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12/4/20 & prev - AR-DoT Meetings/Comment Periods
11/17/20 - Sierra Club meetings are currently on hold
11/13/20 - Arkansas Environmental Policy Summit
9/28/20 - Sierra Club endorses state legislative candidates
9/24/20 - E-Bike Use on National Forest Trails?
9/18/20 - Satellite View of Western Wildfires
9/2/20 – Future I-57 Public Involvement Meeting
8/30/20 - Dicamba Settlement Offers
8/30/20 – Ozark Society accepting environmental grant applications
8/30/20 – Proposed Constitutional Amendments
7/14/20 - Sierra Club endorses Joyce Elliot for Congress
7/12 - 8/26 - (Little Rock to Hot Springs Bicycle) SW Trail Virtual Public Hearing
6/28/20 - Public Meetings
6/15/20 - Central Arkansas Group Meetings (on hold)
6/1/20 - Bowman Road Reconstruction Public Meeting
5/19/20 - CAG May Meeting Cancelled
4/30/20 - Toad Suck Daze, Conway
5/5/20 - AR-DoT - 30 Drossing Comments Due Today
3/29/20 - Corona Virus (COVID-19 Info) - Latest Change 4/10/20
3/29/20 - Temporary COVID-19 Links Added to Right Column of Web Pages
- - - - - Bypass . Skip COVID-19 Info - - - - -
3/15/20 - March CAG Meeting Cancelled
3/6/20 - Sierra Club Climate Resilience Policy
2/24/20 - Sierra Club Board of Directors Election
2/18/20 - CAG February Meeting Location Change
1/21/20 - CAG January Meeting Location Change
SIERRA CLUB'S "Speak Up Arkansas" (almost monthly) RADIO PROGRAM
1/22/20 - W - Action Needed by January 22 [CAFO Moratorium]
1/21/20 - Th - CAG January Meeting Location Change
1/4/20 - Sa - Deadline for receipt of ballots - Annual Chapter/Group Elections
2018-2020 - New AGFC Nature Center Under Construction
1/1/20 - News From Previous Years
12/31/20 - COVID-19 Statistics at end of 2020:
World U.S. Arkansas
Cases 83,579,767 20,212,820 225,138
Active 34,596789 10,727,161 23,957
Recovered 47,162,055 9,136,262 199,247
Deaths 1,820,923 349,397 3,711
12/10/20 - Springdale – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unveiled its fifth and largest nature center to date in the heart of Northwest Arkansas. The J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center stands as the crown jewel in the AGFC’s network of education facilities throughout the state, and will begin to welcome guests into its exhibit area by scheduled appointment. For MORE INFO, go to agfc.com/en/news/2020/12/10/ozark-highlands-nature-center-opens-in-northwest-arkansas/
12/4/20 - LR - Help Preserve Rattlesnake Ridge - To maintain a nature-oriented experience at Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is searching for volunteers to staff The Nature Conservancy’s house deck, oversee the parking lot and open/close the front gate.
11/17/20 – In-person Sierra Club events are currently on hold. In-person meetings will likely not be conducted until March 2021. (Local outings are cancelled through the end of the February 2021.) Contact the CAG Chair for info on future on-line meetings.
11/19/20 - Th - 5:30 - 6:30 pm - AR-DoT Virtual Public Meeting - Arkadelphia Bypass - Clark County - Topic: Proposed construction of a new Arkadelphia Bypass that will extend from Highway 67 to Highway 51 in Clark County. For more info, go to http://www.arkansashighways.com/g_calendar.aspx - or go to http://www.arkansashighways.com/ and click on Calendar. Comment period for current AR-DoT proposed projects:
Arkadelphia Bypass - Oct 18 – Dec 4
Illinois River bridge on Highway 59 in Siloam Springs - Nov 6 – 27
MO & No. AR Railroad Structure & Approaches – Hwy. 14 in Marion Co. - Nov. 13 – Dec. 2
Arkansas Environmental Policy Summit
11/13/20 - Arkansas Sierra Club was co-host to the Arkansas Environmental Policy Summit with our friends at Audubon Arkansas and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel. This year, like everything else, the event was conducted entirely online via Zoom. Our keynote speaker is RAMON CRUZ, Sierra Club's national president. Viewers were requested to please hel p us by: (1) Registering for the event at ar.audubon.org/policysummit2020, and (2) Forwarding this invitation to friends, colleagues, and family who you believe would be interested in attending.
9/30/20 - COVID-19 Statistics at end of 3rd Quarter (9/30/20)
World U.S. Arkansas
Cases 33,785,178 7,322,022 83,697
Active 9,326,097 3,190,979 7,016
Recovered 23,448,934 3,920,920 75,312
Deaths 1,010,147 210,123 1,369
ARKANSAS SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES 14 STATE LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES
9/28/20 - Today, the Arkansas Sierra Club announced endorsements of fourteen state legislative candidates--three seeking an Arkansas Senate seat and eleven seeking a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. These candidates received unanimous endorsements from both the Arkansas Sierra Club's Political Committee and its state board. ...CONTINUE READING
9/24/20 - E-Bike Use on National Forest Trails? - For more info, click HERE. Public comments accepted for 30 days (until 10/23?)
9/18/20 - Satellite images of western wildfires ...click, then change to current date ...or change date below to current date and paste into browser zoom.earth/#view=43.8,-113.3,4.83z/date=2020-09-18,13:00,-5/layers=fires
9/2/20 – W – Deadline for comments - Online Public Involvement Meeting to obtain public input on the proposed Walnut Ridge to Missouri state line connection in NE Arkansas. For more info, go to https://future57.transportationplanroom.com/
8/30/20 – Dicamba Settlement Offers – The state Plant Board is continuing to make settlement offers to farmers who may have violated the state’s ban on spraying dicamba. For more info, check today’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette pg 1G.
8/30/20 – The Ozark Society Foundation is now accepting grant applications for projects geared toward promoting student engagement with conservation and environmental efforts. For more info, check today’s Democrat-Gazette pg 3B.
8/30/20 – Today’s Democrat-Gazette pg 3B contains the text of 3 proposed constitutional amendments to be voted on in November:
Issue No. 1 – Subject: Half percent sales tax
Issue No. 2 – Subject: Term limits
Issue No. 3 – Subject: Amending process for future constitutional amendments
Sierra Club Endorses Joyce Elliott For Congress
Nation’s Largest Grassroots Environmental Group Praises Work to Protect Arkansas’s Environment
7/14/20 - [LITTLE ROCK]: The Arkansas Chapter of the Sierra Club today announced its endorsement of State Senator Joyce Elliott in the 2020 election for the state’s 2nd Congressional District seat. "We are pleased to announce today that the Sierra Club officially endorses Joyce Elliott for Congress," said George Wise, Chair of the Arkansas Sierra Club’s Political Committee. "We are confident that she will continue work to protect Arkansas families’ health, air and water, and build a clean energy economy that works for the Natural State.” …..CONTINUE READING…..
Southwest Trail Public Hearing - Su 7/12-W 8/26 - Pulaski, Saline, and Garland Counties, in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, is conducting a virtual location public hearing to present and discuss the preferred alternative for the Southwest Trail (bicycle and pedestrian path) connecting the City of Hot Springs with the City of Little Rock. Visit the https://swtrail.transportationplanroom.com/ website to view project information and offer comments. …or visit ardot.gov for other highway department information.
7/1/20 - COVID-19 Statistics at beginning of 3rd Quarter (7/1/20)
World U.S. Arkansas
Cases 10,512,383 2,738,113 21,197
Active 4,612,803 1,767,560 5,757
Recovered 5,387,249 841,452 15,163
Deaths 512,331 130,101 277
Public Meetings
Check page 3B or 5B of the 6/28/20 Sunday Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more info on the following items:
.....6/28/20 - Buffalo River park roads open to electric bicycles
.....7/1/20 - W - LR - Virtual meeting trash/recycling changes
.....6/29 - 7/14/20 - Virtual public meeting about RR & traffic signal upgrades in Lonoke County - www.ardot.gov
.....6/28 - 7/19/20 - Virtual public meeting about North Pulaski Connector Study goals - www.ardot.gov
Central Arkansas Group Meetings
June 2020 - Sierra Club events are currently on hold, probably through the end of August. Future meetings will be announced here or by e-mail for those on the e-mail distribution list.
5/18/20 - Little Rock - Bowman Road Reconstruction Public Meeting - The public is invited to review material related to reconstruction of Bowman Road from Kanis Road to Cherry Laurel Drive and to provide comments. An on-line public meeting will be held Monday, June 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. For more info or for meeting log-in info, go to https://www.littlerock.gov/city-administration/city-departments/public-works/civil-engineering/public-meeting-notice/
May CAG Meeting
The May CAG meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2020 is cancelled. Sierra Club direction dated 4/9/20 - Latest word from the Sierra Club: Sierra Club will continue to demonstrate our care for ourselves and our communities by canceling outings, training workshops, and social events through June 14th. And please consult your local government guidance, partner organization and community policies additionally. This extended timeline applies to all Sierra Club outings, training, social events, meetings, etc. 4/27/20 update: All domestic trips through June 6, 2020, have been canceled in order to protect our travelers and staff. The status of trips beginning between June 7 and mid-July will be determined in early May. Some international trips have also been affected; decisions about these will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Toad Suck Daze, Conway
4/30/20 - The annual Toad Suck Daze festival (scheduled for May 1-3) has apparently been postponed until later in the year. However, around 6:30 pm today, residents were treated to an air show staged by local pilots including two fly-bys with 10 planes flying in formation. For more info, click HERE. 5/5/20 update: For a photo of the planes flying in formation, click HERE. (Links are to Conway's Log Cabin Democrat newspaper.)
AR-Dot - 30Crossing - Comments Due 5/5/20
Posted 4/5/20 - The Arkansas Department of Transportation invites public review and comment on impact to various parks near I-30 between I-40, I-530, and I-440. Go to 30Crossing.com or ardot.gov for impact documents.
Corona Virus (COVID-19) Info
Sierra Club direction dated 4/9/20 - Sierra Club will continue to demonstrate our care for ourselves and our communities by canceling outings, training workshops, and social events through June 14th. And please consult your local government guidance, partner organization and community policies additionally. This extended timeline applies to all Sierra Club outings, training, social events, meetings, etc. 4/27/20 update: All domestic trips through June 6, 2020, have been canceled in order to protect our travelers and staff. June update: All Club outings have been cancelled thru 31 August.
4/12/20 - North Little Rock - Parks: Playgrounds, basketball courts, swings, pavilions, the Old Mill, and the restrooms along the river trail and in Burns Park are CLOSED but the trails, tennis courts, golf course, and dog park remain open. For changes, corrections, updates, check http://nlrpr.org/
4/12/20 - Conway - Log Cabin Democrat Newspaper - Beginning Tuesday April 14, publication frequency is changing to Tuesday - Saturday, with Saturday the weekend edition, available for purchase until Tuesday. Same day delivery distribution will be via the US Postal Service (USPS).
4/10/20 - Description from 1995 - The current situation with corona virus reminds me of the Tom Clancy novel Executive Orders, where a foreign government mutated Ebola virus to an aerosol form; i.e., so that it could be spread through the air. This starts around page 640 of the novel (hardback edition) but pages 669 to 678 offer the shortest description, especially the last four pages. On page 676, one person asks the question "You know how many viral diseases we know how to cure?" The answer: "None." The actions taken to fight the spread of the virus (page 680) are similar to what we are now experiencing. Right now, it makes for some timely reading.
School Closure Extended - 4/6/20 - Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that he is extending the closure of Arkansas schools through the end of the school year. …He said students would continue with alternative methods of instruction. …MORE INFO
Curriculum-based programming for the state’s pre-K through 8th grade students https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/arkansasami
Arkansas State Parks https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/covid-19-update
National Park Closures https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a31919987/national-parks-closed-coronavirus/
4/1/20 - COVID-19 Estimated Statistics near beginning of 2rd Quarter (4/1/20)
World U.S. Arkansas
Cases 900,000 220,000 475
Deaths 50,000 5,000 10
3/29/20 - Temporary COVID-19 Links Added to Right Column:
News updated daily https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/coronavirus/
Information on local businesses, restaurants, etc. https://www.upliftarkansas.com/
Keeping Kids Engaged at Home - 3/24/20 - With many schools across the nation closed and communities across the country being asked to shelter in place and/or practice social distancing, we've* come up with some tools and resources we hope you find helpful. These include tips for how to talk with your kids about coronavirus as well as LOTS of educational content and fun, safe activities to engage in at home. …MORE INFO ..* (The Sierra Club)
The primary portal for public information maintained by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force at the White House, working in conjunction with CDC, HHS and other agency stakeholders. https://www.coronavirus.gov/
What the Government is doing:
Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19 https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/
Outdoor Activities - 3/17/20 - While a lot of events around the country are being cut back or cancelled, individuals can still enjoy the outdoors. The following is a brief report from an outing that took place last Saturday in New Mexico: Saturday’s outing was a combination hike and snowshoe. …3 of us drove our own cars to Aspen Vista. We had a beautiful hike in fresh snow. Then put snow shoes on for a short cut off trail return. We kept a little distance (from each other) and really enjoyed being outside in crisp air and bright sun.
...In Arkansas, many parks have cancelled planned activities but many trails are open for individuals to enjoy (but probably without the snow). 4/5/20 update: For the latest on PInnacle Mountain and other state park closures, go to: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/covid-19-update
Library Services - 4/5/20 - Most libraries are closed but some offer downloadable material or curbside service for requested material. Search on-line for "[your town] library" or go to one of the following:
Central Arkansas Library System – https://cals.org/curbside-service/
North Little Rock - http://www.lamanlibrary.org/
Conway – https://fcl.org/
Fayetteville - https://www.faylib.org/
Non-COVID-19 News
April 22, 2020 - Earth Day - 50th Anniversary - The original Earth Day occurred 50 years ago today.
Chapter Annual March Appeal Now Underway
3/18/20 - Chapter Annual March Appeal Letter is now Available
Sierra Club's "Speak Up Arkansas" Radio Program
4/8/20 – 5 to 6 pm - KABF 88.3 FM or WWW.KABF.ORG, Sierra Club's (almost monthly) radio exploration of state and federal environmental issues! Host: Arkansas Chapter Director Glen Hooks. Tune in at 88.3 FM in Central Arkansas, or stream online from anywhere at www.kabf.org. This program is temporarily suspended until life return to near normal.
March CAG Meeting Cancelled
Out of concern for the health of our members and friends, our March meeting is cancelled. We hope to resume meeting in April. The next CAG meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2020. The Oyster Bar has been undergoing renovation and may not be available for our meeting. Check back here a few days before the meeting to determine location of the meeting.
Sierra Club's "Speak Up Arkansas" Radio Program
3/11/20 – 5 to 6 pm - KABF 88.3 FM or WWW.KABF.ORG, Sierra Club's (almst monthly) radio exploration of state and federal environmental issues! Host: Arkansas Chapter Director Glen Hooks. Tune in at 88.3 FM in Central Arkansas, or stream online from anywhere at www.kabf.org. Give us a listen! (This is a monthly radio program, normally the 2nd Wednesday.) Guests for the March program: Dr. Dan Scheiman, Ornithologist for Audubon Arkansas, disussing the Drain Smart program and the upcoming BirdLR Birdathon; Bill Halter, President and CEO of Scenic Hill Solar, sharing information about Arkansas's ongoing solar energy boom and some big news about the city of Clarksville; and Oliver Bernstein, member of Sierra Club's national Board of Directors, educating us about some of Sierra Club's current national programs and priorities.
Climate Resilience Policy
3/6/2020 - The Sierra Club's National Board adopted a set of policies on "Climate Resilience, Carbon Dioxide Removal, and Geoengineering Policy". These policies address "Extreme weather and Wildfires", biochar, and a host of other issues. For more info, go to https://www.sierraclub.org/policy/energy
Sierra Club Board of Directors Election
Posted 2/24/20 - If you receive e-mail messages from the Club, you probably received information today on how to vote in the Board of Directors election. If you do not receive such e-mail messages, check your US mail in the next few days for a paper ballot. This is your opportunity to influence who is elected and future priorities for the Club. So be sure to vote - and please do so now before the deadline has passed and you have missed the opportunity. 4/10 update: The deadline to cast your ballot is Wednesday April 22 at 11 am CDT. Please do not wait until the last minute.
CAG February Meeting Location Change
2/18/20 - Tu - Program: We have invited all Circuit Court judge candidates in Pulaski County to attend and speak. Sierra Club is a justice organization and we invite you to come meet these judicial candidates. This is a chance to learn more about the many judicial races on the March ballot. Meet and greet at 6pm. Program at 7pm. Oyster Bar is still under renovation so our meeting is at Hibernia Irish Tavern. Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock, Ar 72227, 501-246-4340.
CAG January Meeting Location Change
Next CAG meeting is on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Change of location for January: The January meeting will be at the Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N Rodney Parham Rd # K, Little Rock, AR 72227, (501) 246-4340, https://www.hiberniairishtavern.com - The meeting starts at 7 pm. Member commonly start arriving around 6 pm to socialize. (The Oyster Bar is undergoing renovations.)
Directions: From I-430, head southeast on Rodney Parham about 3/4 mile, then turn left onto Satterfield. From Reservoir Rd, head northwest about 1/3 mile on Rodney Parham, then turn right onto Satterfield. Hibernia is located at the top of the hill on the right in the far end of The Galleria Shopping Center. Happy Hour 4 to 7 p.m. [posted 1/2/2020]
Action Needed by January 22
The Pollution Control & Ecology Commission is now accepting comments regarding a permanent moratorium on medium and large hog CAFOs in the Buffalo River watershed. For more info, click HERE. [posted on web site approx. 12/1/19]
SIERRA CLUB'S "Speak Up Arkansas" RADIO PROGRAM
1/8/20 – 5 to 6 pm - KABF 88.3 FM or WWW.KABF.ORG, Sierra Club's monthly radio exploration of state and federal environmental issues! Host: Arkansas Chapter Director Glen Hooks. Tune in at 88.3 FM in Central Arkansas, or stream online from anywhere at www.kabf.org. Give us a listen! (This is a monthly radio program, normally the 2nd Wednesday.) Guests for January: Hieu Le, from Sierra Club's "Clean Transportation For All" campaign, talking about electric cars and our push for the infrastructure to support them; Eva Hernandez-Simmons and Alicia Ybarra, who are helping to lead Sierra Club's power building efforts across the country; and Oliver Bernstein from Sierra Club's national Board of Directors, talking about the Sierra Club's values project and the importance of equity and justice in our work.
Annual Chapter/Group Elections
Saturday, January 4th is the deadline for receipt of ballots! - Sierra Club members who have provided an email address have received a ballot for the annual chapter elections. If you know of any Sierra Club members who choose not to receive email from Sierra Club but who would like to vote in this election, please have them request a ballot by calling Chapter Director Glen Hooks at 501-301-8280 or sending a ballot request to glen.hooks@sierraclub.org (posted 12/5/19)