HERO PASSES: On Sunday morning, 11/28/99, Sue Wellbeloved Reed passed away peacefully at her home. Sue established the Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts in Charlottesville, VA in 1992. She was active in a number of conservation organizations including Preserve Appalachian Wilderness and the Heartwood Forest council. Sue is survived by her husband Ernie, 5 children and 3 grandchildren. Sue will be sorely missed but her work will continue and will not be forgotten.

SPENDING BILL WITH RIDERS SIGNED INTO LAW: ENN reports 11/30 that President Clinton signed the Fiscal 2000 Omnibus Appropriations Bill on 11/29. Grassroots pressure forced negotiators to remove or soften many anti-environmental riders, but others remained, including one to automatically renew grazing permits. While the bill contained $450 million for the LWCF and some $600 million for the President's Lands Legacy Initiative, the inclusion of riders in the signed bill is disappointing to many conservationists especially after the President promised to sign only a clean bill.

ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME IS FINE FOR FEDS: A study of Bureau of Justice statistics found 70% of suspected criminal violations of environmental laws by US companies are never pursued, says the Boston Globe 11/30. Federal prosecutors opt for civil fines rather than push for conviction on criminal environmental violations. Large companies prefer the fines since criminal conviction also includes a "potentially costly" ban on doing business with the federal government.

CHANGE COMING TO MOJAVE DESERT: An 11/29 story in the San Jose Mercury News highlights changes in the 5 years since the Desert Protection Act established a 1.6 million acre park the size of Delaware in the Mojave Desert. Distrust by locals has given way to acceptance and politicians wary of a federal "land grab" now support the buy out of almost half a million acres of inholdings. Other changes, such as proposed development within park boundaries and a new airport for Las Vegas in nearby Ivanpah Valley threaten to undermine the protection efforts.

TWO YEARS IN THE LIFE OF A BUTTERFLY: Headwaters announced a rally and celebration 12/12 to mark the second year of Julia Butterfly Hill's tree-sit vigil in defense of old growth forest. From the top of Luna, an ancient redwood, Butterfly has seen a massive mudslide caused by Maxxam/Pacific Lumber logging destroy 30 homes in the CA town of Stafford below. Her blockade will continue until Maxxam stops logging the old growth grove. For more information e-mail headwaters@enews.org.

Previous  Home  Index  Next