[Pollinator] Action Opportunity-Oppose Amendment to House Transportation Bill to Eliminate Funding for Pollinator-Vegetation Management Funding

[Tom Van Arsdall]

THREAT:  An amendment to be offered to the House Transportation
Reauthorization legislation (H.R. 3763) by Reps. Vicky Hartzler (MO) and
Richard Hudson (NC) would eliminate funding for all vegetation management
projects for federal highways and other rights-of-way.  If adopted, this
provision would strip funding that could be used by States to improve
pollinator habitat on rights-of-way. 

 

ACTIONS:  You can voice your opposition to the amendment (and support for
pollinators!) in TWO ways:

1.       Organizations and Businesses-Join the Pollinator Partnership, the
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and others by signing a
<http://bit.ly/1WryA5Y> group letter (http://bit.ly/1WryA5Y). 

.         Deadline is c.o.b. Tuesday, November 3, for the group letter. 

2.       Individuals-Click Here
<http://advocate.asla.org/asla/app/write-a-letter?0&engagementId=141313>  to
voice your opposition directly to your U.S. Representative through the
ASLA's 'write a letter' online tool.

.         P2 is pleased to be partnering with ASLA on this important effort.

.         ASLA is generously sharing their online action software (thanks!).
Their FULL action alert and link are provided BELOW.

.         I just tried it, and it was fast and easy to send a letter to my
own Congressman!

 

Feel free to share these timely action opportunities with others!  Thanks in
advance for your actions!

 

Background:

.         A pollinator habitat provision based on the BEE Highways Act
<http://www.pollinator.org/BEEAct.htm>  has been included in Transportation
Reauthorization legislation with bipartisan support in both the Senate and
House!  After 5 years of trying, Congress is nearly to the finish line!  

.         The pollinator roadsides provision in both bills is based on H.R.
2738, the Highways BEE Act <http://www.pollinator.org/BEEAct.htm> , which
was introduced prior to 2015 National Pollinator Week by Denham and Alcee L.
Hastings (D-FL), co-chairs of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus
(CP2C). 

.         The provision directs Secretary of Transportation to use existing
authorities, programs and funding to assist IVM and pollinator habitat
efforts by willing State DOT's AND adds eligibility for pollinator habitat
to a key eligibility account. 

.         Over 250 national, regional, and local organizations and 2,800
American scientists and individuals from all walks of life across the nation
signed a petition in support of such legislation. For more information, go
to http://www.pollinator.org/BEEAct.htm.

 

Tom

 

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Director of Public Policy

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

 

 



  <http://cqrcengage.com/asla/file/dJM5Uaw2jBJ/ASLA%20Advocacy%20banner.jpg>




 
<http://cqrcengage.com/asla/file/KeuM8Uwln04/Indianapolis-Cultural-Trail-3.j
pg> 


 



This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to consider a
multiyear surface transportation bill. During the bill's consideration by
the full House, Representatives Vicky Hartzler (MO) and Richard Hudson (NC)
plan to offer an amendment that will eliminate federal funding for all
vegetation management projects on the nation's highways and roads.

If adopted, the Hartzler/Hudson amendment could jeopardize the structural
and functional integrity of transportation projects. The amendment would
also halt cultivation of pollinator-friendly habitats along the federal
rights-of-way, which is needed for healthy pollinator populations and to
protect our nation's food supply.

We need your voice!
<http://advocate.asla.org/asla/app/write-a-letter?2&engagementId=141313>
Send a message to YOUR U.S. House Representative to OPPOSE the
Hartzler/Hudson amendment. 


 



  <http://advocate.asla.org/app/take-action?engagementId=108501> Take Action


	

 


	

 

	

 



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