Conservation Newsletter

Please spread the word to fellow environmental activists to attend this kick-off for Boxer's campaign. It's on March 16th at the Union Station at noontime. Take a lunch break & join Barbara Boxer at this campaign rally. See details below. Thanks!

Senator Barbara Boxer will be in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 16th at 12:00 noon to kick off her campaign for re-election to the US Senate. Join Senator Boxer at Fire House Number 1, Los Angeles' first fire station, to give Senator Boxer a big show of support. Fire House Number 1, also known as Old Plaza Firehouse, is located on the Los Angeles street side of Olvera Street directly across from Union Station where the 110 and 101 freeways intersect. What better way to spend your lunch hour than letting Senator Boxer know how much you support everything she does for California?

Senator Boxer has worked to protect California's families by fighting for affordable healthcare, a robust economy, a cleaner environment and strong public schools for our children. Special interests know that Senator Boxer is not afraid to stand up to them. That's why she is expecting a tough re-election campaign and needs our help. All of us need to make her re-election a priority.

The Final Plan for the Sequoia Monument Proves the Forest Service has no idea how to protect a Priceless National Resource! They see the Monument as an excuse to log more acres for “protection" than had the Proclamation never been made!!! The only "improvement" from the Draft Plan is glib wordsmithing.

Sequoia Monument Should be Managed by the PARK SYSTEM consistent with the Proclamation, not Mismanaged by the Forest Service.

Please Write Your Congressional Representatives and the Governor TODAY! Ask them to Help Protect California's Spectacular Sequoia Monument.

A Year ago, the Draft Plan for Sequoia Monument selected the most anti-protective Alternative as the “preferred Alternative." Now the Final Plan is out and the Final Plan is worse than the Draft!!!

The California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee will meet March 13 and 14 at Rancho El Chorro, San Luis Obispo. With Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the Coastal Commission as featured speaker, a number of important issue workshops, important state and national political issues and a full agenda, we certainly hope that all Chapter delegates, RCC at-large delegates as well as all interested Sierra Club members plan to attend. Lori Ives has posted a separate registration notice. If you have not yet registered, please contact Lori at ivesico@earthlink.net.

Saturday morning there will be four workshops.
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Register with Lori Ives

Public Lands/Sequoia/Yosemite (Vicky Hoover)
Growth Management (Marge Macris and Eric Parfrey)
Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Facilities (Rich Ferguson) and High Speed Rail (Ken Ryan).

Saturday evening there will be an interesting workshop on State Financial Priorities (Ken Ryan).

1:00 pm Chair's Welcome, Introduction of first time attendees, General Introductions
Treasurer's Report, Officer's Reports, Additions to the Agenda, Logistics
1:30 pm Nominating Committee's Report — candidates for CNRCC Chair (Joan Jones Holtz)
1:35 pm National political report (Dan Sullivan)
1:40 pm Field Office Report
2:10 pm Resolutions: From the Coast and Ocean Committee resolutions on

3:00 pm Agricultural Committee/Eco Conference Report (Bob Warrick)
3:10 pm Southern California Forestry Report (John Monsen)
3:20 pm Tejon Ranch (Mary Ann Lockhart)
3:25 pm Forest Conservation Committee (Paul Mason)
3:35 pm A presentation by the Water Privatization Task Force (Dale Stocking)
4:05 pm Break
4:15 pm The state of Nevada/Wilderness (Lois Snedden, Vicky Hoover)
4:30 pm State Legislative/Political Report (Bill Allayaud)
5:00 pm Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the Coastal Commission
5:30 pm Happy Hour
6:30 pm Dinner (thank you, Cal and Letty)
7:30 pm State Financial Priorities Workshop (Ken Ryan)

7:30 am Breakfast
8:30 am Election of CNRCC Chair
8:45 am Water Task Force Report: Desalination, Hetch Hetchy and Colorado River TF (Dan Sullivan, Barb Williams)
9:00 am High Speed Rail (Patrick Moore, Ken Ryan)
10:00 am Break
10:10 am Brief CNRCC Committee and Workshop Reports:

Proposed Resolution
California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee, March 6-7

The proposed policy expands and clarifies the desalination section that was contained in the 1993 CNRCC Water Policy statement. The 1993 section on desalination says:

Proposals for improvement of water supplies or water quality through desalinization should be evaluated on a case by case basis. In general, areas which are isolated and which have exhausted other less environmentally damaging alternatives will be most able to justify desalination.

[Comment: In evaluating desalting proposals, energy and other environmental impacts must be considered. Desalting is not a substitute for water conservation, recycling, ground water banking treatment or other environmentally sensitive water supply techniques. Desalting to improve water quality may be acceptable if better alternatives do not exist.]
—Dan Sullivan—

Proposed Resolution
California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee, March 6-7

When the California Coastal Commission met in La Jolla, San Diego County, February 18-20, 2004, the Commission overruled a suggestion by California State Parks that the Commission abandon efforts to save western snowy plovers at Ocean Dunes State Park. Instead of rubber-stamping Parks' decision not to implement the recommendations of a team of biologists studying the birds, the Commission signaled its intent to send a letter to Parks urging them to abide by set of science-based recommendations made by a team of biological experts.

For State Parks to protect the birds would mean incurring the wrath of the off-road vehicle lobby, something Parks is unwilling to consider. The dispute goes back decades. The original Coastal Commission permits date back to the early 1980s, and they required State Parks to undertake "carrying capacity" studies to determine just how many dune buggies nature can survive.

For over twenty years State Parks refused to either study — or even consider — limiting people and/or off-road vehicles at the Oceano Dunes. Then three years ago the Commission suggested establishing a panel of scientists to study bird biology and suggest ways to protect the birds at Oceano from the ravages of off-road vehicles.

The Coastal Commission has been having an annual review of the research for the past three years. This years State Parks asked that the Commission end its involvement at Oceano. Instead the Commission found the scientific advisors have provided an invaluable service and that all their advice and recommendations should be implemented.

Among other things the scientists have suggested that fencing to protect the birds be left up year around, that leaving the fencing up year around instead of just during nesting season results in the formation of dune habitat that attracts the birds annually.

State Parks rejected the idea, and unfortunately only one month ago an off road vehicle ran over and killed an endangered snowy plover in the area where fencing had been recommended. State Parks was unapologetic and instead took credit for recent plover successes at Oceano.

Ruth Coleman, Director of State Parks, said that there were 25 nests last year, and over 60 this year. This year there were over 160 chicks, with 107 successfully fledging this year. Two years ago only 3 birds managed to fledge (fledging means they were able to leave the nest and fly, a prime indicator of species success). Last year 35 birds fledged. Director Coleman urged the Commission to take no action and specifically asked that the Commission not send a letter to State Parks urging they do more to protect plovers.

Biologist Gordon Hensley told the Commission that a plover was killed on January 9 in an area that the scientists had previously recommended be fenced. Had State Parks not refused to put up the fence, the bird would not have been run over.

Off-road vehicle enthusiasts Friends of Oceano Dunes (FOOD) urged the Commission to do nothing so they can continue to work with State Parks to enlarge the beach driving area. Specifically FOOD contends that the fencing actually entices birds into the driving area and insures their death. FOOD believes that if State Parks works hard enough, they can convince the birds to go to other beaches and live there so that people can drive the beach in peace!

FOOD lawyers charged that the Commission had since 1982 engaged in overreaching and other aberrant behavior that is not right and has to stop. "It is time to retire the permit and the annual review process so that State Park can operate the park as intended- as an off road vehicular area," the dune buggy lawyer said.

Commissioner Mary Nichols began the discussion by supporting the Coastal staff recommendation that the Commission side with the scientists and send a letter to State Parks urging them to do the same.

Commissioner Sara Wan said she was disturbed that State Parks would refuse to implement the recommendation of the scientists. "What is the basis of the refusal?" Wan asked. Wan also clarified that while state law does mandate vehicles be allowed at Oceano it does so by requiring that car use of the beach be balanced with resource protection.

"We got here because State Parks refused for 18 years to comply with their permit," Wan said. "We're here 22 years later because we have tried to work with Parks. Now we're being told we have no jurisdiction to request any protections whatsoever. The old permit gave us the right to control vehicles entering the park. Until the latest approach the plover record at the park was abominable. It is only since the scientists came aboard that we have improvement. You cannot recover a species by only protecting it during nesting season and then saying you can kill it the rest of the year. The logic escapes me. Endangered birds need protection throughout their lives. Now we're told to give up the permit and allow Parks to ignore the scientists. The scientists aren't recommending that cars get off the beach entirely. The Commission's involvement has benefited birds and shouldn't be abandoned," Wan concluded.

Commissioner Greg Hart thanked State Parks for their hard work and urged Commissioners not send a letter supporting the scientists. "It is not appropriate for us to continue to badger this issue," Hart said.

Commission Chair Reilly had no problems with his staff's recommendation. "I think we should urge Parks to keep scientific review subcommittee intact," Reilly said. But as the person responsible for actually signing the letter, Reilly had a number of points he wanted to clarify. "My suggestion is to work on the letter for a month," Reilly said.

In the end Commissioners Nichols, Nava, Reilly, Wan, Woolley, and Susskind supported the scientific recommendations and the letter urging State Parks to comply with them. Commissioner Greg Hart opposed.

The following came to me as an email this morning, and I just have to share it with you all. This is a powerful statement about the need to rid our air and water of poisons like mercury. I encourage you to read it and pass it on to others.

Martha Marks, Ph.D, President
REP America (Republicans for Environmental Protection)
3200 Carlisle Blvd NE Ste 228
Albuquerque NM 87110
505-690-9601

The Bush Administration has proposed new mercury emission standards that will invite much more mercury, a known brain-damaging poison, to be poured into our air and water. EPA is holding hearings about these proposals — in a grand total of three cities. One was Philadelphia, today. This was my testimony, on behalf of The Shalom Center.

Hearing officers for the EPA: Good afternoon, and in the traditional words of Jewish greeting, shalom aleichem — peace be with you.

I am Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of The Shalom Center, a 20-year-old nation-wide network of Jews and others who draw on Jewish wisdom of the past and present to seek justice and healing of the earth. We have 2,000 members. Our email lists reach more than 21,000 people.

The Bible, in Exodus I:16-21, tells this story: Pharaoh, king of Egypt, ordered midwives to kill the newborn babies of the Hebrew women. But the midwives held God in awe, and did not do as Pharaoh had commanded them.

This is both the oldest story we have in which a government sentences innocent children to death, and the oldest story we have of nonviolent civil disobedience.

The present proposal to increase the amount of mercury that industries are allowed to pour into our air and water is an act of Pharaoh, an act of depraved indifference to human life and especially depraved indifference to children.

For the economic advantage of some and the political advantage of their friends, the proposed new standards will kill children and cause them brain damage.

The EPA and forty-three states have now issued advisories warning people, especially women and children, to avoid or limit eating local fish because of mercury.

Even with these warnings, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 out of 12 U.S. women of childbearing age have unsafe levels of mercury in their blood due to fish consumption.

The best way to protect women and children from mercury is to eliminate it from its largest source: power plants. But the electricity and coal industries are pressing hard to avoid limiting their mercury emissions, and the Bush Administration has now proposed to weaken those standards.

More than 600,000 newborns are at risk of brain damage and learning disabilities every year because their mothers have been exposed to mercury pollution. Instead of using already existing technology to reduce mercury emissions by as much as 90%, as is required by the Clean Air Act, the new plan would postpone any significant controls for mercury until 2018, and in doing so would unnecessarily endanger the lives of an entire generation of children.

The proposal also would give polluters at least 15 years to make the reductions rather than the three years required by law.

When plants are not forced to curb pollution but can buy pollution credits, it increases the chances that there will be communities where mercury pollution is more prevalent.

If it is not to fall into the path of Pharaoh, the Bush Administration must protect children's health by reducing power plant mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2008 and ensuring that these reductions occur at each and every power plant.

The Clean Air Act requires these reductions. Human decency requires these reductions. God's demand that we choose life and protect children requires these reductions.

The midwives held God in awe and refused to obey the Pharaoh's murderous orders. Even Pharaoh's own daughter took action to save a child — Moses — who had been condemned to death by her own father's command, her own government's laws.

I look into your faces, and I see people who perhaps have children, as I do; who perhaps have grandchildren, as I do; who perhaps have nieces and nephews, as I do. I urge you — like the midwives and like Pharaoh's daughter — to stand up against whatever pressures are being exerted on you by your superior officials in this government, ordering you or leaning on you to make decisions that could bring on the death and mental ruination of thousands of children.

I urge you to see in the faces of these brain-damaged children the Face of God, to hear in the wailing of these children the Voice of God.

[At the end there was a long silence. I'm not sure, but the usual etiquette may be that the witness says "thank you" for being accorded the "privilege" of a hearing. If so, that was not the way I was feeling about my citizenly role before the hearing. After the silence, as I simply watched the Board with awareness, one of them finally said "Thank you." That felt right.]

On Sunday evening, March 28, the Chapter will honor those volunteers who have contributed extraordinary efforts this part year. The banquet, held at the Brookside Country Club in Pasadena, will be a festive occasion to join together with friends and celebrate. Please consider donating items such as jewelry, books, or object d'art. This is not a jumble sale, so no junk please. All proceeds go to offset the costs incurred. Banquet chair is Mary Ferguson. Send your reservations (with $35 payable Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club) to Cathy Kissinger, 10541 Oro Vista Ave, Sunland CA 91040-2853.

Catellus/Playa Capitol Digs Up
71 Tongva-Gabrielleno Ancestors on Ballona West Bluff
— Places them in Storage Locker

It appears that some developers will stop at nothing to build a few homes. Catellus Corp, one of California's largest real estate companies, successfully reversed a Coastal Commission denial and prevailed in a lawsuit against Sierra Club to build the so-called West Bluffs project overlooking the Ballona wetlands in Los Angeles. The project has been a cultural/environmental desecration fiasco from the start, with millions of yards of grading and massive landform alteration. And now they've dug up at least 71 ancestors of the Tongva-Gabriealleno people who once lived alongside and cared for the wetlands. The culture is now in a storage locker so the houses can be hurriedly built. Latham & Watkins, of course, are the legal facilitators.

There's a great nugget of cowboy wisdom that says: "Only a fool argues with skunks, mules or cooks."

In January 2003, President Bush, facing criticism that he was doing so little to reduce America's dependence on oil, announced a major initiative to develop clean, hydrogen-powered automobiles. In his State of the Union Speech last year, he said: "A single chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates energy, which can be used to power a car — producing only water, not exhaust fumes. With a new national commitment, our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles to taking these cars from laboratory to showroom, so that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen, and pollution-free."

There's only one problem. The scientists and engineers themselves think the President's plan is a stretch. While hydrogen clearly has long term potential, it turns out that hydrogen technology really isn't the best way for America to achieve energy security in the next 20 years.

This week, the American Physical Society (APS), an organization made up of the nation's top physicists, released a report that shows just how out of touch the Bush administration's initiative is with the scientific community. That report comes on the heels of a recent National Academy of Science (NAS) study that also provides an assessment of hydrogen technology that is especially sobering in light of the rosy rhetoric of the Bush administration.

Since we understand the President is not fond of reading technical reports, we thought we would translate the important points into "cowboy wisdom" he and his staff might understand.

Both the APS and NAS reports predict that it will take 30 to 50 years to make hydrogen a viable technology, much longer than the 20 years promised by the Bush administration. Without investing in "bridge technologies" like gas-electric hybrid engines which are already on the market, the administration is tossing the rope before building the loop. Promoting hydrogen without more feasible technologies shows that the Bush administration is only half-serious about solving our energy problems.

Most of the money in the Bush administration's hydrogen initiative is funding demonstration projects that attempt to make hydrogen by using coal or nuclear power. The APS report concludes that the administration is driving these proverbial black cattle without trying to understand more of the basic science, like how to store hydrogen. The report claims, "while demonstrations are an essential part of a government commercialization program, they will only benefit the overall program when a sufficient knowledge base exists."

"If You're Riding Ahead of the Herd, Take a Look Back Every Now and Then to Make Sure It's Still There."

The real underlying point of the NAS and APS studies is that the Bush administration hasn't really made a good faith effort to engage the experts when it developed its hydrogen proposal. By allowing itself to be so completely out of touch with the scientific community, the administration not only prolongs energy problems that need to be addressed in the next decade but also risks undermining the public confidence we need to make hydrogen technology a success in the long term.

It's become increasingly clear that the Bush administration's hydrogen initiative is little more than a political facade. Sure, it sounds bold and visionary, but the effort is too weak and poorly planned to be deemed serious. Or to be more blunt: the administration is all hat and no cattle.

To: Sierra Club chapter, group, RCC, and ecoregion chairs and conservation chairs,
field staff, chapter staff, and Sierra Club California
Fr: The Environmental Partnerships Program
Re: How We Can Help Your Campaigns

The primary goal of the Sierra Club's Environmental Partnerships Program is to build strong alliances among diverse groups based on trust and mutual environmental objectives. By working together, these groups will become a more powerful and effective force while broadening the environmental movement to include people from all walks of life. The Environmental Partnerships Program is a 501(c)(3) grant-funded enhancement to the Club's work. Begun in 2002, it builds on the Club's decades of work to expand the constituencies working to protect the environment.

The program focuses on helping the Sierra Club build stronger alliances with several constituencies with a focus on Latino communities, labor unions, communities of color and low income communities, hunters and anglers and the faith community. Many Sierra Club campaigns have been won because a broad group of people were able to find common ground and work together. This is especially important as we battle the Bush Administration's assaults on environmental policies.

Materials: We can provide you with materials to help with your outreach work such as tip sheets for outreach to different groups, tabling materials, stickers and more. We welcome suggestions for additional materials.

Staff and Volunteer Committee Support: The Partnership Staff and Volunteer Committee are available to provide strategic guidance and support for your outreach activities. Staff are Melanie Griffin, Director of Environmental Partnerships, Tanya Tolchin, Washington Representative, Tad Williams, Program Assistant, Bart Semcer, Associate Washington Representative.

The volunteer leaders are Judy Kunofsky (CA)/Chair, Nancy Rauch (PA), Connie Wilbert (WY), Bill Stokes (FL), Ross Vincent (CO).

Small Grants: The partnership program has funding available for your local, regional, state, or national partnership activities. We welcome your creative ideas! See below for details. Grants are available in amounts up to $5,000.

New Listserv: Stay in the loop on partnership activities and exchange ideas with fellow Club leaders by signing up for the partnerships listserv. Please contact Tad Williams, tad.williams@sierraclub.org for details.

Preference will be given to projects that educate the public and allied groups about the Bush Administration's attacks on environmental policies and/or provide positive environmental solutions that contrast with Bush Administration policy (e.g.,labor unions promoting solar panels instead of polluting fossil fuels, duck hunters promoting wetlands protection instead of Bush Administration policies to weaken protection, or African American congregations working for clean air instead of weakened regs.)

Other examples of partnership outreach are hosting a round table discussion between Sierra Club members and a local fishing group, exhibiting at a conference or special event, speaking to a group or developing joint materials with an allied group.

These are C-3 grants, so all projects must be non-lobbying and non-political. No grant funds can be spent on influencing legislation or elections. Salaries are eligible expenses for this project. All project materials will need to be reviewed for C-3 compliance.

Sierra Club entities may also apply for funds that will then be used by outside C-3 groups. The Sierra Club entity will be responsible for the reports and paper work associated with the outside group's activities including a grants condition letter and copy of the C-3 determination letter.

Please fill out the whole form below including purposes, budget and time line information and approval from the appropriate chair.

Early application is encouraged, as funds are limited, and may be exhausted early. Also, all funds must be spent in 2004 and reimbursement sought by December 15, 2004. Plan on approximately three to four weeks for review of your application. Let us know if it is urgent and we will try to expedite review.

All funding recipients must provide a brief year-end report on the outcome of the event/project and a copy of any documents or other materials produced as a result of this project to Tad Williams.

If you have on going work, feel free to submit additional applications to continue the work you started.

Applications must be sent to a central location (tad.williams@sierraclub.org) but will be reviewed by the Environmental Partnerships Committee and staff, a representative of which will contact you with a request for further information or revisions, or a decision.

If you have questions about the application process, contact Environmental Partnerships at tad.williams@sierraclub.org.

Environmental Partnerships Small Grants Application Form
(Take as much space as is necessary)

Send completed application to:
Tad Williams, Program Assistant, Sierra Club Environmental Partnerships Program
408 C Street NE, Washington DC 20002
Ph: (202) 547-1141 Fax: (202) 547-6009 tad.williams@sierraclub.org

The Executive Committee of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club approves the conservation grants for the first cycle of 2004.

The Executive Committee of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club approves the revision of the Conservation Committee Standing Rules to delete the following:

“Expenditures in excess of $50 must be submitted for prior approval of the Conservation Chair. Bills may not be reimbursed if this procedure is not followed.”

Action Directory
Sierra Club Legislative Hotline: (202) 675-2394
Sierra Club National: (415) 977-5500
Sierra Club Sacramento Legislative Office: (916) 557-1100; fax (916) 227-9669
White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1111
White House Fax Line: (202) 456-2461
President George W Bush president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Dick Cheney: vice-president@whitehouse.gov
White House Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
To contact your senators: Senate Office Bldg, Washington DC 20510 http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm
To contact your representative: House Office Bldg, Washington DC 20515 http://www.house.gov/writerep
California Capitol Switchboard: (916) 322-9900
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger: 1st Floor, State Capitol, Sacramento CA 95814

Sierra Club Links
Angeles Chapter site:http://angeles.sierraclub.org/home.html
Angeles Chapter Conservation page: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/newsletter/
Sierra Club California: http://www.sierraclub.org/ca/
Sierra Club World Wide Web: http://www.sierraclub.org
Sierra Club Vote Watch Website: http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/
National site main page: http://www.sierraclub.org/
National Clubhouse activist resource site: http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/

Need help contacting your US representatives or finding out about legislation?
US House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
US Senate: http://www.senate.gov/
California State Assembly: http://www.assembly.ca.gov/
California State Senate: http://www.sen.ca.gov/
California State: http://www.ca.gov/state/portal/myca_homepage.jsp
California Legislative Information:http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/
California Secretary of State voter information: http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm

This Electronic Conservation Committee Newsletter is sent free, automatically, on email to all activists who hold any of the following positions in the Angeles Chapter or its entities: Executive Committee Member; Entity Chair or Conservation Chair, Political, and Newsletter Editor, Conservation Subcommittee or Task Force Chair. In addition, many activists throughout the Chapter and state receive it free by email, either by request or by position. Distribution is approximately 350 by email, and 45 by postal hard copy. If you no longer hold the Club office with the automatic pull and wish to continue to receive it, email ivesico@earthlink.net. If we do not have your email address - please let us know. If you wish (and tell us), it will be tagged "private" and not printed or given out.
The Newsletter (without upcoming resolutions) is available on the Chapter website at http://angeles.sierraclub.org/

Paper postal copy is available ($20/year payable Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club) for those who are technically challenged or simply don't want to be bothered. To receive The Newsletter by first class mail, send a donation to (almost) cover printing/mailing costs to Conservation Newsletter, 112 Harvard Ave PMB 297, Claremont CA 91711.

National's GoldBook provides information to chapters and groups on the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) funds; how to utilize and access charitable 501(c)(3) funds; how to get a project approved; fundraising plus much, much, more material on the Sierra Club. It is now available at the Clubhouse website. Go to http://www.clubhouse.sierraclub.org; follow the instructions for obtaining the password. The GoldBook can be found by clicking on A - Z List of Materials box, then on "G" under A-Z List of Documents, then on GoldBook, Educational Project Guidelines.

California/Nevada Regional Activist Directory (RedBook) is available online. It also includes the Handbook of Sierra Club California Bylaws and Standing Rrules (GreenBook). Contact Lori Ives for the online address and password. Send your membership number, your position in the Club, your reason for needing the information. The paper edition ($20) will soon be available on special order.

Chapter Office Parking
Weeknights: You may park free inside the building after 5:30 pm. Be prepared to show your membership card or one of our parking passes, available at the front desk in the Chapter office. Take a ticket when you enter through the gate; present it at the parking office near the elevators, and sign it. The ticket machine at the front gate may be turned off after 6 pm. If so, buzz the attendant and say you are going to a Sierra Club meeting. There is no entry after 8 pm.
Visitor parking on Saturday is in the outside lot. Tell the attendant that you are going to a Sierra Club meeting.
Visitor parking on Sunday is in the outside lot. There is no attendant, and the gate is open
Linda Hoyer

E-Mail Lists: There are four important discussion lists for Angeles environmental activists:
Angeles Chapter Cons Listserve angeles-conservation@lists.sierraclub.org

Angeles-Alerts Listserve angeles-alerts@lists.sierraclub.org

California/Nevada Listserve calif-activists@lists.sierraclub.org (moderated list for announcements)

California/Nevada Listserve calif-activists-forum@lists.sierraclub.org (unmoderated discussion list)

     Subscribe to California Activists: calif-activists-request@lists.sierraclub.org
     Subscribe to California Activists Forum: calif-activists-forum-request@lists.sierraclub.org
     For both lists, send your name, email address, Sierra Club membership number, your position in Club (how are you active?)
Subscription is processed by one of the list owners, usually the same day.
     Subscribe to Angeles-Alerts: email listserv@lists.sierraclub.org with the message "subscribe angeles-conservation"
or "subscribe calif-activists" or "subscribe angeles-alerts" Note: it's "listserv," not "listserve."
     To leave a list, send an e-mail to listserv@lists.sierraclub.org In the text of your message (not the subject line), write: "signoff calif-activists" or "signoff angeles-conservation" or "signoff angeles-alerts"

The Angeles Chapter's website is www.angeles.sierraclub.org

Angeles Chapter Conservation Management Committee
Angeles Chapter Grants Committee

Gordon LaBedz/Chair 562-494-6368
Bonnie Sharpe/Vice Chair/Grants Chair, Jay Matchett/Treasurer, Jeff Yann/Secretary, Robin Ives/Newsletter
Judy Anderson, John Ulloth, Roy van de Hoek, Rudy Vietmeier
Lori Ives, Publisher/Webmaster/Circulation (non-voting)
Johanna Zetterberg; Rachel Myers, Conservation Coordinators (non-voting)

Motions should be submitted in advance, together with objective background material and supporting and opposing arguments, both to the Committee Chair and Newsletter Editor, for distribution with the agenda. Other motions will be postponed for action at a later meeting unless the motion is submitted in writing and unless the Committee votes an exception to ordinary procedure. Motions needing further action by the Angeles Chapter ExComm or some higher level of the Sierra Club should start out: "The Angeles Chapter Conservation committee recommends that the Sierra Club... To find out more about voting requirements and representatives, consult the Angeles Chapter website Conservation Committee

Angeles Chapter Conservation Committee

435 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 320, Los Angeles CA 90010-1904

Wednesday, March 17, 2004, 7:30 pm

AGENDA

7:30 Introductions
7:35 Review of Agenda

7:40 Brief Announcements
7:45 Conservation Staff Reports
8:00 Bush Assault on Alaska (David Edeli, Alaska Wilderness League)
8:20 Questions and Answers to David Edeli
8:45 Other
9:00 Adjourn Next Meeting is Wednesday, April 21

Orange County Conservation Committee

Carole Mintzer/Chair 949-714-288-2829, Gale Prothero/Vice Chair;
Chuck Buck/Secretary, Rachel Myers/Conservation Coord (non-voting)
Website: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/ocosc/

Inn at the Park in Irvine
From the north, come down 405 to 73 and off at University. Turn left and pass Campus and turn right on Harvard. Follow Harvard as it bends; look for Marquette. The Inn is at 10 Marquette, on the corner of Harvard and Marquette behind a steel fence.
From the south, get off 405 at Culver and go left. Follow Culver past Michelson and University and turn right on Harvard. Take Harvard to Marquette. It's on your right.

7:00 Welcome, Introductions, Approval of Agenda
Great Earth Walk - May 1, 2004
7:15 Dana Point Headlands Task Force - Celia Kutcher
7:30 Saddleback Canyons Task Force - Rich Gomez
7:45 Santa Ana Mountains Task Force - Paul Carlton
8:00 Political Committee update; Boxer Fundraiser report - Gail Prothero
8:10 Save Hobo and Aliso Ridge Task Force - Penny Elia
8:25 Sacred Sites Task Force - Rebecca Robles
8:40 Media Training report - Rachel Oshry
9:00 Adjourn Next OCCC Meeting is Tuesday, April 20

Volunteers Welcome: Lower Santiago Creek Restoration Project and the Santiago Park Woodlands Restoration Project. Saturdays, 9:00 am to noon — March 20; April 17; May 15; June 19, 2004, at 900 E Memory Lane in Santa Ana (2 blks east of Main Street and Main Place Mall) follow signs to the native plant nursery. Help out at the Native Plant Nursery or get involved in the Stream Team Volunteer Monitoring Group. For more information, contact Patrick Mitchell, Park Naturalist: 714-571-4288

Tues, March 23, 7 pm — General Meeting of the Sierra Sage/South Orange County Group — "Spring Wildflowers" and the best places to enjoy them in Orange County. Local outings leaders and avid photographers Mike Sappingfield and Bob Hansen will present a slide slow of Orange County's wildflowers in all their glory while Celia Kutcher of the California Native Plant Society identifies them and answers questions. March and April are peak wildflower months for Orange County. Come to the meeting and find out about the very best viewing locations. Free. Refreshments will be provided. Unitarian/Universalist Church, 25801 Obrero. Directions: I-5 to Alicia Parkway, east (inland) on Alicia, left on Jeronimo, left on Obrero (the 2nd traffic light), and immediate right into first driveway.

April 2, 9:30 am — Hearing for SaddleCreek/Crest, Dept CX103, OC Superior Court (This was previously scheduled for March 12) Reminders and directions will be sent as the date approaches. This important hearing deserves a packed courtroom!

April 18, 2:00-6:00 pm — Sierra Sage Annual Starr Ranch Barbecue — Adults: $25. Children under 12: $12.50. Purchase tickets by April 13 by sending a check payable to "Sierra Sage" and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to M. Griffith, 3238 Paseo Gallita, San Clemente CA 92672. Reservations will NOT be taken by phone, but for more information, call Bob Hansen at 949-586-4928.

Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter
Conservation Committee
112 North Harvard Avenue PMB 297
Claremont CA 91711-4716

*MARCH 2004*
Sat, Mar 13, 9:00 am	Orange Hills Task Force - Breakfast at Santiago Oaks Regional Park - Free Food!!!
Sat-Sun Mar 13-14	Cal/Nevada Conservation Comm, San Luis Obispo. Info Lori Ives, lori.ives@angeles.sierraclub.org
Sun Mar 14, 2:45 pm	Harbor Vision Task Force, 2nd Sun, San Pedro Public Library, 9th and Gaff
Tue Mar 16, 7:00 pm	OC Conservation Comm, Inn at the Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine (Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintzer, cmintzer@socal.rr.com
Wed Mar 17, 7:30 pm	Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Chapter Office, 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 320, Los AngelesGordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com
Wed Mar 17, 7:30 pm	The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563
Wed Mar 17 7:00 pm	Friends of Foothills Steering Committee. Contact Bill Holmes (949) 496-5323
Wed, Mar 24, 7:30 pm	Forest Task Force, Chapter Office. Don Bremner, donbremner@earthlink.net
Sat Mar 27, 9:00 am	Orange Hills Task Force, 4th Tues Monthly, at the Carlab in Orange
Sat Mar 27 8:30 am - 3:00 pm	Volunteer Training Workshop, Eaton Cyn Nature Center, located on Altadena Dr, just north of New York Drive in Altadena, Reserve with Mary Morales, feb1246@pacbell.net
Sun Mar 28, NOON	Chapter Executive Committee meets at Brookside Country Club, 1133 N Rosemont Ave. Pasadena (next to Rose Bowl). NOTE CHANGE IN TIME AND LOCATION.
Sun Mar 28, 5:00 pm	Chapter Awards Banquet, Brookside Country Club, Pasadena ($35). Reservations: Cathy Kissinger, ckissinger@chla.usc.edu
*APRIL 2004*
Thu, Apr 1, 7:15 pm	Sierra Club Orange County Political Comm. Contact amintzer@socal.rr.com for directions and agenda.
Sun Apr 4	Deadline for articles/calendar in the March Southern Sierran about our conservation efforts. Write up what you're doing, attach a digital photo, e-mail to Dominique at SSierran@ix.netcom.com
Mon Apr 5, 7:00 pm	Saddleback Cyns Task Force and Conservancy Mtg, Silverado Community Ctr. Rich Gomez.
Mon Apr 5, 7:30 pm	Chapter Conservation Management Committee, Chapter Office (date may change, call chair)
Sun Apr 11, 2:45 pm	Harbor Vision Task Force, 2nd Sun, San Pedro Public Library, 9th and Gaff
Mon Apr 12	OC Native American Sacred Sites TF, 2nd Mon, Rebecca Robles (949) 369-0361
Mon Apr 12, 7:15 pm	Orange Hills TF, 2nd Mon, 217 E Chapman Ave, Orange, Chris (714) 606-0453, ckoontz@usc.edu)
Mon Apr 12, 7:30 pm	Transportation Subcommittee, 2nd Mon, Chapter Office
Mon Apr 12, 7:30 pm	Santa Monica Mountains TF, 2nd Mon, Chair Mary Ann Webster (310) 559-3126
Tue, Apr 13, 7:30 pm	Air Quality/Global Warming/Energy SubCommittee, Chapter Office, Jan Kidwell (818) 506-8731
Tue Apr 20, 7:00 pm	OC Conservation Comm, Inn at the Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine (Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintzer, cmintzer@socal.rr.com
Wed Apr 21, 7:30 pm	Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Gordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com
Wed Apr 21, 7:15 pm	The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563
Wed Apr 21, 7:00 pm	Friends of Foothills Steering Committee. Contact Bill Holmes (949) 496-5323
Sat Apr 24, 9:30 am	Friends of Foothills Planning meeting. Contact Brittany McKee (949)361-7534
Sat Apr 24, 9:00 am	Orange Hills Task Force, 4th Tues Monthly, at the Carlab in Orange
Sun Apr 25, 1:00 pm	Chapter ExComm, Chapter Office. Contact Virgil Shields, virgil.shields@angeles.sierraclub.org
*MAY 2004*
Sat May 1	Great Earth Walk
Sun May 2	Deadline for articles/calendar in the April Southern Sierran about our conservation efforts. Write up what you're doing, attach a digital photo, e-mail to Dominique.
Mon May 3, 7:00 pm	Saddleback Canyons TF meeting, 1st Mon at the Silverado Community Ctr, Silverado Cyn Rd (on left, about 2-miles from turnoff from Santiago Cyn Rd), Silverado Cyn. Rich Gomez
Mon May 3, 7:30 pm	Chapter Conservation Management Committee, Chapter Office (date may change, call chair)
Thu May 6, 7:15 pm	Sierra Club Orange County Political Committee, contact Alex Mintzer (714) 288-2829 amintzer@socal.rr.com for meeting location, directions and agenda
Sun May 9, 2:45 pm	Harbor Vision Task Force, 2nd Sun, San Pedro Public Library, 9th and Gaff
Mon May 10	OC Native American Sacred Sites TF, 2nd Mon, Rebecca Robles (949) 369-0361
Mon May 10, 7:15 pm	Orange Hills TF, 2nd Mon, 217 E Chapman Ave, Orange, Chris (714) 606-0453, ckoontz@usc.edu
Mon May 10, 7:30 pm	Transportation Subcommittee, 2nd Mon, Chapter Office
Mon May 10, 7:30 pm	Santa Monica Mountains TF, 2nd Mon, Chair Mary Ann Webster (310) 559-3126
Tue, May 11, 7:30 pm	Air Quality/Global Warming/Energy SubCommittee, Chapter Office, Jan Kidwell (818) 506-8731
Tue May 18, 7:00 pm	OC Conservation Comm, Inn at the Park, 10 Marquette. Irvine (Marquette & Harvard). Carole Mintzer, cmintzer@socal.rr.com
Wed May 19, 7:30 pm	Chapter Conservation Committee, 3rd Wed, Gordon LaBedz, GLaBedzMD@aol.com
Wed May 19, 7:30 pm	The Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, 3rd Wed, Terry Welsh (949) 548-563
Wed May 19, 7:00 pm	Friends of Foothills Steering Committee. Contact Bill Holmes (949) 496-5323
Sat May 22, 7:30 pm	Open Spaces, Wild Places Campaign mtg at home of Alex & Carole Mintzer, 465 N Christine St, Orange
Sun May 23, 1:00 pm	Chapter ExComm, Chapter Office. Contact Virgil Shields, virgil.shields@angeles.sierraclub.org
Tue May 25, 9:00 am	Orange Hills Task Force, 4th Tues Monthly, at the Carlab in Orange
Wed, May 26, 7:30 pm	Forest Task Force, Chapter Office. Don Bremner, donbremner@earthlink.net
Thu, May 27, 9:00 am	Orange Hills Task Force at the Carlab in Orange