Contact: Mary Helen Thompson or James Workman (202) 208-6416

For Immediate Release: August 4, 1995

Babbitt Involkes Conservation Legacy of Teddy Roosevelt - Makes New York State Next Stop of Natural

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt embarks on a three day van tour across the Empire State next week, August 9-11.The trip, bracketed by national historic sites of Teddy Roosevelt, will focus attention on environmental successstories in the region and how the new Congress plans to dismantle the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, theEndangered Species Act and other longstanding bipartisan conservation laws.

Since Earth Day, Babbitt has visited more than three dozen locations in 14 states to meet with local homeowners,business and civic groups, conservationists, elected officials, scientists, religious clergy and U.S. militaryofficers to talk about how federal environmental protection standards have vastly improved their lives andcommunities.

"It was the celebrated Republican and former governor of this great state, and one of my personal role models,Teddy Roosevelt, who gave birth to conservation in America," said Babbitt.

"He warned that if we lost our wilderness we would lose our vigor, our sense of the rugged, natural beauty ofthis nation. He warned against the waste and the imminent, rapid exhaustion of our natural resources. And hewarned against the pollution of our air, rivers and lakes that he saw at the turn of the century."

"But now," said Babbitt, "the newly elected Congress has ignored his warnings, they have turned their back onTeddy Roosevelt's conservation legacy. So it is our task to remind them that conservation is not, and never hasbeen, a narrow, partisan cause, but rather a broad-based, moral and great American victory."

"From the Great Lakes, to the Adirondacks, and down the Hudson River to the Long Island seashore, NewYorkers have been fierce advocates of natural and historical preservation," said Babbitt. "I shall trace that sameroute, showing where and how federal environmental standards have been powerful tools for state and localgovernments to improve the overall quality of life for citizens and to enhance the economic development of theregion."

"I've heard story after powerful story giving testimony to the value of strong environmental laws and how theyhave transformed communities and economies for the better. New Yorkers who love the land and water as theylove freedom should be outraged that Congress is attempting to roll back decades of environmental protectionstandards."

On Wednesday morning, August 9, Babbitt will tour the Buffalo River and Lake Erie, restored to historic clarityand fishing opportunities by the Clean Water Act.

At 10 a.m. he will host a Town Hall Meeting at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historical Site inBuffalo.

Babbitt will then travel to Rochester to host a roundtable discussion on the Genesee River at 1:00 p.m.

On Thursday morning, August 10, Babbitt will tour Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge at Seneca Falls outsideSyracuse. As the prototype "hacking" program in 1976, the refuge was instrumental in the recovery andrestoration of the bald eagle, protected by the Endangered Species Act. From no eagles 20 years ago, now thereare 116.

Babbitt will then travel to Troy to host a 1:45 p.m. roundtable with local citizens on the banks of the HudsonRiver. A generation ago, locals claim the river was so dirty and clogged that "you could walk across it." Now,restored by the Clean Water Act, that waterfront is an boon for business and economic base.

Babbitt will continue his tour along the Hudson on Friday, August 11, making morning stops in Poughkeepsie andPeekskill to talk with local citizens on what the cleanup has wrought.

He will conclude the trip on Long Island, visiting Sagamore Hill, lifelong home of Teddy Roosevelt, on OysterBay, Long Island at 2 p.m.

All events are open to the press. For additional information or to schedule one-on-one press interviews and "ridealongs," contact the following individuals: For Buffalo, Seneca Falls, and Long Island events -- Jamie Workmanat (202) 208-6416. For Rochester, Troy, Poughkeepsie/Peekskill -- contact

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