Newsletter No. 285

May 10, 2009

ISSN 1089-6104


Editor: Liane B. Russell, 130 Tabor Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Email: russelllb@sprynet.com

Shaded box or star means "Action Needed." Don't be overwhelmed -- check the ACTION SUMMARY

  1. The Cumberlands: vigilance against threats
    1. UT gas-drilling proposal
    2. Heritage Conservation Plans
    3. Frozen Head activities
    4. Cumberland Trail activities
  2. Obed and Big South Fork
    1. Coal-ash disposal sites in Obed watershed being considered
    2. Obed raft trip for NPS staff
    3. Under-water mapping for the rivers
    4. Phil Campbell farewell
    5. Obed activities
  3. The Tennessee Legislature
    1. Status of bad water bills
    2. Good bills dead
    3. Analysis
  4. Other Tennessee news
    1. Enviros speak to Water Quality Board
    2. State Recreation Plan
    3. Rugby capsules
    4. Short Springs
    5. Prichard honored
  5. TVA issues
    1. Kingston coal-ash disaster
    2. Nominations to Board
    3. Use of renewable energy
    4. No more delay in emission controls!
  6. Smokies issues
    1. Monetary settlement must be implemented
    2. Park's 75th Anniversary
    3. Smokies star in Ken Burns' series
  7. Cherokee National Forest
    1. Closure of Tellico ORV area
    2. Wilderness Workshop
  8. Undoing Bush-Era damages to the environment
    1. Mountaintop removal
    2. Endangered species
    3. GHG emissions
    4. Offshore drilling
    5. Guns in parks
  9. Other national news
    1. Clean Water Restoration Act
    2. Omnibus wilderness bill passes
    3. Push for more acquisition funds
  10. Appointments to key federal positions
    1. NPS Director values science
    2. Other USDI appointees
    3. Position above USFS Director
  11. Climate change
    1. Climate bill is a good start
    2. Worsening projection
    3. EPA: “GHGs endanger public health”
  12. CALENDAR; RESOURCES
 
ACTION SUMMARY

 
Issue
Contact
"Message!" or Action
1A UT gas drilling in Cumberlands UT Pres. and Gov. Bredesen “Thanks for withdrawing proposal! Need inventory; public review!”
2A Coal-ash to Obed watershed??   Get listed for TCWP e-mail alerts. Check TCWP website
3C Tennessee legislature   Get listed for TCWP e-mail alerts. Make calls; send e-mails.
4B Tennessee State Recreation Plan   Participate in online survey
6A N.Shore Road: monetary settlement Interior Sec. Salazar “Promptly fulfill obligations to Swain County!”
8 Undoing Bush-Era damages Sec. Salazar, Admin. Jackson “Thank you for undoing Bush rule on [insert as appropriate]
9A Clean Water Restoration Act Both your US senators “Co-sponsor S.787 to restore Clean Water Act protections!”
9B Omnibus Public Land Mngt. Act Those who voted “Aye” “Thank you!” To 3 TN “no” voters: “I'm disappointed!”
9C Increased land acquisition funding Sens. Corker, Alexander Thank Sen. Corker for signing. Urge Sen. Alexander to do likewise
11A Climate bill (ACESA) US rep. and sens “Support this bill to move us toward clean-energy future!”
11C EPA finding on GHG emissions EPA Administrator Jackson “We need strongest possible regulation of GHG emissions!”

Senator John Doe
United States Senate
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Doe
Sincerely yours,
The Hon. John Doe
U.S. House of Representatives
House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Doe
Sincerely yours,
Pres. Barack Obama
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
202-456-1414; Fax 456-2461
president@whitehouse.gov

Dear Mr. President
Respectfully yours,
Governor Phil Bredesen
State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243-9872
615-741-2001; Fax 532-9711

Dear Gov. Bredesen
Respectfully yours,
Sen. Bob Corker
Ph: 202-224-3344; FAX: 202-228-1264
e-mail: http://corker.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Local: 865-637-4180 (FAX 637-9886)
800 Market St., Suite 121, Knoxville 37902
Sen. Lamar Alexander
Ph: 202-224-4944; FAX: 202-228-3398
web: http://alexander.senate.gov, click "Contact”
Local: 865-545-4253 (FAX 545-4252)
Rep. Zach Wamp
Phone: 202-225-3271
FAX: 202-225-3494
Local: 865-483-3366
Web: www.house.gov/wamp

To call any Rep or Senator, dial Congressional switchboard, 202-224-3121. To find out about the status of bills, call 202-225-1772
URLs: http://www.house.gov/lastname/ and http://lastname.senate.gov/ General contact info: http://www.lcv.org
With mail to Congress still slow following the anthrax scare, consider faxing, phoning, and other modes of communication.

There is much contact information in our up-to-date Political Guide. Visit the TCWP web site (http://www.tcwp.org)

WHAT IS TCWP?

TCWP (Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning) is dedicated to achieving and perpetuating protection of natural lands and waters by means of public ownership, legislation, or cooperation of the private sector. While our first focus is on the Cumberland and Appalachian regions of East Tennessee, our efforts may extend to the rest of the state and the nation. TCWP's strength lies in researching information pertinent to an issue, informing and educating our membership and the public, interacting with groups having similar objectives, and working through the legislative, administrative, and judicial branches of government on the federal, state, and local levels.

TCWP: 130 Tabor Rd., Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

President: Jimmy Groton, 865-483-5799 (evening).
Executive and Membership-Development Director: Sandra Goss, 865-522-3809; Sandra@sandrakgoss.com


Newsletter editor: Lee Russell, Email: lianerussell@comcast.net

Internet: http://www.tcwp.org

TCWP Home Page

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