And now:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE (ENS) For Full Text and Graphics Visit: http://ens.lycos.com *************************************************************************** Send News Tips and Story Leads to [EMAIL PROTECTED] *************************************************************************** GE SQUEEZED INTO $250M PCB CLEANUP WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - General Electric Company has agreed to spend an estimated $250 million to clean up the Housatonic River, polluted by decades of hazardous chemical discharges from its plant in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The settlement, announced Thursday, finalizes cleanup and reclamation plans that the company has been negotiating with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice and state officials for more than a year. Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1999 For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/oct99/1999L-10-08-06.html *************************************************************************** ENVIRONMENT NEWS SERVICE AMERISCAN: OCTOBER 8, 1999 Environmentalists Split on Gore Presidential Campaign ...........But not all environmental groups support Gore. Last month, Friends of the Earth, the largest international network of environmental groups in the world, threw its weight behind former Senator Bill Bradley, Gore’s rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. The group said Bradley was more effective in pushing environmental causes than Gore. Kennedy said the New York event was a chance for the environmental community to show their united support for the vice president.<><<<<<<< Protection for National Forest Roadless Areas Imminent WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - President Bill Clinton may announce as early as next week plans to protect up to 40 million acres of national forest land in 35 states from commercial development, White House sources say. Clinton is reported to be preparing a directive to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to draft an environmental analysis of ways to protect roadless, undeveloped areas within the nation’s national forests. A senior White House official said Clinton may make the announcement next Wednesday during a visit to the George Washington National Forest in Virginia.<><<<<<<<< Report Tells Congress "Too Many Boats, Too Few Fish" WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sent a report to Congress Thursday analyzing federal fishing industry subsidies. The report is intended to guide legislative efforts to support sustainable fishing. The U.S. is spearheading international efforts to deal with the global problem of "too many fishing boats chasing too few fish," NOAA says. NOAA Fisheries managers are working to reduce the overload of fishing boats in many domestic marine fisheries. "One of the greatest concerns for the future of the world's oceans is overharvesting of marine resources.<><<<<<<<<<< UN Says Poverty Threatens Environment in Americas NEW YORK, New York, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - A new United Nations Environmental Fund (UNEP) report says concern for the environment has increased in the Americas over the last decade, but the region still faces two major challenges: urban pollution, and the depletion of forest resources. The report, entitled "Global Environmental Outlook 2000" (GEO-2000), says that while many new institutions and policies have been put in place to protect the environment, these changes have not yet improved environmental management. Almost three quarters of the region's population lives in cities with severe air pollution and waste disposal problems. Forest cover in Latin America and the Caribbean is diminishing. The report identifies deforestation as a major threat to biological diversity in the region, which is home to 40 percent of the world's plant and animal species. UNEP estimates that 1,244 vertebrate species are now in danger of extinction.<><<<<<<<<< Hurricane Floyd Damage Reaching Record Levels WASHINGTON, DC, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - The price tag for Hurricane Floyd is starting to add up as one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history. Just weeks after the storm blew ashore September 17 in North Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already dedicated more than $200 million for federal aid in 10 states. More than 100,000 people have registered for federal disaster aid, with more than half of the applications coming from victims in North Carolina. The U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides low interest loans for homeowners and business owners, has approved more than $12 million in loans in North Carolina alone. Hurricane Floyd affected an unprecedented 10 states with terrible flooding and will go down in history as one of the most widespread and costliest U.S. disasters," said FEMA director James Lee Witt. In North Carolina, where almost 18,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, FEMA has delivered 1.72 million pounds of ice, 1.5 million gallons of water, 173,000 units of ready to eat meals, more than 4,000 cots, and 69 power generators. The American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations have served 1.32 million meals. Five shelters continue to house 522 people in North Carolina, while 239 people remain in shelters in New Jersey. Federal environmental crews have recovered about 2,000 drums, tanks and other containers as part of the continuing hazardous materials cleanup effort. <><<<<<<<<< Florida Fishermen Fined for Using Banned Gear FORT MYERS, Florida, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - The owners and operators of two Florida west coast commercial fishing vessels have been fined for unlawful fishing in the Florida Middle Grounds. The Florida Middle Grounds, located about 70 nautical miles northwest of Clearwater, is designated as a "Habitat Area of Particular Concern" (HAPC). The use of several types of commercial gear, including fish traps, is prohibited in the HAPC to protect fish stocks. Ronald Dean Foster, fined $11,500, and William Gregg Haring, fined $25,000, were both found violating the HAPC by using outlawed gear types.<><<<<<<<<<< Broken Water Line Leads to Fish Kill PIKETON, Ohio, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - A ruptured water line at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon sent hot water pouring into the Little Beaver Creek, killing an undetermined number of fish. The plant, which makes nuclear fuel for the nation's power reactors, said the accident on Wednesday was caused when a recirculating cooling water line broke, releasing several thousand gallons of water. The line is part of the plant’s closed coolant system. The plant says "there was no loss of hazardous/radioactive material or radioactive/radiological contamination exposure as a result of this event."<><<<<<<<<<< Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Technology Issues BETHESDA, Maryland, October 8, 1999 (ENS) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold an information meeting October 25 to 27 to discuss technical and safety issues associated with operating water cooled nuclear reactors. This year's meeting has a new format to encourage more discussion on research and new technologies. During the three day meeting, presentations will be made regarding: risk informed regulation; integrity of primary coolant pressure boundary; regulatory effectiveness assessments; high burnup and mixed oxide fuel under reactivity accident conditions; fuel burnup credit; fission product source terms and applications; and research supporting new technology.<><<<<<<<<<<<<< Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1999 For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/oct99/1999L-10-08-09.html *************************************************************************** WORLDSCAN WEEKLY NOTEBOOK: OCTOBER 8, 1999 South African Banker Honored for Green Trust Insects Help Clean Up Toxic Mess Greenpeace Blockades Toxic Tin Painted Ship Monastery Runs on Heavenly Energy Timber Industry Wants 25% of B.C. Forests Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1999 For full text and graphics visit: http://ens.lycos.com/ens/oct99/1999L-10-08ws.html *************************************************************************** E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE E-WIRE PRESS RELEASE *************************************************************************** -- NEWS ADVISORY -- TO NATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDITORS: Key Player in Forest Protection Efforts Available to Comment on Reported Clinton Plan to Protect 40 Million Acres of Our National Forests Announcement Could Signal Largest Land Protection Initiative Since Roosevelt Administration WASHINGTON D.C. Oct 8, -/E-Wire/-- Heritage Forests Campaign director Ken Rait is available to comment on the anticipated announcement from the President Clinton that he will move to protect as much as 40 million acres of National Forest land from development. The Campaign has taken a leadership role in securing protection for roadless areas in America's National Forests. CONTACT: Richard Hoppe, 202-861-2242, or Liz Brinton, 202-331-4323, both for Heritage Forests Campaign. For Full Text and Graphics Visit: http://ens.lycos.com/e-wire/Oct99/08Oct9902.html Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 1991-1999. All Rights Reserved. Send comments and newsworthy information to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
