Updates - Brief Article

Sierra, Nov, 2000

SALMON SETBACK. Wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest are dangerously close to extinction. The best way to save them, activists argue, is to breach four dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington. In July, the Clinton administration, failed to take that bold step, postponing a decision on dam removal for at least five years. This followed the testimony of thousands of salmon supporters at public hearings, and 100,000 postcards (many from Sierra readers) demanding removal of the dams. (See "Salmon's Second Coming," March/April 2000.)

ECO-WARRIORS CONVICTED. After being held without bail for 15 months, Mexican activist Rodolfo Montiel, who received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for eco-heroism, was sentenced in August to almost 7 years in jail, and his companero Teodoro Cabrera to 10 years. The two ecologistas, who fought to save Mexico's rapidly dwindling old-growth forests, were convicted on drug and weapons charges. The only evidence was "confessions" signed after five days of torture. Supporters, including the Sierra Club and Amnesty International, continue to campaign for the pair's freedom (see "Defending the Forest, and Other Crimes," July/August 2000).

GAS-GUZZLERS NO MORE? Although higher gas mileages would reduce pollution and slow global warming, Congress has refused even to study revising the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks--until now. The Senate finally took steps to repeal a five-year gag order on the topic. In June, it mandated that the Department of Transportation and the National Academy of Sciences study raising the CAFE requirements. Later in the summer, both Ford and General Motors promised to increase the fuel economy of their gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles. (See "Arms Race on the Highway," November/December 1999.)

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