PROPOSITIONS 128, 130 : Campaign Strategy Links 2 Environmental Initiatives

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader arrived in California on Monday to shore up support for the closely contested environmental initiative, Proposition 128.

Attacking what he called “all kinds of phony alarms” raised against the sweeping initiative, Nader said opponents of the measure cannot be trusted to tell the truth.

At the same time, Nader endorsed Proposition 130, the so-called “Forests Forever” initiative that seeks to protect California’s ancient redwoods and other forests.

The twin endorsements by Nader at press conferences in Los Angeles and San Francisco and during a rally at UC Berkeley marked the emergence of a new tactic by environmental groups of linking the two measures in the voters’ minds in hopes of winning their passage.

With one week left in the campaign, environmentalists are alarmed by recent public opinion polls indicating that voters are deeply divided over Proposition 128, known as “Big Green” by its supporters.

Backers of Proposition 130 also are concerned that voters may be confused because the “Forests Forever” measure is competing with a rival initiative backed by the lumber industry, Proposition 138.

By tying Propositions 128 and 130 together, environmentalists hope to end the confusion and improve their prospects on Election Day.

Even as Nader campaigned across the state for the measures, the Sierra Club said it spent $150,000 to run full-page ads in 10 California newspapers Monday urging yes votes on Propositions 128 and 130 and no votes on Propositions 135 and 138. Proposition 135 is a pesticide regulation initiative that is a rival to Proposition 128 and is backed by pesticide manufacturers and growers.

A new campaign organization backed by Earth Day leader Chris Desser and the Nader organization intended to get out the vote for both Propositions 128 and 130 was to be announced today. The $200,000 voter drive will target 1,000 key precincts that have a record of voting for environmental issues. The effort is being led by former United Farm Workers organizer Marshall Ganz of San Francisco.

Doug Phelps, national president of the Ralph Nader Public Interest Research Groups, said his organization and Earth Day leaders began planning the precinct drive three weeks ago when it appeared that both Propositions 128 and 130 were facing a split or confused electorate.

“As it became increasingly clear that this is going to be a very close election, voter turnout . . . can become a very large factor in the election,” Phelps said.

Michael Paparian, state director of the Sierra Club, added, “What we’re trying to do as part of our final message is to show people that there is one simple thing they need to do: Vote yes on two environmental measures and to vote no on two of the bogus measures.”

Proposition 128, backed by a coalition of major environmental groups, proposes to ban cancer-causing pesticides, protect ancient redwood forests, prohibit new offshore oil drilling in state waters and reduce ocean pollution. It also calls for reductions in air pollutants that contribute to global warming and destruction of the Earth’s stratospheric ozone layer.

Nader said that 60% of $25 million being spent against Proposition 128 was raised by 16 oil and chemical companies.

“The question comes down to this,” Nader said. “Who do you trust? Do you trust Arco? Chevron? Monsanto? Dow Chemical? . . . Do you think they’re worried about your health or more about the sales of their products?”

Nader called Proposition 135, the rival pesticide, measure a “vicious, cancer-producing initiative.”