[BCNnet] this morning - save clean water and habitat

[Judy Pollock]

 From Audubon...

FYI - here is updated text of an alert we distributed to chapter leaders 
last night , and we continue to disseminate to our key advocates today. 
Please let us know if you have any questions or need more information - thanks!
U.S. HOUSE TO CAST KEY ENVIRONMENTAL VOTE TODAY
LATE BREAKING NEWS:  The U.S. House of Representatives will cast a crucial 
vote today that seeks not only to reduce our nation's rising deficit, but 
would also restore funding for clean water and conservation programs for 
Fiscal Year 2005. Today,  the U.S. House will debate a number of 
budget-related bills. This action comes on the heels of the House passage 
of the budget resolution for FY05 - a measure that unfortunately included 
significant cuts in funding for numerous conservation and environmental 
programs, such as clean water programs and Land and Water Conservation 
Funding. Led by Rep. David Obey (pronounced Oh-bee) of Wisconsin, a number 
of House members are seeking to remedy this: they've drafted an amendment, 
referred to as House Resolution 685, that will be offered during debate of 
the budget enforcement bill.
H. Res. 685 would restore $500 million for clean water programs, 
specifically the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) - a critical 
program that provides funding for states to address their water 
infrastructure needs. Without added federal assistance, many states may not 
be able to help to local communities repair and replace old and decaying 
pipelines and treatment plants, and will not be able to ensure continued 
progress in restoring the health and safety of America's water bodies.
H.Res 685 would also provide an additional $325 million to protect priority 
lands and outdoor resources through the Conservation Trust Fund, which 
Congress approved in 2001 as a means of adequately financing preservation 
of wild lands, open space, birds, fish and other wildlife, and the 
recreational opportunities they provide. H. Res. 685 would increase funding 
for conservation programs that protect the nation's most important parks, 
forests, wildlands and wildlife priorities. In addition, the measure would 
reverse the radical de-funding of the federal Land and Water Conservation 
Fund in the recently-passed FY05 Interior Appropriations bill, as well as 
that bill's reductions for the Forest Legacy and State Wildlife Grant 
programs.
Audubon and our partners in conservation will be working tirelessly to 
encourage as many Representatives as possible to support H.Res 685 - but we 
really need your help if we're going to win! Here's what we're counting on 
you to do:
(1) Please call your U.S. Representative at (202) 224-3121 and urge your 
lawmaker to support H.Res.685 as offered by Rep. Obey! For the name and 
direct dial phone number of your lawmaker, click on this link now. 
<http://www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/mylegis.asp>.
(2) Encourage your group members to call as well! The more calls lawmakers 
receive in support of this amendment, the better chance they will pass it!
We apologize for the short notice of this request, and appreciate any and 
all help you can provide! Thank you for your on-going support, and we'll 
let you know how the vote goes!


Judy Pollock
jpollock@audubon.org