Guest guest Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 As feds close EPA libraries, researchers and others protest Gagging didn't work, so the feds are trying something new. The U.S. EPA has closed four of its research libraries and cut hours at seven more. The agency says materials will still be available digitally, but many worry that the shift will stymie scientists seeking data on, say, the 1,700 potentially hazardous chemicals introduced each year. The library system houses some 400,000 sources; a 2004 report showed that its librarians have saved EPA staff over 214,566 hours of research time, equating to more than $7.5 million. (The cutbacks are expected to save $2 million annually.) The American Library Association called the cuts " draconian, " while Jeffrey Ruch of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility equated them to a " self-imposed lobotomy. " Meanwhile, others are protesting the apparent dismantling of EPA's Northwest environmental-justice office, which coincides with the appointment of a regional administrator who once worked at Dow Chemical. Weeding is fundamental! straight to the source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Rebecca Carr, 30 Oct 2006 straight to the source: First Amendment Center, Melanie Bengtson, 30 Oct 2006 straight to the source: FCW Media Group, Aliya Sternstein, 27 Oct 2006 straight to the source: The Seattle Times, Warren Cornwall, 31 Oct 2006 As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. William O. Douglas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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