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AmeriScan: September 21, 1998
VOICE YOUR VIEWS ON ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
At a June meeting, an international panel of scientists advised National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) that electric and magnetic fields (EMF) like those around power lines, home wiring, home appliances, and some industrial facilties are a "possible" human carcinogen requiring additional research. NIEHS has asked for public comment in writing or at public meetings. For people in the East, NIEHS will hold a public forum on September 28, from 3 to 8 pm at the Ronald Reagan Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. On-site registration begins at 2 pm. Brief comments by NIEHS scientists and the remainder of the time will be devoted to the receipt of public comments by a panel of NIEHS officials and others. Public hearings will also be held in Chicago and San Francisco. One was held earlier in Tucson, Arizona. The full scientific report is available at the NIEHS website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/home.htm
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SNAKE PEDDLER COULD GO TO JAIL
When Lawrence Rouch was selling snakes at an I-95 rest stop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in November 1993, some of the buyers were undercover law enforcement officers. On Tuesday, Rouch pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Alexandria to violating the Lacey Act, a federal law prohibiting the sale or purchase of fish or wildlife that have been taken, transported or sold in violation of state law. Rouch transported 15 copperhead snakes from North Carolina to Virginia which prohibits possession and sale of venomous snakes. Rouch sold copperhead snakes, water moccasins and canebrake rattlesnakes, which Virginia protects as endangered, in four transactions with law enforcement agents. He is the eighth person convicted as the result of a two-year undercover investigation, Operation Viper, by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Maryland Natural Resources Police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sentencing for Rouch is scheduled for December and could include a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
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RESCUED DOLPHIN "STORMY" NEEDS TLC 
Rescuers prepare "Stormy" to go into the pool.
The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) rescued a stranded bottlenose dolphin from a Port Aransas beach Wednesday evening, after a beachgoer found him. Members of the TMMSN Port Aransas office stabilized the dolphin overnight and moved him to the TMMSN headquarters in Galveston Thursday. "The dolphin, who we've named Stormy, is a young male about 6 feet long probably separated from his mother during Tropical Storm Frances," said Dr. Graham Worthy, director of TMMSN. "He is emaciated, weak, and apparently was bitten by a shark, but he is currently stable." TMMSN volunteers from across Texas are providing round-the-clock care - someone must be in his tank constantly. The nonprofit TMMSN will, if possible, release Stormy back into the ocean when he can survive on his own. TMMSN is appealing for donations to cover the rehabilitation costs of $400 a day for food, medication and round-the-clock care for several months. Contact TMMSN Dolphin Rescue Fund, 5001 Avenue U, Suite 105C, Galveston, TX 77551-5926. Tel: 1-800-9MAMMAL.
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JELLYFISH STING FLORIDA NUCLEAR PLANT
The Saint Lucie nuclear power plant in Florida has been dealing with large numbers of jellyfish clogging its water intake canal. The problem started nearly two weeks ago but became more serious on September 18 when control room operators had to downpower Unit 1 from 100 percent to 93 percent power because of problems caused by the jellyfish. Less than an hour later the technical problems were resolved, but during the incident a piece of equipment fell from its hoist into the intake well, triggering a valve closure. St. Lucie is located on Hutchinson Island, about 7.5 miles south of Ft. Pierce. The plant is now back to normal operation.
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NUCLEAR PLANTS AUDITED FOR Y2K READINESS
As part of its efforts to address the Year 2000 problem, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has begun a series of audits that will examine 12 nuclear power plants throughout the nation to spot-check measures licensees are taking to assure that key computer systems will function in the year 2000 and beyond. The process, which will extend through January, started this month with audits at the Monticello nuclear power plant in Minnesota and the Seabrook plant in New Hampshire.
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NEWEST OZONE LAYER SCIENCE PRESENTED
The latest in the U.S. Global Change Research Program Seminar Series in Washington, DC will update scientific understanding of the depletion and recovery of the ozone layer. Dr. Daniel Albritton, Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aeronomy Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado will answer these questions: What are the current and projected trends in stratospheric ozone-depleting chemicals in the atmosphere? Has the Montreal Protocol been effective in reducing ozone-depleting chemicals in the atmosphere? How severe is ozone depletion at present? Will ozone depletion worsen before it gets better? Is ozone depletion confined solely to high latitudes? Will the ozone layer recover to its natural state, and if so, when? Are there likely to be surprises along the way? Wednesday, 3:15-4:45 pm, Longworth House Office Bldg., Room 1539, Washington, DC. Contact Tony Socci, Tel: 202-314-2235; Email: TSOCCI@USGCRP.GOV
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PENNSYLVANIA CREATES NEW RECYCLING AWARD
Governor Tom Ridge today marked the 10th anniversary of Act 101 - Pennsylvania's recycling and waste-planning law by announcing a new award program to recognize employers, schools and communities that have demonstrated new uses for recycled materials. The new award, to be presented across the state by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is called "Recognizing Excellence in the Commonwealth's 10th Year of Closing the Loop for Environmental Solutions" (RECYCLES). Ridge also announced nearly $197,000 in grants to further support
local recycling efforts in 18 counties across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has set a new goal of recycling 35 percent of the municipal waste generated in the state by 2003, after meeting Pennsylvania's goal of recycling 25 percent by 1997.
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VEGGIE VAN RV RUNS ON USED FRYER OIL
The Veggie Van, a 1986 retrofitted Winnebego powered by biodiesel fuel converted from fast food waste fryer oil, is rolling through Pennsylvania to spread the news about the wave of renewable, energy choices now available. The Veggie Van, sponsored by Green Mountain Energy Resources, is owned and operated by Josh and Kaia Tickell of Sarasota, Florida. The Tickells find that biodiesel fuel is a cleaner fuel alternative. It burns 75 percent cleaner than diesel fuel, reduces carbon dioxide emissions up to 100 percent, and can easily be produced by many things that people often throw out - like used vegetable oil. The Veggie Van has a solar electricity system which powers its interior lights, refrigerator and computer, and "green meters" which show how much electricity different appliances use as well as how much electricity solar panels and wind generators can produce. The van has toured the country twice, touting the benefits of cleaner electricity options.
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FROG FORCE LEAPS FORWARD 
The Department of the Interior, with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Martin and Chris Kratt of the popular public television series "Kratt's Creatures," will host a Frog Pond Picnic for young people at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens near Washington, DC on Tuesday at 10 am. Around the world, scientists have noticed vanishing frog populations, die-offs and deformed frogs and toads. Several threats are being studied, but scientists cannot yet point to clear causes. The NWF will introduce new classroom teaching materials, review recent monitoring activities, and offer families information about backyard wildlife habitats. A new "Frog Force" will be launched with students from local schools that have been involved with Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. They will be taught to look and listen for frogs and toads and be introduced to a new Internet site, http://www.Frogweb.gov/
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WASHINGTON RAZOR CLAMS TOO ACID
The coastal razor clam season will not open during October as planned, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Levels of domoic acid have risen above the 15 parts per million level established by the state Department of Health as the maximum allowable level for digging to occur. Domoic acid is a naturally occurring marine toxin which accumulates in the flesh of razor clams. Eating clams with high levels of this substance can cause serious health risks. WDFW, in cooperation with the Department of Health, will continue to sample razor clams to monitor the domoic acid level. When concentrations drop to a safe level, WDFW will set dates for the season.
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