Number: 1992-01
WHEREAS, EPA is responsible for implementing 14 major environmental statutes, including those passed to protect this nation’s air, land and waters; and
WHEREAS, protection of the environment is critical to ensure this nation’s economic prosperity and quality of life, as well as the vitality of the global environment; and
WHEREAS, the United States is the only industrialized nation without a Cabinet level ministry for the environment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, urges the Congress to enact and the President to sign legislation that will create a Cabinet level Department of the Environment.
Solid and Hazardous Waste
WHEREAS, EPA has failed to adopt a comprehensive and effective plan to manage and minimize production of solid and hazardous waste in this nation; and
WHEREAS, U.S. sources are exporting waste to developing countries creating environmental problems that these nations are not equipped to regulate or correct; and
WHEREAS, Congress is expected to reauthorize the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act during the 102nd Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, calls upon Congress to amend the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to mandate creation of a national pollution prevention program that reduces the volume and toxicity of this nation’s solid and hazardous waste by establishing as the highest priority reduction, reuse, recycling and source substitution, and termination of exportation of hazardous waste by U.S. sources for disposal in developing nations.
Clean Water
WHEREAS, the need continues for protection of this nation’s critical surface and groundwater resources; and
WHEREAS, the nation’s clean water program implemented at the federal and state levels should guarantee that clean waters will be kept clean; and
WHEREAS, EPA should issue standards that protect human health, wildlife and the environment and prevent food chain contamination; and
WHEREAS, Congress is expected to reauthorize the Clean Water Act during the 102nd Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992, in Portland, Oregon, urges Congress to amend the Clean Water Act to require aggressive action to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges Congress to amend the Clean Water Act to require aggressive action to protect and enhance high quality waters that have not been degraded by industrial, municipal and nonpoint source discharges, and to require implementation of the Act’s zero discharge mandate by eliminating the use of dilution as a method to meet discharge limits, and by prohibiting discharges of the most harmful toxic pollutants.