Quote of the Day

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. (Mark Twain)

Save the Date: April 23, Environmental Health Lobby Day

On Wednesday, April 23, an informal collaboration of organizations that are concerned about environmental health will be convening in Sacramento for the first ever Environmental Health Lobby Day. Dozens of proposals are in the legislature right now that will have significant bearing on California's ability to protect public health and reduce environmental risk factors. Initiatives to reduce childhood asthma, improve regional air quality, and eliminate harmful toxins now being found in our bodies will all be considered and need strong constituent support to pass.

At the Lobby Day, participants will be provided basic training and information on working with the legislature and the issues surrounding environmental health. It will also be an opportunity to lobby specific bills, raise the profile of environmental health issues and bills in the legislature and media, and to network with others from across the state that share similar concerns.

To participate or sign your organization on as a co-host for the Lobby Day please contact Nick Guroff at 415-647-8572 or nickguroff@earthlink.net. Travel and lodging scholarships may be available by request and based on need.

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Washington DC — In a tremendous victory for America's environment, 52 Senators voted to turn back an effort today, March 19, 2003, to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A bipartisan group of Senators prevailed in safeguarding this national treasure and the native people who depend on it, despite heavy lobbying by the Bush administration and the oil industry. Senators passed an amendment to strip Arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution, marking a pivotal vote in the 25-year fight to protect the Arctic.

The Bush Administration tried to advance Arctic drilling through the complicated budget process by slipping in an assumption of $2.15 billion in expected revenues to the federal treasury from leasing and development of the Arctic Refuge. When the Budget was brought to the floor today,

Senators Boxer offered an amendment to strip Arctic drilling revenues from the bill, which prevailed by a vote of 52-48.

"Today's vote is a big victory for America's environment and the American people, and we're thrilled that a strong, bipartisan group of Senators stood up to protect this spectacular landscape," said Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Americans consistently voice support for protecting the Arctic, and today the Senate listened by rejecting this backdoor attempt to drill in this special place."

Drilling in the Arctic is the centerpiece of the Bush Administration's energy policy, and drilling proponents have tried to exploit the current geopolitical situation and concerns about rising gas prices to gain support for drilling.

"Americans are concerned about national security, but drilling in the Arctic will do nothing to alleviate these fears," continued Pope. "Arctic drilling would not put a dent in our dependence on foreign oil, would do nothing to strengthen our national security, and would not save consumers a dime. We cannot drill our way to energy independence."

The United States sits on just three percent of the world's known petroleum reserves. Government estimates indicate that there is less than a six month supply of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and even the oil industry admits it would take ten years to make it to US markets.

"Should we sacrifice the crown jewel of the refuge system for speculative revenue gains and six months of oil?" asked Pope. "Americans overwhelmingly say 'no.' They support protecting the Arctic Refuge, and today their Senators heard them loud and clear."

Senators Boxer (D-CA), Chafee (R-RI), Feingold (D-WI), Snowe (R-ME), Lieberman (D-CT), and Kerry (D-MA) led the winning effort to strip arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution.

"Senators, both Republican and Democrat, stood firm against tremendous pressure from the Bush administration and its allies in the oil industry," said Pope. "We thank them for their steadfast support in fighting to make sure the Refuge is protected, not needlessly plundered. The Arctic Refuge is too valuable to be just another number in the budget process."

A recent National Academy of Sciences report on the cumulative effects of drilling on Alaska's North Slope reaffirmed the devastating impacts that drilling has already caused in the region and provided further evidence that we need to protect the Arctic Refuge. The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national treasure--home to polar bears, wolves, and countless migratory birds. The coastal plain is also the birthing grounds for the 129,000-member Porcupine River caribou herd and it is sacred land to the Gwich'in Indians, a native people whose traditional lifestyle depends on the caribou.

David Willett
Associate Press Secretary
Sierra Club

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On Thursday, March 13, the California State Mining and Geology Board will hear testimony from the public regarding the Board's proposed regulations to require mining companies to completely backfill all new open pit metallic mines in the state. The regulations would reform mine reclamation in California and eliminate major environmental hazards associated with open pit gold mining. They would be the toughest in the nation.

Under the proposed regulations, mining companies would be responsible both for backfilling the pits that they excavate, and for providing financial assurances for backfilling to protect the public from bearing the expense. The regulations are timely because of recent controversy surrounding open pit mining and reclamation. The open-pit Imperial Mine proposed by Glamis Gold Ltd. has come under fire from citizens' groups and the Quechan Indian tribe because it would decimate sacred sites used by the tribe. Additionally, the regulations could affect mines sought by Canyon Resources Briggs Corporation, which operates mines in the Panamint Mountains on the border of Death Valley National Park. CR Briggs is currently seeking to explore for a new open-pit mine on federal lands five miles to the north of the existing Briggs Mine. The Briggs Mine has been opposed by numerous environmental groups in the area, and by the Timbisha Shoshone tribe.

"If a new open-pit mine outside Death Valley National Park were developed, the proposed backfill regulations would require CR Briggs to backfill any new open pits. This is a step in the right direction for California's environment," said Christie Whiteside, of Great Basin Mine Watch, a conservation group concerned with mining throughout the Great Basin, including California desert areas.

Park advocates also support the proposed regulations. "The board has an historic opportunity to right the wrongs of the mining industry, protecting beautiful places from the scars of open pit mining," said Courtney Cuff, of the National Parks Conservation Association.

The advent of cyanide heap-leach technology has made it possible for mining companies to economically exploit lower grade ore deposits than ever before. But along with the economic benefits to the companies, there is a much darker side to this technology. Since the gold ore is of a very low grade, it requires the excavation of huge open pits so that enough gold can be recovered from the rock to make a profit. Often, these open pits extend below the water table, and when mining ceases the pits are no longer pumped out to keep them dry. This leads to the formation of potentially toxic pit lakes, which will never be suitable for recreation, reservoirs or wildlife habitat. Even when the leftover pits do not fill with water, they are left as gaping holes in the landscape, which are useless for recreation and create liability and environmental problems on public lands—costs that are ultimately borne by taxpayers.

In its draft proposal for the backfill regulations, the State Mining and Geology Board declares that the backfill of open pits is necessary in keeping with the legislative intent of the State Mining and Reclamation Act, which states that mined lands must be returned to a usable condition at the cessation of mining, and that residual hazards to the public health and safety be eliminated.

"These regulations would make California a model for what the rest of the country should be doing to protect land, wildlife, water and people from the damage caused by these huge pits, which are usually just left behind by the mining companies," said Whiteside.

Organizations supporting the permanent backfill regulations include:

    Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
    National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
    Sierra Club California
    California Wilderness Coalition
    Great Basin Mine Watch
    Desert Survivors
    Friends of the Panamints
    Center for Biological Diversity

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Last night (3/18/03), Governor Davis signed the pollution fee reform bill, AB 10X, as part of a package of bills that will reduce the deficit in the current-year budget. Sierra Club California had strongly supported the bill in the Legislature and had asked Davis, at a recent meeting, to sign it. This bill will increase fees on air and water pollution in order to fund important environmental programs without using as many tax dollars.

We thank all the activists who contacted the Legislature and Governor on behalf of this bill, and we thank the Governor and his staff, along with the legislative leadership, for backing it. The signing message is below; some of it reflects Davis' general reluctance to sign fees, which will make enacting some of our other polluter fee proposals a challenging task.

Bill Magavern
Senior Legislative Representative, Sierra Club California

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When the Coastal Commission voted unanimously in December 2002 to deny the proposal to convert a mile of coastal wildlife habitat in Santa Barbara to golf, coastal advocates celebrated. Celebrated, that is, until the developer filed motions for reconsideration and hired former Coastal Commission Chair and Director of State Parks Rusty Arieas to lobby the Commission. Until last week the fate of the historic Naples Ranch continued to hang in the balance.

Normally, of course, successful motions for reconsideration are extremely rare due to the narrow limitations on their use. Generally the Coastal Act permits reconsideration only upon a showing of new evidence that could not have been produced earlier, or a showing of errors of law or fact in the previous proceedings. And in the case of the Arco golf, no bit of information or law or fact has been left unturned over the course of the last 15 years of public deliberations surrounding the much-debated project.

Anyone around long enough to remember what happened in 1994, however, had good reason to be concerned. For old timers, 1994 was the year the Coastal Commission collapsed and reversed a previous denial of the Arco golf course project, and they used the slippery "reconsideration" motion to do it. What happened was that the Commission had denied the project due to its irreparable and catastrophic impacts on agriculture from a complete conversion to seaside golfing. Then, Pete Wilson (then California Governor) and Willie Brown (then California Assembly Leader) heard long and hard from the state’s largest campaign contributor, Arco Corporation. Willie Brown immediately removed the Commission’s Chairman, Tom Gwyn, who had voted against the golf course, and replaced Gwyn with Carl Williams, a San Francisco lawyer, who was decidedly more open toward golf. In short order the Commission found that the golf course would actually "protect" agricultural soils by covering them with lawn and fairways, and that was that. The Commission reversed itself, approved the golf course and wounded their credibility and reputation for years following.

This time golf opponents were having DéjB Vu style nightmares regarding what might happen on reconsideration, especially given the considerable lobbying skills of Rusty Arieas. Could Arco be resurrected again, in 2003, after yet another denial?

Not on the merits, that’s for sure. The golf developers were not able to bring in any new information, not even one iota, nor were there any errors of fact or law committed during the December proceedings. If Arco were to be raised from the dead, it was going to be politics, not merits, that would do it.

But alas, times have changed. Neither Pete Wilson nor Willie Brown runs California anymore, much less the Coastal Commission. And the phenomenal growth of coastal activism, advocacy, Surfrider Foundation, establishment of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and Sierra Club’s Great Coastal Places Campaign and political committees such as Vote the Coast have changed the dynamic of the Commission and coastal land use deliberations in California. This time around, Arco just couldn’t overcome the Coastal Act.

So on Wednesday, March 5, Coastal Staff recommended that the Commission deny the reconsideration motion. Santa Barbara Commissioners Pedro Nava and Greg Hart made and seconded the motion for denial, respectively. And the Commission voted unanimously, again, to deny the project.

Today, all that remains of the Arco golf course is a lawsuit against the Commission. In the future, any proposal for development of the Arco property will have to start over before the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. The Surfrider Foundation, the Gaviota Coast Conservancy, the UCSB Environmental Affairs Board and the Sierra Club, among others, are working furiously on a conservation acquisition effort designed to protect the wild habitat and coast of Naples forever.

OHVs Trump Plovers at Oceano

By 8 am on Friday morning , March 7, Bill Deneen’s "Plover Lover" sign was completely surrounded by dozens of others saying things like "SHAME ON YOU SIERRA CLUB" and "Balance and Fairness not ENVIRONMENTAL EXTREMISM." Hundreds of dune buggy drivers took advantage of the Coastal Commission having scheduled an update on habitat protection at Oceano Dune State Vehicle Recreation Area (ODSVA) for a Friday afternoon in San Luis during Snowy Plover nesting season. The predictable result: hundreds of dune buggy enthusiasts and their lawyers from throughout California converged to advocate for beach driving, all planning to head over to the beach for a weekend of wild rides and sand camping after the meeting, just as the plovers are arriving at the same beach in their desperate struggle to establish nests and fledge young amongst thousands of screaming combustion machines.

The hearing began with cautionary words from the Attorney General’s office. In the name of inter-agency diplomacy, the Commission was warned against doing anything that might adversely impact the ODSVA.

Coastal staff then recommended that the Commission simply do nothing, and just renew the coastal permits for the ODSVA that permit the free for all camping and dune riding that have characterized the plover extinction zone for decades. And coastal staff ignored the fact that a team of scientists established by the Commission two years ago has recommended expansion of the plover protection areas within the miles long and wide OHV destruction driving area.

Coastal staff did acknowledge to the Commission that predator management and expanded plover protection areas do indeed help the birds. Yet State Parks stood up in front of the Commission and flat out refused to expand the plover protection areas because the dune buggy lobby is adamantly opposed to sharing the beach with the birds.

State Parks spent the rest of their portion of the hearing describing in great detail how aggressively they protect snowy plovers everywhere else in California. No mention of limiting the thousands of cars on the beach, but the Commission received an up to date presentation on efforts underway throughout California to keep dogs on leashes.

Despite the fact that the mission of State Parks is to protect wildlife and habitat, today, at Oceano, the California Department of State Parks exists to defend our right to drive on the beach.

Advocates from "Friends of Oceano Dunes" (FOD), a beach driving coalition, urged the Commission to take no action to protect plovers. FOD members believe that coastal access and family values are derived from driving on the beach, and that any restrictions on beach driving will inexorably lead to closed beaches and broken families. Many FOD members, in very emotional testimony, cried, and said that putting dogs on leashes and other procedures should be implemented statewide in order to avoid beach-driving restrictions at ODSVA. "Haven’t we compromised enough?" asked FOD representative Joel Suty. "Stop punishing the people," Suty told the Commission.

Don Klausman of the Four Wheel Drive Association also made an appearance, telling the Commission that he was very pleased with plover populations. "Our organization has always been for the environment and always will be," Klausman said.

Other speakers related having fought on beaches throughout the world and specifically against the Japanese in WWII, and told stories of how deceased family members longed for assurances that future generations would be able to continue driving on the beach.

Not everyone supported beach driving. Pam Heatherington of ECOSLO pleaded with the Commission to expand plover protections, create nighttime driving restrictions, mandate use of seat belts and prohibit children driving on the beach and in the dunes. Other neighbors provided frightening accounts of their own scary experiences involving OHV’s on the beach and of hearing the constant sirens associated with emergency crews having to rescue injured drivers crashing throughout the park. Others told of the constant haze of pollution hanging over the park. A fisheries biologist asked the Commission why they continue to allow tens of thousands of vehicles to drive through and across Arroyo Grande Creek, a steelhead trout (endangered species) stream. Others asked why State Parks is allowed to flagrantly violate wildlife protection laws while other citizens and agencies are held to higher standards. One neighbor stated that he is an endangered species given the impossibility of living near the park and the torture associated with 24-hr per day driving on the beach.

The Commission also received evidence that yet another drunken driving accident had occurred on the beach, as a truck careened off an embankment and into Arroyo Grande Creek, at 2 a.m. on Monday night. The driver and his passenger flew through the truck’s windshield, and were found banging on the doors of neighbors and taken to the hospital. Rangers found evidence of a night of heavy drinking around the campfire.

Commissioner Wan began the Commission’s limited analysis by saying that the scientific team established by the Commission to analyze plover protections at ODVSA has just announced that they may soon be able to establish a scope of work, after three years. Worse, the able scientists have failed to study the most important question, that being what are the impacts of driving on the plover’s nesting habitat? Wan also pointed out that the one thing the scientific types did do, in recommending that the plover protection areas by permanently expanded, State Parks refuses to do. "I am at a loss to understand why we are not complying with the scientists recommendation," Wan said.

Commissioner Susskind said that she felt constrained by what the Attorney General had advised, but that she would support the Commission "asking" the State Legislature to recommend legislation to ban driving on the beach during snowy plover season. Susskind also urged the Commission to "request" that State Parks implement the greater plover areas and restrict nighttime driving.

Commissioner Woolley asked about establishment of an alternative entrance to the park so as to avoid driving in Arroyo Grande Creek over endangered steelhead trout habitat. Upon questioning of the State Park Ranger, Woolley was able to ascertain that State Parks has never even done a study to determine the extent of the dramatic impacts on steelhead from continuous crossings of the creek by hundreds of thousands vehicles annually.

Commissioner Iseman questioned State Parks about enforcement, or lack thereof, at ODSVA. State Parks said that they have 9 field rangers, 2 biologists and 1 communications personnel, generally working from 9 am to 2 am, and 24-hours per day on weekends. State Parks also said that they give lots of drunken driving citations. The Ranger also said that children of any age are permitted to drive OHV’s at Oceano, so long as an adult is somewhere. Iseman specifically requested that the Commission be provided information regarding the number of citations and accidents at Oceano. Iseman also had the Ranger admit that often the State is sued following OHV accidents, costing taxpayers even more money that the simple cost of losing a State Park and beach.

Commissioner Wan moved that the Commission "ask" State Parks to modify it’s seasonal exclosure to mile marker 6, as was advised by the scientific review team. "We have waited years for this, and it really is beneficial for these birds to have more room," Wan said. "One of the reasons you have predator problems at Oceano is because you have limited the area available for plovers to hide. We have turned the natural system on its head."

Commissioner Allgood joined Wan in support of the motion.

Commissioner Reilly reiterated that coastal staff had advised the Commission do nothing.

Commissioner Susskind reiterated that she is concerned about nighttime driving, and believes that drunken driving is more common at nighttime as well.

In the end Commissioners Susskind, Iseman, Allgood, Potter, Wan, Woolley, Reilly voted to "ask" State Parks to expand the plover survival patches. Commissioner Greg Hart of Santa Barbara voted against the idea, and the final vote was 7-1. To date State Parks has refused to implement the suggestion.

Mark Massara
California Coastwatcher, March 2003

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The Coastal Commission held a workshop last week, March 3-7, on the specter of desalination plants on the coast, which purport to make salty water potable for a myriad of uses associated with more coastal development. The Commission’s interest and update comes as two other government agencies (Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California State Department of Water Resources) grapple with numerous developer led efforts to build the plants throughout California.

To give perspective, there are only about a dozen existing desal plants operating in California, none capable of producing more than a couple of hundred thousand gallons of fresh water daily. And not one of those currently operating is for public domestic use (although several municipal systems have been approved over the years, Santa Barbara and Cambria being two, none have actually been used due to the expense and pollution associated with making fresh water for potable use). Among those desal plants actually in use, most are for power plants, Chevron’s Gaviota oil plant and several offshore oil rigs, and primarily exist for industrial purposes.

This small-scale production is the result of desal being both expensive and polluting. Salty brine discharge from desal operations is toxic to marine organisms.

Other important policy questions involve the obvious growth inducing impacts of more fresh water, since potable water supplies have been, traditionally, the most important factor limiting development of most communities. Wetlands, access, scenic viewshed protections and alternatives such as conservation are also required to undergo analysis under the Coastal Act.

But now at least two-dozen proposals for desal plants are pending, and some are huge. Several aim to produce upwards of 50 million gallons per day (and will discharge just as much toxic brine!).

Among others the Metropolitan District of Southern California has a 5 million gallon per day (mgd) proposal, Monterey’s Cal-Am Water Company, owned by Europeans, proposes a 3-4 mgd plant and Santa Cruz is studying a 3-14 mgd facility. And an outfit called Poseidon Resources is working with Huntington Beach (30-50 mgd), Long Beach (40 mgd) and San Diego (50 mgd) on three of the biggest plants ever constructed.

Commissioners, for the most part, raised concerns regarding the environmental and growth inducing impacts of the fresh water schemes, and were especially concerned that desal plants fueling municipal water usage be owned by the public and not private corporations or foreign companies like Cal-Am in Monterey.

Commissioner Chris Desser said emphatically that, "I will oppose adamantly any effort to privatize public water supplies…public water is vital for communities to control their own destiny."

For the full report, go to http://www.coastal.ca.gov/energy/w10a-3mm3-desalination.pdf

Sierra Club California is pleased to announce that we have hired Pat Veesart to be our Chapter Liaison. This is a new position that will be focused on exchange of information between the 13 Sierra Club chapters in California and the legislative office in Sacramento. The liaison will provide information to the chapters on what we are doing in Sacramento that affects chapters and local activists' interests, and will work to increase our effectiveness in Sacramento by linking our local chapters and activists to our work. He will also work at the chapter level to organize efforts to influence key swing votes (Assemblypersons and Senators).

Pat is a former chapter chair of the Santa Lucia chapter in San Luis Obispo and most recently was working in Alaska on conservation issues for the Club and for the Sitka Conservation Society. His start date will be April 7. He does not have an email address or phone yet.

We welcome Pat to the staff of Sierra Club California.

Bill Allayaud

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March 12, 2003, Washington, DC — The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to explore the feasibility of adding the Rim of the Valley Corridor in Southern California to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

"The Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area was established by Congress in 1978 as the largest urban national park in the United States, and the people of Los Angeles have enjoyed its beauty and open spaces ever since," Senator Feinstein said. "However, this protected area did not include thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive lands known as the 'Rim of the Valley' Corridor."

"This legislation would authorize the necessary studies to be completed so that we can determine whether this area merits national park status. I would like to thank Chairman Pete Domenici and the members of the Senate Energy Committee for moving this bill quickly through the Committee."

"We reached a key milestone today on protecting the Rim of the Valley," Representative Adam Schiff said. "With the full weight of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee behind this bill, I am optimistic and confident that we are well on our way to protecting Southern California's environmental treasures for years to come. Given the tremendous growth pressures in Southern California, it's crucial that we create a lasting legacy of nearby natural open space for our children—and their children—to enjoy."

Under the legislation, the National Park Service and the US Forest Service would study the suitability of more than doubling the size of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by including the Rim of the Valley Corridor. This corridor consists of parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Susanna Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Verdugo Mountains, San Rafael Hills, Arroyo Seco, and connector areas to the Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests.

The Act requires the Secretaries to consult with state, county, and local governments, and to report their recommendations to Congress within three years. An Act of Congress would then be required to designate any new addition to the Park System.

Last week, the US Park Service announced its support for this legislation. It has also been endorsed by various environmental organizations, including the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Altadena, Foothills Conservancy, the California Wilderness Coalition, Scenic America, and the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, as well as the cities of La Canada-Flintridge, Glendale, Pasadena, and South Pasadena.

In the House of Representatives, companion legislation was introduced earlier this year by Representatives Adam Schiff. Howard Berman, David Dreier, George Miller, Brad Sherman, and Hilda Solis.

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The Environmental Justice Special Projects Discretionary Fund is designed to assist in grassroots organizing projects directly linking Sierra Club volunteer activists with economically disadvantaged and/or communities of color facing environmental injustice. This year, the fund will provide seed grants up to $5000.

Environmental Justice Special Projects Discretionary Fund Committee:
    Jim Price, Project Manager and Director, Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program
    John McCown, Environmental Justice Lead Grassroots Organizer
    Julie Eisenhardt, Member at Large, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Committee
    Phaedra Pezzullo, Co-Chair, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Committee

Additional Guidance

Priority will be given to proposals which best link Sierra Club people with communities facing environmental injustice. Sierra Club volunteer-based activities will be given preference over staff-driven proposals.

1. Additional preference will be given to proposals that clearly show how the community has been instrumental in the development of this proposal and campaign, and that show how community members will be leaders of this proposed campaign. It is critical that the proposal show that the partnering community has identified the problem as important to them. This is not intended to be a method of recruiting low income and people of color communities to work on "our" issues.
2. Salaries are ineligible expenses for this project. All project activities must be non-lobbying and non-political. No project funds are to be spent on influencing legislation or elections.
3. Anti-racism/anti-classism workshops and trainings are acceptable uses for Special Projects Grants. Community members should be involved in the planning for the event and in the event itself.
4. Please review the Guidelines for the Sierra Club's National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program at the end of the guidance section. While not all projects will be grassroots organizing endeavors, please address in your application wherever possible how the proposed project is supported by the philosophy behind these principles.
5. All applicants must submit a plan that includes goals, an action plan, a timeline and detailed budget.
6. Early application is encouraged, as funds are limited, and may be exhausted early.
7. All funds must be applied for and spent in 2003.
8. There will not be an allocation of money up front for these programs. If your project is approved, you will have to submit bills for reimbursement for 501(c)(3) activities within the budget that has been approved. Receipts for expenditures as well as documentation of the activity must accompany your request for reimbursement. All plans and activities will be reviewed by the Office of Environmental Programs to determine 501(c)(3) compliance. You will be required to submit a final report for all projects.
9. Plan on approximately three weeks for review of your application. Continued....
10. All funding recipients must agree to provide a year-end report, reporting on the outcome of the event/project. Additionally, please submit a copy of any documents or other materials produced as a result of this project to Julie Eisenhardt, 113 5th St NE #B, Washington DC 20002 or jkeisenh@hotmail.com
11. Chapters, groups, and RCCs are eligible to apply for the funds, but all applications must have the approval of the appropriate chair. We strongly encourage chapters, groups, and RCCs to work with the field staff and national EJ grassroots organizers in their region in designing, submitting, and carrying-out their requests.
12. No preference will be given to sites that have received prior EJ Special Project grants, but if you have ongoing work, you may submit an application to continue the work you started.
13. If you received an Special Projects previously and have not submitted a final report, you are ineligible for 2003 funding until the final report is received and approved by the Office of Environmental Programs.
14. Applications must be sent to a central location (jkeisenh@hotmail.com) but will be reviewed by the EJ Special Projects Committee, a representative of which will contact you with a request for further information or revisions, or a decision.
15. This Special Projects Grant is one of two forms of financial assistance available for environmental justice projects. The Environmental Justice Organizing Site, which includes financing for full-time staff, is also available but must be applied for through a separate process.
16. If you have questions about the application process, contact OEP via email at jkeisenh@hotmail.com
17. If you have questions about the substance of the program, contact Julie Eisenhardt, Sierra Club Environmental Justice Committee Representative, jkeisenh@hotmail.com

The Sierra Club's National Environmental Justice Grassroots Organizing Program Guidelines

The Sierra Club's relationship with the communities it assists will be governed by the following principles:

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The question was asked: I'm not sure why Sierra Club California needs to be involved with local stuff that doesn't cross political boundaries or that Executive Committee needs to be involved with stuff that doesn't cross internal Chapter boundaries when there are enough levels of approval.

Answer: In a nutshell, Local Ballot Measures are a political endorsement wrapped in conservation policy issues. Since the Club is making a political judgment and expressing that judgment to the membership and registered voters, the Club requires two-level review by a two-thirds vote, same as a political endorsement.

The reason for requiring Chapter approval is that sometimes local ballot measure endorsements raise controversial policy questions that do cross internal Chapter boundaries. The reason for Sierra Club California review is that once in a while a local ballot measure endorsement impacts state or even national conservation policies. Local ballot measures that restrict growth within urban growth boundaries or expand water storage system capacity are examples of the type of ballot measure that require more intensive review.

If the issue is primarily local, is within existing policy and/or is not controversial, then Chapter approval and LBMRC review should be routine. The process is necessary for those occasions when those conditions don't exist.

Gypsum Canyon

Connie Spenger has three boxes of EIRs and other materials about Gypsum Canyon. These were for the past proposal of 8,000 houses in Gypsum, which has now been brought down to an informal proposal for 3,000 houses. One of the ghastly features of the 8,000-home proposal was that they would mitigate for impacts to Gypsum Canyon Creek by "creating" wetlands in Weir Canyon, i.e., damming the stream. There needs to be a meeting of Sierra Club members in Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills to find some key persons to fight for Gypsum Canyon. Friends of the Tecate Cypress did submit a letter of comment on the Anaheim General Plan update that said the preferred alternative should be for keeping Gypsum Canyon natural, and restoring the Owl Rock gravel mine. The Bureau of Reclamation, or of Mines and Geology, most likely has a reclamation plan on file, calling for revegetation with native plant stock.

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Environmental Resolutions Passed by ExComm 3/23/2003

1. Opposition to the City of Irvine’s ballot resolution to block participation in the Centerline Rail Project.
2. Approval of Sections 1-15 of the Conservation Grants Handbook.
3. Approval of a $1,000 short term grant for the Julia Butterfly Hill Earth Day event. ($500: honorarium; $500: miscellaneous expenses).
4. Endorsement of city status for Hacienda Heights.

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Orange County Earth Day Events

Remember to coordinate your Orange County Earth Day tabling schedule with Rachel Myers at rachel.oshry@sierraclub.org or (213)387-4287X210.

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Sierra Club Resources Info

The new GoldBook which "will provide chapters and groups with information on the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) funds, how to utilize and access charitable 501(c)(3) funds, how to get a project approved, and fundraising" plus much, much, more material on the Sierra Club is now available at the new clubhouse website.

Go to   http://www.clubhouse.sierraclub.org and follow the instructions for obtaining the password. The GoldBook can be found by clicking on A - Z List of Materials box, then on "G" under A-Z List of Documents, and then on GoldBook, Educational Project Guidelines.

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Kinko’s Leads the Way Toward Sustainability

Kinko’s, already a leader in the development of environmentally sound procurement practices, has committed itself to even more stringent purchasing standards to protect endangered forests and end old growth logging. Working with both environmental groups and paper suppliers, Kinko’s is increasing the recycled content of its products and setting strict guidelines to ensure that they are not engaged in the destruction of old growth and endangered forests, the conversion of native forests, or the use of genetically modified trees. Kinko’s should be praised for its leadership while others should be prodded to follow. For more information contact: Rainforest Action Network mailto:rainforest@ran.org or 415/398-4404

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Hacienda Heights Cityhood Supported

The Executive Committee of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club endorses County Measure HH in a special election on June 3, 2003 in favor of incorporation of Hacienda Heights as a city.

Hacienda Heights is an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County along the north side of the western end of the Puente Hills. Its population is approximately 54,000 people with demographics of approximately one-third each white, Latino, and Asian. Under the leadership of Sierra Club activist Jeff Yann, now serving his twelfth year on the Board of Directors of the Hacienda Heights Improvement Association (HHIA), a public benefit association that has represented the interests of Hacienda Heights residents since 1947, the community has taken an active role in efforts to preserve the Puente-Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor. HHIA's opposition to expansion of the Puente Hills Landfill into canyons west of Hacienda Heights in 1982, 1992, and 2002 has resulted in the establishment of mitigation funds totaling $113,000,000, which have been used to purchase nearly 4,000 acres of open space in the wildlife corridor west of Harbor Blvd. HHIA played an integral role working with Hilda Solis and the Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority in obtaining funding to purchase Coal Canyon, the critical link between the wildlife corridor and the Santa Ana Mountains. HHIA has also been a strong supporter of habitat restoration and open space park development in and around the Puente Hills and has supported Sierra Club projects to develop the San Gabriel River Education Center in Whittier Narrows Regional Park and the  restoration of native plants along San Jose Creek near the San Gabriel River.

Maintaining the environmental agenda in Hacienda Heights is critical to efforts to preserve the "Missing Middle" of the wildlife corridor — approximately 7,000 acres of open space — including the Firestone Scout Reservation, subject of a Sierra Club lawsuit, which exists as unprotected open space between Chino Hills State Park and the preserved area west of Harbor Blvd. As a city, Hacienda Heights will be able to join the Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority and have a stronger voice in regional affairs related to preservation of the Puente Hills and restoration of the San Gabriel River. Hacienda Heights will also be in a stronger position to advocate for environmental projects for the $60 million that will be available from the landfill for environmental and educational projects in and around the Puente Hills in 2004-2013.

Although once a very conservative area, the changing political environment in Hacienda Heights has resulted in a substantial shift in attitudes toward hillside protection and an environmental agenda. Sierra Club presence in the election process, openly supported by Citizens for Cityhood, the local pro-Measure HH Political Action Committee, can help in assuring that candidates favorable to the Sierra Club's environmental agenda are elected to the first City Council. In addition to Jeff Yann, already endorsed by the Chapter, several other candidates have expressed great interest in seeking Sierra Club endorsement

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Statement of Sierra Club President Jennifer Ferenstein on Iraq War

"The Sierra Club opposes the United States' military action against Iraq. We urge all parties to follow a path to peace by ceasing hostilities immediately and allowing U.N. inspectors to disarm and destroy any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. The best way to support American troops, save the lives of innocent Iraqis, and prevent further environmental devastation, is to halt the fighting and proceed immediately with a peaceful, lawful, UN-sanctioned disarmament.

"Disarmament and destruction of any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction through resumed rigorous United Nations inspections will accomplish the international community's goals without risking more lives, endangering the environment or increasing anti-American sentiment among the Iraqi people and others throughout the world.

"While honest people can disagree about the primary reasons for this conflict, no one can disagree that Iraq is strategically important to our country and the world because of its oil reserves. No matter how long the conflict lasts, we will find ourselves in a similar situation again unless the US and other nations act decisively to cut our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels.

"We can do better, if our leaders will lead. The simplest step would be to require that we reduce our country's dependence on oil by using existing technology to make new cars and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas. We can also invest in increasing our reliance on wind and solar power, using technologies that generate energy more effectively than ever before. We can implement solutions that will save oil and save lives.

# # #

The Sierra Club also has a general policy regarding war and the environment, having adopted the statement of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature:

• "Concerned that man's future and that of his environment is endangered by war and other hostile actions that negatively offset the economic and ecological situation, including diverting large quantities of monetary and natural resources for armaments, discharging toxic and radioactive waste in the human environment, destroying the habitats that are necessary for species conservation;

• Affirms that peace is a contributory condition to the conservation of nature, just as conservation itself contributes to peace through the proper and ecologically sound use of natural resources;

• Calls upon all States to pursue diligently international discussions in the United Nations and other fora dedicated to the maintenance of peace and security within and between all States;

• Further calls upon all governments to give full effect to existing international agreements that contribute to the maintenance of peace and the reduction of global armaments."

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Pentagon to Invoke "National Security" Exemptions in Environmental Laws

    Some Exemptions May Be Permanent

Washington, DC - Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is directing all military service chiefs to develop plans for President Bush to invoke national security exemptions to an array of environmental laws, according to a memo released today by Public Employees for environmental Responsibility (PEER). The memo orders the Army, Navy and Air Force secretaries to forward domestic military practices they wish to see exempted from anti-pollution, noise control and wildlife protection laws.

Under current law, many environmental statutes have exemptions for activities deemed by the President to be "necessary" for reasons "of national security" or in the "paramount interest of the United States." These exemptions, however, have never been used. In a March 7 memo, Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz states, without citing specific cases, that "environmental regulation and litigation threaten our continued ability" to conduct "necessary military training and testing." The memo lists ten laws to which the Pentagon will seek national security exemptions either "for a specified period of time or indefinitely": and the Safe Drinking Water Act;

• Toxic Disposal Laws: the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund), and the Toxic Substances Control Act;

• Land Management: Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act;

• Noise Limits: the Noise Control Act; and

• Wildlife Protection: the Endangered Species Act.

At the same time, the Pentagon is also asking Congress to rewrite several environmental laws to eliminate or limit their effects on "military readiness" activities. The Wolfowitz memo suggests that the Department of Defense has not used exemptions already available to it due to "our past restraint" for which "we should be commended." In a June 2002 report, the General Accounting Office concluded that there was no identifiable loss of military readiness due to the need to comply with environmental laws. Tacitly conceding this lack of quantification, the Wolfowitz memo directs the services to come up with examples of where environmental laws hinder military readiness and to forward them up the chain-of-command.

"This smug directive portrays a Pentagon cynically playing politics with public health and environmental protection," commented PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, whose organization exposed a Pentagon plan for a three-year campaign to immunize itself from virtually all environmental restraints [ <http://www.peer.org/press/304.html>www.peer.org/press/304.html].

"This memo is, in effect, an all points bulletin begging for examples to establish an illusory case that environmental compliance hurts national security. It is the height of chutzpah that the Defense Department wants Congress to change laws even though the Pentagon has yet to explore the options and flexibility available under the current statutes."

<http://www.peer.org/Military/Wolfowitz_memo.pdf> Read the Wolfowitz memo.

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Senate Scores Critical Victory For Protecting Arctic Refuge

Washington, DC — In a tremendous victory for America's environment, 52 Senators voted to turn back an effort today to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A bipartisan group of Senators prevailed in safeguarding this national treasure and the native people who depend on it,

despite heavy lobbying by the Bush administration and the oil industry. Senators passed an amendment to strip Arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution, marking a pivotal vote in the 25-year fight to protect the Arctic.

The Bush Administration tried to advance Arctic drilling through the complicated budget process by slipping in an assumption of $2.15 billion in expected revenues to the federal treasury from leasing and development of the Arctic Refuge. When the Budget was brought to the floor today,

Senators Boxer offered an amendment to strip Arctic drilling revenues from the bill, which prevailed by a vote of 52-48.

"Today's vote is a big victory for America's environment and the American people, and we're thrilled that a strong, bipartisan group of Senators stood up to protect this spectacular landscape," said Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Americans consistently voice support for

protecting the Arctic, and today the Senate listened by rejecting this backdoor attempt to drill in this special place."

Drilling in the Arctic is the centerpiece of the Bush Administration's energy policy, and drilling proponents have tried to exploit the current geopolitical situation and concerns about rising gas prices to gain support for drilling.

"Americans are concerned about national security, but drilling in the Arctic will do nothing to alleviate these fears," continued Pope. "Arctic drilling would not put a dent in our dependence on foreign oil, would do nothing to strengthen our national security, and would not save consumers a dime. We cannot drill our way to energy independence."

The United States sits on just three percent of the world's known petroleum reserves. Government estimates indicate that there is less than a six month supply of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and even the oil industry admits it would take ten years to make it to US markets.

"Should we sacrifice the crown jewel of the refuge system for speculative revenue gains and six months of oil?" asked Pope. "Americans overwhelmingly say 'no.' They support protecting the Arctic Refuge, and today their Senators heard them loud and clear."

Senators Boxer (D-CA), Chafee (R-RI) Feingold (D-WI) Snowe ®-ME), Lieberman (D-CT), and Kerry (D-MA) led the winning effort to strip arctic drilling revenues from the Budget Resolution.

"Senators, both Republican and Democrat, stood firm against tremendous pressure from the Bush administration and its allies in the oil industry," said Pope. "We thank them for their steadfast support in fighting to make sure the Refuge is protected, not needlessly plundered. The Arctic Refuge is too valuable to be just another number in the budget process."

A recent National Academy of Sciences report on the cumulative effects of drilling on Alaska's North Slope reaffirmed the devastating impacts that drilling has already caused in the region and provided further evidence that we need to protect the Arctic Refuge. The coastal plain of the Arctic

National Wildlife Refuge is a national treasure--home to polar bears, wolves, and countless migratory birds. The coastal plain is also the birthing grounds for the 129,000-member Porcupine River caribou herd and it is sacred land to the Gwich'in Indians, a native people whose traditional lifestyle depends on the caribou.

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Japanese Technology May Help Islands Reap Pacific's Waters

KYOTO, Japan, March 22 - A number of Pacific island nations are discussing using new Japanese technology that can both desalinate seawater for drinking and produce electricity by exploiting the difference in temperatures between the surface of the sea and the depths of the ocean.

The Republic of Palau in the western Pacific is working with Saga University in southern Japan to build a system that can produce enough drinking water to meet the needs of its 20,000 residents, while producing electricity, said the country's president, Tommy Remengesau Jr.

The concept was highlighted this week at one of the 350 sessions at the Third World Water Forum, which is under way here. It has attracted 10,000 participants from around the world, along with ministers and some heads of state from more than 150 countries.

The university is preparing to build an experimental power plant off the coast of Palau that brings up cold seawater from the depths of the sea to an evaporator chamber near the ocean surface.

As the water is heated by the surrounding warm surface water, it releases ammonia gas, which then drives the system's power generator, said Yasuyuki Ikegami, deputy director of the Institute of Ocean Energy at Saga University.

Meanwhile, the heated water would be transferred to a separate low-pressure chamber where it boils at a lower temperature, producing steam, which would be condensed and collected as fresh water for human consumption, leaving salt crystals behind.

One experimental system, which produces power but no usable water, is scheduled to be put into use off the coast of India this month, Mr. Ikegami added.

"It works well especially in the western Pacific, where the temperature difference between the ocean's surface and deep seawater is as much as 43 degrees Fahrenheit,", he said. "It is environmentally sound."

With some financial assistance from the Japanese government, the university was hoping to build the experimental plant in Palau for $7.5 million, said Haruo Uehara, president of Saga University, although he declined to disclose details of the financing because it was still being negotiated.

Palau was hoping the plant could be built next year, Mr. Remengesau said.

"It is a big help for us," he said. "When there is rain, we have no problem. But we are hit by the drying effects of El Nino.

 When there is no rain, where can we get drinking water?"

The fresh water produced by the system will cost less than $1 for more than 250 gallons, Mr. Uehara said. "It is no more costly than regular tap water in other countries, including Japan," he said.

The system, while more expensive than ordinary generators, has raised hopes among leaders of other Pacific islands, which are too small to build many dams to catch water and are trying to cut back on their consumption of oil to run power generators.

Allan Marat, deputy prime minister of Papua New Guinea, said Pacific island nations had fallen victim to global warming, adding that he too was interested in the university's system.

"We are in the middle of the largest body of water on earth," said Robert Woonton, prime minister of the Cook Islands. "Yet, we are faced with lack of safe potable water." He said he wanted to consider setting up Saga University's system in his country.

Other countries in arid zones have also shown interest, including Saudi Arabia, which was sending a delegation to the university, Mr. Uehara said.

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DRAFT: Standards for Selecting Angeles Chapter's Priority Campaigns

1. That the proposed campaign will be focused on a precedent-setting environmental issue and that the campaign if successful will have important positive environmental consequences.

2. That the proposed campaign will exhibit excellent planning that meets the standards of "The Sierra Club Campaign Planning Matrix".

3. That the proposed campaign will provide "bang for the buck". Benefits to Angeles Chapter and/or the regional groups in proportion to resources that they provide to the campaign must be evident. Benefits include but aren't limited to increased membership, fundraising opportunities, and publicity.

4. That the proposed campaign lends itself to memorable or inspirational events or end-products that will resonate with a large number of activists, Club members, and citizens at large.

5. That the proposed campaign requires a major commitment of leadership and financial resources by Angeles Chapter in order to be successful. (Some campaigns will be better accomplished by other organizations with contributions from Angeles Chapter.)

6. That the proposed campaign will serve as a model to be duplicated by other Sierra Club entities.

7. That the proposed campaign will be conducted in a manner consistent with the Sierra Club's values and mission.

The Conservation Management Committee recommends that the length of a priority campaign be limited to one year with renewal of the designation possible. A vote of the Conservation Committee is required to re-authorize status as a priority campaign.

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Governor Davis Reappoints Member to California Fish and Game Commission

SACRAMENTO, Governor Gray Davis today, 3/14/03, announced the reappointment of Robert Hattoy as a member of the California Fish and Game Commission. Mr. Hattoy, 51, of Long Beach, has been a member of the Commission since his appointment by Governor Davis on August 27, 2002. He is a consultant and motivational speaker with a wide range of experience in political, governmental and communications issues. Mr. Hattoy served as an appointee of President Clinton, as a Deputy in the Office of White House Personnel from 1993 to 1994, and from 1994 to 1999, he was the White House liaison to the Department of the Interior. President Clinton also appointed him to the Presidential Commission on HIV/AIDS, where he served as Chair of the Research Committee. Mr. Hattoy has also worked for the Sierra Club from 1981 to 1992, where he was a Regional Director for California and Nevada, working on various environmental issues. He serves as an independent consultant and spokesperson, dividing his time between Washington DC and California. The Commission meets at least 11 times each year to publicly discuss various proposed regulations, permits, licenses, management policies and other subjects within its areas of responsibility. Members do not receive a salary. This position requires Senate confirmation.

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An Evening with Julia Butterfly Hill

Monday, April 28, 7 pm

An inspirational presentation on environmental justice, sustainability, restoration, and preservation of life. National best selling author of The Legacy of Luna, Julia Butterfly Hill, brought international attention to the plight of the world's last remaining ancient forests when she climbed 180 feet up into the branches of a 1000 year-old redwood tree and refused to come down. Julia's message of hope, empowerment and love and respect for all life has inspired millions of people worldwide. Chapman University, Beckman Hall 404, One University Drive, Orange. Admission is free. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Foothills, Sierra Sage and Orange County Groups/Angeles Chapter, and Chapman University. Contact: Brittany McKee (949)361-7534 or Rachel Myers (213)387-4287X210 for tabling opportunities.

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Sierra Club Committee Contacts

Air Committee, Bob Palzer bob.palzer@sierraclub.org
Wetlands Working Group, Robin Mann robin.mann@sierraclub.org
Water Committee, Albert Ettinger aettinger@elpc.org
Environmental Justice Committee, Phaedra Pezzullo phaedra@email.unc.edu
Genetic Engineering Committee, Laurel Hopwood laurel.hopwood@sierraclub.org
Waste Committee, Jim Mays jmays@ulster.net
Sprawl Committee, Tim Frank tim.frank@sierraclub.org
CAFO/Clean Water Committee, Hank Graddy hank.graddy@sierraclub.org
Community Health Committee, Michael McCally michael.mccally@mssm.edu
Workplace Environment Committee, Les Reid lesreid@frazmtn.com
ECL/End Commercial Logging on Federal Public Lands Cmte, Connie Hanson chcccpn@aol.com

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Action Directory

Sierra Club Legislative Hotline — (202) 675-2394
Sierra Club National Headquarters — (415) 977-5500
Sierra Club Sacramento Legislative Office — (916) 557-1100; fax (916) 227-9669
Sierra Club World Wide Web — http://www.sierraclub.org
Sierra Club Vote Watch Website — http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/
White House Comment Line — (202) 456-1111
White House Fax Line — (202) 456-2461
President George W Bush's e-mail — president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Dick Cheney's e-mail — vice-president@whitehouse.gov
White House Address — 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard — (202) 224-3121
To contact your senators — http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm
    Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510
To contact your representative — http://www.house.gov/writerep
    House Office Bldg, Washington DC 20515
California Capitol Switchboard — 916-322-9900

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E-mail Discussion Lists

There are three important discussion lists for Angeles environmental activists:
      the Angeles Chapter Conservation Listserve angeles-conservation@lists.sierraclub.org
      the Angeles-Alerts Listserve angeles-alerts@lists.sierraclub.org
      the California/Nevada Listserve calif-activists@lists.sierraclub.org

To subscribe to Angeles-Alerts: email listsserv@lists.sierraclub.org with the message
“subscribe angeles-conservation” or “subscribe calif-activists” or  "subscribe angeles-alerts"

To subscribe to California Activists: email <calif-activists-request@lists.sierraclub.org> your name, email address, Sierra Club membership number, and position in Club (or how it is that you are active). Subscription is processed by one of the list owners, usually the same day.

To leave a list, send an e-mail listserv@lists.sierraclub.org and, in the text of your message (not the subject line), write:
“signoff calif-activists” or “signoff angeles-conservation” or "signoff angeles-alerts"
            Please note:  it's "listserv," not "listserve."

The Angeles Chapter’s website is www.angeles.sierraclub.org

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Parking at the Chapter Office

Visitors must park inside the building weekdays and week-nights. The outside lot is reserved for monthly parking and requires a keycard entry through a gate. There is no attendant. Gates are closed 24 hours a day during the week.
Weeknights: You may park free inside the building after 5:30 pm. Be prepared to show your membership card or one of our parking passes, available at the front desk in the Chapter office. Take a ticket when you enter through the gate; present it at the parking office near the elevators, and sign it. The ticket machine at the front gate may be turned off after 7 pm. If so, buzz the attendant and say you are going to a Sierra Club meeting. There is no entry after 8 pm. The outside gate is up after 8 pm.
Weekends: No parking inside the building.
Saturday: Attendant is expected to be on duty from 8 am to 3 pm. You may park free, showing Sierra Club affiliation as above. Tickets may be validated at the Chapter office. Outside gates are down all day.
Sunday: Outside gates are up; there is no attendant.
Linda Hoyer

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Motions should be submitted in advance, together with objective background material and supporting and opposing arguments, both to the Committee Chair and Newsletter Editor, for distribution with the agenda. Other motions will be postponed for action at a later meeting unless the motion is submitted in writing and unless the Committee votes an exception to ordinary procedure. Motions needing further action by the Angeles Chapter ExComm or some higher level of the Sierra Club should start out: “The Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee recommends that the Sierra Club...”

Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee

Angeles Chapter Office, The Equitable Building, 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 320, Los Angeles CA 90010-1904
Gordon LaBedz, Chair, 562-494-6368 GlaBedzMD@aol.com

Agenda — April 16, 2003

7:30 Introductions/Announcements

7:45 Review of Agenda

7:50 Conservation Staff Report

8:05 Discussion: What constitutes a "Priority Campaign?"

9:15 Other

9:45 Adjourn

Next meeting is May 21

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Orange County Conservation Committee

Gail Prothero, Chair 949-347-1255 gprothero@cox.net

Agenda —  April 15, 2003

Location: Inn at the Park in Irvine
From the north, come down 405 to 73 and off at University. Turn left and pass Campus and turn right on Harvard. Follow Harvard as it bends; look for Marquette. The Inn is at 10 Marquette, on the corner of Harvard and Marquette behind a steel fence.
From the south, get off 405 at Culver and go left. Follow Culver past Michelson and University and turn right on Harvard.
Take Harvard to Marquette. It's on your right.

7:00  Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Agenda, Minutes

7:20  Announcements, Old Business — Gail Prothero
        Thanks to Gordon LaBedz for leading our March 29 activist training workshop;
        Thanks to Bonnie Sharpe for her presentation on fundraising trips.

7:25 Staff Reports — Rachel Myers and Brittany McKee
        a. Earth Day Events, Julia Butterfly Hill Updates (see calendar)
        b. News Release, Conservation Task Force summaries update

7:35 Fieldstone-Sully Miller Project along Santiago Creek — David Piper

7:50 Friends of the Foothills — Bill Holmes or Brittany McKee

8:00 Finance/Treasurer — Jay Matchett
        a. Discussion of possibility of adding OCCC line item in Chapter budget;
        b. Outings Recruitment Program/Political Hikes

8:15 Santa Ana River Conservancy (AB 496) — Bonnie Sharpe?

8:20 Dana Point Headlands Task Force — Celia Kutcher

8:30 Save Hobo Aliso Ridge Task Force — Penny Elia

8:40 Saddleback Canyons Task Force — Rich Gomez/Gloria Sefton (Saddlecreek/Saddlecrest,,RPLA, Saddleback Meadows)

8:50 Santa Ana Mountains Task Force — Jay Matchett

8:55 Irvine Development east of Santiago Hills I-II towards Irvine Lake — Alex Mintzer

Next meeting is Tuesday, May 20

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Conservation Committee Calendar

PLEASE! Send correction or additions about your calendar dates to the editor, preferably by email: ivesico@earthlink.net

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