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                                     "When we try to pick out anything
                                                by itself, we find it
                                                hitched to everything else
                                                in the universe."
                                                                              -John Muir

              COASTAL BEND GROUP

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

APRIL NEWS 2007
We had a very successful EARTH DAY - BAY DAY celebration with more than 10,000 people attending!  Mina Williams and  Venice Scheurich had prepared an excellent exhibit on uranium mining in Goliad county and we ran out of handouts.  All are beginning to get interested in this activity. 

There will be a special lobby day in Austin on Tuesday on uranium mining and Mina and Venice will attend to represent Coastal Bend Group. 

Important Events

OUR NEXT COASTAL BEND GROUP SIERRA CLUB MEETING
May 15,  2007
Time: 11:30AM
Place: The Central Library on Comanche

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COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB April 2007 Meeting Minutes

The Coastal Bend Sierra Club met from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm on Tuesday, April 17, at the Central Library on Comanche Street. After welcoming members, Chairperson Pat Suter asked for committee reports.

Hal Suter, Political Committee Chairperson, reminded members that ballots for the National Sierra Board of Directors are due by noon EDT on April 23. Therefore, at this late date, it is best to vote on-line by signing on to https://www.esc-vote.com/sierra2007
Hal also commented on the outcome of last Saturday’s city election. On other matters, he reported that the Texas House has passed a temporary moratorium on the Trans-Texas Corridor pursuits.

Joyce Jarmon, who serves on the Industrial Advisory Committee, stated that air monitoring in March yielded the lowest benzene emissions in five years. If these low readings continue for a few months, industry may start monitoring for other chemicals. Joyce and Pat Suter reported that the local group Citizens for Environmental Justice, headed by Suzie Canales, is protesting a request by Flint Hills which would allow their refinery to increase emissions during turn-arounds.

Kenn Jobe commented that the city’s Oso Creek Committee met last week with some local architects to discuss the design of a twenty-one-mile long natural green space.

The vision is to have a series of small parks joined by paths.

Mina Williams and Venice Scheurich had just returned from Goliad where they attended a meeting of that county’s Uranium Research Advisory Committee. They reported that the Texas Railroad Commission has cited Uranium Exploration Corporation for more than 100 violations during their exploratory activities in Goliad County. As a result, the Goliad County Commissioners’ Court has sent a letter to the TRC asking that the Commission instruct UEC to "cease and desist" their activities in Goliad County until their company is in total compliance with permit requirements.

Lois Huff and Pat Suter led a discussion of Earth Day/Bay Day activities, which will be at Cole Park on Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Members volunteered to work at Sierra booths and signed up for time slots.

The last item discussed was the garage sale which will be help on May 5 or May 12. Pat will notify members of the date in the next newsletter or by e-mail.

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 05/16/07.

 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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