MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL GET AN EARFUL ON LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
by Gulf Coast Institute

The Mayor and City Council recently heard an earful from several Houstonians about their concerns regarding the draft Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Several residents came to Tuesday’s city council meeting to complain about potential road projects in their neighborhoods that could be funded with the long-term transportation plan. One of those residents, Margaret Dower from the Woodland Heights, said she feared this plan’s strategy to "move traffic off the highways" and onto the "center streets in the neighborhoods."

The plan includes a multi-billion dollar build-out of "Express Streets" which would involve constructing almost mini-highways out of arterials such as Westheimer west of Loop 610. Mayor Bill White said he remembered his mayoral opponent, Orlando Sanchez, often referring to the plan during the election. White said that at the time, he thought the plan looked like a "nightmare." It currently includes even more roadway than it did at the time – now a 60 percent roadway expansion.

The mayor said that the same road-based congestion formula isn’t appropriate anymore in a region of four million: "You just can’t keep on doing the same thing, which is widening the thoroughfares." The mayor and council members promised more research on the plan and asked speakers for recommendations. One speaker, Andrea Dahlke representing the young professional group Source Houston, called for a "revaluation" of the plan and a revamped one in which the main goal is to improve the quality of life in Houston. The Transportation Policy Council, a group of public officials, are expected to vote on the plan in late June. To see the plan, visit http://www.2025plan.org

RACHEL CARSON COUNCIL PROPOSES PESTICIDE-FREE DAY
by Sarah Morgan

To increase public awareness of pesticide hazards, of alternative low-risk pest management, and of the contributions by Rachel Carson, the Rachel Carson Council is proposing that at least one day a year, Carson’s birthday, May 27, be set aside as a pesticide-free day.

The Council is asking, states, countries, towns, and neighborhoods around the world to declare May 27 Rachel Carson Day and to honor its observance by encouraging citizens to refrain from using chemical pesticides on that day and to learn about pesticides' actions and reactions.

In the State of Maine, a proclamation declaring May 27 Rachel Carson Day has been approved by its legislature, and the city of Annapolis has also issued a Rachel Carson Day Proclamation. Furthermore, efforts to promote May 27 as a pesticide-free day are underway in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Alaska. Similar actions are on going in Turkey
and Russia.

Over 40 years ago, Carson's book, Silent Spring, alerted America and the world to the hazards of pesticides. Despite the clarity of this warning, today the quantity of pesticides used in our country is greater than it was in Carson's time. For example, cancer and asthma have increased in our children over the past 25 years and both have been associated with pesticide
exposure, says the Council.

Pets and wildlife can also suffer from pesticide exposure. Wildlife losses from pesticides in the United States alone are estimated in excess of 2 billion dollars annually. The best estimate of the quantity of pesticides applied annually worldwide is 6.6 billion pounds, 1.2 billion of which is
applied annually in the United States, says the Council.

The Council notes that we may not be able to decrease other chemical contaminants through personal actions, but we can significantly reduce pesticides indoors, in yards and in food. Some ways to do this include adopting low-risk pest management at home, at school, at work, and by
choosing organic products when we shop.

Pesticide hazards to human health include cancer, neurological problems such as Parkinson's Disease, abnormal immune functions, respiratory problems (asthma), digestive problems, endocrine problems and developmental problems. Pesticides' serious short and long term hazards to wildlife, particularly birds and aquatic organisms are also of concern.

The Council hopes that, by making May 27 pesticide-free, "it will help reduce the suffering of workers, children, pets and wildlife and help make the world a safer place for yourself and your family."
Find more information at <http://members.aol.com/rccouncil/ourpage/>

TCEQ LANDFILL UPDATE
by Sarah Morgan

Last week�s Houston Environmental News Update contained a story about the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality�s review of the current landfill regulations. At that time, TCEQ was not allowing public comment on the reforms. Now the commission has announced that they will be conducting a series of informal meetings to gather input and identify areas of concern in the design, construction, and monitoring of landfills.

The TCEQ requests that all interested parties attend a meeting and participate in identifying issues that should be addressed. Parties can also e-mail comments and input to mswrules@tceq.state.tx.us.

Meeting for the Houston-Galveston area will be held May 25 at 7 p.m. in the Houston-Galveston Area Council Conference Room A (2nd Floor) 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, TX 77027.

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION MARSH MANIA 2004

Each year Marsh Mania mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to restore habitat at sites around Galveston Bay. Since it began in 1999, nearly 2,400 volunteers have created more than 60 acres of new habitat. In the process they became more informed about the value of quality wildlife habitat. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in Marsh Mania 2004 on Saturday, May 15, 8am to 1pm at the Dickinson Bay Islands, and Armand Bayou Nature Center, and should call (281) 332-3381, ext 214 to register. To visit web site, go to http://www.galvbay.org/

TEXANS FOR ALTERNATIVES TO PESTICIDES (TAP) JOINS PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA (PAN)

Texans for Alternatives to Pesticides (TAP) joins with Pesticide Action Network North America (PAN), and other groups across the nation and Texas in the release of PAN's report entitled: Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability. For further information contact, TAP Executive Director Charlotte Wells, at (713) 523-2827. http://www.nopesticides.org/index.php

LOCAL ARTWORK AND GALLERY SUPPORTS SPAY-NEUTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

A local art show will be held at the Sippora art gallery, 234 W.Gray, benefiting Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, (SNAP) in Houston. SNAP provides free and low cost spaying, neutering, and veterinary care. Currently, operating clinics are located in Houston, Los Angeles, Native American lands, San Antonio, and Monterrey, Mexico. Local artist will show their paintings, and stone and metal sculptures. For more information about the event contact, SNAP (713) 862-3863 or visit http://www.snapus.org

KODAK AMERICAN GREENWAYS GRANTS
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. Grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical or legal assistance, and other costs. The maximum grant award is $2,500, although most grants will range from $500 to $1,500.
http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2372

THE WILD GIFT
Application deadline: June 1, 2004

The Wild Gift provides exceptional youth, ages 18-30, an experience in deep wilderness and encourages commitment to a self-designed leadership project that will benefit the human and natural community. The 17-month program is provided to Wild Gift recipients at no cost.
http://www.wildgift.org

CANON ENVIROTHON

Annual competition for high school students throughout North America, designed as a way to teach kids about environmental education. The best teams from 47 states and Canadian provinces compete at a summer play-off during July or August on a selected topic. To expose students to diverse environmental issues, ecosystems, and topography, a different state or province hosts the Canon Envirothon each year. In addition to the actual competition, the event also includes social, cultural, and educational activities organized by the Canon Envirothon Host Committee.
http://www.envirothon.org/competition/Canon2004/index.htm

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY TEACHER GRANTS
Application Deadline: June 10, 2004

The foundation provides grants to educators to facilitate their work in the classroom, school, district, and community. This year, projects will be funded in either of two broad categories: Promoting Stewardship of Cultural and Natural Resources, and Promoting Geographic Knowledge Through Education. The foundation plans to make approximately $100,000 available, in grants of up to $5,000 each. Applications may be submitted by a single teacher or by a project team leader on behalf of a group.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/education/teacher_community/get_grant.html

CONSUMER GUIDE DETAILS ILLS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR COMMON PRODUCTS

A free online consumer guide published in March by the Worldwatch Institute describes the environmental, social, and health harms associated with a wide range of products, including appliances, baby products, DVDs, clothing, cell phones, and food. The guide takes a behind the scenes look at how products are made, and offers simple advice and alternatives that enable people to reduce some of the ills associated with the things they buy.
For each product, the guide also describes successful efforts by governments, businesses, and nonprofit groups around the world to reduce negative impacts associated with common products.
http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/goodstuff

NEW REPORT IN PARKS FOR PEOPLE SERIES

The Trust For Public Land’s Parks for People initiative works in cities across America to ensure that everyone--in particular every child--enjoys access to a park, playground, or open space. A new Parks for People report by Peter Harnik, director of TPL's Center for City Park Excellence, highlights the need for parks in Newark, New Jersey. The report's release follows by several months the publication of TPL's Parks for People white paper, which makes the case for new city parks nationwide. Upcoming Parks for People publications will focus on other US cities.
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13843&folder_id=175

A HANDBOOK FOR ACTIVISTS

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, Wilderness Forever has created a handy-dandy guide to taking action. Learn how to draft your own action letters, organize enjoyable activism events, and get in touch with local media.
To obtain your own tree-free version of the guide:
http://www.wildernessforever.org/action/index.html
Learn more about the Wilderness Act:
http://www.wilderness.org/OurIssues/Wilderness/act.cfm

CONSERVATION ACROSS BOUNDARIES EDUCATION COURSE

Conservation Across Boundaries’s Enhancing Wildlife Conservation through Education is a fully-funded, two-week course for junior and senior high school science teachers. The course is being held June 12-25, 2004. To download a brochure and application, visit www.boone-crockett.org, http://www.eih.uh.edu/education/bboard/cabflyer_2004_small.pdf or contact Selma Glasscock, Welder Wildlife Foundation, selmaglass@aol.com for more information. Application deadline: March 30, 2004. $125 application fee.

SEASIDE CLUB BECKONS TO TEXAS TEACHERS

Texas A&M University's Marine Advisory Service (MAS) will be hosting two development workshops for Texas educators on the environment, and natural resources in Texas and the Gulf Coast. Participates who are teachers, science curriculum specialists, or department heads working in public and private schools are encouraged to register. Training sessions for elementary school educators are June 28-30; training for secondary school educators will take place July 7-9. For more information or to enroll, contact (979) 863-2940 or email lbeach@neo.tamu.edu.

EPA SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

The EPA Summer Opportunities for Students website is now up and running. The site provides a web portal through which students may enter to learn about EPA programs, offices, and summer employment opportunities. They also will be able to submit a job application directly to the EPA location where there is a vacancy.
http://www.epa.gov/ohros/student