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Greenfinch in MD; Duke Power does the right thing



Hi Carolinabirders,

I received something a while back from ex-Carolinabirder Dan Lebbin about 
a dam project which was about to destroy a pristine valley full of 
rainforest and wildlife in Belize. Duke Power was a major participant. I 
do not remember if Dan sent his alert to the list, or just certain 
individuals. In any case, you might like to know that our local power 
utility has not only avoided rolling blackouts, but also has pulled its 
support from the dam after being flooded with mail from people opposed to 
the project. Protests are now being directed at a Canadian multinational 
corporation called Fortis, to get them to follow Duke Power's lead. If 
you know any Canadians, give them the news... I'll past the official 
press release below.

A little closer to home, a Greenfinch has been found coming to a bird 
feeder in Washington County, MD. All previous records of this Eurasian 
species in the US have been deemed probable escapes, and so the bird 
isn't on the official AOU or ABA lists. But if anybody happens to be 
driving up that way, it would be a neat bird to see, though maybe not 
quite as impressive as a Smew or Barnacle Goose... It sounds, however, 
like many of this winter's other vagrants are on the move. The VA and MD 
Snowy Owls are clearing out, along with Mary's little pal Tea, and the 
Yellow-faced Grassquit down south disappeared after its couple of weeks. 
Guess my Rufous will follow sometime soon; I'll let y'all know when I 
notice its departure...

Good birding,

Josh



Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Biology (Zoology, R.I.P.)

jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/

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NRDC members, e-activists win round one in battle to save BioGem in 
	Belize, as U.S. company pulls out of dam project

  From Natural Resources Defense Council
  Thursday, February 8, 2001

  NEW YORK - Following several months of member activism aimed at Duke 
Energy Group, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) learned last week 
that the American-based utility company was pulling out of a dam project 
in Belize that threatens unique habitat for jaguars and other rare 
species.

  According to NRDC, Duke Energy?s move raises even more questions about 
the environmental and economic soundness of the proposed Chalillo Dam on 
the Upper Macal River in western Belize. Duke Energy?s decision came in 
the wake of its receiving tens of thousands of messages from NRDC members 
condemning the company for its expected involvement in the project.

  In January, NRDC stepped up its efforts to stop the Chalillo Dam with 
the launch of an Internet-based initiative (www.SaveBioGems.org) focusing 
on 12 "BioGems" in North and Central America, including the Macal River 
in Belize, which are under threat by government or corporate development 
schemes.

  According to Jacob Scherr, director of NRDC?s international programs 
and BioGems coordinator, NRDC will focus on Fortis Inc., a Canadian 
multinational, which bought out Duke?s interest in the Chalillo Dam. 
Fortis is already the majority owner of Belize Electric Ltd., the 
country?s only electric utility. 

  "This is a perfect example of how individual citizens can bring 
pressure on a major corporation to drop a wrongheaded project," Mr. 
Scherr. "Now that Duke is out, we?re hopeful the public will help 
convince Fortis to reconsider and abandon plans for the dam."

  Mr. Scherr explained that the Macal River Valley is one of the most 
vital and biologically diverse habitats in Central America. It is home to 
an endangered subspecies of the Scarlet Macaw, Morelet?s crocodile, 
tapirs, and jaguars. Scientists consider the Macal River Valley to be 
crucial to saving the jaguar for future generations.

  NRDC also protested the summary dismissal of Kimo Jolly, a teacher at 
Sacred Heart Junior College in San Ignacio, Belize and outspoken critic 
of the Chalillo Dam project. He is the top independent expert in Belize 
on the economics and environmental impacts of the dam. Mr. Jolly leads 
the Concerned Citizens Coalition, a grassroots group in Belize, in 
opposing the dam. 

  "We fear that Kimo Jolly?s sudden dismissal was in retaliation for his 
environmental activism -- a patent violation of his basic rights," said 
Mr. Scherr. "We stand behind our friend and colleague now, and urge that 
he be immediately reinstated and free to speak out in defense of the 
environment."

  The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit 
organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists 
dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 
1970, NRDC has more than 400,000 members nationwide, served from offices 
in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

  Press contact: Kathy Parrent, 212-727-4408; Kidd Dorn, 212-727-4475

  For more information, contact:
  Kathy Parrent 
  Natural Resources Defense Council
  212-727-4408
  Web site: http://www.nrdc.org