Mrs.Finsallaround
04-24-2008, 10:56 AM
After more than five years of delay, the House of Representatives will vote today on a bill that could help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. This is the strongest invasive species legislation to ever reach the House floor.
Ships often fill up their tanks with ocean water to balance their loads, picking up and transporting plants and animals with the water. When ships arrive from foreign ports and empty this ballast water, they are potentially introducing thousands of non-native species into our waters. Too many of these species, such as the infamous zebra mussel, spread throughout our nation’s waterways—dramatically altering native ecosystems and causing serious economic harm to industries and communities. “Title V” of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, H.R. 2830, requires that ships treat their ballast water to eliminate aquatic invaders.
You helped prevent passage of considerably weaker bills in each of the last three years. Now, the bill is strong enough to do some good, and we need your help. Call today and urge Representative John Doolittle to vote for the Coast Guard Authorization Act!
Representative Doolittle can be reached at (202) 225-2511.
Help us track the results of this effort to pass the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008. Simply click "Report Back" for some talking points and to let us know you called. Please provide us with more details about how your representative responded. Any information you provide will help us in our efforts to pass the strongest possible bill.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Windle
Senior Scientist
Invasive Species Program
Take Action!
Instructions:
Click here to take action on this issue.
http://ucsaction.org/campaign/4_24_08_House_vote_ballast_water/8ubkbx6r97webdb5?
What's At Stake:
Bush Veto Threat
Citing the ballast water title among its concerns, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 2830). The administration objected in particular to tightened regulations for recreational boats, which the White House thinks would be too burdensome. Some boaters’ concerns are valid, but the House has already promised to address this issue separately.
This bill needs strong support not only to pass but also to withstand the threat of a veto, so call your representative today!
Ships often fill up their tanks with ocean water to balance their loads, picking up and transporting plants and animals with the water. When ships arrive from foreign ports and empty this ballast water, they are potentially introducing thousands of non-native species into our waters. Too many of these species, such as the infamous zebra mussel, spread throughout our nation’s waterways—dramatically altering native ecosystems and causing serious economic harm to industries and communities. “Title V” of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008, H.R. 2830, requires that ships treat their ballast water to eliminate aquatic invaders.
You helped prevent passage of considerably weaker bills in each of the last three years. Now, the bill is strong enough to do some good, and we need your help. Call today and urge Representative John Doolittle to vote for the Coast Guard Authorization Act!
Representative Doolittle can be reached at (202) 225-2511.
Help us track the results of this effort to pass the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008. Simply click "Report Back" for some talking points and to let us know you called. Please provide us with more details about how your representative responded. Any information you provide will help us in our efforts to pass the strongest possible bill.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Windle
Senior Scientist
Invasive Species Program
Take Action!
Instructions:
Click here to take action on this issue.
http://ucsaction.org/campaign/4_24_08_House_vote_ballast_water/8ubkbx6r97webdb5?
What's At Stake:
Bush Veto Threat
Citing the ballast water title among its concerns, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 2830). The administration objected in particular to tightened regulations for recreational boats, which the White House thinks would be too burdensome. Some boaters’ concerns are valid, but the House has already promised to address this issue separately.
This bill needs strong support not only to pass but also to withstand the threat of a veto, so call your representative today!