Genetically altered plants & seeds have crossed into the natural environment crossing with & disseminating natural crops. Killing off natural species & many varieties of them, yet when these plants are found on a farmers land government has sided with the genetic patent holders & will destroy his crops or fine him into bankruptcy. Genetically altered plants should only be allowed to be grown in contained areas.

The United States Forest Service has planned a massive logging operation located within the community of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, along the banks of the McKenzie River. They kept this project secret for two years to avoid interference from the community. Despite the fact that the project is located within a major watershed, involves critical habitat and the destruction of old growth stands of douglas fir, there was no environmental impact statement submitted. The USFS/ USDA instead prepared a wholly biased environmental assessment, which states that there is habitat at stake, including the spotted owl, however it is unlikely to cause the extinction of any species. It is largely based on rule of thumb, generalizations and past experiences unrelated to this location. The USFS considers the project a done deal and is going ahead despite the objections of many in the community. The residents would like this project stopped until an independent environmental impact statement can be prepared and shared with the public, offering adequate protections to habitat, the community and the all important McKensie River basin (from which the city of Eugene draws it's drinking water). Please see our website at: www.savemckenziebridge.com

A large number of oil companies are moving into MN to begin digging silica sand. This sand is used as a part of the fracking process. MN has a large amount of this sand that is at or close to the surface. Much of these deposits are found along the MN River as well as the Cannon & the MIssissippi Rivers. The problem with this sand is the dust. It is extremely fine & can carry for long distances & is a carcinogen. It causes a disease called Scilicosis(similar to Mesothelioma). Anyone who lives with a few miles of a mine has an extremely high chance of developeing this lung disease. Right now rural counties who have no one qualified to deal with this are being overrun with permit requests. This needs to be handled on a statewide basis. Also these are open pit, involving blasting & haevy truck traffic. One mine is Wisconsin has 550 truck trips a day. Unless we want to turn S.E. MN into West Virgini, WE NEED TO ACT NOW

Citizens in 7 states are fighting the use of chloramine compounds as disinfectants. They have been shown to leach large amounts of lead and copper from piping, causing dangerously high levels in drinking water. Chloramine byproducts are carcinogenic, and have been associated with numerous health problems. Chloramine byproducts are also a danger to the aquatic environment, from drinking water releases.

Fracking releases radioactive solids and gases into the environment. The natural gas produced is contaminated with radioactive elements which are released when burned and can cause lung cancer.

Oil companies have ignored or circumvented laws concerning depleted wells abandoning leaving unsecure open to vandalism, possible fires or explosions. Allowing wells and equipment to deteriorate, develope leaks causing enviromental damage and clean-up of the hazard that could be prevent.

Alternative energy is the future, and those of us who know it, do so to the core of our being. As of now, alternative energy devices and vehicles are cost-prohibitive, and there is a dominant public perception that sticking with the fossil fuel economy is a better bet than investing into our renewable energy future. Solar and wind and EV technology are three technological forces that could change the landscape of this culture, the world, and the way they both operate - given the proper popularity and pricing that made them attractive to typical American consumers, they may "take off" and be a viable force to challenging the hegemony of the oil economy.

The Nebraska legislature is proposing a review of a new route through Nebraska for the Keystone XL Pipeline. Last fall we citizens fought to have the Pipeline out of the Sandhills. Now they want to put it through possibly north central Nebraska.

Our vehicles can be powered with natural gas and we have an ample supply.

The Keystone XL pipleline is projected to run through 71 historically and/or spiritual archaeological sites important to the cultures of many First Nation people. 22 structures are threatened. Yet the voice of these people has been largely ignored, despite the many cases of cancer- even rare forms of cancer- which have been the result of tar sand mines in Canada. Numerous other ecological concerns have been raised, yet President Obama recently announced his support for the construction. This pipeline is something which threatens the remaining pieces of the heritage of America's original inhabitants, people whose ancestors lived here long before the Founding Fathers. Not only that, it threatens the integrity of our rapidly shrinking natural environment, including the 'spirit bears'- black bears born with white fur- and many other ecological factors.

Suncor Refinery in Denver has been leaking black goo into the confluence of the Platte River & Sand Creek at 480 to 2,000 ppb [5ppb = acceptable for drinking water] at least since 2011. Instead of repairing the broken underground pipes all they are doing is blowing bubbles into the water to disperse the contaminants into the air to be inhaled by humans and wildlife instead of fixing the problem.

To prevent pollution that comes from fracking.