Republican Environmentalist: adopt a bike path, plant a tree!

["Mark Robinowitz" <mrobinowitz@igc.apc.org>]

The House Republicans are worried that their efforts to rewrite 25 years
of environmental legislation have made themselves look "anti-environment."
The following 8-page memorandum was issued Oct. 17 from the House
Republican Conference to Members of the House GOP.  It's unintentionally
very funny, and an extremely cynical attempt to green-wash the most
anti-environmental Congress of the twentieth century.  (Adopt a bike path
or a highway, plant trees, etc. while speed limits are abolished and
the national forests are clearcut for giant corporations who contribute
lavish campaign funds ...)

To be fair, virtually nothing Clinton or Gore has done re: the environment
has been more substantial than the greenwash outlined in this very
cynical memorandum.  Nearly every environmental promise made by Clinton
and Gore has been broken, and none of the recommendations in Gore's
presumably ghost-written book "Earth in the Balance" have been pushed,
to put it politely.

Mark Robinowitz

________________________________________________________________________


"Think Globally, Act Locally"

A pro-active, pro-environment agenda for House Republicans

October 17, 1995

[title page has a LARGE recycling logo on it]



Introduction


As we all know, the environmentalist lobby and their extremis friends in
the eco-terrorist underworld have been working overtime to define
Republicans and their agenda as anti-environment, pro-polluter and hostile
to the survival of every cuddly critter roaming God's green earth.

While we all know that this characterization of Republicans is far from
true, it will continue to be the drumbeat message of the left for as long
as it helps them a) grab headlines, b) write fundraising letters, and c)
energize people who consider themselves pro-environment.

The new Republican Congress is committee to updating [sic] environmental
legislation written in the 1960s and 1970s to better address the problems
of the 1990s and for the century to come.  As we move this agenda based
on sound science, results and real clean-up, better use of tax dollars,
respect for property rights, and less reliance on lawyers, the
establishment environmentalist community in Washington has begun its own
fear campaign to preserve the status quo they make a living from.

Although Republicans and the vast majority of the American people believe
you can't have a strong economy without a strong environment, and you
can't have a strong environment without a strong economy, the extremist
environmental movement will stop at nothing to distort the facts, lie
about our legislative agenda, and paint you and your fellow Republicans as
the insensitive extremists in this fight.  And while we will never satisfy
the most extreme in the environmental movement, to many in our growing
Republican majority -- especially suburban women and young people -- the
environment is an important issue.

In addition to the legislative battle the Conference will help you fight,
and win, here in Washington to bring common sense reforms to environmental
legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, Superfund, and Clean Water
legislationn, there are very real and very effective steps you can take in
your districts to help further insulate yourself from the attacks of the
green extremists.

As we are "thinking globally" about how to improve our nation's
environmental laws here in Congress, the steps listed below will help you
to "act locally" and get involved in your districts on the side of a
cleaner environment.

By taking some time to get involved in a variety of pro-environmental
projects in your communities, you can go over the heads of the elitist
environment movement and work directly with the people who care most about
the environment in your communities -- your constituents.

The time to act is now.  In order to build credibility you must engage
this agenda before your opponents can label your efforts "craven, election
year gimmicks." [sounds pretty accurate to me!]  Remember, as a famous
frog once said, "it ain't easy being green;" your consitutents will give
you more creidt for showing up on a Saturday to help clean up the local
park or beach than they will give a press release from some
Washington-based special interest group.

Think of this way, the next time Bruce Babbit [sic] comes to your district
and canoes down a river as a media stunt to tell the press how
anti-environment their congressman is, if reporters have been to your
boss' adopt-a-highway clean-up, two of his tree plantings, and his
Congressional Task Force on Conservation hearings, they'll just laugh
Babbit back to Washington.



Action Items:

I.  Tree Planting

Whether sponsoring tree planting programs in your district or
participating in ongoing tree planting programs, this exercise provides
Members with excellent earned media opportunities.  When participating n
tree planting programs you shoudl include both children and seniors.  In
addition, while it is important to discuss the positive environmental
aspects of planting trees, don't forget the symbolism that trees represent
-- ie. roots in the community, family and district.

Tree planting can occur at schools, parks, public buildings, and even
senior centers. If the Member plans on sponsoring his/her own tree
planting program, consider contacting local nurseries who may donate
trees for the cause.  (Contact the ethics committee prior to undertaking
this activity)

[ed:  In July, the Congress passed the worst piece of legislation ever
written for national forests, that mandates massive logging, including of
thousand year old trees, under the guise of "salvage" even though many of
the sales were of perfectly healthy trees.  The "Resources" committee is
now staffed with former timber industry lobbyists. But if some trees are
planted in front of a tv camera, all that is unimportant, I guess. At the
Montgomery County, MD "Resource Recovery Facility" (garbage burner) open
house day on Nov. 4, free trees were being given out at the end of the
tour of the incinerator, but they were blue spruces native to the
highlands of Colorado, not native trees of Maryland.  They look nice but
are inappropriate to plant here.]

II.  Special Environmental Days - Earth Day & Arbor Day

During the year there are at least two days when the "environment" is a 
major news story

     Earth Day - usually third week in April
     Arbor Day - proposed in 1996 for April 26th 
           [ed: 4/26/96 is the tenth anniversary of Chernobyl]

During these special environmental days, chances are good that the media
will be writing an Earth Day or an Arbor Day story.  In addition, chances
are also good that somewhere in your district there will be a group
sponsoring an event.  Plan on participating in these events, or at a
minimum, plan on releasing a statement of support.  In your statement of
support, make sure to include your positive environmental activities.

[ed:  they forgot to suggest that this "statement" should state "printed
on recycled paper," whether or not it is true]

III.  Adopt a Highway, Walking Trail or Bike Path

While traveling your district, you will no doubt come across "Adopt a
Highway" signs. This is an excellent program that embodies the Republican
philosophy of volunteerism. To participate in this program you should
contact your state, county road commission, or local roadway authorities.

In addition to participating in an "Adopt a Highway" program, you may
also want to participate or initiate an "Adopt a Walking Trail" program
or "Adopt a Bike Path" program.  For these types of programs you should
contact your local, county or state parks authorities.

[ed:  the Republicans have fought against bike components to the highway
bill, esp. Mr. Tom DeLay, R-Oil, and just passed a massive highway
construction appropriation that removes speed limits, metric signs,
billboard prohibitions, etc.]

Once you decide to participate in any of these programs, make sure to
announce your participation at the site.  Stress community involvement in
your remarks and have plenty of supporters on site at the press
conference.

[ed:  I'd love to see some Republicans bike to their press conference!]

IV.  Environmental Companies

Environmental high-tech "clean up related" companies or companies that
produce products from recycled materials are among the fastest growing
industries in America.  Through your local Chamber of Commerce or National
Federation of Independent Businesses, do some investigative work to seek
out environmental related companies in your district. If you have an
environmental company in your district, contact the facility and arrange
for a tour.

During the tour be sure to invite the media to participate (make sure you
receive permission from the facility).  Become briefed on the company's
mission and offer your support.  Chances are, the company will be happy
to participate in this earned media opportunity which offers them positive
media coverage.


V.  Start a Conservation Task Force

One of the best ways to keep informed regarding local environmental
issues is to organize a local conservation task force in your district. 
In addition to keeping you informed on local environmental issues, this
group can also assist you in developing an environmental legislative
agenda.  To set up such a group invite local environmentalists and
sportsmen to join.  Groups to contact include:  garden club members, 4H
representatives, Ducks Unlimited members, Audobon members, and other
local or grass-roots organizations that are sympathetic to your common
sense environmental agenda.

[ed:  interesting that groups working on habitat protection, zero
discharge of persistent toxic substances and corporate accountability are
not welcome at Republican environmental events]

VI.  Local Conservation Groups and Boards

What types of environmental groups are already active in your district? 
Look for zoo boards, garden clubs, or other community conservation /
environmental groups in your district. Become an active board member where
possible.

VII.  Local School Participation

Many school curriculums include environmental issues or offer special
environmental programs. Find out which schools offer these programs and
become a guest lecturer.  In your lecture be prepared to offer
congressional environmental action highlights as well as a reaffirmation
of your commitment to a clean environment.

VIII.  Constituent Letter Data Base

Undoubtedly, your office has received environment related constituent
letters.  Hopefully, you have coded these letters in your data base. 
These are constituents who care enough about the environment to take the
time to write you and in many cases will appreciate updates from you
concerning your environmental agenda.  These are also the same people
that you can ask to participate in your conservation task force.

IX.  Using Recycled Materials & Initiating a Recycling Program in Office

One of the best ways to show your concern about the environment is to
lead by example.  One way to show this is to announce an office policy
which includes purchasing recycled materials and initiating a recycling
program in your local office.  When announcing this new office policy be
sure to include local environmentalists who will praise your actions.  

[if you can find any!!!]


X.  Recycling Facilities in District

Many municipalities and counties have ongoing recycling programs.   Seek
out those who have these programs and tour the facility or drop off area. 
If they don't currently have recycling programs, you might want to head up
a task force with local officials to implement a municipal or county wide
program.

XI.  Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award

Through his conservation efforts President Teddy Roosevelt is probably
known as the Republicans' most famous environmentalist.  Using his name,
consider establishing a yearly "Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Award" for
someone in your district whose achievements exemplify President
Roosevelt's conservation commitment.  You can even recognize several
award winners by establishing a youth award, a senior award, or a local
business conservation award.

Be sure to contact your local media when you establish the award and when
you award the winner. To facilitate the process of identifying potential
winners, you can involve your local conservation task force and local
schools in the decision process.

XII.  Environmental PSA's

Members of Congress are important leaders.  As such it is both
appropriate and encouraged that you speak out on local environmental
issues through the use of public service announcements (PSAs).

Suggested environmental PSAs could include:

      Proper battery disposal [what about only using rechargeables?]
      Encouraging recycling at home [what about industries?]
      Proper motor oil disposal when changing your car's oil
         [most "recycling" of oil is burning it in a cement kiln to 
         recover its heat value, a loophole inserted by Republicans around 
         1984 to open up a new incineration industry
         [The largest cement kiln incinerator, Lafarge Cement, had Hillary
         Rodham Clinton on their Board of Directors until 1992, 
         she was paid $30 K a year.]
      
      Encouraging respect for nature when camping or hunting
      Keeping lakes, rivers, and beaches clean by putting garbage in its place 
         [what about preventing garbage by avoiding disposable products?]

These PSAs can air on both radio and cable stations.  To produce a PSA
first contact your local radio and cable stations to inquire if they will
run your PSA.  When producing PSAs you can use studios at the radio and
cable station or you can use the House Recording Studio.

XIII.  Door to Door - Handing Out Tree Saplings

If your current plans include door to door, consider passing out tree
saplings with your door to door pamplet.  Some Members even design the
pamphlet so that it is attached to the tree sapling.

This practice demonstrates your commitment to the environment by
encouraging the planting of trees and it provides you with an opportunity
to use appropriate language tying your legislative agenda to the "roots"
you are establishing or growing in your community.

XIV.  River, Lake, Beach or Park Clean Ups

Through your conservation task force or through already established
organizations, consider participating in local river, lake, beach or park
clean ups.  Participating in these events will provide you with an
opportunity to gain positive media exposure and further demonstrates your
commitment to the environment.

XV.  Local Zoo

Become active in your local zoo.  Go for a visit, participate in
fundraising events, become active on its citizens advisory board, or help
create enthusiasm for special projects it might be promoting.


Conclusion

Remember, the environment must be a proactive issue.  Congressional staff
in both the Washington office and the district office need to concentrate
on seeking out environmental opportunities for their boss.  Republicans
shoudl not be afraid of the environmental extremists -- embrace our
record and act to promote it.



Enclosures:

*    Issue Brief: Superfund Reform - Pro-Environment, Pro-Public Health
*    Information on the EPA from the Columbus Day recess packet 
*    Talking Points:  Clean Water Act

Additional Resources:

The Committee on Resources has information packets on the Endangered 
Species Act







__________________________________________________________________________
Mark Robinowitz * 209 Spring Avenue * Takoma Park, MD 20912 * 301 270-0857
mrobinowitz@igc.apc.org * use recycled content, non chlorine bleached paper
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (mountain bike)  "Modern industrial civilization is colliding violently
   __o       /\     with our planet's ecological system.  We must make
   \<,     /\  \    the rescue of the environment the central 
 - /(*)   /  \  /\  organizing principle for civilization." 
(*)      /     /  \             -- Al Gore, "Earth in the Balance"      
"Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul." -- Ed Abbey   
 - - - - - - - - paving moratorium: no more roads! - - - - - - - - - -
  "When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are
  considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, 
  materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered ...
  A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military 
  defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."
  -- "A Time to Break Silence," Martin Luther King, Jr., April 4, 1967
_________________________________________________________________________