Notes from JWR:

Notes from JWR: I’m launching a special two week “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse” Six Pack Sale. For any orders placed between now and the end of June, I’m offering a box of six autographed copies of my novel “Patriots, packed in a well-padded USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate box, for $93, postage and Delivery Confirmation tracking label costs paid, to any US or APO/FPO address. That is just $15.50 per copy! And again, I pay the postage. Payment options include USPS money order, AlertPay, GearPay, or PayPal. (We prefer AlertPay or GearPay because they don’t share PayPal’s anti-gun political agenda.)
Our AlertPay address is: rawles@usa.net
Our GearPay address is: rawles@usa.net
Our PayPal address is: rawles@earthlink.net
If paying via USPS money order (sorry, no checks), please use this mail forwarding address (because of forwarding down to the ranch, you can expect a two week delay):

James Wesley, Rawles
c/o Elk Creek Company
P.O. Box 303
Moyie Springs, Idaho 83845

All orders will be mailed by our order fulfillment partner up in Montana, so no special book inscriptions are available. (Just my generic autograph.) This “Six Pack” offer ends on June 30th, so get your order in soon. Thanks!

Today we present another article for Round 11 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. (Worth up to $2,000!) Second prize is a copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, generously donated by Jake Stafford of Arbogast Publishing. I will again be sending out a few complimentary copies of my novel “Patriots” as “honorable mention” awards. Round 11 runs for two months, ending on the last day of July. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the judging.



Disaster Proof Your Home, by “Decay”

In today’s survival forums much emphasis is placed on issues such as Bug Out Bags (BOBs), Main Battle Rifles, or Bug Out Vehicles (BOVs) These are important but I feel that it is critical that we also remember to return to the basics in an emergency situation. It was through my neighborhood Emergency Training program that I was reminded how fragile our homes, apartments, and neighborhoods can be during and after a disaster. Before flooding, hurricanes, tornados, famine, pestilence, plague, war or martial law. You and your family should get prepared so that you will be ready for anything that rolls down the pipe! The basic eight in your home are: gas & propane, water, structure, communication, light, food, and first aid.

WATER & NATURAL GAS/PROPANE: A four-in-one tool can be used to shut off gas and water lines, turn off main lines to your home/apartment. Water heaters should be strapped to the nearest wall, in case of an earthquake. By shutting off your water, you will not waste water pressure to the fire hydrants.

ELECTRIC: Get familiar with the location of your main power switch so that you can turn off all of the power to your home in the case of emergency. Remember that the power company will be receiving thousands of service requests during an emergency and will not be available to respond quickly to them. By knowing how to turn off the power quickly you will reduce the risk of electrocution and fire in your home.

STRUCTURE:

  • If your domicile is damaged beyond repair and is not livable, have a tent or Geodesic dome handy where your family can live until a new structure can be rebuilt.
  • If you live in area that is prone to wildfires, you will need a 100 yard radius around you home that is limits flammable materials, including shrubbery and trees. [See: this site on “defensive space” for your property.]
  • Sand bags are important for flood prone areas, and be used as a safe room, bunker, or to cover windows to stop incoming rounds. Single stacked sand bags will stop 7.62×51 [NATO] rounds.
  • Chainsaws will be handy for cutting down branches/trees after a windstorm, ice storm, tornado or hurricane.
  • Heavy curtains placed over windows will help protect you and your family from falling glass in earthquake prone areas.
  • Installing anti-tilt brackets on furniture and bookshelves will also prevent injury from falling objects.
  • Constructing a concrete storm shelter will keep your family alive in hurricane and tornado prone areas. It should be below ground level and connect to your house basement, if possible. Food, water, blankets, first aid kits and cots should be stored in in the basement.

COMMUNICATION: Battery-powered SW/AM/FM/Weather band radio. Store it without the batteries installed. [Store your radio in a metal ammo can] in case of EMP.

LIGHT: Small flashlights next to every family member’s nightstand will help guide them around or out of the house in a power outage or disaster. Also remember to keep a flashlight next to the power junction box to replace blown fuses.

FIRST AID: Two first aid kits should be available in the home. One can be kept in the home and the other should be in your jump kit or backpack to take with you in the case of evacuation. These kits should be organized and easy to find so that first aid items can be accessed and used quickly. Check and refill your kits on a yearly basis. Burn gels, Betadine and other creams and dry out and over-the-counter pain killers will expire. Remember to have a three month supply on prescription drugs in both kits.

FOOD: Last but not least, it is important to remember that we need to build our food pantries so that in the case of emergency we have enough food to survive for at least two months. This includes storing good drinking water that is safe from contamination.



Two Letters Re: Seeking Advice on Swimming Pool Chlorine for Treating Drinking Water

Jim:
I had to write you and correct something that could lead to health damage or even death from the use of chlorine [for water treatment]. People have to know that this use [of chlorine] is for treating water [shortly before use], not long term storage. If you have a water supply that you intend to drink/use within a month, then chlorine (as long as it’s pure – as you so instructed) is fine. But it is not for long term storage!
When water is treated with chlorine, and then sealed in a container, the chlorine degrades over a short time period. Depending on variables (mixture, amount of water, heat, et cetera) this could be as soon as 2-3 months. As it breaks down, it releases chlorine gas, which does nothing to protect your water, but it can cause health problems (obviously) and it will also degrade and weaken your container.
There are products out there that can be used for long term water storage. (Stabilized Oxygen is but one of them.) These products can keep water stored safely for up to five years, with no bacteria or algae growth. – Kurt

 

James Wesley:
I can’t remember where I got this, but thought it might help with the question of “how much” in chlorinating water…..

Chlorination
Two common forms of chlorine compounds can be used, those disinfectants that contain Sodium Hypochlorate (household bleach) or Calcium Hypochlorate (swimming pool chlorine powder). It is very important that Chlorine is added to water at the correct dosage. Firstly, calculate the amount of water in the tank by using the following formula:
3.14 x radius2 x height of water in the tank (meters) x 1000 (The radius is half of the width of the tank)
Once you have calculated the volume of the water in the tank then place 40 milliliters of Sodium hypochlorite or 7 grams of Calcium Hypochlorite for each 1000 liters of water in the tank.
For example, if the tank’s dimensions are 5 meters wide, 3 meters high and there is 2.5 ml of water in the tank, the calculations would be as follows:
Volume of Water in the tank is:
3.14 x (5 x?)? x 2.5 x 1000 (liters)
Volume = 49,062.5 (liters)
40 x ( 49000/1000) = 1960 mils of Sodium Hypochlorite
Or 7x ( 49000/1000) = 343 grams of Calcium Hypochlorite

Regards, Terry M.



Odds ‘n Sods:

Because so many readers of SurvivalBlog are interested in establishing survival retreats, I’m in the process of setting up a new SurvivalBlog”sibling” web site that will feature survival retreat real estate listings. These will be both For Sale By Owner (FSBO) and from licensed real estate agents, worldwide. If you have a retreat property for sale, or know of someone that does, here is the deal: To get my new survival real estate web site off to a fast start with a lot property ads, I am offering free two month advertisements for the first 25 sellers that respond. Just e-mail me a brief description (200 words or less) of the property that you have available. (I’ll need detailed description and digital photos, later.) Since this project is still in its infancy I can’t guarantee exactly when the site will be launched, but our tentative goal is to have it up and running sometime in July.

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Michael Z. Williamson sent us a link to a great how-to page on how to make “A better soda can stove”

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Safecastle‘s current Food-Locker Load-Up Sale, with free club membership with qualifying purchase, is ending this weekend, June 17.

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I heard that Rob at $49 MURS Radios just picked up a limited quantity of earbud/microphone combos at a bargain price. The earbud is cushioned and the push to talk button has a clip that attaches to clothing. These are brand new Kenwood EMC-3 models and are only $5 each, shipped! I strongly recommend that you buy a couple of them for each of your MURS transceivers. (I just did for mine!)





Note from JWR:

The high bid is still at $410 in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction for a great selection of 17 survival and preparedness books. The auction ends tomorrow–June 15th. Our special thanks to Ready Made Resources for donating the majority of the books.



Letter Re: Seeking Advice on Swimming Pool Chlorine for Treating Drinking Water

Mr. Rawles,
I want to buy some pool chlorine crystals for long term storage. Holly Deyo’s book had a formula for purifying large amounts of water with this product, but how would I make a chlorine bleach substitute that could be used to purify smaller quantities of water or as laundry bleach? Is there an amount in grains or grams that could be used to make up, say, five gallons at a time? I know store bought laundry bleach like Clorox has a limited shelf life, so I wanted to be able to make [my own hypochlorite solution.] Thank you for any information you could provide. – CG in North Carolina

JWR Replies: Calcium hypochlorite is available from any swimming pool supply company. A granular (dry powder) “pool shock” product that lists only Calcium Hypochlorite as the active ingredient should be safe to use for water purification. The problem with other varieties is that they include other algaecide or fungicide chemicals that are probably not safe for human consumption. Ditto for using liquid bleach for the same purpose. With those, you want to buy plain Calcium Hypochlorite bleach. Do not buy bleach with fabric softeners, scents, et cetera. Keep in mind that bleach solutions break down and weaken with time (anticipate a 24 month shelf life), but that dry granular bleach stores indefinitely. Here is a quote from an EPA web site: “Granular Calcium Hypochlorite. Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately 1/4 ounce) for each two gallons of water [to create a chlorine disinfecting solution]. The mixture will produce a stock chlorine solution of approximately 500 mg/L, since the calcium hypochlorite has an available chlorine equal to 70 percent of its weight. To disinfect water, add the chlorine solution in the ratio of one part of chlorine solution to each 100 parts of water to be treated. This is roughly equal to adding 1 pint (16 oz.) of stock chlorine [solution] to each 12.5 gallons of water to be disinfected. To remove any objectionable chlorine odor, aerate the water…”

SurvivalBlog reader Laurelei recently reported that she found the Poolife brand “TurboShock” available $14.85 for five pounds. For purifying drinking water, two of the five pound boxes would constitute a “lifetime supply” for most folks.



Three Letters Re: Firearms Questions from a Distaff Newbie

James,
I wholeheartedly agree with your response. For quite some time now, I have been trying to get family members to visit your web site and make the appropriate investment into their own security in a very similar fashion as you did. I always advise those who inquire about personal/home security that appear to be starting from ground zero, like the ‘Distaff’ writer, to add layers to your security. The easiest quick fix is a big canine. I have five (all adopted from shelters and subsequently trained to get along with each other.) Yes, a canine can be defeated. However, a canine will hear out-of-place noises and will sniff out an intruder long before a human will, especially while you sleep or are distracted (watching television, on the telephone,…). Knowing that you have a threat in your presence is the key to surviving a situation. The first few seconds/minute is the critical window of opportunity for someone to get the upper hand. My advice, go get a nice big dog from a shelter who will protect you with his/her life and will be a constant companion. Better yet, get a few. – flhspete

Jim,
I agree with continual training, especially for adults. No matter how good you think you are, you can be better. The Appleseed Program is great ([sponsored by] Fred’s M14 Stocks out of Shotgun News), as are the more professional programs like Front Sight, et cetera.
But for the children, look at the local 4H clubs, they usually have a shooting class and team for youngsters. (starts at age 6 here locally). Also look at the CMP program, they have youth clubs (and you can get a surplus M1 Garand and a M1 Carbine while supplies last!). And I’m sure there are others like Jr. ROTC, and the Young Marines programs. Train a child up right, and he can hold his own with many adults on the range or in the field.

Not to disagree with you on toy guns, but I was brought up with toy guns as well as my first .22 when I was 8. and my kids have them as well. I don’t think they have any harmful effects, but my kids are taught/trained on the difference between real guns (including BB guns) and toys and obviously on the danger. Airsoft has been a great training aid during the cold and wet season. Amazing how realistic (and expensive) they have become. Toy guns get a bad rap, and its fairly hard to get anything at the local Wallyworld [Wal-Mart], I suppose due to the liberal agenda. Walmart has just phased out real guns here too.
Lastly, one approach that has worked for me with our kids is to control their curiosity regarding guns. Any time my kids want to go shoot, or look at any of the firearms, I stop what I’m doing and go with them. This way they never need to sneak to find one! – Mike the MD in Missouri

JWR Replies: That is an important point about kids being curious about guns. Our approach here at the Rawles Ranch is two-fold: First, we keep all of our guns loaded, and everyone here assumes that they are continually loaded and treats them as such, even on the rare occasions that they aren’t. Second, we don’t try to control our kids’ curiosity regarding gun, we indulge it. Since an early age we have have made it clear to our children that we are always willing to show them how to safely handle, load/unload, and even field strip any of our guns whenever they show an interest. Hiding guns or otherwise treating them as “forbidden fruit” just makes kids curious (and as you say “sneaky”). This has been the root of of many of the rare (but massively publicized) household accidental shootings in modern times.

James:
In response to KB from Mississippi, as an NRA instructor I have to concur with your suggestion about taking an NRA-approved course. I would also offer these suggestions to KB:
-Start with the Basic courses (Basic Pistol, Basic Rifle, Basic Shotgun.) These are the foundation for everything else you’ll do, and cover safety, firearms types and functioning, ammunition types, shooting positions, a basic familiarization course of fire, and different shooting activities to help you maintain and improve your shooting ability. Be sure to take your rifle, and if you don’t have a pistol or shotgun, be sure to let the instructor know. I always bring extras to my classes for those who don’t have their own, or want to try something
different. This also allows a student to make a better informed decision about what gun may or may not be right for them.
-Be sure to take the course with your son, if possible. Many years ago, my Mom took me to the NRA Basic Pistol course to learn more about my Dad’s guns after he passed away. It was the best thing she ever did, for both of us. It is much easier to have a third party teach firearms handling, than someone who has an emotional connection. Trust me on this! (Or better yet, ask my wife!) BTW, my Mom is almost 73 years old and has had her concealed carry permit for almost 20 years!
-Once you have taken the Basic course, I strongly recommend you attend a Personal Protection in the Home course. This goes into more detail about using the gun for personal defense, safety, tactics and strategies for home defense, ammunition types for personal defense, and the laws regarding firearms in your state (this part of the course is taught by a local attorney or police officer.) The course of fire also goes into reloading, shooting multiple targets, and movement. Don’t worry, the instructor will cover everything with you, and won’t make you do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing.
-At this point, you should start looking at more advanced training, such as Front Sight, Gunsite, or Thunder Ranch. I’ve attended Gunsite, and can attest to the quality of instruction one will receive there. As always, there is a cost factor involved with traveling to the big name schools, but there are also some outstanding instructors who travel the country teaching the latest in firearms training. Ones that I have experience with and can vouch for are Lethal Force Institute (Massad Ayoob), Suarez International (Gabe Suarez), Yavapai Firearms Academy (Louis Awerbuck), and Defense Training, International (John Farnam). Often, they will be somewhere close by at some point during the year, which will require much less in terms of traveling and money outlay, without sacrificing the quality of training you will receive.
I wish you luck with your journey, truly. I tend to be pretty passionate about this subject, and I apologize for the long winded letter. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, that’s what we’re here for. Regards, – Steve in Iraq







Note from JWR:

Today we present results of the most recent SurvivalBlog reader poll, wherein we asked "in seven words or less, What is/are/was Your Profession(s)?"



SurvivalBlog Reader Poll Responses: What is Your Profession?

  • Actor
  • Machinist / Gunsmith / Aerospace engineer
  • Petroleum engineer / Alternative energy designer
  • Police sergeant / Small Arms and Tactics Instructor
  • Academic anesthesiologist / Engineer
  • Air Force Contractor
  • Airport manager
  • Alternative Energy R&D / Intelligence analyst
  • Army Officer (PSYOP)
  • Army Officer Instructor / Firearms Instructor
  • Physician assistant
  • Associate Dean
  • Attorney, Personal injury
  • Audio engineer / Compact disc mastering
  • Auto mechanic
  • Beekeeper
  • Business & PoliSci student
  • Business consultant
  • Elderly caretaker
  • Cell phone technician
  • 2 CEOs
  • CFO
  • CIO
  • COO
  • Building contractor / Mine / Butcher / Lumberjack
  • Chairman / Economist
  • Chef
  • Chief systems engineer
  • Chimney sweep (retired)
  • Christian CPA / Reserve deputy / Sunday school teacher
  • Civil Engineer / Gunsmith
  • Civil and structural engineer
  • PR practitioner / Writer-editor
  • Clinical engineer
  • Clinical nurse / college professor / herbalist
  • College student
  • Commercial construction manager / Residential builder
  • Computer hardware engineer
  • Computer systems technologist / Police officer / Machinist / Cabinetmaker / MP Investigator / Yardman / Truck Driver / Roofer / EMT
  • Corporate jet pilot
  • First aid instructor / Sound engineer
  • Criminal defense lawyer / Special ops reserve officer
  • Critical infrastructure protection specialist
  • Currency trader
  • Database administrator
  • Dental technician
  • Dentist / anthropologist
  • Deputy Sheriff-Detective / Gunsmith
  • Design engineer / electric car manufacturer
  • Desk-clerk / assistant-bookkeeper / college student
  • Diesel mechanic / fleet manager
  • Educational book designer
  • 8 Electrical/electronic engineers
  • Musician
  • Sign contractor / Military history author.
  • 3 Electricians
  • Emergency Physician / Communications
  • 4 EMTs
  • Engineer
  • Environmental, Safety, and Health Manager
  • Ex-British Special Forces / consultant
  • Family law / estate planning attorney
  • 4 Farmers (including 1 organic, 1 mushroom), many secondary farmers
  • Federal agent / investigator
  • 5 Firefighters
  • Fire captain / EMT / Fire service instructor
  • Fire Marshal
  • Fish Farmer
  • Forensic anthropologist.
  • Insurance customer service rep (retired)
  • Marine Corps sergeant (retired) / CFO
  • Forward observer / NCO.
  • Furniture maker
  • Gemologist / Jewelry appraiser
  • Government bureaucrat
  • Graduate student
  • Green housing / Construction manager
  • Hacker
  • Hedge fund manager
  • Horse farm owner
  • Hospital pharmacist
  • Hunting Guide (Alaska)
  • HVACR business owner
  • ICU RN / Die maker / Mechanic
  • Insurance agent.
  • Investment manager
  • 5 Intelligence Analysts
  • IT consultant
  • IT Telecommuter
  • Pastor
  • Jack of all trades
  • Power plant operator
  • Laboratory technician
  • Landscape architect
  • Law enforcement
  • Lean manufacturing / Automotive.
  • LEO / Tactical instructor
  • Liquor salesman
  • Logistics manager
  • Lutheran pastor
  • Machinist
  • Maintenance engineer
  • Maintenance supervisor forest service / National guard utility man
  • Sign language interpreting agency manager
  • Manager / Manufacturer / Firearms teacher / Machinist / Intelligence analyst
  • Manager of Contracts and Pricing
  • Manufacturing jeweler / watchmaker
  • Massage therapist
  • Master plumber
  • Master plumber / Carpenter / AC tech / Electrician / Mechanic
  • 5 MDs (Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, ER, and GP)
  • Mechanic
  • Airline mechanic / ER Nurse
  • Mechanic / Rocket engine builder / Heat treater / Tax Accountant
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Medical transport / Deputy sheriff / Fireman
  • Microbiology student
  • Motion designer / Cinematographer
  • Museum director
  • 2 Navy SEALs
  • Notary public
  • 3 Novelists
  • NRA field rep
  • Nuclear work and safety planning
  • Nuclear security officer
  • Psychiatric and Primary Nurse
  • Commercial truck sales operation owner
  • Painting contractor
  • Paper engineer / graphic designer
  • Petroleum geologist
  • Petroleum landman / farm owner
  • 5 Pharmacists
  • Pharmacist / Intelligence Analyst / Health and Safety Specialist
  • Pharmacy Recruiter
  • 3 Physicists
  • 4 Pilots (including 1 Canadian military)
  • Pipefitter / Welder
  • 4 Police officers
  • College student
  • Private investigator
  • Private mailbox / Packing & shipping store / Musician
  • Production control analyst
  • Professor of ancient Near Eastern archaeology
  • Property manager / Business continuity planner
  • Property tax consultant.
  • Prototype automobile modeler
  • Internet Purchasing Specialist
  • Psychotherapist
  • Radiologic technologist
  • Real estate appraiser
  • 5 Realtors
  • Region loss prevention manager
  • Registered investment adviser owner / CPA
  • 3 Registered nurses
  • Respiratory therapist
  • Retail manager / Salesperson
  • Retail operations / Small business consultant
  • Retail store manager, retired
  • Retired electrical contractor
  • Retired policeman / Park ranger
  • Safety manager for construction company / landlord
  • 2 Sales representatives/agents
  • Sales agent
  • Security dispatcher
  • Security officer / Writer / Actor / Designer
  • Security representative
  • Electronics technician.
  • Network security engineer
  • Small business owner / barber
  • Machine operator
  • 2 Software developers
  • Software engineer
  • Special Forces Vietnam Vet / Firefighter(Retired) / Rancher
  • 2 Submariners
  • Systems engineer
  • 2 Teachers
  • Telecommunications design engineer
  • Television producer / writer
  • Power company lineman
  • Truck mechanic
  • 4 Truckers
  • U.S. Treasury bond broker
  • USDOE Security Police Officer
  • Veterinarian / Dog Breeder / Farmer
  • Veterinarian / Attorney
  • Vice President of Finance
  • Wastewater treatment plant manager / Computer consultant
  • Welder
  • Welder / Chef / Blacksmith / Martial arts instructor / Gunsmith
  • Welder, Underwater
  • Writer / Secretary


Letter Re: Eye Protection, Flushing, and Infection Treatment

One thing I haven’t seen on your blog is eye treatment. Nothing can put you out of action faster than an eye problem. Recently, I developed a bacterial infection in my right eye which was treated with a prescription oral antibiotic. I also used eye drops to help lubricate the eye and relieve some of the irritation. There are many different eye drops available. I used Allergan Refresh Tears which I bought at Costco. For my situation, my doctor said it was a good choice. My doctor informed me that I could have acquired the infection in many ways including rubbing the eye, someone sneezing or coughing around me. I also work at an auto shop where one of the guys is blind in one eye from an injury. Eye protection should be the first priority in protective gear. Make sure any safety glasses acquired have side protection and use goggles in dusty environments. Since most safety lenses are plastic and are easily scratched, make sure you get extra lenses. Sterile ophthalmic irrigation solutions (eye wash) should be included in first aid kits for rinsing the eyes if exposed to dust or chemicals. The eye wash solutions can be found in EMT. supply houses. One I am familiar with is Bound Tree Medical. They offer several sizes from 1?2 oz to 16 oz. I like the 4 oz size because it provides sufficient fluid for most situations and fits in most industrial first aid kits. – Bill N.

JWR Replies: Many thanks for raising this topic. Eye protection is crucial. Whenever anyone in my family shoots we always wear eye and ear protection. Ditto whenever we use a chainsaw. (BTW, I use a Stihl brand “forestry” helmet with built-in earmuffs and a full face mesh screen, although I’ve read that the Peltor brand may be superior.) We now store our workshop face goggles right on top of our bench grinder, where we can’t forget to use them. A friend of mine with a very nice photovoltaic power system does essentially the same thing in his battery box:: he stores a set of wrap-around goggles right next to his hydrometer. (This, BTW, is a good practice for all safety gear. Store it alongside your tools–otherwise it will be “out of sight, out of mind.” You won’t forget to wear you kevlar safety chaps if you store them draped across your chainsaw box.)

We don’t drink alcohol at the Rawles Ranch but we keep a shot glass handy, since they make an ideal “eye cup” for irrigating foreign matter out of an eye. And now that you’ve mentioned it, I now plan to add a mini-eye-wash station to our workshop. That is cheap insurance.

Parenthetically, many years ago a friend of our family was doing some tree pruning in his yard and had a pine bough whip across his face. This deeply scratched the cornea of his right and caused him years of trouble and some expensive medical bills. Simply wearing goggles would have prevented this mishap.



Odds ‘n Sods:

UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen warns that middle east ‘may see full-scale war’

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#1 Son has uploaded a list of the members of the House Natural Resources National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee, and their office phone numbers and addresses. Please write to them and ask them to table HR 1975, the “Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act”.

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Denver, Colorado is considering taxing heavy electricity and gas consumers to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions.