NANFA-- Attn: Ohio members

Christopher Scharpf (ichthos_at_charm.net)
Mon, 05 Feb 2001 14:35:29 -0400

Action Alert from the Ohio Environmental Council

Wetlands Under Siege!

Supreme Court Decision Threatens Half of Ohio's Remaining Wetlands

A recent Supreme Court decision, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
v. U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (aka the "SWANCC Decision"), ruled that
"isolated wetlands" may no longer be protected under the Clean Water Act.
Isolated wetlands are wetlands that are not directly connected to another
surface water, such as a river or stream.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates that almost half of
Ohio's remaining wetlands are isolated and vulnerable to destruction as a
result of the SWANCC decision.

Developers are Wasting No Time!
Two days after the SWANCC decision was issued, attorneys for a development
corporation in northeast Ohio sent a letter to Ohio EPA informing them that
construction would begin on a project that would destroy high quality
wetlands WITHOUT public notice or environmental review.

We need your help NOW!

Governor Bob Taft is considering issuing "Emergency Rules" to close the
SWANCC wetlands loophole. Powerful developers and big agribusiness are
already lobbying fiercely to make sure the Governor doesn't take this
action. Our voice needs to be heard just as strongly!

What you can do:

1. Call or FAX Governor Taft's office in support of the Emergency Rules.
The message is simple: "Governor Taft, do the right thing, issue the
Emergency Rules and protect Ohio's remaining wetlands."

Governor Bob Taft
77 S. High St. - 30th Fl.
Columbus, OH 43215-6117
phone: (614) 466-3555; fax: (614) 644-HELP
e-mail: Governor.Taft_at_das.state.oh.us

2. Attend a public meeting on the Emergency Rules! Contact Rick Queen
(614-644-2872) at the Ohio EPA and tell him you want to attend next week's
public meeting to learn more about the Emergency Rules. The meeting will be
scheduled at any time with very little notice - so act quickly!

For more information contact: Jeff Skelding at the Ohio Environmental
Council jeff_at_theoec.org or (614) 487-7506

www.theoec.org
********************************
Marc Grossman
Community Organizer
Ohio Environmental Council
1207 Grandview Ave. Ste. 201
Columbus, Ohio 43212
614 487-7506
marc_at_theoec.org

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