SierraScape June - July 2006
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by Del Johnson

Since 2002, Michael Bollinger has been the Chair of the EMG's Conservation Committee. Being a Committee Chair is a bit like having a part-time job; sometimes it takes just a little of your spare time, and sometimes quite a bit more. But his full-time job changed immediately after the Taum Sauk Plant upper reservoir failed on December 14, 2005. For he was reassigned to work down at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park, working to help restore it and the East Fork of the Black River. (Since then he's not only been out of town, but out of spare time as well.)

In January Mike recruited Becky Denney to fill in as a temporary Chair. By then Becky was already a regular participant at EMG ConsCom meetings, and she was more than willing to take on a bit more responsibility to keep things going. As members who are on the EMG ConsCom email list and those who routinely attend the monthly meetings already know, she's done a great job. The Committee has been following several important issues, including land use policies in the Mark Twain National Forest and responding to developments after the Taum Sauk disaster.

In early May, Mike decided it was time to resign in light of his ongoing work obligation and uncertainty concerning how long it may continue. Both he and the EMG executive committee (ExCom) agreed that Becky would be an ideal replacement. She immediately agreed to their request that she take on the job as the "actual" instead of "acting" Chair.

Becky encourages more Sierrans to check out the monthly meetings (at the Club office on the second Thursday evening of each month) and consider stepping up their own level of activism. Important new issues include the lease by BJC Health Care of part of Forest Park, proposed modification of locks and dams on the Mississippi River, and the threat of environmental damage to Belleau Creek in O'Fallon.

EMG ExCom extends its hearty thanks to Mike Bollinger. His hard work in the past four years and his contribution to EMG's witness on conservation issues have been exemplary. Now we ask that you welcome Becky Denney as the new Chair, and urge YOU to lend her your enthusiastic support!