Sierra Club, Atlantic Chapter, Niagara Group
Minutes of May Meeting of the Executive Committee, May 24, 2004

Jane Jontz, Chair, presiding.

Location, United Methodist Church Community Room, Main Street, Williamsville

Attendees
Jane Jontz*
Mike Stroh*
Liz Kaszubski*
Larry Beahan*
Alan Cook
Paul Maine*
Marilyn Reeves
Esther Shih
Jacqui Galuzzo
Charles Lamb*
Genevieve Robins*
Steve Burns
Art Klein*
Ginger Ursitti*

*Member of Executive Committee
First meeting for Member

Business Reports

1. Treasurer Report - S. Burns:

$990.05 cash on hand - newsletter is Group's single largest expense.
$6415.06 in Sierra Club Foundation

2. Membership Report - G. Robins:

Member Tally: May: 2,199 including 51 new members.

3. Introduction of New Members (see attendance list).

4. Website Report - Mike Stroh

MS Word letterhead available for use from Niagara Group website.

Committee Reports

5. Niagara Power Project Relicensing

Larry Beahan reported update on relicensing. He participated last year in meetings resulting in the funding of many studies of impacts of the operation of the Power Project. (Examples include fluctuating water levels and reservoir built on Tuscarora reservation. Approximately $200 million will be allocated to various towns, schools, corporations, and environmental organizations.

The environmental coalition is lobbying for habitat restoration along the Niagara River. Gov. Pataki established a commission by law to organize a lake-to-lake greenway, a good concept, but has not funded it. Friends of the Buffalo and Niagara Rivers asked Sierra Club to write letter to Pataki to support FBNR's efforts make a greenway part of the settlement and to fund the commission and their organizational meetings. Motion carried to authorize Larry to write said letter.

6. Erie County Forests Update

Larry reported on EC Forest Master Plan and the coalition of Audoubon, Foot Hills ADK, and Sierra have retained Richard Lippes to advocate revising the plan. So far, it favors timber harvesting over recreation or environment. Richard is writing a letter requesting EC submit it for public comment. Bruce Kershner has recently weighed in and has many problems with the plan. One plus is set-aside of 40% for protection, but it is not clear whether the old growth areas are included.

7. Zoar Valley Update

Larry reported on his discussion with Friends of the Ancient Forest. They are now satisfied that the Zoar Master Plan by the NYSDEC will be to their liking. Still the hope that the old growth may be designated a Unique Natural Area.

8. Theodore Roosevelt Lecture Series

Ginger reported update on TR Lecture Series. Niagara Group committed to co-sponsor the lecture on Oct 17th by advertising the lecture in our next two newsletters and our list-serve. Ideas were suggested to contact Rochester group and add to website.

9. Wetlands

Liz reported update on wetlands postcard campaign. John Stouffer advises addressing post cards to the governor rather than senators. Senate bill is still in committee (session is open until budget passes), but needs governor's support more. Explained the proposed law will not change the existing except to lower the threshold to 1 acre, remove the mapping requirement, and adding notification to deeds in property transfers.

10. Sprawl

Art and Larry to join the Smart Growth group tomorrow for a meeting with Mary Lou Rath to lobby for wetland bill.

Ginger reported on transportation lecture and discussion group last week sponsored by League of Women Voters anti-sprawl committee. Lecture focused on environmental aspects of transportation policy, especially sprawl and air pollution. She will post availability of slides from Michelle Ernst's lecture.

11. Student Participation

Art is working with Walter Simpson to set up a Sierra Club meeting at UB to draw student participation. Consensus is to have a program meeting rather than a business meeting, and follow Walter's lead on organization. Idea suggested to contact National's Student Participation staff.

12. Hazardous Waste

Charles reported update on campaign to stop Hudson PCBs from coming to CWM in Porter. CEC and some other environmental groups do not support the proposed bill, although many do support closing down the landfill with no mention of Hudson PCBs. The bill may pass Assembly but not Senate.

Lewiston Town Board tabled subdivision proposal proposing 187 homes next to Joseph Davis Park.

13. Discussion on NYSDEC accessibility.

Art participated in meeting with Gerry Mikol and few other activists to try to start dialogue on improving communication with public and shed image of making "closed door deals."

Administrative

14. Strategic Planning Retreat

Jane reminded all about strategic planning meeting in Binghamton next weekend June 5 & 6. Could use more participation, only 11 from across the state joining. Niagara may have most representation, in which case the focus will be developing our strategic plan as the group project.

15. Meeting Minutes

Ginger submitted corrected minutes from March meeting and distributed copies of minutes from Feb 2004 and Mar 2004. She will post them on the website. She will also compile April and May meeting minutes as soon as possible and send to the "committee" email list for approval before posting those as well.

16. Officers and Executive Committee participation

Jane announced very close vote on Vice Chair and thanked Art and Charles for putting their names up. Every voter was reluctant to chose between two excellent candidates. Replacing Frank Mendel as vice chair is Art Klein.

Two open ExCom seats. Richard Lippes suggested a list of people who are qualified to fill them, and discussion followed with additional suggestions. Jane and others will follow up.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Ginger Ursitti
874-6769