A Trout Unlimited member asks about tar sands in streams and rivers

There were about 65 people in the room (impressive given that many of these towns have a population under 500), and presentations were given by the spill response head from the NH Department of Environmental Services, Shelley Kath from Natural Resources Defense Council , Larry Wilson (the head of the Portland to Montreal Pipeline Company), and John Quinn from the American Petroleum Institute. The presentations connected this pipeline to the international picture, and there was a lot of concern in the room about the idea of the project.

The pipeline company executive brought 2 employees as well as a state lobbyist with him, and although he denied having plans to run tar sands in the existing pipe he said he would be thrilled to if he was given the opportunity, as the pipeline is currently empty.

The Androscoggin River, less than 100 yards from the pipeline

Several people asked about climate and some were very pointed, asking the API person if he believed in climate change and if he felt it was human-caused. He made it clear that the American Petroleum Institute does not see climate change as their problem. Folks pointed out the local impacts a tar sands spill would have as well as the regional, national, and global effects of climate change. They reminded the oil executives that the Kalamazoo River in Michigan is still being cleaned up, more than 2 years later!

We had a great group there from our Tar Sands Free NH coalition, with several members of the Trout Unlimited Chapter (two of whom asked really good questions), some NH Audubon folks, some Appalachian Mountain Club folks, and Eric Orff, who is a retired state wildlife biologist who used to tag bears in that area back when he worked for the state.

All in all a good meeting and a clear indication from the communities of Coos County NH that they have lots of concerns about any project to run tar sands through their back yards.

After 150 Years, Tribes to Welcome Home Wild Bison

December 9 – Nearly 70 Yellowstone bison, part of North America’s last free-ranging wild herd, are headed to their ancestral home on the Great Plains after Montana state officials’ approval Friday of relocating the animals to the Fort Peck and Fort Belknap Reservations.

After a century and a half, genetically pure, wild bison once again will roam Indian lands in Montana. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission voted to transfer 68 bison that have been quarantined and found free of brucellosis, a disease that ranchers fear can be spread to domestic livestock.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for the return of the bison,” said Mike Fox, a Fort Belknap tribal council member.

New Hampshire Audubon Announces Partnership with National Wildlife Federation

December 8 – New Hampshire Audubon announced today it was honored to be chosen as the New Hampshire affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. These two organizations will be independent collaborators on conservation, education, and policy concerns that will strengthen New Hampshire’s unique natural resources.

“As a lifelong resident, fisherman and career U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service public servant, I know that Granite State residents and our native wildlife will be the biggest winners in our affiliation with the National Wildlife Federation,” said Michael J. Bartlett, New Hampshire Audubon President. “Our organizations will share expertise and resources to ensure that New Hampshire’s wildlife and open spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

President Obama Issues Veto Threat on Tar Sands Riders

Credit: Sarah Chieffo

Larry Schweiger, NWF President and CEO said:

“President Obama’s veto threat sends a clear message to oil companies to stop messing with priority legislation for their own profit. The Keystone XL pipeline is Big Oil’s dangerous plan to lock America into a long-lasting addiction to Canadian tar sands oil, the dirtiest source of oil on the planet. We applaud President Obama for promising to veto bills that are hijacked by Big Oil and other special interests.”

House Committee Praised for Holding Hearing on Gulf Restoration

December 7 – Groups supporting restoration of the Gulf Coast today thanked House leaders on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for drawing attention to the benefits of the RESTORE Gulf Coast States Act of 2011 by holding a committee hearing on the bill today at 10am. The RESTORE Act would ensure that fines paid by BP and the other parties responsible for last year’s Gulf oil spill are used to support both environmental and economic restoration in the region, instead of going to unrelated federal spending.

Debating Deforestation at Durban: Can We Feed the World’s Growing Population, Address Climate Change and Stop Deforestation?

December 5 – Reducing deforestation, addressing climate change and feeding the world’s growing population are three of the biggest challenges facing the planet. Addressing these problems equally, without sacrificing one for the other, is perhaps the greatest challenge facing negotiators this week at the United Nations international climate change summit in Durban.

To help answer the question of how to produce 70 percent more food by 2050 without destroying the planet, National Wildlife Federation has released a new report titled The Food, Forest and Carbon Challenge.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Stop the Carp
• ClimateWire: Diplomats ponder four options as Durban talks move into final two days
• Mongobay.com: Feeding the world’s population and saving forests aren’t mutually exclusive

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News