Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - February 28, 2006

Eagle House Restaurant, Main Street, Williamsville, NY, commenced at 5:30 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Steve Burns*, Jane Jontz*, Richard Lippes*, Larry Beahan*, Charles Lamb*, Mike Stroh*, Art Klein*, Joe Gardella*, Ginger Ursitti*, Paul Maine*, Robert Ciesielski*, Liz Kaszubski*, Genevieve Robins, Den Robins, Jeff Robins, Lyn Beahan, Marilyn Klein, Jim Carr, Susan Braun, Jana Boyer, Barry Boyer, Gunnha Oh, Patrick Logan, Diane D'Arrigo, Danielle Foornier
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1. ANNUAL DINNER MEMBERSHIP MEETING - Held to honor Genevieve Robins, our outgoing Group Executive Committee member, for her many years of service to the environment and the Sierra Club.

2. MEMBERSHIP REPORT - S. Burns: 131 new members as of March 1, 2006 in 124 households. Current group membership is 2,359 members in 2,307 households. 57 memberships expired February 28, 2006.

3. TREASURER'S REPORT - Checking account has balance of $2,732.06. Year end balance in Foundation account was $4,346.59. Club received reimbursement from National for 97% of cost of January newsletter in the amount of $570.00. Estimated balance as of February 28, 2006 in Foundation account: $3,633.00.

4. WETLAND'S MAPPING PRESENTATION - J. Gardella and L. Kaszubski: Project to update the New York State wetland maps with information from Federal wetlands maps is ongoing. Joe Gardella, Liz Kaszubski and University of Buffalo PhD student Gunnha Oh, are working on this project. Federal regulations concerning wetlands require that wetlands connect with a navigable waterway. New York State does not have this requirement. The scope of the project is to identify additional New York State wetlands by adding information from Federal wetland mappings. We are also seeking adoption of legislation which would advance protection of wetlands over the size of one acre in New York State. L. Kaszubski will distribute recommended language for our members to use with legislators in advocating adoption of the pending legislation. L. Kaszubski is scheduled on April 1, 2006 to present a talk entitled "Wetlands Conservation Conversation", at the University of Buffalo.

5. RECOGNITION OF GENEVIEVE ROBINS - Comments from Barry Boyer, Diane D'Arrigo, and letters from former members who are no longer residing in the Buffalo area. The presentation followed by dinner.

6. ATLANTIC CHAPTER - L. Beahan: Chapter ex-comm endorsed Marilyn Wall Rafael Reyes and Edwin Paynter for election to National Board of Sierra Club.

7. NIAGARA POWER PROJECT - L. Beahan: Spoke to environmental coalition for Niagara Power Project Relicensing program and Greenway Planning. Greenway Planning Commissioners have retained the firm of Wendel, Duchscherer engineers to do planning for Greenway. Julie O'Neill urged commissioners and planners to address environmental aspects and involve Citizens Advisory Committee.

8. OUTER HARBOR - L. Beahan: Riverkeepers have asked for Sierra Club support in opposing Uniland Development. Under the Uniland proposal, ownership of the Buffalo outer harbor would be privatized, with no provisions for fishing or boating. Public access would be a limited path along the waterfront. Request that further information be obtained before a vote in this matter.

9. ERIE COUNTY FORESTS - L. Beahan: 17 acres of Erie County forests have been logged. Some of this is high grade maple clear cut from a 29 degree slope. R. Lippes, A. Klein, B. Kischner, and L. Beahan are scheduled to meet with County Environmental Committee in approximately one month. A. Klein spoke that Erie County has dropped its plan for the forest. Brian Grassia, of the County Forestry Department, is proceeding with the cutting in an apparent attempt to make money for the County. A properly bid and executed plan would probably be of greater value to the County.

10. STRATEGIC PLANNING - J. Jontz: Our group has adopted strategic plan addressing the wetlands and sprawl management. We are seeking out reach to other groups and are in contact with John Stouffer, our state Sierra Club representative in Albany, in developing these contacts. Group attempting to develop and equip a "cool booth" for tabling and outreach in the area. M. Stroh has volunteered for this project. We hope to have a booth for the April 1st program "Wetlands Conservation Conversation", at the University of Buffalo and for other outings. Concerning our attempts to protect wetlands, we hope to engage our members in taking photos and surveys of potential wetland sites to back our proposals to have the DEC extend wetland designations. Letter writing will also be required. Outings project has been adopted by group. On February 25th an outing took place at Hunter's Creek. An April 8th outing is scheduled for the Erie County Forest, on May 20th outing at Watkins Glen, and spring climb of Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks. L. Kaszubski mentioned that April 22nd Owl Crawl event and April 1st tour of Great Baehre Swamp wetlands as part of UB presentation. April 2nd tour of Nature View Park.

11. WETLANDS - A. Klein: Suggested contacting New York Senators including Mary Lou Rath concerning wetlands legislation.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski