COASTAL BEND GROUP

SEPTEMBER NEWS 2006

Important Events

OUR NEXT COASTAL BEND GROUP SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Oct. 19, 2006
Time: 11:30AM to 1:00PM
Place: Comanche Library

COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB September 2006 Meeting Minutes

The Coastal Bend Sierra Club met from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm at the Central Library on Comanche St. on Tuesday, September 19. Vice-Chairperson Mina Williams welcomed members and called for reports.

Treasurer Teresa Carrillo reminded members that most of the Club’s funds were invested in two CD’s and secretary Venice Scheurich stated that meeting minutes were posted on the Club’s web site.

Edith Cosgrove and Joyce Jarmon, who attend industrial committee meetings, reported that air monitors show that local refineries are making progress in cutting benzene emissions. The companies are cooperating among themselves by jointly buying expensive technology which is then used by all to identify and fix leaks. Also, Edith and Joyce attended a recent general industrial meeting at which an FBI agent informed attendees of anti-terrorism efforts taking place in this area.

Venice Scheurich and Mina Williams reported that 2006 has been a record year for Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests on the Texas coast with 101 nests being documented. Of these nests, 64 were at Padre Island National Seashore. Also, reports of lots of small turtles being sighted at Packery Channel are coming in to the staff at the Turtle Lab at the National Seashore and it is thought that most of these are young greens which are known to settle into near shore developmental habitats, according to Dr. Donna Shaver, turtle scientist.

Lois Huff reported that she and Pat Suter had attended a very informative water meeting in San Antonio. A summary of the meeting is available on the web at Texaswatermatters.org.

Teresa Carrillo and Lois Huff reminded members of the 4^th annual Bays Foundation Awards Dinner, which recognizes local people who do extraordinary things for the environment. This year’s dinner will be on Wednesday, October 25^th. Jim Blackburn, noted environmental attorney and author, will be guest speaker and will talk on coastal land development. Teresa Carrillo moved, and Joyce Jarmon seconded a motion, that Coastal Bend Sierra Club guarantee a $750 table. After discussion, the motion carried but no action was taken on how individual members might obtain their tickets.

Lois Huff encouraged members to participate in Bayfest, which will be on Saturday, September 30^th and
Sunday, October 1^st.

Before adjournment, Teresa Carrillo urged members to inform themselves on uranium mining and implications for possible ground water contamination in South Texas. She is concerned that EPA has transferred regulatory authority to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Teresa thinks it would be a good idea for our club to investigate and take a position on the matter of uranium mining and its possible effects on ground water.

Submitted by Venice Scheurich

January 2005 Kemp's Ridley Update by Mina Williams & Venice Scheurich

See The Observer on-line

WATCH THE COASTAL BEND SIERRA CLUB ON CABLE CHANNEL 10 on
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 8:30PM.  Galaxie Video does an excellent job of
producing the show. 

 

             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		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             

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

Texas State Legislature Online

ELECTED OFFICIALS ADDRESSES

Hon. Solomon Ortiz                          State Rep. ____ House Office Bldg.                            P.O. Box 2910   Washington, D.C. 20515-4315       Austin, TX 78768-2910                                                                 32 Gene Seaman                                                                 33 Vilma Luna                                                                 34 Abel Herrero Hon. Kay Bailey Hutchison            Sen. John Cornyn  Senate Office Building                    Senate Office Building  Washington, D.C. 20510                 Washington, D.C. 20510

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