The Highway BEEAct H.R. 4790- sign the petition by June 16th, 2014 if you are a US Citizen!

Go to:
http://pollinator.org/BEEAct.htm

Support Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act
(Highways BEE Act)

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About this petition Highways BEE Act:  H.R. 4790 was introduced by Reps Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and Jeff Denham (R-CA) on May 30 and is strongly supported by the Pollinator Partnership (P2).  Hastings and Denham are co-chairs of theCongressional Pollinator Protection Caucus (CP2C). Who Can Sign: Organizations at all levels and types (national, state, local) Companies Researchers, other individuals Forward this Opportunity:  To others who may be interested.  Spreading the word helps! ************************************ GROUP LETTER IN SUPPORT OF HIGHWAYS BEE ACT The undersigned support H.R. 4790, the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Pollinator Protection Act (Highways BEE Act). Pollinators, such as honey bees and native pollinators, birds, bats, and butterflies, are essential to healthy ecosystems and are vital partners in American agriculture.  Honey bees, monarch butterflies and other native pollinators are suffering drastic population losses, due in part to loss of habitat. Highway right-of-ways (ROWs) managed by State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs) represent about 17 million acres of opportunity where significant economic and conservation/environmental benefits can be achieved through integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices, that can— Significantly reduce mowing and maintenance costs for State DOTs, and Help create habitat, forage and migratory corridors that will contribute to the health of honey bees, monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, as well as ground nesting birds and other small wildlife.  Neighboring agricultural lands and wildlife ecosystems will benefit through improved pollination services. The Highways BEE Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to useexisting authorities, programs and funding to encourage and facilitate IVM and pollinator habitat efforts by willing State DOTs and other transportation ROWs managers, building on innovative IVM efforts in a growing number of State DOTs. ************************************ Background: H.R. 4790 promotes conservation practices on 17 million acres of highway rights-of-way (ROWs) by encouraging willing State DOTs to reduce mowing and plant for pollinators, providing improved habitat for pollinators, ground nesting birds and other small wildlife.  Important to act quickly, as transportation reauthorization legislation appears to be on a fast track in Congress.  The goal is to get an amendment based on the Highways BEE Act in that important legislation. This legislation is nearly identical to a bill introduced by Rep Alcee Hastings in 2011, and widely supported—by 28 national organizations and business, 175 regional organizations, 46 researchers and over 1,500 individuals.  Regrettably, those good efforts fell short.  We don’t want to fall short in helping pollinators this time!

HR 4790 Bill Text Highways BEE Act P2 Summary Highways BEE Act Group Support Letter Hastings May Floor Statement Hastings May 30 Media Release POLLINATOR ACTION REQUEST:   You can help honey bees, monarch butterflies and other pollinators by signing on to group letter as ORGANIZATION and/or asINDIVIDUAL. Deadline ASAP, and by June 16—the first day of National Pollinator Week