August 2016 Alabama Sierran

August 1, 2016

Comments from the Chair, Robert W. Hastings:

Now that both National political parties have completed their conventions and chosen their candidates for President, it’s time to start thinking about how we will vote in November (Nov. 8), as well as how we can help with campaigns. Although the National Sierra Club Board has endorsed a presidential candidate, I won’t tell you how to vote, but I will tell you that this is possibly the most significant vote of our lifetime. Critical environmental issues will need to be addressed by the new President and Congress, as well as local and state leaders; Issues such as global warming, public lands protection (including both national and state parks and forests), clean energy, and human rights. Ethical standards and scientific integrity must also be considered. So please study carefully the platforms of candidates, and support candidates with the best records and promises of environmental protection. Contact candidates to express your support for environmental protection. And if you have the time, volunteer to help with the campaigns of the best candidates.

Keep in mind for the National elections that politics in our country is primarily a two party system. There may be excellent environmental candidates in third parties, but reality is that they stand little chance of being elected. However, they can affect the outcome of elections by taking votes away from other candidates. If you consider voting for a third party candidate, determine as best you can the potential for that candidate to be elected. If there is virtually no chance of that person being elected, then your “symbolic” vote might be considered a wasted vote.

Another critical vote in Alabama in November will be for an amendment to our state constitution that protects funding for state parks. As you may know, state politicians have in recent years robbed state park budgets by transferring funds to the state general fund. The amendment will prevent such transfers and guarantee that funds raised by state parks (from user fees) remain in the state parks budget. Please vote YES for this amendment.

We will also be having our annual Sierra Club Chapter election at the end of the year to select Executive Committee members. Our Nominating Committee will be soliciting volunteers willing to serve on the Executive Committee if elected. We always need new activists willing to serve the Chapter in this way. With only four meetings per year it is not a time-consuming commitment. But good leaders are needed to guide the Chapter in Alabama. Please consider offering your name as a candidate for the Executive Committee.

Why We Must Stand with Uniontown in the Fight for Health & Justice

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management just announced Arrowhead Landfill’s intentions to modify its current permit. This is the same ADEM that permitted allowed trespass and construction of monitoring wells inside adjacent New Hope Cemetery, a resting place of former slaves dating back to 1858. This is the same ADEM that allowed the landfill’s permit in 2011 and 2012 to expand in size and accept waste from 33 states. This is the same ADEM and same Uniontown where daily sewage overflows since 1992 have created a current crisis.  This and many other reasons are why members of Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health and Justice (BBC) are challenging ADEM’s ability to enforce the Civil Rights Act, Clean Water Act, and others.  Arrowhead Landfill is now suing thecommunity leaders in Uniontown for defamation.  Below is a summary of recent events highlighting the Black Belt Citizens and why we must support their fight for equal rights regarding the landfill, the sewage crisis, and other injustices. The time to stand with BBC’s leaders is NOW. Please see the action items and how you can support the tactics in our shared campaign for environmental justice and racial justice.

How to Support BBC’s Fight for Equal Rights and Justice:

  1. Address with letters, emails, and calls to demand the revoke of permit #53-03 starting NOW until September 13th.
  2. Address ADEM’s Director and Chief of Water with letters, emails, and calls to demand clean water and sanitation
  3. Support our efforts and assistance fighting for clean water, stopping trespass at New Hope Cemetery, and other top priorities. Our great partner and fiscal sponsor, Project South, allows us to receive tax-deductible donations.
  4. Tell your family, friends, and share this info with the people closest to you.
  5. Please visit our community programs and get more involved in any way. Please contact us at blackbeltcitizens@gmail.com
  • August 15 BBC to host US Human Rights Network for tribunal, community tour, and community action to fight for clean water and sanitation in Uniontown
  • August 19 BBC will travel to the Alabama Environmental Management Commission’s meeting to address the state’s failures to enforce the Civil Rights Act
  • August 20-21 BBC to host Uniontown Assembly, Building Bridges for Justice, to plan community-determined solutions to the violence, poverty and pollution.
  • September 6 ADEM to hold public hearing in Uniontown regarding the landfill’s permit.
  • September 13 Deadline to ADEM’s permit on the landfill, BBC demand that they revoke permit #53-03

Adam Johnston
Coordinator, Black Belt Citizens Fighting for Health & Justice
Mailing Address: 23355 County Rd 53 Uniontown, AL 36786

Visit the BBC Website Address for more information. Find BBC and follow on Facebook here.

Camp McDowell

SAVE THE DATE NOW FOR OCT. 28 – 30!

You don’t want to miss the Annual Alabama Sierra Club Retreat! Invite your friends!  Let’s expand our Sierra Club family and friends group!

ONE PLANET:  ACT WITH CARE  a sustainable living summit focusing on how our actions affect the place we live

OCTOBER 28 -30, 2016 at beautiful Camp McDowell, Nauvoo, Alabama

Friday, October 28

We will be meeting new friends by teaming up with Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network- ASAN!  Come early on Friday to enjoy ASAN activities sponsored activities!

Friday will come to a close with a joint cook-out and evening activities around a campfire.

Saturday, October 29

  • Caring for Ourselves and the Earth with our Food Choices
  • Saturday morning will be filled with interesting speakers including:
  • A Farmers’ Panel – Making Wise Food Choices
  • Majodi Baru, Magic City Agriculture Project -  Making Good Food Choices Available for All
  • Scott Douglas, Greater Birmingham Ministries – Including Diversity in Our Outreach

Saturday Lunch

A special place will be set aside for a working lunch for Alabama Sierra Student Coalition led by Adam Johnston.  

Exciting Adventures for Saturday afternoon:

  • Secret Canyon Hike – Led by Maggie Johnston
  • Bankhead Hike – Led by Ken and Roe Hyche, Cahaba Group Outiings Leaders
  • Bankhead Tree Hike – Led by Dexter Duren, West Alabama Outings Leader 
  • Beginning Harmonica Lessons – Taught by well-known harmonicist Jamie Finley
  • McDowell Farm School Tour – Learn about the exciting new program at Camp Mc!  (You really need to know about this – the tour will be repeated Sunday morning.)

Saturday evening will be an event to remember!

  • Dinner – A Farm to Table Feast in the McDowell Farm School Barn – with Live Music And  Featuring Alice Evans of Alabama Sustainable  Agriculture Network
  • Music and Dance – Featuring Red Mountain White Trash.  Come and dance your heart out to the music of this popular Alabama band.  Joyce Cauthen will call the dances and will teach us all to follow her call.  (The music is wonderful to listen to, even if you decide not to dance!)

Sunday, October 30

  • Cherishing All the Pieces – Kendra Burns, Camp McDowell Naturalist
  • Outings and Activities:
      • McDowell Farm School Tour – repeat from Saturday afternoon for those who didn’t get to participate on Saturday afternoon)
      • Geothermal Presentation and Outing – Rev. Mark Johnston, Director, Camp McDowell
      • McDowell Tree Hike – Led by Dexter Duren
  • Alabama Chapter Sierra Club Executive Committee Meeting – open to all
  • Lunch and Fabulous Door Prizes
  • Together We Can Do It! – Bob Hastings, Alabama Chapter Chair

 

Special Notes 

 

  • Registration forms will be available at this site mid August – paper registration forms will be mailed the first of September.
  • Registration and lodging fees will be reasonable, with a choice of lodging.
  • All meals are provided and will feature at least one locally grown item – with the Saturday evening feast featuring all local farm food – thanks to Jeremy Peltz, Camp McDowell Chef.
  • A limited number of scholarships will be available – contact Dr. M.H. Hill at mhill@jsu.edu.

 

State Parks Needs Our Help

Here is a great idea from one of Alabama's own future leaders.

Dear Friends,
My name is Maddie Hoaglund and I am a senior at Westminster School at Oak Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama. I am working toward my Girl Scout Gold Award with a project entitled, Love Your State Parks Day!  The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of the importance of preserving our state parks through community support. In addition, I hope to strategically increase attendance to Alabama's State Parks through social media, word of mouth and getting individual park directors on board through this initiative. This day will be held Saturday, September 24, 2016 at Oak Mountain State Park at the Dogwood Pavilion and the Demonstration Farm. The opportunity for media coverage and special programs will increase attendance to the state parks and will allow supporters of the parks to further their message, especially for the vote of Amendment Two in November. It is my aim that this day will become an annual state-wide event.

As a state parks partner, I need your help! Please consider the following options to support Love Your State Parks Day, 2016!

  • Visiting and encouraging others to visit  Oak Mountain State Park onSaturday, September 24, 2016 for Love Your State Parks Day, 2016!
  • Setting up a booth/tent at Oak Mountain to advertise your organization on  September 24, 2016 for Love Your State Parks Day, 2016!
  • Organizing programming such as a day hike, environmental talk, educational program, etc. to be added to the list of events at Oak Mountain onSeptember 24, 2016.
  • Advertising the date on your social media outlets or website.
  • Organizing a group of volunteers to make improvements to theDemonstration Farm at Oak Mountain on September 24, 2016- (These improvements include: repairing the fencing, animal enclosures, and painting, etc.)
  • Creating a PSA or other promotional materials about the event
  • Sponsoring promotional materials such as t-shirts, signs, etc.
  • Distributing literature to visitors at the park regarding the upcoming vote on Amendment 2 in the fall
  • Donating food, water or other materials to be distributed to volunteers and visitors

If you are willing to help in any way, please email me and let me know. I am also open to suggestions for how I can make this a great event for the community and increase awareness about the state parks system. As I am sure you are aware, due to deep budget cuts in the Alabama State Parks system, many of Alabama's State parks have closed or are limiting days/ hours of operations. It is my hope that I can use my Gold Award project to increase awareness of this issue. This November there is a vote on Amendment Two to protect the funds for the state parks. I wish to increase the awareness for this proposition in the community. Alabama has some of the most beautiful land that America has to offer and it would be detrimental to wildlife as well as communities if those natural areas were not protected. It will take citizens advocating for our State Parks to ensure that they will be preserved for generations to come.

Fish Kill at Gorgas and Sewer Spill at Northport: Citizens Demand Answers

Two major pollution events in the watershed this summer raise serious concerns for people who fish or swim in public water. The incidents also show how helpful citizens can be in reporting pollution to us, especially when government investigations are ineffective.

June 16, citizens called us about a large fish kill at Alabama Power’s Gorgas Steam Plant on the Mulberry Fork’s confluence with Baker Creek. We investigated that day, took pictures, created an interactive Google map of the fish kill, and reported our findings to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which led the investigation that morning. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) arrived later that afternoon to begin their own investigation. ADEM set up a fish kill folder on their e-File system (app.adem.alabama.gov/eFile/).

June 27, ADEM indicated that discharge from Gorgas to Baker Creek was the origin of water very low in dissolved oxygen. July 5, ADEM uploaded DCNR documents stating that dead fish were found in the Gorgas discharge canal but not upstream. Dissolved oxygen upstream of the canal was a healthy 9.2 mg/l and water clarity was normal. In the canal, dissolved oxygen was 3.5 mg/l and water was turbid. DCNR said the number of fish they “...were able to enumerate was substantially reduced due to a tug boat coming through the kill area causing many of the dead fish to sink.”

ADEM did not collect data for oil and grease or organic chemicals even though their inspector documented a substantial oil sheen on the river. July 14, ADEM updated e-File with a statement by Alabama Power denying responsibility. July 20, ADEM published a final memorandum that does not identify a responsible party. We have asked for more information from both investigating agencies. Stay tuned.

Downstream on July 3, during a long holiday weekend promising lots of swimming on the river and its tributaries, we received Facebook messages from Northport residents informing us of a sewage spill that began the morning of Saturday, July 2. That notification allowed us and Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen to investigate the public health threat which Northport had not announced comprehensively even though public notice of raw sewage spills is required by Northport’s Clean Water Act permit. We posted the following statement on social media and sent it to all local media contacts, which prompted widespread coverage:

“There is a major sewage overflow going on right now in Northport, contaminating the river and several tributaries.... It is not clear exactly when the spills began, how much sewage has been spilled, if the city or state have done any water quality sampling on the river, if any downstream public health notices or water contact warnings are being issued, or when the problems will be fixed.... We are cautioning people to refrain from swimming downstream of Northport and Tuscaloosa until we get better information from Northport and ADEM...."

As with the fish kill, we created an online map to inform the public where the 5 spills were so folks could make informed decisions about swimming. After days of confusion regarding the spill’s size, Northport later estimated that it spilled between 401,000-4,010,000 gallons of sewage in those areas. Weeks after their July 5 investigation, ADEM confirmed they had not taken water samples.

We met with Northport officials on July 13 to discuss the need for proper notification and sewage spill response. We are now talking with Northport about creating a sewage spill response plan that should include adequate public notice, transparency, cleanup, disinfection, and water monitoring.

In both the fish kill and the sewer spill, government did little to inform the public during the incident or in the weeks that followed. We will continue to push for more details on both incidents as well as better responses by ADEM and local entities during future problems. Stay tuned.

On the bright side, we were able to spread the word rapidly and widely both times to the media and public because citizens quickly told us about the problems. To report pollution in the watershed, call (205) 458-0095, email reportpollution@blackwarriorriver.org or visit our interactive pollution webpage, blackwarriorriver.org/report-pollution. You may remain anonymous if you wish. from Black Warrior Riverkeeper's latest newsletter. Read the full newsletter here. 

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT

Nation’s Largest and Most Influential Grassroots Environmental Organization Cites Clinton’s Detailed Plans and Ability to Build on Obama’s Legacy

Contact:  Jonathon Berman, (202) 495-3033, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org

San Francisco, CA -- Today, the Sierra Club endorsed Secretary Hillary Clinton for President. In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

“We firmly believe Secretary Clinton will be the strong environmental champion that we need to lead our country, which is why the Sierra Club is proud to endorse her and her vision for America.

“Over the last eight years, our country has made enormous advancements in cutting carbon pollution, transitioning away from dirty fuels, and increasing clean energy deployment. Secretary Clinton has a long record on the environment and is the leader we need to build on this progress made by President Obama and the climate movement. She has listened to the grassroots and crafted detailed plans to safeguard our climate, air, water, and public lands, to protect the most vulnerable from environmental injustice, and to continue the rapid expansion of our clean energy economy.

“Senator Bernie Sanders and his millions of supporters ran a hard-fought campaign and helped elevate climate change and protecting our environment while reducing inequality as key issues in the Democratic Primary. Senator Sanders and his supporters brought the passionate, principled advocacy that we need, and we are eager to work together to raise these issues in every campaign--not just the presidential race.

“Together, Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton made this an election about the issues and finding real solutions. Solutions like protecting our oceans and public lands from fossil fuel development; rejecting dangerous trade deals such as the Trans Pacific Partnership; and transitioning onto 100% clean, renewable energy.

“Contrasted with that, we have a reckless and misinformed candidate in Donald Trump, who has called climate change a “hoax,” a “con job,” and a “concept created by the Chinese.” Trump’s record setting contradictory statements includes his “energy plan.” Trump claims he’ll protect clean air and water but has pledged to dismantle the EPA. He offers vague promises to create jobs but would stifle growth in wind and solar, which are among the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. And when he gets to specifics, Trump makes rash promises, like ripping up the Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark agreement that brought 196 countries together for the first time in history. The gap on environmental and climate issues between Secretary Clinton and Donald Trump is the largest in U.S. political history.

“The Sierra Club, like so many Americans, not only wants to protect President Obama’s legacy--we want to expand it. That is something we can accomplish with a Clinton White House, and it’s why the Sierra Club’s members and supporters will work tirelessly to make sure she’s elected this November. We have an historic opportunity to build a clean energy economy that puts millions of people to work, and there’s no turning back.”###

Paid for by Sierra Club Political Committee, www.sierraclub.org, and authorized by Hillary for America.

 

PROCEDURE FOR SENDING MATERIAL TO THE ALABAMA SIERRAN

Many thanks to Roe Hyche, Bob Hastings, and Peggie Griffin for agreeing to be the new newsletter committee.

The newsletter is put together monthly, and material for the newsletter should be sent to plgriffin@comcast.net, with a subject line of "For the Editorial Board" no later than the 15th of the month.

Group newsletter editors may continue sending group meeting information and calendars of events to Joe Watts at joe@joewatts.com, no later than the 25th of each month.

Guidelines for Material:

  • The newsletter committee is seeking articles about Alabama environmental issues, articles highlighting Alabama’s special beautiful places, and engaging write-ups about group and chapter activities.
  • Articles should be originally written for the Alabama Sierran, factual, and timely.
  • A link to another publication should only be used rarely, but if a link is to be used, a full summary of the information (at least a paragraph long) should be written, with the link provided for more detailed information.
  • The newsletter committee has the right to make any changes, so that material will meet these guidelines.

Outings and Events

Cahaba Group

August Meeting of the Cahaba Group of the Sierra Club | Sunset Hike at Ruffner Mountain

Thursday, August 11th at 6:30p. 301 Ruffner Road, Irondale, AL

Join us for a meeting of the Cahaba Group of the Sierra Club at 6:30p. Instead of the usual format - we will be conducting a hike to watch the sunset over downtown Birmingham. We do have permission from Ruffner Mountain to have a group in the park after the official closing time.So come on out and work up a sweat with us and hike a couple of miles.

Please remember to bring a light source (headlamp, flashlight, lantern, etc.) for the hike back down the mountain. We will meet at one of the rear entrances to Ruffner Mountain at 301 Ruffner Road, which is a little league baseball park. We will hike up to the Hawk's Overlook and catch up with each other and discuss locations for future hikes in the fall.  If there is a place you are interested in visiting in the fall or next winter, please talk about it to some of the folks at this meeting.

All Sierra Club Outings leaders are encouraged to attend. 
We will have another meeting just for outings leaders in September to designate some dates for hikes and other events. 

Typical Monthly meetings - 2nd Thursday every month at 6:00 pm at the Birmingham Zoo Auditorium (building to the right of entrance gate) NOTE: locations do vary, so check the facebook page for the latest information.
Business meeting at 6:00, presentation at 6:30.

Coosa Valley Group 

August 11, 6:30 pm –   Join Coosa Riverkeeper’s Executive Director, Justinn Overton, as she explains Fish Guide, Coosa Riverkeeper’s program that focuses on fishing on the Coosa and educating the public about fish consumption advisories on the Coosa River. In this presentation, you’ll learn about the advisories themselves, the contaminants that effect fish in the Coosa, and the best ways to reduce your exposure when you enjoy fish from the river where there may be an advisory present. 

Justinn has a deep family connection to the Coosa Valley.  Growing up in the Coosa Valley, Justinn spent time fishing and exploring the banks fo the river with her parents.  She’s now proud to work to restore and protect the Coosa – it’s been a constant part of her life.  As the Executive Director, she ensures Coosa Riverkeepe4r has the resources needed to fight for swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water.  She also coordinates many other aspects of the organization such as membership, capacity building, special events, and outreach.  Before joining the staff of Coosa Riverkeeper, she worked with the Alabama Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council implementing the Building Green Jobs for Alabama program, a statewide federally funded workforce development grant. 6:30 pm, Room 210, Joe M. Ford Center, 405 Korner Dr. (aka East Cardinal Dr.)

Directions to the Joe M. Ford Center:  From I-59, take the exit for I-759.  Follow I-759 until it ends at George Wallace Dr.  Turn right, then take the first left onto East Cardinal Drive.  The Joe Ford Center is the first building on the right.

Connect with Sierra Club: By phone |256| 459 8177 (get info, text, leave a message) fb.com/CoosaValleySierraClub

Sept. 8, 6:30 pm – Movie – Catching the Sun.  An enjoyable and informative movie about solar power.

Oct 13, 6:30 pm – Martha Hunter, Alabama Rivers Alliance (tentative)

November 10, 6:30 pm – Trails of Alabama – Joe Watts, President Elect, Birmingham Audubon Society and webmaster for the Alabama Sierra Club.

Dec. 8, 6:30 pm – Christmas Pot Luck

Mobile Bay Group

Tuesday evening, August 2.  What: Mobile Bay Sierra Club will host 'EARTH HISTORY, with Emphasis on Atmosphere and Climate', a comprehensive presentation by Dianne Palmore. Dianne Palmore is a Geology Instructor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of South Alabama. Dianne's primary employment is with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), where she is an Environmental Scientist working within multiple programs such as: Air, Water, and Emergency Response.
The climate system is very complex. Dianne Palmore will present it with respect to the overall evolution throughout Earth's history.

7:00 p.m. Program Presentation
6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served prior to program.
Please forward this information invitation to any interested people or groups.
Meeting Location: 5 Rivers, Tensaw Theater
Address: 5 Rivers, Alabama’s Delta Resource Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527
(entrance is across from Meaher State Park on the Mobile BayCauseway)
Follow the Sierra Club signs to the meeting location at 5 Rivers.
For more information, please contact Carol Adams-Davis, 702-496-5050
or email: mcadamsdavis@earthlink.net

Montgomery Group

Note that regular Group meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at Aldersgate Methodist Church (Room 25), 6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116. (334) 272-6152

North Alabama Group

Tuesday, August 9 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Aaron Lesky at aaronlesky22@gmail.com
 
Tuesday, August 16 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Sue at sierraboot@yahoo.com
 
Tuesday, August 23 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00 p.m. sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles. For directions or questions contact Pete Luther at pluther@knology.net
 
Tuesday, August 30 - Monte Sano Evening Hike. Moderate.
Depart at 6:00pm sharp from the Monte Sano State Park Hikers’ parking lot on Nolen Avenue. There is a small fee to enter the park and all dogs must be on a leash while in the parking lot and during the hike. Though not strenuous, hikes may be vigorous and range from 3 to 5 miles.

North Alabama Sierra Club Meetings for 2016
Mark your calendars for meetings of the North Alabama Sierra Club. Meetings start at 6:00pm and will be in the training room of the National Children’s Advocacy Center at 210 Pratt Avenue. This is at the corner of Pratt and Meridian streets. The North Alabama Sierra Club meets quarterly and meetings are open to everyone. Come join us!
 - August 18 –  Darryl Patton, Wilderness Survival and Medicinal/Edible plants in the woods.
 - November - Program to be determined
 - December - Holiday Party. This will be held in the auditorium of the public library downtown.

West Alabama Group

Visit our website for up-to-date info.: http://www.sierraclub.org/alabama/west-alabama