(From uber-activist, Wayne Williams)
When tomorrow's papers and media talk about Bush acting to save 3000 wetlands during EarthDay today, remind them how hypocritical and blatantly weak his action is compared to all the damage Bush and the Republicans have been doing since taking control in 2000.

Here is a breakdown of just what we're dealing with in California as a result of Bush and Company.

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GEORGE W. BUSH: ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS THAT THREATEN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES California

Toxic Waste: 96 Superfund Sites that Harm Public Health: In California, there are 96 Superfund sites endangering local public health and environment. These sites – located in our communities – are contaminated with toxic chemicals from PCBs to arsenic and are in urgent need of clean up. The Bush Administration refuses to make polluters pay for the clean up and is taking more time to complete the cleanups. [Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Information Systems]

Toxic Water: 13 Mercury Warnings Not to Eat Fish: Mercury exposure can harm the function and development of the central nervous system which puts unborn and young children at great risk of exposure. About 320,000 babies born every year are at risk of developmental problems because of prenatal mercury exposure. In 2002, there were 13 fish consumption advisories in California. President Bush is putting our families and environment at risk. [Source: US Public Interest Research Group, Fishing for Trouble, June, 2003]

Dirty Air: 262 Increased Deaths From Pollution: President Bush’s policies are not only bad for the environment, they place our families’ health at risk. Because Bush caved to the corporate special interests and has rolled back the Clean Air Act, California will experience 262 deaths. [Source: “The Particulate-Related Health Benefits of Reducing Power Plant Emissions,” ABT Associates October, 2000]

Dirty Water: 30,989,000 At Risk of Cancer Causing MTBE. MTBE is a possible cancer-causing agent. Instead of forcing polluters to pay to clean up the MTBE contamination of our drinking water systems, President Bush wants to let them off the hook. In California there are 127 public water systems that are contaminated by MTBE, placing the health of 30,989,000 in jeopardy. [Source: Environmental Working Group]

Dirty Water: $35,044,200 Less Funding for Clean Water. Clean, healthy water is a top priority for healthy families and the implementation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act will improve public health and ensure that our water is safe. President Bush proposed to slash funding for states to implement and enforce the clean water law. California would receive $35,044,200 less funding for clean water under the Bush budget. [Source: Office of the Minority Leader, House of Representatives]

Neglected Parks: 29 Endangered National Parks: Despite his campaign promises, President Bush has not provided adequate funding to address the maintenance backlog in our National Parks. In addition, Bush’s budget has endangered 29 of California’s national parks. Our National Parks are a symbol of our heritage and need to be preserved for future generations. [Source: Parks and Recreation, National Park Service, Department of the Interior]

EXAMPLES OF CALIFORNIA’S THREATENED ENVIRONMENT:

Two-Year Waiting List at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. At California’s Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, there is a two-year waiting list for local schools to participate in educational programs. Bush’s funding shortfalls for the National Parks Service are to blame. [Source: National Parks Conservation Association, “Endangered Rangers,” April, 2004]

California Tops the Smog Report. In a recently released report by the EPA, California ranked at the top of the list of counties that require cleanup for air pollution. The San Francisco Chronicle reported, “Acting under court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified 474 counties in 31 states -- including the nine counties in the Bay Area -- as having air quality that falls short of the new health standard for smog. About 159 million people live in the affected areas. California topped the list, with 36 counties flunking the new standard. The smoggiest region of the country is Los Angeles, with 120 violations in 2003. Not far behind are the San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento metropolitan area. The Bay Area, with only one violation over the last three years, has what the EPA calls marginal air quality.” [Source: San Francisco Chronicle, 4/16/04]




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