the outset, I want to say that improving our science has been one of Secretary Norton's highest priorities, and it will be one of mine." That testimony is available at HYPERLINK "http://laws.fws.gov/TESTIMON/2002/MansonESA3.20.htm"http://laws.fws.gov/TESTIMON/2002/MansonESA3.20.htm More information on the Bush Administration's treatment of science in environmental and public health management can be found on Rep. Henry Waxman (CA)'s "Politics and Science" website: HYPERLINK "http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/index.htm"http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/index.htm or on the California Native Plant Society's "Eye on the Bush Administration" site: HYPERLINK "http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/"http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/ --Thousands of species threatened with extinction November 18, 2003 Oblivion threat to 12,000 species Another 2,000 species have been added to the annual Red List of the world's most endangered animals and plants. The "official" catalogue produced by IUCN-The World Conservation Union now includes more than 12,000 entries. This year, IUCN has highlighted the problems faced by many island habitats which it claims face a bleak future. It says many native animals and plants on the Seychelles and the Galapagos, for example, are being driven to extinction by invasive species. Alien battle Since AD 1500, IUCN says 762 plants and animals have vanished, with another 58 known only in cultivation or captivity. Achim Steiner, the organisation's director-general, said: "While we are still only scratching the surface in assessing all known species, we are confident [the list of 12,259 species] is an indicator of what is happening to global biological diversity. "Human activities may be the main threat to the world's species, but humans can also help them recover - the Chinese crested ibis, the Arabian oryx and the white rhino are just a few examples." The Red List threat categories are critically endangered (extremely high extinction risk in the wild); endangered (very high risk); vulnerable (high risk); near-threatened (close to qualifying as vulnerable); and least concern (this includes widespread and abundant species). IUCN says island wildlife is being lost through the effects of invasive alien species, which have driven to extinction four plants from Ascension Island that were found nowhere else. Barren lands Other Atlantic islands, including Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and the Falkland Islands also face "unrelenting" pressure from invaders, grazing animals, and habitat loss. The Red List says the future for Hawaii's plant life looks "grim" because of invasions, loss of pollinators that evolved with native plants, and human pressures. Of Hawaii's 125 endemic plants (species found nowhere else) added to the Red List this year, 85 are threatened. There and on the islands of the Galapagos archipelago, snails are under threat, from other snails or from aliens like goats, pigs and fire ants. Achim Steiner said: "Places such as the Galapagos, Hawaii and the Seychelles are famed for their beauty, which owes itself to the diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems. "The Red List tells us that human activities are leading to a swathe of extinctions that could make these islands ecologically and aesthetically barren." Cats and dogs Continental species are also in trouble: the Mexican black howler monkey, the variegated spider monkey and the pied tamarin are all upgraded to higher risk categories. In Asia the giant catfish of the Mekong basin, which can grow to three metres (10 feet), is now listed as critically endangered, because of overfishing, habitat loss and the obstruction of its migration routes by dam-building. Its numbers have fallen by more than 80% since 1990. South Africa's riverine rabbit, also uplisted to critically endangered status, is now thought to number fewer than 250 breeding pairs. Apart from habitat loss, it faces trapping, and hunting by feral cats and dogs. The oldest seed plants on Earth, cycads, which resemble palms, are among the most threatened plants. Of 303 evaluated this year, 155 were listed as threatened. Seaweeds and lichens feature on the list for the first time, with Bennett's seaweed declared extinct: it was found only at two Australian sites, and has not been seen for a century. IUCN is worried about two cetaceans, the Mediterranean sub-population of the short-beaked common dolphin, and the Rio Grande do Sul/Uruguay sub-population of the franciscana, a river dolphin. Among the countries with the highest numbers of threatened birds and animals are Indonesia, India, Brazil, China and Peru. Plants are declining fast in Ecuador, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil and Sri Lanka. For more information, go to: World Conservation Union Website: HYPERLINK "http://www.iucn.org/"http://www.iucn.org/ --Poll: Should ATVs be banned on public roads HYPERLINK "http://www.petitiononline.com/wvangler/petition.html"http://www.petitiononline.com/wvangler/petition.html There is a poll Should ATV's be forbidden on public roads? on metronews on ATVs at this website HYPERLINK "http://www.wvmetronews.com/home.cfm"http://www.wvmetronews.com/home.cfm --ESA 30th birthday This year is the 30th anniversary of the passage of the federal Endangered Species Act. A coalition of scientific and environmental groups is looking for "success stories" of species which have been either stabilized or, better yet, recovered after being listed under the Act. Are you aware of a plant "success story" in your area? Can you share the details? Photos? Please reply to me with a brief summary of why the plant was at risk and what was done to fix it, and I will pass the information along. Too many people want to throw up their hands and assert that species loss is hopeless - and therefore inevitable. That is not true. It is difficult but not hopeless. We need to let people know that with good science, hard work, a little luck, and adequate funding, endangered species can be recovered. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you! Emily Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D. Director Native Plant Conservation Campaign *NEW ADDRESS* 2707 K Street, Suite 1 Sacramento 95816 Phone: 415 970 0394 E-MAIL: HYPERLINK "mailto:EMILYR@cnps.org"EMILYR@cnps.org Web: HYPERLINK "http://www.cnps.org/NPCC"http://www.cnps.org/NPCC <abrt =>?abc[\bc/01rs$$$$$%%&&&&&''''(jtUjUjUjQU0JB*jUjUB* 0JjU jU5565CJB(:bt ~ M yh,>ou(:bt ~ M yh,>ou\e^@H!!#$%&''())6)I)l)*I+V+,,-F..]/k/00l11l23355P67788999:r:s:::;<=====>>5>D>\>n>c\e^@H!!#$%&''())6)I)l)*I+V+,(((W(X(((((()))5)88888 9 99>9?9@999999::J:K:L:o:p:u:{:}::>>>>>>>>>>>>?? ?j Uj U 56H*je UjUjU56j8U0J jUjMU7,,-F..]/k/00l11l23355P67788999:r:s:::;;<=====>>5>D>\>n>>> ? ?n>>> ? ?+0P/ =!"#$%DyK yK Thttp://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letter.pdfDyK yK \http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letterbkgd.pdfDyK yK Nhttp://www.cnps.org/NPCC/Economics.htmiDyK =http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/PDFs/BushFedTable12.03.pdfyK zhttp://www.cnps.org/federalissues/PDFs/BushFedTable12.03.pdfDyK yK http://www.amrivers.org/docs/manson_memo_to_williams_10-29-03.pdfDyK yK Thttp://www.doi.gov/ocl/2001/mansonenr.htmDyK yK hhttp://laws.fws.gov/TESTIMON/2002/MansonESA3.20.htmDyK yK zhttp://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/index.htmDyK yK Fhttp://www.cnps.org/federalissues/DyK yK *http://www.iucn.org/DyK yK jhttp://www.petitiononline.com/wvangler/petition.htmlDyK yK Hhttp://www.wvmetronews.com/home.cfmDyK yK .mailto:EMILYR@cnps.orgDyK yK 2http://www.cnps.org/NPCC [(@(NormalCJmH 0@0 Heading 3$@&5<A@<Default Paragraph Font8V@8FollowedHyperlink>*B* *B@* Body Text5(U@( Hyperlink>*B* ;P( ? $,; ?!#%&n> ?"'>a[b0r !""##$W$$$%44 5?5556K6o6:::::; ;XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Lynn Wagner3C:\My Documents\nps\communication\NPCCNov-Dec03.doc Lynn Wagner6C:\windows\TEMP\AutoRecovery save of NPCCNov-Dec03.asd Lynn Wagner6C:\windows\TEMP\AutoRecovery save of NPCCNov-Dec03.asd Lynn WagnerBC:\Program Files\NoteTab Light\Documents\wvnps\NPCCDec03report.doc@h ;P@G:Times New Roman5Symbol3& :Arial"0hS|fS|f0g$0;6NATIVE PLANT CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN NEWS ************** Lynn Wagner Lynn Wagner Oh+'0  , H T `lt|7NATIVE PLANT CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN NEWS **************ATI Lynn WagnerynnNormalg Lynn Wagner2nnMicrosoft Word 8.0V@@kU@kU0 ՜.+,D՜.+,|8 hp  Dell Computer Corporationcg;j 7NATIVE PLANT CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN NEWS ************** Title\(RZ _PID_GUID _PID_HLINKSAN{A42ACADC-2AD8-11D8-A98B-C06251C10000}ATHX'http://www.cnps.org/NPCCvB$mailto:EMILYR@cnps.org/!$http://www.wvmetronews.com/home.cfm5http://www.petitiononline.com/wvangler/petition.htmlCRhttp://www.iucn.org/,z#http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/S^=http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/index.htm-l4http://laws.fws.gov/TESTIMON/2002/MansonESA3.20.htmQ*http://www.doi.gov/ocl/2001/mansonenr.htm  Bhttp://www.amrivers.org/docs/manson_memo_to_williams_10-29-03.pdfVI =http://www.cnps.org/federalissues/PDFs/BushFedTable12.03.pdf>"'http://www.cnps.org/NPCC/Economics.htmVM.http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letterbkgd.pdfYH*http://www.econw.com/pdf/120303letter.pdf  !"#$%&'(*+,-./02345678:;<=>?@BCDEFGHKRoot Entry F5U5UMData )1Table1WordDocument-PSummaryInformation(9DocumentSummaryInformation8ACompObjjObjectPool5U5U  FMicrosoft Word Document MSWordDocWord.Document.89q