Air Date: Week of January 21, 1994

Transcript

CURWOOD: And now, its time to hear from you, our listeners.

Dave Lutz of the Neighborhood Open Space Commission in New York wrote us about our recent report on efforts to combat suburban sprawl in the Seattle area... by channelling growth into what are called "urban villages." "It sounds to me that the towns that Seattle planners want to establish are a lot like the wonderful and diverse neighborhoods of New York City," wrote Mr. Lutz. He adds, it's "important that we pay attention to the cities, because city people... and New Yorkers in particular... use a fraction of the energy resources, and a fraction of the land per capita, of suburbanites and rural people. City living is in many ways more rewarding than 'country' lifestyles. Americans must work to achieve magical...and livable cities... or we will condemn ourselves to suburban sprawl and lack of personal interaction."

Gretchen Icke, of Wichita, Kansas called about our reporting on the debate over incinerating the U.S. chemical weapons arsenal. Ms. Icke says our report left the impression that the U.S. produced chemical weapons continuously from World War One through the 1980s. In fact, she points out, chemical weapons production was halted in this country for nearly 15 years.

ICKE: Nixon issued a ban on chemical weapons production which was retained by Ford and Carter// and then eventually Reagan won and production was resumed. But there was a good long period from '69 up through about '83 that there was a ban in place.

SUBIER: The name is John Subier, I'm in Martinez, California. I just heard the report on animal tracking and noise pollution. I've been doing this Sierra Club winter mountaineering thing for years, and I've thought of it before but I'm going to add some animal tracking to the course. Also, noise pollution--keep us informed on legislation. I've been to the Grand Canyon only once, and/ the week I spent in the Canyon was almost ruined by airplane noise pollution.

CURWOOD: And finally, a listener from Campbellsport, Wisconsin writes: "We enjoy your programs, but you seem to continue to miss the big picture. There is no meaning to all the environmental activities unless there are real, intense programs to reduce world populations, especially in the industrialized countries. Your every program should start and end with a statement on the importance of population reduction."