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Volume 42, Number 1, 2003 |
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Bailing out the Environment - Local
couple builds sustainable home from straw bales
Local Sierra Club members Mark and Kristin Sullivan had three goals in mind when
they began construction of their straw bale home in Capitola: They wanted to use
the sun and the house design to heat and cool the home, heat the water, and generate
electricity; they wanted to use waste and salvaged construction materials to the
greatest extent possible; and they wanted to minimize the total amount of new
material used. Their choices enabled them to use 40% less wood than in a conventional
home of the same size ... [more] |
Bush Administration trying to gut National Forest planning
rules
The Bush administration released in late November revised National Forest Management
Act (NFMA) rules to make forest plans voluntary and eliminate opportunities for
public participation. The proposed revisions would essentially remove science
and the public from the Forest Service’s decision-making process, jettison
species protections and open the door to uncontrolled logging. This announcement
is one of a string of decisions to rewrite National Forest management safeguards
to benefit logging companies ... [more]
Forest Service bushwhacks Giant Sequoia National Monument
For years Sierra Club activists fought to protect the giant sequoia ecosystem
from logging and road-building on Sequoia National Forest, home to nearly half
of the world’s remaining sequoia groves. When President Clinton signed a
proclamation creating Giant Sequoia National Monument, activists felt they had
made a significant step in protecting the ecosystem and restoring the natural
processes that had created this beautiful place ... [more]
Fort Ord Redevelopment plans provide little affordable
housing | Representative Farr angered
Housing developments on the former Fort Ord are not fulfilling the promise of
much-needed affordable housing. These properties are owned by the local cities
which are approving the developers’ plans without requiring workforce housing.
In Seaside, Hayes Housing alongside Highway 1 consists of 380 market-rate units
without a single affordable house. The Marina City Council has just approved an
agreement to sell 248 acres of Fort Ord land to developers who intend to build
1,050 market-rate homes. Eighty-five will be priced under $301,000 and marketed
as “bridge homes,” but at press time only 20% affordable housing had
been offered ... [more]
Environmental, fishing groups seek court action to protect
salmon
Environmental and fishing groups have filed for an injunction in Seattle Federal
District Court to limit the pesticide uses most likely to harm salmon. The move
follows a July court ruling that forces the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to ensure that it does not allow pesticide uses that harm endangered salmon.
The groups are seeking the injunction to put interim protections in place until
EPA brings its pesticide regulations into compliance with the Endangered Species
Act. The action is still pending ... [more]
Coastal Commission rejects zany idea to ship water south
in giant bags
Ric Davidge, a former Reagan Administration official, thought he had a million
dollar idea. He proposed to take “extra” water from the Gualala and
Albion Rivers in Mendocino County, put it in plastic bags as big as football fields,
and tow them down to thirsty San Diego for resale. By taking the water for free,
he’d make millions. You can view photos of the Gualala and Albion Rivers
on www.californiacoastline.org, photos #12104 and #11717, respectively ... [more]
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