Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - August 22, 2006

Daemen College, 4380 Main Street, Scotus Hall, Room 227, Amherst, New York, 7 PM

Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding

Present: Jane Jontz*, Steve Burns*, Bob Ciesielski*, Larry Beahan*, Richard Lippes*, Paul Maine*, Virginia Snider, Robert Duerr, Amelia Duerr
(*Indicates member of Exec. Committee)

1) CLARENCE WETLANDS DEVELOPMENT - R. Duerr and A. Duerr: Proposed development of 20-25 homes in wetlands near Woodside in the Town of Clarence. Denni now owns property, which his son wants to develop. This matter is currently tabled by the Clarence Town Board while awaiting an initial proposal from developer. Liz Kaszubski has suggested that there be a survey of trees on the property, which will help determine whether it is protectable wetlands.

2) MEMBERSHIP REPORT - S Burns: 2,347 individual members, 2392 households.

3) TREASURERS REPORT - S. Burns: Niagara Group account has balance of $2,600.20; Foundation Account has current balance of $3,740.00. Steve has called Chapter Treasurer, Steve Kulick, requesting reimbursement of about $900.00 for dues from years ago. Discussion of usage of (c)(3) and (c)(4) monies. Under Sierra Club guidelines, Groups are a part of a Chapter, and do not have independent legal status.

4) ERIE COUNTY FOREST - L. Beahan: County Comptroller Poloncarz has issued a report critical to economics of the current forestry plan. Larry has written letter to the Buffalo News. As of yet, no second phase of the logging plan has been proposed by the County. Meeting scheduled October 5, 2006 between Tom Loughlin, Erie County Legislature, who heads to Environmental Committee, L. Beahan, A. Klein and perhaps R. Lippes and B. Ciesielski will attend. Discussion concerning opposition to any further logging in order to protect forest as wilderness, recreational area and open space. Discussion of methods to obtain environmental impact statement from County. SEQRA review would probably be requested if plan is environmentally unacceptable.

5) GREENWAY COMMITTEE - L. Beahan: Environmental impact statement has been drafted. It appears generally acceptable at this time to the environmental coalition according to Barry Boyer. $60 million dollars is proposed for fish and wildlife habitat endowment and restoration fund. Proposed $36,000 dollars per year for 50 years to fund standing ecological committee to monitor Greenway.

6) ZOAR VALLEY - L. Beahan: Multiple Use Area Draft Unit Management Plan has been presented. Some opposition to plan including Albert Bond of Friends of Zoar. Compromise plan proposes 300 foot area on either side of gorge, similar to Forever Wild designation. No ATV's to be permitted in this zone.

7) ATLANTIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING - L. Beahan: Committee endorsed Mark Green in Democratic primary for Attorney General. Discussion of establishment of Political Action Committee for certain New York Senate races.

8) TRAILBLAZER - J. Jontz: September 1st deadline for submissions. Biographies of Exec. Com. candidates to be submitted

9) EXEC. COM. ELECTIONS - J. Jontz: Discussion of potential candidates fill vacancies of Mike Stroh and Steve Burns.

10) POLITICAL COMMITTEE - J. Jontz: Jim Hayes has requested endorsement of Niagara Group. Awaiting more information.

11) STRATEGIC PLANNING - J. Jontz: Discussion of review of strategic plan adopted in April 2005 by Group.

12) NEXT MEETING LOCATION - J. Jontz: Discussion of location for Group meetings. Suggests that Art Klein speak to Brenda Collins of Daemen concerning location of meetings on campus.


Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Ciesielski.