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January 2004

Welcome to e-Sierra

The email newsletter of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter
January 2004 / Issue 22

BUILD AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY RIGHT IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Want to meet other Sierra Club members in your community? Check out http://sierraclub.meetup.com. Signing up is simple, and you'll discover a whole community of Sierra Club members who want to get together and discuss common environmental interests.

HELP THE ENVIRONMENT... CAUCUS ON MARCH 2nd

Frustrated by sliding environmental policy? Empower yourself and attend a precinct caucus training! Help make the environment a key issue in 2004 caucuses. Join other folks and learn the art of passing environmental resolutions. Please contact Brenda at for more information.

  1. St. Cloud - Wed. Jan. 28 @ 6:30 p.m. - Great River Regional Library, 405 W. St. Germain St.
  2. St. Paul - Wed. Feb. 4 @ 6:30 p.m. - Macalester College, Olin-Rice Science Center Rm 250
  3. Rochester - Thurs. Feb. 12 @ 6:30 p.m. - Izaak Walton League cabin on Silver Lake
  4. Duluth - Mon. Feb. 23 - Details to be announced
  5. Minneapolis - Sat. Feb. 28 @ 10:00 a.m. - Augsburg College, Room TBA

IS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION MAKING MINNESOTA'S FISH UNSAFE TO EAT?

EPA is working to weaken mercury reduction rules. These actions will ensure that our fish are unhealthy to eat for decades to come, and that hundreds of thousands of unborn babies will be at risk of developmental problems every year. Please urge EPA to develop a stronger mercury rule that is determined by what technology can really achieve and not on what energy executives and politicians believe should be the standard. Please send a letter to the EPA today. For more information: http://northstar.sierraclub.org/campaigns/air/mercury/national.html

BORDER OF THE BWCAW... IT IS WORTH PROTECTING

Copper-Nickel-Rare Metals Mining: New mining near the BWCAW is on the horizon and we need to get ready. If you like science and clean water then consider volunteering to research the new mining where toxic chemicals are pumped down into ground to dissolve minerals and bring them to the surface. Call Clyde Hanson if you are interested, at 218-387-9081.

MINNESOTA WILDLANDS UNDER THREAT

The North Star Chapter is working with a wide range of allies to protect our forests and wetlands from damage by recreational off-highway vehicles. The DNR is just starting public meetings on setting ATV access policy for each state forest and designating trails for forests were on-trail use will be allowed. Now is the time to get involved to put pressure on the DNR and our state and local elected officials. Contact Don Janes at 651-429-0016, Wildland Campaign Chair, to learn more or volunteer.

LEARN BASIC FIRST AID AND BECOME A SIERRA CLUB OUTINGS LEADER

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.

DAM REMOVAL, MPCA PERMITS, DEFENDING CLEAN WATER ACT

If you care about Minnesota's precious water resources come to the next water meeting on Wed, Jan 28th, 5:30-7pm at the Sierra Club office.

ANNUAL MEP LEGISLATIVE MEETING - MARK YOUR CALENDARS

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.

PRESIDENT BUSH AND CONGRESS WATCH

Keep tabs on President Bush and Congress.
http://www.sierraclub.org/politics/
http://www.sierraclub.org/wwatch/

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan. 19: Land Use Committee
Jan. 19: Legislative Committee
Jan. 20: International Committee
Jan. 21: Political Organizing Network Phonebank
Jan. 22: Inner City Outings
Jan. 21, 22, 23: Midwest Regional Staff Retreat
Jan. 24: Conservation Committee 10:00-3:00
Jan. 27: Air Toxics Committee
Jan. 28: Outings Committee
Jan. 28 Executive Committee
Jan. 28: Precinct Caucus Training in St. Cloud
Jan. 31: Political Organizing Network Phonebank
Jan. 31: Clean Air Student Committee
Feb. 2: Political Organizing Network Phonebank
Feb. 4: Precinct Caucus Training at Macalester College
Feb. 4: Forestry Committee
Feb. 7: Outings First Aid Training
Feb. 7: Sierra Club First Aid Training
Feb. 12: Precinct Caucus Training in Rochester
Feb. 20: International Committee
Feb. 23: Precinct Caucus Training in Duluth

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