the PDF! - Clean Water Action

Minnesota currents
Summer Update 2012
brockovich investigates
chemical contamination in
minnesota
Countdown to
Election Day…
Who Do We Love?
Spurred by community
concern about cancer rates,
environmental advocate
Erin Brockovich’s team has
been investigating Fridley,
Minnesota’s toxic history. Two Superfund
sites in Fridley leaked industrial chemicals,
including carcinogens, into the town’s
groundwater. Many Fridley residents are
wondering if this past contamination is
the cause of their cancer or that of their
neighbors.
From now until Election
Day on November 6,
Clean Water Action will
be campaigning to elect or
re-elect those candidates
best able to champion
protections for clean air,
water and health in the
Environmental advocate Erin
On June 27, Brockovich and her team met
Brockovich speaking to Fridley
with hundreds of former and current Fridley
residents on June 27.
residents about their investigation at a public
meeting in Fridley. Clean Water Action’s Minnesota Director Deanna White also
addressed the group about Clean Water Action’s efforts to reform state and federal
laws to protect public health from cancer causing and other toxic chemicals. As
long as carcinogens, neurotoxins and other toxic chemicals remain in wide use,
contaminations similar to that experienced by Fridley will continue to occur.
Brockovich, who was portrayed by Julia Roberts in a 2000 film, is a respected
activist who gained national recognition in her successful effort to hold Pacific
Gas & Electric accountable for poisoning the town of Hinkley, California’s water
over three decades.
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
inside
ACTION FOR
CLEAN WATER
www.CleanWaterAction.org
State Legislature. A list of
Clean Water Action’s 2012
environmental candidate
endorsements is now
available.
Members are encouraged
to review the list online at:
www.cleanwater.org/issue/
making-democracy-work
n
From the Minnesota Director, p. 2
n
Show Candidates You Care About Toxic Chemicals, p. 3
n
Happy Birthday to Us!, p. 5
n
Legislative Session Ends…Thankfully, p. 3
n
Stopping Asian Carp, p. 4
Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012
from the Minnesota State Director
Deanna White
Making Democracy Work: Land of 10,000 Lakes & the Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act turns 40 this October. The law
was passed in 1972 to clean up our lakes, rivers,
and streams and to make all of our nation’s waters
swimmable and fishable — including, of course, Lake
Superior. Earlier this summer, we celebrated Clean
Water Action’s 40th Birthday as well — and renewed
our dedication to protecting our lakes, rivers and
streams.
Clean Water Action’s programs expanded in the
We hope that you will join Clean Water Action on
October 10 for a special showing of “The Return of the
Cuyahoga” at St. Anthony Main Theater. This movie
celebrates the Cuyahoga River’s recovery as a result of
the Clean Water Act…what a perfect way to recognize
the Anniversary of this important law. Tickets are
available now through our Minneapolis office and
online at www.cleanwater.org/mn
Clean Water Action members helped to elect Barack
At the same time that the Cuyahoga was starting on fire,
our organization got its start as the “Fisherman’s Clean
Water Action Project.” We were central to building the
national movement that won the Clean Water Act’s
passage. From the beginning, we used grassroots
organizing to mobilize the public and build the power
to persuade public officials to vote for clean water on
behalf of their constituents.
1980s to include campaigning to elect — or defeat —
candidates for local, state and federal office based on
their records and positions. We needed more champions
who would support the Clean Water Act other laws that
make our water safer to drink, reduce our exposure to
toxic chemicals, and otherwise improve our health and
quality of life.
Obama in 2008. President Obama recently earned
our endorsement for his 2012 reelection based on
actions he has taken to protect our water and our
health. The President has been a strong defender of the
Clean Water Act against attacks by those who seek to
eliminate the protections offered in this landmark law.
Enforcement of the Clean Water Act and the clean water
it brings will continue to create and protect good-paying
jobs, improve public health, enhance our quality of life
and strengthen our economy. We have the opportunity
in November to elect candidates like President Obama
who will fight to protect Minnesota’s waters…
You can volunteer with Clean Water Action today to
make a difference. Call us at (612) 623-3666 to sign up!
Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund
gratefully acknowledge 40th Anniversary Sponsorship support from
Aveda, New Belgium Brewing, We-Care.com, SurveyMonkey Contribute,
and the Clean Water Action Visa® Card from Capital One® (www.cleanwatercard.org)
2
Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012
www.CleanWaterAction.org
legislative session ends… thankfully
The 2012 Minnesota State Legislative Session again featured
contentious debate on current laws and regulations to protect Minnesota’s environment. Although Clean Water Action
and allies were able to stop some of the most destructive,
anti-environmental proposals this session, special interests
and corporate polluters have huge insider influence in both
the State House and Senate. These same corporate interests
won passage of measures to:
ucts. Clean Water Action championed a ban on formaldehyde
hh fast-track environmental permits, weakening
requirements for the more thorough environmental
reviews that are needed
allies were able to get it included in a larger environmental
hh weaken the Wetlands Conservation Act, and
2012 increases chances for future success.
hh reduce oversight of feedlot operations.
Clean Water Action is poised to release its biennial scorecard
Clean Water Action expects similar state legislative assaults
on environmental and health protections in future sessions.
tal issues where the organization has been most active. The
Not all the news from the 2012 session was bad, however.
Clean Water Action gained much increased visibility for its
ongoing campaign to reduce toxics used in children’s prod-
in all products intended for children under 12. Formaldehyde
has been found in children’s products such as crib sheets,
clothing and personal care products. Short-term exposure
to formaldehyde causes eye and respiratory irritation, and
long-term exposure can cause cancer.
This year, after securing bipartisan support for this common-sense formaldehyde policy, Clean Water Action and
policy “omnibus” bill. Although the proposal was later withdrawn from the bill, the visibility and momentum built in
evaluating all legislators’ voting records on the environmenlegislature’s overall performance — 47% out of a possible
100% score — demonstrates a disturbing lack of support for
environmental issues. This was a significant drop from 2010,
when state lawmakers collectively earned a 71% score.
Show Candidates You Care About Toxic Chemicals
Between now and November candidates will be busy knocking on doors asking
for your vote. This is a great opportunity to educate them about an important
issue that impacts all of us — toxic chemicals in our consumer products and
homes. Chemicals like formaldehyde have been found in a variety of products
such as household cleaners and furniture, contaminating indoor air and the
environment. Let your candidates know you want toxic chemicals out of your
products and homes by hanging a Keep Toxic Chemicals Out of Minnesota
Homes sign in your window. Download your sign today at www.CleanWater.org/
files/images/mn/blue_window_sign.jpg
More Ways You Can Make a Difference for Clean Water:
➤ Online Actions: Join Clean Water Action online to hold your U.S. Reps and Senators accountable.
www.cleanwater.org/action
➤ Monthly Giving: Sustain your support for Clean Water Action with an automatic recurring gift.
www.cleanwater.org/join/ways-to-give
➤ Internet Searches & Online Shopping:
Generate donations for Clean Water Action with every internet search.
Use the “add to search” link on this page: http://cleanwateraction.we-care.com/search
Clean Water Action’s Online Shopping App makes donations for every purchase you make at
thousands of online stores. It’s free and automatic. http://cleanwateraction.we-care.com/getstarted
➤ Make Your Opinions Count for Clean Water:
Sign up for SurveyMonkey. Contribute and each survey you complete means a donation for Clean Water.
https://contribute.surveymonkey.com/charity/clean-water-fund
www.CleanWaterAction.org
Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012 3
stopping asian carp
Minnesota has become the new front in the fight against the
invasive Asian carp. Asian carp were caught at the mouth of the St. Croix
River and in Winona, MN this year. On the other doorstep, new eDNA tests indicate that Asian
carp may already have made it past electric barriers intended to keep them from entering the Great Lakes.
Clean Water Action and a coalition of more than one dozen organizations recently launched StopCarp.org, a new
website with the latest on the problem, what is being done about it, and how people can get involved. StopCarp.
org is the centerpiece of a broader campaign promoting the coalitions plan to stop-slow-control Asian Carp and
educate people about steps they can take to protect water.
As invasive Asian carp continue their march up the Mississippi River to the doorstep of the Great Lakes, the risks
are increasingly serious. In other areas of the country where Asian carp have become established they can make
up as much as 90 percent of the biomass in a river. Minnesota’s boating and angling economies alone generate $4
billion annually. To develop a better understanding of the risk, the state Department of Natural Resources has
proposed funding a statewide risk assessment to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. The
state legislature provided funding for barriers in navigational locks along the Mississippi River. Increased DNR
testing and monitoring along the river and some its major tributaries this summer will help determine where the
carp are located.
On the eastern front, the US Army Corps of Engineers says it will complete a study earlier than originally planned
on how to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. Congress tightened the screws further with a
provision in the recent federal Transportation Bill giving the Corps 18 months to finish. The Transportation Bill
provision is very similar to legislation supported by Clean Water Action and all of the Minnesota Congressional
delegation, except for Representative Cravaack.
A study released earlier this year by the Great Lakes Commission found that although physically separating the
Mississippi River basin from the Great Lakes would be costly, it is “the best long-term solution for preventing the
movement of Asian carp and other invasive species.”
The situation’s urgency is reinforced by recent increases in positive eDNA (environmental DNA) tests in areas near
Lake Michigan, beyond the electric fish barriers that are supposed to keep out Asian carp. Because the carp are so
difficult to catch, the highly sensitive eDNA tests showing Asian carp DNA in the water provide an important early
warning system. So far in 2012, 9% of Chicago area samples have shown “positive hits” for Asian carp, compared to
only 1.5% last year.
Despite all the attention the Asian carp invasion is getting in Minnesota, the problem has still not attracted
necessary levels of attention and resources from federal agencies. Clean Water Action members can ask President
Obama to help protect Minnesota from Asian carp at www.cleanwater.org/no-asian-carp-in-mn
Asian Carp species: Silver (left) and Bighead (right). Images courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.
4 Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012
www.CleanWaterAction.org
Happy Birthday to Us!
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS OF
Dozens of Clean Water Action
members, former staff, and
allies gathered at the home
ACTION FOR
CLEAN WATER
of board member Elizabeth
Dickens and Christopher Childs
on June 13 to celebrate Clean Water Action’s
40th Birthday.
Highlights of the event included reflections
from founder David Zwick about the early days
and purpose of Clean Water Action. Minnesota
Director Deanna White shared reminders of
some key victories and recognized former state
directors and other special guests.
State Rep. Andrew Falk accepted the 2012
Legislator of the Year award on behalf of the
late Rep. Gary Kubly, a long time environmental
Founder David Zwick spoke about the early days
and purpose of Clean Water Action.
champion in the State House. State Rep. Kate
Knuth was awarded the 2012 Legislator of
the Year Award for her excellent leadership,
particularly on issues of toxics in children’s
products. Clean Water Action invites its
members and the public to join in congratulating
these recipients and thanking them for their
environmental leadership.
Both awards were richly deserved and we hope
you will join us in congratulating our recipients
and thanking them for their work.
Guests joined together to toast 40 years of
work by Clean Water Action to protect our
waters with a wish for at least 40 more.
Thank you to all of the guests, co-hosts,
sponsors, and staff who worked to make this
State Rep. Kate Knuth was awarded Clean Water
Action Minnesota’s 2012 Legislator of the Year
Award.
event a success.
www.CleanWaterAction.org
Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012 5
PUT EVERYDAY
PURCHASES
TO WORK FOR
CLEAN WATER ACTION.
Support Clean Water Action, and get the benefits of this
Capital One® Visa® Rewards Card. Giving has never been
easier, or more rewarding. Learn more about this and
other card options at www.CleanWaterCard.org
Minnesota Currents
Summer Update 2012
Clean Water Action is a national citizens’ organization working for
clean, safe and affordable water, prevention of health-threatening
pollution, creation of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses,
and empowerment of people to make democracy work.
Managing Editor: Jonathan Scott
President and CEO: Robert Wendelgass
Writers: Dan Endreson, Darrell Gerber, Kim LaBo, Deanna White
Design: ES Design
Reproduction in whole or part is permitted with proper credit.
© Copyright 2012 All rights reserved.
Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots groups, coalitions
and campaigns to protect our environment, health, economic
well-being and community quality of life.
National: 1010 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005-4918 | Phone 202.895.0432 | Fax 202.895.0438 | [email protected]
Minnesota: 308 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414 | Phone 612.623.3666 | Fax 612.623.3354
6 Minnesota Currents | Summer Update 2012
www.CleanWaterAction.org