[Pollinator] POLLINATOR ACTION OPPORTUNITY-"Sign" Group Letter in Support of Highways BEE Act-Deadline ASAP, or by June 20

[Tom Van Arsdall]

Highways BEE Act:  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.

.         Click Here <http://pollinator.org/PDFs/HwysBEEAct_Draft.pdf>  for
DRAFT text of the legislation.

 

Group Support Letter:  Lend support to this concept and legislation by
signing on to the Group Letter BELOW.

.         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.

 

Deadline ASAP-by June 20 at latest.

 

Who Can Sign:  

.         Organizations at all levels (national, state, local). 

.         Companies. 

.         Researchers, other individuals. 

 

To Be Listed as Signatory:  Click Here
<mailto:tva at pollinator.org?subject=YES,%20Want%20to%20Be%20Listed%20as%20Sig
natory%20to%20Hwys%20BEE%20Act%20Group%20Support%20Letter!>  (or e-mail
tva at pollinator.org):

.         Please indicate how Organization or Company should be listed-

o   Include CEO name and title, if desired.

o   City-state if regional/local organization.  

.         If Individual-city-state and any affiliation.

 

Forward this Opportunity:  To others across the nation who may be
interested.  Spreading the word helps!

 

Background:

.         Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) will be a lead sponsor, and efforts are
underway to build a bipartisan, core list of original cosponsors.

.         It is expected that the Highways BEE Act will be introduced in the
U.S. House of Representatives during National Pollinator Week (NPW), on
Thursday, June 23.

.         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   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   If enacted, the hope is that DOT will facilitate and encourage
collaborative efforts by State DOTs, with the involvement of other potential
partners. 

o   Odds are that the transportation bill won't move soon (latest word is
Committee action could occur in July in House), 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.

.         Click Here <http://pollinator.org/PDFs/HighwaysBeeAct_Summary.pdf>
for additional background. 

 

******************************************************

 

GROUP LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HIGHWAYS BEE ACT

 

The undersigned support the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment
Act (Highways BEE Act).  

 

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.  

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

ORGANIZATIONS

 

INDIVIDUALS

 

                ************************

 

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Pollinator Partnership Director of Public
Affairs

   Van Arsdall & Associates Inc.

   (703) 509-4746

   mailto:tva at pollinator.org or mailto:tom at vanarsdall.com

   Pollinator Partnership <http://www.pollinator.org/> 

         <http://pollinator.org/pollinator_week_2011.htm> 

 

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