From CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/12/23/tongass.log.ap/index.html


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Reversing a Clinton-era policy, the Bush administration on Tuesday opened 300,000 more acres of Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest, to possible logging or other development.

The administration will allow 3 percent of the forest's 9.3 million acres that were put off-limits to road-building by former President Clinton, to have roads built on them and perhaps opened to use by the timber industry. The Tongass comprises 16.8 million acres.

"The people of Alaska benefit," said spokesman Bill Bradshaw of the U.S. Forest Service, part of the Agriculture Department. "What's behind this is the legal challenge by the state. The main point is that it brought a resolution to the Alaska challenge."

It Is Not Enough . . . Yet!
It is not enough for me to know that Earth Day is a Federal recognition of the ideals of preserving our Planet and the diversity of life within her domain. It is not enough that Calendars proclaim April 22, as Earth Day. It is not enough that scattered Communities thought the USA gather to either participate in the Great American Clean-up or to hold informative Festivals. It is not enough for me to see this grand dream of our vigilant forerunners skimmed over with less than energetic devotion. I want more; much, much more, for this Holiday. I want much, much more for our Mother Earth.
I will not be satisfied with this holiday’s status until Hallmark ® has a section devoted to Earth Day cards in every store. The surest way I know for a holiday to survive in the USA is for there it be an economic attachment to that holiday. When our favorite retailers take the time to decorate and set-up displays you know you are dealing with a real event. I will not be satisfied with this holiday’s status until our Elected Officials feel obligated in presenting speeches on the need to remember and honor this day. Is there an elected official out there that does not know the value of a timely speech? When the pressures of political existence are high enough to force a politician to take a stand, which side do you think they will lean towards? Will they support continuing the mindless destruction of our Mother Earth or honoring respecting and preserving her? I will not be satisfied until every employer gives time-off with pay to those employees who want to participate in either a March or Festival, or Clean-up. It will take people power to make the changes needed. When Companies see the benefits to their existence in having their employees support Earth Day, then they will be happy to help support that effort with money. I will not be satisfied until every school system in the USA teaches Earth Day Curriculum.

We planted a tree today. It seems like such a simple thing. Dig a big hole. Mix cow manure with dirt and place in big hole. Remove tree from pot. Place tree in hole. Add more Cow manure and dirt mix to cover. Rake the ground level. Add mulch in an even circle around tree. Take photos.
Magick is often a simple thing in its appearance. This day we did magick. We planted a tree. We took a life that had only known confinement and we set it free. We took a life that had know only the minimal care and love and gave it a family. We took a young life and promised it a future of grand old age. We gave this young life a community, that will honor and cherish it for its gifts. We stood with our new tree, we touched our new tree, and for a moment or two knew our new tree in away that few humans can know a tree. We have a tree in Boone Park Jacksonville. It is our tree, our brother, our child, our family. It will come to know the squirrels and birds who will feed from its branches. It will come to know the children who will play near by. It will know dogs, and joggers, and a myriad of others, but it will always know us as its family. Welcome to your new home Tree, may you experience much joy and happiness.
Soon a brick boarder will honor those who contributed $10.00 or more. An engraving party is being plan, hints of a pool nearby have been whispered. Thus far the names to be engraved are as follows:
Buster
Phoenix Phamily
Jewel Box
Shauna Iannone
Songdancer Design Concepts
Nike Boy
Phoenyx
NE. FL. CUUPS
CAW
I would like to say a special thank you to Native and Uncommon Plants of Jacksonville; Leslie was a great help, and chose for us a wonderful tree. I would also like to thank the City of Jacksonville?s Parks Maintenance Division; working with Marlo was a delight. The biggest thanks goes to everyone who attended Tuesday?s Tree planting, you made it all the more special just by being there; Thank you!
Ackadia

Please Remember to attend the Phoenix Festivals - All World Acres EARTH DAY FESTIVAL
to be held at All World Acres (Plant City) on April 26-27.
This first of what is hoped to be many Festivals in honor of Earth Day is a celebration of our future and FEATURES Presentations by our YOUTHS' ages 6 to 17. Prizes and Ribbons will be awarded to these presenters.
Presentations should focus on an Environmental issue that is of importance or interest to us here in Florida. The presentations will be judged on several criteria including artistic ability, presentation skills, and issue impact, with prizes being awarded in different areas.

In honor of the Nationally designated Earth Day, April 22; several events are being planned. In the City of Jacksonville the City wide: Clean It Up, Green It Up Jacksonville, will be April 5. Local Pagan/Neopagans interested in getting together and clean a site please email me at ackadia@phoenixfestivals.com . Another suggestion for the Jacksonville area is a Tree Planting in a Jacksonville City Park. The rules and regulations for such a project are in hand; pledges of labor or money are being accepted. Tax Deductible Receipts are available on request. The suggested date is April 12, but that has not been finalized. Please add your suggestion or pledges, by email at ackadia@phoenixfestivals.com .

Link to Resources

The primary goal of the Clean Water Act is to eliminate the dumping of pollutants into the nation’s waters and to achieve water quality levels that are safe for swimming and fishing.

We have achieved progress in cleaning up our waterbodies, but over 40% do not meet water quality standards.

While much of the direct pollution (such as discharge pipes) has been addressed, we also need to clean up the pollution that comes from indirect sources (such as large-scale factory farms, big logging companies and sprawl developers).

The Clean Water Act includes a program that will address these indirect sources of pollution, a water clean-up program called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).

The Bush Administration, under pressure from polluters, is working to re-write the TMDL program and weaken the Clean Water Act.