Niagara Group, Sierra Club, Minutes of Monthly Meeting, 11/28/2000

 

Visit From John Stouffer

Larry Beahan opened the meeting and introduced John Stouffer, Sierra's New York State Legislative Lobbiest.Chapter Board asked him to travel around and talk to groups regarding legislative battles and get suggestions.

He suggested we might get money put into the State budget for local projects. Sprawl issue, wetlands, energy, power plants, disincentives for renewables are common state wide. Superfund other issues have been state-wide. Energy legislation, protection of state lands want to continue.

Liz asked about open space funding. Niagara county open space scommittee has opening, Liz has applied. Larry asked if state could help get Liz on committee. John said state could support application. Ellen suggests that support from Sierra might kill Liz's application.

 

Adirondack Unit Management Plan

Ellen Gibson talked about Unit Management Plans. There will be local hearings for the first time. Art will talk about sancitity of trails. No Wheeled Vehicles. Jim, Jane, Mike, Robbyn , volunteered to talk at the hearings. Jim wants to talk about ATV's. Art suggested a meeting week before to Prepare.

 

Removal Of Robert Moses Pkwy

Robbyn updated us on coalition to tear out Robert Moses Parkway. We wrote resolution to support them. John suggested it could be included as a Green Scissors issue that would be something we coud work with State legislature in the Budget issues.

 

Minutes

Joe Read Minutes from October meeting, Larry Moved to accept Jane Seconded Passed unanimously

 

Highland Dump

Art went to DEC talked to Mary Foreman, says they had permit and hearings. Art says townspeople don't like it but nothing illegal. John says Michal Zagata pushed through without adjucial hearing , but it's too late for lawsuit now. Larry says might be a good article. Art says its's hard to undo permits.

 

Chair's Report

Larry met with Amherst comprehensive advisory committee inputting process for Master plan. Larry suggests people show up next meeting first Tuesday of each month for the next 18 months at the Pepsi Center/Disney land. Robbyn brought Amherst quality of life brochures, passed them out.

UB Community Action Organization or CORE asked for something to do. Good uses for volunteers we can tap them for what we want. Art says they're good for four months per year. They're good for short term stuff. !!!

 

Allegeny State Park

Tthere was an oil spill in Limestone NY from active well. Larry Called DEC in OLEAN. They knew about it, this was a pipe break they had experts from Buffalo, they're looking at it and will probably fine company. Operating company not known.

 

Elections

Liz has received about 35 votes so far. Winner can't be announced until after December 31. Show of hands said most should be available on December 26 meeting. Liz was tempted to announce winner of elections. Liz will announce winners via e-mail.

 

Meeting Times

Larry suggested move meeting times to 7 instead of 7:30. Russel so moved Natalie seconded passed unamimously Jane said it should be after newsletter. But Larry said starting in December.

 

Discussion Of The Hague Negotiations

Joe led a discussion of the Hague negotiations.

 

Lafalce And Grand Island Wetlands

Liz got confidential calls saying LaFalce set up meeting with regulators telling them to give Grand Island Car Dealer a wetland permitl. Liz wrote letter asking for meeting, LaFalce's office backtracked.

 

Russ And Lancaster

Russ updated us on Lancaster Sprawl issues. Larry suggested Letter to the Editor. Art will write letter to the Editor.

 

Wherle Drive Wetlands

Earth Dimensions is a consultant that reduced a 14 acre wetland to 4 Wilson Environmental reduced it to 2. There is an EPA moratorium that is being ignored by Amherst board.

 

National Wetlands Awareness Awards

Environmental Law Institute is looking for annual awards. Larry wants to nominate Liz Kazubski. Jane will interview LIZ and fill out application.

 

Global Warming Conference

Art gave report of Urban Ecology Institutes Global Warming Conference. Many signs are here that warming is proceeding rapidly. It was agreed that the Group should create some sort of ongoing publicity campaign. A global warming committee was created. Natalie is Chair of Committee. Robbyn Jim, Mike, Art Joe natalieb@greatlakesed.org.

 

Membership Report

Steve reported that membership is at 1,709

 

Sprawl Committee

Art says not meeting regularly.

--Submitted by Joe Demare