Sierra Club Currents - Bald Eagle is Safe, but is the Endangered Species Act?
Quote of Note: "I don't see how he can say that with a straight face anymore". -- Former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman in Rolling Stone on VP Cheney’s Global Warming Stance (1) Endangered Species: Bald Eagle Back in time for the Fourth! (2) Borders: Walled-Off Wildlife (3) Take Action: Celebrate Energy Independence Day!! (4) Take Action: Demand More Renewable Energy!
(1) Endangered Species: Bald Eagle Back in time for the Fourth! After making a dramatic comeback over the past three decades, last week the bald eagle was removed from the federal Endangered Species List. In 1963, the eagle's numbers dwindled to just 417 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states and today, an estimated 10,000 pairs soar from coast to coast. However, as we celebrate this success -- so appropriate at the 4th of July -- those same endangered species protections we have to thank for saving the eagle are being rewritten. Read our statement on the eagle's recovery. Learn more about our endangered species work here.
(2) Borders: Walled-Off Wildlife Last year Congress authorized the construction of 700 miles of 15-foot-high, double-layered steel walls along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Department of Homeland Security has targeted wildlife refuges along the border for upcoming wall projects, which would threaten jaguars, birds and other species.
(3) Take Action: Celebrate Energy Independence Day!! Tomorrow is America's Independence Day, and Congress is gearing up to vote on legislation that could put America on the path toward energy independence. Unfortunately, energy bills reported to Speaker Pelosi by several House committees are missing two vital provisions that would drive meaningful new energy policy: increases in fuel economy (CAFE) standards and a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). Contact your Representative and urge him/her to support CAFE and a national RES to fight global warming and cut America's dependence on old and dirty sources of energy.
(4) Take Action: Demand More Renewable Energy! Small streams and wetlands help maintain and protect drinking water supplies, as well as provide critical flood water storage. In addition, they are important for wildlife breeding grounds and habitat. A June 2006 Supreme Court ruling has placed many of these waters in jeopardy of losing Clean Water Act safeguards. The Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers recently issued "guidance" that further muddies the waters and confuses the issue even more as to which waters are covered under the Clean Water Act. Ask your Representative help clarify its intent and live up to its responsibility to ensure that all communities have safe and healthy waters by passing The Clean Water Restoration Act!
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Currents is the Sierra Club's weekly e-mail update providing you with facts, stories, quotes, and "take action" features. |