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[ft-l] [AHS] Capitol Trails Broadcast, Nov. 01 - ORV Emission Limits; FY 02Funding Highlights
- Subject: [ft-l] [AHS] Capitol Trails Broadcast, Nov. 01 - ORV Emission Limits; FY 02Funding Highlights
- From: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net (Kent Wimmer/NONFS/USDAFS)
- Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001 12:04:30 -0500
FYI - please see the American Hiking Society newsletter below.
Kent
**************************************************************************************************
Kent L. Wimmer, AICP
Florida National Scenic Trail Liaison
Florida Trail Association, Inc.
kwimmer@fs.fed.us
(850) 942-9376 (w)
(850) 942-9378 (fax)
(850) 386-8442 (h)
Mailing address:
USDA Forest Service
National Forests in Florida
325 John Knox Rd, F-100
Tallahassee, FL 32303-4160
**************************************************************************************************
----- Forwarded by Kent Wimmer/NONFS/USDAFS on 12/03/2001 11:59 AM -----
Capitol_Trails@american
hiking.org To: Capitol_Trails@americanhiking.org
Sent by: cc:
<Capitol_Trails@c-t-g.c Subject: [AHS] Capitol Trails Broadcast, Nov. 01 - ORV Emission
om> Limits; FY 02 F unding Highlights
11/29/2001 12:11 PM
Capitol Trails Broadcast for AHS Alliance Members & Partners
URGE EPA TO REDUCE ORV POLLUTION
Tell the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen emission
standards for new nonroad and recreational engines to improve air quality
nationwide, especially in national parks and wilderness areas, and to
protect human health.
EPA recently published emission standards for nonroad engines-- including
snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, dirtbikes, and small industrial and airport
equipment--and held a short series of public hearings, at which American
Hiking Society/Hikers for Clean Air testified. The deadline for public
comments is December 19, 2001.
AHS is concerned that emissions from inefficient two-stoke nonroad and
recreational engines constitute a significant source of air pollution,
contributing to impaired visibility, threats to human/hiker health, and
degradation of the natural areas millions of hikers and other
recreationists
visit and cherish.
Visibility has deteriorated dramatically in many national parks in recent
decades. Two-stroke engines emit dangerous levels of several pollutants,
including toxic chemicals, and fine particulate pollution damages lungs and
jeopardizes hikers' health.
Two-stroke engines discharge between 25-30% of their gas-oil mixture
unburned directly into the environment, contaminating the air, ground, and
waterways, and poisoning plant life and fish. Nonroad/recreational engine
emissions contribute to acid rain/deposition, which destroys natural
habitat
and alters fragile ecosystems in mountain environments, especially in the
Northeast and entire Appalachian Range.
Urge EPA to strengthen the proposed rule by incorporating the following
elements:
Switch from two-stroke to four-stroke engines. The rule should set
performance standards strict enough so that dirty two-stroke engines will
be
quickly replaced by cleaner modern four-stroke engines.
Environmental labeling. EPA should require a multi-tiered labeling system
that clearly distinguishes recreational machines based on emissions so
consumers can make informed choices among products.
Noise. EPA should require significant noise reductions from these machines
because they are often used on public lands, where many people,
particularly
hikers, value quiet and solitude.
Let EPA know why cleaning up these highly polluting machines is important
to
hikers.
In all comments reference, "Docket A-2000-01" Send written comments to:
Margaret Borushko, U.S. EPA, National Vehicle and Fuels Emissions
Laboratory, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Or submit comments via
email to: NRANPRM@epa.gov.
To read AHS' testimony visit
<http://www.americanhiking.org/policy/testimony.html> For more information
on the proposal, visit
<http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/proposal/cleanrec.htm>
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FY 02 TRAILS AND RECREATION FUNDING HIGHLIGHTS
On 11/5, President Bush signed the FY 2002 Interior funding bill, H.R.
2217,
with some notable increases for trails and recreation. Highlights include:
*$15 million increase for USDA Forest Service Recreation Management,
Heritage and Wilderness.
*$3 million increase for Forest Service Trails Maintenance and Capitol
Improvement.
*$1.32 billion for conservation and land acquisition programs including
$573 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund ($429 million
federal;
$144 stateside). National scenic trails benefited from LWCF directly: The
Ice Age Trail ($3 million), Pacific Crest Trail ($6 million), Florida Trail
($4 million), and Continental Divide Trail ($320,000).
The Interior bill also includes a two-year extension of the Fee Demo
program. AHS and other recreation organizations fought a proposed four-year
extension from the House.
Thanks to all trail and recreation advocates for helping achieve these
funding increases!
**************
To call your Member of Congress:
US Capitol Switchboard
(202) 224-3121
To write your Senator:
The Honorable ______________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
To write your Representative:
The Honorable ______________
US House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
To locate your Member on-line:
<http://thomas.loc.gov/>
------------------------------
Celina Montorfano
Alliance Policy Manager
American Hiking Society
1422 Fenwick Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 565-6704 x205
(301) 565-6714 (fax)
cmontorfano@AmericanHiking.org
http://www.AmericanHiking.org
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