May 2010 San Diego Sierra

8/12/2019 May 2010 San Diego Sierra

1/16Explore, Enjoy and Protect the PlanetExplore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

HIISIERRANI RR NSierra Club San Diego Chapter Serving Imperial and San Diego CountiesWorking To Preserve The Special Nature of San Diego for Over Half A Century

Vol 69 No. 3 Visit our website at: www.sandiego.sierraclub.org May/June 2010

continued on page 13 continued on page 6

2010 San Diego Chapter GalaCelebration & DinnerThe San Diego Chapter will be hosting a Gala Celebration anDinner to recognize and commemorate the achievements ofcommunity leaders and volunteers who have contributed thetime and effort to protecting the environment.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at the Kearny

Mesa Ramada Conference Center & Hotel. The celebration will

include a VIP reception, dinner program and silent auction. Theevent brings together elected officials, dignitaries, community

activists, Sierra Club members and supporters to celebrate the

special nature of San Diego and Imperial counties and to raise fu

for the San Diego Chapters programs that help protect the region

environment.

This years theme will be "Our Wildlands Legacy" and

include the presentation of the Chapters FEAT (goodand HEAT (bad) Awards.This years FEAT awardees are featured keynote speaker Mark

Jorgensen, former Park Superintendent Anza Borrego Desert State

Park; Richard Halsey, Executive Director California ChaparralInstitute; and Preserve Calavera, whose mission is to "protect,

enhance, and restore the natural resources of coastal north

San Diego County".

Join us as we make this an unforgettable evening of inspiration an

reverence, honoring our 2010 FEAT awardees who have contribu

the time and effort to be called "stewards of the environment".

For 33 years Mark Jorgensen spent his life at Anza Borrego as a

naturalist, resource ecologist and since 2001 as its Superintenden

before retiring this spring. Always an outspoken advocate for the

park, Mark is especially recognized for his love and knowledge of

the desert and his unending efforts to save the Bighorn sheep. Hi

drive to protect bighorns began in 1972 when he spent four sum-mers studying the sheep in the park. Ever since then Mark has co

tinued to advocate for Bighorn habitat throughout Southern

California.

Richard Halseystarted his environmental journey when he joined

the Sierra Club at age 15 and is a Life Member. He is the director

the California Chaparral Institute, a nonprofit research and educa

tional organization focusing on the ecology of Californias shrub-

land plant communities, wildland fire, and how Mediterranean-ty

ecosystems have helped shape human culture. Richard Halsey is th

voice for the chaparral of San Diego.

Is the Hi Sierran you are reading worth 42 cents to you? Itcosts us about 17 cents to produce, another 17 cents to print,and 8 cents to mail, so the issue in your hands cost us 42 centsor multiply that by 6 issues per year and that is $2.50 per yearfor 6 issues.

This does not sound like much, but multiplied by over 12,000it is our largest single expense after staff payroll.

Total expense in 2009 was close to $30,000, more than wasraised by our annual fund appeal.

Some of the cost was recovered from paid advertising fromoutside, and some was "recovered" from internal advertisingcharges to sections and activities. The internal ad revenue isnot really new income to the club, since it just represents adiversion of funds from other activities.

Since the National club has reduced the portion of your annu-al dues that come to the chapter, we are less able to subsidizethe costs. Historically, it was considered that $1.00 of yourdues were allocated to a local newsletter. That one dollar nolonger covers the costs of producing, printing, and mailing theHi Sierran to you. The result has been that the Hi Sierran hasbeen shrinking. First, there was a reduction from 12 issues peryear to six, and then the number of pages was cut in half. Thisis typical of the experience of other chapters. Some chaptershave cut back to only four issues per year, and one chapter hasgone paperless.

We do not know how many copies go into the recycle bin, orworse, the trash, unread.

The Hi Sierran has been available on our web site, in pdfform, for a number of years. In 2009, we started printing anotice that members could opt out of getting a paper copy.


2/16May/June 2010 Hi Sierran San Diego2

Discouraged

by politics?Get Involved!I was called to participate in a "focus

group" last week and asked to identify

what are the biggest challenges facing our

organization. My answer: political honesty.

Then, sadly I realized how odd it was to

put those two terms together in this day

and age. Worse, it's hard to get planning

honesty because planners in our region

are not well protected from political pres-sure. When an elected official wants a

project, planners are pressured - some-

times directly, mostly indirectly - to pro-

vide reports to support what the politi-

cians want. And so it goes.

It's only when people rise up in great

numbers to complain that sometimes they

can get a project changed or denied - and

usually only when there is an upcoming

election. This is all to say that our Chapter

Political Committee and ConservationCommittees make a big difference by pro-

viding some check and balance on our

very unbalanced system.

If you're discouraged by politics, then it's

the perfect time to get involved - because

that's the only way to make difference. It's

particularly interesting to meet candidates

in person running for office and newcom-

ers are always welcome! The Sierra Club is

the only grassroots environmental group

that does political work, so please jump in.

Every environmental decision is influ-

enced by politics, so it's important work

Chapter News

Welcome to Michael Brune, who if you

have not heard, is the Sierra Club's new

Executive Director, replacing Carl Pope,

who will stay on as an advisor. I partici-

pated in his first day teleconference and

was impressed - so much so, I got a copy

of his book: Coming Clean, Breaking

American's Addiction to Oil and Coal.

This is an important generational transi

tion for the Club and he is hitting the

ground running. Visit the national web-

site, http://www.sierraclub.org/ed/ to

read about him and follow his posts.

Welcome to our new Legal Committee

Chair Pam Epstein. Whether you're an

attorney or not, if you'd like to be in the

loop with the Legal Committee, please

contact Pam. (see back page).

Welcome back to Cheryl Reiff who has

accepted an appointment as Chapter

Historian. If you have stories from the

past to share, or would like to help her

go through our collection of photo-

graphs and help identify people, let her

know. (see back page).

New Member?

If you're a new member, we've started

new member introductions once/month

on a Saturday at the Chapter office. They

will be May 15 and June 19 from

9:30 - 10:30am.

If you'd like to arrange a speaker fromthe Chapter, please contact me.

Finally, if you didn't receive your fund

appeal letter in the mail, please let us

know. If you've meant to, but haven't

sent in a contribution yet, we'd be happy

to receive any amount. Every donation

makes a difference!

HIISIERRANI RR NSierra Club San Diego Chapter

8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #101San Diego, CA 92111(858) 569-6005

Editor

Judy Thomas (619) [email protected]

Creative DirectorScott Thomas (619) [email protected]

[email protected]

Hi Sierran Committee ChairEllen [email protected]

Conservation

[email protected] and [email protected]

One Club ListservTo subscribe go to:http://lists.sierraclub.org/scripts/wa.exe?index

May/June 2010

USPS - 896140

The Hi Sierran is published bi-monthly by the San

Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club, 8304 Clairemont

Mesa Blvd. #101, San Diego, CA 92111, for

members in San Diego and Imperial counties.

$1 of the annual membership fee is for a sub-scription to the Hi Sierran. Periodicals Postage Paid

at San Diego, CA. Postmaster: Send address

changes to Hi Sierran, Sierra Club Member

Services PO BOX 52968, Boulder, CO 80322-2968.

Address Correction?Send your current mailing label and

your correct address to:Sierra Club

PO BOX 52968Boulder, CO 80322-2968

Or email membership number and

your correct address to:[email protected]

Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. IN THIS ISSUE:Nature Knowledge Workshop . . . . . 4

Voting Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Summer Bus Trips Schedule . . . . . . . 9

Monthly Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet


3/16March/April 2010 Hi Sierran San Diego 3

WildernessEncampmentto Bring WildernessAdvocates TogetherJoin dozens of enthusiastic wilderness andwild river advocates at this WildernessEncampment convening on Saturday

Sunday, May 22-23, at Oak Grove ForestService Campground and Community Hall,located midway between the communities of

Aguanga and Sunshine Summit on SR79 inthe Cleveland National Forest. Participantswill enjoy rousing presentations, stimulating

discussions, hikes, great food, and fellowshipat this coming together of organizations andindividuals who are working to establish fed-

eral wilderness and wild & scenic riverprotections for federal land in San DiegoCounty.

From the vantage point of our car-camplocation at Oak Grove, we will enjoy splendidviews of the Palomar range including Agua

Tibia Proposed Wilderness to the south, andBeauty Mountain Proposed Wilderness to

the north. These pristine areas in San DiegoCounty comprise Congressperson DarrellIssas "Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia

Wilderness Act of 2009" (H. R. 4304), whichwould add 13,635 acres to the BeautyMountain Wilderness, and 7,796 acres to the

Agua Tibia Wilderness which were estab-lished in Riverside County in 2009 byCongressperson Mary Bono Mack.

Sierra Club CA/NV RCC Wilderness(www.sierraclub.org/ca/wilderness) andForest Committees are joining with the

venerable Durango, Colorado-based groupGreat Old Broads for Wilderness(www.greatoldbroads.org), and

Wilderness4All (www.wilderness4all.org) inSan Diego County to stage this momentousevent.

Here are some details

Audience: Sierra Club members and guestswho care about preserving wild places --

from various places in California andNevada, especially southern California

Guest speakers: Rick Halsey of The Chaparral

Institute, Land management agency officials,and other guests

Format: Campout Friday night followed bysit-down wilderness meeting Saturday 10 amto 5 pm, group dinner (provided) in camp-

ground, with evening walk or program.Group breakfast Sunday (provided)

Hike: Sunday morning hike in the BeautyMountain Proposed Wilderness Addition

led by Geoffrey Smith, finished by 3:00 pm

Meeting agenda topics include: CurrentWilderness legislation, wilderness manage-

ment issues, agency reports, forest updates,off-road vehicle concerns, public lands feesconcerns, outing reports and listings, and

more.

Meals: Lunch provided during Saturdaymeeting. Saturday camp night dinner andSunday breakfast provided; donations willbe requested to cover meal costs. Bring

own utensils, cups, bowls, etc.

Costs: $10 person camping fee; $10 person

fee for three meals, or $3 for lunch only.

Optional Saturday Night Dinner: A $10reservation by May 12 will get you a

delicious dinner and program with theGreat Old Broads for Wilderness.Email for details.

Sound fun? It will be! For more detailsand to register, write [email protected] (pre-

ferred), or call 858.442.1425. Hope to seeyou there! - Geoffrey Smith

Please join the SAN DIEGO CHAPTER at our

June 12, 2010

Annual Gala Celebrationas we honorOur Wildlands Legacy

Kearny Mesa Ramada

Conference Center & Hotel

Join us as we make this an unforgettable evening of inspiration and reverence, honoring

those who have contributed their time and effort as stewards of the environment.

Keynote Speaker and Award Recipient

Mark Jorgensen"Ranger Going Rogue"

Former Park Superintendent Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Special Presentations will also be made to recognize those who have

contributed to the degradation of our environment!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available.

For more event information contact Richard at 858-569-6005 orga la@sier rac lubsandd iego.org

Sierra SinglesHikes, Bonfires, Concerts,

Volleyball, Movies, Picnics,

Dancing, Car Camps and more.

For more information,

call (858) 657-0502 or email

[email protected]

Annual Email Membership Only

$10.00

Enjoy!!

www.sandiego.sierrclub.org/singles



You have a personal invitation to join us for a weekend that may influence the rest of your life. This annual event is one of the two big SierraClub happenings of each year (the other is the Wilderness Basics Course). The Nature Knowledge Workshop (NKW) combines education andappreciation for our precious, dwindling natural resources with a sharing and a building of new friendships. We hope you will leave the weekendwith a renewed vigor towards a society respecting and preserving all living co-habitants.

Location: The Sierra Clubs scenic Foster Lodge on Mt. Laguna (elev. 5,800 ft., San Diego County)

Date: June 4-6 June 11-13, 2010. (Friday evening through Sunday noon).

Cost: Before May 1st, $125 per Sierra Club Member, $135 Non-Member (after May 1, $140/$150)

This covers:

1. A comprehensive 190-page Naturalists Manual.2. Six full & nutritious meals created by Sheena Myers and Staff.

3. Two nights lodging either in the Lodge or tenting on the grounds.

4. A stompin, clappin Bluegrass concert on Friday evening.

5. Half-day nature hikes led through chaparral, forest & meadow ecosystems.

6. Evening workshops on a variety of subjects, given by biologists & specialists.Subjects include plants, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, Indian history & lore,

ecology/conservation, astronomy, population issues and more.

7. Yoga & Meditation sessions.

8. An NKW T-shirt to each participant.Need further proof? Ask anyone who has previously participated. The NKW usually fills up early, followed by a long waiting list.Please apply promptly. For more information, call Lee or Fern at (619) 583-3261.

To register, send the following to Lee Siegel, 5224 Prosperity Lane, San Diego, CA 92115-2143:

1. This filled-out coupon (or a coupon for each person applying).

2. A check: $125 per Sierra Club Member, $135 per Non-Member, payable to Sierra Club. (after May 1, $140/$150)

3. Two self-addressed, stamped envelopes (for two separate mailings) if you do not have e-mail.

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

City/State/Zip_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Phone (home) (Work)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Amount Sent ($125/Member, $135/Non-Member, payable to Sierra Club) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Check which weekend you will attend: June 4-6 June 11-13

Sierra Club Membership Number(s) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Email address(es) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Age(s)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Where did you grow up? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Occupation (previous, if retired) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

June 4 - 6 and June 11 - 13


5/16May/June 2010 Hi Sierran San Diego 5

Pacific Gas & Electric (a San Francisco-

based utility) wants you to vote for a con-

stitutional amendment that would make it

tougher for you to buy

cleaner electricity - or anyelectricity from anyone

else.

The company is the sole

sponsor of Proposition

16, a measure on the June

ballot that would require

two-thirds voter approval

before cities, counties,

and local power agencies

could choose an alterna-

tive energy provider. The

measure would also pre-vent existing local utilities

from adding new cus-

tomers, even within their

districts, without first

going to the ballot. Although PG&E refers

to the measure as "The Taxpayers' Right

to Vote Act", the measure provides no

right to vote on PG&E expansion effortsor on its rates, among the highest in the

country.

Former California energy commissioner

John Geesman points out the inherentunfairness of the measure. In his blog he

notes that while PG&E has a $30 million

budget for the campaign, "the local gov-

ernments, municipal utilities, and irriga-

tion districts who are its targets are pro-

hibited by law from spending anything to

oppose it."

PG&E is also targeting so-called

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA)

programs, such as San Francisco's

CleanPowerSF and Marin Clean Energy.

These ambitious programs will soon pro-vide half of the counties' electricity fromrenewable sources - if Proposition 16

doesn't enable PG&E to kill the programs

by forcing them to the ballot and winning

over a mere 34% of the voters.

This threat has not escaped the leadership

of the state legislature. Last December,

eight state senators, led by President Pro

Tempore Darrell Steinberg, wrote to

PG&E CEO Peter Darbee to voice con-

cerns over PG&E's attack on the CCAs

and clean energy: "We note that PG&E . . .

today provides less renewable power as a

percentage of total sales than it did when

this legislation was enact-

ed in 2000. . . . It is unac-ceptable for a company

that is falling behind in

meeting state-adopted

goals for clean energy to

impede the efforts of oth-

ers who would attain

those goals through

innovative means."

PG&E has all but admit-ted that squelching com-

petition is the main

thrust behind Proposition16. Last October, speaking

about the ballot measure,

PG&E CEO Darbee told

analysts, "We are going to

stand up and resist efforts to take over

our customers."

With a near-monopoly stretching from

Eureka to Santa Barbara, PG&E's only

competition is from isolated local agencies

and the few new Community Choice

Aggregation programs. But Los Angeles

Times columnist Michael Hiltzik believesthat PG&E has reason to be afraid of these

competitors. "Their fear today is that

municipal utilities will undercut them onpricing and recruit their customers. That's

not an unrealistic fear, as municipal utili-

ties have consistently beaten the private

utilities on rates."

Municipal utilities and CCAs may not be

the only electricity providers wary of

Proposition 16's anti-competitive aims. As

of this writing, neither of the state's other

investor-owned utilities, SouthernCalifornia Edison and San Diego Gas &

Electric, has contributed any funding to

the Prop 16 campaign - though SDG&E

has taken very negative positions toward

CCAs in their filings with the California

Public Utilities Commission.

As of February, PG&E had spent $6.5 mil-

lion on the measure. Commissioner

Geesman pointed out the source of thesefunds: us. "There is not a nickel that passes

through PG&E's books that doesn't ulti-

Vote No! On Proposition 16PG&E's Attack On Competition

mately derive from its customers," he

said to the San Jose Mercury News.

PG&E frequently states that switching toits competition is risky. Yet PG&E cus-

tomers risk getting their lights turned of

more than those of other utilities. PG&E

is cutting service to a staggering number

of customers who are missing payments

- far more than other utilities. The Los

Angeles Times reported that PG&E'slow-income disconnections jumped 75%

in 2009 - five times the increase of San

Diego Gas & Electric, and three times

that of Southern California Edison.

PG&E's overall disconnections rose 40%

also more than any other investor-

owned or municipal utility.

Despite this and high electricity rates,

PG&E has been trying to label

CleanPowerSF as a "risky scheme" in

mail pieces to San Francisco businesses.Such mailings by a utility violate state

law. In response, San Francisco city

attorney Dennis Herrera filed a petition

with the California Public Utilities

Commission in January. In his press

release, Herrera linked the goals of clean

energy and competition, "We cannot let

Californians be denied the benefits of

cleaner, cost-effective energy alternative

- consumer choice is simply too impor-

tant to ratepayers and the environment.

Critics of Proposition 16, including the

Sierra Club, consumer advocates like

TURN, elected leaders, public poweragencies, and newspaper editorial board

see the ballot measure as even more dan

gerous than PG&E's other anti-competi

tive efforts. The Sacramento Bee charac-terized Proposition 16 as a case of "a

powerful special interest seizing the ini-

tiative process for its own narrow bene-

fit." In a January editorial the paper said

"If [Proposition 16] passes, it enshrines

unfair protections against competition

for PG&E, one of the richest, most pow

erful corporations in the state, into theCalifornia Constitution."

It's now up to California voters. They'll

need to see through the taxpayer-protec

tion veneer of Proposition 16, and to

perceive it for what it actually is: an

attempt to permanently stifle free-mar-

ket competition and expansion of the

state's renewable-energy industry.

John Rizzo, member, San Francisco Group

Executive Committee; and a trustee on th

San Francisco Community College Board



2009 EnvironmentalReport Card ReleasedLow Grades for City of San Diego Mayor

& City Council

By Carolyn Chase & Richard Miller

March 10, 2010

The League of Conservation Voters San

Diego, in coalition with the San DiegoChapter and 9 other environmental

groups, released the first-ever compre-

hensive Environmental Quality Report

Card for the City of San Diego Mayor

and City Council.

The Report Card builds on the annual

Water Quality Report Card which has

been issued since 2001. The Water

Quality Report Card was originally com-

missioned by San Diego Coastkeeper.

This year, 11 environmental organiza-

tions adopted the report and expanded it

to quantitatively grade City officials on

decisions related to environmental health

in 2009.

The Mayor and most City Council mem-

bers received modest or poor grades.

Mayor Sanders received a poor grade for

not making the environment one of his

top priorities. The Mayor decimated the

City budgets related to environmental

programs instead of searching for new

revenue sources. Mayor Sanders is also

one of the few Mayors of a large city

without a point person in his administra-tion dedicated to the environment.

Two major initiatives supported by the

Sierra Club and many environmental

organizations greatly impacted the grades

of the City Council members. Many

Council members voted against Indirect

Potable Reuse (IPR), a plan to recycle

wastewater into useable drinking water

and failed to appoint Diane Takvorian,

Executive Director of Environmental

Health Coalition, to the San Diego Port

Commission.

What's not in the Report Card

The Report Card grades city of San Diego

officials on votes taken by the full City

Council, that were a part of the city's for-

mal council agenda. However, what's

missing from that agenda cannot be

ignored from any environmental perspec-

tive.

The City Council and Mayor Jerry

Sanders serve on a variety of regional

boards with little public input or over-

sight, but with great environmental

impacts, including SANDAG (San Diego

Association of Governments) and MTS

(Metropolitan Transit System).

The transportation sector is the largest

regional source of climate change emission

as well as other major pollutants.

Transportation itself, planners know, is destiny. The region's growth strategy for

accommodating another million in popula

tion is currently dominated by freeway-

widening and increasing traffic congestion.

While the city has adopted the so-called

"City of Villages" approach, the Regional

Transportation Plan still needs to catch-up

SANDAG is currently updating the

Regional Transportation Plan, which lays

out projects for the next 30 years. The

choices made in this Plan Update will show

whether our elected officials are serious

about climate change science or "smartgrowth," or not. The prospects do not look

bright. SANDAG has created a Regional

Climate Action Strategy that is weak and

woefully incomplete. Transit services have

been decimated as a result of the illegal

diversion of funding by the State

Legislature. Neither the Boards of the tran-

sit agencies (MTS, NCTD) nor the Board o

SANDAG have done anything other than

righteously rail at the state.

The separation of transportation agencies

(Caltrans, MTS, NCTD, SANDAG), means

that major decisions related to multi-billiondollar transportation investments and the

plans that lead to project choices do not

show up on City Council agendas. These

votes may not have shown up on this year's

Report Card, but environmentalists are

watching and all taxpayers and voters

should be too.

The full report can be read on the Chapter

web site,

http://www.sandiego.sierraclub.org/

Vote/ReportCard.pdf

The mission ofPreserve Calavera is to pre-

serve, protect and enhance the natural

resources of coastal north San Diego County.Started in 2002, Preserve Calavera has

become one of the largest grass roots conser-

vation groups in coastal north county.

Preserve Calaveras has helped preserve over

250 acres of natural lands and led the com-

munity fundraising effort for the most recentpreserve in north county- the Buena Vista

Creek Ecological Reserve.

Tickets to the 2010 Gala and Dinner

Celebration can be purchased through the

Chapters website at www.sandiego.sierra-

club.org or by calling the Chapter office at

858-569-6005.

WHEN: Saturday, June12, 2010

VIP Reception 6:00pm 7:00pm

Dinner 7:00pm 9:30pm

WHERE: Ramada InnConference Center and Hotel,5550 Kearny Mesa Rd., San Diego(Clairemont Mesa Blvd & Hywy 163)

TICKETS: Individual Tickets:$75 VIP reception and dinner,$60 dinner only

Sierra Club members:$65 VIP reception and dinner, $50 dinner

continued from page 1

. . . Save the ChapterSome Green.

Did you know that

you can always read

the current issue of

the Hi Sierran on our

Chapter web site?

Just go to the homepage at sandiego.sier-

raclub.organd click on the"Newsletters" link in theright-hand column.

If you like reading the online version,remember that you can opt out of getting apaper copy.To opt out, contact the Chapter office

858-569-6005 [email protected]

The grades for City officials are:

Official District Grade

Sherri Lightner 1 C

Kevin Faulconer 2 D

Todd Gloria 3 A-

Tony Young 4 D

Carl DeMaio 5 F

Donna Frye 6 A

Marti Emerald 7 C-

Ben Hueso 8 C-

MayorJerry Sanders All D-


7/16 7May/June 2010 Hi Sierran San Diego

The campaign to put suspension of California's climate change law before voters in

November started taking shape this week as warring parties revealed key sources of

funding and traded barbs over the nature of their financial support.

Opposing the climate law are a Texas-based refining company that operates inCalifornia and the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. In documents

filed with the California Secretary of State, a group calling itself the California Jobs

Initiative listed Valero Energy Corp.'s director of government affairs in California,

Scott Folwarkow, and Jon Coupal, president of the tax group, as its leading officers.

The documents verify Valero's involvement but say nothing about rumors that

another San Antonio-based company, Tesoro Corp., has contributed funds. Coupal

would not comment on Tesoro's role, insisting that more information on funding

would be made public soon.

The California Jobs Initiative wants to suspend the climate law, A.B. 32 -- now set

to take effect in two years -- until the state's 12.5 percent unemployment rate falls

to 5.5 percent.

Coupal called the criticism that opposition to A.B. 32 was relying on out-of-statemoney "flatly incorrect." In-state companies from several sectors would participate,

he said, if the initiative makes the November ballot.

"Transportation, agriculture and petroleum, they are the obvious ones" to join the

effort, Coupal said. "There's also a fair bet that the small business coalitions are

going to be highly supportive."

The campaign is in the process of gathering the 433,000 signatures needed to make

the ballot, where voters would get to decide A.B. 32's fate directly. Coupal said the

effort "just got off the ground" but should make the June deadline for qualification.

Opponents of the climate law, led by Republican Assemblyman Dan Logue, say its

ACTION ALERT:Oppose Sunrise

PowerlinkSen. Feinstein is pushing the Forest Serv

to approve the Sunrise Powerlink. Below

the site to the article stating that she did

not know there was opposition. Let's let

her and the Forest Service know that we

oppose this project. Thank you for your

continued support.

For more information see Chapter News

at: www.sandiego.sierraclub.org

Vote No on Prop DProp D is the wrong approach to addres

our City's needs. It's funded by and forthe same ol' special interests. Prop D

undermines citizen participation and

input in city government while increasi

access for lobbyists and special interests

invites more behind closed door deals a

spending and encourages hiring decisio

based on politics rather than competenc

Prop D limits City staff's ability to make

objective decisions and creates a politi-

cized and uncertain environment for Ci

staff. It also allows the mayor to "infor-

mation manage" the public and withhocritical facts the Council and public nee

to make informed decisions. This is the

exact opposite of open government.

The bottom line is the Strong Mayor co

too much. Your No vote means instantgovernment reform and big savings;

restores the Mayor as leader of the City

Council responding to your concerns in

public; installs a qualified professional t

manage city operations, answerable to t

Mayor, City Council and taxpayers;

assures immediate accountability becau

a City Manager can be fired immediatel

for failing to do a good job. (No waiting

four years for an election.)

We experimented with Strong Mayor fo

the last five years. Let's save Taxpayer

Dollars and restore Government

Accountability and Vote No on Strong

Mayor.

Issues That Need Your Attention!

Battle over California emissions lawtakes shape as warring parties revealfunding sources

June Primary ElectionNO on Prop 16! Keep Stopping Big Oil (Statewide)

See Page 5 for details

NO on Prop D (City of San Diego)Strong Mayor Form of Governance, Adding a City Council Seat, and Increasing

the Veto Override Vote. See next column for details

YES on Prop 15 The Fair Elections Act (Statewide)

The Fair Elections Act on the June 2010 ballot would create a pilot project to

make voluntary public financing available to Secretary of State candidates in

2014 and 2018.

Public financing is a way to get politicians out of the fundraising game and back

to solving California's problems. Replacing special-interest money with clean

money would ensure elected officials are accountable to voters, not donors, and

open up the political process so the best candidates, not just the wealthiest can-didates, can pursue elected office.

continued on page 10



SUNDAY, MAY 02**Dayhike (E1A) Bird Walk and Picnic alongSan Luis Rey River

Leader: Geoffrey Smith 858-442-1425 or

[email protected]: NeededThis beautiful, riparian wooded section of theSan Luis Rey River affords splendid opportu-nity for bird watching and just relaxing.Families with children will enjoy spendingtime along the stream, and an expertornithologist will be on hand to identifybirds. Maybe we'll see an endangered south-western willow flycatcher or least Bell's vireo(song birds) - bring your binoculars! We'll all

sit down to a potluck picnic at noon in theshady picnic area with bathrooms and water.This outing to a potential wild & scenic riveris sponsored by Friends of the River and TheNorth San Diego Wild Heritage Campaign.

Recommended for kids!

Meeting location: Meet at San Luis Rey PicnicArea, Cleveland National Forest, on SR76between the La Jolla Indian Reservation andLake Henshaw

WEDNESDAY, MAY 05Dayhike (M4B) Cowles Mountain 6:30 Hike

From Barker WayLeader: Diane Purkey 619-865-8598

Assistant: Aaron SweeneyAbs? What are abs? Where? Oh, they're hiddenabs. Join us on this fun, fast- paced eveningconditioning hike up the trail less traveled tothe top of Cowles Mountain. We'll cover verybasic astronomy at the summit, with our greatview of the night sky, then loop back down onthe dirt fire road. Bring your flashlight and alight jacket. Call for required signup and anychanges.

SUNDAY, MAY 16

(M/E-B) UCSD Sculpture Garden RideLeader: Marty Hambright, 858-587-0272

Assistant: Ron Manherz, 858-587-0272

Come out for a social ride up to the UCSDcampus to view the outdoor Stuart Collectionincluding the Sun God, the Snake Path andthe Green Table. Meet at 9 AM in the parkinglot immediately north of the Mission BayVisitor Center for a 25-mile ride up RoseCanyon, through UCSD, and return via LaJolla. New riders are welcome to join us infront of the La Jolla Playhouse at about 9:50

AM for the leisurely 5 mile campus portion ofthe ride (free UCSD parking on Sunday) A hel-

met and water are required. For informationabout the Stuart Collection see http://stuartcol-lection.ucsd.edu/StuartCollection/Map.htm.

SATURDAY, MAY 08 **Dayhike (M6B) Day Hike toSan Diego River Gorge

Leader: Geoffrey Smith 858-442-1425 [email protected]: Needed

The North San Diego Wild Heritage Campaigninvites you to explore the rugged upper reachesof the proposed San Diego River Gorge

Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River nearJulian. Dropping 1,000' from our trailhead atSaddleback at the south end of Eagle PeakRoad, we'll intersect the San Diego River, andtravel upstream through beautiful riparian oakwoodland, deep into the scenic gorge.

Encompassing approximately 2,400 acres ofproposed wilderness, and nearly 8 miles of pro-posed wild & scenic river, the canyon's distinc-tive scenery is enhanced by steep slopes andspectacular waterfalls. Hikers and local resi-dents frequent the canyon rim to take in thewild vista, but visitors who wish to explore thiswild area up close will be challenged by the

rocky and trail-less gorge. Identified by theForest Service as an area of high ecological sig-nificance, the river's diverse riparian andcoastal sage habitat is home to the endangeredarroyo toad, endangered California gnatcatcher,sensitive southwestern pond turtle, CoastRange newt, two-striped garter snake, yellowwarbler, rosy boa, coast horned lizards, andorange-throated whiptails. This outing to apotential wilderness and wild & scenic river issponsored by Friends of the River and TheNorth San Diego Wild Heritage Campaign.

Meeting location: From SR78/79 near Julian,

turn south on Pine Hills Road; bear right onEagle Peak Road at several forks in the road,then proceed to the end of Eagle Peak Road.This is a distance of 11 miles over narrow,windy and sometimes unpaved roads. Allow atleast 1/2 hour from SR78/79 intersection.Saddleback is located just south of the SanDiego River Park Foundation's Eagle PeakPreserve.

SUNDAY, MAY 23 **Dayhike (M5B) Day Hike to Beauty Mountain

Leader: Geoffrey Smith 858-442-1425 or

[email protected]

Assistant: NeededAt 14,249 acres, the Beauty MountainProposed Wilderness Addition is a scenic jewedraped in chaparral, fascinating rock forma-tions and oak woodlands. The area is a transi-tion zone between Anza-Borrego Desert State

Park to the east and the endangered coastalsage scrub of the Coast Range to the west. TheCalifornia Riding and Hiking Trail crosses thearea. On warm spring days, visitors are greetedwith the heady scents of sage, manzanita, andCalifornia lilac while hill after misty hill risesin the distance, presenting an unbroken viewof wild country. Our hike will explore thispristine area, in the shadow of PalomarMountain. This outing to a potential wilder-ness and wild & scenic river is sponsored byThe North San Diego Wild HeritageCampaign.

Meeting location: Oak Grove Forest ServiceCampground on SR-79.

SATURDAY, MAY 29Dayhike (E4A) Coasters Sat Hike EncinitasNorth Beach

Leader: Mac Downing

858-490-0583 or [email protected]

Assistant: NeededBeautiful 9 am beach walk, great scenes,Encinitas area. Bring water and comfortablehiking shoes or boots. Optional sack lunch orprobably restaurant at end. Limited to 20. Forreservations email (prefer) or call Mac. Open

to Main Chapter.

SATURDAY, JULY 03Dayhike (E4A) Coasters Saturday Beach Walk

Leader: Mac Downing

858-490-0583 or [email protected]

Assistant: NeededBeautiful 9 am beach walk in Oceanside. Greatscenes. Bring water and comfortable hikingshoes or boots. Rain or drizzle cancels.Optional sack lunch at end. Hike limited to 20sign up Email (prefer) or call Mac.

DIFFICULTYE -Easy M -Moderate H -Hard S -Strenuous

V -Very Strenuous

ELEVATION CHANGEA Less than 500 ft.

B 500-1,000 ft. C 1,001-2,000 ft.D 2,001-3,000 ft. E Over 3,000 ft.

Complete current listings,http://sandiego.sierraclub.org. "Get Outdoors"All participants on Sierra Club outings arerequired to sign a standard liability waiver.Outings are for adults 18+ and no pets.



Memorial Day Weekend, May 29-31CATALINA ISLAND Sat morning-Mon eve.Coordinator: Howard [email protected] or 760-996-5581.Two backpack groups from Two Harbors to Little Harbor (7mi) andTwo backpack groups from Avalon to Blackjack Campground (8mi).Each campground has tables, fresh water, and showers. Little Harborand has a sandy beach. Blackjack is 1600', and near the summit of theisland ridge. Two groups will base camp, and two will hike 3.4 mi andspend a night at the other campground. Island shuttle busavailable.Send your $200 check (payable to the Sierra Club) withreturn address, phone number, email address (or 3 SASE) and choiceof campground(s) to Howard Kellogg, 427 Russell Road, Brawley, CA,92227-3026.

Cost $200.00 Deposit is $20

July 4 weekend, July 1-5,YOSEMITE TO RUSH CREEK Thurs eve-Mon. eve.Coord. Charity Dominic

[email protected] 760-798-2756,5 backpack trips that share a charter bus from San Diego. Trips #1 start at Silver Lake and set up base camps in the Inyo NationalForest along Rush Creek. Trips #3-6 trips start in Yosemite NationalPark, travel each day, and finish at Silver Lake, near June Lake. Send

your $20 deposit check (payable to the Sierra Club) with returnaddress, phone number, email address (or 3 SASE) and choice of trip

to Charity Dominic, 1643 Sunnyside Ave., San Marcos, CA 92078.Trip 1, Rush Creek base camp, Jeff Marchand leader, less than 5 milesto camp.

Trip 2, Rush Creek base camp, Pauline Jimenez leader, less than 5 milesto camp.

Trip 3, Dana Meadows to Silver Lake, Larry Klaasen leader, Pat Klaasenassistant. 17 miles via Parker Pass and Gem Pass. Unusual mineral col-ors along this dramatic route.

Trip 4, Tuolumne Meadows to Silver Lake, Starla Rivers leader, DianePurkey assistant, 26 miles via Lyell Canyon, Donahue Pass, and theJohn Muir Trail.

Trip 5, Rafferty Creek to Silver Lake. Mike Fry leader, 30 milesincluding Vogelsang Pass, Russell Pass (Class 2 cross country), andDonahue Pass. Optional attempt at Rodgers Peak (12,978').

Trip 6. Rafferty Creek to Silver Lake. Steve Fausset leader, similar totrip 5 only harder.

Cost $205.00 Deposit $20

Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-6,ONION VALLEY and KEARSARGE PASSThurs eve-Mon eve.Coordinator: Helen Gunn, [email protected] 858-578-6914

Five backpacks in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains north ofMt. Whitney. See webpage for more details.http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/bus/ Send your $20 deposit check(payable to the Sierra Club) with return address, phone numberemailaddress (or 3 SASE) and choice of trip to Helen Gunn,7514, Flower Meadow Dr., San Diego, CA, 92126-1044.

Trip 1, Kearsage Pass (lakes below pass), Leader needed.

Trip 2, Little Onion Valley, Leader: Mike Fry.

Trip 3, Golden Trout Lake, Leader: Dan Anderson.

Trip 4, Kearsage Pass (Kearsage Lakes), Leader needed.

Trip 5, Robinson Lake/University Pk, Leader: Steve Fausset.

Cost: $200, deposit $20.

Refund Policy: Note that sickness or injury does notplay a part in refunds.

Full Refund:1. We cancel the trip.2. The leader determines you shouldn't

be on the trip.3. You find your own replacement and

they reimburse you.

Partial Refund:1. We find your replacement and keep

only your deposit.2. We can't replace you, but we get a refund (or are

not charged) by our providers because of yourabsence. You get back whatever we get back.

No refund:You cancel and we can't replace you.CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel doesnot constitute approval by the State of California.

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/bus/



The birds encountered in the Laguna

Mountains are typically associated with

the three dominant plant communities

occurring in this backcountry region,

chaparral, forest, and meadow. Their

presence can be detected by sight and by

Rick will be presenting an exciting insiders

look of Elephant Odyssey, the newest

addition to the 100 acre San Diego Zoo!

With photos and videos you will see; the

commitment of the animal care staff, state

of the art facility design and the amazing

work that is done to bring guests up close

and personal with animals from around

the world. Rick will also share with you

some of the key factors of proper animal

husbandry. This will include; enrich-

ment, understanding animal behavior

and the importance of a strong relation-

ship between care staff and their animals.

MONTHLY PROGRAMSMonthly programs are free and open to the public and are held on the third Friday at 7:30pm at the Joyce Beers Center located at 3900 Vermont Stre

San Diego, CA. Across the Street from Trader Joes. Additional parking is available under Trader Joes and Ralphs.

Program Chair: Mannie Kugler - (619) 585-3773

sound from morning till dusk, and after

dark as well. Among the better knownbirds of this marvelous area are AcornWoodpecker, Stellers Jay, Mountain

Chickadee and Dark-eyed Junco. Claudes

presentation will feature some of these

enjoyable creatures and examples of the

terrain and plant-life they occur in.

Claudes passion for birds has been a

motivating factor is his two-decade role as

one of the talented nature instructors or

the Sierra Clubs annual Nature

Knowledge Workshop.

Claude Edwards is a professional plant

and wildlife biologist who has performed

innumerable surveys and studies of lands

throughout southern California in search

of sensitive species so that they may be

conserved and protected. His life-long

interest in Nature has been a springboard

for his multi-faceted public walks, classes,programs and training on behalf of such

groups as the San Diego Natural History

Museum, San Diego Audubon Society,

San Diego County Parks, and Cleveland

National Forest.

June 18th

May 21st

Rick Schwartz

Rick will share with you the history

behind Elephant Odyssey and with that,

the history of Southern California from

12,000 years ago. Yes, you read that right

Believe it or not the ancestors of the Asian

elephants, the Columbian Mammoth,

once lived right here in San Diego!

In addition, Rick will also introduce many

of the San Diego Zoos conservation pro-

grams from around the world. But his pas

sion and focus is the work being done in

Botswana with the African Elephants.

Rick will be sharing with you how todays

technology allows researchers to track the

elephants through lands previouslyunknown to be inhabited by elephants.

Rick Schwartz is a senior animal keeper

for the San Diego Zoo and also serves as

the Zoos Elephant Odyssey ambassador.

He joined the Zoo in 2000 as a part-time

keeper in the Childrens Zoo and advanced

to a senior keeper in 2004. Rick is respon-

sible for the care of more than 30 different

species of animals at the Zoo.

Claude Edwards

An insiders look at thenew Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo



Open House Weekend May 1-2

Sat 10 4 (Hikes at 11 & 2)

Sun 9 12 (Hike at 11)

Closed Weekends:

June 4-6 & 11-13

We would like to say THANK YOU to our financialsupporters during our annual March Fund Appeal

(Partial List). If you have not yet made your annual contribution, please consider ma

ing it in today. Checks should be made payable to "San Diego Chapter Sierra Club" a

mailed to 8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Ste. 101, San Diego, CA 92111

or you can contribute on line at

www.sandiego.sierraclub.org and click on the DONATE NOW button.

Ms V Bauman

Dr & Mrs W E Bennett

J R Dyment

P Price

L Carlock

T Myers

R Miller & C Robertson

Dr P & J Andersen

M Kugler

B J & M PolakC Strohmeyer

W Konopka

D L Chaddock & T Monticino

J & L Michael

J Hagstrand

E Jones-Burton

Dr. R L Bettinger

L Day

H Galliver & M Klingensmith

S Mather

N C Spitzer

J & H Wiener

C M Carroll & L B Simon

J & A McCammon

D Stanger

D Peabody & K Kane

C Schmidt

J Dixon

P & B Bleha

S & C Conner

S Graham

D E Snodgrass

K Buis

S DiVecchioJ Hocking & J Baross Jr

H C Powell

D Stock

P Zschiesche & P Clark

A Pogue

L & R Morris

M Downing

J & A Lemke

C Shepherd

B D Abbott

S E Wolfe

M Mitrosky & K Etchells

R & A Coates

L & P Klaasen

Guardian $1,000+ Mr & Mrs M Schumacher

Protector $500 - $999 T Fistere

Steward $100 - $499

implementation would hurt the econ-

omy and add to the state's already

woeful unemployment rate.

Supporters counter that it would cre-

ate jobs in the clean-tech sector and

provide a boost to renewable energy

expansion.

Coupal, in a critique of those sup-

porters, said the financial support forthe pro-A.B. 32 effort is likely to

come primarily from venture capital-

ists and Silicon Valley companiespositioned to profit from a carbon

cap and its likely effect on new tech-

nology development.

"I'm sure that those who are going to

be financing the opposition are those

that stand to make a lot of money

from green technologies," Coupal

said. "He who lives in a glass house

should not throw stones."

When told of Coupal's comments,

the spokesman for the pro-A.B. 32

effort, Steven Maviglio, decided for

the first time to name companies

supporting his group, among them:

Google Inc., Waste Management Inc.,

TechNet, Levi Strauss & Co. and

Virgin America.

Maviglio argued that companies like

Google, Waste Management, Levi

Strauss and Virgin do not stand to

profit from the climate law. They arein the campaign, he said, because

they believe in the statute and

California's role as the first state set

to implement an economywide cap

on greenhouse gas emissions.

"We're not going to make any apolo-

gies for getting support to oppose

this job-killing initiative from compa-

nies that are creating thousands of

high-paying jobs in the growing

clean-energy industry," Maviglio said.

Other companies, he added, "oppose

the initiative simply because it is bad

for the California economy."

Maviglio also noted that Coupal had

still not revealed specific funders

from within the state.

Colin Sullivan, E&E reporter from

San Francisco.




All Activities are held at the Chapter Officeunless otherwise stated:

8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.,Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92111.

Our entrance is on the west end of the frontbuilding of Kearny Office Park, just westof I-163 and on the north side ofClairemont Mesa Blvd.

Other environmental and activist eventsare posted at www.sdeln.org

1st FRIDAY Potluck & MOVIE NIGHTMay 7th

Potluck 6:00 pm and Movie at 6:30pmEARTH DAYS (120 minutes)Visually stunning and vastly entertaining, thisfilm traces the origins of the modern environ-mental movement from its beginnings in the1950s to its status as a major political force in

America.

June 4thPotluck 6:00 pm and Movie at 6:30pm

THE 11TH HOUR (92 minutes)Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film cap-tures both the beauty of the natural world andthe destruction we humans have caused.Renouned scientists and other prominentthinkers analyze the crisis of climate changeand suggest what we can do to meet this crisis.

Movies are available for checkout w/$5 depositor donation.Location: Chapter OfficeSponsor: International Committee

INTRODUCTION TO THE SIERRA CLUBMay 15th & June 19th, 9:30 -10:30amMember Orientation meeting and those inter-ested in learning more about the San DiegoChapter conservation, outings and activities, or

just how to get active and do your part for theenvironment. No experience needed. We willhelp you get the most out of your member-ship.Location: Chapter Office, 8304 ClairemontMesa Blvd., Ste. 101, San Diego 92111RSVP: Carolyn Chase [email protected]

3rd FRIDAY MONTHLY CHAPTER PROGRAMMay 21st, 7:30 pm:New Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego ZooJune 18th, 7:30 pm:Birds Of The Laguna Mountains

Our outstanding monthly travelogues orlecture/slide shows and chapter news.See the ad on page 10 for more details.Location: Joyce Beers Center,3900 Vermont St in Hillcrest.Sponsor: San Diego ChapterContact: Mannie Kugler 619-585-3773

1st SATURDAY FAMILY NATURE ACTIVITYMay 1st & June 5th 10:00 - 11:30 amEasy & educational conservation, ecology, andnature activities. All are welcome, includingpregnant women, people with babies, small,older children, seniors, and those wanting aslow-paced outdoor experience.Locations: Primarily in parks, beaches, andpublic areas.Sponsor: Family CommitteeContact: Jennifer Douglas Vettel, [email protected] (email preferred); 858-344-5490 cellJoin our San Diego Sierra Club Family

Meetup site,http://www.meetup.com/SDSierraClubFamily/

SIERRA SINGLES ORIENTATIONMay 18th & June 15th6:30-7:30pm A good way to find your inter-ests. Meeting features Sierra Singlesevents/activities, discussion of questions andoverview of Sierra ClubChapter. No reservations needed. MissionValley Branch Library,Seminar Room B, 2123 Fenton Parkway, SanDiego. (Friars Road south onFenton Parkway, next to IKEA) For more info,

contact E. L. Lotecka,[email protected],(preferred) or760.533.2725.

For up to date info on our activities listings check our new web activities calendar:http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/Xcalendar.

**PotlucksPlease bring a healthy finger snackor beverage to share.

(We have a zero waste policy soplease bring your own non-dispos-able plate, cup, napkin, and utensils;pack it in & pack it out)

People Against Wind ZeroSusan Massey

The people living near Ocotillo at the

base of I-8 as it enters the western part of

Imperial County have gained in numbers

and strength as they organize a group

known as People Against Wind Zero

(PAWS) against the proposal to build a

quazi-military training ground in thisquiet, sleepy desert community. More

than eighty pages of comments against

the proposal were turned in to the

County Board of Supervisors by Edie

Harmon, a strong desert preservation

activist and long time Chapter member.

An eclectic group representing Native

Americans, veterans some afflicted with

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after for-

eign wars, college students and other

members of the County met a week after

the protest march to the site on March

20th to discuss their views with U.S.Representative Bob Filner , a member of

the congressional military affairs

committee.

The protest will continue at the Supervisors

hearing yet to be scheduled. If you are

interested in any way, contact

Susan Massey:760-356-5649

or email her at

[email protected].



We offer bicycle rides for all levels and distances (beginner to

fast-paced) throughout the year. Weekends at Foster Lodge,

Warner Springs Ranch, Anza Borrego,Agua Caliente and more.

Potluck suppers, annual beach barbeque and our very ownbook club. Our monthly schedule of road rides is posted online

and in our monthly OutSpoken newsletter.

Check us out at: www.sandiego.sierraclub.org/bicycle

For a free sample of our newsletter OutSpoken, phone Tom Yager

(760) 479-0187 or email: [email protected].

Get On YourBicycle and Ride!Enjoy the outdoors and make friends too. Explore the

back roads of San Diego County and neighboring areaswith the Sierra Club Bicycle Section.

I N YO C O U N T Y , CA

BIG PINE , DEATH VALLEY, INDEPENDENCE AND LONE PIN E


Only 123 members have opted out, so the savings have been verysmall. We are considering a number of options for the future.

One possible option would be to stop printing and mailingpaper copies completely. This would save us about $18,000 peryear in direct costs, but it would also result in a loss of ad rev-enue, so the actual savings would be more like $12,000. Thatassumes that we would still pay our contractors $12,000 per yearfor design, editing and layout of each issue, either in pdf form orin a more web-oriented format.

Another would be to switch from an "opt-out" policy to an "opt-in" policy, where only members who sent in a request would geta paper copy. The expectation is that this would produce a larg-er reduction than opt-out, since some effort would be requiredto continue getting a paper copy, as opposed to some effortbeing required to stop getting it. The savings from this approachare unknown, since we do not know how many members wouldelect to continue getting the paper copy. The effects of reducingthe print run are variable. As the number of copies goes down,the cost per copy goes up, meaning that for some reductions inprint run, there is no effective savings.

Yet another option would be to ask for a donation to cover thecost of the Hi Sierran. If you do not already donate to the chap-

ter each year, would you send us $2.50 per year to continue get-ting a paper newsletter 6 times per year? Would you send us$5.00 per year to get a monthly paper newsletter?

We need to hear from our members to help usdecide how to proceed.

Please see the response coupon on page 14(top left) Kids at the EarthFair show they care and want a world of nature whenthey grow up.(top rig ht) Chapter Chair Carolyn Chase uses a Seg way to troubleshoot duthe EarthFair which she founded 20 years ago. (bottom) Sierra Clubs Inner City Outingsa booth promoting their outreach program.



FOSTER LODGE CABIN:Group events at the Sierra Clubs Foster Lodge in the beautiful LagunaMountains. Full kitchen and rustic accommodations for overnight stays.Available for holistic and religious retreats, clubs, family celebrations, wed-dings. Rate of $240 per night (includes the first 20 people). For more infor-mation, call Susan Parrish (619) 478-5188.www.sandiego.sierraclub.org/lodge

KAUAI CONDO RENTAL:HANALEI BAY RESORT amenities include lagoon-shaped pool, hot tub,tennis courts. Swim, snorkel (5 minute walk to beach), kayak, golf, hikerugged Na Pali Coast Trail. Newly remodeled 1 BR/ 1 BA. For details, pho-tos, see web ad at http://www.vrbo.com/159425. Discounted rates from $89per night. Non-smokers only. [email protected]

MAMMOTH CONDOSkiing, biking, fishing, hiking--just getting away for the weekend. 3 BD, 2BA, full kitchen, fireplace, pool, spa, sauna. $75 summer, $160 winter. CALLBRAD: (619) 804-5616

Classified Ad Rates and Information:

Sierra Club Members (up to 25 words)Private party$10 + $.50 per additional word.Business-$15 + $.50 per additional word.Non-Members (up to 25 words)Private party-$15 + $.50 per additional word.Business-$20 + $.50 per additional word

Payment must be made at time of submission by check to: Sierra Club,8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #101San Diego, CA 92111Attn: HiSierran TreasurerSend ad to: [email protected]

Classified AdsClassified Ads

Join The Sierra Club Today! Yes, I want to be a member of the Sierra Club

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Membership Categories:Individual Joint

Introductory $25

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Send form and payment to: Sierra Club, P.O. BOX 52968 Boulder, CO 80322-2968You can also join online at: www.sandiego.sierraclub. org and click Join or Give link.Contribution, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax-deductible; they support our effective,

citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues includes $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra

Magazine and $1 for the Hi Sierran (chapter newsletter).

We Need Your ReplyLet us know your preference for the Hi Sierran Newsletter,

by mailing this response coupon back to us oremailing us your comment:

[email protected]

I want to continue getting a paper

newsletter. I would be willing to make a small

donation to cover the cost.

I would like to opt out from getting the

paper newsletter for the web version.

Name:

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Donation Amount: $_______________

If mailing, please mail to:

Sierra Club San Diego

Attn: Richard Miller

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15/16

Bill TaylerSan Diego, ICO Co-Chair

May/June 2010 Hi Sierran San Diego 15

Inner City Outings (ICO) is a Sierra Club

outreach program that provides free

wilderness experiences to urban youth, to

help them realize the wonders of exploring

the outdoors, develop the skills to do it

safely, and nurture a desire to

protect natural spaces.

Please visit our website at

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/ico/.

New Volunteer Orientations 6:30 to

7:30 PM every 3rd Thursday of themonth, at the San Diego Chapter office:

8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 101.

Anyone interested in ICO is welcome to

attend. Please contact Jim Davis for more

information: email [email protected] or

call

760-739-8407.

Join us on an ICO Trip Want to see us

in action? Join us as a guest on a day trip.

Please check the ICO calendar at

http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/ico/ and

contact the leader listed for

more information.How to Donate We appreciate your

support helping us to provide exciting, safe

adventures free of charge. To receive a tax

credit for your donation, please make your

check payable to "Sierra Club

Foundation/San Diego ICO" and send to:

San Diego ICO

c/o Mike Gilligan, 906 Hayes Ave.,

San Diego, CA 92101.

Contact info for this article:

Bill Tayler, e-mail:

[email protected]

In mid-February, Inner City Outings took agroup of 13 children from Promise Charter

School on a day hike along the Santa

Margarita River in Fallbrook. As you can tellfrom these essays written by two of the girls

who went on the trip, each of them experi-enced the trip differently, but both of them

had a memorable time exploring this river

valley.

Santa Margarita River is a place you have to

go to. Its relaxing, beautiful and fun. And I

hope you like to get wet. First of all, you haveto walk to the river. The view is very beauti-

ful . You see mountains and streams of water.

The way the sun reflects on the tree. The wayyou feel when the wind blows against your

face. The lizards crawling on rocks. Hawkssoaring in the sky. And you hear the soundof the water rushing down the river, the

birds chirping, the trees whispering againstthe wind. The sounds are so relaxing that

you could fall asleep. Cindy Rivas Rios

(7th Grade)

The Santa Margarita River was awesome!

After going up a hill for some pictures we

were all exhausted. I was hot, full of sweat,and my back was sticky. When I first

touched the water I thought, "Im not going

in the water!" It was FREEZING. Chino

said, "Cmon Elva, lets go in!" So we countedto three and splashed ourselves in. My legs

have never been so cold in my entire life!

Then Bill came and just dove himself in, soChino and I dove in too! My teeth were chat-

tering, and I thought I was going to get

hypothermia. Chino and I swam to the otherside which was deeper and pretended to be

lost on an island. Then Maricela, Chino and I

ate our lunch on a huge rock. ElvaRodriguez (8th Grade)

For more information about Promise CharterSchool, please visit the schools web site at

www.promisecharter.org

The NRCC ceded these provisions

for the colony:

1. Prohibit the public from entering the

beach during pupping season for 24

hours a day.

2. Keep the rope up as a guideline and

allow the public to cross year round.

(Actually, #1 cancels the last phrase

out.)

3. Prohibit dogs on the beach year round,

24 hours a day, and

4. Seek private funding for a Park Ranger

or Lifeguard position whose primary

duty is to patrol Children's Pool.

Authorize the Park and Recreation

Department or Lifeguard Service to cre-

ate a volunteer docent program led by

this Park Ranger or Lifeguard.

Marisela, Elva and Chino

Ellen Shively

The Natural Resources and Culture Committeevoted 4-0 to make room for the Casa Beach(Children's Pool) Harbor Seal Colony on April5th. The Council heard from both sides of theissue. One pivotal video showed just one manflushing seals the width of the beach, peoplecrossing the rope and walking among the seals,particularly getting close to a pup in obvious

fright, demonstrating as only pictures can, thattheir "shared use" policy just doesn't work.

City Council To Consider Seal ProposalsIn addition, they will ask for clarification ofthe existing signage which confuses people.One sign says, "The Beach is open at alltimes", and another cautions people againstcoming too close to the seals.

Thanks to all of you who have written lettermade phone calls to city leaders. We kept itlively and pressing and the Council memberresponded. Although we do not yet know th

date when the full Council will hear the matter, we urge you to write or call your districtrepresentative and let them know you fullyback the NRCC recommendations. You canfind your council rep by calling the counciloffice at 619 - 236-6440.

Let's keep our requests for a good manage-ment plan in front of them until our sealcolony is fully protected.

We're getting there!!!Photos byDebbie Moncrief


16/16

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEThe Executive Committee meets the 3rd Wednesdayof every month at 6:30 pmChair Carolyn Chase (2011)(858) 272-2930 [email protected] Chair Joe Zechman (2010)(619) 709-6268 [email protected] Chrissy Magee (2010)(858) 635-8908 [email protected] Grubb (2010)(760) 753-0273 [email protected] Klaasen (2010)

(619) 582-7407 [email protected] Owens (2011)619-447-4979 [email protected] Schmidt (2011)(858) 794-8919 [email protected] Stevens (2010)(858) 673-0891 [email protected] Stump (2011)

[email protected] 619-281-7394

TREASURERLarry Klaasen(619) 582-7407 [email protected]

NORTH COUNTY GROUP (NCG) (INLAND)The NCG Executive Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday ofthe month. Contact Chair for time and location.Chair Pattie Warnick(760) 788-2106 [email protected] George Greer(858) 231-5455 [email protected] Cheryl Knapp(760) 745-8819 [email protected] Ken Quigley760-723-4425 [email protected] (Wilderness Basics Course) Jeff Marchand(760) 728-8220 [email protected]

NORTH COUNTY COASTAL GROUPThe "Coasters" meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pmEncinitas Community Center.Chair Dave Grubb(760) 753-0273 [email protected]

INNER CITY OUTINGS

Call or check website for meeting information.http://sandiego.sierraclub.org/ICOCo-Chair Bill Tayler, 858-272-8574,[email protected]

Co-Chair Ed Barber, [email protected]

SECTIONS

BicycleCall for meeting information. Tom Yager(760) 479-0187 [email protected]/bicycle

FamilyJennifer Douglas(858) 344-5490 [email protected]

PhotographyJonathan Fennell [email protected]/photoclub

SinglesMeet 2nd Monday of month at 6:30 pm Conf.Room #105.

E.L. Lotecka (760) 533-2725www.sandiego.sierraclub.org/singles

CONSERVATION COMMITTEEMeets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm.

Chair Rene Owens [email protected] & WildernessMeets the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm.Call for location. Co-Chair NeededJack Paxton(760) 744-3282 [email protected]

Global WarmingMeets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:30 pm.Donald Lee (858) 643-0024Jean Costa (619) 463-0721

InternationalMeets the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 pm.Call for location.Jean Costa (619) 463-0721

Land UseMeets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm.Call Sierra Club Office for information.(858) 569-6005

Smart Energy Solutions Task ForceCall for meeting information.

Joe Zechman(619) 709-6268 [email protected]

TransportationMeets the 4th Thursday in Old TownCall for details.Mike Bullock (760) 754-8025

WaterCall for meeting information. Ed Kimura(858) 569-2025 [email protected]

Webmaster (ConsCom)Dave [email protected]

WildlifeCall for meeting information.Rene Owens [email protected]

OUTINGS COMMITTEEMeets quarterly, call for information.Chair Jim Matlock (858) 748-4634

Bus TripsMike Fry (858) 748-5166

Chapter Outings Leadership Training (COL)Skip Forsht(858) 272-4495 [email protected]

Leadership Review & Safety CommitteeMarty Stevens

MountaineeringByron Cook(619) 888-2831 [email protected]

Pacific Crest TrailOccasional work parties.Rob Langsdorf(858) 454-4777

[email protected]

SkiMeets the 2nd Thursday of month 6 pm (November- MarchMike Fry (858) 748-5166

Wednesday in the Mountains

Call for information. Dale Laney (619) [email protected]

Wilderness Basics Course (WBC)WBC Information [email protected] Marchand (WBC N. County)(760) 728-8220 [email protected]

STANDING & SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Foster LodgeMeets 3rd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm atChapter Office (No meeting in December)RSVP for pre-meeting dinner toMary Eggen (858) 453-1615Call for lodge Information.Susan Parrish (619) 478-5188

FundraisingMeets 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm.Richard Miller (858) [email protected]

Hi Sierran NewsletterMeets the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm.Committee Chair Ellen [email protected]

Managing Editor Judy [email protected]

LegalPam [email protected]

LibrarySabrina Nespeca,Rosa Longacre

[email protected] or call chapter offic

MembershipRichard Miller (858) [email protected]

Monthly Program3rd Friday 7:30 pm, See Page 10 for information.

Mannie Kugler (619) 585-3773

Nature Knowledge Workshop (NKW)Annual June Weekends, call for information.Barry Hite (619) [email protected]

PoliticalMeets first Tuesdays.Call for location.Carolyn Chase (858) 272-2930

Committee & Contact Information

San Diego Chapter8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #101, San Diego, CA 92111On the north side & just west of the 163.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 12:00pm 5:00pmPhone: 858-569-6005email: [email protected] Coordinator: Richard Miller email: [email protected]

Meetings are held at the Sierra Club office or conference room unless otherwise indicated.

May 2010 San Diego Sierra

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Transcript of May 2010 San Diego Sierra