Hi again, Tweeters,

This was sent to me from the SeaBird list. If it's been here already, =
forgive me, as I missed it, but I thought some of us would be =
interested, and take action. I know how much damage from ocean trash =
that I see, and I can't imagine it getting worse. It's bad enough now =
to do a beach walk and find murres strangled with six-pack rings and =
shearwaters with crops full of styrofoam pellets....

Jon Anderson
Olympia, WA
festuca at olywa.net

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 96 02:05 SAST
From: FISH1IFR at aol.com
To: anderjda at dfw.wa.gov
Subject: [SEABIRD:292] FISHLINK ALERT 4/12/96

FISHLINK ALERT 4/12/96

A SEA OF TROUBLES: EPA PROPOSES MAJOR LOOSENING=20
OF OCEAN DUMPING RULES, THREATENING YEARS=20
OCEAN OF CLEANUP PROGRESS
Comment Response Deadline: May 1, 1996

Fisheries and Conservation News from the Pacific
Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and the
Insititute for Fisheries Resources
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
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=3D
PLEASE REPOST TO YOUR NETWORKS
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=3D
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This information was forwarded to us from the Coastal Alliance, of which =

PCFFA is a part. For more information contact the Coast Alliance at=20
202-546-9554 or fax them at 202-546-9609. They are located at 215=20
Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003. Federal Register=20
citations are listed below.
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=3D

A SEA OF TROUBLES: EPA PROPOSES MAJOR LOOSENING=20
OF OCEAN DUMPING RULES, THREATENING YEARS=20
OF CLEANUP PROGRESS

During the past 20 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has developed regulations to protect America's oceans and beaches from
toxic pollution. But now, because of pressure from industry, the EPA
may gut these ocean protections.

In February, the EPA proposed that shipping ports across the country
be allowed to dump harbor muds laced with dioxin, PCBs, mercury, and
other cancer-causing pollutants into the ocean. The EPA also plans to
open up the Great Lakes and rivers to dioxin dumping this summer -
just in time for the beach crowds.

Dumping highly poisonous muds off the coasts could threaten the
economic well-being of the commercial and recreational fishing
industries. In 1993, commercial fishing was worth more than $65 billion =

to the national economy and employed hundreds of thousands of workers.=20
Recreational fishing is equally important.=20

Pollutants that could be dumped into the ocean under the proposed
regulation changes will not "disappear" just because they are out of
sight. They can harm fish and other wildlife for generations.

The public comment period ends May 1st so NOW is the time to speak up
for the oceans. Call or write President Clinton and tell him to stop
the EPA's attempts to weaken ocean dumping regulations. Tell him EPA
needs to support solutions that do not risk human health, the economy,
or our environment. You can find the text of these new proposed =
regulations
in the Federal Register, Volume 61, Number 41, Thursday, February 29, =
1996,
Proposed Rules, page 7765.

President Clinton's fax number is 202-456-2461. His email address is
president at whitehouse.gov. You may modify the sample letters below or
print as is and send them off. Be sure to put your name and address
at the top so you can receive a reply from President Clinton and EPA
Administrator Carol Browner by mail.

You can also call the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111. This
is not a toll free call.


SAMPLE LETTERS
----------------------------------------------------
President William J. Clinton The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Clinton:

I am writing to urge you to stop the Environmental Protection Agency
from weakening ocean protections. In February, the EPA proposed that
seaports be allowed to dump harbor muds laced with dioxin, PCBs, and
other cancer-causing pollutants into the oceans. The EPA also plans
to open up the Great Lakes and rivers to dioxin dumping this summer.

I find it inconceivable that the EPA - charged with protecting human
health and the environment - could propose such an action. Yet the
EPA is now attempting to open large loopholes in its own regulations
so that shipping ports can dispose of their wastes in the cheapest way
possible. Dumping poisonous muds off the coasts could threaten the
economic well-being of the commercial and recreational fishing
industries. In 1993, commercial fishing was worth $3.7 billion to the
national economy and employed hundreds of thousands of workers.=20
Recreational fishing is equally important. In 1991, nearly 9 million
saltwater recreational anglers spent more than $5 billion on fishing
trips and generated nearly 206,000 jobs.

Please do not allow the EPA to go forward with their proposed rule
change. I strongly urge you to direct the EPA to find a solution that
does not endanger human health and our valuable coastal fisheries.

Sincerely,

----------------------------------------------
Carol Browner, Administrator Environmental Protection Agency 401 M
Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460

Dear Administrator Browner:

I am outraged to learn of the recent EPA proposal to overturn 20 years
of ocean protection by allowing the dumping of highly toxic dredged
materials off our coasts. Ocean bathers, tourists, fishermen, and
consumers should not be exposed to such dangerous chemicals as dioxin,
PCBs, and mercury. Uphold your commitment to human health and the
environment. I strongly urge you to suspend your proposed ocean
dumping regulations and postpone your dioxin dumping guidance.

Sincerely,

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END OF ALERT
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