POLL FINDS SUPPORT FOR DITCHING PLASTIC STRAWS: Most Americans support a recent push to cut back on the use of plastic straws, though a smaller percentage support an outright ban, according to a new poll.
Nearly 80 percent of respondents in a survey from BuzzFeed News and market research firm Ipsos said they strongly or somewhat support companies shifting toward biodegradable straws, while nearly as many — 75 percent — supported businesses only providing plastic straws when asked.
The straws are a source of plastic pollution that often clogs waterways and harms wildlife.
The online poll, which surveyed 2,000 adults nationwide Aug. 14-16, found, however, that respondents were less supportive of government intervention on straw use.
Some 48 percent said they supported local bans on plastic straws, including 56 percent of Democrats and 41 percent of Republicans, compared to 42 percent overall who oppose one.
Read more here and see the poll.
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CALIFORNIA GOV CONSIDERS EASING LOGGING RULES TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES: California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is proposing sweeping new legislation that would make it easier for private landowners to cut down trees on their land as the state deals with one of its worst wildfire seasons in years.
Brown’s plan, which was first reported by the Mercury News on Thursday, would allow landowners living on property of 300 acres or less to cut down trees up to 36-inches wide without a permit. The current regulation ends at 26 inches in diameter.
Additionally, owners would be able to build private roads up to 600 feet long without first getting a permit as long as the roads are maintained.
The idea is to let landowners help thin forests to decrease the spread of fires. Brown’s proposal follows Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s visit to the state last week, where both Cabinet members pushed increased forest management as a way to hinder future fires.
President Trump also backed the need for logging and forest management in a tweet, saying, “Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading!”
Read more here.
And in other California news…
Trump officials push new water deal to help farmers: The Interior Department’s Bureau of Reclamation sent a notice to Golden State officials in mid-August that it will be renegotiating a major water project that moves water through the state’s Delta, the Sacramento Bee first reported.
The move is likely to increase tensions over the already controversial topic of whether water should be moved directly to the sea or diverted to areas of agriculture in the state’s Central Valley.
As a candidate, Trump made a campaign stop in the Central Valley and promised farmers that he would support more damn construction and water diversion to help the industry.
Environmentalists are largely opposed to the idea because it leaves less water for the State Water Project.
Earlier in the week, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ordered the agency to develop an “action plan” to send more water to Northern California’s San Joaquin Valley.
“The time for action is now,” he wrote, according to the Sacramento Bee.
The move is likely to stir up conflict between environmentalists and state officials.
California gears up to be first state to ban plastic straws: California Lawmakers voted Thursday to pass a statewide single use plastic straw ban at restaurants, BuzzFeed News reported. The bill, which has yet to be signed into state law by Gov. Jerry Brown, would restrict full service restaurants from giving customers straws unless they are asked for.
WEEK AHEAD:
The House remains out of session next week and the Senate is looking to tackle a more mellow schedule. The Commerce, Science, and Transportation subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will hold a hearing Tuesday looking into the growing threat of toxic algae blooms in U.S. waterways and coasts. Beaches off Florida’s Gulf Coast are currently being hit the hardest from the phenomenon, which leads to the death of fish and creates dangerous conditions for humans.
The Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday will consider a handful of bills including one on the management of driftnet fishing, and a bill to amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to allow Alaska Natives to deal in traditional mammoth ivory products.
OUTSIDE THE BELTWAY:
Texas remains number one state in wind energy production
Climate change is melting the French Alps, mountaineers say
The maker of the AK-47 wants to sell electric cars
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Check out stories from Friday…
– Poll: Americans support moving away from plastic straws, less sure of ban
– California’s Jerry Brown considers easing logging rules to help fight fires
– Protesters interrupt DNC meeting after ban on fossil fuel money reversed