WVEC Action AlertNovember 17 , 2005 Last Chance to Comment on Changes to NEPA The Congressional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Task Force, chaired by Eastern Washington Representative Cathy McMorris (R), will be holding their final wrap up hearing on November 17, 2005 in Washington DC before issuing a report on their findings. The NEPA Task Force hearings are a part of a plan by Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) and other pro-industry members of Congress to gut NEPA under the guise of “improving and modernizing” the Act. Congressman Pombo’s NEPA Task Force has held 5 field hearings around the country to give big industry and other NEPA opponents a platform to attack and mischaracterize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA Task Force also held a hearing on November 10th in Washington, DC on NEPA Litigation: The Causes, Effects and Solutions where they sought to blame NEPA for the impacts of Hurricane Katrina. The NEPA Task Force Needs to Hear from You! Throughout the field hearings, Representatives McMorris, Pombo and others have publicly stated that they intend to seek legislative changes to our bedrock environmental law. It is vital that we continue to build the public record in support of NEPA and public participation in federal decision making. Please use the sample letter and talking points below to create your own unique comments to be entered into the record for the hearing. Comments Needed by November 23rd Use the sample letter below to comment on the importance of NEPA. Send your letter to:resources.committee@mail.house.gov(or fax to 202-225-5929) and send a copy of your comments to resources.democrats@mail.house.gov. Please also send a copy of your comments to your Representative/Senators, so they know that this is important to you. Go to www.congress.org to look up your Members of Congress. In your comments, explain why NEPA is important to you. You are encouraged to include specific examples of how public participation in the NEPA process provided critical input to protect human health, the quality of life of your community, and the environment, and how the choice of alternatives led to informed decision-making and improved projects. SAMPLE LETTERTo: House Resource Committee NEPA Task Force Please enter these comments into the record for the NEPA Task Force Hearing on November 17, 2005. I hope my comments about the importance of the National Environmental Policy Act are reflected in your final report. At its most basic level NEPA is about having an informed democracy. It is the primary law that gives me a voice in decisions made by my government that could harm the air I breathe, the water I drink and the bountiful public lands that make up our American heritage. NEPA is also the guarantee that Americans affected by a major federal action will get the best information about its impacts on our community, a choice of good design alternatives to minimize damage, and the right to have our voice heard before the government makes a final decision. NEPA ensures balance, common sense and openness in federal decision-making; it is an effective tool to keep 'Big Government' in check. NEPA protects and empowers the public. It makes sure the local community is not left out of decisions, and it requires the Government to base these decisions on good information. Maintaining and strengthening the community’s voice in decisions on federal projects is critical to making wise choices that enhance the quality of life in our communities. At the heart of NEPA is its requirement that alternatives must be considered - including alternatives that will minimize possible damage to our health, communities, environment, and our quality of life. Comparing and seeking input on the merits of several alternatives is a core requirement of NEPA. It is the mechanism that forces federal agencies to think outside of the box when approaching projects that may harm our environment or public health. By making sure that the public is informed and that alternatives are considered, NEPA has stopped some unwise and harmful projects and made countless projects better. Cutting corners on NEPA review can have disastrous consequences for my community and the environment. NEPA makes sure we look before we leap, and any attempts to weaken it will take away our safety net. Putting limits on public involvement and our right to challenge harmful projects or reducing adequate review of major projects won’t avoid controversy or improve projects. NEPA saves time and money in the long run by reducing controversy, building consensus, and ensuring that a project is done right the first time. Rather than making changes to the NEPA or its regulations, I urge you to ensure that the federal agencies responsible for implementing the law get the resources they need to do the job right and in a timely manner. Sincerely, NAME BACKGROUND AND KEY POINTS ABOUT NEPANEPA – DEMOCRACY IN ACTION The National Environmental Policy Act is the most important environmental law that most Americans have never heard of. Signed into law in 1973, i t requires the government to "look before it leaps." Major federal projects must be reviewed for the environmental and public health impacts. If the damage will be significant, alternative designs must be investigated to minimize damage and these options must be shared with the public. California Congressman Richard Pombo will use the NEPA hearings to build a negative public record against NEPA and introduce legislation to overhaul it. We need your help to protect NEPA, so NEPA can continue to protect our communities. To read about the NEPA Task Force go to: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/nepataskforce.htm More information on NEPA can be found at:http://www.sierraclub.org/lookbeforeyouleap/ Key Points for Comments
Limiting public involvement and weakening environmental review won’t avoid controversy or improve projects. NEPA saves time and money in the long run by reducing controversy, building consensus, and ensuring that a project is done right the first time. NEPA’s promise of project review and public involvement must be safeguarded, not sacrificed in the name of speed. For more information contact: Anne Martin, American Lands Alliance, annem@americanlands.org, 509-624-5657. Lisette Braman
|