Save the Date! ELPC 2012 Benefit Will Be Nov. 14th
This year's ELPC Benefit will be Nov. 14th in downtown Chicago. Read details here!
ELPC Ranked in Top 10 Highest-Rated Charities in U.S.
Based on ELPC’s Charity Navigator score on financial strength and management, ELPC is being recognized in the media as among “The 10 Highest-Rated Charities in America: 2011.” ELPC is the only environmental group and the only advocacy group on this list. Moreover, ELPC is the only listed group, which is located between the coasts. Read more on MSN Money and Main Street.
ELPC’s Chicago Eco-Office Receives LEED Platinum Certification
ELPC's new green office features natural daylighting, state-of-the-art HVAC controls, low-flow plumbing fixtures, ENERGY STAR appliances, and recycled and locally sourced materials. Learn about our new office.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) is a very special place that covers approximately 1.5 million acres in the northern part of Wisconsin, including numerous rivers and more than 300 species of animals. Its habitat include several endangered and threatened species, such as the Northern goshawk, Red-shouldered hawk and American pine marten. Over the past five years, ELPC has been working in the federal courts to protect the CNNF from excessive logging. Our client, Dr. Dave Zaber, an ecologist at the Habitat Education Center recently joined Air America’s Lee Rayburn to discuss the latest developments of our work there.
Ashland, Wisconsin’s Daily Press highlighted ELPC’s legal work to prevent excessive logging in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. At issue in the article is the Cayuga timber sale, which covers 5,200 acres of forest. In 2005, a Federal Judge ruled in ELPC’s favor that the US Forest Service failed to consider the cumulative impact of the timber sale with other proposed.
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) has been identified as one of the “10 most endangered national forests” in the country and if the cutting rate goes unchecked, the logging in CNNF will result in extinction of key species, harm the state’s growing tourism and hospitality businesses and contribute to increased global warming pollution. We need to restore the ecological balance to Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
CNNF covers approximately 1.5 million acres in the northern part of Wisconsin, including numerous rivers and more than 300 species of animals. The CNNF consists primarily of northern hardwood, mixed conifer, and aspen trees, along with numerous rivers, lakes and other waterways. Its habitat includes several endangered and threatened species, such as the Northern goshawk, Red-shouldered hawk and American pine marten.
ELPC is advocating for Wisconsin leaders to maintain new phosphorus rules that some seek to rescind. These new rules protect the health of Wisconsin’s waters, improving their economic value and ecological health.
Phosphorus fertilizes crops and also fertilizes growth of algae and other weeds, reducing the oxygen necessary for plant and animal growth. Algae blooms kill fish and other aquatic plant and animal species. Phosphorus pollution often results in blue-green algae, a neurotoxin that is harmful to humans and pets, further decreasing the recreational value of lakes and rivers.
Phosphorus pollution can have devastating impacts on our waters and economy both. Wisconsin currently ranks second in the nation in fishing licenses, with the fishing industry creating almost $2.75 billion and 300,000 jobs annually. Phosphorus kills fish by decreasing oxygen and results in ugly, foul- smelling lakes. As phosphorus pollution increases, waterfront property value decreases. A study has shown that for every additional meter of water clarity, property value increases $45.64 per frontage foot. By supporting these new rules, you are helping protect our economy.
Protecting the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
ELPC has taken the lead in fighting to protect one of Wisconsin’s most precious natural resources, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The CNNF has been identified as one of the “10 most endangered national forests” in the nation.
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is working through federal courts to protect this treasured resource. You can hear ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner talk about our efforts to slow the rate of logging in this interview with Milwaukee Public Radio.
The 2007 Farm Bill also will benefit Wisconsin’s burgeoning renewable energy sector. The state recently increased its commitment to clean energy with a a new Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring that 10% of electricity come from renewable energy by 2015. ELPC and Wisconsin allies are now developing plans to use the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP, formerly Section 9006) to realize this goal.
Wisconsin has already benefited greatly from REAP, receiving the third highest amount of grants for any state. Wisconsin farms and rural businesses have received $12 million in grants for 65 projects from 2003-2007. With Wisconsin’s great diary industry, manure digesters have figured prominently, with 34 digester projects funded.
Wisconsin is very close to passing strong new state standards to reduce phosphorus pollution into Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and streams. The new standards, which have passed all of the required legislative reviews and are now awaiting the governor’s certification and publishing, would limit the amount of phosphorus pollution from the largest sources: farms, factories and sewage treatment plants. The new phosphorus pollution reduction standards will help improve the quality of Wisconsin’s waterways, nearly half of which are listed as “impaired” by the federal government due to phosphorus pollution. Too much phosphorus can cause our waters to turn into a green, gunky soup of algae and bacteria, including toxic algae that can sicken swimmers and pets and harm drinking water sources.
Have questions about our work in Wisconsin? Contact our Madison office at 608-661-9099 or by clicking here.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, includes TVs, computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment. It is the fastest growing part of the solid waste stream. Only about 12% of E-Waste is recycled nationwide and the rest ends up either landfilled or shipped abroad to dumping grounds where the toxins in e-waste are concentrated. Furthermore, according to the U.S. EPA, even the tiniest amounts of the toxic substances in e-waste can pollute groundwater if they leak out of landfills.
What is ELPC Doing About E-Waste?
ELPC has successfully fought for legislation that requires electronics manufacturers to collect and recycle or reuse electronic waste. This legislation makes both environmental and economic sense, and acts as an economic development tool to create jobs and revenue for residents and business. ELPC’s advocacy was essential in helping pass the following legislation:
In this video from NBC, ELPC’s Mel Nickerson discusses electronic waste recycling in Illinois before the 2009 the digital TV conversion.
Where Can I Recycle E-Waste?
Looking for a place to recycle your old electronics? Earth911 has a powerful search tool that finds recycling centers near you that accept all sorts of e-waste.
