Bird Calendars
ENVIRONMENTAL/LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Busy Summer for ASO Conservation Committee
By Tad Leeper, Conservation Committee Chair
The Conservation Committee spent an active summer researching local and state environmental issues and when necessary, writing letters, e-mails, or otherwise contacting local and federal government leaders about the issues. Here is a brief summary of the Conservation Committee's summer activities:
¨ Conducted a unanimous e-mail vote of ASO Board members regarding
sending a letter to the Nebraska Congressional Delegation in support of
the State Wildlife Grants program. Elliott Bedows wrote and e-mailed the
letter to the legislators on behalf of the Board.
¨ Responded to a
request for assistance from Audubon Nebraska concerning the proposed MUD
water well field near the Platte River in southeastern Nebraska (Saunders
and Douglas Counties). Contacted Mr. Jacob Wobig, Special Counsel to the
Saunders County Board of Directors, which is opposed to the proposed well
field. Voiced the Conservation Committee's opposition to the proposed well
field. Contacted Steve Virgil from the Great Plains Environmental Law
Center and requested that his organization provide additional legal
resources to Mr. Wobig and the Saunders County Board.
¨ Partnered with the Missouri Valley Sierra Club and Kim Stuhr, a resident of a Sarpy County neighborhood that is the site of a planned development near Schramm Park. Nelli Falzgraf wrote to the Sarpy commissioners regarding the environmental impacts on the development. The Commissioners deferred action on the proposed development pending further study. (See item on Page 5.)
¨ Researched the proposed tree clearing of an area of Hanscom Park during nesting season. Wrote to Mayor Fahey and the City Parks & Recreation Director Larry Foster expressing our concern about the proposed tree removal.
ASO Conservation Committee members include Nelli Falzgraf, Jackie Scholar, Laurine Blankenau, Kathy Schwery, Bechara Embaid, and Tad Leeper (Chair). You are encouraged to contact these members when you become aware of an issue you think may warrant the committee's attention.
01/24/08