AmeriScan: September 24, 2001

DEFYING NATURE'S END COULD COST $30 BILLION

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - An international team of leading conservationists calculate that protecting enough biological diversity to sustain a healthy planet will cost some $30 billion.

In an article in the September 21 issue of the journal "Science," the team maintains that the money and measures to do so are attainable.

The article, "Can We Defy Nature's End?," summarizes the "practical blueprint" created at the Defying Nature's End conference in August 2000, which focused on developing a results oriented approach to biodiversity conservation. The conference was held at the California Institute of Technology by the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science (CABS) at Conservation International (for more information on the conference, visit: http://ens-news.com/ens/aug2000/2000L-08-31-06.html).

Based on the findings of that conference, the "Science" article offers specific recommendations for governments, industry and individuals to preserve global biodiversity.

"The goals we set at the Defying Nature's End conference are ambitious, but we have no doubt they are attainable," said Conservation International president Russell Mittermeier, a coauthor of the article. "If we fail, the scenario is an enormous biodiversity loss in the hotspots, which is simply not an option."

"When biodiversity goes, it's gone forever, and the unraveling of nature means an impoverished future for us all," Mittermeier added. "Although ambitious, the estimated $30 billion price tag is substantially less than the $40 billion tax refund mailed to American households earlier this summer."

The article states that $25 billion is required to fund the protection of the world's 25 "biodiversity hotspots," which contain high concentrations of species found nowhere else and which are vulnerable to extinction. The 25 hotspots represent just 1.4 percent of the world's landmass, but contain about 60 percent of land species diversity.

The remaining $5 billion would help protect the tropical wilderness forests and key marine reserves.

"This is the first time that a plan for addressing the most important crisis for biodiversity has been articulated from both a scientific and practical application point of view," said CABS executive director Gustavo Fonseca, another coauthor. "We know not only that these suggestions are viable, but we know that they are affordable."

One suggestion calls for a targeted assault on economic subsidies that degrade the environment. Another is to compete with loggers using free market mechanisms to protect forests.

CROPDUSTERS GROUNDED OVER TERRORIST FEARS

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - On the advice of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded all crop dusting planes, for fear they could be used in terrorist attacks.

The initial order grounded cropdusters until 12:05 am today, but the order has now been extended for a second day, while federal officials try to determine how to protect against possible terrorist use of the planes, some of which can carry up to 800 gallons of chemicals.

No aircraft capable of or equipped for agriculture operations may operate during this timeframe, the FAA said.

Attorney General John Ashcroft told the House Judiciary Committee today that the FBI has learned that some of the hijackers involved in the September 11 terrorist attacks may have spent time learning about cropdusters over the past year. Other terrorist attacks using these small, agile planes may have been planned, Ashcroft said.

"There is no clear indication of the time or place of these attacks," Ashcroft said.

Because cropdusting planes are designed to carry large amounts of chemicals or other liquids, authorities fear they could be used to deliver chemical or biological weapons.

TVA WANTS TO PRODUCE TRITIUM FOR WEAPONS

SPRING CITY, Tennessee, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has filed an application to produce tritium at its Watts Bar nuclear power plant for use by the Department of Energy (DOE).

The application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requests that TVA be permitted to install tritium producing burnable absorber rods at the Watts Bar facility, located near Spring City.

The DOE has developed technology that would produce tritium using lithium, rather than boron, in burnable absorber rods to be installed in commercial pressurized water nuclear reactors, such as Watts Bar. The irradiated rods would then be removed from the power plant and shipped to the Savannah River Site, where DOE would extract the tritium.

The license amendment would allow, for the first time, tritium production by a commercial nuclear reactor to ensure future tritium stockpiling for military use. The United States has not produced tritium - a radioactive form of hydrogen used in the fusion stage of nuclear weapons - since 1988, when DOE closed a special production facility at its Savannah River Site.

Current short term tritium needs are being met by recycling tritium from dismantled nuclear weapons. The DOE is responsible for establishing the capability to produce tritium by the end of 2005, in accordance with a presidential directive.

The NRC determined in September 1997 that TVA could place 32 of the burnable absorber rods in the Watts Bar reactor core to test the technology. TVA irradiated the rods until the spring of 1999 and removed them from the reactor. The DOE shipped the rods to the Savannah River Site, examined them and confirmed that the technology worked.

TVA's license amendment, if approved, would permit it to install 2,304 of the rods into the Watts Bar reactor and irradiate them for one fuel cycle, which lasts about 18 months. TVA would replace the rods as needed and continue the process for the life of the plant.

A public meeting on the proposed amendment will be held in Evensville, Tennessee on October 2.

MILKWEEDS IN CORNFIELDS COULD PUT BUTTERFLIES AT RISK

MINEAPOLIS, Minnesota, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - Milkweeds growing in cornfields sometimes support monarch butterfly larvae at the same time the corn is shedding its pollen, according to a survey of cornfields in the Midwest, Maryland and Ontario.

The overlap implies that monarchs feeding next to genetically engineered corn that produces the insecticide known as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) could be exposed to the toxin. The study, led by University of Minnesota ecologist Karen Oberhauser, is published on the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" web site at: http://www.pnas.org/papbyrecent.shtml

That report, along with other papers dealing with monarchs and Bt toxin also appearing on the site, address the issue of whether Bt corn is harmful to monarchs in the field as well as in the laboratory.

"We still don't have the data to come to the conclusion that the risks are negligible," said Oberhauser, a research associate in the department of ecology, evolution and behavior.

The researchers examined milkweed and monarch densities in various habitats - cornfields, cornfield edges, other agricultural fields and nonagricultural fields - in the butterfly's breeding range during summer 2000. Study plots were in cornfields, land adjacent to cornfields or nonagricultural land, all containing milkweeds.

Except for one plot each in Maryland and Iowa, the cornfields contained non-Bt corn. Every week, researchers examined several hundred milkweed plants and noted the number of monarch larvae and, in cornfields, whether pollen was being shed.

In Minnesota and Wisconsin, corn pollen was shed during a time - mid-July through the first week in August - when the highest numbers of monarch larvae were in cornfields. In Iowa, pollen was shed during the first half of July, before the peak in monarch larvae.

"The situation in Iowa is less risky for monarchs," said Oberhauser. "The farther north the cornfield, the later the pollen was shed and the greater the chance that monarch larve will be exposed to it."

ENTANGLED RIGHT WHALE MAY BE DEAD

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - The satellite telemetry signal from a buoy attached to a North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing line has stopped transmitting, which may mean the whale is dead.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) said the last signal from the buoy was received Sunday, September 16, from a point about 250 miles south of Nantucket Island and 460 miles east of Cape May, New Jersey, in an area of very deep water. Loss of the signal could mean that the instruments have been damaged or have malfunctioned, that the buoy has been damaged, or that the apparatus is underwater.

First spotted entangled off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on June 8, the whale, dubbed Churchill, logged more than 4,000 miles over 100 days before the signal was lost. His travels, and multiple attempts to free him from the line, were international news during mid-summer.

The rescue team drew on experts from a dozen institutions including state and federal agencies, private laboratories and aquaria, universities and private companies.

"This event provided the longest uninterrupted information on the travels of an adult male from this population," said lead veterinarian Teri Rowles, chief of NMFS' Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, which organized the rescue response. "Thanks to the efforts of an unprecedented team of experts, we were able to successfully deliver medication to a free swimming large whale in the open ocean and were able to achieve measurable sedation that did not endanger the animal. These are notable accomplishments that will allow us to help other ailing and injured large whales in the future."

Since June 8, the whale's health had declined due to a serious wound across its upper jaw caused by synthetic marine line that cut into the tissue. In six rescue attempts, experts saw the whale go from mottled gray to white, and from robust to an emaciated body condition.

When last seen from a U.S. Coast Guard Falcon jet during Labor Day weekend, the whale looked pale pink, indicating extensive skin parasites and disease.

$28.17 MILLION PLEDGED FOR CLEANER VEHICLES, FUELS

LOS ANGELES, California, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California has approved a total of $28.17 million in funding to help pay for more than 1,200 clean fueled and lower emission heavy duty vehicles, fueling stations and other equipment.

"These new vehicles and equipment will cut smog forming nitrogen oxide emissions by hundreds of tons per year," said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer for the AQMD. "Some of the projects will help mitigate emissions from new power plants that are needed to generate additional electricity to ease the energy crisis."

The funding comes from three sources:

$13.4 million from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Attainment Standards program, a statewide initiative to reduce smog forming emissions from diesel engines;

$8.4 million from AQMD's Rule 1309.1 - Priority Reserve for propane powered microturbines to replace portable diesel generators, low sulfur diesel fuel for Metrolink locomotives and co-funding for up to 10 liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations;

$6.37 million from the State Emissions Mitigation Fund to replace diesel engines with lower emission models in more than 150 construction vehicles and other equipment.

The Moyer projects will help pay for more than 1,000 clean fueled and lower emission vehicles and equipment, including 507 transit and shuttle buses; 285 delivery and refuse pickup trucks; and 273 other vehicles, including street sweepers and utility trucks.

AQMD's Priority Reserve Fund was created by the board earlier this year to allow new and expanding power plants to purchase particulate offset credits. The funds generated are to be used to reduce particulate emissions in the region.

The State Emissions Mitigation Fund was created by Governor Gray Davis to mitigate excess nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions from power plants.

PONDS AT MICROALGAE PLANT SUPPORT HAWAIIAN STILTS

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in producing natural products from microalgae, has received the Hawaii Audubon Society's Corporate Conservation Award in recognition of its contributions to native bird conservation in Hawaii.

The award was presented to Dr. Gerald Cysewski, Cyanotech's chair, president and CEO, at the Audubon Society's Eighth Annual Awards Dinner on September 20.

"This award reflects Cyanotech's overall corporate commitment to a healthy and safe environment as the company seeks to produce valuable, natural products from microalgae," said Cysewski.

Wendy Johnson, president of the Hawaii Audubon Society said, "By devoting extensive resources to the creation of waterbird habitat at its facility, Cyanotech has increased vital nesting and breeding opportunities for the endangered Hawaiian stilt, or Ae'o. Cyanotech's continuing commitment to the protection of these birds is of great importance to the species' survival."

The Hawaiian stilts of the Kona Coast have averaged just 24 birds over recent decades. Hawaiian stilt numbers reached 69 in 1996 and 128 in 1997 with the addition of 60 acres of shallow open water ponds at Cyanotech and a local wastewater treatment plant.

The Hawaiian stilts found feeding opportunities, but very little protected breeding habitat, in the new open water ponds. In 1997, at the recommendation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cyanotech began working with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to accommodate some of the stilts and give them a chance to breed.

Due in part to the efforts of Cyanotech, the endangered Hawaiian stilt population on the Kona Coast has increased from about 105 in 1998 to more than 220 in 2001. Ducks Unlimited says many of the birds have dispersed to other islands, strengthening the state's endangered Hawaiian stilt population.

Cyanotech Corporation produces natural products from microalgae, including dietary supplements and fluorescent pigments. Cyanotech is also the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin from microalgae, used as an antioxidant supplement and in the aquaculture and animal feed industries.

THOUSANDS OF NORTHWEST FAMILIES PLEDGE ELECTRICITY SAVINGS

SEATTLE, Washington, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - More than 5,000 Northwest families have pledged to immediately reduce their electricity use, just three weeks into the region's Community Conservation Challenge electricity savings pledge-a-thon.

The Community Conservation Challenge is an initiative of the Bonneville Power Administration and its Northwest utility customers. The effort challenges people and businesses of the region to find smarter ways to use electricity and take actions that decrease consumption.

The Challenge was created in response to recent energy shortages and the volatile electricity market.

Households across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington are rising to the challenge by pledging to install more than 20,000 compact fluorescent lights; turn off computers, televisions and stereos when they are not in use; and use the air dry feature on dishwashers. Estimates of the initial pledged annual savings amount to 1.5 million kilowatt hours.

"This is a tremendous early response to our call for conservation," said Bonneville Power Administration acting vice president for energy efficiency John Pyrch. "The Community Conservation Challenge is a great example of BPA working in partnership with its utility customers to reduce the need to buy additional power and help protect system reliability for the region."

Utility participation in the Community Conservation Challenge has tripled since late August. Utilities across the Northwest are supporting the challenge by distributing more than 220,000 pledge cards in September and October electric bills.

The pledge cards describe simple and immediate savings actions. Participants are encouraged to pledge additional savings and send in their own creative savings tips.

Every pledge card sent in by residents of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington is entered into a drawing to win a Honda Insight hybrid car. Pledge cards are available through participating utilities' monthly bills, at state and county fairs, at community events, in newspaper inserts and online at: http://www.bpa.gov/ccc

CALIFORNIA PASSES BILL TO PROTECT SQUID HARVESTS

SACRAMENTO, California, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - California Governor Gray Davis has signed legislation to protect California's squid from being overfished.

The bill (SB 209), introduced by Democratic state senator Byron Sher, will authorize the California Fish and Game Commission to adopt a commercial market squid fishery management plan by December 31, 2002.

Sold in restaurants as calamari, squid have become California's largest fishery both in terms of volume and dollar value: more than 125,000 tons of squid with a wholesale value of $30 million were brought in by fishing boats last year. In addition to their economic value, squid are a key link in the Pacific food chain, providing food for salmon, sea lions, whales, dolphins and seabirds.

"This bill is a strong example of good fisheries management," Davis said. "It balances the needs of the economy and the environment. It will also ensure that California continues to have a healthy squid fishery. This legislation will benefit the fishing industry, consumers, and the aquatic life that depends on this important species."

Given the growing popularity of squid and the cautionary examples of sardines and other fish species subjected to overfishing in the past, California's Department of Fish and Game issued a report to the state Legislature in May recommending that a plan, including limited fisheries entry, should be adopted to ensure that squid are allowed to spawn and replenish the population before a crisis develops. Many of the department's recommendations are included in this bill.

The legislation also clarifies that the market squid light boat owner permits issued during the current moratorium on squid permit issuance are not transferable.

BLM ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS HONORED

WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2001 (ENS) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has received two awards from the Department of Interior for environmental projects.

The BLM's District of Columbia Wonderful Outdoor World Program (WOW), received a 2001 Environmental Achievement Award for its work with Washington DC area youth.

The WOW program, managed by the BLM's Eastern States Office, provides opportunities for youth to learn about and participate in environmental stewardship through community camp outs and special activities and events. The program, now in its third year, has reached more than 5,000 eight to 12 year olds in the DC area.

Don Prichard, a fishery biologist at the Bureau of Land Management's National Science and Technology Center in Denver, received a 2001 Environmental Achievement Award for his efforts to help land managers restore riparian wetlands.

The Environmental Achievement awards recognize Interior Department offices, employees or contractors for their exceptional achievements or contributions in a broad range of environmental discipline areas, including pollution prevention, recycling, sustainable design, environmentally preferable purchasing, environmental stewardship, auditing and environmental management, and education and outreach.