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              COASTAL BEND GROUP

                     South Texas Uranium News Violations in Goliad 04/03/07

March NEWS 2007

Important Events

OUR NEXT COASTAL BEND GROUP SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Apr. 17,  2007
Time: 11:30AM
Place: The Central Library on Comanche

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COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB March2007 Meeting Minutes

The Coastal Bend Sierra Club met from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 20, at the
Central Library on Comanche Street.  After welcoming members, Chairperson Pat Suter
asked for a report on political matters.

Hal Suter, Political Committee Chairperson, reminded members that the 2007 ballot from
National Sierra includes 11 candidates for the Board of Directors for the 2007-2010 term.
Eight were chosen by the nominating committee from a list of 20 prospects, and three are
petition candidates. For information on the candidates, visit:
http://www.sierraclub.org/bod/2007election

Members may vote for 5 or fewer by mail or by signing on to: https://www.esc-vote.com/sierra2007
Ballots must be received by noon EDT, Monday, April 23, 2007.

Hal Suter also reported on the push by Strategic Project Planning (SPP) groups and TXDOT
to move forward with the Trans-Texas Corridor. Many rural Texans are opposed to the highway,
which would essentially be using the right of eminent domain for a private venture. Sierra is asking
TXDOT to upgrade the railroad to encourage rail traffic, which is more efficient and less disruptive
than truck traffic. Hal and Pat urged members of Coastal Bend to use the post cards distributed at
the meeting to write their comments to:

Peggy Thurin, P.E.
TXDOT
17111 Preston Rd., Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75248-1232

For more information, log on to: http://www.texas.sierraclub.org/press/newsrelease/20070309.asp

Lois Huff and Pat Suter reminded members of Earth Day/Bay Day events at Cole Park on April 21. Find
information at www.baysfoundation.org. They also mentioned the Texas Living Waters Conference in
Austin on March 30. If interested in this meeting, contact Lois at loish@baysfoundation.org

Hal Suter said he would be in Austin for the ExCom meeting that weekend, and perhaps car-pooling could be considered.

Lois Huff also reported on her February trip to Washington, D.C., on wetlands and development, and attacks
on the Clean Water Act. In March, Lois joined a Sierra-sponsored work crew which did restoration work on
former West Texas ranchlands.

Mina Williams and Venice Scheurich reported that two Texas Senate bills and several Texas House bills were
being studied by citizens in Kleberg and Goliad Counties because of implications that the bills might have on
protecting groundwater during uranium exploration and mining. Pat Suter volunteered to ask Lone Star Sierra
to advise us on committee hearing dates for these bills.

Joyce Jarmon and Edith Cosgrove, who attend Industrial Advisory Committee meetings which address air quality
in the city, reported that benzene emissions exceeded the safe limits on four days in February. Pat Suter stated that
a quarterly report by a University of Texas group which monitors the local air pollution network will be out soon. For
on-line information on local air quality, log on to:
http://www.tceq.state.tx.us

Teresa Carrillo gave the treasurer’s report, and suggested that members think seriously about how to raise money to
reimburse some of the funds used for operating expenses. Naomi Linzer suggested that interest earned on CDs could
be used. Members also discussed the possibility of a garage sale or a raffle. Members will make the decision on
fund-raising at the next meeting.

Submitted by Venice Scheurich

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STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES – 2007 SESSION – TENTATIVE (Adopted 7/2006)

Clean Air

Reduction of toxic and other harmful emissions from industrial plants and electric power
generating plants and prevention of air quality teterioration by a proliferation of new
coal-fired power plants.

* through enactment of legislation to tighten the review and regulation of the health impacts
   of air pollution sources and to respond more effectively to the continuing problem of
   "upset" air emissions; and
* through a moratorium on permitting of new coal-fired power plants in Texas to allow
   a thorough review of the proposed plant technologies and the cumulative air quality
   impacts of those plants

Environmental Flow Protection

Preservation and provision of instream flows and freshwater inflows to bays and
estuaries necessary to maintain healthy fish and wildlife populations.

* through enactment of legislation establishing a process to determine and to meet
  environmental flow needs necessary to maintain a sound ecological environment
   in Texas coastal bays & associated river basins


Smart Energy Solutions

More efficient use of energy and increased reliance on renewable energy sources

* through standards for greater energy efficiency for appliances sold in Texas and new buildings
   and homes built in Texas; and
* an increase in the renewable standard portfolio of electric power utility providers

State & Local Parks Funding

A dependable source of funding for acquisition, maintenance, and management of
Texas state & local parks to meet growing habitat preservation and outdoor recreation needs

* through raising or eliminating the cap on the revenue from the sporting goods tax that is
   allocated to state & local parks, supplementing sporting goods tax revenue with other
   fee revenue, and/or pursuing voter approval of bonds adequate to meet park repair and
   acquisition needs over the next decade

Water Conservation

More efficient use of water by Texas consumers, agricultural producers, businesses,
and institutions through conservation

* through enactment of the legislative recommendations of the Texas Water Conservation
   Implementation Task Force, including expansion of existing conservation planning
   requirements to a larger number or retail water suppliers

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                          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	State Delegate
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Venice Scheurich	241-4289	Conservation
Bill Alling		Air Quality
Kathy Griffith	578-5291	Membership/Publicity
Hal Suter and Mina Williams	852-7938	Political
Hal Suter	852-7938	Walks
Hal Suter	852-7938	Rep. to Lone Star Ch.
Kathy Griffith	578-5291	Field Trips
Teresa Carillo	882-3439	Field Trips
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                         Austin, Texas 78701

         Commissioner (Chairman)       President George Bush
          TCEQ                                        The White House
          P.O. Box 13087                       Washington, DC
          Austin, TX 78711                     president@white-house.gov
                                             
                             

Coastal Bend Sierra Club E-Mail

This page was last updated on 04/19/07.

 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.   


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