Re: Attack on Env. Protection.

[Aimee Houghton <aimeeh@igc.org>]

Last week I posted information about language that is currently coming 
out of the Senate Armed Services Committee that could deeply cut into 
technical and public participation funding for RABs. I thought you 
might like to know how folks are utilizing this informatio.

I received a phone call on Friday from one of the recipients of that 
information who had made phone calls to their Representatives and Senators.
Senator Hank Brown's (R-CO) office stated that the reasoning behind 
the current language is that the Senate Armed Services Committee 
couldn't see the benefit of providing DOD with funding to argue their 
point and then provide the RAB with funding to refute that point.

The person calling insisted that they were missing the point--DOD was 
always going to find funding for their technical assistance and the 
object of the Underwood-Kohl ammendment was to even the playing field 
so that community and RAB members would have a seat at the table and a 
voice in the decision-making process that effects their human health, 
safety and environment. 

Senator Brown's office agreed with the point and said they would follow up.

I'll keep you informed of those developments.

Aimee Houghton