Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - July 25, 2006

Williamsville Library, 5571 Main Street, Williamsville, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Mike Stroh*, Bob Ciesielski*, Steve Burns*, Liz Kaszubski*, Richard Lippes*, Charles Lamb*, Paul Maine*, Ginger Ursitti*, Joe Gardella*, Mark Berdysiak, Aileen Duerr, Robert Duerr, Jane Sheldon
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) MEMBERSHIP REPORT - S. Burns: 2,340 individual members, 2291 households.

2) TREASURERS REPORT - S. Burns: Niagara Group balance of $2,200.59; $617.00 spent for Trailblazer, $100.00 for pastoral environmental conference; Foundation Account received $875.52 transfer in June for membership. Foundation reimbursement requests in process - $615.38 for Trailblazer, $25.00 for Earth Day, $100.00 pastoral environmental conference. Balance in Foundation Account is $4,138.42.

3) WETLANDS IN CLARENCE - Robert Duerr and Aileen Duerr: Mr. and Mrs. Duerr brought to group's attention proposal to build 40-50 new homes in cul-de-sac off Woodside in Clarence. Greenman Pedersen is developer. Both Federal and DEC wetland maps show that proposed development infringes on wetlands. Matter before Clarence planning board. Procedures to follow in opposing development discussed, suggested that Duerrs speak to Liz Kaszubski.

4) CWM WASTE SITE - C. Lamb: CWM is the only toxic waste dump in the northeast United States. It is located on the Manhattan Project nuclear waste site. Thirty states truck in toxic waste. State Assembly and Senate have voted a law that no more permits for expansion of waste sites will be granted if the waste sites are or may leak toxic waste into the Great Lakes. New York Senate passed law unanimously. Matter to go to Governor Pataki in early August for his signature. Concern that Governor may veto the law. It has been reported that more PCB's are dumped at the CWM waste site in one year than General Electric dumped in the Hudson River in 30 years.

5) TRAILBLAZER - C. Lamb: Deadline for submissions for next issue is September 1st, 2006.

6) OUTINGS - J. Jontz: Suggested trip to Presque Isle near Erie, Pennsylvania in September. Also discuss trips to Zoar Valley and Perrysburg.

7) POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS - J. Gardella: National Sierra Club requires that candidates seeking Sierra Club endorsement either answer a questionnaire or be interviewed before an endorsement is granted. Sam Hoyt has submitted letter requesting endorsement. Steve Burns moves to endorse, seconded by Richard Lippes. Unanimously passed. Antoine Thompson is seeking endorsement, Mark Coppola has not responded to inquiry as to whether he would like endorsement. Motion to endorse by Richard Lippes, seconded by Paul Main and Ginger Ursitti. Unanimously passed.

8) DISTRIBUTION OF WETLAND MAP INFORMATION - J. Jontz: Written guidance as to what information may be released from the Sierra Club wetland map is needed. John Stouffer is to contact the national Sierra Club concerning this. A proposed memorandum of understanding will be drafted by Richard Lippes. Discussion had concerning release of information in a format which cannot be manipulated.

9) MIKE STROH'S DEPARTURE - J. Jontz: Best wishes to Michael who is moving in August to Colorado for educational and career reasons. Mike Stroh nominated Charles Lamb to be interim Vice-Chair. Seconded by Joe Gardella. Unanimously passed.

10) STRATEGIC PLAN AND WETLANDS - J. Jontz: Question as to how we measure that Niagara Group has reached it's goal concerning wetlands in Erie County. Jane mentioned that the mapping of a wetlands has been completed for Erie and Niagara Counties. L. Behan, B. Ciesielski, and L. Kaszabowski met with Amherst officials concerning procedures for reviewing wetland development applications. Suggested that Bob Ciesielski contact John Stouffer to obtain draft of local wetlands ordinance for presentation to Amherst board. Contact to be made with Grand Island conservation groups concerning our assisting them in preventing development in wetland areas.

11) ELECTIONS - J. Jontz: Discussion of candidates for upcoming election. Candidates to submit resumè to Charles for publication in Trailblazer by September 1, 2006.

12) OUTINGS TRAINING - J. Jontz: Jane has contacted national concerning establishing weekend training sessions in our area to complete course 101 and 201 training sessions for outings leaders. Article in Trailblazer to recruit potential candidates.

13) WEBSITE - M. Stroh: Mike will continue to work as webmaster. Hopefully Marion Owczarczak will assist and eventually take over position.

14) GOVERNOR PATAKI AND CWM - C. Lamb: Charles requested that we call the Governor at 518-474-8390 to support his signing of CWM Bill.


Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski.