Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - September 27, 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*, Larry Beahan*, Joe Gardella*, Genevieve Robins*, Paul Maine*, Richard Lippes*, Marilyn Reeves, Carl deVyver, Judy Catalano, Lynn Rehfeld-Kenney, Tim Spierta
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) MEMBERSHIP REPORT - G. Robins: 129 new members; currently 2,540 Niagara Group members.

2) TREASURER'S REPORT - S. Burns: $380.58 balance in treasury.

3) PRESENTATION BY TIM SPIERTA ON WETLANDS - L. Beahan introduces Tim Spierta, principal Wetlands Officer of Region 9, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources. Tim Spierta, presently works with DEC in Erie, Niagara and Wyoming Counties. Tim gave a power point presentation on wetlands, the transition areas between uplands and aquatic communities. The lake plains area of New York is 13% wetlands. Regulations concerning wetlands found in 6 NY Code of Rule and Regulations, part 663. The policy of DEC is not to prevent development but to help manage development. Question and answer period followed. Art Klein commended Mr. Spierta on making an excellent presentation.

4) RESIDENTS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT (RRG) - C. Lamb: RRG, applauded Governor Pataki for signing legislation restricting the granting of toxic waste permits until New York planned for equitable distribution of sites throughout the State established. Shortly thereafter, the DEC granted CWM new five year permit for toxic dumping at its Lewiston-Porter site. The DEC justified the permit by stating that the application of CMW was already being reviewed at the time of the new legislation was signed. RRG will determine on September 29, 2005 whether to legally challenge the new permit.

5) TRAILBLAZER - C. Lamb: The newsletter has not yet gone to press, although scheduled for publication on September 10, 2005. Charles has spent considerably time and effort attempting to redraft articles so that newsletter expenses may be reimbursed by (c)(3) monies from the national Sierra Club. Charles authorized to publish Trailblazer immediately. Comments that we should not expect Charles to create a newsletter completely reimbursed by national. L. Beahan proposed electronic publication of newsletter.

6) ATLANTIC CHAPTER - L. Beahan: L. Beahan and G. Ursitti attended Chapter meeting on Long Island. Tour of Long Island environmental sites, and possible sites for windmills off Jones Beach, Long Island. Chapter adopted San Francisco Summit's position to focus on opposing global warming.

7) CITY OF TONAWANDA PARK ALIENATION - A. Klein: City has been discussing obtaining permission from State to alienate sixteen acres of city parks for purposes of residential development.

8) POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS - J. Gardella: Discussion concerning possible endorsement by Niagara Group of Satish Mohan, Republican candidate for Town of Amherst Supervisor. Consensus that Group does not have enough information to endorse. Richard Lippes discussed efforts Group has made on behalf of Debbie Bucki, candidate from Town of Amherst Council. Debbie needs people to stand at voting booths on Election Day. R. Lippes states that Dan Ward, also a candidate for Town of Amherst Counsil has requested Group endorsement. Dan Ward has been endorsed by us in the past. Motion to endorse Dan Ward made by R. Lippes, seconded by P. Maine, unanimously passed. J. Gardella states that Byron Brown, Group endorsed candidate for City of Buffalo Mayor, has asked for an endorsement letter to be sent to our members in Buffalo. J. Gardella will draft letter.

9) GRANTS - J. Gardella: The Committee Action Organization, a 501(c)(3) group, has begun operating in Buffalo and will be pursing urban environmental justice issues. The CAO currently has two employees. It is seeking to partner with the Niagara Group on projects. Joe will investigate application by Niagara Group for national Sierra Club funds for environmental justice issues, which could be used to further the partnership.

10) WEAKENING EPA REGULATIONS - J. Gardella: EPA is attempting to weaken environmental regulations by requiring bi-annual instead of annual toxic release inventories by companies of over 200 employees. Also discussing EPA amending regulations to require reporting of 5,000 pounds instead of 500 pounds of toxic wastes. Joe will contact national Sierra Club to see if they are aware of proposal.

11) UTICA STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION - J. Jontz: Jane, Larry, Bob, Steve and Paul attended Utica session. Session reviewed organizing techniques such as phone banking, slogan creation, door-to-door works and developing a volunteer pool. Wetlands plan was discussed. John Stouffer urged local action on wetlands, as a State-wide bill currently stalled.

12) DEBBIE BUCKI - R. Ciesielski: Group currently helping Debbie Bucki in her election bid for Amherst Town Council. Endorsement letter sent to our 400 Town of Amherst members prior to primary election. Group volunteers have phone-banked for Debbie contacting Amherst residences to vote, place signs, go door-to-door or phone for Debbie. Further phone banking to take place.

13) CITY OF BUFFALO- GAMBLING CASINO - R. Lippes: After discussion of environmental impacts of casinos, motion made to oppose construction and operation of gambling casinos in the City of Buffalo. Motion made by R. Ciesielski, seconded by J. Gardella. 7 in favor of motion and 1 opposed. Motion carried.

14) DEC MAPS - R. Ciesielski: John Stouffer mentioned in Utica the importance of expanding DEC designated wetland maps by inclusion of information from new federal wetland maps. J. Stouffer and J. Gardella exploring having wetlands in certain towns correctly mapped. The DEC may be petitioned by Sierra Club, and perhaps the Town boards, to have the DEC designate new wetland areas.

15) BUFFALO MAYORAL CANDIDATES - J. Gardella: A coalition of 12 organizations, including representatives of Niagara Group, met with Buffalo mayoral candidates. The candidates responded to their positions on the environment. Results may be found at the Art Voice and Channel 7 websites.

16) CITY OF NORTH TONAWANDA - L. Kaszubski: Current mayor lost primary. He had been quoted on front page of local newspaper as favoring development in wetland areas.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski