OVEC Action Alert -March 20, 2002

National Valley Fill Call In Day Update

March 20, 3:45

We have heard that EPA and CEQ has stopped answering their phones. Here are some alternative numbers to try to reach:

1) Christine Whitman, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-4711 (Linda Fisher, Deputy Administrator) 202-564-6999 (Eileen McGinnis, EPA Cheif of Staff)

2) James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House's Council 202-395-5750 or 202-456-6224

PLEASE TRY YOUR CALLS AGAIN! SO FAR THE CALL IN DAY IS SUCCESSFUL BUT MANY PEOPLE COULD NOT GET THROUGH, WE NEED AS MANY CALLS AS POSSIBLE

IMPORTANT: SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR CALLS HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN EPA. IF THEY TRY AND TRANSFER YOU, LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU WANT YOUR MESSAGE SHOULD TO BE TAKEN AND GIVEN TO THE CHAIRMAN AND ADMINISTRATOR.

WE ARE EXTENDING THE CALL IN DAY TO 5 PM TODAY!

Tips for calling (especially if this is your first time participating in a call-in campaign):

1)Be polite, our objective is not to harass the folks who answer the phones but to get our message across to their bosses. 2) Tell them your name and where you are from. 3) Leave a short message, such as: "The Administration must not allow the Corps of Engineers to permit the burying of our nations streams and wetlands in mining waste" or "I am calling to register my opposition to the proposed rule that would allow mountaintop removal coal mining to bury streams" or "Please do not change Clean Water Act rules to allow the Corps to permit companies to dump waste in waters of the US" or a similar short message. (See other sample messages below.) 4) If the person answering the phone says they are not taking messages, which may happen, remind them that you are a taxpayer/member of the public and it is important that, as a public agency, they deliver your message to Mr. Connaughton or Ms. Whitman.