TRANSFER a publication of the Surface Transportation Policy Project Volume X, Issue 7; July 1, 2004 ********************************************** - Administration Signals Opposition to Certain Environmental Provisions, Seeks Further Weakening of Section 4(f) Standard Among its recommendations on provisions in the pending TEA-21 renewal bills, the Administration signaled opposition to a number of proposals, undermining current NEPA protections for non-transportation interests, most notably resources agencies, and how their responsibilities and roles are threatened by pending proposals, particularly provisions in the Senate-passed bill. To view Secretary Mineta's letter, go to http://www.transact.org/transfer/pdfs/Inhofe.pdf, and for its enclosure visit http://www.transact.org/transfer/pdfs/enclosure.pdf . The Administration also renewed its request for more dramatic changes to current law protections for historic, park, refuge and other resources under Section 4(f). Congress has largely rejected the Administration's broad-based attack on this standard, but the Senate proposal, while providing reasonable protections for historic resources, substantially threatens current Section 4(f) protections for other resources. Responding to pending Congressional proposals on Section 4(f), a broad coalition of national and state park and recreation associations as well as national transportation and environmental organizations recently wrote to the conferees, urging support for House-passed provisions affecting Section 4(f) protections for non-historic resources. To view this letter, go to - http://www.transact.org/transfer/pdfs/4fletter.pdf - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts and other important Sierra Club messages by email at: http://www.sierraclub.org/email