YOU can help Indiana forests TODAY! Plus - take action on coal ash
June 22, 2023
Quick and simple ways you can make a difference in our state
Today, we have two important actions you can take to really make a difference in our state - to protect our forests, and to protect our communities against coal ash.
Thank you for taking action!
An Urgent Call to Action from our Conservation Committee:
Public Comments to the Bureau of Land Management & the United States Forest Service
This is an important email to every member and friend of the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter from chapter volunteer leaders and staff. We ask that you please
TAKE ACTION TODAY for climate resiliency!
We are quickly approaching the end of comment periods with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) that will greatly impact our public forests. And we need you to help protect these rare and precious areas!
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT PUBLIC COMMENTS
The BLM comment period will end on JULY 5th and the agency is looking to gather feedback about important ways to balance its mission to focus on cultural lands protection, conservation, recreation, wildlife, and climate impacts. They have included this question to the public: “How might the BLM use this rule to foster ecosystem resilience of old and mature forests on BLM lands?”
Please send in a few words to help ensure that a BLM new rule includes the protection of mature and old-growth forests on federal lands as a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy. Share personal stories about BLM lands that you have visited and that you cherish or write about the ones you wish to visit. Conservation of mature and old growth forests is key to win the fight for a more resilient climate.
Please take 5 minutes to submit a comment to the BLM Public Lands Rule. We only have a short time to call for a strong, durable rule that would protect mature and old-growth forests on federal public lands from logging. In doing so, you will help to guide the balanced management of America’s public lands for the benefit of current and future generations while also speaking up about climate change. Some trees live far beyond 400 years. There is no other natural or man-made technology that is as effective in sequestering carbon.
To learn more about this proposed rule, and to provide a comment, please visit regulations.gov. The proposed Public Lands Rule could establish a framework to ensure healthy landscapes, abundant wildlife habitat, clean water and balanced decision-making on our nation’s public lands. The proposal would uphold the BLM’s multiple use and sustained yield mission such as energy development, mining, grazing, timber, outdoor recreation, but for the first time, the BLM will consider conservation on an equal footing with these other uses.
This comes at a pivotal moment, as our public lands endure new and growing challenges. Climate change is driving unprecedented drought and increasingly intense fires, loss of wildlife, and an influx of invasive plant and animal species. At the same time, public lands face growing pressure as recreation increases and development on private land disrupts habitat.
The USFS has also announced a proposed rulemaking process to evaluate how to conserve our national forests, especially mature and old-growth, in an era of climate change. This comment period was begun as part of the Biden-Harris Administration announcement of New Steps for Climate Resilience and Forest Conservation.
If you only have 30 seconds to spare, please sign our petition to protect our forests.
But if you have an additional few minutes to take action, please read on!
COAL ASH HEARING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
You’re Invited: Chicago & Virtual Public Hearing → CLOSE THE COAL ASH RULE LOOPHOLE
The EPA must address the failure of the 2015 CCR (coal combustion residuals - aka coal ash) rule to regulate approximately half of all coal ash in the U.S. — more than a billion tons — stored in legacy coal ash ponds and landfills that EPA initially excluded from oversight. According to industry’s own data, 94% of the coal ash ponds as well as most of the coal ash landfills in the US are unlined. Almost all regulated coal ash ponds and most landfills are leaking dangerous levels of toxic substances, according to industry's own data. In Indiana, 49 coal ash sites remain unregulated, located in: Chesterton, Fairbanks Township, Madison, Gary, Edwardsport, Petersburg, Owensville, Sullivan, Michigan City, Hamilton Co, New Albany, Hammond, Lawrenceburg, and Newburgh. See more info here.
The Environmental Protection Agency is holding a public hearing in Chicago on the Federal Coal Ash Rule on Wednesday, June 28, from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CDT. You have the opportunity to make your voice heard in Chicago at the only in-person Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) public hearing in the country on the proposed federal coal ash rule!
Public Hearing: Federal Coal Ash Rule
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CDT
Kimpton Gray Hotel 122 West Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60603
*We will be attending a 1:00 PM CDT Press Conference and other activities being organized by the “People’s Delegation” led by Just Transition Northwest Indiana, Chicago Jobs With Justice, Climate Justice Alliance, Earthjustice and others.
RSVP to Sierra Club
*If you are in need of reimbursement for gas please let us know ASAP and we will do our best to meet needs.
Planning to speak or attend? Please be sure to register here on the EPA’s website
NOTE: *You must request special accommodations from the EPA by June 24th and register by June 26 to attend or testify.
Can’t attend the in-person hearing? Click here to register for the July 12th 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST virtual hearing
