Sierra Club - Lehigh Valley Group Executive Committee
Monday, November 11, 2019 at 7:00 PM
100 Illicks Mill Rd.
Bethlehem, PA 18017
MINUTES
Executive Committee Members: Matthew MacConnell, Brian Hillard, Doug Roysdon, Marilyn Jordan, Itsy Sweeney, Al Wurth, Don Miles, Nanci McGonigal
Visitors: Gloria Senanitis (An activist for 35 years; knows Lisa Boscola), Gaby Dee, Kylin Camburn (Penn Environment)
Short welcome presentation for visitors (Matt)
Matt explained the recently completed Rickys Park wetland creation project in Upper Macungie Township. The wetland has improved the flow of runoff water in the park! The Township manager is happy with the new wetland and will pay for electricity for the pond fountain. He showed pictures of the wetland under construction with the help of local volunteers, and the completed wetland. The only remaining issue is growth of algae, which are carried into the wetland by uphill drainage water that feeds the wetland.
Report by PA Chapter LV Community Outreach Coordinator (Rachel Rosenfeld)
No printed summary was available at the meeting because we need a new printer. Selected highlights from Rachel’s digital summary:
- Water Defenders are seeking LVG approval to join the Lehigh Valley Greenways Partnership .
- Benefits include mini grants, municipal/regional connections & cross-collaborative partnerships.
- Outings: Outings leaders Rachel and Itsy Sweeney led a walk on the D&L trail. Itsy and Sam Juchem led a bicycle ride on the D&L. They want to lead monthly outings – please suggest ideas!
- Advocacy: On Sept. 9 Plainfield Township’s Planning Commission unanimously DENEYED Synagro’s proposed sludge drying facility and recommended that the Board of Supervisors reject it. Canvassing 1,200 homes motivated residents to attend the Plainfield Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 19, where Synagro WITHDREW their plan. However Synagro will be able to resubmit their proposal.
- Legislative outreach: On Sept. 19 four Water Defenders met with Senator Toomey’s staff about PFAS contamination. Meetings were planned with Lehigh Valley state Senators Boascola, Brown and Mensch.
- Marketing and Communications: Our Online Organizer Sherrie Ann Andre (sherrie.andre@sierraclub.org) can help you reach our members about issues, events and outings. Allow 3+weeks advance notice. Water Defenders had six letters and an Op- printed.
- Projects: Matt MacConnell held a public meeting at Ricky Park, Orefield, with Sue Tantsits to update local residents about the newly planted wetland and watch for bats.
- Administrative Update: Sierra Club PA can utilize the 2nd floor space for meetings and events related to Sierra Club PA’s initiatives. Ask Rachel 2 weeks in advance to see if the space is available.
Political report (Al Wurth)
Al reported results of the Nov. 5 election for the two candidates our LV Group endorsed. Mark Pinsley won the race for Lehigh County Comptroller. Luke Verdis lost the race for Northampton County Council. Don said that Delaware County went Democratic for the first time since the Civil War! Marilyn mentioned that Dale Sauerbeck, Democrat, won his race for Bethlehem Township Commissioner; John Gallagher also won unopposed.
Conservation report (Matt MacConnell)
Matt reported on some of his metal pollution monitoring results in the Lehigh River. The primary pollution sources are tunnels that carry acidic mine drainage water from coal fields into tributary streams, or flow directly into the river. Acidic water dissolves iron, aluminum, manganese and sulfate which can reach toxic levels. Aluminum is especially toxic and can create “dead” streams. Matt mentioned pH, metal levels, nitrate and temperature in several streams.
He projected images of Buck Mountain, where a Wildlands Conservancy project to reduce acidity in drainage water from Buck Mountain using limestone is not effective because the drainage slopes the wrong way. He revisited the Sierra Club’s Lausanne Tunnel project which successfully removed some of the excessive iron, but now faces the possibly insurmountable problem of removing large amounts of iron-rich sediment in order to resume effective remediation. He also mentioned a different situation in the Aquashicola Creek which is contaminated by zinc residues from now-closed zinc smelters south of Palmerton.
Matt wants to spotlight water pollution problems. Many streams formerly designated as “impaired” and now classified as “delisted,” an apparently political act of rolling back regulations. Rachel is working on this issue with the Water Defenders.
Brief mention was made of apparent air pollution in Orefield and Upper Macungie where an odor resembling ethyl acetate, a food processing plant or railroad diesel fumes was reported.
Climate Action report (Brian Hillard)
The Climate Action Network has not yet formed a steering committee. Their goal is to achieve widespread actionable, effective action plans. Where action plans are not achievable other options include a push to establish Green Committees, or get EV charging stations installed. The network wants to create community based online tool kits to inform individuals on how to propose specific actions to employers, government, etc. Scientific information will be included.
Organizational outreach: Brian asked Rachel if LV ExecCom members could support events held by “Make the Road–Climate Justice?” Their group might then be more likely to work with us. Doug thought empowering people was a better approach, especially helping their group save money.
Brian - I don’t have any notes about EACs, which was in the agenda. Could you add a sentence or two as you see needed?
Our next meeting December 9, 2019: Brian proposed we have an “Annual Social” potluck, and show a PowerPoint on our events during the year. His motion as approved.
Our next meeting: December 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM
100 Illicks Mill Rd.
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Minutes by Marilyn Jordan