NEW WEBSITE ALLOWS QUICK ACCESS TO FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR COMMENT
As you may be aware, the Bush Administration has proposed a number of changes to the regulations implementing some of our most important environmental and land management laws, including the Clean Water Act and the National Forest Management Act. If enacted as proposed these regulations will remove some our most important legal tools for conserving native plants and ecosystems.
Now there is a government website which allows 2 click access to regulatory proposals currently open for public comment. It is http://www.regulations.gov/.
The website allows search by keyword or by agency. The agency search function appears to work better. The site will then direct you to the proposed rule so that you can review and comment.
Among the regulations currently open for comment:
* WETLANDS: advance notice of proposed rulemaking by the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA would exclude "isolated wetlands" (vernal pools and other wetlands not obviously connected to "navigable waters of the United States") from the Clean Water Act's permitting and mitigation requirements. Comments Due March 3
* FORESTS: New National Forest Management act regulations by the Forest Service which would reduce opportunities for public comment and requirements for scientific review during revision of National Forest management plans. The rules would also remove the requirement that the Forest Service maintain viable populations of species on National Forest lands. Comments due March 6
* FORESTS: New comment and appeal regulations for proposed actions on National Forests. The Forest Service proposal would significantly restrict opportunities for the public to express concerns about potential environmental damage from logging, grazing and other National Forest actions. Comments Due February 28.
I would appreciate it if you would send copies of any comments you develop on these regulations to me. I am writing comments for NPCC and will send them out ASAP.
For more information on the Bush environmental agenda, you can check the Natural Resources Defense Council website: http://www.nrdc.org/bushrecord/default.asp.
For specifics on the National Forest proposals, check the Wilderness Society Website: http://www.tws.org/
Thank you!
Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D.
Director
Native Plant Conservation Campaign
1722 J St., Suite 17
Sacramento, CA 95814
415 970 0394 - Phone
emilyr@cnps.org - e mail

NEPA Under Review
Many of you are aware that President Bush has appointed a task force to review the procedures for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is the Federal law that requires Federal Agencies such as the Forest Service, BLM, and the Army Corps of Engineers to publish Environmental Impact Statements using the best available science to analyze the probable environmental impacts of proposed actions such as logging, grazing, mining, road construction and dam building. NEPA also requires that these environmental analyses be released for public comment and that federal agencies respond to public comment on the projects and their environmental impacts.
NEPA is one of our most important environmental laws because:
1. It requires the government to analyze and understand the environmental impacts of proposed actions BEFORE decisions are made.
2. It requires that the government base environmental analyses and decisions.
on sound science
3. It requires that the public to have input into decisions about how their tax dollars are spent by federal agencies and about how federal actions should affect the environment.
Most observers expect the President's Task Force to recommend weakening the requirements for environmental analysis and public input under NEPA. The first public comment period on the Task Force's work has closed, but there will be further opportunities for participation.
Meanwhile the public debate has begun. Click here to read a Wall Street Journal editorial on the topic, as well as NPCC's response.
For more information on this issue, the President's NEPA Task Force web site is http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf/.

Roadless Rule on Hold
On December 12, the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals overturned the preliminary injunction which had suspended implementation of President Clinton's popular "Roadless Rule". The Rule put historic measures in place to protect the remaining 58 million acres of roadless National Forest lands. This decision puts the spotlight on the Bush administration which has announced that it plans to revise the roadless rule to allow for continued logging and roadbuilding on at least 10 million acres now protected.
The administration has also proposed to undermine the National Forest Management Act with harmful new planning regulations for National Forests which threaten the viability of forest-dependent species and the integrity of their habitats, and would reduce the public's opportunity to have input into National Forest management.
ACTION:
You can help by contracting your elected officials at 202/224-3121, by email at http://www.congress.org/ and typing in your ZIP code, or by calling their local district or states offices and urging them to:
* Support the Clinton roadless area conservation rule.
* Oppose the administration's national forest planning regulations whichwill weaken species and environmental protection.
For additional information on the roadless decision please see: http://www.ce9.uscourts.gov/.
For information on the values of roadless areas see California Native Plant Society Comments on the original roadless rule or information from NPCC Cooperators, The Defenders of Wildlife.
For information on the National Forest planning rules, see http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/index3.html.

Proposed weakening of wetlands protection
As expected, the Bush Administration has proposed to exclude "isolated wetlands" from protection under the Clean Water Act. Isolated wetlands include many vernal pools and other wetlands that are not obviously connected to "navigable waters", such as rivers and lakes. Of course isolated wetlands are among the most important ecosystems in the world for flood control, purification of surface and groundwater; they also provide essential habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals.
Click here to read a New York times story on the proposed rulemaking. The advance notice of rulemaking is at http://www.nwf.org/news/wetlands01102003.html.
Excellent background on the proposal can be found on the above National Wildlife Federation web site. The NWF site also provides an opportunity to send in an electronic form letter comment on the rule. If your organization is commenting on the proposed rule, I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me copies of your comments.  

 


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