December 2003
Welcome to e-Sierra
The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star ChapterDecember 2003 / Issue 21
TAKE ACTION TODAY ON MERCURY!
This week the Bush Administration announced its Christmas present for Minnesotans more mercury in our fish and lakes! Even though the EPA estimated that 90% reductions in mercury from coal plants would be feasible under the Clean Air Act by 2008, the agency caved in to pressure from the White House and announced a plan that will only reduce mercury by 30% in 2010. Because this mercury threatens our fisheries and the health of over 5,000 babies born in Minnesota each year, we need to demand better from the Bush Administration. Please take action at http://northstar.sierraclubaction.org/showalert.asp?aaid=471. To find out more information, go to http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/air/mercury/national.html.
FATE OF CITIZEN SUPPORTED METRO COAL PLANT CLEAN UP -ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED TOMORROW!
Years of citizen testimony, letter writing, phone calling, and late night meetings all come to a head tomorrow at the Public Utilities Commission. The PUC is meeting tomorrow, (Thursday) at 9:30 am to finally decide whether or not MERP is approved, and the coal burning power plant clean-up goes forward. We need a good turnout from the community to help watchdog the PUC. Please be there if you can to show support and help us make a splash in the media. Sierra Club and Clean Energy Now folks will be on hand with stickers and talking points in case you are approached by some eager reporter. 9:30 AM, Thursday, December 18, 2003, Public Utilities Commission Large Board Room, 121 7th Place East, St. Paul, Minnesota Corner of Robert Street and 7th Place East. For more information or directions please contact Michelle Rosier, 612-659-9124 or michelle.rosier@sierraclub.org
STOPPING THE BUSH ASSUALT ON THE ENVIRONMENT: THANK GOODNESS FOR THE COURTS AND THE VIGILANT PUBLIC! TWO VICTORIES!
Clean Water:
http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2003-12-16.asp
Yellowstone:
http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2003-12-17.asp
PROTECT WETLANDS AND PUBLIC LANDS
Wanted: Volunteers to stop ATVs from destroying our wetlands and forests. The ATV Clubs are organizing to punch a big loophole in last years land protection law - in which we lost environmental review of thousands of miles of trail designations. We are working with a coalition (including the Jack Pine Coalition, MCEA, and MRR) to stop this vandalism our lands and waters. Needed are people to meet with their legislators, make phone calls, write letters, do research, attend public meetings, and meet with coalition partners. Please call Don Janes, Chair of our Wildlands Campaign (Forest Protection, Wildlife, Wilderness and non-urban Parks) to volunteer - 651-429-0016.
SIERRA CLUB OUTING PROGRAM SEEKS OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS
Current politics got you down? The Sierra Club North Star Chapter is expanding its Outings Program to organize a greater number of outdoor outings for people to rejuvenate and enjoy the natural beauty of Minnesota and beyond. Anyone interested in potentially leading (or co-leading) future Sierra Club outings are encouraged to attend the "Basic First Aid and Outings Leader Training" at the Dodge Nature Center in St. Paul on February 7th from 9am to 1pm. Lunch will be provided. For more information, or to reserve your spot, please contact Brian Pasko at brian.pasko@sierraclub.org or at 612-729-1101.
THE ENDANGERED GREEN SPACE GUIDE
The Endangered Greenspace Guide is back! Our new guide is currently under construction. A creative team of talented volunteers will be meeting on Monday nights at 6:30pm to design text, graphics, layout and cover art. Were also building a press team to help us get the word out when our work is complete. Why not contact Sierra Club volunteer, Sharell Benson at (651) 699-1785 or benso105@tc.umn.edu and give it a try.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - IT IS TIME TO HOB NOB
The annual MEP meeting with folks from environmental groups and state legislators is scheduled for February 9th from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Four Points Sheraton - St. Paul. If you would like to attend please contact heather.cusick@sierraclub.org for more information.
NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
Saturday, January 17, 2004, 8:30am to 2:00pm, Augsburg College, Minneapolis Neighborhood volunteers, resource people and elected officials from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and suburban communities are invited to attend this free conference. Learn about City sustainability efforts underway in Minneapolis, St. Paul & suburban communities. Launch effective environmental projects and campaigns in your neighborhood. Learn how your neighborhood can define sustainability indicators for itself. Offer your suggestions for the new Sustainability Chapter for the Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan. www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/environment/Nhood-Sustainability-Conference.asp.
YOUR MOTHER'S NAME IN A FILM!
Please help. We're taking environmental awareness and independent film to the next level! [green green water] is a documentary that follows award-winning Minnesota filmmaker, Dawn Mikkelson, as she travels to Northern Manitoba to learn the stories of the Cree whose lives have been irreversibly changed by Manitoba Hydro's large-scale dams. For more information contact Sierra Club International Committee volunteer, Steve Birchler at sbirch3@aol.com.
YOU CAN SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CANDIDATES
Did you know that you can support an environmentally friendly candidate for the state legislature without actually spending any money? The state of Minnesota offers a program called the Political Contribution Refund (PCR). Under this program you may donate up to $50 per person ($100 per married couple) per year to any candidate for State office and your donation will be fully refunded by the State of Minnesota. This limit is applied annually including off-years so you must contribute by 12/31/2003 to be able to take advantage of the 2003 limit. Official information is available at http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/PublicSubsidy/conrefund.htm. Eligible candidates are listed at: http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/candatoz.html and you can look up your specific district at http://maps.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/website/districts/.
CITIZEN STEWARDS!
We don't support voting early and voting often, however we do support you contacting your Congress members on a regular basis and letting them know that you want them to protect the environment. Need an e-mail, phone, or mailing address for your Congress member? Click here. To contact Senator Coleman: http://www.senate.gov/~coleman/contact/index.cfm.
PRESIDENT BUSH AND CONGRESS WATCH
Keep tabs on President Bush and Congress. http://www.sierraclub.org/politics/
SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec. 18: MERP Decision
Dec. 22: Excom Meeting
Dec. 24-Jan. 2: Sierra Club office is closed
Jan. 7: Forestry Committee
Jan. 13: Political Organizing Network
Jan. 14: Duluth Presentation on Great Lakes restoration by Sierra Club's Jennifer Feyerherm
Jan. 19: Land Use Committee
Jan. 19: Legislative Committee
Jan. 21: Excom Meeting
Jan. 21: Water Committee
Jan. 21, 22, 23: Midwest Regional Staff Retreat
Jan. 27: Air Toxics Committee
Feb. 7: Sierra Club First Aid Training
For More Calendar Information Contact:
vicki.munson@sierraclub.org
For Interesting Submissions:
heather.cusick@sierraclub.org
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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