Countywide : Big Green Initiative Petitions Are Filed

Local environmental activists turned in petitions Thursday that they said contained 8,225 signatures in support of the so-called “Big Green” initiative, which they are trying to qualify for the November state ballot.

Officially known as the environmental protection act of 1990, the Big Green initiative would: remove from the market 32 pesticides suspected of causing cancer or birth defects, limit emissions that contribute to global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer, and ban new drilling for oil or gas in state waters unless an energy crisis occurs.

The initiative, sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) and Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp, would also create a $300-million bond issue to buy ancient redwood forests, where logging would be prohibited forever.

Opponents, who include both the agriculture and timber industries, are sponsoring rival initiatives.

Ventura County elections officials will count the signatures on the petitions as part of the qualifying process. At least 372,000 signatures are needed to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

“Californians are tired of waiting for the state Legislature to pass strong laws to protect the environment and public health,” said Frances Scharli, founder of Mothers and Others for Safe Food in Ventura.

Scharli and Henry Curtis, who is on the staff of the statewide Pesticide Watch group, headed the signature drive in the county.