YOU CAN HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF ALABAMA.
The assaults on Alabama’s environment seem to be without end. The priorities of the Alabama Chapter of the Sierra Club focus on protecting our drinking water and waterways, advocating for lands that provide opportunities for wildlife habitat and recreation, making the public aware of the environmental issues of our state, and encouraging more of you to enjoy being outdoors.
How much we accomplish depends upon you. You can help by donating $20, $50, or more so our volunteers can address environmental issues, protect our waters, voice for clean air and clean energy, and provide more educational and outing opportunities for you.
Here are just a few things that your financial support will help us with in Alabama:
Water Protection and Water Education
In Alabama, you are seldom far from a waterway. Water is the lifeblood of our state, its industries, tourism, recreation, agriculture, energy production, and biodiversity all depend on Alabama’s water resources. How do you protect over 77,000 miles of streams and rivers? Will Alabama be able to win the next “water war” with Georgia? Is your access to drinking water protected? The answer to all three questions is to develop a comprehensive water management plan for Alabama.
Governor Bentley is taking steps toward creating an Alabama water plan. Your donation of $20, $50, or $100 would help advocate for a comprehensive, statewide water management plan to protect our state’s natural resources. In 2014 the Alabama Chapter, in partnership with other concerned organizations, increased public awareness and encouraged stakeholder input through a series of water symposia held throughout the state. In 2015, we will continue advocating for public involvement in developing a plan that provides equitable access to water. Contact with Alabama legislators and Governor Bentley will be the focus.
Thousands of fourth graders (perhaps your child) participate in the Water Festivals Program; thousands participate in the Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup; untold numbers of you attend Earth Day activities, join hikes or kayak adventures; and maybe you’ve been to an educational program offered by your Sierra group. Your Alabama Chapter sponsors these educational activities. Please consider donating to help maintain and expand these programs.
Expose Young People to Nature and Discover Alabama’s Great Outdoors!
Can you imagine growing up without opportunities to be outdoors finding insects, climbing trees, splashing in streams? This situation is all too common among the youth in our urban settings. Sierra Club’s ICO (Inspiring Connections Outdoors) volunteers take youth for hikes in our state parks, for water adventures, and to educational programs about wildlife and biodiversity. Are experiences like these why you care about preserving our environment? If so, please consider a donation so this program and other Sierra Club programs, that introduce Alabama’s youth to the great outdoors, can continue and expand.
Enjoy, Explore, Protect Our Wild Places, and Celebrate Nature
No matter where you live, you are welcome to join any of our hikes and outings across the state. From hikes on Hurricane Creek Park Trails to maintenance on the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail to volunteering at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve to picnicking on the mountain in Monte Sano State Park, there is an outing for you. Check out the group outing schedules in the Alabama Sierran monthly newsletter at sierraclub.org/alabama.
Thank You For Your Involvement and Financial Support!
The year 2015 could be a significant challenge. Alabama politics continues to be dominated by anti-environmentalists. We can expect more attempts to dismantle environmental protections, and foster increased production of dirty energy such as coal mining, fracking, and tar sands mining. Alabama Chapter will continue to advocate for clean alternative energy and energy efficiency for a healthier environment.
Thanks to the financial support and involvement of people like you, the Alabama Chapter is making a difference, yet we have a lot more to accomplish this year. Please become more active in your Sierra Club Group, if possible. Every dollar of your gift, whether $20, $50, $100 or more, stays in Alabama helping protect our natural resources, advocate for safe and clean water, and provide outdoor activities for all of us.
Sincerely,
Alabama Chapter Sierra Club
Executive Committee
Robert W. Hastings, Chair
P.S. The Alabama Chapter values you, its members, and only asks for funds once a year. Please use this opportunity to give generously to our work here in Alabama. Every dollar you give to Alabama Chapter Sierra Club stays in Alabama working to protect the things we love. Alabama Chapter Sierra Club has no paid staff and operates on funding from donations made directly to the Alabama Chapter. Members do all of our work across the state and work from our homes to make the most of donor funding.
AUBURN SIERRAN CONTINUES TO SPEAK OUT FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION
David Newton, an active Auburn Sierran, has been a long-time spokesperson for energy conservation to combat climate change. Following are comments that he made at Mike Roger’s public meeting February 20 – that were also sent to the Opelika-Auburn News. David reported that after his presentation, Rogers thanked him, but made no comments about climate change.
In his comments, Davd lists publications that could be useful to environmentalists who are concerned about climate change.
The text immediately below is the substance of my comments at Congressman Mike Rogers’ February 20 public meeting in Opelika.
I urge you to support measures that would promote energy conservation and the use of sources of renewable energy, especially energy from solar and wind. Thousands of jobs will be created by increased emphasis on energy conservation and renewable energy.
I am including two documents and a brief DVD from the National Academy of Sciences that can be useful in responding to questions from constituents and colleagues concerning climate change. These are:
- Climate Change: Evidence, Impacts, and Choices (the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, 37 pages)
- Climate Change: Evidence & Causes (the Royal Society and the National Research Council, 25 pages)
- Climate Change: Lines of Evidence (the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, 27 minute DVD)
Those who want to pursue geo-engineering to solve our climate problems will surely become more vocal in promoting very questionable actions to alter the climate of Planet Earth. For an introduction to this, consult Clive Hamilton’s Earthmasters: The Dawn of the Age of Climate Engineering, (2013).
Below is my follow-up email message of February 21 to Congressman Rogers.
I hope you will find the National Academy of Sciences booklets and the DVD on climate change to be useful in responding to questions from constituents and colleagues. These are the most useful items I have seen -- and I have studied dozens.
Another very sobering resource is an article titled "Treading Water" in the February, 2015 issue of the National Geographic magazine.
Much more should be done to promote the use of renewable energy, especially solar, in the 3rd Congressional District and across the U.S. Prices have declined dramatically, and neighboring states are making progress. But I don't see much happening in Alabama. Long term tax credits would be a big help.
I and my family urge you and your colleagues to take steps to enable our children and grandchildren to enjoy living on Planet Earth.
I recognize renewable energy and energy conservation are not of major concern to voters now, but there is no question that they will be.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment.
David Newton
Even After Veto of Keystone Pipeline, Alabama Communities Being Harmed by Tar Sands Oil Projects Including Proposed Mining Permits In NW, Al and Storage Expansion Plans in Mobile
By Adam Johnston with Forward from David Underhill
President Obama has vetoed an attempt by Congress to mandate completion of the Keystone XL pipeline. While this is good news for all of us concerned about dirty energy and climate change, as well as the Midwest communities the pipeline would cross and for the strip mined sectors of Canada whose tar sands crude oil would ooze through the pipeline, it may result in more bad news for Alabama’s environment. Hassles about getting the crude oil out of Canada make mines closer to the Gulf Coast more attractive to the oil industry. That means increased pressure to begin moonscape-scale mining in tar sands-laden northwest Alabama. And it means new urgency for fossil fuel corporations to complete the expansion of tank farms--plus the creation of vast new ones--on the Mobile waterfront. Trains of tanker cars from Canada already bring crude through the city to downtown docks. More will come from the mines in upstate Alabama if or when production cranks up there. The enlarged tank farms will transfer this crude into ships for export. The apparent aim is to turn Mobile into a major handling hub for liquid fossil fuels, as it already is for coal, with regard only for the money to be made in this trade and without regard for our drinking water, our peoples’ health, and the world's climate.
Internationally, nationally, and locally, 2015 has already experienced many big events with tar sands related activities and front-line communities. Did you know Alabama’s water and its citizens are threatened daily by crude oil projects? Meanwhile, the Alabama Oil and Gas Board (OGB) is developing the state’s first-ever regulations to mine and extract tar sands oil. Officials have not announced the immediate timeline for the state regulations but they could be drafted by the end of this year. Recently, a tar sands mining company located in NW Alabama filed for a water discharge permit for a quarry/mining site known to have bituminous deposits. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) plans to issue this water discharge permit after the 30 day comment period which ends on March 13. If you are interested in submitting comments in opposition to the current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application for the quarry/mining site in Lawrence County, please mail them to Russell A. Kelly, Chief, Permits and Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, AL 36130-1463. The permit application can be seen on the ADEM website, adem.state.al.us. Please click Notices and Events tab, then Public Notices and Meetings tab. Under that tab, click the Feb. 11 tab and scroll down to Lawrence County.
Below, you we will find a calendar of events and articles for tar sands related activities in Alabama over the last month. I thank everyone who works to promote health and happiness and protects our communities from any harm and injustice. May we all come together and support each other in our efforts to promote health and justice for all people. We need your help. Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved in any way.
Jan 23rd- NW Alabama tar sands mining company files for a water discharge permit for a quarry/mining site from the Al Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) which tentatively plans to grant the permit after the 30 day public comment period.
Jan 27th- Mobile Bay Sierra Club holds community meeting to educate public about tar sands projects including the expansion of more crude oil capacity near the downtown area.
Jan 29th: A city planning committee meeting turns out dozens of upset residents from the Africatown community who strongly oppose the current tar sands projects.
Jan 29th-Feb 2nd: The 4th Extreme Energy Extraction Summit meets in Biloxi, Ms with over 80 attendees from communities around the nation who are impacted from energy extraction activities.
Jan 30th: Attendees of the Summit tour Africatown to visit the oil train sites, pipelines, and oil tank farm expansion that threatens homes, schools, and water resources.
Feb 4th: Tar sands oil activists from around the state and nation meet in Tuscumbia, Al. Discussion leads to planning how to protect Alabama communities from harmful tar sands activities. Please see this recent article about the visit. “Shoals Mining Opponents Meet with Tar Sands Foes From Other Sections of the Country” by Charles Rose, http://quadcitiesdaily.com/?p=231988
February 16th: “Oil rumors spread through rural Alabama” Sinking fuel prices have tar sand mining on pause, but some residents and environmentalists remain leery of speculators” By Ashley Cleek, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/2/16/oil-rumors-spread-through-rural-alabama.html
February 24th: Shoals Environmental Alliance holds meeting in Florence to educate community members about the proposed water discharge permit and mining plans. Please see the related article below; “Group seeks hearing for proposed mine in area” By Russ Corey, http://www.timesdaily.com/news/group-seeks-hearing-for-proposed-mine-in-area/article_24c9ee8e-bca6-11e4-aa00-5bc9ffa1427b.html
National Sierra Club Elections are Underway - VOTE!
A Democratic Sierra Club Demands Grassroots Participation
The annual election for the Club's Board of Directors is now underway.
Those eligible to vote in the national Sierra Club election will receive in the mail (or by Internet if you chose the electronic delivery option) your national Sierra Club ballot in early March. This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on the Club's web site.
Your participation is critical for a Strong Sierra Club.
The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. The Club requires the regular flow of views on policy and priorities from its grassroots membership in order to function well. Yearly participation in elections at all Club levels is a major membership obligation.
In a typical year less than 10% of eligible members vote in the Board elections. A minimum of 5% is required for the elections to be valid. Our grassroots structure is strengthened when our participation is high. Therefore your participation is needed in the voting process.
How can I learn about the candidates?
Members frequently state that they don't know the candidates and find it difficult to vote without learning more.
Each candidate provides a statement about themselves and their views on the issues on the official election ballot. You can learn more by asking questions of your group and chapter leadership and other experienced members you know. You can also visit the Club's election web site for additional information about candidates:
http://www.sierraclub.org/board/election
Then make your choice and cast your vote!
Voting Online is Quick and Easy!
Even if you receive your election materials in the mail, we encourage you to use the user-friendly Internet voting site to save time and postage. If sending via ground mail, please note your ballots must be received by no later than election day, April 29, 2015.
Don't miss all the outings and meetings happening throughout Alabama this spring!!! The weather is turning nice and the time is right to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!
Your State Income Tax Refund Can Help Alabama’s Nongame Wildlife
CONTACT: Mark Sasser 334-242-3469
Mark.sasser@dcnr.alabama.gov
If you’re one of the fortunate Alabama tax payers who receive a state income tax refund, you could turn all or part of that refund into helping nongame wildlife. Your tax-deductible donation can help one or more of the 900-plus wildlife species in Alabama classified as “nongame” or illegal to hunt. You can play a major part in ensuring that wildlife in our state continues to flourish for the enjoyment and education of generations to come by simply opting to Checkoff for Wildlife on your Alabama state income tax return using Form 40 with Schedule DC.
Giving to the Nongame Wildlife Program helps increase the chances of survival of many wildlife species, including once threatened or endangered wildlife such as the majestic bald eagle, eastern bluebird, and gopher tortoise. In fact, donations and money from the checkoff system helped fund the successful Bald Eagle Restoration Project and the Bluebird Restoration Project in the early days of the Nongame Wildlife Program. Since then, more programs have been added, including a project to increase the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker population in Alabama.
The Nongame Wildlife Program, administered by the Alabama Department of Conservation’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, receives no money from the General Fund budget. It is partially funded by the citizens of Alabama through tax-deductible donations and federal funds through the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (P-R Act). The P-R Act is an excise tax on sporting firearms, ammunition, archery and other outdoor equipment earmarked for wildlife restoration and management. The sales of hunting licenses also provide funding for the conservation of all of the state’s wildlife species, meaning Alabama hunters provide the primary sources of funding for Alabama’s Nongame Wildlife Program. But those dollars are simply not enough.
Since 1984, the Alabama Nongame Wildlife Fund checkoff box has been included on the state income tax form, providing concerned citizens a way to donate all or a portion of their state tax refunds for the benefit of wildlife. These donations are matched on a three-to-one federal cost share. This means that for every $1 you donate, the state receives $3 in federal matching funds. Your $5 donation means $20 for nongame wildlife conservation. Your $100 donation means $400.
More than 1 million Alabamians receive a state tax refund each year; if only one out of four people donate just $4, it would mean over $1 million dollars for nongame wildlife conservation in Alabama.
Won’t you make a commitment to help? If you use a tax accountant or preparer, please direct them to check the box for the Alabama Nongame Wildlife Fund. If you do not receive a state income tax refund, you can still make a direct donation. Send your check to the Nongame Wildlife Program, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130. Remember, your tax-deductible donation will be tripled through available federal funds.
This year, give something back to wildlife for all the enjoyment it has given you. It is our responsibility to help preserve this treasured resource for future generations. For more information contact the Nongame Wildlife Program, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 64 North Union Street, Montgomery, AL 36130; 334-242-3469; or visit www.outdooralabama.com.
PLEASE NOTE!
PROCEDURE FOR SENDING MATERIAL TO THE ALABAMA SIERRAN
Many thanks to Roe Hyche, Bob Hastings, Lucina Horner, 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.
Don't miss all the outings and meetings happening throughout Alabama this spring!!! The weather is turning nice and the time is right to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!