ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OUTLINE POLICY PRIORITIES

A coalition of nearly thirty environmental organizations on November 25 released their top policy recommendations to the Obama transition team. The 400-page document urges legislative and regulatory action on a number of issues dealing with land, air, water, oceans and public health.

The document is organized by policy recommendations for each federal department and agency and is titled "Transition to Green, Leading the Way to a Healthy Environment, a Green Economy and a Sustainable Future." Some of the recommendations for USDA are: (1) ensure regulation and screening of plant imports; (2) strengthen regulation of genetically engineered crops; (3) reform wildlife services; (4) reinvigorate the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP); and (5) halt policies promoting native grassland conversion. The document also calls for action to reduce greenhouse gases, protect against "dangerous" forms of air pollution such as fine particles and smog; and increase efforts to protect and clean the nation’s waters.

The environmental groups said that efforts by the new Obama Administration to make investments in clean water, clean air, renewable energy and conservation not only makes sound fiscal sense, but it would also re-power America and help stabilize the economy over the long-term. A copy of the document can be found at: http://docs.nrdc.org/legislation/leg_08112401.asp. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)