H I G H L I G H T S
* Briefing: Recycling Works
* Letter: Mercury Emissions
* Legislation: Forestry and Open Space
* Legislation: Great Lakes Contaminated
Sediments
BRIEFING: RECYCLING WORKS
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The Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition on Monday, June 3,
will host a briefing on the importance of recycling and reuse to the region’s
economy. The session will review the U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study,
as well as discuss the economic impacts of recycling on northeastern and
midwestern states, which have the nation’s most successful programs.
Presenters will include representatives of U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, National Recycling Coalition, Mid America
Council of Recycling Officials, and Northeast Recycling Council. The June 3
briefing will run from 10:30 am until 12:00 noon in room 406 of the Dirksen
Senate Office Building.
Contact: Kris Sarri at the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (224-0606).
LETTER: MERCURY EMISSIONS
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Reps. Thomas Allen (D-ME) and Christopher Shays (R-CT) are
circulating a letter asking the Environmental Protection Agency to continue
developing strict MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) standards for
power plant mercury emissions. The letter also urges the administration to
strengthen the mercury provisions contained in its Clear Skies Initiative.
Signatures are due by close of business on Wednesday, June 5.
Contacts: Jonathan Cowan with Rep. Allen (225-6116),
Amy Bahel with Rep. Shays (225-5541), or Matt
Little with the Northeast-Midwest Institute (544-5200).
LEGISLATION: FORESTRY AND OPEN SPACE
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Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI), co-chairs
of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, are seeking co-sponsors for the
Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Initiative Act of 2002. The bill
would provide grant funds to local governments and non-profits to purchase
interests in forest lands in order to conserve private forest land and maintain
working forests in areas threatened by sprawl. The bill is supported by the
Trust for Public Land, Northern Forest Alliance, Appalachian Mountain Club, Land
Trust Alliance, Highlands Coalition, Nature Conservancy, New England Forestry
Foundation, and the National Association of State Foresters. Most forests in the
Northeast-Midwest region are private forest lands.
Contact: Kris Sarri at the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (224-0606).
LEGISLATION: GREAT LAKES CONTAMINATED
SEDIMENTS
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Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Mike DeWine (R-OH), co-chairs
of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, recently introduced the Great Lakes Legacy
Act of 2002 (S. 2544). The bill is a companion to legislation introduced by Rep.
Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and authorizes $50 million per year in grants to states for
remediation of contaminated sediments at Areas of Concern. The legislation also
creates a grant program for public information and education; requires the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit to Congress a report on such
actions, time periods, and resources as are necessary to fulfill EPA’s duties
overseeing Remedial Action Plans at Areas of Concern; requires EPA to conduct
research and development of innovative approaches for the remediation of
sediment; and reauthorizes the Great Lakes National Program Office.
Contact: Joy Mulinex with the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (224-1211).