EARTHJUSTICE E BRIEF FEB 2010

Lots of interesting articles in this e mail newsletter, click the header to go to the actual newsletter to read more on each article or participate in actions.

Household Cleaners—A Dirty Secret. Earthjustice attorney Keri Powell stumbled onto a forgotten law that could unlock the mystery of what's in household cleaners—do they cause asthma, nerve damage and other health effects? She's using the law in court to make manufacturers reveal the ingredients, says Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen. Read More

Historic Agreement Saves Dazzling Flathead Valley.
An agreement to preserve Canada's remarkable Flathead Valley is having a domino effect in Montana, whose two U.S. senators are now promising legislation to keep federal lands adjacent to the valley free from mining, oil, gas development and coalbed gas extraction. More
"Today's agreement recognizes that nature has no national boundaries."—Conservationist comment on Flathead Valley agreement.


Political Move Threatens Salmon and Jobs.
Tens of thousands of jobs linked to the decline of West Coast salmon have been lost—but big agricultural interests in California are stepping up political efforts that may permanently extinguish salmon runs and the industry they support.


Help Us Protect Public Health From
Toxic Cleaners!Donate now.Earthjustice has gone to court to force chemical companies to come clean about toxics in their household cleaners. Help support our work to protect public health.

In the win column Advances won by Earthjustice and its allies:

Cement Maker To Cut Air Pollution.
After spending a decade in court to reduce air pollution from the nation's cement kilns, Earthjustice cheered news that one of the leading cement manufacturers will cut air pollutants at each of its 13 plants and pay a $5 million fine. Read More
The Stew Around the world of Earthjustice:

Living In A Toxic Cloud Zone.
Snow is still on the ground in many areas of the country. But here at Earthjustice we're already thinking ahead to the next growing season—and trying to make sure EPA does something about the poisonous pesticides that drift from fields and orchards and into the places where rural kids live, learn, and play. Join us in taking action! EPA is listening but we've only got until March 5 to make our voices heard. Read More | Take Action

American Pika.Earthjustice Stands
By Tiny PikaThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has abandoned the climate-change-imperiled pika, but not Earthjustice. After the agency refused to give Endangered Species Act protections to the tiny animal, Earthjustice attorney Greg Loarie said a lawsuit challenging the decision is likely. Read More


EPA Announces Coal Ash Rules.
Nearly 15,000 Earthjustice supporters flooded the EPA with demands to quit stalling on coal ash regulations. So many people called the White House that an operator wondered if a radio station was pushing the issue. Now, the EPA says it will announce the rules in April. Read More

Saving Salmon Runs From Runoff
Toxic storm water runoff from buildings, parking lots and streets in the Pacific Northwest is being addressed by Earthjustice because of the harm wrought on salmon streams and rivers. Read what we are doing in Washington State to get counties and even the state highway department to capture and treat the polluted water. Read More and More

Idaho Forests Suffer Off-Road BlitzIdaho's national forest lands are being torn up because of an explosion in off-road vehicle numbers and weak oversight by the U.S. Forest Service. Alarmed by the onslaught , Earthjustice is suing to force the agency to set reasonable limits on motorized traffic. More