Santa Lucian • October 2007 Santa RM Lucian - …...Santa Lucia Chapter P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Chapter Director Andrew Christie 805-543-8717 [email protected]

Santa Lucian • October 2007 RM

The official newsletter of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club • San Luis Obispo County, California

I n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eI n s i d eLos Osos on 218 time 2

Pismo vs. Birds 4

Lenthall’s complaint 7

Too cheap to meter 9

Rochelle Becker honored 9

Classifieds 11

Outings 12

Please recycle

This newsletter printed on100% post-consumer recycled paper with

soy-based inks

October 2007Volume 44 No. 9

Santa LucianSanta Lucia Chapter of the Sierra ClubP. O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 84

SAN LUISOBISPOCA 93401

Protecting andPreserving theCentral Coast

Cambria’s Lesson

SantaLucian

You are cordially invitedto the housewarming forthe Chapter’s new digs,

Sunday, October 14.

Open House

By Andrew Christie, Chapter Director

Regional Energies Unleashed

Ground zero: The Tri-W site

On the local level, the lessons to bedrawn by the residents of Cambria fromthe September 6 denial of its desalina-tion project by the California CoastalCommission are immediate and politi-cal: Cambrians might want to startthinking about getting some new direc-tors on the board of the Cambria Com-munity Services District. The project unraveled quietly underthe gentle probing of CCSD representa-tives by Coastal Commissioners at theCommission’s September 6 meeting inEureka, and the spectacle was all themore devastating for the obvious at-tempts by the questioners not to beunkind. The question for the CCSDfrom Commissionerscame down to this:Why would we grant you a permit toconduct a desal feasibility study at SanSimeon State Beach, where you know,having been told, that the constructionof a desalination plant is not likely everto be permitted ? “I will never underestimate the propo-nents of projects that diminish coastalresources,” said Mahala Burton of SLO

County LandWatch. “The issue we wonon is the use of a State Park for an inap-propriate project, i.e. drilling. The CSDwill be back as they have no fallbackplan, and in spite of 400,000 gallons ofpurified waste water available every dayfor irrigation, which would solve anywater shortage problems in Cambria.” This is not the first time the CambriaCSD board has burned through largequantities of ratepayer money on aproject that was destined to capsize atthe Coastal Commission. The desaldebacle was déjà vu all over again from2004, when the CCSD sued the Com-mission over its denial of a water stor-age tank expansion plan that wouldhave decimated a rare Monterey pineforest and violated the Coastal Act’sprotections for Environmentally Sensi-tive Habitat Areas (ESHA). The CCSDboard spent hundreds of thousands ofratepayers’ dollars on its courtroomcrusade against the Commission andthe County, which included an appeal,

continued on page 10

Plannerssee thelight athistoricmeetingOn August 23 and 24,for the first time,local governmentsthroughout thecounty got togetherto talk about energypolicy. Keynoted by Cali-fornia Energy Com-mission ChairJackalyne Pfannen-stiel’s address on“Land Use andEnergy,” the two-day Central CoastRegional Energy Planning Conferenceat Cal Poly’s Vista Grande restaurantwas attended by over one hundredelected officials, commissioners, plan-ners, city managers, senior municipalstaff and community leaders who cametogether to advance the cause of re-gional energy planning in San LuisObispo. Exhorted by luncheon speaker RonLoveridge, mayor of Riverside -- “Holdyour electeds responsible. This is not an‘I feel your pain’ moment” -- and byleadership roundtable coordinator TonyFerrara, mayor of Arroyo Grande, at-tendees left the conference and returnedto their communities with a sense ofcommitment and purpose. The CEC’s Pfannenstiel made the casefor regional planning and the connec-tion between land and energy use. LarryAllen, SLO County Air Pollution ControlOfficer, underscored the point, notingthat we lost 2,000 acres of ag land todevelopment in 2002-04, and most de-velopment in the county is planned forfringe areas. “Regional planning is nec-essary if we’re ever going to get a handleon emissions,” he said. Smart growth, green building, renew-able energy, and energy conservationwere the other the key themes of theconference. Here’s a summary:

Renewables The energy generated by the naturalprocesses of wind, sun, water, plantgrowth, and heat from the earth,converted into electricity, steam andheat is referred to collectively asrenewables. Gerry Braun of the Cali-fornia Energy Commission spoke on“Renewable Energy: Shifting theMix.” “Billions of dollars in private in-vestment are waiting for Congress to

continued on page 10

- see page 8

Aeron Arlin-Genet, the County Air Pollution Control District’s Planning & Outreach Manager (left) records ideas as fast as herbreak-out session -- one of ten at the conference-- can reel them off, while at another session 3rd District Supervisor candidateAdam Hill confers with Eric Justesen, CEO of RRM Design Group (right).

2 Santa Lucian • October 2007

SSSSSanananananttttta a a a a LLLLLuuuuuccccciiiiiananananan

EDITOR/LAYOUTKaren MerriamCleve NashJack McCurdyEDITORIAL BOARD

The Santa Lucian is published 10 times ayear. Articles, environmental informationand letters to the editor are welcome. Thedeadline for each issue is the 7th of theprior month.

send to:Editor, Santa Lucianc/o Santa Lucia Chapter, Sierra ClubP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]

Santa Lucia Chapter

2007 Executive CommitteeKaren Merriam CHAIR

Cal French MEMBERJohn Ashbaugh MEMBERSteven MarxTREASURER

Cleve Nash MEMBER [email protected]

Cal French COUNCIL OF CLUB LEADERS

Committee ChairsPolitical Richard KranzdorfConservation Ken Smokoska

Membership Cal FrenchActing Program Chair Letty French [email protected] Andy GreensfelderDiablo Canyon Task Force Rochelle BeckerDesal Task Force Jack MorrowOther Leaders

Open SpaceGary Felsman 805-473-3694Calendar SalesBonnie Walters 805-543-7051Chapter HistoryJohn Ashbaugh 805-541-6430

ActivitiesOutingsGary Felsman 805-473-3694

Canoe/KayakJoe Dickerson [email protected]

General InformationSanta Lucia ChapterP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Chapter DirectorAndrew [email protected]

Office hours Monday-Friday,11 a.m.- 5 p.m., 547 Marsh St.,

Change of Address? Mail changes to:

Sierra Club National Headquarters85 Second Street, 2nd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105-3441

or e-mail:[email protected]

Visit us onthe Web!

w w ww w ww w ww w ww w w. s a n t a l u c i a .. s a n t a l u c i a .. s a n t a l u c i a .. s a n t a l u c i a .. s a n t a l u c i a .s i e r r a c l u b . o r gs i e r r a c l u b . o r gs i e r r a c l u b . o r gs i e r r a c l u b . o r gs i e r r a c l u b . o r g

Outings, events, and more!

The Executive Committee meetsthe fourth Wednesday of everymonth at 4:00 p.m. at thechapter office, located at 547-BMarsh St., San Luis Obispo. Allmembers are welcome to attend.

2500

Jack Morrow

[email protected]

[email protected]

Andrew Christie

[email protected]

[email protected]

VICE CHAIR [email protected]

[email protected]

Los Osos: Let’s Talk

They’re here, they’re gorgeous, you have to haveone for your desk, one for your wall, and a great

many more for friends and family! When youbuy direct from the Chapter, you support our

conservation work in San Luis Obispo County!

wall calendar: $12.50desk calendar: $13.50

To order, call 543-7051

2008 Sierra Club Calendars

We’re pretty sure we have now heardeverything there is to hear about theLos Osos sewer. Lately, we have alsoheard everything there is to hear aboutthe Proposition 218 vote to fund thesewer, except for one thing: What hap-pens if the vote fails? In recent years, Santa Lucia Chapterleaders have met with various membersof the board of the Los Osos Commu-nity Services District, Citizens for CleanWater, the Ocean Outfall Group andCoastKeeper, and with AssemblymanBlakeslee and his staff. We fought forthe deal brokered between the CSD andthe State Water Board in 2005 that(almost) saved the State Revolving Fundloan. When that deal fell through,Sierra Club lobbied in Sacramento forthe passage of AB 2107, the bill thatallowed the County to step in when theproject was in free-fall. At the August 7Board of Supervisors meeting, when theCounty could have asked for an exten-sion of the expiring Coastal Develop-ment Permit for the Tri-W site, PublicWorks Director Paavo Ogren advisedthe Supervisors not to extend the per-mit and instead “walk the clean path” ofequal consideration for all prospectiveproject sites, and we were right therewith him and all the local citizens whospoke in overwhelming agreement. We’ve talked to residents. We’veheard that the Morro Bay Estuary is notreally being polluted by nitrates becausethe water looks clear (nitrate pollutionis colorless). We’ve heard the State Wa-ter Board claim that its 2005 negotia-tions with the LOCSD were not negotia-tions (yes, they were) and its negotiatorwas not negotiating (yes, he was), andwe’ve seen the Regional Water Boardbrandish the threat of Cease & DesistOrders for all, apparently under theimpression that this was a good way toconvince people to vote the way it wantsthem to. (It isn’t.) With the Proposition 218 assessmentvote for property owners underway, weare awash in metaphors of pigs inpokes, used car dealers, and mechanicsconducting repairs without providingan estimate. Potential pitfalls of a “yes”vote are pointed out every week at theBoard of Supervisors by local residentswho say that a potential alternativesystem looks like its getting shortshrift, or they don’t agree with theCounty’s numbers or the requirementsof the California Environmental Quality

Act, or fear that once the County hassecured the funding, it will resurrectthe middle-of-town Tri-W project. The County’s commitment to pro-vide property owners with a best esti-mate of costs that includes as completea picture as possible of design, construc-tion and operation and maintenance,and specific promises regarding thereview of proposals and technologiespost-218, should alleviate most of thoseconcerns insofar as they can be – i.e. noone can know the outcome of this pro-cess until it is complete. All objections cannot be eliminated.By law, a 218 vote is a public ballot, nota private one. By law, CEQA does notallow elimination of potential projectsites prior to an environmental analysisof all of them. The analysis of all feasiblesites and collection and treatmentmethods can’t happen until the fundingfor it has been assessed and securedthrough… a Prop. 218 vote. But, again, we’ve seen and heardnothing in the way of an alternative;some other option that realistically (thekey word -- see “Taking Issue,” page 6)could be implemented and will achievethe goal. We don’t know what will hap-pen if the vote fails – in the same sensethat we don’t know what happens orwhere you’ll end up if you jump down ahole into an unexplored cave – but weknow what’s not likely to happen: TheLos Osos CSD, in bankruptcy and indefault, will somehow convince a lenderto lend it money at an interest rate withfewer than two digits in it, and it willbuild a sewer. That means the state willmost likely step in and take direct con-trol. When that happens, all parties cansay good-bye to meaningful local inputor concerns about reducing the finan-cial burden for the sake of low-incomeresidents, and say hello to “quick anddirty” as the order of the day. The CSD has not said it has a “PlanB” if the vote fails, or if they do, by whatmeans they would implement it. Weconclude that the plan before us is theone wherein resides the hope for achance of enlightened waste water treat-ment, the kind that involves reclama-tion and re-use and curbs saltwaterintrusion; the kind that protects boththe water supply and our extraordinaryand unique National Estuary. It has been a long, hard road for LosOsos. We will all know soon enoughwhich way it’s going to turn.

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Santa Lucian • October 2007 RM33

Charting the Course

Sacramento Wrap-Up

By Letty French

Sierra Club California/Nevada Regional Conservation Committee convenes in SLO

Sierra Club leaders from throughoutCalifornia and Nevada convened atRancho El Chorro over the weekend ofSeptember 8-9 for the annual meetingof the Sierra Club’s California-NevadaRegional Conservation Committee(CNRCC). The committee meets in SLOevery year to set Sierra Club policies forthe coming year and hold elections forvolunteer leadership positions. Chapters and committees reported ontheir activities, their biggest issues andwhat had worked. Santa Lucia ChapterChair Karen Merriam gave anoutstanding report on our chapter’swork. Santa Lucia Chapter ExecutiveCommittee member Cal French was re-elected CNRCC Chair by acclamation.Rochelle Becker of our Diablo CanyonTask Force and the Alliance for NuclearResponsibility introduced a resolutionof opposition to an upcoming nuclearintitiative on the 2008 state ballot,which would repeal California’s 1976Nuclear Safeguard Law barring theconstruction of new nuclear powerplants until a means has been devisedand demonstrated for the safe,permanent disposal of high-levelnuclear waste. (See “As Goes Cali-fornia” and “A Stupid, Stupid Plan,”September Santa Lucian.)

On September 12, the auto industry lost its bid toexempt itself from the need to cut greenhouse gasemissions. Judge William Sessions, a federal district court judgein Vermont,ruled against the automakers and for theSierra Club, other environmental groups and the statesof Vermont and New York, and opened the door forstates to mandate cutting global warming emissionsfrom cars. Over the vigorous objections of the automakers, heruled that New York and Vermont may proceed withenacting the California Clean Car Standards, pendingEPA approval. These standards, adopted by Californiaand at least 11 other states, will reduce global warming

Big Win AgainstGlobal Warming

by Sierra Club California

The California Legislature hassent to the Governor some im-portant bills to make our build-ings and fuels greener and guardagainst floods, but deferred untilnext year the vital tasks of spur-ring smart growth, requiringutilities to generate more powerfrom renewables, reducing toxicchemical hazards and cleaningup the filthy air at the mega-ports of Los Angeles, Long Beachand Oakland. The big political story of the2007 session: Water. Sierra ClubCalifornia is opposed to newdams in California. There aremore cost-effective and less envi-ronmentally harmful ways tosecure and maintain a clean andreliable water supply for thestate. We support increasedwater efficiency in both the ur-ban and agricultural sectors, theuse of groundwater storage, andthe safe expansion of water recla-mation and water recycling. Si-erra Club California believesthat the state needs better waterpractices and policies and that

some of the “water crisis”can be solved withoutthrowing huge sums ofmoney at it via the Gov-ernor’s $9 billion waterbond. Bright spots for the envi-ronmental cause in the2007 session included: Cleaner Fuels: SB 210(Kehoe) would require theadoption of a low-carbonfuel standard by 2010 thatachieves at least a 10 per-cent reduction of green-house gas emissions andmaintains or improvesupon air quality benefitsgained by current gasolineand diesel fuel standards;AB 118 (Núñez) wouldraise about $150 millionannually for clean fuel andclean air programs. Greener Buildings: AB888 (Lieu) would set greenbuilding standards for com-

Progress on energy, air and floodprotection; delays on land use, portsand toxics

Cathy Duval (second from right), Sierra Club’s Political Director, came fromWashington DC to update the Sierra Club California Political Committeeon how things look in the Capitol and to personally thank Californiamembers for our help in defeating former Congressman (and majorenvironmental road block) Richard Pombo last year. Duval said that 2008marks the first time that global warming will be front and center in anational political campaign and that polling shows the issue ranks secondonly to health care as a domestic priority for voters . “This is the tippingpoint for what the country’s going to do about global warming,” she said.“The 2008 and 2010 elections will determine how we get there. It’s reallygoing to matter who’s in the White House, Senate, Congress, andgovernor’s mansions across the country.”

Car makers beaten back in court,California case is up next

Resolutions that the staff and cluboffices become carbon neutral, a request

that the State ofNevada re-designateGreat Basin NationalPark as a class-oneair basin to preserveits pristine airquality, and supportfor the designation ofthe Blue RidgeBerryessa NationalConservation Area

were sent to the Sierra Club CaliforniaExecutive Committee for approval. The CNRCC Chair and Sierra ClubCalifornia Chair were instructed to meetwith Sierra Club president Robby Coxand Sierra Club Executive Director CarlPope to express concerns over aprogram to distribute compactfluorescent light bulbs donated byPG&E. Three workshops were held onenergy, Yosemite, and our politicalefforts in DC and Sacramento.

Sierra Club Regional Staff Director Carl Zichella (left) makes a point at the CNRCC Energy Committee workshop.

EPA needs a suit pressed

Attention, Sierra Club Member:

If you:

1) Work or have worked in a Dry Clean-ers, or

2) Live or work next door or have livedor worked next door to a Dry Cleaners,or

3) Live or work down the street or havelived or worked down the street from aDry Cleaners, or

4) Have smelled a sharp, sweet odorfrom a Dry Cleaners in your area, eithergenerally in the air or emanating fromclothing you have gotten cleaned;

and:

You are a member of the Sierra Club...

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Sierra Club and Earthjustice are filingsuit against the U.S. EPA over regula-tions that continue to allow dry cleanersto use perchlorethylene, a hazardoussubstance that is used by most drycleaners. We need simple declarationsto assure that Sierra Club has standingto make this very important challenge.

Again, we need your help! If any ofthe criteria above applies to you, pleasecontact:

Ethan Elkind, Instructor, UCLA Schoolof Law Environmental Law Clinic(310) [email protected]

PleaseHelp UsSue Them

continued on page 4continued on page 8


Shell BeacShell BeacShell BeacShell BeacShell Beach Night Herh Night Herh Night Herh Night Herh Night Heronsonsonsonsonsvvvvvererererersussussussussus

ttttthehehehehe

you’ll SHUDDER

as City Hall says “What herons?”

you’ll SCREAM

as the Dept. of Fish and Game says

“Not our job.”

3rd big year! Must end soon!! (hopefully)

you’ll CHEER

as the California Coastal Commission

asks “Where’s your permit?”

Terry Lilley and neighbor Sue Sloan with Nellie, a tree trimming refugee.

“The public should be made awarethat...nest destruction that results in theunpermitted take of migratory birds or theireggs is illegal and fully prosecutable underthe Migratrory Bird Treaty Act.”

-- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

photos: Terry Lilley

Night herons are “colony nesters,”which means they return to the samenests every year. Unless, of course, thosenests aren’t there any more. For the last three years, that hasincreasingly been the case in the MorroAvenue neighborhood of Shell Beach,where the herons’ nesting trees arefalling at the hands of property ownerswho consider the birds a nuisance. Along with concerned neighbors,local biologist Terry Lilley has beenwriting letters, making calls andsending e-mails to bring attention tothe situation, as well as taking picturesand shooting video of the herons’ on-going eviction, confronting treetrimmers, beseeching Pismo Beach CityHall, and alerting the police and stateand federal agencies to wha’ts happen-ing to the herons. Lately, he’s managedto get their attention (and, in the courseof taking pictures, to get arrested fortrespassing), but the trimmers continueto target the nesting trees, both out ofnesting season, when it is technicallylegal to remove the nest of a migratorybird, and in season, when it is not. When Lilley’s e-mails to wildlifemanagers reached the Santa LuciaChapter last July, we made some calls ofour own. We sent a query up thepolitical food chain regarding the no-show of the Department of Fish &Game, which had never responded toLilley’s numerous entreaties to dosomething about the nest destructionand harrassment of the herons. Theword came back that DFG did notconsider it their job to respond, asenforcement of the Migratory BirdTreaty Act is a federal matter and whollythe responsibility of the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service. This raised eyebrows at the Fish &Wildlife Service, whose agents repliedthat state Fish & Game has jointjurisdiction with U.S. Fish & Wildlife onthe Central Coast, and they are fullyauthorized, and equally responsible, toenforce the federal law protectingmigratory birds. We relayed that word back up thefood chain. On August 18, Lilleyreported half the nesting trees on BokerStreet were cut back with active nests inthem, and, for the first time, a stateFish and Game official came out tophotograph the damage.

Perhaps the worst recent incidentoccurred over the weekend of August 4,when three large trees with twelve nestsand at least 14 chicks were cut back asthe chicks fled the nests or dropped tothe ground (photo, above left). Incred-ibly, both Pismo Beach and DFGasserted that nesting season was overand no herons were using the nests.(That should have been true, but it’s nolonger true in Shell Beach. Under thekind of pressure they’re experiencingthere, the herons have been forced tobuild makeshift replacements for theirusual multi-year, multi-use nests, andhave been laying later in the year.) On September 13, trimmers cut backa huge Monterey pine tree on OceanStreet on the bluff. “The City said thetrimmers were trimming fruit trees!,”said Lilley. “I went to the City with thephotos. They said the photos were toosmall to make out and they could notsee what trees were being trimmed. Butthey could see the pines clearly fromtheir office window. “They trimmed the tree so severely Iam not sure if it will live, and there isnow no way any bird can roost. Bunyon

mercial buildings, starting in 2013. AB1058 (Laird) would set green buildingstandards for new residential construc-tion. AB 35 (Ruskin) would requireCAL-EPA to set sustainable buildingstandards for the construction andrenovation of state buildings. AB 1109(Huffman) would require the adoptionof energy efficiency standards for allgeneral purpose lights. Flood Protection: SB 5 (Machado)would require the state to prepare aCentral Valley Flood Protection Plan by2012. AB 5 (Wolk) would reform, re-structure and rename the state Recla-mation Board, which is the agency incharge of flood protection in the CentralValley. AB 70 (Jones) would provide forlimited shared contribution between thestate and local governments when localgovernments approve new develop-ments in previously undeveloped areas,and thereby increase property damages

resulting from a flood for which thestate is liable. Clean Air: The Healthy Heart andLung Act, AB 233 (Jones), sponsored bySierra Club California and AmericanLung Association of California, wouldimprove enforcement of rules that limittoxic diesel emissions; SB 719(Machado) would reform the SanJoaquin Valley’s lackluster Air PollutionControl District by adding expertise andurban representation. Endangered Species: The endangeredCalifornia Condor is suffering from leadpoisoning, because the birds eat bulletfragments when scavenging carcasses. AB 821 (Nava) would require the use ofnon-lead bullets when hunting biggame within the range of the condor. We are now asking GovernorSchwarzenegger to sign these and othergreen bills. He has until October 14 tosign or veto the measures on his desk.

Sierra Club California and our allieshad pushed the Legislature to act inother vital areas, but many key billsstalled toward the end of session due toopposition from powerful special inter-ests. SB 974 (Lowenthal), the CleanPorts bill, was deferred until January atthe request of Governor Schwarze-negger. Both SB 375 (Steinberg), whichseeks to reduce vehicular emissionsthrough smarter land use patterns, andSB 411 (Simitian), which would requireutilities to generate 33% of their powerfrom renewable sources, failed to clearthe Assembly Appropriations Commit-tee, and AB 558 (Feuer), which wouldhave generated information on the useof toxic chemicals, died by a close voteof the Senate Appropriations panel. TheLegislature’s failure to pass these impor-tant bills leaves substantial unfinishedbusiness to be taken up next year.

Sacramentocontinued from page 3

Brothers tree service cut 95% of thebranches out of it.” Lilley is not impressed by the meanstrimmers use to snip around theborders of the law. “Trimming aroundnests with heavy equipment willobviously cause the birds to abandontheir nests and then will cause nests tofall out of the tree,” he says. “This is a‘take’ under the law. The US Fish and Wildlife Service andthe California Coastal Commission areinvestigating. “By destroyingtheir nesting habitatin nesting season,these tree trimmersand land owners willcompletely destroythe night heroncolony in this area,”says Lilley. “Manyother towns alongour coast have treeordinances and havelocal law enforce-ment that knowsthe wildlife laws.Many towns have an

environmental coordinator on staff tohelp with wildlife issues. This canhappen in Pismo Beach if there areenough people who live here that wantto see wildlife remain in our area.”


By the California Oak Foundation~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

California Attorney General JerryBrown has reached a landmarklawsuit settlement with San Ber-nardino County involving theextent to which the County’s envi-ronmental impact report for itsGeneral Plan update should ad-dress impacts on climate change.This is the first time any Californiajurisdiction has entered into alegally binding agreement to lookat the overall impact of its plan-ning on global warming. The agreement solidifies cli-mate change as an impact to beaddressed in California Environ-mental Quality Act (CEQA) envi-ronmental review documents.Significant impacts to oak wood-lands must be addressed in CEQAgreen house gas reviews becauseoak impacts uniquely combinecarbon capture and carbon emis-sion issues. According to the AG, discretion-ary approvals must provide: (1) Anexamination of a project’s impacton climate change and the adoption ofall feasible mitigation measures to re-duce such impacts, and (2) such analy-sis can – and must – be done today evenabsent established thresholds of signifi-cance or impending regulations underAssembly Bill 32. The state’s CaliforniaClimate Action Registry, which willguide AB 32 regulations, recognizesthat converting oak woodlands to devel-opment is a carbon emission due to lostforest photosynthesis. Moreover, manymunicipal and county codes have gen-eral or specific tree-related provisionsthat reference air quality, air pollutionor climatic conditions. Consistent with the CEQA opinions ofthe AG, where significant oak resourceimpacts occur, project air quality analy-

As in the past, this year’s Solar andGreen Building Tour is coordinated withthe National Solar Tours held across thecountry during the first weekend ofOctober. On Sunday, October 7th, we will visitthe award-winning Solar Decathlonstructure that competed in Washington,DC; the Education and Administrationbuilding of the Botanical Garden;a mixed-use commercial/residentialfacility in Los Osos built by Semmesand Co.; Congregation Beth David Syna-gogue on Los Osos Valley Road; and thehome of Tom Jones, Dean of the CollegeArchitecture and Environmental Designat Cal Poly. Join us and find out howyour neighbors are trimming their util-ity bills and increasing their energyindependence. In the spirit of conservation, we areapproaching the tour differently thisyear. The transportation will be done invans holding 22 people, with the assem-bly point being the Solar Decathlonbuilding on the Cal Poly campus. Therewill be five departure times, with thefirst van leaving at 12:00 and every 30minutes thereafter, and will take about3 hours.

By Bill Denneen

I’ve been called an“eco-extremist,”“radical environ-mentalist,”“enviro-wacko,”and “eco-hooli-gan”—a titlegiven to me byNew Times’ SteveMoss—my favor-ite. Letters to editors have said manynegative things about me, but the one Ilike most said “Denneen, get a haircut,shave and shut-up” -- it inspired me tocontinue being an eco-hooligan. Who were your role models, whoinspired you, who are your heroes?Some of mine wereRachel Carson, JohnMuir, H.D.Thoreau,Ralph Nader and anearly biology teacher,Fred Avis. I wanted togo back and tell himhow much he inspiredme, but he had died.Don’t wait. Kathleen GoddardJones (KGJ) inspiredme so much. Shekept a nuclear powerplant from being

5

On Sunday, September 9, fifteen SierraClub members attended a get-acquaintedmeeting in Paso Robles. We sat in acircle and went around the roomintroducing ourselves. The intro-ductions included a brief autobiography,with special emphasis on one’s historyin political thought and activism,especially environmental activism. We were free to ask each otherquestions. We all stated what issueswere most important to us and what wewould like to see happen in northcounty and the nation. This interestingexercise took up an hour and a half. Wefelt comfortable with each other by thenand discussion followed until it got toolate to continue. Action items that came up at the endincluded writing up a petition topresent to the local theater owner,asking for progressive Palm Theater-type movies to be shown here. Therewas also a request for everyone to writeour major, asking him to sign the USMayors Climate Protection Agreement. To be informed of future Paso meet-ups, e-mail [email protected]

By Gerry Manata

North CountyMeet-Up

Oaks &ClimateChange

ses must consider three oak resourcefactors: (1) How much carbon is se-questered in the impacted oak trees?;(2) How much potential carbon seques-tration will be lost due to oak seedling,sapling and tree impacts?; (3) Howmuch sequestered carbon will be re-leased if the impacted oaks are burned? California is in the process of estab-lishing a carbon credit market systemwith offset mitigation measures. Theseoffsets will include credits for off-siteforest restoration and conservation,further enhancing economic opportuni-ties for local landowners interested inthe benefits of oak woodlands mitigationbanking.

UpdateAttorney General Jerry Brown hasreached a $10 million settlement withoil-giant ConocoPhillips regarding miti-gation offsets for greenhouse gas emis-sions caused by an expansion of its re-finery in Rodeo, 25 miles north of SanFrancisco. To avoid a California Envi-ronmental Quality Act (CEQA) lawsuit,Conoco will provide $7 million to theBay Area Air Quality Management Dis-trict for local offset projects, $2.8 mil-lion to the California Wildfire ReLeafFund for reforestation to sequester anestimated 1.5 million metric tons ofgreenhouse gases and $200,000 forAudubon to restore San Pablo Bay wet-lands. The Conoco accord affirms CaliforniaOak Foundation’s position that CEQAreviews by cities and counties mustconsider long-term impacts due toemissions attributable to a change inland use, including impacts to oak re-sources. The state views the cutting andthe burning of oak trees as separatecarbon emissions, therefore both mustbe addressed in CEQA where impacts tooak resources occur.

from California Oak ReportCalifornia Oak Foundation1212 Broadway, Suite 842Oakland, CA 94612Tel: (510) 763-0282Fax: (510) 208-4435E-mail: [email protected]

Who Are You? Ian Wells: “I had known pollu-tion was bad, fossil fuelsdestroy the earth and increasingpopulation is devastating, butEnviro-Science class at Nipomo HighSchool taught me what these canactually do....” Justin Tucker: “My current ambi-tion is to work on alternative meth-ods of energy production and zero-

emission alternatives for automobiles.” David Gonzales: “I believe we are atthe most critical juncture in civilizedhuman history.” David also wrote a letter to the editorwhich said: “Can our species walk

Solar Tour

David Gonzalez (second from right) and family with Enviro Award.built in the NipomoDunes -- a uniquebio-treasure. Her leadership inspiredme: If you believe in a cause, hang inthere, do not waver, stand firm. Power-ful corporations may now control ourcountry but apathy destroys. I formed a group, “Citizen for aVehicle Free Nipomo Dunes,” to protectOceano Beach and Nipomo Dunes fromvehicles that should not be there, ve-hicles that make the air over theNipomo Mesa polluted with dust andexhaust. The Dune Center is silent onvehicles on the beach and dunes. To me,this means they approve this insult towhat must be protected. I had eco-groups while teaching.One of the leaders at Hancock was Vir-ginia Perry Souza who became an in-vestment counselor for Morgan Stanley.In 1993, I invested $50,000 in an Envi-ronmental Award Trust. The interestfrom this investment has been going toeco-activists ever since. The awards consist of a Plaque, anenviro-book, a Nipomo Dunes Photo-graph, and a variable amount of cash($100-$500) depending on the interestfrom the $50K investment, now aug-mented from a fund created by BobShanbrom. The large black & whitephotographs are by a Nipomo artist,David Stroup, who sells them to thetrust for $100, while selling the samephotographs commercially for $1,000,winning many awards nationally. Enviro-activists do not make moneyand are typically outnumbered & out-maneuvered. Protecting habitat is im-portant but does not pay like the activi-ties of real-estate agents, developers,tract-home builders and speculators.However, eco-activism makes you feelgood inside. You know that if there is tobe a future for our species, your con-cern for seven generations, like theChumash, is vital. My enviro-awards since 1992 havegone to 56 eco- activists. Five NipomoHigh School seniors received this awardlast June. They represent the hope for afuture for our species: Crystal Costa: “It is amazing thatthe oil companies have a complete mo-nopoly over our world.” Jennifer Brown: “I fully believe inthe importance of keeping our environ-ment clean and healthy for all—whether it be wildlife or humans.”

blindly to the slaughter, keep occupiedand content with our increasingly de-structive ways & numbers? Surely, theargument that Mr. Denneen puts for-ward is striking, save for one flaw: hisseeming pessimism. It is not a problem for someone else; it is much more thanan exacerbating disaster for our poster-ity. It is my problem, it is your problem,today.” These Nipomo High School seniorsgive me hope -- participate !!

continued on page 9


The temporarytest wellswould not haveprovided infor-mation thatcould be usefulfor anythingother thanreplacing themwith perma-nent wells to feed a new desal facility. Howis it possible to support a temporary projectwhose only purpose is to produce informa-tion leading to a permanent project thatwould “impair the public’s enjoyment of aprotected resource” ?

Upshot:

Upshot:

The County is eligible for low-interest financing andgrants that are unavailable to the LOCSD or anyprivate enterprise projects. AB 2701 provides the

County, and the Countyalone, with uniquestanding to advocate forLos Osos before regula-tory bodies. The Countyhas repeatedly said thatall project options,including STEP, on-site,and regional, are on thetable.

“Voting ‘no’ on Proposition 218 shows a real freedom of choice,” by Ed Ochs, The Tribune, Sept. 15, 2007.

The RWQCB hasdelayed its enforcementthreat temporarily, only

at the County’s urging. The Water Board has sweepingpowers to protect the aquifer and the bay.

The County will getthe most competitiveproject bids because,unlike the LOCSD, itis highly credit-

worthy. The bankrupt LOCSD is in default, and its high-risk rating means it is ineligible for a loan at anything butthe highest interest rate.

There areno cheappublicworks projects. Costs are mitigatedthrough favorable financing and grants.

“Better, Faster, Cheaper” is a mantra witha long history in Los Osos. Such prom-ises have proved easier to make than tokeep. Now, after an unprecedented (andlikely never-to-be-repeated) rallying ofstate, regional and local partners, LosOsos has a chance to move forward. Itwould seem a mighty shame to choose tocontinue wandering in the wildernesswhen the County is offering a road map.

Unlike speculative,hypothesized scenarios,the County has the

capacity to build a real project on timeand on budget.

Summary: The California Coastal Commissionshould not have denied the Cambria Community ServicesDistrict a development permit for its desal test project.

Taking Issue“Cambria hung out to dry on desalination,” editorial opinion of The Tribune, Sept. 12, 2007.

The broader concern behind the CoastalCommission’s rational, sensible decisionis that, as a matter of public policy, plac-ing industrial development in StateParks is not in the best interests of thepublic, nor is it consistent with themandates of of the Coastal Act or themission of the Department of Parksand Recreation. Yet attempts tomake development-driven incur-sions into public lands are hap-pening all over the state. TheCommission will shortly decidewhether to allow a toll road tobe built through San OnofreState Park at the world-fa-mous Trestles Beach. Let’shope the Commission appliesthe same rationale therethat it did in Cambria.

Instead of encouraging the Commission tore-evaluate its action, the Tribune shouldbe encouraging the CCSD to redirect the

voluminousamount of rate-payers’ dollars theyhave been spend-ing on lobbyists,engineers and

desal plans, and spend those resources on acomprehensive reclamation, reuse and con-servation plan that will allow Cambria tolive comfortably andsafely within its natu-ral resource limits.

Had the test wellsproven productive,that would haveobviously led to anapplication to install permanent well heads onthe public beach to supply salt water for a newdesalination plant. It would have made nosense for the Commission to approve a tempo-rary project that would lead directly to anapplication for a project that is unapprovableunder the Coastal Act.

“[Concern that] use of the beach forthe tests would impair the public’senjoyment of a protected resource isreal and substantive. But as that harmwould be temporary, and the benefitsof the information gained would bepermanent, a reasonable long-termview favors allowing the tests.”

It’s not fair, it’s not wise, and it shouldbe reconsidered by the Commission.

[The CCSD] is trying to puttogether the most environmen-tally sensitive plan for gettingseawater into a desalinationplant....

...the Los Osos Community Service District’sprecarious financial position presents a uniqueopportunity for the community to reverse thecounty takeover and issue a request forproposals to Ripley/Orenco, or anyone elsewith a bona fide solution, for millions less thanthe county’s mega-sewer.

If the 218 fails, another equallycompliant project would still beunderway by 2011.

The district will be in no position to doanything but sign off to a privatecompany...transferring ownership tothe district after the 20-year loan ispaid off.

Low- and fixed-incomeresidents...can’t possiblybear the burden of a citysewer costing as much as$210 milion....

Sure, the water board will probablyexpress its displeasure by papering thetown with unenforceable cease &desist orders...

Summary: In the event of the failure of the Prop. 218 vote to assess the funds that will allow the County tooversee the design and construction of a sewer for Los Osos, the town can get a better deal elsewhere.

problematic environmental coverage & commentary in our local press


By Andrew Christie, Chapter Director

In an editorial I wrote for the August 30SLO New Times headlined “ViewshedOutcome is Insulting,” I reported onthe lowlights of the August 21 Board ofSupervisors hearing on the CayucosViewshed ordinance, at which the boardmajorty, after two years and six con-tinuances, arrived at the worst possibledecision and the least protective ordi-nance for the 53 square miles of oakwoodland and ranchlands betweenHighway 1 and Paso Robles. Barringmajor last-minute changes or repeal,nothing now prevents land speculatorsfrom building unscreened startercastles on top of ridgelines throughoutthe area, thanks to the votes of Supervi-sors Ovitt, Achadjian, and Lenthall. I noted that Charlie Daugherty, theattorney for Protect Our PropertyRights (POPR), the author of that worstpossible ordinance and a major donorto the re-election campaign of Supervi-sor Jerry Lenthall, had his speaker re-quest slip called by Chairman Lenthallat the end of the six-hour public com-ment period, and that shortly aftergetting the last word Mr. Daugherty wassummoned back to the podium byLenthall to help make fixes in his ordi-nance so as to render it at least mini-mally in compliance with the law beforethe Board voted on it. My article resulted in an interview onthe September 7 edition of DaveCongalton’s KVEC talk show, duringwhich Supervisor Lenthall called in tosay that it was “absolutuely false” thathe had deliberately given Daughtery thelast word at the hearing. At any public meeting, the Chair is incontrol of the speaker request slips, andtherefore the order in which peoplespeak. He is also free to cut off the pe-riod in which requests to speak willcontinue to be accepted – as ChairmanLenthall has done before — or to ex-tend that period all the way to the endof the hearing – as Chairman Lenthalldid with the Cayucos Viewshed ordi-nance — thereby allowing, say, a pre-ferred speaker who may have privatelymade a prior request, to put in a slip atthe last minute so as to be assured of

7

Mr. Lenthall Protests

the last word. Both practices are common, impos-sible to prove and fully deniable. Whathappened in public view at the August21 hearing remains the same: At thevery end of a six-hour hearing, Supervi-sor Lenthall pulled the speaker slip of amajor donor to his re-election campaignand the author of the ordinance onwhich the board was deliberating, andfor which Lenthall would be casting avote in favor some twenty minuteshence. Lenthall wishes us to believe thishappened by chance. When Lenthall called into DaveCongalton’s show to dispute this pointwith me, Congalton asked Lenthall amore pertinent question: How could hehave accepted a large check from theself-same Charlie Daugherty prior todeliberating on an ordinance Daughertyhad written? Lenthall professed to be unaware that

Daugherty was a major donor or toknow when he had received the moneyor in what amount – surely the worstkind of amnesia that can befall a candi-date for public office. Daugherty’s donation was officiallyreported on April 6, three days afterLenthall asked the board to delay a voteon the Cayucos Viewshed ordinance yetagain so as to allow him to assemble adiscussion group and “put [his] credibil-ity on the line” in seeking consensus onthe issue. A representative of Mr.Daugherty’s organization was one of thefive participants in Lenthall’s discussiongroup, which was stacked 3 to 1 in favorof the least protective ordinance. Lenthall failed in his quest for com-promise between a good viewshed ordi-nance and a bad one. He subsequentlyused the power of his board chairman-ship to block even the agendizing fordiscussion of the Planning Com-

mission’s simple request for enoughtime to properly review the ordinance. As we go to press, the Planning Com-mission has not yet reviewed the ordi-nance. How much surgery they may doin an attempt to undo the wrongs theBoard has wrought, we do not yet know.When the ordinance returns to theBoard for final reading, we don’t knowhow much of the work of the PlanningCommission will be undone by theBoard majority as they seek to pleasethe real estate/development intereststhey routinely serve. But if the ordi-nance that comes out of this process issubstantially the same beast that theBoard brought into being on August 21,multi-million dollar estate homes with360-degree views will come to adornthe ridgelines from Cayucos to Paso inthe near future. Those houses may be soundly con-structed, but they will be Jerry-built.

Prominent ridgelines: We are facing the prospect of unfortunate future additions to the Cayucos Viewshed.

A Letter from Bill McKibben Basically, we want to find out who is simplya politician, and who’s ready to be a leader.

Dear Friend— There are occasional moments inhistory when we desperately needleadership, and this is one of them. Ifwe’re going to deal with global warming,then we need to go beyond politicianswho say the right words and findchampions who will actually do the toughwork to transform our energy economy. And you could play a key role inbringing those leaders to the fore. This isan invitation to take one Saturday thisfall and use it to build a movement, amovement strong enough to finally putthis issue on the table where it can nolonger be ignored. Here’s the idea. On November 3, a yearbefore the next election, we’re askingpeople to organize rallies large and smallin their communities. Each one shouldtake place in some spot that commemo-rates great leaders of the past. Peoplehave already committed to climbing NewHampshire’s Mt. Washington andgathering in Nashville’s Wilson Mall.Others will gather at the Rhode Islandchurch where John F. Kennedy wasmarried, or in front of a site honoringNavajo elder and activist RobertaBlackgoat. But we need hundreds more,gatherings in places that bear the names

of national leaders or of locally celebratedmen and women who did the right thingin a moment of great need. You’ll knowthe person that makes sense in your cityor town—they don’t need to be saints, justtrue leaders, the kind who, faced with thegreat issues of their day, didn’t punt orcompromise. Once you’ve got your rally registered onour website, we’ll help you gather a crowd,and invite the politicians from your neckof the woods. We want to ask everySenator and Representative, and everycandidate for those offices, to come tothese rallies, along with state and localofficials. Once they’re there, we’ll presentpoliticians with the three “1 Sky” priori-ties prepared in the lastfew months by climatecampaigners across thecountry. They are: an80% reduction incarbon emissions by2050, a moratoriumon new coal-firedpower plants, and aGreen Jobs Corps tohelp fix homes andbusinesses so thosetargets can be met.

Basically, we want to find out who issimply a politician, and who’s ready to bea leader. We know these gatherings will beeffective. In April, with the help ofthousands of people (most of them brandnew to organizing) from across thecountry, we organized 1,400 rallies inplaces that showed how climate changewould affect our lives. But a movementneeds to keep moving, and calling for realleadership is the next step. Don’t worry if you’ve never organizedanything before—you’re not puttingtogether a March on Washington, just agathering of scores or hundreds in yourtown or neighborhood. It needn’t be slick;

homemade is just fine.This is a celebration ofleadership, and acelebration should bejoyful—as focused onthe new economies andcommunities we cancreate as on the threatswe must avoid. These rallies will belocal, but they’ll alsohave national impact.The website will help

draw people to your action, and then onNov. 3, we’ll be gathering pictures andvideo from around the country so that bynightfall we’ll have a good onlineslideshow of how America feels. We’ll doour best to make sure that every candidateis firmly on the record about their plans.By the time the day is done, you’ll havehelped change the political landscape. The best science tells us we have barelya decade to start the fundamentaltransformation of our economy and tolead the world in the same direction orelse, in the words of NASA’s Jim Hansen,we will face a “totally different planet.” Adecade’s not very long—we’ve got to getgoing. I know you’ve already done the obviousthings, like changing some of the light-bulbs in your house. Screwing in a light-bulb is important; screwing in a newfederal policy to deal with climate changeis crucial, especially if we’re ever going toregain enough credibility to help lead theworld toward a stable climate. November3 will be a powerful day, and you can playa vital role. Go to www.sierraclub.org/stepitup to start or join an action—andthank you so much for caring enough tobe a leader yourself.


emissions from cars by 30 percent whenfully implemented in 2016. This casewas a watershed moment in the legalbattle over the California Standardsandwill undoubtedly have an importantimpact on similar cases pending inCalifornia and Rhode Island. TheCalifornia case raises the same chal-lenges to the identical California law.Environmental groups said the Vermontruling shows there is no need for a trialin the California case and that the suitshould be dismissed. A hearing isscheduled in Fresno on October 22. “This decision should put the nail inthe coffin of the failed arguments of theauto industry,” said Sierra Club attorneyDavid Bookbinder. “In this trial theyused every tired argument about safety,job losses, lack of technology, anddoubts about the science of globalwarming that they had—the samethings they have been saying to thepublic and to Congress for decades. Wehave long known these arguments werenot true, and Judge Sessions’ rulingindicates that he did not believe themeither. His ruling is rock-solid andbased squarely on the facts—setting upa difficult legal situation for theautomakers should they appeal thiscase. “Instead of the automakers thinkingof excuses, it’s time for them to puttheir immense know-how towardsolving some of our most pressingproblems. This ruling will compel theU.S. automakers to make the kind ofclean, efficient cars Americans want—the kind that foreign automakers haveused to surge to record profits as theU.S. auto industry buckled under theweight of its gas guzzlers. This ruling isgood for the environment, good forAmerica, and, ultimately, good forthe automakers.” “The victory means that states cannow move forward with the kind ofbold, visionary action necessary to pro-tect their citizens if we are to preventthe most catastrophic effects of globalwarming. Along with the continuedsuccess of the Sierra Club’s Cool Citiescampaign (almost 700 cities have nowpledged to reduce their greenhouse gasemissions), it shows that we don’t haveto wait for the federal government tofinally take action.” For two years, the U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency has been consid-ering California’s request for a waiverthat would allow the state to enforce itsemissions law, which is more stringentthan federal standards. While theimportance of the Vermont victory can’tbe overstated, the laws in California,Vermont and 10 other states that havefollowed the California model willbecome unenforceable if the EPA deniesCalifornia a waiver allowing the state toimpose controls on air pollutants thatare more strict than the federalgovernment’s. It’s time for the BushAdministration’s EPA to get out of theway and grant California the waiver itand other states need in order to moveforward with these landmark standards.Congress should also take note of thismomentous decision and give greatweight to the judge’s important findingsregarding the automakers claims as itweighs its own action in this area. Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggerhas threatened to sue the EPA if itdoesn’t act on the California waiver byOctober 25. “Today, we won in court, and yet thevictory will be a hollow one if EPAsucceeds in stalling and ultimatelydenying our request,” said CaliforniaAttorney General Jerry Brown, whoargued California’s case to the federalagency earlier this summer.

at the new headquarters of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club

Please join your chapter leaders and fellow volunteers for an afternoon get-to-gether at 547-B Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo, Sunday, October 14, 2007, from3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Meet our Chapter Director, Chapter Chair, Outings Leaders, members of the execu-tive committee, committee chairs, Empower Poly Coalition leaders, and our studentinterns.

See where the Santa Lucian is produced and where many of our activities areplanned. Learn about our ongoing local and national environmental campaigns:Smart Energy Solutions, Building Healthy Communities, and preserving America’sWild Legacy.

Share a little wine, cheese and music. Enjoy the beautiful gardens and charming“carriage house” at our new location adjoining the historic Ketzal house, oppositethe Jack House on Marsh Street.

Take pride in your Sierra Club membership. (If it isn’t current, we’ll help you bringit up to date.) Show your support of the Santa Lucia chapter by attending thisspecial event.

Letterssend to: [email protected], or P.O. Box 15755, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Letters may be edited for space.

Since my birth our planet has added5,000,000,000 more people -- a massivepeople glut. The Sierra Club deals verywell with enviro-issues but I find littlemention of the enviro-degradationcaused by the “people glut.” TheAudubon Society has a very active popu-lation section -- why doesn’t the SierraClub?

Bill DenneenNipomo

Good news, Bill: Sierra Club recognizesthat all of our environmental successesmay be short-lived if they do not in-

clude efforts to address populationgrowth. Our Global Population andEnvironment Program is dedicated toprotecting the global environment andpreserving natural resources for futuregenerations by advancing global repro-ductive health and sustainable develop-ment initiatives. Working with domesticand international coalition partners,the program seeks to increase universalaccess to voluntary family planningservices and comprehensive sex educa-tion; advance women’s and girls’ basicrights, including access to health care,education and economic opportunity;promote youth leadership; and raise

public awareness of wasteful resourceconsumption in the context of socialand economic equity. The program’s objectives are: - Make the Population-EnvironmentConnection - Promote Voluntary Family Plan-ning Around the World and in the U.S. - Advance Sustainable DevelopmentSolutions that Address Poverty andGender Inequity - Empower Youth, and - Curb Our Ecological Footprint.

Check it out at www.sierraclub.org/population/

Welcome to our Open House

Global Warming Wincontinued from page 3


“Too cheap to meter”—I practicallywhistled this jaunty refrain from thepost-war era, as I sat with checkbookand pen, paying my monthly electric billlast September 16. Full disclosure: I amsingle, live in a small house and don’thave an air conditioner, so my bill isn’tthat expensive. However, I live eleven miles from anuclear reactor, and as I wrote thischeck it was with some irony I notedthe date, and recalled this little cel-ebrated but often referenced landmarkin the history of nuclear power. OnSeptember 16, 1954, Lewis L. Strauss,chairman of the U.S. Atomic EnergyCommission uttered those famouswords in a speech before the NationalAssociation of Science Writers: “It isnot too much to expect that ourchildren will enjoy in their homeselectrical energy too cheap to meter….”He went on to mention many otherhopes, like the ability of our children to“…travel effortlessly over the seas andunder them and through the air with aminimum of danger and at greatspeeds….” Happily, fifty years afterCharles Lindbergh puttered across theAtlantic on a wing and a prayer, humanshad visited the moon and a Parisiancan—for a reasonable price—leave Parisafter breakfast and be in New York forlunch. Fifty years ago, a computerequal to the laptop on which I type thiswould have required a building the sizeof Home Depot. These technologieshave evolved into their promised hopes.Sadly, this has not been the case fornuclear power. “Too cheap to meter?” How can it be,when cost over-runs have been the ruleat nuclear plants? In California alone,Diablo Canyon and San Onofre endedup costing nearly 10 times their originalestimates—mostly due to errors inplanning and construction. Is thesituation any better with today’s“newer” generation of reactors? Not inFinland, where the French companyAreva is already two years and $1 billionover budget on the newest reactor—faced with flaws in the foundations andconcrete mixtures, safeguards thatcould never be left to chance onCalifornia’s seismic landscape. What other promises has the nuclearindustry failed to deliver? How about ananswer to the problem of high-levelradioactive waste? Currently, 77,000tons of it—with components needing tobe shielded from the environment for aquarter of a million years—is lining ourrivers and shores. For decades,residents have been promised that thewaste would be taken “somewhere” ortreated with “some” process, none ofwhich have materialized for reasonsboth scientific and political. That’s whyCalifornia passed its nuclear safeguardsact in 1976 stating that no new reactorscould be built in the state until ademonstrated and approved method fordisposing of the radioactive waste was athand. It’s an intractable problem, but notone that seems to have stopped a stateassembly member from submitting aballot initiative to overturn California’smoratorium on new nuclear power.Though the initiative is masqueradingcleverly as an answer to global warm-ing, California’s Attorney General sawthrough this charade, and titled theinitiative what it really is: REMOVAL OFPROHIBITIONS ON THE CONSTRUC-TION OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.What will this cost Californians? A littlefurther into the Attorney General’sfiscal analysis, we find the potential

impact of this initiative:

Potential, unknown financial exposureto the state in the long term, potentiallyin the millions of dollars in environ-mental cleanup costs at each newnuclear power plant site, and poten-tially in the billions of dollars in theevent of a major radioactive release.

“Too cheap to meter?” Well, let’s findout. In 2006, the state legislatureoverwhelmingly passed AB 1632(Blakeslee) which mandated our state’sCalifornia Energy Commission (CEC) todo the first ever top-to-bottom full cost/risk/benefit analysis of nuclear powerand determine whether it is in thestate’s best fiscal interest to continue torely on our aging nuclear power plants.The study is under way, and taxpayersshould let their assembly membersknow they support this prudent and far-sighted study. And while I’m sealing the envelope onmy electric bill, there are a few otherletters I’m putting in the mail. I’mletting my U.S. senators know that Ioppose the current federal energy bill,which includes $50 billion dollars in100 percent loan guarantees for thenuclear industry. I’m also going to letthe California Energy Commissionknow about some cost concerns I havefor inclusion in their study, includingevacuation and rebuilding expenses,should something go wrong. Readerscan visit the web site for the Alliance forNuclear Responsibility, www.a4nr.org, aclearinghouse for more information andaction letters on this subject. The nuclear power industry has hadover half a century to compete in ourfree market, and has failed to do so inspite of massive government subsi-dies—subsidies that dwarf the amountsdoled out to the renewable energysector. In fact, had that kind of moneybeen put into solar and wind research,we’d have a working renewable energysystem today—without the waste,without the terror threats, without theseismic dangers. Utilities are spending agood deal of ratepayer money advertis-ing their “clean energy” goals—but isthis merely greenwashing, or willthey put their (and our) money wheretheir hype is? Will these alternativeenergies live up to their promises? In a world of increasing problems anddiminishing solutions, we’ll never knowif we don’t allow them to compete on afair and level playing field. Of this much I am sure: Through my

Reflections on an Uncelebrated Anniversary

San Luis Obispo’s Rochelle Becker hasjoined a former vice president, a NewYork Times reporter, and a CaliforniaAssemblyman and Congressman whohave helped raise awareness of globalwarming as a recipient of the SierraClub’s 2007 environmental awards. Theawards were given out at the Sierra Club’sAnnual Dinner in San Francisco onSeptember 29. One of 24 recipients of awards invarious categories of service to the envi-ronment, Becker received the Environ-mental Alliance Award in recogniton ofher work in raising awareness of issuesrelated to nuclear power. The Chair of theDiablo Canyon Task Force for the SantaLucia Chapter of the Sierra Club, Beckerhas dedicated herself to nuclear powerissues for three decades, most of that timeas a leader of San Luis Obispo Mothers forPeace. She founded the Alliance forNuclear Responsibility in January 2005,and was named to the Sierra Club’snational Radiation Committee in 2006. “With nuclear energy being peddled bythe industry as a falsepanacea for globalwarming, the work of theClub and its allies on thisissue has never been morecritical,” said Becker.“Replacing nuclear powerplants with renewabledomestic energy sourcesand redirecting nuclearsubsidies to energyefficiency and newtechnologies is part of theinvestment in a smartenergy policy. I am honoredto be receiving this award,and look forward toworking with my colleagueson this issue in the crucialmonths ahead.” Honored along with

9

Becker Wins Sierra ClubNational Award

Becker was former Vice President AlGore, who has spent 30 years making theworld aware of the dangers of globalwarming and received the Sierra Club’stop honor, the John Muir Award. TomFriedman, foreign affairs columnist forthe New York Times, received the DavidR. Brower Award, which recognizes aprofessional journalist for storiespertaining to the environment. FabianNúñez, speaker of the CaliforniaAssembly, received the club’s Dis-tinguished Achievement Award forpushing through the Global WarmingSolutions Act of 2006, the strongestmeasure ever enacted in the United Statesto curb global warming. CaliforniaCongressman Mike Thompson, whorepresents the first congressional district,received the club’s Edgar Wayburn Award.Thompson helped pass legislation lastyear that guaranteed protection for 431square miles of wilderness in NorthernCalifornia. For more information on the SierraClub awards program, visitwww. sierraclub.org/awards.

By David Weisman, Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility

Rochelle Becker

kitchen window, the sun is shining; thewind is rustling the blinds. I can feelthem both, and I’m willing to give thema chance.

David Weisman is a media producer andthe outreach coordinator for The Alliancefor Nuclear Responsibility, PO Box 1328,San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. (805) 704-1810. [email protected]

This tour and the alternative trans-portation is the outgrowth of a partner-ship among the San Luis SustainabilityGroup, Air Pollution Control District,Pacific Energy Co., REC Solar, Cal Poly,Mothers for Peace, and, of course, thegenerous hospitality of the ownersopening their doors for us. All proceeds will be donated to theMothers for Peace Educational Scholar-ship Fund, which every year gives twoscholarships to a high school senior anda college student who have shown lead-ership in environmental issues. Tickets are for a seat reservation at aspecific departure time. Tickets are $15for adults and $10 for students and canbe purchased through Elaine Holder,541-6310, e-mail [email protected]; Evy Justesen, 546-8907, [email protected]; and Pacific EnergyCo., 2121 Santa Barbara Street, SanLuis Obispo, 544-4700. You will need tocontact one of the above to confirm thatyour preference of time is still available.Your ticket will be mailed to you uponreceiving your check. At Pacific Energyyou can go in person and buy the ticket.Departures are at 12:00, 12:30, 1:00,1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Vans leaving after2:00 will be added as needed. We know that it is a bit more compli-cated than in the past, but the energysavings from using group transporta-tion makes up for this. Besides, thisway you will have a group to share ideaswith and a docent to answer questionsas you travel!

Solar Tourcontinued from page 5

10 Santa Lucian • October 2007Energy Conferencecontinued from page 1 Cambria

continued from page 1

make tax incentives available for longerperiods,” he said, noting that Germanyis adding 600mW of solar power everyyear due to their enlightened govern-ment policies that make renewablesattractive to producers and consumers. California enacted its RenewablePortfolio Standard law (SB 1078) in2002, with the object of progressivelydecreasing our dependency on fossil fuelwhile increasing our use of renewablesto meet current demands for electricity.California’s current goal is to generate20% of its electricity from renewablesources by 2010, and 33% by 2020. A key strategy for accomplishing thisgoal is Community Choice Aggregation,in which municipalities band togetherto buy, generate and sell their own elec-tricity while partnering with the inves-tor-owned utilities for distribution andbilling. Fifteen cities and counties in Califor-nia are exploring ways of doing this. Weheard at the conference how, by imple-menting a CCAprogram, MarinCounty plans tomeet half its de-mand for localpower from renew-able sources in tenyears -- while meet-ing or beating cur-rent utility ratesand managing riskand price volatilitybetter than currentsupply portfolios. “CCA is the mostpromising thing wehave in Marin toreally increase ouruse of renewables,”said Alex Hinds,Marin County’s

While the envi-ronmental andhuman healthbenefits of greenbuilding arewidely recognized,much of the greenconstruction go-ing on today isbeing driven byeconomics in theconstruction ofcommercial build-ings. These eco-nomics were stud-ied in a report

initial investment. In other words, aninitial upfront investment of up to$100,000 to incorporate green buildingfeatures into a $5 million project wouldresults in savings of $1 million intoday’s dollars over the life of the build-ing.

SLO County Senior Planner James Caruso (standing) moderated “Overcoming Barriers to Smart Growth:Political, Educational and Community-Based Solutions” at the regional energy conference.

Community De-velopment Direc-tor, and former

Santa Lucia Chapter Chair Karen Merriam conducts a final check of the buffettable at Chapter h.q. for the reception the night before the conference.

SLO County Planning Director.

Conservation & Efficiency At the heart of energy conservation isenergy efficiency: the techniques andprocesses used to reduce energy de-mand and carbon emissions. Common

submitted in 2003 to California’s Sus-tainable Building Task Force, a group ofmore than 40 state government agen-cies. The principal finding of the reportwas that minimal increases in upfrontcosts of about 2% to support green de-sign would, on average, result in life-cycle savings of 20% of total construc-tion costs: more than 10 times the

tury. Such growth in our state and inour region will severely tax already con-strained energy resources and the asso-ciated infrastructure, and challenge ourability as local governments to providethe energy that new communities,schools, industry, and other workplaceswill require. This rapidly advancingscenario shines a spotlight on a rela-

tionship that,until now, hasreceived littleattention: theprofound impactof land-use deci-sions on everyaspect of energyand how thesechoices, in turn,affect Cali-fornia’s ability toachieve its state-wide energygoals. In its 2006year-end “Inte-grated EnergyPolicy ReportUpdate,” theCalifornia En-ergy Commis-

Watch the Conference at www.slo-span.org“Central Coast SEA Regional Energy Planning Conference”August 23, 2007 - August 24, 2007

examples include effi-cient lighting, heatingand cooling systems,fuel-efficient transpor-tation systems, andenergy management. The average cost ofenergy efficiency programs is about halfthe cost of generating base-load elec-tricity: a dollar invested in energy effi-ciency yields twice the kilowatt-hourbenefit of a dollar invested in energygeneration. Energy efficiency programsare also the cornerstone of California’sefforts to reduce carbon emissions.California’s energy efficiency programshave been principally responsible for the30 percent decrease in per-capita emis-sions since 1975. Energy conservation and energyefficiency support economic develop-ment and create jobs by lowering en-ergy costs, which allows businesses andhouseholds to make greater invest-ments in non-energy goods, equipmentand services, and reduces the outflow ofmoney spent on imported energy sup-plies.

Green Building Thus is the practice of designing andconstructing buildings that meet pre-scribed standards for energy efficiency,indoor air quality and resource conser-vation. Buildings are our biggest drainon energy, consuming half the energyin our country, compared to transporta-tion, which consumes roughly one thirdof our energy.

The 2030 Challenge asks us to adoptpublic policies and best practices thatwill move us incrementally toward theconstruction of zero-energy, carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030.California’s Title 24 energy-efficiencycalculation for construction gives us a30% head start over other states towardmeeting the 2030 Challenge goal.Within SLO County, every municipalityhas agreed to support a green-buildingprogram based on incentives and volun-tary compliance.

Land Use & Smart Growth California’s population is projected bysome experts to grow by 20 millionpeople during the first half of this cen-

ning for landuse has beenessentiallyindependent ofthe planningand delivery ofenergy.”

At the Leader-

sion devoted afull chapter tostatewide defi-

ciencies in land-use and transportationplanning relative to energy. It found:

“To date, land-use planning has notincorporated energy considerations toany significant extent. In fact, the plan-

ship Roundtable wrapping up the meet-ing after lunch on August 24, ArroyoGrande Mayor Tony Ferrara challengedhis fellow mayors to continue meetingregularly to advance the above ideas andmeet the challenges of regional energyplanning. The conference was organized by theStrategic Energy Alliance for Change(SEA Change), which is comprised ofCentral Coast business interests, envi-ronmental groups, the Cal Poly Collegeof Architecture and the County Air Pol-lution Control District. Collectively, weare dedicated to promoting publicawareness and best practices in theconservation, generation, distributionand use of energy.

cross complaint, and outside legalfirms. They talked about serving sub-poenas on citizens who dared to criti-cize the project in public hearings (athreat the necessity of which a boardmember defended as similar to “investi-gating a terrorist”), and throughout, theboard loudly blamed the Coastal Com-mission for the mounting costs anddelays. In the end, the CCSD designed andbuilt the tanks the way the CoastalCommission told them to in order tocomply with the Coastal Act. Burton noted that the desal decisionwas a win for the statewide Organiza-tion of Regional Coastal Activists(ORCA). “Besides SLO ORCA lobbyingon our behalf, the Orange County, SanDiego and Mendocino County groups alllobbied as well. There were several wellthought-out letters as well, one fromCoastKeeper Gordon Hensley and an-other from Mendanoma Marine LifeConservancy in Mendocino. This effortproves that numbers count and thatcollectively we have power over the $$$that the developers seem to have noshortage of.” CCSD board chairman and real es-tate lawyer Greg Sanders is a partner inthe law firm Nossaman Guthner Knox &Elliott. On its website, his firm boasts ofits ability to “overcome the raft of legal,environmental and political obstaclesthat stand in the way of development”and successfully defend “developmentprojects against environmental chal-lenges.” Maybe not so much. Not that we’recomplaining: Our appeals of both theESHA-killer super-tanks and thedoomed desal tests helped secure thereview of those projects by the CoastalCommission, which in both cases did itsduty and protected the coast. But haunt-ing questions persist: Why not designthe water tanks correctly in the firstplace? Why spend years on securingpermits for a desal test project at a sitewhere you know you will not be allowedto build a desal plant? Does the CCSDboard know what its doing? We leave those questions toCambria’s voters. (And we note that, asmight be predicted from the above-described behavior, the Disctrict is seek-ing a rehearing of the desal project bythe Coastal Commission.) Meanwhile,other central coast communities con-sidering desal as a silver bullet for theirwater woes should be taking a reflectivepause. The question before them: Is anextremely expensive, energy-intensivetechnology for drawing usable waterfrom the sea, a technology that hasnever performed as advertised whereverit has been attempted at full scale any-where in this country, really the bestway to go? This is a teachable moment. Cam-bria’s setback and seeming predicamentis an opportunity for realistic assess-ment of the most urgent questions inthe county: How much water do weneed? How much water are we wasting?How much can we reclaim and re-use?Is there a better way? We’ll gladly participate in that dialog,and we’ll be happy to help get it startedbefore more ratepayer dollars getwashed out to sea.

SLO Gardners’ Seed ExchangeHear Barbara Spencer of Windrose Farms on Saving Seeds.

Monday, October 22, 7-9 p.m., in the SLO City/County Library Community Room.Bring your seeds and seedlings to exchange with other gardeners!

Thanks to sponsors: SLO Parks & Recreation, Cal Poly’s SARC, Nature’s TouchNursery & Harvest, ECOSLO, and Hope Dance. Information: 543-5364.


ClassifiedsJune issue ad deadline is Sept. 14.To acquire a rate sheet or submityour ad and payment, contact:Sierra Club - Santa Lucia ChapterP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]

Local Government Meetings

City of SLO--1st & 3rd Tues., 7:00p.m.; 781-7103

Arroyo Grande--2nd and 4th Tues.,7:00 p.m.; 473-5404

Atascadero--2nd & 4th Tues.;466-8099

Cambria CSD -- 4th Thurs.;927-6223

Grover Beach--1st & 3rd Mon., 6:30p.m.; 473-4567

Grover Beach PlanningCommission-- 2nd Tues.

Morro Bay--2nd & 4th Mon.

Paso Robles--1st & 3rd Tues., 7:00p.m.; 237-3888

Pismo Beach--1st Tues., 5:30 p.m.;773-4657

Los Osos CSD board-- 1st Tues. &2nd Mon., varies

California Coastal Commission--3rd Tues., varies

SLO County Board of Supervisors--every Tues.; 781-5450

SLO Council of Governments;781-4219

SLOCOG Citizens Advisory Committee--1st Wed. every other month, 6:00 p.m.

SLOCOG Board--1st Wed. every othermonth, 8:30 a.m.

7

Get informed andstay that way! Ask tobe put on the SantaLucia Chapter’se-alert list.

Send request to:[email protected]

11

10/15, 7p.m.: Catching Out

10/19, 24, 7p.m.: Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama

10/27, 2-7p.m.: HopeDance 10th Anniversary Party

10/30: An evening with Van Jones

All films at SLO Library. Schedule subject tochange. For trailers, info, reviews, go towww.hopedance.org


Photo by Joaquin Palting

Outings and Activities Calendar

Hiking Classifications:

Distance: 1 = 0-2 mi., 2 = 3-5 mi.,3 = 6-9 mi., 4 =10-12 mi.,5 = 12 mi. or more.

Elevation Gain: A = 500',B = 1000', C = 1500', D = 2000',E = 2500', F = 3000' or more.

All of our hikes andactivities are open to all Clubmembers and the generalpublic. If you have anysuggestions for hikes oroutdoor activities, questionsabout the Chapter’s outingpolicies or would like to be anoutings leader, call OutingsLeader Gary Felsman (473-3694). For information on aspecific outing, please contactthe outing leader. OutingsLeaders please get your outingsor events in by the 1st for thenext month’s outings.

This is a partial listing ofOutings offered by our

chapter.Please check the web page

www.santalucia.sierraclub.orgfor the most up-to-date

listing of activities.

Looking for a real wilderness vacation?Come rent Canyon Creek Lodge.In the mountains near Smithers, British Columbia. Designedfor groups and families. Easily accessible by air, road or rail,

yet located in a true wilderness setting. Canoe, kayak, raft, bike, hike, fish, ski, or viewthe abundant wildlife. The Lodge accommodates up to 10 with 5 bedrooms and 2.5baths. It’s like your own private wilderness area, but with all the comforts of home. Alsogreat for retreats, seminars, courses or club outings. We can connect you to local outfit-ters, guides or instructors. Visit www.canyoncreekbritishcolumbia.com, [email protected] or call 250-847-4349 (Roger McColm). Mentionthis ad and 5% of your rental goes to the Santa Lucia Chapter.

Wed., October, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31(?),5:30 p.m. Informal Hikes aroundSLO. Typically 2 hours or so. Detailscall 473-3694 or e-mail Gary Felsmanfor location.

Sat.-Mon. Oct 6-7 Service Trip inthe El Paso Wilderness (South ofRidgecrest, CA). Help install tortoiseramps in two guzzlers. Desert tor-toise can become trapped in these wa-tering spots; ramps will enable themto drink and to get out safely. BLMwill supply ramps and tools. Two anda half mile hike on Saturday to worksite, carrying tools. Visit to interest-ing archeological site along the way.Sunday, shorter hike to work site,visit to historic area afterwards. BLMWilderness Coordinator Marty Dickeswill direct the installation efforts.Car camp Friday and Saturday nights.Happy hour and potluck dinner Sat-urday night. Ldr: Kate Allen 661-944-4056, [email protected]

Sat., Oct.6, 7:30 a.m. Prewitt CreekLoop Exploratory Hike. Come join uson this challenging trek that many ofus have wanted to do in it’s entirety,but have only done portions of. Thiswill be an all day walk of about 12miles and at least 2,400 ft. of eleva-tion gain. There is always the possi-bility of a shorter hike if you want togo part way. An early start will give ustime to go at a slower pace and takeadvantage of the daylight. There willbe unavoidable poison oak. The trailis indistinct at the farthest pointsfrom the road. Bring the usual gear

for a hike plus a flashlight orheadlamp if we get out late. It is rec-ommended that you camp at PlaskettCreek or Kirk Creek Campgroundsthe night before. We will start at thesouth trailhead at the Pacific ValleyC.D.F. station which is a mile north ofPlaskett Creek Campground. For anyadditional info call Carlos at 546-0317.

OCT. 7, 0930, Sun. BLACK LAKECANYON: Meet at junction of LegunaNegra & Guadalupe Rd to hike intocanyon seeing erosion, euke forestand Coast Live Oak habitat, poisonoak and Xenon Way. Call 929-3647 or<[email protected]> a few days be-fore to confirm and for details.

Sat.-Mon., October 13-15, CarrizoPlains Service Trip: Explore andServe in the Carrizo Plains NationalMonument: Pronghorn antelope willnot jump fences to escape predatorsbut rather attempt to crawl under.Our service on Saturday will modifyseveral sections of fence to facilitatethis mobility. Sunday will be, at thechoice of the group, either a hike inthe Caliente Range or else a tour ofpopular viewing areas in the plains.Those who can stay on Monday willcontinue assisting in fence modifica-tion. This is an opportunity to com-bine carcamping, day hiking, explor-ing, and service in a relativelyunknown wilderness. Contact Ldr:Craig Deutsche, (310-477-6670),[email protected] CNRCCDesert Com

OCT. 14, 0930, Sun., BIKE WOOD-LANDS. A bicycle tour of the “instantcity’ with many stops. Meet at junc-tion of Willow Rd. & Albert Way. Mustwear helmet. On bikes we can go ongolf cart trails with many stops——very easy ride. Call 929-3647 or<[email protected]> a few days be-fore to confirm and for details.

Sat., Oct. 20. 8:00 a.m. CruikshankTrail to Lion Den Camp. Join theleader on this moderately strenuoushike to Lion Den. The hike is a 12mile round trip with about 2700 ft. ofelevation gain. Fall is a great time forthis hike in southern Big Sur. We willhike up to Upper Cruikshank Campwhich is the site of an old homestead.From there we head east to SilverCamp, the rocky outcropping, and ul-timately Lion Den. There is a possibil-ity of poison oak and ticks. Bringplenty of water, lunch, snacks, anddress for the weather. Meet at theWashburn day use area just north ofCambria on Highway 1. There is anoptional refueling stop at Main StreetGrill in Cambria after the hike. Forinfo, call Chuck at 441-7597

Sat., October 20, Tamarisk Removalin the Santa Rosa Wilderness: Workwith the BLM to help clear Devil’s

Canyon of this invasive plant. Meet 8AM in Indio, at the Mobil Station atthe corner of Highway 111 andJefferson St. Caravan to Boo Hofftrailhead and hike 2 miles to the worksite. We will cut down the tamariskwith loppers and hand saws, then her-bicide will be applied to preventresprouting. Chance to see NativeAmerican rock art and native fanpalms along the moderate hikingtrail. Ldr: Ralph Salisbury,[email protected] (pre-ferred) or 951-686-4141. Day of out-ing use 951-522-2993. San GorgonioChapter/CNRCC Desert Committee

Sat., October 20, Equestrian TrailHike - Joshua Tree National Park:People say the best way to keep a se-cret is to publish it. Here goes: this isa breezy five or six-mile hike on a sel-dom-used horse trail in a very scenicand seldom used area of the park. Bring a couple of quarts of water anda lunch, wear comfortable boots andmaybe a camera. Being as I’m writ-ing this in July I have no idea of whatthe weather will be in late October.We will discuss clothing when youcall. Moderate to difficult. See youthere! Al and Ann Murdy (760)366-2932 or [email protected]

Sat.-Sun., October 20-21, Wild andScenic Amargosa: We will travel bycar and foot to visit a number of sitesin the Tecopa/Shoshone area immedi-ately south of Death Valley: fossilsites, rock alignments, mining relics,pioneer graves, and the outstandingriparian area along the AmargosaRiver. We meet in Baker and will con-clude in Shoshone. Saturday eveningwill be a car camp with a potluck din-ner and campfire. One of the localresidents will talk with us about thepast and future of this historic area.High clearance 2WD sufficient. Grouplimit, 12 persons, Contact leaderCraig Deutsche (310-477-6670),[email protected] CNRCCDesert Com.

Sat.-Sun., October 20-21, GhostTown Extravaganza. Come with usto this spectacular desert landscapenear Death Valley to explore the ruinsof California’s colorful past. Camp atthe historic ghost town of Ballarat(flush toilets & hot showers). On Sat,do a challenging hike to ghost townLookout City with expert Hal Fowlerwho will regale us with tales of thiswild west town. Later we’ll return tocamp for Happy Hour, a potluck feastand campfire. On Sun, a quick visitto the infamous Riley town site beforeheading home. Group size strictlylimited. Send $8 per person (SierraClub), 2 sase, H&W phones, email,rideshare info to Ldr: Lygeia Gerard,P.O. Box 294726, Phelan, CA 92329;(760) 868-0979. CNRCC/Desert Com-mittee.

Sat., October 21, 0930, Bike tour ofNipomo. See Nipomo on an easy bikeride with many stops. We’ll probablystop at Nipomo Native Garden and anew special bikeway. Meet at NipomoLibrary. A great way to spend a SunAM. Kids welcome. Call 929-3647 or<[email protected]> a few days be-fore to confirm and for details.

Sat., November 3rd, 8:00 am, Haz-ard Peak Trail – Montana de Oro.Come help California State Parks andthe CCCMB. Maintain trails in Mon-tana de Oro State Park. Meet at CampKeep across from Hazard CanyonParking lot, MDO SP.

Sat., November 10th, 8 a.m. Tenta-tive - Big Sur Coastal Traverse.Come take a 9 mile hike from theCruikshank Trailhead to via BuckeyeCamp the return via the Soda SpringsTrailhead. There is a possibility of poi-son oak and ticks. Bring plenty of wa-ter, lunch, snacks, and dress for theweather. Meet at the Washburn dayuse area just north of Cambria onHighway 1. There is an optional refu-eling stop at Main Street Grill inCambria after the hike. For info, callGary @ 473-3694. Rain or threat ofrain cancels.

Thanksgiving Day Hike, Thursday,November 22, 2007 10am-12pm,Black Lake Canyon, Nipomo/ArroyoGrande. Bring family and friends tostart this special day with a mildlystrenuous trail hike, through dunesscrub and sand. You’ll be treated to abehind-the-scenes tour of a specialLand Conservancy restoration siteand to a relaxed hike around BlackLake. Bring water, wear comfortableshoes, layered clothing and sun pro-tection (hat &sunscreen). Binocularsand camera are also welcomed. Thisevent is rain or shine. Event meetingplace is located on private property atintersection of Hwy 1 at Randy Lane.View location map. Carpooling is en-couraged. Follow signs for parking.For more Information call 544-9096.Sponsored, by the Land Conservancyof San Luis Obispo County.

Documents

Santa Lucian • October 2007 Santa RM Lucian - …...Santa Lucia Chapter P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Chapter Director Andrew Christie 805-543-8717 [email protected]