2004 CPEO Military List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
Date: 7 Sep 2004 22:41:02 -0000
Reply: cpeo-military
Subject: Conservationists say save the Okinawa Dugong
 
For Immediate Release: September 7, 2004

Contact:

Peter Galvin, Center for Biological Diversity (USA) 
Martin Wagner, Earthjustice (USA) 

International Conservation Groups Call on Bush & Koizumi to Save the
Okinawa Dugong
New Airbase Would Destroy Essential Dugong Habitat

(California, USA/Okinawa, Japan) - A coalition of hundreds of US and 
international conservation groups representing over 10 million people
sent  a letter today to President George W. Bush and Prime Minister
Junichiro  Koizumi urging the two leaders to cancel a plan to construct
a new air base  on top of a coral reef near Henoko, Okinawa, the feeding
ground of the last  remaining Okinawa Dugong (sea cow). Biologists
believe building this  landing strip could doom these gentle marine
mammals to extinction.

The plan calls for Japan to build a new military base for American use
atop  coral reefs--effectively destroying the remaining habitat of the
gentle  dugong in Japan. The 1.5 mile-long airbase would also
permanently disrupt  one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Pacific.

The coral reefs in question provide important habitat for numerous rare 
wildlife species including the endangered dugong, a Japanese cultural
icon  related to the manatee, and three species of sea turtle. Local
residents  voted against the airbase project in a referendum, but
Japanese and US  authorities are ignoring their voices.

A coalition of US and Japanese conservation groups went to court in 
September 2003 to stop the project 
http://www.earthjustice.org/news/display.html?ID=684. The case is
currently  being heard in US District Court in San Francisco. The
lawsuit asks the US  Department of Defense to comply with the National
Historic Preservation Act  (NHPA) by publicly assessing the impacts of
the proposed project on the  Okinawa dugong. The NHPA requires US
agencies to assess the impacts of  their activities on cultural icons of
foreign nations. Because of their  significance to Okinawan culture,
dugongs are included on a Japanese  government list of protected
cultural properties.

?The Department of Defense has a legal duty to protect the cultural 
resources and national monuments of other nations, especially our
allies,?  said Martin Wagner of Earthjustice, who is representing the
coalition in  the United States. ?The Okinawa dugong is a cultural icon
and national  monument in Japan. This vanishing species deserves the
same protection and  respect that we give to the Washington Monument or
bald eagle.?

The letter sent today was signed more than 400 organizations
representing  more than ten million concerned citizens worldwide.

?Construction of the new airbase would cause severe ecological damage to
 one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth,? said Peter Galvin of
Center  for Biological Diversity who organized the letter campaign. ?
For this  reason, conservation groups around the world are asking
President George W.  Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to cancel
the base construction  plan and protect the Okinawa dugong, a creature
recognized as a national  monument in Japan.?

Letter Sent Below


September 7, 2004

Dear President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi,

The island of Okinawa has been called the "Galapagos of the East"
because  of the incredible variety of marine and terrestrial life it supports.

Almost 400 types of coral form Okinawa's reefs, which support more than 
1,000 species of fish, marine mammals and sea turtles.

As two prominent world leaders, you have the power to protect these
unique  and priceless creatures. Unfortunately, a joint project backed
by the  United States and Japanese governments will destroy one of the
last healthy  reefs in Okinawa, pushing many magnificent species closer
to extinction.

Current plans call for construction of a new military base at sea, atop
a  coral reef near Henoko in Okinawa. But the reef that this project
would  destroy supports numerous highly endangered species - animals
protected by  American, Japanese and international law. These species include:

·       The critically endangered and culturally treasured dugong, which
 relies on this habitat for its very survival in Okinawa. Japan's 
Mammalogical Society placed the dugong on its "Red List of Mammals" in 
1997, estimating the population in Okinawa to be critically endangered.
The  U.S. Government's Marine Mammal Commission also fears the project
would  pose a serious threat to the animals' survival.  The World
Conservation  Union's dugong specialists have expressed similar concerns
and have placed  the dugong on their Red List of threatened species.

·       Three types of endangered sea turtle - the hawksbill,
loggerhead,  and green - also depend on this ecosystem. All of these
turtles, as well as  the dugong, are listed under the U.S. Endangered
Species Act. Because of global warming, landfill and pollution,
Okinawa's coral reefs,  along with coral reefs around the world are
already threatened. More than  half of Okinawa's coral reefs have
disappeared over the past decade. This  makes preserving the healthy
reefs that continue to exist all the more  important. By canceling the
plan to construct the airbase near Henoko, you  can help protect a
globally important ocean ecosystem and some of the best  remaining
habitat for Okinawa dugong. We urge you to cancel this  destructive project.

Sincerely,

Peter Galvin, Conservation Director, Center for Biological Diversity (USA)
Martin Wagner, International Program Director, Earthjustice (USA)
Joel Reynolds, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
Carl Zichella, Regional Staff DirectorCA/NV/HI Field Office, Sierra Club
Priscilla Feral, President, Friend of Animals (USA)
Andrew J. Orahoske, Land Air Water, University of Oregon?s environmental
law society
Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, The Xerces Society
Cynthia Elkins, Program Director, Environmental Protection Information Center
David Gordon, Acting Executive Director, Pacific Environment (USA)
Dr. Thomas J. Goreau, President, Global Coral Reef Alliance
William W. Rossiter, President Cetacean Society International
Dr. Jean-Luc Solandt, Biodiversity Policy Officer, Marine Conservation Society
Greg L. Carter, President, Oceanic Resource Foundation
Robert Rabin/Nilda Medina, Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques'
Tara Thornton, Executive Director, Military Toxics Project
Pamela K. Miller, Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT)
Alfredo Quarto, Exec. Dir., Mangrove Action Project
Ann Z. Olib, Executive Director, People's Task Force for Bases Cleanup Philippines
Drew Weiner, Director, Reef Protection International
Frederic Evenson, Ecological Rights Foundation
Alison Rolfe, San Diego Bay Keeper
Sigrid Lüber, ASMS, OceanCare
Puanani Rogers, Ho`okipa Network - Kauai
Kyle Kajihiro, American Friends Service Committee - Hawai'i
Gershon Cohen Ph.D., Project Director, Campaign to Safeguard America's Waters
Jim Albertini, President, Malu `Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action
Laura Olah, Executive Director, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger
Cheryl A. Magill, Stop LFAS Worldwide Network
Dan Clark, Cry of the Water
Henk van der Keur, Laka Foundation (Netherlands)
'Ohana Koa, Nuclear Free & Independent Pacific, Hawai'i Chapter
Carroll Muffett, Director of International Programs, Defenders of Wildlife
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director, American Littoral Society
Karen Sack, Oceans Policy Advisor, Greenpeace International
Lisa Finaldi, Greenpeace USA
Sarah Matsumoto, Western Representative, Endangered Species Coalition


1000 Friends of Florida
1000 Friends of Maryland
Abalone Alliance Safe Energy Clearinghouse
Action For Animals
Action for Conservation
Alabama Environmental Council
Alaska Wildlife Alliances
Alley Cat Allies
Alliance for Animals
American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta
American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums
American Bat Conservation Society
American Cetacean Society
American Eagle Foundation
American Hiking Society
American Humane Association
America Institute for Biological Sciences
American Indian Center of Central Florida Inc.
American Institute of Biological Sciences
American Lands
The American Malacological Society Inc.
American Ornithologists' Union
American Planning Association
American Rivers
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Society of Mammalogists
American Wildlands
Anacostia Watershed Society
Andropogon Associates Ltd.
Animal Defense League of Long Island
Animal Defense League of New York City
Animal Protection Institute
Animal Protection of New Mexico
Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
Appalachia Science in the Public Interest
Appalachian Mountain Club
The Ark Trust Inc.
Artesian Source Inc.
Association of Systematics Collections
Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
Atlanta Audubon Society
Audubon Council of Texas
Audubon Society of Central Maryland
Audubon Society of Central New Mexico
Audubon Society of New Hampshire
Audubon Society of Portland
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Augusta Bird Club
Bay Area Action
Bay Area Nuclear Waste Coalition
Berks Conservation League
Berks County Conservancy
Berks County Earth Day Committee
Bloomington Rainforest Action Group
Border Ecology Project
Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society
Buckeye Forest Council
Bucks County Audubon Society
California Native Plant Society
California Trout
California Wilderness Coalition
Caribbean Conservation Corportaion/Sea Turtle Survival League
Carson Forest Watch
Cascadia Forest Defenders
Cedar Lane Universailist Church
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Development of International Law
Center for Environmental Citizenship
Center for Plant Conservation
Center for Wildlife Information
Cetacean Society International
Chattooga River Watershed Coalition
Chewonki Foundation
Chicago Zoological Society
Christian Environmental Association
Citizens Concerned About I-73
Citizens League for Environmental Action & Recovery
Citizens United for Animals Inc.
Clearinghouse for Environmental Advocacy and Research
Clearwater Biodiversity Project
Coalition Advocating the Protection of Endangered Species
Coalition for Jobs and the Environment
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Coast Range Association
Coastal Plains Institute
Committee Against Heliport Construction - Save Life Society
Committee of Wilderness Supporters
Commonwealth Zoological Corporation
Community Services Inc.
Connecticut Audubon Society
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Connecticut Conservation Association
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Conservation Alliance of the Great Plains
Conservation Fisheries Inc.
Conservation Law Foundation
Conservation Science Institute
Cornell Greens
Darby Creek Valley Association
Defenders of Wild Cumberland
Defenders of Wildlife
Delaware Riverkeeper Network
Desert Fishes Council
Dogwood Alliance
Doris Day Animal League
Dugong Network Okinawa
Earth Action Network
Earth Island Institute
Earthjustice
Earth Warriors Inc.
EarthLaw
EarthWorks Projects
Eastern Menonite Missions
Eckerd College Earth Society
Ecology Center of Ann Arbor
Ecology Mission Group of Central Baptist Church of Wayne
Emory Humane Society of the United States
Endangered Habitats League
Endangered Species Coalition of Maryland
Endangered Species Program
WI Dept. of Agriculture
Trade & Consumer Protection
Endangered Species Zoological Society
Environmental Action Committee
Environmental Council of Rhode Island
Environmental Defense Center
Environmental Investigation Agency
Environmental Law Society of Michigan
Environmental Law and Conservation Society
Environmental Protection Information Center Inc.
Environmental Resource Center
Environmental Solutions Project
Environmental Voters Education Fund
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland-Committe on the Environment
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County
Florida Audubon Society
Focus on Nature
Forest Conservation Council
Forest Guardians
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
Free the Planet!
Friends of Animals
Friends of Battiquitos Lagoon
Friends of Georgia
Friends of Mt. Aventine
Friends of Saucony Marsh
Friends of St. Rosa Marsh
Friends of the Bay
Friends of the Earth
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General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church
Georgia Native Plant Society
Government Accountability Project
Grand Canyon Trust
GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network
Gray Panthers
Great Plains Restoration Council
Great South Bay Audubon Society
Greater Watchug Nature Club
Greenbelt Alliance
Greenpeace
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab
Harris Center for Conservation Education
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association
Heal the Bay
Healthy Crones Healthy Earth
Heartwood
Hempen Goods
The Herpetologists' League
Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
Hoosier Environmental Council
Human League of Lancaster County
Humane Education Network
Humane Society of the United States
Humanitarians for Environmental & Animal Laws Political Action Committee
Idaho Conservation League
Illinois Student Environmental Network
In Defense of Animals
In Defense of Endangered Species
INPIRG
International Primate Protection League
Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research
Japan Environmental Law Federation
The John G. Shedd Aquarium
Jumping Frog Research Institute
Kalmiopsis Audubon Society
Kentucky Citizens Accountability Project
Kentucky Heartwood
Kettle Range Conservation Group
Key Deer Protection Alliance
Klamath Forest Alliance
Knoah's Ark
Kutztown University Environmental Science Forum
Lake Champlain Committee Inc.
Lake Michigan Federation
Lancaster Greens
The Lands Council
Land Trust Alliance
Last Chance Audubon Society
Last Stand
League of Women Voters
LightHawk
Living Education Center for Ecology and the Arts
Local Environmental Awareness Development Group (LEAD)
Lone Tree Council
Long Island Pine Barrens
Madison Audubon Society
Maine Audubon Society
Mainline Unitarian Church
Marine Protection Alliance
Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement & Conservation
Maryland Interfaith Coalition for the Environment
Maryland United for Peace and Justice Inc.
Maryland Wildlands Committee
MARYPIRG
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Mexican Wolf Coalition of Texas
Michigan Environmental Council
Michigan Humane Society
Minnesota Ecosystems Recovery Project
Minnesota Native Plant Society
Minnesota River Valley Audubon Society
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Environmental Fund
Mohawk Valley Audubon Society
Monitor International
Montana Audubon Council
Montana Wilderness Association
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Mount Graham Coalition
National Association of People with AIDS
National Audubon Society
National Foundation to Protect America's Eagles
National Parks and Conservation Association
National Recreation and Parks Association
Native Plant Society of Oregon
Native Seeds/SEARCH
Natural Resources Defense Council
New England Aquarium
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New England Wild Flower Society
New Jersey Audubon Society
New Jersey Environmental Lobby
New York Rivers United
New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
New York Turtle and Tortoise Society
Night Heron Bed and Breakfast
North Central Washington Audubon Society
North Florida Trout Unlimited
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Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society
Northcoast Environmental Center
Northwest Ecosystem Alliance
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society
Oak Brook Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Ocean State Action
Ohio Wilderness League
Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation
Orange County People for Animals
Orca Quest
Oregon Natural Deserts Association
Oregon Natural Resources Council
The Ornithological Council
The Otter Project
P.E.A.C.E.
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
Pacific Rivers Council
Pautuxent Bird Club
Peace and Justice Center
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Peninsula Conservation Center Foundation
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Pequea Township Environmental Advisory Council
Performing Animals Welfare Society
Philadelphia Botanical Club
Physicians for Social Responsibility
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Pine Creek Valley Watershed Association
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Predator Project
Prince George's Baywatchers
Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
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RESTORE: The North Woods
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Sacred Earth Network
Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council
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Save America's Forests
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Save the Dugong Foundation
Save the Manatee Club
Save the Species Worldwide Organization
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Sea Turtle Preservation Society
Seattle Audubon Society
Selkirk Conservation Alliance
Sierra Club Grizzly Bear Ecosystem Project
Sinapu
Siskiyou Regional Education Project
Society for Animal Protective Legislation
Society for Conservation Biology
South Carolina Forest Watch
South Shore Audubon Society
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Southern Environmental Center
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Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Southwest Center for Biological Diversity
Southwest Environmental Center
Students Conscious of Protecting the Environment
Students for the Environment-University of Delaware
Superior Wilderness Action Network
The Strong Foundation for Environmental Values
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning
T & E Inc.
The Tides Center/Bioregional Intitiative
Timber Wolf Alliance
Tortoise Group
Town and Country Garden Club
Trevor Zoo
Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited Mountaineer Chapter #153
Tucson Audubon Society
Turner Endangered Species Fund
Turtle Island Restoration Network
Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Unitarian Universalist Seventh Principle Project
Unitarians for Ethical Treatment of Animals
United Church of Christ Network for Environmental and Economic Responsibility
University of Wisconsin Greens
U.S. PIRG
Vermont Audubon Council
Virginia Forest Watch
Virginia Herpetological Society
Virginians for Wilderness
Voices for Animals
Washington Trout
Water Watch
Waukesha County Environmental Action League
Wesley Foundation of WI
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Western Endangered Species Alliance
Western North Carolina Alliance
Western Wildlife Conservancy
Wetlands Preserve
Whale Conservation Institute
Wild Again Inc.
Wild Again Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wild Earth
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Wild Onion Alliance
The Wilderness Society
The Wildlands Project
Wildlife Advocacy Project
Wildlife Alive/Earth Island Institute
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Wildlife Conservation Society
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Wildlife Information Center
Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of MA
Wildlife Rescue of the Florida Keys
The Wildlife Society
Wisconsin Audubon Council
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers
Wolf Education and Research Center
Woodworkers Alliance for Rainforest Protection
World Foundation for Natural Science
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World Society for the Protection of Animals
World Stewardship Institute
Wyncote Audubon Society
Wyoming Outdoor Council
Xerces Society
Zoological Society of Philadelphia
Zungaro Cocha Research Center


Peter Galvin
Conservation Director
Center for Biological Diversity
Post Office Box 83
Garberville, California 95542

"First, they destroyed the Carolina parakeet, and I did not speak out
because I was not a Carolina parakeet. Next, the Florida red wolf was
made extinct, and I said nothing because I  am homo sapien, not Canis
rufus floridanus. Then they took the habitat of the silver trout, the
Santa Barbara song  sparrow, and the Wisconsin cougar, but I inhabited
elsewhere and had no  concern and did not get involved. Then my
environment began to deteriorate and decay - and there were no other
species to whom I could look for protection."

-Adapted by Judge Fred Biery

Email: pgalvin@biologicaldiversity.org
Website: www.biologicaldiversity.org.

The Center for Biological Diversity protects endangered species and wild
places through science, policy, education, and environmental law.
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