Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - May 23, 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*, Bob Ciesielski*, Steve Burns*, Art Klein*, Larry Beahan*, Joe Gardella*, Marian Owczarczak, Jane Sheldon
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) WEBMASTER- M. Stroh: Mike Strove will be leaving area in August. Marian Owczarczak will be new webmaster

2) OUTINGS- J. Jontz: Art Klein will have a bike tour of downtown Buffalo July 9 and also on another date in August in conjunction with Landmark Society. Jane Jontz led group to Watkins Glenn on May 20, 2006. Plan for trip to Presque Isle with Jane in August or September.

3) MEMBERSHIP- S. Burns: Niagara Group has 2,368 individual members and 2,317 households.

4) TREASURE SUPPORT- S. Burns: Sierra Club Account has $3,069.95, Sierra Club Foundation Account has a balance of $3,262.90.

5) ERIE COUNTY FORESTS- L. Beahan: Phase Two of Erie County logging plan is to be in place by Memorial Day. We will consider SEQRA review if plan is outrageous. Bruce Kirschner is concerned about logging roads being installed.

6) PERRYBURG- L. Beahan: Fundraiser is scheduled for June 15, 2006 at $20 per person. City Mission is interested in using group homes in Perrysburg for orphaned inner city children and also possible nursing home. R. Lippes is involved in a lawsuit concerning development.

7) AMHERST WETLANDS- L. Beahan: Meeting organized by Councilman Bill Kindel in Amherst. L. Beahan, R. Ciesielski, L. Kauszubuski represented Sierra Club. Bill Kindle and Mike Maguire of Town Board present. Mark Kandel of DEC present. Members of Town Planning Board, corps of Engineers and DEC also present. Discussion about having town utilize Sierra Club maps overlaying federal Fish and Wildlife maps and DEC maps in designating wetlands for area. Officials from town planning department indicate they have detailed plans for reviewing all wetlands if they are even close to wetlands areas. These procedures are not in writing but may be published. Town officials offered to help other towns in initiating wetland review procedures. Liz states there may be other areas in northeast Amherst which have not yet Kaszobsk included in maps which should be reviewed. Mark Kandel of DEC state that DEC recently remapped northwest Amherst and does not wish to expand mapping at this time. Mark feels that town is doing a very good job interviewing wetlands development.

8) GRAND ISLAND- J. Gardella: Liz Kaszubski has had some contact with Grand Island groups concerning designation of wetlands in that area. Steven Burns has stated that US House of Representative has taken some action to back away from Supreme Court decisions limiting wetlands protection and that house may be urging cores of engineers to expand role in protecting wetlands. Jane Jontz will speak to Lois about Grand Island Group making presentation at our meeting in June or July.

9) YOUNGS ROAD DEVELOPMENT- L. Beahan: Larry states that Zontz Family owns lands along the north side of Casey road in the town of Amherst, opposite where Youngs Road ends. The Amherst Conservation Recreation of Parks Society is urging us to become involved in having town permit Zontz to develop some homes along Casey road in exchange for an easement or gift of wetlands located north of the development area. Larry asks R. Ciesielski to speak to councilwoman Debbie Bucki concerning backing this proposal. Group votes 5 in favor, 1 opposed and one abstaining to have Bob Ciesielski speak with Debbie to back development proposal.

10) AMHERST DEMOCRATIC CLUB- Nature-view supporters will be honored at meeting to be held June 1, 2006 at Classics Five restaurant.

11) HUNTING- Michelle of Atlantic Chapters opposing coyote hunt in Rochester, New York area.

12) POLITICAL COMMITTEE- J. Gardella: Request that Group begin initial endorsement of Antoine Thompson for New York State Senate seat vacated by Byron Brown. Antoine has been involved in Buffalo environmental events. Motion to endorse by J. Gardella, seconded by M. Stroh, unanimously passed.

L. Beahan mentioned efforts of Atlantic Chapter Executive Committee to endorsed Eliot Spitzer for governor. Endorsement secured after long procedure.

13) EARTH DAY- A. Klein: Earth Day is scheduled June 25, 2006 at Erie County Zoo. $25.00 approved for application. Art and Larry will be present.

14) COOL CITIES INITIATIVE- L. Beahan: Atlantic Chapter discussing Cool Cities initiative. Walter Simpson to have Global Warming Group meet at University of Buffalo on May 25, 2006. Some 100 individuals have joined the Global Warming Group in the Buffalo area.


Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski.