SANTA - sierraclub.org · For sponsorship opportunities, call 805-922-1460. Mark your calendars now...

Santa Lucian • Jul./Aug. 2018 1

Jul./Aug. 2018Volume 55 No.4

T h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e t t e r o f th e S a n ta L u c i a C h a p t e r o f t h e S i e r ra C l u b ~ Sa n L u i s O b i s p o Co u n t y, C a l i f o r n i a

SANTA LUCIAN

Santa LuciaChapter

InsideInsideInsideInsideInsideJul. 18: Managing the ocean 2

Community Choice is coming 3

Sept. 12: Drive electric! 4

Activist scholarships 5

Outings 12

Save the Date

A Garden of Earthly DelightsJoin us for the Santa Lucia Chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration and

annual fundraiser

On June 7, the day before World Oceans’ Day, Congressman Salud Carbajalannounced his full support for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuarynomination process and wrote to Department of Commerce Secretary WilburRoss, who oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA), to request that the agency actupon the pending application. “Marine sanctuaries play an essentialrole in protecting California’s sensitivemarine and coastal areas from furtheroil and gas development,” saidCarbajal. “The protections of thesebiologically diverse marine areas alsodirectly benefit our state’s $1.9 trillioncoastal economy, including our robust tourism andcommercial fishing industries on the Central Coast.The nomination of the Chumash National MarineSanctuary was the product of years of publicengagement with local communities and I urge

NOAA to move forward with protecting this unique area forfuture generations.” The nomination was added to NOAA’s inventory ofsuccessful nominations in October 2015, the first step tobecome eligible for a national marine sanctuary designation. In order for the area to obtain sanctuary status, the site must gothrough the designation process, which includes drafting of amanagement plan and multiple opportunities for public com-ment and review.

Rep. Carbajal Goes to Bat for Chumash HeritageNational Marine Sanctuary

Your Name Here Go to tinyurl.com/chnmspetition to add your voice to Rep.Carbajal’s and the thousands askingNOAA to begin designation of theChumash Heritage National MarineSanctuary.

Saturday, October 27, 2018 2:30 - 5:30 pmSan Luis Obispo Botanical Garden

3450 Dairy Creek Road, SLO.An afternoon of food, drink, live music, silent and live

auctions, and exciting surprises. Come help us celebrate ourpast and present achievements and help us prepare for the

challenges of the future.For sponsorship opportunities, call 805-922-1460.

Mark your calendars now ~ watch for details in your next Santa Lucian

2 Santa Lucian • Jul./Aug. 2018

The Executive Committee meetsthe second Monday of each monthat 4p.m in the chapter office,located at 974 Santa Rosa St., SanLuis Obispo. All members arewelcome to attend.

Santa Lucian

Lindi DoudSandy SimonEDITORIAL COMMITTEEDenny MynattPRINT MEDIA COORDINATOR

The Santa Lucian is published six times a year. Articles, environmental informationand letters to the editor are welcome. The deadline for each issue is the 13th of theprior month.

send to: Editor, Santa Lucian, Sierra Club, P.O. Box 15755, San Luis Obispo, CA93406. [email protected]

Santa Lucia Chapter

2018 Executive CommitteeChuck Tribbey (12/19) CHAIRChristine Mulholland (12/18) SECRETARYSue Harvey (12/19) MEMBERJennifer Von Der Lohe (12/20) MEMBERViolet Cavanaugh (12/20) MEMBERNancy Cole (12/20) MEMBERDawn Annoni (12/18) MEMBER

Chuck Tribbey COUNCIL OF CLUB LEADERSKevin O’Gorman, Lindi Doud CO-TREASURERS

CommitteesPolitical Violet CavanaughMembership/Development Dawn AnnoniConservation Sue HarveyNuclear Power Task Force Rochelle Becker Linda Seeley

Printed by University Graphic Systems Cal Poly, San Luis ObispoMailing preparation services courtesy of the Silver Streaks

Office hours Monday-Friday,1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.974 Santa Rosa StreetSan Luis Obispo

Santa Lucia ChapterP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406805-543-8717

CNRCC Delegates Lindi Doud, Patrick McGibney John BurdettCalendar Sales OpenOutings Bill Waycott

Chapter Director Andrew Christie [email protected]

Webmaster Monica TarzierTrail Guide Gary Felsman50th Anniversary Coordinator Jennifer Von Der Lohe

Facebook AdministratorKim Ramos

Bookkeeper Sandra Cirilo

EDITORAndrew Christie

Copeland Pavilion3rd Floor, French HospitalMed. Center 1823 JohnsonAve., SLODoors open at 6:30Program: 7-8 p.m.

Sierra Club General Meeting7 p.m. Wed., July 18How Are We Managing the Ocean?

Want to SeeChange at theOceano Dunes?Don’t be Shy By Andrew ChristieChapter Director For more than three decades, asenvironmental science and law haveevolved, the California Departmentof Parks and Recreation has re-mained chronically out of compli-ance with the environmental protec-tion requirements of their CoastalDevelopment Permit and the LocalCoastal Plan for the Oceano DunesState Vehicular Recreation Area. At this point, it’s clear that StateParks can’t continue to operate theODSVRA – a big chunk of environ-mentally sensitive coastal habitat —the way they have been, and thattheir current modus operandi isbringing a rising threat of litigationfrom groups like ours and legislationfrom Sacramento of the “if youwon’t take care of the problem we’lldo it for you” variety. So it’s no surprise that at thishistorical moment State Parks has 1)finally embarked on a HabitatConservation Plan, 2) finally semi-capitulated in its long fight with theAir Pollution Control District overreduction of the toxic dust from itsoff-road playground, and 3) hit uponthe notion of a Public WorksProgram.

PWP continued on page 6

Cal Poly Professor Ben Ruttenberg studies the management of marine ecosys-tems. He has worked as a Research Fishery Biologist for the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration and a Marine Ecologist with the National ParkService Inventory and Monitoring Program. Tonight he’ll talk about his currentprojects, how we try to manage our impacts on the oceans, and what we can dobetter. Plus: A Clair Tappaan Lodge slide show (see page 7).


In May, the Califor-nia Office of StateAudits and Evaluationssent a report to the SanLuis Obispo FloodControl and WaterConservation District.The subject of thereport was the currentstate of Cambria’sAdvanced WaterTreatment (akadesalination) Plant andstate grant moneyexpended on it. The audit focused ontwo items of concern:1) The CambriaCommunity ServicesDistrict had claimedand received $113,603in grant funds asreimbursement forwork performedoutside the grantperiod, and 2) theCambria CSD hasexpended a total of$4.3 million in stategrant funds onthe construction of anon-operational desal

Portrait of a

Boondoggle

plant and has notdemonstrated that theplant can produce theamount of water theCSD says it can. One dry paragraphfrom the state auditprovides a starkportrait of the outcome

of the CSD’s strategyof getting a desal plantbuilt by declaring anemergency and therebyavoiding such peskyniceties as the prepara-tion of an Environmen-tal Impact Report or aCoastal Development

Permit and undergoingreview by the Califor-nia Coastal Commis-sion:

Desist Order No.R3-2016-007(Order), whichrequired Cambria toimmediately ceaseuse of the evapora-tion pond, a key

The Cambria Community Services District marks the first anniversaryof its desal cease and desist order from the Regional Water Board

CCSD continued on page 5

“Specifically, onJuly 13, 2017, theRegional Boardadopted a Cease and

Volunteers WantedDevelopment Coordinator: Work with the chapterexecutive committee to develop and implement anannual fundraising program based on conservationgoals. 2 years experience with non-profit volunteeractivities, project development, basic knowledgeof spreadsheets and Word a plus.

Volunteer Coordinator: Work with chapterleadership to develop and implement programs forvolunteer recruitment to support various chapteractivities, programs and office functions. Goodwritten, public speaking and organization skills.

Contact Chuck Tribbey at [email protected] or(805) 441-7597.

Community ChoiceEnergy Update

Defunct The Cambria CSD’s desal evaporation pond was a shortcut to nowhere.

The recent heart-breaking local electionresults mean that areactionary majority onour county board ofsupervisors willcontinue on theirmission of smoothingthe path for thepolluters and bigdevelopers whobankroll their cam-paigns, sticking it tothe environment, andholding back the dawnof the renewableenergy era on theCentral Coast. That last one, how-ever, is not somethingthat is actually withintheir power to do.

Here’s why: In June 2017, the SanLuis Obispo CityCouncil adopted its2017-19 FinancialPlan, which identifiesClimate Action as aMajor City Goal. Thegoal includes the ob-jective: “Assess andreport the requirementsto achieve the ‘net -zero carbon City’ targetincluding feasibilityanalysis and implemen-tation of a CommunityChoice Energy pro-gram” — the estab-lishmet of such aprogram being a pro-vision of the city’sClimate Action Plan,

included thereincourtesy of the SierraClub. In January 2018,after the CountySupervisors walkedaway from Commu-nity Choice, SLOMayor Heidi Harmonsent letters to theCounty of San LuisObispo and the Citiesof Paso Robles,Atascadero, MorroBay, Grover Beach,Pismo Beach, andArroyo Grandesignaling the intent ofthe SLO to “pursueforming a new CCE,in conjunction withother interestedjurisdictions in SanLuis Obispo Countyand/ or in PG&Eterritory of SantaBarbara County.” On April 24, theMorro Bay CityCouncil committed topursuing a CommunityChoice program withthe City of San LuisObispo operating

under a joint powerauthority (JPA) andproviding service toaccounts withinmember jurisdictions.SLO wants to operate

the program through aJPA with Morro Baywith the intention ofinviting regional

CCA continued on page 10


National DriveElectric Week(NDEW), September8-16, is a nationwidecelebration held toheighten awareness ofthe widespreadavailability of plug-invehicles and highlightthe benefits of all-electric and plug-inhybrid-electric cars,trucks, motorcycles,and more. Namely, they:

are fun to drive, are less expensiveand more convenientto fuel than gasolinevehicles, are better for theenvironment, promote localjobs, reduce ourdependence on foreignoil.

Considering goingelectric? Come talk toowners who havesuccessfully done so. With each successiveyear (this is its eighth),National Drive ElectricWeek (NDEW) hasdemonstrated that notonly are plug-inelectric vehicles (EVs)just fun, but also thatthe public is starting tocatch on. The SierraClub and Plug inAmerica recently puttogether a policy tool-kit to help organizersand attendees urgepolicymakers to speedthe transition toelectric vehicles. Last year, more than100,000 peopleattended 279 EVpromotion events in all50 states — a first —with international

Kicking GasNational Drive Electric Week is Sept. 8-16

events taking place inArgentina, Australia,Canada, Croatia,Denmark, England,Jordan, and NewZealand. From tailgate partiesand electric bus ridesto carpool karaoke —every event wasunique, but mostcentered on giving thepublic a chance to kickthe tires and see forthemselves what it’slike to sit in thedriver’s seat and ex-perience instant torquefirst hand. At least8,000 people took testdrives at the events inall 30 fully electric andplug-in hybrids on themarket today.

Policy-Makers Takingthe Wheel Since the pollutionfrom our gas-poweredcars and trucks ac-counts for nearly 30percent of our nation’scarbon emissions, thetransition to zero-emission vehicles isn’tnegotiable, it’s critical— and state and localleaders realize this. That’s why NDEWhas always been aspringboard for stateand local officials tocheck out and promoteEVs as well as toannounce pro-EVpolicies and incentivesto accelerate the switchto clean transportationin their communitiesand to make buying orleasing an EV easy andaffordable. DuringNational Drive ElectricWeek, Californialawmakers passed andGovernor Jerry Brownsigned A.B.134, a bill

that earmarks $900million in funding fromthe state budget tosupport various cleantransportation, cleanair, and alternative fuelinitiatives, includingEV consumer rebatesthat lower the cost ofEVs for Californians.Reportedly, this is thebiggest commitment offunding in any one yearaimed at reducing airpollution in the state. A record number ofelected officialsparticipated in DriveElectric Week last year,including mayors inNorth Dakota, Mary-land, Kansas, Illinois,Iowa, California, andmore. WashingtonGovernor Inslee, NewHampshire GovernorSununu and HawaiiGovernor Ige all signedproclamations forNDEW in their states,and in Massachusetts19 mayors sent a letterto the state’s Depart-ment of Transportationcalling for a swifttransition to zero-emission transit buses. Dozens of mayors,state legislators, andother public officialsspoke at the events,including Representa-tive Paul Tonko ofNew York and LosAngeles CountySupervisor SheilaKuehl.

New EV ChargingStations UnveiledThe experience ofcharging in public isbecoming easier andmore streamlined asmore public chargingstations are madeavailable, especially in

key destinations wherepeople will be forextended periods oftime, like shoppingmalls, sporting events,and colleges. From California toVermont and in statesin between, citiesinstalled chargingstations during NDEWto help EV driversplug in. At a pressconference duringNDEW, the Massachu-setts Secretaries ofTransportation andEnergy & the Environ-ment unveiled six newfast-charging stationsalong the Massachu-setts Turnpike. Charging networksare expected to expanddue to the Volkswagendiesel settlement,which requires theautomaker to investbillions in electricvehicles and infra-structure across thenation over the nextdecade. National DriveElectric Week isorganized at thenational level by theElectric Auto Associa-tion, Plug in America,and the Sierra Club.

But it couldn’t happenwithout the hard workof the local organiza-tions and city captainswho organize theevents on the ground.We’d also like to thankour national sponsors,including Nissan, Lyft,ClipperCreek, Inc., andthe California AirResources Board. As our federalenvironmental protec-tions are under unprec-edented attack from thecurrent administration,the rest of the nationisn’t giving up the fightto reach our climategoals, in part by kick-ing gas and making theswitch to drive electric.National Drive ElectricWeek events areanother example ofcities, states, andindividuals taking thelead on climate action.

Mary Lunetta is thecampaign representa-tive for the SierraClub’s Electric VehiclesInitiative. Gina Cop-lon-Newfield is thedirector of SierraClub’s Clean Transpor-tation for All Cam-paign.

by Mary Lunetta and Gina Coplon-Newfield

TAKE ACTION

Join us at the global h.q. of Mindbody for thekick-off event of National Drive Electric Week inSLO on Sept. 12 from 5 to 8 pm. We will be rec-ognizing those who have pioneered EV adoptionin the City of SLO by promoting workplace EVcharging, including Mindbody, which has success-fully implemented and expanded its workplacecharging facilities. Keynote address by SLOMayor Heidi Harmon, local Electric Vehiclepioneers, info tables with EV car and bike dealers,informational video, fingerfoods & beverages. For more information, contact Barry Rands [email protected], 805-704-1549.

Mindbody, Inc.4051 Broad St., Suite 220San Luis Obispo


component ofthe Plant, [dueto] severalregulatoryviolations thatthreatened waterquality and theenvironment….As a result,Cambria workedwith the RegionalBoard to developa plan toremediate theissues, which inDecember 2017the RegionalBoard voted toaccept. Cambria’splan involvesultimately aban-doning the evapo-ration pond andmodifying thePlant’s watertreatment processwith a targetedcompletion dateof August 2018.However,Cambria has nottested whether itsmodified Plantwill be able toproduce therequisite amountof water. As partof the grantagreement,Cambria mustsubmit to DWRan annual Post-PerformanceReport....”

agreement withthe CSD, theDistrict willdirect the CSD totest and report tothe District andDWR that thefacility canachieve thebenefits stated inthe grant agree-ment.”

CCSDcontinued from page 3

ment of Water Re-sources].” In response, the SLOFlood Control/WaterConservation Districtwent the Office ofState Audits one betteron the subject of howto handle its problemchild:

Off to SPROGThe next generation, coming right up

Many of us are at an age where each passing yearputs an increasing number of funerals and memo-rial services on our calendars, many of them forfriends and colleagues with whom we’ve spentyears in the trenches of activism, speaking truth topower, organizing, marching, protesting or other-wise defending what we love. On such occasions, it’s easy to succumb to asensation that our ranks are dwindling and eventu-ally there will be no one left to stand up and speakout, is it not? As Dr. Carol Marcus said to Captain Kirk in StarTrek II: The Wrath of Khan (which some of you areold enough to have seen in a theater in 1982): “Letme show you something that will make you feelyoung, as when the world was new.” That would be the Sierra Student Coalition’sSummer Program (SPROG), a grassroots organiz-ing training designed and run by youth activists thatteaches the organizing skills necessary to jump startand manage campaigns in our communities. The week-long summer camp style leadershiptraining, designed for ages 14-28, is described bymany alumni as “the best week of my life” becauseit was the moment when they became bonded to abroader movement and community of peers com-mitted to making change in the world. Graduatesconsistently become the next generation of activiststhat are confronting the challenges humanity facesin day-to-day life. SPROG runs off the generosity of the SierraStudent Coalition and Sierra Club chapters acrossthe country. No other program comes close toproviding the comprehensive skillset taught atSPROG and preparing attendees to start meaning-ful campaigns and serve as effective leaders ingrassroots organizations. That’s why the Santa Lucia Chapter and North

Cambria to testwhether the new Plantcan produce therequisite 240 to 250acre-feet of water overa six-month dry periodand report the resultsof its testing to theDistrict and [Depart-

Future facing CarmenBouqin and Mason Seden-Hansen.

you for President.”) Mason was president of thePaso Robles High School Progressive Club untilhis graduation in June. He will begin attendingUCLA this fall. Carmen is a Youth BoardMember of Must! Charities and, pre-graduation,was a mainstay of the Templeton High SchoolEnvironmental Club. The investment made in the development ofthese activists will pay enormous dividends in thebroader environmental movement. Just in case you were wondering where thefuture is coming from.

Lucian (to which Rep.Carbajal replied “I lookforward to voting for

the Regional WaterBoard’s cease anddesist order….Upon modificationof the facility andpursuant to thegrant agreementand the District’srelated funding

The report rec-ommended that theCounty “require

“Although the CSDsubmits annualpost-performancereports thatsummarize theactual performanceof the facility, theDistrict will requestadditional monthlyreports from theCSD to monitor itscompliance with

We note the interest-ing choice of words(“...report...that thefacility can achieve thebenefits...”), andpresume the FloodControl District did notmean to say that it isgoing to direct theCSD to report that thefacility can producethe requisite amount ofwater whether or nottests ultimately showthat it can’t. As we go to press,the CCSD is proposinglarge water rate hikesand heading for ahearing on its after-the-fact Coastal Develop-ment Permit later thissummer, which mayresult in a requirementto move much of thefacility and restoredamaged environmen-tally sensitive habitatarea. A Regional WaterBoard review of theprogress of the projectand the CambriaCSD’s repair of itsself-inflicted wounds,scheduled for June,was pulled from theRegional Board’smeeting agenda inMay. Water Board staffsay they “intend toreschedule in early2019.”

County Watch largelyunderwrote the tuitionand travel costs forMason Seden-Hansenand Carmen Bouquinto attend SPROG Westat the Sierra Club’sHarwood Lodge in thefoothills north of LosAngeles, July 8-15. You may have heardMr. Seden-Hansenspeak at the SLOMarch for Our Lives,or read the transcript ofhis comments in agroup meeting withCongressman Carbajalin the Nov. 2017 Santa


But old habits diehard. After 35 years ofhostile intransigence,there should be nomore benefit of thedoubt accorded to StateParks. It should beassumed that theagency will use thesemultiple processes asanother opportunity formisdirection and handwaving, with the endgoal of claiming thatwhat they should bedoing is more or lesswhat they’ve beendoing because they’vebeen doing it for solong. (This is the actualargument State Parkshas deployed againstthe Coastal Commis-

sion when told theyneed to designate lessenvironmentallydestructive access tothe park, which theywere supposed to do18 months afterreceiving their CoastalDevelopment Permitfor an “interim”access and stagingarea in 1982.) All should bemindful of StateParks’ go-to moveover the last threedecades at the dunes:Invite all parties into abureaucratic morass,convene hundreds ofhours of meetings,produce reams ofpaper, and emergewith deals andcompromises that

subsequently implode orotherwise become non-operational, leaving thestatus quo intact. Lather,rinse, repeat. State Parks has alwaysstruggled with the factthat their operation ofthe ODSVRA mustconform to the County’sLocal Coastal Plan(LCP), ultimatelyoverseen by the Califor-nia Coastal Commis-sion. The Public WorksProgram is being pro-posed as a way toremove the CoastalCommission from itsongoing oversight roleat the Oceano Dunes. The Sierra Club spentyears in court arguingagainst the belief ofState Parks and the off-

road lobby that theLCP’s environmentalprotection policiessomehow don’t applyto the dunes. We pre-vailed on that point of

On June 12, the San Luis Obispo County GrandJury issued a report on “the public health risk toresidents of, and visitors to, the Nipomo Mesaand nearby areas caused by high levels ofparticulate air pollution.” After reviewing reams of data on the particulatematter (PM) dust hazard coming from theOceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area,the grand jury noted that:

law and also won aruling that any futurepermitted project at theDunes would triggerState Parks’ obligationto update its woefullyoutdated General De-velopment Plan for thedunes to conform to theCounty’s Local CoastalPlan. And our LocalCoastal Plan states thatthe La Grande tract —580 acres of Countyland in the middle ofthe park, ground zerofor the ODSVRA’s dustcontrol problem — issupposed to be a bufferfrom the riding area.Parks has striven toignore that designationfor decades, but it nowmust be included intheir Public WorksProgram, taking LaGrande Tract off thetable as a current ridingarea or future ridingexpansion area. At the workshop onthe public worksprogram held in ArroyoGrande on May 22, Itold the Off-HighwayMotor Vehicle Rec-

Grand Jury Encounters Logic Problem“Will the PWPultimately satisfyriding enthusiasts’desire to replaceevery acre takenaway by remedi-ation with an acrefor recreationsomewhere else inthe ODSVRA? TheState Parks’ PWPand time willprovide the answerto that question.”

PWP continued next page

PWPcontinued from page 2

“State Parks has consistently maintainedthat while there is some contribution fromoff-highway riding activity, they believedit was not possible to quantify the exactamount attributable to the naturalbackground component of dust or sand,or to the even larger amount that iscaused by off-highway riding activity.Studies by the APCD, CARB, and byState Park’s own contractor, DesertResearch Institute (DRI) have providedconvincing evidence that off-highwayriding activity is by far the most signifi-cant contributor to PM2.5 and PM10standards violations recorded at monitor-ing stations on the Nipomo Mesa andnearby communities.”

But the report concludes with a shrug:

Once you accept thereality that State Parksand the off-roaderswill never accept – i.e.“off-highway riding activity is by far the mostsignificant contributor” to hazardous air qualitydownwind of the ODSVRA, a reality broughtabout by the fact that the constant disturbance ofany dune areas by vehicles exposes fine particlesto the wind and makes them more likely tobecome airborne – you really can’t pretend thedemand that the riding area at the ODSVRA bereduced by not one square inch is a separate orancillary issue. It is the central point, and the point

GRAND JURY continued next page

Not going away The La Grande Tract.


reation Division mana-gers assembled at thedais that we can seewhy a plan that theybelieve will finallyrender their off-roadplayground immune tooversight would holdgreat attraction forthem. (But, as the2017-18 SLO CountyGrand Jury noted in itsreport on dust control atthe Oceano Dunes,State Parks informallyleases the La GrandeTract from the County,and the board ofsupervisors “has theauthority to substan-tially eliminate thehealth risk to the resi-dents on the NipomoMesa and in nearbyareas by the act ofterminating all vehic-ular recreationalactivity on the LaGrande Tract of theODSVRA. Remarkably,this can be done at thewill of the Board ofSupervisors and astroke of their pens.”) Local residents cameup to the microphone assupplicants pleadingthat at least some por-tion of their beach bemade safe for them byclosing off one en-trance and openinganother, or to complainabout the traffic, noise,and pollution that hasstunted their commu-nity and ask if therecould be slightly less. It’s time to simplify. Apublic works pro-gram should do whatState Parks says it

of collision between the demands of unfettered recreation and public health. Within the confines of SLO County, it seems to be a rule of thumb that thefarther away observers are from the Nipomo Mesa, the more likely they (andgrand juries) will go fuzzy on the essential implication of this fundamentalconflict. But as far as the PWP and time providing the answer to the question “Willthe PWP ultimately satisfy riding enthusiasts’ desire to replace every acretaken away by remediation with an acre for recreation somewhere else in theODSVRA?,” the California Coastal Commission, with a firm grip on thatpoint of collision and the stark priorities it presents, has already answeredthe question. And the answer is not just no, but hell no. Commissioner Steve Padilla spoke for many of his colleagues on the daisat the Commission’s September 2017 hearing in Cambria on the permit forthe dust control program:

“It’s like we have to weigh between the value of people’s right to recreatein a cool way, and abhorrent public health impacts. To me, I’m sorry, in myworld, forgive me if you think I’m crazy, but it is ludicrous that that’s even adiscussion.”

The Coastal Commission must approve the final drafts of both the dustreduction program and the public works plan for the ODSVRA. When theydo, we trust they will maintain that grip on priorities and insure that thisquestion remains a settled issue. Playing into State Parks’ determined delusion that the riding areas of theODSVRA are not the problem is a good way to ensure that the problem is

GRAND JURY continued on page 9

Grand Jurycontinued from previous page

PWPcontinued from previous page

wants to do: reimaginemanagement of theSVRA and put forwarda different vision ofvehicular recreationthere. A public worksprogram should con-vert the park to passiveuse, lower-cost visitor-serving recreation.Which is to say, thefuture of vehicularrecreation at theODSVRA is limitedcar camping. The fire falls atYosemite have beenterminated. Dynamitefishing and bear baitingare relics of the past.It’s time to conform toenvironmental laws asthey have evolvedsince the SVRA atOceano Dunes wasdesignated so that thepark does not keepkilling people, crushingendangered species,and giving us the dis-tinction of the worst airquality in the nation. We urge State Parksto read the writing inthe sand and take thisopportunity to grace-fully transition vehic-ular recreation atOceano Dunes to carcamping only. State Parks will holdpublic workshops onthe development andevaluation of PWPconcepts and the prep-aration of a preliminarydraft throughout thefall and winter of 2018.Ask to be put on themailing list at [email protected] you can attend orsubmit comments onconcepts on theirwebsite.


Upshot: As of the 2017 statelegislative session, AssemblymanCunningham has been the recipient of$47,800 in oil and gas industry money,including $13,000 from Chevron,

$13,000 from Phillips 66, $7,700 from Califor-nia Independent Petroleum Association, $4,500from Tesoro Corp., and $4,400 from SempraEnergy.* The only entities more generous toRep. Cunningham have been the real estate

Problematic environmental coverage & commentary in our local media

Summary: In the course of reporting on the filing of the petition signaturesnecessary to qualify a local anti-fracking initiative for the ballot in November, TheTribune quoted at length a “spokesman” for the out-of-nowhere Committee to Stopthe Oil and Gas Shutdown in San Luis Obispo County, as though said spokesman andhis committee represent a voice of local grass roots dissent opposing the measure toban fracking and halt oil field expansion. Those grass roots turn out to be astroturf.

“Petition aims to ban fracking in county,” Katlyn Leslie, The Tribune, May 7, 2018.

Taking issue - Who speaks?

Ten seconds ona search enginewould haverevealed to theTrib that Hankeis a former VicePresident ofMeridianPacific, thenationalpolitical consultancy firm founded by the famouslywell-oiled John Peschong, which touts itself as a“full-service, strategic political consulting andpublic affairs firm...working in nearly everystate to help our clients win at the ballot boxand in the court of public opinion.” On hisLinkedIn page, Hanke was -- and still is --prominently listed as Senior Advisor to StateAssemblyman Jordan Cunningham. This lendscontrast and context to the impression thatHanke is an average Joe and concerned citizenwho perhaps decided to get together with somefriends who share a personal affection for theoil industry and volunteered to be the spokes-man for the group.

After Santa LuciaChapter DirectorAndrew Christiepointed out all of theabove in a May 11 blogpost, Chris Finarelli,AssemblymanCunningham’s chief ofstaff, contacted theSierra Club on May 17to insist that Hanke isnot, in fact, Cunning-ham’s “StrategicAdvisor” and to askthat this reference andCunningham’s nametherefore be removedfrom the blog post,since Rep. Cunninghamhad no connection withHanke and thereforehad nothing to do with

this story. After being correctedas to Hanke’s actualtitle of Senior Advisor,per LinkedIn, andasked if Hanke hadpreviously servedCunningham in thatcapacity, Finarelliadmitted that he had,but then insisted thatHanke’s past employ-ment in the Assem-blyman’s office was nomore relevant to hiscurrent activities than“if he played football incollege.” When askedwho Hanke’s currentemployer is, Finarellireplied “I believe heworks for Meridian

Pacific.” When we filed anOpen Records Actrequest with the Assem-bly Rules Committee,we learned that Hankeleft his Assembly staffposition on April 20 —eleven days beforeproponents of the anti-fracking initiativeturned in 20,000+signatures to the SLOCounty Clerk to qualifythe measure for thecounty ballot, and twoweeks before Mr.Hanke popped up inThe Tribune as spokes-man for the opposition.

The Committee to Stop the Oil and Gas Shut-down in San Luis Obispo County protested theinitiative’s broad reach on Tuesday, claiming itwas an effort to stop all oil and gas productionin the county. Spokesman Aaron Hanke alsoclaimed the initiative would increase reliance onoutside sources for oil. “This initiative is unnec-essary and goes too far,” Hanke said.

“Please remove theAssemblyman’s name”

*FollowTheMoney.org

industry and Republican political action commit-tees. In the 2017 legislative session, Assembly Bill1328 -- strongly opposed by the oil industry --first came to a vote featuring robust requirementsfor disclosure of all chemicals used in oil industryactivities to better protect Californians from thosechemicals. Rep. Cunningham refrained fromvoting on the bill, giving the industry time to gutthose protections. Aaron Hanke’s path from Meridian Pacific toRep. Cunningham’s office -- and now, apparently,back to his old, oil-soaked stomping grounds --should be recalled whenever opposition is heard tothe SLO County anti-fracking bill and the listenerwonders who is really speaking.


Whether new to the Sierra Club or new to San Luis Obispo,welcome all to the Santa Lucia Chapter. We’re very glad tohave you aboard!

Welcome New Members!

TransfersS Schultz and A NicoleGloria FourieThomas StevensMarcelle LunauMichael HartAnnet DragavonDeborah ShibleyJim MillerVera DavisJeanne M BrownJana SlezakovaLinda BusekRalph Hyde

Ms Mary OgleMs Lucy McConnellMs Diane Flores-DuffyWard CaldwellDavid L & Erlene AlbersPat ChaneyKate CapelaMichelene Landseadel

NewEric JohnsonRenee RoederSue PalmerRebecca MurphyDianne HendersonLia ApplegarthMonica AbendanoStacy RoseCameron ParrettElaine JordisonJudge Mike CumminsMelissa CumminsDiane GregoryErin HolohanBryce AstonMartin LangZhan ShiDede JanzenEmily Franklin-ClarkAngela VargasCheryl StortonMrs Gloria HatleyCheryl BarrettAmi ManwaringMargaret MontgomeryRick VanBlairDavid McBride

By Jim Hines, Chair,Los Padres Chapter

Channel IslandsNational Park is agem in the Pacific,America’s Galapa-gos as they havebeen called. Hometo plant and animalspecies foundnowhere else onearth, the fiveislands wereestablished as anational park in1980, which isproposed forelimination in 2019. These fragileisland ecosystemsare now an incon-venient national park set in the middle of a vast undersea oilfield and at the center of an upcoming perfect political storm. Channel Islands National Park and the surrounding ChannelIslands National Marine Sanctuary are the subject of numerous

An Inconvenient Park

never solved, as is apparent at several points in the Stipulated AbatementOrder approved by the APCD Hearing Board on April 30. There are two primary sites for monitoring equipment that measure howmuch dust is coming from the dunes. One is the Oso Flaco site – the controlsite, measuring the amount of dust emitted from a natural, non-riding area,which State Parks can’t control. The other site measures dust from the ridingarea. The goal of a dust-reduction program should be to reduce the highlevels of dust from the riding area to the equivalent of the low levels of dustfrom the non-riding areas over the four-year term of the reduction plan. If aParticulate Matter Reduction Plan resulted in the number of days on whichdust emissions measured at the riding area exceeding state and federalstandards are reduced to a level equivalent to the number of exceedancesmeasured at the non-riding control site: Mission accomplished. In an apparent genuflection to State Parks’ refusal to admit what the datashows — that the riding area is the source of the high number of annualexceedances — instead of laying out this real-world goal, the abatementorder sets itself up for failure by mandating an across-the-board 50% cut inall dust emissions. It does not require the necessary comparison betweenriding and non-riding area monitor data to bring down the high level ofexceedances measured at the riding area to something like the low levelmeasured at the non-riding area. It also requires that a draft Particulate Matter Reduction Plan be submittedby State Parks next February that will lay out the manner in which it will

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GRAND JURY continued on page 10

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attain state and federal airquality standards “as expedi-tiously as practicable.” Without reciting the litany of35 years of chronic delay andfailure to meet the require-ments of its Coastal Develop-ment Permit and the County’sLocal Coastal Plan, let’s justsay that asking State Parks todeliver a plan without a deadline is a bad idea.The APCD Hearing Board should have knownthat, and the grand jury should have required theclosure of that “as expeditiously as practicable”loophole. Kudos to the grand jury, however, for itsrecommendation that “the La Grande Tract shallonly be used for non-vehicular camping orconventional recreational activity and that it notbe used for any type of vehicular-recreationalactivity” if the Plan fails to meet its four-yeargoal. Good idea. We would only point out thatputting that recommendation into effect now, notfour years from now, would be an even betteridea.

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policy discussions in the executive office of theU.S. Dept. of the Interior. (Interior oversees theNational Park Service and also oil leasing infederal ocean waters). “What do we do about Channel Islands NP?,”they ask. Rearranging the boundary of the parkto accommodate proposed drilling platforms isone of the topics discussed. New senior management changes are comingto Channel Islands NP as the position ofSuperintendent is now vacant. Interior SecretaryRyan Zinke will now be allowed to place hisperson to run our national park, as he has withseveral other nation-al parks in the western U.S.(the most recent forced retirement was atYellowstone), adhering to the Administration’sproposals to accommodate offshore drilling. I am still not sure from my discussions with theSecretary whether his office will use internaladministrative changes to Channel IslandsNational Park or go through congress. RobBishop (R-Utah), chair of the House Committeeon Natural Resources, has been briefed on theinternal proposals. The first of three bills ismoving through Congress which would transferall of the duties of the marine mammal protec-tion program currently under science-basedNOAA over to the politically driven Secretary ofthe Interior’s office. Federally protected whalesand other marine mammals are one moreinconvenience for the Administration’s plans forour offshore waters and national park. Growing up here and spending time on theChannel Islands as a child (my father was friendswith the former owners of several of the largestislands), I was so excited when congressdesignated the islands as America’s 40th nationalpark in 1980. But I never ever thought I wouldsee the day when a Presidential Administrationwould seek, in some form or another, to destroyChannel Islands National Park. As best I can, I will continue ongoing discus-sions about this issue with the Secretary’s office,and when the time comes for public comment Iwill urge each and very one of you and yourorganizations to send a message loud and clearto the Dept. of the Interior that we do not wantChannel Islands National Park changed in anyway.

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jurisdictions toparticipate in futureyears On May 15, the Cityof SLO issued a Re-quest for Proposals(RFP) “for energy andtechnical services tosupport the develop-ment and ongoingadministration of alocal CommunityChoice Energy (CCE)program.” This imple-mented the City Coun-cil’s direction to drafta technical study andsubmit an implementa-tion plan to the Cali-fornia Public UtilitiesCommission by theend of 2018 and get aprogram up and run-ning in 2020. The project willmaintain the flexibilityto support a municipalor multi-jurisdictionalCommunity ChoiceEnergy program,pending JPA progresswith the City of MorroBay. Meanwhile, the SLOClimate Coalition ismeeting regularly withthe purpose of enga-ging stakeholders in

SLO’s major city goalof achieving the “netzero-carbon city” targetand creating a Commu-nity Choice Energy

TAKE ACTIONGo to http://www.carbonfreeslo.org/to sign up for email alerts. #CarbonFreeSLO.

program -- one inwhich five more citiesand a tardy County canparticipate. Speed the day.

TAKE ACTION


Senise, (805) 712-5248.

Sat., July 7th, 10:00am, Morro BayHistoric Walk.Guided stroll pastdowntown buildings,murals, and Embarca-dero to uncover thetown’s beginningsfrom fishing village toWorld War II navybase. Meet in frontof the Bay Theatre,464 Morro Bay Blvd. No charge. ContactJoe, (805) 549-0355.

Sun., July 22nd, 8:30am, Mountain bikeride, East CuestaRidge. Meet at theEast Cuesta Ridge Rd.parking area, east sideof Hwy 101 at the topof Cuesta Ridge. Wewill ride along EastCuesta Ridge Rd. forabout 7 miles (14 milesr/t), with a gradual1,100 ft. elevationgain. Points ofinterested will benoted, including therare Santa Lucia Man-zanita and KnobconePine forest. Bring amountain bike, helmet,adequate water, andsnacks. No RSVPneeded, and no dogsplease. For moreinformation, contactBill, (805) 459 2103.Wed.-Sun.

Aug. 8th-12th,Central NevadaBackpack: TwinRivers Loop, ArcDome. This area hasbeen described as oneof “deep, ruggedcanyons, high baldpeaks, elk and wetfeet.” The trip beginson the North TwinRiver, near Carver,about an hour’s drivenortheast of Tonopah,at an elevation around6,300 ft. After arriving

at the trailhead, wehike in 2 or 3 miles toour first camp. Thenext day we hikeanother 5 miles andcamp. On day 3, we doa day hike (bring a day-pack) to the top of11,773 ft. Arc Dome,12 miles r/t with 4,100ft. elevation gain. Day4 sees the start downSouth Twin, with acamp after severalmiles. The last day isthe hike out. 6 miles,3,000 ft. elevation gainwith backpacks. Limit12 participants. Con-tact David H., (702)875-4826, [email protected](email preferred).Southern NevadaGroup/CNRCC DesertCommittee.

Sat.-Sun., August11th-12th, PerseidMeteor Shower in theBlack Rock Desert.Another fun trip to theBlack Rock Desertabout 100 miles northof Reno. This shouldbe a good weekend forthe Per-seid Meteorshower since it’s thedark of the moon andthe Black Rock is areally remote area.We’ll be camped mid-playa and will probablyvisit nearby hot springsplus have a potluckSaturday, but expect apretty large group.Bring food and water,but we’ll haveportapotties. No camp-fires! LNT. Leader isvery familiar with thearea. Sign up after Aug.1st with David, (775)843-6443. Great BasinGroup/CNRCC DesertCommittee.

Sun., August 12th,8:30 am, Poly Canyonand Stenner Creekloop. Meet on the CalPoly campus, at thecorner of Village Dr.and Truckee Rd. Thehike is 8 miles with an

800 ft.elevation gain.The hike willproceed upPoly Canyonand return viaStenner CreekRd., passingthrough oaksand grassland.Bring waterand snacks.Sturdy shoes,sunscreen, hat,layeredclothing arerecom-mended. NoRSVP, dogsOK. For moreinformation,contactBill, (805) 4592103.

Sat., August 18th,9:00 am, Point Sal,Paradise Beach,Mussel Rock andRancho GuadalupeBeach. This hike takesyou to some of themost beautiful coast-line in Central Califor-nia. Paradise Beachsees few people be-cause it is situated aconsiderable distancefrom paved roads. Thisis considered a mod-erately strenuous hikewith 1,200 feet ofelevation gain in 11miles. We will walkNorth from Brown Rd.to West Main St. Therewill be a car shuttle.Meet before the lockedgate at the end ofBrown Rd., approxi-mately 4 miles from

Route 1. For more infocontact Carlos, (805)546-0317.

Sat., August 25th,9:30 am, Paso RoblesHistoric Neighbor-hood Walk. Aguided stroll pastcentury-old Victorianhomes and 1890schurches to explorecity’s pioneer heri-tage. Meet at Springand 10th Streets. Nocharge. Leader: Joe,(805) 549-0355.

Sat., Aug. 25th, 9:30am Gaviota BeachBack Country, SantaBarbara Co. Amoderately strenuoushike from GaviotaBeach to the windcaves and radio tower

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above Hwy 101,returning by the sameroute. Views of theGaviota Coast andmountains, scramblingaround shallow cavesin the rocks, about 6miles roundtrip. Wearlayers and sun protec-tion, bring water, goodshoes. Coming from thenorth, go south on Hwy101 past Buellton, justbeyond the Gaviota restarea. Turn right intoGaviota State Parkentrance, stay to theright, don’t go into thepark; follow the roadaround a turn and parkat trailhead. Eatsafterwards! Contact Andrea for more infoand carpooling infor-mation, (805) 264-4527.

(805) 549-0355

Bill Waycott, Outings Chair(806) 459-2103 [email protected]

12 Santa Lucian • Jul./Aug. 2018Sierra ClubSanta Lucia ChapterP. O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 84

SAN LUIS OBISPOCA 93401

Outings and Activities CalendarSeller of travel registration information: CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

All our hikes and activities are open to all Club members and the general public. Please bring drinking water to alloutings and optionally a lunch. Sturdy footwear is recommended. All phone numbers listed are within area code805 unless otherwise noted. Pets are generally not allowed. A parent or responsible adult must accompany childrenunder the age of 18. If you have any suggestions for hikes or outdoor activities, questions about the Chapter’souting policies, or would like to be an outings leader, call Outings Chair Bill Waycott, (805) 459-2103. Forinformation on a specific outing, please call the listed outing leader.

This is a partial listing of Outingsoffered by our chapter.

Please check the web pagewww.santalucia.sierraclub.org for

the most up-to-date listing ofactivities.

Island Hopping in Channel IslandsNational Park. July 15-17; August 19-21;September 23-25; October 21-23. Join us fora 3-day, 3-island, live-aboard tour of theChannel Islands. Hike windswept trailsbordered with blazing wildflowers. Kayakrugged coastlines, marvel at pristine watersteeming with frolick-ing seals and sea lionsand an occasional whale. Watch for the highlyendangered island fox. Look for reminders ofthe Chumash people who lived on theseislands for thousands of years. Or just relax atsea. All cruises depart from Santa Barbara.$675 cost includes assigned bunk and allmeals. A park ranger/naturalist will help leadhikes and give evening programs. Kayakingoverseen by our concessionaire; all hikes ontrails, class 1 terrain. This is a fund-raiser tosupport the Sierra Club political program inCalifornia. To reserve space send a $100deposit to “California Sierra Club PAC” toJoan Jones Holtz, 11826 The Wye St., ElMonte, CA 91732. For information: JoanJones Holtz: jholtzhln@ aol.com; 626-443-0706. Wayne Vollaire: [email protected]; 909-327-6825.

Fri.- Sun, July 6th-8th, Black RockDesert, Nevada - “2ndFourth of July.”Another fun trip to theBlack Rock Desertabout 100 miles northof Reno. This will be asmaller group, butexpect several dozenpeople camped on theedge of the Playa. Thisis a busy weekend onthe Playa as manyBurning Man attendeesuse this weekend as a“shakedown cruise” forBurning Man. This

may be a “second 4thof July,” with bigfireworks and brightlights. There’s usually apotluck or Dutch ovencookoff on Saturday.We’ll also visit hotsprings and the Emi-grant Trail! Bring foodand water, we’ll haveportapotties. LNT.Leader is very familiarwith the area. Sign upafter June 24th withDavid, (775) 843-6443Great Basin Group/CNRCC DesertCommittee.

Sat., July 7th, 9:00am – 11:00 am,Salinas River explora-tion and family fun.Come explore theSalinas River bed inAtascadero. We willwalk in and through theriver, exploring theanimals, insects, am-phibians, and plantsthat live here in ourbackyard. Approxi-mately 1-2 miles, notstrenuous. We willmeet at the Wal-green’s parking lot,south side (corner of El

Camino Real andCurbaril Ave.) at 8:45am to car pool. Wewill depart for the riverat 8:55 am. Wear a hat,shorts, and water-resistantshoes - NOFLIP FLOPSPLEASE!Bring drink-ing water.Sorry, nodogs thistime. Call

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