*****************************************************************************************  

COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB December 2008 Meeting Minutes

Mina Williams and Venice Scheurich gave a brief report of the Uranium Reseach and Advisory Committee meeting which they had attended this morning in Goliad. They also reported on last week’s Bee County Commissioners’ Court meeting at which, after considerable discussion, the commissioners decided not to pass a resolution endorsing in situ uranium mining in their county. The letter of endorsement had been requested by officials of two uranium companies operating in South Texas. Company executives, apparently, had hoped to obtain the Court’s endorsement letter and use it to persuade state legislators convening in January that opponents of in situ mining did not have strong support.

Hal Suter, who is active in the newly formed local group Clean Economy Coalition, which opposes Chase’s Las Brisas coke fired power plant proposal, reported that CBSC member Naomi Linzer has been elected treasurer of the coalition. Michael Smith is president and Dr. L. Stehn is secretary. Hal also reported that the Executive Committee of the Nueces County Medical Society will hold a press conference soon voicing their opposition to the Las Brisas project.

Joyce Jarmon and Edith Cosgrove , who serve on the local industrial advisory committees, reported that the technician in charge of the industrial zone air monitors which were set up by the University of Texas made a recent presentation to the Long Term Health Committee. Pat Suter reminded members that the TCEQ website reports readings of local air monitoring which are updated every fifteen minutes.

Teresa Carrillo, who serves as an environmental representative on the Region N Water Planning Group, said that the Region’s water plan has been posted on the Nueces River Authority website and comments on the plan are now being taken. Hal Suter moved, with a second by Joyce Jarmon, that Teresa be authorized to write CBSC’s official comment on Region N’s plan. Also on water issues, Hal reminded the group that scientific committees and planners have started work on the coastal projects which were mandated in SB 3. Pat, Teresa, and Hal are informed on this process and will provide updates to CBSC.

Pat Suter briefed members on efforts by Lone Star Sierra and by the Grand Canyon Chapter Sierrans in Arizona to stop and, in the future, "undo" work on the Border Fence. These efforts are being made because in building the fence the Department of Homeland Security is avoiding requirements of thirty federal laws including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. CBSC members agreed to send a monetary donation to the Grand Canyon Chapter to help with their work.

Hal Suter, our representative on the Lone Star Executive Committee, again reminded members to watch for the upcoming issue of the Lone Star Sierran and look for the enclosed ballot which will include Teresa Carrillo’s name as a candidate for an ExCom position. Pat stated that usually about 300 members voted (out of 21,000+ members). Therefore, even though CBSC’s membership is small compared to large urban areas, if we all vote, Teresa’s chances should be good.

In other business, Joyce Jarmon moved that the current slate of officers be reelected, and Edith Cosgrove seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

In the final item of business, it was decided that CBSC should have an official statement to submit to the Corpus Christi City Council regarding proposals for building coal or coke-fired power plants. Teresa Carrillo moved, with a second by Hal Suter, that our position should state that no new power plant should be constructed without regulating carbon dioxide emissions. The motion carried unanimously.

Submitted by Venice Scheurich, December 2, 2008.

COASTAL BEND GROUP

                       EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Pat Suter	852-7938	Chairman
phsuter@stx.rr.com
Mina Williams	882-1179	V.Chairman
Teresa Carrillo	361-672-4703	Treasurer
Venice Scheurich	241-4289	Secretary
Hal Suter	852-7938	Lone Star Chapter   Represent.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Recycling	993-3737	Kenn Jobe
Venice Scheurich  & Mina Williams	241-4289 882-1179	Uranium Mining
Bill Alling	289-9090	Air Quality
Kathy Griffith	578-5291	Membership/Publicity/Audubon Club Liason
Hal Suter and Mina Williams	852-7938	Political
Hal Suter	852-7938	Walks
Hal Suter Teresa Carrillo	852-7938	Representataive to Lone Star Chapter
Joyce Jarmon		Refinery Emissions & Community Advisory Council/Long Term Health Care
Edie Cosgrove		Refinery Emissions
Cheryl McGrath		Webmaster

  Cheryl McGrath      Webmaster
  csmcgrath@earthlink.net             

..........................................................................................................................  

        Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa    Commissioner Jerry Patterson
        P.O. Box 12068                            GLO 1700 Congress Ave.
        Austin, TX 78711-2068                 Austin, Texas 78701

         Commissioner (Chairman)                                          
         TCEQ                                       
         P.O. Box 13087                      
         Austin, TX 78711        

        FEDERAL

        President George Bush
        The White House
        Washington, DC
        president@white-house.gov
                                             
                             

Coastal Bend Sierra Club E-Mail

This page was last updated on 01/07/09.

 Protect America's Environment.
For our families, for our future.
       
A Philosophy of Stewardship               
The Sierra Club's statement of Purpose is:  To explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

As a grassroots-based organization, we rely on individuals for our resources, talent, and energy.  Our members are our most important assets.   


COASTAL BEND HOME PAGE         ARCHIVES        IMAGES

           Website Design: Cheryl McGrath                            

……………………………………………………………………………

 

This page was last updated on 01/07/09.