1 peatduster - sierra club...1 peatduster newsletter for the delta-sierra group, mother lode chapter...

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PEATDUSTER Newsletter for the Delta-Sierra Group, Mother Lode Chapter

Visit us at www.sierraclub.org/mother-lode/delta-sierra

Volume 51 Number 2 P-1 Printed on Recycled Electrons March April 2020

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

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Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. Explore, enjoy and protect the planet. The Sierra Club - Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

Volume 51 Number 2 P-2 Peatduster Delta-Sierra Group March April 2020

MEETINGS

All Delta-Sierra Group general meetings are open to everyone whether you are a Sierra Club member or not. Meetings are held in the Fireside Room at the Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, across from the University of Pacific Tower.

The Meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2020 @7:00pm is cancelled due to health concerns associated with the expanding COVIS-19 virus, also called the Corona Virus. At this moment we really don’t know what we don’t know.

The HBO film, Ice On Fire, scheduled for showing on April 22 after 5 pm is still discussed in this issue of the Peatduster. However, we don’t know if the University of Pacific will be closing the campus because of the virus. Please check our website for better information near that date.

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Climate Change Crisis: Seeking Solutions

This film will be shown on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 @ 5:00-8:30 pm

University of the Pacific DeRosa Center Ballroom, 901 President's Dr, Stockton, CA

Free and open to the public, doors open at 5 pm for socializing and light refreshments. The program will begin sharply at 5:30 pm.

The HBO Movie Ice on Fire is an eye-opening documentary that focuses on solutions designed to slow down our escalating environmental crisis. The film goes beyond the current narrative and offers hope that we can stave off the worst effects of global warming, but we must take action.

The film which provides many never-before-seen solutions was produced by Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio, with George DiCaprio and Mathew Schmid and directed by Leila Conners. Following the film there will be a community discussion about actions that are taking place in our community and how we can and must all be involved. This is URGENT!

We repeat, this event is free and open to the public and there will be light refreshments and the various participating organizations will be tabling with information and actions they are involved in.

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Earth Day 2020

We celebrated Earth Day in Stockton Sunday, April 26, 2020 from 10 am to 4 pm at Victory Park behind Haggin Museum, Pershing Avenue, (Located Between Argonne Drive and Picardy Drive). This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 32nd anniversary of The Stockton Earth Day Festival. This year’s theme is

“Climate Action Now – Vote Earth!” Over the years, Delta-Sierra Group has participated as a vendor at this festival which is a successful partnership between the City of Stockton’s Solid Waste & Recycling Division and the Water Conservation Program, the Peace & Justice Network, the University of the Pacific, San Joaquin County Public Works and Stormwater Management Program, San Joaquin County Office of Education, Republic Services Allied Waste, and Stockton Area Water Suppliers.

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Over 70 vendors will participate, including a food fare. The festival brings families, children, adults, business people and earth-lovers of all kinds to Victory Park to enjoy a variety of activities, exhibits and entertainment all in the name of learning how to protect our environment.

Local area schools will teach about how to better take care of our Earth with a variety of hands on activities, and environmental organizations will provide education about important green issues and how we can make a difference. It is a fun day for kids and families, and admission is free. If you can help us with a 2-hour shift at the table for this event, please contact Margo Praus, at [email protected]

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Finding John Muir Via Train and Hiking Poles

By Elaine Gorman On the 15-minute drive to the Modesto Amtrak station, I was happy that the day would be warm and sunny, even in early November. Shorts, T-shirt, and a back-up sweater would be adequate for the day-long adventure to visit the John Muir National Historic Site (JMNHS) in Martinez. Arriving a few minutes early for the 8:03 am northbound San Joaquin, I stopped in the station to check the departure schedule. Yep, the train was on time. On board, the train was only about half full, so I located a seat/table combo for 4, on the east side, for the best views. After greeting the conduc-tor, I headed to the cafe car for a cup of coffee. Then I settled in for the short trip to Stockton, where amigos Paul and Russ joined me.

Muir Home

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After we pulled out of the Stockton station, we passed by wetlands of the San Joaquin River. I enjoyed watching the ducks, geese, and other water birds. Paul and Russ added commentary about the industrial buildings, naval yards, and electrical grids that we passed as we approached Martinez.

Arriving @ 9:30 am, we used paper maps to locate nearby Rankin Park, which would give us access to Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park, part of the East Bay Regional Park District. Darn it, there were no mileage or directional signs to guide us, but we followed a gravel road that was head-ing in the correct direction. After a short climb, we started to drop, losing our elevation gain. We decided to bushwhack, and after Paul checked his GPS, we eventually found another dirt road. We met a passing runner and he indicated the correct trail junction. (Note: Try the Foster Street entrance to Rankin Park.)

We hiked for 3 miles on the ridge top, passing through cattle gates, which control the movement of the seemingly benign grazing cattle. Arriving at the back of the JMNHS, we saw a staff member, and asked her to open the gate for us. I had arranged with the staff to call them when I arrived, otherwise there is an additional half mile walk to reach the front entrance.

On the JMNHS grounds, we visited the Vicente Martinez Adobe, built in 1849, which is part of the San Juan Bautista National Historic Trail. After a quick snack, Paul and Russ headed out to hike around nearby Mt. Wanda (named for one of Muir’s daughters) while I checked out the visitor center and took myself on the cell phone tour of the 9-acre site. The JMNHS is a remnant of the original 2600-acre ranch and orchard that was farmed by the Strentzel and Muir families.

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At 2 pm, we met Ranger Tory for the daily tour of the Strentzel-Muir home. Few of the items in the house are original to the Muir family, but are faithful to the time when the family lived there. Muir’s “scribble den”, where he wrote many of his articles and books, is reproduced, and it is easy to imagine Muir sitting at the desk, thinking and writing about nature and conservation. These writings have inspired millions of nature-lovers and have helped to grow the Sierra Club.

The Muir Family At Home

Hetch Hetchy Valley He Tried To Save

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After admiring the native plant garden in front of the visitor center, we walked to downtown Martinez. We passed several historic buildings, that have attached interpretive plaques, which informed us about the founding of the town. Looking to quench our thirst, we located Del Cielo Brewing Co., where I downed a refreshing michelada. There are lots of dining options in this part of Martinez, and we had a delicious meal @ Royal Thai.

It was dark as we headed toward the Amtrak station, and as we walked over a bridge, Russ spotted a giant raccoon splashing in the creek below. It was a good reminder of the connection that Martinez has with the natural systems of the San Francisco Bay and San Joaquin River Delta. Donning my sweater against the chill, we boarded the 6:25 pm train, and joined commuters and other travelers in the near-full car. Two miles north of the Modesto Amtrak station, we slowed to a stop, and had a 20 minute delay while we waited for a passing freight train. This gave me a chance to reflect on the day, and to appreciate how easy it was to have this fun adventure without depending on my car.

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Que Pasa? Qui Passa? What’s Happening Dude?

Delta-Sierra Group periodically sends reports to the Mother Lode Chapter and we think we should let you know what were doing. “It’s about time,” someone said. Secretary Steve Harvarth provided the following notes.

The tri-chapter Coal Organizer accepted a new position and now there are again efforts underway to recruit for the position. We anticipate continuing an active role in this effort. Stockton will be a recipient of an Assembly Bill 617 grant from California Air Resources Board to increase air quality monitoring and incorporate efforts to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the most affected area of our city which includes the Port of Stockton and the pollution arising from there with a focus on coal dust. We will stay involved with this effort by monitoring dredging efforts which may lead to potential Port expansion and meeting with stakeholders to plan our strategy.

Members represent our Delta-Sierra Group by writing letters, attending meetings, and serving on committees to oversee development and oversight of a groundwater sustainability plan. We also working with the Advisory Water Commission and with transportation planning for our region by serving on San Joaquin Council of Governments Citizens Advisory Committee and finally dealing with air quality serving on the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Citizens Advisory Committee.

We continue to be active supporting the efforts of Friends of the Calaveras River; monitoring the city general plan going forward; monitoring the Stockton City Council’s plan to move forward with Community Choice Energy and working with the San Joaquin County Climate Action Coalition.

Our tireless Conservation Chair, Mary Elizabeth, has created a List Serv to quickly reach out to members who are willing to take action on environmental issues by writing letters, making phone calls, attending meetings, or meeting with political leaders when necessary and possible.

We tabled for outreach to the community on Earth Day, at the Sandhill Crane Festival and The Birding Symposium, and at the Peaceful Holiday Faire in December. We also participate in International Cleanup Day in September.

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Join me as my hostel mates and I rise at 4:30 am –way too early- to climb to the summit of Mount Masada and experience the sunrise and watch as the sun reflects the soft blues of the Dead Sea during the predawn sky. It took about and hour to reach the summit using the Snake Trail. The scene matched every detail in James Michener’s book, The Source.

Later, we descended and swam in the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on dry land at 1400 feet below sea level. We were told not to stay longer than 10 minutes and to rinse off at a nearby freshwater oasis. You don’t really swim in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is so filled with minerals and salts that it is difficult to move

forward. You cannot get yourself under-water. A website on the Internet best describes this condition: “There is no such thing as swimming in the Dead Sea. When you sit your butt down in the water, it essentially feels as though you're floating in a pool with a plastic noodle. Only there's no noodle. Your feet and shoulders rise and bob, and it takes a few seconds of getting used to it.”

The Dead Sea has a salinity of 33.7%. On average, seawater in the world's oceans has a salinity of approximately 3.5% (35 parts per thousand).

Climate Change is Killing the Dead Sea By Robert Evans

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The salinity of the Great Salt Lake's main basin, Gilbert Bay, is highly variable and depends on the lake's level; it ranges from 5% to 27%. The Salton Sea salinity is about 4.4%. Mono Lake should also be mentioned. It is an alkaline lake, with a pH of 10, and almost three times as salty as the ocean. As climate change causes the temperature of the earth to increase, these percentages will increase as more evaporation occurs.

1968 was a great year for travel. I had an Icelandic Air ticket that expired after one year. The dollar was strong, rooms and food were inexpensive and Europeans welcomed Americans. Better yet, you only had 4 or 5 people in line in front of you to see Michelangelo’s statue of David in Florence, or Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris. You might even get a couple of minutes alone with her! If you went to Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square) in Venice, you didn’t need rubber boots even if the tide was up. There were no crowds or selfy sticks poking you in the face.

I mostly used a Eura-Rail pass or hitched hiked. In Brindisi I got a deckchair for 9300 Lira onboard the Egnatia and crossed the Ionian Sea to Patras, Greece. The next day I hitchhiked to Athens where I stayed a couple weeks; then I just had to fly to Tel Aviv. I had finished James Michener's book!

August 1968 was an exciting time to visit Israel. A year had passed since the 6-Day war and military personal, both men and women in green uniforms and carrying rifles, were competing for rides to other places. For the most part, we were hitch-

hiking. I made a crude sign that said “Jerusalem” and soon caught a ride. After a few minutes this friendly driver asked, “Do you know why I picked you up?” I had no idea, except I needed a ride. “You had a sign that told me where you wanted to go”, he said. He was a very proud per-son and when we arrived in Jerusalem, he insisted on showing parts of the city.

Since then, things changed. An aerial tramway cable car system was constructed on the east side to the top of Mount Masada in 1971. The site is now called Masada National Park and you can get a ticket for entry and round-trip cable car ride for about 75 Israel Shekels ($21.50).

The world population was 3,535,000,000 then and now it is over twice that at 7,800,000,000 and growing! The popula-tion in California was 19.39 million and now is 39.75 million. For the United States it was 200.7 million in 1968 and is now about 329.45 million.

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Over time resorts sprung up along the Dead Sea’s shores promoting the health values of dipping into the Dead Sea's brine in order to become a human pickle. Dead Sea Salt has been proven to relieve skin ailments such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Minerals such as magnesium, sodium and potassium enhance your skins ability to retain moisture, making it healthy and silky smooth. But now after a mere 5 decades, much is lost. The Dead Sea has receded a full mile from the road and around it’s original shoreline. Most of the resorts are abandoned.

A water grab from the Jordan River, which terminates in the Dead Sea and climate change are responsible. Keep in mind we caused the climate change. What makes this so interesting is a geological phenomenon. The sea kept the sea bottom in tack. As the water receded due to evaporation and lack of rain, the bottom was exposed. However, occasional rain washed deposits of salt from under the sun-baked surface down to a lower part of the Dead Sea. Now there are approximately 6,000 sinkholes surrounding the shore. It is dangerous to walk that mile from the old road to the water!

The World Bank-approved "Red to Dead" sea project as an endeavor to save Jordan, Israel and Palestine’s receding Dead Sea. The plan will replenish the Dead Sea via a desalination plant that will take water from the Red Sea, or more specifically from the branch of the Gulf of Aqaba near Eilat and dump the resulting residue from the plant into the Dead Sea.

At the time I visited Israel, Eilat had an underwater nature park and was great for snorkeling. I saw my first pencil fish there. But there are an incredible number

of environmental unmitigated impacts that may occur, one being the Dead Sea could turn from blue to white in color and the underwater park could be damaged. There are funding issues between Israel and Jordan and this project will continue for a long time.

So, who really cares about the Dead Sea? Perhaps we should as we apply what we learn from the Dead Sea to similar environmental disasters occurring here in California like the Salton Sea.

The Salton Sea was created when a Colorado River canal overflowed in 1905. The lake was mostly kept alive from agricultural water runoff.

Only 150 miles from Las Angles; it became a playground for the yachting set, water skiers and golf. However, for years the Salton Sea has been drying up due to drought and a reduction in that runoff. Since 2003 the Imperial Irrigation District, sold most of its Colorado River to San Diego.

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Less water coming to the Imperial Valley meant less water coming to the sea. Agricultural runoff was totally cut off from the lake in 2017. This creates a problem for the 400 of species of migratory birds who use the location as a rest stop on their way to the Pacific Ocean.

Several documentary films have been made about the Salton Sea disaster: Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2004); The Accidental Sea (2011); Breaking Point: The Disappearing Salton Sea; An Ecological Disaster (2015); The Useless Sea (2016); Miracle in the Desert: The Rise and Fall of the Salton Sea (2017) and probably a few more.

In SOS: The Salton Sea Walk (2017),

Randy Brown from Rancho Cucamonga started his 6-day 116 mile hike around the lake. His goal was to bring attention to this disaster. He also proposed a simplified fix. Since the Salton Sea has no outlet and is 236 feet below sea level, we could bring water from the Gulf of California.

A desalinate plant would be constructed and use available geothermal heat. Some of the water would be sold to the city of Mexicali and also Southern California coastal cities to help pay for the plan. This concept would involve the construction of over 20 miles of pipes and tunneling to the Salton Sea, but no pumps would be required. It is all down-hill.

Photo: Pete Sanders

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Southwest Stockton Hoping To Breathe Easier Thanks To Incoming Resources

● Southwest Stockton chosen for California Air Resources Board 2019 selection for air quality improvement, based on Assembly Bill 617 legislation from 2017. ● Southwest Stockton has the highest scores possible in pollution burdens. ● Stockton advocates, residents, businesses, and public agencies will come together over improving air quality in Southwest Stockton. On Friday, December 13th the California Air Resources Board voted to approve Southwest Stockton’s nomination to be a 2019 Community Air Protection Program selected along with three other communities. The Program stems from legislation AB 617 which directs the state to focus on communities, like Southwest Stockton, that bear high environmental burdens. “The [Community Air Protection] Program will bring investment to our most disadvantaged communities in the city of Stockton,” said Jonathan Pruitt, Environmental Justice Program Coordinator at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Stockton. “We will be able to produce an air monitoring plan and a community emission reduction program with the help of local stakeholders.” Planning and developing air monitoring systems will provide necessary data on where the sources of air pollution are located, leading to action in reducing emissions. Stockton has already begun implementing emission reduction measures, such as the electrification of some buses. The program has the potential to assist the city in continuing upgrades and bringing in clean technologies. AB 617 also requires that the program be led by the community, therefore a steering committee in which interested persons can apply to be on, is expected to consist of residents, including students, community-based organizations, businesses, public agencies, and city staff. The Environmental Justice Program at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Stockton has advocated since 2005 to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable and just community growth, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. The program continues to be dedicated to advancing positive environmental change for vul-nerable and low-income communities, and has been awarded the Community Air Pro-tections grant under the fiscal year 2018-2019 state budget.

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FROM THE EDITOR Jade Hameister, featured on the Last Page, is an 18 year old student from Melbourne, Australia who loves being active outdoors. In April 2016, Jade became the youngest person in history to ski to the North Pole from anywhere outside the Last Degree. In June 2017, Jade made history again by completing the 550km traverse of the Greenland icecap unsupported and unassisted – the youngest woman ever to do so.

In January 2018, Jade completed her polar quest and in the process became the youngest person to ski from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole unsupported and unassisted. Jade is passionate about shifting the focus for young women from how they appear to the possibilities of what they can do and also about raising awareness about the impact of climate change on the Earth's beautiful and fragile polar regions.

Ho hum from CNN Friday, February 7, 2020 - The hottest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica was measured on Thursday at a remote station on the continent's Northern tip. The temperature was nearly 65 degrees Fahrenheit at Argentina's Esperanza research station, scientists from the country's meteorological agency said. The Antarctic region is heating up rapidly due to heat-trapping gas pollution from humans. And the warming observed here has serious global consequences, especially for the millions of people living on the world's coasts who are vulnerable to sea level rise. By any chance, is this place for sale?

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Our Vice Chair, Paul, wrote about a City Tree in an email and I had to find out more about it. Each City Tree is just under 4 meters tall, nearly 3 meters wide and 2.19 meters deep (13.1 x 9.8 x 7.2 feet) and available in two versions: with or without a bench. A display is included for information or advertising. However, the City Tree is not a tree at all. It's a moss culture. "Moss cultures have a much larger leaf surface area than any other plant. That means we can capture more pollutants," according to Zhengliang Wu, co-founder of Green City Solutions. Green City Solutions located in Berlin choose the location of each City Tree carefully, picking spots where pollution is heavy due to traffic and limited air flow. Each unit costs about $25,000 and about 20 units have been installed throughout different countries. The Internet photo below shows one at Piccadilly Circus in London.

I was asked who is this Pete Sanders guy is whose photographs have been featured in several issues of the Peatduster? Well, he is a highly qualified out-patient therapist working in northern San Joaquin County. He helped me a whole lot. His main hobbies are paying bills and landscape photography. Thanks for the photos Pete.

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Stockton, Modesto & Sonora Sierra Club Groups Find us at this active link:

https://www.meetup.com/S-M-S-SierraClub/members/28813452/

We have been in operation since October 2011 and now have 1955 members. You can find many of our local Sierra Club activities posted there.

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Executive Committee and Email Addresses You must copy and paste an email address into your email program. Chair: Margo Praus [email protected] Vice Chair & Membership Chair: Paul Plathe [email protected] Treasurer & Chapter Delegate: Richard Abood [email protected] Secretary: Steve Harvath [email protected] Alternate Chapter Delegate: Mary Elizabeth [email protected] Conservation Chair & Web Master: Mary Elizabeth [email protected] Program Chair: Margo Praus [email protected]

Executive Member: Knute Momberg [email protected] Newsletter: Robert Evans [email protected]



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DELTA-SIERRA GROUP P.O. BOX 9258 STOCKTON, CA 95208


“It staggers me that no one is focused on the exponential growth in the human population as the biggest threat to our environment. It seems to be a taboo for our leaders to talk about. The sensible way to address our exploding population is educating and empowering our young women…”

Jade Hameister

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