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Headline
News
for the week ending July 18, 2003 |
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CLICK
ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE
News
Stories Posted 7-17-03:
Strike
two for Rep. Pearce
Fair
Trade Federation joins suit against U.S. Customs
BioShield
initiative to help protect America, says Pearce
Bursum
Road temporarily closed due to Spruce Fire
Gila
National Forest Fire Update
News
Stories Posted 7-14-03:
Mescalero
& Isleta judgment worked
into Interior money bill
New
ad highlights Pearce's
vote to dismantle Medicare
Domenici
secures $2.84M to help low-income
workers get to jobs
Turnbo
Fire Fact Sheet
News
Stories Posted 7-11-03:
Pearce
& Wilson team
up for NM’s water
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…Sun-up
through the haze
The
sun comes up through the thick of haze – or smoke from the Gila National
Forest fires – over Truth or Consequences, NM, with prickly pear cacti
ready to catch some rays.
DJ
photo by Bill Johnson
(posted
7-14-03)
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Strike
two for Rep. Pearce
Pearce
& House Republicans swing
&
miss again for NM’s working families
WASHINGTON,
DC – U.S. Representative Steve Pearce (NM-02) on Wednesday voted for the
second time against legislation passed by the Senate to provide immediate
child tax credit relief for working and military families.
Unlike
the Senate bill, which passed 94 to 2 in June and was fully paid for,
Pearce and House Republicans remain wedded to a plan that overwhelmingly
benefits the wealthiest people and, further, spends $82 billion from
Social Security.
"If
Rep. Pearce was truly concerned about hard-working families in New Mexico,
he'd vote to provide them with an immediate tax break," said Kori
Bernards, communication’s director of the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee in Washington, DC.
"This
is Rep. Pearce's second time up at bat on this issue and twice he has
struck out for his constituents. In next year's election, voters may call
three strikes - you're out, Rep. Pearce," Bernards said.
House
Democrats and a handful of Republicans Wednesday again tried to take up
the Senate legislation, supported by the White House, that would expand
the child tax credit by $400 for 6.5 million working families left out of
the tax bill enacted in May.
That
bill was especially inadequate for military families and veterans, denying
the child credit to 200,000 military families, according to Bernards.
Both
of New Mexico's Senators, Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici, voted
for the Senate's child tax credit bill in June.
However,
instead of allowing that bill to become law, Pearce voted with his leaders
for a different and more egregious bill that is unlikely to ever become
law.
On
Wednesday, Pearce, again voted to deny families in his district a needed
tax break, Bernards said.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-17-03)
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Fair
Trade Federation joins
suit
against U.S. Customs
Evidence
of cocoa farmers
using
forced child labor
overlooked
by U.S. government
The Fair Trade
Federation, along with the International Labor Rights Fund and Global
Exchange, has filed a lawsuit against the United States Customs Office for
neglecting to investigate allegations of cocoa farmers using forced child
labor.
The suit claims that
cocoa entering the United States is being produced by forced child labor
in Cote d'Ivoire, in violation of U.S. regulations designed to prevent
products made under such conditions from entering the country.
Chris O'Brien, Associate
Director of the Fair Trade Federation, said, "In violation of
existing laws, there are U.S. companies who are benefiting from the
enslavement of children in the cocoa industry. Fair Trade is an existing
and viable solution to exploitative labor practices like these."
The Fair Trade Federation
and its members are committed to fair wages, cooperative workplaces,
consumer education, environmental sustainability, financial and technical
support for producers, respect for cultural identity, and public
accountability in their trading relationships.
The cocoa industry relies
on about 14 million workers around the world in the annual production of
over six billion pounds of cocoa, the basic ingredient in chocolate.
During the last five
years, chocolate prices have plummeted with only short-term recoveries,
but leaving producers with income that can't cover their costs of
production or provide for a decent standard of living.
According to the
International Labor Organization and UNICEF, these low prices have
resulted in the enslavement of thousands of children for the production of
cocoa in West Africa.
The Fair Trade Federation
promotes fair trade cocoa products, like chocolate and hot cocoa, as an
antidote to this distressing trend.
The Fair Trade Labeling
Organization International (FLO) has established a fair trade
certification system for cocoa that guarantees cocoa farmers a minimum
price of $1,600 per metric ton of cocoa, plus a fair trade 'social
premium' and an additional premium for organic cocoa.
The certification ensures
respectful prices for cocoa beans, trading and financial transparency,
democratic practices and special opportunities for women, environmentally
sustainable practices, public accountability, long-term trade
relationships, and healthy and safe working conditions.
"Buying fair trade
chocolate provides adequate incomes for the producer and peace of mind for
the consumer," O'Brien said.
Several companies are now
offering fair trade certified cocoa and chocolate as a just alternative to
conventional products.
The Day Chocolate
Company, one third owned by the farmers who cultivate the cocoa, has led
the industry as an example of farmers directly participating in the trade
of their goods.
Pauline Tiffen of the Day
Chocolate Co. said, "We recognize that what goes into a chocolate bar
is far from visible to the consumer, even the concerned consumer. Our
company prides itself in delivering chocolate to consumers that guarantees
full participation by the cocoa farmers in all aspects of the companies
work and activities, decent returns for producing great quality cocoa
while protecting the environment and peace of mind for both producer and
customer."
The Day Chocolate
Company's milk and gourmet Divine Chocolate bars are distributed in the
U.S. through SERRV International <www.serrv.org>.
Background on the Fair
Trade Federation (FTF) is an association of fair trade wholesalers,
retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair
prices and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged
artisans and farmers worldwide.
FTF directly links
low-income producers with consumer markets and educates consumers about
the importance of purchasing fairly traded products which support living
wages and safe and healthy conditions for workers in the developing world.
FTF also acts as a
clearinghouse for information on fair trade and provides resources and
networking opportunities for its members. By adhering to social criteria
and environmental principles, fair trade organizations foster a more
equitable and sustainable system of production and trade that benefits
people and their communities.
For a list of Fair Trade
Federation member companies, and additional information about fair trade,
visit www.fairtradefederation.org.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-17-03)
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BioShield
initiative to help
protect
America, says Pearce
WASHINGTON,
DC - The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that
Congressman Steve Pearce believes will help keep America safe from future
threats to our national security: President Bush's "Project BioShield"
initiative.
Project
BioShield is a comprehensive program to research, develop, and acquire
vaccines, drugs and countermeasures to protect Americans from terrorism.
The
initiative will streamline government-sponsored research of biological,
chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons and medicines to combat their
effects. In addition, it will authorize a special reserve fund to purchase
enough of those countermeasures to respond to catastrophic terrorist
attacks.
"Project
BioShield is another way to protect America and is critically important
for our national security. This initiative shows our determination and
commitment to protect our homeland and the lives of our fellow citizens.
By passing this legislation we are demonstrating that this President, this
Administration and this Congress are taking active steps to protect
America's future from any new dangers," Pearce said.
Pearce
said the BioShield Initiative does three major things:
·
First, the bill provides
increased flexibility in a range of areas - from government contracting
rules and scientific peer review to personnel matters - in order to speed
up government-sponsored research and development into these deadly agents.
·
Second, it creates a special
reserve fund of money and authorizes advance funding for the government's
purchase of those countermeasures that ultimately are developed in
response to the President's call. This House has already provided
multi-year funding for the Project Bioshield Program - consistent with
congressional authorizations and the caps provided by the House Budget
resolution - up to $5.6 billion over the next 10 years.
·
Finally, the bill provides new
authority to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to authorize, in
times of emergency, the use of unapproved products whose benefits in
treating or preventing infection outweigh risks
"President
Bush and this Congress will work to ensure America remains on the offense.
Thanks to President Bush, vulnerabilities have been identified and
addressed. Our nation is safer, stronger, and better prepared to meet the
next threat, wherever it may emerge," Pearce said.
<<<
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(posted
7-17-03)
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Bursum
Road temporarily
closed
due to Spruce Fire
July
16, 2003
Due to fire activity near
the area of Mogollon and the west side of the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
Highway 159 (Bursum Road) has been temporarily closed.
Local access to Mogollon
is allowed. Visitors can get to Willow Creek and Snow Lake Campgrounds by
going through Reserve, NM, and taking Forest Road 141.
Action is currently being
taken to protect the town of Mogollon.
The Spruce Complex, a
combination of four fires burning in the Glenwood Ranger District, has
been turned over to Van Bateman’s Type II Fire Team. The fires are
burning in Ponderosa Pine, mixed conifer and brush.
The Glenwood Ranger
District has implemented a closure on many of the Wilderness trails that
lead into the fire area.
For specific trail
closures please contact the Glenwood District Office.
These closures do not affect the Catwalk National Recreation Area.
Call the Glenwood Ranger
District for current trail information at 505-539-2481.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-17-03)
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Gila
National Forest Fire Update
July
15, 2003
The
Gila National Forest continues to manage the Dry Lake Fire Use Complex
while also maintaining initial attack resources in case any new starts
occur.
Afternoon
thunderstorms over the past few days have produced new fire starts on the
forest. One set of four recent fire starts, which are all burning in
steep, rugged terrain have been declared a separate fire complex.
The
following is a wrap-up of prescribed wildland Fire Use activity and other
fires currently occurring on the Gila as of today:
Dry
Lake Fire Use Complex
The
Dry Lake Fire Use Complex (comprised of the Dry Lake, Moonshine, Granny,
Sycamore and Turnbo fires) within the Gila Wilderness Area, which now
totals an estimated 92,200 acres, has shown variable activity over the
past several days. Once again Monday, scattered thunderstorms with
associated erratic winds and variable amounts of precipitation, affected
the fire complex area. The portion of the Dry Lake Fire which has moved
beyond the predetermined management boundary has been designated as the
Turnbo Fire, and further spread on the Dry Lake Fire will be managed for
suppression. The Moonshine and Granny Fires continue to be managed for
long-term resource benefits, including dead and downed fuel reduction,
enhancing wildlife habitat, increasing the opportunity for low intensity
fires to play a natural role in wilderness, and minimizing future threats
to firefighters.
Other
Fires
The
four fires mentioned above, the Spruce (estimated at from 800 to 1,200
acres), the Parallel (about 25 acres), the Silver (approximately 10 acres)
and the Nabours ( 2½ acres) are each burning in steep, rocky terrain on
the Glenwood District, and a Type 2 team has been called in to manage
those fires as a complex. All four fires are burning in conditions which
are not safe for direct attack by ground forces at this time, and the
management team is in the process of devising a plan for suppressing these
fires. The Spruce and Nabours fires are located in the Gila Wilderness
Area while the Silver and Parallel fires are also burning in remote,
inaccessible terrain about a half-mile apart, three to four miles east of
the small town of Mogollon.
Several
other lightning caused fires have been detected and managed on the Gila NF
over the past several days The Divide Fire, estimated to be about 900
acres, was 40% contained Monday morning. A dozer and crews are working the
fire, which is located on the Reserve Ranger District northeast of John
Kerr Peak.
Other
fires burning on the Gila include the White Fire (controlled at 22 acres
at 6 p.m. Monday) and the School Fire (108 acres, nearing containment
Tuesday morning).
The
Goat 2 Fire, which was listed as the Goat Fire previously when it was
still a candidate for Fire Use, is now being managed for suppression and
is in the mop-up phase. Located approximately 7 miles southwest of
Glenwood, the fire is listed at 1,800 acres.
The
Gila NF dispatch office reported that several other fires over a
widespread area were discovered as the result of the recent lightning
storms (31 fires have been reported in the last 4 days), and that the
office has been busy responding with initial attack to those incidents.
Gila officials maintain initial attack resources in the event that
additional holdover fires, or new starts should occur.
<<<
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(posted
7-17-03)
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Dry
Lake Fire Use Complex Fact Sheet
July
16, 2003
FIRE
NAME:
Dry Lake Fire Use Complex (Dry Lake, Turnbo, Moonshine and Granny
Fires)
CAUSE:
Lightning
SIZE:
The Dry Lake Complex
totals about 93,300 acres.
LOCATION:
These four fires are
located in the Gila Wilderness. The Dry Lake, Turnbo and Granny Fires are
about 1 to 3 miles southwest of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and about 27
miles northwest of Silver City. The
Moonshine Fire is roughly 3 miles southwest of Snow Lake.
RESOURCE
BENEFITS: The Dry Lake Fire is
being managed as a suppression fire under a confine tactic.
The portion exceeding the wildland fire use boundary is called
the Turnbo Fire. The remainder
of the complex, the Moonshine and Granny fires, are being managed for
resource benefit. Long-term resource benefits include: reducing dead and
down fuels, enhancing wildlife habitat, minimizing future threats to
firefighters, and restoring low intensity fires to the wilderness.
FUELS:
The Dry Lake and Turnbo
Fires are burning in heavy
brush, ponderosa pine and mixed conifer. The Moonshine Fire is burning in
the area of the 1997 Lilly Fire. Since
this area was burned before, flammable material within the old Lilly Fire
boundary is lighter. The area
includes small patches of downed dead trees, open forest, and small
patches of brush on steep slopes. The Granny Fire is burning near the
southern edge of the 2000 Bloodgood Fire in manzanita and open ponderosa
pine.
SUMMARY
OF ACTIVITY:
The Dry Lake Complex is
still active on the northwest and southeast sides.
It continues to spread to the east and west above the breaks along
the south side of the West Fork Gila River, north, in the area between
Turnbo Canyon and McKenna Park, and south through Little Turkey Park.
Moonshine will continue to spread south and east above the breaks along
the north side of the West Fork Gila River. The Granny Fire is still
burning, with the northern border being the most active.
TRAIL
CLOSURES:
An area closure is in effect which largely affects the Gila
Wilderness area. The area and
trails around the fires are closed in order to ensure public safety.
Call 505-388-8416 for detailed information.
CONCERNS:
Firefighters, aviation, smoke, and public safety; Threatened and
Endangered Species habitat: Mexican Spotted Owl, Gila Trout, Gila Chub,
Mexican Wolf, Spikedace, Chiricahua Leopard Frog and Loach Minnow; New
Mexico Fish and Game cabin.
RESOURCES:
Dick
Rath’s
Northern Rockies Interagency
Fire Use Management Team is managing these fires.
Resources assigned are: two helicopters, eight fire use module
crews, and the management team. There
were 101 total personnel assigned to the fire Tuesday from USDA Forest
Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
National Park Service, and U. S. Geological Survey.
DRY
LAKE COMPLEX AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS INFORMATION:
505-388-8416
<<<
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(posted
7-17-03)
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Mescalero
& Isleta judgment provisions
worked
into Interior appropriations bill
NM
Senators clear way for payments to tribes
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.
Senators Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman announced Friday their success in
advancing provisions that will give the Interior Department authority to
approve plans by the Isleta Pueblo and the Mescalero Apache Tribe to
distribute settlements funds linked to multi-million dollar breach of
trust claims.
The Senate Appropriations
Committee on Thursday agreed to add an amendment to the FY2004 Interior
Appropriations Bill giving the Interior Department authority to approve
the Mescalero and Isleta distribution plans.
Both Bingaman and
Domenici worked on the amendment to give the Interior Department the
additional authority it needed to act on the plans.
Both New Mexico tribes
have been awarded claims under the Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or
Distribution Act, but additional authority is necessary for the Interior
Department to approve the plans because the original deadline set for the
department has already passed.
Under the amendment
agreed to Thursday, the Interior Department will again be allowed to
approve the plans and submit them to Congress.
Sixty days after the
approved distribution plans are submitted to Congress, the plans become
effective and the funds - $40 million for the Isleta Pueblo and $6 million
to the Mescalero Apache Tribe - can be distributed as outlined in the
plan.
"This action is
necessary if the Interior Department is to finalize its approval process.
The Isleta Pueblo and the Mescalero Apache Tribe have done what they need
to do, and now it will be up to the government to do its part," said
Domenici, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and offered
the amendment on behalf of himself and Bingaman.
"It's absolutely
essential that Congress renew the authority of the Interior Department to
approve the Mescalero and Isleta settlement distribution plans. Without
congressional action these two communities won't be able tap into the
funds that rightfully belong to them," said Bingaman, who took the
lead in drafting the amendment.
By law, the Interior
Department must approve a tribe's plan for the use and distribution of a
settlement award.
In this case, both the
Mescalero and Isleta tribes submitted plans, but agency delays in
approving the plans have exceeded the statutory deadline for the program.
The amendment developed
by Bingaman and Domenici would extend that deadline so the Interior
Department can finalize the settlements with Isleta and Mescalero.
The FY2004 Interior
Appropriations Bill is now cleared for consideration by the full Senate
later this summer.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-14-03)
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New
ad highlights Pearce's
vote
to dismantle Medicare
Rep.
Pearce cast deciding vote
to
pass GOP's sham Rx drug bill
WASHINGTON, DC - The
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) today unveiled a new
television ad running in Albuquerque against U.S. Representative Steve
Pearce (R-NM), who cast the deciding vote in favor of a sham prescription
drug plan that will dismantle Medicare as we know it. [H.R. 1, RV# 332,
6/27/03, Measure passed 216-215]
The Republican plan will
dismantle Medicare by pushing seniors into HMOs. Furthermore, it has huge
gaps in coverage that will leave seniors stuck with massive drug costs; it
provides no guaranteed coverage, leaving rural seniors especially
vulnerable; and it prevents the Secretary of Health & Human Services
from negotiating the best prices for prescription drugs.
The ads are hitting New
Mexico and six other key states around the country, just as seniors are
learning more about the extremely harmful aspects of the House Republican
prescription drug bill.
If any of the eight
Members targeted by the DCCC ads, including Rep. Pearce, had voted
differently, the damaging bill would not have passed.
"Just last year,
Rep. Pearce told voters that he would work for a real prescription drug
benefit, but his vote gave New Mexico seniors nothing but a sham plan that
will dismantle Medicare and doesn't come close alleviating the burden of
drug costs," said DCCC Communications Director Kori Bernards.
"As this issue plays
out on the national stage, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to
educate New Mexico seniors about how the bill Steve Pearce helped pass
won't guarantee seniors an affordable premium or ensure that any drug
coverage will be available in their community if insurance companies
refuse to offer it," Bernards said.
House Republicans, who
have been in the majority for over eight years, have failed to enact a
Medicare prescription benefit while Democrats have fought to put the issue
front and center.
"Seniors who want to
keep their current Medicare and continue seeing their family doctor should
ask Steve Pearce why he voted for a bill that could make those choices
unaffordable," said DCCC Chairman Robert T. Matsui.
"Democrats have
fought long and hard for Medicare and to help seniors pay for their
prescriptions. We have a responsibility to inform seniors about the severe
shortcomings of the Republican drug bill and their plan to dismantle
Medicare," Matsui said.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-14-03)
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Domenici
secures $2.84M to help
low-income
workers get to their jobs
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.
Senator Pete Domenici today reported that the state of New Mexico has
received another $2 million federal grants to provide transit service
across the state to low-income workers who need help getting to their
jobs.
The $2 million was
awarded to the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department
through the federal Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) grant program,
which is administered by the U.S. Transportation Department's Federal
Transit Administration.
Last year, the state
received an award of $2.084 million for this program.
This grant will support
JARC programs in all 33 New Mexico counties, in addition to the purchase
and rehabilitation of vans used to provide the commuter service.
Domenici, serving on the
Senate Appropriations Committee, ensured the FY2003 Transportation
Appropriations Bill included report language calling attention to New
Mexico's application for JARC funding this year.
"This is yet another
program to help the down and out get back on their feet. It gives them one
means of getting to and from their jobs, even if those jobs are in rural
areas," Domenici said.
Job Access Projects
involve new or expanded transportation services such as shuttles,
vanpools, new bus routes, connector services to mass transit, and
guaranteed ride home programs for welfare recipients and low income
persons.
Reverse Commute projects
provide transportation services to suburban employment centers from urban,
rural and other suburban locations for all populations.
<<<
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(posted
7-14-03)
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Turnbo
Fire Fact Sheet
Saturday,
July 12, 2003
FIRE
NAME:
Turnbo
CAUSE:
The Turnbo Fire is a fire that has gone out of the Dry Lake Fire
Use pre-designated boundary.’
SIZE:
The Turnbo Fire is over 800 acres to date and was designated as a
suppression fire on July 11.
LOCATION:
This fire is located in the Gila Wilderness.
FUELS:
The Turnbo Fire is burning in heavy brush, ponderosa pine and mixed
conifer. Smoky conditions were widespread due to the heavy inversion.
SUMMARY
OF ACTIVITY:
Helicopters worked on slowing the spread of fire with buckets drops
with Type I and Type II helicopters. Afternoon thunderstorms reduced fire
activity and created very smoky conditions over the area by late
afternoon. However, little or
no rain fell on the fires with the passage of the cells.
The portion of the Dry Lake Fire that has breeched the
pre-designated boundary was put in suppression status and a Wildland Fire
Situational Analysis is being completed.
TRAIL
CLOSURES:
An area closure is in effect which closes the area and trails
around the fires for public safety. Please
call 505-388-8416 for detailed information.
CONCERNS:
Firefighter, aviation, and public safety; Threatened and Endangered
Species habitat: Mexican Spotted Owl, Gila Trout, Gila Chub, Mexican Wolf,
Spikedace, Chiricahua Leopard Frog and Loach Minnow; New Mexico Fish and
Game cabin.
RESOURCES:
Dick Rath's Northern Rockies Interagency Fire Use Management Team
transitioned with Duncan's Great Basin #1 Interagency Fire Use Management
Team. Rath's team is managing the Turnbo Fire with resources available to
the Dry Lake Fire Use Complex also available to the Turnbo Fire.
TURNBO
FIRE INFORMATION:
505-388-8416
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-14-03)
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Reps.
Pearce & Wilson
team
up for NM’s water
WASHINGTON,
DC - U.S. Representatives Steve Pearce (R-NM) and Heather Wilson (R-NM)
are taking the lead on legislation in the House that is designed to help
conserve New Mexico's water.
The
legislation would require an inquiry into the water-hogging salt cedar
trees that rob many of the state's already parched waterways.
Pearce
introduced the salt cedar bill today with Wilson as an original cosponsor.
Senator Pete Domenici has introduced a similar measure in the Senate.
Salt
cedars, otherwise known as Tamarisk, have been identified as an invasive,
noxious, opportunistic species that sucks desperately needed water at an
average rate of 200 gallons of water per tree, per day from New Mexico's
water supply.
The
legislation directs the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to complete a study
that measures the extent of Salt cedar infestation in the western United
States. This includes a review of on-going research into eradication
techniques, and the launch of three demonstration projects throughout the
West to determine the amount of water that can be saved through salt cedar
control and a strategy for broader implementation.
"The
removal of salt cedars can increase water quantity, improve water and soil
quality, increase wildlife habitat, and increase land values," Pearce
said.
"Tamarisk
is an aggressive species, it takes over much of New Mexico's native
vegetation and it consumes water that we can't afford to lose. We have
enough challenges when it comes to preserving our water," Pearce
said.
"A
few weeks ago, I toured the burned Bosque area with firefighters and
conservation experts. The fire burned hotter and faster because of
non-native trees like the salt cedar. We have to get rid of them,"
Wilson said.
The
legislation authorizes $25 million each year from 2004 through 2007. Each
demonstration project can utilize up to $7 million in available funds, and
would be subject to a non-federal cost share match.
The
bill does not specify the location for the demonstration projects, but
does require them to be paired with existing programs.
There
are federal and state-funded salt cedar projects on the Rio Grande and the
Pecos River in New Mexico and Texas, which should make them high-priority
demonstration sites.
Salt
cedar was introduced in New Mexico in the early 1900s to try to stabilize
stream banks subject to erosion from flooding. Because it is highly
adaptive to both drought and wet conditions, it has spread rapidly over
the past century.
In
addition to consuming large quantities of water, it also exudes salt from
its leaves that contaminates soil and water resources.
<<<
>>>
(posted
7-11-03)
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