And here is some good news!  I watched part of this debate today but missed
the votes.
Posted by Jane Clark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2001

CONTACT:
Wendy Balazik, 202-675-2383

SIERRA CLUB LAUDS CONGRESS FOR REJECTING PRESIDENT'S PLANS TO DRILL, MINE
WILDLANDS
Representatives Defend Our Protected National Monuments, Fragile Coastlines
and Other Special Places from Destruction

Washington: The Sierra Club praised Members of the House of Representatives
for voting to protect our National Monuments, coastlines and other special
places from destructive oil drilling and mining.  In votes today on the
U.S. Interior Department budget, the Members rejected President Bush's
plans to open up public lands to destructive development.

"Our national monuments and public wildlands deserve full protection, not
energy exploitation for private profit by the oil and mining industries,"
said Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Americans don't
want oil drills looming off of our beaches or strip mines tearing up our
favorite recreation spots.  We want our National Monuments and wildlife
refuges conserved for their beauty, wildlife and ability to rejuvenate the
soul.  Because these Members voted to block destruction, our children have
a better chance to explore and enjoy America's public lands in their
unspoiled glory."

The House approved a series of amendments to the Department of Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations bill (H.R. 2217) to safeguard these
treasured landscapes from mineral leasing and oil exploration.  In
addition, the bill passed by the House blocked President Bush's request for
funds related to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"We applaud those Representatives who stood up for all Americans and
blocked efforts to destroy our National Monuments and coastlines.
Americans owe a debt of gratitude to Reps. Rahall, Inslee and Jim Davis for
leading this battle to protect our treasured landscapes for our families
and for our future," continued Pope.

Representative Nick Rahall's (D-WV) amendment, which passed by a vote of
242 to 173, protects National Monuments from oil and gas drilling and coal
mining.  The Bush Administration would open these special places to
exploitation, despite public opinion research showing 68% of Americans
oppose drilling in our National Monuments.

Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) introduced an amendment to protect
communities from the environmental threats posed by hardrock mining. The
Bush administration has proposed eliminating a regulation that: protects
drinking water from arsenic, cyanide and mercury pollution caused by
mining; gives land management agencies the power to deny permits for
irresponsible activities; and forces mining companies to pay to clean up
their pollution, rather than shifting their costs to taxpayers. The Inslee
amendment, which ensures that these critical taxpayer and environmental
safeguards are kept in place, passed by a vote of 216 to 194.

Representative Jim Davis (D-FL) introduced an amendment to protect
Florida's coasts from off-shore oil drilling.  The Bush Administration is
moving forward with the controversial leasing program off the Gulf Coast
known as Lease Sale 181 but Rep. Davis' amendment prohibits unpopular and
potentially damaging oil and gas drilling in this area.  It passed by a
vote of 247 to 164.

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