Loo Wit Group May 2024 Newsletter

Loo Wit Rumblings

May 2024 Newsletter

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News

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Climate Commitment Act
By Don Steinke, Advisory Council

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is essential for funding clean energy projects, as well as providing funding for safe streets for cyclists and pedestrians. Ballot Measure 2117 seeks to repeal this law.

Among other things, the state budget includes millions from the CCA for hydrogen fuel cell buses in Clark County. These buses will connect Salmon Creek and Hazel Dell to the Vancouver Waterfront via Hwy. 99.

If the CCA is repealed, we'll be stuck with smelly diesel buses. If you don't like smelling diesel exhaust, vote "NO" on 2117. If you want jobs in the clean energy economy, vote "NO" on 2117.

Need more information? Feel free to contact me: Don Steinke, crvancouverusa@gmail.com.

Support Strong Farm Bill
By Mark Leed, Chair

A top priority for the Washington Chapter Sierra Club in 2024 is to defend the Climate Commitment Act.

The Farm Bill is a package of federal legislation passed roughly every five years that has a huge impact on how food is grown, what kinds of food are grown and the lives of farm families.

The current Farm Bill became law in December 2018 and was reauthorized for another fiscal year in 2023. The Senate agriculture committee has published its proposed version for 2024 and the House agriculture committee is working on its own proposal as this is written.

Sierra Club supports the Senate version because it aligns with priorities like protecting funding for rural clean energy programs, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and supporting small local farms instead of subsidizing expansion of corporate agribusinesses. The Senate proposal also includes a public land protection package with several new wilderness designations. For these and other reasons, we're urging the House to pass the Senate version. U.S. Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez of Washington's 3rd Congressional District sits on the House Agriculture Committee and her support is crucial to passing a strong bill. In a closely-divided Congress, no vote can be taken for granted. Please reach out to Rep. Perez and encourage her to support a robust Farm Bill that prioritizes sustainable agriculture, clean energy and rural conservation. Her Vancouver office can be reached at (360) 695-6292, or in D.C at (202) 225-3536.

Volunteers Sought for Endorsements
By Monica Zazueta, Loo Wit ExCom

Andrew Millison is a permaculture expert and educator who has documented resilient agriculture practices in India. He sees India's integrated villages and watershed-scale management as a model, with communities cooperating on land care for centuries. Millison believes transferring knowledge from India, such as decentralized care of cattle, boundary plantings, and organic practices proves more productive than using chemicals.

As fossil fuels decline, Millison suggests that permaculture can support global food needs through human labor institutions. Others believe sustainable populations may exceed predictions with optimized nutrition per acre. Millison highlights India's social capital and willingness to mobilize thousands for watershed projects. For concerned listeners, he recommends starting small through gardening and study groups to activate local watershed stewardship. Ultimately, Millison hopes to amplify global goodness by sharing grassroots innovations through his YouTube channel: http://www.yout.be/52L4Ncs0jLK?si=yU33VDBCLCbdPGOK.

Rethinking Economics
By Monica Zazueta, Loo Wit ExCom

Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton has created controversy by rethinking some of his previously held views.

In a symposium, Deanton discusses his evolving views on topics like globalization, free trade and immigration. He argues that while economists focus on efficiency and welfare, other important values also need consideration -- namely geographically-balanced development, investment in public goods and stable local communities. Deaton believes economics must consider the social and political context of policies rather than abstract models alone.

Deaton has also reconsidered his stance on unions, believing that while unions can distort markets, they also counter the imbalance of power between employers and workers. Strong unions help support middle-class wages and communities. He points out that the benefits of unions have been underplayed. Overall, Deaton advocates for more pluralism in economics. Multiple views and realistic models are needed rather than ideological stances. Well-being depends on social and political stability, not just total welfare.

Website: www. imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/224/03/Symposium-Rethinking-Economics-Angus-Deaton.

Grizzly highlighted on PBS
By Steve Foster, Loo Wit ExCom

Known only by her research number, Grizzly 399 has been a fixture in Grand Teton National Park since 2007, becoming the world's most famous grizzly bear. 399 is now raising four new cubs in the face of human encroachment, a warming climate and the threat of losing protection under the Endangered Species Act. "Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons" was featured on the PBS show "Nature" on May 8. If you missed it, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gXa-bs_9i0. "Nature" executive producer Fred Kaufman, producer Elizabeth Leiter and Guides of Jackson Hole's Trevor Bloom joined renowned 399 photographer Thomas Mangelsen for a Q&A filmed live after the program: http://www.youtube.com/live/5EQPoaLqg3U.

Join a Loo Wit outing!
By Sharon Fujioka, Outings leader

Outings got started in February with a hike along Salmon Creek Trail. This out-and-back trail is approximately 5 miles, depending on the starting point. There are interesting sights to see along this trail any time of year, with a variety of birds, some resident and some migratory. Evidence of beaver activity was recently seen at the west end of the trail by a chewed (and downed) tree.

Helen Ost led two outings in March and April to Catherine Creek near Lyle, WA, to view native spring wildflowers. Catherine Creek Trail is administered by the U.S. Forest Service and is widely known for its profusion of wildflowers from March through May.

Newly-credentialed outings leader Phil Scott led his first outing along Waterfront Park in downtown Portland on March 30. Cherry blossoms weren't at their peak, but were still beautiful. The outing started near the Japanese Memorial, crossed the Steel Bridge to the Willamette's east side and then south past OMSI, crossing the Tillicum Bridge and back to the start point.

More outings in April and May included the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail and the Camas Lily Fields, both led by Helen Ost.

Lehman Holder and Chris Hartman kicked off kayak outings May 9 on Lacamas Lake, leading 7 kayakers on one of our first 80-degree days of the year. It was a perfect day to get on the water! We paddled from the put-in across the lake and into Lacamas Creek for a mile before encountering strong currents, when we turned and made our way back.

We're looking forward to many more outings in 2024. It's a privilege to introduce people to areas they haven't explored before and to share with others Sierra Club's mission to "Explore, Enjoy and Protect" our planet.

Check out Loo Wit's outings: http://www.meetup.com/portland-vancouver-sierra-club-outings-events. Questions? Contact Loo Wit's outings chair, Lehman Holder: tripsguy@aol.com .
 

Protecting Old-Growth Forests
Earthjustice.org

Old-growth forests store immense amounts of carbon and protecting them is one of the most powerful, cost-effective climate solutions we have. In December 2023, the Biden administration proposed a plan to protect old-growth trees in national forests. Earthjustice is a leader of the Climate Forests Campaign, which has been pushing for this kind of action to restrict logging and compel government agencies to adopt rules to protect the old-growth forests we have left in the U.S. Want to help? Contact Earthjustice (415) 217-2000.

Camp Bonneville cleanup issue
By Teresa Hardy, Loo Wit ExCom

Camp Bonnevillew is a 3,849-acre property in east Clark County that was used as a military training camp for 85 years. It was transferred to Clark County several years ago under the BRAC. For years, Camp Bonneville has been undergoing a slow environmental cleanup process, now near completion. However, the adequacy of the cleanup process has been questioned. A Clark Couty advisory group (CAG) that was reviewing the cleanup is on hold, with an indication from the county manager that it might be dissolved, or that the highly knowledgable, expert community members who sit on the CAG will not have their terms renewed. The FBI's Oregon branch is asking for a contract renewal that will allow them to continue using the camp's shooting range. This would be in conflict with the conservation conveyance. Also, the Oregon FBI hasn't been a good tenant. Sierra Club believes Clark County shold permanently close the shooting range and establish a permanent Camp Bonneville Advisory Group, including a Safety Evaluation Panel (SEP), which will allow the county to regain control of, and properly manage, the property to protect the health, safety, well-being and interests of those who use it. Check with the county to discover ways you can become involved.

Executive Committee Roster for 2023

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