PLF Announces 2006′s ”Top Five Earth Day Lies”; PLF Official Available for Comment on How Untruths Pollute the Debate

Pacific Legal Foundation:

  WHEN:    Thursday, April 20, 2006, in anticipation of Earth Day (April          22).  WHAT:    Pacific Legal Foundation announces its 2006 list of “Top Five          Earth Day Lies” – five untruths, peddled by environmental          extremists, that distort the environmental debate.  WHO:     Available for comment is Pacific Legal Foundation Vice          President Dave Stirling.  He is a research fellow at          Stanford’s Hoover Institution, where he is preparing a book          on how over-regulation harms the environment and          constitutional rights.  SUMMARY: The 2006 “Top Five Earth Day Lies” are as follows: 

LIE NO. 1: THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT HELPS ENDANGERED SPECIES

Truth: The ESA puts species in danger and undermines constitutional property rights.

LIE NO. 2: SALMON FISHING MUST BE HALTED ALONG THE WEST COAST TO PROTECT “ENDANGERED” CHINOOK SALMON

Truth: Halting fishing would be an economically devastating “solution” in search of a non-existent “problem.” Salmon are not “endangered.”

LIE NO. 3: THE FEDS MUST MICROMANAGE PRIVATE PROPERTY TO PROTECT CLEAN WATER

Truth: State governments adequately protect clean water; federal intrusion is unconstitutional.

LIE NO. 4: DRILLING IN ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WOULD HARM A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT

Truth: Past energy development in Alaska belies doomsday warnings.

LIE NO. 5: THE BEST FOREST STEWARDSHIP IS TO LET FORESTS BURN

Truth: Removing dead wood prevents out-of-control fires, and spares species from incineration.

Explanation and background of each of these myths is available at Pacific Legal Foundation’s website, www.pacificlegal.org.

QUOTE FROM DAVE STIRLING:

“This year’s list highlights the myth that heavy regulation promotes environmental health. In their zeal to promote their eco-political agenda, many environmentalists ignore evidence that overbearing regulation is counter-productive. A balanced approach — one that takes into account the human factor, the effect on jobs, the economy, and people’s ability to provide shelter and support for their families — is actually the most promising and humane way to protect the environment.”

Dave Stirling can be reached for comment at (916) 419-7111.

About Pacific Legal Foundation

Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest public interest legal organization dedicated to protecting property rights, limited government, and individual freedom. More information on PLF is available at www.pacificlegal.org.