CANADA-UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL 
     
     NEWS RELEASE 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Canada-United States Environmental Council has called on both 
     
     nations to take decisive steps to curb acid precipitation, including 
     
     prompt agreement on an air—quality treaty designed to reduce sulphur 
     
     and nitrogen oxide and toxic metal emissions to 1955 levels. 
     
    

    
     The council has also urged congressional extension and strength- 
     
     ening of the United States' Clean Air Act, which expires this year. 
     
    

    
     The actions of the bi-national non-governmental body were taken 
     
     March 22 at a meeting in Washington, D.C. The four—day meeting was 
     
     attended by delegates from 35 environmental organizations in the two 
     
     countries. ‘ 
     
    

    
     In its acid precipitation resolution, CUSEC said both nations 
     
     should immediately institute requirements for the washing of all coal 
     
     being burned in existing facilities and the use of the newest anti— 
     
     pollution devices before resorting to older equipment. Government 
     
     agencies also were called on to grant unrestricted public access to 
     
     all emission data. 
     
    

    
     The council pointed out that deadly acid precipitation is threat— 
     
     ening thousands of lakes in both nations. 
     
    

    
     The delegates also called for steps to curb carbon dioxide 
     
     emissions and long-range transport of other pollutants, and steps to 
     
     maintain air quality in national parks, wilderness and other pristine 
     
     areas. Other anti-pollution resolutions called for stepped—up actions 
     
     against toxic wastes in the Great Lakes and a ban on ocean nuclear— 
     
     waste dumping. 
     
    

    
     CUSEC urged Canada to establish a major park or wildlife preserve 
     
     in northern Yukon Territory to complement the United States' Arctic ' 
     
     National Wildlife Refuge. The proposed preserve would help to sustain 
     
     the 120.000—animal Porcupine caribou herd, shared by the two nations. 
     
    

    
     Also urged were the creation of a marine sanctuary in the Beau- 
     
     fort Sea and launching of a major study of Beaufort whales and other 
     
     marine life before permitting further offshore drilling in this Arctic 
     
     area. The council said it 'deplores' continuation of Beaufort Sea oil 
     
     and gas activity without adequate scientific studies looking toward 
     
     protection of natural values. 
     
    

    
     In other actions, CUSEC: 
     
    

    
     Urged the two nations to negotiate a treaty for the management 
     
     and protection of the Porcupine caribou herd and its habitat. 
     
    

    
     Called for U.S.-Canadian support of an adequate global Law of the 
     
     Sea treaty to regulate deep and seabed mining. 
     
    

    
     Urged the two nations to back a worldwide commercial whaling 
     
     moratorium. 
     
    

    
     Urged conclusion of a treaty to protect marine resources on 
     
     Georges Bank, off the east coast. 
     
    

    
     Called for U.S. and Canadian leadership on behalf of an Antarctic 
     
     'world preserve' and other steps to protect Antarctic marine life in the 
     
     context of proposals for oil and gas exploration in the region. 
     
    

    
     Urged that alternatives be found to forestall increased Canadian 
     
     electricity exports to the U.S. because of the adverse environmental 
     
     . implications of Canadian power development. 
     
    

    
     Urged halting the Garrison Diversion Project in North Dakota until 
     
     it is modified to protect Canadian rights under the Boundary Waters 
     
    
   
   
    
     Treaty. 
     
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