please help save cummins falls - sierra club · po box 1504, antioch, tn 37011 (615) 831-6782...
TRANSCRIPT
The bimonthly state newsletter for the Tennessee Chapter Sierra Club Volume 41, Number 5 - September/October, 2010
Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet
By Kathleen Williams and Jeanne FitchThe rope is frayed, and I’m afraid as we
approach the descent into the gorge of spectacularCummins Falls. Slick mud and broken glass alongthe almost-perpendicular climb to the bottom addto the risk. But on this scorching 100-degree-daythe urge for going is greater than the fear.
At the bottom, with legs trembling from trepi-dation and exertion, we climb over house-sizeboulders under the shade of towering bluffs andhemlock to the pool at the bottom of the greatfalls. Towering, roaring, frothing, ever-falling…Cummins Falls. Such sweet relief todip into its icy waters. Bring goggles and swimwith the fish that abound here just below the sur-face. Come see.
The mission of Tennessee Parks and GreenwaysFoundation (TPGF) is to save Tennessee’s naturaltreasures, and Cummins Falls is one of our finest.We have a one-time chance to save this waterfallfor us and future generations.
The northeast side of Blackburn Fork Riverincludes Cummins Falls and encompasses 186acres that was sold at public auction in May. Atthe urging of the TPGF board of directors andvolunteers, a Cookeville resident, Dr. Glenn Hall,purchased the property and generously agreed togive the foundation a one (1) year option to pur-chase in order to raise the money needed to buythe land. Our option expires June 16, 2011. Weneed your help.
Cummins Falls is the largest privately ownedwaterfall in Tennessee. Grand at 75 feet high, thiswaterfall is the eighth largest waterfall in Tennesseein magnitude. It is located in Jackson County closeto the Putnam County line. Its formation on theEastern Highland Rim creates unique, dramatictopography and rare ecosystems where wildlifethrives in this wet, lush, forested gorge.
Cummins Falls is the most significant geologi-cal and scenic feature located on the BlackburnFork State Scenic River. This property protectsnearly two miles of the north side along the mostscenic stretch of river.
Cummins Falls is designated by the NationalPark Service as outstanding for scenic, recre-ational, geological and wildlife values. TheTennessee Rivers Assessment Project designatedBlackburn Fork with its highest rating of “1” fornatural and scenic qualities.
This land has been a priority for TennesseeParks and Greenways Foundation for a decade.
We must raise a milliondollars to conserve it,and Cummins Falls isworth it. We needyour help to give and tojoin the committee. Weare urging clubs andindividuals to pledge tofund one acre at thecost of $5,686.Whatever you can do –we need your help.What a gift to ourfuture generations!
If you are interest-ed in visiting thewaterfall, we will hosthikes on the firstSaturday of eachmonth at 10:00 a.m.Pre-registration isrequired. There willbe a fundraising kick-off party on Saturday,September 25. Pleasebring friends andfamily to show yoursupport for protectingthis treasure. CallDianne Naff at 615-386-3171 or SteveWalsh at 615-545-0195 for more infor-mation, or [email protected].
Please Help Save Cummins Falls
Put the Public Back into TVA Power(Editor’s note: The following material cameoff a flyer submitted by Louise Gorenflo.)
Energy efficiency is a large, untapped andlow-cost energy resource. Money saved fromenergy efficiency increases consumer pur-chasing power.
Energy efficiency pays for itself in lowerelectric bills. Large energy savings are avail-able in existing homes and businesses. Savinga kilowatt hour through energy efficiencyimprovements is easily one-third less expen-sive than building a new energy supply.
Reducing the energy use per unit of pro-duction enhances economic competitivenessof Tennessee businesses.
Energy efficiency makes jobs in our com-munity. It is labor intensive rather than capitalintensive: HVAC, lighting, glazing, plumbing,masonry, roofers, carpentry, refrigeration,construction, auditors, building operationsmanagement, educators, non-governmentalorganizations, trainers, innovators, consult-ants, policy makers and more.
Energy efficiency aligns well with TVA’smission to provide reliable service at the low-est possible price.
TVA Needs to Move Forward withEnergy Efficiency
While TVA has an aggressive peak loadreduction program, it does not have an energyefficiency program to match. The TVA serv-ice area is missing the economic and environ-mental benefits that energy efficiency pro-vides.
Tennessee homes use the most electricityin the nation. We use twice the nationalaverage.
More families have to choose betweenbuying food and paying their electric bill.TVA needs to target these families to helpthem reduce their energy bills.
Surrounding states and states around thecountry are already on the energy efficiencypath.
TVA needs to solve the barriers to unleash-ing the power of energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency expands the ability of ourmarket to deliver energy-efficient goods andservices.
Ask TVA to set an energy efficiency targetto reduce electricity consumption by one per-cent annually.
Sierra Club OfficersTENNESSEE CHAPTER:Chair: Katherine Pendleton (615) 943-6877
[email protected] Chair: Gloria Griffith (423) 727-4797
[email protected]: Bob Hill (865) 966-9435Treasurer: Scott Kramer (423) 598-9516
[email protected]: Gary Bowers (615) 714-3185
[email protected]: Judith Hammond (901) 276-2819
[email protected] Delegate: Don Richardson (901) 276-1387
[email protected] Alternate: Brian Paddock (931) 268-2938
TN LOCAL GROUPS:Cherokee Groupwww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/cherokeeChair: Elizabeth Tallman (423) 619-0379
[email protected] Chair: Jamie Brown (423) 255-3014
[email protected]: Barbara Hurst (423) 866-9503
[email protected]. Chair: Dr. Henry Spratt (423) 425-4383
[email protected] : Barbara Kelly (423) 718-5009
[email protected] Co-Chairs: Jeremy Gazaway (423) 619-6548
[email protected] Kiely (423) [email protected]
Chickasaw Group - Memphiswww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/chickasawChair: Nancy Brannnon (901) 829-4360
[email protected] Chair: Keith Hoover (901) 363-8299
[email protected]: Emily Schwimmer (901) 240-5476
[email protected]: Susan Routon (901) 413-3888
[email protected]: Keven Routon (901) 485-3960
[email protected]: Keith Hoover (901) 363-8299
[email protected]: Matt Farr 901-517-8879
[email protected]: Keith Hoover (901) 363-8299
[email protected] Program: Judith Rutschman (901) 767-5916
Harvey Broome Group - Knoxville/Oak Ridgewww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/broomeChair: Bob Hill (865) 966-9435
[email protected]: David Reister Conservation: Axel Ringe (865)387-1840
[email protected]: Ron Shrieves (865) 922-3518
Middle Tennessee Group - Nashvillewww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/mtgChair: David Bordenkircher
[email protected] Chair: Don Scharf, 615-896-8338
[email protected]: Dr. Cliff Cockerham
[email protected]: Betsy Garber, 615-668-1977
[email protected]: Katherine Pendleton (615) 943-6877
Watauga Group - Carter, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoiand Washington Countieswww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/wataugaChair: Gloria Griffith (423) 727-4797
[email protected] Chair: Sandi Cranford 423-727-5044
[email protected]: Dean Whitworth (423) 727-7214Outings: Webb Griffith (423) 727-4797
Upper Cumberland Group - Cookevillewww.tennessee.sierraclub.org/ucgChair: Mary Mastin (931) 268-2938
[email protected]: Josie McQuail (931) 372-6207
[email protected]: Ralph BowdenSecretary: Peggy EvansConservation: Easton EvansOutings: Vacant
National Sierra Staff in Tennessee:Rita Harris, Community Organizer
Environmental Justice Program (901) [email protected]
Bill McCabe, Central Appalachian EJ Organizeroffice - 423-944-3220 fax - 423-944-3221 (call first)
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Page 2 - July/August, 2010 The Tennes-Sierran
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Enclose a check and mail toSierra Club, P.O. Box 421041, PalmCoast, FL 32142-6417.
Page 3 - September/October, 2010The Tennes-Sierran
Tennessee has MoreThan OneEpiscopal BishopDear Editor:
I read, with great interest, Josie McQuail'sarticle (July-August Tennes-Sierran, p. 6) aboutthe efforts to protect Cummins Falls and sur-rounding property.
Some information in the article about theEpiscopal church in Tennessee needs correction.The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt is the bishopof the Diocese of Tennessee, which includes theportion of the state stretching from theCumberland Plateau on the east to the TennesseeRiver on the West.
The bishop of the Diocese of West Tennesseeis the Rt. Rev. Don E. Johnson. That diocesestretches from the Tennessee River and a smallportion of Hardin County across the river, on theeast, to the Mississippi River and the state'sboundary with Arkansas and Missouri, on thewest.
The Rt. Rev. Charles G. von Rosenberg is thebishop of East Tennessee. The Diocese of EastTennessee extends from the Cumberland Plateauon the west to the Great Smoky Mountains on theeast and includes a small portion of Georgia.
The theological ethos of the Episcopal Churchis one that includes a consciousness of and a con-science about the environment, the Creation. TheDiocese of East Tennessee, in recent years, hasincluded in its deliberations at its annual conven-tion resolutions about stewardship of the environ-ment in East Tennessee. I would not be surprisedto find similar activity afoot in the Diocese ofWest Tennessee. It's exciting to see the activityin Bishop Bauerschmidt's diocese.
Nick WymanResearch ServicesSpecial CollectionsJohn C. Hodges Library1015 Volunteer BoulevardThe University of TennesseeKnoxville, Tennessee 37996-1000Ph. 865.974.4480
The Chapter ChairColumn will be onhiatus this summer.Look for it nextautumn.
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(L-R) State Rep. Barbara Cooper (D) District 86; Rita Harris, Memphis EJ Organizer; and former State Rep. RufusJones of Memphis attended a July event that was in celebration of the funding that was received from the state tokeep the T.O. Fuller State Park's golf course from being closed. State Rep. Barbara Cooper worked closely withthe Friends of T.O. Fuller State Park and was instrumental in leading the fight in the legislature to acquire the nec-essary funds. The confirmed funding will save approximately 28 jobs in the park. T.O. Fuller State Park is onlyone of two Tennessee state parks that are named for an African American. Efforts are underway to better pro-mote it and the increased use of the park and all its amenities. Rita Harris, who recently joined the Friends of T.O.Fuller State Park, joined the Friends group in presenting State Rep. Barbara Cooper an award. Photo: DonRichardson
October 22-24 ll Pickett State Park Group Camp
ll Cost -$40 for the weekend (Group lodging or car camping. Meals)
ll Saturday meeting with meals - $20
ll Children 15 and under free and first-time attendees 1/2 price
ll Meals ProvidedBreakfast Saturday and SundayDinner Saturday night and Friday night supper on your own(Maybe a group will go to a local restaurant)
ll Hike Saturday morning 9 am New Trail at Historic RugbyLed by Katherine Pendleton
ll Conservation meeting at 1 pm Saturday.
ll Saturday evening program 7:30 pm Tn Parks & GreenwaysSave Cummins Falls
ll Silent Auction Saturday night (Bring your goodies)
ll Business meeting Sunday morning.
RSVP to Mary Mastin, [email protected] or 931-268-2938
Save the Date: November 5-6, 2010Summit for a Sustainable Tennessee
Cumberland University, Lebanon
Join over a hundred individuals and organizations at the fourth annual statewide gathering todevelop an Agenda for a Sustainable Tennessee. Hear the latest of what’s happening on theenergy front. Discuss environmental policies that may help prevent or mitigate future envi-ronmental catastrophes such as the Nashville flood, the Gulf Oil spill, or the TVA coal ashdisaster. There will be action items, strategies and tactics to implement the agenda.
The Tennessee Chapter has budgeted money to help Sierra Groups send members to thesummit, so look out for further announcements and make your plans to attend.
To register or for more information, go to www.sustainabletn.org
Directions: Take I-40 to Exit 317 and take Hwy. 127 north for 46 miles. Turn right on Hwy. 154 and travelanother 12 miles to the park entrance.
director of Chattanooga's new Office ofSustainability, will present the audience with anoverview of what challenges we face, whatprogress has been made, and what his vision isfor a newer, greener Chattanooga. According toCrockett, "The issue of sustainability hasbecome our central strategy for everything."
Sustainability steps: The major initiatives ofthe Office of Sustainability include establishingan energy office to audit and retrofit city build-ings. The office plans to establish an advancedsupport center with software to support analysisof water, gas and electricity use for the entirecounty's residential, business, government andnon-profit facilities. The office is also assessingstorm water management and the correlationbetween water and energy management.
"These are permanent things that will getimmediate savings," Crockett says. "In thefuture, we'll rely on these savings to help fundour office."
Another major project that Crockett will workon is the "No Roof Left Unused" initiative,which encourages companies to install greenroofs, solar systems or micro wind turbines onrooftops. And that's just step one.
Plan to attend. Address your questions toChattanooga's Green Frontiersman, askingabout the goals, plans, and visions his office hasfor Chattanooga's sustainability. Bring yourideas, questions and comments!
OCTOBER STRATEGY (BoardMeeting): 2nd Wednesday, October 13, 6p.m., at GreenSpaces, 63 E. Main Street,Chattanooga. If you are interested in our plansor have an issue that concerns you, here's theplace to come!
OCTOBER PROGRAM: Last Monday,October 25, 7 p.m., at GreenSpaces, 63 E.Main Street, Chattanooga. Randy Hedgepath,Tennessee's state parks naturalist, will be high-lighting hiking opportunities in southeastTennessee, outings within a short drive ofChattanooga. Get in on the ground floor andhelp pick our outings for the season, or findgreat places for your own adventures as weenjoy Randy's pictures of southeast Tennessee'sgreat outdoors, which is in our own backyard!!Randy travels across the state leading hikes andexploring Tennessee's wild places. He is veryknowledgeable about our parks and naturalareas, flora and fauna, and is a tremendousresource. Come with your questions and tripplanners! Be sure to bring friends—the public isalways welcome at all our meetings. After theprogram we'll enjoy great refreshments too.
CHICKASAW GROUP (Memphis)
(Sign up for our monthly email events list onthe calendar pagehttp://tennessee.sierraclub.org/chickasaw/)
Thursday, September 2, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm,Monthly First Thursday Gathering
Otherlands, 641 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.Sierra Club members, activists and friends meetin a casual setting to talk about issues and inter-ests. For more information, contact KeithHoover at [email protected] or (901) 363-8299.
Monday, September 13, 6:30 pm, StrategyMeeting, Panera Bread, 4530 Poplar Avenue,Suite 101, Memphis, TN. The ExecutiveCommittee meets on the second Monday ofevery month. This is a business meeting butmembers are welcome to attend. For moreinformation or to place items on the agenda,contact Nancy Brannon [email protected] or (901) 829-4360.Agenda items must be submitted at least three
attention to environmental issues after seeing amountaintop removal mine. Eric is aTennessean and graduate of MTSU. He is afounding member of Tennessee Alumni andStudents for Sustainable Campuses, and hasworked with Mountain Justice and UnitedMountain Defense in the fight against moun-taintop removal.
The Mountaintop Removal Road Show hasbeen shown over 600 times in 22 states since2003, including over 200 large and small univer-sities plus many church, community and civicorganizations. We hope to see you there!
STRATEGY MEETING: Third Mondays,September 20 and October 18, 6:30 p.m., atthe United Steelworkers Union Building,3340 Perimeter Hill Drive, Nashville,Tennessee 37211. Follow the signs to the con-ference area. If you arrive late, please ring thebell at the side door on the left, and someonewill come down to let you in. Conservationissues are first on the agenda, and all membersare invited to attend this conservation andadministrative meeting to get the news onwhat’s happening in our Middle TennesseeGroup. We welcome you to be with us to learnabout the group’s conservation initiatives andcommunity activities. If you have problemsfinding or accessing the building, call KatherinePendleton at 615-943-6877.
UPPER CUMBERLAND GROUP (Cookeville)
MONTHLY MEETING: Every 4thThursday at 7 p.m. in the downstairs meetingroom of the Putnam County Library.Alternating program meeting with planningmeetings every other month. For more informa-tion, contact Mary Mastin [email protected] or (931) 268-2938.
CHEROKEE GROUP (Chattanooga)
Directions: GreenSpaces is located at 63 E.Main Street, Chattanooga. Going south onMarket St. from downtown, take a left ontoMain. Go slow, and look to your left -- 63 E.Main is a brick building at the end of the firstblock. If you get to the fire hall on the right --you've gone too far! GreenSpaces is kiddy-cor-ner across the street from the fire hall. (If youget to Central, you've gone way too far.) If youcan't find it, call Barbara Kelly 423.718.5009 --we don't want anybody to miss our meetings!
SEPTEMBER STRATEGY (BoardMeeting): 2nd Wednesday, September 8, 6p.m., at GreenSpaces, 63. E. Main Street,Chattanooga. All interested members are invit-ed to the meeting where the plans for our con-servation actions and the business of our Groupgets done!
SEPTEMBER PROGRAM: LastMonday, September 27, 7 p.m., atGreenSpaces, 63 E. Main Street,Chattanooga. “Vision for a SustainableChattanooga.” Presenter: David Crockett,Director of City of ChattanoogaSustainability Office.
You're invited to come meet the director ofChattanooga's Office of Sustainability. Hear thefuture of sustainability for Chattanooga. Askquestions. Bring your ideas!
David Crockett, Chattanooga's GreenFrontiersman, is a three-term Chattanooga citycouncilman, former chairman of the council,and president of the Chattanooga Institute forSustainability. He is well recognized in bothgovernmental and green Chattanooga circles.
At our September meeting, Crockett, the first
HARVEY BROOME GROUP (Knoxville)
All programs will be held at the TennesseeValley Unitarian Church, 2931 KingstonPike, Knoxville, TN and will start at 7:00 PM.
Sept. 14, 2010 Program: “The Ecology ofGardening.”
Ms. Meredith Clebtsch will give an overviewof issues that native plants might help solve. Shewill talk about the biology, natural history andgardening of these plants.
October 12, 2010 Program to be Finalized.Please refer to the Harvey Broome Group web
page or Facebook page for information concern-ing the October program.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE GROUP (Nashville)
PROGRAM: Thursday, September 9, 7:00p.m., at Radnor Lake Visitor Center, 1160Otter Creek Road, Nashville.
Local birder Danny Shelton will show a filmhe and his daughter worked on for over 12months. A Year With Birds is a glimpse into thelives of Tennessee’s birds. The film shows over60 beautiful bird species, and explains how birdschange from season to season. With scenes fromDauphin Island, Alabama, it also explores thejourneys of Neotropical birds that fly hundredsor even thousands of miles from other countriesto visit Tennessee each year. Diverse habitatsfrom the banks of the Mississippi River to thefoothills of the Great Smoky Mountains providethe backdrop for A Year With Birds.
The film began as a way for Danny to spendtime with his daughter, combining his interestsin birding and photography with her enthusiasmfor film-making. During 2009, Danny traveledfrom one end of the state to the other filmingbirds. In all, he recorded 22 hours of video dur-ing hundreds of hours in the field observingbirds, mammals, reptiles, and the varied featuresof Tennessee's terrain.
You will learn some bird identification tipsand you will enjoy the stunning photography.DVD’s of the film will be available after thequestion and answer period following the pro-gram.
PROGRAM: Thursday, October 14, 7:00p.m., at Radnor Lake Visitor Center, 1160Otter Creek
Mountaintop removal mining is an especiallydestructive means of mining coal and is an issuethat we in Tennessee, especially those of us whocare about preservation of our forests and ourwater, need to rally our forces against. In theAppalachians, coal companies blast as much as600 feet off the top of the mountains, then dumpthe rock and debris into mountain streams. Over300,000 acres of the most beautiful and produc-tive hardwood forests in America have alreadybeen turned into barren grasslands.
Mountaintop removal mining increases flood-ing, contaminates drinking water supplies,cracks foundations of nearby homes, and show-ers towns with dust and noise from blasting.
The Middle Tennessee Group is honored tohost the Mountaintop Removal Road Show,which includes a stunning 20-minute slide showabout the impacts of mountaintop removal oncoalfield residents, communities and the envi-ronment, and features traditional Appalachianmountain music and shocking aerial photos ofdecapitated mountains.
Our speakers will be Dave Cooper and EricBlevins. Dave is a member of the Sierra Cluband Mountain Justice, and currently works fulltime on environmental issues, especially moun-taintop removal. He decided to devote his full
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All participants in Sierra Club outings arerequired to sign a standard liability waiver. If youwould like to read a copy of the waiver before youparticipate, please refer to:http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/SignInWaiver PDF, or call 415-977-5630 for a print-ed version. Transportation to the outing, includingcarpooling, ride-sharing or anything similar, isstrictly a private arrangement among the partici-pants. Participants assume the risks associated withthis travel.
HARVEY BROOME GROUP (Knoxville)
Sept 5 (Sun). Day hike, Ijams Nature Center.This protected area has been expanded to include asecond quarry with several interesting featuresincluding a cave and overlooks. Learn about quar-rying and its impact on the environment. Hike 3-4miles including the boardwalk along the river.Rated easy and good for beginners. Drive 15 milesone easy. Please register with Linda Smithyman [email protected] or call at (865) 335-3559.
Sept 11 (Sat). Day hike, Cataloochee area ofGSNMP. A 5.9 mile (requiring a car shuttle) hikeon Pretty Hollow Gap trail to Little CataloocheeTrail in the Cataloochee area. Afterward we willdo some elk viewing. This may be the weekendthat the apple butter demonstration is usually held.This is rated easy to moderate for some elevationgain. Drive: 80 miles each way. Pre-register withPriscilla Watts: (865) 966-4142; [email protected].
Sept 18-19 (Sat-Sun). Gourmet Backpack,Citico Wilderness. 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 you candream it up, you can cook it in the backcountry.Frozen margaritas, Caesar salad, roasted Cornishgame hens, seafood Newburg, hot fudge ice creamsundaes, cheesecake, blueberry pancakes. Thevenue for the gastronomic experience is theCrowder Place campsite, on the Crowder Branchtrail in Citico. 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 a goodtime while protecting the wilderness experiencefor those that follow. We'll hike in to CrowderPlace via the Fodderstack Trail, a hike of about 3.3miles. The hike out is only 2.6 miles down theCrowder Branch trail, but there are other possibili-ties if we opt for a longer hike out. Rated easy.Drive: 65 mi each way. Pre-register with RonShrieves: phone (865) 922-3518; email [email protected] (email preferred).
Sept 25 (Sat). Volunteer event, Public LandsDay. Hands-on volunteer work to restore a naturalarea to a more natural state. Learn how to do actu-al conservation work in the field and make yourown impact on nature. Location to be decided.Please register with Linda Smithyman at [email protected] or call at (865) 335-3559.
Oct 2-3 (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Upper BaldRiver Loop of the Cherokee National Forest.The premier new area being supported by theSierra Club and the Tennessee Wild coalition forwilderness designation in the Cherokee NationalForest is the Upper Bald River area, which the USForest Service has recommended for wildernessprotection. We are going to explore the heart ofthis potential new 9,112-acre wilderness (we’vedone this loop during two prior years) and willhopefully gain some new proponents for its wilder-ness designation. Our route is up the BrookshireCreek Trail, across the mountains at the head of thewatershed on the State Line Trail, and returning onthe Kirkland Creek Trail. Hiking distance is about17.5 miles total, and it is rated difficult. Drive: 90miles each way. Pre-register with Will Skelton: H)865-523-2272; Cell) 865-742-7327; [email protected].
Oct 10 (Sun). Wildflower Day hike, FrozenHead State Natural area. This hike is likely lessthan six miles on the Panther Branch trails, includ-ing two waterfalls and the South Old Mac andJudge Branch Loop trails. We’ll learn why this iscalled a state natural area as many fall wildflowerswill be seen, and this is an extension of our springhikes. Rated easy. Drive 80 miles roundtrip. Pleaseregister with Linda Smithyman at [email protected] or call at 865-335-3559.
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
Oct 23 (Sat). Day hike, Lawson MountainSection, Cumberland Trail. This will be the firstgroup to hike the brand-new Lawson MountainSection, just completed in June by the CumberlandTrail Conference. The hike, 9.8 miles in length, isentirely within the North Cumberland WildlifeManagement Area in Scott County. From itsnorthern terminus on Norma Road, the trail cross-es the New River and ascends 1,200 feet in justover 3 miles to reach the top of Lawson Mountain.The scenic traverse of the ridge is followed by a600-foot descent to Bowling Branch. A pleasant,fairly level stroll precedes the second major climbof the section—an ascent of nearly 900 feet to arocky spine dividing two major watersheds. Afteranother level traverse, the trail descends towardremote Cave Branch, then works its way southeastto the Smoky Creek Road trailhead. Highlights ofthis section include a vast hardwood forest afford-ing great fall colors; stands of large, healthy hem-lock; countless tumbling creeks (in season); far-reaching views from Lawson Mountain; walkingin the presence of wild elk; and splendid isolation.After meeting at the Norma Road trailhead, therewill be a 5-mile car shuttle. Pre-register withWarren or Carol Devine, (865) 483-7894 [email protected].
Nov 7 (Sun). Mystery day hike. Where wouldyou like to go within a 50-mile radius? (All sugges-tions are welcome.) The hike will likely be less thansix miles. Rated easy/moderate. Please register withLinda Smithyman at [email protected] call at 865-335-3559.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE GROUP (Nashville)
October 16 ( Sat.), Radnor Lake Sunrise OwlProwl, 6:00 a.m. This will be a sunrise hike insearch of Barred, Eastern Screech or Great HornedOwls and other awakening fine furry friends thatstand out against the autumn changing fauna. We'llmeet in the Nature Center parking lot at 6:00 a.m.and stroll around the Lake Trail and up to theGanier Ridge Trail identifying as many trees as wecan. Once we reach the top of the hill we'll stop toenjoy hot coffee or chai tea and organic breakfasttreats, which will be served by your trip leader.Hiking distance will be approximately 4.5 mileswith some strenuous, but short climbs. For morevenue information visit:http://www.radnorlake.org/welcome.html. Pre-registration is required by contacting Rachel Floydat [email protected] or 615-406-9204.
CHEROKEE GROUP (Chattanooga)
Jeremy Gazaway, outings chair for the localCherokee Sierra Group, leads outings and hikes atleast one or two weekends per month. Our activi-ties are always open to the public. To register, orfor more information, contact Jeremy at423.619.6548 or [email protected]
Saturday, September 18: Elsie HolmesNature Park, 10 am. Come explore South
days (preferably five) before the meeting.Thursday, September 23, 6:30 pm,
Networking & Snacks; 7:00 pm, ProgramPresentation: TBA, Benjamin L. HooksCentral Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue,Memphis, TN. Details to be announced at alater date. For more information or to suggest afuture presentation, contact Susan Routon [email protected] or (901) 413-3888.
Thursday, October 7, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm,Monthly First Thursday GatheringOtherlands, 641 S. Cooper, Memphis, TN.Sierra Club members, activists and friends meetin a casual setting to talk about issues and inter-ests. For more information, contact KeithHoover at [email protected] or (901) 363-8299.
Monday, October 11, 6:30 pm, StrategyMeeting, Panera Bread, 4530 PoplarAvenue, Suite 101, Memphis, TN. TheExecutive Committee meets on the secondMonday of every month. This is a businessmeeting but members are welcome to attend.For more information or to place items onthe agenda, contact Nancy Brannon [email protected] or (901) 829-4360.Agenda items must be submitted at leastthree days (preferably five) before the meet-ing.
Thursday, October 28, 6:30 pmNetworking & Snacks; 7:00 pm, ProgramPresentation: TBA, Benjamin L. HooksCentral Library, 3030 Poplar Avenue,Memphis, TN. Details to be announced at alater date. For more information or to suggest afuture presentation, contact Susan Routon [email protected] or (901) 413-3888.
"Nature of Conservation" ChickasawGroup Cable TV Show on WYPL-TV 18(Comcast). Days and times vary -- seehttp://www.memphislibrary.org/tlc18/schedule/(or the Comcast on-screen guide) for the latestschedule. Topic changes every month. For moreinformation, or if anyone has an idea for a futureprogram, contact Judith Rutschman [email protected] or (901) 767-5916.
Chickasaw Group is now on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/Chickasaw.Group/
This is a forum for public discussion, soplease feel free to post comments, raise issues,and express environmental concerns.
WATAUGA GROUP (Northeastern TN)
PROGRAM MEETINGS: Every secondTuesday at 7 p.m. Please contact Gloria Griffithat [email protected] or 423-727-4797 formore information.
Meetings (continued)
Page 6 - September/October, 2010 The Tennes-Sierran
Tennessee Wild to Lead Hikes to Proposed Wilderness Areasin Cherokee National Forest
Chickamauga Creek with us, and meet Mark thebox turtle. A great outing for families and kids! Inthe East Brainerd Ooltewah-Ringgold Road area.Please register for this event by calling Jeremy at423.619.6548.
Saturday & Sunday, September 25-26:National Public Lands Day event (NPLD).Volunteers are needed to help with bridge and trailrepair in the Tennessee River Gorge segment of theCumberland Trail. Volunteers will meet at 8:00amET at the Signal Mountain parking lot. Please reg-ister with the CTC for this event, [email protected], http://www.cumberland-trail.org or 931-456-6259.
Sunday, October 3: Racoon Mountain DayHike. Easy day hike, close to Chattanooga, greatviews of the valley! For meeting place and furtherdetails, contact Jeremy Gazaway at 423.619.6548or [email protected]. Keep your fin-gers crossed for cooler fall temperatures!
Saturday, October 9: The River (Corn)Maze near Ocoee. Simply a fantastic fun outingfor all ages! We'll be going to the corn maze inthe Ocoee River Valley. This year's theme is"Ocoee Really Rocks!" with nine acres of cornand about two miles of paths for us to explore!For details and to register call Jeremy at423.619.6548 or [email protected] from across Tennessee are urged to joinus this weekend for a fun get together. There'sloads of camping nearby.
FIRST AID TRAINING and Outings LeaderTraining. We're looking for a few good womenand men who are willing to become outings lead-ers! We are working on setting up a first aid classand a short required training in the Sierra Club'sprocedures and history so we can add additionaloutings leaders. Are you interested? You do nothave to be an avid hiker/backpacker, just willing totake people to explore or do something interesting.An outing could be a morning walk on theBrainerd Levee, or an evening bike/picnic inChickamauga Park, or a trip to pick-your-own-blueberries. We need people certified so we can getmore fun activities going and not completely tireout our only two certified leaders, Jeremy andElizabeth! Contact Jeremy at 423.619.6548 [email protected] or Barbara Kelly,
booth, please contact Keith Hoover [email protected] or (901) 363-8299.
Sunday, October 10, 1 pm to 7 pm, "SaveRandolph Bluffs" Fall Sunset Picnic, BallardSlough Road near Needham Road, Randolph,TN. Google Map: http://tinyurl.com/oaula5. Jointhe Sierra Club and the Tennessee Parks &Greenways Foundation as we explore, enjoy, andhelp protect this beautiful riverfront property for afuture state park. The site is the last non-privatelyowned bluff along with the Memphis Riverfront,and offers one of the most spectacular views of along bend in the Mississippi River. Tours of theriverfront landing, an adjacent wooded natural areaand spring, and a nearby rare, preserved under-ground Civil War powder magazine will be con-ducted at various times throughout the day. Foodand beverages will be provided, but you are morethan welcome to bring your own and picnic on thebluff or riverfront. For more information onRandolph Bluffs, see http://tenngreen.org/current-projects.htm . For directions or more informationabout the picnic, see our Facebook page or contactKeith Hoover at [email protected] or (901)363-8299, or Don Richardson at (901) 276-1387.
Saturday, October 16, South CumberlandPlateau Autumn Hikes. Join the Sierra Club aswe explore the nooks and crannies of the SouthCumberland Plateau. These outings provideopportunities for experienced and inexperiencedhikers as two Sierra Club outings leaders will beconducting simultaneous excursions in the region.
Sewanee Perimeter Trail—IntermediateHikers Only.
Join Matt Farr, a Sewanee alumnus andChickasaw Group outings chair, on a very specialautumnal hike that circumscribes Sewanee’s13,000 acre domain. Sewanee was recently namedthe #1 Most Beautiful Campus in America by U.S.News and World Report, and Matt has self-appointed the Outings Committee to verify thisclaim firsthand. The trail, which follows the bluffline for over 20 miles, provides stunning vistas, anumber of upland lakes, significant geological fea-tures, and a great deal of history. Space is very lim-ited. Contact Matt for more details: 901-517-8879or by email at [email protected].
South Cumberland Day Hikes—All Levels.Join Sue Williams, an established and highlyknowledgeable Chickasaw Group outings leader,on a series of short hikes that will visit the SouthCumberland’s more unique and awe-inspiring fea-tures. Distance and difficulty will be accessible byhikers at any experience level. Contact SueWilliams at (901) 274-0524. Both outings requirereservations and must be confirmed prior to leav-ing Memphis.
423.718.5009 or [email protected]. Pleasesay you'll do this!
CHICKASAW GROUP (Memphis)
Saturday, September 18, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm(Rain date is Sept. 19) Tabling Event: Cooper-Young Festival, Cooper Street & Young Avenue,Memphis, TN. Over 85,000 guests will enjoy anappealing mix of art, music and crafts presented byover 380 artisans from around the country. Thisfestival is a true celebration of the arts, people, cul-ture and Memphis heritage. PLEASE NOTE: NOPETS ALLOWED AT THIS EVENT. TheChickasaw Group will have a booth at this event(Booth #A63 on the west side of Cooper St.between Evelyn & Nelson Avenues). To volunteerto help staff the booth, please contact Keith Hooverat [email protected] or (901) 363-8299.
Sunday, September 19, 5:30 pm to 7:20 pm,Sunset on the Bluff Walk. Meet at Union Ave andRiverside Dr at the trolley stop. Free parking atmeters on Wagner on weekends. Bring your ownwater is suggested. No pets please. Walk up tothree miles on the Riverwalk/Bluffwalk with stairspossible part of the walk depending on the timeframe. We’ll go to dinner downtown afterward.Contact Sue Williams at (901) 274-0524.
Friday-Sunday, September 24-26, Fort PillowState Park. Car camping at Ft Pillow State Park,on the Chickasaw Bluff next to the MississippiRiver. Fees for campground, but we will try toshare a site. Hiking and bird watching.Reservations required and must be confirmedbefore departure Friday. Contact Sue Williams at(901) 274-0524.
Saturday, September 25, 10:00 am to 5:00pm, Tabling Event: "Wolf River Day: It's CoolTo Go Green!" V&E Greenline, 620 Avalon,Memphis, TN. This expo will include interactivegreen exhibits, the annual Forest Faire, arts andcrafts, and talks by gardening, nature and green-way experts. Food vendors, live music, kids'games and entertainment, politicians' stump, com-munity garden displays, and wildlife and birdexhibitors are just some of the activities plannedfor the day. The Chickasaw Group will have abooth at this event. To volunteer to help staff the
Outings (continued)
By Tennessee WildOn June 9, Senator Lamar Alexander intro-
duced the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2010 onthe floor of the US Senate. The legislation isco-sponsored by Senator Bob Corker. This billwill designate nearly 20,000 acres of theCherokee National Forest as federally protectedwilderness.
Tennessee Wild will be leading a series ofoutings to all of the areas represented in theTennessee Wilderness Act. These trips are free,open to the public, and vary in difficulty.
"We are hoping to get Tennesseans out ontotheir public lands to see these great places thatSenators Alexander and Corker have proposedfor protection," stated Jeff Hunter of TennesseeWild. "Senator Alexander has stated that this isa good bill for Tennessee families. We couldn'tagree more, and we're hoping some familieswill join us as we explore these beautifulareas."
Here is the schedule of activities:Saturday, September 11, Day Hike into
the Sampson Mountain Wilderness. Thismoderately strenuous 7-mile hike will explorethe existing wilderness area. The hike willinclude the scenic Turkey Pen Cove and MiddleSpring Trails.
Saturday, September 25, Wilderness
Photography Class. Bill and Laura Hodgewill lead this one-day photography class in theTellico Ranger District near their home inCoker Creek, Tennessee. The day will includediscussion of digital photography techniques,in-the-field shooting and highlight the UpperBald River Wilderness Study Area.
Saturday, October 4, Day Hike to WhiggMeadow. This 3.2 mile round-trip hike is suit-able for families with young children. We willhike from the Cherohala Skyway (near TellicoPlains, TN) where we will have lunch (not pro-vided) and play in the meadow.
Sunday, October 10, Day Hike of UpperBald River Wilderness Study Area. This easy4-mile hike along the Brookshire Creek Trailwill take participants to a beautiful waterfallwhere we will enjoy lunch (not provided). Aford of the Bald River is required, but shouldbe no deeper than mid-calf. The trail is an oldrail grade, so no steep climbs are involved. Thisis another great family hike.
October 16-17, Two Rivers Backpack. Thisstrenuous 17-mile backpack will start at theOcoee River and follow the Benton MacKayeTrail north. Along the way we will hikethrough the Little Frog NW Wilderness addi-tion, pass through areas rich in wildlife, andfollow beautiful Lost Creek. The hike con-
cludes at the Hiwassee River. Participants mustprovide their own gear for this overnight trip.
October 22-24, Appalachian TrailBackpack - Big Laurel Branch Wilderness.This strenuous three-day, 17-mile trip will takeparticipants along the ridges of Iron Mountainwhere we will explore the AppalachianNational Scenic Trail. Participants must pro-vide their own gear.
All hikes are free and open to the public.Registration is required and space is limited oneach hike. For additional information or to reg-ister, please contact Jeff Hunter at 423-322-7866 or [email protected]. Additional informationcan also be found at TNWild.org.
Tennessee Wild is dedicated to protectingwilderness in the Cherokee National Forest forthe benefit and enjoyment of current and futuregenerations. We aim to educate the publicabout the benefits of wilderness, and promotevolunteerism and the sound stewardship ofTennessee's wild places.
Page 7 - September/October, 2010The Tennes-Sierran
Nominations Sought for Tennessee Sierra Club OfficesTennessee Chapter Calls forNominations for At-large Delegates
The Tennessee Chapter will elect three (3) at-large delegates for a term beginning January 1,2011 and ending December 31, 2012. Chaptermembers are requested to give serious considera-tion to running for these important offices in theChapter Executive Committee, which managesthe fiscal, legislative, environmental and otherappropriate responsibilities for our Chapter.
Requirements of the office of at-large delegateare as follows:
Commit to attend the four chapter ExecutiveCommittee (ExCom) meetings each year.These meetings require an at-large delegate’spresence for a two-day meeting each quarter. Commit, for the term of office, to votingelectronically on issues that require aChapter Executive Committee vote.Serve on ExCom committees when appoint-ed and as needed for the term of office.If you are interested in being considered fornomination to the office of at-largedelegate, please notify the NominatingCommittee Chairman Robin Hill by email [email protected], or by US mail—11504 Mountain View Road, Knoxville, TN37934 or by phone at 865-607-4542. The office of at-large delegate provides anopportunity to play an important role in theChapter management of a large grassrootsenvironmental organization having morethan 6,000 members in Tennessee.
Harvey Broome Group Seeks nomina-tions for Executive Committee
The nominating committee for the HarveyBroome Group (HBG) is seeking nominees to fillsix (6) two-year terms on the Group ExecutiveCommittee (ExCom). The committee is com-
TVA Region’s Largest Solar Power PlantComes Online
Utility executives, business leaders, and fed-eral, state and local officials inaugurated inmid-August a new one megawatt (1 MW) solarpower system, the largest in Tennessee and theTennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Region.
Now online, the system is comprised of4,608 Sharp® ND-224UC1 solar modulesmade in Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group’sMemphis plant and was developed, designedand constructed by Natural Energy Group inconjunction with Efficient Energy ofTennessee, LLC (EETN), its integrator armbased in Powell, Tenn. EETN will also main-tain the facility.
“This one megawatt solar project exemplifiesTennessee's leadership in deploying solarpower and developing clean energy technologysolutions that will create good jobs and fostergreater energy independence for our country,"said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. "I'mpleased to see continued investments like theone being celebrated in Knoxville today thatare helping us create the clean energy economyof tomorrow."
It is anticipated this solar power array willgenerate 1,198,920 kWh of clean, emission-free solar energy annually for the KnoxvilleUtility Board (KUB) grid. This represents theequivalent energy to power more than 120 aver-age-sized American homes. The solar arraywill eliminate the CO2 / greenhouse gases thatwould otherwise be emitted by the consump-tion of 2,000 barrels of oil. In addition, thedesign, construction and maintenance of thissystem helped create dozens of new clean techjobs in Knoxville, in addition to the factoryjobs that Sharp created at its Memphis plant.
"The City of Knoxville seeks to substantiallyincrease the deployment of solar power in thearea. Knoxville's ‘Solar America Cities’ effort
underscores our progress in working toward asustainable solar infrastructure," said KnoxvilleMayor Bill Haslam. "This initiative furthersour goal of bringing solar power into the main-stream."
An existing building on the site will be con-verted to an education center that will includedisplays of real-time production data, designand installation information, mounting displays(helical piers, etc) and other educational itemsfor public viewing.System constructionbegan in May 2010,and was completed inJuly; it will be main-tained by EfficientEnergy of Tennessee,LLC.
posed of Mac Post, Ron Shrieves and WillSkelton, and will function from August 1, 2010 toOctober 1, 2010.
HBG members wanting to serve on the ExComshould contact Ron Shrieves [email protected] or by phone at 865-922-3518 or by US mail at 7812 Ember CrestTrail, Knoxville, TN 37838. Any HBG membermay nominate another provided the member to benominated approves.
The ExCom is the governing body for ourgroup. It manages our finances, our environmen-tal objectives, represents the HBG to the publicwhen required and provides grassroots environ-mental leadership for the fulfillment of our objec-tives. It does not require experience in anythingother than a commitment to work on grassrootsenvironmental issues in the 19-county area ofEast Tennessee. The job requirements are simple.
ExCom members are expected to attend themonthly ExCom meeting on the 4th Tuesday ofeach month. This meeting lasts 1.5 to 2.0 hoursand is run using an agenda, which is emailed inadvance of the meeting. Members are expectedto accept some committee assignments that are ofinterest to them.
We also do fun things like hiking and canoeingas it suits your interests.
Please respond positively to this call andbecome a candidate for election to the ExCom.We need your help!Robin Hill, HBG Chairman
Members Sought for Middle TennesseeExCom
The Middle Tennessee Group is looking for afew good volunteers to serve on the 2011Executive Committee (ExCom) for a two-yearterm. Our ExCom meets monthly at the SierraClub office in Nashville to plan and implement
programs, outings and conservation programs inmiddle Tennessee. The election will be inNovember and the ballots will be in theNovember issue of the Tennes-Sierran.
If you are interested in serving on the MiddleTennessee Group Executive Committee or if youwould like to nominate someone else, please con-tact Dave Bordenkircher [email protected] or615.333.3377 or John Pigg at [email protected] 615.851.1192.
Help the Sierra Club stay active and grow inTennessee.
Call for Nominations for CherokeeGroup Executive Committee
It's time for nominations for the election ofmembers to our Group's Executive Committee,the voting board of our Group. Half the membersare elected every year for a two-year term.
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.
If you are interested, or know someone whoshould be, please contact Nominating CommitteeChair Scott Kramer, [email protected] or 423.598.9516.
Our elections will take place by ballot in theNov./Dec. issue of the Tennes-Sierran, with termsto begin in January.
Watauga Group Calls for ExecutiveCommittee Nominations
A total of five Executive Committee (ExCom)members, each serving two-year terms, will beelected. Successful candidates will join returningExCom members Rita Cowan, Sandi Cranford,Mary Gale and Louise Shoen.
The following members constitute the WataugaGroup Nominating Committee and ElectionCommittee for the 2010 ExCom election cycle:
Catherine Murray, 1-423-929-8163Rita Cowan, 1-423-727-6497Sandi Cranford, 1-423-727-5044Mike Wiles, 1-423-727-2791Any Watauga Group member may self nomi-
nate by contacting any Nominating Committeemember before Sept 14.
The Nominating Committee reports nomineesto the Executive Committee on Sept 14.
The deadline to submit candidate petitions isSept 28 via file document email [email protected] or mail to DennisShekinah, 900 Miningtown Rd, Mountain City,TN 37683.
Page 8 - September/October, 2010 The Tennes-Sierran
By Gloria GriffithThe 1st Annual Watauga Lake Cleanup (WLC)
attracted 260 residents from Carter and JohnsonCounty, Tenn., who gathered 500 bags of litter and100 vehicle tires.
Over 4,000 pounds of trash was extracted bycommunity volunteer hands in less than five hours.As an example, the Big Dry Run Fire Departmentlanded seven boat loads of trash. At day’s end, twohuge construction debris trailers were loaded tothe gills with the WLC "Catch of the Day."
Starting out early from Fish Springs Marinanear Hampton, Tenn., Webb Griffith and DeanWhitworth piloted a 16' jon boat they dubbed the“Watauga Queen.” They hauled out a TV set andcar tire complete w/rim and hubcap in addition tothe more typical debris like tennis balls, fishinglures, mono line, drink cans, bottles, Styrofoamand bobbers. Their heaviest item was an institu-tional size oxygen bottle labeled "Statesville, NC"and the most unusual find was a coconut!
Other Watauga Group members Ron Rairighand Joanne Nelson gathered trash aboard a pon-
Watauga Lake Cleanup Yields Unusual Catch of the Day
The Sierra Club-Middle TN Group
Tennes-Sierran3340 Perimeter Hill DriveNashville, Tennessee 37211
Bimonthly Newsletter for the TN Chapter Sierra ClubVol. 41, No. 5 - September, 2010
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 32142-6417.
Moving?
toon boat while Marilyn andGeorge Hall walked the easternshoreline gathering debris.
“Atta boys” go to hundreds ofparticipants, numerous support-ers and civic organizations repre-sented. A big shout out goes toevent leader Mary Salter, SugarGrove Baptist Church and com-munity and business leader spon-sors like Johnson County MayorLarry Potter and Fish SpringsMarina.
tors, activists from labor, the environment and economic jus-tice for two packed days of workshops, strategizing, net-working, films, and music. http://www.taptn.org/ SAVE THE DATE: November 5-6 2010 Sustainable Tennessee Summit, CumberlandUniversity, Lebanon, Tenn.
Come hear great speakers, see the green exhibit area, andcontinue the exciting work on the 2011 SustainabilityAgenda. http://www.sustainabletn.org/media.phpPublic Hearings and Feedback on TVA's IntegratedResource Plan
The Stakeholder Review Group met August 26. At that meet-ing, we expect to learn the details of the public commentingprocess. The Tennessee Chapter will send out an alert to itsmembers with this information. Contact Louise [email protected] for information on how to comment.
Urge your legislators to pass the Energy Star bill encouragingpurchases of energy efficient equipment with rebates available.Generation Partners Update and Kit
Now is the time to try to set up showings of the TVA filmon its alternative energy incentive program, GenerationPartners. (It is quite good and runs about 15 minutes.)
You may have seen the public flap about TVA changingthe program. We've been assured that the program will staythe same for all users for the near future and for a longer peri-od of time for smaller than 1 megawatt residential users.
Please plan to arrange viewings in the last two weeks ofSeptember or first week of October to be in conjunction withthe National Solar Tour date. Contact Mary Mastin [email protected] to arrange for viewings. Seehttp://nationalsolartour.org/Coal Ash—Please Take Action
Help protect our soil, land, air and water quality and pub-lic health against all toxic coal combustion residuals, andhelp set strong, federally enforceable safeguards on toxiccoal ash.
Please write to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(e-mail: [email protected]) and remember to include thissubject: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-RCRA-2009-0640). Tellthe EPA:
Please regulate Coal Combustion Residuals (CCRs),including those destined for commerce as beneficial-use (i.e.bottom ash, fly ash, mercury adsorbed sorbents etc.)! Pleaseremove the present “1989 Bevil exemption on CCRs.”Solar Valley Coalition and Sierra’s 1% Energy EfficiencyPlan
Urge TVA to commit to a plan for 1% energy efficiency forfive years.
We are asking city councils and county commissions allover the state to pass resolutions asking TVA to do this.Recently both the Memphis City Council and the ShelbyCounty Commission passed these resolutions. Work is inprogress to have Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and theTriCities pass resolutions. If you would like to work on thisproject to urge your local politicians to support this, pleasecontact Louise Gorenflo at [email protected].
Score One For LivabilityBy Steven Sondheim
Senator Dodd's Livable Communities Act passed the USSenate Banking Committee. Known as a "smart growth plan-ning" bill, it would integrate transportation with housing andeconomic development.
This provides $4 billion in competitive grants for projectsthat integrate transportation, housing, and economic develop-ment with environmental planning. It establishes a new Officeof Sustainable Housing and Communities in the Department ofHousing and Urban Development to coordinate federal policiesthat foster sustainability.
After the Senate returns from August recess, Senator Doddhopes to pass this bill. So we'll have more work to do con-vincing our senators to support this good legislation and getit passed.
Senator Chris Dodd stated, "There is great demand for thekind of integrated planning and ‘location-efficient’ invest-ments that the Livable Communities Act makes possible.This is demonstrated by the fact that hundreds of communi-ties from all 50 states have submitted expressions of interestin applying for HUD’s Sustainable Communities RegionalPlanning Grant program.”
Urge your senators to pass bills on and write letters to theeditor on these issues: energy efficiency, coal ash, livabilityand HomeStar.SAVE THE DATE: October 8-9Tennessee Green Jobs Conference in Nashville
This conference brings together green businesses, educa-
Photo: Gloria Griffith
(L to R) Webb Griffith holds thecoconut and Dean Whitworth putsa hand on the oxygen bottle thatthey retrieved from cleaning upWatauga Lake.