[an error occurred while processing this directive] Ventana Chapter - Back Issues > Volume 42, Number 5, 2003
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Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet  
Old Baldy, Canada | photo by Cameron Schaus

Sierra Club
    Back Issues Volume 42, Number 5, 2003                

Ventana Wilderness Alliance leads Wild River Campaign

Hidden within the wild backcountry of the northern Santa Lucia Mountains and along Monterey County’s spectacular Big Sur coast, are a handful of free flowing rivers and streams that retain the same wilderness character enjoyed by the native Salinan and Esselen peoples centuries ago. These rivers should be preserved in their wild free-flowing state because they provide clean water, recreation opportunities, scenic enjoyment, cultural resources, and are essential for the survival of countless species of native plants and animals ... [more]

Club suing Coastal Commission over Luers Barn project

The Sierra Club Santa Cruz Group with the support of the Ventana Chapter, has filed suit against the California Coastal Commission for its approval of the Luers Barn project, a three-story, 6000+ sq. ft. combination of building, decks and bridges on the Hwy. 1 frontage in Davenport ... [more]

Cruz Bustamante

Vote for Bustamante after you vote NO on recall

Sierra Club California has endorsed Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante for governor in the October 7th election. While we continue to oppose the costly recall, we strongly urge all of our members to vote on both parts of the ballot: no on recall, and yes on Bustamante. In the event that the recall passes, electing a pro-environment candidate like Bustamante is absolutely vital to protecting the air, water and land of the Golden State ... [more]

Debunking the myths behind the recall

Recall proponents have loudly proclaimed that California’s economy is moribund and businesses are fleeing the state to escape excessive taxation and regulation, including environmental regulation. But when one considers the actual facts, a much different picture emerges ... [more]

Proposition 53 would reduce State budget flexibility

Sierra Club opposes Prop. 53 Proposition 53 removes budget flexibility without providing any certainty that the programs with the greatest benefit—including environmental benefit—will be funded ... [more]

Support environmental justice. Vote NO on prop. 54

Sierra Club urges a no vote on Proposition 54, the “Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color, or National Origin Initiative.” This initiative, authored by Ward Connerly, would prevent state and local governments from collecting or maintaining racial or ethnic data in their operations. Sierra Club California joins the other major environmental groups in the state in opposing Prop. 54 because it would undermine our effort to achieve environmental justice in California ... [more]

Mail only Peninsula Water Board Election November 4

Sierra Club endorses Hanson, Markey and Pacelli Ballots will be mailed to voters on October 6 for the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water District election on November 4. This election will be conducted entirely by mail. Six candidates are running in this important race which will determine if the environmental majority on the Water Board will continue ... [more]

Bush Administration holds on to Cheney Energy Task Force secrets

Citizens group files lawsuit In yet another tactic designed to delay the Sierra Club’s suit against the secret Cheney Energy Task Force, the Bush Administration filed papers with the U.S. Court of Appeals announcing that they will ask the Supreme Court to review the case ... [more]

State Parks Commission approves flawed Nisene Marks plan

Following a public hearing in San Jose on August 22, the State Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the Preliminary General Plan for the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. On September 18 the the Citizens for the Preservation of The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park filed suit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the State Park and Recreation Commission. The suit is based on failure of State Parks to comply with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), lack of impacts analysis in regard to trail planning, inadequate mitigations for the illegal use of mountain bikes, violation of the Public Resources Code, and violation of the terms of the Grant Deed from the Marks family ... [more]

Reserve your place at the Membership Luncheon | October 18

Space limited

To order tickets call Joel Weinstein at 624-5338. The annual membership luncheon will be held on October 18 at the 1,100-acre Mitteldorf Preserve in Carmel Valley. This redwood and madrone forest was purchased by Chapter members Harriet and Art Mitteldorf and donated to the Big Sur Land Trust for permanent protection. There will be hikes, lunch and a talk by Big Sur naturalist and historian Jeff Norman. The cost is $15 for members and $40 for non-members (includes membership). Reserve your place early. The preserve has a limited capacity.

Club files complaint about Garzas Creek diversions

The Ventana Chapter and the Carmel River Steelhead Association have filed a formal complaint with The State Water Resources Control Board against Rancho San Carlos Partnership for harming public trust resources in Garzas Creek, a major tributary of the Carmel River ... [more]

Draft EIR due for high-speed train between San Francisco and Los Angeles

In many parts of the world, Europe, Japan, China, Korea and others, High Speed Rail trains are proving to be the best transportation option to travelers going 100-400 miles. With speeds between 186 to 217 mph, an unmatched safety record, and an on-time record that the airlines can only dream about, high-speed trains are very popular ... [more]

Ad campaign urges, “Don’t Drive, 1 in 5”

An ad campaign sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is urging residents, “Don’t drive, 1 in 5.” Sustainable transportation options such as walking, biking, carpooling, and riding the bus are highlighted through English and Spanish ads on the radio and in papers ... [more]

RMC runs dozer through the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve

In September RMC Pacific Materials (the Davenport cement plant folks) took a bulldozer through the Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, grading three-quarters of a mile of existing road through the fragile Zayante Sands, removing constructed waterbars, blading off a collection of rare Ben Lomond Spine Flowers, and crushing and uprooting listed manzanitas ... [more]

Other Articles

> Sierra Club huts need your help
> Santa Cruz County receives state rail funds
> Sierra Club wins an Emmy
> Banerjee Arctic Refuge photos now in San Francisco
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