Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - March 22, 2005

United Methodist Church Community Room, Main Street, Williamsville, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Art Klein*, Steve Burns-Treasurer, Mike Stroh*, Larry Beahan*, Robert Ciesielski*, Liz Kaszubski*, Paul Maine*, Joe Gardella*, Ginger Ursitti*, Richard Lippes*, Charles Lamb*, Camille Severyn, Jackie James, Hugh Mitchell, James Ranch, Carl deVyver, Carol Reis, Jane Sheldon, Jean Palas, Maxine Insera, Ryan Talbott (*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) BUSINESS REPORT- S. Burns: Balance of $815.02; Foundation Balance of $8,516.52; Reimbursement being sought for donation to RRG.

2) MEMBERSHIP REPORT- S. Burns: Individual Group Members 2,458, Households 2,300.

3) NEWSLETTER- C. Lamb: Trailblazer published this week.

4) RRG- C. Lamb: Residence for Responsible Government (RRG) will be sponsoring an informational environmental meeting concerning Chemical Waste Management (CWM) toxic waste site. Plutonium has been found on the site. Ralph Nader will be speaking at the meeting on April 14, 2005. Joe G. motions that $1,000.00 be donated from our education funds. Motion- Unanimously Passed.

5) HUGH MITCHELL, Chair of the Atlantic Chapter Conservation Committee, from Rochester, NY, makes presentation. Groups may apply for (c) (3) money for educational related programs from Chapter or National conservation committees. Any member signed by the group earns $12.00 a member for the group (our group code is 0808). State Senator Joe Bruno has been blocking state Wetlands bill, although governor and assembly support it; John Stouffer urges calls to state senators. Expanded Bottle Bill, to cover water bottles, being opposed by bottling industry. Discussion of "Conservation Action" column in Sierra Atlantic Newspaper of Spring 2005. The EPA has a major study of Great Lakes, to be used to move US Congress for Great Lakes restoration funding in 2006. This may result in $6 billion, which NY would receive $1.3 billion. Pressure growing to have Great Lakes water diverted to other parts of country and world. Canadian and US Sierra Club's cooperating to pass "Annex 2001," an amendment to prior treaties and water control agreements to prevent a diversion. Chapter looking to establish Great Lake Committee, with involvement of Niagara Group representatives.

Discussion of alternative energy including wind power. Wind Action Group led by Bill Nowak, recruiting companies to area that can manufacture wind energy technology. Discussion of effect of turbines on bird life. Newer wind machines with European technology are less of a danger. Placement of generators important.

6) EARTH DAY- Art Klein: Niagara Group information table to be set up on Earth Day, April 22, 2005 from 10am to 2pm at HSBC downtown Buffalo. L. Beahan and P. Maine to help.

7) STRATEGIC PLANNING- J. Jontz: Planning meeting will take place on April 15,16 2005. 13 people are enrolled. A 5:30pm dinner at Jane's house on Friday, April 15, 2005. All day session on Saturday, April 16, 2005, starts at 8am at Stella Niagara.

8) ALLEGANY DEFENSE PROJECT (ADP)- Ryan Talbott, of Allegany Defense Project, Clarion, Pennsylvania gives slide presentation concerning Allegany National Forest (ANF). ADP is promoting "Allegany Wild", program to encourage Forest Service maintaining ANF in natural state. Allegany Wild has already been endorsed by Niagara Group. The ANF was original 60% beech and hemlock with 1% black cherry growth. Acid rain has taken its toll with a PH of 3 in some areas making the soil extremely acidic. More than half the forest, or some 300,000 acres have been defoliated by insects in the past 10 years. The forest, under the national Forest Service, is the heaviest cut in the Northeast. Forest Service has furthered a number of polices threatening the forest: clear cutting; timber sales in which 50%-60% of the timber is cut and re entrance permitted to clear out the remaining trees; herbicide use to permit planting of commercially valuable black cherry trees which now in compose 28% of the forest; genetic modification of black cherry trees to increase their growth; black cherry monoculture causes more severe insect outbreaks; deer fencing effects wildlife migration; some 500 strip mines; some 4,000 miles of roads many of which are eroded; recreation not encouraged except for ATVs; 1984 Oil and Gas Act permits Forest Service to object to oil drilling, but no control are currently in place over some 7,000-8,000 well sites; brine pits; defective pipelines and access roads for oil development creating numerous hazardous waste sites. Forest Service is scheduled to review use of forest and ADF is supplying input as best it can.

Discussion as to how ADP proposals mesh with those of Friends of Allegany Wilderness (FAW). FAW promotes having approximately 12% of ANF being designated wilderness under the Wilderness Act, but has no proposals concerning balance of forest. Suggestion that Niagara Group endorse wilderness portion of FAW's idea only, without endorsement of balance.

9) "ALLIANCE FOR A TOXIC FREE FUTURE"- Joe G. mentions that Citizens Environmental Coalition has requested we support statewide Alliance for a Toxic Free Future.

10) CLEAN AIR COALITION- Jackie James of the Town of Tonawanda makes presentation concerning the Clean Air Coalition, a community based group to collect air samples, and to measure quality of air in Tonawanda. Besides the Huntley Power Station, some seven companies have air pollution permits along the Niagara River and in the Town of Tonawanda. Concern over elevated cancer and mercury discharges. Volunteers and promotion of Coalition sought.

11) PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN- J. Jontz mentions public education campaign proposal suggested by John Stouffer using 501 (c) (3) monies to train people to run a public education campaign. P. Maine moves to table until strategic planning meeting. Approved.

12) ATLANTIC CHAPTER MEETING- R. Lippes reports that Atlantic Chapter meeting will be sponsored in Buffalo the weekend of June 18, 2005. UB will provide rooms and some meals. Discussion of tours including Buffalo Olmstead Conservancy, CWM site in Lewiston Porter and hikes along Niagara River.

13) CHAPTER DELEGATES- L. Beahan unanimously appointed Chapter delegate. A. Klein unanimously appointed alternate delegate.

14) NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB ELECTIONS- Immigration is still an issue with several candidates. Chapters are now permitted to endorse candidates. Candidates must be a member a Sierra for one year before becoming a candidate. Ballot with description of each candidate in mail.

15) PERRYSBURG: L. Beahan reported that David Franczyk read Group letter before the City Control Board. City considering preserving Perrysburg property as open space.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.