GRN NEWS

Volume 11, Issue 3 September 2007

Inside this issue:

GULF DEAD ZONE AMONG LARGEST EVER
EPA CONTINUES TO STALL ON SETTING LIMITS FOR DEAD Dead Zone (continued) 2
ZONE-CAUSING POLLUTION
The Katrinaversary: The
Slow Path to Recovery 3
The Dead Zone has made its annual visit off the coast of Louisiana and
Texas – and the news is not reassuring. The average size of the Dead Zone is Thank You AVEDA! 4
growing, and this year’s 7,900 square mile area was the third largest since
measurement began in 1985. As things get worse for the crabs, fish, and
shrimp that must try to flee or suffocate in the oxygen-deprived Dead Zone, GRN on the Ground and
5
there has been little action on the part of the Environmental Protection on the Move in Florida!
Agency (EPA) to reduce the pollution that is causing the problem.
Member spotlight:
Environment Texas 6
The Dead Zone forms each year in the summer as nitrogen and phosphorus
pollution from the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. When
Mississippi River water reaches the Gulf of Mexico, it is loaded with Network News Updates
excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff, sewage from Across the Gulf 7
treatment plants, and other industries. The polluted water acts as a
fertilizer, causing large blooms of algae. When the algae die, they sink to the
saltier water below and decompose, thereby depleting the already low oxygen in the deeper water.

The Dead Zone poses tremendous risk to not only aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico, but also to the
people who rely upon its resources. The value of the Gulf fishery is estimated at $2.8 billion per year. In
years that the Dead Zone is at its largest, fishermen have to travel much further offshore to find brown
shrimp, and usually end up catching less shrimp for the season. While these impacts already harm
shrimpers, the chief concern is that a sustained Dead Zone could eventually result in a collapse of the
entire Gulf ecosystem.
This is already an
unfortunate reality that
has occurred in other
parts of the world that
experience similar low-
oxygen conditions. The
economic and social
impact of such a crash
would be felt all the
way from coastal
fishing towns in the
Gulf to inland seafood
consumers throughout
the country.
Despite the major
threat that the Dead
Zone poses, nitrogen
(Continued on page 2)
 GRN CRITICIZES EPA’S DEAD ZONE POLICIES
(Continued from page 1)

pollution levels in the Mississippi River remain high,

and current trends suggest that levels may be
increasing in the future. One reason for an increase
is that farmers are planting more fertilizer-intensive
corn than they have in years. Driven by high
demand for corn ethanol, farmers planted 92.9
million acres of corn this year, the largest crop in 63
years. Much of the fertilizer applied to fields is never
captured by corn plants, and instead runs off the
land and into local waters that eventually reach the
Mississippi River. Scientists believe that roughly
two-thirds of the nitrogen pollution that causes the
dead zone is a result of agriculture. The rest of the
pollution comes from sources such as sewage
treatment plants and industry. ©2007 Nancy Rabalais

causes. A sewage treatment plant trade association

While the size of the Dead Zone continues to
increase, federal agencies have done very little to
address the problem. Though nitrogen and
phosphorus are some of the most common
pollutants in our nation’s waters, the EPA has yet to
set limits for how much of each pollutant should be
allowed in water. As a result, sewage treatment
plants and industry remain free to discharge large
amounts of these pollutants, despite the fact that
nitrogen and phosphorus cause the Dead Zone, as
well as many other pollution problems throughout
the country.
At a meeting of the Dead Zone Task Force this
summer, the Gulf Restoration Network criticized the
EPA and the Task Force for their lack of action to
address nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.
However, industry and farm trade associations were
present to push for further studies and less action.
The Iowa Farm Bureau is now calling for more
studies of the Dead Zone and the scientific processes
involved, despite the fact that the EPA has now
nearly completed its second multi-year
comprehensive study of the Dead Zone and its
has made the extreme statement that if the EPA
were to put limits on nitrogen and phosphorus
pollution from sewage treatment plants, it would
“stop or eliminate economic growth.” It is imperative
that such foundationless statements be challenged,
and the GRN is working to ensure that the focus of
the Dead Zone Task Force remains on reducing the
pollution that causes the Dead Zone.
The Gulf Restoration Network will continue to track
the Dead Zone and push the EPA to establish limits
to nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. There are a
number of upcoming opportunities to make sure
that EPA and Congress take concrete steps to reduce
the size of the Dead Zone. If you would like to get
involved, you can start by visiting healthygulf.org to
take action and send a letter to Congress, requesting
that they fund programs to reduce the Dead Zone.

Keep up-to-date on conservation developments and our work in the

Gulf at www.healthygulf.org/blog.

Page 2 SEPTEMBER 2007

 THE KATRINAVERSARY: THE SLOW PATH TO
RECOVERY AND SUSTAINABILITY

August 29th. It is one of those anniversary dates of a Congress by December 2007. It is vital that these
cataclysmic event when someone asks, “Where were two plans are actually integrated and do not just rely
you?” If you are one who was directly impacted by on levees and floodgates. They must take into
Hurricane Katrina, the next question will likely be, account the flood mitigation, and ecological and
“How are things going down there?” social importance of the wetlands that are our first
and most sustainable protection
The short answer is that there To mark the Katrinaversary, the GRN against hurricanes.
have been many grand plans, few organized over 130 home and community
of which have culminated in any screenings of Louisiana Public Broadcasting
real results. The one plan that One ray of hope is that all of these
and award-winning independent producer
bears some hope of realization is Christina Melton’s documentary “Washing proposals and plans will bring the
the proposal to close the restoration and recovery of the
Away: Losing Louisiana,” which artfully Gulf Coast within the realm of
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet illustrates the importance of Louisiana's
(MRGO). Two years after the possibility. Unfortunately, no
effort is gaining momentum
coastline and wetlands to all of America by matter how good any plans are,
which could shrink this cancer telling the story of six Louisianans struggling there must be money available for
on Southern Louisiana’s to recover from the aftermath of Hurricanes them to result in action. And,
landscape. By December, the Katrina and Rita. With events spanning from although Louisiana has a
Corps of Engineers is expected to Alaska to Florida, Maine to San Diego, and significant amount of federal
finalize a plan that will describe money to begin some restoration
even an international event in Germany, we
how this ever-widening projects, it will take Congressional
know our coastal message was heard well
navigation boondoggle will finally beyond the Gulf Coast. The GRN would like authorization and money to get the
be closed. That’s the good news. to thank all our hosts for their efforts. Corps to begin restoration in
The not-so-encouraging news is earnest.
that the Corps’ plan will probably
only address the physical closure of the canal and The most promising legislation under consideration,
not the wetland destruction that the MRGO has Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), would
caused since its completion in 1965. This vitally make a major impact on the future of Louisiana’s
needed wetland restoration is then expected to be coast. The current bill, which passed the House in
addressed by two other proposals currently being July, will help stop the continuing loss of wetlands
developed by Louisiana and the Corps – yet more that protect our communities from storms.
plans without solutions! Regrettably, the Act does not require an independent
scientific review of Corps projects, nor does it contain
On May 30th, the Louisiana Legislature approved a process to prioritize Corps projects. Although far
another long-awaited plan from the Coastal from perfect, this bill is currently the only hope
Protection and Restoration Authority. Called the Louisiana has of moving forward, quickly and
Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane comprehensively.
Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for
a Sustainable Coast, it is intended to integrate Yet, despite its obvious value to the Gulf Coast, the
structural and non-structural coastal defenses. President is threatening to veto WRDA on the
Ideally, this plan grounds that it is too expensive. On this anniversary
should work in of Hurricane Katrina, will he remember his promise
conjunction with that the government would "stay as long as it takes,
another plan that to help citizens rebuild their communities and their
is currently being lives."
developed by the
Corps, The We must hold our government to this promise. We
Louisiana Coastal must ensure they authorize and fund projects that
Protection and will protect our coast. Strong healthy wetlands are
Restoration the lynchpin of healthy communities on the
Technical Report Louisiana coast, so we must remain vigilant in
that is due in making sure these projects can move forward!
©2007 NASA

Volume 11, Issue 3 Page 3

 THANK YOU AVEDA!
AVEDA SALONS & THEIR CUSTOMERS UNITE FOR A HEALTHY GULF

Once again, Aveda distributors the Neill Corporation and The Salon People
joined with the Gulf Restoration Network to raise money for a healthier
Gulf. During this year’s April Earth Month activities, salons across the
southeast and their customers raised thousands of dollars for our Healthy
Waters campaign and were invaluable in helping to raise awareness on the
threats to our waters across the Gulf.

The funds raised from this year’s Earth Month activities will support the following efforts:
Protecting our Waters from harmful pollution including sewage. The GRN is producing a citizen’s guide
entitled “Our Waters, Our Health.” The GRN will utilize this manual to train and empower concerned
citizens across the Gulf to tackle sewage pollution issues in their communities.
Preserving and Protecting Wetlands which help filter pollutants out of rivers and lakes. Wetlands also
provide important storm protection for coastal communities. The GRN will continue to watchdog
coastal development projects and the agencies that oversee them to ensure that wetlands are
protected.
Building a broader base of concerned and active citizens across the Gulf to ensure that state and
federal agencies protect our waters.

We at the GRN hope that you too will express your thanks to Aveda. Please take the time to visit your local
Aveda salon. You can find the local salon on our web site. Your support of Aveda salons throughout the year
translates into support for a company committed to protecting the natural resources of the Gulf region.

Thanks to the Earth Month donations we received last year, the GRN launched our Save Our Cypress
campaign. We have been working with our supporters across the country to pressure Wal-Mart, Home
Depot, and Lowe’s to stop selling cypress mulch made from the Gulf’s best natural defenses.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEP People's Conference, Louisiana
Environmental Action Network, Sheraton Hotel 14 Coastal Bend Bay Foundations’ 5th Annual
15 Conservation & Environmental Stewardship
Atrium, Baton Rouge. http://leanweb.org
Awards Program, Corpus Christi.
Hard Corps Training Made Easy, Comfort Inn www.baysfoundation.org or 361-882-3439.
29
Downtown, Memphis. Contact Corps Reform
Network Coordinator George Sorvalis at
DEC Protecting Communities By Reforming the
sorvalisg@nwf.org or 202-797-6617. Army Corps of Engineers, Corps Reform
2-4 Network 2007 Annual Meeting, Hilton Garden
OCT Voodoo Music Experience, City Park, New Inn, New Orleans. sorvalisg@nwf.org or 202-
26-28 Orleans. www.voodoomusicfest.com/2007 797-6617.
GRN is the nonprofit partner. Visit our booth!

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
29 -
Public Hearing, Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi
NOV 2
4-8 Katrina Disaster and Sustainable Coastal
Development: An Integrated Perspective
and the Role of Land and Water Sciences,
New Orleans. www.acsmeetings.org
JAN Ecosystem Functions and the Dynamic
Atchafalaya River from the Old River
10
Control Structure to the Continental Shelf,
Louisiana Room, LA Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, Baton Rouge.

Page 4 SEPTEMBER 2007

 GRN ON THE GROUND AND ON THE MOVE IN FLORIDA!
After several years of successful planning and fundraising to establish a presence in Florida, GRN opened
its first Florida Office in June and hired Joe Murphy as the Florida Programs Coordinator. Joe is a former
GRN Board of Directors member, a native Floridian, and has been active in conservation issues in Florida
since 1990. The new office is centrally located in west/central Florida, and we are looking for active
volunteers to get involved in our campaign efforts in Florida.

The Florida Office has expanded GRN’s daily, on-the-ground operations in the state. GRN is focusing on
two priority issues in Florida: Healthy Waters and Protecting Habitat for Endangered Species. Ongoing
efforts to protect cypress forests and wetlands in Florida, protect Florida’s coastal water quality, and
protect places like Florida’s Nature Coast will define GRN’s work in Florida in 2007. GRN has also worked
to influence appoints to the FFWCC, and oppose bad development permits.

To find our more about our new work, staff, and office in Florida please contact Joe Murphy at
352-583-0870, or via email at joe@healthygulf.org.

CHARLIE CRIST: GOVERNOR GREEN?

WE WILL SEE…
After eight years of Governor Jeb Bush’s poor environmental record in Florida, the conservation
community and the public were eager for a change. Hopes ran high with the 2006 election of
Gov. Charlie Crist who was reputed to have a better environmental record. With only six
months under his belt, Gov. Crist highlighted global warming in his State of the State speech.
So is Gov. Crist also “Gov. Green?” Well, in some ways yes and in some ways no.

On the positive side, Crist came out early in his tenure in opposition to a massive road project
called the Heartland Parkway. This classic “road-to-no-where” would have been a can opener to the country
side leading to massive sprawl and coastal water pollution in central and southwest Florida. He also opposed
a string of new proposed coal fired power plants along the Gulf Coast of Florida and near the Everglades. It
seemed as though the Governor was just warming up!

Earlier this year, Crist held a statewide summit on climate change. What could have simply been a photo
opportunity with some empty rhetoric was actually a historic and groundbreaking event where he committed
to serious policy changes. Floridians are very excited and proud that our state is leading the commitment to
energy reform.

Unfortunately, not all of the news is good news. Crist recently appointed three new commissioners to the
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), all heavily tied to the land development
community. This does not bode well for an agency charged with protecting wildlife. GRN was one of fourteen
groups who signed a letter urging Crist to select better candidates. He has also come out as a strong
proponent of the new Bay County Airport. This classic boondoggle will lead to overdevelopment in the
panhandle. As part of this project, the US Army Corp of Engineers just granted a wetland fill permit that will
lead to thousands of acres wetlands being destroyed.

So, the jury is still out on Governor Crist. GRN will continue to work with the governor and promote sound
and good environmental policy. We hope that the commitment that we have seen on energy will be seen on
wildlife and clean water.

Page 5
Volume 11, Issue 3
 Environment Founded in 1994, the Gulf Restoration Network is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to uniting
Texas and empowering people to protect and restore the
resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
Environment Texas,
headquartered in Austin, TX, is Board of Directors
a statewide, citizen-based
Robert Hastings - Chairman
environmental advocacy organization. Our professional Montgomery, AL
staff combines independent research, practical ideas and
tough-minded advocacy to overcome the opposition of Mark Davis - Secretary/Treasurer
powerful special interests and win real results for Texas' Tulane Institute for Water Policy and Law
environment. Environment Texas draws on over a decade New Orleans, LA
of success in tackling our state's top environmental
problems. Environment Texas focuses exclusively on Juan Parras
protecting Texas' air, water and open spaces. They speak Citizens’ League for Environmental Action Now
out and take action at the local, state and national levels Houston, TX
to improve the quality of our environment and our lives.
Bob Schaeffer
Public Policy Communications
In 2007, Environment Texas helped pass HB 12 in the Sanibel, FL
Texas Legislature ensuring substantial funding increase
in the state budget for parks. organization helped build Louis Skrmetta
support for HB 12 by documenting the plight of the parks Ship Island Excursions
in two reports, producing a short film narrated by Oscar Gulfport, MS
nominee Ethan Hawke, sending the State Parks Express Susan Spicer
RV on a 1500 mile road trip around Texas, educating Bayona Restaurant
more than 100,000 Texans about the issue through a New Orleans, LA
door to door canvass, telephone calls and direct mail, and
generating thousands of phone calls, e-mails, and Page Williams
petitions in to key legislative offices. Sierra Club—Lone Star Chapter
Houston, TX
The group also joined forces with Health Professionals for Robert Wiygul
Clean Air, The Houston Citizens Environment Coalition, Waltzer and Associates
and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s office to hold Ocean Springs, MS
an event calling on Congress to establish a national
Renewable Electricity Standard. This would require that
utilities generate 20% of their electricity from renewable Staff
sources like wind and solar by 2020, an issue that was
Cynthia Sarthou, Executive Director
debated in the United States House and Senate in
August. Aaron Viles, Campaign Director
Dan Favre, Campaign Organizer
In July, Environment Texas released Feeling the Heat:
Global Warming and Rising Temperatures in the United Matt Rota, Water Resources Program Director
States a new report showing that as scientists have Jeff Grimes, Asst Director, Water Resources
documented globally, many Texas cities are also seeing
Stephanie Powell, Outreach Assoc, Water Resources
trends of higher temperatures. To obtain a copy of the
report go to www.environmenttexas.org. They garnered Briana Kerstein, Director Organizational Development
support for H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act, which would
Jessica Netto, Development Coordinator
limit global warming pollution to levels that current
science says are needed to prevent its worst effects. Lynn Powers, Office Manager
Joe Murphy, Florida Program Coordinator
Environment Texas
Casey DeMoss Roberts, Special Projects Coordinator
15 Brazos, Suite 600
Austin, Texas 78701 Amy Medtlie, Outreach Assistant
Phone: (512) 479-0388
Marianne Cufone, Fisheries Consultant
Fax: (512) 479-0400
www.environmenttexas.org

Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2007

 NETWORK NEWS
UPDATES FROM MEMBER GROUPS ACROSS THE GULF
The GRN Issues Annual Report for 2006
The year 2006 was a year of great victories and growth here at the GRN, and we've managed to capture it all
in a beautiful Annual Report. From beating Shell Oil to protect Gulf fisheries to helping close MR-GO, the
action-packed story is all there. You can download the report on the GRN homepage, www.healthygulf.org.

GRN Campaign Director Gets Leadership Award

We are proud to announce that Aaron Viles, GRN’s Campaign Director, has won the Sarah Forslund Fund
for Environmental Leadership Award. Aaron was selected for his outstanding leadership and commitment to
creating a more sustainable future. For more information on Sarah Forslund Fund visit:
www.sierrafund.org/content.php?content.92

FEMA Acknowledges Formaldehyde Problem in Trailers

Sierra Club volunteers and staff working to expose formaldehyde problems in FEMA trailers recently won a
big victory in July. The U.S. House Committee on Government Oversight and Reform held hearings that ex-
posed that FEMA knew about high formaldehyde levels in some of their travel trailers. Testing done by EPA
for FEMA showed that even after being thoroughly ventilated for three weeks, FEMA trailers averaged more
than three times over the limit for formaldehyde. Many residents of Louisiana and Mississippi living in trail-
ers since the hurricanes of 2005 have been experiencing serious health problems. For more information on
this issue, see www.toxictrailers.com.

Gulf Guardian Awards

The Gulf Guardian Awards were created in 2000 by the partnership of the Gulf of Mexico Program to recog-
nize environmental excellence in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. In 2005, the Gulf of
Mexico Program partnership added a new Bi-national category, to recognize successful cooperative projects
between the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. GOMP is now accepting applications for the 2007 awards.
First, Second and Third place winners are awarded in 7 categories. All 21 winners receive an impressive
marble and glass memento at a special ceremony. For more information go to:
www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfgaurd.html.

International Ocean Institute Opens First US Center at University of South Florida,

St. Petersburg
USF St. Petersburg has been designated as the first Operational Center of the International Ocean Institute
(IOI) in the United States. Founded in 1972, as a knowledge-based, non-governmental, non-profit organiza-
tion, the IOI promotes the sustainable use of the ocean and coastal resources through education, outreach,
and research programs. The International Ocean Institute challenges the university to be an international
steward that actively promotes awareness, education, and research.

GOT NEWS OR EVENTS?

If you are a member group, we invite you to share your news or events with
us. Whether it’s a short update on a current campaign or a full page
article, we’d like to hear what you’re up to.
Please send submissions to lynn@healthygulf.org.

Volume 11, Issue 3 Page 7

United for a Healthy Gulf

P.O. Box 2245

New Orleans, LA 70176
Phone: (504) 525-1528
Fax: (504) 525-0833
www.healthygulf.org

The GRN would like to thank the following for making

this newsletter, and the work of the GRN, possible:
The Arntz Family Foundation, Aveda, The Booth-Bricker
Foundation, The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation,
Currents of Change, The Elizabeth Ordway Dunn
Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Curtis and
Edith Munson Foundation, Patagonia, The Joe W. and
Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, The Pew Charitable
Trust, The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and
The RosaMary Foundation.

PROTECT WETLANDS, PROTECT OURSELVES

As we ride out another hurricane season, we on the Gulf Coast know the importance of
safeguarding our natural defenses. The Gulf Restoration Network is working hard to ensure that
the state and federal coastal restoration and protection plans adequately address the need for
protection and restoration of natural storm barriers such as coastal wetlands and
barrier islands.

Your support helps us in this vital effort.

Please be as generous as you can to help us safeguard all the natural resources that protect and
enrich our coastal communities. Thank you in advance.

Mail to: GRN, P.O. Box 2245, New Orleans, LA 70176

__$50 __$75 __$150 __$30(min memb.)

Name: __________________________________ ______Other
Address: ________________________________
THANK YOU!
City: ___________ State: ______ Zip: _____
E-mail:__________________________________ Please make your checks
payable to GRN

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