"They are mounting a bigger assault on the environment
and public health than any other administration or the
Gingrich Congress did."
Philip Clapp, National Environmental Trust,
March 21, 2001
For the fifth time in eight days, the Bush Administration weakened environmental
protections and rolled back measures designed to safeguard public health. Last week,
the Bush Administration refused to cut carbon dioxide emissions, postponed rules to
protect 60 million acres of national forest from logging and roadbuilding, and proposed
drilling for oil and gas on all public lands. This week, the Administration has revoked a
new tap water standard for arsenic and refused to implement mining regulations on
public lands.
Bush Administration rollback of drinking water standards for arsenic threatens
American families. Scientists have shown that arsenic can cause several types of
cancer, and any further delay in reducing levels in drinking water places millions of
Americans at risk. A 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences concluded that
the current arsenic standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb) for drinking water "could easily"
result in 1 additional cancer for every 100 people consuming such levels of arsenic.
The United States adopted a 50 ppb standard in 1942 before arsenic was known to
cause cancer. After years of scientific studies, a thorough analysis of the costs to
communities, and a mandate by Congress to develop a new standard, the Clinton
Administration issued a new 10 ppb drinking water standard for arsenic in January
2001, the same level as the European Union and the World Health Organization.
President Bush reverses mining regulations that protect groundwater from
contamination. Today, the Bush Administration blocked the implementation of the
"3809" mining regulations that govern environmental practices of mining companies on
public lands. The regulation, which went into effect on January 20, 2001, requires
mining companies to post adequate cleanup funds before mining begins and protects
groundwater supplies from being contaminated.
Bush Administration fails to protect our national forests. The Bush Administration
announced it would scale back the rules designed to protect 60 million acres of national
forest from logging and roadbuilding. During his confirmation hearings, Attorney
General John Ashcroft promised to defend the roadless forest rules. The Bush
Administration's flip-flop is a dramatic reversal and an example of the growing divide
between the Bush Administration's rhetoric and actions. The Clinton Administration
issued the roadless forest rules after two years of review and public meetings. The
rules were scheduled to take effect on March 13, 2001.
President Bush goes back on his pledge to seek reductions in emissions. During
his campaign, President Bush promised to seek a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
from our nation's power plants. Americans took this pledge and recent statements by
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman as a solemn
commitment to promote environmental protection, recognize the reality of global
warming, and act responsibly with regard to our nation's environmental challenges.
James Watt-style management of our public lands. On February 21, 2001, Interior
Secretary Gale Norton announced that the Bush Administration would not seek to
overturn any of President Clinton's designations of millions of acres of federal land as
national monuments, which are largely off limits to drilling, mining and commercial
activity. On March 13, 2001, however, President Bush negated the statement of his
own Interior Secretary and said he would allow drilling for oil and gas on "all public
lands and there are parts of national monument land where we can explore without
affecting the overall environment."
