Fall 2007 Pelican Newsletter, Florida Sierra Club

8/9/2019 Fall 2007 Pelican Newsletter, Florida Sierra Club

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Anew day is dawning for Floridas clean en-ergy and global warming initiatives. At onetime, proposals for new coal plants were on the

fast track for approval. But with a new Governor

in Tallahassee who is proactive on global warm-

ing, and strong grassroots opposition to these

polluters, a number of them have recently been

turned down.

In July a consortium of Florida utilities backed off

from a proposed 800-megawatt coal plant in

Taylor County, citing concerns about global

warming gas emissions, but also due to opposi-

tion from Governor Crist. Florida Chapter activ-

ists have won a long and hard-fought victory.Two years ago the Sierra Club Big Bend Group

joined forces with Hope for Clean Water, T aylor

Residents United for the Environment (TRUE),

Environmental Alliance of North Florida (EANF),

Big Bend Climate Action Team, the No Coal Coa-

lition, and a number of other groups to stop this

plant. That made a big difference. Joy Towles

Ezell, Chapter Energy Chair, said, When only

four (unpaid) people spoke in favor of the TEC

plant at the recent land use hearing, with over

60 voicing their objections, along with serious

objections raised at the Public Service Commis-

sion hearing, it became very obvious that this

filthy coal plant is not acceptable in Taylor

County.

In June the Florida Public Service Commission

nixed a proposal by Florida Power & Light to

build a 960-megawatt coal plant next to Lake

Okeechobee near the Everglades National Park,

again, due to global warming emissions. It was

the first time in 15 years that a coal plant pro-

posal in Florida has been denied, and the firsttime global warming was raised as the key issue.

The Public Service Commissions decision deny-

ing the Glades coal burner, with the praise of

Governor Crist, was an unmistakable sign that

the partnerships coal proposal is in trouble,

Ezell said.

In August the Florida Department of Environ-

mental Protection withdrew its support for a

permit for a $1.2 billion expansion of a Seminole

Electric Cooperative coal plant in Putnam County,

near Palatka. Sierra Club had challenged the

permitting for this expansion of the coal burner.

Florida must move beyond coal, and develop a

clean energy plan, said Ezell. And those plansshould include solar, wind, conservation, efficien-

cies, and other clean energy technologies.

For more information contact Joy Towles Ezell,

(850) 584 7087; email: hopeforclean-

[email protected].

Coal rush grinding to a haltGovernor, Public Service Commission say NO to more polluting plants

Volume 39, Issue 3

The Pel ican, Fal l 2007

The PelicanSierra Club Florida

Chapter news

2

Fall 2007 Outings 3

News from around

Florida

4

Gopher tortoise man-

agement plan

6

FL Summit on global

climate change

7

Florida Hometown

Democracy Campaign

8

2007 Conservation

Conference

10

Municipal solid waste

is not a renewable fuel

12

Compact fluorescent

bulbs & mercury

13

2008 Florida Executive

Committee Candidates

14

2008 Florida Executive

Committee Ballot

15

I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

The of f ic ia l pub l icat ion of the S ierra C lu b F lor ida Chapter

LauraDenardoP

elicanPerch


2/16

Page 2

At the Flexcom held August 18-19, the Florida Chapter

formed a brand-new Pelican Committee consisting of11 members from across the state. This group will

provide support to the Pelican editor in the solicitation,

editing and fact-checking, and layout of articles and

photos, and will be taking a look at publishing and

format options for future Pelican editions.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions about

the Pelican, you may contact one or all members.

Pelican Committee Chairs:Kathy Criscola, Editor and Co-Chair, edi-

[email protected], long-term Pelican Editor.

Rosalie Shaffer, Co-Chair, [email protected],

Manatee-Sarasota Group. At-large Flexcom member.

Former newsletter editor of the NW Florida Group.

Committee Members:Joan Altman, [email protected],

Nassau County Group. Group chair, Flexcom delegate

and newsletter editor.

Andy Canelos , [email protected],

Central Florida Group. Group Excom member, alter-

nate Flexcom delegate and Secretary. Chapter com-

puter committee member.

Frances Coleman, [email protected],

Polk Group. Group newsletter editor, former Group

Chair, vice chair and treasurer. Former Chapter Chair

and delegate to the Sierra Club Council. Former mem-

ber, National Membership Committee.

Maryvonne Devensky, [email protected],

Loxahatchee Group. Former group Excom member,

former asst newsletter editor, former education chair.

John Glenn, [email protected],

Nassau County Group, Chapter Conservation Chair,

Membership Chair and Safe Drinking Water chair

Marilyn Goodwin, [email protected],

Greater Charlotte Harbor Group. Group Excom mem-

ber, Secretary, and Publicity Chair

Ron Haines, [email protected],

Loxahatchee Group. Group Excom member and Flex-

com delegate

December McSherry , [email protected],

Chapter Agriculture Committee Chair and National

Agriculture Committee member.

Alice Platt , [email protected], Northeast Group,

Group Excom member, website administrator.

Betsy Roberts (Ex-Officio Member)

[email protected], Chapter Chair.

What a weekend at Flexcom! It really

turned out great. We discussed pol-

icy, issues and all our successes.

Flexcom is our Florida Chapter Execu-

tive Committee, composed of offi-

cers, delegates from our local groups,

and at-large delegates. It meets five

times per year.

Florida Hometown Democracy, of

course, was discussed. This impor-

tant effort to allow citizens to vote on

comprehensive plan amendments

needs financial support and petition

signatures. Lets all think of ways to

get both. Just rememberif you are

on private property, make sure you

have permission to collect signatures.

Read more about Hometown Democ-

racy on page 8 and 9.

Our Legal Committee has two new

cases to add to their already long list.

Thanks to everyone who is helping

with that. The Conservation Commit-

tee has been very busy with phos-

phate mining, red tide, energy and

other issues. We also now have a

new subcommittee chaired by Mark

Oncavage with Helen Spivey, to help

prevent more nuclear plants in Flor-

ida. Anyone out there interested? Call

Mark (305) 251-5273; Im sure he

could use some help.

Bev Griffiths of the Tampa Bay Group

agreed to work on the oil and gas

issue, and Carter Quillan of the

Calusa Group is working hard to get

solar energy in more households. Joy

Ezell reported on our wonderful victo-

ries against proposed new coal

plants.

Ginger Perlman and Rob Brinkman

agreed to look into different ways of

voting for our meetings. We will hear

more about this at our November

Mini-Flexcom. Speaking of November,

be sure to put the 2-4 th on your cal-

endar. Ben Fusaro is planning an

exciting and fun-filled Conservation

Conference. See details on page 10

and register today using the form on

page 11.

There were some issues that were

resolved, including the Pelican news-

letter committee. It appears that all

are satisfied with the restructuring of

the Pelican committee, with 11 tal-

ented members (see list at left).

Thanks to all who attended. You are

wonderful and do so much good!

Thanks also to Kathy Emerson for all

her hard work in coordinating the

meetinggreat meeting room, food

and a wonderful evening Saturdaynight. Socialization is an important

part of our meeting, so lets always

remember to mix our work with fun!

Betsy Roberts, Chapter Chair

New PelicanCommittee Chapter Chair Report Highlights of August 18-19 Flexcom meeting, Melbourne

The Pelican Volume 39, no 3:

Editor: Kathy Criscola

Pelican Committee Co-Chairs: Kathy Criscola and Rosalie Shaffer

Published by the Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club, 319 E. Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL

Address all inquiries to: PO Box 575, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0575 or

email [email protected] and

[email protected]

The Pelican is mailed three times per year to members of Sierra Club in the state ofFlorida. Annual membership includes $1.00 for the chapter newsletter.

Send address changes to:

Sierra Club Member Services

PO Box 52968Boulder, CO 80322-2968

or email: [email protected]

Article Submissions: Send articles to the Pelican Committee, in Word or text formatto: P.O Box 575, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0575, or

email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Articles may be edited for space and clarity. Next deadline: January 19, 2008

Advertising: For an advertising rate sheet, write to:P.O Box 575, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0575

or email: [email protected]

SIERRA CLUB FLORIDA CHAPTER NEWS

Volume 39, Issue 3The Pe l i can , Fa l l 2007

Sierra Club statement of purpose

To e xp lo re , e n j o y , a n d p ro te c t th e w i l d sp a ce s o f th i s

Ear th ; to pract ice and promote the responsib le use o f

the Ear th s ecosystems and resources; to educate and

e n l i s t h u ma n i ty t o p ro te c t a n d re s to re th e q u a l i t y o f

th e n a tu ra l a n d h u ma n e n v i r o n me n t ; a n d to u se a l l

l a w fu l m e a n s to ca r r y o u t th e se o b je ct i ve s .

Sierra Club By-Law s


3/16

Gear up for some great outings!Submitted by Rudy Scheffer, Chapter Outings Chair

Pa ge 3

Oct 6,7,8 Discover beautif ul Oleta River State Park.

Paddle down the river towards the bay plus enjoy a leisure trail

walk at nearby Greynolds Park. Camaraderie round the campfire

and spend cool nights in the air-conditioned group cabins. Moder-

ate. Limit 8. Cost: $100 members, $130 non-members.

Leader: Alan Nowell, 305-253-4250 or [email protected]. Asst:

Kaatje Bernabei, 305-223-6551 or [email protected]

(Miami)

Oct 13 5th Annual John M uir Family Walk.

John Muir, the great environmentalist, and first President of the

Sierra Club when it was formed in 1892, landed in Fernandina

Beach on October 15, 1867, to begin his famous walk across Flor-

ida. We will celebrate the 140th anniversary of his landing in Flor-

ida with an easy 4- mile walk at the new John Muir Ecological Park

on A1A in Yulee, Florida. This is a joint outing of the Yulee Historic

Council, the Northeast Florida and Nassau County groups of the

Sierra Club. Meet at the post office on A1A which is approximately

4 miles east of Interstate 95.

Leaders: Todd Sack M.D. and Brian Paradise. For further informa-

tion, contact Brian, [email protected] (Northeast)

Oct 13 Sunset sea kayak trip to Caladesi Island.

Moderate 2 hour paddle to observe the sunset. Bring snacks and

drinks. Learn about the birds and other wildlife on the Island.

Afterwards optional dinner at a local restaurant. Leader: Rudy

Scheffer, 727-726-8375 or [email protected]

Oct 14 Hike at Three Lakes/P rairie Lakes.

Within an hours drive of Disney World is the Kissimmee Prairie,

one of the largest remaining expanses of dry prairie in the United

States. A significant portion of the Kissimmee Prairie has been

preserved within the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

Named for the three lakes that border the area (Lake Kissimmee,

Lake Jackson, and Lake Marian), well hike 5.7 miles along the

Florida National Scenic Trail and enjoy the colorful flush of wild-

flowers in fall. This trail wanders through marsh, meadow, ham-

mock and pine forest all in the wildlife management area. There is

an abundance of animalsdeer, bald eagles, caracara, sandhill

cranes. Bring lunch and well carpool from Orlando. Cost $1.00 per

person admission. Contact: Mary-Slater Linn 407-481-4398 or

[email protected] (Central)

Oct 25 Coquina Beach Bay Side Potluck and Sunset/ Full

Moon Beach Walk. 6:30 p.m.

Please bring a dish to serve 8, your table service, drink, bug repel-

lent and a $5 donation per adult to the pavilion next to the play

equipment close to the southern most boat ramp on Anna MariaIsland. Please reserve by Oct. 23 with Mary 941-752-3200

(Manatee-Sarasota)

Oct 27 10th Annual Oakland Heritage Festival.

Come out for boat rides on Lake Apopka, good food, check out the

vendors and environmental group, enjoy the music. Come spend

an afternoon under the oaks. The mission of the Oakland Nature

Preserve is to promote understanding of the fragile balances

among land, water, mankind, and the environment by educating

people about the natural ecosystems of the Lake Apopka Basin and

by restoring and conserving the lands within the Preserve. This

one-day event goes from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at Speers Park in

the town of Oakland, Florida. For more information contact: Mary-

Slater Linn 407-481-4398 or [email protected] (Central)

Oct 27, 28 Jonathan Dickinson State Park Camping.

Join us for car camping, hiking and canoeing and BBQ. Leisure.

Limit 10. Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members.

Leader: Ed Zaret, 305-586-3564 (Miami)

Oct 30 Pontoon Boat Ride from Lake Monroe to Blue Spring

Special Wednesday outing!

9:30-4:30 for a pontoon boat ride with Jungle Jim, who spoke at

the Sierra Club, Central Florida Group meeting in July about alliga-

tors. He can take 9 people on his pontoon boat ride and well take

an eco-cruise from Lake Monroe to Blue Spr ings. We'll visit the

lower Wekiva River basin and stop at Blue Springs State Park for

our picnic lunch and a swim down the spring run. It cost $35 for

this all day tour. Space limited to 9 people. RSVP: Contact: Mary-

Slater Linn 407-481-4398 or [email protected] (Central)

Dec 2-10 Come With Us to Explore Costa Rica

For information call Ed at 941-747-2801 or Pete at 941-729-8006.

Dec 26 -30 Holiday Hike - Four night/five day backp ack trip

to Myakka River State Park.

A moderate hike of about 30 miles. We plan to explore and stay at

several of the parks best campsites. Your leaders will help you

learn about the history of this park and what it has to offer. Limit

of 8 participants. Cost is $20 plus campsite reservation fees. Co-

leaders Mike Pici, 727-798-9227 or [email protected], Ben

Berauer, 727-392-2821 or [email protected] (Suncoast)

FALL 2007 OUTINGS

Ready to launch at Silver Springs: Sierrans make final preparations

before spending a day canoeing and kayaking on Silver Springs.

PhotobyMary-SlatrLinn


Training Events:Sep 29 OLT101/201. Outing leader training. Location will be

in Broward County.

Contact Charles Hunt for details at [email protected].

Oct 20 OLT 101. For new Outing Leaders or for re-

certification. Location in the Tampa Bay Area.

For more details contact: Rudy Scheffer, (727) 726-8375 or

[email protected].

There also will be another Wilderness First Aid course in the

fall, but the date is not set yet.


4/16

Page 4

The effort to stop the large-scale development ofCrane Island received a posi-

tive boost from Circuit Court

Judge Brian Davis in July. The

suit, brought by several com-

munity activists including two

members of the Nassau Sierra

Group executive committee, is

against Nassau County for

illegally changing the Compre-

hensive Plan and Future Land

Use Map (FLUM) in order to

approve a planned unit devel-

opment for Crane Island of 163

homes plus a 90-slip marina.

Crane Island is a small mari-

time islanda hammock with a

number of large heritage

oaks that lies between Amelia

Island and the Intracoastal

Waterway. In 1992 the state

required Crane Island be cate-

gorized as conservation/ wet-

lands. Land owners and devel-

opers have tried to change that

designation to residential

three times, every time being

denied by the Department ofConsumer Affairs. In 2006 the

Nassau County Commission

voted to change the Comp Plan

and FLUM citing an obscure

section of the Comp Plan.

The lead developerthe Amelia

Island Companyhas taken

over the lead of the defense

from the County. The AIC had

filed a motion to dismiss the

suit. However, in a hearing with

Judge Davis at the end of June,

the AIC withdrew most of its

objections. (The motion for

dismissal is seen as nothing

more than legal harassment to

run up our legal costs, as it had

no legal basis.)

Our suit has two parts: the first

is that a county cannot change

its Comprehensive Plan and

Future Land Use Map without

state approval. We have a very

strong case with solid court

rulings, as well as expert wit-

nesses, to support our conten-

tion that this was illegal.

The second part of our suit is

that the county and developers

participated in illegal contract

zoning where, by use of a

four-month-long negotiation

over a memorandum of under-

standing, the Crane Island PUD

was set up by prior agreement

between developers and

county.

Where the first part of the suit

will be heard at trialdate has

not been setthe second part

will be reviewed by the judge in

a process known ascertiorari.

Judge Davis has just agreed to

do this (objecting to certiorari

was the essence of the AICs

motion to dismiss). Judge Davis

is expected to issue a decision

in the next month or so.

The actions of the AIC and its

attorneys are costly. The

Friends of Crane Island Coali-

tion has raised $17,000 so far

with most of that already used

for legal fees. We expect attor-

ney fees and the costs of ex-

pert witnesses for the trial will

require another $10,000. The

Friends of Crane Island have

made an e-mail appeal to the

publicprimarily high-wealth

individualsthat is beginning to

bear fruit. Fund raising events

are being planned for the au-

tumn.

The stakes are high. If we

cannot sustain the legal action

the County, City and develop-

ers will know that the public

does not have the heart to

make a significant challenge to

illegal actions and they will be

free to do whatever they

please. If we can persevere we

can deliver an important lessonto elected officials. Weve

drawn a line in the sand. We

must hold that line.

submitted by Robert Weintraub

From th e Nassau Grou p

Crane Island legal challenge

NEWS FROM AROUND FLORIDA

For further information and

how you can help, visit the

Nassau Sierra Group online at:

http://florida.sierraclub.org/

nassaucounty/

Crane Island: threatened by developmentConcernedFriendsof

Fernandina


A Florida cypress forest is a beautifulthing. Cypress trees pro-vide habitat for threatened

and endangered species, criti-

cal areas for migratory birds,protect our communities from

flooding, filter our waters, and

are part of the amazing ex-

perience of being in nature in

Florida. They are a valuable and intrinsic

element of all that is wild and free in Flor-

ida. They belong in the ground, in our wet-

lands, in cypress domes, and along our

coastlines.not in plastic bags as mulch.

Cypress forests in Louisiana, Florida and

throughout the Gulf are being clear-cut to

produce cypress mulch. Whole swamp eco-

systems are being lost, with entire trees

being ground up to be sold in

the garden departments of Wal-

Mart, Home Depot and Lowes.

Dont buy cypress mulch! Use

one of the many ecologically

sustainable alternatives, and

vote with your dollars. Please

take a moment on your next shopping trip

to tell the store manager that you dont

want the company to sell cypress mulch,

and visit www.healthygulf.org to send a

message directly to the CEOs of Wal-Mart,

Home Depot and Lowes.

The Gulf Restoration Network is proud to be

working within the Florida Chapter of the

Sierra Club to spread the word about pro-

tecting cypress forests. Together we can

protect the rivers, lakes, swamps and

coastlines of Florida to ensure that cypress

trees are preserved for wildlife, and for

future generations.

Save our cypressCypress trees belong in the ground, not in plastic bags!By Joe Murphy, Gulf Restoration Network

Learn more and get

involved! Contact Joe

Murphy of the Gulf

Restoration Network

at 352-583-0870, or

[email protected] company! Dick Williams, seen here stand-ing between cypress trees at Rock Bluff Springs,

led a Sierra Club campaign against cutting cy-

press trees in Gilchrist County.


5/16

The Greater Charlotte Harbor Groupreports some big wins in 2007. Earlier

this year, through their hard work combined

with that of a coalition of community asso-

ciations, they were able to get a developers

agreement for the Wildflower Golf Course

retracted by the Charlotte County Commis-

sion. That plan would have added another

390 density units to an already overbur-

dened Placida Peninsula.

In May, the groups testimony helped get

the county to reject the Omni Waste Dump

proposed for just north of Babcock Ranch.

This busy group has also supplied three

positions on a stakeholders panel to rewritethe countys excavation ordinance. And

although five of the nine positions on the

panel represent mining interests, the group

was able to get important protections for

the environment into the new ordinance.

Maggy Hurchallaserved as MartinCounty Commissioner

from 1974 to 1994. Shemade wetlands protec-

tion policy part of the

county comprehensive

plan. She has served on

national, state, regional

and local task forces and

committees as an expert on wetlands. She

continues to testify for Florida's Everglades

and wetlands.

Maggy Hurchalla has spent her free time

exploring the vast natural wild areas, rivers

and swamps of Florida since she was a

child. She has sadly seen much of it disap-

pear under bulldozers.

Hurchalla has advocated for decades restor-

ing and preserving Florida's wetlands, la-

goons and coastal estuaries. They are im-

portant not only for wildlife and migratory

birds, but for us and our survival. No wet-

land in Florida is isolated and the mosaic of

small sloughs are just as important to Flor-

idas water supply and wildlife.

Hurchalla proposed the rebirth of natural

marshlands on the edge of the Everglades

and the return of sheet flow. The Ever-

glades is the largest subtropical wilderness

in the United States. It has been designated

an International Biosphere Reserve, a World

Heritage Site, and a Wetland of Interna-

tional Importance, in recognition of its sig-nificance to all people of the world. Hur-

challa was a key player in stopping one of

the giant reservoirs promoted by the Bush

administration in the Everglades and in-

stead helped create a plan for a 90,000 acre

natural wildlife habitat.

In July, Hurchalla spoke before the Mana-

tee-Sarasota Group. Below are some ex-

cerpts from her speech:

Wetlands are beautifulWetland values are

localThey cannot be replaced by some-

thing better or somewhere else. The wet-

land in your neighborhood is about birds

and critters in your neighborhood.

The wetland in your neighborhood is what

sets the quality, timing and quantity of the

runoff to your part of the estuary. Replacing

all those values somewhere else would not

take care of your neighborhood.

Preserving and restoring all wetlands

through strict development rules is a good

investment and good public policy.... and

backed by all our scientific knowledge. De-

stroying them is stupidI am not a fan of

mitigation. It offends me as an environmen-

talist because it does not work. When a

developer talks about mitigating a wetland

he is talking about killing the wetland.

Wading bird populations continue to dwin-

dleIt is one of the goals of the Compre-

hensive Everglades Restoration Plan that

the spatial extent of short hydroperiod wet-

lands must be increased if South Florida's

wading bird population is to survive. We

need to get back some of what we've lost.

When wetlands dry down they become

supermarkets of protein for wading bird

parents. The sheer physical concentration of

protein in a catchable space makes it possi-

ble to feed hordes of hungry baby birds

Clouds of wading birds that darkened the

sky are no longer there. They are perma-

nently buried by suburban subdivisions in

Dade and Broward and Palm BeachCounty.

Ms. Hurchalla describes a night in the Ever-

glades on a canoe trip:

We slept over water with our hammocks

tied to willow trees. There was water all

around. But it was all about sky and reflect-

ing infinity. I have never seen a more beau-

tiful sunrise. The reflected sunrise in the

west, in the water and in the sky, was as

bright as sunrise in the east. It was a glori-

ous painting of all the shades of pink and all

the shapes of clouds.

Maggy Hurchalla: Florida needs all its wetlandsBy December McSherry

Pa ge 5

Fr o m t h e G r e a t e r Ch a r l o t t e

H a r b o r G r o u p 2007 WINS


On August 27 the Sarasota Board ofCounty Commissioners passedthe

strongest county fertilizer ordinance in

Florida. This is the result of over a year

and a half of coordinated education, out-

reach, and media work by volunteer lead-

ers from the Manatee-Sarasota Sierra Club

Group, statewide members of the Red Tide

Working Group, National Sierra Club staff,

and our coalition partners in the area.

Here are some specifics of the ordinance:

It prohibits residents from applying fertil-

izers that contain nitrogen or phosphorus

in the rainy season, between June 1 and

September 30.

It sets maximum levels for the amount of

nitrogen and phosphorus that legal fertil-

izers can contain.

It sets a fertilizer-free zone within 10 feet

of any body of water and creates a vol-

untary "low maintenance zone" within six

feet of water bodies.

It requires the use of fertilizers that are

at least 50% "Controlled or Slow" re-

lease.

It requires all commercial fertilizer appli-

cators to receive proper certification and

training in Sarasota County Best Manage-

ment Practices.The ordinance passed unanimously by a

vote of 5 to 0. It was a clean sweep at the

local level. All of the concerns and issues

we raised over the course of a year and a

half were addressed in the in the final

version of the ordinance.

From SarasotaWin on fertilizer use rulesBy Stuart DeCew,Sierra Club Regional Office, Sarasota


6/16

MORE NEWS FROM AROUND FLORIDAThe Gopher Tortoise management plan

Volume 39, Issue 3The Pe l i can , Fa l l 2007Page 6

Co m m e n t s b y R e b e c ca Ea g a n , FW C

G o p h e r T o r t o i s e S t a k e h o l d e r G r o u p

S t e er i n g Co m m i t t e e

Gopherus polyphemus is the south-easts only tortoise and it is pivotal toFlorida upland ecology, sharing its burrow

with many other upland species. This an-

cient herbivore is long-lived and adaptable

to human presence, given forage, burrow

sites and safety from roads, dogs, poaching

and machinery. Planning for its needs and

cooperation between agencies, govern-

ments, and citizens are required for the

gopher to survive.

Fifteen years of incidental take (paying a

fee and entombing tortoises) has done

damage: of the nearly 100,000 tortoises

statewide permitted by the Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to

be buried alive, about one third died in

Orange, Lake, Osceola and Seminole coun-

tiessome for roads and schools and some

for speculative developments. High cumu-

lative tortoise losses in individual counties

did not slow incidental take permit issu-

anceas the Expressway Authoritys burial

of over 440 in March starkly shows nor

did it stop counties from approving tor-

toise-deadly projects.

An 80-90% population decline has led FWC

to up-list the gopher tortoise to

Threatened and draft a Management Plan

that requires relocation. Although public

outcry against tortoise suffering prodded

the agency to eliminate entombment, the

Plan will not take full effect for two years

and applies only to new permits, while

grandfathering in the non-expiring/ heri-

table kill permits still being issued through

July 30th, when the Interim IncidentalTake Policy, which mandates relocation

but not proper protocol or site criteria,

replaces the old incidental taking policy.

Now The Coalition for Property Rights

(CPR) has launched a campaign opposing

tortoise protections, threatening the pro-

gress made and consensus reached during

two intensive years of FWC-convened tor-

toise stakeholder steering committee meet-

ings. One CPR representative claims tor-

toise protections thwart The American

Dream.

The Gopher Tortoise is an irreplaceable

skein in our life-web. Lets cherish it.

Co m m e n t s b y D a v i d A u t h , F l o r i d a

Ch a p t e r B i o d i v e r s i t y I s s u e Ch a i r

Incidental take was an abominable prac-tice, and the Florida Chapter agrees withits cessation. We firmly disagree with the

FWC position to relocate 180,000 additional

tortoises over 15 years. It is way too many

tortoises and many of them will die. With-

out enclosures and long-term monitoring

and making sure the habitat is appropriate,

the latter being impossible if the FWC car-

ries out its proposal to repopulate areas in

other states as well, hundreds of miles

from where the tortoises evolved inside the

state, with different climates. Also unrealis-

tic is the FWC's proposal to buy over

600,000 more acres of tortoise habitat,

which would cost as much or more than the

entire proposed ten years of Florida For-

ever II, at one billion dollars a year.

It is time to stop relocating tortoises and

instead protect them and their burrow

associates where they live now, on both

private and public lands. Otherwise the

FWC will continue to make the situation

worse, as the agency has for many years,

via both relocation and killing the tortoises

in place. It is time for the people of Florida

to pay for protecting the remaining tor-

toises and their associates where they live,

requiring perpetual management practices

as well as purchasing conservation ease-

ments to prevent development. Sierra Club

does not accept the FWC draft manage-

ment plan as written, as it will not stabilize

the populations of the Gopher tortoise in

Florida.

Read Rustle the Leaf online at www.rustletheleaf.com. "Rustle The Leaf" Comics characters courtesy of Go Natur'L Studios, LLC, 2005. The "Rustle

The Leaf Comics" properties copyright and trademark of Go Natur'L Studios, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Review the plan and other materials

online at:

http://myfwc.com/imperiledspecies/plans/

final_draft_gopher_tortoise.pdf

http://myfwc.com/imperiledspecies/

petitions/gopher-tortoise.htm

Out for an afternoon stroll: Gopher Tortoise

grazing at Ichetucknee State Park


7/16

The realization by Governor Crist that

carbon dioxide emissions from coal-

burning power plants and transportation

vehicles contribute to global warming,

climate change, powerful hurricanes, rising

sea levels, increasing storm strength, ex-

treme flooding and severe droughtall too

familiar to Florida residentswas the gene-

sis for his recent Climate Summit as part of

his Serve to Preserve Florida initiative to

address the impacts of global climate

change on our environment.

This historic gathering, which took place in

Miami July 1213, reinforced a growing

public determination to confront the climate

change that threatens Floridas 1,200-milecoastline and $7-billion-a-year outdoor

recreation industry. The goal of the Summit

was to bring together state, national and

international leaders and members of the

business and environmental communities

to explore opportunities for advancing a

global climate change agenda and specific

climate action plans. Close to 1000 people

attended, surrounded by allies, activists,

agency staffers, Public Service Commission

members, dozens of Florida Legislators,

media and a line up of keynote speakers:

Governor Crist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,

Theodore Roosevelt IV, and California Gov-

ernor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

All speakers and panel participants offered

a variety of challenges and opportunities

for us to embrace, pro and con, over the

two day summit. At the close of the Sum-

mit, Governor Crist signed three executive

orders and international agreements with

the United Kingdom and Germany. The aim

of the executive orders are to cut green-

house gas emissions to 1990 levels by

2025, to require 20% of state power to

come from renewable sources and to com-

pel civil servants to use fuel-efficient vehi-

cles and green offices. The Governors

executive orders also call for curbing all

greenhouse-gas emissions from power

plants to their 2000 levels within a decade,

and to one- fifth of their 1990 levels by

2050. That equates to eliminating about

260 of the 298 million metric tons carbon

spewed annually into the air.

The Florida Chapter of the Sierra Club was

well represented at the Climate Summit,

with more than 30 activists from across the

state, including National Sierra Clubs Ex-

ecutive Director Carl Pope who stated that

a tsunami is rising across America, and it

is headed straight for the beaches of the

Beltway. The panels focused on leadership

and success stories, and none of the speak-

ers, fittingly, were from the federal govern-

ment Other attendees include: Chapter

Energy Chair Joy Towles Ezell, who also

serves on the Florida Energy Commission

sub committee on climate change (along

with Tom Larson from the Northeast

Group), several National Florida staffers,

Chapter Chair Betsy Roberts, Barbara Cur-

tis, Chapter Admin

Chair, members

from the Villages/

Naturecoast, Bro-

ward, Loxahatchee,

Central Florida, Big

Bend, Miami, Sun-

coast, Manatee/

Sarasota and oth-

ers.

During the month

following the Sum-

mit, the Governor

Crist has rolled out

his Climate Task Force and set their

agenda, and as reported by George Cavros,

member of the Chapter Legal Committee

and Broward group, the Department of

Environmental Protection already held their

first series of meetings to implement the

Executive Orders on curbing carbon dioxide

emissions and increasing CAFE standardsfor automobiles in Florida. Also, the Public

Service Commission has begun workshops

on renewable portfolio standards and net

metering, etc. and the Chapter has myself,

Joy and other activists, and Leon Jacobs, a

former Public Service Commission Chair-

man appointed by the late Governor

Lawton Chiles, attending them. Let us know

who else is out there participating in en-

ergy related meetings so we can all work

together on changing the face of energy

polices to efficiency and conservation for

years to come.

Pa ge 7

Florida Summit on Global Climate ChangeGovernor Crists Serve To Preserve ini tiative

By Susie Caplowe, Sierra Club Florida Chapter Lobbyist

Sierrans at the Summit: Standing, l to r: Susie Caplowe, Leon Jacobs, Eleanor Strickland, GaleDickert, Sue Michalson, Gerry Swormstedt, Barbara Curtis, Peggy Coley

Kneeling, l to r: Lisa Flournoy, Joy Towles Ezell, George Cavros, Betsy Roberts

To hear the panel discussions and key note

speakers from the Climate Summit Archives:

http://www.myfloridaclimate.com

Executive Orders:

http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/news

To follow the Florida Energy Commission:

http://www.floridaenergycommission.gov


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8/16

Page 8

As of June 2007, we're approximately 65% of the

way tow ard col lect ing enough petit ions to make iton the 2008 ballot! Don't slow dow n now! Sign the

FHD petition on the next page, then get f ive of your

friends to sign copies. Together we can save Florida .

How many times in the past years have you driven by a forest cut

to the ground for new homes, seen a waterway polluted by sedi-

ment and runoff, been stuck in traffic grid lock,

seen neighborhoods turned into strip shopping

centers. Do you wonder what happened to the

deer, otters, birds that used to live in the woods

near your home? Is the only green space around

you filled with For Sale signs? Do you ask

yourself why your taxes are so high and your

schools so overcrowded, when our leaders pro-

nounce that growth is good for our state?

You are not alone in asking questions with few

answers. The statistics on Florida's growth woes

are frightening. Citizens everywhere in the state are asking ques-

tions about how much they are expected to endure in their com-

munity. Where is the planning to control growth and protect the

environment?

Florida state law requires that each local government have a Com-

prehensive Plana plan for a county's growth that will ensure

adequate roads, schools and other services, and provide conserva-

tion of the environment and natural resources. While these plans

are in place in our cities and counties, lawmakers are giving in to

developers' whims by simply amending the Comp Plan at every

turnrendering the plan completely ineffective and meaningless.

But we have the power to change this unchecked, unrea-

soned growth.

It's all included in the Hometow n Democracy

Amendment -a chance for all the citizens of a community to

vote when a change to the Comprehensive Plan is proposed.

Changes to Comprehensive Plans would be done in an orderly way.

Planners would review the proposed changes, elected councilmen

would have a chance to comment and hold hearings, but in the end

the voters would approve or deny the

changes.

There's only one catch. We can't vote to ap-

prove the amendment on the 2008 ballot

yetfirst we have to collect enough signa-

tures to get it there. The Sierra Club is taking

an active part in supporting the measure, andcollecting enough signatures by the end of

this year to place the amendment on the

ballot. FHD has collected 475,000 of the

611,000 needed (with some awaiting validation). Please sign and

send in the petition now. You must be registered to vote in Florida

to be able to provide a valid signed petition.

Please also print five copies of the petition and take them to your

friends, family, and coworkers. The Florida Chapter is helping to

fund this effort; please consider making your own contribution as

well. This amendment is so important to the future of your commu-

nity and our state.

Let's al l work together to put it on the 2008 ballot.

Credit: includes information from the Northeast Florida Group website

CAMPAIGN UPDATESPutting Florida Hometown Democracy on the ballot


Imagine the thrill you wouldhave if you could watchbaby screech owls take their

first flights. Promote the

possibility by installing a

nesting box in your yard.

Most of the time the boxes

are used by wood ducks, but more

and more people are gleefully

reporting owls.

Minimum donation is $50 for a

small box and $60 for a large

one; shipping is usually about

$15 within the state. All mon-

ies in excess of material costs

are donated to the Richard

Coleman Scholarship Fund at

New College. Due to the suc-

cess of this project, Sierra has

reached four-fifths of the endowment goal of $25,000!

These baby screech ow ls couldbe in YOUR yard!

Photoby:Dr.PaulGray

Visit ourrevised website

www.buildtheskyway.com

where you can learn more about theSkyway, follow links to our SkywayCoalition members and supporters

and email Governor Crist andCongressional leaders

directly.

The Everglades Skywayby Jonathan Ullman, Sierra Club South Florida Office

The Everglades Skyway campaign continues to make progressin its quest to elevate 11 miles of Tamiami Trail to allow forthe natural, unimpeded flow of water into Everglades National

Park and Florida Bay. Our broad-based coalition now numbers

nearly 40 organizations representing business, civic, environ-

mental, and tourism interests, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties,

and six South Florida munici-

palities including the City

of Miami.

The Skyway concept

is supported by a bi-

partisan group of

elected officials; a

number of which have

taken leadership roles,

including Miami-Dade Mayor

Carlos Alvarez and County Commission Chairman Bruno Barreiro.

Supporters also include Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio and

Florida House Minority leader Dan Gelber.

Reach Jonathan at 305-860-9888 or [email protected]

Toorderyournestingbox,calloremailBobTaylorat(863)[email protected]

Want to do more?Contact your local group, or

John Hedrick, Sprawl/ FHDChair, at (850) 339-5462

[email protected]

See also:

www.FloridaHometownDemocracy.com for forms and

where to send donations


9/16

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PETITION FORM104.185 A person who knowingly signs a petition or petitions for a candidate, minor political party, or an issue

more than one time commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

I am a registered voter of Florida and hereby petition the Secretary of State to place the followingamendment to the Florida Constitution on the ballot in the next general election.

I AM REGISTERED TO VOTE IN __________________COUNTY

NAME__________________________________ STREET ADDRESS_______________________________Please PRINT Name as it appears on Voter I.D. Card PRINT Current Physical Address ( NO PO BOXES

CITY_________________________ , FL ZIP__________ , USA COUNTY___________________(County of residence)

IS THIS A CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION IN SAME COUNTY? Yes___ No___

VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBER________________ -or- DATE OF BIRTH _____/_____/____Month Day Year

X _____________________________________ DATE_________SIGNATURE AS IT APPEARS ON VOTER I.D. CARD DATE SIGNED

FULL TEXT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA THAT:Article II, Section 7. Natural resources and scenic beauty of the Florida Constitution is amended to add thefollowing subsection:

Public participation in local government comprehensive land use planning benefits the conservation and protectionof Floridas natural resources and scenic beauty, and the long-term quality of life of Floridians. Therefore, before alocal government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, suchproposed plan or plan amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum,following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body as provided by general lawand notice thereof in a local newspaper of general circulation. Notice and referendum will be as provided by generalaw. This amendment shall become effective immediately upon approval by the electors of Florida.

For purposes of this subsection:

1. Local government means a county or municipality.2. Local government comprehensive land use plan means a plan to guide and control future land development

in an area under the jurisdiction of a local government.3. Local planning agency means the agency of a local government that is responsible for the preparation of a

comprehensive land use plan and plan amendments after public notice and hearings and for makingrecommendations to the governing body of the local government regarding the adoption or amendment of acomprehensive land use plan.

4. Governing body means the board of county commissioners of a county, the commission or council of amunicipality, or the chief elected governing body of a county or municipality, however designated.

Serial Number: 05-18 Date Approved: June 21, 2005

BALLOT TITLE:REFERENDA REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF LOCALGOVERNMENT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS.BALLOT SUMMARY: Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensiveland use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall besubject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by thelocal planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

Return to:Florida Hometown Democracy, Inc.,P.O. Box 636New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0636

PLEASE DONATE! Contributions should be madepayable to Florida Hometown Democracy, Inc.

www.FloridaHometownDemocracy.comphone: (866) 779-5513email: [email protected]

pd.pol.adv., Florida Hometown Democracy, Inc.


10/16

Enjoy a weekend getaway with fellow environmentalists, learn more about saving whats left of Old Florida, andcharge your green batteries. Saturday morning, we start off with Mike Long, Director of Forestry, on managingforests and protecting resources; Joyce Tarnow (of FHD-Publix fame), on the environment and population; and

Jennifer Hecker, Conservancy of SW Florida, on panthers and patching their fragmented habitat via corridors.

In the afternoon, Sierrans will provide a variety of presentationsan ocean-going experience with Sea Shepherd,legal self-defense, managing outdoor programs, defeating a billionaire developer, lobbying the Florida legislature,

sustaining Gulf fisheries, and saving the gopher tortoise.

This stimulating activity will be followed by a nature walk, eveningentertainment and an awards ceremony.

Buffet-style meals will be served in the retreats cafeteria, or cookyour own food in your lodgings kitchen or tent camp grill. Enjoy

the beautiful outdoor setting with trails, swimming, canoeing,

volleyball and a playground. Bring the kids or non-Sierranfriends.

This Retreat is located in central Florida, about 30 mi south of

Ocala and 40 mi west of Orlando. Its just south of Leesburg andthe Florida Turnpike. A map of the Retreat, and information on itsfacilities, are on the above website. (For motels near the Retreat,

google motels Groveland FL.)

Please fill out the registration form now. Send it in early and getyour choice of accommodations. The registration fee is only $15(the same as in 2006), which helps to cover our meeting room

rentals and other expenses.

Pa ge 1 0Volume 39, Issue 3

The Pe l i can , Fa l l 2007

2007 CONSERVATION CONFERENCEFRIDAYEVENINGSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2-4, 2007at the Pine Lake Retreat, Groveland Florida

www.pinelakeretreat.combrought to you by the Sierra Club Florida Chapter

PUBLICLANDSADVENTURE(VICARIOUS!)POPULATIONWILDLIFEFISHERIES

SKILLS

If you have anyquestions, contactBen Fusaro, ConservationConference Coordinatorat (850) 2 97-2052 ore-mail [email protected]


11/16

January 10-13, 2008 Everglades Conference

at South Seas Island Resort, Captiva IslandHosted by Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Pa ge 1 1

2007 CONSERVATION CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM For more information, contact Ben Fusaro at (850) 297-2052 or [email protected]

Please register earlyDeadline to order meals and lodging is Monday, 22 October; please, no refunds

after that date. Mail this form & a check payable to Florida Chapter of Sierra Club to:Ben Fusaro, 379 Rob Roy Trail, Tallahassee FL 32312-1467

Name(s):Include the names of all the people you are registering.


Conference Fees

No. of attendees Fee/person Sub-total

X $15.00$

Fee Total:(from row above) $

Family Chalets: 2 BR-2 BA, LR with sleep sofa, porch. Each bed-room has one double bed.

Lodge A: 3 BR (bunks)- 2 BA, LR, KIT. / Lodge B: 2 BR (bunks)- 1BA, KIT. Lodges share a porch.

North Shore, Bambi Lodges: 2 BR (bunks)- 2 BA, LR with sleep sofas

White House A: 1 BR, 2 bunk rooms, 2 BA, LR, porch; B: 4 bunk beds, 1 BA, LR.

South Hall Lodge: 2 BR,1 bunk rm, (2/rm)- 2 BA, KIT, porchTent Camping & R/V sites: Bath houses available. RV sites include

full hookups, no linens.

Lodging Options: Overnight options, Fri-Sat nights, 2-3 November. All lodges have kitchens/linens. Check in after 3pm Fri-day; check out by 11am Sunday. Childrens discount varies check with coordinator. Lodging map at: www.pinelakeretreat.com

(see lodging descriptions below) No. of persons No. of nights $/night/person Sub-total

Family Chalets X $22.00

Lodges A & B X $18.00

North Shore, South Hall, Bambi X $15.00

White House A & B X $13.00

RV sites X $19.00

Tent sites X $10.00

Lodging Total:(add rows above)

$

GRAND TOTAL (Sum of Fee + Meals + Lodging):GRAND TOTAL (Sum of Fee + Meals + Lodging):GRAND TOTAL (Sum of Fee + Meals + Lodging): $

Address:

City/Zip:

Phone:

Email:

Meal Options:Please reservewe have to book at least 25 diners in order to make a mealFriday

2 Nov

Saturday

3 Nov

Sunday

4 Nov

No. of meals

vegetarian

No. of meals

omnivore

$/meal Sub-total

Breakfast X $8.50 $

Lunch X $8.50 $

Dinner X $8.50 $

Meal Total:(add rows above) $

See website for information: http://www.evergladescoalition.org/

The Everglades Coalition is an alliance of 45 local, state and national conservation and environmental organizations dedi-cated to full restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem, from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes into Lake Okeechobee,

through the "River of Grass", out to Florida Bay and the Keys.


12/16

Pa ge 1 2

Burning garbage to create

energy sounds like a great

idea, right? Get rid of the gar-

bage; create energy, what could

be wrong with that? Try swim-

ming in the Fenholloway River

or take a whiff of Palatkas pa-

per-mill air and youll agree that

recycling is the way to go.

Thats why our support for re-

newable energy from sources

such as solar, wind, geothermal,

ocean currents, etc. instead of

fossil fuels should NOT include

municipal solid waste. Efforts toinclude it failed in the recently-

passed U.S. House energy bill.

But proponents of Waste to

Energy burners are as deter-

mined as we are, and have the

advantage of big bucks avail-

able for lobbying (See their web

site a t www.wte.org). The

Global Alliance for Incinerator

Alternatives, www.no-burn.org,

is following this closely and has

issued a useful report,

Resources up in Flames.

Expect a separate push in Flor-

ida to define solid waste as a

renewable fuel following Gov-

ernor Charlie Crists laudable

efforts toward combating global

warming. One of his executive

orders sets a goal of 20% of

power from renewable fuels by

2020. We need to make sure

solid waste is not included.

Plastics that constitute

10-12% of the waste

and contain 30-40% of

the energy content

are derived mostly

from natural gas and

are certainly not re-

newable. For all com-

ponents of solid waste, analysis

of the energy required for re-

placing consumed materials

with virgin ones shows a net

energyloss relative to recycling

the materials, by factors of up

to five. In other words, the

energy gained from the fuel is

less than the extra energy re-

quired to replace the materials

with virgin ones. Furthermore,

recycling industries provide

many times more jobs, which

cannot be sent offshore, than

burning wastes that provides

only a few.

The Environmental Protection

Agency (www.epa.gov/

climatechange/wycd/waste/

downloads/greengas.pdf) ana-

lyzed greenhouse gas emissions

using different management

methods for solid waste, includ-

ing source reduction, recycling,

composting, landfilling with and

without methane recovery, and

combustion. Burning garbage

was the next to last manage-

ment option for reducing green-

house gases, ahead of just

continuing landfills without

methane recovery. Even

landfills with methane

recovery for power

beat out burning the

garbage.

The EPA report also

gives examples clearly

showing that source reduction

and recycling are several times

as effective as burning garbage.

You may calculate your own

carbon footprint and the bene-

fits of recycling using the calcu-

lator at: www.epa.gov/

climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html. The clear

lesson is that we need to in-

crease recycling.

There are many ways to in-

crease Floridas recycling rate of

about 30-35% to 70% or more.

Collect more materials (note:

Sanibel Island collects all 7

rigid plastics).

Seek a ban on plastic bags in

grocery stores (San Francisco

has already).

Make recycling mandatory,

including especially commer-

cial. The most successful

programs are mandatory;

imagine voluntary speed

limits!

Use much steeper variable

rates (pay-as-you-throw).

Currently in Gainesville a 96-

gallon can costs only twice

that of the smallest 20-gallon

can; financial incentives to

recycle are not sufficient.

Use a materials recovery

facility to recover recyclables.

Use either composting or

anaerobic digestion (with

energy production from the

methane generated) for or-

ganic wastes such as food,

soiled paper, yard wastes,

etc.

Involve all the school boards inFlorida in a large recycling pro-

gram. Everyday so many plastic

bottles and styrofoam trays are

thrown away. It's an incredible

waste of energy. Also by doing

it in the schools, the children

may go home and suggest to

their parents: "Let's recy-

cle...We do it at school."

The author is University of Florida

Emeritus Professor of Physics, and

has written papers, given presenta-

tions, and expert testimony on this

subject. He was the National Solid

Waste Issue Chair who wrote theClubs policy on municipal solid

waste management.

Municipal solid waste is not a renewable fuelBy Dwight Adams

Want to do more?Let local, state, and national

off icials know that you support

recycling, not burning of waste

for energy. For further

information or to be put on

email list, contact the author at:

[email protected].

TALKING TRASH...


MY NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE, ZIP

EMAIL ADDRESS

PAYMENT METHOD:Check enclosed, payable to the Sierra Club

MasterCard VISA Exp Date__/__

CARDHOLDER NAME

CARD NUMBER

Membership Level s: Individual JointINTRODUCTORY ___$25REGULAR ___$39 ___$47SENIOR/STUDENT ___$24 ___$32

Mail to: Sierra ClubP.O. Box 52968Boulder, CO 80322-2968

F94Q -1W3300

Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are NOT tax deductible; they support oureffective, citizen-based advocacy & lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a

subscription toSierraMagazine, $1 for The Pelican, and a local newsletter.

Join Sierra Club and youllreceive these great benefits:

Youll be helping theplanet

Sierra Magazineone-year subscription

Sierra Club book &calendar discounts

Worldwide OutingsProgram

Local Chapter, GroupMemberships

Not a member of Sierra Club? Join today, and be a part of the Nations oldest

and most effective environmental organization.


13/16

Perhaps you have noticed these words "Lamp Contains Mercury"

on the packaging of your compact fluorescents (CFL).

Now we've had a lot of education on the danger of mer-

cury fall-out from coal-fired power plants. And we know

there's a serious problem if an old mercury thermome-

ter breaks in the house. So are we in trouble if we drop

and break one of these new energy-saver bulbs? The

answer is a resounding NO. The debris should be

treated a little more carefully, but that's it.

Most fluorescent bulbs contain around 5 milligrams of

mercury (some less); an old thermometer contains about

140 times that. Big difference. If a bulb breaks the EPA

advises:

Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes to let

the mercury vaporize. Do NOT vacuum up the pieces or use a broom.

Use disposable rubber gloves and scoop up the pieces and

power with stiff paper.

Wipe the area clean with something like a damp paper towel.

Place all materials in plastic bags and close tightly.

Responsible solid waste operators would like you to put the sealed

bag in your hazardous waste collection box; however, if the

bag ends up in the landfill, it is not considered a major

problem.

Seldom do people break light bulbs, and these CFLs will

last five years or longer. But to be on the conscientious

side, make a note to yourself to put any dead CFLs in

with your hazardous collection. By the way, the Federal

government already requires businesses to recycle fluo-

rescents.

One last thought on mercury: in the United States coal-

created power for residential lighting is responsible for

roughly 1.4 tons of mercury emissions every year. Eighty-

eight percent of home lighting is still incandescent; fluores-

cents use only one-fourth the energy of incandescents. If all

homes switched to fluorescents, the decrease in mercury emis-

sion would be considerable, as would the decrease in carbon diox-

ide and other pollutants. Switching to CFLs is an easy, safe and

significant step we all can take.

submitted by Frances H.Coleman. Information credit: Sierra Club website

Compact fluorescent bulbs & mercury

Pa ge 1 3Volume 39, Issue 3The Pe l i can , Fa l l 2007


14/16

Pa ge 1 4

David AUTH, Suwannee St. JohnsGroup (Nominating Committee Candidate)

I have volunteered for elective jobs from 1985 to thepresent (joined in 1972); as Group Chair (92, 93, 04);Chapter Archivist (87 99), Conservation Chair (98,

99), and Biodiversity Issue Chair (2000 07). TheClubs focus should be on showing everyone how to livegently within healthy ecosystems. Every Floridian,

including our politicians, must work for the public good,because extrapolations from our beginnings clearlydemonstrate we must change some of our behaviors and

technologies. Sierra Club is uniquely suited to succeedamong non-governmental organizations, because it

relies on personal involvement of almost a millionmembers and volunteers, supported by paid staff. Ipledge to give of my effort and time, help fulfill good

ideas, and treat everyone with respect.

Barbara CURTIS, Broward Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)I am Barbara Curtis. I have been on Flexcom for twoyears. I love the Sierra Club and have been active as

both chair and admin chair. I am interested in conserv-ing our natural environment. I have participated in LDP

leadership development program to learn better

leadership skills, attended chapter chair training andfund raising in San Francisco as well as participated inthe Climate summit in Miami. I wish to continue in a

leadership role in the chapter. I have been on the legalcommittee for three years, voting to pursue legalenforcement against entities that endanger the environ-

ment. I have served on the Loxahatchee Excom fornearly 10 years and am presently chair of the Broward

group.

Joy Tow les EZELL, Big Bend Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)I am a longtime, environmental and community activist/organizer, knowledgeable about environmental health,

and air and water pollution issues. I have a Master's inAgriculture Business and Entomology; I appeared onCBS's 60 Minutes, National Public Radio, and was

featured in CNN's award-winning feature on pulp millpollution. I hope to serve on the Chapter's officer teamand help keep coal plants out and energy efficiency in,

organizing to protect our remaining wild lands from

polluting industries.

Ron HAI NES, Loxahatchee Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)

I belong to the Loxahatchee Group, where we forged astrong team to stop Scripps from filling 2,000 wetland

acres. The Florida Chapter leadership must be an equallypowerful team, to protect our state and nurture our

volunteers.

In my 28 very active years as member I have held 9

Group leadership positions and 7 Chapter leadership and

committee positions.

My Chapter goals: Open decisions. Open committees.

Open financial planning. I want the same democratic

principles we demand of our government.

We need a strong team so my daughter can kayak the

Loxahatchee River when she is my age and still enjoy

viewing bald eagles, scrub-jays, and sandhill cranes.

TOGETHER we can build a stronger organization. Thanks

for your vote.

2008 SIERRA CLUB FLORIDA CHAPTER ELECTION

Candidate Statements

Cullum HASTY , Calusa Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)

I believe in taking action to protect our natural resources by gettingwilling partners together to purchase pieces of land and make our ownlocal greenways. Installing a prototype solar energy collector personally

on my home, my activism and commitment to nature and wildlife, c lean

air, clean water, is how I live my life.

I was born in Miami Fl, now live and serve the Calusa Group & Chapter

executive committees. Working within Sierra Club Chapter has given mecredibility to expand my efforts. Appointments include: Bonita SpringsLPA "local planning agency", CLASAC" conservation land acquisition and

stewardship advisory committee" of Lee County; Bonita Springs River

Keeper. Bonita Tree Advisory Committee; Agency on Bay Management.

I will work hard for you & appreciate your vote.

Pedro M ONTEIRO, Brow ard Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)I'm a Florida resident of 28 years. I serve on the Florida ConservationExecutive Committee, in charge of Democracy and the Environment,overseeing five conservation committees or issues. I also serve on the

Chapter Energy Committee and Coastal Committees, and also Chapter

Excom Secretary.

I worked on the successful Pig Gestation Crate Amendment to drivefactory hog farms out of Florida, and am now working on the FloridaHometown Democracy amendment to require that local comprehensive

land use changes be put to voters for final approval, which shouldproactively slow sprawl. I have represented Sierra Club on coalitions ofdiverse groups, upholding Sierra Club values and increasing our reach

and effectiveness. My technical background proves valuable for environ-

mental analysis and improving electronic Sierra Club communications.

Bob SULLIVAN, Suncoast Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)Hello fellow Florida Sierrans! I'm Bob Sullivan, and I am running for re-

election to the FLEXCOM. Thanks for your prior support. I've served atboth Group and Chapter levels in the following positions:

Chapter Chair, Admin/Vice Chair, Group Chair, Conservation Chair,

Newsletter Editor, Local & State Political Chair & Treasurer.

We need to INCLUDE ALL FLORIDA SIERRA MEMBERS in everything thatwe do. ALL 27 FLEXCOM voters should be kept fully informed of our

conservation & financial decisions. I will continue to strive to improve ourtransparency and inclusion policies. We should return to the internal

Sierra Club communication tool, "The Clubhouse" , to facilitate renewed

communication with our existing AND new members.

Please vote for Bob Sullivan again. Together , we can make a difference!

Marilyn WI LES, Northeast Group(Nominating Committee Candidate)

Thank you for the opportun ity to seek a position as Member-at-Large on

Florida Chapter Executive Committee.

As an active community leader, I believe in promoting environmenta lprotection and conservation while emphasizing environmental integrityand enforcement of existing laws. I am on the Northeast Group Execu-tive Committee; participated in the Chapter leadership development

project; actively collect Florida Hometown Democracy petitions; and am

a University of Florida Master Naturalist.

I believe our responsibi lity is to make Florida Clean and Green:

keeping its unique and pristine natural environment through effective

and enforceable laws and regulations;

enhancing opportunities for entrepreneurship in developing solar

energy efficient products and services

making Florida a world-class leader in healthy, affordable, and

sustainable communities.

Thank you for your consideration.



15/16

Litter kills! -

dont let this happen to wildlife!Beth Hollenbeck found

this great blue heron in

Lake Formosa in

Orlando. A beer canbecame impaled on its

beak and had moved

up to its face, making it

tight on its beak.

Despite rehabilitation

efforts, the bird had

gone too long without

food to survive.

What you can do: Help educate the public and

participate in litter cleanup projects and recycling

efforts. And when you see trash, pick it up!

Pa ge 1 5

Voting Instructions - Indicate your choices bychecking the box next to the names of thecandidates. Each member may cast one ballot,

voting for no more than five (5) persons. Asecond column on the ballot is provided for jointmemberships. Use the second column only if youhave a joint membership . Write a 1 or 2 in thebox provided to record the number of personsvoting. The ballots will be checked to see if themembership is entitled to two votes. If anindividual member votes in both columns, only thevotes in the first column will be counted.See page 14 for candidate statements.

Column 1Use this column for single membershipsor the 1st voter in a joint membership

household.

Vote for up to 5 candidates

o David AUTH

o Barbara CURTIS

o Joy Tow les EZELL

o Ron HAINES

o Cullum HASTY

o Pedro MONTEIRO

o Bob SULLIVAN

o Marilyn WI LES

Ballot for 2008 Florida Executive Committee ElectionMailing Instructions Fold the ballot so that yourmembership number appears on the outside. Place the ballotin an envelope and mail to: Sierra Election Committee c/o

Mark Oncavage 12200 SW 110th Avenue, Miami, FL 33176-4520. Ballots must be received by midnight October 26,2007. Votes will be counted starting at 10 a.m. October 27,2007, South Florida Office (Sierra Club), 2700 SW 3rdAvenue, Suite 2F, Miami, FL 33129

If a member does not receive a Pelican, the member may

submit a ballot with his/her membership information (name,

expiration date and membership number) written on the

opposite side of the ballot.

FOLD ALONG THIS LINE. DO NO TCUT!

Mai l to: SIERRA ELECTION COMMITTEEc/ o Mark Oncavage12200 SW 110th Ave, Miami, FL 33176-4520

FOLD ALONG THIS LINE. DO NO T CUT!

Be sure to write a 1 or 2 in thisbox to record the number ofpeople in your household voting.

Column 2Only use this column for 2nd voter in

joint membership households.

Vote for up to 5 candidates

o David AUTH

o Barbara CURTIS

o Joy Tow les EZELL

o Ron HAINES

o Cullum HASTY

o Pedro MONTEIRO

o Bob SULLIVAN

o Marilyn WI LES


A true life adventure focusing on the

preservation of the worlds shark

populations

For filmmaker Rob Stewart, explor-

ing sharks began as an underwa-

ter adventure. What it turned intowas a beautiful and dangerous life

journey into the balance of life on

earth.

Sharkwater takes you into the most

shark-rich waters of the world, expos-

ing the exploitation and corruption sur-

rounding the world's shark populations.

This documentary opens in Florida theaters

on September 28. Check your local lis tings.

The film may also be available for group programs.

Call Craig Evans, (954) 200-8021


16/16

Florida Chapter Sierra Club

The PelicanP. O. Box 575, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0575

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDTALLAHASSEE, FLMODERN MAILERS

PERMIT 236

Shop smart, shop Sierra ClubFrom beautiful holiday or note cards, to phenomenal photograph y in the calendars, to

tasty coffee and teas, your local group may offer Sierra Club brand items forsale. These make great gifts for friends, family and co-w orkers.

If the items you w ant are not carried by your local Sierra Club group, then shoponline at http:/ / ww w.sierraclub.org/ store/

Remember,

buying

directly from

your group

supports

LOCAL

conservation

work!

Documents

Fall 2007 Pelican Newsletter, Florida Sierra Club