Democracy Under Attack:
National Environmental Policy Act Threatedned by Pombo
Western States Hearing in New Mexico – August 1, 2005
The NEPA Task Force hearing reflects attempts by anti-conservation forces lead by California Representative Richard Pombo to eliminate key provisions of this bedrock environmental. We are worried that several key aspects of this ground-breaking law may be weakened or eliminated including requirements that: (1) the public is given a voice in important federal decisions; (2) the public is informed of impacts to our land and communities; (3) federal agencies consider common-sense alternatives and don’t move blindly ahead with decisions; and (4) federal agencies use sound science.
Such cynical attacks would undercut the inspiring purpose of this important federal law: “to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans” (42 U.S.C. § 4331(a)).
Please see my previous NEPA posts HERE and HERE
I’ve fallen behind on my Energy Bill updates because we’re up against the wall from another Republican attack. This time on NEPA.
The NEPA Task Force will be holding its next hearing in New Mexico.
Monday August 1, 2005
10:00 am at the Rio Rancho High School
301 Loma Colorado, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.
Directions to the hearing are located at the bottom of this email.
Transportation will be available from Santa Fe and Taos to bring you, your family and friends to the hearing! Call call Jim O’Donnell: 505-758-3874 for information.
WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND COMMENTS ARE ALSO NEEDED
Deadline is Tuesday August 10th.
Make sure your voice is heard by submitting comments into the record for the Southwest NEPA hearing. It is critical that the Taskforce hears from a broad range of local leaders, citizens, and organizations about the importance of NEPA to our health, our communities, and our environment. You are encouraged to submit comments and circulate this alert to other organizations that you are involved with (civic, religious, wildlife, recreation, etc.) and elected officials and urge them to send comments in support of NEPA.
A sample letter is located here: http://ga4.org/campaign/NEPA.
If you want your comments in the official hearing record, you should submit them via email:
resources.committee@mail.house.gov (or fax to 202-225-5929). Please also copy Congressman Tom Udall at FAX: 505-986-5047.
Format for official comments:
Title (if you have one)
Organization (if you have an affiliation)
Written Testimony
To the Committee on Resources
United States House of Representatives
The Role of NEPA in the States of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah
Date
Background on NEPA – Democracy in Action
NEPA, one of America’s bedrock environmental laws signed into law by President Nixon 35 years ago, is considered the Magna Carta of environmental protection. NEPA is the foundation on which all other environmental laws are built. NEPA requires federal agencies to study and disclose the environmental effects of major projects on the surrounding community and include the public in the decision-making process for federally funded projects. To read about the NEPA Task Force, and to read written testimony from hearing witnesses go to: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/nepataskforce/schedule.htm Written testimony is currently available from the Northwest hearing held in Spokane on April 23rd. Testimony from the Southwest hearing will be on the website following the hearing on August 1st. More information on NEPA can be found at: http://www.sierraclub.org/lookbeforeyouleap/
Directions to the Hearing:
From I-25 North or South:
1. Take the NM-44 W exit- EXIT 242- toward NM-165 E / RIO RANCHO /
PLACITAS. 0.2 miles
2. Merge onto US-550 N / NM-44 W toward BERNALILLO / RIO RANCHO /
FARMINGTON. 2.3 miles
3. Turn LEFT onto NM-528 S. 5.5 miles
4. Turn RIGHT onto NORTHERN BLVD NE. 2.0 miles
5. Turn LEFT onto LOMA COLORADO DR NE. 0.8 miles
6. Make a U-TURN onto LOMA COLORADO DR NE. 0.1 miles
7. End at Rio Rancho High School: 301 Loma Colorado St NE, Rio Rancho,
NM 87124-6562
Please feel free to attend but more importantly, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR WRITTEN SUPPORT FOR NEPA TO THE COMMITTEE