The Niagara Group of the Sierra Club
Minutes of the August 28, 2001 Meeting

Chairman Mike Kukla brought the meeting to order at 7:09 PM.

Present:
Liz Kaszubski
Charles Lamb
Frank Mendel
Richard Lippes
Dan Pearson
Murray Warner
Art Klein
Jim Bunn
Mike Kukla
Larry Beahan
Gen Robins
Natalie Bulera
Steve Burns
Peg Stock
Jim Allen

Treasurer Murray Warner gave a treasury report.

Membership Chair Gen Robins reported 206 new Sierra Club Niagara Group
members during August.

Art Klein described the recent windmill tour led by Joe DeMare.
The wind generation complex in Wyoming County produces over 6 MW
of electricity but it can't be sold locally. Ironically, it is sold
in Canada. The installation produces enough to supply 2000 homes.
There is presently no encouragement, legislation or grant monies
to foster growth in this area. Windmills are very quiet but must
be optimally spaced to avoid injuring wildlife.

Art then led discussion of Application ID 9-2942-00089/00005, Sunset
Bay Marina. He recalled that the very first 404 wetland was declared
at this part of the Wilson Harbor in an environmental action 30
years ago. Art has submitted his objection to this application to
Mr. Jeff Dietz. Liz Kaszubski, acting in her capacity as Atlantic
Chapter Wetlands Chair, has submitted a lengthy objection with accompanying
documentation, on behalf of the Chapter.

Natalie Bulera updated the Niagara Group on the effort to stop construction
of the Millennium pipeline under Lake Erie. The Columbia Gas Co.
has pulled out of negotiations, and while this could mean many things,
it was generally perceived to be a positive development. A public
hearing will take place on 9/4 at Mt. Vernon. Larry Beahan brought
up the heavy fish kill on Lake Erie this summer, saying that it
would be a bad idea to further destabilize its ecosystem with the
blasting of lake bottom that the Millenium pipe line would require.
Jim Hufnagel pointed out that Columbia may have pulled out because
the price of gas futures has dropped precipitously.

Larry Beahan reported on the illegal snowmobile trail that was carved
out of the Allegany State Park, without benefit of an Environmental
Impact Statement, to facilitate rider access to the Red Garter tavern.
The Niagara Group threatened to sue and work on the trail ceased,
but this month a sign inviting snowmobilers to use the trail to
come to the Red Garter was nailed to a tree on at the trail head.
Larry has been involved with the Park Administration through the
Allegany State Park Historical Society and the Fire Tower Restoration
Committee. He used those contacts and the illegal sign was immediately
taken down. The trail has not yet been reseeded, however. A similar
complaint of his about horses spoiling hiking trails in the Thunder Rock
area was responded to with the promise of better instructions to horsemen.
Art commented that the motorized traffic is a danger. Richard Lippes observed
that the results we had achieved with our threat to sue and Larry's
current informal contacts were good ones. They knew they were wrong
to proceed without an environmental review. The trail work was abandoned,
the sign is gone. Art recalled that Commissioner Bernadette Castro
declared that there was going to be an environmental review. Larry
asked Richard, who is Legal Chair, if there was anything else we
could do at this point. Richard replied that a letter to the Park
Service to request replanting of the illegally cleared trail may be appropriate.

Richard Lippes submitted a letter from Amherst Town Councilmember
Dan Ward requesting endorsement by the Group. Richard said we should
stand by him as we had when Ward ran for the Assembly. Mike wanted
to know if there were any downsides. Richard moved to endorse, Mike
seconded, unanimous. Motion carried. Richard added that anyone who
wants to pass out Kindel literature should see him. Mike asked about
a press release announcing our endorsements. Richard said that they
are always sent out, and separately.

The Group discussed the brownsfields issue as it affects Western
New York, and Richard Lippes gave a technical description of current
brownsfields rules. Mike passed around copies of the Atlantic Chapter
Legislative Committee Resolution which proposes to guide Chapter
advocacy of brownfields legislation.

Charles Lamb reported that on his recent camping trip to Hamlin
Beach State Park outside of Rochester there were no facilities for
recycling. He has written Commissioner Castro about this shortcoming
and reported it in person to Assemblymember Francine DelMonte last
week during a meeting between her and area environmentalists. Mike
expressed concern that a recent Buffalo News article referring to
a "Golf Mecca of the North" reopened the Joseph Davis State Park
controversy. Dan Pearson, who lives in Lewiston, allayed those fears
by describing the two sites as being on private land. However, they
may destroy wetlands in the process.

Mike will write a letter to try to jar loose a study that NFTA commissioned
for more than $200K on better mass transit for the Niagara Frontier
transportation and has yet to release.

Mike pointed out that we need elections during the final quarter
of 2001. Natalie volunteered for and was appointed Nominating Chair.
Mike is Chair of the Election Committee. Steve Burns and Frank Mendel
also volunteered to pitch in. Larry brought up our annual meeting
and dinner and Jim said we needed to get a plaque and Art will take
care of all of it.

Charles passed around a headline from the Niagara Gazette which
said, "Lewiston Says No to CWM". He read a letter he wrote and an
OpEd piece. He did a survey of 7 host agreements between town and
chemical waste dumpers and the proposed contract between the Town
of Porter and CWM is greatly inferior to them all.

It was announced that an opportunity to sign up to go on an outing
to Pfeiffer Nature Center will be on the listserv.

The Roadless Rule comment period has been extended to Sept. 3.

The possibility of a Niagara Group phone tree was discussed.

Larry asked if anyone was interested in tabling at the upcoming
Gorge Fest. Mike promised that we would be represented there.

Richard moved that we adjourn, Natalie seconded, unanimously passed.

Mike adjourned the meeting at 9:04 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
James Hufnagel
Sec'y, Niagara Group