The Newsletter of
the Conservation Committees,
Angeles Chapter, Sierra
Club
The Conservation Committees provide
forums for Club members to discuss impending conservation issues and to
coordinate efforts of conservation subcommittees with groups and sections.
They meet monthly every third Tuesday Orange County) and third Wednesday
(Angeles Chapter). Contact the Conservation Committee Chairs by the end
of the previous month for a place on the agenda. Deadline or newsletter
articles is 10 days before the first meeting. Email items or articles to
Robin Ives, Editor
Quote of the Month
"The Bush administration is weakening the Clean Air Act. It is weakening the Clean Water Act and it is not cleaning up Superfund sites. We have the right to know why. These are life and death issues."
Senator James Jeffords, an Independent from Vermont, in a Dec 1, 2003 special environmental photoreport in the Chicago Tribune.
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John Robinson To Speak At Forest Campaign Event Mountain historian and trails writer John Robinson will be the featured speaker at a February 12 community meeting in Pasadena. The event is being sponsored by the Southern California Forests Campaign, a new Sierra Club effort to help safeguard the region's four national forests from a variety of imminent threats, including everything from toll roads and massive power lines to the loss of unique animal species that live in our forests. The meeting will be held at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, north of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena.
John Robinson will speak on "The San Gabriel Mountains: Then and Now." His books include several historical books on the San Gabriels and two popular trail guides of the Angeles and San Bernardino Mountain Trails — two of the best know hiking guides to our local forests. Forest Campaign representative John Monsen will briefly introduce the Southern California Forests Campaign and talk about how we can protect the health of our local mountains in the future as he offers "10 Easy Steps To Protecting Our Forests." |
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Administration Supports"Faith-Based Parks" Climate Change Threatens Biodiversity More Than Habitat Loss Dow Fined Two Million Dollars for False Safety Claims Free Trade — The Good, The Bad, The Ugly New Forest Campaign Presented to Angeles Hikers White House Seeks Control Over News on Health, Safety
Environmental Resolution Proposed: (Pros and Cons stripped) Angeles Chapter Member on Amigos de los Rios Board Membership in the Sierra Nevada Alliance Environmental
Resolution Proposed (Orange County (none)
Angeles Chapter Conservation Mgmt Committee
Orange
County Conservation Committee |
There will be a reception at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 7 pm. followed by the hour-long program featuring John Robinson which begins at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome and there is no admission charge. For program details and directions, contact John Monsen. To learn more about the Southern California Forests Campaign, visit http://sierraclub.org/ca/SoCalForests.
Other Community Meetings
Tues, Feb 14, San Juan Capistrano Recreation Center
Thur, Feb 26, Redlands University (Orton Center)
Fri, Feb 27, Mission Trails Nature Center, San Diego, Los Padres Chapter,
March 2004
All meetings begin at 7 pm with a reception, followed by a one-hour program beginning at 7:30 pm.
John Monsen, Regional Conservation Organizer
Southern California Forests Campaign
Office: 213-387-6528 x203 Home Office: 818-951-7714, Cell: 818-427-5699
New Forest Campaign Debuts February 5th For Angeles Hikers
"Some people see trees and some people see timber."
It is easy to hike in our local forests and assume that they will always be there for our favorite outings, protected from the intrusions of development. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Urban sprawl is impacting our forests, bringing development, including new multilane toll roads, hydroelectric plants, massive power lines, and more. If we do not take action now, there will be fewer and fewer natural places left for our hiking adventures.
To help counter these threats and to establish a positive vision for how our forests should be managed, the Sierra Club is launching the Southern California Forests Campaign to help protect our local forests, including the nearby Angeles, Los Padres, San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forests. As Outing Chair Will McWhinney said recently, “The world is full of beautiful places, but these forests are our beautiful places. If we don’t work to save these natural areas, who will?”
To learn more about the forests campaign, why it is important to Chapter hikers, and how you can help out, join us for a special program on February 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Griffith Park Ranger Station. The meeting will feature a presentation entitled “10 Easy Ways Hikers Can Help Protect Our Local Forests” by Sierra Club Regional Representative Bill Corcoran and Regional Organizer John Monsen, who staff the campaign. The event is hosted by the Hundred Peaks Section and co-sponsored by Desert Peaks, Sierra Peaks, and Ski Mountaineers Sections and Lower Peaks Committee.
The forests campaign is especially timely since the Forest Service will be formally releasing its draft plan to manage our local forests in April. The Forest Service will also release five alternative management plans — including one endorsed by the Sierra Club. The six plans cover the full range of visions of how the forest could be managed: from plans which would maximize commodity extraction (more mining, oil wells, and logging), to a proposal that increases "hard" recreational opportunities such as OHV areas, to one that emphasizes maintaining habitat and biodiversity. The Sierra Club proposal supports "low impact" recreation, such as hiking, and conservation of flora and fauna and other natural values. John Monsen will have graphic representations of the alternatives and photos to illustrate the range of options as well as a list of 10 easy ways you can help support the Sierra Club’s plan to protect our forests.
The February 5 program will be at the Griffith Park Ranger Station Auditorium, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive. It begins at 6:30 with a Swap Meet. Bring your unwanted hiking and camping gear to exchange or sell. Wine and munchies will be served. The main program begins at 7:30 p.m. For directions to the Ranger Station call (323) 913-4688 or go to the map link at <www.ci.la.ca.us/RAP/grifmet/gp/test/general_park_info>. Refreshments provided by the Hundred Peaks Group, which will be hosting the event.
Laura Joseph, Program Chair of the Hundred Peaks Section, can be reached at ljoseph2@earthlink.net for info about the event. For more information about the Southern California Forests Campaign, contact John Monsen at john.monsen@SierraClub.org.
White House Seeks Control Over News on Health, Safety
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported that the White House Office of Management and Budget has proposed that it would decide what and when the public would be told about an outbreak of mad cow disease, an anthrax release, a nuclear plant accident or any other crisis.
According to the Post Dispatch, the OMB is trying to gain final control over release of emergency declarations from the federal agencies responsible for public health, safety and the environment. The OMB also wants to manage scientific and technical evaluations—known as peer reviews—of all major government rules, plans, proposed regulations and pronouncements.
Administration
Supports "Faith-Based Parks"
Monday, December 22, 2003. In a series of recent decisions, the National Park Service has approved the display of religious symbols and Bible verses, as well as the sale of creationist books about the origins of natural wonders in national parks, according to documents to be released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).
"The Bush Administration appears to be sponsoring a program of faith-based parks," said PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch.[1] In July, NPS Deputy Director Donald Murphy ordered the Grand Canyon National Park to return three bronze plaques bearing biblical verses to public viewing areas on the Canyon's South Rim. Murphy overruled the park superintendent, who had authorized the removal based on legal advice from the Interior Department that the religious displays violated the First Amendment.[2]
On its website, the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, which put up the plaques, says the Bible verses were allowed in the national park after "God touched the hearts of officials to give permission."[3] This fall, the Park Service approved a creationist text, "Grand Canyon: A Different View," for sale in park bookstores and museums. The book claims that the Grand Canyon is only a few thousand years old and developed on a biblical, rather than an evolutionary, time scale.[4] At the same time, Park Service leadership has blocked publication of guidance for park rangers and other interpretative staff that labeled creationism as lacking any scientific basis, PEER found. The actions would appear to be in conflict with President Bush's stated support for policies based on "sound science."
Last month, the Park Service announced it would alter an 8-minute video shown at the Lincoln Memorial visitor center of past demonstrations and events at the memorial. Conservative groups had asked for the removal of footage of gay rights, pro-choice and anti-Vietnam War demonstrations because it implies that "Lincoln would have supported homosexual and abortion 'rights' as well as feminism." The Park Service has promised to develop a "more balanced" version that includes rallies of Christian groups and pro-war demonstrations, PEER said.
The Park Service is also engaged in a legal battle to continue displaying an 8-foot-tall cross atop a 30-foot-high rock outcropping in the Mojave National Preserve in California. The suit is pending before the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.[5]
Sources:
[1] PEER press release, Dec. 22
[2] Donald Murphy letter, July 18, 2003
[3] Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary website
[4] Canyon Ministries website
[5] ACLU lawsuit Return to Index
Free Trade
— The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
As kids we swapped baseball cards, or sold them for money (10 cents). But today trade means something very different. Indeed, every child in the Americas should understand that those attending the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) meeting in Miami do not seek to improve your leverage in exchanging vintage Hank Aaron or Pele cards for Ted Williams or Diego Maradona; nor will it help small Florida manufacturers of zippers or paper boxes better sell their wares in Uruguay or Belize.
FTAA mavens envision a Hemispheric "free-trade zone," excluding Cuba, of course. The CEOs and government officials who see the world through corporate lenses boast about the potential of "the world's largest free market." The combined gross domestic product of the countries involved (800 million consumers) equals $13 trillion, the FTAAers assert. FTAA would extend NAFTA (The North American Free Trade Agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico) from Hudson Bay to the tip of Patagonia (minus Cuba, of course).
The very thought of such a giant Latin American and Caribbean market awaiting their entrance has led major US corporations to become the FTAA's biggest promoters. The FTAA looms like a temptress for corporate acquisitiveness. A services chapter of the Agreement, for example, might well increase already existing pressure on hemispheric governments to sell public services to private foreign investors. US companies could then offer expensive health care to poor Latin Americans, rid them of public schools and offering the highest (in cost) level of private education.
Humongous corporations would also find new opportunities to take over public transport, telephone, gas, electricity, water and sewage treatment. FTAA would even encourage governments to privatize nursing homes and day care centers. The public would lose its historic property, and foreign investors would gain rights denied to local business. Indeed, after governments cede public property to private monoliths the Treaty then gives these foreign "investors" the right to sue governments that interfere with their "rights" to make profits.
For these reasons and more, tens of thousands of anti-free traders will appear in Miami to demonstrate for "fair trade." "Free" means "free for takeover" by a handful of US banks and corporations; freedom to invest in nations with low-wage labor and no "anti-business" barriers like taxes or environmental and workplace safety regulations to inhibit their profit-making proclivities.
Imperial motives have not changed over the centuries. But since they can no longer utilize the practices of past centuries (outright looting), the major "investors" now seek legal arrangements to obtain the same benefits. Instead of US marines enforcing their "rights" to profits from the third world (the Gunboat, Dollar and Good Neighbor Policies in the first part of the 20th Century), they now prefer to go to the courts. "Trade treaties" signify governments putting their "Good Housekeeping" seals of approval on business arrangements that screw the poor and the environment.
FTAA presumes non-existent levels of equality between the signing countries. During the 1993 NAFTA debate, its proponents convinced Congress that Mexico merited free trade partnership with the United States and Canada because she had achieved a mature commitment to democracy and clean government. Some zealous NAFTA advocates offered fantasies in place of facts. In his July 20, 1993 Los Angeles Times column, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has Mexican President Carlos Salinas turning "Mexico on its head." In addition to opening his country to foreign investment and free competition, Salinas "quelled corruption."
Shortly after Kissinger wrote these words, Salinas became the focus of
major scandals, including murder and a "$25 million a plate dinner."
Salinas invited those who had benefited most from his privatizing schemes
to an elite dinner, where they could repay their debt to him by putting
up $25 million each for the Salinas family investment fund, of course.
Kissinger, who made no comment on this affair, waxed eloquent on "a Western Hemisphere-wide free trade system—with NAFTA as the initial step." Between 1970-3 Henry encouraged the Chilean military to unseat the freely elected Allende government. He supported the installation of the antithesis of freedom in Chile a military dictatorship. But for Kissinger NAFTA represented real freedom: "a system for global free trade based on incentives for those willing to abide by its principles and by penalties for those nations not playing by the rules."
In 1993, Clinton came to the presidency agnostic on free trade. Most Americans at the time had not even heard of NAFTA. But Clinton quickly turned missionary on the subject and regularly preached neo-liberal doctrine at home and to Western Hemisphere leaders except for Castro, of course. Clinton tempted them with his vision of a Free Trade Area of the Americas. But between the 1994 onset of NAFTA and the planned next steps to expand "free trade," millions of people began to understand the down side to these arrangements.
In Mexico, maquilas (foreign owned export factories) did generate growth. But in 2000, recession hit. Some maquilas closed or reduced shifts. These engines of development responded directly to US recession by cutting investment in Mexico. The 9/11/01 attacks reverberated into another hit on "free trade." "Security" temporarily interrupted the smooth border crossings needed for successful maquila business. Meanwhile, some of the very investors who had sung Mexico's praises for its cheap labor and lax enforcement policies on environment and worker health and safety began to move their holdings to even cheaper labor markets: China.
Mexico took what the bankers call "a hit." Tens of thousands who had left the countryside to seek work in the maquila dominated frontier cities found themselves jobless but now in a dangerous and polluted environment. In places like Ciudad Juarez, air quality has gone from very bad to absolutely terrible. Women live in a social climate dominated by the rapes and mutilations of several hundred maquila workers.
In South America "free trade" failed even more dramatically. On December 20, 2001, the Argentine economy collapsed. Riots ensued. Banks closed. The standard of living dropped catastrophically. The government that had administered the neo-liberal model at its optimal level declared a state of siege.
In December 1998, Venezuelans, who held bloody riots in 1989 to protest IMF "free trade" schemes, ousted the traditional parties and elected anti-free trader Hugo Chavez to the presidency. Similarly, in Ecuador and Peru anti "free trade" sentiment had forced political changes.
Most importantly, Brazilians elected Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as president, a man skeptical about free trade's benefits. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick called Lula's representatives "won't dos." He referred to Brazil's leadership role in a coalition of 22 countries against US and European positions at the September 2003 World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun. From the Brazilian point of view, "systematic arrogance" — an understatement — described the US position. Until the Cancun meeting, "developed" country delegates have relied on their ability to bribe, intimidate and distract enough representatives of the poorer nations so as to break up any block such as the one formed in Cancun. The standard US position "do as I say, not as I do" don't you dare subsidize your agriculture or steel industry as we subsidize ours — position has begun to draw fire.
In 2004, Bush sees it as an election year necessity to continue to subsidize US agribusiness and raise tariffs on selected third world imports to protect uncompetitive US industries. Brazilian exports have suffered. Bush hypocritically accused Brazil, the victim, of "dumping" goods on the subsidized US market. The US delegates, showing imperial chutzpah, also proposed that Brazil grant US investors even greater access to their national economy by allowing them into the exclusive club of government contracting. The Brazilian delegates tried to keep a veneer of calm as they made meaningless counterproposals.
US delegates now try to induce Latin American leaders to resuscitate Clinton's tarnished utopian dream. This gang of neo-liberal fanatics has ignored the basic fact: the model doesn't work. It has taken massive demonstrations in various cities against the very arrangements the free traders have celebrated to dramatize that fact.
In 1999, between 50 and 100 thousand anti-free traders, union members, environmentalists, small farmers, and just plain folk demonstrated at the Seattle World Trade Organization summit. Following the Seattle affair, the anti-globalization movement spread. Protests erupted at every major meeting of the unelected trade elite. Now, this unelected elite who decide on world economic arrangements, live in fear of demonstrators as well they should.
In October 2003, Bolivians rose up and at a cost of more than eighty dead kicked out their "free trade" president, Sanchez de Losada, who returned to Miami where he belonged. Under free market arrangements foreign companies like Bechtel owned Bolivian water, before the Bolivians said: "basta ya!"
Perhaps, the demonstrators and the presence of the pathetic Sanchez de Losada in Miami will bring the message home to the FTAA negotiators. The movement for global justice will counter the push for corporate globalization. And all the Miami police force, making arrests as they will, cannot contain the just anger of those who represent the vast majority of the world's population.
See Landau's essays in Spanish on www.rprogreso.com. Landau's new book, The Pre-Emptive Empire: A Guide to Bush's Kingdon, was just released by Pluto Press. He teaches at Cal Poly Pomona University and is a fellow of the Institute for Policy Studies. He referred to Brazil's leadership role in a coalition of 22 countries against US and European positions at the September 2003 World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun. From the Brazilian point of view, "systematic arrogance" — an understatement —
described the US position. Until the Cancun meeting, "developed" country delegates have relied on their ability to bribe, intimidate and distract enough representatives of the poorer nations so as to break up any block such as the one formed in Cancun. The standard US position "do as I say, not as I do" don't you dare subsidize your agriculture or steel industry as we subsidize ours — position has begun to draw fire.Return to Index
Dow Fined 2 Million for False Safety Claims
Largest Pesticide Enforcement Penalty in U.S. History
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced that Dow AgroSciences, LLC, a subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, will pay a $2 million penalty for illegally advertising safety claims about its pesticide products in New York between 1995 and 2003.
This is the largest enforcement penalty ever obtained in a pesticide case.
"Pesticides are toxic substances that should be used with great caution," said Attorney General Spitzer. "By misleading consumers about the potential dangers associated with the use of their products, Dow's ads may have endangered human health and the environment by encouraging people to use their products without proper care."
Consumer and public health advocates hailed the settlement.
Edward Groth III, PhD, a senior scientist with Consumers Union, publishers of Consumer Reports, said: "Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) was one of the most highly toxic active ingredients used in home pesticides. Dow's exaggerated safety claims for this very toxic chemical, cited in the Attorney General's lawsuit, were simply outrageous. Consumers should thank Eliot Spitzer for putting a stop to such gross corporate deception."
Dr. Philip Landrigan, chair of the Department of Community and Preventative Medicine at Mount Sinai Medial Center, said: "Excellent studies conducted by independent scientists have clearly shown that chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in Dursban, is toxic to the human brain and nervous system and is especially dangerous to the developing brain of infants. I applaud the actions of Attorney General Spitzer to stop these misleading and potentially dangerous safety claims."
Spitzer sued Dow for repeatedly violating a 1994 agreement with New York State prohibiting advertising touting the safety of its pesticide products. As part of the 1994 agreement, the company agreed to stop making claims that its products were "safe." However, an investigation by Spitzer's office found that almost immediately after the company entered into the agreement it once again began to make misleading safety claims in its print, video and internet advertising.
Pursuant to a Consent Judgment signed December 12 by Judge Joan Madden in Manhattan Supreme Court, Dow is required to pay a $2 million penalty, is barred from making safety claims about its pesticide products, and is required to implement a compliance program consisting of the following components:
An investigation in the early 1990s by the Attorney General Office found
that Dow engaged in false and misleading advertising that violated both
state and federal laws. In exchange for not paying fines for its illegal
advertising claims, Dow signed an agreement with the state in 1994 in
which it pledged to reform its advertising and marketing practices.
The Attorney General's investigation revealed that, after the 1994 agreement, Dow continued to illegally advertise the safety of chlorpyrifos and other pesticides. The investigation centered on Dow's advertising of the DursbanT pesticide product line, which contains chlorpyrifos, a synthetic chemical compound that has been linked to severe health problems in humans, including poisoning, nerve damage and birth defects. The federal Environmental Protection Agency, specifically citing health risks to children, took action in 2000 to prohibit most household uses of chlorpyrifos.
As recently as March, 2003, Dow's internet site included the statement: "Consumer exposure from labeled use of chlorpyrifos products provides wide margins of safety for both adults and children." In contrast, Dow's safety data sheet for Durban TCT (chlorpyrifos) states that excessive vapor concentrations are attainable and could be hazardous on single exposure."
The matter was handled in the Attorney General's Environmental Protection Bureau
by Assistant Attorney General Philip Bein, Affirmative Litigation Chief Lemuel
Srolovic, and Chief Scientist Michael Surgan. Return to Index
Background, Pros and Cons for the following resolutions have been omitted from the web version
Proposed Resolution: County Supervisor Mailing
The Conservation Committee recommends that the Chapter Executive Committee allocate $1000 for a mailing to reach our membership to support the candidacy of Lynne Plambek for LA County Supervisor.
Proposed Resolution: Membership in the Sierra Nevada Alliance
The Angeles Chapter will renew its annual $100 membership in the Sierra Nevada Alliance.
Proposed Resolution:
Angeles Chapter Member on Amigos de los Rios Board
The Conservation Committee of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club recommends that the Angeles Chapter contribute $2,500 to place a Sierra Club representative on the Board of Amigos de los Rios.
Action Directory
Sierra Club Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394
Sierra Club National: (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 president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Dick Cheney: vice-president@whitehouse.gov
White House Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
To contact your senators: Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510 http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm
To contact your representative: House Office Bldg, Washington DC 20515
http://www.house.gov/writerep
California Capitol Switchboard: (916) 322-9900
The Electronic Conservation Committee Newsletter is sent automatically and free on email to all activists who hold any of the following positions in the Angeles Chapter or its entities: Executive Committee Member; Entity Chair or Conservation Chair, Political, and Newsletter Editor, Conservation Subcommittee or Task Force Chair. In addition, many activists throughout the Chapter and state receive it by email free, either by request or by position. Distribution is approximately 350 by email, and 45 by hard copy. If you no longer hold the Club office with the automatic pull and wish to continue to receive it, email ivesico@earthlink.net
If
we do not have your email address - please let us know. If you wish (and
tell us), it will be tagged "private" and not printed or given out.
The Newsletter (without upcoming
resolutions) is available on the Chapter website at http://angeles.sierraclub.org/home.html
Paper postal copy is available ($20/year payable Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club) for those who are technically challenged or simply don't want to be bothered. To receive The Newsletter by first class mail, send a donation to (almost) cover printing/mailing costs to Conservation Newsletter, 112 Harvard Ave PMB 297, Claremont CA 91711.
National's
GoldBook provides information to chapters and
groups 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; fundraising
plus much, much, more material on the Sierra Club. It is now available at the
Clubhouse website. Go to http://www.clubhouse.sierraclub.org;
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, then on GoldBook, Educational Project Guidelines.
California/Nevada Regional
Activist Directory (RedBook)
and its GreenBook
(handbook of SC California bylaws and standing rules) are now available free
in electronic form (html). The paper edition ($20) is available on special
order. The electronic version is updated continuously, and will be re-distributed
on demand. Both hard and electronic copy are available only from Lori
Ives. Contact her for details.
Chapter
Office Parking
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 6 pm. If so,
buzz the attendant and say you are going to a Sierra Club meeting. There is
no entry after 8 pm.
Visitor parking on Saturday
is limited to 8 am to 4 pm inside the building with attendant on duty.
Arrangement for Sunday parking
inside for Sierra Club meetings is pending at press time. Linda Hoyer
E-Mail
Lists:
There are four important discussion lists for Angeles environmental
activists:
Angeles Chapter Cons Listserve angeles-conservation@lists.sierraclub.org
Angeles-Alerts Listserve angeles-alerts@lists.sierraclub.org
California/Nevada Listserve calif-activists@lists.sierraclub.org (moderated list for announcements)
California/Nevada Listserve calif-activists-forum@lists.sierraclub.org (unmoderated discussion list)
Subscribe
to California Activists: calif-activists-request@lists.sierraclub.org
Subscribe to California Activists Forum:
calif-activists-forum-request@lists.sierraclub.org
For both lists, send
your name, email address, Sierra Club membership
number, your position in Club (how are you active?)
Subscription is processed by one of the list owners, usually the same day.
Subscribe to Angeles-Alerts: email
listserv@lists.sierraclub.org
with the message "subscribe angeles-conservation"
or "subscribe calif-activists" or "subscribe angeles-alerts" Note:
it's "listserv," not "listserve."
To leave a list, send an e-mail
to listserv@lists.sierraclub.org
In the text of your message (not the subject line), write: "signoff
calif-activists" or "signoff angeles-conservation" or "signoff angeles-alerts"
The Angeles Chapter's website is www.angeles.sierraclub.org return to Index
Extraordinary Orange County Events
IMPORTANT!!! ACTIVISTS NEEDED TO ATTEND COASTAL COMMISSION HEARING - THURSDAY, JANUARY 15:
The Dana Point Headlands Development & Conservation Plan will be heard again by the Coastal Commission on Jan. 15, 2004, at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. The hearing starts at 9:00, but apparently the Dana Point Headlands is the last agenda item -- it probably won't be heard until after lunch. The last time the Coastal Commission had this on their agenda, the developer brought in two busloads of supporters. Don't let the environmental activists be outnumbered again -- this meeting is really important. Contact dphc@cox.net for more information.
Take a Hike - January 18 Santiago Oaks to Weir Canyon: - 9-miles, 2200' gain. Hike along a stream, up a ridge, past Robber's Peak to see what's been won and lost. Bring 2 quarts water, lugsoles, and lunch. Rain cancels. Call for time and rideshare point. Leader: Julie Garner, 714-335-1579
Take a Hike - January 24 Crystal Cove Loop: - 5-mile, 900' gain along CEB.F.I. and CEI Think I Can trails. Steep inclines, great ocean views. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, binoculars. Meet 8 a.m. at Crystal Cove Promenade in front of Trader Joe's. South of Newport Beach, coming from Newport, turn left off PCH just before Crystal Cove State Park. Carpool to State Park Ranger Station at Moro Canyon. $5 parking fee. Rain cancels. Leader (provisional) Donal O'Sullivan; assistant Ron Schrantz, 714-995-8240.
January 27, Tuesday, 7-9 pm: Sierra Sage Forest Plan Meeting: Why we must protect the forests, the status of the mountain lion in the Santa Ana Mountains, the role of Santa Ana Mountains Task Force, and a Forest Plan Revisions Update. Speakers are Karl Warkomski, Donna Krutchi, Paul Carlton, and John Monsen. Unitarian/Universalist Church of South County. 25801 Obrero.
February 11, Wednesday,
7:00 pm: Cultural Heritage Program: A free
program on "The Disappearing Landscape of Our Cultural and Historical
Legacy" featuring distinguished keynote speaker Dr. Paul Apodaca, an
artist and expert in Native American culture, will be held at the San Juan
Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino Del Avion, in historic San Juan
Capistrano. The program will include live music on traditional instruments
by the Native American music group, The Tushmal Singers, and a special exhibit
of Native American crafts and basketry. Refreshments will be provided. For
info call Rebecca Robles, Chair, Orange County Native American Sacred Sites
Task Force (949)369-0361 or visit the Sacred Sites link at http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ocosc/.
Return to Index
Angeles
Chapter Conservation Management Committee
Angeles Chapter Grants Committe
Gordon LaBedz/Chair 562-494-6368
Bonnie Sharpe/Vice Chair/Grants Chair, Jay Matchett/Treasurer, Jeff Yann/Secretary,
Robin Ives/Newsletter
Judy Anderson, Faramarz Nabavi, Lynne Plambeck, Rudy Vietmeier
Lori Ives, Publisher/Webmaster/Circulation (Non-voting)
Johanna Zetterberg; Rachel Myers, Conservation Coordinators (Non-voting)
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... To find out more about voting requirements and representatives, consult the Angeles Chapter website Conservation Committee
Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee
3435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 320, Los Angeles CA 90010-1904
Wednesday, January 21, 2004, 7:30 pm
AGENDA
7:30 PM (sharp) Introductions and SHORT Announcements
7:35 PM Review of Agenda
7:40 PM Conservation Staff Report
7:55 PM Political Committee Report on Proposed Endorsements
8:00 PM Report from Harbor Vision Committee
8:10 PM 2003 Summary
8:40 PM 2004 Plans
9:10 PM Amigos de los Rios funding request
9:25 PM Support for Donation to Sierra Nevada Alliance
9:35 PM Appoint Roy van de Hoek as chair of the LA River Committee
9:40 PM Report on La Tuna Canyon Development
9:45 PM Appointments for Conservation Management Committee Ratification
Robin
Ives Newsletter Editor
Jeff
Yann Secretary
Jay
Machett Treasurer
Judy
Anderson at large
Rudy
Vietmier at large
John Ulloth at large
Roy van de Hoek at large
9:55 PM Adjourn Return to Index
Orange County Conservation Committee
Carole Mintzer, Chair 949-714-288-2829;
Gale Prothero, Vice Chair;
Chuck Buck, Secretary; Rachel Myers, Conservation Coord (*non voting)
Website: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ocosc/
AGENDA
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
Great
Earth Walk - May 1, 2004
Extra copies of January's
Southern Sierran are available
7:15 San Diego Creek Riparian Habitat - Jan VanderSloot
7:30 Forest Service National Strategic Plan
- input sought - Holly Bender
8:00 Saddleback Canyons Task Force - Rich Gomez
8:15 Sacred Sites - Rebecca Robles
8:30 Steelhead Trout in Trabuco Creek - Gail
Prothero
8:45 Dana Point Headlands - written report
9:00 Adjourn
Next
OCCC Meeting is Tuesday, February 17, 2004. Return to Index
Conservation Committees Calendar
| JANUARY 2004 | |
| Tue Jan 20, 7:00 pm | OC Conservation Comm, Inn at the Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine (Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintzer |
| Wed Jan 21, 7:30 pm | Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Gordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com |
| Wed Jan 21, 7:15 pm | The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563 |
| Wed Jan 21, 7:00 pm | Friends of the Foothills Steering Committee. Contact (949) 361-7534 |
| Sun Jan 26, 1:00 pm | Chapter ExComm, Chapter office. Contact Virgil Shields, virgil.shields@angeles.sierraclub.org |
| Tue Jan 27, 7:00 pm | Sierra Sage General Program on the Southern California Forests Campaign with guest speaker John Monsen. Unitarian/Universalist Church, Mission Viejo. Refreshments will be served. Contact Paul Carlton. |
| Wed, Jan 28, 7:30 pm | Forest Task Force, Chapter office. Don Bremner, donbremner@earthlink.net |
| FEBRUARY 2004 | |
| Sun Feb 1 | Deadline for articles/calendar in the March Southern Sierran about our conservation efforts. Write up what you're doing, attach a digital photo, e-mail to Dominique at |
| Mon Feb 2, 7:00 pm | Saddleback Cyns Task Force and Conservancy Mtg, Silverado Community Ctr. Rich Gomez. |
| Mon Feb 2, 7:30 pm | Chapter Conservation Management Committee, Chapter office (date may change, call chair) |
| Thu Feb 5, 7:10 pm | OC Political Comm, 1st Thu, Unitarian-Universalist Ch, 25801 Obrero, Mission Viejo, Alex Mintzer (714) 288-2829 |
| Sat Feb 7 9:30 am | Friends of Foothills Planning meeting. Contact Brittany McKee (949)361-7534 |
| Sun Feb 8, 2:45 pm | Harbor Vision Task Force, 2nd Sun, San Pedro Public Library, 9th and Gaff |
| Mon Feb 9 | OC Native American Sacred Sites TF, 2nd Mon, Rebecca Robles (949) 369-0361 |
| Mon Feb 9, 7:15 pm | Orange Hills TF, 2nd Mon, 217 E Chapman Ave, Orange, Chris (714) 606-0453, ckoontz@usc.edu) |
| Mon Feb 9, 7:30 pm | Transportation Subcommittee, 2nd Mon, Chapter Office |
| Mon Feb 9, 7:30 pm | Santa Monica Mountains TF, 2nd Mon, Chair Mary Ann Webster (310) 559-3126 |
| Tue, Feb 10, 7:30 pm | Air Quality/Global Warming/Energy SubCommittee, Chapter Office, Jan Kidwell (818) 506-8731 |
| Tue Feb 17, 7:00 pm | OC
Conservation Comm, Inn at the
Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine (Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintze |
| Wed Feb18, 7:30 pm | Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Gordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com |
| Wed Feb 18, 7:15 pm | The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563 |
| Wed Feb 18 7:00 pm | Friends of Foothills Steering Committee. Contact Bill Holmes (949) 496-5323 |
| Sun Feb 22, 1:00 pm | Chapter ExComm, Chapter office. Contact Virgil Shields, virgil.shields@angeles.sierraclub.org |
| MARCH 2004 | |
| Mon Mar 1, 7:30 pm | Chapter Conservation Management Committee, Chapter office (date may change, call chair) |
| Thu Mar 4, 7:10 pm |
OC Political Comm, 1st Thu, Unitarian-Universalist Ch, 25801 Obrero, Mission Viejo, Alex Mintzer (714) 288-2829 |
| Sun Mar 7 | Deadline for articles/calendar in the AprilSouthern Sierran about our conservation efforts. Write up what you're doing, attach a digital photo, e-mail to Dominique at |
| Mon Mar 8 | OC Native American Sacred Sites TF, 2nd Mon, Rebecca Robles (949) 369-0361 |
| Mon Mar 8, 7:15 pm | Orange Hills TF, 2nd Mon, 217 E Chapman Ave, Orange, Chris (714) 606-0453, ckoontz@usc.edu |
| Mon Mar 8, 7:30 pm | Transportation Subcommittee, 2nd Mon, Chapter Office |
| Mon Mar 8, 7:30 pm | Santa Monica Mountains TF, 2nd Mon, Chair Mary Ann Webster (310) 559-3126 |
| Tue, Mar 9, 7:30 pm | Air Quality/Global Warming/Energy SubCommittee, Chapter Office, Jan Kidwell (818) 506-8731 |
| Sat-Sun Mar 13-14 | Cal/Nevada Conservaton Comm, San Luis Obispo. Info Lori Ives, lori.ives@angeles.sierraclub.org |
| Sun Mar 14, 2:45 pm | Harbor Vision Task Force, 2nd Sun, San Pedro Public Library, 9th and Gaff |
| Tue Mar 16, 7:00 pm | OC Conservation Comm
, Inn at the Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine
(Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintze |
| Wed Mar 17, 7:30 pm | Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Gordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com |
| Wed Mar 17, 7:30 pm | The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563 |
| Wed Mar 17 7:00 pm | Friends of Foothills Steering Committee. Contact Bill Holmes (949) 496-5323 |
| Wed, Mar 24, 7:30 pm | Forest Task Force, Chapter office. Don Bremner, donbremner@earthlink.net |
| Sun Mar 28, 1:00 pm | Chapter ExComm, Chapter office. Contact Virgil Shields, virgil.shields@angeles.sierraclub.org |
| Sun Mar 28, 5:00 pm | Chapter Awards Banquet, Brookside Country Club, Pasadena. Reservations: Cathy Kissinger, ckissinger@chla.usc.edu |