From Grist Magazine

Environmental news from GRIST MAGAZINE

<http://grist.org>


1. "AND NOW!" GRINNED THE GRINCH, "I WILL STUFF UP THE TREE!" Bush admin overhauls forest management policy
The Bush administration unveiled sweeping changes to federal forest-management policy on Dec. 22, while Americans milled through malls and airports, minds dancing with visions of, well, everything but forest management. The changes will "streamline" approval of forest-management plans by eliminating a key provision, long despised by timber companies, that requires forest managers to maintain "viable populations" of fish and wildlife in the forests. The new policies also instruct managers to give economic activity and ecological health equal priority in management decisions, and remove the requirement for environmental impact statements -- effectively eliminating the public-comment process. "This planning rule just makes more efficient and effective use of our field people's time and energy," said Rick Cables of the U.S. Forest Service. Enviros don't agree, and neither does Rep. Mark Udall (D-N.M.) of the House Resources Committee, who complained that the regulations "cut the public out of the forest planning process, will inspire many more lawsuits, and provide less protection for wildlife."

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Bettina Boxall and Lisa Getter, 23 Dec 2004
<http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=3900>

straight to the source: The Washington Post, Juliet Eilperin, 23 Dec 2004 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=3901>



2. COME HELVARG AND HIGH WATER Marine activist David Helvarg InterActivates This week's InterActivist, Blue Frontier Campaign head David Helvarg, was an investigative reporter for 30 years before he became a full-time oceans advocate. In answering Grist's questions, the self-described fish-hugger shares insights on life as a "seaweed activist," meeting with Ralph Nader, how he almost went to Iraq instead of campaigning for the seas, and what the heck a sarcastic fringehead is. Let him tell you why blue is the new green -- on the Grist Magazine website.
in InterActivist <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=3910>


3. NEW YEAR'S, RE: SOLUTIONS Green resolutions for the new year Green-minded self-improvers, we've got just the resolutions for you. In 2005, pledge to tackle "the big stuff" -- your choices on transportation, food, and large appliances. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, an individual's transportation choices represent their single biggest impact on the environment. Less is more, and efficiency is key (gas-guzzling is so 2004). Upgrading your large appliances to more efficient models will also cut energy use while creating an enviable air of chic modernity (so, really, that's two resolutions in one!). And finally, you are (as green as) what you eat. So: ready, set, resolve!

straight to the source: The Arizona Republic, Mary Jo Pitzl, 31 Dec 2004 <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=3902>

see also, in Grist: Ms. Big Stuff -- Advice on the most effective personal eco-actions -- in Ask Umbra <http://grist.org/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=3903>