January 2003
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterJanuary 2003 / Issue 10
SierranACT ACTIVIST ALERT SYSTEM - STOP DIRTY COAL
Reducing coal pollution would provide huge benefits to Minnesota citizens in reducing acid rain, mercury contamination of fish, ozone formation, global warming and the disease and death caused by small particles that get trapped in the lungs and cause respiratory illness and heart attacks. The Public Utilities Commission is considering Xcel's coal plant clean up right now, and citizen support is necessary to ensure that Minnesota takes a step toward reducing coal pollution. Your action today could clean up coal pollution. Send your message today! http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org/showalert.asp?aaid=187
MOTORS AND WILDERNESS - ONE OF THESE DOESN'T BELONG
The Sierra Club and allies have/will file suit in federal court challenging a Forest Service decision to triple motorboat permits from 2,376 to 6,992 on the Moose, Farm and Saganaga lake chains in the BWCAW. The Club believes the decision violates the 1978 law that restricted motorized use within the wilderness and that the motorboat quotas were raised without justification. Please contact Conservation Chair, Clyde Hanson if you would like to do public education, outreach or media work in support of the goals of this litigation. We need a show of public support so Congress does not codify the bad Forest Service decision into law, negating an expected judicial win.
PROTECT OUR CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Do you notice school buses idling in your neighborhood or in front of your school? Take action to help clean up air pollution and protect children's health from harmful diesel fumes. We have a sample "No Idling" policy which can be printed out and brought to your school to request that they take a positive, money-saving approach to protecting children's health. For more information and to print out a copy of the "No Idling" Policy, please visit http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/air/schoolbus.
ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZEN'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Want to Protect our Water? Whether you have ever met your legislator or not, join other environmentalists in a one-day rush to the Capitol to meet with legislators to encourage phosphorus reduction, remedies to septic system pollution, and environmental funding. Take advantage of the opportunity to make our legislators know that the environment matters. Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) Citizens Day at the Capitol, February 25, 2003, 9:00am-3:00pm. For meeting details contact Heather Cusick at
GALLON BY GALLON
Better gas mileage means more than just big savings at the fuel pump. It also means freedom freedom from air pollution and freedom from foreign oil. Are you curious how many pounds of carbon dioxide emissions you personally would eliminate or how much money you would save by raising fuel efficiency standards then click on MPG Calculator at: www.sierraclub.org/freedompackage/.
PRESIDENT BUSH SEES THE MONEY THROUGH THE TREES
The Bush Administration has proposed a barrage of regulation changes that would seriously undermine environmental laws, beginning in Superior and Chippewa National Forests. The proposed changes increase logging, strip protections for precious wildlife and plants, and eliminate most public participation in government decisions. The Administration already showed how little it cares about public input, when it suspended the popular rule protecting roadless areas. We can't fight these changes without the support of the representatives we just elected to Congress. They can put pressure on federal agencies and shore up environmental laws with legislation. Contact your Congresspeople!
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM
Use Zoomer to zoom in on useful tips and news about the environment in your neighborhood. Find out where to take old paint cans. Check out the day's pollen count. Learn about local wildlife. In the words of Carl Pope, This is really fabulous. Get the scoop here. http://zoomer.sierraclub.org/
ROCHESTER RUMBLING, REGULATIONS AND REAL GOOD TIME
The Wasioja Group and Friends will hold their monthly meeting at 7 PM on January 29, 2003 at 2426 Wilshire Lane NE, Rochester MN. Agenda will include updates on the Antibiotics in Agriculture and RPU SLP Coal Plant campaigns. Also, Scott Elkins, State Chapter Director will speak on "What's Going on at The North Star Chapter and Relationships to Greater Minnesota Groups". Call Jon Rosenblatt 507-284-3050 (day) or 507-282-7911(eve) for information .SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
January 21: International Committee and Freedom Package Ford Campaign
January 22: Executive Committee Meeting
January 24, 25, 26: National Sierra Club CGC at Monticello
January 29: North Star Chapter Book Group
February 1-2: Winter camping in the Ely Area of BWCAW
February 5: Forestry Committee and Air Toxics Coal Committee
February 13: Land Use Committee
February 19: Membership Committee
February 21: Last day to Submit Public Comments to PUC on Coal Cleanup
February 25: MEP Citizens Day at the Capitol
February 26: Executive Committee
For More Calendar Information Contact:
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Heather Cusick
Conservation Director
Sierra Club - North Star
2327 East Franklin Ave. Suite 1
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406
phone: 612.659.9124
fax: 612.659.9129