The monthly state newsletter for the Tennessee Chapter Sierra Club Volume 42, Number 5 - September/October, 2011

Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet

By Keith RomigHistorically there has not been a strong Sierra

Club presence in the communities along the lowerTennessee River. The area is a long way from bothMemphis and Nashville. However, a few monthsago, Middle Tennessee Group (MTG) Chair KeithRomig returned a call from Mike Melton, a SierraClub member from Camden, Tenn., regarding alandfill about which his community had seriousconcerns. During the conversation Romig offeredto contact Sierra Club members in his county tohelp address the concerns.

Melton replied, “You don’t need to do that.I’ve already got my neighbors and I already haveplenty of people and the city council on our side.We could use some help getting the attention ofstate officials.”

Romig immediately contacted ChickasawGroup Chair Keven Routon so the two groupscould coordinate activities.

The landfill in question handles aluminumdross, a material created when older processes forrecycling aluminum are used; more modernprocesses do not create large amounts of waste.Aluminum dross is not officially classified as ahazardous waste, and as long as it stays dry itdoes not cause too many problems.

However when it gets wet, it gives off haz-ardous gases, including ammonia, acetylene andmethane. Very high ammonia levels have beenreported in Camden within a mile of the site.

“When I visited the site the ammonia smellnearly knocked me off my feet,” said Routon.

Technicalities UsedIn addition to the problems with the material,

the landfill operator used some technicalities ofTennessee environmental law to be able to get theTennessee Department of Environment andConservation (TDEC) to give it a permit for thealuminum dross without a public hearing.

At this year’s Earth Day celebration inNashville, MTG collected hundreds of postcardsaddressed to TDEC demanding a public hearingon the landfill operator’s push to expand the site.Activists from Camden and from MTG contactedTDEC directly to push the point home. TDECstated in May it would hold a public hearing onthe landfill.

In May, Melton requested the Sierra ClubEnvironmental Justice (EJ) office in Memphis beasked to work with the community on this proj-ect. Sierra Club EJ Organizer Rita Harris agreedquickly and traveled to the site the same week.

“Her involvement has really strengthened analready strong community effort,” said Romig.

Rita helped the Camden residents with a flyerto distribute all over town, acquired poster boardfor signs, and sent out media releases to local TVand newspaper outlets. Efforts paid off becausethe public hearing was covered by WBBJ-TV sta-tion and the Jackson Sun newspaper. Check outthe coverage here:http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Residents-Sound-Off-at-Camden-Landfill-Meeting--126229318.html and more, here:http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110727/NEWS01/107270314/Benton-County-Hearing-land-

fill-draws-over-150-people

Public HearingThe hearing was held July 26 at the Benton

County Courthouse in Camden. About 150 com-munity members attended the hearing, manywearing black as a sign of solidarity. Contingentsfrom MTG and Chickasaw were there as well.

At the start of the hearing Sen. Roy Herron(D-Dresden) made a passionate statement insupport of the community. Strongly supportivestatements were made also by Rep. Tim Wirgau(R-Buchanan) and John Tidwell (D-NewJohnsonville.

After the official presentations by TDEC andthe landfill operator, the floor was opened for

Great New Grass Roots Environmental Action Develops at BorderBetween Middle Tennessee, Chickasaw Groups

comments by the public. Numerous citizensspoke against the landfill expansion. Theypointed out that the landfill may never have got-ten properly approved by the city and countyunder Tennessee’s Jackson Law, which givescounty and local governments veto power overnew landfills in their jurisdictions. They alsodetailed the massive health and nuisance effectsof the landfill and discussed the poisonousgases it emits.

“It is my hope TDEC heard this communityand will not grant the operator a permit toexpand this landfill,” said Harris. She joinedmany other local speakers against the landfillby giving strong oral comments, as well as sub-mitting written comments.

Chickasaw Group members support Camden, Tenn., residents and rally for environmental justice atthe Benton County Courthouse. (Left to right) Keven Routon, Matt Farr, and Sue Williams....unidenti-fied man in foreground. Photo Rita Harris.

Please notify the Editor when changesare needed

TTeennnneess--SSiieerrrraann

Page 2 - September/October, 2011 The Tennes-Sierran

DEADLINEDeadline for election

ballots, candidate biogra-phies, meeting and outings

listings, and articles isOctober 1, 2011. Send mate-

rial to Barbara Kelly atbk1rivers@comcast.net

and Lynne Baker atlbaker@usw.org.

Sierra Club OfficersTENNESSEE CHAPTER:Chair: Katherine Pendleton (615) 943-6877

Katibug1959@aol.comVice Chair: Gloria Griffith (423) 727-4797

gla4797@embarqmail.comSecretary: Barbara Kelly (423) 718-5009

bk1rivers@comcast.netTreasurer: Michael Varnell (615) 217-0985

rmvarnell@bellsouth.netConservation: Gary Bowers (615) 714-3185

GB1Nature@aol.comOutings: Webb Griffith (423) 727-4797

gla4797@embarqmail.comCCL Delegate: Brian Paddock (931) 276-1387

bpaddock@twlakes.net

TN LOCAL GROUPS:Cherokee Groupwww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/cherokeeChair: Elizabeth Tallman-Gazaway (423) 619-0379

elizabethjamestallman@hotmail.comVice Chair: Jami Brown (423) 255-3014

jdbrown5188@yahoo.comTreasurer: Barbara Hurst (423) 866-9503

barbaraduckhurst@hotmail.comConser. Chair: Davis Mounger (423) 877-4616

wdmounger@yahoo.comSecretary : Barbara Kelly (423) 718-5009

bk1rivers@comcast.netOutings: Jeremy Tallman-Gazaway (423) 619-6548

gazawaypainting@gmail.com

Chickasaw Group - Memphiswww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/chickasawChair: Keven Routon (901) 485-3960

kwratcs@me.comVice Chair: JW Johnson (901) 850-9375

bubo1@bellsouth.netSecretary: Emily Schwimmer (901) 753-5474

eschwimm@gmail.comTreasurer: Susan Routon (901) 413-3888

susan.routon@gmail.comConservation Chair: Scott Banbury Outings Chair: Matt Farr 901-517-8879

matt.tennessierran@gmail.comMembershipCo-Chairs: Keith Hoover (901) 363-8299

hooverkw@yahoo.comDon Richardson (901) 276-1387 donrich@juno.com

Harvey Broome Group - Knoxville/Oak Ridgewww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/broomeChair: Robin Hill (865) 966-9435

robin.hill8@gmail.comVice-Chair: David Reister (865) 670-8991

dreister@bellsouth.netSecretary: VACANT - Volunteer WantedTreasurer: Bob Perlack (865) 675-7668

perlack@aol.comConservation: Axel Ringe (865)397-1840

onyxfarm@bellsouth.netOutings: Ron Shrieves (865) 922-3518

ronaldshrieves@comcast.net

Middle Tennessee Group - Nashvillewww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/mtgChair: Keith Romig (615) 714-2704

krsp@aol.comVice Chair: Dave Bordenkircher (615) 333-3377

dabordenkircher@mindspring.comConservation: Joel Gearhrdt (941) 518-0063

clifford.cockerham@mnps.orgTreasurer: Michael Varnell (615) 217-0985

rmvarnell@bellsouth.netMembership: Betsy Garber, (615) 668-1977

garberb@hotmail.comOutings: Katherine Pendleton (615) 943-6877

katibug1959@aol.com;kdpendleton1@aol.com

Watauga Group - Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoiand Washington Countieswww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/wataugaChair: Gloria Griffith (423) 727-4797

gla4797@embarqmail.comVice Chair: Sandi Cranford 423-727-5044

sunshine@highcountryonline.netTreasurer: Cindy Johnson (423) 768-3882

Conservation: Dean Whitworth (423) 727-7214Outings: Webb Griffith (423) 727-4797

gla4797@embarqmail.com

National Sierra Staff in Tennessee:Rita Harris, Field OrganizerEnvironmental Justice Program (901) 324-7757rita.harris@sierraclub.org

The bi-monthly newsletter of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club.

SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO:

*Email: address.changes@sierraclub.org*Snail Mail: clip the Moving? coupon below and mail

*Address changes are processed much faster if youinclude your Sierra Club membership number. To findyour membership number, look on the address label ofthis newsletter.

SEND ARTICLES TO:

Email: lbaker@usw.orgSnail Mail: Lynne Baker, Tennes-Sierran Editor

PO Box 1504, Antioch, TN 37011 (615) 831-6782

ARTICLE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Submission DEADLINE is the 1st of the month pre-ceding the new month’s issue.1. Email and email attached files are preferred. Send tolbaker@usw.org either with embedded text messages, orattached files in PC-based formats. Attached files are pre-ferred. Mac users should embed text in body of an emailmessage only.2. Photographs should be scanned in a .jpg or .tif file formatthen either attached to email or mailed via US Postal Service(USPS) on a 3 ½ diskette or CD Rom. Please include astamped, self-addressed envelope if you would like yourdiskette or photo prints returned.3. Hard-copy handwritten or typewritten articles may beaccepted; however, pre-approval from the Editor is required.4. Any materials submitted via USPS mail cannot bereturned unless a stamped, self- addressed envelope is pro-vided.The opinions expressed in the Tennes-Sierranare those of the contributors and do not neces-sarily reflect the official views or policies of theTennessee Chapter, or the Sierra Club.

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Page 3 - September/October, 2011The Tennes-Sierran

Dear TennesseeChapter Members,

During the Tennessee ChapterExecutive Committee (ExCom) meet-ing held in July at Sterchi Lodge, the

ExCom passed a motion for the Chapter Chairand Chapter Conservation Chair to conducttwo experimental one-day business meetingsduring the quarterly Chapter retreats within thenext 18 months. These experimental one-daymeetings will take place on Saturday duringthe Fall 2011 Chapter Retreat at Pickett StatePark and on Saturday during the Winter 2012Chapter Retreat at Cedars of Lebanon StatePark. No business will be conducted onSunday morning of either Chapter Retreats.

There will be activities such as hikes avail-able for those not serving as Chapter delegatesto the business meetings. A Silent Auction willbe held at the Fall 2011 Chapter Retreat.Hikes or other activities will also be plannedfor Sunday of each Chapter Retreat.

Please direct comments or suggestionsregarding the design of these experimentalbusiness meetings to me atkdpendleton1@aol.com.

Many thanks go to Cherokee Group for host-ing the spectacular Summer 2011 ChapterRetreat at Sterchi Lodge near Max Patch! Thefood was delicious and activities led byTennessee State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath,Jeff Hunter, and Caara Stoney were enjoyed bymany enthusiastic hikers. Bill Reynolds gavean informative presentation about “the electriccar.” Gary Bowers gave a stimulating presen-tation about media reform.

Barbara Kelly, Elizabeth Tallman-Gazaway,Jeremy Tallman-Gazaway, Scott Kramer, andApril Collins headed up the planning and exe-cution of the many tasks associated with puttingon the meeting. It was wonderful to see severalmembers who attended for the first time!Thanks to everyone not named for making theChapter Retreat an event to be remembered!

The Chapter Nominating Committee wasappointed during the Summer Chapter Retreat.Robin Hill is the chair and committee mem-bers include Joel Gearhardt and Bill Terry.The Nominating Committee is urgingTennessee Chapter members to run for At-Large-Delegate to the Tennessee Chapter toserve for the 2012-2014 term. Please contactRobin Hill at robin.hill8@gmail.com, JoelGearhardt at jgearhardt@yahoo.com, or BillTerry at hikebike@comcast.net for more infor-mation if you are interested in serving as anAt-Large-Delegate to the Tennessee Chapter.

Best Wishes for a Bountiful Autumn Season,

Katherine PendletonChairTennessee Chapter Sierra Club

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Situated in a remote section of the upperCumberland Plateau, Pickett CCC Memorial StatePark is known for its geological, botanical, and scenicwonders. The park lies within the 19,200-acre PickettState Forest and is adjacent to the massive 120,000-acre Big South Fork National River and RecreationArea. Both areas contain prime wilderness country.

Visitors to the park can explore large rock houses,natural sandstone bridges, scenic bluffs, and wildmountain streams. Spring brings dazzling displays ofwildflowers, summer an abundance of blackberries andwild blueberries, and autumn a patchwork of colors tothe countryside. The park memorializes and preservesthe unique work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) who first developed the park.

The group camp is open year-round, and will accommodate up to 144 people. It consists of six bunkhous-es, two bathhouses, and a large dining hall and kitchen. The kitchen is completely equipped for food prepara-tion and serving: It features a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, icemaker, microwave, coffeemaker, dishwasher,and a commercial stove. Campers need to provide their own linens and sanitary supplies.

More than 58 miles of hiking trails meander through the wilderness of Pickett State Park and the surround-ing forest. They vary in length and difficulty, from short day-use trails suitable for families, to longer multi-daybackpacking trails. The trails afford views of sandstone bluffs, natural bridges, waterfalls and diverse plant life.

Early Registration Price by October 15: $40 Regular Registration Fee: $50Single day only price with meals/no lodging: Sat-$20; Sun-$10(children up to 15 attend free)

SPECIAL: ½ price for first-time attendees!

A limited number of partial scholarships are available by request to the Chapter Treasurer, Michael Varnell;contact him at rmvarnell@bellsouth.net

FOR ONLY $40, YOU CAN ENJOY:Hiking - good food – a program on Big South Fork National Recreation Area, and a bonfire with ghost sto-

ries and s’mores. Hikes are planned for both Saturday (short and long) and Sunday. Randy Hedgepath, StateNaturalist, will join us to lead the Sunday hike.

PLUS,A silent auction to benefit our chapter's lobbying and legislative program.

The Executive Committee will be meeting on Saturday morning through the afternoon as an experiment tosee if business can be conducted in one day. Executive Committee members will then have Sunday free torecreate in the fashion of their own choosing. Those not on the executive committee may join in the activities,strike out on your own on nearby trails, or just enjoy the peace and quiet of a fall weekend.

Lodging is in cabins that accommodate about 20, and family cabins (accommodating more than one fami-ly) will be available. Camping among the surrounding trees is another popular option (the cost for the week-end is the same for camping as for staying in the cabins).

Bring your own bedding, towels and lunches. If you want additional beverages, you need to bring your own. Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, and Saturday night dinner are provided. You are on your own for

Friday dinner and Saturday lunch.

Directions: I-40 to Exit 317. Hwy. 127 north (46 miles). Turn right on Hwy. 154, travel 12miles to the park entrance. OR, I-75 north from Knoxville to Exit 141. Hwy 63 to Huntsville.Right onto Hwy 27 north to Oneida. Left onto Hwy 297 through Big South Fork NRRA. Rightonto Hwy 154, follow to Pickett State Park. The park’s office number is 931-879-5821.

REGISTRATION FORM

To register, please clip out and mail this registration form by Saturday, October 15, to:Harvey Broome Groupc/o Robin Hill - Chair11504 Mountain View RoadKnoxville, TN 37934-3919

If you know you will attend but are unable to mail your registration by the deadline, pleasecontact Robin at robin.hill8@gmail.com by the deadline date in order to be assured of meals.

Name:

Address:

Phone:

e-mail address:

Number of adults @ $40:

Number of children under age 15

Number of vegetarians Number of omnivores

Total enclosed (Make check payable to Harvey Broome Group-Sierra Club)

Enjoy beautiful autumn weather and fall colors!

ANNOUNCEMENT

The TEC Sustainable TennesseeSummit will be held at LipscombUniv. in Nashville Oct. 28-29.Scholarships are available toattend. Contact Mary Mastin,931-268-2938.

CHICKASAW GROUP (Memphis)

(Sign up for our monthly email events list on thecalendar page http://tennessee.sierraclub.org/chick-asaw/)

Monthly First Thursday Gathering: Thursday,September 1, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Otherlands,641 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.

Sierra Club members, activists and friends meetin a casual setting to talk about issues and interests.For more information, contact Emily Schwimmerat eschwimm@gmail.com. Strategy Meeting: Monday, September 12, 6:30pm, Republic Coffee, 2924 Walnut Grove Road,Memphis, TN.

The Executive Committee meets on the secondMonday of every month. This is a business meetingbut members are welcome to attend. For moreinformation or to place items on the agenda, con-tact the group chair Keven Routon atkwratcs@me.com -- agenda items must be submit-ted at least three days before the meeting. Thursday, September 29, 6:30 pm -Refreshments & Networking, 7:00 pm –Presentation. Presentation: Topic TBA.Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, MeetingRoom A, 3030 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN.

Topic to be announced at a later date (see ourFacebook page for updates;www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group). For moreinformation, contact Susan Routon at susan.rou-ton@gmail.com or (901) 413-3888. Monthly First Thursday Gathering, Thursday,October 6, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Otherlands, 641S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.

Sierra Club members, activists and friends meetin a casual setting to talk about issues and interests.For more information, contact Emily Schwimmerat eschwimm@gmail.com. Strategy Meeting, Monday, October 10, 6:30pm, Republic Coffee, 2924 Walnut Grove Road,Memphis, TN.

The Executive Committee meets on the secondMonday of every month. This is a business meetingbut members are welcome to attend. For moreinformation or to place items on the agenda, con-tact the group chair Keven Routon atkwratcs@me.com -- agenda items must be submit-ted at least three days before the meeting.Thursday, October 27, 6:30 pm - Refreshments& Networking, 7:00 pm – Presentation,Presentation: Topic TBA. Benjamin L. HooksCentral Library, Meeting Room C, 3030 PoplarAvenue, Memphis, TN.

Topic to be announced at a later date (see ourFacebook page for updates;www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group). For moreinformation, contact Susan Routon at susan.rou-ton@gmail.com or (901) 413-3888."Nature of Conservation" Sierra ClubChickasaw Group Cable TV Show on WYPL-TV 18 (Comcast):

Days and times vary -- see http://www.memphis-library.org/tlc18/schedule/ (or the Comcast on-screen guide) for the latest schedule. Topic changesevery month. For more information, or if anyonehas an idea for a future program, contact JudithRutschman at jcrutschman@gmail.com or (901)767-5916. Sierra Club Chickasaw Group is now onFacebook:http://www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group/

This is a forum for public discussion, so pleasefeel free to post comments, raise issues, andexpress environmental concerns. Updates anddetails about upcoming events are posted here.

WATAUGA GROUP (Northeastern TN)

PROGRAM MEETINGS: Every secondTuesday at 7 p.m. Please contact Gloria Griffith atgla4797@earthlink.net or 423-727-4797 for moreinformation.

birds, their history in Tennessee, and the status ofthe endangered Whooping Crane in the state.Please be sure to attend this timely program to findout how you can help protect Sandhill andWhooping Cranes in Tennessee. Free and open tothe public, and Club business is not conducted atthese educational programs. STRATEGY MEETINGS: September 19 andOctober 17, 6:30 p.m. at the United SteelworkersUnion Building, 3340 Perimeter Hill Drive,Nashville, Tennessee 37211. Follow the signs tothe conference area. If you arrive late, please ringthe bell at the side door on the left and someonewill come down to let you in. All members areinvited to attend this conservation and administra-tive meeting to get the news on what’s happeningin our Middle Tennessee Group. We welcome youto be with us to learn about the group’s conserva-tion initiatives and community activities.

CHEROKEE GROUP (Chattanooga)

September Strategy Meeting: September 19(Board Meeting) 3rd Monday, 6:00 pm, at theBrainerd Bethlehem ReSource Center, 4413Brainerd Road, next to the Balloon Factory. Allmembers of the Group and interested people arewelcome -- this is where and when we plan ouractions! To place an item on the agenda, contactElizabeth Tallman-Gazaway at 423-619-0379,preferably a week ahead of our meeting.September Program: Last Monday, September26, 7 pm at Green|Spaces, 63 E. Main Street,Chattanooga. Topic: Watersheds: Why We LoveThem and Why They Matter! A panel of pre-senters will be highlighting three watersheds inthe Cherokee Group: North ChickamaugaCreek, South Chickamauga Creek and theRussell Cave Watershed.

Environmental Engineer Maureen Handler willcover the restoration of the Russell Cave watershedby Sewanee Mountain Cave Club and theSERA/KARST Task Force. The NorthChickamauga Creek Conservancy, represented byExec. Director Gregory Vickory, and the SouthCHickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance will high-light these wonderful recreation areas, the aquaticwildlife they are home to, their environmental ben-efits and the work that is being done to protect andenhance them. Open to the public; healthy snacksprovided! October Strategy Meeting: October 17 (BoardMeeting) 3rd Monday, 6:00 p.m., at theBrainery Bethlehem ReSource Center, 4413Brainerd Road, next to the Balloon Factory. Allinterested people welcome - this is where andwhen we plan our actions and activities! To placean item on the agenda, contact Elizabeth Tallman-Gazaway at 423-619-0379, preferably a weekahead of our meeting.October Program: 4th Monday (not meeting onHalloween!), October 24, 7 pm at Green|Spaces,63 E. Main Street, Chattanooga. Presenters:Tom and Pat Cory, photographers.

Tom and Pat will treat us to photographs of theirrecent trips hiking in Switzerland and Iceland,while sharing with us their tips and techniques ontaking photographs while hiking. This couple liveson Signal Mountain, in-between their trips aroundthe globe! Visit their website, www.tomandpatco-ry.com for a sneak peek at some of their travelsand to learn more about their local classes and pho-tographic travel tours. Their pictures have been inthe Sierra Club calendars! Open to the public;healthy snacks provided!

Note: Our Program Meetings continue to beheld at Green|Spaces, 63 E. Main Street, which isa non-descript storefront building with little-to-nosignage -- it is last on the left in the first block offMarket Street. It is kiddy-corner from the FireDepartment across the street. Look for the SierraClub banner!

HARVEY BROOME GROUP (Knoxville)

Strategy Meetings: Fourth Tuesdays of eachmonth, 7:00 pm, at the Tennessee Valley UnitarianChurch, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. Formore information contact Robin Hill, 865-966-9435, robin.hill8@gmail.com. All members areinvited to attend to get the news on what’s happen-ing in our Harvey Broome Group.Complete Streets: Integrating Walking,Bicycling and Transit into a GreenerTransportation Network. September 13, 7:00PM, Tennessee Valley Unitarian UniversalistChurch.

Ellen Zavisca, senior transportation planner forthe Knoxville Regional Transportation PlanningOrganization, is the presenter.

Across the nation, cities, states and towns areadopting Complete Streets policies to make thetransportation system safer and more accessible forall users. Learn about what's going on in theKnoxville region and what you can do to help. Spruce, Moose, and Microbes – the Vegetationof Isle Royal National Park. October 11, 7:00PM, Tennessee Valley Unitarian UniversalistChurch.

Mac Post, ecologist at the University ofTennessee, will present the program. Cumberland Trail – Progress TowardCompletion. November 8, 7:00 PM, TennesseeValley Unitarian Universalist Church.

Warren Devine, Cumberland Trail CommissionBoard vice-chairman and Cumberland Trail stew-ard, will speak.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE GROUP (Nashville)

PROGRAM—Walden's Puddle: HelpingWildlife in Need. Thursday, September 8, 7:00p.m., at Radnor Lake Visitor Center, 1160 OtterCreek Road, Nashville.

Walden’s Puddle is well-known for its dedica-tion to the rehabilitation of sick, injured, andorphaned wildlife in Middle Tennessee by provid-ing treatment and care, as well as encouraging edu-cation which promotes a greater understanding andappreciation for wildlife and its habitat. Walden’sPuddle is unique in being the only professionallystaffed non-profit organization and wildlife rehabil-itation facility in Middle Tennessee.

A representative from Walden's Puddle willshare information about the organization and howindividuals can work with them to obtain help forinjured wildlife and support their mission througheducation and awareness. Learn and enjoy! In pre-vious visits the speaker has brought an animal ortwo to demonstrate the work that Walden’s Puddledoes. While we can’t promise that will be the casethis time, children may enjoy seeing the animals,either “in person” or on the screen. Free and opento the public, and Club business is not conducted atthese educational programs. PROGRAM: Sandhill Cranes. Thursday,October 13, 7:00 p.m., at Radnor Lake VisitorCenter, 1160 Otter Creek Road, Nashville.

Sandhill cranes are one of the most charismaticbirds found in Tennessee. Virtually the entire east-ern population of 60,000 birds either migratesthrough or stays for the winter in Tennessee.Recently, there has been a stormy controversy overa possible hunting season on Sandhills inTennessee and Kentucky. Both the TennesseeChapter of the Sierra Club and the TennesseeOrnithological Society (TOS), as well as other con-servation organizations, have been very involved inthis debate. Currently, Tennessee WildlifeResources Agency (TWRA) has a two-year mora-torium on considering a crane hunting season inTennessee.

Melinda Welton, research associate with GulfCoast Bird Observatory, has been intimatelyinvolved with these discussions. She will shareinformation about the biology of these magnificent

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Page 5 - September/October, 2011The Tennes-Sierran

All participants in Sierra Club outings arerequired to sign a standard liability waiver. Ifyou would like to read a copy of the waiverbefore you participate, please refer to:http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/SignInWaiver PDF, or call 415-977-5630 for aprinted version. Transportation to the outing,including carpooling, ride-sharing or anythingsimilar, is strictly a private arrangement amongthe participants. Participants assume the risksassociated with this travel.

HARVEY BROOME GROUP (Knoxville)

Sept. 17 (Sat). (This hike was originallyscheduled for Oct. 29) Take-a-Hike, Day hike,Schoolhouse Gap/Turkeypen Ridge/FinleyCane loop hike, GSMNP. This 9-mile loop willhopefully give us some great opportunities toview the low elevation fall colors in the park.Rated moderate. One-way drive: 45 miles.Contact Ron Shrieves at 922- 3518 or ronald-shrieves@comcast.net (email preferred).

Sept. 24 (Sat). Day hike, Honey Creek, BigSouth Fork National River and RecreationArea. This is a rather difficult 5.6 mile looptrail. Originally, it was one of the 10 BowaterPocket Wilderness Areas. The trail is veryrugged and requires crossing a number of smallcreeks, climbing a series of ladders up and downthe bluff, scrambling through boulders, and hik-ing up the Honey Creek drainage. The trailincludes a number of waterfalls, a spectacularrock house, and one of the best views from anoverlook 250 feet above the South Fork of theCumberland River. Quite simply it is one of thebest trails on the Cumberland Plateau. The hikeis difficult and requires about 5 to 7 hours tocomplete depending on how much time is spentenjoying the trail. The driving distance is about75 miles from West Knoxville. One-way drive:70 miles. Contact BJ and Bob Perlack: per-lack@aol.com; 675-7668.

Oct. 8-9 (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Hyatt RidgeTrail, GSMNP. One of the very few high eleva-tion tent campsites in the Smokies is Campsite #44, located in the high country above theOconaluftee area. We’ll hike in on the HyattRidge Trail to the McGee Springs campsite (4.5miles), then out on Beech Gap Trail on Sunday(3.7 miles) (or vice versa). The campsite is justnorth of the now beech tree covered Hyatt Baldand is in a shallow cove shaded by hardwoods; itis remote, high and on the edge of the hugeRaven Fork basin. We’ll look for signs of an oldhistoric trail that used to go on north to Tri-Corner Knob per Ray Payne. Rated moderate.One-way drive: 90 miles. Contact Will Skelton:H 523-2272; Cell 742-7327; whshome@bell-south.net.

Oct. 15-16 (Sat-Sun). Gourmet Backpack,destination TBD. This fall trip has become aHarvey Broome Group tradition, with everyonetrying to make the most outrageous, non-back-packing type food that one can imagine. If youcan dream it up, you can cook it in the back-country. Frozen margaritas, Caesar salad, roast-ed Cornish game hens, seafood Newburg, hotfudge ice cream sundaes, cheesecake, blueberrypancakes. Seriously, this outing provides anopportunity to learn about eating well on back-country adventures, but also about the “leave notrace” wilderness ethic that permits having agood time, while protecting the wilderness expe-rience for those that follow. Contact BarbaraAllen: phone 558-9214; emailallen745139@bellsouth.net (email preferred).

Oct 29 (Sat). (This hike was originallyscheduled for Sept. 17) Take-a-Hike, TwoCastle Tour, Cumberland Trail (CT). This 6.6-

mile loop is in Frozen Head State Park andNatural Area. We ascend on the park’s CCC-built Bird Mountain Trail 2 miles and 1,500 ft. toCastle Rock (East), a popular feature. Joiningthe CT, we head west along the crest of BirdMountain 2 miles to Ross Gap, then continueabout a mile further to a little-known featurewe’ve called Castle Rock West. After exploring,we retrace our steps to Ross Gap and descendvia the old road and a new access trail to thepark’s athletic field and parking. Rated moder-ate. One-way drive: 50 miles. Contact Warren orCarol Devine, 483-7894 or wdevine@bell-south.net.

Nov. 5 (Sat). Day hike, Jeffrey's Hell, offCherohala Hwy, and pizza lunch at TellicoGrains. "Hell" because a man named Jeffreywent looking for his hunting dogs there andnever returned! We'll encounter dense rhododen-dron and mountain laurel (not to worry - there isa trail). Some colors should still be pretty. DorisGove wrote about this hike in her 50 Hikes ofTn. Mtns. Rated moderate. Distance, 4.4 miles.One-way drive: 80 miles. Contact Priscilla Wattsat sigmtngirl@earthlink.net, or call 966-4142.

CHEROKEE GROUP

The Cherokee Group sponsors outings andhikes at least 1 or 2 weekends a month.Jeremy Tallman-Gazaway serves as our out-ings chair and point-man for outings informa-tion for our Group. Our activities are alwaysopen to the public and to members of the Clubfrom across the state! We explore interestingand unique parts of Tennessee, gaining anappreciation of how wonderful, and sometimesthreatened, our area is -- while having fun.Outings are planned to take in the interests andskill levels of the participants. For more infor-mation, contact Jeremy at 423-619-6548 orgazawaypainting@gmail.com

Sep. 10 (Sat) Hiwassee Canoe Trip @ 11AM This is going to be a great time for a tripdown the river with beautiful views of theCherokee Forest. The Hiwassee State ScenicRiver is primarily Class I (moving water withsmall waves, few obstructions) and Class II(easy rapids with wide, clear channels; somemaneuvering required). Certain sections may beconsidered Class III (rapids with high wavescapable of swamping an open canoe; requirescomplex maneuvering). For more information orto register: contact Jeremy Tallman-Gazaway423-619-6548 or gazawaypainting@gmail.comPlease register 1 week in advance.

Sept 24 (Sat) 'Future River Fest-Connecting People and the River' atRenaissance Park.Volunteers needed (2 - 10pm) as we table at the Festival, highlighting ourrivers' clean water needs. We'll need both peoplewilling to staff our table promoting clean energyand water, and others helping kids enjoy theriver! Plan to attend! Contact Barbara Kelly formore information and to volunteer, 423-718-5009 or bk1rivers@comcast.net.

Oct. 7-8-9 (Fri-Sun) Foster Falls CarCamping and Day Hikes. This is a joint outingwith the Middle Tennessee Group. We'll carcamp at TVA's Foster Falls campground, andthen do day hikes in the Fiery Gizzard onSaturday and Sunday. Register/details: tripleaders Barbara Kelly, 423-718-5009 orbk1rivers@comcast.net or Katherine Pendleton,615-943-6877 or kdpendleton1@aol.com.

Oct. 12 & 26, Nov. 9 & 23: Looking forLeaders for our Wednesday Walking -- pleaselet Barbara Kelly know if you would be willingto lead a walk one of these Wednesdays. Ourfirst will be on Wed., Oct. 12, 6 pm at Enterprise

South Nature Park; meet at the visitor center andwe'll go from there! You choose the destinationof the next one—contact Barbara at 423-718-5009 or bk1rivers@comcast.net to volunteer.Further locations will be announced via oureNews and through our Facebook page.

Oct. 21-23 (Fri-Sun) TN Chapter FallFamily Meeting at Pickett State Park.Wonderful accommodations, great hiking andfall colors -- all for $40, early bird registrationby Oct. 15 (kids free!!) The Knoxville Group issponsoring this—contact Robin Hill,robin.hill8@gmail.com.

Oct. 29th Signal Point Day Hike @ 2 PMPlease join us for a beautiful day hike down toRainbow Lake to enjoy the fall colors. We will bestopping for lunch at the falls, so please pack one,and be sure to bring plenty of water. Difficulty:moderate, Distance: 1.2 miles. The trail fromSignal Point is part of the Tennessee River Gorgesegment of the Cumberland Trail and goes toRainbow Falls, Edwards Point, the PrenticeCooper State Forest and finally to the CumberlandTrail State Park. For more information or to regis-ter: contact Jeremy Tallman-Gazaway 423-619-6548 or gazawaypainting@gmail.com Pleaseregister 1 week in advance.

CHICKASAW GROUP (Memphis)

Contact Matt Farr, outings chair, at 901-517-8879 for a list of the outings or go to theGroup’s Facebook page,http://www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group/

Cooper Young Festival, Saturday,September 17, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Join the Chickasaw Group at our booth forone of Memphis’ most exciting and eclectic out-door festivals. If you would like to volunteer tohelp out with CKG’s booth, please contactKeven Routon at kwratcs@me.com.

Sierra Club outings offer a variety ofwilderness and near-wilderness experi-ences. It is important to realize that whileall trips are guided by a leader, it is ulti-mately the responsibility of the individualto operate in a safe manner. To this end,the following is a list of essential itemswhich should be modified according tothe particular type of outing. These are:1. Adequate map2. First aid kit3. Compass4. Rain gear 5. Extra clothing (it is a good idea toalways have a wool hat)6. Matches 7. Knife8. Flashlight9. Extra food, water10. The tenth essential: You decidewhat is the most important thing tobring!

Ten Essentials for Hiking

ADVANCE NOTICE:The Tennessee Chapter's winterChapter meeting will be held January20 – 22, 2012 at Cedars of LebanonState Park. We'll explore this beautifulpark with day hikes, walk among thecedar groves and learn from natural-ists. Plan now for a relaxed weekendand plan on meeting and making newfriends. Prices are low, bunk houseaccommodations. Details will be inthe next Tennes-Sierran, but markyour calendars NOW! – sponsored bythe Middle Tennessee Group

Page 6 - September/October, 2011 The Tennes-Sierran

The following WG members constitute theNominating Committee and ElectionCommittee for the 2011 ExCom election cycle:

Carol Walker, 1-423-727-0792Dennis Shekinah, 1-423-727-6497Dean Whitworth, 1-423-727-7214Webb Griffith, 1-423-727-4797

Any WG member may self nominate bycontacting any Nominating Committeemember before Tuesday, Sept 20, 2011.

A total of four ExCom members, each serv-

ing two-year terms, will be elected to serve2012 through 2013. Successful candidates willjoin returning WG ExCom members MikeWiles, Dean Whitworth, Dennis Shekinah,Gloria Griffith and Carol Walker.

NOMINATING COMMITTEEREPORTS NOMINEES TO WG EXECU-TIVE COMMITTEE on Thursday Sept 22.

* Deadline to Submit Candidate Petitions isThursday, Sept 29 via file document email atdshekinah@centurylink.net or US PostalService mail to Dennis Shekinah 900 MiningTown Rd Mountain City, TN 37683.

Watauga Group (WG) Nominating Committeecalls for ExCom Nominations for the 2011Election Cycle

The Tennessee Chapter will elect four(4) at-large delegates for a term beginning Jan. 1, 2012and ending Dec 31, 2013. Chapter members arerequested to give serious consideration to run-ning for these important offices on the ChapterExecutive Committee (ExCom) which managesthe fiscal, legislative, environmental and otherappropriate responsibilities for our Chapter.

Requirements of the office of at-large dele-gate are as follows:

• Commit to attending the four chapterExCom meetings each year. These meetingsrequire an at-large delegate’s presence for atwo-day meeting each quarter.

• Commit to study issues confronting theExCom from a Chapter or statewide perspec-tive.

• Commit, for the term of office, to voteelectronically by email on issues that require aChapter ExCom vote.

• Serve on ExCom committees whenappointed and as needed for the term of office.

If you are interested in being considered fornomination for the office of at-large delegate,please notify the Nominating CommitteeChairman Robin Hill by email atrobin.hill8@gmail.com or by US mail at 11504Mountain View Road, Knoxville, Tn 37934 orby phone at 865-607-4542.

The office of at-large delegate will providean opportunity to have an important role in theChapter management of a large grass rootsenvironmental organization having more than6,000 members in the State of Tennessee.

Tennessee Chapter Call for Nominations for AtLarge Delegates (2012-2013 Term)

Have you ever wanted to be more involved inthe environmental movement? Willing to volun-teer your skills to help explore, enjoy, and protectthe planet? Chickasaw Group seeks to fill anumber of seats on its Executive Committee andwelcomes your nominations.

Candidates should be interested in promotingenvironmental issues, willing to learn and devel-op action plans within Sierra Club policy, partici-pate in Group activities and attend strategy andprogram meetings regularly. The term for thisposition is two years.

If you are interested, or know someone whomight be, please contact Nominating CommitteeChair Scout Anglin at langlin@memphis.edu.

Our elections will take place by ballot in theNov./Dec. issue of the Tennes-Sierran, with termsto begin in January 2012.

Call for Nominations toChickasaw GroupExecutive Committee

The Cherokee Group Nomination Committeeis looking for nominations for ExecutiveCommittee Members for 2012. We will have four(4) openings.

What does an Executive Committee memberdo? They serve as our "Board," providing theleadership and vision of our Group while helpingus promote the mission of the Sierra Club.Members attend both program and strategy meet-ings, promote the Outings program and conserva-tion activities, participate in long-range planning,actively assist in fundraising activities or con-tribute financially, and contribute a sense ofcamaraderie and teamwork. A tall order to fill—but a rewarding one!

Please contact any one of the NominatingCommittee to volunteer yourself as a candidateor to suggest a candidate: Barbara Kelly, chair,423-718-5009 or bk1rivers@comcact.net; JohnDoyal, 423-304-7467 or baldie052@yahoo.com;Scott Kramer, 423-598-9516 orsk1.mtns@gmail.com. Nominations must bereceived by 9/26/11 for consideration.

Cherokee GroupNominationsSought for 2012

The Middle Tennessee Group of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club is seeking candi-dates for election to the Executive Committee (ExCom). The ExCom has oversight responsibil-ities* for the Middle Tennessee Group to ensure it is carrying out our mission productively. Ifyou know someone you wish to nominate or you are interested in serving, contact any memberof the Nominations Committee by September 28, 2011.

Contact:John Pigg, j.t.pigg@comcast.net or615-851-1192Adele Wood, adelleintn@juno.com or615-665-1010Deanna Bowden, deannabowden@netscape.net or 615-584-0567

*Oversight Responsibilities- Understand and promote the mission of the Sierra Club- Attend Executive Committee and general meetings as necessary- Attend programs when possible- Lead and provide educational training and conservation opportunities to the

general membership- Promote group and chapter outings- Participate in long range planning- Actively assist in fundraising activities- Ensure financial stability and solvency- Modify and allocate resources consistent with the opportunities, the abilities

and the commitment of the group and chapter- Monitor, question and evaluate club activities- Provide leadership and vision for the group and chapter- Contribute a sense of camaraderie and teamwork

Here’s your opportunity to make a difference. Make your nomination today!

Middle Tennessee Group ExCom Nominations Sought

Take Action! Sign ontoTENNESSEE-ALERTS Listserv

If you want to take action on the environment,join this TENNESSEE-ALERTS listserv.

To subscribe, send an email to:LISTSERV@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG

Put in the message area:SUBSCRIBE TENNESSEE-ALERTS

YourFirstName, YourLastName

(Substitute your actual first and last namein the places indicated.)

You will receive a maximum oftwo alerts per month.

Page 7 - September/October, 2011The Tennes-Sierran

Chickasaw Group Lends a Hand in McKellar Lake Clean-upBy Keven Routon

In two short hours, about 40 volunteers, leadby Colton Cockrum, assistant director of theHardin honors program at the University ofMemphis, picked up two truckloads of recy-clable plastic, glass, aluminum and other non-recyclable trash that washed up on the shore ofMcKellar Lake during the high waters thispast May.

Joining Cockrum was the Helen HardinHonors Student Council, Cyndy GrivichTucker with Memphis City Beautiful, andJames Baker, Scout Anglin, Keven Routon ofthe Chickasaw Group. Special thanks toAmelia Mayahi (University of Memphis sus-tainability coordinator) for coordinating theefforts to get as much of the material recycledas possible. A few days after the event,Amelia reported that 1,240 pounds of plasticwas recycled.

McKellar Lake is positioned on the east sideof Presidents Island and prior to closing of theTennessee Chute (narrow area of waterbetween the island and the city of Memphis)in the late 1940s, Presidents Island was anactual island. Today it is a peninsula and thelake no longer receives flows from the northend of the island to aid in emptying its con-tents.

Nonconnah Creek flows from east to westalong southern Shelby County and with awatershed of roughly 280 square miles, rough-ly half the storm water from Memphis andShelby County flows out into McKellar Lakefrom this body of water. The storm water car-ries litter that was carelessly tossed out ontothe streets or otherwise improperly disposedand deposits it into the lake. The litter – most-ly plastic and glass bottles – remains thereuntil it is picked up by volunteers or slowlyflows with the water out into the Mississippi.

The litter could be significantly reducedbefore it is released into and dispersedthroughout the lake. The City ofMemphis/Shelby County could make majorefforts in reducing litter at its source: through

environmental education in the schools frompre-K to 12th grade, using various incentivesto increase the level of recycling, increaseawareness of and enforcement of existing anti-litter laws and city council/mayoral support forcontainer deposit legislation. The ShelbyCounty Commission is already on record assupporting container deposit legislation.

Dr. Marge Davis has proposed legislationyear after year that could greatly assist inreducing litter in our state. Do you rememberas a child how you collected bottles and turnedthem in for a refund? In the simplest termsthat’s what Dr. Davis has proposed. Customersroutinely spend a dollar for a bottle of water;would anyone even notice the increase result-ing from the deposit? The Tennessee legisla-ture has yet to approve this simple bill toreduce litter across the state and especially atMcKellar Lake. See the following webpagefor more information: www.tnbottlebill.org.

Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Watervisited Memphis with his crew for a month inMarch to assist in cleaning McKellar Lake and

plans to return to Memphis for the next threeyears to continue cleanups here. Dr. Cockrumplans to continue leading cleanup events atMcKellar Lake each month. And JamesBaker, director of the TN Water Sentinels, hasbeen calling for actions on this issue for yearsand continues to sound the alarm.

Get involved in whateverway you can to reduce

or collect litter.If you are able and willing to assist in clean-

ing McKellar Lake please monitor ChickasawGroup’s Facebook page for scheduledcleanups:www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group

(From Channel WBIR TV-10 in Knoxville)The Tennessee Sierra Club and its allies are

pushing for “fracking” rules to protect thestate’s residents and its waters from the contro-versial oil and gas drilling practice.

“Fracking” is a common term for hydraulic-fracturing, also known as hydrofracking. It is aprocess used in drilling for oil and natural gaswhere companies drill deep below the surfaceand then horizontally through areas of shale. Apipe is then filled with about 98 percent waterand a few other chemicals at a very high pres-sure to fracture the earth below to allow smallbubbles of natural gas to be released and flowback up the water pipe.

The chemicals in the other two percent con-cern many people, since the EnvironmentalProtection Agency has stated the practice some-times includes carcinogens, acids, and othertoxic materials.

One of the primary concerns is potential pol-lution to groundwater. The drilling process pen-

etrates the water table en route to the shaledeep below. Fracking generally includes severalprotective layers around the pipe to preventleaching into groundwater. However, there arestill concerns about the water that comes backup the pipe and how it is then disposed of vialand application.

The Tennessee Department of Environmentand Conservation estimates the process for pro-posing and approving new “fracking” rulescould take another six to eight months. It usual-ly takes a year or two before state environmen-tal rules and regulations are complete.

“But in the meantime, there is a lack ofregulation and oversight for hydrofrack-ing,” said Axel Ringe with the Sierra Clubof Tennessee. “Once we do get regulationsin place, we are concerned the state willstill fall short in terms of overseeingdrilling companies. There will only bethree employees overseeing every drillingoperation in the state.”

Fracking Rules Sought for Tennessee Oil,Gas Drilling

Photo by James H. Baker

Photo by James H. Baker

Page 8 - September/October, 2011 The Tennes-Sierran

The Sierra Club-Middle TN Group

Tennes-Sierran3340 Perimeter Hill DriveNashville, Tennessee 37211

Bi-Monthly Newsletter for the TN Chapter Sierra ClubVol. 42, No. 5 - September/October, 2011

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Nashville, Tennessee

Permit No. 3225

Attach mailing address label, or fill in currentname, address & Membership ID#

Current Address:

Member ID#

My new address is:NameAddressCity/St/Zip

Mail to:Sierra Club, P.O. Box 421041,Palm Coast, FL 32142-1041.

Moving? Upcoming Fall Events September 24: Moving Planet—a day for moving beyond fossil fuelhttp://connect.sierraclub.org/project/Moving_Planet/blog orhttp://www.350.org/ Find an event near you www.moving-planet.org/map

October 1: National Solar Tour of homes and buildingsSee how solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technolo-gies reduce monthly utility bills and help tackle climate change. http://nationalsolartour.org/location/directory/TNFor more information contact Mary Mastin, marymastin@twlakes.net or(931) 268-2938.

October 28-29: Tennessee Sustainable Economy Summit www.tectn.org

November 5: Memphis Environmental Justice Conference Hold the date November 5th for our all-day environmental grassroots con-ference! There will be a dozen workshops on a wide variety of subjectsincluding two workshops about the radioactive waste threats to ourTennessee communities. Come and join us to celebrate our 10th annualconference with expert presenters. As always, lunch will be complimentsof the Sierra Club. Pre-registration is required and once all details are finala brochure will be distributed on the listserve and via email. The public isinvited to this free learning event. For more information contact SierraClub Field Organizer Rita Harris at the Environmental Justice Programoffice in Memphis, rita.harris@sierraclub.org, (901) 324-7757.

By Josie McQuail T. C. Boyle is the author of 12 novels and nine short story collections. I

reviewed one of his novels, Friend of the Earth (2000), several years ago inthe Tennes-Sierran, and even gave a copy of the book to all group chairsbecause I thought it was so terrific—a scathing commentary on the conse-quences of neglecting to deal with global warming, set in our near future.

When the Killing’s Done is definitely a novel relevant to issues that theSierra Club takes up, since it considers invasivespecies, sustainability, “management” of environ-mental resources, and “eco-terrorism.”

Boyle is one of America’s best novelists, if notthe best (though I also love John Irving). He isdefinitely a chronicler of America, obsession byobsession, eccentricity by eccentricity, greed bygreed. In his novels, there are usually two charac-ters involved in a class of values, ethics, wills andsouls. Often there is a character whose ambitionsare as big as his ego.

Alma Boyd Takesue is our heroine in When theKilling’s Done. Her nemesis is Dave LaJoy.Alma is a biologist with a doctorate fromBerkeley who is trying to preserve the unique ani-mals and plants on a few small islands inCalifornia called the Anacapas. Alma’s concernis, in order to preserve the unique species on theAnacapas, to exterminate the rats on the islands,which are non-native and destroying the fragileecosystem. Dave LaJoy, on the other hand, is ananimal rights activist in the FPA— For theProtection of Animals.

The novel pits LaJoy against Takesue, loveagainst hate, and life against death. It is not theextermination of the rats that Boyle condemns, though. LaJoy, as more thanone critic has noted, is ironically named, because he takes no joy in life.He is a misanthrope, full of hatred for everyone.

Takesue, on the other hand, may be behind the extermination of rats, but sheis on the side of the life force in other ways. The novel has an interestingframe story which involves Alma’s grandmother, Beverly Boyd, who is ship-wrecked and makes her way to the very same islands, in this case, WestAnacapa, where her granddaughter will eventually exterminate rats. The ratsare Beverly’s nemesis, as well. The only survivor of the shipwreck that killsher husband and brother-in-law, Beverly washes up alone on the island. Itturns out that Beverly is pregnant at the time, without knowing it, and herchild is, of course, Alma’s mother.

Besides rats, snakes are a theme in the novel. Alma has done work inGuam, on the invasive brown tree snake. Descriptions of this snake arefrightening:

The snakes were whips of muscle, powerful enough to raise three-quarters of their length up off the ground and hold it there for min-utes at a time, but her muscle, a primate’s muscle, was superior. Shekilled thousands of them. She was bitten half a dozen times. She

became intimate with the peculiar dry pickled odor of the brownsnake’s intestines. And she found, contrary to popular opinion or thefirst law of amateur snake collectors, that this snake did not requirelive prey or even prey at all. It was so adaptable as to be frightening.When the birds were gone, it ate rats and lizards. And when itcouldn’t find a rat or lizard, it came into the yard and the house andsnapped up what it could, whether animate or not. Twice, while slit-

ting open the bellies of snakes, she came acrossthe pale greasy twists of the plastic raw hamburg-er is packaged in. . . . (97).

With Guam and the Anacapas, Boyle is obviouslyplaying with images of an Eden, and snakes are thecurse. This is an Eden where Eve does not neces-sarily need an Adam, however.

LaJoy is one of Boyle’s eccentric fanatics. He isaligned with PETA (People for the EthicalTreatment of Animals), since it was a PETA pam-phlet from an employee in one of his electronicsstores which turns him into an animal rights activist.One would perhaps think that this would makeLaJoy a hero. But it is his fanatical obsession with“saving” species like the rats at the expense of lov-ing other people that condemns LaJoy, whereasthose who kill the rats and the snakes – Beverly andher granddaughter Alma -- are shown to be in tunewith life.

LaJoy will do anything to subvert Alma and theNational Park Service plan to eradicate the rats. Heand his cohorts spread cat food and vitamin K outfor the rats on the islands to serve as an antidote forthe poison which is meant to kill them.

LaJoy traps errant raccoons from his yard andreleases them, to the puzzlement later of Alma and the Forest Service workerson the Anacapas. But the most bizarre touch is the animal which causesLaJoy to be “hoist by his own petard” – 10 rattlesnakes which he has broughtin order to drop off on the island. Even on his boat on the way to the islandsto drop off the creatures, LaJoy doesn’t tell his companions at first about them,but when he does his pal Wilson wants to handle one of the snakes which arecontained in burlap bags. LaJoy forbids it but Wilson beats him to it, and it isthen that LaJoy has an epiphany -- as it turns out, too late:

There it is, the snake, his snake, the one he’s bought with his ownprivate funds to possess it and free it again because that’s his pleas-ure and it’s not secreted in a bag anymore, not wrapped in burlap andhidden from sight, but right there in his face, coiling and uncoiling,rattling its tail in a high furious buzz like a stirred-up hive of bees,thick, potent, menacing, revealed in its essence. A snake. A rat-tlesnake. Crotalus viridis. Its mouth is open in outrage, the fangsyellow-white and slick with wet, with venom. The cabin closes in.The sea moves. And he understands, for the first time, how wrongthis is, how wrong he’s been, how you have to let the animals – theanimals – decide for themselves. (358)

Book Review—Part One, Extremists in Action: Review of T. C. Boyle’sWhen the Killing’s Done, (2011)Viking, 369 pp. hardback $26.95.