Environmental News Update 3/8/02

LOCAL

Protest Against New Source Review Changes This Afternoon

Clean air advocates will host a peaceful picket against the Bush Administration’s planned rollbacks to the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act. Protesters should meet at Tranquility Park at the corner of Walker and Smith streets (public parking is available) at 5 pm. They will walk from the park to the Hyatt Regency (1200 Louisiana) where President Bush will be fundraising.

Pollution Program Tonight

Tonight (June 14) at 9 pm on Channel 11, Greg Hurst and Lisa Foronda will host Project Texas: The State of Pollution. The one-hour special will review the current quality of air and water across Texas.

Hermann Park Named Great Public Space

The Project for Public Spaces (PPS), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public spaces, recently named Hermann Park as a Great Public Space. Some other new things are happening at the park as well:

• Friends of Hermann Park has taken over the concessions of food, beverage, and novelty items, with proceeds going to park improvements.
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) awarded Hermann Park a $2 million reimbursement grant to improve the existing two-mile Hermann Park trail for both pedestrians and cyclists. The trail will connect major arteries that feed into the park and access METRO light rail stations. Park furnishings, lighting, fountains, benches and bike racks will be added. 
• And grab your poles (if you are over 65 or under 12) – McGovern Lake is now open for catch and release fishing.

For more on what makes Hermann a Great Public Space, according to PPS, visit: http://pps.org/gps/one?public_place_id=83

STATE

Texans Support Water Conservation

Most Texans prefer water conservation efforts before expensive dams and pipelines are considered, according to recent statewide poll administered by the National Wildlife Federation. Also, 78 percent of the 800 registered Texas voters surveyed had not heard of the state’s water planning process, which is supposed to be a bottom-up, public process. And, 93 percent felt it was important to provide adequate protection for rivers, bays, and wildlife as Texas plans for water needs for the next 50 years. These results show that the state’s water plan is out of sync with Texans’ beliefs, says NWF leadership. Full survey results are available at: http://www.texaswatermatters.org

THIS WEEK’S EVENTS

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