When the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Oil and Gas division put a moratorium on road spreading in 2018, conventional drillers turned to a different arm of the agency, the Bureau of Waste Management, to find a loophole that would allow them to keep spreading toxic, radioactive drilling wastewater on unpaved roads in PA. The loophole is called Coproduct Determination. Owners of any waste product can legally make determinations that their waste is essentially a product capable of performing the same function a commercially-available product performs. And then they can start using it. At no time are they required to tell the DEP. Should the DEP find out and request a copy of the determination report, the waste owner must provide a copy. In early 2021, for the first time since drillers started availing themselves of the loophole, the Bureau of Waste Management requested determination reports from 17 drillers. The Better Path Coalition requested copies of the reports and put together our own list of companies reporting road spreading in the DEP's Oil & Gas Waste Report. We came up with 29 companies. DEP provided copies of 8 reports that included one that wasn't on our list because the company had not reported road spreading after the moratorium. What we found in the so-called determination reports was alarming. Not one driller came close to doing a proper determination following guidance laid out in 25 PA Code Section 287.8. Some just turned in random lab tests. Others submitted reports filled with extraneous information. When we tried to do our own tracking of the waste, we found the DEP's reporting system to be seriously flawed and missing critically important information. We chronicled all of this in our new brief, The Moratorium Morass. You can read it here, https://www.betterpathcoalition.org/betterpathbriefs. Public health and the environment won't be protected until there's an outright ban on spreading dangerous drilling waste!

Many young people, like me, are impacted by climate change. They believe Biden is not doing enough to address the issue, but I blame Republicans since they are the ones stalling Biden's agenda throughout much of last year. We need to urge Republicans to join Democrats in passing a mammoth spending bill that will help save our planet, help our working families, and get our lives back to normal since we are in the middle of a pandemic. Republicans should drop their partisan rhetoric about the bill, and start thinking about the lives of their constituents, including myself and my family, and my community.

Landmines are brutal, horrific, and extremely imprecise. But a Trump-era policy removed prohibitions on these weapons, enabling their use worldwide. It remains the policy to this day, even under President Biden, who promised to "promptly roll back this deeply misguided decision" if elected. We're not afraid to call this what it is: a broken campaign promise. When President Biden reneged on his pledge to raise the refugee admissions cap, we organized at every level and, through the power of collective action, got him to make good on his word. And that's exactly what we must do now. President Biden can undo this disastrous policy with the stroke of a pen — but not unless we build enough momentum to push him to do it.

The recent Idaho Bill SB 1211 signed into law by Governor Brad Little within hours of passing the Senate, condemning 1300 Wolves to be slaughtered, as well a similar Bill in Montana for a further 900 Wolves killed, highlight the swift and dire need for restored protections for wolves. Without federal protections, wolf populations across the United States are destined to meet the same fate. This slaughters are happening because the Trump administration delisted the gray wolf in late 2020, stripping vital Endangered Species Act protections and allowing states to declare open season for wolf hunting. Another 216 wolves killed in Wisconsin last February within only 3 days— an estimated 20% of Wisconsin's wolf population —would still be contributing to their species' recovery but for that misguided rollback. Wolves are crucial to the health of the ecosystems they occupy. After the government encouraged the extermination of wolves from Yellowstone in the 1920s, the deer and elk populations grew out of control. Swelling populations led to unsustainable grazing — which caused rampant soil erosion, the near disappearance of beavers, and population declines for antelope and foxes. The good news, for the country and for Yellowstone, is that when wolves were reintroduced in 1995, the ecosystem swiftly rebounded as wolves began to prey on deer and elk once more — which made room for all wildlife to flourish.

Reefs are gorgeous ecosystems that provide food and shelter to thousands of animal species! They can also aid humanity in the event of severe weather by acting as buffers against waves, storms, floods, and other natural calamities. Many coastal communities would be at risk of property destruction and possibly death if they weren't there. Regrettably, human activities have contributed to the decline of reefs and the creatures that rely on them for survival. Climate change, pollution, and, to some people's surprise, sunscreen are all examples of this. Sunscreen is essential for skin protection; yet, several brands include certain questionable substances in their formulations. Oxybenzone is one of these compounds, and it causes coral bleaching. Although only a small amount of sunscreen is hazardous to coral reefs, the US National Park Service estimates that about 5000 tons of sunscreen penetrate coral reef areas worldwide each year. Another ingredient in sunscreen, titanium dioxide, has been linked to a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide levels, harming phytoplankton, a key food source at the base of the marine food chain. Additionally, sunscreen ingredients can harm individuals by disrupting hormones, causing cell damage, and triggering allergies. When reefs disappear, so does a large portion of the marine species that relies on them for food and refuge. Our https://scubadivingunderwater.com/ team wants to stop this process. All that is required is for people to use reef-safe mineral sunscreens and for hazardous sunscreens to be banned. Popular tropical tourist locations such as Hawaii, Key West, and Mexico have already enacted bans on sunscreens containing harmful ingredients. Sign our petition to urge Costa Rica and other countries to enact their own hazardous sunscreen bans right away!

Regarding ask #1 - The latest historic property scheduled for demolition by FDOT is located in Tampa Heights at 1902 N. Lamar Ave. This property is a contributing structure supporting the neighborhood’s national and local historic designations. It was purchased by FDOT in 2015/2016 as part of its right-of-way acquisitions supporting the now-defunct Tampa Bay Express project. FDOT has allowed the property to deteriorate for the last six years and would now like to finalize the demolition by neglect with a wrecking ball, despite the fact the property is no longer needed for any FDOT related purpose. The Petitioners, together with the Tampa Heights Community, object to this demolition. FDOT has been requested to stabilize and secure the building so as to allow opportunities for repurposing and restoration to active community service. Regarding ask #2 - The latest Interstate expansion poised to disrupt and damage the Tampa Heights Historic District involves outward (intrusive) movement of the Interstate barrier wall along the eastern border of the District. The area of concern tracks from a point on N. Elmore Ave., roughly halfway between Floribraska Ave. and Columbus Drive, along the Interstate’s arc, south, to Scott Street. Members of the Tampa Heights community first became aware of this intended wall movement on November 17, 2021, during an informal meeting between the Tampa Heights Civic Association’s Transportation Committee Chair and two members of FDOT’s District 7 staff. Since that time the community has learned the wall movement is allegedly required to enable a portion of the often-cited “Downtown Interchange Operational and Safety Improvements” (DTI-OSI) first advanced by FDOT in 2019. The extent of the threatened wall movement is not clear as of the date of this writing. The Community has only been told a minimum 16-foot buffer will be maintained between the new wall location and the existing FDOT right of way. The DTI–OSI concept has been the subject of debate and controversy since its rollout in 2019. Community opposition to FDOT’s original TBX project dates back to 2015. Through all that time the TH community has been steadfastly opposed to further expansion of the Interstate through Tampa’s Urban core. While wall movement through TH was most definitely a part of the original TBX plan in 2015, the community was somewhat relieved to learn, in 2019, of the supposedly less intrusive footprint anticipated secondary to the DTI-OSI approach. At no time before November 2021has FDOT formally informed the Tampa Heights community of this intended further intrusion. As of this writing, FDOT has failed to present detailed information regarding its plans, including but not limited to: 1. An enlarged map with identified boundaries that includes annotations, existing streets, building footprints, and property boundaries. 2. Cross-sections that represent each incremental change/change in east-west expansion from Floribraska Avenue to 7th Avenue that extend from the interstate through Central Avenue. These should include dimensions for widths and heights, a scale of 1/8" = 1' to be easily understood. 3. Narrative description and list of options for materials (finishes, fencing, etc.) and landscaping to be discussed with the neighborhood. This should include plans for maintenance agreements. 4. List of all potentially impacted structures and accompanying map. Those structures may be impacted due to the construction and/or construction vibration. This needs to take into account historic structures within 200 feet of the proposed interstate wall, and should include but are not limited to those structures that line Elmore Avenue, Lamar Avenue, Central Avenue, and Nebraska Avenue, Additionally, those structures located on cross streets should also be listed/shown including Columbus Drive, Floribraska Avenue, Robles Street, Sparkman Avenue, Palm Avenue, Francis Street, Amelia Avenue, Park Avenue, Ross Avenue, Oak Avenue, and 7th Avenue. Also, the process for property owners to get their property/structures/houses added to the list. 5. A schedule available to property owners for structural testing and monitoring before and during construction. 6. Mitigation plans for structural damage to property and structures due to construction. What is the process? 7. Proposed construction schedule including a time frame, active construction day/evening/night times. 8. FDOT's plan for engaging the neighborhood in the process beyond presentations after decisions are made. This engagement must take place beforehand. 9. Economic development study which includes the impacts to property value within 300 feet of the edge of the interstate structure. The study should include historic market trends, current values, and five-year projected value.

 10. Construction work plan pertaining to the control of air-borne debris associated with construction activities.

 11. Construction phasing/staging plans identifying locations for staging/storing construction materials/equipment, parking for contractor personnel, routes relating to receiving material/equipment deliveries, routes to be used for transporting materials/equipment to the project site. Petitioners, together with the Tampa Heights community, object to this proposed Interstate expansion. We call upon FDOT, the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Staff, TPO Board, and all institutional bodies represented thereon (including Tampa City Council and Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners) to declare a moratorium on the DTI-OSI project so as to allow for a full vetting of FDOT’s plans. This vetting includes, but is not limited to, a thorough study of the information responsive to the above-enumerated items and meaningful, ongoing community engagement. Supporting Links and Resources: Previous Petitions on this matter: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/stop-the-tampa-bay-express

Los habitantes de las viviendas del Barrio La Granja corren graves riesgos para la salud y la seguridad con la acumulación de residuos y escombros. La cantidad de roedores portadores de enfermedades ha aumentado y representa una amenaza para todos, especialmente para los ancianos. Es fundamental que este problema se aborde de inmediato! Geneva, 24 de marzo de 2020 - "Dado que la pandemia de la enfermedad del coronavirus (COVID-19) continúa propagándose y sus impactos en la salud humana y la economía se intensifican día a día, se insta a los gobiernos a que traten la gestión de desechos, incluidos los médicos, domésticos y otros residuos peligrosos, como servicio público urgente e imprescindible para minimizar los posibles impactos secundarios sobre la salud y el medio ambiente ". -UN Environment Programme- https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/waste-management-essential-public-service-fight-beat-covid-19

The current draft is discordant with Prince George’s County's Climate Action Plan. It preserves only 4 out of 102 acres as reserved open space. At a time when it is critically important to preserve and expand our urban forests to help adapt to ongoing climate change, the Sector Plan greenlights zoning changes that could result in the future destruction of Guilford Woods (>1,000 trees) The current plan does not adequately acknowledge the Guilford Run watershed as part of the countywide Green Infrastructure Network. The current plan ignores the recent University of Maryland “pause” of the Western Gateway Project (which would have destroyed Guilford Woods). This project was paused due to an outpouring of community opposition that highlighted the environmental and human health benefits of this urban forest as well as related stream and wildlife habitat. The draft Adelphi Road Sector Plan drastically increases the zoning density of the entire area without regard to the preservation of Guilford Woods. A far more reasonable plan would be to up-zone only the parcels of land along Adelphi Road and Campus Drive up to the Domain apartment complex (at the corner of Campus Drive and Mowatt Lane). This would protect Guilford Woods and Guilford Run stream while still allowing for a significant amount of additional higher-density housing proximate to the Purple Line Station. The poor planning behind the current draft is reflected in the fact that it omits areas north of Campus Drive (including the University of Maryland Global Campus and UMD Lot 1), even though development of both sides of a street is fundamental to good planning. Given the urgency of the climate crisis, we need genuinely sustainably development and smart growth in our county that prioritizes the preservation of our existing forested areas. Let's pause the planning process to make sure that community voices are heard.

Help us protect birds in Boca Chica: Please demand a full-scale, in-depth analysis of SpaceX’s environmental impacts. The SpaceX facility in Boca Chica is surrounded by federal and state public lands used by hundreds of thousands of birds, including the federally Threatened Piping Plover and Red Knot, as well as the Endangered Northern Aplomado Falcon. These lands also support several species of sea turtles and mammals listed under the Endangered Species Act. Despite the area's ecological importance, SpaceX has conducted and expanded operations with little oversight by federal authorities. Construction at the facility, launch activities, fires, and rocket debris are already impacting the wildlife of the Boca Chica region. Rather than minimizing operations to protect this fragile area, SpaceX has increased its scope well beyond what was specified in the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment. This includes testing a new rocket — a massive 400-foot-tall ship — that is much larger than originally authorized. It also includes development of a natural gas facility to extract and deliver fuel to the site. Over 14,000 acres of federal and state public lands have already been affected by the SpaceX facility — and much more is at risk if we don’t raise our voices now.

The Subway restaurant is a favorite of millions of people in many countries, and that is great. Unfortunately, however, Subway is also a major contributor to the plastics pollution that is inflicting harm to countless wildlife around the globe. More specifically, the single-use plastic bags that Subway places its sandwiches in and hands them to all its customers are a major contributing factor to the ever-increasing plastics pollution that is harming wildlife. Here are the mind-boggling statistics: Subway sells over 7,000,000 sandwiches every day of operation, which adds up to over 2.5 billion single-use plastic bags dispensed by Subway into the environment every single year (https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/280957). True, plastic bags are technically recyclable, but hardly any of them get recycled, and thus nearly all of them end up in landfills or float around in the environment, with devastating consequences for wildlife. For example, it is estimated that over a million seabirds alone are killed by plastic pollution each year (UNESCO.org). Of course, Subway is not the only company who dispenses plastic bags into the environment. Unfortunately, there are many companies that do the same. However, we are hoping that Subway will take the lead on this worthwhile goal of ending the practice of dumping hundreds of billions of pieces of plastics into our fragile environment every single year. There are two alternative steps that Subway could take to ameliorate this problem: A) The best alternative would be for Subway to do away with the use of plastic bags all together and instead use paper bags to place its sandwiches in before handing them to the customers. Paper bags may not be as versatile as plastic bags for such uses, but in terms of versatility of use, paper bags represent an acceptable alternative, an alternative for which the benefits to life far outweigh its disadvantage of lesser versatility. Also, although paper bags have a higher initial cost to the environment in the production process than paper bags, there is no arguing that plastics disposed in the environment have a much more harmful effect on wildlife than disposed paper bags. B) Offer Subway customers choices: a) No bag at all (especially for customers who will eat inside Subway restaurants); b) a paper bag; or c) a plastic bag (the currently used one). Currently, Subway restaurants automatically place sandwiches in plastic bags without even asking customers if they want one or not. We hope that if customers are asked and given options other than plastic bags, they will opt for the better alternatives. Let us ask Mr. Chidsey, the CEO of Subway restaurants, to take the minimal steps outlined above and reduce the harm that Subway plastic bags inflict on wildlife. Please take a moment to sign this petition. Thank you!

Without informing the public, the County is now preparing for extensive aerial spraying to control cheatgrass on Boulder County Open Space natural lands. We, the residents of Boulder County, don’t want our ecosystems and our communities to be exposed to toxic chemicals. The health of the local ecosystem will not be restored with chemicals. Boulder County Open Space natural lands need forward looking ecological restoration to improve the health of the local ecosystem, increase carbon sequestration, and help mitigate the climate crisis. Such restoration will not come from Boulder County Open Space weed managers who focus on the use of chemicals. Boulder County Commissioners need to seek competent restoration advice from ecologically minded practitioners. The use of chemicals to manage cheatgrass is not consistent with Colorado State recommendations. The State correctly categorizes cheatgrass as a List C species for which the goal “will not be to stop the continued spread of these species but to provide additional education, research, and biological control resources to jurisdictions that choose to require management of List C species”. Aerial spraying is no longer a standard activity for grassland management and requires substantial documentation and explanation for such an extreme action, particularly given the state classification of cheatgrass. While cheatgrass is a local nuisance, there is no evidence that it posses a threat to native species in the Colorado Front Range. *Additional resources* Spray to Play — Article from Boulder Weekly: https://www.boulderweekly.com/news/spray-to-play/ Information about Indaziflam from Beyond Pesticides: https://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/Indaziflam%20Fact%20Sheet%202020.pdf Colorado State Weed Management Recommendations: https://ag.colorado.gov/conservation/noxious-weeds/species-id

The more parents and school boards are vigorously demanding self-charged school buses the sooner school bus manufacturers would invest in developing and deploying practical proven self-charged electric school buses.