Mission, Goals and Objectives of the OC Global Warming Committee
During the year's first meeting of the OC Global Warming Committee a lot of planning will take place. Please have a look
at the group's Mission Statement and bring your ideas and suggestions for the Committee's activities for 2012.
OC GLOBAL WARMING COMMITTEE, SIERRA CLUB
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012
3 TO 5 PM., REI TUSTIN
Convenient Electric Cars in San Diego
Orange County Anniversary Party! The Gift of Books Wednesday Hikes Update Interested in becoming an outings leader for the Club? BANNING RANCH STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS - FOR NOW Interesting enough the City of Newport Beach concluded their rebuttal arguments during the presentation process with a surprise offer to build the
park without the access road. Park patrons would be asked to park at the City-owned parking lot located across the street at the intersection of
Superior Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. Ultimately a motion was made to deny the City of Newport Beach CCC application. There was again, lengthy discussion and an alternate motion was
made to accept the City’s plan to build the park without the road. That motion failed with 6 members supporting the motion and 6 voting against it.
Before the Commission could vote on the original motion to deny the application in its entirety, the City performed a quick legal maneuver by
withdrawing their application to build the park. If the deny motion would have passed the City would be required to wait 12 months before applying
again. The City will now be required to submit a new application to the Coastal Commission. If a new application is submitted, CCC staff will review and
prepare staff reports and hearings will be scheduled. This probably will not happen until sometime in early 2012. PRESENTATION ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN MISSION VIEJO TRABUCO CANYON ROAD PARTIALLY RESURFACED CALIFORNIANS AHEAD OF NATION ON GLOBAL WARMING ISSUES FIFTY YEARS STRONG WORLD WITHOUT ICE BANNING RANCH UPDATE NEW LONG DISTANCE HIKE OPENED SATURDAY MOONLIGHT WALK WEDNESDAY HIKE CANCELLED OC GROUP AWARDS SOLAR DECAL AND CERTIFICATE WEDNESDAY HIKES RESUME ON SEPTEMBER 7 MONTHLY MEETINGS AT REI IN TUSTIN KUDOS TO SIERRA SAGE OCEANS OF PLASTIC
In November, San Diego became the first city in the world to offer an all-electric CAR2GO service. The idea of renting a car without paperwork
hassle for an hour or a day was first tested in Ulm, Germany in 2008, and has since expanded to several cities in Europe and North America. In San Diego, an extensive fleet is located
throughout the greater downtown area and can be accessed "on-demand" or booked 24 hours in advance. The service is provided with a free-floating network of 300 Smart fortwo EDs that are
available on-demand for point-to-point trips. Unlike traditional carsharing programs, car2go is not station-based. The members may use the vehicle for as long as they like,
without committing to a specific return time or return location. The driver can finish the rental in any available public parking space within the business area or
at one of the specially marked car2go spaces. Charges are based on minutes used and include fuel, insurance, parking and maintenance. The per hour maximum is $12.99
plus tax; the daily maximum is $65.99 plus tax. There is a one-time registration fee of $35. Car2Go is a subsidiary of Daimler AG.
It's party time! We're celebrating the Orange County Group's 50th Anniversary with friends old, new, and
soon-to-be! Come reminisce as we share stories of some of the greatest times we've had
together...mountaintop moments, hair-raising and harrowing adventures, "hikes gone wild," (whatever!),
around our imaginary "campfire." If you like, bring photos or other mementos, hiking buddies, spouses, total
strangers...this is a time to discover and celebrate what we've been, who we are, and who we are to become as
the Orange County Group hikes forward into the new year! An extra special Golden Anniversary cake and other
refreshments will be served. Newcomers welcome! Meet on January 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at our new location:
REI in the Tustin Marketplace, 2962 El Camino Real, Tustin, 92782, off the 5 Fwy at Jamboree.
Mission Viejo. December 7, 2011. Two titles featuring the local fauna, flora and natural history of Orange County may be
just the perfect gift for your hiking friends:
The Introduction of the Plant Life of Southern California - Coast to Foothills by Philip Rundel and Robert Gustafson can serve as a
field guide to the flora along the trails in Orange County. The authors group plants according to their habitat, e.g.: Coastal and Interior Sage Scrub, Woodlands, Grasslands, etc.
Excellent color photographs further facilitate the identification of plants.
Allan Schoenherr's Wild and Beautiful - A Natural History of Open Spaces in Orange County covers the whole spectrum of what is of interest along the trail.
While the main body of the book is devoted to identifying plants and wildlife, the reader also learns about the geology of the region as well as the current
state of public lands in Orange County.
Mission Viejo. December 4, 2011.
The Orange County Group's Wednesday hikes brought out over fourty members hitting the trails on Wednesday, November 30: 26 people explored the Aliso Woods Canyon Wilderness
under the leadership of Sid Alpert and Garry McCoppin, and another group of 15 hikers scaled Modjeska Peak with leaders John Kaiser and Sharon Kirk. So far, 68
active Wednesday Hikers have covered 1,200 miles! More...
Mission Viejo. November 20, 2011. .
Our Orange County Group is part of the Angeles Chapter, home to one of the largest outings programs on the planet – thousands of trips ranging from beach barbecues to mountaineering
expeditions.
You can take the first step toward becoming a leader by attending a class offered by the chapter Leadership Training Committee on Saturday,
April 14, at Costa Mesa Community Center in Orange County. For more details, please contact our group's outing's chairman,
Ron Schrantz.
The Banning Ranch Conservancy and Sierra Club Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force were successful in their bid to
halt the construction of the controversial entrance road to Sunset Ridge Park. Coastal Commission staff made recommendations to the Commission
to deny the Sunset Ridge Park application as presented by the City of Newport Beach. After lengthy presentations by CCC staff, the City of Newport
Beach, Banning Ranch Conservancy, Sierra Club Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, and members of the public, most of the ensuing
discussions were Terry Welsh presenting at the Coastal Commission Hearingcentered upon the effects the entrance road would have on ESHA
(environmentally sensitive habitat) and the very apparent “piece-mealing” of the park project and the planned Banning Ranch development.
There was also considerable discussion and concerns relative to the continued unpermitted mowing of Gnatcatcher habitat on the City-owned parcel.
Terry Welsh, BRC President and Chairperson of the Sierra Club Banning Ranch Park and Preserve Task Force, and Steve Ray, BRC Executive Director,
both made formal presentations.
Mission Viejo. November 7, 2011.
Is an electric vehicle right for you? Find out at a presentation about plug-in vehicles on Wednesday, November 9, at 4:00 p.m. at the Norman P.
Murray Community and Senior Center. The City of Mission Viejo Public Works Department and the Orange County Chapter of the Sierra Club
have partnered to host an appearance by California non-profit Plug-In America. There are many economic and environmental reasons to consider an
electric vehicle, and the presentation will provide information to assist your choice. A selection of electric vehicles will be on display in
the parking lot.
The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center is located at 24932 Veterans Way. Seating is limited, so please contact Denise Matson at
(949) 470-3010 or dmatson@cityofmissionviejo.org to reserve a spot. For more information, view a flyer from Plug-In America here.
Mission Viejo. October 27, 2011.
Thanks to the county's grading of Trabuco Canyon Road from Live Oak Canyon Road to the National Forest border, the hiking trails at the end of
Trabuco Canyon are accessible again with most cars:
After the grading ends, the road remains bumpy but doable for most vehicles. Now is the time to visit this remote area as winter rains
may undo the good work that has just been finished.
Mission Viejo. October 13, 2011. "A majority of Californians surveyed in a recent poll
say they support new state laws meant to reduce heat-trapping emissions. And a smaller majority held up even when those interviewed were told the new laws could drive
up the price of gasoline, along with other costs." Read the complete article by Pat Brennan that appeared in today's OC Register. More...
Mission Viejo. October 13. It's party time! We're celebrating the Orange County Group's 50th Anniversary with friends old, new, and
soon-to-be! Come reminisce as we share stories of some of the greatest times we've had
together...mountaintop moments, hair-raising and harrowing adventures, "hikes gone wild," (whatever!),
around our imaginary "campfire." If you like, bring photos or other mementos, hiking buddies, spouses, total
strangers...this is a time to discover and celebrate what we've been, who we are, and who we are to become as
the Orange County Group hikes forward into the new year! An extra special Golden Anniversary cake and other
refreshments will be served. Newcomers welcome! Meet at 7:30 p.m. at our new location: REI at Tustin
Marketplace, 2962 El Camino Real, Tustin, 92782, off the 5 Fwy at Jamboree.
MORE PAVEMENT IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN LESS PAVEMENT
Mission Viejo. October 10. This asinine statement is attributed to Orange County's incomparable retrograde TCA
(Transportation Corridor Agencies) by Surfrider Assocation's representatives. They attended last week's Finance and Operations Committee
meeting of the august TCA to learn about their latest effort to extend the tollroad system. More...
Mission Viejo. October 9. The current issue of National Geographic
contains an article Sierra Club members need to read. The author, Robert Kunzig, writes that "56 million years ago a mysterious surge of carbon into the atmosphere sent
global temperatures soaring. In a geologic eyeblink life was forever changed." He explains the mysteries of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, or
PETM, and extrapolates what lessons can be learned from it. More...
Newport Beach. October 4. THE HEARING WILL NOT OCCUR ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH!
The City of Newport Beach has asked for a postponement in the Coastal Commission hearing for Sunset Ridge Park. There is currently no new date for the hearing. The reason for delay is not clear.
We will keep you posted as we learn the details.
Should we still show up at the hearing on October 6th?
Yes! We are still planning to show up at the Huntington Beach council chambers (2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach) at 9am on Thursday, October 6th. Even though there will be no vote, we need many people speaking against the current entrance road and we can do this during the public comment period which begins at 9 am.
The Coastal Commission will not meet close by for several months. Let's use this opportunity to show them we're opposed!
Terry Welsh, Banning Ranch Task Force
Penny Elia, Save Hobo Aliso Task Force
Mission Viejo. September 28. Even though the Great Himalaya Trail may be beyond most
members' reach, it's nice to know it's there and something to dream about. Winding for over 1,000 miles beneath the world's highest mountains
and visiting some of its most remote communities, it is broken down into 10 manageable sections. Toni Wilson and Greg Babbage from Australia
were the first thru hikers of the GHT, having started on February 14 and finishing on July 16, 2011. More...
Mission Viejo. September 7. All night owls–avoid the heat of the daytime and join us to see the almost
full moon above the Santa Ana Mountains. About 8 mi and 1900’ gain, possibly less if we get scared in the dark! The leaders of the September 10 walk are Julie
Garner and Ron Schrantz. Meet 5:30 pm at North OC rideshare pt or 6:30 pm at parking lot (near the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in Modjeska Canyon). Bring at least 2 qts of water, lugsoles, snack and flashlight. Rain cancels.
Mission Viejo. September 7. Due to the extreme heat today's "season opener" was cancelled.
Consequently, the September 14 hike will be the start of the competition for the most miles walked during the 2011/2012 program. Progress reports will
appear on this website.
In recognition of its efforts toward using renewable energy, the Orange County Group's Global Warming and Energy Committee awarded
its Solar Decal and Certificate the Plaza Vista Elementary School in Irvine on Wednesday, August 31. This school receives much of its energy needs
from solar panels. Equally laudable is the school's Science Programs devoted to Solar Energy. Prior to the award ceremony I watched the children
working with tiny solar cells that powered small lights or a tiny fan. The Sierra Club's Suvan Geer handed out the Award. Pictured are, left to
right Suvan Geer, Science teacher Danielle De Frank, and Heather Phillips, the principal holding the award. Gabriele Rau reporting.
The season opener is an easy 5 mile walk along Tijeras and Trabuco Creeks. All particants of the Wednesday hikes will be enrolled
in a competition for the most miles walked during the 2011/2012 program. Progress reports will appear on this website.
The general meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month. Speakers and their presentations are described in the general schedule to the left (items with red background).
The general meetings convene at 7:30 at REI in Tustin.
Mission Viejo - June 2, 2011: The South Orange County group was completely overwhelmed by the public's response to its invitation to hear and see a program about
the best places to hike in Orange County at the Mission Viejo Community Center on May 24. A record 96 people showed up and enjoyed the beautiful pictures taken by Mike Sappingfield and
Bob Hansen. EM
The accumulation of plastic debris in the world's oceans affects us all, whether we live in a coastal city or in an inland
watershed draining to the ocean. William Cooper, Professor and Director, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Urban Water Research Institute,
University of California, Irvine, will offer graphic evidence of how individuals can make a difference in preserving and protecting our environment.
Professor Cooper will deliver a video and photographic presentation showing what happens when plastic reaches our beaches and travels through the
ocean waters, what steps local youth groups have taken to stop this cycle, and how you and your children can help. More...
Thursday June 2, 2011 @ 7pm
Mission Viejo Council Chamber. This presentation brought to you by: City of Mission Viejo Public Works and Sierra Club Angeles Chapter OC Global Warming Committee.
Please Help Save Banning Ranch!
What can you do to help? Join our walk on May 7 and get informed! Banning Ranch
About the walk:
This is seven-mile, virtually no elevation-gain hike through Fairview Park to the Talbert Nature Preserve, Banning Ranch, and then on to the beach!!
Learn about the history of this area and the importance of preserving this sensitive and endangered ecosystem as part of a proposed park/nature
center designed to provide an "oasis of tranquility" near the confluence of the Santa Ana River and the ocean. This hike is part of the Sierra
Club, Orange County Group's Urban Conservation Hike series, and is being held to emphasize endangered ecosystems within Orange County. The hike
begins at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa (2501 Placentia Avenue). Meet in the parking lot. The leader is Patricia Barnes, an expert naturalist and
biologist, and BRC board member.
Recommended Reading
Let the book HOT - Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth energize you to take action about Global
Warming! More...
April 12 General Meeting Cancelled
Due to a scheduling conflict of the Irvine Water District the ExComm has cancelled this month's general
meeting, and Craig Deutsche's talk about Carriso Plains will be taking place at a later date
Mission Viejo Receives Sierra Club Recognition
At the City Council Meeting of April 4 Laura Jackson presented Mayor Dave Leckness with our sticker in recognition of
Mission Viejo City Hall as a newly Solar Powered Building. In her remarks, Laura added that "We hope you will proudly display this decal
as an encouragement to others to go Solar. We applaud Mission Viejo for waiving the building permit fees for energy efficient domestic
and commercial applications, including solar power, including the implementation of a more efficient paperless application process."
More...
National Board of Directors 2011 Election
February 15, 2011. The Sierra Club is unique among major national environmental organizations in its emphasis on democratic election of
leaders; however, participation in our annual election has been dropping for many years. All members are urged to vote to keep the club vibrant. The election
will be in April, and an online candidate forum as well as candidate biographies and statements are already available here.
The Hills Are Alive With Wildflowers
February 6, 2011. On a 2 hour run in the Laguna Canyon Wilderness and the upper reaches of Crystal Cove State Park I saw a profusion of
flowers in early bloom. Here's what I could identify: Bush monkeyflower, Coast goldenbush, Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry, Deerweed, Sunflowers,
Milkmaids, Lupines, Blue dicks, Peas, Prickly phlox.
The following trails were in good condition: Willow, Bommer Ridge to Coastal Peak, No Name Ridge,
Deer Canyon, Lizard, and Laurel. Ed Maurer
Some OC Parks Remain Closed
January 6, 2011. According county park staff the reopening of the parks will occur as soon as the damage from recent storms has been brought
under control. Trails are impacted by debris flows, wash-outs and fallen trees, and heavy equipment will be needed to remove some obstacles. Check this
website for updates, or phone the park you plan to visit.
December Storms Damage OC Parks
Most OC Parks remain closed to allow staff to assess damage and to let trails dry out. OC Parks staff has posted a slide show
giving an extent of the damage wrought by the recent Storms.OC Parks
slideshow on flickr
Monday Hike Goes Awry
The Sierra Club wisely cancels outings due to rain, good advice 4 young hikers didn't heed Monday when they marched up Holy Jim Trail. According
to the OC Register, they sent a text message at 7:30 pm indicating they couldn't get out of the canyon. The four hikers were rescued by 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday, and officials said they
appear to be in good health. They were airlifted out of the area by helicopter and checked by paramedics at Robinson Ranch Elementary. Full Story
Total Lunar Eclipse Upon Us
For the first time in over 350 years, a total lunar eclipse and the winter solstice
will coincide. Monday's (12/21/10) eclipse
will begin at 10:33 p.m. PST and will continue through 2:01 a.m. Let's hope the weather will allow for decent viewing..
Outing to France Announced
Hike Along an Ancient Pilgrimage Route in France. June 19 - July 9. Join us for 11, 13 or 21 days on the 1000 year old Via Podiensis where architectural, historical and culinary treasures abound.
We walk an average of 12 miles a day farom Le-Puy-en-Velay to Cahors, staying at small hotels and inns, and eating excellent local fare.
We stop along the way to visit medieval sites, admire the pretty villages, and see paleolithic cave paintings. Leaders: Ed and Helen Maurer. Complete
description of the outing.
Sierra Club Annual Elections
The Angeles Chapter conducts its annual elections electronically for the Chapter Executive Committee and Regional Group Executive Committees.
Voting will end on November 30, 2010. Access the Voting Website
November 2 Election
The Angeles Chapter has developed a full list of endorsements and recommendations
Angeles Forest Closure Extended
The U.S. Forest Service closure has been extended through next summer, to September 19, 2011. It still covers most of the area burned by the Stationn Fire of
2009.The Sierra Club complies with Forest Service regulations, so our hikes cannot be conducted in closed areas. For a detailed map of the area affected, please go to the
our Forest Committee's web site.
Banning Ranch
The Banning Ranch Conservancy, a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Banning Ranch as permanent public open space, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Newport Beach City Council's recent approval of the Sunset Ridge Park project. The suit also includes challenges to the Council's certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), approval of an Access Agreement with the owners of the Banning Ranch property adjacent to Sunset Ridge, and related actions.
The City plans to build a park on the vacant Sunset Ridge property located on the corner of Coast Highway and Superior Avenue. "Banning Ranch Conservancy members have long been proponents of building such a park," affirms Steve Ray, Executive Director of the Conservancy. " The City, however, must comply with the law. In particular, the City made a mistake when it decided to build a signalized intersection, a huge, ornate entryway and a road for the developers of the Banning Ranch property and disguise it as a road for the park. It is especially egregious that the City would spend millions of taxpayer dollars, and do so now, to benefit a developer who will make buckets of money and at taxpayer expense."
The lawsuit claims that the City violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and its own General Plan. CEQA requires that the City disclose and analyze all environmental impacts of the park and road project and eliminate or reduce those impacts. The Conservancy offered alternate suggestions for design of the park to either eliminate the need for the proposed Banning Ranch roadway or to redesign the road to make it appropriate for a small city park. "The City rebuffed those alternatives. We have tried to work with the City", Ray states, "but they haven't listened. We did not wish to take this action, but the Council has left us no other recourse. They seem to be single-minded in promoting the development of Banning Ranch, which is contrary to the will of the citizens of Newport Beach."
In 2006, voters approved a ballot initiative as an amendment to the Newport Beach General Plan designating that the priority for Banning Ranch is that it remain as permanent open space, that oil operations on site be consolidated, that the wetlands be restored and that it be used as a public park. Says Ray, "At 400 acres, it would result in a substantial park for residents. We are working very hard to acquire funds to purchase Banning Ranch at fair market value from the developers and to create a park and coastal nature preserve, just as our citizens want."
The owners of Banning Ranch have submitted a proposal to the City of Newport Beach to develop the site with 1375 homes, 75,000 square feet of commercial space and a 75-room coastal inn hotel. City planners are processing the application and preparing a separate EIR for the proposed development, currently scheduled for release in July. The Conservancy opposes this process, claiming that the City has illegally segmented Banning Ranch into two EIR's, in violation of CEQA.
Many residents, organizations and even public agencies submitted comments or appeared at the City Council hearing objecting to the inadequate analysis in the EIR. While many favor having a park, they voiced opposition to the Sunset Ridge EIR and the intersection and roadway in Banning Ranch. The primary objections were that the road is not necessary for the park, that it causes too much environmental damage and that the road is actually being built for the development of Banning Ranch.
Santa Ana Mountains Task Force would like to designate the Santa Ana Mountains as a National Monument. This would result in greater protection.
Although it once characterized the wilds of California, the California grizzly bear is now extinct. The last grizzly in Southern California was tracked and killed in Trabuco Canyon less than 20 miles northeast of San Juan Capistrano in early 1908. The proposed name for the national monument harkens back to a time when condors soared over wildlands populated by pronghorn antelope and millions of wildflowers; grizzlies navigated the old-growth chaparral to find perennial streams filled with wild trout; and jaguars roamed the deep canyons of the region's diverse landscape. Designation of the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest as the Grizzly Bear National Monument (GBNM) will: