Dick Boyd, ExCom Chair
The ExCom will discuss policies, issues, procedures, and activities for the Chapter. The Chapter Lobbyist and the various issue Chairs will give reports.
Several priority agenda items include:
1. The XL Pipeline Opposition Strategies
2. Legislative Activities of the Chapter Lobbyist
3. The Annual Banquet
All chapter members are welcome to attend the meeting and to participate in the discussions. ]]>
In the aftermath of the controversy over the national ad campaign attacking US Senators Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns, I had a conversation with Paula Carrell, the Sierra Club state lobbyist coordinator. We discussed the potential impacts of the ad campaign on our lobbying efforts and reached a consensus that it was likely our opponents would use the ad campaign to paint us as being extreme and outside the Nebraska mainstream. She indicated that she had unused lobby grant funds and asked if I would be interested in putting together a grant application to make use of these funds. I responded enthusiastically and generated a grant application requesting additional funds to support our lobbying effort during the interim. After several weeks of requests for additional information and responses, I received notification that my application had been approved. As a result, the Chapter will receive $20,000 from the national organization to support lobbying activities during the remainder of 2010.
I have put together an action plan that I intend to carry out in the coming weeks and months. The first priority will be working on policies to protect our groundwater. A big part of this priority will be developing state and local policies to regulate and provide oversight over oil pipelines with the intention of keeping them away from key resources such as the Sand Hills and the Ogallala aquifer. The next priority will be supporting funding systems for consumer energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The third priority will be policies to protect stream flows in rivers like the Niobrara and the Platte. The final priority will be opposing bad legislation, such as weakening controls over confined animal feeding operations.
A big part of my activities will be visiting with as many key legislators as possible prior to the beginning of the session. I will also be having conversations with water law experts and representatives of key interest groups in this process. Brittany Crawford will be working on expanding our contacts and mobilizing them when we need them to get messages to policy makers. This is a very exciting project and I am looking forward to spending the next four months engaged in this effort. I also want to pay tribute to Paula Carrell for thinking creatively and supportively to make this happen. ]]>
Ken Winston
I am writing to provide an update on activities devoted to opposing the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. In
June I arranged to have Paul Blackburn from Plains Justice and Jane Kleeb from Bold Nebraska to make presentations at the ExCom meeting. On June 30th I participated in an information session/event at the downtown Omaha Public Library. On July 21st I was a panelist at a webinar broadcast from the NET studios in Lincoln regarding the pipeline. I have also suggested questions that state senators should be asking about the pipeline and I have been involved in numerous meetings and conversations opposing the pipeline. In the last week of August I put together a press release attacking TransCanada’s threats to use eminent domain against Nebraska landowners and was quoted extensively in an article that was printed in the Omaha World Herald on August 30th.
This pipeline is a terrible idea every way you look at it. It starts with the clear cutting of boreal forests in Canada and continues with strip mining the surface to remove the oil bearing sand. The refining process
is incredibly toxic and energy intensive, requiring heat from natural gas to extract the oil and chemicals that
generate a toxic stew of byproducts that are stored in poisonous tailings ponds. Thousands of birds and other wildlife have been killed after coming into contact with the tailings ponds. New studies have found higher concentrations of toxic materials such as arsenic and mercury in the Athabasca River downstream from the tar sands extraction area. It also showed higher concentrations of numerous heavy metals leaching out of tar sands mining sites. These substances are toxic to fish and represent health threats to humans who eat the fish.
As an environmental justice issue, tar sands mining harms the health and livelihood of the Native American
people who live in the vicinity of the mining operations. Studies have found higher incidents of cancer among
residents who live downstream from the mining areas. In addition, many Native Americans in the area depend on being able to use traditional hunting and fishing areas for their sustenance and livelihood. The mining operations with their clear cutting of forests, strip mining the land and generating toxic substances that leach into the rivers have devastated many of these hunting and fishing areas.
It is also a terrible idea from a Nebraska perspective. TransCanada is proposing a route that would run the
pipeline across miles of the Sand Hills and over the Ogallala aquifer. The Sand Hills are a delicate ecosystem,
easily damaged and difficult to repair. A small rut can easily become a major blowout if it is not treated
properly. The Ogallala aquifer is one of Nebraska’s most valuable resources, since it provides most of the water for residential, industrial and agricultural use in the region. Pollution from a leak in an oil pipeline would be very damaging to the plants and animals that depend on this water source, not to mention the economic damage to the people of the area.
TransCanada also showed their true colors by threatening to use eminent domain against landowners who would not sign easement agreements with them, even though the pipeline has not yet been approved by the State Department. After we ran our press release in conjunction with Bold Nebraska, TransCanada backed off and said they weren’t going to use eminent domain at the present time. TransCanada has also made unbelievable representations about how safe the pipeline is, when we are aware of several leaks in oil pipelines that have occurred just this year.
I am going to be working more intensively in opposition to the pipeline in the next few months. These
efforts will be carried out in conjunction with other groups working against to the pipeline, particularly Plains
Justice and Bold Nebraska. I will be pointing out the problems with the pipeline, the environmental damage caused by tar sands mining and pipeline leaks as well as issues with TransCanada’s representations. My main focus will be to send a message to key decision-makers that this pipeline is a bad idea and should not be approved. My secondary effort will be to work with policy makers to increase the level of oversight over the pipeline.
I encourage as many of you as possible to get involved in efforts opposing the tar sands pipeline. It takes
just a few minutes to make a call or send a note to the members of our congressional delegation telling them to tell the State Department to deny the TransCanada pipeline permit. It is also important to contact state officials and tell them to enact laws that protect our aquifer and other natural resources from oil pipelines.
Clyde Anderson, ExCom Treasurer
There are so many important environmental issues the Nebraska Chapter of the Sierra Club is working on such as supporting renewable energy development in our state, opposing construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and protecting vital stream flows for fish and wildlife habitat.
Except for our independent contractor lobbyist and his staff, the work of our chapter is accomplished by a
dedicated cadre of volunteers. Here’s an opportunity for you to join the team! Our Chapter is led by an Executive Committee (ExCom) of 15 members. Eleven are elected for two-year terms, and each of the four local groups has a voting delegate on the ExCom. Our Bylaws require that members of the ExCom be elected during the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
ExCom members are expected to attend the five yearly Chapter meetings and occasionally participate in other Chapter business via email and conference calls. Meetings are usually held in Lincoln except Omaha hosts the November meeting and Annual Banquet.
In preparation for the elections, the ExCom has appointed a Nominating Committee consisting of Glen Murray (308) 381-1397, Albert Lierz (402) 453-2933 and Brittany Crawford (402) 641-3315. If possible, this committee nominates at least two more candidates than the number of open seats on the ExCom up for election. This year six seats on the ExCom will be up for election, so we need to nominate at least eight people for the election. Anyone interested in running for election to the ExCom should contact any member of the Nominating Committee named above.
An alternative method for being listed on the election ballot is the petition method. Any member of the Nebraska Chapter may be proposed for election upon the written request of 15 members of the Chapter, provided the proposed nominee gives his/her consent to being a candidate. Petitions for nomination signed by 15 or more members should also be submitted to any member of the Nominating Committee. For further information, please contact members of the Nominating Committee.
]]>Dick Boyd, ExCom Chair
Some have probably been informed that a number of the Nebraska Sierra Club members, myself included, were not pleased with the attack ads against U.S. Senators Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns. Some members may have agreed that the Senators positions warranted the attack ads as oil-soaked pelicans.
I introduced State Senator Ken Haar at his press conference as the Chair of the Nebraska Sierra Club. I was of the belief that was vital to explain to Nebraskans that we did not support the ad campaign endorsed by our national organization. Additionally, the attack ads also were sponsored by the SEIU, VotesVets.org, the League of Conservation Voter and our Sierra Club.
Three key reason for the opposition to the ad campaign were:
1.The Nebraska Chapter was not consulted prior to the ads going on the air/TV. When we found out about the ads, we repeatedly asked that they be withdrawn, or that the Sierra Club remove its name from them. The ads continue to run in spite of our opposition to them.
2.We do not do things this way in Nebraska. Although we may disagree with the position that Senators Nelson and Johanns have taken, we do not engage in attack ads. We believe that constructive dialogue with policy makers is the best was to get things done.
3. This ad campaign represents a huge waste of resources that could have been better used to present a message about the solutions the Sierra Club supports.
Also, a press release was released following Senator Haar’s press conference in which I stated the following, “The ad was developed by our national organization. The style and tone of the ad was not consistent with how the Nebraska Chapter Chair of the Sierra Club prefers to communicate with our elected officials, and would not have been my choice. The Nebraska Chapter was not consulted about the ads prior to their airing and would have recommended against them if we had been consulted. The Nebraska Chapter agrees with the position taken by the national organization in opposing this amendment, but we disagree with the manner that it was done. The Nebraska Chapter believes the style and tone of these ads was inappropriate and unacceptable. To everyone offended by the way this message was presented, including Senators Nelson and Johanns, we wish to offer our apology.”
I’m not sure which newspapers used the press release, however, was informed that I had made comments on NPR and one other TV station. That was news to this writer because I had not been contacted by these news outlets. Therefore the comments may have come from the press release.
Debbie Sease, National Campaign Director, acknowledges that the Nebraska Chapter believes the style and tone of the ads were inappropriate and unacceptable. However, she continues that we were in full agreement with the national organization that the vote cast by Senator Nelson to prevent the blockage of the Clean Air Act authority to regulate global warming pollution to protect public health was also unacceptable.
Hopefully this matter has been concluded, however, wanted to inform the general membership of what had transpired.
]]>The GOC Green Home Tour is offered in connection with UNO Homecoming.
The 2010 Green Homes Tour-Green Homecoming is an opportunity for Omaha residents to learn how to green their living environments. The event will showcase midtown-Omaha homes, and each will feature a different theme. Free shuttle service to the tour homes will be available at University of Nebraska at Omaha newly built Mammel Hall.
MoValley Sierra Club needs volunteers for our booth.Contact: albert_lierz@yahoo.com
Tickets ($5/person) may be purchased at the UNO–Mammel Hall on the day of the event.
Proceeds fund activities of GOC and Nebraska Flatwater Chapter of the US Green Building Council.
Green Homecoming Schedule of Events 9:00am - 1:00pm
7:30 - 8:45 AM Vendor Set-Up Time
9:00 AM Expo Doors Open
9:15 AM Kick-off and Speaker Introduction by Ron Duce
9:20 - 9:45 AM Speaker Presentation: Bill Moore
9:45 - 10:00 AM Dean Pol Welcomes Guests
10:00 AM Board Shuttles for Green Homes Tour
10:00 AM - 12 PM Green Home Tours to four off-site houses (30 min. at each house)
12:45 PM Closing and Raffle Give-Aways
1:00 PM End Expo
Presented by
•Kiewit Building Group
•USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter
•Nebraska Solar Energy Society
•The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction at UNL
•The Green Omaha Coalition
The Homes
The Mammel Hall and ZNETH house will be a walking tour. Other houses will be accessed with shuttle services
starting at 10 a.m., or on own if people wish to drive themselves.
•Mammel Hall - “LEED Certified”
College of Business Administration - UNO - 6708 Pine Street
•ZNETH - “Zero Net Energy” - 6454 Woolworth Ave.
•Paul Vonderfecht - “Energy Smart” - 1315 S. 92nd Circle
•Brian Allen and Sarah Nieves - “More than AC” - 4909 Davenport Street
•Sharon Blackburn - “Contemporary Green” - 801 S. 80th Street
•Joel Holm - 846 S. 52nd Street
Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteers will be needed to take tickets, explain green features, and ride the shuttle between the homes. A
training session for the volunteers is tentatively slated for Tuesday evening, September 14th. Contact Rosemary Edzie, redzie2@unl.edu, or go to the GOC website and fill out form.
Vendors - go to GOC website and fill out form.
Visit this website for forms/maps/details:
http://greenomahacoalition.org/index.cfm?page=greenhomes2010
Why: To inform the public about the Keystone XL pipeline, promote renewable energy and gather support. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - Help us fill every street corner!
And please pass this along to your listserves, post on Facebook, etc. As always, unless a severe thunderstorm hits, we will rally!
Carpool if possible. I’ll be coming from downtown but can pick up people along the way, just let me know (and I do usually stay at the rally the full 2 hours).
Thanks so much for your support!
Jane Wilson, Guardians of the Good Life - http://guardiansofthegoodlife.wordpress.com/
Date: Thursday, August 26 Time: 3pm to 7pm
Where: Boyer Chute NWR Office, 3720 Rivers Way, Ft. Calhoun NE 68023
Refuge staff at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Fort Calhoun, Neb., are beginning work on a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). The first step of the 2-year planning process is to ask neighbors, local communities, and others interested in the Refuge’s future for comments on the issues and opportunities the Refuge will encounter over the next 15 years.
Refuge staff will host an open house to provide the public with an opportunity to share opinions and information about the Refuge in person, and to learn about the CCP process. Everyone is invited to attend the open house, which will be held at the Boyer Chute NWR Refuge Office on Thursday, August 26, 2010, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (3720 Rivers Way, Ft. Calhoun, Neb., 68023). With a wide range of resources and activities on the Refuge, Service staff expect a diversity of ideas, opinions, and interests to be expressed during the public comment period in August.
Comments and other information the Refuge receives now will be used in developing potential future management alternatives. Upon completion, the CCP will guide long-term management decisions and contain goals, objectives, and strategies that direct Refuge activities over the next 15 years. The plan will also ensure that the Refuge contributes to the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and fulfills its established purposes. Comprehensive conservation plans provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions of the Refuge, and how the Service will implement management strategies.
Public involvement is an essential part of the planning process. Everyone interested in the Refuge’s future is encouraged to submit written comments on management issues they feel should be considered in planning. Comments can be submitted to the Refuge in person, through the mail, or via the internet. Address submissions to: Boyer Chute NWR, Attn: CCP Comment, 3720 Rivers Way, Ft. Calhoun, NE 68023, or e-mail submissions to r3planning@fws.gov. Comments should be submitted by the end of the official comment period, September 6, 2010, so that they may be considered throughout the planning process.
Boyer Chute NWR was authorized in 1992 in an ongoing effort to recover, restore, and safeguard fish and wildlife habitat along the Missouri River corridor. The Refuge has an approved acquisition boundary of 9,912 acres. Of that, the Service currently owns and manages approximately 4,040 acres. These lands conserve landscape features found only along major rivers systems including backwaters, side channels, and islands; as well as a diversity of associated floodplain habitats ranging from wetlands and tallgrass prairies to riparian woodlands.
The habitats host abundant and diverse resident wildlife, including endangered species, and serve as important stop-over sites for great numbers of migratory birds in the Central Flyway. The Refuge also provides unique opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation along the Missouri River to the greater Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, as well as a number of smaller communities.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve,
protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov.
by Jane Wilson
Guardians of the Good Life is sponsoring a week of action, August 18-25, to speak out about the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline and educate as many people as possible about this eminent threat to our Sand Hills and our water supply. The kickoff event is the”Human Oil Spill” down the hill at Memorial Park on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. http://guardiansofthegoodlife.wordpress.com/week-of-action/ Also in support of this week of action, the following rallies will be held at the noted locations/times. Pick one or two or come to them all and help us spread the word and stand up for the Good Life in Nebraska!
Thursday, Aug. 19, 5-7 p.m. - 120th & Center (Sorry for the short notice - you can park in the southwest corner)
Saturday, August 21, 2-4 p.m. - 72nd & Dodge (park on the WEST side of Petco)
Tuesday, Aug. 24, 5-7 p.m. - 90th & Maple (try parking in the southwest corner lot - Westlake Hardware)
Why: To inform the public about the Keystone XL pipeline, promote renewable energy and gather support. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - Help us fill every street corner!
And please pass this along to your listserves, post on Facebook, etc. As always, unless a severe thunderstorm hits, we will walk the sidewalks!
Carpool if possible. For Thursday, I’ll be in the bank parking lot on 90th & Dodge at 4:45 and can take 3 people to the 120th & Center rally (PLEASE BE PROMPT). I do stay at the rally the full 2 hours. I can also carpool w/ people who live in midtown for the other rallies. Please let me know.
Thanks so much for your support!
Jane Wilson, Guardians of the Good Life
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Clyde Anderson, ExCom Treasurer
Omaha has a wonderful trail system with nearly 100 miles of paved trails. However, most of the existing trails tend to run from northwest to southeast following the many branches of the Papio Creek drainage plus the north-south Riverfront Trail following the Missouri River. We lack east-west trails forcing walkers and cyclists to use streets.
For more than 15 years there has been a proposal to build a trail connecting the Keystone Trail at Karen Park east to a connection with the Field Club Trail near 34th & Vinton Streets in the Summit neighborhood. The Keystone-East Trail, as it is now called, is well on the way to becoming a reality!
Click here for full story and photos! ]]>