Dallas Sierra Club

The Compasswww.dallassierraclub.org

April 2003

The Dirt Doctor Cometh, Howard Garrett.See page 1 for details.

See what you can do for theICO Jamboree on page 1.

Top: George Zimmerman shows kidsthat, 'Even pond scum can be fun'.

Bottom: Mick Nolen, David Crabb and agackle of ICO kids take part inEnvironmental Lap Sit. A Lap Sit showshow all the pieces of the environment areconnected. Remove some and every-thing falls down!

Dear Fellow Sierrans:

The basis of my concern, and what hasprompted me to write, are the expansionplans for the McKinney Municipal Airportlocated in McKinney, Texas. A piecemealapproach to the expansion has allowed it toavoid National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) scrutiny. In addition, there are sev-eral areas where NEPA law and other regu-lations have been ignored. Area citizens, todate, have been unsuccessful in theirattempts to provide meaningful and signifi-cant input to the airport expansion process-es. These plans currently include passen-ger service and cargo service for theaccompanying industrial build-out, all in anenvironmentally fragile area.

For example, the airport recently movedits fuel farm location. The existing locationhad never been in compliance with EPAregulations. The new location's complianceis questionable at best. The EnvironmentalAssessment (EA) states that since the newlocation is environmentally better than theold location, there is no need to study it.From this, the Texas Department ofTransportation (TxDOT)-Aviation andFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) find-ings of "No Significant Action" were taken tomean location approval. This is in spite ofthe fact that any fuel leakage or spill couldbe washed into open ditches that lead

across the airport to the East Fork TrinityRiver and then into Lake Lavon (drinkingwater source for over 1 million NorthTexans). Spills may also contaminate thesurrounding wetlands, including the HeardMuseum property.In addition, there are major issues needingto be analyzed, such as increased jet trafficthrough riparian corridors, which pose asignificant threat to bird and human safety.The increase in trucking traffic and jet traf-fic would increase air borne pollutants, fur-ther exasperating Collin County's non-attainment status for air quality. Thedesired industrial build-out of the areawould increase the probability of hazardousindustrial contamination of Lake Lavon andbottomland hardwood areas.

There are alternatives. There is also aneed to have an accurate baseline meas-urement. Please join area citizens inrequesting that a full Environmental ImpactStatement (EIS) be performed by an inde-pendent third party for the airport and sur-rounding area. This is the only study thatwill provide in-depth analysis of the cumu-lative impact of the desired expansion andindustrialization plans. We also ask that allfunding, projects, construction, etc. bestopped until after the EIS is performed.Once the results are in, we propose that all

The CompassApril 2003

A monthly publication of the Dallas Sierra Club

LBJ Freeway

Forest Lane Pres

ton

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stra

Harvest Hill

Wozencraft

Galleria Valley View

E.D. WalkerVanguard School

The Dallas Sierra Club’s general meetingsare held the second Wednesday of each

month. Meetings are open to all interestedpersons. The meetings begin at 7pm at the

E.D. Walker School on the corner ofMontfort and Wozencraft, MAPSCO 15S.

The Compass April 2003 1

See “Airport”Page 3

The April 9 General Meeting FeaturesOrganic Celebrity Howard Garrett!

"Organic Pest Control" and "EdibleLandscaping" will be the main menuwhen Texas' very own "Dirt Doctor",Howard Garrett speaks at our Aprilgeneral meeting. For added flavor hewill incorporate information about lowwater and no-chemical plants. Thiscelebrity crusader has had a hugeimpact on changing the public's per-ception and understanding of the "natu-ral way" to grow plants, care for animalsand improve our own health. Comeearly to get a seat.

APRIL’S PROGRAMR e a s o n s W h y T h eMcKinney AirportExpansion Shouldn't Fly

It's springtime and that means it's timefor our annual ICO Earth DayJamboree! Inner City Outings, Sierra

Club's outreach program, is once againhosting it's "more fun that you can imagine"weekend filled with hiking, environmentalgames, canoeing, campout, and even anight hike. This all takes place at theEnvironmental Education Center inSeagoville, only about a 20-minute drivefrom downtown Dallas. We're hosting 40-60disadvantaged kids from several agenciesincluding inner city recreation centers andschools. We have the kids, now what wereally need most is you!

More than 30 adult volunteers are need-ed to help assist ICO volunteers with thishuge weekend of fun. Volunteers will helpleaders facilitate activities and games,canoeing, organize food and equipment,cooking, lead short hikes, and more. Bestof all, you can volunteer for a half day, allday or the weekend! We especially needhelp all day Saturday. There's lots of roomin the grassy meadow next to the pond so

plan to sleep out as early as Friday night ifyou can. We can almost guarantee a cho-rus of bullfrogs will sing you to sleep.

All this fun is no charge to volunteers orthe kids, thanks to ICO. And we promiseyou'll bring home a renewed appreciationfor nature when you see kids enjoy it forthe first time. If you've ever thought abouthelping teach kids about nature and thegreat outdoors, this is a wonderful oppor-tunity. No experience needed - just a bigheart and a little time. A VolunteerOrientation will be held Monday, April 21but we need you to sign up now so we cancomplete our planning.

To volunteer or get information, contactPam Cashion at phone (972) 539-2921 ore-mail to Plcashion@hotmail.com. Ofcourse donations toward food, campingfees, and activity supplies are also verymuch appreciated. Contact ICO Chair(back page) or Pam for donation details.

Pam Cushing, Liz Wheelan andDavid McCalib

ICO Kids Need Your Help Earth Day Weekend!April 26th - 27th

Hiking, canoeing,pond study and more!

VOLUNTEERfor

ICO EARTH DAYJAMBOREE

April 26-27Environmental Education Center,

Seagoville

Contact Pam Cashion @ (972) 539-2921or plcashion@hotmail.com

An ICO kid checks out the trail.

The CompassApril 2003

Volume 100, Issue 0403

The Compass is the monthly publication of theDallas Regional Group of the Sierra Club.Members of the Dallas Group support TheCompass and receive the publication as part oftheir membership benefits.

Opt Out: You can download and view TheCompass at any time from our web site atwww.dallassierraclub.org. Just click on the'Compass Online' link. If you don't want to receiveThe Compass by mail, you can opt out at theabove web site location or by sending email tocancelcompass@dallassierraclub.org. Includeyour name and member number. Or send yourname and member number on a post card toCancel Compass, Dallas Sierra Club, P.O. Box800365, Dallas TX 75380-0365

Subscriptions: The Compass is available to non-members by subscription for $12 per year. Tosubscribe, send a check made payable to"Dallas Sierra Club" to:

Newsletter Subscriptions:

Dallas Sierra ClubP.O. Box 800365

Dallas TX 75380-0365

Address Changes: To change your address,send you name, old and new addresses andmember number to:

Sierra Club Member ServicesPO Box 52968

Boulder, Colorado 80322-2968

or email the information to:

address.changes@sierraclub.org

Submissions: Article and photograph submis-sions are always welcome. Please send sub-missions by the deadlines given in the GeneralCalendar. Send submissions to the newslettereditor at the e-mail address and phone numberlisted on the back fold.

© 2003 Dallas Sierra Club

2 April 2003 The Compass

Letter From ChairGENERALCALENDAR

4/2 • 5/7 First Wednesday. ExecutiveCommittee Meeting 6:30PM at REI 2ndfloor metting room (I-635 between WelchRoad & Midway Road, MAPSCO 14Q), todiscuss Club projects, policy andfinances. All members are welcome toattend and participate. Call Ann Drum at214-350-6108.

4/9 • 5/14 Second Wednesday. SierraClub General Meeting 7:00-8:30pm in theauditorium at ED Walker School (Cornerof Montfort & Wozencraft, MAPSCO15S), come early to pick up activity mate-rials and afterwords join the socializing atJuan’s Cantina.

4/11 • 5/16 Second Friday. Deadlinefor electronic materials to be submit-ted to The Compass. E-mail matt@dal-lassierraclub.org or deliver diskettes toeditors during the General Meeting.

4/16 • 5/21 Third Wednesday. OutingsComittee Meeting 7:00PM REI (Mapsco14Q), to discuss outings schedules andissues. All outings leaders, future outingsleaders, and interested Sierrans are wel-come. Call Mick Nolen at 972-991-9351 formore information.

4/21 ICO Jamboree Volunteer OrientationMonday. 7PM at REI. Contact DavidMcCalib at 972-438-1269.

5/19 Inner City Outings Meeting.Monday. 7PM at REI. Contact DavidMcCalib at 972-438-1269.

4/23 • 5/28 Fourth Wednesday. NewsletterParty 7:00PM at the Chruchill RecreationCenter at Hillcrest & Churchill Way (MAP-SCO 15V). Help sort, bundle and label thenewsletter. Socializing afterward. ContactDonna Evans at 972-222-6134.

“Our Water I.Q.”

What do North Texans think about water and the way they use it? My conversationstell me that right now this subject is very much under the radar. There is a vague per-ception that quality is an issue (a perception which drives the enormously lucrative bot-tled water market), and there is popular support for water quality laws, but there is notyet a widespread perception of a need for conservation. After all, we don’t live in thedesert, we get a lot of rain, and we have a lot of lakes. What’s the problem?The challenge we face is the expected doubling of the North Texas population in thenext fifty years. Resources that are adequate for current demands simply will not sat-isfy the region’s future needs if per capita demand remains static. That leaves twooptions: increase supply or reduce demand (or a combination of both).

The response of state and local water policy makers has been primarily on the sideof increasing supply. The wisdom of this traditional approach, which has prevailed eversince the settling of the American West, is now being seriously challenged as we havecome to understand its environmental, economic and human costs. Although theDallas Group’s efforts so far have focused on the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir,I believe our task in the long run is to participate in the process of educating the pub-lic about the need for water conservation and challenging the beliefs that encouragewater waste.

Until two years ago, I did not see this as a significant part of my life’s work, but myeyes were opened and my water I.Q. was raised when I read Marc Reisner’s book,Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water. This is an engagingand entertaining water history, covering topics such as the Lewis & Clark expedition,John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Grand Canyon, California’s unceasing effortsto satisfy its thirst, the political struggles over the Colorado River’s water, decades offrenzied dam construction and the rivalry between the Bureau of Reclamation and theCorps of Engineers, dam failures and the resulting catastrophic floods, and the drain-ing of aquifers such as Texas’ Ogallala to support farming in the desert while we turnproductive agricultural lands into suburban sprawl.

The issues of water supply and quality are growing in urgency, and our response tothem will have far-reaching consequences for our children, grandchildren and futuregenerations. The more successful we are at raising our collective water I.Q., the bet-ter off they will be. There are two upcoming opportunities: Howard Garrett will answeryour questions about water-wise gardening at our general meeting on April 9; and ourshort program on May 14 will be a conversation with Bill Meadows, a member of theTexas Water Development Board, about water “hot spots” around the state, includingMarvin Nichols. Come listen, ask questions, and learn. You’ll never look at water thesame way again.

Ann DrummDallas Sierra Club Chair

BBooaarrdd CCeerrttiiffiieeddCivil Trial Law

&Personal Injury Trial Law

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

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Wendel A. WithrowAttorney at Law THE ROAD TO 7 BILLION

On Oct. 12, 1999, the United Nationsannounced that global population hadreached the 6 billion mark, just 12 yearsafter passing 5 billion. When will the world'spopulation reach 7 billion? According to theUnited Nations Population Division's mostrecent projections, it could happen as earlyas 2011 or as late as 2015. The outcomedepends greatly on birth rate trends inChina and India, which are home to nearly38 percent of the world's population.China's birth rate has been low for manyyears, with no apparent prospect of rising.In India, however, the birth rate's declinehas ended, at least for now, as higher fertil-ity and slower decline in India's populousnorthern states have begun to have anoticeable effect on national trends. Butpopulation trends remain difficult to predict,so it is impossible to say exactly when theworld's population will reach 7 billion.

Gayle LoefflerPopulation Committee Chair

PopulationFactoid

Enjoy one of five different 3-daybackpack trips in the central NewMexico mountains just north of theRuidoso ski area. Hikes range frommoderate to strenuous. We recom-mend that participants have at leastone prior backpacking trip. Sign upsoon, this trip fills up fast. Our char-tered sleeper bus will leave Dallas at4:30 PM on Friday, May 23 andreturn at about 5:00 AM on Tuesday,May 27. Cost is $170 for membersand $185 for non-memers.To sign up, send a check payable to:Arthur Kuehne, 3363 Darbyshire Dr,Dallas, TX 75229-5912.

MAY 23-27 (FRI-TUE) • MEMORIAL DAY BUS TRIP

Arthur Kuehne • 214-902-9260 • arthur@DallasSierraClub.org

Anew Bush administration farm pol-lution rule violates the Clean WaterAct by allowing large-scale live-

stock farms to continue to foul the nation'swaterways with animal waste, according toa lawsuit filed by Sierra Club, NationalResources Defense Council and theWaterkeeper in March. Among other things,the groups charge the new rule shields fac-tory farms from liability for damage causedby animal waste pollution.

The new rule was issued by theEnvironmental Protection Agency in mid-December under a 1992 consent decreebetween the agency and NRDC.

"The Bush administration has once againput corporate profits ahead of environmen-tal protection," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,president of the Waterkeeper Alliance andan NRDC senior attorney. "These new reg-ulations maintain 'business as usual' forcorporate agriculture, and leave thousandsof American communities unprotectedagainst pollution from livestock factories."

Thirty years ago, Congress identifiedconcentrated animal feeding operations aspoint sources of water pollution to be reg-ulated under the Clean Water Act's waterpollution permitting program. The scale ofanimal production at individual operationshas dramatically increased since then, andfactory farms today produce 500 milliontons of manure a year. As a result, the reg-ulations that EPA developed in the 1970sare outdated and inadequate. The ClintonEPA proposed a new rule with initiativesthat would have protected the environ-ment, but the Bush administration strippedthem from the final rule after agribusiness-es complained.

Under the Bush administration rule, ani-mal factories can continue to dump millions

of gallons of liquefied manure into openpits, called lagoons, and then spray the liq-uid over fields. Typically the manure runs offthe fields into nearby streams or seeps intounderground water supplies, polluting waterwith viruses, bacteria, pesticides, antibi-otics, hormones and excessive nutrients.The rule exempts this contaminated runofffrom Clean Water Act standards by calling it"agricultural stormwater."

"If animal waste runs off into the nearestcreek, the Bush administration calls it 'agri-cultural stormwater' and says that's accept-able," said Sierra Club Senior StaffAttorney Eric Huber. "But what looks likederegulation upstream looks like rawsewage downstream."

Furthermore, the Clean Water Actrequires industrial animal factories to obtainpermits limiting discharges of animal wasteinto waterways. Under the Bush rule, how-ever, factory farms write the part of theirpermits that limit spraying manure on fieldswithout state or federal review or approval-and without notifying the public. The newrule also does not require factory farms tomonitor groundwater or prevent animalwaste from leaking into groundwater andcontaminating drinking water wells.

"Polluters can't be trusted to write theirown permits," said Melanie Shepherdson,an attorney with NRDC's water program."It's like asking high school kids to write theirown tests. They'll make it too easy to com-ply, and they won't protect public health."

Environmentalists had urged EPA toadopt a rule that would keep animal wasteout of rivers and lakes, hold corporate own-ers responsible for spills, and guaranteeadequate public participation. The groupssay EPA's new rule fails to meet thesebasic requirements.

Sierra Club Joins EPA Suit overNew Factory Farm Pollution Rule

New Rule Violates Clean Water Act, Threatens Public HealthHelp Wanted – Compass Ad Sales

We’re looking for a person to sell advertising in The Compass. We prefer a volunteerbut are willing to consider paying a commission. For more information call Ann Drummat 214-350-6108.

Raffle Donations WantedCan you donate an item that our members would just love to have? We’d love to offer itat our monthly raffle. Contact Calvin Nichols at 972-240-4141.

Help Us by Renewing Your Membership Through the WebsiteDid you know that if you join, renew your membership or purchase merchandise onlinethat part of the proceeds come back to the Dallas group? Check out the links to theright or the yellow box on our home page and use the easy on-line method of sup-porting the club.

The Compass April 2003 3

Announcements

IMPORTANT CHAPTER EVENTSOK, fellow Sierrans, mark you calendars for these important dates where Sierrans from allover the state from our 18 groups can get together to meet and have fun on different eventsthroughout the year. Details will be finalized as the dates approach. For info on theseevents, call the chapter office at 512-477-1729 or access the lone star chapter website.

JULY 19 -20 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY) CONSERVATION CONFERENCE ANDAWARDS BANQUET Learn about chapter conservation priorities and join us thatevening for a banquet which honors Sierrans, legislators, and media who have donegreat service for the club. Location to be announced.

OCTOBER 17-19 (FRIDAY - SUNDAY ) SIERRA CELEBRATION at Lake BastropState Park near Austin at Bastrop. Outdoor fun with Sierrans at this neat location. Moredetails forthcoming.

interested parties, not just investors, workout an acceptable plan that meets theneeds and desires of all affected citizensand protects the unique environment.Now is the time to act. The airport justreceived approval for over $1.4 million forprojects. Silence will be taken as affirmationof the airport's expansion plans. If youwould like to know how to become effec-tively involved and make your voice heard,please contact me at AreaConcerns@hot-mail.com. It is imperative to the health andwellbeing of our families, native wildlife, andthe environment that all of us participatebefore the damage is irreversible.

Cynthia Kaminsky

AirportFrom page 1

Stop Loophole From SpoilingOrganic Food LabelsNew government standards for

organic products, just implement-ed last October, are now in jeop-

ardy. Congress recently passed a 3,000page spending bill containing a last minute,paragraph-long rider undoing requirementsthat organic meat, poultry, egg and dairyproducts must come from animals fedorganic feed. A loophole would allow non-organic feed to be used if organic feed wasthought to be too expensive. This harmfulrider compromises the integrity of the entireorganic labeling system in the U.S.

Send a message to your Representativein Congress urging him or her to repeal thisoutrageous rider immediately! Visithttp://actionnetwork.org/campaign/organic_rider tofind out more about this detrimental rider tohealthy food.

Reach 4,000 of the most adventurousoutdoorsmen, spelunkers, rockclimbers, canoers, cyclists, hikers,bird watchers, photographers & environmentalists in the Metroplex.

Call Matt @ 214-575-6017

Advertise in the Compass today!

APR 4 (FRI) DEADLINE to submit outingsfor publication in the April Outings List andthe May newsletter.Contact: Mick Nolen

mick@1000monkeys.org972-991-9351

Oklahoma ChapterAPR 5 - 6: BEECH CREEK SERVICEOUTING - Trail Maintenance - Beech CreekNational Scenic Area near Big Cedar, OK.Rating: Moderate. Participants will camp atCedar Lake (showers). Saturday morningwe'll eat a $2 all-you-can-eat group break-fast (pancakes & fruit), be briefed on thetrail maintenance issues we'll be facing, trail maintenance techniques we'll be using andget our crew assignments. On Saturdaynight after showers we'll head in to Mena toeat at the Fish Net. Sunday morning isanother $2 all-you-can-eat group breakfast(biscuits & gravy, hash browns) followed bya special activity. Information and a map ofthe Beech Creek trails can be found athttp://www.fs.fed.us/oonf/oklahoma/hike/bctrail.html.Leader: Tom Libby

tomlibby@yahoo.com

APR 5-6 (SAT-SUN) BEGINNER BACK-PACK, CANEY CREEK WILDERNESS,ARKANSAS For years this has been ourtraditional beginner hike since it's the clos-est Wilderness Area to Dallas. Hike in about4 miles for a camp near a nice waterfall. Thererouted trail now boasts a few small hills,but some nice scenery too! Moderate, suit-able for most people in good health.Leader: Bill Greer

972-964-1781(H)wbgreer@worldnet.att.net

APR 5 (SAT) DAYHIKE ON THE EASTSIDE OF WHITE ROCK LAKE Meet at the Bath House at White Rock Lake (Mapsco37-H) at 5:00 PM on Northcliff west ofBuckner Blvd. We'll walk 6-miles. Bringwater and comfortable shoes. Restaurantafterwards. No reservations, just show up.Leader: Judy Cato

972-238-5738

APR 11-13 (FRI-SUN) CAMPING ANDMOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING Camp Fridayand Saturday nights at the Bar H BreaksMountain Bike Ranch in St. Joe, TX. Thisbeautiful 1000-acre ranch currently hasover 21 miles of professionally developedmountain bike trails. These trails have beendesigned to accommodate riders of variousabilities. Each trail is clearly marked. Feesare a modest $5.00 per day to ride and$5.00 per night to camp. Directions: Gonorth on I-35 to Gainesville, turn west onHwy 82 to St. Jo, turn north on FM 2382, go4.5 miles, turn left on Count Road 433(gravel), go one mile to ranch.Leader: Bill Beach

214-824-4584

APR 11-13 (FRI-SUN) TWENTY FOURTHANNUAL TEXAS WILDERNESS POW WOW

Join forest lovers from all over the state forthis 24-year-old celebration. Sponsored byTexas Committee on Natural Resourcesand co-sponsored by Sierra Club, thisweekend of education, music, hiking,exploring, and camaraderie can’t be beat.This year’s POW WOW will be held atCaney Creek Recreation Area in AngelinaNational Forest.Contact: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260arthur@akuehne.com

APR 12-13 (SAT - SUN) BACKPACK TRIPTO BUCKEYE MT / CANEY CREEK Enjoy a spring backpack trip in western Arkansas.This is a favoriteof the Sierra Club. We'llbackpack a total of about 9 miles. The hiketo camp is on a ridge and offers excellentviews of the Caney Creek Wilderness. We'llset up camp near a waterfall.Leaders: Marcos Jorge

Faith Mauk972-394-2546 (H)mjorge@ustgolfshaft.com

APR 12 (SAT) BICYCLE THE WHITEROCKTRAIL Starts from Whiterock Lake to I-635and return. Meet at 9:00Am in the parkinglot on Lawther 100 yards south ofMockingbird Ln. We will be riding abouttwo hours. The out and back feature ofthis ride allows participants to ride theirown pace. When you have been out aboutan hour, just turn around. Lunch at a near-by eatery.Leader: Bill Beach

214-824-4584

APR 12 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKECLEANUP Help clean up the Dallas SierraClub's Adopted Shoreline. Meet at the Forthe Love of the Lake office parking lot onlevel below Eckerd's in Casa Linda Plaza (on Buckner facing Doctors Hospital, justnorth of Garland Road, Mapsco 38-J) at8:00 AM for registration and refreshments.Leader: Carol Nash

214-824-0244(H)cnash@dallasisd.org

APR 13 (SUN) DAYHIKE AT ERWIN PARKIN MCKINNEY Meet at 2:00 PM at ErwinPark for a great 8-mile hike. Short-cuts areavailable! Dirt trail with ups and downs.Directions: Take US-75 north to Hwy 380 in McKinney (exit 41). Go West 2.5 miles toTX1461. Go North 2.1 miles to CountyRoad 162. Take a right at the sign for ErwinPark on CR 162. Turn right onto CR 164.Turn left at the park sign onto CR 1006. Theentrance to Erwin Park is on the right .4miles. Enter, go left and park at the firstparking area.Leader: Stephanie Smith

214-544-1503.

APR 13 (SUN) ANNUAL AZALEA DAY-HIKE ALONG TURTLE CREEK Leisurely1.5- or 2-hour walk. Suitable for children instrollers. Meet 2PM in shopping strip on

Oak Lawn (4200 block) just north of Wycliff, but park on side streets. Take Oak LawnExit off I35 or Fitzhugh exit off CentralExpressway. No reservations needed.Leader: Austin Brouns (H)

214-528-3812

APR 16 (WED) OUTINGS COMMITTEEMEETING Meet in the upstairs programroom at REI (on north side of LBJ betweenMidway and Welch), at 7PM. Bring yourideas for the Dallas Sierra Club Outingsprogram. We will be planning summer out-ings and bus trips. All outings leaders,future outings leaders, and interestedSierrans welcome.Contact: Mick Nolen

972-991-9351(H)mick@dallassierraclub.org

APR 18-20 (FRI-SUN) BACKPACK THEEAGLE CREEK LOOP IN ARKANSASWe'll take three days to hike one of the besttrails in Arkansas. We will hike 8 to 12 milesper day for a total of about 27 miles. You will see the famous falls on the Little MissouriRiver and cross 9 spectacular mountains.This is the longest loop trail in Arkansas. Itwas developed along a 100-year-old postalroute and old wagon roads. Because of allthe mountains, 9 river crossings andnumerous creek crossings, this trip is ratedas moderately strenuous.Leader: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260(H)arthur@akuehne.com

APR 26 (SAT) FOURTH ANNUALWORLD'S LONGEST DAYHIKE If you'retough enough, or crazy enough, come andjoin your fellow Sierrans for a 22-mile day-hike on the White Rock Creek and WhiteRock Lake trails. Meet at 8:00 AM at thenorth end of the White Rock Creek trail inAnderson-Bonner Park, on Park CentralDrive, just south of I-635 and east ofHillcrest (Mapsco 16-S). Park in the firstparking lot south of the I-635 frontage road.We'll hike down to White Rock Lake, aroundit, and back. Bring your most comfortablewalking shoes, Mole Skin, extra socks,water (water and bathrooms are availablealong the trail), lunch, and rain gear (if rainis in the forecast). We'll make a snack stopat the 7-11 near the White Rock Lake spill-way. Optional dinner / funeral / foot replace-ment after the hike.Leader: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260(H)arthur@akuehne.com

APR 26 (SAT) POST OAK PRESERVECLEANUP Improve your Karma for EarthDay. Help clean up trash at the DallasCounty Post Oak Preserve.We will clean upalong a trashed-out country road then hikeback through the Preserve enjoying thewildflowers and beautiful forest. Bring stur-dy gloves as well as water, etc. We will sup-ply the trash and recycling bags. Approx. 4miles. Meet 9am at the Post Oak Preserve parking lot across from the DISDEnvironmental Education Center. Optional

Backpacking

Canoeing

Car Camping

Cycling

Day Hiking

Education

Service Project

HOW THE OUTINGPROGRAM WORKS

Dallas Sierra Club Outings are open to membersand non-members. Some trips may require specialqualifications and capabilities. The leaders of eachouting / trip are serving in a volunteer capacity andassume no responsibility above that of trip organ-izer. If you have a medical problem, it is yourresponsibility to inform the leader before the outing/ trip. Outing / Trip leaders are encouraged to par-ticipate in training and classes to increase theirskills, but they are not paid professionals. They willassist you within their limitations. It is the responsi-bility of the participant to be aware of any personallimitations before going on an outing.

Radios and firearms are prohibited from all out-ings. Pets are not allowed unless specifically stat-ed. All outings officially begin at the trail head orouting start point. Leaders cannot assign carpools,but may help coordinate ride sharing for energyconservation and to promote fellowship. All non-commercial transportation is the responsibility ofthe individual. Car-pooling is SOLELY voluntary,but the costs are shared. The usual method ofsharing transportation cost is for all riders in the car,including the driver, to divide the cost of transporta-tion equally. The recommended method of comput-ing cost is to multiply round trip mileage by $0.13 amile for small cars, $0.16 for large cars and $0.19for vans. Before leaving, be sure this or someother method is agreed upon.

Most outings require reservations. To participatein an outing contact the leader, who will decide ifthe trip you are interested in is suitable for youbased on your capabilities and the demands of thetrip. There is usually a limit to the number of peopleallowed on a given outing / trip. Reservations arenecessary for outings unless otherwise noted. Ifyou must cancel, inform the leader as soon as pos-sible so that someone else can go in your place.

Please respect the wishes of your leader whohas volunteered his / her free time to allow you togo on the trip of your choice. If you have any ques-tions, or if you are interested in becoming a leader,contact either the Outings Chair or the appropriateOutings Committee Coordinator on the newsletterback page.

4 April 2003 The Compass

Sierra Club OutingsApril 2003

www.dallassierraclub.org

Notice: To receive this outings list monthlyvia e-mail, send message to:

outings.list@dallassierraclub.org

Type SUBSCRIBE OUTINGS LISTon the subject line.

picnic, tour of EEC and reptile show after-wards. 1600 Bowers Rd. Seagoville 75159.Contact: Carol Nash

214-824-0244cnash@dallassierraclub.org

MAY 3-4 (SAT-SUN) BEGINNER BACK-PACKING TRIP IN THE CANEY CREEK WILDERNESS We'll hike about 9 milestotal in one of the most beautiful areas ofcentral Arkansas. We will hike along aridge on the Buckeye Mountain Trail onSaturday, camp near a small waterfallSaturday night and hike out Sunday on theCaney Creek Trail.Leader: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260(H)arthur@akuehne.com

MAY 3 (SAT) DAYHIKE AT THE DALLASNATURE CENTER We'll hike 5-miles ondirt trails over hilly terrain. Meet at the DNCvisitor center at 10AM or meet for car pool-ing at NorthPark Shopping Center behind Foley's at 9:15AM. This is the N.E. cornerof the property near US-75 & Park Ln underthe trees. The Nature Center is located 2.5miles south of I-20 at 7171 Mountain CreekParkway. Take the Mountain CreekParkway exit off I-20 (between exits forSpur 408 and FM 1382, in SouthwestDallas County) and continue south. Theentrance is on the right just south of whereWheatland Road intersects MountainCreek Parkway. Bring hiking boots, water,and a change of shoes, if weather warrants.Optional TexMex restaurant lunch after-wards. No reservations necessary, justshow up.Leader: Steve Longley

(214) 824-1128

MAY 8 (THU) LEADING SIERRA CLUBOUTINGS Is this you? You want to gobackpacking in the Upper WildplaceWilderness and you've been watching theoutings list for two years and haven't seen atrip going there. Or, you want to go on easydayhikes on Thursday evenings during thesummer, but there aren't any listed. Or, youwant on a car camping outing with your kidslast year, but you haven't seen another out-ings like that listed this year. If this is you,you can take matters into your own handsand go on the outings you want to go on.All you have to do is become an outingsleader for the Dallas Sierra Club. Come tothis introductory seminar and we'll tell you how to get started. We'll explain leaderqualifications, training programs, leaderresources, insurance provided, and every-thing else you need to know to become aSierra Club outings leader. We'll also showyou some great slides from our favoritetrips. The seminar will be held at REI, 4515LBJ Freeway, Farmers Branch (north sideof LBJ between Midway Rd and Welch Rdfrom 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. The seminar isfree and no advance registration isrequired.Contact: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260arthur@akuehne.com

MAY 10 (SAT) WHITE ROCK LAKECLEANUP Help clean up the Dallas SierraClub's Adopted Shoreline. Meet at the Forthe Love of the Lake office parking lot onlevel below Eckerd's in Casa Linda Plaza(on Buckner facing Doctors Hospital, justnorth of Garland Road, Mapsco 38-J) at8:00 AM for registration and refreshments.Leader: Carol Nash

214-824-0244(H)cnash@dallasisd.org

MAY 15 (THU) A KNOTTY PROBLEMSOLVED If you never had the opportunityto be a Boy Scout or if you are linear-attach-ment-device challenged, this specialevening is for you. Graduates will learn allthe knots required to be a certified outdoorsperson. You, too, will be able to belay abear bag with the copious clove hitch, tight-en a tent with the tenacious taut line hitch,and capture a canoe with the terrible truck-er's hitch. So, put a hitch in your gitalongand join us in the upstairs meeting room atREI, 7:00-8:30 PM. REI is on the north sideof LBJ between Midway and Welch. Thefee is $10 for Sierra Club members, $15 forothers. Participants will each receivewilderness-proven practice rope. Pay at thedoor; but because we are providing rope,pre-registration is required by providingyour name to Arthur Kuehne.Contact: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260arthur@akuehne.com

MAY 23-27 (FRI-TUE) MEMORIAL DAYBUS TRIP to the WHITE MOUNTAINSWILDERNESS Enjoy one of five different3-day backpack trips in the central NewMexico mountains just north of the Ruidososki area. Hikes range from moderate tostrenuous. We recommend that partici-pants have at least one prior backpackingtrip. Sign up soon, this trip fills up fast. Ourchartered sleeper bus will leave Dallas at4:30 PM on Friday, May 23 and return atabout 5:00 AM on Tuesday, May 27. Cost is$170 for members and $185 for non-memers. To sign up, send a check payableto: Arthur Kuehne, 3363 Darbyshire Dr,Dallas, TX 75229-5912.Contact: Arthur Kuehne

214-902-9260 arthur@DallasSierraClub.org

SEP 7-12 (SUN-FRI) HIGH SIERRA FLY-FISHING The search of the elusiveCalifornia golden trout requires a strenuousbackpack trip of about 35 miles in the AnselAdams Wilderness. Brookies, rainbowsand browns will also be sought. This flyfishing trip is from Devil Post Pile toTuolumne Meadows on the JMT. The trip israted as strenuous and is only for thosewho have had extended backpack trips inbear country. Bear resistant canisters arerequired for food storage. A California non-resident fishing license and trout stamp isrequired for angling. There is a nonrefund-able fee of $5.00 for the wilderness permit.The check must be received by Feb 21,2003 to meet the permit deadline. The tripis limited to 6 experienced backpackers.Contact the leaders who will determine ifyou qualify for the trip.Leaders: Marcos Jorge

Steve Longley972-394-2546 (H)mjorge@ustgolfshaft.com

SEP 26-28 (FRI-SUN) GRAND CANYONLeave after work Thurs return Sunday.Horseback riding into Havasupai Canyon orbackpacking into the canyon. Stay at camp-ground near renowned Emerald Falls andPools. Hike to the Colorado River. Fly to LasVegas, rent cars, stay Thurs in Casino,Come back out Sunday morning and flyback to DFW that evening.Leader: Don Purinton

972-985-1774dpurinton@attbi.com

OCT 10-19 (FRI-SUN) KAYAK THELOWER CANYON OF THE RIO GRANDESpend eight days exploring this remotestretch of the Rio Grande, put in at La Lindaand take out at Dryden. We will hike sidecanyons, explore caves, view petroglyphs,soak in hot springs and maybe run somerapids (class II-III). This is an isolated area.The only way out is down the river. The tripdistance is approximately 84 beautifulmiles. Multi-day kayak experience isrequired. The group size will be small. Signup early.Leader: Bill Beach

214-824-4584 (H)

SierraSinglesOutingsSunday, APRIL 6 join other SierraSingles for a walk on the wild side. Comeand experience the DALLAS WORLDAQUARIUM. See what a rainforest canbe like without the stifling heat, numer-ous bugs or eight hour plane trip. Whereelse can you get to see unique animalswith really close in parking? We willmeet at 1:30pm at the front door of theDWA, located at 1801 N. Griffin Street inthe West End of Dallas. If we get 15 ormore adults, the admission price willdrop from $11.85 to a paltry $8.66. Formore info on and directions to the DWA,see their website at www.dwazoo.com orcall them at 214-720-2224.Reservations are not necessary, but ifyou want the discounted admissionprice, please send an email to alo-gan@raytheon.com. Optional lunchbefore the rainforest experience andoptional afternoon tea following it.Contact Allan Logan at 214-763-4884for more info.

Monday, APRIL 21 at 7:00 p.m. join usfor dinner at Ruen Thai, located at 3310W. Rochelle, near Beltline, in Irving.Gather in the bar at 6:45 to mingle beforebeing seated. Contact: JennyLehman.

Monday, MAY 19 at 7:30 p.m. [note newtime!!] join us for dinner at Italianni’srestaurant, located at 1601 Precinct LineRoad in Hurst (north of 183 aka AirportFreeway). Gather in the bar at 7:15 tomingle before being seated. Contact:Jenny Lehman.

Just a reminder that all events officiallybegin at the event site/trail head.

Sierra Singles is currenlty seeking a co-leader, please contact Jenny Lehman ifyou’re interested.

Contact for Sierra Singles information:Jenny Lehman, (817) 263-1357 or avid-hiker@killerfrogs.com

See the Dallas Sierra Club home pagefor instructions on how to subscribe tothe Sierra Singles listserv.

The Compass April 2003 5

Volunteerof the Month

Gayle Loeffler hasbeen a member ofthe Dallas SierraClub for four years.During which timeshe has been activeon many levels.Currently she is chairof the PopulationCommittee and was

the Club’s representative at the AnnualGlobal Population and EnvironmentalTraining Conference in Washington, DC, inMarch. She attended this event last yearwhich also prepared her for conductingeducational committee meetings as well aspresenting to the Dallas Sierra Club gener-al meeting an providing community out-reach presentations. She has written arti-cles and provided monthly population ‘fac-toids’ for the Compass.

As former chair for the Urban SprawlCommittee, Gayle was a representative tothe Urban Sprawl Education Conference inOklahoma City. She also attended anInternational Planned Parenthood Summitand completed an Activist Training Coursein New Orleans.

Gayle has hosted conservation sub-com-mittee meetings and worked Sierra Clubtables and booths at various functions. Shehas represented the club at annual OpenSpace Symposiums in Flower Mound. Hernomination generated interest, and an arti-cle in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Way togo Gayle! Thank you for being such a posi-tive representative for the Dallas Sierra Club.

Gayle Loeffler

The 5th annual Sustainable Dallasconference, co-produced by theSierra Club's Sustainability Chair

Margie Haley, is bringing noted authors andother speakers to Dallas to talk about prac-tical solutions to air, energy and water chal-lenges. Featured speakers will be AmoryLovins, co-author of Natural Capitalism andfounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute,and Joseph Romm, author of CoolCompanies. Topics include GreenArchitecture; DFW Air Quality; SustainableWater Strategies; Industrial EnergySolutions; Transportation; the Future ofEnergy; Improving Performance; and BetterPlanning and Dematerialization. The con-ference will be held on Friday and Saturday,May 9-10, 2003, at Richland College. Thereis a fee for the conference, but the public isinvited to the free exhibits sponsored by theTexas Renewable Energy IndustriesAssociation (TREIA). Sustainable Dallas isa Dallas-area grass roots environmentalorganization whose mission is to equip indi-viduals and organizations for responsiblestewardship of our environment and naturalresources and to enhance the health andwell-being of our community through edu-cation and collaboration.

For more information see the website,www.sustainabledallas.org or call GeorgeannElliott Moss, Sustainable Dallas Marketing.Day: 214.860.2191 Evening : 972.613.1870

SustainableDallas'5th Annual Conference

Energy and Air Quality:Practical, Profitable Solutions

Conservation NewsApril 2003

www.dallassierraclub.org

6 April 2003 The Compass

APRIL 20 (SUNDAY) - NEW!!!!CHINESE FOOD AND CONSERVATION CONVERSATION

Join conservation member Zachary Hilbun in an informal chit chat over Chinese foodabout conservation issues. No set agendas- let's discuss topic you are concerned aboutor a recent news clipping. It’s starts at 6 pm at China King Super Buffet on 12909Midway — that’s off Midway and LBJ (ph. 214-575-6017), on the southwest corner bythe Interstate. For more information, call Zach at 214-350-4207.

MAY 9 - ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCESee how your business can benefit from sustainable practices within your company.This is the 4th annual conference. For more info, see the upcoming May newsletter orwebsite for Dallas location.

Conservation Calendar

Developments in 2003 will deter-mine the fate of air cleanup effortsin Texas. Although air quality has

been a challenge in parts of Texas foryears, this environmental condition is notalways evident, because poor air quality isoften invisible. Unlike water or soil pollution,which is more likely to be seen or smelled,air emissions can linger for days and not bereadily apparent, except for the monitoringresults recorded by high-tech equipment.Visible or not, ground-level ozone plaguesseveral regions of Texas. With federal com-pliance deadlines approaching and morethan half the state's residents living inareas that do not meet federal standardsfor ozone, Texas has arrived at a criticaljuncture. The urgency to address air qualityis tied to health concerns and the 2007deadline for reducing ozone levels. Failingto meet the deadline could result in federalsanctions. Complicating the state's effortsis a recent court ruling that cost one of theleading clean air programs most of its start-up funding. The Legislature will examinethis incentives program, which is operatingwith less than 20 percent of its expected

funding, in the coming months. The mostimmediate air quality concerns lie in themetropolitan areas of Houston-Galveston(eight counties), Dallas-Fort Worth (fourcounties), and Beaumont-Port Arthur (threecounties), all of which are designated bythe federal government as "nonattainment"for the 1-hour ozone standard. El PasoCounty also is designated nonattainment;however, emissions levels have shown sig-nificant improvements. Moreover, otherareas are being monitored for potential vio-lations of the federal 8-hour ozone stan-dard. These areas are Austin, San Antonio,Tyler, Longview-Marshall, Corpus Christi,Victoria, and several outlying countiesaround Dallas-Fort Worth. TheEnvironmental Protection Agency's rulesfor this stricter standard will be proposedthis spring. In other articles in this issue,Natural Outlook examines crucial air quali-ty issues and the possible penalties if fed-eral deadlines lapse with the state stillexceeding allowable levels of ozone. Theconsequences could be far-reaching.

Don Callaway

The Quest for Clean Air

• Texas Emissions Reduction Plan:Approved by the legislature and signed bythe Governor in 2001, this plan must befully funded this biennium if Texas is to getthe needed reductions in emissions to bringHouston, Dallas-Ft. Worth and other citiesinto compliance with clean air standards.While finding an estimated $188 million peryear to fund this priority might seem diffi-cult, the alternative — spiraling health carecosts due to dirty air, the loss of federalhighway funds, and the loss of investmentin these communities as businesses con-sider other “cleaner” places to locate — aremuch greater.• Water Resource Management:Establishing criteria for municipal waterconservation plans, and requiring imple-mentation of those plans, will save Texansbillions of dollars in the long run. Over $17billion worth of new water supply projectshave been proposed. But an ounce of pre-vention is worth a pound of cure. If Texasrequires and invests in conservation upfront, some of the new water supply infra-structure “needs” may never materialize.Similarly, establishing mechanisms toensure that instream flows and bays andestuary needs are met will not only protectthe fragile ecosystems and wildlife thatdepend on that flow, but will also protect thebillions of dollars generated every year bythe tourism and recreation, boating, birdingand fishing industries along rivers andreservoirs and along Texas’ coast.• Improving our Parks: Study after studyhas proven that a well-run, well-maintainedpark system is a huge economic boon tolocal communities. More money is neededfor operating parks and bonds to buy and /or conserve land. With interest rates at anhistorical low, now is the time to invest in

new parks or help private landowners con-serve land. By doing so, Texas will also gainaccess to federal grants that have lain dor-mant or gone to other states because Texashas no land purchase program.• Minimizing Transportation of RadioactiveWaste: Requiring power plants to store andmanage their radioactive waste on-sitereduces the risks of accidents and preventsTexas from becoming a national dumpingground for radioactive waste.• Investing in Renewable Energy: Thanks tobi-partisan leadership, Texas has become anational leader in promoting alternativeenergy sources and wind power is growingby leaps and bounds in West Texas. But abottleneck in transmission lines is keepingEast Texas from taking advantage of thisnew, clean energy source. Adequate trans-mission lines from wind farms will helpboost the Texas economy by allowing thewind industry to flourish.• Better Environmental Enforcement: Betterenforcement and fair penalties mean moregeneral revenue or the state, while alsosending a message to our noncompliantindustries that crime doesn’t pay. Longterm, recovering the economic benefit ofnon-compliance will help prevent pollutionas industry recognizes breaking the lawdoesn’t amount to an economic advantageover competitors.• TCEQ’s Office of Public Interest Counsel:This Office should be a stronger, betterfunded advocate for the public interest, as ajoint interim committee devoted to studyingthe issue has recommended. By investing alittle more to support the Office of PublicInterest Counsel, Texans will get a divisionof the agency dedicated to making sure thatdecisions made at the TCEQ are sound, fol-low the law, and protect the public.

ACT RecommendationsA summery of the state legislative issues made by

the Alliance for a Clean Texas

I live a quarter mile from the LBJ / CentralStation and I am continually impressed withthe convenience of the light rail line. Theentire Central Expressway corridor is withina short walk and a train ride now.

Learning to ride DART is like learning toride a bicycle, the more you ride the betteryou get. When I started riding consistently,there were maybe a couple of places Iwould go to via the train. After a few trips Idiscovered a ton of new places I could go.There are two malls, two art house movietheatres, four mainstream movie theatres,Central Market, the Post Office, WholeEarth Provision Company, Premiere Video,and even a Virgin Megastore.

Mockingbird Station in particular is anexcellent example of New Urbanism. It hasapartments, offices, shops, restaurants, amovie theatre and soon a hotel all within700 feet of the DART station.

Don’t be afraid to try new things! Try tak-ing DART you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

DART can be fun too!

Matt Wales is the newsletter editor and agraphic designer by trade. Matt is on the

right hand side wearing the ball cap.

Photo by Bud Melton

The Compass April 2003 7

Waste Disposal, Recycling Company“Save $$$$ and make a difference”

We Recycle:Cardboard • Paper productsWood • Metals • and More

This means much lessgoes to the landfill.Why not spend lessand do your part?

We have sorters who make surethat everything goes to use.

(214) 634-1831Ask for Jerzy!

www.dallasrecycling.netFax (214) 634-0466

3303 Pluto Street • Dallas, Texas 75212

Buy Groceries& Help the Sierra Club

If you shop at Tom Thumb - go to the service deskand get a reward card by giving them the SierraClub #3941.They will explain how to use the card.

If you shop at Kroger - pick up a Kroger card at thenext General Meeting, or call George Zimmermanat (H) 972-315-2049 or email george@dallassierraclub.orgto get a card mailed to you.

Each time you use these cards to buy groceries, theclub receives .05% of what you spend, PLUS theSierra Club card gives you certain item specials.