The Experts below are selected from a list of 17763 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Gavin Hilson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • promoting sustainable development in ghanaian small scale gold Mining operations
    The Environmentalist, 2002
    Co-Authors: Gavin Hilson
    Abstract:

    This paper provides an overview of the initiatives that have been undertaken by the Ghanaian government to promote more sustainable development in resident small-scale gold Mining operations, and recommends a series of strategies for perpetuating a pattern of continued improvement. Since the passing of the ‘Small Scale Gold Mining Law’ (PNDCL 218) in 1989, which effectively legalized small-scale gold Mining as an industry in Ghana, the government, in particular, the Minerals Commission, has made a concerted effort to regularize operations, and to provide technical and financial support to miners. Under the auspices of the German non-profit Gesellschaft Technishe Zusannebarbeit (GTZ), a small-scale gold Mining registration system has been implemented, district support centres for small miners have been constructed and the Precious Minerals Marketing Corporation (PMMC) has been created, which purchases products from small-scale miners at near-market prices. Careful analysis reveals, however, that these efforts have collectively only had a marginal impact, and that the industry is still in dire need of aid. Specifically, to perpetuate further a pattern of improved sustainability--improvements in both the socio-economic and environmental arenas--additional technical and financial support must be provided, and sound environmental management practices implemented. The Minerals Commission has been burdened with these tasks and challenges but because it is largely understaffed, it is highly unlikely that it will be able to facilitate sufficient improvement in the sector on its own. Nevertheless, marked improvements can be achieved if: (1) avenues for technological dissemination are created and improved; (2) research partnerships are forged with local universities; (3) experienced consultation is hired when needed; and (4) other governmental agencies, namely the Mines Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Geological Survey, provide the Minerals Commission assistance with prospecting, monitoring, regulation and environmental auditing activities.

  • the environmental impact of small scale gold Mining in ghana identifying problems and possible solutions
    The Geographical Journal, 2002
    Co-Authors: Gavin Hilson
    Abstract:

    This paper examines the environmental impacts of small-scale gold Mining in Ghana, and prescribes a series of recommendations for improving environmental performance in the industry. Since the enactment of the Small Scale Gold Mining Law in 1989, which effectively legalized small-scale gold Mining in the country, industrial operations, collectively, have made important contributions to national gold output, foreign exchange earnings and employment. Accompanying this pattern of socio-economic growth, however, have been increased environmental complications – namely, mercury pollution and land degradation. The Ghanaian Minerals Commission has been burdened with most of the jurisdictional responsibilities related to small-scale Mining, but with a staff of only 35–40 people working with a pool of highly obsolete research resources, it is clearly incapable of facilitating sufficient environmental improvement on its own. It is concluded that marked environmental improvements can only be achieved if: (1) assistance is provided to the Minerals Commission from local governmental bodies and academic units; (2) industry-specific environmental management tools and strategies are designed and implemented; (3) concerted effort is made to prospect for deposits suitable for small-scale gold Mining, a key to preventing unnecessary exploration; and (4) a nation-wide industrial mercury study is commissioned, and a mercury retorting programme is implemented.

Melinda Harm Benson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Mining sacred space Law s enactment of competing ontologies in the american west
    Environment and Planning A, 2012
    Co-Authors: Melinda Harm Benson
    Abstract:

    Current controversies regarding uranium Mining in the American West are about more than competing legal requirements; they are about competing conceptualizations of space that are grounded in different ontologies. Laws—in this case the General Mining Law of 1872 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966—play a performative role by enacting and materializing these ontologies. The occupation of New Mexico’s Mt. Taylor both by ‘old’ and by ‘new’ legal forms provides an opportunity to examine their corresponding spatiality. The National Historic Preservation Act, in particular, creates an interesting ‘new space’ that may have the capacity to challenge Eurocentric notions of ownership. Keywords: legal geography, legal studies, ontology, property, American West, Mining

  • Mining sacred space Law s enactment of competing ontologies in the american west
    Social Science Research Network, 2011
    Co-Authors: Melinda Harm Benson
    Abstract:

    Current controversies over uranium Mining in the American West are about more than competing legal requirements; they are about competing conceptualisations of space that are grounded in different ontologies. Laws — in this case the General Mining Law of 1872 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 — play a performative role by enacting and materializing these ontologies. The occupation of New Mexico’s Mount Taylor by both ‘old’ and ‘new’ legal forms provides an opportunity to better examine their corresponding spatiality. The National Historic Preservation Act, in particular, creates an interesting, ‘new space’ may have the capacity to challenge Eurocentric notions of ownership.

John Palmer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • rentier nation landlordism patronage and power in guyana s gold Mining sector
    The Extractive Industries and Society, 2016
    Co-Authors: Janette Bulkan, John Palmer
    Abstract:

    Abstract The consequences are examined of the revision of Guyana's Mining Act in 1989 that was intended to allow access to international Mining companies while safeguarding national interests. One outcome was the acquisition of over 75% of small-scale and over 40% of medium-scale concessions by a small number of nationals. Landlordism expanded following the spike in the international gold price from 2006. The State’s failure to modify the poorly construed Mining Law, and to enforce the Regulations, enables the continued capture of the excess rent from gold sales by rentiers without commensurate responsibility for them to remedy the environmental degradation. Evidence of financial losses to the State from the renting of concessions and the smuggling of gold is presented. The legal protections of Indigenous Peoples are not enforced. The legal protections of Mining workers are inadequate. We recommend: making the Mining licence holder legally responsible for ensuring compliance with all Regulations on every concession; the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to safeguard Indigenous rights in both titled and customary territories; the capture of excess rent from gold sales for a sovereign wealth fund; and full transparency so as to end insider trading in concessions.

  • rentier nation landlordism patronage and power in guyana s gold Mining sector
    2016
    Co-Authors: Janette Bulkan, John Palmer
    Abstract:

    Some of the consequences of the revision of Guyana’s Mining Act in 1989 that was intended to open up access to international Mining companies while safeguarding national Mining interests are examined. However, a perverse outcome of the revision was that landlordism or rentier practices in the sector expanded and became entrenched. The evidence of regulatory capture is contained in the State’s uncritical acceptance of the growing numbers of Mining sub-contractors and tributors on State-issued concessions. The State’s failure in the quarter century following 1989 to modify the poorly construed Mining Law and policy enables the continued privatization by rentiers of the excess rent from gold sales without any commensurate responsibility for them to remedy the environmental costs of Mining. We recommend full transparency, the end of discretionary practices and a multi-stakeholder review of Mining policy and Mining Law so as to capture an equitable share of the proceeds of public assets for gold miners and the national exchequer.

Janette Bulkan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • rentier nation landlordism patronage and power in guyana s gold Mining sector
    The Extractive Industries and Society, 2016
    Co-Authors: Janette Bulkan, John Palmer
    Abstract:

    Abstract The consequences are examined of the revision of Guyana's Mining Act in 1989 that was intended to allow access to international Mining companies while safeguarding national interests. One outcome was the acquisition of over 75% of small-scale and over 40% of medium-scale concessions by a small number of nationals. Landlordism expanded following the spike in the international gold price from 2006. The State’s failure to modify the poorly construed Mining Law, and to enforce the Regulations, enables the continued capture of the excess rent from gold sales by rentiers without commensurate responsibility for them to remedy the environmental degradation. Evidence of financial losses to the State from the renting of concessions and the smuggling of gold is presented. The legal protections of Indigenous Peoples are not enforced. The legal protections of Mining workers are inadequate. We recommend: making the Mining licence holder legally responsible for ensuring compliance with all Regulations on every concession; the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to safeguard Indigenous rights in both titled and customary territories; the capture of excess rent from gold sales for a sovereign wealth fund; and full transparency so as to end insider trading in concessions.

  • rentier nation landlordism patronage and power in guyana s gold Mining sector
    2016
    Co-Authors: Janette Bulkan, John Palmer
    Abstract:

    Some of the consequences of the revision of Guyana’s Mining Act in 1989 that was intended to open up access to international Mining companies while safeguarding national Mining interests are examined. However, a perverse outcome of the revision was that landlordism or rentier practices in the sector expanded and became entrenched. The evidence of regulatory capture is contained in the State’s uncritical acceptance of the growing numbers of Mining sub-contractors and tributors on State-issued concessions. The State’s failure in the quarter century following 1989 to modify the poorly construed Mining Law and policy enables the continued privatization by rentiers of the excess rent from gold sales without any commensurate responsibility for them to remedy the environmental costs of Mining. We recommend full transparency, the end of discretionary practices and a multi-stakeholder review of Mining policy and Mining Law so as to capture an equitable share of the proceeds of public assets for gold miners and the national exchequer.

Bexar Audubon Society - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 10, No. 01
    'University of Texas at San Antonio', 2026
    Co-Authors: Bexar Audubon Society
    Abstract:

    Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society).§r-acRs 512-822-4503 dANUARY 1992 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education In the community. Inside Tracks • A message from our new presi­dent, Walter Barfield • Conservation Committee news and issues contact list • Year-end legislative update • Wetlands comment deadline extended again -please write • Scholarship available for Audubon program • Friedrich Wilderness Park update • Earth Summit moves toward center stage • New publications concern native plants, endangered species, UNCED, and more • Don't "trash" your Christmas tree • An exciting calendar of events • Send the editor your New Year's "gifts" and hopes for our earth-extended 'til February BAS Member Activities Cibolo Wilderness Trail January Meeting 1bpic Carolyn Chipman-Evans will be the speaker at our regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 16, to be held at the Ruble Center at 7 pm: Chipman-Evans, founder and now director of the Cibolo Wilderness Trail, and also chair of the Friends of the Cibolo Wilderness Trail, has been work­ing on the trail for four years Chipman Evans received the Environmental Women of Action Award for Texas for 1991. BAS has a special connection with Chipman-Evans, since she was our Audubon scholarship recipient several years ago. Learn more about this wilderness enclave near San Antonio. Join us for a half-hour of fellowship at 7, followed by the program. Meetings are always con­cluded by 9 pm. and are open to the pub­lic at no charge. Members, family, friends, and other are urged to attend. February Preview: Ron George, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, will share his ten years experience as a white-winged dove program leader in Texas. Mitchell Lake Outing Scheduled Jan. 18 Get up bright and early the morning of January 18 -yes, it's a Saturday -and take a trip to Mitchell Lake. Long thought of by many San Antonians as just the "old sewage holding pond," today's visitor to the lake site will be greeted by dozens of species of water­fowl, raptors, and more. For a first-hand look at a wetlands ecosystem - right in our own backyard, join in the outing to Mitchell Lake. Meet at the entrance on Moursund Road (south of IH-410 South near Pleasanton Road). For more information, contact Marge Flandermeyer, 684-2668 BAS Elects New Officers, Board Members The slate of officer and board candi­dates presented by the nominating com­mittee was elected by acclamation at the December meeting. Thanks to the committee, to the candi­dates, and to those who came to the meeting to vote or mailed their ballots. 0 Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle in the interest of the present and the future.@ ~ BEXAR TRACKS. January 1992 Pap2 Bexar Facts A BAS Update President's Letter Before looking ahead to the issues of 1992, I want to express my gratitude to our outgoing president, Marge Flandermeyer. For three years, as trea­surer of Bexar Audubon Society, I have had the privilege of working closely with Marge on many conservation and admin­istrative issues facing our society. During this time she has presided over our board meetings and general meetings with effi­ciency and good humor, greatly aided our fund-raising effort with successful work on our arts and crafts auction, worked as a spotter in our annual Birdathon, initiated Bexar Audubon's participation in Earthday, participated in numerous workdays at Friedrich Park, and effectively communicated the views of Bexar Audubon to the general public and elected officials on important conser­vation issues. Bexar Audubon is very for­tunate to have had Marge as our president. Her devotion to the Audubon cause and dedication to Bexar Audubon are debts which can never be repaid. We can only express our heartfelt thanks for a job well done. I also want to thank those members who have served and are serving Bexar Audubon in other capacities: newsletter editors, committee chairs, officers, board members, and other active members. It is through your efforts Bexar Audubon has become and shall continue to be an effective voice for the environment. In this, the first month of 1992, Bexar Audubon is already faced with numerous issues which impact our community: • land use issues around Friedrich park; • landscaping, parks, and open space issues in San Antonio; • wetlands issues at Mitchell Lake; • aquifer recharge and endangered species issues in northwest Bexar County; • recycling and solid waste issues in Bexar County; • regional water issues for the Edwards Aquifer and downstream bays and estuaries; • national energy and population poli­cies; and • renewal of the Endangered Species Act, just to name a few. Each of these issues is going to affect your quality of life - if not now, then a few years from now. Each of these issues warrants our attention. If you have not been an active member in the past, then please consider becom­ing active now. If you have been active, but have of late been unable to partici­pate, please participate now. And if you are not member, please join. - Walter G. Barfield Thank You, Nature Company It was more than a fund-raising oppor­tunity: it was a social event. BAS mem­bers new and old met and compared shopping notes at the Nature Company December 11. We wondered what Marge had planned for all those rain sticks, but after our welcome mid-December rains, we know - and we're grate­ful, Marge. THE NATURE clir' Thanks to the Nature Company for gen­erously sharing their evening's proceeds with BAS. X.e Education Report The Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 7. Members and others who may be interested in this area are asked to attend. The BAS video film library is available to teachers or other groups for educa­tional purposes. A list of our extensive and growing videos is available on request. Free delivery and pick-up are available. Education is one of the most important functions of BAS and of any other organi­zation dedicated to conservation. As "they" say: If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Contact Betty Minyard, Education Chair, 344-6128, for information about any of these education programs. -.:;tcologg Scholarship ,l;joffered BAS will award a $500 scholarship to help someone- maybe you -attend an NAS Ecology Camp or Workshop. Any individual who is a teacher, scout leader, zoo docent, museum docent, or who is involved actively in teaching children or who is a college student pursuing a career in education may apply. Many of the programs are held in the summer. To apply for the scholarship, obtain an application form and the guidelines. A committee of judges reviews the applica­tion and essay submitted by each appli­cant. The deadline to apply is March 15. The winner is announced on April 1. A list and description of the camps and workshops, dates, places, and prices is sent along with the application form. College credit may be available for some courses. To get your application materials, call Betty Minyard at 344-6128 or Thelma Nungesser at 824-8199. Conservation Seeks More Members for Issues Subcommittees The BAS Conservation Committee is now meeting on a regular monthly basis and wants to have two or three people on each issues subcommittee. The commit­tee urges each member of BAS to become an "activist" on your own terms. If you have a particular issue to which you are committed and any time you can spare, we need you. The year 1992 will be a benchmark year in terms of whether America can resume I REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE • REDUCE • REUSE I Page3 a leadership role in slowing the degrada­tion of our planet's environment. If you would like a preview of what's happening with the BAS Conservation Committee, you are invited to our next meeting at 7 pm on January 23, in the Administration Office of the San Antonio Botanical Center. Review the subcommittee list at right, then come and learn more about the issues we are working on and what you can contribute based on your con­cerns and commitment. If you have a concern that isn't on our list, we want to know that, too. -Richard Pipes Here are some highlights from the December 5 committee meeting and some additional notes on local conserva­tion issues. Adopt-a-Park - The Greystone/ Woodland Development project has sub­mitted plans to the San Antonio Zoning Commission for the construction of an apartment complex north and west of Friedrich Wilderness Park. This action comes as a surprise, since the developer had not previously made such plans pub­lic. The Zoning Commission had called for a 90-day review period on the impact of this proposal. Mitchell Lake- The Mitchell Lake Project is looking for a non-profit organi­zation to monitor the proposed wetland development. The Park and Wildlife Department has agreed to assist the city in completing the project. BEXAR TRACKS, January 1992 fij Resource Conservation (Solid Waste & Recycling) - (Editor's note: We are pleased to hear the Sierra Club has been using the updated recycling centers directory in their recycling roadshow. Anyone else wishing to reproduce this directory may contact Walter Barfield to receive both permission to reprint and clean, camera-ready copy.) For more information contact Richard Pipes, BAS Conservation Committee chair, at 1-512-569-2452. BAS Conservation Committee Contacts Chairman ............................... ................................... Richard Pipes, 1-512-569-2452 Vice Chairman .......................................................... Linda Tippen, 590-9371 Public Lands (Refuges, Forests, & Wetlands) .......... Richard Pipes, 1-512-569-2452 Open Space Planning ............................................... Linda & Ted Tippen, 590-9371 Recycling/Resource Conservation .......................... .Walter Barfield, 736-0355 Aquifer Protection & Regional Water Plan .............. Pete Bauml, 1-512-620-0640 Endangered Species .................................................. Jim Garriot, 695-9520 Mitchell Lake Project ........... ..................................... Marge Flandermeyer, 684-2668 Friedrich Park (Adopt-a-Park) ................................. Bill Woller, 223-3281 Legislative Update This update is extracted in part from an article by Dan Johnson of Audubon's Wildlife Department in Washington, D.C. in the December 1991 issue of Audubon Activist. Protection for Wetlands The deadline to register your objection to the changes in the EPA wetlands delineation manual has been extended again. The new deadline is January 14. Send comments to Mr. Gregory Peck, Chief, Wetlands and Aquatic Resources Regulatory Branch, Mail Code (A-104F), U.S. E.P A., 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. More support is needed to ensure protection for our vital wetlands. The proposed definition would remove more than 50 percent of wetlands in many states from federal protection, according to an Audubon survey. Copy your senators, representative, and the president (and NAS). National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act The National Wildlife Refuge System Management and Policy Act, introduced in December, would make wildlife the top priority on refuges. Write your sena­tors and representative now urging that they cosponsor S.1862 or H.R.3688. Audubon Ecology Camps & Workshops Offer Life Enrichment From Maine to Costa Rica, the Pacific Northwest to Kenya, Audubon has it covered with camps and workshops to extend your knowledge and heighten your awareness. Typically one to two weeks in length, the programs cover subjects such as National Audubon Society Chapter Membership Application 0 Yes, I'd like to join. Please enroll me as a member of the National Audubon Society and of my local chapter, Bexar Audubon Society. Please send Audubon magazine, Bexar Tracks, and my membership card to the address below. 0 A $20 check for my introductory membership is enclosed. Ecology of Winter Predators, Maine Coast Field Ecology, Nature photogra­phy in Yellowstone-Grand Tetons, and Death Valley Ecology, and there are spe­cial international workshops in Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Belize, and Kenya. For a full-color brochure with all the details on programs for 1992 - January through October - contact Audubon Ecology Camps & Workshops at 203-869-2017 or write to 613 Riversville Road, Greenwich, CT 06831. 0 I think an Audubon Society membership is a great gift. Send gift memberships to my friends and family listed separately at $20 each. NAME ________________________________ __ ADDRESS ______________________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________________ _ PHONE __________________ _ Make all checks payable to the National Audubon Society. r-------wrg------1 ! Local Chapter I ! Code 7XCHA ! 1. ......................................... .. Send this form and your check to: Bexar Audubon Society P .O.Box 6084, San Antonio, TX 78209 fil BEXAR TRACKS, January 1992 Legislative Update continued An information packet is available from NAS by phoning the 24-hour Actionline, 202-547-9009. (During business hours, ask for the Actionline. After hours, dial 4 when the automated attendant answers.) Energy The Johnston-Wallop energy bill (S.1220) was prevented from coming to the Senate floor by a filibuster. However, the nation needs a wise energy policy, and there are and will be others - good and bad - presented. Audubon is seek­ing cosponsors for S.39 and its House companion, H.J.R.239. Write and recom­mend cosponsorship or, at least, support of these bills by your representatives. ·on the roll call vote for cloture on S.1220, Senator Bentsen voted "Yes," and Senator Gramm was not present. Please write Senators Gramm and Bentsen and tell them you support protection of the Arctic refuge and ask them to clarify their positions on energy and the Arctic. Ancient Forests The Packwood mber Industry Bill (S.ll56) guts the National Forest tAct and makes timber and azing overriding management goals of national forests. overrides the Endangered Species Act and bars citizens from seeking judicial review of many for­est management decisions. Senator Bentsen has cosponsored S.l156. Please write and ask him to drop sponsorship of Packwood and support the Adams Ancient Forest Bill, S.1536, which leaves important environmental Laws intact and designates significant stands of ancient forest to receive permanent pro-. tection from logging. Endangered Species Act Audubon is preparing for one of the most important environmental battles of the near future. Representative James Hansen of Utah, who introduced H.R. 3092, the "Human Protection Act," "wants a determination that economic benefits outweigh costs before a scientific determination is made and before a species is listed. His approach would knock out the scientific underpinning of endangered-species protection," wrote Peter Berle, NAS President. Audubon's approach - generally agreed upon by environmentalists - is to shift the focus toward habitat protec­tion, while continuing to protect species. Grazing Reform Opposition to federally subsidized and environmentally devastating cattle graz­ing on public lands continues to grow. Mining Reform H.R.918 would begin to reform the 1872 Mining Law, which gives Mining priority over other uses of public land. It is presently in the House Interior Committee. Urge your representatives to support Mining reform. Population The House and Senate passed foreign aid authorization~ bills that would . :; . have increased fund!ng for P~P Population Program u I a t10 n . ass 1 s '--''------"----' tance, restored U.S. funding to the U.N. Population Fund, and overturned the "Mexico City policy," which unduly restricts population assistance. However, the House failed to pass the conference committee version of the bill. Congress continues its support, but the Bush administration has not yet acknowledged the magnitude of the pop- Page4 ulation problem or the need for increased U.S. funding of international family plan­ning programs. Wolf Reintroduction Funds have been approved for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to do an envi­ronmental impact statement on wolf reintroduction in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Strong public support could help return them. Wild Bird Trade H.R.2541 and S.1218, which would phase out the import of birds caught in the wild for pet trade, were in the House Merchant Marine and the Senate Environment and Public Works commit­tees in December. Maybe in 1992. Biodiversity Significant progress was made toward conservation of biological diversity this year, with a bill to set up a Smithsonian center to inventory plants and wildlife in the works. mere to write or call? The Honorable Lloyd Bentsen or The Honorable Phil Gramm U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable ______ _ U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable George W. Bush The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 When you write your national elected officials, send a copy to NAS headquar­ters, 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Let BAS know when you write on local issues. The association monitors support for issues and "reminds" officials about their constituents' opinions. The South American rain forests are being destroyed at a rate of about fifty acres a minute. If San Antonio were such a rain forest it would be gone in about six days. The island of Madagascar has already lost about 90 percent of its forests. [Thanks to Allen Perry for this "Did You Know ... ?"} "Man tends to exploit before he understands."- Mike Fay, in the World of Audubon, "Mysterious Elephants of the Congo." PageS Keeping Track From Christmas Tree to Garden Mulch On January 4 and 5, bring your tree [no flocked trees or trees with tinsel, please] to Shades of Green nursery, 334 West Sunset Road (between Jones-Maltsberger and Broadway). They will chip the tree into mulch for you to use to enrich your garden. If you want to take mulch home, bring along large bags or garbage cans. Native Plants Texas Parks & Wildlife has produced a new book on Endangered, Threatened, or Protected Native Plants of Texas, available for $8.50 (includes tax and postage) from TP&WDept., 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744. Native Plant Society of Texas has pro­duced their first in a series of booklets on native plants. This volume, Ornamental Trees, is available for $2 plus $1 handling. from Native Plant Society of Texas , P.O. Box 891, Georgetown, TX 78627, 512-863-9685. Canned Hunts- Texas Offers Many Options Pay special attention to the article "Canned Hunts" on pages 12-19 in the January-February 1992 issue of Audubon. Sadly, Texas operations appear to rank very high. Guide to the 1992 Earth Summit The U.S. Citizen's Network on the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development, or Earth Summit, has pro­duced An Introductory Guide to the Earth Summit. The guide is available for $2 by writing U.S. Citizen's Network on UNCED, 300 Broadway, Suite 39, San Francisco, CA 94133. BEXAR TRACKS, January 1992 ~ Friednch Park Update Congratulations to Friedrich Park Patti Leslie has been named the new superintendent of Friedrich Park- a decision we all applaud heartily. Docent Training to Begin Soon Training for docents at Friedrich Park will begin in January. If you want to learn more about native plants and wildlife from a group of experts and are willing to devote a minimum of time in return [editor's note -lead two tours per year, I believe], call Patti Leslie at 698-1057. /trson-Power Needed Friends of Friedrich needs help on bridge construction and painting, along with other routine maintenance. If you are willing to devote a few hours of good refreshing labor to the park, call Patti Leslie at 698-1057. Friends of Friedrich Wins Honors Friends of Friedrich received the first place award for Organizations in the Public Lands Day Awards. The honor was granted in recognition of outstanding stewardship programs on behalf of our nation's public lands. Keep San Antonio Beautiful Inc. presented the1990-91 award November 20. BAS members attending the awards ceremony included Mary Kennedy, Bill Woller, Allen Perry, Molly Houck, Patti Leslie, and Jean Dickman. Mary Kennedy explained the BAS/Friends of Friedrich connection concisely: "Without Bexar Audubon there would be no Friends of Friedrich." Save the Earth Premiering in February, this TV series focuses on Earth Summit, planned for June 1-12 in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. UNCED may change the way countries around the world treat our planet. A Case in Point In the December 1991 Scientific American (pages 16-22) Marguerite Holloway examined the proposed wet­lands policy. She reported that a group of scientists who set out to evaluate 22 of Washington State's recognized wetlands according to the Bush administration's recently proposed guidelines found that large parcels of these sites would no longer qualify. In fact, only 4 of the 22 would remain intact. For those wishing to better understand the problems with the proposed policy, I urge you to read this article. It provides in a clear case study exactly what the problems are and explains the complexi­ties of the "science versus policy" debate. Bexar Tracks The editor believes the information in this publi­cation to be accurate as of December 24. We wel­come contributions of news, opinions, letters, and other information of interest to members. Any sub­mission may be edited. If you have comments or contributions for Bexar Tracks, please send them to the editor, POBox 690028, San Antonio, TX 78269-0028. . ··:··· .. ·. ·.· . ; ·~- ·':- JOHN J AUDUP.ON 17J'.o- la'it PINNATE£• GROUSE AUDUBON ROUGE CAU FORNIA RED WINE MADe.NiD &OTTt

  • Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 04
    'University of Texas at San Antonio', 2026
    Co-Authors: Bexar Audubon Society
    Abstract:

    Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society).21 0·822·4503 APRIL 1993 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education In the community. Inside Tracks • Ancient Forest Summit April 2 • Testimony on Edwards Aquifer • Bill to limit ESA introduced-- action requested • Texas legislative issues update • Big bills on the Hill • New homed toad T-shirt • Kickapoo outing report • Thanks to volunteers • Viva Botanical z's Apn·l outing -volunteers needed • REIF meeting agenda • Government Canyon update BAS Member Activities Jl Teo tropical Birds: Jewels in Our Skies­J. W General Meeting on Thursday, AprillS Be sure to get .your taxes done early-or get that extension filed now-so you can attend the April general meeting of BAS at 7 pm at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia. The meeting is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 7, and the pro­gram will follow at 7:30. BAS meetings conclude by 9 pm. Our speaker will be Noreen Damude of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Non-game Program in Austin. She will speak on neotropical migratory birds-just in time to get us in the mood for the upcoming chapter BIRDATHON activities. Formerly with National Wildflower Research Center, where she worked with endan­gered plant and animal species, Damude holds an MS in biological science from UT Austin and has lead tours to Mexico to identify birds and plants. For more information about the program, contact Thelma Nungesser, 824-8199. Come to the Ruble -center at 6 pm and join us for our Conservation Committee Meeting. Catch up on the facts about local, state, and national issues. Presiden!'s Annual Report to Members Delivered at Annual Meeting, March 20 In 1992 Bexar Audubon Society had an income of $18,615 and expenses of $17,959. This marks a 59 percent increase in income and a 39 percent increase in expenses over 199Fs annual results and is largely attributable to increases in auction and resale activities. Publication expenses for Bexar Tracks . accounted for 40 percent of 1992's expenses and reflect increases to a six­page publication. Susan Hughes contin­ues to perform an outstanding job as editor and consistently produces timely articles on conservation issues and our events calendar. Susan has also been responsible for ·finding economical sources for our paper and our change to soy-based printing inks. We are continu­ing to look for economical suppliers for recycled paper and papers with a higher post-consumer waste content. In 1992, Bexar Audubon again spon­sored 61 Audub-on Adventures class­rooms, which accounted for 10 percent of our expenses. Betty Minyard continues as our education chair and administers this program. Betty also worked with Susan Hughes and Anita Reeves to produce last year's highly successful BIRDATHON Nature Walk. This program featured an illustrated list of birds com­mon in the San Antonio area and was placed into 130 classrooms. It received excellent coverage in local newspapers. We also .awarded Mary Anne Ramirez of the San Anto_nio Independent School District a $500 scholarship to attend an Audubon summer workshop. Under the leadership of Marge Flandermeyer we were able to expand our outings programs in 1992. Our destina­tions ranged from Mr. David Terk's ranch [iJ Page2 in Del Rio to West Cave Preserve near Austin. Marge also coordinated our partic­ipation at the Mitchell Lake Wetlands and our efforts with the Mitchell Lake photo contest. Dick Pipes continues as Conservation Chairman and is actively monitoring con­servation issues, particularly ancient forests, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Endangered Species Act reauthorization, population issues, and mountain lion leg­islation. Our conservation committee also monitors activities at Friedrich Wilderness Park and issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer. We have actively supported the public acquisition of Government Canyon by the Edwards Underground Water District and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Bexar Audubon supports the Second Saturday program at Friedrich Wilderness Park and the quarterly meetings of the San Antonio Environmental Network. Board members Bill Woller and Patty Leslie organize our Second Saturday pro­grams, and founding member Susan Rust presides over SAEN. Nathan Ratner served as our program chair in 1992 and organized a great calen­dar of excellent programs. Thelma Nungesser succeeded Nathan in January, after long service as our membership chair. Dan and Kristy Davis have succeeded Thelma as the membership committee. Our 1992 BIRDATHON raised $2,465 and was coordinated by Leslie Linehan. Proceeds from BIRDATHON help to sup­port our Audubon Adventures program and the Southwest Regional Office. Leslie continues as our BIRDATHON chair and has developed some innovations for 1993 that should prove interesting. Our biggest fundrais­ing event for 1992 was our auction held at the Gallery at Los Patios. Susan Hughes organized and coordi­nated this event with the San Miguel de Allende chapter of the National Audubon Society. The participa­tion in this event was the largest of any auc­tion to date. Proceeds were divided with San Miguel. Bexar Audubon also served as sponsor for the grant application to World Wildlife Fund to found the Bexar Land Trust. We were notified in September 199~ of our award, and we raised the required match­ing funds to receive the grant. Bexar Audubon is in the process of compiling the necessary information to establish this organization. Bexar Aud-ubon is continuing this high level of activity into 1993. In August Bexar Audubon will celebrate its first decade of existence, building for the future on mea­surable achievements by many dedicated individuals ... a time for reflection, restora­tion, and resolve. We urge you to get involved. Come to a meeting; participate in an outing; or visit Friedrich Wilderness Park. Talk to any of our board members or committee chairs if you would like to get more active. I hope to see you soon. - Walter G. Barfield Kickapoo Remembered A group of seventeen members toured Kickapoo Cavern State Natural Area on February 27, 1993. Park superintendent David Stuart, gave a brief history of the area and explained the bird banding pro­cedures. They use several Japanese mist nets to capture and band a wide variety of birds. Data compiled from bird banding can indicate the numbers, range, and age of a species. Although it was too windy to string the nets, we did see the way they are set up. It looks a bit like a giant hair net, strung between two badminton poles. One ongoing project for the Kickapoo staff is research on the Black-Capped Vireo. Last year there were 118 reported nesting territories and over 300 birds were fledged. During the birding tour, Park Ranger/Biologist Mark Lockwood showed us how difficult it is to find a Black­Cawed Vireo nest. He pointed out one from lastyearstuckwayback in the cedar brush. Mark also pointed out a beautiful black shouldered (aka, white-tailed) kite. This was only the second one ever reported at Kickapoo. This natural area is also home to a very tiny endangered (;actus species, the Towbusch Fishhook. Thanks to Marge Flandermeyer for another exciting birding adventure. -Susan Blaker BEXAR TRACKS, AprU 1993 'De the First One IJon Your Block The new BAST-shirt will be unveiled at Viva Botanica!.Nostalgically recalling our childhood friends, the horned lizards of central Texas, the shirt states the Navajo legend of "grandfather" horned toad and explains the reasons for his demise. gives strength of heart and mind. -Navajo legend ~S Presents Testimony IJon Edwards Aquifer President Walter Barfield presented tes­timony to the State of Texas House Committee on Natural Resources, March 1, 1993, regarding the Edwards Aquifer. It is being included here to provide you information about the issues and to demonstrate how your organization is representing regional interests. My name is Walter Barfield, and I am president of the Bexar Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. Bexar Audubon Society has over 1300 members in San Antonio and surrounding areas, and our primary goals are to sup­port species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. Bexar Audubon Society strongly sup­ports legislation which provides for the comprehensive regionwide management of the Edwards Aquifer and associated watersheds and river basins. Because the Edwards Aquifer forms a natural conduit which interconnects the Nueces River Basin in the west and the Guadalupe River Basin in the east, only a regionwide authority would have suffi­cient scope and resources to address the issues of uninterrupted springflows, recharge zone protection, urban and rural withdrawals, estuary protection, and downstream water-users. We believe the current situation of fragmented water BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 management, wasteful water usage, contin­uous threats towater·quality, inter-regional bickering and litigation, and threats to springflows is due to outdated and inade­quate water Laws and the absence of such a regionwide water .mthority. Bexar Audubon Society believes any leg­islation concerning' the management of the Edwards Aquifer must be founded upon the principle of sustainable use. This principle, as applied to the Edwards Aquifer, recognizes that the aquifer has certain physical, chemical, and ecological limits within which it must be managed. Sustainable use means that those who use the aquifer must stay within those limits so as not to harr.< others who must also depend upon the same resource, and it means actions and decisions made today must not threaten o'r degrade the aquifer as a source of pure and abundant water now or in the future." To achieve the goal of sustainable use, we believe any legislation must address the following issues:. 1. Water Quality Protection - The Edwards Aquifer is .a karst aquifer. This means it is porous limestone character­ized by caves, caverrs, sinkholes, cracks, fissures, and other large openings. Such aquifers can prod~~~ large volumes of water from wells. THey are subject to rapid depletion in times of low rainfall and rapid replenishment during.times of heavy rain­fall. Because openings into the aquifer are relatively large, they Cannot filter water, therefore, any contaminants pa.Ssing over the recharge zone may be directly trans­mitted into the aclti.ifer. Such contami­nants can take the; form of in-stream pollution, non-point source pollution in runoff, sewer and septic system leakage, direct spills, and underground storage tank leakage, just to name a few. Existing Texas Water Commis~ion regulations fail to adequately address water quality issues associated with the Edwards Aquifer, as do county and municipaf codes. We believe a strong mandate should be given to the propos.ed regional water authority and the Texas Water Commission to dewl'op strict rules and regulations to prevent aquifer contamina­tion, and to protect water quality and sup­ply, to issue and monitor permits, and to enforce the rules and regulations they promulgate. Their area of responsibility should include the re.charge zone of the aquifer and any other areas within the upstream watershed or transition zone which might contribute to aquifer contamination. The rules and regulations concerning development in recharge areas should include limits on impervious cover, restrictions on closing recharge fea­tures, requirements for liability insurance and performance bonds, controls on haz­ardous materials routing, oversight of highway construction, restrictions on sewer and septic system construction, pro­hibition of underground storage tanks, and provisions for emergency spill response, among others. The regional water authority should also be mandated to acquire or otherwise pro­tect sensitive recharge areas and sub­watersheds. All policies of the proposed water authority should be directed toward maintaining the existing high quality of Edwards Aquifer water. 2. Establishing Hydrological and Ecological Baselines - Because much of the information concerning aquifer recharge and withdrawals is still uncer­tain, we believe the regional water author­Page3 [iJ district should include all drainage water­sheds above the recharge areas, as well as the recharge zone and all areas of the Edwards Aquifer which are hydrogeologi­cally associated with spring discharges of the southern Edwards Aquifer. The regional water authority should also be allowed to study the feasibility of water storage in the Carrizo Wilcox Aquifer as part of a regional water management plan. Bexar Audubon Society sincerely hopes that the issues surrounding the Edwards Aquifer are expeditiously resolved, so that both this region's economy and ecology are equitably protected. We urge the com­mittee to base its decisions on sound sci­entific data and to consider long-term implications of actions taken today. We will be pleased to supply your committee with additional information to assist your deliberations. We hope that your commit­tee will consider our concerns and recom­mendations and act favorably upon them. ity should begin immediate studies to IJ monitor all withdrawals and to establish n R888 Introduced minimum springflows in order to main- On February 16, Representatives Jack tain the biological integrity of springs and Fields of Houston and Henry Bonilla of coastal bays and estu.aries and to comply San Antonio introduced HR888 to amend with provisions of the U.S. Endangered the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This Species Act. When the baselines are in bill has been referred to the Committee on place, a rational system can be established Merchant Marine and Fisheries. It reads: to allocate water rights or permits. A Bill To amend the Endangered Species 3. Water Use Efficiency- Because south Act of 1973 ... Section l.Sole Source Aquifer. central Texas is subject to periodic Section 10 of the Endangered Species droughts, Bexar Audubon Society strongly Act of 1973 (16USC1539) is amended by supports efforts to encourage water use adding at the end the following new sub­efficiency and prevent waste. The proposed section: regional water authority should continue (k)Sole Source Aquifer.-This Act does and extend the educational and water con- not apply to the taking or jeopardy of an ·servation efforts of the existing Edwards endangered species or threatened species Underground Water District. Urban water if the taking or jeopardy result from the rates should be revised to encourage modification of a water habitat located in water-efficient domestic use and low- or fed by a sole source aquifer designated water-use landscapes. Programs to under the Safe Drinking Water Act encourage industrial water reuse and (42USC300fet seq.). plumbing retrofits should be initiated, and Please write to oppose this bill. The ESA rural irrigation systems should employ should be strengthened, not weakened. In water-efficient irrigation technologies and cultivation methods. Water conservation San Antonio's case, for example, protect-practices should be rewarded by imple- ing spring flows has hydrologic impacts menting usage fees and reuse water on water quantity and quality that are should be exempted from such fees. Water important not only to protecting endan­rights allocations should be based on effi- gered species, but also to ensuring that cient water use projections only, rather San Antonio's sole source aquifer bears than reflecting any historical wasteful water that is fit to drink, and that we do usage patterns. not destroy vital coastal resources, includ- 4. District Boundaries -In order to ing estuaries and refuges. It is sound eco­ensure the comprehensive management of ' nomics, in addition to being our chance to the Edwards Aquifer, we believe the juris- preserve o.ur unique natural heritage for' dictional boundaries of the regional water our children and theirs. [iJ Page4 Good Legislative Action California Desert Protection Act. S21 creates three new national parks: Mojave, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree, preserving more than four million acres of public lands. Senator Krueger is reported to have agreed to co-sponsor. 1872 Mining Law Reform. HR322 and S257 substantially overhaul the archaic, environmentally destructive, and fiscally irresponsible principles of the 1872 Law. Wetlands Reform Act of 1993. HR350 needs additional co-sponsors. This bill strengthens wetlands protection and rec­ognizes wetlands as the lifeblood of the environment. Endangered Species Reauthorization. Gerry Studds and John Dingell intend to introduce this legislation soon. Please encourage yourrepresentativeto co-sponsor. Government Canyon Acquisition Update At a meeting of the San Antonio Water System board on March 23, there was unanimous support for SAWS to con­tribute 25 percent of the purchase price for Government Canyon. The Edwards Underground Water District had previ­ously agreed to support 50 percent of the purchase, which has been negotiated by the Trust for Public Lands with the Resolution Trust Corporation. The 90-day due diligence period began March 19. Please express your appreciation to the EUWD, Mayor Wolff, and the SAWS Board. Thanks Are in Order Special thanks to BAS Member David Bamberger for hosting the BAS Annual Meeting at the Bamberger Ranch in Johnson City. Not only was there an inter­esting and informative program and fel­lowship around a grand fireplace, but also an exciting tour of the ranch-including introduction to the highly successful AAZP-associated program for the endan­gered Scimitar-Horned Oryx-and a good morning of bird censusing on Sunday. Thanks to all who participated in the meeting, as well. Walter Barfield and Anita Reeves helped prepare the March newsletter for mailing. Barb DeLuca brought smile-winning cookies to the special March 4 meeting. Sandra Skrei, NAS Southwest Regional Representative, and BAS member, James Garriott, appeared on Desde San Antonio on KWEX-TV, March 11. Anita Reeves and Susan Hughes sold T­shirts and distributed information at the Leon Valley Earth-Wise Living Day. Thanks to Susan Hughes, who presented a program for the Crestview Nursing Home residents on "Saving the Earth." Raves to Mark Rue of Eickhoff, Hannan, Rue designers, for the wonderful design work on our 1993 T-shirt. Volunteers Requested Viva Botanical Can you work a 2-3 hour shift at the BAS table at Viva Botanical? You get free admission and a good time, while spread­ing the word about BAS and the issues we support. Call Walter Barfield, 736-0355, to sign up for a time that's convenient for you on either April 3 or 4. Earth Day at Trinity BAS will have a table at the Trinity Earth Day celebration on April 22. Can you help? Call Walter, 736-0355,formoreinformation. Newsletter Distribution Would you be willing to be a full-charge newsletter mailing person? Sure, you can get others to help, but the editor needs someone who will pick up the newsletter from the printer, pick up the labels, coor­dinate a mailing party, do the paperwork, and get it to the post office. It requires a little bit of flexibility, in that the ready date is seldom determined more than 3-4 days in advance, though it's usually during the final week of the month. To discuss taking on this important job with about a 4-6-total hour-per-month commitment, please call Susan Hughes, 696-6868. Texas Legi!lature Update Following is a status update on some pri­ority bills, most of which were included in the March issue. Please contact your rep­resentative or senator to express your views on these subjects. For more infor­mation on any of this, contact Dick Pipes, BEXAR TRACKS, Aprll1993 AUDUBON COLLECTION AUDUBON BLANC CAllFORNIA WHITE WINE PRODUCID & .O'ITIJ!D IY AUDVION CZ'l..LAR$, )~, CA ALCOHOL 11.4" BY VOLUM! • COm'AlNS StJI..llflm ' 1-210-569-2452, or Sandra Skrei, SW Regional Rep, 512- 327-1943.For bill status call 800-253-9693. Wildlife SB583 Barrientos. Would provide some protection for the mountain lion by putting it on the game species list. Pending in International Relations, Trade and Technology Committee 3/17. Support. Water Conservation SB375 Requires submetering of water in apartments. 3/17 referred to Natural Resources in the House. Support. Texas Parks & Wildlife HB60 Turner. Use of revenue from the cigarette tax by TPWD. (Removes the 25 percent limit on the revenue being used to operate and maintain parks.) Referred to subcommittee of Ways & Means 3/10. SB23 Moncrief. Protects certain animals and provides penalties. (This defines "restricted" wild animals including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, etc. and limits possession, transport, purchase, and hunting of these animals, i.e., bans "canned" hunts in Texas. ) Referred to Natural Resources Committee. On 3/23 reported favorably as substituted. SB 179 Parker. Oppose this bill that would allow recreational hunting in Texas state parks. Now in Natural Resources. Population (Adolescent Pregnancy) SB20 Moncrief. Calls for self-develop­ment and life skills education in Texas public schools, including pregnancy BEXAR TRACKS, April 1993 prevention, AIDS/HIV prevention, and substance abuse education. Re-referred to the Education Committee. Pesticides SB30 Sims. Relating to providing for methods and procedures for the eradica­tion of boll weevils in cotton. Passed; will become effective on August 1. [Too bad.] SB609. Prevents local governments from regulating the use of pesticides at all-including warning signs on Lawns that are being treated. Many local govern­ments have stricter pesticide regulations than the state's. Scheduled for public hearing 3/24. Please oppose Aquifers HB207 Pu

  • Bexar tracks : the newsletter of the Bexar Audubon Society, Vol. 11, No. 12
    'University of Texas at San Antonio', 2026
    Co-Authors: Bexar Audubon Society
    Abstract:

    Bexar Tracks began with Vol. 4, no. 1 (January 1986). It continues Newsletter (Bexar Audubon Society).§racRs 21 0·822·4503 DECEMBER 1993 BEXAR AUDUBON SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY The Chapter's primary goals are to promote species and habitat conservation and environmental education in the community. JOIN IN THE FUN­CHRISTMAS BIRD ~~tlnnuall\oliday )party & ~lidr ~hom~~ The December general meeting of BAS will be held at 7:30pm, December 16, at the COUNT. DECEMBER 19 Ruble Center. The meeting is free and open to the public. This is our annual holiday If you wish to participate party, and the program, which will begin promptly at 7:30, will feature member's in the Annual Audubon slides of their travels and other captured images. You are invited-and Christmas Bird Count, dawn urged-to be one of the members who brings along some of your to dusk on Sunday, December 19, slides. Please call Thelma Nungesser, 824-8199, to let her know: contact Ernie Roney, 734-7184 (day) or 1) that you will bring slides, and 2) how many (Thelma can let you 656-4239 (evening), or call the San know how many people have responded and how many slides you should Antonio Audubon Society answering bring-usually about 5 to 15 is a good number). machine (733-8306) to let them know Also, we traditionally share some holiday "goodies" at this meeting. If you you wish to join in the count. San wish, bring snacks or sweets to share. We will have some mulled cider and other Antonio Audubon has traditionally con- warm beverages available. ducted the Christmas Bird Count. Bexar Conservation Committee at 6:30pm Audubon members who are either expe-rienced or beginning birders are wei- Come to the Ruble Center at 6:30pm, December 16, for the BAS Conservation come and encouraged to take part. Committee meeting. Issues coordinators are needed. No experience necessary. [For information on other area CBCs, see page 6. To participate, contact the Public Transportation Available ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ coordinators listed in advance of the The Ruble Center is at 419 E. Magnolia, at the intersection of Carleton, south of date of the count to determine meeting Mulberry, east of McCullough; VIA Route 5 (St. Mary's/McCullough/North Star Mall) places or assignments.] stops two blocks from the Ruble Center. ~ :.ac.-.z-c'l. o• ~~ •:a:ac'l. ~• CJ.I::a.a.::.l. ~ :8-.=-:a.a- .&.-.ac'l.-.a"bo:a:a &cM::dAa-t.'*"" ~ F0-.:11. -.zac'l. 31""0-.:a:&" .._ ..... 'IF -.a:a.c'l. ~ ... ._ a. b.-.ppF -.zac'l. .._.. • .,.. • .,..a::l'-.a1 b.o'l.:l.c'I.-.F .-.-...o:a:a. President's Letter Desert pavement is the last stage in the destruction of an arid grassland. Too many horses, and too many cows, and too many goats, and too little rain com­bine forces over the years to eliminate the grasses and allow wind and rain to create desert pavement. Desert pavement occurs when all of the humus and fine soil particles are washed and blown away, leaving only a layer of hard-packed stone and gravel sealing what remains of the soil below. On desert pavement only the hardiest of plants are able to withstand the extremes of rainfall, temperature, and grazing. These plants have evolved vicious spines, or thorny stems, or poi­sonous leaves. These plants form a sharp contrast to soft contours of the desert grasslands they succeeded. Much of the Big Bend National Park is covered by desert pavement. Only now, after nearly fifty years of relief from mas­sive overgrazing, are the grasses begin­ning to recover. In northern Mexico, across from the Park, recovery has not yet begun, and soil conditions are so poor even creosote bushes are stunted. As you might expect, people play a signif­icant role in all this. They place the live­stock that overgraze the grass that holds the topsoil that prevents desert pave­ment. The reward for this ignorance is desolation and poverty ... and what of their children? They sell pebbles to tourists, collected from their now abun­dant supply of desert pavement. Merry Christmas. -Walter Barfield ~Page2 Volunteers Recognized Joanne Strentzsch provided refresh­ments for November's meeting. Thanks to Walter Barfield, Valerie & Julia Camilli, Thelma Nungesser, and Susan Rust for their assistance in mailing the November newsletter. Backyard Habitat Program Beginning Barb DeLuca is getting our backyard habitat program started. A good book on the subject, co-authored by Audubon member Charles Fryling, Jr., has just been published by Taylor: Attracting Birds to Southern Gardens. ~pulation Gains Status T as U.S. Priority Issue · Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, Tim Wirth, said last spring at the Second Preparatory Committee for the 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development, the U.S. is "committed to help promote international consensus around the goal of stabilizing world popu­lation growth through a comprehensive approach to the rights of women, to the environment, and to development." Fertility Decline a Significant Opportunity Be sure to read the article, "The Fertility Decline in Developing Countries," by Bryant Robey, Shea Rutstein, and Leo Morris, which appears in the December 1993 issue of Scientific American (pages 60-67). The researchers report that "fam­ily size is decreasing in many Third World countries. The reasons provide the key to slowing population growth." In their con­clusions, they emphasize that "Developed nations must make a substantial philo­sophical and financial commitment to meeting such needs [for family planning programs). Otherwise, the reproductive revolution may be stymied." Town Meeting Preparatory to the UN Conference - Volunteers Needed · San Antonio is a desired location for a town meeting to gather grassroots input for the U.S. Network for Cairo (in which National Audubon Society is a major par­ticipant). This information will be pro­vided to the US. Delegation as they prepare for the U.N. International Conference on Population and Development to be held in Cairo, Egypt in September. We should hold the town meeting in February. A-Coordinator and committee members are needed immediately for the project. Will you please help? Call Susan Hughes, 696-6868. "World Population" Video Available Want to see a graphic simulation of human population growth? As the years roll by on a digital clock from lAD to 2020, dots are placed on a world map to repre­sent millions of people added to the popu­lation. Historic references on the screen place population changes in context. It's only 6.5 minutes, but it has great impact. You can borrow this ZPG-produced video from the BAS video library by contacting Betty Minyard, 344-6128. Ask about Audubon-produced population videos, too. f.IGISf.A~IVI WltAP-"P This year began with the promise of change, as a new administration offered bold environmental initiatives and promised to resolve the ancient forest crisis. But many of those initiatives turned into watered-down compromises or were stalled by the political process, and a slow-moving Congress neared adjournment in November without passing legislation to address the nation's key environmental problems. Nevertheless, Audubon and other groups continued pushing for improve­ments in the nation's wetlands and endan~ gered species Laws, and crucial pieces of legislation moved through congressional committees, setting the stage for action next year. This year also saw a serious challenge to the iron grip that Western senators have long held over public lands, as conservationists pressed for reform of the nation's grazing and Mining Laws. As Audubon and its allies geared up this year for reauthorization of the Endan­gered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, environmental opponents devised a new strategy of challenging these pro­grams in the name of protecting "private property." If the public wants to pursue these programs, so the rhetoric goes, the public should pay financial compensation to those whose profits or property values are adversely affected by such a "taking." "These 'takings' advocates drape them­selves in the rhetoric of constitutional rights, but their claims have no basis in the Constitution," says John Echeverria, Audubon legal counsel. "The challenge for the conservation community is to unmask the so-called property rights advocates for what they really are. Their real agenda is to undermine many public health and environmental regulations by attempting to make these programs too costly." So far, conservationists and others have successfully beat back takings proposals. Such bills were defeated in 30 of 32 states, and labor and environmental groups te.amed up with others to block a takings amendment to a Senate bill that would make the EPA a cabinet-level agency. BEXAR TRACKS, December 1993 In the House, Rep. Billy Tauzin (D-LA) tried to attach a takings amendment to the National Biological Survey bill. His provision, offered in committee and then again on the House floor, would have required the government to compensate landowners whose property value had declined by 50 percent or more as a result of regulatory action based on biological survey information. Tauzin's "takings" amendment was ruled non-germane to the biological sur­vey bill and was not voted on in the House. But Tauzin and other legislators have vowed to reintroduce similar amend­ments. Says Echeverria. "We need to make Congress focus on the consequences of these radical proposals." (see pages 4-5) Although debate over the National Biological Survey turned acrimonious at times, the final bill (HR1845) passed the House 255 to 165 on October 26. House members were deluged by letters from Audubon activists in support of the bill and in opposition to Tauzin's amendment. The survey bill would authorize the Interior Department to research and sur­vey the status of plant and animal species in the United States, assisting the govern­ment to take a more environmentally sound approach toward land management. Grazing Action As the House finished debate on the bio­logical survey, the Senate was in gridlock over a measure to raise grazing fees on Western public lands. Western senators organized a filibuster over a provision in the Interior Appropriations bill that would have raised grazing fees from the current rate of $1.83 a month for each cow and calf to $3.45, still only one-third the rates on pri­vate lands. The grazing provision, a com­promise worked out in conference between the Senate and House, was withdrawn by Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) after the Senate failed for the third time to end the filibuster. With the contentious grazing provision removed, Congress was free to vote on the Interior Appropriations bill, which includes a 50 percent increase in funding for the endangered species program and $163.5 million for the biological survey. Additionally, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has said he will proceed adminis­tratively with a plan to raise fees to $4.28 and institute other reforms to protect the more than 250 million acres now open to grazing. Western senators have threatened to continue fighting the fee increase. The Babbitt plan and the recent movement of Mining reform legislation in Congress could ultimately loosen the hold that Western senators have had over public lands-a power long used to benefit ranching, Mining, and other extractive industries in the region. BEXAR TRACKS, December 1993 "The Senate has been the obstacle," says Ronald Tipton, Audubon's vice-presi­dent for Government Relations. "This dis­pute over grazing is about who controls Western land policy, a few Western sena­tors or the American people." Activists Target Forest Plan In the debate over the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, which regulates water pollution and the nation's wetlands, Audubon and other groups continue to enlist cosponsors for legislation, though they do not expect congressional action until next year. Committee hearings were held on both issues this year. Congress took no action this year on the ancient forest dispute in the Pacific Northwest, but President Clinton pushed the issue closer to resolution when he convened a forest summit in April and later released an ancient forest plan. Though conservationists applauded the president for taking action, they criticized the plan for providing too little protection to the region's ancient forest. The plan calls for a system of ancient forest reserves, but allows logging in those reserves and provides inadequate protec­tion for many endangered species in the ancient forest ecosystem. To convince the president to improve the plan, Audubon and other conservation groups have mounted a massive letter­writing campaign. The Interagency SEIS Team, which is compiling the final plan, has received an estimated 100,000 com­ments from activists requesting greater protection for the ancient forests. Because of the flood of mail, the administration has asked the courts for additional time to respond to comments. "This is not a viable plan and we hope the outpouring of letters will convince the admin­istration to improve it," says Brock Evans. The ancient forest compromise is indicative of President Clinton's first year in office, according to Tipton. Clinton offered bold initiatives in his budget to slash subsidies for ranchers, loggers, and miners on Western lands, but he removed the provisions under pressure from a handful of Western Democratic senators. In the face of congressional resistance, he also backed off an environmentally pro­gressive broad-based energy tax. However, Audubon and other groups were pleased with the environmental side agreement that the administration negotiated for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Though conservationists are wary of Clinton's tendency to compromise on envi­ronmental matters, they say the adminis­tration is still more sympathetic than the Reagan and Bush administrations. The assessment of Congress is more harsh. "All in all, Congress has not produced that much environmental legislation this year," says Tipton, placing much of the blame on the Senate. "There's a real lack of strong environmental leadership in the Senate." -Steve Cusick 1993ISSWIS OW~LOOfC Though Congress failed to act on many conservation issues this year, legislators will return early next year with a full plate of environmental bills to consider. This was the first year of the congressional ses­sion and bills not acted on this year carry over into next year. Here are updates on the major environmental issues tracked by the Audubon Activist and an assessment of their prospects for next year. Endangered Species Act Relying on persistent pressure from activists, conservationists are winning the battle for cosponsors of legislation to reau­thorize the Endangered Species Act. [At this writing], 101 cosponsors had signed onto HR2043, an endangered species bill sponsored by Reps. Gerry Studds (D-MA) and John Dingell (D-MI). The bill, sup­ported by Audubon, would increase fund­ing for endangered species protection and broaden the scope of the act to cover all species in an ecosystem, rather than just single species. An anti-environmental bill (HR1490) spon­sored by Reps. Billy Tauzin (D-LA) and Jack Fields (R-TX) had 88 cosponsors. It would make it more difficult to list species under the act and would throw up additional road­blocks to the species recovery process. A companion bill to the Studds-Dingell legislation was introduced in the Senate this year by Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT) and John Chafee (R-RI). Both the House and Senate held committee hearings on ESA reauthorization this year, but no bills have yet been voted on. Outlook. "We are going to work really hard to reauthorize the Endangered Species Act in 1994," says Randall Snodgrass, director of Audubon's endan­gered species effort. Prospects are good for quick passage of the Baucus-Chafee bill in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, but the Studds-Dingell bill faces a tougher fight in the House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committee. Audubon and other groups will call on activists in coming months to rally their con­gressional members behind the legislation. Wetlands/Clean Water The Clean Water Act, which regulates water pollution and wetlands protection, is also up for reauthorization. A flurry of bills has been introduced in the House and Page3 fij Senate, including legislation introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA) to strengthen protec­tion for wetlands under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Environmentalists hope to incorporate provisions from these bills (Sll95 and HR350) into "compromise" clean water and wetlands bills offered by Sens. Baucus and Chafee. The Baucus­Chafee bills (Sll14 and S1304) will likely be the "vehicles" for marking up clean water and wetlands legislation in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Rep. Gerry Studds introduced similar wetlands legislation (HR3465) in mid-November. Anti-wetlands legislation introduced in the House by Rep. Jimmy Hayes (D-LA) would gut Section 404 and would make it easier to develop most wetlands. HR1330 also adopts a controversial definition of wetlands that would exclude half the nation's wetlands from protection, includ­ing parts of the Florida Everglades. Outlook. [At this writing], conserva­tionists were awaiting mark-up of a wet­lands bill in the Senate Clean Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife Subcommittee. If the subcommittee fails to act before Congress adjourns, it will likely take up the legislation early next year. It will be an uphill battle to get Congress to pass legislation that strengthens the federal wetlands program. Everglades This year the Everglades took on greater national significance than ever before. Audubon and other members of the Everglades Coalition released a bold pro­posal to restore water flow and cut pollu­tion in the ailing ecosystem. At the same time, the Clinton administration was working on a settlement of a Lawsuit with the Florida sugar industry in an effort to ensure clean water for the Everglades. Details of the settlement were being worked out at [this writing], and Audubon lobbyists continued pressing the administration to improve the deal to meet the water quality and delivery needs of the Everglades. Outlook. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently developing a restora­tion plan for the Everglades, and Audubon and others are asking the Corps to incorpo­rate key provisions of the coalition proposal into its plan. Activists will likely be called upon in the coming year to write letters favoring a strong restoration proposal. NAFTA The Clinton administration made pas­sage of the North American Free Trade Agreement a high priority for this year, and Congress approved the pact. Audubon signed on to support the trade agreement after negotiators from the United States, Mexico, and Canada approved a strong ~Page4 environmental side agreement that would help clean up the environment along the U.S.-Mexican border and protect existing U.S. environmental standards. The U.S. and Mexico have also agreed to spend $7 billion on infrastructure in the region, including funds for much-needed sewage treatment systems on the Mexican side of the border. Outlook. If it is ratified by the three nations, many conservationists believe that besides cleaning up the border envi­ronment, NAFTA will also set a standard for incorporating environmental protec­tion into future trade agreements. Mining With general support from the adminis­tration and growing public anger over environmentally destructive subsidies to Western land users, legislation to reform the 1872 Mining Law moved quickly in this Congress. On November 3, the House Natural Resources Committee approved a Mining bill generally supported by envi­ronmentalists. The bill (HR322), spon­sored by Rep. Nick Rahal! (D-WV), includes an 8 percent royalty on gold, sil­ver, and other hard-rock minerals taken from public lands and would eliminate the Law's patenting system, which allows someone to purchase a mine claim site for as little as $2.50 an acre. The bill also includes land reclamation provisions. Earlier in the year, the Senate passed a "sham reform" bill sponsored by Larry Craig (R-Idaho) that would institute only a two percent royalty and allow a modified patenting system. Outlook. House Natural Resources Committee Chair George Miller (D-CA) was pushing to have the House vote on the Rahal! bill before the recess in late November. Conservationists hope to strengthen the land reclamation provi­sions in the bill and to give land managers the ability to reject Mining proposals on the grounds that they are unsuitable for an area's environment. A conference com­mittee will have to work out the differ­ences between the House and Senate versions, but prospects are good for pas­sage of a bill in this Congress. California Desert A bill to protect 7.6 million acres of southern California desert cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in October. S. 21 would create a 1.46 million acre Mojave National Park and add acreage to Death Valley and Joshua Tree national monuments, while upgrading them to national parks. The bill, introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), would designate another 3.9 mil­lion acres of Bureau of Land Management lands as protected wilderness. It faces oppo­sition from Mining and ranching interests in the region. H.R. 518, a companion bill, has been introduced in the House. Outlook. The full Senate must now vote on S. 21, but the timing of the vote was unknown at press time. Though environ­mentalists generally support the bill, they want to restore a large tract in the East Mojave area that was removed from the bill and to strike an amendment that would override environmental Laws to allow mili­tary overflights. Conservationists are o