Sierra Club, Atlantic Chapter, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of the Executive Committee
September 29, 2004
Location: United Methodist Church Community Room, Main Street, Williamsville
Jane Jontz, Chair, presiding
Attendees
Jane Jontz
Art Klein
Jim Hufnagel
Jane Wierceoik* (sp?) (Guest)
Mike Stroh
Liz Kaszubski
Gen Robins
Charles Lamb
Steve Burns
Virginia Snider* (Guest)
Bob Ciesielski
Jane Sheldon
Paul Maine
Ginger Ursitti
Thomas Frank* (Guest)
Marilyn Reeves
Robert Block
Lee Chowaniec (Guest)
Name in Bold - Member of Executive Committee
*First meeting for Member or Guest
Guest Presentation
Reinstein Preserve
Guest Jane Wierceoik (sp?) from DCTA (Depew Cheektowaga Taxpayer's Association) (and Friends of the Woods) given floor to present her case on preservation of Reinstein Woods and criticism of the NYSDEC's current draft of the UMP. She wants us to support her criticism of the provision for unguided tours, based on the claim that Reinstein (through son Victor Reinstein) wanted only guided tours.
Meghan Boice-Green of NYSDEC is the contact person for public comments.
Discussion:
NYSDEC is currently constructing a parking lot, according to eye-witness. County garage was previously constructed on preserve land.
Art says to wait for the draft plan come out to comment.
Jim wants to comment now.
Larry is in favor of less restricted access to preserve, some unguided tours ok.
Bob volunteered to write resolution/letter before Thurs 9/30 when comment period closes.
Art has experience putting together UMPs for numerous parks – required process in NYS. SEQR process is to start after draft plan is put together.
Ginger motioned for Bob to research Preserve UMP and put together a fact sheet on draft UMP for the list-serve. Charles second. Discussion. Most comments were for the preserve to remain restricted to guided tours in order to minimize destructive impacts. Currently, there is one unguided trail--no objection to keep as is.
Bob left meeting for the library to review the draft plan. Later returned with some facts:
- Fencing is being restored
- Delineated areas for the public will be maintained
- Mark trails for self-guided tours
It was determined by majority vote that, if he can, Bob should write a letter to NYSDEC voicing our concern that preserve be fully protected and submit it to the list-serve for a vote before Thurs deadline.
Committee Reports
Liz - Wetlands
Atlantic Chapter trying to get NYS legislation moving. Bruno is stumbling block. Press conference to be called, need an unprotected wetland to showcase. Liz likes the Pleasant Meadows project—on the FOIA list of isolated wetlands. John Muir wetland in Amherst is not on list even though it has been determined non-jurisdictional. Liz cannot be at the press conf because of work, so needs people to host—asked Lee C. from Lancaster and Art K. This is a coordinated effort with other sites across the state.
Larry B. - Global Warming
Reported on lecture by Ross Gelbspan. Passed around Walter Simpson's copy of Gelbspan's book. Group is welcome to borrow it and return.
Art Klein - Sprawl
Related global warming (Ross Gelbspan) to sprawl. Cited examples of climate crisis. Ties together all environmental issues. Population, asthma, species extinction, etc.
Road to Somewhere - Jane, Larry
Pittsburgh needs volunteers
Charles - Toxics
Plutonium found on CWM, denied permit to excavate. Held open house to public at this time, endangering the public. NYSDOH calling for further testing. Appeal to governor to shut down CWM by _______, although RRG doesn't agree. Passed around flyer on fund raiser by RRG.
Charles - Retreat
Saturday of Strategic Planning Retreat, Charles invited Group to lunch at his house.
Jim and Larry - Power Project Relicensing
Looks like the environmental mitigation money (maybe $100 million) will go to NYS for the "Greenway" fund. This means parks, coordination of habitat restoration. However, little local input and loss of control. Julie O'Neil indicates they will not accept this. Environmental mitigation for local impacts needs to be controlled by local groups. Tom Frank wants to have Ellicott Creek watershed added to the relicensing agreement. Jim is against FBNR's seeming acquiescence to Pataki administration and NYPA.
Great Lakes
Great Lakes "Annex" making policy water withdrawal. Jim H. moved that Art and Larry go to represent the Group. Mike second. Ayes all around.
Business Reports
1. Secretary Report - Ginger
Passed around August minutes for comments.
2. Treasurer Report - S. Burns
Account balance - $1351.79 (same as August)
3. Membership Report - Gen Robins
August membership - 2422
163 new members in September
Current Total Membership: 2300
4. Newsletter Report - C. Lamb
Charles presented advance copy of October newsletter.
5. Ginger - Atlantic Chapter report.
Events
Char Miller report
Jim - Get out the Vote Calling Banks
Callers needed at Citizens Action
855-1122
735 Main Street
6-8 evenings M-Th
Niagara and Erie Planned Parenthood annual dinners.
Tom Frank
Williamsville-Amherst Joint board mtg Oct 5th at town hall
Ellicott Greenway for Alternative transportation demonstration project. Starting petition for local referendum to allow public access.
Amherst State Park Master Plan and Park Club are not allowing access along creek.
Meeting adjourned 9:25 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Ginger Ursitti
874-6769
