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

State University of New York at Buffalo, North Campus, Natural Science Building, Room 684, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Mike Stroh*, Steve Burns*, Mike Robert Ciesielski*, Art Klein*, Larry Beahan*, Liz Kaszubski*, Paul Maine*, Joe Gardella*, Ginger Ursitti*, Richard Lippes*, Charles Lamb*, Marian Owczarczak, Jane Sheldon, Gary Wright, Carl deVyver
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) PROPOSED WETLANDS LAW- J. Jontz: Calls were made on Monday, March 27, 2006 at Bob Ciesielski's office to constituents of State Senator Mary Lou Rath asking her to support Bill number 2081 sponsored by Senator Marcellino, to extend wetlands protection to wetlands greater than one acre in size.

2) WETLANDS- L. Kaszubski: Public hearing scheduled by the Department of Environmental Conservation at the North Tonawanda City Hall this week to discuss proposed expansion of wetland areas in Niagara County. Two of these areas are in North Tonawanda and one is in Lewiston. The North Tonawanda City engineer is opposed to any restrictions on development. Liz asked for our members to attend.

Satish Mohan, Town supervisor in Amherst, has put a hold on building in flood plains, and has request review of entire issue of building in flood plains. Maps of wetlands for Niagara County and Erie County have been completed by Joe Gardella and Sierra Club. It is suggested the Bob Ciesielski call Debbie Bucki and ask her to speak to Mohan about having Amherst wetlands included in town flood plain study.

In the Town of Lewiston, a proposal by the Seneca Nation for a golf course includes land that contains a rare, shellbark hickory forest and wetlands. NYS DEC has proposed to protect this forested wetland by amending their wetland maps under state environmental conservation law.

Presentation on wetlands is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. at the University of Buffalo. Liz will be speaking as a participate.

3) WETLAND MAPS- J. Gardella: Joe suggests that he and Jane Jontz speak to John Stouffer in Albany concerning mapping of wetlands in additional counties in state. Broome and Monroe Counties are priorities. Funding essential for entire project from either Chapter or National Sierra Club.

4) POLITICAL COMMITTEE- J. Gardella: Joe asks for endorsement by Group of incumbent Brian Higgins for U.S. Congress. National Sierra Club gave significant financial support to Brian in last election. Concern expressed about Higgins possible support for Unilands development along Buffalo waterfront, without proper regard for environmental issues. Joe Gardella makes motion to endorse Brian Higgins and to recommend candidacy to State committee and eventually National committee. Seconded by R. Lippes. Approved unanimously.

5) DEC REGULATIONS CONCERNING BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION- J. Gardella: DEC has proposed revised standards for addressing brownfields remediation. Proposed standards have serious flaws. John Stouffer and Theresa Cassiack of the Albany office reviewed 1,200 pages of the DEC recommendations and have addressed issue at public hearing. Joe Gardella also attended hearing. DEC did not adopt recommendations and said they would present further revised standards for public review in the future. Erie County has the highest density of landfills in the State. DEC is currently acting as if the proposed standards have been adopted.

6) POLITICAL COMMITTEE- J. Gardella: Eliott Spitzer, Democratic candidate for governor, has been interviewed by Atlantic Chapter concerning his position on the environment.

7) ERIE COUNTY FOREST LOGGING- L. Beahan and A. Klein: County has began logging on Lot 7 and Lot 3 (300 acres) of Erie County Forest. Art, Larry and Bruce Kirschner will be speaking on WHLD against the logging. Thomas Loughran, County Legislator, is involved in environmental committee and should be contacted. Buffalo News has expressed interest in addressing issue. R. Lippes has forwarded a letter to Tom Loughran opposing logging. There was no public review of logging plan. A. Klein feels that the whole forest may be put up for logging, all 13 sites. Some of the finest wood is being removed. Calls should be made to Erie County legislators.

8) TRAILBLAZER- C. Lamb: Large percentage of cost of this Trailblazer issue should be reimbursed by National.

9) RESIDENCE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT- C. Lamb: RRG, opposed to the expansion of the CWM toxic site in Lewiston, has been growing stronger. Vince Agnello is President. Bill Choboy, former Town councilman, has taken position as Vice President. Robbin Drake is grants writer. Other new additions to Board. Senator Maziarz feels that Hudson River PCB's will not be brought to CMW site.

10) NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB ELECTIONS- J. Jontz: Group discussion recommends that Robin Mann, of National Wetland Committee, Ed Paynter, Rafael Reyes and Marilyn Wall as best candidates. John Muir Sierrans generally extreme in views.

11) TREASURY REPORT- S. Burns: $2,304.09 in local treasury. $4,346.59 in Foundation account. Semi-annual dues will be paid to us shortly.

12) MEMBERSHIP- S. Burns: 2,380 members in 2,328 households. Jane Jontz suggests that we approach Lexington Co-Op to have local Sierra Club added as possible recipient of donations.

13) COOL BOOTH- J. Jontz: Art Klein will operate Sierra Club table at Wetlands seminar at UB on April 1, 2006. Steve Burns will look at purchase of tent for booth. Steve has some items for display. Mike Stroh will help.

14) OUTINGS- J. Jontz: April 8, 2006, Erie County Forest; April 22, 2006, Owl Prowl at 8:30 P.M. at North Tonawanda High School; April 15, 2006 Adirondacks and Mount Marcy; May 20, 2006, Watkins Glen.

15) CLARENCE- G. Wright: Discussion of water table problem. Gary Wright had substantial drop in pond level because of drainage problems.

16) ROBERT MOSES EXPRESSWAY- P. Maine: Progress being made on removal of expressway along Niagara River gorge.


Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski.