Sen. Richard Briggs and Rep. Dave Wright from Knox County have introduced legislation to prohibit stores from giving out free single use bags in Tennessee. This bill will be heard by the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wed., February 26 at 11:00 AM. Even if you can't get your comments in by Wednesday, keep them coming!Hurry and submit your comments!
Scientific testing has shown that the Tennessee River is the most micro-plastic polluted major river in the world. We see stray plastic bags choking our rivers, streams, sewers and storm drains. They litter our roadsides and hang in our trees. They contaminate our recycling, degrade crops like cotton, and kill livestock and wildlife.
Read the entire bill here. You can watch the committee debate on Feb. 26 here.
News Across the State
Environmentalists fear bill could gut Shelby's groundwater safeguards. "Bills filed by West Tennessee lawmakers [Sen. Gresham & Rep. Halford] would curtail the ability of Memphis, Shelby County and selected other local governments to regulate wells.Sierra Club’s Scott Banbury said, “This could take away everything we’ve ever accomplished in Shelby County in terms of groundwater regulation. It’s saying you can’t regulate people’s groundwater withdrawals in any way.”Full article by Wayne Risher in the Daily Memphian - Feb. 18, 2020.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park hits record visitation. How many is too many? "The Smokies, a half-million acres of rugged, mountainous wilderness on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, had 12.5 million visitors in 2019, a nearly 10% increase from the 11.4 million people who visited in 2018." This has brought growing pains like increased traffic, more accidents, and unsanitary use of trail-sides as restrooms.Karen Chávez article in the Knoxville News Sentinel - Feb. 18, 2020. [Keep reading to the end of the email to see Carol Mellema's stunning photo of daffodils in bloom at Cades Cove.]
What's that smell? Residents in West Nashville Raise Concerns. "Residents are complaining of a chemical smell in the air, some describe it as a gasoline odor, others as metal. Metro health department officials tell News 2 that they have investigated the smell a number of times, confirming an odor at the Reostone quarry." They explained that the smell could be from groundwater which contains anaerobic bacteria. TDEC will be reviewing the quarry's permit to identify any potential compliance issues or best management practices. Metro Public Heath Department officials say that the quarry is in compliance with their department.Stephanie Langston for WKRN News 2 on Feb 11, 2020.
What to Do About Nashville’s Growing Trash Problem. "Metro picks up hundreds of thousands of tons of trash annually. In as little as five years, all that garbage may have nowhere to go." Full article by J.R. Lind for Nashville Scene Feb. 6, 2020.
Damage in 2014 to Trail of Tears in Coker Creek, Tenn now repaired. "The U.S. Forest Service has finished repairs on an estimated $2.4 million in damage the agency did to the Trail of Tears in Coker Creek, Tennessee, back in 2014 in a misguided attempt to discourage off-roaders and address erosion." The trail segment that was repaired will remain closed to the public for three years while it recovers.Ben Benton article in Times Free Press Feb. 9, 2020.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park through the years: Appalachian Trail hikers take in a view of Cades Cove in April 2003. This portion of the AT is part of the hike from Newfound Gap to the Hazel Creek embayment via Jenkins Ridge Trail. Photo: Pail Efird/New Sentinel.
After historic environmental spill, TVA says it now has 'world class' coal ash cleanup approach. "The coal ash slurry spill at the Kingston Fossil Plant more than 11 years ago dumped more than 1.1 billion gallons of coal fly ash into neighboring rivers and properties in one of the worst environmental spills in U.S. history." TVA President Jeff Lyash said the spill "shouldn't have happened but I think has effectively been recovered."Lyash said following the quarterly TVA board meeting last week in Mississippi: "the way we are handling and storing coal ash today is world class."Dave Flessner article in the Times Free Press Feb. 18, 2020.
Anderson County leaders to TVA: No more coal ash dumps without our approval."For the first time in the 50 years of TVA’s operation of its Bull Run coal-fired plant, the Anderson County Commission is invoking a state law — known as the Jackson Law — that county leaders say requires the utility to seek local government approval of any new coal ash dumps. TVA contends [the Jackson Law] doesn’t apply to them." Read morefrom Jamie Satterfield in the Knoxville News Sentinel on Feb. 17, 2020.
America's biggest government utility reshapes agreements with local power companies. "For the first time in its 87-year history, the TVA may soon grant the local power companies that distribute its power in TVA's 7-state service territory the ability to generate or buy power on their own. Under a set of principles approved today by TVA directors, TVA will grant more flexibility to the 154 municipalities and power cooperatives that buy its power and sign new long-term agreements with the federal utility." Dave Flessner article in the Times Free Press, Feb. 13, 2020 (and look for quote from Sierra Club member Sandy Kurtz!)
TVA shuts down Watts Bar reactor, declares 'unusual event'.One of the Watts Bar reactors had a faulty control card and an overheated component, resulting in smoke in the control room. TVA is in the process of bringing the unit back online after determining that "it was not a physical problem but just a control issue."Dave Flessner article in the Times Free Press Feb. 20, 2020.
TVA shutters last unit at Kentucky coal plant. "Due to turbine rotor problem at Paradise and the relatively stagnant power demand for TVA this year, the utility decided to shutter Paradise Unit 3 this month rather than continue to invest in trying to keep the aging power facility on line." Dave Flessner article in the Times Free Press Feb. 3, 2020.
TVA Paradise coal plant on the Green River in Western Kentucky was shut down over the weekend / Times Free Press File photo.
New State Bill Could Remove Local Control of Water Protection. "Ward Archer, president of Protect Our Aquifer, said the bill would 'un-protect our aquifer' and 'set us way back about 50 years' before local well controls were established here. Ward said, 'We’ve got to manage that process tightly to make sure that if someone drills a well 800 feet down into the aquifer -- and doesn’t do it properly -- it can become a conduit for contaminants.'Full article by Toby Sells in Memphis Flyer Feb. 17, 2020.
VOTE in the state primaries! Early voting has ended, but election day is Tuesday March 3. We are approaching one of the most critical election cycles EVER. Climate change is just one of the huge issues at stake. Are your friends, relatives, & coworkers registered to vote? October 5th is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the November presidential election: https://ovr.govote.tn.gov.
The annual election for Sierra Club’s Board of Directors is happening now! If you are eligible to vote, you will receive a ballot in early March by mail (or digitally if you chose the electronic option). This will include information on the candidates and where you can find additional information on Sierra Club’s election website. Your grassroots participation is vital for a strong, democratic Sierra Club!
The Sierra Club is a democratically structured organization at all levels. Our grassroots structure is strengthened when participation is high and provides an opportunity for members from all walks of life to have a say in what the future of the Sierra Club looks like.
Voting online is quick and easy!
Each candidate has provided a written statement about themselves and their views on the official election ballot. Read their statements and bios here. You can also visit the Sierra Club’s election website for additional information, including campaign videos from each candidate!
We encourage you to vote electronically to reduce time and postage. If sending via ground mail, your ballots must be received no later than Wed. April 22, 2020 at 11:00 Central/ 12:00 pm Eastern.
Events
Southeast Climate Conference
March 28-29, 2020 Knoxville, TN
by Mac Post, TN Chapter Chair
You are invited to participate in the Southeast Climate Conference sponsored by the Citizens Climate Lobby/Citizens Climate Education. Attendees will learn what climate scientists are saying about the climate crisis, and what engineers are saying about our energy future. Participate in workshops about building political will to take effective action on climate change. Newcomers and experienced folks can learn together, practice skills, inspire each other, network, and strategize in moving our country toward climate solutions.
Register here! For additional info contact Chet Hunt at chynt51@comcast.net. The Harvey Broome Group of the TN Sierra Club Chapter will be tabling at this event along with other local and regional organizations.
This event is a great opportunity for local organizations to offer information about their missions, encourage new membership, and build a stronger network in Tennessee and the southeast region for combating climate change. Sign up here!
HONEY Convention 2020
March 20-21st, 2020 Knoxville, TN
The HONEY Convention offers bee-lovers young and old the opportunity to learn about bee-keeping, honey production, and the health of pollinators. The convention will offer a selection of over 60 classes, 20 vendors, as well as raffles, demos, and competitions. Children 10 & under attend free with adult admission!
Students across the state have been invited to participate in this year's poster competition. The theme is: How we can help our native pollinators? On March 20th, convention attendees will vote for their favorite poster. The winning school team gets bragging rights, ribbons and tickets to HONEY Convention 2021! Come out and support educating young folks about the importance of pollinators in our environment!
The Tennessee Environmental Conference, now in its 19th year, will be hosted at the Meadowview Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport from March 23-25. The conference will feature over 40 presenters from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors addressing the latest trends, practices, and policies aimed at preserving the state’s natural resources, balancing growth, improving human health, fostering sustainability and innovation, supporting ecotourism, and protecting the environment.
TDEC Commissioner David Salyers will deliver the keynote address, and representatives from Drive Electric Tennessee and Tennessee Clean Fuels will provide an update on ongoing efforts to drive electric vehicle adoption in the state. Register here and view the draft agenda here.
It's No Accident a New Tri-Cities Group is Forming
By Bobbi Smith, Care NET Community Conservation Committee [edited]
It’s no accident that Sierra Club now has 3.8 million members and supporters nationwide. That means people who are actively engaged by making a donation, answering a call to action, or attending an event. It’s also no accident that a new Tri-Cities Sierra Group is being formed, with our next meeting scheduled for:
Wed., March 11, 6:00 pm Holston Valley UU Church in Gray, TN
In fact, it took a little nudging by TN Sierra chair Mac Post, who encouraged Care NET members attending quarterly retreats for the past 3 years to look into our address books for names of environmentalists, naturalists, gardeners, recyclers, educators and political activists with whom we could plan an organizing meeting for the Tri-Cities area.
One of our members, Guerry McConnell, brought up the idea with the Social Justice Committee at her church. They invited Care NET to speak and host a table at their ‘5th Sunday’ service. Through that event, we got a list of interested people and scheduled our first meeting. Those participants reached out to interested friends, and a core group materialized.
At the organizing meeting, we were surprised and pleased to learn that some of those present had been active Sierra Club members years ago, and had met in the same church. Issues of interest included preserving wilderness, protecting endangered species, maintaining trails, removing trash from waterways, working with government agencies to establish standards and maintain the environment. Most of those present are already involved in working on these issues.
Sierra Club at the national and state level has many ways to identify and encourage new members to join through mailings, websites and media, but it is person-to-person contact and shared commitment to stewardship of our communities and the natural world that brings us together. That’s no accident!
AddUp is an online platform debuted by the Sierra Club in 2015 that informs readers of campaigns and events locally, regionally, and nationally. It creates easy opportunities to share and grow those campaigns through social media. You can find information about our campaigns on our AddUp website. Your signature will be added to messages to your representatives and you can easily share the campaign to your social media accounts.
Dear Eartha, I'm so ready for spring and have already been daydreaming about gardening in my yard. I want to incorporate more native species and encourage pollinators. What are some good options for us in Tennessee? –Eager Green Thumb
Here’s what I know: “There are three essentials of happiness: something to hope for; something to love; and something to do.” As gardeners, we know that gardening provides each one of these within the very act of gardening. With our hands in the soil and our knees in the dirt, we are no longer unaware of the place the Earth has in our lives. We are the planters, protectors, and harvesters of Mother Earth’s bounty.
Native plants have thrived on this continent since long before European colonists arrived. Tennessee has about 3,000 native plant species. These species have adapted to local weather and soil, therefore needing less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Native species attract the maximum number of birds, bees, and butterflies.
Non-native plants, unlike invasive species, are not necessarily a threat to native species; however invasives are, as they have no natural predators, competition, or diseases in their new world (like the dreaded kudzu, the “vine that ate the South” – from Tammy Sons). Invasive plant species don't optimize natural habitat and animal life.
Try to plant the greatest variety of natives that your space will allow, since the more diversity, the less likelihood of any one predator dominating your garden (think insect). Many landscaping nurseries do not sell native plants, so shop around before you buy. Here are a few plants to consider in your 2020 garden:
Flowers: Black-eyed Susan – grown in all contiguous 48 states (butterflies love them especially when planted in large groups); Wild columbine (also known as the eastern red columbine) attracts hummingbirds; Yarrow; Honeysuckle; Sweet William; blue violets; morning glory. Edible: Dandelion, blackberry, blueberry, raspberry.
And since it’s seed sowing time, check out these recommendations courtesy of Laura Bigbee-Fott (of Whites Creek Flower Farm): Select Seeds, a mother-daughter-owned company; Hudson Valley Seed Company, which supports garden-based education in schools; and Renee’s Garden , which offers a highly curated selection of non-GMO, heirloom, and unusual seeds.
Let me know how your native plants grow! Happy gardening, Eartha
Got an environmental query for Eartha? Submit your question to "Dear Eartha" via Enews.SierraTN@gmail.com
'Daffodils In Bloom In The Mountains Of Cades Cove In Smoky Mount' is a photograph by Carol Mellema which was uploaded on 2/23/2018 & can be purchased here.
Daffodils, That come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty. –William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale
When daffodils peak out of the ground, it is a welcome indication that spring is on its way. They begin popping up in late winter/ early spring.
Bulbous perennial that hails from Europe, Middle East, & North Africa. Daffodils can be a variety of lovely colors, most commonly yellow &/or cream.
The Middle TN Daffodil Society is hosting the Southeast Regional Daffodil Show at Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville on March 28-29, 2020. The organization has been "spreading the love and knowledge of daffodils in Middle TN" for over 50 years.
Put your technical skills to good use by building your resume and supporting a great cause – join the Digital Strategies Team!
Sierra Club uses several world-class tech platforms to help volunteers and Groups in the Tennessee Chapter deliver our conservation messages. We use Salesforce to maintain membership records, and Marketing Cloud to produce and distribute our newsletters. Our websites are maintained using the Drupal CMS. We use Zoom for video conferencing.
Here's a chance for you or someone you know to apply or learn skills with these systems. It's a few hours per month and we provide support. You'll use the systems and provide support for our members while working with great people and gaining skills.
Are you a Sierra member who has been receiving our bi-monthly print publication, TheTennes-Sierran? You can now opt out of getting a paper copy of the newspaper and instead receive it digitally as an email attachment. To request paperless delivery, open this form to make your request.
Who We Are
We are the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.8 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club has the resources to empower people and to influence public policy through community activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
Our mission is to Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet.
