New Resource to Fight Environmental Crime

[Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@igc.org>]

From: "Bob Schaeffer" <bobschaeffer@igc.org>
Subject: New Resource to Fight Environmental Crime

TO: All Military Toxics Activists
FROM: Bob Schaeffer, public education consultant
RE: Free Guide to Fighting Environmental Crime at DoD Facilities
DATE: June 14, 1996

 The following press release describes a new guide designed to 
help grassroots activists, tribes, and local officials compel federal 
agencies to fulfill their obligation to cleanup the Cold War's 
environmental legacy. Thanks to a small grant for initial 
distribution, free copies are available to anyone reading this 
electronic mail message. To get your sample of "A Guide to Citizen 
Law Enforcement -- Fighting Environmental Crime at Facilities of the 
U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense", simply respond to me by 
e-mail (bobschaeffer@igc.org), phone (617 489-0461), fax (617 
489-6841), or snailmail (73 Trowbridge Street, Belmont, MA 02178).
 
 Also, let me know of other groups or individuals who would benefit 
from receiving a copy. Here's the news release:

 for further information:
 Bob Schaeffer (617) 489-0461

 for immediate release, June, 1996
 NEW GUIDE WILL HELP CITIZENS COMBAT
 ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME AT U.S. DOD AND DOE FACILITIES

 What can citizens do to hold federal agencies and their 
contractors accountable for complying with environmental laws at 
facilities run by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and Department 
of Energy (DOE)? A new briefing book, circulated to communities near 
military bases and nuclear weapons plants this month, focuses on the 
use of citizen law suits to combat contamination and compel 
fulfillment of clean-up obligations.

 A "Guide to Citizen Law Enforcement: Fighting Environmental Crime 
at Facilities of the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense" is 
designed to aid citizens in understanding environmental litigation 
and the role they can play in the legal process.

 After analyzing several cases such as the Rocky Flats, Colorado, 
plutonium manufacturing plant and the Lockheed Corporation's secret 
"Area 51" site in Nevada, in which federal agencies failed to enforce 
environmental laws, the guide reviews the legal powers of individual 
activists and community groups. A major section focuses on how to 
develop and litigate a citizen law suit using provisions from several 
current national environmental statutes. 

 The guide notes, "The poor records of the Energy and Defense 
Departments in meeting their environmental responsibilities 
underlines the need for careful oversight and aggressive enforcement 
of environmental laws by watchful citizens. Federal and state 
regulatory agencies have been charged with enforcement, but their 
record, particularly that of the Justice Department, has been poor." 

 The publication, the sixth in a series of citizen guides, was 
produced by the Project for Participatory Democracy, an initiative of 
the Tides Center. Funding was also provided by the W. Alton Jones 
Foundation.

 Copies of "Citizen Law Enforcement" are available for $2.00 
postpaid from the Project for Participatory Democracy, 1226<< State 
Street, Suite 5, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Make checks payable to 
Tides/PPD. Discounts are available for bulk orders. 

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note: Review copies of previous briefing booklets in this series, 
"Facing Reality: The Future of the Nuclear Weapons Complex", "Beyond the 
Bomb: Dismantling Nuclear Weapons and Disposing of their Radioactive 
Wastes", "Nuclear Weapons "Cleanup": Prospect without Precedent", and 
"Official Use Only: Ending the Culture of Secrecy in the U.S. Nuclear 
Weapons Complex" are available on request. Please contact Bob 
Schaeffer at (617) 489-0461 for these items and backup materials. 
 * * * Bob Schaeffer, Public Policy Communications * * *
 phone: (617) 489-0461 fax: (617) 489-6841