1. Farm Bill Aids Polluters, Punishes Family Farmers and the Environment

The gap between large agribusinesses and small family farms is already wide
enough.  Now the House is close to making it even wider, by approving a
farm bill that hands out $73.5 billion in federal subsidies, much of it to
massive agribusinesses with shameful environmental records.

The bill does little to help farmers safeguard wetlands, protect clean
water, and set aside areas for wildlife habitat. It gives billions of
taxpayer dollars to industrial livestock operations to deal with their
animal manure.  For hog factories, that means dumping liquefied manure into
a hole in the ground, causing water pollution, killing fish, and
contaminating drinking water. "Industrial livestock production is an
environmental disaster," said Sierra Club's Ed Hopkins, "and the federal
government shouldn't be funding it."

To see the Sierra Club's response to the Farm Bill, go to
http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0204&L=ce-scnews-releases&D=1&T=0&H=1&O=D&F

&S=&P=3112

If this link does not work for you, click on the link for "Sierra Club
Calls on Congress to Reject Farm Bill Conference Report" at:
http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A1=ind0204&L=ce-scnews-releases



3. Aloha Clean Environment: Hawaii Passes Bottle Bill

Join the club!  Hawaii eased its landfill crisis, created jobs in the
recycling industry, and vastly reduced bottle and can litter in one fell
swoop this week.  It became the 11th state to pass a bottle bill, placing a
nickel deposit on all glass, plastic, and aluminum beverage containers.

Bottle bills have virtually eliminated bottle and can litter wherever
they've been tried.  It's an especially smart move in Hawaii, where the
economy depends on tourism, and therefore a clean environment.  The bill,
which was passed despite intense lobbying from the beverage industry, will
also help protect the safety of the state's beaches, and its unique ocean
ecosystem.  "Hawaii is paradise," said Sierra Club's Jeff Mikulina.  "We
want to keep it that way."

To see the Sierra Club's response to this great news from Hawaii, go to
http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A2=ind0205&L=ce-scnews-releases&D=1&T=0&H=1&O=D&F

&S=&P=196

If this link does not work for you, click on the link for "Sierra Club
Congratulates Hawaii Legislature For Passing Bottle Bill" at:
http://lists.sierraclub.org/SCRIPTS/WA.EXE?A1=ind0205&L=ce-scnews-releases



4. Take Action to Protect Millions of Americans from Nuclear Waste

The Department of Energy wants to transport thousands of tons of highly
radioactive nuclear waste across the country, and dump it at Yucca Mountain
in Nevada.  The shipments would pass through 44 states, exposing millions
of Americans to the risk of a horrific nuclear disaster in the event of an
accident or a terrorist attack.  Act now to help stop this risky scheme.

Congress could vote on this plan as early as next week.  Contact your
representative and urge him or her to oppose the Yucca Mountain nuclear
waste dump plan.  Instead, he or she should support and co-sponsor Rep.
Dennis Kucinich's Nuclear Waste Transportation Amendments Act.

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202 224 3121.  Ask for your representative.
Deliver the message above.  Then click below to send an email directly to
your representative.
http://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=122&st=curr

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To take action on all your favorite Sierra Club issues, please visit:
http://www.sierraclub.org/action



Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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