NWF Seeks Protection for Prairie Dogs To Help Save Western Grasslands - includes other National Wildlife Federation news

National Wildlife, Oct-Nov, 1998

The conservation groups argue that the proposed diversion could lower water levels in Lake Michigan, destroy wetlands and fish habitat in the lake's tributaries and pollute the Wisconsin River with heavy metals. They also fear it would pave the way for other industries and municipalities to drain vast quantities of water from the Great Lakes.

Courts Uphold Safeguards Against Coal-Mining Abuses

Who could oppose rules mandating that mining companies replace homes that collapse because of underground coal mines? Who could favor giving mining permits to companies that have failed to pay fines for mining violations elsewhere?

The coal-mining industry could and did, in federal district court in Washington, D.C., not long ago. But in a major victory for NWF and the Interior Department, judges in two separate cases soundly rejected industry arguments and upheld key regulations that protect people, homes and the environment from coal-mining abuses.

In one case, Judge William Bryant ruled that mining companies must indeed repair or replace homes and domestic water supplies damaged by mine collapses. In the second case, Judge Aubrey Robinson, Jr., upheld rules preventing coal companies that have violated the law in the past from receiving new mining permits, either directly or through related companies.

"Coal mining has a direct impact on the homes, water supplies and personal health of thousands of coalfield citizens," says Glenn Sugameli, NWF counsel.

NWF, SmartWood Certify Vermont Family Forests

A group of 31 Vermonters who own an average of 200 acres each represent the first small-landowner cooperative certified for exemplary forest management by NWF and the Rainforest Alliance's SmartWood program in New England.

Allied in an organization known as Vermont Family Forests (VFF), the owners are dedicated to practicing sustainable forestry, maintaining wildlife habitat and protecting water quality. VFF sponsors workshops and training programs to help private landowners become more knowledgeable forest stewards.

Members of the alliance range from a furniture maker with 17 acres to 1,400-acre Shelburne Farms, a nonprofit organization known nationally for its conservation education program and quality products. Altogether, they own 6,500 acres, about 72 percent of which is forest.

"SmartWood certification supports these landowners in their good work and over the long term may bring them economic benefit by identifying their products as coming from well-managed forests," says Mark Lorenzo, Northern Forest project manager in NWF's Northeast Natural Resource Center.

For more information on the SmartWood program, contact Project Coordinator Alan Calfee or Project Assistant Keith Smith at P.O. Box 1876, Manchester Center, Vermont 05255. Phone: 802-362-1629.

Edwards Dam

Removal a First

In United States

It's official: Within a year the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River at Augusta, Maine, will be history.

A recent agreement signed by federal, state, municipal and private officials and a coalition of conservation organizations, including NWF's affiliate, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), cleared the way for removal of the wood and rock structure, which has blocked 17 miles of fish-spawning habitat for 160 years.