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Loo Wit Outings
Leaders Staying Busy
by Helen Ost, outings leader
Winter hasn't slowed down new Loo Wit outing leaders who are now leading hikes.
In January, we hiked the WSU-Vancouver Cougar Trails, the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail east from Devine Road and the Hamilton Island Strawberry Trail. February hikes so far include Blurock Landing to Frenchman s Bar and the Hood River Indian Trail. Sign up for our hikes on Meetup. We're looking for more outing leaders to help with all our spring and summer hikes. Overall, hiking outings can provide a range of benefits for both physical and mental health, as well as opportunities for adventure, exploration, and socialization. You can also learn new skills, including navigation, camping, survival, and more.
Lottie Patten of Stevenson has very recently joined us as a newly certified outings leader and has already led two hikes. Welcome, Lottie!
2023 Looking Very Good for Outings
by Lehman Holder, outings chair
With three new outings leaders now leading hikes and sea kayaking and cycling outings just ahead, 2023 is promising to be a really good year for Loo Wit outings.
Helen Ost, Sharon Fujioka, and Lottie Patten are newly certified leaders. Helen and Sharon completed certification requirements in July 2022 and Lottie Patten became certified in early February. Lottie lives in Stevenson and will be leading some appealing hikes in the Gorge. One of the good things is that these hikes are local, within an hour of Vancouver.
I expect to start sea kayak and cycling outings (again, locally) in late April or early May. The first kayak outing will be a beginner-novice instructional outing on Lake River near Ridgefield. Kayak rentals are available on the water.
To see outing details, go to Loo Wit s Meetup page: meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-events.
News
Prologis Trucking Terminal and SEPA
by Don Steinke, Loo Wit advisory council
Prologis Trucking s warehouse proposal would add between 1,100 and 1,900 trucks per day in the Fruit Valley neighborhood.
We're concerned because this project will increase greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions at a time when state and city policies aim for rapid reductions of ghg emissions.
We're also concerned about the health impacts of added diesel emissions in west Vancouver.
Loo Wit has asked Vancouver s city planning department to issue a Final Determination of Environmental Significance. This will require the applicant to prepare a comprehensive environmental impact statement.
Based on the EIS, the City can impose conditions in the permit, such as non-polluting heating systems, charging stations for trucks, solar panels, and a rapid phase-in of electric trucks.
If City staff doesn't issue a final SEPA Determination of Significance, then we hope to file an appeal.
Climate Change, Affordable Housing
by Mark Leed, Loo Wit chair
Two of the most vexing crises today are the existential threat of climate change and a nationwide shortage of affordable housing. What may not be obvious is that they are intertwined. Energy efficiency is a huge contributor to household expenses, and it raises carbon emissions at the same time.
Making homes more energy efficient by beefing up insulation and installing heat pumps and heat peak water heaters can go a long way toward reducing housing costs over the long run. Clark Public Utilities and Cowlitz County Public Utility District both off incentives to upgrade appliances and HVAC systems.
U.S. EPA states that the location of housing and nearby transportation options have a dramatic effect on affordability. Sprawl leads to longer commutes and reduced transit access, increasing carbon emissions and pinching family budgets. Ending single-family home zoning could help ease the severe housing shortage while making public transit more viable.
Allowing options like triplexes, four-plexes, and ADUs could also help preserve forests and farmland. Several bills introduced in the Washington legislature this session address missing middle housing and transit-oriented development. You can help please reach out to your legislators and ask them to support these efforts.
Dirty Banks Day of Action
by Kristin Edmark, Loo Wit member
Sierra Club is partnering with Third Act (thirdact.org) on a Discredit the Dirty Banks Day of Action, on March 21. Time is 3:30-5:30 p.m. outside Chase Bank, Broadway and E. 12th St. in Vancouver.
The goal is to draw attention to how Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank have invested $1 trillion since the 2015 Paris Climate Accord in dirty fossil fuel projects and companies, slowing a transition to clean energy. We'll be picketing Chase Bank as well as having other activities including chalk art, posters, songs, street theater, and possibly a puppet show. Before the day of action, please sign the Banking on Our Future Pledge. Third Act will present signatures to the bank before outside activities begin.
Executive Committee Roster for 2023
Members of Loo Wit s executive committee (ExCom) are elected by Loo Wit membership and serve two-year terms. If you're a Sierra Club member, you're encouraged to join an ExCom meeting on Zoom. Invited non-member guests can also join ExCom meetings. Contact Mark Leed if interested.
2023 ExCom members and positions with expiration dates:
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