Redwood Needles Newsletter, February 2007 ~ Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter

8/9/2019 Redwood Needles Newsletter, February 2007 ~ Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter

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Volume 48 Number 1 Newsletter of the Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club Feb. 2007/March 2007

Redwood Needles

BY MARGARET PENNINGTONAND JAY HALCOMB

Everyone talks about the weather but no one does

anything about it. Mark Twain

Want to work on global warming? Lets cool

our cities. Please read below and then read the

mportant message which follows from Club President Lisa

Renstrom encouraging you to join with Sierra Clubbers

n the Redwood Chapter to build an effective local Cool

Cities campaign.

We have a head start cooling the cities within theRedwood Chapter thanks to the extremely effective efforts

of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign

SCCPC). All Sonoma County cities (all 9 of them!!) are

already signed on to the Cool Cities pledge. Sonoma Groups

Climate Protection Committee is in close communication

with SCCPC and working on step 4 of the Cool Cities

campaign: implementing smart energy solutions. Contact

Sonoma Groups Nabeel Al Shamma to get involved in

Sonoma County. For more information about Sonoma

County, contact Nabeel Al-Shamma, nabeel@alshamma.

com , (707) 433-1013.

By rough count there are 23 other incorporated cities

in the Redwood Chapter. Arcata in Humboldt County is

signed on as a Cool City already. That leaves 22 cities

to go. That means there are lots of great opportunities for

YOU to jump on board with this historic Club effort.

To begin with wed like to find 3 or so people from

each of our groups to form local Cool Cities campaign

teams. Ideally, well eventually involve 3 or so people tohead up each city campaign. That means we need you.

The great part about this campaign is that Sierra Club

is providing so much hands on help for volunteers. You

dont have to be an experienced activist to make a

difference here. Youve probably seen Al Gores movie,

read the stories about melting ice caps, diminishing

Polar Bear populations, rising temperatures and youre

concerned. Youre likely doing what you can on your

own to limit your carbon footprint. Heres your chance

to do even more.

Is Your City Cool?

Diluted Timber Ordinance

Amendment Passes

Sonoma Groups February Environmental Forum

An Inconvenient Truth

& Think Globally - ActLocally!!

Featuring Al Gore(in the movie only)

and a group discussion with participation from local

Climate Protection activists and scientists!

Wednesday, February 21, 20075:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Environmental Center

55A Ridgway Ave.(off Cleveland Ave., North of College Ave.,

South of Coddingtown)

Approximate times: 56 p.m., discussion; 68 p.m.,

the movie; 89 p.m., discussion.

You and your guests are welcome to participate in any or allparts of the program. If you cannot make it for the whole timewe understand and appreciate the time you can participate.

Come find out about Global Warming, ClimateProtection, and the environment. We will be showing

the movie An Inconvenient Truth and discussing whatis already being done and planned to address ClimateProtection locally and what you can do to help! We willalso be sharing new ideas and possibilities and asking

for feedback and input on YOUR priorities! We willhave light snacks like usual, and maybe more. If youwant to bring a potluck item that would be welcome,

but not required.

Contact Veronica Jacobi 544-7651 or [email protected] for more

information or to volunteer to help with Forums. All Sierra Club

members and the general public are invited to this free forum.

Cool Cities continued on page 3

Pick a city youd like to get cool; you dont have to live within

the city limits to get involved. For more information: www.coolcities.

us/getinvolved; www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming; www.redwood.

sierraclub.org/sonoma/ClimateProtection/index.html

Contact Jay Halcomb (869-3302, [email protected]) or

Margaret Pennington (479-6682, [email protected] ) to get started,

or contact the leads in your Group, listed below.

Napa Group: Contact Elizabeth Frater, [email protected]

, (707) 258-1030 ; Cities: American Canyon, Calistoga, City of

Napa, St. Helena, YountvilleMendocino Group: Contact Linda Perkins, [email protected] ,

(707) 937-0903 ; Cities: Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Willits, Pt. ArenaLake Group: Contact Victoria Brandon, [email protected] ,

(707) 994-1931 ; Cities: Lakeport, Clearlake

Solano Group: Contact Jane Bogner, [email protected] , (707)

644-9183 ; Cities: Vallejo, Fairfield, Suisun City, Rio Vista,

Vacaville, Dixon, Benicia

North Group: Contact Gregg Gold, [email protected] ,

(707) 826-3740;Cities: Humboldt County: Arcata (already cool),

Ferndale, Fortuna, Eureka; Del Norte County: Crescent City

Dear Sierra Club leaders,

Its 2007! I love new years.

This one is especially sweet because we are seeing

unions, business, faith leaders, and neighbors one neverwould have expected, go green. Thomas Friedmans motto

Green is the new red, white and blue is gaining sway.

n a rapidly awakening society I expect we will do a lot

more guiding, cheerleading, and vision setting. Visions that

nclude protected wildlife and wild places, safe and healthy

ommunities and a carbon free economy.

2007 will be a year of building power, partnerships and

halking up successes at the state and local levels. These

wins will enable 2008 election debates to argue about who

s greener so that in 2009 we can pass the kind of federal

BY JAY HALCOMB

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Sonoma County Board of

Supervisors passed an Amendment to the Countys recently

adopted Timberland Ordinance. The initial Timberland

Ordinance was adopted by the Supervisors on March

14, 2006. It allowed that forest may be removed and the

and converted to other uses if (among other findings) as a

public benefit, for each acre of forest removed, two acres

of forest are preserved under a conservation easement. The

new Amendment, following a suggestion by Supervisor

Reilly, the Sierra Club, and Sonoma County Conservation

Action (S.C.C.A.), and with the recommendations of the

Permits and Resource Management Department and the

Planning Commission, requires that the land which is to

be credited for preservation should be on slopes no greaterhan 50%. The Ordinance (and the subsequent Amendment)

are new steps by a California county into regulation of

forest conversions.

The Sierra Club, S.C.C.A., and other environmental

groups had previously asked the Supervisors for a

complete prohibition of the conversion of forest to high-

intensity agriculture, but the less restrictive Ordinance

was adopted. At the December 5th hearing the Sierra Club

and S.C.C.A. asked that the Countys adopted Timberland

Ordinance be further strengthened, to provide additional

protections by adopting the following additional like-

kind requirements:

The land which is permitted to be converted should

not itself be on steep slopes since forests are best for

stabilizing soils and preventing erosion.

The slope requirements should be a like kinds

requirement. That is, the 2:1 acreage also be of equal

or less slope than the conversion to assure that the

preservation sites are like kind or better than timberland

lost to conversion.

The slope requirements should be, in both cases

Timber Amendment continued on page 5

Message from S.C. President Lisa Renstrom on the Cool Cities Mobilization:legislation needed to cause greenhouse gasses to peak

and begin their decline before 2015. One of the key ways

to do it is with our Cool Cities campaign.

Cool CitiesCool Cities began as a small campaign focusing onencouraging mayors to sign onto Seattles Mayor Nichols

Mayors Climate Change Agreement. It is a locally led

campaign to develop partnerships, gain more volunteers

for our groups and chapters, green the places we live,

and build power for national impact.

If you personally are not yet involved I want to ask

you become involved. This campaign is turning into

an unprecedented nationwide effort nearly 350 cities


2/12

Page 2Redwood Needles February 1, 2007

Redwood Chapter

The Redwood Chapter is governed by an executive committee, withone (1) member delegated by each of six (6) regional groups and six(6) members elected at large. Each group elects its own executivecommittee.

Chair At Large Political Compliance Training Energy Global Warming/CAFE

Environmental Education

Margaret Pennington* 829-2294 [email protected]

Vice-Chair Lake Group Delegate to Chapter

Paul Marchand* 277-7670 [email protected]

Secretary Solano Delegate to Chapter

Patricia Gatz* 644-2943 [email protected]

At Large Political General Plans

Victoria Brandon* 994-1931 [email protected]

At Large

Jay Halcomb* 869-3302 [email protected]

Treasurer

Tom Davis 226-9554 [email protected]

At Large Legal RCC Delegate Council of Club Leaders Delegate

Keith Kaulum* 538-5569 [email protected]

At Large Conservation RCC Alternate Federal Forests

Diane Beck* 445-2690 [email protected]

At Large Water Quality/Habitats Population

Chris Malan* 255-7434 [email protected]

Lake Group Delegate Alternate

Cheri Holden 262-1730 [email protected]

Mendocino Group Delegate to ChapterDaniel Myers* 895-3887 [email protected]

Mendocino Group Delegate Alternate

Lorrie Lagasse 964-3011 [email protected]

Napa Group Delegate to Chapter

Nancy Tamarisk* 257-3121 [email protected]

Napa Group Delegate Alternate

Marc Pandone* 966-1902 [email protected]

RCC Delegate

John Stephens 251-0106 [email protected]

Wilderness North Group Delegate to Chapter

Gregg Gold* 826-3740 [email protected]

North Group Delegate Alternate Wilderness/Wildlands Parks/Refuges

Lynn Ryan 822-0323 [email protected]

Sonoma Group Delegate to Chapter

Anne Hudgins* 665-9102 [email protected]

Sonoma Group Delegate Alternate

Lenoard L. Holt 527-7516 [email protected]

Endangered Species/Wildlife Private and State Forests/Lands

Linda Perkins 937-0903 [email protected]

Administrative Staff Publication Rep Volunteer CoordinatorTom Devlin 544-7651 [email protected]

History Chair

Lucille Vinyard 677-3497

Membership Chair

Linda Price 573-9394 [email protected]

Outings Chair Outings Leadership Training

Carol Vellutini 546-6308 [email protected]

Redwood Needles Editor

Mary Davison 874-3704 [email protected]

Chapter Webmaster Information Technology Committee Chair

Melanie Matway 765-6829 [email protected]

Wetlands Chair

Marianne deSobrino* 442-4791 [email protected]

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, Phone 544-7651, Fax 544-9861

Office Address: Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa (West off of Cleveland Ave., to the west of Hwy 101)

Redwood Chapter Sierra Club Directory

Lake County GroupP.O. Box 1011 994 -19 31Kelseyville 95451

ChairNewsletter Editor

Victoria Brandon* 994-1931

[email protected]

Vice Chair Webmaster

Lars Crail* 279-4949

[email protected]

Treasurer

Debra Sally* 995-2125

[email protected]

Outings ChairWilderness/Wild Lands Chair

Steve Devoto* 279-8308

[email protected]

Membership Chair

Kenneth Roberts* 928-4735

[email protected]

Secretary Conservation Chair ChapterDelegate Alt

Cheri Holden* 262-1730

[email protected]

Chapter Delegate Political Chair

Paul Marchand* 277-7670

[email protected]

Mendocino County GroupP.O. Box 522 937-0903Mendocino 95460Chair Conservation Chair

Linda Perkins* 93 7- 09 [email protected]

Vice Chair Agriculture Grazing State Forests

Bill Heil* 937 -09 [email protected]

Treasurer

Mary Walsh* 937 -05 [email protected]

Environmental Education EndangeredSpecies/Wildlife

Lorrie Lagasse* 96 4- 30 [email protected]

Corp. Accountability Energy Toxics

Bernie Macdonald* 93 7- 43 [email protected]

Coast Trails

Rixanne Wehren 93 7- 27 [email protected]

Political Water Quality/Habitats ChapterDelegate

Daniel Myers* 895 -38 [email protected]

Membership

Lorraine Buranson* 937 -37 [email protected]

Napa County Group

Box 644, Napa 94559

ChairTrails Chair Website Chair & Editor

Elisabeth Frater * 25 8- 10 [email protected]

Vice Chair Political Chair

Tyler York* 94 2- 65 [email protected]

Treasurer

TomDavis* [email protected]

Membership Chair Web Master

Positions Open

Conservation Chair Secretary ChapterDelegate

Nancy Tamarisk* 25 7- 31 [email protected]

Napa Group Outings Chair

Penny Proteau 944-20 [email protected]

Newsletter Publisher

Wendy [email protected]

Chapter Delegate Alternate

Marc Pandone * 966 -19 [email protected]

North GroupBox 238, Arcata 95518

(Del Norte, Humboldt, W. Siskiyou, andparts of Trinity County)Chair Membership Co-Chair Chapter

DelegateGregg Gold* 826 -37 [email protected]

Vice Chair Political Co-Chair

Ned Forsyth* 826-2417

[email protected]

ExCom Conservation Co-Chair

Diane Beck* 445 -26 [email protected]

ExCom Wetlands Fisheries

Melvin McKinney* 44 3- 95 [email protected]

ExCom Wilderness Conservation Co-Chair

Lynn Ryan* 822 -03 [email protected]

Secretary-Treasurer Membership Co-Chair Publ icity Newsletter

Sue Leskiw

[email protected] 442-5444

ExCom

Emeila Berol* 530-629-3495

[email protected]

ExCom Political Co-Chair Newsletter

Jack McCurdy* 840 -04 [email protected]

Education Chair

Marianne de Sobrino 44 2- 47 [email protected]

Outings Chair

Al Muelhofer 482 -05 [email protected]

Land Use Planning

Diane Ryerson 839 -01 [email protected]

Chair Emeritus Coastal Issues Transportation

Lucille Vinyard 677 -34 97

Solano GroupBox 7313, Vallejo 94590 553-1653

[email protected]

Chair Wild Lands Genetic EngineeringJim Dekloe 864-3123

[email protected] Chair Outings Wetlands

Kenn Browne* 553 -16 [email protected]

Co-Membership

Kitty Powell* [email protected]

ExCom

Ray Anderson* 745 -69 [email protected]

Treasurer Fundraising Recycling Newsletter

Jane Bogner 644- [email protected]

Co-Membership

Phillip McCullough* 554 -44 [email protected]

Secretary Chapter Delegate Agriculture Urban Sprawl

Patricia Gatz* 64 4- 29 [email protected]

Political Corporate Accountability

Katy Miessner* 64 2- 21 [email protected]

Sonoma County GroupBox 466, SR 95402 544-7651

55A Ridgway Ave., Santa RosaExecutive Committee Members*

Anne Hudgins*, Chair 66 5- 91 [email protected]

Veronica (Roni) Jacobi* 57 5- 55 [email protected]

Jay Halcomb* [email protected]

Nabeel Al Shamma* 43 3- 10 [email protected]

Philip Tymon* 869-8270

[email protected]

Margaret Pennington* 82 9- 22 [email protected]

Leonard L. Holt* 52 7- 75 [email protected]

Conservation Chair

Suzanne Doyle

[email protected]

Office CoordinatorExCom Secretary

Tom Devlin 544 -76 [email protected]

Outings Parks & Trails Backpacking

Carol Vellutini 54 6- 63 [email protected]

Political Chair

Anne Hudgins* 665 -91 02

[email protected] Singles Coordinator

Mike Stiffler 539-5362

Membership Chair

Chuck Stanley 539-16 [email protected]

Sierra Student Coalition

Chair position open

Treasurer

Jana Selph 829-5356

[email protected]

Webmaster

Melanie Matway 765 -68 [email protected]

Volunteer Coordinator

Diana Nasser 823 -42 [email protected]

Events Group Co-Chair

Barbara McWilliams 775-4087

[email protected]

Water Committee Chair

Leonard L. Holt* 52 7- 75 [email protected]

Forum Chair

Veronica (Roni) Jacobi* 57 5- 55 [email protected]

Sequoia PaddlersBox 1164, Windsor 95492 887-0303

Chair

Tom Meldau 887-7416

Vice Chair/Trip Leader Coordinator

Brad Smith

[email protected]

Secretary/Webmaster

Carl Inglin 538 -82 [email protected]

Treasurer

Jan Warner 528-3252

[email protected]

Newsletter/Education/Safety

Suki Watersed [email protected]

Conservation

Don McEnhill

[email protected]

Redwood Chapter & Sonoma Group OfficeLocated in the Environmental Center, 55A Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa

The Office is staffed most weekday afternoons. Call ahead to confirm, 544-7651. The

Office is also open during evening meetings (see listings on page 12) and at other times

when volunteers are present.

Redwood Chapter OnlineRedwood Chapter Website:

http://www.redwood.sierraclub.orgfor Group Websites, add: /napa, /north, /sonoma, /lake, /mendocino, or /solano

Sequoia Paddlers: www.sequoiapc.orgRedwood-Sonoma-Alerts Listserve: Instructions at Sonoma Group Website

Newsletter of the Redwood Chapter, Sierra Club of California

Editorial Board:Mary Walsh, Margaret Pennington,Becky Frank, Linda Perkins

Editor:

Mary Davison (707) [email protected]

Advertising Manager:

Maureen Strain (7 07) 544-7651

Classifieds: $3/10 words. Send checkand ad copy by the 8th of the month.

Outings Chair:

Carol Vellutini (707) [email protected] Coordinator:

Carl Inglin (707) [email protected]

Production Manager: Becky Frank

Address Corrections:[email protected]

Sierra Club, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder,CO 80322-2968 (415) 977-5653

Non-member Subscriptions:$6.00 per year. Send requests to:Redwood Needles Subscriptions, P.O.Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402

TheRedwood Needles is published sixtimes a year on recycled paper.Circulation: 9,050

Printing: Healdsburg Printing, Inc.

Submit articles by deadline via fax,mail or e-mail to:

Redwood Needles

P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA95401Ph 707-544-7651Fax 707-544-9861e-mail: [email protected]

Redwood Needles Deadlines

Issue Deadline

Dec./Jan. Nov. 4Feb./March Jan. 8April/May March 8

Redwood Needles


3/12Page 3Redwood Needles February 1, 2007

Chapter Chair ReportHere we are in the New Year: hard to believe its already 7 years into the new millennium. This

ear begins with some very serious local, regional, national and global challenges staring us

n the face. Some, but not all of these challenges directly involve the environment. As Im

writing this I (and probably you) feel somewhat overwhelmed by the sea of concerns we

find ourselves swimming in these days. Concerns such as: a deeply troubling war, a growing

ealth care crisis, global climate change nearing a tipping point.

I think of the New Year as time of resolve; a time to newly devote and commit ones

nergies to the challenges at hand. Ive been recently reading a new book by Peter Barnes

tled Capitalism 3.0: A Guide to Reclaiming the Commons . Barnes outlines some very

ig picture ideas for dealing with some of these big problems. In a nutshell he advocatesor protecting the commons (those creations of nature and society we inherit together and

must preserve for our children) through development of the commons trust, a market-based

egal entity with the power to limit use of scarce commons, charge rent, and pay dividends

o everyone . (The book is highly recommended by Carl Pope, George Lakoff, Robert F.

Kennedy Jr., and others. Check it out at: www.onthecommons.org . Scroll to publications.

You can even download the entire book.)

Barnes closes Capitalism 3.0 with a chapter titled: What You Can Do.

He writes: Can you - can we - leave the gifts of a strong community, a vibrant culture, a

ealthy planet, to our children? Yes, we can - ifwe join with others. There are many ways

o join. We can do it face-to-face or online with like-minded strangers. We can do it through

rganizations and elections. We can do it in our churches, synagogues, and mosques.

Barnes continues: No one can single-handedly change a community, or America or the

world. But we can join with others to do so. Who, how and what you join is entirely up to

ou. That you do it, and do it this year, is my request.

I second Barnes request and offer up a specific opportunity to join with others. No surprise

ere, I earnestly invite you join with the Sierra Club and other Sierra Club members to findways to leave the gift of a healthy planet to our children. To get involved, please check out the

Volunteer Ads in the Needles or call your local Group Chair, Membership Chair, Committee

Chairs, or me (contact information is on page 2 of each Needles .) You can start out small or

arge: theres no telling where your involvement may take you. My first volunteer activity

with the local Sierra Club was addressing and stuffing envelopes for Redwood Chapters

nnual fund appeal, probably back in 1992 or 93. Youll see in the Volunteer Ads that the

tuffing party this year will happen in early March. Wed love to see you there.

Redwood Chapters 2007 conservation program will be focusing on 1) building our

ampaign to ensure that Redwood Empire rivers have permanent and sufficient flow, quality,

nd riparian habitat; 2) addressing global warming through involvement with Sierra Clubs

Cool Citiesprogram, and 3) continuing to work to protect our forests from permanent loss

ue to conversion to vineyards and other development.

Our conservation agenda, not surprisingly, is all about leaving the gift of a healthy planet to

ur children. Wed love to have you join us . Additionally, our 2007 plans include increasing

ur efforts to engage our members in local Club activities and conservation campaigns. Please

ive your local group membership chair or chapter membership chair, Linda Price, a call if

oud like to get involved with this. (See directory page 2 of Needles .) I hope youll alsofind some time this New Year to join in a Sierra Club outing, or two, or three and continue

he grand tradition of Explore, Enjoy, and Protect.

MARGARET PENNINGTON, REDWOOD CHAPTER CHAIR

have now signed.

We all need to be a part of it.

Mobilization

To help local activists a team of dedicated

Club volunteers has launched the Cool Cities

Mobilization. The Mobilization is Sierra

Clubs first-ever initiative to engage and

upport focused volunteer conservation action

n every group and chapter with a network of

experienced Club volunteers and staff. The

eam will support you, step-by-step, in making

your local campaign successful.

One chapter mobilizer said recently, this

s the most exciting campaign Ive worked

on in my years in the Sierra Club. The

esources available to the mobilizers and city

eam leaders make it easy to get started. And

eople are so concerned about global warming

hat volunteers are just jumping out of the

woodwork. Its great to be able to give people

omething to do and get them involved.

This is the largest coordinated effort of this

kind in the history of the Sierra Club.

Cool Cities continued from page 1Resources for You

The Sierra Club has prepared the resources,

trainings and the one-on-one support system

to help volunteers in every aspect of the

campaign, from getting your mayor to

sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection

Agreement, participating with community

partners to design your citys climate action

plan, to celebrating the implementation of

clean energy solutions in your town and

move it to green.

By putting into place energy efficiency,

cleaner cars, and clean renewable power

in hundreds of cities across America and

channeling these successes into progress on

the state and federal levels, our Cool Cities

campaign will catalyze the national debate

and break the current political impasse on

global warming.

Working together, we can solve global

warming one city at a time.

Sincerely yours,

Lisa Renstrom, President, Sierra Club

Cool Cities Milestones:

1. ESTABLISH COOL CITIES CAMPAIGN2. ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY

3. CITY SIGNS THE U.S. MAYORS CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT

4. IMPLEMENTING SMART ENERGY SOLUTIONS


4/12


Sierra Club Volunteer/Activist

OpportunitiesKnowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

George Santayana

Volunteer Activists Needed:Solar Energy Promoter: Are you interested in promoting solar energy and have some time to assist in making solar

permits more affordable in your area? We are teaming up with Loma Prieta Chapter to help expand their successful solarpermit fee campaign state wide. We are looking for a few volunteers from throughout the Redwood Chapter to help withthis effort. The campaign is set up to train people and provides lots of support and assistance. If you are interested pleasecontact Jay: [email protected] or Margaret: [email protected] Membership Engagement Campaigners: Were looking for volunteers to help with outreach efforts to membersin all our groups. Work with Chapter and Group membership chairs and committees to plan activities to involve members.If youre a people person who loves the environment, this is a job for you. Contact: Margaret: [email protected] Volunteer Coordinator: We are looking for a volunteer who will work with Chapter and Group leaders to identifyand recruit potential volunteers and match volunteers to their areas of interest and increase volunteer participation. Are you anatural match-maker or always aspired to be one? If so, we need you! Please contact: Margaret at [email protected] Social Events and Fundraising Activities: Join a group of people who plan parties, fundraisers and other events forenvironmentalists and the public. Be active, make new friends and support a worthwhile cause. Diana 823-4293.North Group Hike Leaders:North Group is desperately seeking hike leaders. Please contact Al Muelhofer, the outingschair, at [email protected]; 707-482-0520.Sonoma Group Environmental Forum Committee: Vice-chair and Committee members needed. Help plan the monthlymeetings for the Sierra Club. Design speakers and programs. Create newsletter write ups and meet exciting environmentaladvocates throughout our community. 1-6 hours per month (except August and December). Contact Veronica Jacobi [email protected] Protection Committee, Sonoma Group: Join us in working on two projects: drafting an element for the SonomaCounty General Plan update, and investigating how Community Choice Aggregation can help Sonoma County reduce itsgreenhouse gas emissions. Contact Nabeel at [email protected] or 707-433-1013.Sonoma Group Water Committee needs help. Do you love the Russian River and our creeks and streams? Help protectthe quality of oour water for people, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life. Volunteer to help the Water Committee with river,

stream and groundwater recharge area protections. Promote water conservation and intelligent reuse. Contact Len Holt at707-527-7316 or at [email protected] Party. Volunteers needed to help address and mail Redwood Chapter annual fund appeal letter. Please help out witha couple of hours of your time snacks provided. Sat., March 3, tentatively. Contact Jana: [email protected], 829-5356.

Redwood Needles

April IssueDeadline:

Due March 8Outings/Meetings/

Ads/Articles/Reports

Submit via fax, mail, or e-mail to: Redwood NeedlesP.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa,

CA 95401

Ph 707-544-7651

Fax (707) 544-9861 or:[email protected]

This morning I cooked the last apples from our summer harvest.

Yellowed and a bit withered, these old maids were dubious candidates,

but the taste of the warm sauce filled my mouth with sweetness and

my heart with gratitude. The apple tree stands outside my window,

now bare and fruitless, but already I can see small buds forming along

the branches. Next week I will prune her carefully in anticipation

of another summer of bounty. She is a young tree, not yet strong or

vigorous, but with a generous spirit. I value our relationship. I like

knowing where my apples come from.

My grandmother, who raised six children on a small dairy farm in

Potter Valley, was my teacher. It was hard, she said, but we always

had enough to eat. Except for sacks of flour, salt and sugar, the farm

provided: oats, bacon, chickens, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, apples,

pears and myriad vegetables fresh and home canned. By World War II,

she had sold the farm and moved into town. Her Victory Garden and

chicken yard filled a city lot. I climbed the Gravenstein tree, picked

plums, pulled fat carrots out of their beds, gathered eggs, and watched

in horrified fascination as she beheaded and plucked chickens for

Sunday dinner. (Decapitated chickens do tend to run about aimlessly

before dropping.) My grandmother knew where her food came from.

She didnt trust supermarkets much and in the winter boiled Del Monte

canned vegetables for at least twenty minutes before serving.

My mother, on the other hand, cheerfully and unquestioningly

embraced the supermarket world. Wonder Bread, Nucoa, Velveeta

cheese, Skippys hydrogenated peanut butter and Swansons Chicken

Pot Pies were her emancipation from weeding, hoeing and endlesslygathering, preserving and cooking from scratch. Her new freedom,

however, was purchased with many costs not tallied by the cash register.

Relinquishing knowledge of where her food came from and control

over how it was processed and prepared, she entrusted the health and

safety of her family to the food scientists of large corporations and to

government oversight.

And there the health and safety of most American families remain.

In spite of the natural foods counter revolution of the sixties and

seventies and recent rapid growth of organic agriculture, health

costs spiral, driven upward by rampant morbid obesity and a growth

curve for diabetes that is rising almost as steeply as our emissions of

greenhouse gasses. What to do when so many people are literally eating

themselves to death at the trough of a politically supported corporate

industrial agricultural system that is degrading the environment as

well as poisoning our bodies? We know now that the environmental

costs are enormous - from overuse and contamination of water, from

intensive unicrop farming practices that account for 20 percent of our

oil consumption and rapid depletion of our topsoil, from a bottom line

fence-post to fence post mentality that would sacrifice natural genetic

diversity on the altar of Roundup-ready seeds to the destruction of

family farms like the one my grandparents owned.

We must take action now. As Michael Pollan suggests in The

Omnivores Dilemma we can begin at home by becoming more

conscious in our relationship to the food we eat and the choices we

make, collective actions which will in turn influence the market and

public policy. We can recognize the true cost of a convenient fast

food meal or an out of season vegetable shipped from Chile. We can

buy locally grown organic foods at our locally owned markets. We

can grow a garden.

Sitting down with my three generation family to share a meal,

gathered from our garden, is a blessing that makes all the extra effort and

time worthwhile. My grandchildren, who browse regularly through the

strawberry and raspberry patches, eat their vegetables with enthusiasm.

Driving to a local farm to pick blackberries or to the farmers market

is a family outing which binds us to our neighbors. We are richlycompensated by a growing sense of community and by being able to

pass on to the children a stronger connection and appreciation for the

bountiful earth that surrounds us. We are committed to recreating a

culture of food that is positive and builds the health of our family,

our community and the ecosystem that supports us all.

(For information on buying local see www.OrganicConsumers.org,

www.localharvest.org; gardenkids.net;)

ANNE CUMMINGS, SONOMA CLIMATE PROTECTION GROUP

Building a Positive Culture of Food



preserved and converted land), strengthened to 35%, rather

han remain at 50% (as intensive agriculture should not be

racticed on steep slopes).

Unfortunately, these additional proposals, although

upported by Supervisor Reilly, were rejected by the Board.

The Ordinance itself removed 2/3 of Sonoma County

forested acreage from consideration for conversion. The

new Amendment additionally requires that the two preserved

acres should be on land with slopes no greater than 50% (as

mitigation credit should not be given for preserving forestwhich is in no danger of conversion). The addition of the new

Amendment by the Supervisors provides some additional

protection of forestland over what has previously been the

ase, as the Amendments restriction removes another 29%

of Sonoma forest from conversion consideration.

However and this is a very large however such

percentages, though they may seem large, are also quite

misleading, as protection from forest conversion is most

urgently needed for forest which is in danger of conversion

n the first place. Currently, our forests are endangered by a

ressure to convert forested ridge tops to premium vineyards.

Segments of the wine industry have been targeting forestland

n Western Sonoma County to convert forested land to wine

production. Last year more timber conversion applications

were filed with the California Department of Forestry than

n the past ten years altogether. Speculators are now buying

depleted forestlands rather than waiting until natural forest

egrowth occurs they wish to convert over-logged lands

o what they hope will be more profitable use. One proposal

already on the books, the misleadingly named Preservation

Timber Amendment continued from page 1Ranch, calls for permanent loss of trees on up to 1,900 acres

for conversion to vineyards. However, Sonoma County

already has a goodly number of vineyards and plenty of

other suitable, non-forested agricultural land available on

which to develop more.

So, even as amended, the Countys Timberland Conversion

Ordinance is flawed. These flaws include:

The ordinance still permits a net loss of some of

Sonoma Countys forest through conversion to high intensity

agricultural uses, via what is essentially a mitigation bankingscheme.

There may be inadequate scientific review in the

permitting process, and inadequate monitoring of conditions

on the ground. In particular, under the Ordinance, there

may be inadequate assessment of the cumulative impacts

of multiple vineyard conversions, including the impacts of

habitat fragmentation on threatened and endangered species

Cumulative impact assessments which require large scale

scientific review and surveys and monitoring on the ground,

are unlikely even to be done for small projects. They must

be considered essential for larger projects - perhaps jointly

with county oversight or via direct funding.

In evidence of the seriousness of our concern we mention

that a forest landowner in Mendocino County was recently

assessed a fine of $105,600 dollars by the National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine

Fisheries Service forharming and killing federally protected

steelhead trout, despite being in compliance with state

regulations. The landowner was converting 130 acres of

timberland into vineyards in accordance with Californias

Forest Practice Rules under a 1999 Timber Harvest Plan

(THP) and Timber Conversion Permit approved by the

California Department of Forestry (CDF). [Emphasis

added.]

The land conversion involved cutting trees and permanently

removing mature redwood and Douglas fir forest stands,

mechanically removing tree roots, soil ripping, road and

drainage construction and extensive land grading. These

activities resulted in widespread erosion on the property that

deposited significant volumes of hillside soil into nearbysteelhead trout streams, killing the steelhead trout in violation

of federal law. (NOAA Press Release, Jan.3, 2007, www.

rrraul.org/NR.AlderRanch.Final.pdf )

The Sierra Club supports preservation of natural

ecosystems. Wild lands must be kept wild and forestlands

kept intact to protect the ecological values of our region. If

new vineyards are established, they should be restricted to the

existing agricultural areas with low slopes and habitat value.

We support adoption of local ordinances and General Plan

amendments which protect natural vegetation from conversion

to intensive agriculture.

The problem of deforestation is a worldwide one and

deforestation is the second leading contributor to human

induced global warming. The Sierra Club encourages

sustainable forestry. Agricultural conversions such as

replacing forests with vineyards bring with them many serious

environmental consequences for wildlife, fish and rivers.

For further information, please contact Jay Halcomb at

707-869-3302 or [email protected]

The Sonoma County Conservation Council and The Sierra Club, Sonoma Grouppresent the

31st Annual Environmental Awards Dinner and Fundraiser

Green Business is Good BusinessSaturday, March 24, 2007

5:30 - 9:00 pm

Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Hall282 So. High St., Sebastopol

Keynote address by

Kenneth SmokoskaExecutive Director of the California Alternative Energies Corp.Director of Clean Energy Initiatives, Sierra Club of California

Communities at the CrossroadsHow can we ensure that the revolution in green building and green energy brings

health and prosperity to all including our most disadvantaged communities? What can

we do to champion green collar jobs and emerging clean technologies in our pursuit of

a truly equitable, sustainable California?

Learn about efforts to: Unite industry, labor, schools, communities of faith, social services, investors, and

the public sector in the next phase of the sustainable movement.

Link global warming prevention with job training. Build truly healthy, livable communities and a clean energy sector.

Jazz Classics by

Generations

Gourmet Dinner by

A La Heart CateringNo-Host Wine And Beer Bar

Silent Auction, Exhibits & Awards

Advance Tickets: $35 (RSVP by 3/16)PO Box 4346, Santa Rosa, 95402 or 707-578-0595

After 3/16: $45RSVPs help us to plan the dinner and not waste food!!

Students with ID - $20/30

Volunteers needed; please call: 707 823-4293

Benefits the Environmental Center of Sonoma County: www.envirocentersoco.org

2006 Redwood ChapterElection Results

Redwood Chapter ExCom (190 total ballots)

Chris Malan: 130 votes (elected)

Jay Halcomb: 157 votes (elected)

Diane Fairchild Beck: 152 votes (elected)

Lake Group ExCom (19 total ballots)

Lars Crail: 19 votes (elected)

Ken Roberts: 18 votes (elected)

Debra Sally: 19 votes (elected)

Mendocino Group ExCom (13 total ballots)

Linda Perkins: 13 votes (elected)

Bill Heil: 13 votes (elected)

Napa Group ExCom (79 total ballots)

Paula Fields: 54 votes (elected)

Carol Kunze: 57 votes (elected)

Nancy Tamarisk: 59 votes (elected)

Tyler York: 57 votes (elected)

Chris Malan: 26 votes (not elected)

John Stephens: 28 votes (not elected)

North Group ExCom (17 total ballots)

Diane Fairchild Beck: 17 votes (elected)

Melvin McKinney: 14 votes (elected)

Lynn Ryan: 17 votes (elected)

(Please Note: One slot is open due to a resignation.Interested parties should contact Gregg (826-3740) orNed (826-2417).)

Solano Group ExCom (12 total ballots)

Lannee Jelletich: 11 votes (elected)

Katy Miessner: 12 votes (elected)

Kitty Powell: 11 votes (elected)

Katherine Torres: 11 votes (elected)

Sonoma Group ExCom (50 total ballots)

Nabeel Al-Shama: 49 votes (elected)

Jana Selph: 49 votes (elected)


6/12


O u t i n g s

Instructions to hikers

Outings start not later than 15 minutes after scheduled meeting time Allparticipants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver.

If you would like to read the liability waiver before you chose to participate on

an outing, please go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/, or

contact the Outings Department at (415) 977-5528 for a printed version.

The leader is in charge of the trip and is responsible for your welfare and

the good name of the Club. He/she must have your cooperation to make the

trip safe, pleasant and rewarding. Do not get behind rear leader: if you need

help, the rear leader will remain to assist you. Do not leave the group without

the leaders permission.

Be adequately equipped and prepared. Please bring a daypack, lunch,

liquids and personal 1st aid kit. Wear comfortable hiking boots or adequate

shoes for the outing.

Guard against fire. Do not smoke on trails in fire season. Build fires only

in established fire rings with leaders permission. Extinguish them completely.

Guns, pets, or radios are not to be brought on hikes.

The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and

assumes no liability for them. Participants assume the risks associated with

travel. Redwood Chapter suggests that a 20 cents per car per mile compensationbe paid to the driver you ride with. Carpools are not part of the outing, but a

means of conserving natural resources.

Visitors are welcomeAll Sierra Club trips are open to the public unless otherwise announced. You

are free to bring all members of your family and guests. Children are usually

welcome, but please call the leader to make sure it is an appropriate hike.

DIFFICULTY MILEAGE ELEVATION GAIN

E - Easy Actual A - Les than 1,000

M - Moderate Mileage B - 1,000 to 2,000

H - Hard C - 2,000 to 3,000

S - Strenuous D - over 3,000

V - Very Strenuous

The actual mileage will be listed for each trip. Elevation gain will reflect

the gain from the start of the hike to the highest point. If you need to know the

cumulative gain, please contact the leader.

To submit outings write-upsSend all outings write-ups to: Carol Vellutini, Outings Chair, ([email protected]) by the 8th of the month. All leaders must coordinate their outings with

their Group Outings Chair.

Meetings are on Page 12

Sequoia Paddlers Pool Practice.

Thursdays, 7-8:45 PM. $7/paddler$3 for SPC members). Ridgway

Swim Center on Ridgway Avenueear Mendocino in Santa Rosa. Co-ponsored by SPC and Santa Rosa

Parks and Recreation Department.nstruction is NOT provided. Cleanoats required. Showers available.nformation: 292-4947 or [email protected]

Feb 2-4 Sea Ranch Weekend.

Spend the full moon weekend up atSonoma Countys fabulous coast. Iave rented two houses, Grey Whale

and Cypress Meadow. Both are fullowever if enough interest I couldent another house. Reservations

a must. Do not mail check untilonfirmed. $100 refundable depositn each bedroom. Cost is $253.18er bedroom for weekend. Satotluck, Friday night eat out,ther meals are up to you. Hiking,wimming, rec room are all options.

See www.oceanviewprop.comReservations 707-546-6308 [email protected]

Sat-Sun, Feb 3-4 - Service andHiking - North Algodones DunesWilderness Area.

We will have two outstanding projectsn this Imperial County wildernessarea. On Saturday we will assistErin Dreyfuss, natural resourcespecialist in the El Centro BLMffice, perhaps doing a census of

he (famous, or infamous) PiersonsMilkvetch, or else sifting seeds of

native plants for future restorationefforts. Sunday will be a longer hiketo find and inventory five small gameguzzlers for the BLM office, data theyneed for wilderness managementand cooperation with the CaliforniaDept of Fish and Game. Saturdayevening will be a pot-luck, a campfire,and stories about our desert.

Contact leader: Craig Deutsche,[email protected], (310-477-6670). CNRCC Desert Com

Sun., Feb. 4 - Sonoma Group Pt.Reyes Social Hike.

This hike starts at the Bear Valley trailhead. We will walk the main trail out tothe beach and back. The pace will besuitable for socializing. Bring lunch,liquids, and hiking shoes. Heavyrain cancels. Class M-8-A. Carpools(both leaderless): Santa RosaPark & Ride by fairgrounds underHwy 12 @ 8:30 am, PetalumaPark N Ride leave @ 9:15 amor meet at the trail head at about10:00 am. Advance reservationsrequired. Leader: Doug Condrotte

795-5540.Sun., Feb. 11 - Lake Group. TableRock on Mt. St. Helena.

This is moderate hike to TableRock from Robert Louis StevensonPark. Enjoy spectacular views tothe north and, from Table Rock,of the Napa Valley wine country.Class M-5-A. Meet: Perrys Deliin south Middletown 9 a.m. or inthe east parking lot of RLS Park9:30 a.m. Leader Steve Devoto279-8308 or [email protected] reservation required.Rain cancels.

Sun. Feb 11, Sonoma Group. Pt.Reyes Hike.

The hike starts at the Bear Valleyvisitor center. We go up Mt. Wittenbergtrail, down Sky Trail, WoodwardValley, to Coast trail and have lunchat Sculptured Beach. Return is backup Woodward Valley trail, downOld Pine Trail, to Bear Valley trail

and back to trailhead. Bring lunch,liquids, hiking shoes. Rain cancels.M12B Carpools meet: Santa Rosaat Park & Ride by fairgrounds underHighway 12 at: 8:30am(leaderless),Napa Blockbusters Video, BelAire Shopping Center at: 8:00am(leaderless), Petaluma, in front ofthe Macdonalds(Albertsons parkinglot, Hwy 116 exit) at 8:45am, ormeet at Bear Valley Visitor Centerat about: 10:00am. A brief stop atBovine Bakery. Leader: Steve Allen328-8466.

Sat., Feb 17 - Sonoma GroupSingles Potluck.

Join us at Richs house for a livelyevening of food and conversation,

followed by musical entertainment.The band Blue Sky (formerly theSierra Singles House Band) willround off the evening by playingsome music to listen or sing alongto. Bring a non-disposable placesetting, beverage, a dish to share,and $1 for the club fund. Socialhour starts at 5 pm, with dinner at 6.From 101 take Hwy 12 West, thenturn North on Stony Point. Turn left(west) on Guerneville Rd, then right(north) at the light on Peterson; gothru 2 stop signs and then to 1846Peterson Lane (on the right). Formore info, call Denese at 575-3229or Mike at 539-5362.

Sat-Mon. Feb., 17-19 - Ludlow Hut

Winter Backpack Trip.(IntermediateAdv. Intermediate)Snowshoe/Ski 6.5 miles (1200) toLudlow Hut for Presidents weekendSaturday/Sunday overnight and backout on Monday midday.$32 ($34Non Sierra Club members) by Feb13th to Jim Gannon; PO Box 1038,Rohnert Park, CA 94927. Non-refundable reservations. Pleaseinclude email address/phone#.Optional stay at Clai r Tappaan lodgeFri 16th. Make reservations earlyto avoid disappointment. Lodgereservations 530-426-3632 indicateyou are with Ludlow trip-RedwoodChapter. Central commissary isplanned. Meeting time/locations

provided with trip sign up. Contactleader Jim Gannon (707)[email protected] co leaderPaul Bozzo.

Sun-Mon, Feb 18-19 AmargosaWi l d an d Scen ic R iverexploration.

Well set up camp Saturday nightnear Tecopa and spend two dayshiking along the stretches of theAmargosa River proposed forwild and scenic status underCongressman Buck McKeonsEastern Sierra Rural Heritage andEconomic Enhancement Act. Oneday will be an easy one-way hike(with shuttle) along the scenic part,the other part a more strenuous

out-and-back hike on the wild part.For more information or to reservea spot contact John Wilkinson, [email protected], (408) 947-0858. CNCRR Desert Com

Sat-Sun, Feb 24-25 - SouthernDesert Clean-up and hike.

Immediately south of the CoyoteMountains Wilderness Area inImperial County lies an unbelievablepile of trash. We, together withrepresentatives from the BorderPatrol, will assist the Bureau of LandManagement in cleaning up the site,

placing signs, and restricting access.Saturday evening will be a potluck,a campfire, and stories about ourdesert. Sunday is reserved for arecreational hike in the southern partof the nearby Anza Borrego StatePark. Contact leader Craig Deutsche,[email protected], (310-477-6670) CNRCC Desert Com

Sun., Feb. 25, Lake Group -Rodman Nature Preserve.

Join us for an easy, two hournature walk in the Rodman NaturePreserve. Bring water, snacks,binoculars and camera. Birdwatching included. Class E-2-A. Meet: 9:00 a.m. Rodman Housejust to the east of the intersection

of Hwy 29 and the Nice Lucerne(Rodman) cutoff about 4 milesnorth of Lakeport. Call the leader,Pete McGee, 942-1373 to reservea spot.

Sun., Feb. 25 Sonoma Group,Half-a-Canoe Loop at LakeSonoma.

See Lake Sonoma before the jetskiscome out of hibernation (I hope). .approximately 5 mile, elevation gaina little over 1000 ft. Trail is steep inplaces. Bring good hiking boots,layered clothing, lunch, water. ClassM-5-B Carpool: Park and Ride underHwy 12 in front of the fairgroundsSanta Rosa 9 am. Alternate meetingat Fulton Park and Ride on River

Road. Call/email if you want to bemet there at 9:25. Leader: CarlInglin 538-8271 or [email protected]. rain cancels.

Sun., March.4 - Sonoma Group,Pt. Reyes Fun Walk.

We will carpool from the BearValley Visitor Center parking lotto the trail head at the AYH offLimantour Rd. This is an easy strollto Santa Maria Beach on flat, wideterrain. Once at the beach, its timefor lunch, building sand castles, andplaying New Games if the groupwishes. Bring lunch, liquids, andhiking shoes. Rain cancels. ClassE-4-A. Carpools (both leaderless):Santa Rosa Park & Ride by

fairgrounds under Hwy 12 @ 8:30am, Petaluma Park N Ride leave@ 9:15 am or meet leader at the frontof the Visitor Center @ about !0:00am to pool to the trailhead. Advancereservation required. Leader: DougCondrotte 795-5540.

Tues., March 6 - Sonoma GroupNew Outing Leader Training.

Please come to this meeting if youare interested in leading Sierra Cluboutings. One other meeting is alsorequired. Outings are a fun way tomeet others who care about thewilderness. Outings can inform thepublic about important environmentalissues in our community. Outings areexcellent exercise. You will learn theleader requirements, how to planan outing, policies and guidelines,goal of the club, and much more.Cost is $5.50 for training packet.Registration is necessary by March

2nd, call Carol 546-6308 or [email protected] Meeting is 7pmat 610 Willrush St. Santa Rosa.

Fri . , March 9 - SonomaGroup, Armstrong Redwoods.

Loop up and down the East RidgeTrail, returning to the sound of awaterfall and then walking throughancient redwoods. Usually nottoo muddy. Good one for families!Snacks, water, boots recommended.Class M-4-A. To get to ArmstrongRedwoods Reserve, turn rightonto Armstrong Woods Road inGuerneville. Go about 2 miles andturn right into the parking lot justbefore the fee booth. Info center,bathrooms. Meet at 9am. Leader:Randi Farkas 824-0804. Hard raincancels.

Fri., Mar. 9 - Sonoma Group,Singles Potluck.

Join us at Deneses house (SierraSingles Coordinator) for our Marchpotluck. Bring a non-disposableplace setting, beverage, a dish toshare, and $1 for the club fund.Social hour starts at 6 pm, with dinnerat 7. From 101, take Hwy 12 Westto the Stony Point exit. Turn right(north) on Stony Point; right (east)at the light at West Third, then right(south) on Surrey. Turn left on Shay;when the road turns to the right, #516Shay Ave is the light blue house onthe left. For more info, call Deneseat 575-3229 or Mike at 539-5362.

Sat., March 10 - North Group,High Dome, Smith River NationalRecreation Area hike.

Snow is a remote possibility but theview is fantastic of both 7,000 footsnow covered Siskyous or the surfline of the Pacific. Wild dogwoodsare often in bloom as well. We willget a chance to see if the sanctionedlogging killed the fern meadow. Theelevation increase on this hike is3000 feet. Bring lunch, water, andexpect to cross a creek at beginningand end. Class M-8-C. We willcarpool from Crescent City to thetrailhead. For more information onthe hike and to register call Jimat707-954-0519. Hike is weatherdependent.

Sat-Sun, Mar. 10-11 Service inthe Santa Rosa Wilderness - SanJacinto National Monument.

We will assist the BLM in removingtamarisk from a canyon in theSanta Rosa Wilderness Area. Thiswilderness area is within therecently created San JacintoNational Monument, near PalmSprings. Arrive Saturday morningor campout Friday night. WorkSaturday with Justin Seastrand,Wilderness Coordinator for thePalm Springs BLM. Pot luck andhappy hour Saturday evening andthen a hike on Sunday. ContactLeader: Kate Allen (661-944-4056),[email protected]. CNRCC DesertCom/Antelope Valley Group.

Sat., March 10 North Group, BullCreek Flats, Humboldt RedwoodsState Park.

Hike round trip from GrasshopperRoad alongside Bull Creek. See the

amazing Flatiron Tree and the GiantTree - standing at 363 ft. the tallest inthe park - while meandering throughthe immense virgin redwoods andlush vegetation of the Humboldt



O u t i n g sRedwoods State Park. Bring foodand water; well stop for lunch aboutalfway. Trail could be wet in areas,o bring appropriate footwear andlothing for cool weather and/orght rain. Class E-6-A. Carpools:

Meet 8:45 a.m. Arcata Safewayarking lot. Trailhead: leave Hwy01 at Southfork/Honeydew exit.

Go 5.4 miles west on Mattole Rd.o Grasshopper Rd. Go left on

Grasshopper Rd.; trailhead is 250 ft.rom the intersection of Mattole andGrasshopper Roads. Hike starts at0:30 am. Please register in advancey calling Susan at 707-840-9084.

Heavy rain cancels.

Sun. Mar. 11-Sonoma Group,Steep Ravine Hike.

The hike starts from Mt. Home onMt. Tam. Well hike along trailshat parallel Panoramic Highway,ver to Pantoll Ranger Station,o over to the Dipsea Trail, downo Steep Ravine, up to Pantoll,

and return to Mt. Home. Bringunch, liquids, hiking boots. Class:

S-14-B. Carpools: S anta Ros aPark & Ride by fairgrounds underHwy 12, 8:00am(leaderless) ,Napa B lockbusters V ideo,Be l A i re Shopping Center

:00am(leaderless), Petaluma, inront of MacDonalds(Albertsonsarking lot, Hwy 116 exit) 8:15am,r meet at the trailhead across from

Mt.Home Inn, at about 9:30am. Briefoffee stop at The Depot in Mill

Valley. Leader: Steve Allen 328-466. Rain cancels.

Thurs.- Sun., Mar. 1518 - NapaGroup, Hutchinson Lodge SnowTrips.

Spend a winter weekend enjoyinghe snow scene on Donner Summit. A

roomed cross-country trail passesght outside the door of Hutchinson

Lodge. Cross country ski lessonsand both ski and show shoe rentalsare available at Clair Tappaan Lodge.For downhill ski enthusiasts, take theree shuttle to Sugar Bowl, DonnerSki Ranch, and Soda Springs.

The lodge has a large living/diningoom, kitchen, two group sleepingofts with mattresses, two bathrooms,a double shower. Hearty homestylereakfasts and dinners are provided,

while lunches are on your own. Inhe Sierra Club tradition, you arexpected to help with chores.

Hutchinson Lodge will open aboutoon on Thursday and close mid-

afternoon on Sunday. Advanceeservations and prepayment areequired to cover lodging and

meals. Refunds only for extenuatingircumstances. The cost is $35 pererson per night for SC members

and $40 per person per night foron-members. Leader: Penny

Proteau, 1971 Yountville Crossroad,Yountville, Ca. 94599, (707) 944-

058, [email protected]

Sat., March 17- North Group, HopeCreek/Ten Taypo, Prairie CreekRedwoods State Park.

Class M4B. These two trails makea 4 mile loop through tall redwoods.Both trails are fairly steep as youlimb to the top of a ridge and loop

own. Highlight is walking throughhe middle of a redwood tree buthroughout hike there is time to soakn the majestic big trees. Carpools:rom the south, Meet: 10 am Arcata

Safeway parking lot (7th & F St.);from the north meet at 11 am atKlamath Post Office parking lot. Call

Annie 707-482-0520 for information.Heavy rain cancels.

Sat. Mar., 17-Sonoma Group,Bon Tempe & Lagunitas LakeLoop walk.

Located in the Mt Tamalpaiswatershed on the northwest side ofthe mountain, two of the five lakeslocated there are Lagunitas and BonTempe.Early spring is one of theprime seasons when the reservoirsare filled to the brim and you can walkaround both lakes perimeters whiletaking in their beauty in just a coupleof hours under the unmistakableprofile of Mt Tamalpias.For thosebirdwatching oenophiles, in additionto the common cormorants,egrets,d

ucks,coots as well as larger raptorsfrequent the two lakes as well asthe black- tailed deer who populatethe area.We will walk through thepeaceful shady trails of densemixed forest of oaks,madrone,firsand redwoods punctuated only bythe sound of water lapping againstthe shore. A lunch stop will be ata mid point. Walk will be done at avery leisurely pace to accommodateall. Bring a smile, your lunch, goodwalking boots and plenty of waterand join us.Class: E-3-A Car pool:Meet 8 am Santa Rosa LongsDrugs/I-Hop parking lot Farmerslane and 4th st near the 4th st.entrance, trail head: gravel parking

lot next to the gated fire road atBon Tempe Dam between 9:15am& 9:30am.Leader:Tim Bartice707-578-1325,cell [email protected]

Sat-Sun, Mar 17-18 Ghost TownExtravaganza.

Come with us to this spectaculardesert landscape near DeathValley to explore the ruins ofCalifornias colorful past. Camp atthe historic ghost town of Ballarat(flush toilets & hot showers). OnSat, do a challenging hike to ghosttown Lookout City with expert HalFowler who will regale us with talesof this Wild West town. Later wellreturn to camp for Happy Hour,a special St. Pattys Day potluckand campfire. On Sun, a quickvisit to the infamous Riley townsite before heading home. Groupsize strictly limited. Send $8 perperson (Sierra Club), 2 sase, H&Wphones, email, rideshare infoto Ldr : Lygeia Gerard, P.O. Box

294726, Phelan, CA 92329, (310)594-6789. Co-Ldr: Don Peterson(760) 375-8599. CNRCC/OwensPeak Group.

Sat-Mon - March 17-18 - BensonHut Winter Backpack Trip.

( A d v I n t e r m e d i a t e -Advanced)Snowshoe/Ski 6.5 miles(1700) to Benson Hut for a Saturdayovernight.$20 ($22 Non Sierra Clubmembers) by Mar 13th to Jim Gannon;PO Box 1038, Rohnert Park, CA94927. Checks are non-refundable incase of weather cancellation. Pleaseinclude email address/phone#.Optional stay at Clair Tappaan lodgeFri 16th. Make reservations earlyto avoid disappointment. Lodge

reservations 530-426-3632 indicateyou are with Benson trip-RedwoodChapter. Central commissary isplanned. Meeting time/locations

provided with trip sign up. Contactleader Jim Gannon (707)[email protected] co leader

TBD.

Sun., Mar. 18 Sonoma Group,Johnstone Trail at Tomales BayState Park.

A trail I dont do very often. It windsthrough a very old forest of Bishoppines with views of Tomales Bay.M6B, about six miles with repeatedups and downs. March has someof the best weather on the coast(between storm, that is). Wellstart at Shell Beach trailhead andstop for lunch near Hearts DesireBeach, then return. Carpool meetsat the park and ride under Hwy 12,in front of the fairgrounds in SantaRosa at 9 am. Alternate stops atthe park and rides at Rohnert Park

Expressway and Hwy 116 andLakeville in Petaluma ONLY if youcall and arrange to be met there.Rain cancels. Leader: Carl Inglin538-8271 or [email protected]

Sun., March 18 - Lake Group OatHill Mine Road-East End.

This is an easy hike of four milesround trip to visit the mercury minesites at the East (Lake County) endof the Oat Hill Mine Road. Bringlunch and water. Class E-4-A.Meet: Perrys Deli at the west end ofMiddletown at 9 a.m. for a car poolto the start of the hike Call or emailthe leader in advance to reserve aspot, Steve Devoto 279-8308 [email protected].

Sat., March 23- Mare IslandSouthshore Hike, SolanoGroup.

Walk along the South Shore of Mare

Island out to Pier 35 for views ofSan Pablo Bay, Mare Island andCarquinez Strait. Well pass through

historic areas of Mare Island NavalShipyard in an area proposed for aRegional Park. This is a level 4 miler/t walk on paved and dirt roads in anarea not yet opened to public accesstaking around 3 hours Class E-4-AMeet at the gate at the south end ofRailroad Avenue.9:30 From Marinand Sonoma take Hwy 37 west toMare Island exit. From Napa connectto Hwy 37 from Hwy 29 and fromVallejo connect to Hwy 37 from I-80.Take Hwy 37 east to Mare Island.Once on Mare Island take Railroador Walnut Avenues south and followthe detour signs towards the GolfCourse. At Touro Univ. turn left onNereus Ave. which curves around

Touro and becomes Railroad Ave.Meet at the end of Railroad Ave. atthe South Gate. Leader: Kenn (707)319-1846.

Sat-Sun, March 24-25 PronghornAntelope Protection in the CarrizoPlain.

Antelope Protection Carcamp(Nature Study/Work Party). Withlittle rainfall and few water sources,the species that live here are bothhardy and endangered. Particularlybeautiful are the pronghorn antelope,which evolved in these wild, openspaces. Then cattle ranching lefta legacy of endless fences - whichare deadly to the pronghorn. Join usfor a weekend in this remote area

removing fencing for their benefit.

Outings ChairReport

Hope that 2007 is a great year for Sierra Club

outings. We are training more leaders and will offer a

wide variety of outdoor activities.

Susan Whiteside is the North Groups new leader.

Susan has been a member of the Sierra Club for just

over three years, but has been hiking in different parts

of the country for about 30. Susan loves to hike and

loves the outdoors. She also knows that hiking alone

is not a good idea. She knew there must be others

like herself, so Susan decided to become an Outings

Leader so that she and others would have a chance to

see and experience the beauty that her area has to offer.

Most of Susans hikes will be in the 5-6 mile range,

but occasionally she will be leading longer hikes for

the more avid hikers and shorter walks for those who

cant walk far distances but still want to be able to

enjoy the outdoors.

Sonoma Group welcomes new leader Randi Farkis.

Randi was inspired by Mrs. Terwilliger many years

ago to become a docent for Fairfield Osborne, whereshe led fifth-graders on hikes and did nature activities.

She often hikes alone, but over the years has enjoyed

Sierra Club hikes for the opportunity to explore new

areas, meet new people, and get that extra push to

do more than she would on her own. Her interest in

becoming an Outings Leader is two-fold: to give back

to the group, and to offer hikes which will enable folks

recovering from surgery or illness to be out in nature

for a good chunk of the day moving at a moderate

pace with several stops. She covered many miles on

crutches while recovering from hip surgery, but didnt

break any speed records. CAROL VELLUTINI, REDWOOD CHAPTER OUTINGS CHAIR

Former North Group chair Allison and husband Bob had a baby girl on November

16 and named her Darby Belle. Congratulations. North Group Chair Al and wife Annie

are making plans to travel more in 2007. They have completed their End of Rainbow

cottage and it will serve as an art/guest studio. They are very creative people.

On a sad note, long time Sonoma Group member, hiker, lover of flowers, Ramona

Mooney, passed away on December 6th after two long years of struggle with cancer.

Many of us who knew her lit a candle on Jan. 1st, saying words of prayer for her. See

the article on a memorial bench for Ramona.

Avid hiker and trail worker Howard Moes had open heart surgery and suffered a

stroke. He is on a steady, but slow road to recovery. We all wish the best for Howard

and hope to see him back home.

All of our parks need your help with trail maintenance. Please volunteer your time.

California Trial Days has now merged with National Trail Days but the Sonoma Group

will still do the Nattkemper Trail in April.

Peter Grubb Hut Winter Backpack trip.Leader Don Anderson, Co-leader Jim Gannon

Outingscontinuesd on page 8


8/12


O u t i n g sOutings cont. from page 7

Ratings for OutingsLeaders

How fast or slow do you go?Wonder if an outing leader walks fast or slow? Keep in mind that the leaders

speed is but one part of hiking. How high up a mountain the hike starts, the total

mileage and elevation gain (up hill) and loss (down hill) greatly affect the difficulty

of a hike, regardless of how fast or slow you walk. If you have any doubts about

being able to do a hike or have other questions, please call the leader to discuss

your concerns. These ratings only serve as a guide and are not a substitute for you

being in appropriate physical condition before participating in an outing. Leaders

are grouped according to how fast they normally hike.Fast-pace with few or no stops:

Steve Allen Jim Gannon Paul Bozzo Lars Crail

Moderate-pace with few stops:

Carl Inglin Penny Proteau Don Anderson Steve Devoto Chip Bouril

Linda Marie

Moderate-pace with more frequent stops:

Bill Arenander Ken Roberts Pete McGee Nanette DeDonato

Al Muelhoefer Tim Bartice Jim Barrett Suzanne Spillner Carol

Vellutini Pete McGee Isabelle Saint-Guily Annie Drager David

Henry Doug Condrotte Kenn Browne Susan Whiteside Rand i

Farkis

Slower-pace: Gina Hitchcock Allison Bronkall Bob Bronkall

Work hard on Saturday; take some time Sunday tonjoy the monument. Camp at Selby campground,

bring food, water, heavy leather work-gloves,and camping gear for the weekend. Potluck Satight. Alternate date in case of rain. Resourcepecialist: Alice Koch. For more info: Leaders: Cal

and Letty French, 14140 Chimney Rock Road,Paso Robles, CA 93446, (805-239-7338). Prefer-mail: [email protected]

Sun., Mar. 25 - Sugarloaf Ridge State ParkWaterfall.

Experience the wonders of winter in a mossovered oak/fir woodland in the deep of winter.

While some inhabitants are sleeping we will bebserving the beauty of the rushing creek and a

25 foot waterfall. Starting out at 1,200 feet, goingown to about 800 feet, hike is about 4 miles withome steep areas. Bring lunch, liquids, somethingo sit on if its wet, daypack, water-resistant bootstrail could be slick). We will traverse Stern, Pony

Gate and Canyon Trails.Meet 11 am at parking loto Bald Mountain. We leave at 11:15. The park isocated northeast of Kenwood in the MayacamasMountains between the Sonoma and NapaValleys. From Highway 101 turn on Hwy. 12 easto Sonoma. Turn on Adobe Canyon Road. Roads narrow and winding, about 4 miles, so allowample time. Carpools: Santa Rosa Park and Ride0:15; Napa Blockbuster Video in Bel Air shopping

Center (leaderless) 9:45 am. Questions?? LeaderCarol Vellutini 707-546-6308 carolvsr@sonic.

et Canceled if raining hard, bring umbrella oraingear if sprinkling or showers.

Sun-Wed, April 1-4 Backcountry Ski Trip toOstrander Hut.

Yosemite is beautiful in the snow, and the Ostranderut, run by the Park Service, is a destination witheveral wonderful day trips possible out the frontoor. Although the terrain is forgiving, this is aerious snow trip because of the 10 mile distance.

Skis are strongly recommended as this is too faror all but the most fit snowshoers. There will bea pre-trip meeting scheduled once participants

are approved. The hut has a permanent ranger,and the cost reflects this. Space will be reservedpon receipt of the $80 fee. Early reservation isssential. There will be a central commissary

or interested participants. Rain cancels. RatedH/10/B. Detailed itinerary will be available toapproved participants. Leaders: Don [email protected]) and Jim Gannon.

Sat. April 7- Lake Group, Pallisades Trail.

This hike starts from the east parking lot onhe shoulder of Mt. St. Helena at Robert LewisStevenson State Park between Middletown andCalistoga on Route 29. The hike follows the

ramatic Palisade formation to the south eastand eventually connects with the old Oat Hill MineRoad. We will have lunch at that junction and

o down to Silverado Road where we will haveeft cars to shuttle us back to the start. This is a

trenuous hike of 10 miles and provides breath-aking views of Lake County to the north, the upperNapa Valley to the south, and with gorgeous wildowers along the way. Bring lunch, water andamera. Class S-10-A. Meet: RLS parking lot:00 AM but call Chuck Sturges at 279-1188 toeserve a place.

Sat., April 14 Sonoma Group, Mt. Burdell.

Loop through oak grassland, wildflowers, vernalpool, viewspossibly the chestnuts/buckeyes inbloom. Bring lunch and water. We will travel ata medium pace with several breaks. Class M-

-B. Carpools: Meet at Petaluma Park & Ride:30am or at trailhead for Open Space on San

Andreas Drive (off San Marin Dr.) in Novato at0am. Leader: Randi Farkas 824-0804. Hardain cancels.

Sat-Sun, April 14-15 Birds and Beat the

Tamarisk.Help remove the invasive salt cedar on thewetlands along the shore of Owens Lake athe base of the spectacular eastern SierraNevada scarp. Work several hours each day,

probably, and take time to enjoy the birdsand scenic attractions. Well car camp at DiazLake just south of Lone Pine where birdscongregate. Then watch the migratory birds onthe re-watered part of the Owens Lake. Can alsovisit the new Lone Pine Film History Museumand Manzanar N.M.

Bring camping essentials (though motels areclose), food, water, work clothes and gloves.

Resource specialist: Mike Prather. For moreinformation and to sign up for trip contactleaders: Cal and Letty French, 14140 ChimneyRock Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446. Prefere-mail: [email protected] CNRCC/SantaLucia Chap

Sun. Apr 15 - Sonoma Group, Mt. Tam.

The hike starts from Bon Tempe Dam; wehike over to Cataract Creek, up to HighMarsh trail, over to Kent trail, and back toBon Tempe. Bring lunch, liquids, hiking boots.Class: S-12-B. Carpools: meet Santa Rosaat Park & Ride by fairgrounds under Highway12 8:00am(leaderless), Napa BlockbustersVideo, Bel Aire Shopping Center at 8:00am(leaderless), Petaluma Park & Ride 8:15am ormeet at Bon Tempe Dam about 9:30am. Thereis an entrance fee to get in. Leader: Steve Allen

328-8466.Sun., April 15 - Sonoma Group, Tolay LakeEast Ridge.

Now is your chance to hike on the regionalparks newest and most exciting park: TolayLake Park in the Petaluma area. Tolay LakePark (formerly the Cordoza Ranch) is 1737acres, mostly grasslands, with an east andwest ridge that boast incredible views of SanFrancisco bay region, including Mt. Diablo, Mt.Tamalpais, and Mt. St. Helena. Tolay Lake is ashallow seasonal lake of historical significance.We will begin the hike at the ranch compound,hike across the lake bed on farm roads, passthe vineyards to the east ridge, where the viewof San Francisco Bay Area is outstanding. Wewill have lunch on the east ridge. Look for manyraptures, including golden eagles. Anticipate a

wide variety of wild flowers. From the view pointwe will go cross-country with uneven footing andstar thistles. We will stop by two different farmponds in route back to ranch compound.

Bring water, lunch, layered clothing and goodhiking boots. Class: M-7-A Carpool: meet SantaRosa Park and Ride, Highway 12 East of 101,under the overpass, between Santa Rosa Vetsand Fairgrounds 9:20 a.m. Petaluma Park andRide at 101 and 116 East 10:00 a.m, or meetat the park 10:30 a.m. Leader Bill Arenander539-6396.

Sat-Mon, April 28-30 Birds, Flowers, andFences in the Carrizo.

An opportunity to both visit and serve anoutstanding and relatively unknown nationalmonument. On Saturday we will assist in theremoval of fence wires to allow pronghornantelope freer access to the range. Sunday isreserved for sightseeing. The views from theCaliente Mountains are spectacular; and themonument is known for the number and varietyof raptors present. Those who can stay throughMonday will continue fence work with themonument staff. Contact leader Craig Deutsche,310-477-6670, or [email protected].

Sat-Sun, Apr. 28-29 Places Weve SavedNavigation Noodle-Mojave NationalPreserve.

Join us for our third annual journey through thisjewel of the Mojave now preserved, under theCalifornia Desert Protection Act, as a result of theefforts of Sierra Club activists and others. Anintermediate cross-country navigation day-hikeworkshop will be conducted out of a car campin the pinyon and juniper forests of the MidHills. Potluck and social on Saturday, and also forthose arriving early on Friday. Send sase or emailto ldr: Virgil Shields. Asst: Harry Freimanis LTC,WTC, DPS, Desert Com

After a courageous two year battle with cancer, long time Sierra Club member

Ramona Mooney died on December 6, 2006. Ramona loved nature, the outdoors,

plants, flowers, hiking and being with people who cared for the environment. She

was very alternative in her lifestyle. She rode her bike everywhere. Those of us who

knew her, lit a candle on New Years Day and observed a moment of silence andprayer. New Year is symbolically a new beginning and her brother Eric suggested

this type of memorial. I am coordinating buying a bench for Ramona in a Sonoma

County Regional Park. Ramona went on many hikes in our Regional Parks. She

loved spring, when the flowers were blooming. She knew the names of most of the

wildflowers. She could be counted on to identify them on Sierra Club walks. She

sometimes wandered off to look at flowers when the rest of the group was on their

way and usually the leader needed to go back looking for her. So it is fitting that a

bench for Ramona be by flowers. The benches are $500 or $1,100 depending on if

one is existing or proposed. I will be looking at existing ones at Foothill. Shiloh,

Sonoma Valley and Ragle would have to be proposed. Please consider helping us

raise the money by sending in a check to Diana Nasser, 1236 Jean Dr., Sebastopol,

95472. I will send out a notice in the Needles and to my email list when the bench

is in place and we will do a short dedication. On New Years Day I picked up a rock

from the candle lighting location and will place the rock by the bench (Ramona loved

rocks). I will also light the candle again. Thank you for helping out. I have a Sierra

Club member who has a band and is willing to play for a fund raiser if we had a free

indoor location big enough for dancing. Anyone know of a location?

CAROL VELLUTINI, 546-6308

Contributions Needed forMemorial Bench

Ramona Mooney on right at Pt. Reyes with Sierra Club



Saturday Saunters for Santa RosaArea.

Every Saturday. Meets 9 a.m. and usually endsaround 11:30. For info call 707/539-6300. Thesewalks are moderate. Fun way to exercise withriends.

Cotati Creek Critters.

Plant native trees and shrubs along theLaguna de Santa Rosa in Cotati! Communityplanting days on second Saturdays,February 10 and March 10, 9 a.m.-noon;and last Sundays, February 25 and March25, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Also Inside/OutsideNature Education series: Is There AnySuch Thing as Wastewater? presentationby Denise Cadman, on Monday, February

; Local Native American Relationships

with the Land with the Federated Indiansf Graton Rancheria on Monday, March 5, 7

p.m. at Cotati Community Center. Seewww.CotatiCreekCritters.infofor Planting Daynformation, directions, and details [email protected] 792

4422.

Hood Mountain Work Days TBA 9am1pm

Directions: Given with RSVP All of ourworkdays have staff on hand to superviseand in case of emergencies. Please wear

Non-Sierra ClubOutings

The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the SierraClub. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of theseactivities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality,safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are publishedbecause they may be of interest to the readers of this publication.

long pants and dress in layers. Good sturdyshoes are recommended. We also providegloves, water, gatorade, and a wide variety ofsnacks. Most of these upcoming projects willinvolve either touch up work after the heavyequipment has gone through (removingberms, laying back slopes, scattering otherdebris) or actually cutting in new sectionsof trail. Having 8 to 10 folks show up is agreat number and we can accomplish alot.Contact John Ryan [email protected] or Dave Chalk

Have you been considering becoming aLaguna Docent?

Please come to the docent trainingorientation evening on Monday, February 12,7 - 9 pm at the Santa Rosa Library Downtown

Branch, at the corner of 3rd and E Streets.We are offering a lively evening of activitiesfrom the program, open to the public. This isa great chance to learn all the details of thetraining, becoming a docent, and volunteercommittment. Training begins Monday,March 12. Applications, available by mailor on the Laguna Foundation website www.lagunafoundation.org are due by March1. For further information, or to request abrochure, please contact Mary Abbott, 527-9277 x2 or [email protected].

I wish I had better news to report regarding

the status of sudden oak death (SOD) disease

in Mendocino County. Unfortunately, the

summer aerial and ground surveillance

programs indicate that all of the known

disease sites have expanded and new sites

have been discovered.

The disease has been known to occur

along the Hwy 128 corridor for several years

on private lands and in the Malliard RedwoodReserve. In 2005 the disease, Phytophthora

ramorum, was discovered on bay trees in

Hendy Woods State Park. During the 2006

surveillance the disease was confirmed from

properties along the Ukiah Boonville

Road and along Inman Creek within the

Garcia River watershed. Furthermore, the

known outbreak east of The Sea Ranch in

northwestern Sonoma County has greatly

increased in both acreage and virulence.

The disease, believed to be an exotic

introduction from unknown origins, was first

discovered in Marin County in 1995. Since

then outbreaks have been verified in the north

coast counties of Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino,

Humboldt and Curry (Oregon). The Genera,

Phytophthora, is a plant pathogen of world-

wide distribution notoriously known for

causing the Irish potato famine and the

demise of Port Orford cedar tree populations

in Oregon.

Though the name implies that all oaks

may be affected the number of species that

are lethally impacted is relatively low. To

date, only Coast Live Oak, California Black

Oak and Tanoak are the species considered

most sensitive and most likely to be killed by

Sudden Oak Death Disease Updatethe disease. However, over 100 wildland and

horticultural species are known to be affected in

differing degrees. The species considered most

responsible for sustaining high populations

of Phytophthora spores in the environment

is California Bay Laurel, a plant whose only

symptoms are irregularly shaped blotches on

the margins of the leaves.

Massive amounts of resources are being

devoted to better understanding the disease biology and ecology to try and design

management strategies that might slow or

limit its spread. Unfortunately, history has

demonstrated that forest tree diseases are very

difficult to effectively manage.

The best source of timely information can

be found at the Sudden Oak Death website

www.suddenoakdeath.org . There you will

find pathogen hosts lists, regulated nursery

plant lists, an interactive map site, monthly

newsletters, information about on-going

research and a number of other topics.

For the time being, if you should visit a

public park or any other site that is posted as

being infected with SOD the prudent thing

to do is not remove any plant material or dirt

or mud from the site. That means washing

mountain bike tires, cleaning horse hooves,

and removing soil from the bottom of hiking

boots on site.

GREG GIUSTI, UC FOREST ADVISOR

Greg Giusti is the UC Forest Advisor

for Mendocino County, a member of the

UCIntegrate Hardwood Range Management

Program and a Registered Professional

Forester. [email protected]


10/12


Lake Group ReportLake Group concerns about dubious development

proposals have recently been aimed in a new direction: the

City of Lakeport. Last year, while public attention focussed

on the massive proposed Cristallago subdivision north of the

city, its developers were quietly negotiating for city-owned

land to the south, in order to construct another golf-oriented

residential development of potentially equal proportions.

This land, which now houses the citys sewage treatment

facilities, also lies outside municipal borders in the

unincorporated portion of the county, so annexation wouldprobably be necessary in order to bring the project to fruition.

A few obvious environmental questions: How many golf

courses can or should the area support? What potential

hazards does residential and recreational development of

land used for wastewater treatment pose to public health

and safety? Does a dense residential neighborhood belong

outside the urban growth boundaries specified by the

countys General Plan? What would be the consequences of

constructing such a subdivision directly under the flight path

of Lake Countys only airport, and next to a road leading to

a major gravel quarry? Concerns of this sort are of course

subject to detailed investigation specified by the California

Environmental Quality Act, which recommends that an

Initial Study be commenced as early in the development

process as possible but despite ongoing conversations

between the developers and city fathers over the course ofmany months, no Initial Study has been begun and not even

the most preliminary answers are available.

Simultaneously, precisely the same development group

is negotiating with the city about yet another piece of city-

owned land, the lakeshore Dutch Harbor property near

downtown, and has been granted a free renewable option on

the property even though many people think a park makes

more sense than a multi-million dollar hotel/resort complex

on this choice site. Nonetheless, the ink might have dried

on the contract by now if the property were large enough

for the intended use. Since it is not, the city is exploring

the possibility of acquiring an adjacent parcel owned by the

school district and in active use as a high school campus

possibly even through the exercise of eminent domain

powers. Justification for this action might require a finding

of blight requiring redevelopment, which is a difficult

argument to make about a school and one likely to provokestrenuous public objection.

While the Sierra Club keeps a very close watch on these

unfolding events were also actively participating in the

final stages of our long-delayed General Plan update. The

November 2006 draft Goals and Policy statement has gone

out for review (visit redwood.sierraclub.org/lake for a link

to both the Plan and our commentary), and completion

of the Environmental Impact Report is expected early in

2007. Although in many respects the new Plan seems to be

a sound document incorporating environmentally sensitive

attitudes and Smart Growth principles, there is always room

for improvement, so we encourage all our members to read

it for themselves, and to submit their own suggestions and

recommendations.

VICTORIA BRANDON, LAKE GROUP CHAIR

A New Model for Forest Ownership

We hope that you all have had a restful and joyful holiday,

nd are ready to join us in the work of the New Year!

Luckily, we can combine work and play on at least one

project as we continue to celebrate the recent 16,000-acre

cquisition of industrial timberland on Big River and Salmon

Creek by The Conservation Fund, a national land trust. Thiss in addition to the 24,000 acres that Conservation Fund

cquired on the

Redwood Needles Newsletter, February 2007 ~ Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter

Documents

Transcript of Redwood Needles Newsletter, February 2007 ~ Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter