santa lucian - sierra club · 2015. 4. 19. · ask the salamanders the santa lucia chapter has...

I n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eNuke Fade Away 4

House the Rich 4

Paddler’s Corner 5

House Everyone Else 6

Classifieds 7

Outings 8

GENERAL MEETINGGENERAL MEETINGGENERAL MEETINGGENERAL MEETINGGENERAL MEETING

Sept. 20:Sierra Summit wrap-up &Estuary volunteer trainingopportunities

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SantaLucianProtecting and

Preserving theCentral Coast

The official newsletter of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club • San Luis Obispo County, CaliforniaSeptember 2005September 2005September 2005September 2005September 2005Volume 42, No. 8

Santa LucianSanta Lucia Chapter of the Sierra ClubP. O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

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continued on page 5

Silent rebuke: Audience reacts at state Fish and Game Commission meeting, August 18.

Commission to Community: Drop Dead

Executive CommitteeNominations Open

September 25:Penguins march, butsea lions rock!A Benefit for the SLOCoast Alliance

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Fish & Game ignores residents on Morro Bay hunt

Economy vs. Environment?Ask the SalamandersThe Santa Lucia Chapter has submit-ted comments to the US Fish andWildlife Service disputing theagency’s economic analysis of theimpacts of designating critical habi-tat for the threatened California tigersalamander in 20 California coun-ties, including San Luis Obispo. “The central conclusion of theanalysis — that 20 counties would

incur $367 million in ‘lost develop-ment opportunities’ over twenty years— is absurd,” said Chapter ChairKaren Merriam. “The Service is call-ing $27,000 added on to the cost of a$2 million home a ‘potentially dis-proportionate economic impact’ thatshould be avoided at the price of ex-empting thousands of acres from the

On August 18 and 19, the CaliforniaFish and Game Commission came toSLO but refused to hear most of thecitizens who came to speak on theMorro Bay waterfowl hunt, spurnedthe pleas and concerns of the fewwho were able to speak, ignored thepetition signatures of thousands infavor of banning or restricting thehunt, and delivered lectures andscoldings in response to protests.Executive Director Robert Treanorwas visibly upset to see so manypeople “being paraded” into the pub-lic meeting, where they had somethought of speaking publicly andthereby unduly taking up theCommission’s time. The Commission also tried to ig-nore a request from a member of theMorro Bay City Council to consider

an alternative to a ban of the hunt —a compromise of time & place re-strictions — and, when later in themeeting Commissioners wereforced to address it due to the deter-mined perseverance of the MorroBay Vice Mayor, they quickly made amotion to deny any such consider-ation and struck it down (That is,they refused not just to implementthe compromise, but to considervoting on the compromise!) The following day, they voted tomove the 8 a.m. start time of thehunt back to 7 a.m. -- at the request

of nobody -- ensuring a wake-upshotgun serenade for Bay residents,starting this November. The numbers of those who are fullyaware of and alarmed by the fact thatbirds are hunted in the Morro BayNational Estuary, next to and fre-quently across the poorly demarcatedline between the shooting zone andthe City bird sanctuary, has now sig-nificantly increased, thanks to the“deal with it” arrogance of the Fishand Game Commission. (Genuinethanks are due Commissioner Bob

You, average Santa Lucia Chaptermember, run for ExCom? Yes!ExCom is our administrative body;we need people who can take min-utes, organize committees, inspireparticipation, provide publicity, andorganize members. Great conserva-tionists may apply and are welcome,but the Chapter also needs people tohandle the needs of organization. Ifyou have some time and would liketo help this great organization,please volunteer to serve on ExCom.

Three slots are open for this fall’selection, so we need at least fivepeople willing to help. Each personwho is elected will be expected toserve a three-year term. The Execu-tive Committee meets once monthlyat a time and place mutually agreedupon. Members of the NominationCommittee are Letty French, chair,[email protected] 805-239-7338,Jack Beigle [email protected]

“I really wish youfolks would

figure out how toget along.”

- State Fish and GameCommissioner Michael Flores

to meeting attendees aftervoting to move back the start

time of the Morro Bay hunt to7 a.m. Watch the video at

www.slospan.orgcontinued on page 5

2 Santa LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta Lucian • September 2005

SSSSSanananananttttta a a a a LLLLLuuuuuccccciiiiianananananAndAndAndAndAndrrrrreeeeew Chw Chw Chw Chw Chririririristiestiestiestiestie [email protected] EDITOR/LAYOUT

Karen MerriamKaren MerriamKaren MerriamKaren MerriamKaren MerriamJack McCurdyJack McCurdyJack McCurdyJack McCurdyJack McCurdy [email protected] Cen Cen Cen Cen CollinsollinsollinsollinsollinsEDITORIAL BOARD

Mariko FujinakaMariko FujinakaMariko FujinakaMariko FujinakaMariko Fujinaka GRAPHIC CONSULTANT

The Santa LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta Lucian is published 10 times ayear. Articles, environmental information andletters to the editor are welcome. The dead-line for each issue is the 1st of the month prior.

send to:

EEEEEdididididitortortortortor, S, S, S, S, Sanananananttttta Lua Lua Lua Lua Lucicicicicianananananc/o Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra ClubP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]

SSSSSanananananttttta a a a a LLLLLuuuuuccccciiiiia Chaptera Chaptera Chaptera Chaptera Chapter

2005 Executive Committee2005 Executive Committee2005 Executive Committee2005 Executive Committee2005 Executive CommitteeKaren Merriam CHAIR

Steven MarxTREASURER

Eliane Guillot [email protected]

Sue Harvey [email protected] SECRETARY

Jack Morrow j [email protected] VICE CHAIR

Cal FrenchCOUNCIL OF CLUB LEADERS DELEGATE

The Executive Committee meets thefourth Friday of every month at 5:00p.m. at the chapter office, located at1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo. Allmembers are welcome to attend.

Standing CommitteesStanding CommitteesStanding CommitteesStanding CommitteesStanding CommitteesPoliticalPoliticalPoliticalPoliticalPolitical Sarah Christie

ConservationConservationConservationConservationConservation [email protected] Pam Heatherington

Membership Membership Membership Membership Membership [email protected] Cal FrenchActing Program ChairActing Program ChairActing Program ChairActing Program ChairActing Program Chair Letty French lmfrench@tcsn.netLitigationLitigationLitigationLitigationLitigation [email protected] Jan Marx

DiDiDiDiDiablo Cablo Cablo Cablo Cablo Canananananyon Tyon Tyon Tyon Tyon Task Forask Forask Forask Forask Forccccceeeee Rochelle Becker [email protected] Tal Tal Tal Tal Task Forask Forask Forask Forask Forccccceeeee Jack & Bea Morrow [email protected]

Other LeadersOther LeadersOther LeadersOther LeadersOther LeadersSpeakers BureauSpeakers BureauSpeakers BureauSpeakers BureauSpeakers BureauIra Winn 805-781-9466

Open SpaceOpen SpaceOpen SpaceOpen SpaceOpen SpaceGary Felsman 805-473-3694

Calendar SalesCalendar SalesCalendar SalesCalendar SalesCalendar SalesBonnie Walters 805-543-7051

Chapter HistoryChapter HistoryChapter HistoryChapter HistoryChapter HistoryJohn Ashbaugh 805-541-6430

PublicityPublicityPublicityPublicityPublicityPosition open

ActivitiesActivitiesActivitiesActivitiesActivitiesOutingsOutingsOutingsOutingsOutingsEliane Guillot [email protected] Felsman 805-473-3694

CCCCCanoanoanoanoanoe/Ke/Ke/Ke/Ke/Kaaaaayyyyyak ak ak ak ak [email protected] Beigle 805-773-2147

Equestrian Equestrian Equestrian Equestrian Equestrian [email protected] Denneen 805-929-3647

General InformationGeneral InformationGeneral InformationGeneral InformationGeneral InformationSanta Lucia Chapter -- Sierra ClubSanta Lucia Chapter -- Sierra ClubSanta Lucia Chapter -- Sierra ClubSanta Lucia Chapter -- Sierra ClubSanta Lucia Chapter -- Sierra ClubP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Chapter CoordinatorChapter CoordinatorChapter CoordinatorChapter CoordinatorChapter [email protected] Christie 805-543-8717

FaxFaxFaxFaxFax 805-543-8727

Chapter office hours are Monday-Chapter office hours are Monday-Chapter office hours are Monday-Chapter office hours are Monday-Chapter office hours are Monday-FFFFFririririridadadadadayyyyy, 10 a, 10 a, 10 a, 10 a, 10 a.m.m.m.m.m.-.-.-.-.-2 p2 p2 p2 p2 p.m.m.m.m.m..... 1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo 1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo 1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo 1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo 1204 Nipomo St., San Luis Obispo

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Santa Lucia Chapter General Meeting

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Enclose check and mail to:

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Outings, events, andmore!

REPORT FROM THE SUMMIT,CALL FOR ESTUARY VOLUNTEERS

[email protected]

Cal French [email protected] MEMBER

Sept 20, 7-9 p.m.

John Ashbaugh MEMBER

On August 20, Sierra Club mem-bers gathered in the backyardlabyrinth at the home of ChapterChair Karen Merriam to pay trib-ute to long-time member BettySchetzer, one of our community’soutstanding activists throughouther long life, which ended on July14 in the manner of her choosing.

Many remembered Betty’s gen-erosity of spirit. If she was yourfriend, she was your friend for life.John Ashbaugh remembered heras his mentor, saying “I wish I hadthat grit, that sense of directionand centeredness” – and as a con-stant inspiration, unstoppable,happy to be a thorn in the side fora good cause. Jack Beigle recalled a lessonBetty taught him: “Don’t beatyourself up over making mistakes.Learn from it, correct it, and go.” A few weeks earlier, the Tribunepaid tribute to Betty’s “unwaver-ing sense of justice, compassion

Chapter Treasurer Steven Marx played the recorder as old friends gathered toreminisce about Betty Schetzer

Direct from the Sierra Summit in San Francisco, the SierraClub’s first national environmental convention and exposition,we’ll hear a report from Chapter delegates on the future of theClub and our environmental protection programs.

Then Annie Gillespie, Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator for theMorro Bay National Estuary Program, will tell us about theProgram’s volunteer training. The Program expects to be verybusy collecting data once the rainy season comes and is inter-ested in recruiting volunteers for water quality monitoring. It’s aminimal monthly time commitment and a great opportunity fora wide range of volunteers. The data collected is frequentlycalled upon by numerous agencies making environmental man-agement decisions.

Tuesday, September 207 - 9 p.m.Ludwick Center864 Santa Rosa Street (corner of Mill)San Luis Obispo

and clarity” as someone who “battledfor civility in an era of polarity.”

Pete Wagner, on the job

In MemoriamThe Chapter gratefully acknowledgesrecent donations made by Michael andMerna Pelczar and by Peg and TedLebrenz in memory of the Chapter’slate,belovedConservationChair, PeteWagner. Wegratefullyacknowledgea recentdonationof SandyandHowardAmborn inmemoryof PhilandHarrietAmborn.

At our October 18th meet-ing, Mark DiMaggio, PasoRobles High Schoolteacher and straw balehouse builder/owner willspeak on “Global Environ-mental Options 101: Whatwe all need to know!”

Next:

Goodbye, Betty

Santa LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta LucianSanta Lucian • September 2005 3

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regulatory requirements of criticalhabitat protection.” The Chapter noted that the analysisis based on traditional neoclassicaleconomics, which can’t calculate“natural capital,” the worth of a wet-land, estuary, forest or other naturallandscape. In ecological economics,this is determined by a calculation ofthe cost to replace the services theenvironment provides — flood con-trol, storm protection, fertilizer, pol-lination, water purification, climateregulation, etc. — services lost todevelopment. Restoration ecologists have longnoted the negative economic effectsof the loss of natural capital to devel-opment, but the Service’s analysissimply treats the requirements of theEndangered Species Act and criticalhabitat designation as costs and nega-tive economic impacts, and does notfactor in the costs of development tosociety — soil erosion, air and waterpollution and fragmented and de-stroyed ecosystems, converting natu-ral assets into liabilities and incur-ring future restoration costs. Recently, a Cambridge Universityresearch team found that an intactecosystem is worth 82% more thanthe same parcel after being clear-cut,drained, paved or otherwise devel-oped. “Nowhere in the Service’s drafteconomic analysis is there an esti-mate of the value of the lands in ques-tion in terms of natural services pro-vided vs. their conversion intomillion-dollar homes,” said Merriam. In insisting on negative economicimpacts of critical habitat and ignor-ing the negative economic impacts ofthe loss of such habitat, as well as theeconomic benefits of protecting andpreserving it, the Fish and WildlifeService is coming to resemble anauxilliary of the Homebuilders Asso-ciation more than the principal fed-eral agency charged with administer-ing the Endangered Species Act andprotecting and enhancing fish, wild-life and plants and their habitats.

July 29, 2005

Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fishand Wildlife OfficeU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service2800 Cottage Way, Suite W–2605Sacramento, CA 95825

Comments on the Draft EconomicAnalysis, “ECONOMIC EFFECTSOF CRITICAL HABITAT DESIGNA-TION FOR THE CALIFORNIA TI-GER SALAMANDER IN 20 CALI-FORNIA COUNTIES”

The draft economic analysis doesnot make appropriate assumptionsregarding current practices andlikely regulatory changes imposedas a result of the designation ofcritical habitat.

The terms of the draft analysis are theterms of neoclassical economics, inwhich goods are exchanged and prof-its made in a predictable closed sys-tem with no resource constraints. These terms render the draft eco-nomic analysis inadequate to its task.The obvious faults of the neoclassicalmodel have given rise to the alterna-tive model of ecological economics,in which the worth of a wetland, estu-ary or forest is determined by a calcu-lation of the cost to replace the ser-vices they provide (flood control,storm protection, fertilizer, pollina-tion, water purification, fish nursery,climate regulation, etc.) On this basis,the dollar value of the world’s wet-lands is estimated at $4.9 trillionannually, coastal estuaries $4.1 tril-

Salamander

lion, and forests at $4.7 trillion.(Costanza, 1997). An intact ecosystemis worth 82% more than the sameparcel clear-cut, drained, paved orotherwise developed (Balmford,2002).

The Service’s approach to criticalhabitat designation could be im-proved and modified. There is otherinformation that would indicate thatthe designation of critical habitatwould or would not have impactson small entities or families.

Nowhere in the Service’s draft eco-nomic analysis is there an estimate ofthe value of the lands in question interms of natural services provided vs.conversion into million-dollarhomes. The American Association for theAdvancement of Science has esti-mated that the benefit:cost ratio of aneffective program for the conserva-tion of the world’s remaining wildnature would be at least 100:1. Someportion of that value and benefitwould derive from the 382,000 acresin question if all were designatedcritical habitat for the tiger sala-mander and subject to mitigation/avoidance, but the Service’s analysisdoes not accountfor or calculate the value of this “natu-ral capital” — sustain-able ecosystems andecological landscapes,which incur no pro-duction costs, providegoods and servicesand improve eco-nomic well-being (Daly & Farley2004).

There are no poten-tially disproportion-ate impacts to areaswithin Alameda,Contra Costa, andMonterey Counties sufficient to jus-tify excluding portions of theseareas from the final designation.

Taken on its own terms, the centralconclusion of the Service’s analysis— that 20 counties will incur $367million in “lost development oppor-tunities” over twenty years, for whichreason the Service presumes to ex-empt three counties from CriticalHabitat Designation in order to pro-vide relief from a presumed extremeeconomic burden — is dubious inthe extreme. The example given ofsuch “potentially disproportionateeconomic impact” is a calculation of$27,000 added on to the cost of a$1.9 million home in MontereyCounty. This is the alleged “impact” theService proposes to avoid at the priceof exempting thousands of acresfrom CHD. The process by which the $367million figure was arrived at is ex-plained halfway through the draftanalysis: “The predicted price changes aremodest when viewed in relation tothe generally high price of new hous-ing in the study area. However, theseprice increases are applied to all newhousing to be built in the Censustracts containing critical habitatsince this is the relevant market.Thus, critical habitat may cause hous-ing market impacts well outside ofthe immediate footprint of criticalhabitat.” In other words, the draft analysispresumes to raise the price of eachand every theoretical house to bebuilt over the expanse of the entireCensus tract, the presents the spectreof developers making slightly moremoney due to a modest price in-

crease as a consequence of the eco-nomic impacts of regulation, mitiga-tion and on-site avoidance. Wewould dispute the real-world appli-cation of this analysis, as should theService. The draft economic analysistakes the quest for theoretical ad-verse economic impacts of CHD tothe point of absurdity.

The draft economic analysis incor-rectly assesses the effect on re-gional costs associated with landuse controls that derive from thedesignation of critical habitat.

The Service’s draft economic analy-sis states that “The Regulatory re-quirements to avoid onsite impactsand mitigate offsite affect the wel-fare of both producers and consum-ers.” It fails to analyze the effect onthe welfare of producers and con-sumers from the absence of thoseregulatory requirements and thefailure to perform mitigation andavoid onsite impacts. It includes noscenario and makes no study of norprovision for the regional ecosystemgoods and services provided by thevernal pools, grasslands and oakwoodlands that would be lost if de-velopment proceeded without CHD... The Service’s analysis simplytreats regulation, mitigation, and on-

site avoidance as costs andnegative economic im-pacts, and does not factorin the costs to society ofdegraded, fragmented anddestroyed ecosystems —the result of non-regula-tion, non-mitigation andnon-avoidance of on-siteimpacts of development —nor the additional cost ofthe effective conversion ofthese assets into liabilities,nor the future costs of re-storing them. (Aaronson2005). There is no full-cost

accounting of the additional costs ofthat conversion in the form of soilerosion, air and water pollution aseconomic externalities borne bysociety, versus private profits real-ized by developers. ...

The draft economic analysis doesnot assess all relevant impacts.

The ESA requires that critical habitatanalysis must take into account “theeconomic impact, and any otherrelevant impact, of specifying anyparticular area as critical habitat.”16 USC § 1533(b)(2) (emphasisadded). In 2001, the U.S. 10th CircuitCourt of Appeals instructed the Ser-vice to conduct a full analysis of allof the economic impacts of pro-posed CHD, regardless of whetherthose impacts are attributable co-extensively to other causes (NewMexico Cattle Growers Assn v.U.S.F.W.S.). The definition of “im-pact” is the force of impression ofone thing on another: an impellingor compelling effect (Webster’s NewCollegiate Dictionary). “Impact” isnot defined as a negative either bythe dictionary or the 10th Circuit,but the draft economic analysis over-whelmingly devotes itself to thenegative economic impacts of CHD.It largely omits positive economicimpacts of inclusion of critical habi-tat, and wholly omits negative eco-nomic impacts of exclusion.

In two instances, the draft analysisseems to understand the value-neu-tral definition of “impact:” In citingavoidance requirements resulting in“housing price increases” that wouldgive “potential gains to developersand landowners who benefit fromthe increased price,” and forecasting

that increased price may lead to in-creased demand and this will lead inturn to “greater demand for homeremodel projects likely to be met bysmall firms.” Thus the draft analysis is aware ofits obligation to present both nega-tive and positive economic impacts.We may presume the omission of thepositive economic impacts of criticalhabitat designation was not the resultof a deliberately narrowed scope butbecause the analysts were ignorant ofthem. ...

The benefits of inclusion of theareas proposed to be excluded fromcritical habitat likely outweigh thebenefits of exclusion.

The economic analysis fails in itsintent to assist the Secretary in deter-mining whether the benefits of ex-cluding particular areas from thedesignation outweigh the benefits ofincluding them, as it does not con-tain an analysis of the benefits ofinclusion. It is silent on the economicbenefits of the preservation of ecosys-tems, and equally silent on the costsof development and its concomitantloss of ecosystem services. Oncethese factors are acknowledged, it isnot necessary to even attempt to cal-culate dollar figures to perceive thatthey clearly outweigh the cited ben-efits of exclusion — i.e. avoiding a$27,000 addition in the cost of a $1.9million home. (“In every case welooked at, the loss of nature’s servicesoutweighed the benefits of develop-ment, often by a large amount”(Balmford, 2002)). Our understanding of the workingsof the natural world has improved inthe years since the passage of theEndangered Species Act. Develop-ments in economics and conserva-tion biology reflect that change. TheMillenium Ecosystem Assessment,particularly in the report “LivingBeyond Our Means: Natural Assets

The Los Angeles Times has latelybeen doing some serious digging for“the story behind the story” on major

land useand con-servationissues inSan LuisObispo. On Au-gust 15,the Timescast a criti-cal eye onthe wayconserva-tion ease-ments andthe Trans-fer of De-velopmentCreditprogramare being

administered here. On August 20, aPulitzer-worthy front-page tale ex-posed the behind-the-scenes struggleto preserve the Carrizo Plain Na-tional Monument, a struggle that hasresulted in the death of monumentmanager Marlene Braun (see “LetThat be Her Monument,” June 2005Santa Lucian). Both are must-reads. Go to www.latimes.com/news/localand type “Ranch’s Easement” or “Sui-cide Casts a Shadow” in the searchwindow. Free registration is requiredfor the latter.

Thank You, L.A. Times


California/Nevada Conservation Committee: Call for Agenda

Every September, 50,000 volunteersturn out at more than 700 cleanupsites statewide to conduct what hasbeen hailed by the Guinness Book ofWorld Records as “the largest garbagecollection” (1993). California CoastalCleanup Day is the country’s premiervolunteer event focused on the marineenvironment. Since the program started in 1985,over 650,000 Californians have re-moved more than 10 million poundsof debris from our state’s shorelinesand coast. When combined with theInternational Coastal Cleanup, orga-nized by TheOcean Conser-vancy and tak-ing place on thesame day, Cali-fornia CoastalCleanup Daybecomes part ofone of the larg-est volunteerevents of theyear. CoastalCleanup Day isthe highlight ofthe CaliforniaCoastalCommission’syear ‘round

The California/Nevada ConservationCommittee will meet Saturday,September 24th and Sunday, Septem-ber 25th, 2005, at Rancho El Chorroin San Luis Obispo. All Sierra Clubmembers are welcome. If you have an action item, discus-sion item or committee/task forcereport you wished placed on theagenda, please contact Allan Eberhartat [email protected]. The text of anyproposed resolutions must beavailable for posting before the meet-ing. Any action items that are notplaced on the agenda prior to the

Adopt-A-Beach pro-gram and takes placeevery year on thethird Saturday of Sep-tember, from 9 a.m.to Noon. In 2005, thatday falls on Septem-ber 17. Coming at theend of the summerbeach season andnear the start of theschool year, CoastalCleanup Day is a

great way for families, students, ser-vice groups, and neighbors to jointogether, take care of our fragile ma-rine environment, show communitysupport for our shared natural re-sources, learn about the impacts ofmarine debris and how we can pre-vent them, and to have fun! CoastalCleanup Day is also the kick-off eventfor Coastweeks — three weeks ofcoastal and water-related events forthe whole family. Participating in Coastal CleanupDay is easy. Pre-register with yourlocal Coordinator (ECOSLO - 544-1777; [email protected]), or sim-

ply show up at a drop-in site – go towww.coastal.ca.govfor information,or call (800)COAST-4U or e-mail [email protected]. Join your neigh-bors on Saturday,September 17,from 9 a.m. toNoon for the 21stAnnual CaliforniaCoastal CleanupDay. Be part of thesolution to marinepollution!

Sept. 17 is California Coastal Cleanup Day

Over two days of Cali-fornia Energy Commis-sion panels on August15 and 16 in Sacra-mento, the Alliance forNuclear Responsibility,Mothers for Peace andconcerned citizenscame together withrepresentatives of theCalifornia Public Utili-ties Commission, theNuclear RegulatoryCommission and advo-cates of both renewableand nuclear power, andasked questions thatdeserve answers: - Would ratepayermoney be better spenton newer/cleaner technology for ourstate’s future power generation? -How many jobs could be createdin California’s renewable energy in-dustry? -Would California benefit from thisgrowing technology — supported byboth parties and our governor? -Would California be in the fore-front of marketing this technology tothe nation? -Would this not make our energyresources more secure? Two former NRC Commissionersended the last workshop on the statusof nuclear power in California bylisting the reasons why the state can-not trust today’s Nuclear RegulatoryCommission to protect its citizens’health and safety. It was made clearthat the federal Department of Energyis unable to responsibly and legallyaddress permanent safe storage ofgrowing stockpiles of high-level ra-dioactive waste – bad news for theresidents who live by nuclear plantsand recently licensed high-level ra-dioactive waste storage facilities.

These condemnations of federaloversight agencies told attendees that:

1)After three decades, our country isno closer to solving the problem ofpermanent safe storage of radioactivewaste than when nuclear plants werelicensed.

2) High-level radioactive waste willremain in vulnerable spent fuel poolsuntil licenses expire, AND dry caskscontaining radioactive waste willlikely remain on our earthquake ac-tive coast “in perpetuity.”

3) Casks holding highly radioactivewaste may need to be “repackaged” upto four times to keep radioactivityisolated while on site.

4) Radioactive waste at nuclear plantsin California, closed since the 1980’s,remains at the reactor sites even if theplant itself has been decommissioned.

The Commissioners also spokeabout energy policies that favor

meeting will be added with theconsent of the body on Saturday. If you are interested in beingnominated or wish to nominatesomeone, contact Vicki Lee, CNRCCNominating Committee Chair. Workshops will be conductedSaturday morning before the gen-eral meeting. If you wish to hold aworkshop, please let Alan know now. Workshops to date includeEnergy and NCC Charter: An oppor-tunity for additional comments on,responses to and suggestions for theproposed Charter.

nuclear power and are inconsistentwith market economics and/ordemocratic governance, including:

–Tax credits, loan guarantees andrisk insurance solely for newnuclear plant output–Efforts to further streamline a li-censing process that has been con-tinuously cut back for 25 years–Extension of liability limitations tonew nuclear power plants–Government efforts to revive spentfuel reprocessing, suspended byPresidents Ford and Carter. The Alliance for Nuclear Respon-sibility has been working closelywith the California Energy Commis-sion on the issue of nuclear power aspart of our state’s energy mix, andwas pleased to be included amongthe prestigious panelists broughttogether for this unprecedentedworkshop. One could not help butcome away convinced that Cali-fornia’s deficit economy would andcould become a booming economybased on clean non-radioactive tech-nology. California’s remainingnuclear plants produce 4,000 MW ofenergy that can be replaced easilywith conservation, energy efficiency,sustainable energy, and a commit-ment to developing new technolo-gies. California can phase out pro-duction of nuclear waste on ourcoast in 20 years or less.

This meeting will serve as thebasis for the Energy Report – theEnergy Commission’s planningdocument for the future of energyproduction in our state. To read the presentations from allpanelists, go to: www.energy.ca.gov/2005_energypolicy/documents/index.html#0815+1605 To support the work of the Alli-ance to pass legislation to amendcurrent law and prohibit licenserenewals for California’s nuclearplants, go to: www.a4nr.org.Alliance for Nuclear ResponsibilityP.O. Box 1328San Luis Opispo 93406

By Sue HarveyChapter Executive Committee

On August 16, in a “Let them eatcake” moment, Supervisors HarryOvitt, Jerry Lenthal and KatchoAchadjian threw the County’s GeneralPlan out the window and voted toapprove the conversion of sixty acresof Ag land in rural Templeton for theconstruction of eleven million-dollar-plus estate homes. District 1 Supervisor Ovitt justifiedthis zoning-change lurch into sprawland loss of agricultural lands byclaiming “We are losing (housing)inventory. We build it for one seg-ment of society and don’t allow any-one else to move up.” With an all-time low of 11% in thecounty’s Housing Affordability Index– the percentage of households ableto afford a median-priced home – thequestion for the Supervisor is: Whatwill the other 89% be moving upfrom? Supervisor Patterson dissented,asking “Is this the type of housing weneed?” Supervisor Bianchi also votedno also, showing a clear grasp of howsprawl happens (“With housing, weneed to put it where it belongs.”) OnAugust 22, the Tribune delivered awell-aimed brickbat at Supervisors

Ovitt, Achadjian and Lenthal, point-ing out that their real estate sectionhas “plenty of inventory of homes inthe million-dollar range.” Couched in this insult to those wholive here now and have little or nohope of owning a home or movingup to a million-dollar estate is theclaim that we have already built allthe housing we need and then somefor your “segment of society.” I’dwager most of the buyers of thoseeleven homes will be from out of thecounty. The next time Supervisor Ovittleads a contingent of business ownersaround the county to tout our attrac-tions and benefits, he can tour thempast our million-dollar home inven-tories and assure them their workerscan “move up” any time. Supervisors Ovitt, Lenthal andAchadjian should direct their atten-tion to the Voices page of the August9th Tribune and David Broder’s col-umn “Affordable housing: Carlsbadfigures it out.” They could at least have the cour-tesy to pass an inclusionary housingordinance before they approve anymore million-dollar estate housing.

Supervisors Ease High-Income Housing Crisis

We can phase out nuclear powerA Report from the California Energy Commission’s historic workshop

By Rochelle BeckerChair, Sierra Club Diablo Canyon Task Force,Executive Director, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility

“Smitty” Smith, head of Public Citizen, Texas, came to SLO to speak at anAlliance for Nuclear Responsibility event on August 9, en route to theCalifornia Energy Commission’s “Nuclear Issues” panel in Sacramento.


Huntcontinued from page 1

Hattoy for pleading with his fellowcommissioners to allow the citizensof SLO to be heard, to no avail.) Thanks to everyone who turnedout for these meetings, as well as theMorro Bay City Council and LOCACmeetings, wrote letters to the editor,signed a petition, sent a postcard oran e-mail, and otherwise made thewishes of the overwhelming major-ity of our citizens known. And fi-nally, thanks to the Commission forthoroughly misreading this commu-nity, thereby galvanizing it on thisissue like never before. Any further offers of compromiseas to hunt time and area restrictionsare unlikely. The Commission’s ac-tions have laid the groundwork forthe future, guaranteeing heightenedpublic protest and numbering thedays of California’s most inappropri-ate wildlife hunt. Stay tuned.

805-773-2147, Val Endres,[email protected] 805-544-1180,Leslie Krisnk, [email protected]. When they contactyou, please say “yes.”

You may nominate yourself orsuggest anyone else to any memberof the committee. Members may alsorun by petition, signed by 25 Chaptermembers in good standing. Nomi-nations close Friday, September 23;petitions need to be submitted to thethe Chapter Office by 5 p.m. on Octo-ber 4.

Nominationscontinued from page 1

The portage was only 100 yards fromour parking spot to the shore ofFranklin Creek. It is beautiful. Thesteep valley is covered with trees tothe water’s edge. This entire arm ofthe lake is a no-wake zone so skiboats did not bother us. Our hosts,Letty and Cal French, led us on a de-lightful paddle to the confluence ofLas Tablas Creek. We explored upstream as far as wecould, and then returne, downstream,where Letty pointed out a bald eagle’snest. There were two eaglets that hadnot yet fledged. One climbed to abraanch that was about 3 feet abovethe nest and off to one side. As wewatched it spread its wings and halfflew, half fell into the nest. Flyinglesson number one was successfullycompleted. After resting in the nest, it climbedagain to the same branch. We beached our boats in a smallcove and enjoyed our picnic luncheswhile we visited and scanned theshoreline for birds. After lunch wecontinued down to where we couldsee the party boats, ski boats and jetskis zooming around. We returned upstream and left thenoise and frantic activity behind. Youcan feel the joy in the serenity of aquiet mountain lake. When we ap-proached the eagle’s nest our eagletwas still on his perch trying to get upthe nerve to try his second flyinglesson. The take out and portage to ourcars went well. Our grateful thanks toour leaders and hosts, Letty and CalFrench for inviting us to their lovelyhome on Lake Nacimiento. Check the outing schedule and joinus on the water.

On Thursday morning, August 11th, asthe California Coastal Commissionmet in Costa Mesa, Sierra Club’sGreat Coastal Places Chair TarrenCollins and Coastal Program Direc-tor Mark Massara made a presenta-tion to Peter Douglas commemorat-ing his 20th year as ExecutiveDirector of the California CoastalCommission. A framed coastal photo was en-graved with the caption: “To Peter Douglas: Commemorat-ing twenty years of service to thepeople of California and a lifetimespent protecting the coast. Withgratitude, Sierra Club’s coastal activ-ists.” It was presented by GreatCoasta Places Campaign Chair TarrenCollins: “I am here today representing the5,000 members of Sierra Club’s GreatCoastal Places Campaign. As thevolunteer leader for this remarkablecoastal protection network and assomeone who has dedicated my timeto statewide coastal protection, I amhumbled by the opportunity to speakfor a moment about California’s pre-mier coastal champion, Peter Dou-glas. “Peter has been a personal hero tome and a positive example for any-one who wonders if an individualcan make a difference. Peter’s self-

By Jack Beigle

less work has helped to preserve aclean and healthy coast and to en-sure that California’s beaches andbluffs are developed responsibly in away that protects the rights of allCalifornians. Those of us who workevery day to ensure that our beachesare accessible, our water is cleanand our coastal views are protectedall owe a debt of gratitude to Peterfor his clarity of vision, his unsur-passed dedication and his lifetime ofpublic service. “So I stand here today, represent-ing business owners in OrangeCounty, surfers in Marin, hikers inHumboldt and families from Fresnoand Bakersfield and Sacramentowho count on protected beaches fortheir Summer escapes; and on be-half of all of these individuals fromall over California I would like topresent this gift to Peter as a tokenof our great esteem. “As Peter has said many times,‘the coast is never finally saved,’ butrather ‘it is always being saved.’ Butfor the thoughtful and inspiringstewardship of Peter Douglas, manytens of thousands of people would beunaware of the risks facingCalifornia’s coast, and countlesscoastal treasures could be lost for-ever. Thank you, Peter.”

Peter Douglas Marks Twenty Yearsof Saving the Coast

A Short Portage onthe Las Tablas Arm ofLake Nacimiento

Tarren Collins, Coastal Commission Vice Chair Sara Wan, Peter Douglas, State Asseblymember Pedro Navaand Sierra Club Coastal Program Director Mark Massara commemmorate Douglas’s 20 years of coastalservice.

By Sue Harvey, PasoWatch, andMaria Lorca, Creston Citizens for AgLand Preservation

cities should require them to buyTDC’s. Until cities agree to partici-pate in the program, we will merelybe creating and moving develop-ment chess pieces around on therural county map. On May 12, 2005, the CountyPlanning Commission sent a letter tothe Board of Supervisors making thefollowing recommendations on theProgram: an urgency moratorium tostop all new applications while theordinance is being modified; estab-lish a sending site criteria that bringsthe transfer ratio closer to 1 to 1 (onelot retired: one lot created);strengthen receiving site criteria;consider requiring a merging ofunderlying parcels on the sendingsite; strengthen the conservationlanguage regarding allowable uses(See L.A. Times August 15, “Ranch’sEasement Spawns Controversy”);consider removing ag land as a re-ceiver site; consider requiring all

Who’s Afraid of TDCs?You, hopefully. Planning Commission urging emergency stop to failed land use program

A review of the county’s Transfer ofDevelopment Credit program isscheduled for October 4 at the Boardof Supervisors. We are requesting anurgency moratorium on the programuntil all of the concerns raised by thepublic are addressed. The TDC program is supposed todirect development away from ruraland ag land (“sending sites”) andtoward urban areas and existing de-velopment (“receiving sites”). Onesmall problem: No cities have agreedto be receiver sites. Cities like PasoRobles that wish to create a greenbelt around the city have to partici-pate in the county’s efforts to stopsprawl and preserve ag and rurallands. When any developer inside thecity wants a variance or General Planamendment for their project, the

continued on page 6

receiver sites be within or contiguousto urban reserve lines. The Times article highlighted seri-ous flaws with the county’s TDC Pro-gram and has raised the hackles ofthe California Council of LandTrusts. The article focuses on the LasTablas Ranch owned by DonnBonnheim. There are only three re-corded easements in the County Pro-gram: Bonnheim at 5,408 acres gen-erating 173 development credits;Denny at 52 acres; and Choin, acre-age unknown. The Bonnheim site is the key tomaking the TDC Program look suc-cessful. Without Bonnheim, onlyabout 56 acres have been preserved.Of the 173 Bonnheim credits thathave been offered for sale, 116 wentto convert ag lands west of Temple-ton, and 57 credits are scatteredthroughout rural north county. 40%of the current applications are tosubdivide land zoned for agriculture. To generate the 173 credits fromthe 40 existing lots at the Bonnheimsite, appraisals were used to deter-mine the development value of notmore than two houses on each of the40 parcels. The difference in value tothe property with and without devel-opments rights was considered. Bo-nus credits were then added. TheGrand Jury, the reviewing appraiserand many citizens have questionedhow and why the program allows thisexcessive multiplication of lots andresulting rural sprawl. At the time that the credits wereawarded, significant questions wereraised by the appraisal review. Theoriginal appraisal estimated the lossin value to the property due to theTDC easement at 66% of the value ofthe ranch prior to the agreement.The reviewing appraiser noted“…this seems extremely high….” Thereview questions the effect theWilliamson Act easement might haveon the valuation, the problem of theunderlying parcels not being merged,and the appropriateness of some ofthe comparison properties, assigning“highest and best use” as cattle ranch-ing when portions of the ranch abuthighly successful vineyards. Thismethod of determining credits is nolonger used, but credits based onthese questionable methods are stillbeing sold, and the Board of Supervi-sors voted last year to extend the lifeof these credits to 2011 and addedmuch of the county’s rural land aspotential receiver sites, presumablyin an effort to make a market for theunsold credits. None of the northcounty credits have been placedwithin urban reserve lines as advisedby the 2001 Grand Jury Report on theTDC Program. One appraisal of the property notes


and Human Well-being,” has definedthe benefits of ecosystem services ina peer-reviewed framework. In orderto reflect those changes and maintainits function as the principal federalagency responsible for conserving,protecting and enhancing fish, wild-life and plants and their habitats forthe continuing benefit of the Ameri-can people, and to properly adminis-ter the Endangered Species Act, theService must update its assessmentsof the economic effects of criticalhabitat designation in accordancewith the present-day understandingof natural capital, ecosystem servicesand the economic impacts of envi-ronmental conversion. Based on an economic analysis thatomits to state the positive economicbenefits of CHD via the preservationof natural capital through mitigation,on-site avoidance and non-develop-ment, the Service cannot make thenecessary evaluation on which tobase a decision to exclude portions ofdesignated counties from criticalhabitat designation due to “poten-tially disproportionate economicimpacts.”

Sources:Aronson et al. 2005. Natural Capital: The Limiting Factor, Restoration Ecology, 05-091.Balmford, Andrew. 2002. Economic

Reasons for Conserving Wild Na- ture. Science, Vol 297, Issue 5583, 950-953.Begley, Sharon. 2002. Science Jour- nal: Furry Math? Market Fails To Capture Nature’s Value. Wall St. Journal, 9 Aug 02.Costanza, R., J. C. Cumberland, H. E. Daly, R. Goodland, and R. Norgaard. 1997. An Introduction to Ecological Economics. Boca Raton: St. Lucie Press.Daly, H.E., and J. Farley. 2004. Eco- logical Economics - principles and applications. Washington DC & Covelo, CA., Island Press.

Current projections indicate that thepopulation of California may reach58.7 million by 2040. In the face ofsuch intense growth, fragmented andcompetitive local land use planninghas contributed to severe environ-mental and ecological deterioration,including strained and polluted wa-ter supplies, loss of valuable agricul-tural lands and open space, increasednumbers of endangered species dueto loss of critical habitat, increasedenergy consumption, and a lack ofaffordable housing near places ofemployment. The Sierra Club therefore stronglysupports a strong, enforceableinclusionary housing ordinance inthe adopted Housing Element of the

General Plan for San Luiso

Obispo County. This is one of severalways to address our community’shousing needs. Developers should be required tobuild affordable units as a conditionof development. If they are given anoption to contribute fees in lieu ofproviding actual units, they will al-ways exercise it and the goal of mix-ing affordable units with market rateunits will not be met. In-lieu feesshould only be available to projectswhere requiring housing is truly in-feasible. Affordable housing should remainaffordable, through rent controls ordeed restrictions, for the life of theunit(s), not “as long as possible.”These provisions should be managed

Inclusionary Housing: Good Idea, Let’s Enforce Itand implemented by a county-wideHousing Authority, with equal par-ticipation from the Board of Super-visors, as well as every incorporatedcity in the county. Lastly, we note that affordablehousing should not be relegated tootherwise undevelopable, marginalor controversial land, such as wet-lands, contaminated sites, landsoutside of Urban Service Lines orareas with high habitat value. Toooften, affordable housing is used asan excuse to build on lands thatshould not be built on. This compro-mises not only the integrity of thehabitat and larger ecosystem, butthe integrity of the planning pro-cess.

Saturday, October 15th * 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.* San Luis Obispo Vets Hall,801 Grand Ave, SLO. Featuring Green Businesses andNon-Profit organizations * 20 work-shops on Living Green * Local Or-ganic Farmers * Delicious Food &Live Music * Green Car Show * Arts& Crafts * Healing Arts * Solar Dem-onstrations * Fun hands-on art ac-tivities for kids * Raffle Prizes * Meet your local elected Representa-tives * and more. Join in the celebration of all thegreat things that are happeningin our community and around theworld. - Keynote speaker Ocean Robins - 7:30 - 11:00 p.m. Dance to thesounds of Hip Deep This year’s event is a fundraiser forECOSLO and Information Press. The Green Earth Expo 2005website is up and running!! Thereyou will find all the informationabout the Expo: www.greenearthpromotions.org

California Sea Lions - an Unforget-table Encounter, narrated by SeanAstin (Lord of the Rings), will have itsSLO theatrical premiere at the PalmTheater, 817 Palm Street, at 10 a.m.on Sunday, September 25. This film has already delightedaudiences of all ages. Official selec-tion of the Newport Beach Film Festi-val, the Woods Hole Film Festival,The Ocean Film Festival, and theChannel Islands Film Festival (win-ner - Audience Choice Award, BestFilm), California Sea Lions-an Un-forgettable Encounter features thesea lions as they behave in theiraquatic environment. Awkward on

land, amazingly graceful in the water,performing amazing acrobatics twofeet below the surface.ONE SHOW ONLY! DIRECTOR INPERSON!A benefit for SLO Coast Alliance$20 adults - $5 children. Tickets maybe reserved in advance via e-mail [email protected], or by callingSierra Club at (805) 543-8717.

Your are invited to attend work-shops and displays exploringalternative forms of energy onSaturday, October 1. It is goingto be a fascinating showcase ofsustainable energy sources andtheir practical application tohomeowners and prospectivehome builders. Mothers forPeace is putting this day to-gether - with “a little help fromtheir friends” - as a fundraiser. The day’s events will takeplace at two venues: The SanLuis Botanical Garden and theSan Luis Sustainability Groupof Architects’ Complex. Youcan begin the day at eithervenue from 10 o’clock on. At the Botanical Garden therewill be three different presenta-tions, every hour on the hour

between 10:00 and 2:00. 1. Steve Best, Earthbound EnergyResources, will present the fascinat-ing technology of geoexchange forheating and cooling. 2. John Ewan of Pacific EnergyCompany comes to us with 25 yearsof experience of solar energy sys-tems. He will give you insight intothe many options for off-grid and

Penguins March,Sea Lions Rock!

continued from page 3Salamander

grid inter-tie such as the Palm The-ater. (At the Garden’s amphitheater.) 3. Representatives from theSustainability Group will provideeducational tours of the partially builtEducation Center - a completely sus-tainable building. At the Sustainability Group of Ar-chitects’ Complex on Tassajara CreekRd. near Santa Marguerita, there willbe on-going presentations and toursdealing with natural heating, cooling,venting, and lighting, straw bale con-struction, solar electric systems, mi-cro hydroelectric systems, and solarwater heating. Tickets are available at BooBooRecords on Monterey St., SLO; PacificEnergy Co. on Santa Barbara St., SLO;the two locations of the day’s events.$15 adults, $25 for two tickets; $10for students. Children accompaniedby adults are free. All donations aretax deductible. Please make all checkspayable to Mothers for Peace. To include your business card as anadvertisement in the written material,send it to PO Box 164, Pismo Beach,CA 93448 with a $50 check. ContactBobbe Scott at 541-6099 or EvyJustesen at 546-8907 for more infor-mation.

continued from page 5TDCs

[NOTE: On August 23, the U.S. Fishand Wildlife Service issued a FinalEconomic Analysis excluding pro-posed critical habitat for the Califor-

TAKE ACTION!Come to the County Board of Super-visors meeting on October 4th, orcontact the Board and tell them youwant the program eliminated. Theprice for this kind of “conservation”is too high. New County Government Center,SLO, 9 a.m. Call 781-5450.

Oct. 1: Sampling Sustainable Systems, aBenefit for Mothers for Peace

Oct. 15: Green EarthExpo 2005Healthy Home Healthy WorldHealthy Kids

that 1,026 “very rough steep” acreswere purchased from the BLM in No-vember of 1996, the year the countyadopted the TDC Program. The prop-erty owner applied to become a send-ing site the following year and wasawarded TDC credits for this parcel. One of the purposes of the TDCProgram is to retire antiquated subdi-visions. To date, not one lot in asingle subdivision has been retired. A portion of the Bonnheim prop-erty is under an automatically re-newed Williamson Act contract thatpostpones development and restrictsall uses to agricultural in exchangefor significant reduction in propertytaxes. Remote land under WilliamsonContract is not considered to be un-der pressure for immediate develop-

ment, as it takes ten years after giv-ing notice to come out of William-son. The Bonnheim property wasnot under pressure for prematureconversion to residential use. ATDC Program that allows develop-ment rights to be sold prematurelyshould be highly restrictive anddemand the highest standards ofconservation. Defenders of the program claimthe easement has achieved its pri-mary purpose of preventing devel-opment of the ranch. There is noevidence the land was to be subdi-vided. Some of the parcels wereextremely difficult to develop, yetdevelopment rights were sold fromthem. This is just a snapshot of the prob-lems with the TDC Program, butCounty staff and the Board of Super-visors have resisted attempts to fixthe flaws in the program.

nia Tiger Salamander in 12 census tracts in six counties, dropping 183,557acres from the initial proposal. The Service claimed that an Office of Manage-ment and Budget guidance memo on how to assess the costs and benefits ofproposed regulatory actions “acknowledges that it may not be feasible to mon-etize, or even quantify, the benefits of environmental regulations due to eitheran absence of defensible, relevant studies or a lack of resources on the imple-menting agency’s part to conduct new research.” The Service did not cite another passage from the guidance memo that in-structed “Even when a benefit or cost cannot be expressed in monetary units,you should still try to measure it in terms of its physical units. If it is not pos-sible to measure the physical units, you should still describe the benefit or costqualitatively,” and “if the non-quantified benefits and costs are likely to be im-portant, you should carry out a threshold analysis to evaluate their signifi-cance.” The Service did none of the above. The rule will take effect on September 23.]


ClassifiedsOctober issue ad deadline is Sep-tember 16. To acquire a rate sheetor submit your ad and payment,contact:Sierra Club - Santa Lucia Chapterp.o. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]

A WA WA WA WA Will . . .ill . . .ill . . .ill . . .ill . . .. . . is a way to protect the environment as well as yourself. If you do not

have a will, the state decides how your property and other affairs are handled.Decisions made now can later provide financial security for family, friends,and the Sierra Club. You may even direct your bequest to a specific Clubprogram or your home Chapter.

For more information and confidential assistance, contact

JoJoJoJoJohn Chn Chn Chn Chn CalalalalalaaaaawwwwwaaaaayyyyySierra Club Planned Giving ProgramSierra Club Planned Giving ProgramSierra Club Planned Giving ProgramSierra Club Planned Giving ProgramSierra Club Planned Giving Program

85 S85 S85 S85 S85 Seeeeecccccond Sond Sond Sond Sond Strtrtrtrtreeeeeetetetetet , 2nd Floor, 2nd Floor, 2nd Floor, 2nd Floor, 2nd Floor, S, S, S, S, San Fan Fan Fan Fan Frrrrrancianciancianciancissssscccccooooo, C, C, C, C, CA 9A 9A 9A 9A 944444105105105105105 -----33333444444444411111(4(4(4(4(4111115) 95) 95) 95) 95) 97777777777-----555555555533333 8.8.8.8.8.

Local Government Meetings

City of SLO--1st & 3rd Tues., 7:00 p.m.; 781-7103

Arroyo Grande--2nd and 4th Tues., 7:00 p.m.; 473-5404

Atascadero--2nd & 4th Tues.; 466-8099

Cambria CSD -- 4th Thurs.; 927-6223

Grover Beach--1st & 3rd Mon., 6:30 p.m.; 473-4567Grover Beach Planning Commission-- 2nd Tues.

Morro Bay--2nd & 4th Mon.

Paso Robles--1st & 3rd Tues., 7:00 p.m.; 237-3888

Pismo Beach--1st Tues., 5:30 p.m.; 773-4657

Los Osos CSD board-- 1st Tues. & 2nd Mon., varies

California Coastal Commission-- 3rd Tues., varies

SLO County Board of Supervisors-- every Tues.; 781-5450

SLO Council of Governments; 781-4219 SLOCOG Citizens Advisory Committee--1st Wed. every other month, 6:00 p.m. SLOCOG Board--1st Wed. every other month, 8:30 a.m.

Meeting Minutes

Conservation Committee meetingAug. 16, 2005

Meeting was called to order by Chair PamHeatherington at 4:15pmPresent: Jack McCurdy, Sue Harvey, JanMarx, Pam HeatheringtonAbsent: Leslie Krinsk, Janice RohnStaff: Andrew ChristieGuests: “Grassroots” students fromCuesta college, City Planner Jeff Hook

Jeff Hook made a presentation regardingthe Conservation and Open Space Ele-ment (COSE) staff draft, which is beingreviewed by the Planning Commission(PC). He told us that staff did not intendto weaken environmental protection ofthe 1994 Open Space Element in theconsolidation process. Committee mem-bers pointed out that, in fact, manychanges which he had made had weak-ened environmental protection. He indi-cated that he was open to all commentsfrom the Sierra Club, and offered currentrevisions as proof (attached). He saidthat whenever it is pointed out to him bythe SC, ECOSLO or Don Dollar that theold language was more protective thanthe new language, he is changing it backto the original in the next revision. ThePlanning Commissioners are being askedto review the consolidated new elementwithout reference to the 1994 OpenSpace Element, which Conscom mem-bers let him know was unprecedented.Hook is putting limitations on the devel-opment of Open Space back into thedraft, expanding the greenbelt, new sec-tion on viewsheds, green building stan-dards, setting a higher bar for builders.He will post the next draft on the webprior to the Planning Commission meet-ing at which it will be considered, Octo-ber 12. Planning Commissioners shouldbe encouraged to read the 1994 Elementprior to reading the next draft. SCshould submit detailed comments andnew language to the PC.

from recent Chapter meetings

Old BusinessAg Liaison Committee: Sue Harvey re-

ported that the presentation regarding theissue of agricultural criteria for TDCswhich she and others made before the AgLiaison Committee had been productive.The committee agreed on a moratoriumon TDCs when the Gen. Plan Amendmentand Planning Commission letter come be-fore the Supervisors Oct 4.

Cambria CSD: The CSD wishes to allowparking in a wetland conservation ease-ment. Jan will attend to monitor the CSDBoard’s attempts to intimidate environ-mentalists through abuse of process rePine Knolls tanks.

Marine Life Protection Act: will be con-sidered August 18 by Fish and Game atthe new BOS office. SC is supporting thefull Pigeon Point to Point ConceptionMLPA study area in the draft prepared bythe Blue Ribbon Committee.

Chicago Grade Landfill Expansion: DraftEIR has been issued and Andrew is coor-dinating review and working with neigh-borhood groups who have asked us forassistance.

New BusinessPam brought up the fact that the sew-

age spill from the SLO city plant also con-tained chemicals, but that was not cov-ered in the press. Pam will draft a letterasking the city what type of water testingthey did after the spill and we will refer thematter to the ExComm.

Los Padres National Forestwill be subject to oil drill-ing: SC is reviewing appealoptions.

Letter from Jesse Arnoldre: Labeling of geneticallymodified foods will bereferred to ExCom.


Photo by Joaquin Palting

Outings and Activities Calendar

Hiking Classifications:

Distance: 1 = 0-2 mi., 2 = 3-5 mi.,3 = 6-9 mi., 4 =10-12 mi.,5 = 12 mi. or more.

Elevation Gain: A = 500',B = 1000', C = 1500', D = 2000',E = 2500', F = 3000' or more.

All of our hikes andactivities are open to all Clubmembers and the generalpublic. If you have anysuggestions for hikes oroutdoor activities, questionsabout the Chapter’s outingpolicies or would like to be anoutings leader, call OutingsLeader Gary Felsman (473-3694). For information on aspecific outing, please contactthe outing leader. OutingsLeaders please get youroutings or events in by the 1stfor the next month’s outings.

This is a partial listing ofOutings offered by our

chapter.Please check the web page

www.santalucia.sierraclub.orgfor the most up-to-date

listing of activities.

Sun, Sept. 4th, 8 a.m. ValenciaPeak Southern Route ConditioningHike. This is a 2-hour, 4.5-mile hikewith over 1200-foot elevation gain.Bring water, sturdy hiking shoes anddress for the weather. Everyone iswelcome, but this is a vigorous con-ditioning hike. It is intended whowant to maintain a high fitness level.It is not for those who want to getinto shape, as they are likely to be leftbehind. Meet at the Coon Creek Park-ing are at the very end of Pecho Roadin Montana de Oro. Leader Al (534-0462)(2B)

Sun., Sept. 4th, 9:30 a.m. POINTSAL: Meet at end of Brown Rd atlocked gate at 0930 climb 2.5 milesto ‘pass’/saddle and then decide whatnext. Bring water, windbreaker,lunch. A group might be hiking ‘allthe way’ to Paradise Beach and thenGuadalupe Beach (e-mail me if inter-ested). Call or e-mail a few days be-fore for details:929-3647 [email protected]

Sat-Sun., September 10-11th.Desert Protection and Restoration.We will participate together with anoff-road vehicle group in a NationalPublic Lands Day project sponsoredby the Ridgecrest Office of the BLM.The area, lying between the SpanglerHills open OHV area to the north andthe Golden Valley Wilderness to thesouth, has incurred considerabledamage from illegal OHV activity.Projects will include general trashpickup, signing the boundary of theopen area to the north, installing lim-ited use area signs, building vehiclebarriers to prevent entry to the wil-

derness area to the south, and camou-flaging and restoring illegal vehicletrespass routes. Saturday will be aworkday followed by a potluck din-ner. On Sunday there will be optionsfor a hike and/or a trail ride. Info andsign-up with Ldr: Craig Deutsche,(310-477-6670),[email protected]. CNCCDesert Com

Sun., Sept. 11th, COAST HIKE:Call or e-mail a few days before fordetails:929-3647 [email protected]

September 16 – 18th CATALINA IS-LAND FUN IN THE SUN: Paradiseawaits you at Camp Emerald Bay. Inthis three-day splash you will experi-ence: Beautiful beaches, Great snor-keling, Crystal blue water, Spectacu-lar views, Swimming, Hiking,Kayaking, Dancing, Great CateredFood, Lots of fun people(200+), Hotshowers, Sunbathing and just relax-ing in your own personal style. Tripfee includes: R/T Catalina boat, camp& landing fees for two nights, plat-form tent w/bed and mattress orwood cabins w/electric lights/outlets(sleeps 8, $20 per person extra for 2nights), hot showers, flush toilets,campfires, kayaks, dancing, leaderled hikes/activities, plus cateredmeals from Fri lunch to Sun brunchand happy hours. After receiving con-firmation of reservation by email,please send check (made out to Si-erra Club) and one self addressedstamped envelope to: GERARDBAILEY – 740 Mission Drive,Camarillo, CA 93010. You may alsouse our paypal connection; there willbe an additional fee of $5. Send $199check w/Sierra Club # ($225 checknon-member), add $20 for optionalcabins made to “Sierra Club.” SierraClub -20’S & 30’S Singles Section/Crescenta Valley/ OCSS (sign up atwww.sc2030.org)

Sat-Sun., September 17-18th.Carcamp and Service in the OwensValley. We’ll work on removingtamarisk, and then take short hikes toview wildlife and special areas. We’llvisit the lower Owens River Deltaarea. If the weather is hot, we can re-treat to the higher mountain mead-ows. Camp at Diaz Lake County Parkjust south of Lone Pine; fee requiredMeet Saturday morning at 0900 inthe campground. Potluck Sat night.Bring all your food and campinggear, gloves, loppers and handsaws (ifyou have them.) and clothes for allkinds of weather. Mike Prather,Owens River Committee activist andoutstanding birder, will be our re-source specialist. For more informa-tion, contact Leaders: Cal and LettyFrench, 14140 Chimney Rock Road,Paso Robles, CA 93446, (805-239-7338). Prefer e-mail:[email protected]. CNCC/SantaLucia Chapter

SAT., Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. CANOE/KAYAK MORRO BAY SAND SPITCLEANUP. Help us improve the estu-ary by cleaning a section of theMorro Bay Sand Spit. See what rareand unusual treasures you can find.After lunch we will have a short busi-ness meeting to discuss future out-ings. Bring your boat and equipment,PFDs, picnic lunch, gloves and bin-oculars. We will provide trash bags.HIGH TIDE 10:32 AM. 5.5', LOWTIDE 4:19 PM. 2.2' LAUNCH ATMORRO BAY STATE PARK MARINA.Details call Jack Beigle 773-2147

Sat., Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. Oats Peak- Coon Creek Loop. Enjoy a wide va-riety of scenery and habitat on this 9mile, 1500 ft. hike in Montana de OroSP. Lunch break in the Coon Creekcypress grove. Possible ticks and poi-son oak in places. Meet at visitor cen-ter. Bob Schwartz, 441-9508,<[email protected] (3C)

Saturday September 17th-3 PM-Guadalupe Dunes Beach Hike at LowTide-Meet at the Dunes Visitor’s Centerin Guadalupe, shortly after the StaMaria River Bridge on the right side ofS.R. 1. Will carpool to the Dunes aftera short visit to the Center. Bringsandals, water, sunscreen, a hat and awindbreaker. Optional dinnerafterwards at a local Mexicanrestaurant. Call Eliane at 473-0288 before 8 PM to confirm.

Sat, Sept. 17, 5:15 p.m., SUNSET/MOONRISE HIKE AND POTLUCKAT POINT SAL Road: Moderate 5mi. RT hike with uphill most the wayto our dinner destination and mostlydownhill on the way back. Come andwatch as the sun goes down and thefull moon comes up a few minuteslater. Bring a daypack with food toshare, as well as a plate, utensils, andwater for yourself. Meet at the OrcuttLong’s Drugs parking lot, NE cornerof Bradley and Clark, at 5:15pm. Al-ways contact the leader; hike particu-lars can change. JIM 937-6766 (AR)

Sept. 18th, Sun.0930, POINT SAL:PS clean-up (one day late). When theroad was open we’d get tons of lit-ter—now we get maybe 20 items.Dogs that do not chase cattle are wel-come. Meet at end of Brown Rd atlocked gate at 0930 climb 2.5 milesto ‘pass’/saddle and then decide whatnext. Bring water, windbreaker,lunch. A group might be hiking ‘allthe way’ to Paradise Beach and thenGuadalupe Beach Call or e-mail a fewdays before for details:929-3647 or<[email protected]

Sat, Sept, 24th, 8:30 a.m. A hike toa swimming hole: Come take a 7mile hike with 1800 foot elevationgain to Villa Creek Camp in the Sil-ver Peak Wilderness located in south-ern Monterey County. Bring lunch,water, and what ever else you mightlike if you plan to take a dip in theswimming hole. Meet at Spencer’s

Market in Morro Bay. Cambria resi-dents meet at the Washburn Day Usearea at 8:45 a.m. As we will be arringshortly there after. Details call Gary473-3694.

Sun., Sept. 25th, 8 a.m. Cerro SanLuis Conditioning Hike. This is a 2hour, 4 mile hike with an 1100 footelevation gain. Everyone is welcome,but this is a fast paced conditioninghike where beginners will fall waybehind due to the steep elevation gain.Meet at the Maino Open Space parkingarea between the two Hwy 101entrance ramps at the southern end ofMarsh St. in SLO. Leader Al (534-0462)(2B)

Sept. 25th, Sun.0930, BLACKLAKE CANYON: Meet at junction ofGuadalupe Rd. and Leguna Nigra tohike down Xenon Way, see oak-wood-land, a man-made canyon, giant crab-grass and protected areas. Call or e-mail a few days before fordetails:929-3647 [email protected]

Sat., Oct. 1st SURF BEACH: Cel-ebrate the opening of Surf Beach bywalking south 3.5 miles. Meet at 1pmin Surf Parking Lot west of Lompocwhere West Ocean has turned south-ward near Surf Railroad Station.Bring water and a snack. Low tide isat 3:32pm. Dogs welcome. Alwayscontact the leader; hike particularscan change. CONNIE 735-2292 (AR)

Oct. 2nd, Sun., 0930 MUSSELROCK: We’ll hike along coast, intodunes, see Chumash midden, trackmountain lions and (hopefully) get tothe top of Mussel Rock to read poetry& HDT. Dogs on leash permitted atthis time of year. Call or e-mail a fewdays before for details:929-3647 [email protected]

You are invited by the Sierra Club’sSequoia Task Force on a Fall Outingin the magnificent Giant Sequoia Na-tional Monument, about 90 minuteseast of Porterville, California. Youcan arrive anytime after 2:00 pm Fri-day, September 30. Saturday morn-ing we will have several hikes and seea wide variety of spectacular scenery.If we are lucky, the aspens will be

Outing in the Sequoia Monumentchanging colors and the dogwoodwill be turning red! We will hikethrough the Wheel Meadow Grovedown the South Fork of the NorthFork of the Tule River. Later we willtake a short but steep jaunt to a secretwaterfall. We will enjoy the vistafrom Dome Rock with an overview ofthe Kern Valley and views into thehigh peaks of Sequoia National Park;

We will visit sites where the SierraClub is challenging logging to mea-sure stumps and count rings to deter-mine the ages of these recently felledtrees. Saturday night potluck. Bring own food and gear. Tents rec-ommended but not required. $10.Details, Carla at [email protected],559-781-8445. RESERVATIONS RE-QUIRED BY SEPTEMBER 25th.

Hug a Sequoia! SEPT 30 - OCT 2

santa lucian - sierra club · 2015. 4. 19. · ask the salamanders the santa lucia chapter has...

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