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[News Summaries-Department of Interior, 10/91]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Tony Snow Subject Files
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[News Summaries-Department of Interior, 10/91]
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18
29
2
5
OF
NEWS SUMMARY
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Public Affairs
March
]
Monday October 7, 1991 C193
A26 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
THE WASHINGTON POST
Nuclear Waste Shipments
To Idaho Are Resumed
Associated Press
against Idaho, agreeing with the
BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 5-Radioac-
Energy Department that its con-
tract with Public Service Co. to ac-
tive waste shipments to Idaho re-
sumed today, three years after Gov.
cept nuclear waste predated the
1982 act.
Cecil D. Andrus (D) declared he
would not allow his state to become
State Attorney General Larry
EchoHawk said Friday he may seek
a dumping ground.
a rehearing by the full 9th Circuit.
Andrus, who headed the Interior
Andrus and EchoHawk also planned
Department during the Carter ad-
to press challenges this week in
ministration, refused to concede
state court, contending the Idaho
defeat as the first truckload of
laboratory failed to obtain the nec-
about 200 planned shipments of
essary state environmental permits.
waste from a decommissioned nu-
to handle the waste.
clear plant in Colorado rolled into
Andrus charged the Energy De-
the state.
partment, which operates the Idaho
"This Colorado utility's waste is
laboratory, lied to the state for
truly the camel's nose under the
more than a decade on the purpose
tent," he said.
of the shipments. The agency orig-
After a 560-mile trip from Plat-
inally told Idaho the waste would be
teville, Colo., the truck passed an
brought into the state for research
Idaho State Police inspection on its
and development at the lab, he said.
way to the Idaho National Engineer-
"I refuse to accept that it's inev-
ing Laboratory. The 550,000-acre
itable, that they will make a nuclear
federal research installation is in
waste dump out of Idaho. I am go-
eastern Idaho, 130 miles from Col-
ing to do everything I can within
orado.
the law to see that that does not.
A strict inspection of the truck
happen," he said.
loaded with spent fuel rods had
The state already has about 120
been the state's last chance to stop
truckloads of waste from the Col-
the shipment. Last month, Idaho
orado plant. The shipments were
lost its latest round in court to the
made between 1980 and 1986. An-
federal Energy Department in their
drus has been battling with the fed-
ongoing fight over waste from the
eral government over nuclear
Fort St. Vrain nuclear power plant
waste shipments since 1988.
in Platteville.
In 1989, Andrus allowed a few
Idaho contended in a lawsuit that
radioactive waste shipments from
the shipments would violate the
the Rocky Flats nuclear plant near
Nuclear Waste Policy Act because
Denver, citing national security
the Energy Department failed to
concerns because plutonium trig-
conduct a full assessment of the
gers are made there.
threat of radioactive exposure to
One protester at the port of en-
eastern Idaho's 250,000 people.
try at Inkom was arrested today
A three-judge panel of the 9th
when he refused a police order to
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled
get out of the truck's way.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
U.S. Is Set to Store Nuclear Waste
"The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is a
$1 billion U.S. taxpayer investment,"
Mr. Watkins said in a statement. "It
Despite New Mexico's Objections
also costs the taxpayers $13 million per
month to operate. Many other states
are adversely affected by the delays. 1
have to think of them, too."
By KEITH SCHNEIDER
Special to The New York Times
From the beginning of construction
in 1983, the Energy Department has
GOLDEN, Colo., Oct. 5 - Barring a
considered the repository one of its
court order, the first shipment of pluto-
Call for More Negotiations
most important new projects. The De-
nium wastes to the nation's first per-
Gov. Bruce King, a Democrat, said
partment hopes to reduce the amount
manent nuclear waste_repository will
he supported the state's lawsuit, but he
of plutonium wastes piled up at its
leave a nuclear weapons plant in Idaho
also called on Mr. Watkins and mem-
weapons installations, particularly the
on Oct. 10 and arrive in New Mexico
bers of New Mexico's Congressional
Rocky Flats Plant here, where accu-
two days later, the Department of En-
delegation to begin new negotiations on
mulating wastes have become a cen-
ergy said Friday.
when and how the repository would
tral political issue and threatened the
The announcement, by a spokesman
open. "We run the risk that a decision
plant with permanent closure.
in Washington, came a day after Ener-
very important to New Mexico will be
Question of Safety
gy Secretary James D. Watkins by-
made in a distant Federal court," Mr.
passed Congressional approval and
King said in a news conference Friday
The Energy Department also hopes
said the $1 billion Waste Isolation Pilot
in Santa Fe.
to prove it can safely store some of the
Plant, 26 miles east of Carlsbad, N.M.,
The rush of reaction arises from Mr.
world's most dangerous industrial by-
was ready to begin operations soon
Watkins's announcement on Thursday
products. Such lessons, say the depart-
after the shipment arrived.
that the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant had
ment's engineers, would be invaluable
In New Mexico and Washington, the
passed all of its safety reviews and was
in building a separate repository in
state's top political leaders condemned
Nevada for permanently storing even
ready to open. The repository is a cata-
Mr. Watkins's decision, and lawsuits to
more lethal radioactive wastes from
comb of storage rooms 2,150 feet be-
block the respository's opening are be-
neath the desert in southwestern New
civilian nuclear power plants.
ing prepared by New Mexico's Attor-
But the Waste Isolation Pilot Project
Mexico that is designed to permanently
ney General, and state and national
entomb nearly one million barrels of
has been plagued by management, en-
environmental groups.
plutonium wastes from nuclear weap-
gineering and training weaknesses. In
"In going ahead on an administra-
ons plants and laboratories in 10 states.
1988, Energy Department engineers
tive basis, as he has done here, the
Also on Thursday, Interior Secretary
questioned whether the repository
Manual Lujan Jr. transferred control
could be operated safely, and its open-
of 16 square miles of Federal land
ing was indefinitely postponed.
above the repository from his depart-
As doubts grew among Federal engi-
Bypassing state
ment to the Energy Department. Fed-
neers, the safety issue was seized on by
critics of the nuclear weapons industry
eral law requires the Energy Depart-
in New Mexico. They argued that the
leaders to give
ment to control the land before it can
state's narrow roads coupled with the
operate the repository.
weapons plants
Both houses of Congress have been
Energy Department's shortcomings
considering proposals that would au-
represented a grave threat to the
thorize the transfer of the land, but
health of citizens and the environment.
relief.
In Carlsbad, the prospect that the
they have been stuck on other provi-
repository would open soon was greet-
ed with enthusiasm; 900 people are
sions in the legislation.
working there. "People in Carsibad are
Secretary needlessly causes conflict
Negotiations between Mr. Watkins
satisfied that WIPP is safe, and we
with our state and with the Congres-
and New Mexico's two Senators broke
think it should be open," said Don Pat-
sional delegation," said Senator Jeff
down on Thursday over the issue of
terson, the City Administrator.
how much waste to put in the reposi-
But outside Carlsbad, many more
Bingaman, a Democrat, in an inter-
view.
tory in a five-year test. The Environ-
residents were angry. "They're talking
mental Protection Agency has licensed
about barricades in the streets to block
a limit of 9,000 barrels, the amount Mr.
the trucks," said Don Hancock, a nucle-
Watkins says is needed to gain valid
ar expert with the Southwest Informa-
results. Seriator Pete V. Domenici told
tion and Research Center in Albuquer-
Mr. Watkins he would accept such an
que and a leading critic of the reposi-
amount only if the Energy Department
tory. "Normally well-balanced people
plan was validated by independent sch-
are pretty steamed about this."
entific groups; Senator Bingaman ar-
gued that only 4,500 barrels were need-
ed for a test.
In a statement issued on Thursday,
Mr. Watkins said that he he could no
longer wait for Congress's approval.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4. 1991
Nuclear Waste Shipments
to New Mexico Scheduled
Environment: But
it has remained stable for an esti-
If the Administration succeeds in
mated 250 million years. Scientists
opening the facility without con-
state's attorney general
believe that the chambers will
gressional approval, the state is to
vows to block action in
close naturally, entombing the ra-
receive $20 million in impact as-
dioactive debris.
sistance, plus $42 million for road
court. Material would be
In what was to have been a final
improvements.
stored in salt caverns.
step to permit the test shipments,
But Leo P. Duffy, director of the
Assistant Secretary of the Interior
Energy Department's Office of En-
David C. O'Neal signed an order
vironmental Restoration and
By RUDY ABRAMSON
Thursday transferring control of
Waste Management, said that the
TIMES STAFF WRITER
the 10,200-acre site to the Energy
payments would be withheld if the
WASHINGTON-Saying that it
Department.
state proceeds with a lawsuit.
has complied with all safety and
Udall. however, responded by
Material to be stored in the
environmental requirements, the
claiming that the transfer was
facility includes refuse from nucle-
U.S. Department of Energy Thurs-
illegal and said that he would take
ar weapons facilities contaminated
day proposed shipping the first of
the matter to court.
by plutonium and other toxic mate-
an estimated 8,500 barrels of radio-
rials generated in nuclear weapons
T
he Energy Department- first
active waste to the southeastern
production.
planned to begin testing the
New Mexico repository selected as
Although the kind of radiation
repository. in 1988 but the tests
the nation's first permanent nucle-
emitted by plutonium cannot pene-
have been delayed repeatedly be
ar disposal site.
trate even a piece of paper, pluto-
cause of technical and safety re-
nium is one of the most. toxic
But New Mexico Atty. Gen. Tom
quirements. The most recent hur-
substances known to man. It de-
Udall said that he would try to stop
dle was congressional reluctance to
the shipments by seeking a tempo-
cays so slowly that a permanent
transfer ownership of the site from
repository must remain fail-safe
rary restraining order in federal
the Bureau of Land Management to
for about 10,000 years. If the five-
court.
the Energy Department:
year test proves the site to be safe,
S
cheduled to begin late next
The transfer order was signed
approximately 880,000 drums of
week unless the courts inter-
Thursday at the request of Energy
material are expected to be low-
vene, the shipments would mark
Secretary James D. Watkins.
ered into the salt chambers over
the beginning of a five-year test of
A land-transfer bill adopted by
the next 20 years.
the facility's suitability as a nuclear
the House Interior Committee last
disposal site.
June would pay New Mexico $20
A series of catacombs hollowed
million per year for the next four
out of 2,100-foot-deep salt deposits
years and a lump sum of $200
beneath the desert near Carlsbad,
million when the repository is
N.M., the site was chosen because
declared operational.
Albuquerque Journal October 4, 1991
Udall Tells
DOE: 'See
You in Court'
By Richard Parker
drawal and the movement of test
And Susan Landon
waste to the WIP? site," Udail said.
Immediately after the Interior
JOURNAL STAFF WRITERS
Department approved the formal
transfer of WIPP's land and facili-
WASHINGTON - The Interior
Department quickly approved a re-
ties to the Energy Department, Gov.
Bruce King's office was informed.
quest from Energy Secretary
by DOE that a waste shipment will
James Watkins late Thursday to
be sent from Idaho National En-
turn over the site of the Waste
gineering Labs as early 36 Oct. 10,
Isolation Pilot Plant, clearing the
said Sohn McKean, King's press
way for the first shipment of trans-
uranic waste from Idaho next
secretary.
McKean said the governor will
Thursday.
probably meet with Udall today to
Attorney General Tom Udall said
discuss legal action.
he would seek a temporary restrain-
"The attorney general is the gov-
ing order against the Department of
ernor's chief legal adviser, and the
Energy in federal court.
governor is likely to support what-
"We believe that this is an illegal
ever the attorney general thinks is
action by Secretary Watkins," Udail
necessary to support the state's
said in phone interview from Santa
legal position," McKean said.
Fe. "I have four words for Secre-
"The governor greatly prefers a
tary Watkins: See you in court."
"We're going to proceed to court
MORE: See UDALL on PAGE A0
to stop the administrative with-
Watkins added that he will begin
Other members of New Mexico':
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1
tests at WIPP - while at the same
congressional delegation had this to
time supporting a land withdrawal
say of Watkins' decision:
congressional land withdrawal,"
bill; should one get under way in
"I am enormously disturbed t.
McKean said. "He is disappointed
Congress. He said that such a bill
the Department of Energy's dec:
Congress has not received suffi-
would provide guarantees not only
sion," said Democratic Rep. Bill
cient time to act this fall on the land
for New Mexico but also for the
Richardson "I will fight this actio:
withdrawal bill The governor still
federal government.
vigorously, including joining a law
hopes some congressional action
suit as a private citizen."
will take place."
Watkins said he was aware that
Richardson added that hi
Watkins, appearing frustrated
Udall has threatened to block the
"cooperative attitude with DOE ba
and agitated after three weeks of
tests in court. And he said the
ended."
negotiations with New Mexico's two
Energy Department could halt ship-
Republican Rep. Steve Schift
senators, said in a news conference
ments. depending on the basis of a
"I'm disappointed but not sur
Thursday be had a responsibility to
other states and the nation's tax-
potential lawsuit.
prised. The secretary of energy be
But he also accused Udall of
made it very clear that be intends
payers to begin radioactive experi-
ments at the plant.
acting irresponsibly.
open WIPP one way or the other.
"The attorney general is using
Republican Rep. Joe Skeen said
"WIPP is a $1 billion installation,"
whatever he can find in the law and
"It's unfortunate that the negoti
Watkins told reporters. "It costs the
he's off base," Watkins said. "We
tions have broken down over such
taxpayers $13 million a month. I
ought to get on with it"
minute point." But be added,
have a responsibility not only to the
Watkins said that a lawsuit would
don't condemn DOE for taking tb
taxpayers but other states. We have
endanger long-term financial aid to
action in light of Congress' failur
reached the limit of our ability to
the state for the economic impact of
to act."
negotiate."
the project and improvement of
Watkins said negotiators came
roads to the plant. With the first
ct .e last week to agreeing on a
Senate bill that would withdraw the
shipment of waste next week. the
WIPP site and still pledge health.
department plans to release $20
million in economic aid to the state
safety and financial guarantees to
the state of New Mexico. But the
and $42 million for road improve-
negotiations broke down after Dem-
ments.
ocratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman insisted
"If the state takes legal action
that no more than one-half of 1
against DOE," Watkins said "Then
percent of WIPP's total volume be
obviously the money has to be
used for radioactive tests. Watkins
withheld"
on the other hand insisted on as
Udall said from Santa Fe be didn't
much as 1 percent of the site's total
know when the state would go to
me for the experiments.
court to seek the restraining order,
tkins' decision to seek the
but said it would be before Oct. 10.
inistrative withdrawal of WIPP
There are many reasons the state
after years of deadlock and
believes the DOE action is illegal,
uebate with Congress capped off
Udall said.
a day of recriminations and 11th-
The first shipment is due to leave
hour attempts at compromise. Wat-
Idaho next Thursday, according to
kins singled out Bingaman as the
Leo Duffy, chief of the depart-
reason for the breakdown of
ment's waste cleanup effort. A
negotiations.
truck containing one bin of trans-
And Bingaman said in a statement
uranic waste - mainly contamin-
that he, in turn, was disappointed in
ated glass articles - will leave
Watkins' decision.
Idaho National Engineering Labora-
Watkins also rejected a com-
tory bound for WIPP, in southeast-
tise attempt by Republican
ern New Mexico. Each bin contains
Pete Domenici. Late Thursday
five to six drums of waste, and each
morning, Domenici broke ranks
drum contains 1.5 to 1.8 cubic
with Bingaman to offer his support
meters of waste, Duffy said.
for allowing double the transuranic
A second bin is scheduled to
waste that Bingaman would allow
follow in October and a third in
into WIPP.
November. Shipments are expected
"I believe that one last effort
to increase in the following months.
should be' made," Domenici said.
The Idaho lab holds some 60,000
"What Pm fearful of is that no bill
drums of transuranic waste, 70
will get through."
percent of the waste eventually
Watkins said be rejected Domeni-
sound for WIPP.
ci's plan because it did not have
Bingaman's support.
Albuquerque Tribure
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3. 1991
Domenici
Interior Secretary Manuel
Bingaman said that, while
offers WIPP
Lujan Jr. has said he would
DOE has "made a case for being
approve the transfer, bypassing
able to put up to half of a
Congress. The Interior Depart-
percent into the site for pur-
compromise
ment would then transfer owner-
poses of testing I haven't seen
ship of the lands around WIPP to
similiar justification for going
DOE before the facility can
beyond that."
By KAREN MacPHERSON
open.
The WIPP legislation being
Washington bureeu
Meanwhile, Domenici pushed
considered by Congress would
his compromise, saying he be
transfer ownership of 10,000
WASHINGTON - Sen. Pete
lieves he has the key support of
acres of land near WIPP from
Domenici today offered a last-
the top two members of the
the Department of Interior to
ditch compromise on the Waste
Senate Energy and Natural Re-
DOE, which will bury radioac-
Isolation Pilot Plant, hoping to
sources Committee to attach his
tive waste from its nuclear
stop the U.S. Energy Department
proposal to WIPP legislation the
weapons plants 2,150 feet below
from opening the $1 billion
panel is now considering.
the desert surface at WIPP.
nuclear dump without Congress'
Sen. Jeff Bingaman still
If Watkins does open WIPP on
approval
opposes it.
his own, New Mexico could be a
Domenici's proposal came 89
Domenici's compromise
big loser. Legislation now in
Energy Secretary James Watkins
would give the energy depart-
Congress would give New Mex-
reportedly was close to using his
ment the right to store up to 1
ico millions of dollars for hos-
administrative powers to open
percent of the WIPP's limit. He
ting WIPP.
WIPP without waiting for Con-
and Bingaman had wanted to
gress to pass legislation for the
keep the limit at half of 1
Carlsbad-area facility.
percent.
CongressDaily
October 3. 1991
ENERGY Domenici, Bingaman Split On 'Final' WIPP Offer
Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., in an effort to avert an apparently imminent move by the
Energy Department to use its administrative authority to withdraw land for the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant (WIPP), today sent what he called a "final" offer to Energy Secretary Watkins on
legislation regarding the site. The bill would set conditions for the higher limit sought by DOE on
the amount of radioactive waste that could be stored at the site. An aide to Sen. Jeff Bingaman.
D-N.M., however, said that Bingaman does not support the latest offer by Domenici, and will not
agree to a higher limit under any circumstances.
Although a Domenici aide said there had been "indications" Watkins was about to begin the
withdrawal. which would transfer control of the land from the Interior Department to DOE, a
DOE spokesman said this afternoon that Watkins had not made a decision on the withdrawal.
The spokesman also called Domenici's new offer "close" to being acceptable to Watkins, but
said no decision had been made on it.
Although Domenici and Bingaman had insisted that DOE be restricted to storing no more
than one-half of 1 percent of the total capacity of the WIPP site during a seven-year "test" period,
Domenici's new offer would allow the limit to rise to the 1 percent sought by DOE as long as the
department explained the scientific necessity for the higher limit; submitted a plan for review and
comment to the National Academy of Sciences, EPA, New Mexico's Environmental Evaluation
Group, and the state of New Mexico; and received EPA approval. Domenici and Bingaman have
sought a legislative, rather than an administrative, withdrawal of the land in order to incorporate
not only the storage limit, but also standards for transportation of the waste and requirements for
road-improvement funding.
Albuquerque Tribune
10/4/91
Activists may
confront WIPP trucks
" Will the Department of Energy tell
their people to run over people, or will
they tell the drivers to stop? Will they
send U.S. marshals along? "
Don Hancock
Southwest Research and information Center
of it will be spontaneous," said
By KAREN MacPHERSON
of the Santa-Fe based Con-
New Mexican Don Hancock of
certed Citizens for Nuclear
Washington bureeu
the Southwest Research and
Safety.
WASHINGTON - En-
Information Center.
King has declined to comment
vironmentalists are preparing a
While Hancock refused to give
on Watkins' decision until a
network of activists from Idaho
specifics, he did ask rhetorically:
press conference later today, but
to New Mexico who may try to
"Whi the Department of Energy
has indicated through a spokes-
stop the first truck bearing
tell their people to run over
man that he would support a
radioactive waste to the Waste
people, or will they tell the
lawsuit to block the waste.
Isolation Pilot Plant.
drivers to stop? WIN they send
Watkins warned New Mexico
One day after Energy Secre-
U.S. marahals along?"
that if the state sues his agency
tary James Wathins' decision to
Environmentalists continue to
over his go-ahead for WIPP, the
open WIPP without congression-
urge Gov. Bruce King to use his
Please see WIPP/AC
al approval, environmentalists
police powers to prevent the
remained cryptic about their
DOE trucks from reaching
plans.
WIPP.
But the groups appear to be
"We hope that he'll come out
gearing up to follow trucks
and say the borders are closed to
leaving the Department of Ener-
this waste," said Margaret Carde
gy's Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory as early as Thursday.
The environmentalists also
may be ready to lie down on
roadways to prevent the truck
from continuing.
"Part of it will be planned. Part
OK means radioactive waste
Leo Duffy, DOE's "waste czar,"
WIPP
From A1
could be on its way to WIPP near
told a news conference late
Carlsbad next week.
Thursday.
state is turning away $63 million
But the six carbon-steel drums
Udall, joined by the en-
and may be threatening as much
of waste are likely to just sit
vironmentalists and several New
as $600 million.
where they are, at the Depart-
Mexico congressional delegation
But New Mexico Attorney
ment of Energy's Idaho National
members, decried Watkins' decl-
General Tom Udall has vowed to
Engineering Laboratory, while
sion to open WIPP - instead of
go to court, at least to seek
Udall and Watkins slug it out in
waiting for congressional ap-
health and safety protections
court over the facility.
proval of legislation transferring
missing from Watkins' plan.
"We don't want to have waste
ownership of the lands sur-
Watkins' decision Thursday to
on the road when there is some
rounding WIPP from the Interior
open the nation's first nuclear
question whether we're going to
Department to DOE.
waste dump without Congress'
have an injunction against us,"
Acting swiftly after Watkins'
decision late Thursday, Interior
reporters.
Department officials used their
In fact, if Congress falls to
own administrative powers to
pass WIPP legislation, the state
complete the transfer.
can kiss goodbye to up to $600
As Watkins announced his
million that the bill would re-
decision, he noted that New
quire DOE to pay to New Mex-
Mexico is entitled to $63 million
ico, Watkins added.
just as soon as the first shipment
Several health and safety re-
of radioactive waste arrives.
quirements in the WIPP legisla
"If the state takes legal actions
tion are missing in Watkins'
against the Department of Ener-
administrative order, including
gy, then obviously those monies
that DOE itself determines when
will have to be withheld," Wat-
it meets environmental stan-
kins told a group of New Nexico
dards.
New Mexican
10/4/91
Watkins: WIPP
shipments
begin in week
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1991
THE ALBUQUERQUE TRIBUNE / THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT
WHAT THE MAJOR PLAYERS SAY ABOUT OPENING WIPP
James Watkins
Tom Udall
Energy secretary
Pete Domenici
Attorney general
U.S. senator
"We're not trying to ram it
"I'm sure there are some
down their (New Mexicans')
angry New Mexicans who
"I believe an administrative
throats. We're trying to do it
could use some four letter
withdrawal Is not in the best
sensibly and property. But I
words about Secretary Wat-
interest of either the Depart-
have other concerns to worry
kins The four words I have
ment of Energy or (the) state
about I sit here facing a $13
for him are, 'See you in court."
of New Mexico. I regret to-
million monthly bill (to run
day's decision and have no
WIPP).
alternative but to oppose it."
Jeff Bingaman
Manuel Lujan
U.S. senator
Interior secretary
"The Department of Energy
"He (Walkins) assured me
has never justified the need
that all clearances have been
for doubling the amount of
received. Ha further told me
waste for the experimental
that (environmental agencies
program I have difficulty just
and scientiets) have agreed
saying, OK, whatever you
that WIPP can be operated
guys want."
safety."
A WIPP CHRONOLOGY
SANTA FE - Here is a
izes WIPP for the disposal of
dates part of EPA's radioac-
chronology of key events
radioactive wastes.
tive-waste disposal stand-
relating to the Waste Isola-
1980 - DOE issues its
ards, leaving no repository
tion Pilot Plant:
Final Environmental Impact
standards applicable to
1955 - The U.S. Atomic
Statement on WIPP.
WIPP.
Energy Commission asks the
1981 - New Mexico Attor-
1988 - DOE announces
National Academy of Scienc-
ney General Jeff Bingaman
WIPP will not open as sched-
es to study permanent dis-
sues DOE and the Depart-
uled in October.
posal of radioactive wastes.
ment of Interior. The suit is
1989 - DOE applies to the
A committee the following
resolved by an agreement
Interior Department for the
year recommends disposal in
requiring more studies and
withdrawal from public use
salt deposits.
guaranteeing the state more
of 10,240 acres of federal
1970 - A Lyons, Kan., salt
information. The first explo-
land. DOE petitions EPA for a
mine is selected as the poten-
ratory shaft is drilled. The
waiver from the RCRA land
tial site for a radioactive
repository is redesigned af-
disposal restrictions. DOE is-
waste depository.
ter a large, highly pressur-
sues its five-year test plan
1972 - The Lyons site is
ized brine reservoir is dis-
for WIPP. The Nuclear Regu-
judged unacceptable.
covered.
latory Commission approves
1974 - A site 30 miles east
1985 - The state's watch-
the TRUPACT-II containers.
of Carlsbad, N.M., is chosen
dog Environmental Evalua-
DOE says July 1, 1990 is
for exploratory work.
tion Group notifies DOE the
earliest possible WIPP open-
1975 - A 3,000-foot-deep
TRUPACT-I container pro-
ing date.
borehole is drilled; the site is
posed for WIPP shipments is
1990 - DOE issues its
abandoned after pressurized
unacceptable. The EPA pro-
Final Supplement Environ-
brine is encountered. Anoth-
mulgates its radioactive-
mental Impact Statement on
er site, seven miles away, is
waste disposal standards ap-
WIPP. EPA grants a condi-
recommended and studied.
plicable to WIPP.
tional waiver from RCRA
1977 - The Energy Re-
1986 - EPA says WIPP
restrictions.
search and Development Ad-
must meet the standards of
1991 - Interior Depart-
ministration (the Department
the Resource Conservation
ment administratively trans-
of Energy's predecessor)
and Recovery Act of 1976 for
fers WIPP land to DOE on
tells the Nuclear Regulatory
disposing of mixed hazardous
Jan. 22. House Interior and
Commission it will request a
and radioactive waste.
Insular Affairs Committee
license to build the WIPP
1987 - DOE selects a new
passes a resolution on March
plant near Carlsbad.
design for shipping contain-
6 nullifying the administra-
1979 - Congress author-
ers. A federal court invali-
tive transfer.
OCTOBER 7, 1991
Washington Times
Town welcomes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
State Attorney General Larry
nuclear waste
EchoHawk said Friday he may seek
CARLSBAD, N.M. - It's been
The Washington Times
a hearing by the full 9th Circuit.
years coming but it appears a nu-
Mr. Andrus and Mr. EchoHawk also
clear waste repository with strong
planned to press challenges this
backing in this southeastern New
Radioactive waste
week in state court, contending the
Mexico community will be opening
rolls into Idaho
Idaho laboratory failed to obtain
soon, despite opposition from state
the necessary state environmental
political leaders.
BOISE. Idaho Radioactive
permits to handle the waste.
The government plans to bury
waste shipments to Idaho resumed
plutonium-contaminated waste
yesterday. three years after Gov.
2,150 feet below the surface in salt
Cecil Andrus declared he wouldn't
beds 26 miles southeast of
allow his state to become a dump-
Carlsbad.
ing ground.
Mr. Andrus. a former U.S. inte-
USA TODAY MONDAY, OCTOBER 7. 1991
Excitement is building among
residents as the Department of En-
rior secretary, refused to concede
ergy prepares to move into a test
defeat as the first truckload of
phase 20 years in the making. Their
about 200 planned shipments of
NUKE WASTE BATTLE: Idaho's losing battle w keep
enthusiasm hasn't been dampened
waste from a decommissioned nu-
high-level nuclear waste from being brought in for storage
by threats from state Attorney
clear plant in Colorado rolled into
makes it harder to prevent the state from becoming a
General Tom Udall and environ-
the state on its way to the Idaho Na-
"dumping ground" for such waste, Gov. Cecil Andrus said.
mental groups to sue the agency if
tional Engineering Laboratory.
Last month. Idaho lost its latest
The first of more than 200 planned truckloads of radioac-
it attempts to ship waste into New
round in court to the federal De-
tive waste rolled into Idaho-Saturday and passed state po-
Mexico.
partment of Energy over waste
lice inspection. Andrus, battling with the federal govern-
Community leaders say the
from the Fort St. Vrain nuclear
ment over nuclear waste shipments since 1988, said, "I
plant, which employs about 900
power plant in Platteville. Colo.
refuse to accept that it's inevitable, that they will make a
people, has brought millions of dol-
nuclear waste dump out of Idaho. I am going to do every-
lars into the area's economy and
thing I can within the law to see that that does not happen."
will provide a safe, permanent
place to store the nation's nuclear
refuse.
Albuquerque Tribune
10/3/91
LETTERS
There are specific check sta-
tions where $3 vouchers will be
Squawfish facts
issued for each squawfish 11
inches long or longer.
It occurs to me that if this
Mark Taylor's Sept. 23 column
effort in reducing Northern
on the squawfish states that he
Squawfish is successful, then it,
felt like Alice sitting down to tea
too, may become eligible for
with the Mad Hatter because he
endangered species Meting at
could not believe that there was
some point in the future.
a bounty on the squawfish in
After all, the demand by fisher-
Washington and Oregon.
men for reduction of the Colora-
Well, it is time to take notice of
do Squawfish so that sport
the facts.
fishing could be developed has
A six-year study in the John
been cited as one of the reasons
Day Pool of the Columbia River
leading to consideration of the
found that Northern Squawfish
species as endangered.
ate 2 million juvenile salmon, or
Talk about "curiouser and
about 9 percent of the entire
curiouser!"
annual run
MANUEL LUJAN JR
By removing 20 percent of the
U.S. Interior Secretary
adult squawfish, they believe
Washington, D.C.
they can reduce the predation on
salmon by about 50 percent.
For clarification: Mark Taylor's
Incidentally, salmon are being
column did not question whether
considered for the endangered
anyone had put a bounty on the
species list.
Northern Squawfish, which is not
an endangered species. Rather, it
questioned Lujan's apparent
assertion that the Northern
Squawfish was endangered, and
that, even so, $ bounty had been
OCTOBER 7, 1991
placed on it.
Washington Times
THE WASHINGTON POST
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
Smithsonian returns
bones for burial
Added to Wildlife Reserve
LARSEN BAY, Alaska - The
bones of hundreds of Kodiak Island
natives were reburied here in a
Russian Orthodox ceremony nearly
60 years after the Smithsonian In-
Land Tract at Army Base
stitution took them for research
without islanders' permission.
The skeletal remains of 756 per-
sons, taken from the island off
A 7,600-acre tract of undeveloped
Alaska's southern coast in the
land at the Fort George G. Meade Ar-
1930s. were flown home last month
my Base officially became a wildlife re-
in cardboard boxes. Some of the re-
serve this week.
mains were 2,000 years old. while
The tract will fall under the jurisdic-
others were of people who died of a
tion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
1918 flu epidemic. archeologists
vice's Patuxent Wildlife Research Cen-
and islanders said.
ter in Laurel. The land transfer
The remains were buried Satur-
increases the wildlife research facility
day in a 50-foot-long trench on
a grassy hill on the outskirts of the
to 12,300 acres.
village.
The tract of land is part of a 9,000-
It was the largest repatriation of
acre parcel that is being shed by the
native remains by the Smithsonian
74-year-old military installation in re-
since the 1990 Native American
sponse to the department of defense's
Grave and Burial Protection Act re-
base closure and realignment plan.
quired federal museums to return
them to tribes.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER, Publisher
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER JR., Deputy Publisher
MAX FRANKEL. Executive Editor
JOSEPH LELYVELD. Managing Editor
WARREN HOGE, Assistant Managing Editor
DAVID R. JONES, Assistant Managing Editor
CAROLYN LEE, Assistant Managing Editor
The New York Times
JOHN M. LEE, Assistant Managing Editor
ALLAN M. SIEGAL, Assistant Managing Editor
JACK ROSENTHAL. Editorial Page Editor
Founded in 1851
PHILIP M. BOFFEY, Deputy Editorial Page Editor
ADOLPH 8. OCHS, Publisher 1896-1935
ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER, Publisher 1935-1961
LANCE R. PRIMIS, President and General Manager
ORVIL R. DRYFOOS, Publisher 1961-1963
RUSSELL T. LEWIS, Sr. V.P., Deputy General Manager
JOHN M. O'BRIEN, Sr. V.P., Deputy General Manager
ERICH G. LINKER JR., Sr. V.P., Advertising
WILLIAM L POLLAK, Sr. V.P., Circulation
ELISE J. ROSS, V.P., Systems
JAMES A. CUTIE. V.P., Marketing
National Forests: Going, Going
The forests are sanctuaries not only of human
Yet the trees kept falling. One reason was that
life but also of the human spirit. And every tree is a
a big chunk of the service's budget comes from
compact between generations.
selling timber. Perversely, some of its conservation
So declared President Bush in 1989. Yet Mr.
programs - erosion control and plant and animal
Bush has done little more than his indifferent
inventory - are funded by timber sales. As a result,
predecessor to stop the devastation of these sanctu-
the service assigns targets to each of its nine
national forest regions, rewarding forest managers
aries. Logging in the national forests continues at a
who meet their "cut."
furious pace. And neither the President nor Con-
It's a cozy deal for industry because the timber
gress has tried to strike a. fair compromise between
harvested from public land is cheap. The Forest
the needs of nature and industry.
Last week, two senior Forest Service officials
Service picks up road construction and other costs.
That, of course, creates artificially low prices, re-
with responsibility for millions of public acres told
duces incentives to harvest private land and further
Congress they had been kicked out of their jobs for
increases the pressure on public lands. But loggers
resisting orders to increase the timber harvest that
love it.
they felt were environmentally unsound. Their defi-
The Government has been equally solicitous of
ance, they said, provoked the wrath of the timber
industry in the Pacific Northwest, whose majestic
industry and the White House.
old-growth forests are coveted by loggers. These
Such charges of industry favoritism are a
forests are also home to the spotted owl, and for
further embarrassment to an Administration still
years, conservation groups - as anxious to save the
smarting from the spanking it got in May from U.S.
forests as they were the owl - urged that the bird
District Judge William L. Dwyer of Seattle. Accus-
be listed as a threatened species.
ing the Administration of a "deliberate and system-
The Reagan Administration dawdled, knowing
atic refusal" to comply with laws protecting wild-
full well that if it protected the owl it would also
life, he banned further logging in parts of the old-
have to protect its habitat. And when Mr. Bush
growth forests of the Pacific Northwest until Fed-
reluctantly agreed to list the owl in 1990, his aides
eral agencies produced an effective protection plan
torpedoed an interagency plan to set aside millions
for the endangered spotted owl.
of acres to protect the habitat.
Congress is now seeking a compromise to the
That's what set Judge Dwyer off. He acknowl-
old-growth dispute. But it obviously has a much
edged the complexity of the issue and the hardship
bigger task: the need to rethink the purpose of the
his decision might cause for logging families, whose
national forests and the role of their designated
anxiety borders on desperation. Yet he found it
stewards, mainly the Forest Service.
inconceivable that "the mightiest economy on
Historically, Federal policy has favored exploi-
earth" could not find a way both to manage its
tation of the national forests, which provide roughly
irreplaceable old-growth forests and ease the pain
15 percent of the nation's wood. The Forest Service
for workers, families and communities.
has long been- in the business of selling timber. In
Judge Dwyer is right. But the courts are not the
1976 a worried Congress adopted the National For-
place to set policy in the Northwest or anywhere
est Management Act, which urged the service to
else in the national forest system. That is a job for
treat the forests as valuable ecosystems by balanc-
the "environment President" and the Congress.
ing wilderness and industry values.
And so far, both have failed.
THE OREGONIAN
10/4/91
Legislation
Camp. Calif., and Molalla, Ore.,
deserve certainty. They deserve to
know how to plan their lives over
on sales
the coming year."
Neither the agency managers nor
the committee offered any certainty.
of timber
Morrison asked Overbay and
Jamison whether enacting the Jack
Ward Thomas report into law would
help. The Thomas report, a plan
collapses
devised by a team of government sci-
entists to protect the owl, would bar
logging on vast tracts of federal for-
By ROBERTA ULRICH
ests.
of The Oregonian staff
Jamison said it would reduce the
WASHINGTON - Efforts to
area on which the BLM could offer
resolve the dispute over logging lev-
timber sales from 1.6 million acres to
els in the Northwest's federal forests
700,000 acres.
crumbled on one front Thursday
Overbay said the Thomas plan
and inched forward on another.
was the Forest Service's preferred
Amid a flurry of news releases
alternative for meeting the require-
and rumors, Rep. Norm Dicks, D-
ments for getting the injunction lift-
Wash., gave up, at least temporarily,
ed. The injunction by U.S. District
a behind-the-scenes effort to attach
Judge William Dwyer bars 171 sales
some language to the Interior Ap-
totaling 2 billion to 3 billion board
propriations Bill to insure Forest
feet on 66,000 acres in Oregon,
Service and Bureau of Land Man-
Washington and California.
agement timber sales in 1992.
Meanwhile, a House subcommit-
Overbay said the Forest Service
tee with jurisdiction over forest
hoped to meet Dwyer's March dead-
Issuez collected some facts it needs
line for preparing an environmental
to write legislation aimed at perma.
impact statement on the sales. but
nently resolving the dispute over
even that might not get the injune-
tion lifted in 1992.
logging, preservation of old-growth
forests and protection for the threat-
Rep. Bob Smith, R-Ore., a subcom-
ened spotted owl.
mittee member, suggested, "Maybe
James C. Overbay, deputy chief of
the best advice is to go forward with
the U.S. Forest Service, said the
the Forest Service and BLM and
agency could sell 2.2 billion to 3
turn over management of the forests
billion board feet of timber in Ore-
to the experts and not try to micro-
gon and Washington, but any figure
manage from Congress."
is uncertain because of an injunc-
tion barring sales in owl habitat. If
Morrison said industry represent-
the injunction remains in place, the
atives had told him last week that if
sale level could be close to the 1991
Congress would not pass a bill guar-
level of 1.1 billion board feet, he said.
anteeing S billion board feet in
Cy Jamison, director of the BLM,
annual sales, to "just forget it."
said the agency planned to sell 750
Rep. Mike Kopetski, D-Ore., & sub-
million board feet of timber. Howev-
committee member, said after the
er, "I cannot guarantee we can make
hearing, however, that without per-
that target," he said. Sales could
manent legislation, sales In federal
drop to 430 million to 440 million
forests in Western Oregon and
board feet, only slightly more than
Washington would dip to 200 million
the 1991 offering.
board feet a year. "I'm not willing to
"While these are cold numbers.
accept that," he said.
these are lives of people before us,"
said Rep. Sid Morrison. R-Wash.,
The Interior Appropriations Bill
ranking Republican on the subcom-
provides enough money to arrange 3
mittee. "The folks in Cle Elum,
billion board feet in sales, but few
Wash.; La Grande, Ore.; and Happy
believe the agency can sell that
much timber during the year.
Rocky Mountain News
October 4, 1991
Public foots
concessions in more than 100 na-
tional parks, the amount of money
concession
thus spent each year throughout
the park system "could be sub-
stantial," inspector general James
bills in parks
Richards said in a memo to Interi-
or Secretary Manuel Lujan.
$2 million in tax funds
Concessionaires are already un-
der fire in Congress because of the
went to concerns in 10
low fees they pay the government
western parks in three
for the privilege of operating in
national parks and other public
years, review shows
lands. Legislation is: pending to
raise the fees, which average 2.5%
By John Brinkley
of gross receipts but run as low as
0.75%.
News Washington Bureau
"This is typical of the sweet-
WASHINGTON - At Rocky
Mountain National Park, Park
heart deals that have lasted too
Service personnel performed
long between the parks and these
building repairs for the privately
concessionaires," said Rep. Mike
Synar, D-Okla., author of a bill to
run Hidden Valley Ski Lodge,
raise the fees to 22%. "It's clear
plowed its road, maintained live-
from this, if there was ever any
stock trails and sent the $107,000
doubt, that the concessionsires are
bill to the taxpayers.
running the parks and not the Park
At the Glen Canyon National
Service."
Recreation Area in Utah, the Park
Service spent $172,000 of federal
He said the inspector general's
funds on repairs to the Dangling
report would add momentum to
Rope Marina's dock, on which sit.
his bill and a similar one sponsored
the privately owned marina's store
by Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark.
and boat repair shop.
"We believe that maintenance is
These are only two of many
1 business cost and that the con-
examples of spending tax funds to
cessionaire should perform main-
benefit park concessionaires and
tenance work, or the park should
other non-federal entities turned
be reimbursed for any mainte-
up by the Interior Department's
nance costs incurred on behalf of
inspector general.
the concessions," the report said.
A review of such expenditures
In response, the Park Service
at 10 western parks found that
agreed to define precisely which
they added up to roughly $2 mil-
maintenance costs are to be borne
lion during fiscal years 1988, '89
by the service and to start billing
and '90. Since there are private
concessionaires for the rest.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Interior Department
Backs Plan to Raze Dams
Northwest:
Some of the dams were built in
preferable to alternatives such as
Conservationists agree that
the 1800s. Most were last licensed
coal or nuclear.
in the 1940s, when federal regula-
river systems should be
"Every power source has its
tors gained jurisdiction over them.
disadvantages," said Don Brunell.
restored to aid struggling
"When these projects were built,
president of the Assn. of Washing-
there was little understanding and
ton Business. "The question we
salmon species.
virtually no protection of the ecol-
have to ask is: Which has the least?
ogy of river systems," said John
We've got to have a balance be-
Echeverria, conservation director
By DAVID FOSTER
tween power and environment."
for American Rivers, a river-advo-
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Conservationists believe the El-
cacy group. "Relicensing is an
wha River may be their best shot
P
ORT ANGELES, Wash.
opportunity to restore a lot of
for swinging that balance toward
From atop the Elwha Dam,
important river values that have
dam removal.
the plight of the lone salmon
been lost."
Though hydropower is common
far below was clearly hopeless.
The dams block rivers nation-
in the Northwest, the Elwha is
The fish, perhaps 40 pounds strong,
wide:
unique. Unlike most rivers in the
leaped from the water again and
In northeastern Wisconsin,
region, it has not been degraded by
ágain, hurling itself against the
state officials are lobbying to rid
spillway's base, only to be pum-
the scenic Pine River of a small
agriculture or development. The
watershed above the two dam
meled back by the thundering
hydropower dam up for relicensing
reservoirs is pristine, situated com-
current.
in 1993.
pletely within the 922,000-acre
Instinct and sheer persistence
River advocates trying to re-
Olympic National Park.
once propelled salmon toward
store Atlantic salmon to Maine's
Also, the undammed Elwha was
spawning grounds far up the 45-
Kennebec River hope to remove
one of the few Northwest rivers to
mile Elwha River. But no more.
the 154-year-old Edwards Dam.
support all five species of Pacific
For 80 years, this dam, just five
which produces electricity for
iniles from the ocean, has been the
salmon, including huge chinook
end of the line.
1,800 homes. The relicensing pro-
that grew to 100 pounds.
cess is their last resort; negotia-
Now, however, there's a grow-
No salmon, however, could leap
tions between the state and owners
ing chance the salmon may win
the 110-foot-high Elwha Dam,
back their river.
to raze the dam fell apart last fall.
built in 1911 without a fish ladder.
Removal is proposed for just a
"The Interior Department, buck-
Elders of the Kiallam Indian tribe
handful of dams. Most cases in-
ing a century of government zeal
recall the first years after con-
volve less drastic measures. In
to dam the Northwest's rivers,
struction, when thousands of salm-
Massachusetts, for example, white-
wants to tear down two privately
on battered themselves to death
owned hydroelectric dams and re-
water rafters want a utility compa-
against the dam's base.
store the Elwha to what it was: a
ny to increase summertime flows
The 210-foot-high Glines Can-
over eight dams so the Deerfield
wild, fertile river that produced
yon Dam was built seven miles
River doesn't dry to a trickle.
some of the world's biggest salmon.
upstream in 1926, also without a
It's the first time the federal
Elsewhere, environmentalists are
fish ladder.
agency has recommended remov-
urging fish-saving devices such as
When Olympic National Park
fish ladders or screens over tur-
ing a major dam for environmental
was created in 1938, the Glines
bines.
concerns, making the Elwha a
Canyon Dam remained as a private
But even those modifications
focal point as conservationists na-
inholding within the park. The
Cionwide gear up for a once-in-50-
could cost millions, drawing oppo-
Elwha Dam is located a few miles
years battle over about 200 hydro-
sition from hydropower boosters,
outside the park. Both are owned
power dams due for relicensing by
who say dams don't deserve a bad
by the James River Corp.
1993.
environmental rap. They argue
Today, spawning salmon are
that hydropower, which generates
confined to the five miles below
13% of the nation's electricity, is a
the dams. One salmon species has
clean, renewable energy source
vanished from the river, and the
others constitute a total annual run
of about 40,000 fish. That's one-
10th of what some biologists be-
lieve a free-flowing Elwha could
sustain.
in June, the Interior Department
announced it supported removing
manager for James River.
But the commission's authority
City officials in nearby Port
is being challenged by environ-
the dams, backing up three Interior
agencies-the National Park Ser-
Angeles fear dam removal would
mentalists, four federal agencies
and the Klallam tribe. Their suits.
vice. the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
jeopardize the 350 jobs at Daishowa
and the Fish and Wildlife Ser-
America Ltd.'s pulp mill. The dams
filed this summer in federal appeals
court, claim the National Park
vice-that had urged the dams'
generate 40% of the mill's electric-
removal.
ity at less than half the cost of
Service, not the energy agency.
power from the Bonneville Power
has jurisdiction over dams in na-
"It's an opportunity to take what
s once was a world-class watershed
Administration, a federal power
tional parks.
Meanwhile, a deal is brewing in
and restore it," said Maureen Fin-
marketing agency for the North-
Congress to resolve the Elwha
nerty, Olympic National Park su-
west.
dilemma.
perintendent. "Years of research
It's not clear when-or even by
Sens. Brock Adams (D-Wash.)
convinced us we could get that
whom-the matter will be re-
restoration, but only if the dams
solved.
and Bill Bradley (D-N.J.) have
come out."
The Federal Energy Regulatory
started negotiating a settlement to
The dams' owner disputes that,
Commission, which licenses all
give the dams to the federal gov-
ernment. Under their proposed
saying the company could produce
non-federal hydropower dams, is
up to a year away from deciding
legislation, the mill would get low-
almost as many fish-at lower cost
and without losing a valuable en-
whether to raze the Elwha's dams
cost replacement electricity from
the Bonneville Power Administra-
ergy supply-by installing a fish
or license them for 30 to 50 years.
tion, and the federal government
ladder on the lower dam and trap-
would cover Bonneville's losses.
ping and hauling salmon around
Whatever approach prevails.
the upper dam. Those measures
there's no time to lose. said David
would cost an estimated $14 mil-
Ortman. representative of the en-
lion, compared to $65 million for
vironmental group Friends of the
dam removal.:
Earth. If dam removal is approyed.
"We can have restoration of
it could take. five years to raze the
fisheries with those dams in place,"
structures and up. to 20 years for
said Orville Campbell, hydropowes
the river to return to its natural
state.
Meanwhile, Ortman said: "The
salmon are swimming around:
wondering why they can't go up-
stream."
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
The Washington Times
Stadium talks stalled
on minority contracts
National Park Service officials
have warned that any agreement
reached between the two parties
may be futile unless approval is
sought from the agency. The federal
government owns land on which the
parking lots are located.
THE WASHINGTON POST SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
Personalities
The inaugural Congressional Fishing
Tournament, held by the Interior Depart-
ment's Bureau of Land Management, will kick
off at the Thompson Boat Center at 9 this
morning. Twenty-five senators and represen-
tatives will be spinning their reels for the
$10,000 first prize, which will be donated to an
environmental or recreational project in the
winner's home state or district. They'll float
down the Potomac, ending up at the Belle
Haven Marina, where a picnic will be waiting
and the fish, old shoes and tires will be
weighed at 1 p.m. The event will spotlight
Interior's "Enjoy Outdoors America" initiative,
which Secretary Manuel Lujan hopes will pro-
vide people around the country with better and
more varied recreational facilities. Among
those trolling will be Sens. Conrad Burns,
John Warner and Robert Smith and Reps.
James Moran, Bruce Vento, Barbara Vuca-
novich, Joe McDade and Alex McMillan. Lu-
jan and BLM Director Cy Jamison will be
fishing too, but they aren't eligible for the
prize.
INSIDE EPA October 4, 1991
CORPS' APPROVAL OF MASSIVE WETLANDS PROJECT CALLS EPA TO QUESTION REGS
EPA staff are questioning the use of rules deferring wetlands decisions to the Army Corps of
Engineers, following a Corps decision to approve a project that would disturb a vast tract of prime
wetlands. Agency sources say the case flies in the face of 8 recent message from the President on
interagency dispute resolution, and suggests that the agency may prefer to simply veto projects in the
future.
The case focuses on a project proposed by Andalex Resources. Inc.. for the Newcoal site in Hopkins
County, KY to use 478 acres of prime bottomland hardwood wetlands for strip mining - one of the largest
amounts of wetlands EPA has ever considered in a permit. The proposal was to remove soil, debris and
rocks from the area to strip coal, then later return the overburden back to its original position and
replace it with vegetation. The company also included a proposal for off-site mitigation.
EPA Region IV decided under Clean Water Act section 404q to elevate the case to headquarters, which
then elevated is to the Dept. of Army on Aug. 15. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also asked that the case be
elevated. EPA was concerned with the amount of wetlands at stake and doubtful about the ability to
recreate the wetland once the strip mining was finished. Further, then-acting Water Office chief Martha Prothro
argued in an Aug. 15 leuer that the decision could set a bad precedent for future projects involving the
destruction and replacement of bottomland hardwood wetlands. The Corps denied EPA's request for
elevation in a Sept. 6 letter. saying that EPA's concerns should be addressed, but can be handled in
guidance without holding up issuance of the permit.
"We're disappointed that the Army did not formally accept [the project] but hope the guidance will
meet our goals in this case," says an agency source. Still, this source feels the Corps' decision sends a
signal about that agency's sensitivity to environmental concerns, since the project would result in a record
number of wetlands losses. This is the largest 404q [permit] in terms of acreage and wedands impacts,"
says one agency source explaining the reason for elevating it in the first place. The agency. is concerned
about implications for future decisions that a case of this magnitude was not accepted, the source says.
This source is "looking at the efficacy" of using 404q in the future, and whether that is the best
procedure to protect wetlands. The agency can unilaterally move to a 404c action to get the permit denied.
It opted for 404q in this instance in an effort to resolve the issue with the Corps without going through
such a lengthy, formal review process, agency sources say.
"We feel the agency brought up good points" and will be asking the district to address their concerns,
says a Corps source. But this source disagrees with the assertion that the 404q process is ineffective
simply because the Corps did not deny this permit. "The agency has brought concerns to our attention and
we're addressing them," this source says, adding that the Corps discussed the project with all agencies and
is not "operating in a vacuum." But EPA staff "don't want the permit issued. We're simply not going that
far," the source says. This source argues that the preferred route is to leave the decision with the district
engineer, while issuing strong guidance, though the Corps will be watching the project closely, especially
to ensure that the on-site mitigation will be effective.
Thursday, October 3, 1991
Star-Tribune, Caspar, Wya.
some of the committee niem-
Nevertheless, grizzly bear pop-
burs questioned the more stringent
ulations in the 'ellowatons area
proposed standard, and asked
Grizzly bear
have shown healthy growth in the
Servheen to provide more infor-
last six years. secording to Dick
mation regarding its scientific be-
Knight, who heads the Interagen-
six.
committee
cy Orizzly Bear Study Team out
"Last year you talked about be-
of Bozeman. Kaight reported
ing so close to 'recovery'," said
sightings of 24 BOWN with 43
Barry Davis, superintendent of
hopes to link
"cubs of the year" by his PC-:
Shoshone National Forest. "Now 1
searchers during 1991 in the Yelo
don't expect to ICO recovery before
lowstone region, with no min-
my death."
populations
caused mortalities to dats.
The grizzly bear recovery plan
Servheen said the goal of find.
spplies to five other areas of the
ing 15 females per year with cubs
West besides Yellowstone: the
'Islands' in
has been surpassed for the last six
Northern Continental Divide
years. with an average of 20 AMT
equiystem, including parts of the
Bob.: Marshall Wilderness and
Yellowstone
nually.
But Servheen and Knight
Glacier National Park: the Cabl-
net-Yak Mountains in northwest
not sound
sounded 1 warning that even with
Montanar the Selway-Bitterroot
an apparently expanding popula-
tion, new afforts have to be made
area of west-central Idaho; the
biologically
to study the bears' habitat needs.
Selkirks in northern Idaho, and the
"We have a lot of material on
North Cascades in Washington.
monitoring populations," said
Yellowstons is the most isolat-
By GEOFFREY O'GARA
Servhcen. "but we need to beef up,
ad the four recovery areas which
Stor. Tribune correspondent
monitoring of habitat."
presently have grizzlies present,
in addition, Servhesn said the
according to Servheen.
JACKSON - A federal griz-
new draft recovery plan will call
A first-draft of the new recov.
ziy bear recovery plan is being
for more stringent standards to be
cry plan, released in 1990. sug-
rewritten to include an ovaluation
met before "recovery" of the Ysi-
gested the Yellowstone popula-
of "linkage zones" berween small
lowstone grizzly can be declared
tion was too small to maintain go-
grizzly populations in Yellow.
under the plan.
notic diversity without some in-
stone, Idsho and northwastern
"Recovery" of the Yellowstone
put from other grizzly populations.
Montana.
grizzly the point at which biol-
The 1990 draft of the now recovery
The idea is being explored by
agists decide the population there
plan elicited 2,000 comments, ac-
officials of the Yellowstone
can reproduce and survive with-
cording to Servheen, many of
Reasystem Grizzly Bear Sub-
out special protections - could
which suggested "linkage zones."
committee. a group of federal and
be the step toward taking the
The new draft - which will
state land and wildlife managers,
grizzly off the "threatened" list
still not be final - is expected
who met here Tuesday.
under the federal Endangered
early in 1992. Servhcen said that
while comment on the now draft
The proposal. labeled "very
Species Act.
unique and controversial" by
Servhoen said in an interview,
plan will be solicited, there will
though, that achieving "recovery"
be DO public hearings, 21 there
Chris Servhsen, B biologist with
would not mean immediate delist-
were for the 1990 draft.
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
ing of the bear. An earlier grizzly
Servheon emphasized that while
visa. would study Bross not pro-
rected under the current grizzly
recevery plan divided the Yel-
the new draft recovery plan would
recovery program that could be-
lowstone region into 18 "bear
ovaluate "linkage zones" botween
management units" areas that
grizzly ecosystems, there is no
come !inks between presently iso-
individually could supply year-
plan presently to extend the current
lated grizzly populations, such as
round needs for grizzly bears
boundaries of specially managed
the few hundred bearsibelleved
to be in the Yellowstone area.
and set standards for "recevery".
grizzly recovery 81085 into those
Servhees, who consinates
that included finding females with
zones.
cubs in 15 of the 18 BMUs.
But Wyoming Game and Fish
federal-state grizzly recovery pro.
Servhsen said the new draft
Department representative John
gram from Missoula, said, "It's
Talbot: said during the two-day
not biologically sound to leave
plan would require that females
"island" populations of bears "
with cubs appear in all 18 of the
meeting that his agency wants to
they are.
BMU's before it would deem re-
look at possibly expanding the tor-
covery schieved. This year, fo-
ritory managed for bear recovery
males with cubs have been located
in she DuNoir area near Dubois
in 14 of the 18 BMU's, according
area, where & growing population
to Knight.
of bears exisis.
Talbott said the present recov-
ary area boundaries, exteblished
in 1981. were "probably in urror,
and should be extended some-
what."
LOS ANGELES TIMES
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
Grizzlies on
By KURT J. REPANSHEK
Grizzlies, which can reach 750
ASSOCIATED PRESS
pounds and stand 8 feet tall on
their hind legs, historically roamed
the Way Back
RAND TETON NATIONAL
from northern Canada to Mexico
G
PARK, Wyo.-Grizzly
and from California to eastern
bears, once feared to: be
Kansas. But, as people moved west,
but Aren't Out
making their last stand in the
they wiped out the bears' range.
lower 48 states, are again leaving
Today, the grizzlies' range is
their tracks in the shadow of the
limited to about 30,500 square miles
of Woods Yet
Tetons.
in the lower 48 states. They num-
Some grizzlies, no longer com-
ber 700 to 1,000, with most scat-
fortable within Yellowstone Na-
tered about extreme northwestern
tional Park's 2.2 million acres, are
Wyoming and northwestern Mon-
Ecology: Improved
heading to Grand Teton National
tana.
Park, and others are moving into
management has given
Although the bears were desig-
the Shoshone, Bridger-Teton and
nated a threatened species under
new hope for
Gallatin national forests
the Endangered Species Act in
"There's no question that the
1975, the 200 or so Yellowstone
once-dwindling species.
range is expanding," said John
But some experts say a
Varley, Yellowstone's research
chief. "In fact, the biologists be-
larger population is
lieve that Yellowstone Park is
needed to ensure viability.
filled up. It's probably got all the
bears that it can effectively deal
with.
"And so what's happening now
are that all these sub-adults that
are being weaned have to go into
the adjacent national forests, or
Grand Teton National Park, in
order to find a territory," Varlev
said.
grizzlies seem to be flourishing
"And then we see other things
But higher grizzly numbers
with bears that give us cause for
alone are not justification enough
today.
That was not the case in the
optimism. We're seeing bears give
to remove the bears' "threatened"
early 1980s, when some feared that
birth for the first time to cubs at
status, according to Chris
Ursus horribilis was heading for
age 4. And that's one indication of a
Servheen, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife
extinction in Yellowstone.
healthy bear. That's like a teen-
Service biologist who coordinates
The leading cause of their de-
age mother," Varley said.
the Interagency Grizzly Bear Com-
cline-population estimates at the
The Yellowstone bears are also
mittee.
time said there were fewer than
having larger litters. Although the
That committee was formed in
200 bears, of which only 30 were
average is just under two cubs per
1974 to conduct research on the
sows-was the sudden weaning of
litter, some SOWS are giving birth to
grizzlies in the Yellowstone eco-
the bears from park dumps in the
four cubs, he said.
system. It established criteria to
late 1960s and early 1970s.
The Greater Yellowstone Coali-
guide the bears' recovery through-
Biologists and park officials
tion, an umbrella group for conser-
out the northern Rocky Mountains.
agreed that dump feedings were
vation organizations, questions the
One of the committee's guiding
dangerous both to bears and hu-
viability of the ecosystem's grizzly
precepts was "to basically sanitize
mans, because the grizzlies associ-
bears. It contends that the bear
the ecosystem," Varley said. "Get
ated people with food. In 1970, park
population probably will decline
all the garbage out of it. Get control
officials began to close the dumps.
and ultimately vanish unless a
of other human foods that would
Frank Craighead Jr., who, along
steady population of as many as 600
attract bears."
with his brother, John, studied
bears can be maintained.
As a result, fewer bears died at
grizzlies in Yellowstone from 1959
In Grand Teton National Park,
human hands.
to 1968, said the ecosystem lost at
biologist Steve Cain is seeing bears
"The bears are better off because
least 118 grizzlies from 1970
that left Yellowstone for new terri-
they've made the transition to
through 1972. However, Yellow-
tory.
all-natural foods, and they doing
stone officials say rangers removed
"We do have more bears than
very well at that. And they're
only 35 bears from the park in
we've had probably just in the last
having a lot of babies. It just looks
those years.
four or five years," Cain said. "It's
very positive," Varley aid.
The closing of the dumps did not
been increasing. And it's largely
But more bears alone is not
doom the bears; in fact, they re-
due to good protection in the
enough, Servheen said.
bounded throughout the 1980s.
Yellowstone population. Getting
There must be a good distribu-
Wildlife officials won't put a num-
overflow, essentially."
tion of bears in the region and a
ber on the population but say there
Although 20 years ago it was
low annual mortality rate, he said.
are at least 200.
unusual to see grizzly tracks in
"Delisting [as a threatened spe-
"The number of reproducing fe-
Grand Teton, officials now say at
cies] is a ways off," Servheen said.
males with cubs has to be up at
least several bears apparently are
"We have to assure that the habi-
least a minimum of 50," Varley
living year-round in the northern
tat will be adequately managed and.
said. "Adult females producing
end of the park not far from
can be adequately managed with-
cubs. And that's very promising.
Yellowstone's southern border.
out the Endangered Species Act."
Friday, October 4, 1991, The Anchorage Times
Senate debate on ANWR nears;
opponents threaten filibuster
By E. MICHAEL MYERS
Johnston needs 60 votes
TIMES WASHINGTON BUREAU
among the 100-member Senate to
WASHINGTON - A long de-
choke off a filibuster and allow
layed and controversial bill call-
the Senate to act.
ing for oil exploration on the
Daniel Becker of the Sierra
coastal plain of the Arctic Na-
Club said, "We are going to
tional Wildlife Refuge will come
throw every stick of furniture in
before the Senate this month,
the way of this environmentally
Democratic leaders said Thurs-
destructive bill."
day.
Sen. Frank Murkowski,
Chairman Bennett Johnston,
R-Alaska, who supports oil explo-
D-La., of the Senate Energy
ration in ANWR, said he doubted
Committee said he has the votes
Wirth had the necessary 41 votes
to defeat the strongest parlia-
in the Senate to maintain a fill-
mentary threat to drilling in
buster.
ANWR - a filibuster to talk the
bill to death.
Oil and gas leasing on the
His chief opponent, Sen. Timo-
coastal plain of ANWR is easily
thy Wirth, D-Colo., was already
the most politically charged envi-
ronmental issue to come before
stumping on the Senate floor as
Johnston ended a news confer-
the Senate this year.
Environmentalists call the
ence Thursday. Wirth pledged to
launch a filibuster to remove the
coastal plain the last unde-
ANWR drilling element from the
veloped strip of the arctic, a eco-
bill outlining a comprehenseive
logical treasure that will be de-
national energy policy.
stroyed if roads, airstrips and
"Drilling in the Arctic Refuge
pipelines are built.
is not good energy policy, not
The Interior Department esti-
good economic policy, and not
mates the coastal plain east of
good environmental policy,"
Prudhoe Bay field could yield
Wirth said.
more than 9 billion barrels of oil.
The Energy Committee ap-
Agency officials say the strip can
proved the bill in May after four
be developed without harming
months of hearings on proposals
the environment.
to promote greater use of natural
If the Senate passes the bill,
gas, nuclear power and coal, and
the ANWR section faces major
to open the 1.5-million acre
opposition and months-long con-
coastal plain to oil and gas leas-
sideration in the House.
ing.
A filibuster can tie up the Sen-
ate for weeks with debate and
roll-call votes on amendments to
block action on the bill.
Anchorage Daily News
October 4, 1991
ANWR
battle
looms
10/4/91
THE DENVER POST
F, GILMAN SPENCER
WILLIAM DEAN SINGLETON, Chairman
Editor
DONALD F. HUNT, Publisher
CHUCK GREEN
RYAN McKIBBEN
Editor of the Editorial Page
Executive Vice President and General Manager
NEIL WESTERGAARD
RICHARD JACOBS
Executive Editor
Senior Vice President, Administration and Operations
FRANK DETON, VP Operations
WILLIAM H. HORNEY
KIRK MacDONALD, VP Advertising
STEVE HESSE, VP Circulation
Senior Editor
FRITZ ANDERSON, VP Finance
KEN CALHOUN, VP Marketing
Exxon's $3 billion mistake
OMBINED WITH the $2 bil-
lawyers for both sides without do-
lion that Exxon already has
ing much to benefit the public.
spent on cleaning up Prince Wil-
Third, it would formally punish
liam Sound, the $1 billion it would
Exxon for criminal violations of
pay under the latest settlement
the nation's environmental laws -
proposal could make the Alaska oil
which should complicate its at-
spill the most expensive single ac-
tempts to write off its expenses on
cident in history.
corporate tax returns as an ordi-
Certainly it outdoes other big pol-
nary cost of doing business.
lution cases like the one involving
Admittedly, the four misde-
the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, which
meanor counts to which Exxon
is costing Shell Oil and the U.S. Ar-
would plead guilty might seem to
my roughly $1 billion to resolve.
discount the seriousness of the neg-
Still, some critics are bound to
ligence involved. But at least they
criticize the Exxon deal as too le-
would make the corporation as cul-
nient, since it would subject the gl-
pable in the accident as the ship's
ant company to "only" $125 mil-
captain, who was convicted of sim-
lion in criminal penalties - or
ilarly minor charges.
more than $10 for each 40-cent
Finally, the agreement would
gallon of crude oil that leaked out
provide not only $100 million in
of the Exxon Valdez on March 24,
restitution for restoration work in
1989.
the sound, but an additional $12
There are several good reasons
million for completely unrelated
why this plea bargain should be ap-
habitat-enhancement projects.
proved by the federal judge who
This money would go into an Inte-
will be reviewing it in Anchorage
rior Department fund to help re-
next week, however.
store wetlands in the western Unit-
First, the agreement would ex-
ed States, Canada and Mexico. The
act up to $1 billion in civil penal-
remaining $13 million in fines
ties from Exxon over the next 15
would go into the U.S. Treasury.
years - without limiting the rights
The wetlands provision is partic-
of Alaskan fishermen, landowners
ularly noteworthy, for it repre-
and native villagers to sue the firm
sents an innovative way of deter-
for further damages on their own.
ring such wrongdoing. Once
Some 250 such claims are pending
polluters realize that they may be
in state and federal courts already.
forced to pay for environmental
Second, the deal would put an
improvements above and beyond
end to the legal wrangling between
any fines and penalties for actual
Exxon and the state and federal
damages, they may think twice be-
governments. As the litigation over
fore ignoring the laws and the safe-
the Rocky Mountain Arsenal has
ty precautions that were designed
shown, prolonged court battles
to head off such incidents in the
sometimes serve only to enrich the
first place.
The Washington Times
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
Exxon and the high cost
of injustice
PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
merican justice is rapidly go-
A
ing down the tubes, and it
is going to be extremely
costly to our economy.
Accidents are being criminalized,
and successful companies are being
turned into lootable entities to be
ing their pet projects. The Audubon
plundered by anyone and everyone
Society criticized the huge settle-
Once the historic
who can concoct a lawsuit.
ment for failing to "make a dent in
The Alaskan and U.S. govern-
Exxon's corporate profits." In other
protection that has
ments are leading the way. They
words, Exxon is still standing, so ob-
been provided by the
have socked Exxon with more than
viously it wasn't punished enough.
$1 billion in fines and restitution for
Many Americans see the settle-
principle that crime
the Exxon Valdez supertanker oil
ment, which must be approved by a
spill in Alaska's Prince William
federal judge, as a comeuppance for
requires intent is
Sound. That's on top of the $2 billion
an oil giant. However, there are sev-
breached, it will
Exxon has spent on cleanup, its loss
eral aspects of this case that tell us
of $150 million worth of oil and
disturbing things about our society.
spread into other
roughly. 1,500 private lawsuits seek-
Exxon's civil liability for dam-
ing damages totaling $59 billion - a
ages from the oil spill is clear
parts of the law, and
sum five times larger than Alaska's
enough, but the criminal charges
are both worrisome and gratuitous,
no citizen will be safe
total personal income.
Even this was not enough for en-
especially as they do not materially
from government.
vironmental fanatics, who seized on
affect the size of the financial settle-
Exxon's misfortune as a way of fund-
ment.
Under our system of law, crime
requires intent, but accidents are
tal crimes. Once the historic protec-
unintentional. Exxon did not wreck
tion that has been provided by the
Paul Craig Roberts, an economist
its tanker and spill its valuable oil on
principle that crime requires intent
at the Center for Strategic and Inter-
purpose, but increasingly Congress
is breached, it will spread into other
national Studies, is a columnist for
and prosecutors are leaving intent
parts of the law, and no citizen will
The Washington Times.
out of the definition of environmen-
be safe from government. If a rich
and powerful company like Exxon is
charges that Exxon had "willfully
take for granted that once in a court-
not safe, neither is the little guy.
and knowingly" entrusted its tanker
room, they are targeted for expro-
The criminal charges against Ex-
to employees not capable or compe-
priation, and they will pay almost
xon are also disturbing because of
tent of steering it. The government's
anything to settle out of court. In
the Justice Department's decision to
argument that Exxon had hired
effect, they can no longer rely on the
press them. On their face, they seem
someone it knew would run the su-
law to protect them from spurious
silly. Exxon is charged under the Mi-
pertanker aground made the case
claims.
gratory Bird Treaty Act with killing
sound too absurd.
Jurors - and reporters - seem
migratory birds without a permit,
Exxon has been criticized for en-
to think that it is OK to rob deep
under the Refuse Act with dis-
dangering our liberties by agreeing
pockets. However, it is not "the com-
charging refuse matter without a
to the criminal charges in a plea bar-
pany" that pays or its managers, but
permit and under the Clean Water
gain, thereby establishing a danger-
the hundreds of thousands of share-
Act for the negligent discharge of a
ous new legal precedent without
holders, few of whom are rich. Ex-
pollutant - laws obviously designed
testing it before a judge and jury. For
xon stock is included in many pen-
to prevent the dumping of waste and
Exxon to knuckle under on a case it
sion funds. It is our retirement
hunting without a license.
might have won on its merits demon-
income that is being used to placate
No doubt the Justice Department
strates that the company has no con-
aggressive government lawyers, en-
filed these charges in good faith, but
fidence in American judges and ju-
vironmental extremists and plain-
it would have been the better part of
ries.
tiff lawyers filing exaggerated dam-
prosecutorial discretion not to
Large "deep-pocket" companies
age claims.
stretch these provisions to include
have had no faith in juries since the
As this new principle of Amer-
an accidental oil spill. Normally,
Texaco-Pennzoil case in which a
ican justice works its way through
prosecutors exercise discretion in
jury, in one of the most irresponsible
the Fortune 500, we can all expect to
how they apply the law.
acts in history, bankrupted oil giant
retire broke - unless, of course, we
To its credit, the Justice Depart-
Texaco on the basis of dubious legal
can become beneficiaries of an envi-
ment did drop its original felony
arguments. Today big companies
ronmental accident.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
World oil demand is expected to be
2% higher in the current quarter than
a year ago, according to an organiza-
tion of major oil-consuming nations.
(Story on Page A2)
Virgin Islands Daily News
10/4/91
IG: Audits show V.I. leaders
'haven't done anything'
By FREDREKA SCHOUTEN
been what we had hoped it would be,"
St. Credx Bureeu
Richards said.
His comments come on the heels of recent
Records in disarray. Questionable procure-
federal audit that sharply criticized the territo-
ment practices. Little financial accountability.
rial government for what Richards called
This is what U.S. Inspector General James
"abysmal" conditions at the territory's pris-
Richards said be and his team of federal audi-
ons.
tom repeatedly bacover when they investigate
The audit, illustrated with color pho-
the finances of the VI government.
tographs of exposed wiring, inoperable an
Most frestrating, he said, is the lack of
unsanitary bathrooms and hole-ridden 200m1
reform.
concluded that federal funds for repairs "were
"H is difficult to exact change with the
not used effectively" and the community
government," Richards said. "We had hope
safety was jeopardized by the poer condition:
when (Gov. Alexander A.) Farrelly came in.
at the prisons.
He said he was going to reform things.
During a recent two-year period, 20
But five years later, "the progress basn't
See AUDITS, page 2
AUDITS: Hess pact,
(Continued from page 1)
Williams, a St Thoroas-based firm
escapes were reported.
overseeing the territory's capital-
Many of the conditions were die-
improvement programs, Richards
closed in & 1986 audit, Richards
said. The projects are funded
told The Daily News.
through $300 million in bond pro-
coods and include construction and
This has been going on for se
resovation of schools, roads, recre-
long." be said. "It's a pretty strong
ational facilities, hospitals and a
indictment of the government that
slow d other government buildings.
they haven't donc anything."
The Inspector General also is
Farrelly, through press secretary
auditing the V.I. government's con-
James O'Bryse, declined comment
troversial tax agreement with Hess
Thursday OR Richards' remarks.
Oil Virgin Islands Corp.
Meanwhile, at least two more
The auditors generally probe
financial probes are under way.
three areas when they investigate
The agency is auditing the gov-
the territory's finances: financial
CIREICIA'S contract with delough-
accounting, procurement proce-
deJongh-Williams being probed
dures and revenue collection.
T don't think they (VI govern-
And the territory is doing poorty
ment) got their money's worth from
in all three, Richards said.
the District of Columbia. 1 think
The financial accounting is so
that was more of a party them a cos-
bed, we really can't determine what
tract."
their financial condition ia," be said.
The study was considered a first
Procurement problems, be said,
step toward revemping the territo-
exist "across the board."
ry's archale personnel structure. But
"A lot of procurements are sole
Washington, D.C., officials and
source, rigged for one bidder.
consultants working for that gov-
"A lot of money goes through
ernencet stayed in laxury hotale,
the door that way. As se example, I
charged tennis fees, clothing.
can cite the $260,000 that went to
drinks, meals and gifts against the
the District of Columbia," Richards
legislative appropriation authorix-
said, referring to a controversial
ing the study.
personnel-merit study conducted by
And NO new personnel system
D.C. officials.
over was ever implemented.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6. 1991
LOS ANGELES TIMES
COLUMN ONE
Lady Luck
By PAUL LIEBERMAN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Turns Back
ST. REGIS MOHAWK RESERVATION,
N.Y.-The gamble on gambling has not
paid off on this patch of Indian country.
Some still dream of a Las Vegas-style
on Indians
resort overlooking the St. Lawrence River,
generating jobs and dollars that will bring
economic security to a struggling reserva-
tion.
When bingo brought
So far, however, the reality has been
prosperity to some tribes a
grim: civil war within the Mohawk com-
munity, a string of failed casinos and
decade ago, others quickly went
allegations of money-skimming, mob infil-
into the business. Some added
tration and bribery of a Bureau of Indian
Affairs official.
cards and slots. Amid regulatory
confusion, the result too often
has been failure and corruption.
At Indian Pueblo,
Running Is a Religion
THE NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1991
Columbus
THE NEW YORK TIMES
OCTOBER 5, 1991
Pact Bans Oil Exploration
in Antarctic
By ALAN RIDING
Special to The New York Times
MADRID, Oct. 4 - Climaxing a long
U.S. Held Up Accord
14 Other Nations Involved
campaign by environmental groups to
But today's accord, which will go into
The negotiations also included 14 oth-
turn the Antarctic into a "world park,"
effect after ratification by the signing
er signatories of the Antarctic Treaty
24 countries, including the United
governments, almost came unstuck in
- countries with environmental inter-
States, signed an agreement today to
Madrid last June when the United
est but no scientific bases in the conti-
ban mineral and oil exploration in the
States refused to endorse a draft agree-
nent. Of these, seven signed today and
continent for at least 50 years.
ment accepted by all other govern-
all others are expected to do so during
The agreement, which was hailed as
ments on the grounds that a 50-year
the year in which the protocol will be
historic by governments and environ-
moratorium was effectively a perma-
open for signature.
mental groups alike, also includes new
nent ban.
"Not only has the Antarctic become
regulations for wildlife protection,
Last June's draft said the ban could
an international park for peace, but it
waste disposal, marine pollution and
be lifted after 50 years only with the
has been considerably promoted for
continued monitoring of the Antarctic,
unanimous approval of all 26 full mem-
developing scientific research for the
which covers nearly one-tenth of the
bers of the Antarctic Treaty, while the
benefit of all humanity," Spain's For-
world's land surface.
United States insisted that future eco-
eign Minister, Francisco Fernandez
'It's the first time that the interna-
nomic and environmental circum-
Ordóñez, said at today's signing.
tional community has formally recog-
stances could justify greater flexibili-
But, while heartened by the protocol,
nized the finite nature of this planet,"
ty. Since the Antarctic Treaty nations
environmental groups said thev would
said Steve Sawyer, executive director
always work through consensus, Wash-
of Greenpeace International. "This is
continue to be vigilant in the Antarctic
as close to a permanent ban as can be
ington could hold up the accord.
because, in Mr. Sawyer's words, "it is
But a new formula requiring only a
obtained," added James N. Barnes of
still not safe from continuing human
two-thirds majority to end the morato-
activities."
the Washington-based Friends of the
rium proved acceptable to the United
He said some 25 national scientific
Earth.
States and in July President Bush an-
'Last Great Wilderness'
bases in the Antarctic have proven to
nounced that Washington would sign
Governments seemed equally satis-
the protocol.
be "environmentally disastrous" -
fied. "This is the protection of the last
The agreement, which emerged
some bases have been abandoned with-
great wilderness," said Michael Hesel-
from four negotiating sessions over the
out being dismantled - while an in-
tine, Britain's Environment Minister.
past year, was signed at a ceremony at
creasing demand for Antarctic fish and
"It's a case for celebration. I'm de-
the Spanish Foreign Ministry today by
growing numbers of tourists represent
lighted to be making history."
24 members of the Antarctic Treaty,
new threats.
Tucker Scully, the chief American
including the Soviet Union, China, Ger-
delegate, said, "I think it is a very good
many, Canada, Britain and France as
agreement and it's important we move
well as the United States. Japan and
quickly to implement it."
South Korea said they would sign after
The agreement takes the form of a
completing domestic legal procedures.
protocol to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty,
which banned nuclear and military ac-
tivity in the area, suspended competing
territorial claims by seven Southern
Hemisphere nations and established
rules for scientific research.
Although there is no firm evidence
that Antarctica contains oil or miner-
als in commercial quantities, many
governments, led by France and Aus-
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4. 1991
tralia, rejected a 1988 convention regu-
lating mining activities on the conti-
LOS ANGELES TIMES
nent as inadequate and began cam-
paigning for an outright ban.
Forestry Bill
Additionally, AB 860 contains insuffi-
cient provision for the protection of those
AB 860, the forestry reform bill currently
communities, particularly along the North
sitting on Gov. Pete Wilson's desk, fails to
Coast, that would suffer severe economic
achieve-in two essential respects-a nec-
hardship as a result of the new harvesting
essary balance between forest conserva-
restrictions. However, responsible conser-
tion and continued timber productivity
vation does not have to be achieved at the
(editorial, "Saving Forests-and Timber
expense of jobs.
Industry Too," Oct. 2).
The differences that have perpetuated
the timber wars can be worked out. The
First, it imposes on timber harvesting
Wilson Administration seeks to build upon
arbitrary, prescribed limits that are anath-
ema to sound forestry practice. The gover-
the progress of the recent months' negotia-
nor, conversely, favors science-based for-
tions and will continue to work aggressive-
est management in order that unique
ly to achieve responsible forestry reform.
DOUGLAS P. WHEELER
environmental conditions be considered in
forestry decision-making.
Secretary for Resources
Sacramento
THE NEW YORK TIMES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
Defending Dolphins
industry is "patriotic," claiming that
By Homero Aridjis
Why won't Mexico
challenges to it are tantamount to crit-
icizing the Mexican people.
MEXICO CITY
President Carlos Salinas de Gor-
or reasons scientists do
take steps to
tari recently announced a plan to
not understand, schools
protect dolphins and other marine
of yellowfin tuna swim
stop the killing?
species. Yet there are measures in
below dolphin herds in
his 10-point plan that raise concern.
the eastern tropical Pa-
One stipulates that the Ministry of
cific. In the late 1950's,
Fisheries oversee the placement of
fishermen started using huge circu-
ronment beyond its borders.
observers on tuna boats. The observ-
lar purse-seine nets on the dolphins to
If the full GATT council adopts this
ers, however, are not required to limit
catch the tuna below. Since 1959,
ruling, it could virtually invalidate
the dolphin deaths, merely to count
more than seven million dolphins
many environmental treaties and
them. Another measure calls for a
have died, a slaughter that the U.S.
conventions. Protection of tropical
million-dollar research program to
tuna industry initially, and the Mexi-
forests, migratory and endangered
develop techniques to "reduce and
can and Venezuelan industries subse-
species, ocean ecosystems and the
abate" the dolphin deaths. But a solu-
quently, sought to conceal and legiti-
ozone layer, as well as control of toxic
tion already exists: stop the practice
mate, with no real official protest.
wastes and chemicals, would become
of setting nets on dolphins, as Ecua-
In 1972, the U.S. mandated the grad-
impossible. And the dolphins would
dor and Panama have done.
ual reduction and eventual elimina-
continue to be slaughtered.
Recently a European Parliament
tion of the killing of dolphins by its
At a meeting of the GATT General
panel passed a resolution that would
tuna fleet. The Marine Mammal Pro-
Council set for tomorrow, the Mexican
ban the European Community's im-
tection Act was later amended to bar
Government, pointing to its recent
port of tuna caught with purse seine
imports of tuna caught by nations that
measures to protect the dolphin, will
nets. If Mexico agreed to phase out
exceeded certain limits on dolphin
ask for postponement (but not with-
the deliberate encirclement of dol-
deaths, and late last year a Federal
drawal) of the ruling. There is reason
phins, it could keep this market and
court ordered an embargo on Mexi-
to believe that this decision was made
also recover the-U.S. market. Killing
can tuna under the law's provisions.
in exchange for a promise from Ameri-
dolphins has become a losing proposi-
The Mexican Government chal-
can officials to pressure Congress to
tion: the market for tuna caught with
lenged this ruling before the General
weaken the Marine Mammal Protec-
purse seine nets has plummeted,
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and
tion Act. This is a dangerous precedent
partly because of the embargo.
in August a GATT panel said that
and one more reason why Congress
Although a measure of the Mexican
sections of the U.S. law that led to the
should insist that environmental issues
Government's plan states its inten-
embargo constituted an illegal trade
be an integral part of talks on the U.S.-
tion of postponing tomorrow's discus-
barrier. The ruling says a GATT
Mexico free-trade pact.
sion of the GATT ruling favorable to
member-nation has no right to ob-
Defending dolphins in Mexico has
Mexico, tabling the ruling is not
struct trade detrimental to the envi-
been a risky business. I have received
enough. Mexico should propose that
death threats and been attacked in the
GATT bylaws be reformed so that all
Homero Aridjis, the author of "1492:
press. Criticizing the slaughter is un-
trade decisions take environmental
The Life and Times of Juan Cabezón
patriotic: the dolphin, after all, has no
effects into account. Only then can
of Castile," is president of the Group
country, belonging to Itself alone and
the dolphin - and the global environ-
of 100, an environmental group.
to the earth. But the Mexican tuna
ment he protected
The Washington Times
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
The
Civil
War
Lauren Cook Burgess is a univer-
sity administrator in Georgia who
spends all her spare time on Civil
War history research. She is suing
the Interior Department for the right
to portray a woman-soldier in Na-
tional Park Service Living History
events.
Photo by Brig Cabe The Washington Times
Lauren Cook Burgess says hundreds of women enlisted in the Civil War.
The Washington Times
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
Blattaria
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service announced to-
day that the nation's cockroach pop-
of the
ulation has now dwindled to two, a
male and female, that live in the
crevices of the Waldorf Astoria Ho-
tel in New York City. The cockroach
roach's
is now the most endangered species
in the United States.
vanities
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991 USA TODAY
ALASKA
MONTANA
NEW YORK
GREAT FALLS - Fort Belk-
ONEONTA -
LARSEN BAY - Bones of sev-
eral hundred Kodiak Island Na-
пар Indian Reservation is offer-
Faculty senate at Hartwick College
ing country singer Hank Williams
will propose new school seal. Rea-
uves were buried in Russian Ortho-
dox ceremony, 60 years after
Jr. elk hunting permit. He criti-
son: Foes say seal depicting school
Smithsonian Institution scientists
cized state when he wasn't chosen
founder handing book to Indian
took them. '90 Native American
in lottery for 1 of 17,000 non-resi-
perpetuates historically innaccur-
dent licenses. Gros Ventre and As-
ate stereotype of worldly Europe-
Grave and Burial Protection Act
siniboine tribes issue 20 permits,
an bringing knowledge to savage
required federal museums to re-
Indian. Student senate formally
turn remains to tribes.
usually only to tribal members.
asked that seal be abandoned.
ENVIRONMENTAL MAYOR: Kelly Weaverling, an envi-
ronmental activist who organized a volunteer wildlife res-
cue during the Exxon Valdez oil spill, is to be sworn in today
as the USA's first Green Party mayor. Weaverling, a book-
store and cafe owner, becomes mayor of Cordova, Alaska.
The Green Party promotes alternative technology and envi-
ronmental protection.
SMALL QUAKES: Two moderate earthquakes struck
Alaska, but there were no reports of damage or injury. The
first, 1,200 miles southwest of Anchorage, measured 4.6 on
the Richter scale. The second, 80 miles south of Anchorage.
measured 4.2.
THE WASHINGTON POST
MONDAY. OCTOBER 7, 1991
Ways to Save Our Historical Parks
Brooke Masters's Sept. 30 article
parks-Great Falls, Prince William
to prevent erosion and to locate
"The Cold War Over National Bat-
Forest and Antietam National Bat-
trials on the edge of the park. In the
tiefields Warms Up" accurately por-
tlefield-should take a lesson from
few places where the horse trails
trayed the continuing tension over
Manassas to prevent the closure of
meet the walking trails, kids of all
access to park lands. [Metro]. How-
their bridle trails.
ages are given a glimpse of their
ever, one fact that is often over-
But private funding for the park
forebears most prixed mode of
looked is. that the bridle trails at
isn't the only benefit. The Manasses
transportation-the horse. More
Manassas National Battlefield Park
bridle trails are patrolled by mount-
than 1.5 million horses and mules
are financed and maintained by a
ed rangers and volunteers. keeping
died during the Civil War bringing
volunteer group of local horse
the park saía for all visitors. The
soldiers, supplies and caissons to
ridera.
trails also reduce the need for interi-
battle and ferrying the wounded to
In 1985, due to federal budget
or roads and thus help to preserve
hospitals. Today, Virginia's eques-
cuts and at the invitation of the then
the historical landscape. BES also
trian industry brings in more then
park superintendent, the area's
clears road litter, finances special
$650 million annually and adds to
horsemen were asked to form a
non-equestrian activities and is an
the Commonwealth's culture.
volunteer group that would support
advocate for the park. Many BES
In an urban community such as
the bridle trials. The Battlefield
members successfully worked to
ours, multipurpose use of park land
Equestrian Society was. the result.
stop development adjacent to the
is a necessity. Cooperation can and
Since its inception, BES has donated
battlefield, and the small horse
does result in visitors, local tem-
over $13,000 and 4,000 work hours
boarding farms around the park pro-
dents and out-of-town travelers e
to the park. The program continues
vide a buffer to development.
joying our national treasures.
under park mangement and is an
A responsible approach to bridle-
CATHIE G. EITELBERG
excellent example of community
trail access can result in environ-
Premient
outreach, leveraging private dollars
mentally sound and historically com-
Buttinfield Equentrine Seciety
for the public good. Other area
patible use. Much of BES's work is
Dunn Loring
The Arizona Republic
Friday, October 4, 1991
NOTES
In addition, about 250 hikers are
expected to participate in a walk along
Grand Canyon forum
the South Rim to show support for
protection of the canyon.
About a dozen experts who either
The program will be sponsored by
are studying or concerned about the
15 conservation groups. The program
effects Glen Canyon Dam is having
begins at 9 a.m. and lasts through 5
on the Grand Canyon's ecosystem will
p.m.
make presentations Oct. 13 at an
For more information, call Jeff
educational forum on the Canyon's
Smyth at 893-2425.
South Rim,
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1991
Q&A
Volcano Dating
Robinson said, but it is sometimes
possible to determine a more exact
Q. How do we know when ancient
date For example. the eruption at
volcanic eruptions occurred?
e
Sunset Crater, Ariz, has been placed
A. Eruptions can be approximate-
at 1066 A.D.
ly dated by various means, said Su-
Carbon dating put the year around
san Russell-Robinson, a geologist
1065, she explained, and Indians' oral
who is an information scientist with
historical records helped count back
the United States Geological Survey.
to 1066. Pottery that showed an
Historical excavations can reveal
eclipse of the Sun in conjuction with
when a known settlement was COV-
an eruption helped confirm that date.
ered by lava. For prehistorical erup-
Six weeks before the eruption of
tions, she said, some large ones near
Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines,
polar regions left a layer of ash
Ms. Russell-Robinson said, the Geo-
trapped in the polar ice, and oxygen
Meg Birnbaum
logical Survey obtained charcoal
isotopes can be used to tell when the
bon in the atmosphere has remained
samples from the site and used car-
ice solidified around it
constant and that the radioactivity of
bon 14 dating to confirm the size and
However, dating charred wood or
carbon 14 has decayed at a constant
scale of past eruptions and to deter-
any kind of vegetation from close to
rate, approximately by half in 5,700
mine that major eruptions took place
the eruption site is the most common
years.
about 600 to 800 years apart.
method, Ms. Russell-Robinson said.
Charcoal from trees burned in an
Carbon dating relies on the rate of
eruption is nearly pure carbon and so
radioactive decay of one carbon iso-
is ideal for tracing the minuscule
Readers are invited to submit ques.
tope, carbon 14. It is used for erup-
amounts of carbon 14 present. she
tions about science to Questions, Sci-
tions that took placè in the last 40,000
said. Tree rings are not useful be-
ence Times, The New York Times,
years, but more than 200 years ago.
cause it is hard to find a tree close to
229 West 43d Street, New York, N.Y.
Living things take on carbon from
the site that did not burn. while ash
10036. Questions of general interest
the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere;
and trees from farther out tend to
will be answered in this column, but
she explained. and when they die,
wash away.
requests for medical advice cannot
they cannot take on any more. It is
The dates are given in a range of
be honored and unpublished letters
assumed that the percentage of car-
plus or minus 100 years, Ms. Russell-
cannot be answered individually.
The Washington Times
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
Congress' 'perks'
extend far beyond
office operations
and back home. They have the free
By Kim I. Mills
use of House and Senate gyms.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
which feature swimming pools, ex-
Any member of Congress who
ercise machines, handball and bas-
doesn't know the meaning of the
ketball courts and steam rooms.
word "perquisite" can look it up in
The Library of Congress gives
the free dictionary supplied to each
them leftover books, the U.S. Botanic
legislator's office.
Garden supplies them with cut flow-
Big and little extras are a fact of
ers and plants and the U.S. Printing
everyday life for lawmakers, who get
Office provides "We the People" cal-
free garage space on Capitol Hill,
endars gratis.
discount shopping, one-day mail de-
The dictionaries are among the
livery and American flags at cost.
many freebies to congressional of-
The 12 members of the Senate and
fices listed in an annual publication
House leadership even have a spe-
put out by Congress Watch, a Ralph
cial kitty of $141,000 to dip into when
Nader organization.
their regular perks don't make ends
If they need maps, members of
meet.
Congress can call the U.S. Geologi-
Besides their annual salaries of
cal Survey and get them - free. The
$125,100 per year, House and Senate
superintendent of buildings will
members receive thousands of dol-
frame photos or posters for their of-
lars in staff and operating allow-
ances for their offices in Washington
see PERKS, page All
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Special Treatment for Congreso:
National Park Vasations Members have access to five lodgee
run by the National Park Service in the Grand Tetons, the
Shenandoah National Park, Cape Hatterse, Caloctin Mountain
Park and the Virgin Islands. The lodges are avaliable at low
for vacation and business use by members of Congress,
level Government officials. and the National Park Service. The
are not open to the public,
PERKS
access to $141,000 annually in spe-
CONGRI ISSIONAL
From page Al
cial expense money. The allowances
FREEBIES
fices. And if they become really at-
range from $3,000 a year for the Sen-
A partial list of taxpayer-funded
tached to their government-supplied
ate minority conference chairman to
freebles and subsidies that
office furniture, they can buy it
$28,000 for Majority Leader George
senators and representatives
when they leave Congress at the fair
J. Mitchell of Maine.
have voted themselves.
market or depreciated value -
Aides and members say the
Medical and dental care.
whichever is greater.
money is used for official purposes
such as refreshments at meetings
Prescription medicines.
Members may also deduct up to
$3,000 a year from their federal in-
and entertaining dignitaries. but CQ
Travel.
come taxes for the cost of maintain-
said recipients are not required to
Meals, liquor and hotel
ing a home in Washington.
make a public accounting of their
accommodations while traveling.
If they want more media coverage
spending.
Private auto mileage
back home, members can use the
Twenty years ago, six congres-
reimbursement.
modern House or Senate recording
sional leaders had access to a total of
Taxi service.
studios to make low-cost radio spots
$32,000. Today. the weekly said, 12
or video press releases that they
members holding 13 leadership po-
Use of military aircraft for
send directly to stations. And first
sitions have access to $141,000.
domestic and overseas travel.
they can touch up their looks at one
Mr. Mitchell's $28,000 and Senate
Use of military officers'
of the barber or beauty shops hidden
Minority Leader Robert Dole's
quarters, clubs, recreational
in the basements of Hill office build-
$25,000 allowance include $15,000 in
facilities, base exchanges and
"representation" money to assist
commissaries at military
ings.
installations throughout the
Some congressional benefits are
them in their obligations toward for-
world:
the subject of perennial controversy
eign and intergovernmental offi-
Golf, tennis, hunting, fishing,
- such as free mailing privileges
cials.
and other recreational privileges
and fat pensions. But others are
But the Senate also allows them to
for self and family members.
taken for granted until some event
shift this money into the more
Use of the U.S. Capitol and
propels them into the public eye -
vaguely defined "expense allow-
congressional office buildings for
like the recent disclosures that some
ance" account. Congressional Quar-
social occasions, including
House members collectively ran up
terly said that in fiscal 1985-90,
private parties and wedding
more than $300,000 in unpaid tabs at
$129,000 was appropriated for the
receptions
congressional restaurants and
representation allowance but rec-
Yearly tax deductions for living
bounced more than 8,000 checks in
ords show only $4,000 was spent and
expenses in Washington.
a year at the House bank.
$56,000 was transferred to leaders'
Telephone:
Attention was also focused last
week on a members-only ambulance
expense accounts.
Mail and mailing list service.
that sat idle in front of the Capitol
Postage stamps for unofficial.
last Wednesday while an injured
mail.
staffer waited 48 minutes for a reg-
Parking.
ular ambulance.
Printing
And Roll Call. the semiweekly
Capitol Hill newspaper that broke
Newspapers, magazines,
books and other publications.
the rubber-check story. moved on to
another outrage: the practice of fix-
Computer service.
ing parking tickets for House mem-
Messanger service.
bers. (The Senate sergeant at arms
Library and research
recently discontinued ticket-fixing
privileges for self, family
for senators.)
members and staff.
"Why should a member of Con-
Subsidized general. store
gress be allowed to park with impu-
barber. beauty shop and
nity in a no-parking zone on a down-
restaurants for self, family
town street?" Roll Call asked
members and staff.
editorially. "What's the emergency?
Gymnasium and pool
A rush to get to a luncheon speech?"
privileges.
The paper also objected to the
Stationery supplies, film.
special parking lot members share
audio and video equipment and
with diplomats and Supreme Court
tapes. cameras, and other
justices a few feet from the terminal
merchandise for official and
at National Airport. "Take a cab; get
personal use.
a staffer to drop you off: park with
Photography service.
the plebeians." the paper urged.
Filming service.
On Saturday. Congressional Quar-
terly (actually a weekly) added to the
Use of professional studio for
list of Capitol perks, disclosing that
taping TV and radio programs.
12 congressional leaders have
Satellite service for
transmitting TV and radio
programs to stations in home
state.
Government publications and
surplus books from Library of
Congress for use as gifts.
Source: Reports of the secretary at the Senate:
clerk of the House of Representatives and other
government records
The Washington Times
THE WASHINGTON POST
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
Environment: Record Dose of Solar Radiation
T
he amount of solar radiation that
STATES
OF
bore down last year on a lonely
UNITED
AMERICA
research station in Antarctica may be
the highest experienced on the frozen
continent since Earth developed an
ozone shield 1 billion years ago.
John Frederick, an atmospheric
physicist at the University of Chicago,
reports in the October issue of
Geophysical Research Letters that
ANTARCTIC
PROGRAM
1990 saw the highest levels of
biologically damaging ultraviolet ever
On the worst days, the ultraviolet
recorded at Palmer Station on the
radiation reaching Palmer Station was
Antarctic Peninsula.
twice as bad as in 1989 or 1988, when
In 1990, the ozone hole began in
the measurements began. They were
September and persisted until
also worse than the levels usually
December, which is the-middle of the
detected over Washington during the
summer in the Southern Hemisphere
most intense summer sun. However,
and a time when the sun never sets.
the biological effects on plankton and
Because the hole in the Earth's
other creatures in the area is unknown.
protective ozone layer was open longer,
Researchers have found no evidence of
more of the sun's damaging rays
damage yet.
reached the ground and the ocean.
- William Booth
Pollution Reaches Penguin Rookery
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
INTERNATIONAL
ANTARCTICA MINING Is BANNED
Of the 26 treaty members with voting
Antarctic Treaty member nations
powers, 23 signed the accord: Japan,
agreed to ban exploration for oil and
South Korea and India said they would
other minerals on the continent for at
sign it later. The consultative nations of
least 50 years, which environmentalists
the 40-member treaty formally commit-
hailed as a major victory.
ted themselves to sign by Oct. 3, 1992.
The signing of the landmark agree-
The ban will take effect once all 26
ment in Madrid, Spain, was the result of
voting member nations ratify the docu-
two years of negotiations. The protocol
ment, which could take at least two
protects Antarctica's delicate flora and
years. In the U.S., Senate approval is re-
fauna and sets procedures to assess envi-
quired. The U.S. is one of the 12 initial
ronmental effects of all human activities
signatories to the 1959 treaty, which
on the vast continent, which covers 10%
banned military bases and nuclear and
of the Earth. It also regulates marine pol-
conventional weapons tests, and guaran-
lution and waste disposal.
teed continuation of scientific research.
THE WASHINGTON POST
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
OBITUARIES
Geologist John Philip Schafer,
Retired USGS Staff Member
THE NEW YORK TIMES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1991
Student Group Seeks Broader Agenda for
Environmental Movement
By KEITH SCHNEIDER
groups. They said all of those were
two other students for 20 hours to get
Special to The New York Times
dominated by white, middle-class and
here. "All of these issues are connect-
BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 6 - Students
upper-class men- and women, leaders
ed."
from across the country this weekend
of an earlier generation of students
But some doubted the strategy, say-
called for a new agenda for the Ameri-
that made the environmental goals of
ing that it was important not to forget
can environmental movement, one that
the 1960's and 1970's a part of national
the traditional goals of the environ-
joins issues of race, class and injustice
policy.
mental movement. One group walked
with the movement's traditional goals
The students said that it was time to
out of the conference today and said
of preservation and conservation.
expand the list of environmental con-
they were going to a nearby forest to
"We're calling for a broader defini-
cerns now that issues like halting air
protest the cutting of old-growth trees.
tion of environmentalism," said Jean-
and water pollution, and saving forests
The primary topic this weekend was
nette Galanis, a 21-year-old junior at
goals.
the University of Colorado who helped
"We wanted a movement that can
organize the conference. "A lot of peo-
make a difference, and the only way we
A move to
can achieve success is to make it inclu-
ple of color, poor people, rural people,
are victims of environmental degrada-
sive and broad-based," said Miya Yo-
tion and have been ignored."
shitani, a 21-year-old senior at the Uni-
The weekend gathering, which ended
protect
versity of Illinois and the coalition's
today, was organized by the Student
national coordinator. "Is it right that
Environmental Action Coalition, a
communities as
some students are more willing to
three-year-old group based in Chapel
drive two hours to save a forest than to
Hill, N.C., that has become the largest
well as trees.
drive five minutes to help people in a
student-run political organization on
poor community?"
American campuses. Leaders of the
But Christopher Fox, a student at
coalition say about 30,000 students at
Yale University and one of the coali-
1,500 colleges and universities are affil-
and animals have become part of the
tion's leaders, said: "There's a danger
iated with the group.
mainstream.
in becoming too radical too fast. We
"Poor housing is an environmental
have pure ideals, but there's a risk of
Environmental Elitism
issue," said Randolph Viscio, 24, a na-
using tactics that alienate our base,
Roughly 2,200 students made their
tional coordinator for the coalition, who
which is white, middle- and upper-class
way to the foothills of the Rockies for
graduated earlier this year from.
students."
the National Student Environmental
Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass.
Social Issues
Conference at the University of Colora-
"Fighting for equality in.an impover-
do here. It is the first of two national
ished community where a company
Traditional environmental issues
meetings this month that are to focus
wants to put a toxic waste dump. Build-
were not ignored. Along the halls of the
on what organizers call the elitism of
ing coalitions with labor and minority
university's events center, the confer-
the American environmental move-
groups. It's not that these are very new
ence headquarters, were posters call-
ment. The second conference, organ-
issues. They-just haven't been given
ing for an end to production of nuclear
ized by minority and low-income com-
the attention they deserve."
weapons, an appeal to save the wolf
munity leaders around the country, is
The coalition's expanded agenda was
and calls for help in establishing new
to begin in Washington on Oct. 24.
supported by most of those at the meet-
energy policies.
At issue is what student leaders here
ing. "It's the only way to go to build a
But issues of social justice dominat-
said was the narrow objectives of Gov-
movement," said Leslie Alsheimer, a
ed the conference. A popular T-shirt for
ernment environmental agencies and
senior from James Madison University
sale declared, "Columbus didn't dis-
the major national environmental
in Harrisonburg, Va., who drove with
cover America. He invaded it." Picking
up on the theme, students aimed sharp
diversity coordinator for the National
criticism at what they called the
Wildlife Federation, taught a workshop
defend black communities in the South
on Saturday that focused on environ-
against chemical pollution. Richard
"rich" national environmental groups
for spending too little time on environ-
mental issues that affect minorities.
Moore, the head of the SouthWest Or-
But students noted that none of the
ganizing Project, an environmental
mental issues that affect urban and
top executives of the national environ-
group in New Mexico that works with
rural communities, in the United States
and overseas:
mental groups attended this weekend's
Hispanic groups, also addressed the
Some of the national groups, among
conference, and that the representation
conference.
of these groups. at booths and work-
In an interview, Mr. Bryant said:
them the National Wildlife Federation,
"The bottom line is that if the national
have hired black and Hispanic employ-
shops was thin.
Several of the most prominent black
groups do not begin to deal with solu-
ees to work in with minorities and at
historically black colleges. Monica
and Hispanic environmental leaders
tions to our problems, they will not be
Spann, a 1991 graduate of Howard Uni-
came as speakers. Among them was
needed. All of the places where there is
versity in Washington and the cultural
Pat Bryant, the founder and director of
energy, vitality and movement in envi-
the Gulf Coast Tenant's Leadership
ronmentalism, they are not there."
Association, a New Orleans. environ-
mental group that has been working to
OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT of the INTERIOR
March
3.
1849
news release
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Rebecca Phipps (703) 648-4460
For release: October 8, 1991
USGS WORKS TO BRING EARTH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE TO
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
Careers advanced, curricula designed and computers used by Historically
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) as part of the Department of the
Interior partnership program are described in a new report by the U.S.
Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.
The report details the activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
in the Interior Department's HBCU program, which provides educational research
and development opportunities to Historically Black Colleges and Universities
in the United States.
"The USGS has been one of the most active participants in the
Department's HBCU program," said Secretary of the Interior Manual Lujan. "The
report documents the work that has been done. at several different locations.
These efforts clearly involve a major investment of time and money."
The HBCU program seeks to "advance the development of human potential,
to strengthen the capacity of historically black colleges and universities to
provide quality education and to increase opportunities to participate in and
benefit from federal programs," according to Executive Order 12677, signed by
President Bush, April 28, 1989.
The Interior Department's HBCU program seeks greater involvement by
historically black schools in DOI-sponsored programs in each of its bureaus.
As a federal scientific research organization, USGS has focused on
educating potential employees and developing earth-science and computer
science curricula in the program. The program has also included grants and
cooperative agreements to HBCU schools, employment of HBCU students, visits to
HBCU schools and presentation of seminars.
(more)
2
Much of the USGS effort has been focused at Langston University,
Langston, Okla., and Hampton University, Hampton, Va. Other HBCU's that have
participated in the program in recent years include Texas Southern University,
Houston, Tex. ; Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Delaware State College,
Dover, Del.; Florida A&M, Tallahassee, Fla. ; Jackson State University,
Jackson, Miss.; Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, Miss.; Elizabeth City
State University, Elizabeth City, N.C.; Central State University, Wilberforce,
Ohio; North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C.; Virginia State
University, Petersburg, Va.; and Grambling State University, Grambling, La.
One of the practical outcomes of the USGS program with Langston
University is the preparation of a number of students who have readily entered
the work force in some aspect of computer science.
Since the program began, at least ten students have been employed part-
time in the USGS office in Oklahoma City, and others have participated in a
cooperative work-study program with the USGS or gone on to graduate programs.
Four students have worked during the summer months as interns at the USGS
headquarters in Reston, Va.
Copies of the 19-page report, titled, "Cooperative Activities of the U.S.
Geological Survey with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Fiscal
Years 1983-90," and published as Open-File Report 91-93, may be obtained for
$3.50 from the U.S. Geological Survey, Books and Open-File Reports, Federal
Center, Box 25425, Denver, Colo., 80225, telephone 303-236-7476. Checks or
money orders must be payable to "Department of the Interior-USGS."
As the nation's largest earth science, water science and civilian
mapping agency, the U.S. Geological Survey conducts a wide-range of
environmental research and data-gathering efforts in cooperation with more
than 1,000 agencies in all 50 states and several dozen foreign countries.
USGS,
(Note to Editors: Highlights of the USGS HBCU program are attached. A
limited supply of copies of the report are available to news media by
calling or writing the U.S. Geological Survey, Public Affairs Office,
119 National Center, Reston, Va. 22092, telephone 703-648-4460.)
or
NEWS SUMMARY
3
U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of Public Affairs
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
THE WASHINGTON POST
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
Personalities
Catch of the Day
Rep. Richard Schulze was the winner Sat-
urday of the first Congressional Fishing Con-
test, with a largemouth bass weighing in at a
whopping 1.95 pounds. For that, the Pennsyl-
vania Republican was presented a $10,000
award by Hearst Magazines, which he is to
donate to an environmental or recreational
program in his home district. The contest,
sponsored by the Department of Interior's
Bureau of Land Management, is meant to
highlight the need for increased recreational
facilities around the country.
-Compiled from staff and wire reports
by Eric Brace
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
About
Glittering
for a good
cause at
WN
Meridian
Right: Secretary of the Interior Man-
uel Lujan and wife Jean with Rev.
James Watkins and Rev. Greg Butta
Left: Supreme Court Justice An-
tonin Scalla and wife Maureen with
former Navy Secretary Edward HiH
dago and wife Belinds
The receiving line at Friday's Merid-
ian House Ball. From left: Protocol
Insurance Co. President and Mrs.
Hollins Riley: Meridian House Pres-
ident Walter Cutler with wife Didi:
James Watkins greets Renee Kraft.
and ball chairman Sheila Watkins
2
Monday, October 7, 1991 THE ENERGY DAILY
New Mexico To Sue
DOE Over Administrative
WIPP Land Withdrawal
BY MARY O'DRISCOLL
The state of New Mex-
this week. "It is the AG's
ico will sue the Depart-
position that it is an illegal
ment of Energy over its
move" by DOE to go
plans to start shipping
ahead with the process,
low-level radioactive
she said. Gov. Bruce King
waste from Idaho to the
(D) supports the lawsuit,
Waste Isolation Pilot
she added.
Project near Carlsbad.
Late last Thursday,
The lawsuit, expected to
Energy Secretary James
be filed this week in Wash-
Watkins asked Interior
ington, D.C., is the state's
Secretary Manuel Lu-
response to DOE's an-
jan-himself a New Mexi-
nouncement last week that
can-to sign an adminis-
it will bypass Congress
trative withdrawal of the
and use the administrative
land above the WIPP fa-
land withdrawal process
cility, since Congress has
to allow work at WIPP to
not acted on legislation to
begin.
authorize the process. As-
A spokeswoman for
sistant Interior Secretary
state Attorney General
David O'Neal, who over-
Tom Udall (D) said that
sees the Bureau of Land
attorneys in the office
Management, signed the
were expected to work
letter Friday. WIPP is a
over the weekend to pre-
series of salt caverns 2,000
pare the lawsuit, and they
feet below the desert
plan to file the suit early
(Continued on next page)
New Mexico Plans WIPP Lawsuit
(Continued from page one)
floor-on BLM land-in
mittee acted on the legisla-
August, which called for
said. Domenici announced
Eddy County, N.M. The
tion. The committee then
one-half of 1 percent of
on Thursday that he
land had to be formally
invoked a legislative veto
the nation's
would support DOE's
withdrawn from public
over Watkins' plans, and
waste-roughly 4,300 bar-
position only if it could be
use before DOE can begin
shortly afterward ap-
rels-to be used in the ex-
scientifically justified, if
disposal experiments with
proved a controversial bill
periments. But DOE, rely-
the National Academy of
low-level radioactive
approving the land with-
ing on an Environmental
Sciences, EPA and New
waste from military instal-
drawal. But the process
Protection Agency state-
Mexico could evaluate the
lations around the coun-
stopped because no other
ment in which the agency
plans and if EPA finds the
try.
committees with jurisdic-
said it would support giv-
plans necessary.
DOE has been seeking
tion over the process acted
ing DOE the flexibility to
Domenici and Binga-
legislative withdrawal for
on the legislation.
put 1 percent of the waste
man and the rest of the
the process, but Congress
Thursday's announce-
in WIPP, pressed for the
New Mexico congressional
has refused to grant
ment came after lengthy
higher figure. The sena-
delegation oppose the ad-
it-essentially because the
negotiations between
tors opposed it because
ministrative withdrawal,
New Mexico delegation
Watkins and New Mexico
there was no scientific jus-
preferring instead a legis-
could not agree on the
Sens. Pete Domenici (R)
tification for the increase.
lative withdrawal that in-
terms. This past spring,
and Jeff Bingaman (D)
Negotiations broke
cludes protections for the
Watkins announced he
over the amount of waste
down about mid-week,
state through EPA over-
would pursue the adminis-
to be used in the experi-
and DOE's insistence on
sight, health and safety
trative withdrawal unless
ments. The senators had
the matter threatened to
protection and funding
the House Interior Com-
introduced legislation in
kill the bill, observers
for road improvements.
3
ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
(T.M. PEPPERDAY, Publisher 1926-1956 H.P. PICKRELL, Editor 1926-1964;
(C. THOMPSON LANG, Publisher 1956-1971)
T.H. LANG, Publisher
An Independent Newspaper
Published at Journal Center, 7777 Jefferson NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-4343, by the Journal Publishing Co.
Gerald J. Crawford. Editor
Kent Walz, Asst. Editor
Sunday, October 6, 1991
Editorials
Operation Desert WIPP
The Department of Energy's peremptory strike in
obtaining a quick administrative withdrawal of the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Thursday, potentially
clearing the way for the shipment of the first waste
this week, seemed to catch New Mexico officials by
surprise. Energy Secretary James Watkins made his
move after negotiations with the New Mexico
delegation on a land withdrawal bill bogged down.
There is no question that the move shifts the
momentum of the situation in favor of WIPP. There
is little question that the move erodes some of New
Mexico's bargaining position in seeking federal
funding for road and safety improvements.
But Watkins' move does not signal that the battle
over WIPP is over. It signals instead that Watkins
intends to get on with the in-site testing DOE wants,
to determine the site's long-term suitability, and to
help develop Environmental Protection Agency rules
to govern such long-term storage of nuclear waste.
Anticipating New Mexico Attorney General Tom
Udall's announced lawsuit against the movement of
waste, Watkins said DOE had $20 million in economic
aid and $42 million for road improvements that would
be held up if a lawsuit were passed. If that sounds
like blackmail, it is only the other side of the long
months of congressional withdrawal negotiations -
with New Mexico demanding hundreds of millions of
dollars for bypasses ad infinitum as the state's price
for acquiescing to WIPP live testing.
Given the dynamic nature of the negotiations at the
point Watkins pulled the plug, it is disappointing that
he didn't give Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Sen.
Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., a little more time.
But for the moment, the main thing the administra-
tive withdrawal accomplishes is to put the clock on
the side of WIPP, instead of the other way.
The Udall lawsuit may prove necessary - but New
Mexico could lose as much as it could gain with this
toss of the legal dice.
Domenici wants to keep negotiating. The rest of the
delegation should rally around to see what they can
hammer out and take to Congress before their
bargaining clout evaporates completely.
PURNAC
SLOW-MOVING
WIPP
TRAFFIC
&
&
*G!! 1/2%
BARRELS! 4000 % 80000000 8000
R
DOE
R
1D
Saturday Morning, October 5, 1991
NEW MEXICOS
LEADING
ALBUQUERQUE
IOI JRNAL
King Lukewarm to
WIPP Lawsuit
By John Yaeger
And Susan Landon
legislation that could have brought millions of dollars
to the state.
JOURNAL STAFF WRITERS
One of the few to say be was pleased with Watkins'
decision was Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, who has been
SANTA FE - Gov. Bruce King Friday only mildly
trying to stop shipment of high-level nuclear waste
endorsed Attorney General Tom Udall's VOW to fightin
from Colorado into his own state.
court the opening of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant,
"The governor yesterday told the local media be
suggesting instead that out-of-court compromises can
views it as a positive step on a long road," Scott Peyron,
still be reached.
Andrus' press secretary, said Friday about Watkins'
At a news conference Friday, King urged New
move.
Mexico's congressional delegation and the Department
The first shipment of nuclear waste to WIPP is to
of Energy to renew negotiations over how to conduct
come from Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
the test phase of the nuclear waste plant near Carlsbad.
and could start from Idaho as early as Thursday.
On Friday, practically no one on any side of the
Also pleased were workers at the WIPP site southeast
struggle over WIPP was happy with Energy Secretary
of Carlsbad.
James Watkins' and the Interior Department's decision
"My first reaction was that I couldn't believe it,
to bypass Congress and open the billion-dollar under-
Fred Ashford, manager of mining operations at WIPP,
ground waste-storage site.
told The Associated Press. "Finally, there was & pot at
Watkins made the move late Thursday after the
breakdown of three weeks of closed-door sessions with
MORE: See KING on PAGE A3
Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Sen. Jeff Bingaman,
D-N.M.
Environmentalists were outraged at Watkins' deci-
sion, saying be is endangering the health and safety of
the state's citizens.
Supporters of WIPP said New Mexico's congression-
al delegation missed an important chance to pass
6
King Lukewarm to WIPP Suit
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1
for a court order preventing WIPP shipments.
the end of the rainbow. It's been a long, long road and a
Udall said he is leaning toward filing the lawsuit in
lot of hard work."
U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., because the
Ashford, who said he has worked at WIPP since
state's congressional delegation could more easily join
the suit or monitor it. Such a lawsuit would be filed
December 1981, told The Associated Press that most of
Monday or Tuesday, he said.
the 900 workers at the site seemed excited at the
Meanwhile, spokesmen for environmental groups
prospect that shipments could begin as early as next
said Friday they were prepared to file their own
week.
lawsuits to stop shipments of waste along New Mexico
"I was hoping that we could solve the problem," King
told reporters Friday. "I still feel that we have an
roads - shipments they said would endanger
thousands of the state's residents.
opportunity to do that if we move along."
Some also raised the possibility that individual
"If not, and we go to court, well, we'll be using the
protesters might try to block the waste shipments.
expertise that we have in that office," King said of the
A group of hospital and bealth-care workers was also
Attorney General's Office.
considering a lawsuit. Hospital and rescue personnel
"I am asking all sides on this issue to reconsider their
along WIPP routes are not ready to deal with
positions to see whether we can reach a productive
radioactive contamination if there were a WIPP truck
course of congressional action," King said in a
accident, said Carol Oppenheimer, Santa Fe attorney
statement released by his office.
for District 1199 of the National Union of Hospital and
The statement also noted that the expected first
Health Care Employees.
shipment would be symbolic and "not enough to
Don Hancock of the Southwest Research and In-
conduct any meaningful experiments."
formation Center said five groups are "actively
King's statement highlighted an apparent difference
considering litigation" to stop the shipments - his
between the governor and Udall on how to deal with
own, Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety of New
this week's announcement.
Mexico, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the
For example, King and Environment Secretary
Environmental Defense Fund and Office of the Attor-
Judith Espinosa were reluctant to publicly and formal-
ney General in Texas. Texas is worried about possible
ly deny the Energy Department permission to store
groundwater contamination.
waste in the underground salt beds.
"I think the secretary of the Department of Energy is
Udall said Friday such a statement would greatly
behaving like an outlaw," Hancock said. "He takes
bolster the state's chances of getting a court order
upon himself the legislative function of Congress,
halting WIPP shipments.
which he has no right or authority to do."
The differences also were evident in answers from
On the pro-WIPP side, supporters said Congress
King and Udall in separate appearances before
should have been able to work out a legislative transfer
reporters.
of title to the site.
King declined to say whether he would block the
"What this inaction is potentially going to do is cost
state's borders, possibly with State Police officers, to
New Mexico $600 million," said state Sen. Louis
WIPP shipments. "I'm not one to make headline-
Whitlock, D-Carlsbad, referring to the money DOE
catching statements," King said.
would have been required to pay the state in the bill.
But Udall appeared riled by Watkins' move Thursday
"We think DOE has been more than patient."
to take control of the WIPP land and tell the state that
He objected to Udall using state money to fight DOE
the first shipment would come in a week.
in court. "Mr. Udall will end up with egg all over his
"The secretary has laid out a challenge to us," Udall
face," Whitlock said.
said. "It seems to me this is the time for a fight
I
Calling himself "a little disappointed" at the failure
read this as an ultimatum."
of the congressional withdrawal attempt, state Rep.
King, when asked whether DOE had so-called interim
Robert Light, D-Carlsbad, said, "Most people here are
status permission to begin storing waste, said only that
ready for the facility to open; they are comfortable
the decision would be made "under the direction and
with it. It's in our back yard, not Santa Fe's."
excellent guidance" of Espinosa.
Meanwhile, the director of the Environmental
Espinosa, though a spokesman, declined to comment
Evaluation Group- New Mexico's scientific watchdog
because of the pending litigation.
group for WIPP - questioned whether the facility is
Four lawyers in Udall's office were preparing to
ready to start accepting waste shipments.
work through the weekend on the lawsuit and request
"We're very disappointed in the administrative land
withdrawal, because it does not provide comparable
A WIPP PRIMER
protection to the public health and safety that congres-
sional legislation would have provided," said EEG
Here are some of the questions and answers
director Robert Neill.
about controversies surrounding the Waste leols-
He said his group would prefer that DOE shore up the
tion Pllot Plant,
room where test waste will be stored before the waste
What is land withdrawal?
is placed at WIPP. Bolts, mesh wire and other
Before WIPP can receive nuclear waste, the
structural safeguards need to be installed, be anid In
10,000 acree at the site near Carlebed must be
one WIPP room that had the same dimensions as the
"withdrawn" from public use and transferred from
test room, a huge slab of the roof caved in, Neill said.
the Interior Department to the Energy Department.
Neill was also concerned that under the administra-
tive withdrawal, DOE will decide whether WIPP meets
Why does New Mexico want Congress to
approve land withdrawal?
Environmental Protection Agency standards - in
other words, that DOE will certify itself. "In the
Only legislation can make binding financial
health and safety guarantees to the state. The state
congressional legislation, EPA would determine
wanted $250 million for lost mineral reyalties and
whether the facility meets the standards," be said.
construction money for road bypasses leading to
The Domenici-Bingaman bill required that any
WIPP. # also wants $600 million for the life of the
experiments be reviewed by the Environmental
project. State officials also hope a bill would spell
Evaluation Group, the Environmental Protection Agen-
out numerous health and safety provisions, such as
cy, National Academy of Science and New Mexico
a limit on the initial amount of waste to be brought to
Environment Department. Under administrative with
WIPP and a clearly defined oversight role for the
state.
drawal, that detailed review is not required, Neill said.
Negotiations with Watkins broke down when Binga-
What is DOE promising now that It has taken
man insisted that no more than one-half of 1 percent of
over the WIPP alte?
WIPP's total volume be used for radioactive tests. The
DOE is now only guaranteeing $20 million in
DOE wanted 1 percent.
economic impact aid - money the state gets
Neill said to date DOE has described only experi-
because the federal project is here - and $42
ments that would use one-half of 1 percent of the
million for read improvements, payable on the first
volume.
shipment of waste. DOE says n is not obligated to
pay any more than that. DOE also pledges
oversight of tests by independent scientists; a limit
on waste used for tests that is twice what the state
proposes; and Increased efforts to train emergency
response crews along WIPP routes.
Why do people say what DOE has done is
Illegal?
Many critice and state officials contend a land
transfer without Congress' approval violates several
federal environmental laws. They tear that such a
move would allow WIPP to operate without
numerous safeguards.
Why do people diesgree about the amount of
waste to be brought for testing?
Many critics and some state officials say no waste
should go to WIPP until it meets the Environmental
Protection Agency's long-term disposal standards.
WIPP officials want to do tests that they say will
show the plant can meet those standards. Several
years ago, DOE sought to fill up as much as 15
percent of the plant's total volume during the test
phase. After critics said such an amount was too
much, DOE scaled back its plans. Last year EPA
allowed up to 1 percent to be brought in, granting
DOE a variance from federal hazardous waste laws.
WIPP scientists have planned the experiments
based on half a percent.
is WIPP safe?
Energy Department officials insist they can
operate WIPP safety. Others outside the agency,
however, say the only reliable measurement of
determining safety is the EPA's standards. Energy
officials promise to meet the standards before WIPP
is used to permanently dispose of waste.
Watkins' Move Bitter
By Richard Parker
NALYSIS
JOURNAL WASHINGTON BUREAU
from the public domain for use by the
WASHINGTON - The decision by
Energy Department, New Mexico's
Energy Secretary James Watkins to
five members of Congress have bean
take over the Waste Isolation Pilot
involved in a protracted, divisive de-
Plant site Thursday marked a bitter
bate over how and when to open WIPP.
defeat for New Mexico's congressional
Democratic Rep. Bill Richardson has
delegation, which for four years has
fought the project furiously for the
tried to keep the plant closed or open it
better part of his career in Congress.
on its own strict terms.
Democrats were pitted against Repub-
Since 1987, when Republican Rep.
licans - and recently, the whole dele-
Joe Skeen introduced a House measure
gation was pitted against the Energy
that would withdraw the WIPP site
Department.
Pill for Delegation
But Watkins' decision to take over
along with the first shipment of nucle-
the land through an administrative
ar waste, $20 million in comomie aid
withdrawal which gives New Mexico
and $42 in road improvement funds a
no long-term guarantees of health,
but no more. And if the state sues the
safety or economic aid from the feder-
Energy Department, it won't even &
al government - was the result of
that, he said.
overwhelming pressure to open the
"I have a responsibility not only to
plant over the opposition of just five
the taxpayers but other states," Wat-
members of Congress from New
kins said.
Mexico.
Governors and lawmakers in Idaho
The failure of the delegation's
and Colorado have urged the federal
efforts could cost New Mexico $600
government to remove nuclear waste
million in federal money, according to
MORE: See WATHING on PAGE AS
Watkins. He has pledged to deliver,
9
Watkins' Move
A Bitter Defeat
Warkins said negotiators agreed to double the
amount of waste, up to 80,000 barrels, during closed-
door negotiations in late September - and that
Bingaman had suddenly upended the agreement.
For Delegation
"All we had to have was an acceptable bill," Watkins
said late Thursday. "It's unfair to ask me to keep going
and going."
CONTINUED FROM PAGE AT
limit. But Bingaman said be has always insisted on such a
from their states. And while members of Congress
"I thought we ought to reflect in our legislation what
from New Mexico have objected to an administrative
the experts advised us," Bingaman said.
withdrawal - Richardson and Sen. Jeff Bingaman say
Last Tuesday, the issue proved to be the flash point
they will join & lawsuit to stop waste shipments - the
for a bitter confrontation between Bingaman and
rest of Congress seems unwilling to deal with WIPP.
Watkins in a telephone conference. Bingaman insisted
on the limit and Watkins angrily responded that he
In the House, action on a bill to transfer the WIPP site
needed more waste for the experiments - so loudly,
from the Interior Department has stalled with just one
according to Energy Department officials, that he
of three necessary committees voting on legislation.
could be heard in the corridor outside his office.
Key members of the remaining panels "have very little
interest in placing this high on their priority schedule,"
It was not the first time that tempers flared during
Watkins said.
the three weeks of talks. At one point Sen Pete
He said the lack of political will in the House to vote
Domenici threatened to eject a group of senior Energy
Department officials from his office because he'd
on WIPP - a nationally obscure and technically
difficult issue - and the deadlock in the Senate left the
grown so angry, according to a congressional aide who
attended.
plant's fate to the Energy Department
In more than three weeks of closed-door negotia-
But it was the cap on amount of waste - which will
tions, the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee,
be used for five to seven years of experiments - that
Louisiana Democrat Bennett Johnston, has consistent-
also split the previously united front of New Mexico's
ly favored opening WIPP under whatever conditions
senators. Domenici said this week that be began
the Energy Department wanted, in order to relieve the
signaling to Watkins that he, unlike Bingaman, would
pressure of the country's building nuclear waste
compromise on the issue.
surplus. That has left only New Mexico's two senators,
particularly Bingaman, trying to argue that WIPP
By Thursday, Domenici did just that, abandoning the
should open only with explicit guarantees to the state,
common position. with Bingaman to try to forge a
including a cap limiting radioactive experiments to
separate peace, on the issue and to stave off an
40,000 barrels of transuranic waste.
administrative withdrawal of the WIPP site.
In less than a week, that proposed limit, long sought
"It wasn't an easy decision," Domenici said at the
by the New Mexico delegation, proved to be the final
time "But frankly, 1 believe that one last effort should
stumbling block in negotiations between the depart-
be made. I showed my offer to Sen. Bingaman and I
ment and the delegation.
don't think there's any ill feeling between Sen
But Bingaman insisted on the waste cap, mainly so
Singaman and myself"
waste could be easily retrieved if experiments went
wrong.
And in the final days that insistence angered Watkins
and led to a new split in the state's previously united
front
Rocky Mountain News
Oct. 7, 1991
Conservation group rips
Bush on parks
BUSH AND THE NATIONAL PARKS
Overati grade: D
Park protection - a The Buth
mitment
. New parks a. Panel credited
administration has challenged COR-
President Bush with increasing
Bedget
cossionaires in the parks but filled
I
Calse.
funds evallable for acquisition of
to reatilet crowds or suriously -
Bush Np or proposing the
parklands but said he has opposed
dress conflicts between parks and
But exproyer request ever $1
new parks and his "America the
adjactent developers.
billion, the wor't the enough to
Beautiful" program is shallow.
counter a $2 billion backing of pre-
Alaska notional purchase D. The
jucts, the panel mid,
Protuction of whillife D-plan.
penel objected to Bush's handling
The penel cited the debate over the
of the Valdez of spill and criticized
United
Reviews
northern spotted owl as proof Bush
his support for of exploration on the
on Use mizeda National Park
Service
has tried to wesken the Endan-
director
Actic National While Findings.
Milenour
gered Species Act, Dut praised fairen
got
Historic presenvation B-ml-
for adding 107,600 acres of were.
RES. The panel commended Interior
Clean global washing and
lands to Everglades National Park,
seld Bush's ano-
Secretary Manuel Lujan for his com-
a logos Pater I 1 If
Writer gives president,
his programs a 'D' for
The panel rated Bush on eight
major areas including dedication to
'deceitful, dangerous'
new parks and the Alaska parks,
on eve of forum at Vail
protection of wildlife, park lands,
and battlefields, funding of parks
and political appointments.
By Katie Kerwin
"Had Mr. Bush (not) raised ex-
Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
pectations SO much with his 1988
President Bush, who vowed to
campaign oratory, be probably
be the "environmental president,"
would deserve higher grades.
wrote Robert Cahn, a Pulitzer
has failed to protect America's
national parks, a conservation
Prize-winning reporter who her
group charged Sunday.
written extensively on national
The National Parks and Conser-
parks.
vation Association assembled a
Industry groups called the re-
panel of park experts who gave
port predictable in its failure to
Bush a "D" on his commitment to
include diverse panelists.
the parks.
"Their goals are essentially
"I rate Bush, his appointees. and
non-development," said Bill Schil-
their collective programs as 2 'D'
ling, director of the Wyoming Her-
- for deceitful and dangerous,"
itage Society, a pro-business, pro-
said Michael Frome, an environ-
development group.
mental writer and member of the
Wyoming boasts the nation's
panel.
first national park, Yellowstone.
The charges came on the eve of
an international conference on
which together with Grand Tetom
parks that begins in Vail today.
National Park forms the curner-
Bush's top park appointees -In-
stone of a $2 billion tourist indus-
terior Secretary Mannel Lujan and
try in the state.
"They aren't balancing nature
parks director James Ridenour -
with other features of the econo-
are among officials scheduled to
my," Schilling said.
attend the four-day conference.
He and some other opponents
The panel is comprised of envi-
also give Bush low marks because,
ronmental activists, writers, for-
they say, he's caved in to environ-
mer national park officials and pro-
mentalists.
fessors. It faulted Bush for what it
termed shallow programs: He's a
master at Grand Canyon photo
opportmities, the panel said, but
falls far short on commitment to
parks.
Among the key topics to be
discussed at this week's confer-
Conference.
ence are resource stewardship.
Diamond said the conference
park use and enjoyment, organiza-
tionai renewal and environmental
called 'last
will result in advice to Ridenour.
leadership.
tions: Among possible recommenda-
The symposium is co-sponsored
by the World Wildlife Fund, Har-
best chance'
Minimize development of visi-
vard's Kennedy School of Govern-
tor facilities within park bound-
ment and the National Park Serv-
at solutions
aries, while offering technical as-
ice. Henry L. Diamond, former
sistance to gateway communities
New York state commissioner for
BUSH
ment. to ensure compatible develop-
environmental conservation, will
from
10
host it.
Some critics say poor plassing
eager to resolve perpetual prob-
Undertake a systemwide
has failed to bring together key
lems such as low pay and crowd.
analysis of visitor-use impacts on
parks leaders. Parks employees,
ing, have called the congress "the
park resources including docu-
last best chance" to resolve such
mentation of crowding conditions,
issues. A failure to make major
and undertake a program of trails
See BUSH on 17
strides at this conference could be
where techniques for minimizing
a black eye for the park service.
visitor impacts can be applied and
observers say.
compared.
About 350 of the participants
Establish a task force to im-
are Park Service "field level" em-
prove the public involvement pro-
ployees, according to Len Hooper
cess within the agency, develop
who is coordinating the effort from
and expand social science pro-
the Park Service's regional office
grams, and act to increase the
in Lakewood.
resources available to serve park
users.
"We don't have that many sue
pervisors going." Hooper said.
Staff writer Gary Gerhardt contribut-
Because so few "outsiders" had
ed to this report.
signed up to attend the confer-
ence, at $295 per person, the Park
Service advertised for partici-
pants. About 200 people regis-
tered in the last two weeks. in
addition to park officials. Environ-
mental Protection Agency chief
William Reilly and Education Sec-
retary Lamar Alexander are ex.
pected to attend.
Denver Post
10-5-91
Wirth bill hits San Luis water plan
By Patrick O'Driscoli
water to municipal customers on the Pront Range.
Denver Post Staff Wher
"Every Westerner knows that truly is our
Sen. Tim Wirth, D-Colo., jumped into Colorado's
lifeblood and nowhere is that than in the
bottest water war yesterday, introducing a bill that
San Lais Valley," Wirth said in a release late
could hinder a Denver water developer's plan to ex-
yesterday afternoon. "We should
hat water, the
port billions of gallons of groundwater from the San
key to the valley's prosperity now
in the future,
Luis Valley.
be protected."
Wirth's "San Luis Valley Water Resources Protec-
AWDI spokesman Jim Monagham. said last night,
tion Act of 1991" would withhold federal permits for
"I'm certainly not alarmed by it. not a lawyer,
taking water from the southern Colorado valley if a
but at first blush, (Wirth's bill)
me designed
project would "adversely affect" the federal Closed
to hold us to what we claim the
is to be, any-
Basin water project, interstate water agreements on
way." The legislation isn't likely
ffect AWDI's
the Rio Grande, wildlife habitat or the Great Sand
pending water-rights application nce U.S.
law
Dunes National Monument.
doesn't supersede the state constitution 00 water.
The bill speaks only of "any permit for any proj-
Wirth said Congress "should tell water developers"
ent" without mentioning names. But it clearly targets
that federal agencies won't issue parmits, rights-of-
the American Water Development Inc. Baca Project,
way or help in any way unless AWDI B convince the
which would sink about 100 deep wells and pipe the
Secretary of Interior that damage want happen.
Denver Post
10-6-91
Water fight's
ANIMAS PLATA PROJECT
Land to be brigated by project
tab placed
Canala
COLORADO
Durange
at $885,000
1
SOUTHERN use
RESERVATION
I
- MONNER
9
Noend to dispute in sight
USE
INSTRUCTION
Reserved
Artac
La Please
By Mapic Obmescik
$250,000 on staff salaries to 100
Fiver
NEW MEMOD
Denver Post Emirorement Writer
up its declaion.
a
Endangered Species Act chal-
These numbers don't
Farmington
langer the Arimas-La Plata wa-
Animan-La Plata expenditures
- - Fiver
ter project already have cost tax-
four Indian tribes, which also
The Damas Post
payers at least $285,000 with as
spent considerable SMIDE elt
end to the controversy in night.
supporting or fighting cavil
Supporters of Animas-La Plata,
mental compromises aimed
a series of reserveirs and brige-
bollding the project. The tribas
tion canals proposed for southwest
funed to comment on their
Colorado and northwest New Mex-
bug which does not include
ico, have spent more than $825,000
MONEY SPENT ON ANIMAS-LA PLATA
masey but likely totals
- lawyers, lobbyists, consultants
thousands of dollars.
and staff in as attempt to solve the
Here's how much some Animas-La Plate interest groups have spent
Fish and Wildlife Service
since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service thyoked the Endangered Spe-
sprawling project's major environ-
ministrators say they regret
cies Act and threatened to kill the project:
mental problems.
extra costs. However, they my
And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
higher price in some cases
U.S. Fish and Widdle Service 1,900 staff days. Estimated value,
$280,000.
Service, which announced plans in
caused by the refusal of some
U.S. Bureau of Reclaration One year of work by two full-time
May 1999 to till the project be-
ect backers to properly
employees. plus travel Estimated value, $70,000.
cause it Unreadexed the habitat of
environmental consequences.
Southweatem Water Conservation District $427,127 on lawyers,
the endangered Colorado squaw-
lobbylste and consultants.
fish, has spent au estimated
Animas-La Plate Water Conservency District $51,100 on
lawyers, lobbyists and travel.
San Juan (N.M.) Water Commission $76,586 on Imwyers and
travel.
WATER from Page 1C
They said the Endangered Spe-
clea Act challenges ultimately will
The price has skyrocketed 418
result in a better project. Animas-
Navajos are upset because the
percent since the initial estimate
Deriver lobbying firm of Kogovsek
La Plata new carries & $611 mil-
compromise plan would use water
lice price tag.
in 1970. Federal taxpayers now
and Associates, headed by former
from the existing Navaje Reser-
are scheduled to pay $395.3 mil-
Congressman Ray Kegovsek. That
"I Drink this shows the process
voir to offset environmental dam-
lion of the $611.3 million price.
firm has received $80,561 to labby
can york," said Bob Jacobsen, as
age by Animas-La Plata.
for the Southwestern water dis-
statent Denver regional director
Groundbreaking was scheduled
Utah officials also are cos-
trict, as well as undisclosed sums
for the service. "Unfortnnately, in
for the summer of 1990, but It was
carned because the compromaise
from the Soothern Dte and Ute
the due of Animae-La Plata, all
canceled after the Flath and Wild-
might hart their state's ability to
Mountain Ute tribes.
parties weren't looking to do good
life Service found a small popula-
build extra water projects down-
"A lobbying effort in needed just
things for the critters. They just
tion of endangered aquawfish liv-
stream.
to keep the project in front of vari-
wanted to get the project bult But
ing downstream of the project.
Animas-La Plata interest
ONE congressional committees and
now people are trying to protect
Colorado squawfish, which grow
groups including Fish and Wild-
the administration," Kogovsek
the fish and build the project."
up to 6 feet long, were designated
life, the U.S. Bureas of Reclama-
said.
as endangered species in 1967.
tion, the states of Colorado, New
Pressure to change law
Once the dominant predator of the
Mexico and Utah, and the Southern
'Act much too stringent'
Bowever, project backers said
Colorado River system, aquawfish
Ule, Ute Monutain Ute, Navajo
He said be now believes the Ea-
the experience has curvinced them
populations were decimated by the
and Jicarilla Apache fribes now
dangered Species Act "should be
that the Endangered Species Act
construction of dams and poison-
are trying to reach name agree-
changed. I don't want to remove
ment.
needs to be changed.
ing by government wildlife agen-
any of the species listed at the
"Someday, somebow, there's got
cies. In the 1960s, many wildlife
Law firm big recipient
present time, but I think the act is
to be come kind of a relief valve on
agencies considered squawfish to
much too stringent. It's very diffi-
the agency that administers the
be "trash fish" that crowded out
All of these preparels and coun-
cult to balance the human needs
Endangered Species Act," said
bass, pike and other species valued
terproposais were funde in doesns
verses the needs of endangered an-
John Marphy. president of the Ani-
by anglers.
of meetings attended by lawyers
imal species."
mas-La Plata Water Conservancy
and commitants.
The Southwestern district also
District. "1. have always been a
Major lobbying effort
The company that has received
reported spending $39,816 OF
strong advocate of taking care of
The Fish and Wildlife Service
the most money fronghe Animan-
Leonard Rice Associates, a hydrol-
the environment. But this agency
proposed to kill Animas-La Plata
La Plata impasse is the Durango
agy firm, $33,342 on BIO/West, bi-
could gridlock the entire economy
in May 1990 unless somehody
law firm of Mayner, Bradford and
ologists, and $15,778 on Tom Pitts,
of this conntry."
found a way to reduce the project's
Shipps, which been paid
a water consultant.
As proposed, Animas-1 Plata
environmental damage to squaw-
$245,709 in legal fees from the
"If there's one thing I've learned
would Irrigate 80,000 acres of
fish habitat. That triggered the
Southwestern Water Conservation
from all this, it's that we shouldn't
croptand, supply drinking water to
major legal and political lobbying
District, a major Plata
allow things to reach the level
Durango, and provide water to the
effort to reverse the agency's deci-
customer.
where they're conflicts," said Max
Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute
sion.
Southwestern District money
Stodolski of the U.S. Bureas of
and Navajo tribes. It calls for con-
Earlier this year, federal biolo-
comes from local property taxes.
Reclamation in Durango. "They
struction of two reservoirs, 240
gists and dam builders cut a deal
Another major recipient is the
should be issues to be resolved."
miles of pipelines and canals, SET-
that would allow construction of
en pumping plants and 34 miles of
Animas-La Plata, but then the Na-
electrical transmission lines.
vajo tribe voiced opposition. The
Miami Herald
Oct. 5, 1991
Where is owl's wisdom?
T
HE CONTEST between man's eco-
nomic interests and Nature is going
IN BALANCING JOBS, NATURE
to get meaner, more bitter, and ever
more litigious unless the Government com-
pletes what it began 18 years ago with the
tices have more to do with the timber indus-
Endangered Species Act.
try's decline, as do temporary factors such
The act's scheduled renewal next year is
as the current home-construction bust.
a good time for trying to resolve economic
Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan has
displacement that preserving a species and
called for a meeting of the Endangered Spe-
its habitat can cause. The latest bitter con-
cies Committee, a group of Cabinet officers,
test is in Oregon, home to the Northern
Interior officials, and a citizen from the
spotted owl, an endangered species depen-
affected state appointed by the President.
dent on old-growth forests for survival.
Sometime in the next four months, the com-
Federal policy consistently has favored
mittee will consider loosening the Fish and
the timber industry, to conservation's detri-
Wildlife Service's planned restrictions on
ment. The Government built roads and
logging in spotted-owl territory.
encouraged clear-cutting in public forests.
There is room for loggers and native spe-
The Government subsidized the timber
cies such as the spotted owl in America's
industry and neglected its own responsibil-
forests. Start with better management
ity to protect publicly owned resources.
practices by Federal regulators. The log-
The bill for that neglect has come due.
ging restrictions should not be weakened.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has
The owl and the old-growth forests deserve
declared a sizable chunk of the owl's habitat
preservation.
off-limits to logging. Loggers claim that the
But so do workers. Congress ought to
limits will jeopardize their livelihoods - a
add provisions in the Endangered Species
classic confrontation between preservation-
Act for job-retraining when habitat-saving
ists and industry. But poor business prac-
rules heavily impair local industry.
Oregonian
10/6/91
HMAN
AN ECOSYSTEM
THE OREGONIAN
GOD
©
SQUAD
SOLAR
ENERGY
(WHEN a MNIT
RAINING)
ACT OF GOD SQUAD
PRODIKERS
TIMBER
INDUSTRY
PRIMARY
CHALLENGER
INNOCENT
BYSTANDER
PRIMARY
CONSUMER
MARRY
ABIOTK
SUBSTANCES
PROFITS
OPPORTUNISTIC
TIMBER
RELATIONSHIP
THE
$
$
and
DECOMPOSERS
$
"Columbia Gorge Fire Could Burn For Week
Blaze Also Burning In Habitat Of Spotted Owl"
(Oregonian - 10-7-91)
"Oregon Plans To Ignore New Wetlands Guidelines"
(Oregonian - 10-5-91)
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 11. 1991
SCIENCE & SOCIETY
Back from the abyss
Scientists might save the California condor. But is it worth the price?
M
ichael Wallace hasn't been
TOM MCHUGH PHOIO ART
sleeping well recently. In the
early hours of the morning,
the curator of birds at the Los Angeles
Zoo awakes and worries about four
young condors in his care. This week, as
part of a bold effort to restore the en-
darigered California condor to the wild,
the fledglings will be helicoptered from
the ZOO to Ventura County's Sespe
Condor Sanctuary. I keep trying to an-
ticipate what they will need by putting
mvself in their minds," says Wallace.
His nighttime obsessions may soon
pay off. By January, the huge vulture,
which has teetered on the brink of ex-
tinction for 50 years, may again soar
over America. This new lease on life
will come just five years after the last
wild bird was trapped for captive breed-
ing. From the start, the battle to save
the condor has been controversial.
Some critics have maintained that the
birds should be allowed to die with dig-
nity. rather than slipped into a high-
tech nether world of incubators and ra-
dio transmitters. Others have claimed
that zoos are interested in breeding
condors only to put them on display.
But underlying these skirmishes is a
widening debate about the value of the
increasingly expensive reintroduction
programs for such animals as the con-
dor. the Florida panther and the golden
lion tamarin. Re-establishing condors in
the wild. for instance. will cost at least
$1.5 million a year for decades. When
many species are threatened by habitat
destruction. and money for protecting
land is scarce. can the country truly af-
ford the luxury of resurrecting condors?
Not a pretty sight. By any measure, a
grounded condor is one of the uglicr
creatures in nature's aviary. The scaven-
ger has scaly claws the size of a man's
hand. a wrinkled head and a hooked beak
well suited for ripping apart carcasses.
But with its 10-foot wingspan, a condor in
flight inspires an almost mystical awe.
The vulture dates back to the last Ice
Age, when it soared throughout much of
North America, feasting on the rotting
flesh of mastodons and saber-toothed
cats. When the climate warmed 10,000
Ancient vulture. The California condor once fed on mastodons during the Ice Age.
SCIENCE & SOCIETY
Caring for the young birds while pre-
drops for their first flights, trudging up
venting them from bonding with humans
hills through dense underbrush if neces-
years ago and those large mammals grad-
has also proved to be a major challenge.
sary. With their great wings, condors are
ually became extinct, condors retreated
After one young male showed no sexual
designed for soaring, not a lot of flap-
to the Pacific Coast. where they relied on
interest in his mate and attempted to
ping, explains Robert Mesta, coordina-
beached whales and seals for food.
mount his keeper, the team began feed-
tor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
The condor population probably was
ing the chicks from behind one-way mir-
vice's Condor Recovery Program. When
stable in the early 19th century, when
rors, using condor puppets.
learning to fly, they need steady updrafts,
Lewis and Clark encountered the vul-
During the last three years, the recov-
like those rising from the broad canyon
tures along the Columbia River. But the
ery team has conducted four trial runs in
beneath the new site.
birds were no match for the flood of
the sanctuary with Andean condors, a
Even after the young condors have
settlers that soon followed. Condors
cousin of the California condor that,
mastered the winds, the recovery team's
were decimated by frontier marksmen
while endangered in South America, has
job will not be over. The world beyond
and ranchers who set out
RON
GARRISON
SOCIETY
OF
SAN
DIEGO
the 55,000-acre sanctuary
strychnine-laced carcasses
is just as dangerous as it
to control predators. Lead
was five years ago when
poisoning has also taken its
the last wild bird was
toll: Condors scavenge the
wrestled into a Sky Ken-
animals and piles of en-
nel. As a result, behavior
trails left by hunters, which
modification will be used
are often contaminated by
to teach the condors to
lead bullet fragments.
stay inside the protected
By the early 1980s, there
area. Each bird will be fit-
were only 15 wild condors
ted with a radio transmit-
left, and only five breeding
ter, and if it strays too far,
pairs. Biologists still hoped
team members will chase
to preserve the birds in the
it and rough it up a little
wild by restocking the pop-
with yells and light blows.
ulation with captive-reared
"The idea is to give it mi-
birds. But suddenly disas-
nor psychological trauma
ter struck the wild condors.
so that it won't return to
Between November 1984
the spot," says Mesta. The
and April 1985, nine of the
birds will also be fed still-
15 remaining birds van-
born calves from dairies to
ished. As a result, the Cali-
ensure that their diet stays
fornia Condor Recovery
lead-free.
Team, a scientific body
Critics of the condor
charged with formulating a
Puppet parent. Chicks born in captivity need help bonding.
program argue that in-
recovery plan, recom-
stead of spending millions
mended to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
bred prolifically in American zoos. But
returning the bird to what is only a
Service that the rest of the birds be
even before the first release, there were
semiwild state, condors should be main-
trapped and-brought into captivity. The
problems. One bird died en route to the
tained in zoos and the leftover money
vultures were then taken to the San Die-
sanctuary. After release, a second died
spent on protecting land that is particu-
go Wild Animal Park and the L.A. Zoo.
when she collided with a power line. A
larly rich in plant and animal species.
Against the odds. Even Wallace, who
third proved too tame she frequented a
But the Environmental Defense Fund's
has devoted the past 15 years of his life to
local oil-drilling operation and had to be
David Wilcove insists, "That's not the
preserving condors, occasionally won-
recaptured and returned to the zoo.
way it works. We are not given the op-
ders about what he is doing. "It's kind of
The new release site is located deep
tion of taking condor money and using it
stupid in a way that we haven't given up
in the chaparral-covered hills of the
to buy rain forest in Ecuador." Further-
yet," he says. Virtually every phase of
sanctuary, well away from power lines
more, he contends, reintroducing high-
breeding the vultures and preparing
and drilling rigs. It is well fortified: The
profile species proves to the American
them for reintroduction has proved enor-
big plywood box that the fledglings will
public that we can save species if we put
mously complicated. For instance, in the
call home for the next couple months is
our minds to it. Habitat preserved for
early 1980s the team began snatching
protected by an electrified hurricane
the condor also benefits other, humbler
newly laid eggs from nests to spur parents
fence and an armed guard. Though
creatures, he argues.
to lay a second egg - a strategy known as
black bears didn't actually kill any of
Indeed, the Sespe Sanctuary's rugged
"double clutching." They assumed that
the young Andean condors, the posts
hills and surreal sandstone escarpments
incubating the pale-green eggs would be
supporting an earlier, elevated release
teem with life, from the noisy, irides-
straightforward. But soon they discov-
box are scarred by the sharp claws of
cent scrub jay to the elegant red-tailed
ered that the chicks had trouble escaping
more than one ursine intruder.
hawk and bizarre velvet ant. "There's
from the shells and had to be rescued by
What's more, the new encampment is
no sense in being a purist in an impure
tweezer-wielding keepers. Eventually
perched on the edge of a sandstone cliff.
world," says Mesta. "As true wilderness
the-team realized that the normally deli-
Previous sites were located well away
disappears, increasingly we will manage
cate lining of the shell was stiffening and
from cliffs, which were thought to pose a
ecosystems the way we manage our
sticking to the incubated chicks. The
hazard to the fledglings. But during trial
households."
keepers solved the problem by raising the
runs, the team discovered that the Ande-
humidity during hatching.
an youngsters actually sought out steep
BY BETSY CARPENTER
LOS ANGELES TIMES
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1991
Undoing the
NATURE WATCH
Mistakes of Past
Bearing
State needs a water policy of future, not 1940s
Down
T
he Interior Department
sored by Sen. Bill Bradley
is blithely planning to
(D-N.J.), would change the
Few sights on the West
put 20% of California's
rules for the federal water
Coast are so hideous as
water out of reach to thirsty
system in California-the
stretches of clear-cut timber-
urban areas until 29 years into
largest such project in the
land on the Olympic Peninsu-
the next century, according to
nation-so that its water
la. Yet the irony is that among
a recent report by the General
could be bought and sold as a
those obscene stumps grow
Accounting Office.
commodity under state law,
wild fruits that support a larg-
The GAO recommends a
The other is by Rep. George
er population of black bear
moratorium on new contracts
Miller (D-Martinez) to re-
than could live off the few
in the federal Central Valley
quire farmers to take either
naturally occurring meadows
Project, which supplies most
federal water subsidies or fed-
and marshes.
of California's irrigation wa-
eral crop subsidies, but not
Predators, we are often told,
ter, until Washington thinks
both. The GAO report said
are among the most endan-
more carefully about this poli-
that in the mid-1980s nearly
gered of species. However,
cy. Does renewing old water
half of the federal water de-
recently, some of our protect-
contracts makes sense in a
livered at subsidized prices
ed predatory species have
time when California cities are
was used to grow crops sold,
been benefiting from better-
rapidly growing and face a
in turn, at subsidized prices.
enforced laws and, in unfore-
possible sixth year of drought?
Federal rules make buying
seen ways, are making a new
In our view it doesn't.
and selling of Central Valley
home even in ravaged land-
Federal rules already forbid
water far more difficult than
scapes.
sales of water to farms or
do California rules. Although
A friend recently canceled a
cities that are outside the
the state's policies need fine-
family hike in Glacier Nation-
boundaries of the Central Val-
tuning to-create a true market
al Park after hearing that the
ley, which means that surplus
for water, they were good
grizzlies were back and in
water can't be sold south of
enough to allow Gov. Pete
force.
the Tehachapis.
Wilson to create a state water
The Glacier grizzlies, never
Simply extending old water
bank earlier this year as a
predictable, are now both sur-
contracts-some of which
drought emergency measure.
prisingly numerous and in-
were signed in 1949-as
At the federal level, Interior
creasingly unintimidated by
though nothing has changed
already has signed about a
the appearance of humans in
in 40 years will also extend
dozen contracts that commit it
their territory.
damage to vast areas of crop-
to sell cheap water to irriga-
Glacier National Park is
land. It would leave un-
tion districts for another 40
scarcely a ravaged landscape,
changed an intolerable situa-
years, the report says. Over
of course, but coyotes, coyote
tion in which wildlife habitat
the next five years, it could
dogs, wolves, wolf dogs and
in the valley chronically lacks
sign another 50 or more unless
even cougars have returned to
water.
the law is changed.
far less likely regions across
Congress should respond at
California agriculture must
the country.
once, not only for the sake of
stop living in the past and let
Mankind, needless to say,
wildlife in the San Joaquin
the people of California allo-
has the capacity to deal any
Valley but to help ensure the
cate nearly 8 million acre-feet
large mammalian species an
future of the entire state.
of water with a process that
exterminating blow.
Interior officials argue that
fits the state's present-day
Kenya recently decreed the
a 1956 law gives them no
needs. The bills that would do
slaughter of 15,000 elephants
choice in whether to renew
that both sit in the U.S. Sen-
(of a world population of only
contracts. They also read the
ate's Energy and Natural Re-
75,000) because the animals
law as saying the Interior
sources Committee.
were intruding on farmland.
Department cannot make sig-
Bradley should put them to
And yet it can be encourag-
nificant changes in contract
a vote without delay. And
ing for mankind, the ultimate
terms. So it's up to Congress
California's Republican Sen.
predator, to see that given
to intervene.
John Seymour should drop his
anything like a fighting
Congress should pass two
misguided opposition to the
chance, some of our fellow
important bills. One, spon-
bills and help them along.
predators are quite capable of
putting up a good fight for
survival.
THE WASHINGTON POST
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
States Increasingly Betting
On Gambling for Revenue
November, bettors line up at pari-
By Edward Walsh
mutuel windows at Dubuque Grey-
Washington Post Staff Writer
hound Park, built on an island in the
DUBUQUE, Iowa-Seven years
river here with proceeds from the
ago, citizens of this aging Missis-
bond issue.
sippi River town placed a $6.5 mil-
Twice daily, gamblers also board
lion bet on the future. Desperate to
the Dubuque Casino Belle, the
revive a local economy that seemed
town's new riverboat, for a cruise
permanently mired in recession,
that sometimes takes them past the
they approved a municipal bond is-
dog track as they busy themselves
sue of that amount and used the
at 500 slot machines and 26 black-
money to go into a business about
jack, roulette and other gaming ta-
which most of them knew noth-
bles. Ashore are dozens of other
ing-gambling.
places offering a chance to gamble
Today, this place that is home to
through the Iowa state lottery.
one of the leading symbols of mid-
Dubuque is not the only unlikely
western probity, the "little old lady
location for a smaller, less glitzy
from Dubuque," is a hotbed of legal,
version of Las Vegas. In the last
state-supported gambling. Twice a
several years, legalized gambling
day, from April through mid-
See GAMBLING, A4, Col. 1
GAMBLING, From A1
"It's grasping at straws," said
Riverboat gambling began on the
has exploded nationally as state
Steven D. Gold, director of the Cen-
Mississippi on April 1 with five
governments looked for ways to
ter for the Study of the States in AI-
boats. Iowa had a monopoly on Mis-
raise revenue without raising taxes
bany, N.Y. "The pursuit of econom-
sissippi riverboat gambling until last
and local communities sought new
ic recovery through legalized gam-
month, when the first Illinois riv-
devices to encourage tourism and
bling is not a fruitful path. But you
erboat was launched from Alton
economic development.
can't stop them. It's the path of
near St. Louis.
Gambling has boomed so strongly
least resistance."
The riverboat competition will
that many officials said it is at or
Nowhere has the growth in gam-
only become fiercer. Eventually, II-
near the saturation point in some
bling been more dramatic than in
linois expects to have riverboat
places. In Iowa, which has more
the midwest. Terri La Fleur, a sen-
gambling at 10 sites on the Missis-
forms of legalized gambling than
ior editor of Gaming & Wagering
sippi, Illinois, Fox and Ohio rivers.
Nevada, there is ominous early ev-
Business magazine, said the region
Louisiana and Mississippi have au-
idence of a downturn in gambling
has become "the gambling indus-
thorized riverboat gambling and ex-
revenue because of competition
try's laboratory for new products
pect to be in operation soon, and
from other states that have jumped
like video lottery terminals and riv-
the issue is on the Missouri ballot in
into the wagering business and
erboat gambling."
November. Recently, the Casino
from intrastate competition among
"There has also been phenomenal
Belle hosted members of the Min-
Iowa's various gambling enter-
growth in the parimutuel wagering
nesota State Senate considering
prises.
industry, with Minnesota and Illi-
whether their state should join the
Despite the increased competi-
nois legalizing off-track betting and
floating casino business.
tion and objections of gambling crit-
Wisconsin starting dog racing," La
But the riverboats are only part
ics who charge that the states are
Fleur said. "The midwestern states'
of a pattern that La Fleur, writing
encouraging an activity that will
taste for gambling has been sweet-
in the August issue of Gaming &
haunt them with heavy social costs,
ened by deficit-plagued budgets, a
Wagering Business, said will make
the growth in state-sponsored gam-
softening of the public attitude
the 1990s "the decade of casino
bling is expected to continue
about betting and vigorous promo-
gambling's advance across the Unit-
through the 1990s.
tion campaigns."
ed States."
In 1989, South Dakota, another
In the 20 years between 1970
unlikely midwestern location, began
and 1990, the number of state lot-
that advance by legalizing casino
teries including that in the District
gambling in Deadwood, an old min-
of Columbia increased from three to
ing town. The Deadwood idea of
33 while annual lottery sales sky-
tying gambling to locations that
rocketed from $49 million to more
evoke the aura of the rough-and-
than $20 billion. William S. Berg-
tumble 19th century American
man, executive director of the
frontier has spread to Colorado,
North American Association of
where casino operations began late
State and Provincial Lotteries, pre-
last month in three run-down min-
dicted that, by the end of the cen-
ing towns.
tury, the only states without lot-
Meanwhile, casino gambling is
teries will be Morman-dominated
spreading rapidly on Indian reser-
Utah and Nevada, where a lottery
vations under a law enacted by Con-
would only undercut state revenue
gress in 1988. The Indian Gaming
from other gambling.
Regulatory Act requires states that
The astonishing growth of lot-
permit gambling to negotiate agree-
teries also changed attitudes, help-
ments, known as compacts, with
ing to pave the way for the river-
Native American tribes, giving
boats, dog tracks, off-track betting
them permission to operate the
parlors and other forms of gambling
same kind of gaming ventures on
becoming commonplace.
"If any one entity turned Amer-
reservations. The tribes, which
ican values around on gaming, it
have sovereign status, do not pay
was the state lotteries," said Bruce
federal, state or local taxes on gam-
W. Wentworth, general manager of
bling profits.
Dubuque Greyhound Park and an
The Indian gaming law is a prime
experienced gaming industry exec-
example of how momentum for
utive. "The lotteries used the three
more gambling builds on itself. As
big 'E's-education, environment
competition intensifies among
and economic development-to tell
states for extra revenue, tourism
people this is good, you should do it.
and economic development, many
The lotteries also have advertising
have authorized new forms of gam-
budgets that we would kill for."
bling. But when states go into the
Twenty years ago, even bingo
casino business, as South Dakota
was illegal in Iowa, although the
did in Deadwood and Iowa did with
prohibition was disregarded widely
riverboats, they make their state's
in church basements. Bingo was le-
tribes eligible to do the same, cre-
galized in the 1970s, but the state's
ating competitors within their bor-
plunge into gambling did not begin
ders. The spread of gambling on the
in earnest until 1984 when the leg-
reservations also has been spurred
islature authorized parimutuel bet-
by court rulings saying even states
ting to spur tourism and local eco-
that permit only occasional "Las Ve-
nomic development.
gas Night" casino gambling for
Gov. Terry E. Branstad (R) ve-
charity must allow local tribes to go
toed lottery bills in 1983 and 1984,
into the casino business.
but with public support for a lottery
According to Michael Cox, gen-
growing and thousands of Iowans
eral counsel of the National Indian
crossing Mississippi River bridges
Gaming Commission in Washington,
to buy Illinois lottery tickets, he
about 20 gambling compacts have
signed a lottery measure in 1985.
been reached between tribes and
Four years later, the legislature au-
state governments.
thorized riverboat gambling.
Underpinning this vast expansion
As the state became more deeply
in legalized gambling is the lottery,
involved in gambling during the
a relatively new, once controversial
1980s, it also displayed ambiva-
but now widely accepted agency of
lénce. The law creating the lottery,
state government. The first one be-
for example, also established a
gan in 1964 in New Hampshire,
Gamblers Assistance Fund provid-
which prides itself on being the only
ing grants to social-welfare agen-
state with neither sales nor income
cies for treatment of compulsive
tax, and the idea spread slowly. But
gamblers. The riverboat legislation
as the country encountered the eco-
imposed bet limits of $5 and total
nomic shocks of the 1970s, states
losses of no more than $200 per
increasingly turned to lotteries as
relatively painless ways to raise
revenue.
person per cruise in an attempt to
lions of dollars in public and private
huge success. In an attempt to rea
make Iowa casino gambling whole-
improvements in the riverfront
verse this trend, the Iowa Lottery
some "family entertainment." Illi-
docking area.
Commission authorized an exper-
nois riverboats, which have no lim-
But the good times, or at least
iment in video lottery in 11 western
its, are expected to attract the high
the easy good times, may be near-
Iowa counties but dropped the idea
rollers.
ing an end. Illinois' entry into the
when Branstad and legislative lead-
"We'll get the family people, the
riverboat-casino business and Mis-
ers objected.
people who just want a taste of it,"
souri's likely entry soon is expected
"The governor feels that the peo-
said Kathy Quartana, assistant di-
to increase competition all along the
ple of Iowa think we have enough
rector of the Iowa Racing and Gam-
Mississippi. "The [Iowa] piece of
gambling at this point," said Dick
ing Commission. "Illinois is going to
the pie is going to be much
Vohs, a spokesman for Branstad.
have all the headaches."
smaller," said Jim Kurtz, media di-
Other states are attempting to
There is nothing ambivalent
rector for the Casino Belle.
respond to increased competition.
about Dubuque's attitude toward
On the other side of the state,
Minnesota lottery officials recently
gambling. The bond issue used to
plans for a riverboat casino in the
announced plans for an experiment
build the dog track was approved by
Missouri River off Sioux City have
with a play-at-home lottery system
71 percent of the voters. A 1989
been delayed because of concern
using Nintendo video-game equip-
referendum to authorize a riverboat
about competition from a proposed
ment hooked to the lottery's com-
casino received 66 percent voter
Indian reservation casino nearby.
puter system.
approval.
Dubuque Greyhound Park, one of
Gambling critics such as Valerie
The economic impact is "like a
three dog tracks in the state, is
Lorenz, director of the National
dream come true," said Marilee
feeling the effects of competition
Center for Pathological Gambling in
Harrmann, director of the Dubuque
from five dog tracks that opened in
Baltimore, said declining gambling
Convention & Visitors Bureau. The
Wisconsin last year. The track's
revenues may force state govern-
dog track alone helped to increase
"handle," or total wagering, was
ments to see that they have been
the number of city visitors from
about $65 million during each of its
pursuing "extremely poor and
200,000 in 1984, the year before it
first three years of operation. But
short-sighted public policy" in en-
opened, to 1 million in 1989, ac-
last year, it dropped to $41 million
couraging an activity "clearly addic-
cording to bureau estimates.
and this year is projected to sink to
tive for some people."
The success of Dubuque Grey-
$30 million.
But Gold of the Center for the
hound Park was recognized official-
Even the Iowa lottery is hurting.
Study of the States said state-spon-
ly this spring when the 20-year mu-
Lottery sales peaked at $173 mil-
sored gambling, although it will not
nicipal bonds, paid off in less than
lion in fiscal 1989 but are expected
solve any state's fiscal problems,
seven years, were burned in a cer-
to be only $145 million this fiscal
still will be a politically attractive al-
emony at the track's finish line.
year, which began July 1.
ternative to higher taxes.
Meanwhile, the Casino Belle, like all
One reason is competition from
"I don't think you can turn the
Iowa riverboats, has exceeded at-
South Dakota, where introduction
clock back," he said. "I think it's go-
tendance and wagering projections
in 1989 of video lottery-electronic
ing to continue to spread. As more
during the first six months of oper-
terminals on which customers play
and more states do it, it takes less
ation and been the catalyst for mil-
blackjack and poker-has been a
and less courage to do the same."
LA TIMES Oct. 9, 1991
How the Mafia Targeted
Tribe's Gambling Business
Crime: The mob dropped bid to infiltrate games near
San Diego, but wiretaps suggest ties to other reservations.
By PAUL LIEBERMAN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
THE INDIANS' GAMBLE
Tribal Economies Are Banking on a
Billion Dollar Betting Industry
Second in a five-part series,
Tuesday, October 8, 1991
THEOILDAILY
MMS Advances Chukchi Sea
Lease Sale Set for Mid-'94
WASHINGTON - The Interior
porarily abandoned.
Department's Minerals Management
Comments regarding the envi-
Service has issued a notice of intent
ronmental and socio-economic im-
to prepare an environmental impact
pacts of the proposed mid-1994
statement for Chukchi Sea lease sale
lease sale can be sent to MMS,
148, tentatively scheduled for mid-
Alaska OCS Region, Regional
1994.
Supervisor of Leasing and Environ-
"We're asking potential bidders to
ment, 949 East 36th Ave., Anchor-
indicate areas of leasing interest in
age, Alaska 99508-4302.
the Chukchi Sea, and we're solicit-
ing comments from all interested
parties on possible environmental
effects and use conflicts in the
area," said Al Power, MMS Alaska
regional director.
The call for information and no-
tice of intent covers approximately
25.5 million acres or approximately
4,699 blocks. The area is located
about 3.5 to 200 miles off Alaska's
arctic coast in water depths ranging
from 98 to 263 feet.
There are 350 active leases in the
Chukchi Sea, issued as a result of
sale 109 held in May 1988. Industry
has drilled four wells on these leases,
of which three are permanently plug-
ged and abandoned and one is tem-
USA TODAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8. 1991
NEW JERSEY
WYOMING
NEVADA
BREILLE - State may use fed-
CHEYENNE - Crow Indian
LAS VEGAS - State Tax Com-
eral Coastal Zone Management
mission voted to refund to Indian
tribe is challenging state Game
Act to keep federal government
and Fish Dept's authority to en-
leaders all state gasoline taxes paid
from leasing oil-drilling sites off
by resident Indians on their reser-
force hunting regulations against
coast, Gov. Florio said. Florio
vations. Cited: It offers tribes an-
tribe. Crows say 1851 and 1868
wrote U.S. Dept. of Interior offi-
treaties give them right to hunt un-
other self-supporting resource.
cials saying drilling was economi-
occupied lands. Case stems from
cally and environmentally un-
arrest of Crow for killing elk.
OREGON
sound
GREYBULL - Dinosaur fossil
CASCADES -
found in September is en route to
Forest fire burned out of control
Montana State University to be
on 169 acres near Bonneville Dam.
cleaned and studied.
Traffic was delayed on I-84 while
helicopters dipped buckets in Co-
lumbia River to battle blaze. Origin
of fire was unknown.
Florio plans to use federal law against oil drilling
BRIELLE, N.J. (UPI) - Gov. Jim Florio said Monday he will use the
federal Coastal Zone Management Act egainst the federal government in an
attempt to bar offshore drilling off New Jersey.
Florio testified at a hearing sponsored by the state Department of
Environmental Protection and Energy on the Bush administration's
proposal to open 1.3 million acres of the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey
to oil exploration. State officials decided to hold the hearing because
the federal government did not include New Jersey in its own hearings.
New provisions in Coastal Zone Management Act require the federal
government to certify that oil drilling and other activities in coastal
waters are consistent with environmental protection efforts, Floric
said. That allows the state to argue that drilling would be harmful to
water quality.
The governor also said that offshore drilling only encourages
continued reliance on oil.
"Even if oil were found, it's estimated there would be only enough
for 13 days of U.S. consumption," he said.
Florio released a letter to Interior Secretary Manuel Luian that
registers his objections to offshore drilling.
The governor said the drilling "courts environmental disaster."
"In New Jersey, our shore 15 our life, and a clean safe ocean is our
life blood," he said. "We can't stand by and watch it be threatened.
We have fought hard to protect our beaches and ocean waters from
environmental threats."
In his letter, the governor also said that many of the 228 blocks off
the coast of New Jersey that are included in proposals for leasing in
1994 and 1997 were part of an earlier proposal that was dropped because
oil companies were not interested.
The public comment period on the oil drilling plans ends Oct. 29.
up1 10-07-91 05:41 ped
23
THE WASHINGTON POST
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
THE FEDERAL PAGE
Panetta's Deficit Solution:
Cut Military by 40%,
Pare 8 Cabinet Depts.
By Eric Pianin
The plan calls for additional
Washington Post Staff Writer
spending cuts and tax increases to-
taling $1.3 trillion between now and
Less than a year after the White
the year 2001, while authorizing
House and Congress signed a five-
spending increases totaling $370
year budget agreement, House
billion in targeted areas of educa-
Budget Committee Chairman Leon
tion, health care and economic
E. Panetta (D-Calif.) yesterday
growth.
unveiled a set of deficit-reduction
Congress resisted tampering
proposals, including a 40 percent
with the budget agreement in ap-
cut in military spending and the
proving spending bills for the fiscal
elimination of eight of 14 Cabinet
year that began last week, but con-
45766
departments by the end of the dec-
gressional Democrats and the Of-
ade.
fice of Management and Budget
Panetta's proposal, offered at a
have begun staking out positions in
time of growing frustration and
anticipation of reopening the agree-
dissatisfaction with the budget
ment next year.
THE WASHINGTON POST
agreement, is the opening round in
Office of Management and Bud-
what is likely to be a protracted
get Director Richard G. Darman
ter said yesterday the administra-
debate over reshaping the federal
said over the weekend that the ad-
tion has no plans to reopen the
government's long-term spending
ministration would insist on a re-
budget agreement.
and debt-reduction policies. Dem-
duction of the capital gains tax and
Panetta said it would be reckless
ocratic and Republican members
more emphasis on deficit reduction
to begin tinkering with the budget
of the Budget Committee plan to
and economic growth as part of any
agreement until Congress com-
meet in private today to begin pre-
new agreement. However, White
pletes a comprehensive review of
liminary talks.
House spokesman Marlin Fitzwa-
the budget situation, in light of the
zy
NEWSWEEK OCTOBER 14, 1991
Not So Sweet
in Sugar Land
Florida growers VS. the
neyth of the Everglades
A
lligators, airboats, endless acres of
saw grass swaying gently in the
breeze: these are the images of Flori-
da's Everglades. The reality is very differ-
ent. Diversion of water for farms and cities
has left parts of the 2.2 million-acre wet-
land high and dry. On the east, Miami's
urban sprawl is pushing back the marsh.
JOHN SEVERSON-SILVER IMAGE
And from the north march invading col-
Bitter aftertaste: Phosphate-laden water flows into a canal near Lake Okeechobee
umns of greenish brown cattails, a symp-
tom of the water pollution that has made
tion law lets cane growers bring in low-paid
marshland to filter used farm water-will
Everglades National Park among the na-
Jamaicans for the backbreaking seasonal
tion's most endangered. Last Friday a fed-
cost $300 million. The growers would pay
work of cane cutting-and keeps the work-
part of that bill and would have to eliminate
eral judge in Miami opened hearings over
ers from changing jobs once they arrive.
who should pay to fix it-a battle that could
almost all phosphate runoff by 2002.
Astute networking helps the growers keep
The industry wants the court to block the
threaten the future of Florida's influential
those privileges. U.S. Sugar Corp., the larg-
sugar industry.
agreement, arguing that phosphate is only
est grower, plays up its ties to the Charles
a small contributor to the Everglades' ills.
Sugar cane is a big, if troversial, busi-
Stewart Mott Foundation, a high-profile
ness in south Florida. Since 1930, when the
Sugar growers use little fertilizer, they
charity. The Cuban-born Fanjul brothers,
U.S. Sugar Corp. opened its first plantation
point out; most of the phosphate washing
Spanish citizens who control 190,000 acres
into the marshes occurs naturally in the
near Lake Okeechobee, more than 500,000
of Florida cane land, are prominent in the
acres have come under cane. Sixty years of
south Florida soil. Says George Wedge-
Florida business community and hobnob
worth, president of the Sugar Cane Grow-
state and federal programs to build dikes
with prominent politicians in Washington.
ers Cooperative in Belle Glade, "There's
and drain swamps left a nutrient-rich
But as south Florida grows, Big Sugar's
not one piece of scientific work that shows
muck ideally suited to the crop. Profits are
clout is waning. The proof came in July,
that what we are doing is detrimental to
almost guaranteed: a federal support pro-
when state officials outraged the indus-
gram props up the domestic price of sugar,
the Everglades." The real problem, sugar
try by admitting federal civil charges that
lobbyists argue, is the state's misman-
while quotas hold down imports from Latin
Florida had failed to protect the Everglades
agement of water supplies throughout
America, the Caribbean and the Philip-
against phosphate runoff from cane fields.
southern and central Florida. Environ-
pines. Labor is cheap, too: U.S. immigra-
Their solution-reclaiming 35,000 acres of
mentalists counter that the industry is
trying to postpone the day of
reckoning. "The sugar industry
gets a financial reward for de-
laying implementation of the
cleanup process," asserts Mi-
chael Soukup, a biologist at Ev-
erglades National Park.
In the end, the sugar indus-
try will have to bend to keep
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 8. 1991
from forfeiting its support in
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Congress. "If you are a recipi-
ent of federal subsidies, there is
some responsibility that goes
The Gradual Greening of
along with them," says Rep.
George Miller, chairman of the
House Interior Committee. But
Mount St. Helens
the final price will likely be
one the growers can afford.
State officials know full well
A study finds that 83
that if cane is pushed out,
of 256 plant species
many sugar plantations will be
are back in the area.
turned into subdivisions-and
that would be even worse for
the Everglades.
MARC LEVINSON with
PETER KATEL in Belle Glade
THE NEW YORK TIMES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
In Ruin of Everglades, Many Share the Blame
To the Editor:
as well as plants demand water.
tlement between Florida and the Fed-
Robert H. Buker and Donald W.
The 700,000-acre Everglades Agri-
eral Government is a step in the right
Carson, two sugar industry execu-
cultural Area, which occupies the re-
direction.
MARK DERR
tives, are more than a little disingen-
gion where Everglades water was
Dorset, Vt., Sept. 24, 1991
uous when they assert in "Ever-
deepest, the sawgrass tallest and the
glades Endgame" (Op-Ed, Sept. 23)
The writer is author of "Some Kind of
muck richest, is an environmental
Paradise" (New York, 1989), a social
that agriculture is being made the
disaster, not a minor player in South
scapegoat for South Florida's envi-
and environmental history of Florida.
Florida's ecological ruin. Much of the
ronmental problems.
rich muck that made the Everglades
First, some history: In 1947 two
desirable has subsided, vanished, and
Farming's Damage
hurricanes flooded five million acres
the rest may be gone in 20 years.
To the Editor:
in the region and spurred water man-
While the authors observe that ex-
In 'Everglades Endgame" (Op-
agers and the Army Corps of Engi-
otic plants like melaleuca, casuarina
Ed, Sept. 23), the Florida sugar indus-
neers to replumb and expand the sys-
(Australian pine) and Brazilian pep-
try, after two decades of denying that
tem of canals. The result is generally
per are consuming hundreds of thou-
its water pollution harms the Ever-
recognized as an engineering marvel
sands of acres and supplanting native
glades, contests the cleanup by point-
and ecological disaster.
species, they fail to say that the nutri-
ing to the yet greater problems of
But it was a hurricane in Septem-
ent-enriched water of the agricultural
water shortage.
ber 1928 that killed more than 1,800
district has led to an explosion of
The greatest problems of the Ever-
people, most of them farm workers in
cattails in adjacent areas. These
glades do result from the manipula-
what is now the Everglades Agricul-
plants drive out native vegetation and
tion of the natural flow of water
tural Area. Flood tides crashed
have created a major ecológical
through a Government system of
through a primitive levee on the south
problem. The authors also do not say
pumps and canals. But the distortions
side of the lake, seeking their tradi-
that Federal, state and local officials
of this system primarily benefit-sug-
tional course, just as the Indians had
are trying to remove the exotics.
ar and vegetable farming.
predicted they would when white men
politicians, farmers and resi-
The farming area occupies. -the
started tinkering with the Ever-
dents of South Florida forget that
northern, and formerly deepest, quar-
glades. Following the storm, engi-
everyone - the farmer, the tourist,
ter of the historic Everglades, shut-
neers began work on the Hoover Dike,
the resident and the policy maker -
ting off the flow of water south from
completed in 1938, which dams the
have contributed to the ruin of the
Lake Okeechobee. Because this area
flow of water from Lake Okeechobee
was normally under water, farming it
into the Everglades.
requires massive and rapid drainage
The point is that the impetus to
in the summer rainy season. This
drain the Everglades came from poli-
drainage floods and pollutes part of
ticians and land developers eager to
the Everglades and wastes water to
create farms. And the sheet flow of
the ocean.
water out of Lake Okeechobee was
In the dry winter, the system
blocked to make South Florida safe
pumps water back into the agricul-
for agriculture, not people. Today,
tural area for irrigation - as much
through direct and indirect subsidies
as 800,000 acre feet in the dry season
the Federal Government props up the
of a dry year. The entire urban area
South Florida sugar industry while
from West Palm Beach through Mi-
also paying millions of dollars to re-
ami then uses but 300,000 acre feet of
store and preserve what remains of
water from the Everglades system.
the Everglades ecosystem, which ag-
No water is left for Everglades Na-
ricultural practices continue to harm.
tional Park at these times.
It may be argued that the salvation
The sugar industry vehemently re-
of the Everglades will come only
sists efforts to reform this system:
when subsidies are ended, the Ever-
Its answer to the pollution would
glades Agricultural Area reflooded
deepen water shortages by pumping
and many of the canals that lace the
Thomas Kerr
polluted water into the ground or out
region broken through. (These dras-
Everglades and the degradation of a
to sea instead of cleaning up. Ever-
tic steps would also mean withdrawal
fragile ecosystem. The region will be
glades alligators do not need croco-
from some human suburbs.) Short of
revitalized only when we recognize
dile tears, but more, and cleaner,
that, water managers must try to
our responsibility for nurturing na-
water.
TIMOTHY D. SEARCHINGER
imitate the natural flow of water,
ture and make the sacrifices neces-
Staff Attorney
something they have been unable to
sary to meet that responsibility.
Environmental Defense Fund
do because in the dry season people
Though limited, the proposed set-
New York, Sept. 24, 1991
collapse of the Soviet Union as a
Wash.), has added urgency be-
idation proposal, the 14 Cabinet
military threat and the United
cause of Congressional Budget
departments would be reduced to
States' growing economic and so-
Office projections that the deficit
six: the departments of Human
cial needs.
will rise, dip and then skyrocket
Resources, Defense, Natural Re-
"I do not believe we ought to
between now and the year 2001.
simply proceed to revise the bud-
sources, Economic Policy, State
Absent further action by Con-
get agreement in a vacuum,"
and Justice. Panetta acknowledged
gress, the overall national debt will
Panetta said in releasing his pro-
that his idea would encounter stiff
soar to $5.1 trillion within 10
posal.
opposition from the administration
years, or more than 50 percent of
House Minority Leader Robert
and special interest groups anxious
the gross national product, the
H. Michel (R-III.) said Republicans
to protect their turf, but said the
CBO said.
would cooperate in the Budget
government cannot justify the 33
While Foley and other Demo-
Committee talks, but said that he
percent growth in the cost of fed-
cratic House leaders have given
strongly favored sticking with the
eral government operations since
the House Budget Committee
ceilings on domestic, defense and
1981 or the confusing overlapping
their blessing to begin the long-
jurisdictions.
foreign aid spending imposed by
term review this week, the lead-
the curent budget agreement.
In reordering priorities over the
ership has not endorsed any of
"I never have any problem with
next decade, Panetta has proposed
Panetta's specific proposals.
policymakers looking into the fu-
earmarking an additional $100 bil-
Panetta's three-pronged propos-
ture, but it's very difficult for us to
lion to $120 billion for education;
al would streamline federal gov-
figure out what the hell will hap-
$75 billion to $90 billion more to
ernment by consolidating activi-
pen next week or next month, let
enact a self-financed national
ties; retarget domestic spending
alone 10 years from now," Michel
health care program and to reduce
priorities, and order deeper cuts in
said.
infant mortality, and an additional
military spending than the 25 per-
The long-term budget review,
$130 billions to $160 billion for job
cent mandated in the current bud-
which was authorized by House
training, a national energy-secu-
get agreement.
Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-
rity plan and construction of hous-
Under the government consol-
ing, roads and bridges.
AP DAYBOOK, WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, OCT. B
Noon. WETLANDS Joe Larson, professor and director of the
Environmental Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and
chairman of the National Wetlands Technical Council, Jay Hair,
president of the National Wildlife Federation, Elizabeth Raisbeck,
senior vice president, National Aububon Society, news conference to
criticize President Bush's plan on wetlands.
Location: National Press Club
Contact: Lynn Bowersox, 202-797-6853; Susan DeVico, 212-546-9200
Audit Criticizes Government's Handling OF Mine Reclamation Debt
By RATHERINE RIZZO
WASHINGTON (AP) - Government inspectors on Monday criticized the
federal agency in charge of maling sure coal companies pay for
books. environmental damage for wiping $96.8 million in debt off the
The Interior Department's inspector general said the Office of
Surface Mining wrote off debt without the approval of the
department solicitor.
"Surface Mining did not have the authority to terminate this
debt." the audit report said.
"Generosity 15 a virtue, but this 19 ridiculous," said Rep.
Nick Rahall, chairman of the House mining subcommittee.
The debt has accumulated since 1978, when the government began
assessing civil penalties against coal mine operators that failed
to clean up land and water they contaminate while mining.
Harry M. Snyder, who heads the Office of Surface Mining. took
issue with the inspector general's interpretation of what happened.
He said mining companies aren't off the hool. when the government
writes off their debts as uncollectable.
"Debt write-off does not mean debt forgiveness or debt
amnesty." Snyder said in a written statement. "If the debtor ever
applies for a new coal mine permit, the application is blocked
until the debt is settled."
Snyder said his agency hasn't closed the books on that $96.8
million, even though it was not mentioned in A required financial
report to the Treasury Department. He said the agency is awaiting
final rulings on whether the debts dating from 1978 to 1983 are
uncollectable.
The audit did not name the companies that have defaulted on
their debts and the Office of Surface Mining 85 a matter of policy
does not release the names of mines that have not paid abandoned
mine reclamation fees.
Snyder agreed with another criticism against his agency.
The inspector general's office said the ye. of Funface Mining
was responsible for $2.5 5 million worth of preperty end equipment
which now could not be located.
The report blamed that on the system used to keep track of what
the agency owns.
Rahall said the missing property was evidence the agency is
"having difficulties managing itself, let alone implementing the
federal surface mining act.
"I am certainly going to inquire as to what type of property
and equipment the OSM has misplaced," Rahal! said. "In the
meantime, perhaps Harry Snyder should begin bolting down all the
desks and chairs at the agency.
The inspector general's office said a detailed report on the
missing property had been completed but not yet made public.
AP-05-10-07-91 2141EDT
THE NEW YORK TIMES
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
Frequent
Flyer
Fowl play
at Pan Am.
Deep in the cargo hold of 2 Pan Am jet, there's a dark secret.
Pan Am is part of an international industry that ships hundreds of thousands of
wild birds to the U.S. each year. But these frequent flyers don't fly first class.
These parrots, parakeets and other exotic birds are captured in the rainforest, trucked
through the jungle and then loaded onto Pan Am for 2 one-way ticket to 2 U.S. pet
store. Crammed into crates inside the cargo bay, many of them never make it
through the trip.
29
They're Dying to Fly Pan Am
Every year about 8 million birds are taken from the wild for the world pet trade.
Chicago Tribune. Friday, October 4. 1991
Many die in airplanes like Pan Am's on the last leg of their journey, but millions
more die before they ever get to the airport.
In fact, for every wild bird sold, four die during capture or transport from the jungle.
After years of trapping, the bird trade has put entire species at risk. 30% of Latin
American parrots, for example, are now threatened with extinction.
Museum allies,
Today, Pan Am is the only major U.S. airline that still transports wild birds into this
country. Every other major carrier has agreed to environmentalists' requests to stop
U.S. get time
accepting birds for international trade. But as long as airlines like Pan Am continue
to ship wild birds, even more species will be threatened.
to negotiate
By Andrew Fegelman
Help Stop the Wild Bird Trade
Tensions between federal authori-
ties and supporters of Trailside Mu-
Defenders of Wildlife needs your help to stop the wild bird trade. We don't have to
seum in River Forest over the fate
import wild birds for pets. 85% of the birds sold in U.S. pet stores are already bred in
of dozens of birds the government
captivity, and nearly all species can be bred here in America.
wanted to seize have eased and both
sides said talks were under way to
Help us let Pan Am know that we want them to join the other major U.S. airlines in
resolve the controversy.
refusing to ship wild birds. Send us the coupon from this page and we'll tell Pan Am
As a result, U.S. District Judge
to keep the wild birds in the rainforest, not the cargo bay.
James Alesia extended a court order
Wednesday giving the U.S. Fish and
Yest I want to help stop Pan Am from shipping wild birds into the U.S.
Wildlife Service, the Cook County
Forest Preserve District and a
Please send Pan Am a petition in my name urging them to stop transporting
citizens group time to negotiate.
wild birds into the U.S.
Alesia first granted a restraining
order last week forbidding the feder-
I want to help Defenders of Wildlife do more to protect wild birds.
al agency from removing or de-
Enclosed is a check for $
stroying any of the birds. He acted
Name
at the request of the Forest Preserve
District, which runs the nature cen-
Address
ter, and Citizens for Trailside after
federal authorities attempted to re-
Phone
move the birds.
Mail to:
The order was to expire next
Defenders of Wildlife
Monday. Alesia has now extended it
1244 Nineteenth Street, NW
to Oct. 25, but will hold a hearing
Washington, DC 20036
N
Oct. 21 to determine whether any
progress has been made toward re-
solving the dispute.
Michael Marick, an attorney rep-
Defenders of Wildlife is a 44-year old conservation organization
resenting the citizens group, said
with 80,000 members and supporters. Committed to the preservation
the discussions have focused on
of wildlife, Defenders of Wildlife has long advocated the protection of
whether Trailside should be granted
OFWILDLIFE
endangered species and conservation of global diversity.
an education permit that would
allow it to keep the birds for longer
than 90 days-the limit for keeping
birds under the permits generally
awarded to bird rehabilitators.
Officials with the wildlife agency
have said they tried to remove birds
last week because Trailside was vio-
lating the rehabilitation limit.
Trailside accepts injured animals
and birds with the intention of
rehabilitating and then releasing
them, but the federal government
has maintained some of the birds
could not survive in the wild and
should be euthanized.
30
THE NEW YORK TIMES. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 8. 1991 USA TODAY
Grizzly Bear Mauls 2 Hikers
LETTERS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK,
Mont:, Oct. 7 (AP) - A. man and a
woman who were hiking Sunday on
Who says forests gone?
Trout Lake Trail here were mauled by
U.S. forests are not "almost
a grizzly bear, the authorities said to-
gone," and the editorial argu-
day. After the attack, the hikers, Dale
ments you offered Thursday to
Johnson, 31 years old, and Rhonda An-
stop timber harvesting are spe-
derson; 27, managed to walk four miles
cious and uninformed.
to their car and drove for help. They
One-third of our country is
were reported in stable condition with
covered with forests. Four mil-
numerous puncture wounds at a hospi-
lion acres are old-growth for-
tal in Kalispell. Park officials closed
ests of the Pacific Northwest
trails.in the area near the attack.
that will never be harvested.
What's more, we're so good
at growing trees that our annu-
al forest growth exceeds har-
USA TODAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
vest by 37%. That's the infor-
mation we give other countries
and why they look to the USA
for global-warming answers.
Mark Rey
American Forest Res. Alliance
Washington, D.C.
Don't buy loggers' line
I want to thank you for your
editorial about the owls. You
haven't fallen for the loggers'
view that they are going to lose
their jobs. If all the trees are
cut down, they are not going to
have their jobs anyway. We
need to save the last of our for-
ests. They want us to think they
are so stupid they can't find an-
other job. And that's not the
way it is
Shart Goodman
Santa Anna, Calif.
By Tim Dillon, USA TODAY
The Washington Times
OVERDUE HONOR: Engraver Jim Lee sandblasts Richard
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 8. 1991
Tortorice's name onto the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
8 more names added to
Vietnam War memorial
WASHINGTON - Eight
been added since the me-
names of war dead Monday
morial's 1982 dedication.
were etched into the Viet-
The honor for Richard J.
nam Veterans Memorial,
Tortorice came 24 years af-
bringing the number of
ter he was wounded, 14
dead and missing listed
years after he died.
there to 58,183.
"They didn't consider
Officials also changed 49
him to be a death in the
men listed as missing in ac-
war, which was very frus-
tion to killed in action. A
trating" said his sister, Bon-
cross by their names will be
ita Polkinghorn, of San Ra-
changed to a diamond.
mon, Calif., who watched
Monday marked the
the etching.
sixth time names have
Andrea Stone
A tearful addition
Rhee Thomas-Fryer and her husband, Robert Fryer, watch as the name of
her brother, Douglas Thomas Jr., is added to the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial yesterday. The Park Service planned to add the names of eight
servicemen whose remains had not been identified by the military.
31
ALAN KEYES
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
Protecting perks
Truth to tell, the bill goes into the
billions.
Why? Because the rubber check
mentality extends to the appropri-
with their silence
ations process, where individual
congressmen and senators treat fed-
eral outlays like their personal pa-
tronage accounts, getting and
spending taxpayers' money with no
don't know why everyone is so
I
Perhaps this bipartisan complic-
thought except for the special inter-
surprised at recent reports
ity arises from the fact that illicit
ests who fatten their campaign war
concerning congressional
check writing is just the tip of the
chests.
check bouncers.
iceberg of congressional privileges.
Take Sen. Robert Byrd, West Vir-
Congress has been overdrawing
Washington wags say there are simi-
its account with the people of this
ginia Democrat, as but one example.
lar unpaid balances at the congres-
Using his position as chairman of
country for years, confidently ex-
sional restaurants.
the Senate Appropriations Commit-
pecting taxpayers to cover for them.
Sometime back, I'm told, some of
tee, he managed to get $137.3 million
So 134 of them decided to do the
Ralph Nader's people tried to get a
(out of a fiscal 1991 national budget
same thing with their personal
full accounting of the formal and in-
of $418 million) for highway demon-
checkbooks. They wrote thousands
formal perks people in Congress en-
stration projects in West Virginia.
of bad checks, some for several thou-
joy. They got nowhere.
His other pork barrel trophies in-
sand dollars. No penalties were as-
I would say it's high time for a full
clude a $60 million wildlife habitat
sessed; no fees or interest paid. It
investigation. The public has the
and training center that will house a
was just another little congressional
right to know about every perk and
gymnasium and an indoor swim-
perk.
privilege hiding out in the corridors
ming pool (the wildlife in West Vir-
I'll wager that many of us have, at
of congressional power. After all, di-
ginia need a good workout), the
some time or another, received an
rectly or indirectly. we foot their bill
transfer of the FBI identification
insufficient funds notice from our
center to West Virginia at a cost of
bank. Maybe we were caught by an
$185 million, restoration of a private
error in our addition, or a check that
didn't clear quite as quickly as we
theater complex in Huntington at a
cost to us of $4.5 million. and an es-
expected. Whatever the explanation,
the bank didn't care. They charged a
timated 47 percent of the fiscal 1992
penalty, and so, in many cases, did
national highway demonstration
the recipient.
project funds.
The notice was a shocker, that left
Just as Mr. Foley covers for the
in its wake a strong feeling of guilt
House's bad check specialists, SO the
and inadequacy. at least until the
leadership and other members. of
matter was cleared up.
the Senate refuse to stand against
Of course. there are people who
Mr. Byrd's egregious raids on the
write bad checks purposely, with no
public treasury. Indeed, the Demo-
intention of covering them, and for
cratic leadership did him special
as long as they can get away with it.
honor last April when Majority
Until now we called them criminals.
Leader George Mitchell unveiled
In future we will probably call them
bronze plaques designating the lead-
ership's offices the "Robert C. Byrd
"the honorable" such and so, and
Rooms."
treat them with the respect due their
So in Washington, there is honor
high offices.
On second thought, we won't be
among thieves, for theft is what it
amounts to when public funds are
able to call the congressional offend-
used without compelling public in-
ers by name because House Speaker
terest justification. People who care
Tom Foley refuses to make public
about the future of representative,
the names of the check bouncers.
democratic self-government in
House Republican leader Robert
America should be deeply con-
Michel appears to be in agreement
cerned by this spectacle.
with this approach.
When officials create for them-
We shouldn't be surprised. Last
selves special enclaves of privilege,
year when the House members
when they comply with a conspiracy
raised their salaries against the
of silence and obfuscation to hide
wishes of their constituents, the
and protect their privileges, when
party leaders agreed to a conspiracy
they abuse public confidence to
to protect members from adverse
strengthen their narrow political or
voter reaction. This is more of the
personal interests at the public's ex-
same.
pense, they have crossed the Rubi-
con that separates the sincere repre-
sentatives of our interests from
Alan L. Keyes is a nationally syn-
those who wish simply to dominate
dicated columnist.
and bleed us dry.
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1991
EDITORIALS
The green planet
lirst you throw in some man-made chemicals,
to get your special breathing gear. Biophysicist Robert
F
cause a greenhouse effect and melt the polar
Haynes says that if NASA can find out if Mars can
icecaps. Then you poke around in the genes of
sustain a carbon-dioxide atmosphere and then plant
some plants, let them suck in the carbon diox-
some microorganisms, astronauts "could wear scuba
ide and puff out oxygen. Finally, you send in the ani-
gear instead of space suits." Well, there you are. If you
mals to spruce up the joint and build your factories and
were going to Cancun, you'd probably wear scuba gear
freeways. Then you have a planet worth living on.
anyway, SO why not try Mars?
Such is the recipe, not for turning Yellowstone Na-
Anyway, the water on Mars is probably a lot
tional Park into Tysons Corner, but for making the
healthier than in Cancun, or at least it would be if Mars
planet Mars inhabitable for human beings, at least as
had much water, which it probably doesn't. Few people
the New York Times described it last week in its Sci-
today believe there are really any canals on Mars, but
ence section. The idea is called "terraforming," long a
there might be ancient water channels, and the Times
staple of science fiction and now graduated to the
published a picture of one. But even if there are an-
status of science theory. Sooner or later the notion may
cient water channels and even if there were canals on
actually take its degree as science fact.
Mars, there still isn't much water. There is some water
But maybe later rather than sooner. The scientists
in the polar ice caps, however, which is why they have
interviewed by the Times on the practical feasibility
to be melted: Whether that's enough to go around is yet
of turning the Red Planet into a reasonable facsimile
another question, though.
of Earth say, sure, it's certainly possible and won't take
One way of melting the Martian ice caps is by giant
too long. How long? Well, reports the Times, "The
mirrors in space to heat them up. Another proposal the
process might take 100,000 years or more, experts
Times mentions is to spread soot all over the ice caps
estimate." By that time, of course, the Congress will
so they would retain sunlight. Pish-tosh to this smoke
have long since gone Republican, and private com-
and mirrors. Let's get serious: One proposed ice-cap-
panies will be the ones going to Mars, but in the mean-
melter is napalm. Yes! Napalm has been scientifically
time the mere possibility of applying cosmetic surgery
to an entire planet is a testimony to how far human
proved to melt ice caps in a jiff. and it may be neces-
beings have come since Bronze Age hunters got stuck
sary to melt the ice caps in order to save them.
in the glaciers.
Western technology probably can terraform Mars
How possible it really is, let alone how appealing,
and make it habitable to man, though whether it can
remains open to question. Other experts claim that
do the same for this planet is another question. The
maybe 100,000 years is too long an estimate, and maybe
main problem, however, is whether doing so would be
it will take only a few centuries. "Many of the great
enough to entice many human beings into going there.
cathedrals took three or more hundred years to build,"
Put another way, you can lead an Earthling to ice caps,
says Mel Averner of NASA. "Mars terraforming might
but you can't make him drink.
be something like that. It's not an impossible time
When the Vikings discovered Iceland, they made
scale." Then, too, the human colonies that would mi-
the mistake of calling it that, and very few people (even
grate to Mars would have to wear "special breathing
Vikings) ever wanted to go there. So when they discov-
gear" for much of that time, and, Mr. Averner adds,
ered Greenland. later, they called it something much
"it's very, very cold there, but it's not that much colder
more attractive and got lots of colonists. Maybe, after
than the Antarctic, where people live now."
the Martian ice caps have been melted and the scuba
It sure sounds swell. Instead of booking passage to
gear is assembled, we could just change the name of
Cancun, maybe you should try the Martian ice caps
the place to something nicer than that of the Roman
next summer. Nor would you-have to wear space suits
god of war. Cancun, maybe?
33