Some Politicians Forgot Environmental Lessons : Throughout the past two decades people have taken upon themselves to improve the quality of life. But the gains are now threatened by shortsighted lawmakers.

In the past 25 years we have made great strides in protecting our water, land and air and in raising environmental awareness. Our successes were due to people working together and making a commitment to save their community.

Now, 25 years after the first Earth Day, all our efforts are being threatened by right-wing politicians who still don’t understand that saving the environment means saving our kids and quality of life, and that being environmentally aware doesn’t have to cost jobs but can create them.

Throughout the past two decades, the people themselves have become more environmentally conscious and active, instead of waiting for government officials to enact tougher environmental policies. The public has become the leader in preserving our neighborhoods.

For example, residents in Lake View Terrace got tired of waiting for city officials to give them recycling bins for their trash--so they started their own recycling program. Once it was under way and officials saw it was working, residents were able to secure a grant from the Department of Conservation to keep the program running. The program marked the first time the state had ever given money to a neighborhood organization for this type of project.

If residents hadn’t led the bureaucrats, how long would they have had to wait to get the recycling bins from the city? Why did they have to wait at all?

People in the San Fernando Valley are waiting for delivery of recycled water. The East Valley Reclamation Project was started in 1990 along with the West Basin Reclamation Project in the South Bay area, but it didn’t kick off until earlier this year. The East Valley won’t get its first delivery of water until 1997 or 1998, though the West Basin Water District began delivering recycled water last year.

Why is the Valley so far behind? Unlike the West Water Basin District, which is committed to serving its constituents, the L.A. Department of Water and Power has refused to acknowledge what the public wants and that water reclamation can be good for business and the environment. By recycling water, the city will create its own water supply instead of relying on water from the already damaged Mono Lake, which has seen a 25% reduction in its surface during the past few years because of the significant amount of water the DWP had drained for Los Angeles.

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If the public hadn’t pressured the DWP, the project could have been delayed even longer. And though we should be happy the project is finally under way, we must continue to fight city officials to make sure it stays on schedule. Individuals can make a difference if they make their voices heard.

Another fight the people need to win is the battle to close the environmentally hazardous Lopez Canyon Landfill. During the past year, it has been cited repeatedly for environmental and health violations, including emitting landfill gases into the air. Residents who live near the landfill, community leaders and environmentalists all want it closed, but unless public pressure is felt by the city it will stay open five more years.

The sad fact is, government agencies have been too slow to respond to environmental protection sought by the public, and the health of our environment as well as the species we share the Earth with. Instead of fighting neighborhoods and residents, officials should be working with them to improve the future. Local residents have spoken out overwhelmingly about their desire for more environmental protection, and they should not be ignored. Bureaucrats need to stop solving 1990s problems with a 1930s mentality and encourage people to continue their fight for a healthy planet.

Right now, Republicans in Washington and Sacramento are threatening to dismantle major environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, both of which are critical to the well-being of the Earth. If these programs are dismantled, we will be on a path to destroy our planet, not save it.

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People young and old, rich and poor, must continue to take that first step in protecting our environment. Government bureaucrats must respond. They can no longer hide behind their desks and make up excuses. Preserving our natural resources and protecting the environment for our children must be a priority for all.