Top 10 Endangered Places in the Southeast Identified by the Southern Environmental Law Center

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), the largest environmental advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the Southeast, today announced its fourth annual list of the top 10 places in the South that face immediate, potentially irreparable threats in 2012. For more detailed descriptions of each endangered area, SELC's protection efforts, photographs and video, visit www.southernenvironment.org/topten. Interviews available upon request. Many of the areas on SELC's Top 10 list are endangered by pressure to undercut environmental protections and to lower the hurdles for potentially destructive projects, whether it's fracking in the North Carolina Piedmont, uranium mining in Virginia, or deepwater drilling in the Gulf. "The South's special places and natural riches are threatened by a wave of calculated attacks on the bedrock laws that protect our environment and health," said Marie Hawthorne, SELC's Director of Development. "Under the guise of promoting economic growth, anti-environmental forces are working in Congress, in state legislatures, and in government agencies to gut our most essential safeguards. "The truth is, environmental protection had nothing to do with the financial crisis or today's weak economy," Hawthorne added. "Doing away with effective laws and enforcement will accomplish nothing except sacrifice the natural treasures like those on our Top 10 list and other resources that make the South such a great place live, work, and raise our families. We owe it to ourselves -- and to future generations -- to make sure this doesn't happen." Top 10 Endangered Places in the Southeast for 2012 The following endangered areas were chosen from among hundreds of special places that the SELC is defending through its law and policy work in the six states ofVirginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.   Alabama's coast: Following the tragic BP spill, the government has returned to business as usual and is authorizing risky deepwater drilling projects under the same assumptions that failed in the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This approach is irresponsible, illegal, and poses an ongoing threat to Alabama's beaches, marshes, wildlife, and coastal communities. Dawson Forest, Georgia: A costly, unnecessary proposed reservoir would siphon 100 million gallons per day from the Etowah River to fuel metro Atlanta's unchecked sprawl, threatening prime habitat for endangered aquatic life, water supplies of downstream communities, and a popular recreation area. Catawba-Wateree Basin, North Carolina & South Carolina: The health of the Catawba-Wateree River, which provides drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents of central North Carolina and South Carolina, faces an array of threats, including pollution from toxin-laden coal ash ponds, hydroelectric dams that will continue to disrupt stream flows and fish migration, water withdrawals that rob water from downstream farms and communities, and unnecessary reservoir projects that promote inefficient development and water use. North Carolina Piedmont: The gas drilling industry and its allies in the North Carolina General Assembly are pushing hard to pass legislation that would expedite hydraulic fracturing (a.k.a. 'fracking') to extract natural gas, despite mounting evidence that the drilling technique, in the absence of appropriate regulatory controls, can lead to the contamination of groundwater and surface water. Potential fracking sites in North Carolina's Piedmont are underneath or upstream from water supplies for 2.4 million people. Savannah River, South Carolina & Georgia: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' plan to deepen 38 miles of the Savannah River shipping channel would increase saltwater intrusion in the river and jeopardize freshwater marshlands in the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, drinking water supplies for Savannah and other communities, and habitat for endangered aquatic species. Chilhowee Mountain, Tennessee: The outdated plan for completing Corridor K between Chattanooga and Asheville includes a proposal to cut a new four-lane highway through the Cherokee National Forest near the Ocoee Gorge, even though improvements to the existing two-lane highway on its current footprint would be less damaging, less costly, and no less effective. Chesapeake Bay, Virginia: For decades the Bay has suffered from pollution from all sides -- air, land, and water. Unfortunately, industry interests and their political allies are doing all they can to impede a comprehensive rescue plan.   Mountains of Tennessee & Virginia: Mountaintop removal and other destructive coal mining practices have already destroyed at least 500 mountains and damaged 1,700 miles of streams in Virginia, Tennessee and other central Southern Appalachian states, and pressure continues to mount. Charlottesville, Virginia & Surrounding Countryside: Local and state decision-makers are attempting to revive a wasteful, destructive, and ineffective proposed bypass that would leave a permanent scar on one of the South's most special communities. Southside Virginia: An intense push to mine uranium in southern Virginia risks polluting drinking water supplies with radioactive and toxin-laden wastewater. Lifting the state's ban on uranium mining could open up Virginia's Piedmont countryside to more large-scale mining projects. About the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) SELC is the largest environmental organization focused exclusively on the South. For 25 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has worked successfully in all three branches of government to create, implement, and enforce environmental law and policy. Their major programs cover clean energy, transportation and land use, southern forests, the coast and wetlands, and preservation of rural countryside and community character. SELC has 46 attorneys (out of a total staff of 90) and offices inCharlottesville (SELC's headquarters) and Richmond, Virginia; Chapel Hill and Asheville, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Washington, D.C. www.SouthernEnvironment.org.

Melvin Wylie

31st Episode of GreenNews4U

Turning Algae into A Viable Fuel Source Our society is very dependent on oil and currently our military is the number one consumer. As the debate rages on about oil dependency, drilling in ANWR, the Keystone Pipeline and many other debates, there are those that are looking to alternative fuels. But which alternative fuel will move to the forefront? Electric? Hybrid? Solar? Hydrogen? Corn? Algae? Yes I said Algae. There is a company that is turning algae into renewable crude oil. How do they do this, how does it work and can we see this technology begin to take the burden off of our foreign oil dependency? With me today I have Riggs Eckelberry who is the President and CEO of Origin Oil.  

Melvin Wylie

Shell Oil is Suing the Sierra Club

Shell Oil is suing the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations over its plans to drill in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas -- the Polar Bear Seas -- of America's Arctic this summer. The Polar Bear Seas are home to 20 percent of the earth's polar bears. Even worse, an oil spill there would be a disaster: it's dark two months out of the year, and the closest Coast Guard station is a thousand miles away, making cleanup a nightmare. Stand up to Shell and sign the petition today.

Melvin Wylie

Sandra Fluke on Health Care Reform - Bashed by Media

Sandra Fluke, a third-year law student at Georgetown University went before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to give testimony regarding the proposed regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services. After her speech some loud and obnoxious shock commentators attempted to belittle her directly as a person. Calling her a "slut" among other things. As voting Americans we should not have to stand for language that is directed as an attack on a person to belittle, degrade or otherwise attempt to destroy their moral character. The ill witted and childish attempts made by Rush Limbaugh goes to solidify his lack of respect for women everywhere and he should be removed from the airwaves for such actions. He was advised by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y to offer an apology which he  ignored. Rather than apologize he ramped up his attitude and attacked all the female students of Georgetown University. This debate has been going on for months and every side has a right to express themselves and be heard. As the President of Georgetown University quoted from St. Augustine "Let us, on both sides, lay aside all arrogance. Let us not, on either side, claim that we have already discovered the truth. let us seek to together as something which is know to neither of us. For then only may we seek it, lovingly and tranquilly, if there be no bold presumption that it is already discovered and possessed." Show Sandra Fluke your support on Twitter @SandraFluke   Ms. Fluke has the support of Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. She has also received the support from the Dean of Georgetown Law William M. Treanor along with Faculty, Staff and Students.

Melvin Wylie

Is Canada Overlooking First Nations?

Instead of boasting about Canada's success in avoiding much of the impacts of the recent global economic downturn at this week's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Stephen Harper should be sharing with them a ground-breaking Canadian plan to stimulate its economy with initiatives that create genuine partnerships with First Peoples. Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, one of 120 First Nations leaders from across Canada to participate in what was billed as a historic Crown-First Nations Gathering, said the post-event consensus was that Canada is intent on pushing through its own legislative agenda for First Nations, instead of working with them on comprehensive and creative solutions. Madahbee said Canada is missing out on an opportunity to be seen as a leader on the world stage. "The National Chief has told Prime Minister Harper that a comprehensive action plan would add CDN $400 billion to the Canadian economy, and eliminate CDN $150 billion in social costs. There are 400 million Indigenous peoples around the globe -- over a million in Canada. We are the fastest growing population. We are the students and workers of the future. Why do governments constantly overlook us? "If financial self-sufficiency of First Nations" is truly the "end-goal" of the Canadian government, they need to be talking to us about the treaty promises and resource revenue-sharing. This is the only way to create certainty for corporate projects. They can no longer expect to barge into our territories without dealing with First Nations peoples." "We have epidemic health and social issues, gross inequities in funding for our students, and virtually no share in the billions in resources being stolen from our traditional territories," said Madahbee, speaking for 39 member communities of the Anishinabek Nation. "What we heard from Mr. Harper was a lame re-hashing of his government's so-called accomplishments for our communities and citizens." Madahbee said the Gathering began with some sources of optimism, a ceremonial opening that included numerous references to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, by which the Crown in Canada envisioned a nation-to-nation relationship in its dealings with First Peoples. "But the Harper Conservatives just cannot bring themselves to truly honour the treaty relationship of sharing upon which Canada's creation was based. They should be convening First Ministers' meetings involving our people and the provinces to create comprehensive action plans. "Instead, they continue to rely on their bureaucrats who, like the ones who created the racist Indian Act in 1876, still act more as roadblocks to First Nations progress than facilitators. The Prime Minister himself said in Ottawa that the old rules - like the Indian Act - don't get good results. "Let's start working together on some new rules."

Melvin Wylie

Indian Trails Launches Michigan Flyer Fleet With Near-Zero Emissions

Michigan Flyer is putting an all-new fleet of four luxury motorcoaches on the road this month, representing a $2,124,000 million investment in the inter-city and airport shuttle service by parent company Indian Trails, Inc., of Owosso, MI. "The decision to invest in this infrastructure upgrade is based on our commitment to our customers, to Michigan Flyer, and to the people of mid-Michigan," said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay. Michigan Flyer makes eight roundtrips each day between East Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, carrying more than 90,000 passengers a year. The new fleet?all state-of-the-art 2012 Prevost H3-45 coaches?is one of the first in Michigan to be equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, which combines Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Diesel Particulate Filters to produce near zero emissions. "We're proud that our Michigan Flyer fleet exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency's 2010 standards on air pollutants and also achieves high fuel economy," said Mackay. "Each of these motorcoaches has the potential to remove 50 automobiles from the highway, further reducing air pollution, traffic congestion, and our nation's dependence on foreign oil." The new coaches?all equipped with ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts?also feature a collection of amenities designed to enhance passenger safety and comfort. One innovative safety feature is an electronic stability system that enables drivers to avoid danger in adverse conditions, such as ice and snow. It monitors vehicle movement, wheel speed, steering angle, and lateral acceleration, then automatically applies brakes or reduces throttle if necessary to prevent skid or rollover. Other advanced safety features include GPS; three-point retractable passenger seatbelts; an engine fire-detection and suppression system; and a tire pressure monitoring system. "The safety of our passengers is always top priority," said Mackay. "But we also realize that many are fatigued by long hours of air travel, or are commuting to and from stressful jobs, so we also aim to provide the most comfortable motorcoach experience possible, including high-end interior amenities." The new Michigan Flyer coaches feature deluxe, ergonomic seating and ample leg room; individual aircraft-style climate controls and reading lamps; tinted Thermopane side windows offering panoramic views plus privacy; 110-volt AC outlets at each seat for charging mobile devices; free WiFi Internet connectivity; flat-screen video monitors; on-board lavatories; enclosed, overhead parcel racks; convenient cup holders; and the largest luggage capacity of any motorcoach available. Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, Michigan Flyer continues to grow. Since its inaugural trips in November 2006, Michigan Flyer has carried more than 400,000 passengers. The Michigan Flyer—whose motto is "Why Drive?"—offers affordable, seamless, luxury motorcoach connections between Lansing, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metro Airport. Jointly owned by Indian Trails and Okemos Travel, Michigan Flyer has achieved an extraordinary 99 percent rate of on-time arrivals and departures. On the web at http://www.michiganflyer.com/. Indian Trails, Inc.—which has served as Michigan's premiere, family-owned, inter-city motorcoach carrier for more than 100 years, and is based in Owosso, MI—operates one of the largest and newest fleets of deluxe motorcoaches in Michigan. Its services include charters, tours, shuttles, airport transfers, casino runs and daily scheduled routes throughout Michigan and into Chicago and Milwaukee. On the web at http://www.indiantrails.com/

Melvin Wylie

School District to save up to 2.6 million gallons of drinking water annually

Central Basin Municipal Water District has partnered with the Montebello Unified School District to connect Montebello Gardens Elementary School to recycled water for landscape irrigation. As of a result of the connection, the School District will save an average of eight acre-feet of drinking water per year at this site. This works out to 2.6 million gallons of drinking water annually. (One acre-foot equals approximately 326,000 gallons, or enough water for two average-sized families for one year). "Central Basin is proud to have partnered with the Montebello Unified School District" said Central Basin Board President Ed Vasquez. "The connection at Montebello Gardens Elementary School is yet another great example of how we can utilize recycled water to create savings and help conserve valuable drinking water." The use of recycled water has several benefits. It is a cost-effective alternative to imported water that can create savings for businesses, schools and cities. Also, it improves reliability and reduces dependence on imported water supplies. In addition to savings and reliability, the use of recycled water has positive environmental impacts such as the reduction of wastewater that is discharged into the ocean. To date more than 200 sites throughout Southeast Los Angeles County have been connected to receive recycled water. Several other locations in the Central Basin service area will hopefully be connected in 2012. Central Basin is a public agency that wholesales imported water to cities, mutual water companies, investor-owned utilities and private companies in southeast Los Angeles County, serving a population of more than 2 million. In addition, Central Basin provides the region with recycled water for municipal, commercial and industrial uses. Formed in 1952, Central Basin is committed to ensuring a safe and reliable water supply for the region. For more information please visit www.centralbasin.org.

Melvin Wylie