May 2020 Meeting Minutes

Sierra Club - Lehigh Valley Group Executive Committee
Monday, May 11, 2020 7:00 PM
Virtual meeting using Google Meet
Bethlehem, PA 18017

MINUTES

Executive Committee Members: Matthew MacConnell, Brian Hillard, Marilyn Jordan, Nanci McGonigal, Dave Reber, Don Miles, Rachel Rosenfeld, Al Wurth. Guest: Bill Egbert.

Minutes of our March 9 meeting were approved by acclamation.

Conservation report (Matt MacConnell)

  • Ricky Park wetland: Electrical Power is being installed this spring for a fountain and circulation pump to flush out algae and aerate the pond. (50/50 cost sharing with UMT, UMT to pay the electrical bill).
  • Air quality monitoring project: Matt showed maps of his four monitoring locations in Lehighton, Orefield, Powder valley and east Bethlehem, and graphs of pm2.5 readings. We are now at a low point in the economy. This will provide a baseline for when the economy picks up.
  • Toxic Tributary Study: Matt showed a map of the Lehigh River with color-coded water quality for tributaries and the mainstem. Buck Mountain Creek and Black Creek are impaired by toxic concentrations of aluminum.  Photos from the field of acid drainage from abandoned mines were shown: Quakake Tunnel, Buck Mountain Tunnel, Sandy Run, Lausanne Tunnel, Palmerton Gap. Matt reviewed EPA Criteria for Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Aluminum, and acidity. Matt collected and analyzed water samples for pH and aluminum concentration from the Buck Mountain #2 discharge at intervals all the way to the Lehigh River. His color-coded map show gradually decreasing toxicity all the way to the Lehigh River. In the first 2.5 miles the contaminated water would kill anything with gills.

Penn East Pipeline report (Don Miles): Don said an Energy Act in 2005 gave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) control over all interstate pipelines. In 2018 FERC approved the Penn East Pipeline. Pennsylvania gave a State permit in 2016. New Jersey is not permitting the pipeline to cross State-owned lands and parks. The case is now in NJ Supreme Court. Penn East has divided the pipeline project into two separate phases and is seeking approval to build the PA portion of the project as phase 1. The NJ DEP filed a request for a new EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for Phase 1, as did the Delaware Basin Commission DRBC). The US EPA also asked for a new EIS. Construction cannot occur, for now. PA has done little to stop the pipeline. Don thinks the PA Chapter of the Sierra Club should support the DRBC position. The longer the pipeline is delayed, the greater the likelihood that the pipeline will not be built.

PA Chapter staff Report (Rachel Rosenfeld)

  • COVID-19 Update:  The Sierra Club has extended its COVID-19 status through June 14th, 2020. All travel, in-person meetings, events, and outings through this date are cancelled.  The Illick’s Mill office is effectively closed as per Governor Wolf’s stay-at-home order for Northampton County, which is currently in effect until June 4th, 2020. All events and in-person outings have been cancelled.
  • Guidance is available for anyone interested in creating a “digital outing.”
  • We recently hired a Senior Campaign Representative, Kelsey Krepps, based in Pittsburgh, through the Dirty Fuels Campaign.
  • We are participating in the Bethlehem Climate Action Plan Working Group which met in late April to go over what we need to move the planning process forward.
  • The Governor's Invasive Species Council  was discussing the creation of regional management areas (PRISMs) to combat invasive species within the state. Would the Lehigh Valley Sierra Club consider being a host organization since we have a dedicated office space?

For details see Rachel’s “Chapter Staff Report,” May 11, 2020

Treasurer Report (5 min) (Dave Reber): Dave updated us on the balance in our account. It would cost money to use Zoom, but we can use Google Meet for free. Matt said the Sierra Club is doing ACH deposits, not sending checks. Motion passed: Brian will be paid $100 to reimburse him for his website cost.

Political Report (Al Wurth): Al asked about the National Sierra Club supporting Susan Wild. Don said that endorsement has to come from the National Club in D.C.  Al mentioned deadlines for mail-in ballots, voting, etc.

Climate Change (Brian Hillard): Brian talked about the Bethlehem Climate Action Plan, how to support the Planning Commission and engage other municipalities. Brian plans to host a virtual presentation on “Climate Action–How to achieve tangible results at home.” [Will be  7/20/2020].

Group Webpage (Nanci McGonigal): Nanci took a web page training workshop and is working on best layouts. She has updated meeting minutes and the Conservation page. Rachel and Matt made suggestions.

Our next meeting will be virtual, for the Executive Committee
July 13, 2020 at 7:00 PM