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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>This is a great bill. We’re signing on to the letter—and encourage everyone else to do so! Thank you to Tom and his collaborators at </span><span style='color:#1F497D'>the Pollinator Partnership</span><span style='color:#1F497D'> for getting the bill this far along.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>For people who are looking for more background to the potential benefits of roadsides for pollinators or things that can be done to improve roadsides, check out the roadside guidelines written by Jennifer Hopwood (you can download them from <a href="http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation-roadsides/">http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation-roadsides/</a>). Jennifer completed research on bees and roadsides in the Mid West and has worked with roadside managers in several states. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>There are also some good examples of roadside management for butterflies in Britain, neatly summarized in a report from the Highways Agency and English Nature (info and PDF available at <a href="http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/11959.aspx">http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/11959.aspx</a>). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Matthew<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> pollinator-bounces+mdshepherd=xerces.org@lists.sonic.net [mailto:pollinator-bounces+mdshepherd=xerces.org@lists.sonic.net] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Tom Van Arsdall<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 12, 2011 7:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> Pollinator Listserv<br><b>Subject:</b> [Pollinator] POLLINATOR ACTION OPPORTUNITY-"Sign" Group Letter in Support of Highways BEE Act-Deadline ASAP, or by June 20<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Highways BEE Act</u>: Significant potential exists to achieve both economic savings and conservation benefits on 17 million acres of highway rights-of-way (ROWs). The Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act (Highways BEE Act) directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to use existing authorities, programs and funding in encouraging and facilitating efforts by State DOTs and other transportation ROWs managers to implement integrated vegetation management (IVM), including reduced mowing and plantings of native forbs and grasses. These actions will both produce economic savings and enhance habitat for pollinators and other mini-fauna wildlife.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t67" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="67" adj="16200,5400" path="m0@0l@1@0@1,0@2,0@2@0,21600@0,10800,21600xe">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><span style='mso-ignore:vglayout;position:absolute;z-index:251657728;left:0px;margin-left:680px;margin-top:15px;width:34px;height:41px'><img width=34 height=41 src="cid:image001.png@01CC2A0C.C594F6F0" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"></span><![endif]><a href="http://pollinator.org/PDFs/HwysBEEAct_Draft.pdf">Click Here</a> for <i>DRAFT</i> text of the legislation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Group Support Letter</u>: Lend support to this concept and legislation by signing on to the G<i>roup Letter BELOW</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The goal of the group letter is to support Congressional sponsors by providing a robust and diverse list of supporting groups, companies and researchers, for reference when the bill is introduced.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Deadline <b>ASAP</b>—by <b><span style='color:red;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>June 20</span></b></u><span style='color:red'> </span><span style='color:black'>at latest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Who Can Sign</u>: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Organizations</b> <i>at all levels</i> (national, state, local). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Companies. <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><b>Researchers</b>, other individuals. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>To Be Listed as Signatory</u>: <a href="mailto:tva@pollinator.org?subject=YES,%20Want%20to%20Be%20Listed%20as%20Signatory%20to%20Hwys%20BEE%20Act%20Group%20Support%20Letter!">Click Here</a> (or e-mail <a href="mailto:tva@pollinator.org">tva@pollinator.org</a>):<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Please indicate how <b>Organization</b> or <b>Company</b> should be listed—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Include CEO name and title, if desired.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>City-state if regional/local<i> </i>organization. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>If <b>Individual</b>—city-state and any affiliation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Forward this Opportunity</u>: To others <i>across the nation</i> who may be interested. Spreading the word helps!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><u>Background</u>:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) will be a lead sponsor, and efforts are underway to build a bipartisan, core list of original cosponsors.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>It is expected that the Highways BEE Act will be <u>introduced</u> in the U.S. House of Representatives during <b>National Pollinator Week (NPW), on Thursday, June 23</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>This legislation will likely serve as the basis for a possible amendment in the larger transportation reauthorization process (similar to the approach taken with the 2008 Farm Bill pollinator conservation and research provisions).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:40.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>More “ambitious” approaches were considered. In the current budget climate and Congress, it was felt the targeted approach taken in the bill is the most that could be achieved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:40.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>If enacted, the hope is that DOT will facilitate and encourage collaborative efforts by State DOTs, with the involvement of other potential partners. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:40.5pt;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Odds are that the transportation bill won’t move soon (<i>latest word is Committee action could occur in July in House</i>), but regardless, the Highways BEE Act will serve as a vehicle to help educate Congress, and as a rallying point for supporting groups until the transportation bill does move.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://pollinator.org/PDFs/HighwaysBeeAct_Summary.pdf">Click Here</a> for additional background.</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>******************************************************<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>GROUP LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HIGHWAYS BEE ACT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The undersigned support the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act (Highways BEE Act). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The Highways BEE Act proposes significant economic and conservation benefits that can be achieved through integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices on Federal and state highway right-of-ways (ROWs) managed by State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). These areas represent about 17 million acres of opportunity where significant reductions in mowing and maintenance can reduce costs for cash-strapped State DOTs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Reductions in roadside mowing, combined with enhanced plantings of native forbs and grasses, can provide economic benefits, reduced carbon emissions, and critical habitat for pollinators, ground nesting birds and other small wildlife. Pollinators, such as bees, birds, bats, and butterflies, are essential to healthy ecosystems and are vital partners in American agriculture. Pollinators are suffering drastic population loss, due in part to loss of habitat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Landscape improvement through native plants has the added benefit of providing resistance to invasive plants, reduced fire danger, and more scenic highways. Roadside native plantings have the added benefit of being less attractive to mega-fauna, like deer and elk, than fescue and other non-native grasses currently found on most roadsides. Mega-fauna are the fastest growing cause of costly vehicle accidents. In addition, neighboring agricultural lands and wildlife ecosystems will benefit from improved pollination services.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>This legislation supports and builds on innovative IVM efforts in a growing number of State DOT’s by directing the Secretary of Transportation to use existing authorities, programs and funding to encourage and facilitate efforts by States and other transportation ROWs managers, to adopt IVM practices, including reduced mowing and enhanced native plantings that provide multiple fiscal, safety and aesthetic benefits while also promoting habitat and migratory corridors for pollinators, ground nesting birds and other small wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>ORGANIZATIONS<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>INDIVIDUALS</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'> ************************<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Pollinator Partnership Director of Public Affairs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Van Arsdall & Associates Inc.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> (703) 509-4746<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="mailto:tva@pollinator.org">mailto:tva@pollinator.org</a> or <a href="mailto:tom@vanarsdall.com">mailto:tom@vanarsdall.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.pollinator.org/">Pollinator Partnership</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2011.htm"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=98 height=104 id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CC2A0C.C594F6F0"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>