1981-06 A Resolution on Environmental Policy

81-6 RESOLUTION ON ADMINISTRATION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

Background

January 1981 brought a new administration to the United States. This new conservative administration, lead by President Reagan, is supported by a conservative majority in the Senate and an increased number of conservatives in the House of Representatives. This conservative movement has brought increased concern form American and International environmental leaders, because of the President’s views on ecological issues. Throughout the presidential campaign, Reagan made clear his position in this area, stating that environmental protection was in proposition to the building of a healthy economy. The believes that Federal ecological regulations on business should be loosened or eliminated. The administration’s attitude toward environmental issues had been made evident by the selection of James Watt for the Secretary of the Interior. Watt is a known business sympathizer in the area of environmental issues.

In a lecture given in December 1980 at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jean-Michel Cousteau stated that he had been in contact with President-elect. Despite Mr. Reagan’s assurance that there was no reason for concern, Dr. Cousteau believed that there was no doubt that ecological standards would suffer under the Reagan Administration.

Specific areas in which the relaxing of standards is feared under the present administration are as follows: the Clean Air and Water Acts (which must be re-authorized by Congress in 1981); the Endangered Species Act (which must be re-authorized by Congress in 1982); safe disposal of nuclear and toxic waste; preservation of natural areas; the destruction of natural areas; the destruction of wildlife on federal lands (i.e., wolves in Alaska); coal for energy production; nuclear weapons; oil shale and synthetic fuel.

Environmental leaders believe that ecological concerns do not threaten the economy by rather that the development of environmental protection technology and employment would foster economic growth.

As Christian we have a special responsibility to protect the Earth and the life of her. God has entrusted us with this task, and we should be relentless.

Therefore BE IT RESOLVED

1. that LSM-USA recognize the need and the Christian responsibility to protect the environment.

2. that LSM-USA recognize the threat against environmental concerns posed by the present administration.

3. that LSM-USA request the resignation of Secretary of the Interior James Watt.

4. that LSM-USA support the re-authorization of the Clean Air and Water Acts and the Endangered Species Act without the relaxing of present standards.

5. that LSM-USA expresses its opposition to the present administration’s relaxing of environmental standards by sending a copy of this resolution to:

Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works

The Dirksen Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

and,

House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment

House of Representatives

Room 2165

Washington, D.C. 20515

And to the individual members of these committees.

6. that LSM-USA members sign the petition which will accompany the copes of this resolution to be sent to the committees named above.

7. that LSM-USA members educate themselves in the area of environmental protection

8. that LSM-USA members write to their national and state congress persons in support of environmental protection.