December, 1997
Table of Contents
Climate Control At Low Cost
Other Reports on Economic Benefits of Reducing Greenhouse GasesPublic Meeting & Comments on Fox River Clean-up
State of Wisconsin
Minnesota
Consumer Savings
Fuel Efficiency
Inflated Cost Estimates
Endangered Species Under Attack
Congress Proposes Harmful LegislationBicycle Plan Public Hearing
Act Needs Strengthening
Miller’s bill would improve the ESA
How You Can Help
What You Can Do About State Issues
Avoid Fatty Foods From Animals
How Do Chemicals Get Into Animal Fat?Flambeau Mine Costly to Local Community
Risky to Be at the Top of the Food Chain
U.S. Food Supplies Are Contaminated
Action is Needed
Children at Risk
A Global Distribution
Our Local Situation
Possible Solutions
Urban Sprawl - The High Cost of Spreading Out
What Can Be Done?
Climate Control At Low Cost
The U.S. could reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2010 at low or no cost to the
nation’s economy, the Department of Energy (DOE) said in a recently released
study.
The DOE analysis, carried out by five national laboratories, flatly
contradicts the claims made by industry that reducing emissions will jeopardize
the country’s economic well-being.
Instead, DOE found what other analysts have suggested --- that increased
energy efficiency pays for itself by lowering energy bills.
This shows that what’s good for the environment can also be good for
the economy.
Wind energy received favorable mention in the DOE study. The report
noted that global wind generating capacity has been expanding at a rapid
pace, and said, “This capacity growth is almost certain to continue because
of continuing decreases in the cost of wind-generated electricity as well
as growing interest in emission-free power derived from local, renewable
resources.” Declining costs, it added, should enable wind “to compete
favorably with other power sources for several years before 2010.”
With strong policy support, installed wind electric generation capacity
in the U.S. could be as high as 50,000 MW by the year 2010, resulting in
the displacement of 176 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions
annually, largely from coal. Added the report, “This level of penetration
would require wind turbine manufacturing capacity to expand at a rate of
approximately 25% per year... This level of wind capacity expansion has
been reached in the past. Europe’s experience with wind power also
indicates that this technology can expand quite rapidly.
“It is possible for the manufacturing industry to respond quickly to
market demands, since most of the components of wind systems (generators
and gearboxes) are readily available, and not specific to wind technology.
In 1991, the European Wind Energy Association set a goal of [4,000 MW]
of wind by 2000. This goal has been realized already in 1997, and
the new targets are [8,000 MW] by 2000 and [40,000 MW] by 2010.
Given that Europe is a much more land-constrained continent with generally
lower wind resources than the United States, this comparison suggests that
[50,000 MW] of wind power capacity can be realized in the United States
by 2010 in the context of a strong policy environment ...”
The DOE report confirms that with appropriate encouragement in the
form of progressive policies, wind energy can make a significant contribution
to U.S. energy needs while at the same time reducing air pollution and
greenhouse gas emissions.
Other Reports on Economic Benefits of Reducing Greenhouse Gases
In 1993, a state agency called the Wisconsin Energy Bureau wrote a report
called “The Economic Impact of Renewable Energy Use in Wisconsin” --- to
evaluate the impacts of increasing renewable energy use in Wisconsin by
75% by the year 2010.
They assumed construction of 775 megawatts of new renewable electric
generating capacity and 100 million gallons of ethanol production capacity
--- enough to supply electricity to 500,000 homes and fuel to 45% of Wisconsin’s
cars.
They found that jobs, earnings, and output generated from the renewable
energy investments would be three times greater than what could be realized
from fossil fuels.
Over 16 years, this equals 62,234 more job-years of employment, $1.2
billion more in wages, and $4.6 billion more in sales.
About $2 billion in avoided imports of coal, petroleum and natural
gas would remain in Wisconsin. (About $6 billion leaves Wisconsin each
year to pay for imported fossil fuels.)
The renewable energy investment could also save approximately $700
million in losses attributable to environmental regulations on fossil fuels.
This savings translates to an additional 15,000 jobs-years and $250 million
in income.
Unfortunately, Governor Thompson’s Administration stifled this report
until 1994, when a citizen advocacy group called RENEW had to file a “Freedom
of Information Act” request to get the report released to the public. Gov.
Thompson has received large campaign contributions from executives in the
fossil fuel industry.
• Minnesota
The Alliance to Save Energy and the Carlson School of Management report that Minnesota employs over 10,000 people in the renewable energy industry and has more energy efficiency and renewable energy firms than in any other state except California.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports that energy efficient electronic ballasts now represent over 25% of total fluorescent ballast sales nationwide. In fact, U.S. companies, a majority of which are based in the Midwest, have already sold about 50 million electronic ballasts with a retail value of about $1 billion. These efficient ballasts will produce net savings to consumers of $700 million.
Phillips Engineering of St. Joseph, MI in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, has been working to develop an energy efficient, gas-fired heat pump for residential heating and cooling. This unit runs on ammonia and water to avoid using damaging CFCs or HCFCs. It also uses about one-third less fuel for space heating compared to a typical gas furnace.
The recent experience of utility companies in cleaning up sulfur dioxide
emissions suggests that industry cost estimates for environmental regulation
are inflated beyond reality.
When Congress amended the Clean Air Act of 1990, the law included targets
for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from utility companies.
According to EPA figures, both industry and government, during debate
on the bill, were far off the mark in estimating the cost of cleaning up
a ton of sulfur dioxide.
Industry estimated it would cost $1,500 per ton. Government representatives
estimated $600 per ton. The actual cost turned out to be only $150 per
ton.
Public Meeting & Comments on Fox River Clean-up
Finally, after several years of waiting, the agencies are giving citizens
a chance to comment --- but under strange circumstances. They’re forcing
us to give up 2 different nights, and they picked an inconvenient location.
(Please be careful when turning off Hwy 41.) We tried to convince them
to hold the Open House on the same day, right before the Public Comment
Meeting, and to do it twice, with one meeting in the Fox Valley and another
in Green Bay. But they ignored us.
Nevertheless, your attendance and comments are important! We must show
that citizens remain concerned about this issue.
Tuesday, December 9 --- 7 to 9 p.m.
This will be a public meeting to give an update on clean up and restoration activities. A presentation will be given on sediment clean up options. An opportunity for public comment and discussion will also be provided.
Wednesday, December 10 --- 4 to 8 p.m.
On this day, an Open House will be held. Exhibits will be on display and subject experts will be on hand to answer your questions and hear your concerns in an informal meeting.
Both at the Apple Creek Inn
3177 Lawrence Drive, DePere
(off Hwy 41, between Green Bay & Appleton)
Endangered Species Under Attack
We are currently faced with the greatest rate of species extinction worldwide since the disappearance of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. More than 50,000 species become extinct worldwide each year.
Given this rapid decline in species, within 50 years, one quarter of
the world’s species could be lost forever.
In the U.S., more than 500 native plants and animals have vanished
during the last 200 years --- 250 of them since 1980.
Plant and animal species are dying off because of the mass destruction
of entire ecological systems --- the result of irresponsible action by
humans. For example, the U.S. has lost more than half its wetlands, 95%
of its virgin forests in the lower 48 states, and at least 80% of the coastline
has been developed.
The loss of species is an indicator of the ways we are imperiling not
only plants and animals, but ourselves. Extinctions, past and impending,
are warning flags, signaling an emergency that threatens all life on earth.
More specific losses include the loss of powerful new plant or animal based
drugs for the treatment of human diseases, or the loss of genetic diversity
and species for future food crops.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA), passed in 1973, was enacted to halt
this rapid loss of plant and animal life --- it has saved many species
on the brink of extinction, including the bald eagle, grey wolf, and California
sea otter.
Up to Top
Congress Proposes Harmful Legislation
The ESA faces a well-organized and well-funded attack. Anti-ESA groups,
including oil and petro-chemical companies, the timber industry and real
estate developers, have been working non-stop to weaken one of our most
important laws. Since 1989, anti-ESA industries have contributed nearly
$75 million to political candidates. In the 104th Congress alone, $16.5
million in donations were made to political candidates.
This assault has resulted in a very real threat to the ESA --- the
introduction of the Kempthorne Extinction Bill (S.1180), by Senator Kempthorne
(R-ID).
The Clinton Administration has endorsed the bill, even though it will
roll back essential protections for endangered species in a number of ways
--- further delaying protections for threatened and endangered species
and undermining recovery of species.
And the bill is moving through the Senate at an incredibly rapid rate.
Act Needs Strengthening
While the ESA in its present form is better than a substantially weakened
Act, it really needs to be strengthened if we are to stave off the extinction
of many more species. Therefore, another bill was proposed by Rep. Miller
(D-CA) called the Endangered Species Recovery Act (H.R. 2351), with over
70 cosponsors, as a means towards both strengthening current protections
for threatened and endangered species and drawing support away from the
Extinction Bill.
Miller’s bill would improve the ESA by:
(1) protecting imperiled species and their habitat faster (now it takes far too long for nominated species to be listed for protection);(2) promoting true species recovery rather than keeping species on the brink of extinction, and;
(3) offering financial incentives for landowners who manage their property in a way that promotes the recovery of species.
This bill provides for a balance between wildlife and landowners without sacrificing protections for imperiled species.
Write to your elected representatives and tell them what you think about the ESA --- be sure to give the bill numbers in your letter:
Senator Russ Feingold
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Senator Herb Kohl
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Congressman Jay Johnson or
Thomas Petri
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Please Write Today!
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued its draft
Bicycle Transportation Plan. The plan will guide DOT decisions regarding
bicycle-related accommodations on highways and the services it offers bicyclists.
A small number of state highway segments recommended for improved bicycle
features are identified in the plan
Bicycle plans prepared and approved by counties and metropolitan planning
organizations are being recommended for inclusion. The plan also offers
a number of recommendations or guidance on improving local bicycling conditions.
The DOT and the State Bicycle Plan Advisory Committee will be hosting
six public meetings on the completed draft of the plan. The only hearing
in Northeast Wisconsin will be held:
Tuesday, December 11
7:00 - 9:00
at the Railroad Museum
2285 S. Broadway, Green Bay
Citizens are invited to attend these meetings to learn more about the
plan and to comment on it.
Copies of a summary of the complete plan will be available at the meetings,
but also in advance of meetings by contacting, Tom Huber, Wis DOT, Box
7913, Madison, WI 53707-7913 Phone: 608-267-7757
Plans are also available from Jeanette Cavanaugh, WDOT, 944 Vanderperren
Way, Green Bay, or 920-492-5665.
You can also send written comments to Tom Huber, by January 9.
Please help show support for this healthy, low-cost alternative to
polluting auto travel.
What You Can Do About State Issues
1. Write to your Senator and Assembly Representative and tell them what you think. (If you don’t know who your elected representatives are, call the Legislative Hotline 1-800-362-9472 on weekdays.)
State Rep. (Last Name, A thru L)
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
State Rep. (Last Name, Mc thru Z)
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
State Senator
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Write a “Letter to the Editor” of your local newspaper expressing your views (Look up their address in the Yellow Pages under “Newspapers.”)
Avoid Fatty Foods From Animals
Health experts long have warned of the dangers of high-fat foods that
can lead to heart disease or cancer. New studies show that each fatty bite
may also carry a dose of toxic chemicals.
Man-made chemicals, including traces of highly carcinogenic dioxin
released into the environment, are turning up in fast-food and grocery
store staples such as meat, fish and dairy products in industrialized countries
at levels that exceed U.S. government standards by 200 percent or more.
“In industrialized countries you can avoid the intake of dioxins, to
a certain extent, by eating food that is low in fat,” says Dr. Arnold Schecter,
an international medical expert on dioxins and an advisor to the World
Health Organization (WHO). “But it is more desirable to avoid producing
dioxins in the first place.” “Developing countries can avoid this problem
completely if they do not follow the same polluted industrialized path
as we have.”
How Do Chemicals Get Into Animal Fat?
Dioxin is a toxic waste product formed when burning municipal, industrial
and hazardous wastes. Also, when some fossil fuels are burned, or when
chemicals containing chlorine, such as pesticides, plastics, and paper
products are manufactured.
Once an animal has eaten traces of these chemicals which have fallen
out of the air to contaminate the surface of plants and soil --- the animal
accumulates the dioxin in its body fat.
Very small levels of contamination on plants can build up to high concentrations
in animal fat.
Risky to Be at the Top of the Food Chain
When we humans eat animal fat, our bodies also continue the accumulation
in our fat, building up to even higher levels. Under ordinary circumstances,
the chemicals never leave our bodies.
Unfortunately, women do have one way of reducing their levels of chemical
contamination. During breast-feeding, women pass a great deal of their
fat (and chemical contamination) to their newborn babies.
U.S. Food Supplies Are Contaminated
Two recent studies conducted by Schecter at the State University Health
Science Center in Binghamton, New York, have been published in the British
Journal Chemosphere. He concludes that dioxins, and dioxin-like substances
like PCBs and Furans, are getting into food supplies at levels that are
highest in high-fat foods, and lowest in low-fat foods such as fruits and
vegetables.
“Besides cancer, minute amounts of these chemicals have been shown
to lead to nervous system and liver damage, as well as to mimic hormones
that disrupt reproduction and human development,” says Schecter.
He points to a study in Japan and Taiwan of persons who ingested rice
oil that had been contaminated with PCBs and Furans during the 1960s and
1970s. They suffered from a combination of higher cancer mortality, increased
frequency of lung infections, numbness and other nervous system effects.
“It is known that every person in every industrialized country has
dioxins in their blood ... but since about 96 percent of the general population’s
exposure to dioxins is through food, we wanted to see if certain kinds
of food contained more dioxins than others,” Schecter said.
From ice cream and fish bought in the grocery store to Kentucky Fried
Chicken and McDonald’s Big Mac, all samples collected from across the United
States contained trace amounts of dioxin that exceed many government regulations.
While vegetables and fruits also contained trace amounts of these chemicals,
the dose was significantly less than in high fat foods.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) believes that governments
should be doing more to protect people’s health, especially in light of
these new scientific findings.
“The U.S. government and many other countries are not looking at the
health effects of dioxin and other synthetic chemicals that end up in our
food,” says Richard Levinson, senior policy analyst with APHA. “Food
agencies are not carefully monitoring these chemicals --- we need a more
consistent approach.”
Levinson says there should be a single agency for food safety that
is given adequate legal authority and resources to monitor dioxin levels.
Using the example of a pepperoni pizza, he says, “The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is monitoring the cheese while the Department of Agriculture monitors
the pepperoni. They do not collaborate on projects and usually do not compare
their results. FDA is underfunded as it is.
Next summer, governments will negotiate a global plan to phase out
some of these chemicals at the United Nations Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs) convention.
Perhaps food labels could include dioxin levels, say Michael Jacobson,
of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Maybe consumers would
begin to eat less greasy fatty food if they were told how much dioxin was
in each serving.”
Children at Risk
Developing fetuses and infants are most at risk from the effects of
dioxins, PCBs, furans and other accumulating chemicals, Schecter declares.
Birth defects, learning disabilities and other development problems
have been linked to dioxins and other chemical exposures. This is because
these chemicals “mimic” or “block” estrogen and progesterone, natural hormones
which instruct the body on how it should develop.
In just 6 months of breast feeding, a baby in the United States will,
on average, consume the EPA’s maximum lifetime dose of dioxin, Schecter
says. Breast milk contains high levels of fat.
The amount of chemicals required to disrupt normal development could
be as low as one part in a trillion, he says, the equivalent of a single
drop of liquid placed in the center car of a 10-kilometer long cargo train.
Dioxins, PCBs and Furans are also highly persistent in the environment
and extremely resistant to chemical or physical breakdown.
[Editor’s Note: Even though breast milk is contaminated, most
scientists and doctors agree that the important physical and emotional
benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks from these chemicals. Please
don’t avoid breastfeeding because of this information.]
Schecter, who has been involved with dioxin and PCB studies in Russia,
China, Cambodia, the Middle East, and Vietnam as well as the United States,
points to the widespread contamination. “From penguins in Antarctica to
rains that fall in South East Asia to the milk of a nursing mother in Germany,
synthetic chemicals have been found.”
Despite his gloomy conclusions, Schecter remains hopeful that the problem
can be overcome.
“For the most part, these synthetic chemicals are historically new,
they have only been around the later half of this century. We must take
every step to stop putting dioxins into our environment and our food supplies.
We can reverse this trend,” he says.
In Northeast Wisconsin, we have several continuing, new and proposed
sources of dioxin, PCBs and furans.
The pulp and paper industry uses large quantities of chlorine or chlorine
compounds to bleach, de-ink, or delignify paper pulp. Some dioxins, furans
and other chlorinated toxins are created in these processes.
Proposed and new paper sludge incinerators create additional dioxins and furans when they burn the chlorinated sludges.
Sludge dryers, like Granulation Technologies in Green Bay, release dioxins,
furans and PCBs.
The municipal sewage treatment plants in De Pere and Green Bay both
operate incinerators which burn sludges contaminated with chlorine from
household bleach, drinking water treatment, and other disinfection efforts.
The burning can create dioxins.
Municipal waste incinerators which burn chlorinated plastics like PVC,
and other chlorinated wastes, produce large quantities of dioxin.
When residents burn household trash in burn barrels in the backyard,
this inefficient burning creates dioxins.
Coal burning power plants for public utilities and paper mills also
release dioxin.
Diesel truck fumes contain traces of dioxin.
Contaminated hotspots like the Fox River and Sheboygan River release
large amounts of PCBs, furans and dioxins into the water, where they become
concentrated in the fish, ducks and wildlife.
1. The pulp and paper industry is capable of eliminating all uses of chlorine and chlorine compounds. The technologies are already in use elsewhere, particularly in Europe.
2. It isn’t necessary to burn contaminated waste sludges from
either the paper industry or sewage plants.
First, strong efforts are needed to eliminate the source of contamination
of the sludges, through industry process changes or modification of consumer
products.
Second, if contamination can’t be eliminated, contained disposal at
fully engineered and controlled landfills makes more sense than widespread
distribution of toxics through the air by burning.
3. Municipal and hospital waste incinerators are a major threat
--- the # 1 source of dioxin emissions in the U.S. They must shut down.
Alternatives would include increased recycling, reuse, and repair efforts
to minimize disposal needs. And increased efforts to reduce resource consumption
through consumer education. Certain products, such as PVC plastics, should
be banned because of their overall toxicity during manufacturing, use and
disposal.
4. Coal and diesel burning can be greatly reduced through energy efficiency programs, energy conservation, and switching to renewable energy sources.
5. Contaminated toxic hotspots in river sediments must be cleaned-up --- and either detoxified or tightly contained.
Flambeau Mine Costly to Local Community
Mining supporters are trying to point to the so-called “economic success”
of the Flambeau Mine at Ladysmith, as support for the Exxon Mine and other
sulfide metallic ore mines. They use these arguments to block support for
the Mining Moratorium Bill.
Tom Wilson, of the Headwaters Group of Northern Thunder, a citizens’
group located in western Wisconsin, has written a great response to these
claims:
“The letter from Mr. Al Christianson, the City Administrator of Ladysmith,
makes good promotional copy for both Rusk County and the Flambeau Mining
Company, but a closer look at the facts belies the true “economic miracle”
claimed from mining activities in that community.”
“The total mining tax revenue to Ladysmith, the Town of Grant and Rusk
County from 1989 through 1999 was only $4 million, less than 1% of the
half billion in dollar profits garnered by the mining company from their
exploitation of Rusk County’s mineral resources.”
“Much of the “investment as a result of mine-stimulated projects” is
actually other state and federal degvelopment money that should have been
shared with other Wisconsin commuinties. Funding agencies include the Economic
Development Administration and the Department of Transportation. This money
was funneld to Rusk County by the Thompson Administration to make mining
look good.”
“Even much of the “mining money” supporters discuss were actually
funds from the state Discretionary Payments Program, originally intended
by the legislature to help defray legal asnd administrative costs for communities
like ours which have had to deal with the mining company before the mine
comes, not prop up a failed economy after the mine closes.”
“As recently as two weeks ago, the Mining Impact Board refused to honor
a request of $1,700 from Cleveland Township and $10,000 from Mentor Township
to help defray their legal and administrative expenses resulting from their
need to apply land-use authroity to meet the requirements of Wisconsin’s
mining laws, lest these local governments be totally disenfranchised with
regard to proposed mining activities in their communities.”
“However, the MIning Impact Board did grant an additional $180,000
to the City of Ladysmith for their industrial park (located on land owned
by the Flambeau Mining Company) and they were promised another $200,000
if the State Department of Commerce doesn’t provide the money first.”
“These grants are in addition to $479,000 granted last year for the
same project and were approved this year despite the fact that they had
missed the July 31 deadline for submitting their application. If the mine
has already benefited their economy so much why does Ladysmith deserve
these moneys more than our impoverished local communities now being forced
to deal with these same multinational mining forces?”
“A large portion of local resident’s tax dollars ($115 per resident
per year) also went into these Rusk County “economic development projects.”
Between 1989 and 1997, the principal debt for the City of Ladysmith skyrocketed
from $150,000 to $430,000, all of which will have to be paid by local tax
levies.”
“Rusk County ranks next to the bottom in Western Wisconsin in both
1997 equalized property values and percent increase in property values
since 1996. Between 1989 and 1997, the population of Ladysmith actually
decreased.”
“Throughout the period of the mine operation, Rusk County’s unemployment
has been among the highest in the state and in 1993, the year with the
greatest local employment by the mining company, the annual unemployment
rate shot up to an unprecedented 11.8%.”
“As of Feb. 1997, Rusk County still had an unemployment rate of 10.7%,
the highest in the state.”
“Even at peak operation, the Flambeau Mine only employed about 40 local
residents, some of whom were actually long-term Kennecott employees who
were brought into the area early enough to establish local residency according
to the local agreement. Almost all of the true local employees have been
laid off.”
“In June of this year, Rusk County received a $37,000 grant from the
Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission. According to an article in the
Eau Claire Leader Telegram, Ted East, Rusk County Supervisor of Student
and Family Services attributed their “problems with county juveniles to
economics.”
“Mr. East reported that Rusk County “has the lowest income per capita
and ranks third in juvenile violent crime offenses in the state.”
“As City Administrator, Mr. Christianson has an understandable interest
in promoting his town in the best possible light, and I have no desire
to belittle the fine folks residing in Ladysmith. However, the data
simply does not support a claim of economic revival for this community
resulting from the massive influx of mining capital into the region.”
“The profits and jobs went out of the country along with the gold,
copper and silver they extracted.”
“Especially when one matches Ladysmith’s economic gains with comparable
Central Wisconsin communities such as Medford, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls
or Black River Falls over the same period, it becomes obvious that 20 years
of myopic concentration on one industry, metallic mining, is no substitute
for enlightened and comprehensive attention to overall, economic, social
and community development.
Can you help furnish key parts of our new office? Donations are tax-deductible. We’ve received two desks, a lamp, and an answering machine,but we still need:
Computers
Printers
Copier (especially
duplexer)
Plain Paper Fax
Another answering machine
Office phones
Large desks & office
chairs
Bulletin & Chalk Boards
Tables and stackable chairs
Quality electronic typewriter
Lots of Shelves
Several File Cabinets
Vertical Literature Displays
Coffee Machine
Miscellaneous Supplies
Our Board of Directors just voted last night to go ahead with renting
a formal office space in downtown Green Bay. We found a very economical
5-room space, on the street mall level, in the East Port Mini-mall at 1270
Main Street.
The benefits for Clean Water Action Council will be tremendous:
1. Reference Library --- This will be a great spot for setting
up a library of publications, factsheets, file cabinets, and possibly in
the future, Internet access for researching environmental issues.
Our Executive Director, Rebecca Katers, currently works from her home,
in a large basement room overflowing with a large 15 year collection of
files, books, Clean Water records, newsletters, and other publications.
This information needs to be more accessible.
2. Working Space --- Desks and large table spaces will be availablefor group meetings or laying out work projects. We have needed a better space for processing our mailings and displays.
3. Public Contacts --- An office will provide a formal place for citizens to come with questions about key environmental issues. We already serve as an informal referral service from our homes. We’ll also be better able to serve the large number of students who contact us each year for research papers and projects.
4. Door-to-Door Headquarters --- The office will be a formal gathering
and training spot for our Door-to-Door Organizers and their Director, Jack
Young. We have a large crew of great people who are helping to build
our membership and improve public outreach efforts. They currently work
out of Jack’s home.
As you can imagine, we’re anxious to provide a more normal office atmostphere,
while reducing the burden on Jack’s private life. (The crews include some
people who even work weekends.)
5. Merging Functions --- We feel its important to bring all the Katers’ equipment and files together with our Door-to-Door Organizing effort, to streamline communication and use of equipment.
6. Volunteer Opportunities --- Under our current arrangement,
it’s awkward to organize consistent volunteer efforts --- but with a large,
formal space with regular hours and staffing we’ll be better able to coordinate
helpers.
Our school intern program could also expand if we have a place for
interns to work.
Urban Sprawl - The High Cost of Spreading Out
It’s obvious that urban sprawl causes a lot of environmental damage,
because of the loss of wildlife habitat, the increased run-off of pollution
from streets, parking lots and chemical-treated lawns, and the loss of
productive farmland.
But the economic costs can be just as high.
UW Professor Jack Huddleson estimates that Wisconsin taxpayers will
be asked to pay over $4 billion in the next 15 years for services for 400,000
new state residents. These services include road building and maintainance,
garbage collection, sewer and water pipes and pumping, street lights, police,
fire protection, schools, recreation sites, and other government services.
The more spread-out our housing is, the more it costs to provide these
services.
For example: the city of Franklin, south of Milwaukee, estimated that
in 1992 each new single family house cost taxpayers $10,607 to service.
At the time, an average new home paid less than $5,000 in property taxes,
resulting in inflated taxes for all other residents.
A study by the American Farmland Trust in the Midwest showed that providing
basic services to new residential developments cost $1,165 for every $1,000
they paid in taxes. At the same time, farmland cost an average of
only $395 for basic services for every $1,000 paid in taxes.
This means farmers and taxpayers in traditional, closely-spaced houses
in older parts of town are forced to subsidize new homes on large lots.
1. Support local zoning laws which set firm urban boundaries and preserve farmland on the outskirts of town.
2. Encourage denser redevelopment of city housing areas, and the filling-in of “holes” inside the city boundaries.
3. Support smaller, more efficient lot sizes and attractive compact multi-family housing. Support “cluster” developments and building adjacent to other developments.
4. Develop and support an “urban vision” for your community which makes the downtown areas attractive and desirable for residents.
5. Support transit, bicycle and pedestrian ways which make cities
more livable.
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