Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - August 23, 2005

State University of New York at Buffalo, North Campus, Natural Science Building, Room 306, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Art Klein*, Steve Burns-Treasurer, Robert Ciesielski*, Liz Kaszubski*, Mike Stroh*, Larry Beahan*, Joe Gardella*, Genevieve Robins*, Paul Maine*, Richard Lippes*, Marilyn Reeves, Virginia Snider, Marian Owczarczak, Jane Sheldon
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) TREASURER'S REPORT- S. Burns: $398.25 in treasury. Expenses of $145.00 for items to sell at group table, postage. Request for reimbursement submitted for newsletter.

2) MEMBERSHIP REPORT- G. Robins: Currently 2,468 members.

3) LIST SERVE AND MINUTES- R. Ciesielski: Discussion of how thoroughly minutes should cover numerous proposals and suggestions of planning sessions.

4) CAMPAIGN PLAN CONCERNING WETLAND ISSUES- J. Jontz: Niagara group will participate in State-wide training seminar in Utica, NY on August 26-28, 2005. Much of program to be involved with recruitment, involvement of volunteers and the media. Wetlands issue will be used as an example at training session for application of volunteer and media strategies.

Jane led us in a discussion on wetlands focusing on the topics of campaign planning, issue focus, campaign goals, conservation goals, organizational goals, and organization strengths and weaknesses.

L. Beahan mentioned that a representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation may attend one of our upcoming Group meetings to discuss why wetlands are important and to provide basic information on wetlands. Liz Kaszubski has a website on wetlands. Liz discussed differences between Federal wetlands and State wetlands legislation and implementation. Discussion of having DEC add designated Federal wetlands to State DEC maps, to enlarge areas where DEC may exercise its jurisdiction. Group cannot use (C) (3) educational monies to lobby for implementation of laws or elect officials.

5) GREAT LAKES- Jane Sheldon: Meeting on Great Lakes to be held at Center for Tomorrow on August 30th at 6:30 p.m.

6) ENDORSEMENTS - J. Gardella: Deborah Bucki, a candidate for Town of Amherst Council, has been approved by Chapter. Sierra Club involved in public forum scheduled for Sunday August 28th at 5p.m. at Unitarian Church on Elmwood and West Ferry in Buffalo. Buffalo mayoral candidates will discuss environmental issues. Committee awaiting environmental platform to be submitted by candidate Byron Brown.

7) HICKORY WOODS- R. Lippes: Gives report.

8) PERRYSBURG- L. Beahan: City of Buffalo Council votes to permit sale of Perrysburg to private developer. Friends of J. N. Adams to sue the City to stop sale.

9) NIAGARA POWER PROJECT RELICENSING- L. Beahan: Greenway Commission has held two meeting. Two members of the environmental coalition have been appointed to the Commission: Paul Dyster and Paul Leuchner. Paul Dyster is outreach chairman and involved is selecting candidates for Citizen's Advisory Committee.

10) ATLANTIC CHAPTER EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE- L. Beahan: Executive Committee endorses New York State Department of Transportation Bond Act, as numerous non-polluting projects are involved.

11) ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY- S. Burns: Discussion of fifteen year plan of EPA and Great Lakes United concerning Great Lakes.

12) ACTIVITIES- Environmental forum scheduled October 1, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Daemen College. Discussions are to include sustainable communities. Brian Higgins and Joseph Gardella are scheduled to speak. David Orr to speak on September 28, 2005.

13) UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO- L. Kaszubski. Request for involvement of University of Buffalo students in Niagara Group to be posted on University of Buffalo Environmental Network.

14) OUTING COMMITTEE- M. Stroh: M. Stroh led outing to Niagara River Gorge. Next outing to be bicycle trip led by Art Klein on September 24, 2005.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski