The captain of the Norwegian cargo ship, the Tampa, disregarded DOT was the chosen sight of demonstration this morning because the demonstrators said, it is the agency that has responded the least to environmental pleas. The wood used currently comes mostly from Guyanese rainforests and is used, by the DOT for example, for the Brooklyn Bridge, docks and tiers.

The "Good Wood" Bill #784 is being addressed by the New York City Council. Passage of the Bill would prevent the use of most rainforest hardwood in New York City, suggesting the use of recycled plastic lumber as a more environmentally responsible alternative.

Before the agencies are forced to use alternative materials if the bill passes, said spokesperson for Wetlands Adam Weissman, "we would like to see action on behalf of New York agencies taking responsibility."

Obstacles facing the bill include Mayor Rudolph Guiliani's statement that he will veto it, which means that the Council needs a two-thirds majority to push it through.

Targeted agencies include the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NY Transit Authority, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Transportation. "All of these agencies are in violation of the law at this point," said Weissman, because they have ignored pleas to document all use of hardwood.

Henry Stern, head of the Department of Parks and Recreation, has pleaded for the use of hardwood for historical preservation of parks. However, Weissman calls it "ironic" that Stern would fight to preserve parks that only started using rainforest wood a few decades ago. NY agencies seem to want a few more hardwood subway ties instead of protecting the 300 species a day that are destroyed by toppled woodland.