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The Jersey

Two Group Ballots ............................2Bottle Recycling Legislation in NJ.....2Population Issues: Power of One .....2Chair’s Message: Two Lives.............3Editorial: Ballot Question 3 ...............3Our ExCom’s Resolutions.................3Cool Cities Corner: Mayor Profeta....4Appreciation Day Festivities .............4Conservation Eco-Tip: Water Heating.................................5

Nuclear Power Update......................5Hybrid Car Update ............................5Tiger Conservation News .................5Group and Section News.............6-10Outings: January-March ............10-12Leader List, Meetings, Membership Form.........................12

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• • • • • • • • • • •

Vol. 37, No. 1 Roughly 23,000 Members in New Jersey January-March 2008

SIERRANSIERRAN

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB

On October 3rd the New Jersey Boardof Public Utilities (BPU) voted to moveforward with offshore, electricity-gener-ating wind turbines in New Jersey, byinviting proposals from manufacturersfor a $4 million pilot project. The SierraClub applauded this action by the BPU,citing the importance of wind for thestate’s energy future. We have to do thisif we are serious about dealing with glob-al warming.

The BPU has adopted a RenewablePortfolio Standard (RPS) requiring thatutilities produce 6.5% of their electricityfrom renewable sources by May 31, 2009– one of the strongest standards in thenation. In addition, the recently passedGlobal Warming Response Act mandatesa reduction of greenhouse gases to 1990levels by 2020. If New Jersey is to meetthese goals, the state must go forwardwith development of offshore wind.

The Answers Are Blowing in the WindBy Jeff Tittel and Becca Glenn, our Chapter staff

Ballot QQuestion ffor OOpen SSpaceClearly the most important

result of the 2007 election wasthe passage of Ballot Question#3, which authorized the Stateto issue $200 million in bondsfor open space, farmland, blueacres, and historic site preserva-tion. In a low-turnout electionwith organized and wel l -financed opposition to all ballot mea-sures, Ballot Question #3 was the onlyballot question requiring funding thatpassed, and it did so with 54 percentof the vote. The passage of this stop-gap measure allows the State’s GreenAcres program to continue for oneyear while the new legislature worksto establish a long-term, stable sourceof funding to preserve New Jersey’sremaining open space.

Senate RRacesFourteen of the eighteen Club-

endorsed State Senate candidates won,

well positioning our Chapterin our advocacy of the envi-ronment. While we generallydid well in Senate races, weregret incumbent Sen.Karcher’s loss in the 12thLegislative District to chal-lenger AssemblywomanJennifer Beck. We will missMs. Karcher, who had a

strong environmental record, but con-gratulate Ms. Beck on her victory, andlook forward to establishing a goodworking relationship with her.

Shortly after the election the SenateRepublicans selected Sen. Tom Kean, Jr.as their new Minority Leader, replacingSen. Leonard Lance, an outstanding envi-ronmentalist and an invaluable friend.However, Sen. Kean is just as strong anenvironmentalist; he helped us passclean car legislation and other key bills.We are glad to see another strong friendholding that position.

On the other side of the aisle, the

Senate/Dist. Assem. Party Candidate + == WWin01 A D* Nelson Albano +02 S D Jim Whelan +02 A D Blondell Spellman —03 A D* John Burzichelli +03 A D* Douglas Fisher +06 S D* John Adler +07 S D Richard Dennison —07 A D* Herb Conaway +07 A D* Jack Conners +08 A D Christopher Fifis —08 A D Tracy Riley —09 S R Christopher Connors +10 S D Britta Forsberg-Wenzel —10 A R* James Holzapfel +10 A R* David Wolfe +11 S R Sean Kean +12 S D* Ellen Karcher —12 A D* Michael Panter —12 A D Amy Mallet —13 A R* Amy Handlin +

Senate Democrats replaced retiring Sen.Bernard Kenny, Jr. with Sen. StephenSweeney, who has been helpful withsome statewide issues in the past, andwho has been particularly helpful withissues in Gloucester County where he hasjust stepped down as Freeholder Director.

Assembly RRacesThirty-four of the forty-one Club-

endorsed State Assembly candidates won,an 83% success rate. In legislative districtswith close elections, we were glad to seewins by incumbents Herb Conaway andJack Conners in LD-7, Linda Greensteinand Wayne DeAngelo in LD-14, and JohnRooney and Charlotte Vandervalk in LD-39. With over 42 percent of the 80-mem-ber Assembly now comprised of Club-endorsed legislators, we will continue tohave strong, credible supporters for a vari-ety of our environmental issues.

More WWomen LLegislatorsWomen picked up nine seats in the

New Jersey Election Results – 2007By Rich Isaac, Chapter Political Chair

Senate/Dist. Assem. Party Candidate + == WWin14 A D* Linda Greenstein +14 A D Wayne DeAngelo +15 S D* Shirley Turner +15 A D* Reed Gusciora +15 A D* Bonnie Watson Coleman +16 S R Christopher “Kip” Bateman +16 A R* Peter Biondi +16 A R Denise Coyle +17 S D* Bob Smith +17 A D* Upendra Chivukula +18 S D* Barbara Buono +18 A D* Peter Barnes, III +18 A D* Patrick Diegnan, Jr. +19 S D* Joseph Vitale +19 A D* Joseph Vas +19 A D* John Wisniewski +20 S D* Raymond Lesniak +21 S R* Tom Kean, Jr. +21 A R* Jon Bramnick +21 A R* Eric Munoz, M.D. +

2007 ELECTION OUTCOMESBallot Question #3 ($200 million for open space): Won (54% voting yes)

State Assembly, and two seats in theState Senate. In just four years, NewJersey’s national ranking for women leg-islators has gone from 43rd to 15th, amajor improvement.

New JJersey CClean EElections PProgramEstablished in 2007, New Jersey’s

Clean Elections Program is a volun-tary, experimental, full public cam-paign-financing program for candi-dates seeking election in three StateSenate and Assembly districts. Thethree districts selected last Novemberwere the 14th, 24th and 37th, o fwhich only one, the 14th (Mercer Co),is “competitive.” The results weremuddied: providing public fundingcertainly had no impact whatsoever inRepublican LD-24, nor in DemocraticLD-37. In LD-14, organized outsidelobbying exposed a possible loopholein the program, calling into questionwhether it will eventually be expand-ed throughout the state.

Senate/Dist. Assem. Party Candidate + == WWin

22 A D* Linda Stender +23 S R* Leonard Lance +24 S D Ed Selby —24 A D Toni Zimmer —24 A D Pat Walsh —27 A D* John F. McKeon +31 A D L. Harvey Smith +31 A D Anthony Chiappone +34 A D* Sheila Oliver +35 A D* Nelida “Nellie” Pou +37 S D* Loretta Weinberg +37 A D* Valerie Huttle +37 A D* Gordon Johnson +38 S D* Bob Gordon +38 A D* Joan Voss +39 A R* John Rooney +39 A R* Charlotte Vandervalk +40 A R* David Russo +40 A R Scott Rumana +

* Incumbent

Legislative EEndorsements:

Senate AssemblyWins 14 34Losses 4 7

Without offshore wind, the GlobalWarming Response Act is just a lot ofhot air. The RPS and the GlobalWarming Response Act were hugesteps forward for New Jersey, but nowwe need to make sure that they arefully implemented. We can’t do thatwithout wind.

According to a study released in mid-October by Monmouth University’sUrban Coast and Polling Institutes,Jersey shore residents agree with us.The survey of residents of coastal com-munities in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic,and Cape May Counties, as well as theneighboring counties in New York andon the Delmarva Peninsula, found that39% named beach erosion/sea rise asthe single most important environmen-tal issue affecting their local coast. 57%supported the siting of wind farms near-by, even if the turbines would be visible

from the shoreline, and 71% supportedsuch installations if they would be locat-ed beyond the horizon. [Full surveyreport available at http://www.mon-mouth.edu/polling/.]

New Jersey cannot wait for the resultsof the Department of EnvironmentalProtection’s baseline studies to begin theprocess of reviewing proposals for anoffshore wind facility. We need to go for-ward with offshore wind developmentnow. Reviewing these proposals will notinterfere with the DEP’s ongoingresearch – in fact, it will enhance thebaseline studies by providing, throughthe proposals, additional data on whatsites have the most advantageous weath-er patterns, fewest environmental fea-tures, and available transmission systems.The BPU’s decision was the right one forthe environment and the right one forNew Jersey’s future.

The Jersey Sierran: January-March 2008

Members in our Northwest and Hudson-Meadowlands Groups: please vote for GROUP OFFICERS using the ballot on this page.

2

POPULATION ISSUES COORDINATOR’S REPORT:

Hudson-Meadowlands Group: Candidates forGroup ExCom. For 2-year terms. Please vote forUP TO FIVE.�� Louise Taylor �� Connie Ftera�� Helen Manogue �� Brane Zivkovic�� Rosemary Arena�� Write in:___________________________�� Write in:___________________________

Sierra Club BallotElection oof OOfficers, ffor 22008, oof tthe NNew JJersey CChapter’s GGroups

Group BBallots: Please vote only YOUR Group’s ExCom ballot, if it is below; thenclip it and return it in your own envelope, to arrive by Feb 1, to Sierra CClub GGrouppBallot, 1145 WW HHanover SSt, TTrenton 008618. PAIRs of boxes are to enable two mem-bers of family memberships to cast votes. Club rules require two more candidatesthan the number of openings; when an insufficient number of candidates is on offer,write-in slots are provided.

A picture of the ele-gant Waldorf AstoriaHotel in New YorkCity flashed up on thescreen, and I won-dered what that hadto do with poorwomen in Africa whosuffer with obstetricfistula. As it turnedout, it was the site ofthe last fistula hospitalin this country, whichclosed in 1895.

Heidi Breeze-Harris was speakingabout why she co-founded and is theexecutive director ofOne-by-One, an orga-nization dedicated toending obstetric fistu-la. She first heardabout this problemwhen she herself was pregnant. She hadaccess to some of the best medical care;but women in developing countries werein labor for 3, 4 even 6 days with horribleoutcomes. What could she do to helpthem? Her compassion led her to action.She is determined that a medical problemeradicated here in the 19th centuryshould not exist anywhere in the worldin the 21st century.

Obstetric fistula is an injury caused byprolonged labor. The child cannot getthrough the small birth canal oftenbecause of the young age of the mother(sometimes 12 or younger), or poornutrition, or too many pregnancies intoo short a time. The child’s head press-es on the mother’s tissues, causing themto die and leaving a hole. Usually thechild is stillborn. If the mother survives(and many don’t) she will leak urine andfeces uncontrollably. Because of thesmell she is ostracized from her commu-nity. This is what women with obstetricfistula experience, and it is with greatjoy that after surgery (at a cost of as littleas $300) they can go back to their vil-lages and associate with other people.

In May, 2007, Representative CarolynMaloney (D-NY) introduced H.R. 2114,“Repairing Young Women’s LivesAround the World Act.” This would pro-vide a contribution of $34M to theUnited Nations Population Fund for theexpress purpose of “prevention, treat-ment, and repair of obstetric fistula.” Ofthe 20 co-sponsors, not one is from NewJersey. You can be the power of oneperson by contacting yourRepresentative and urging him to signon to H.R. 2114. For more information,go to www.fightfistula.org. The SierraClub has joined with One-by-One tohelp eradicate this problem and you canlearn more about how to help—by host-ing a Pink-Green Party—at www.sierra-club.org/population.

Another pperson mmoved tto aaction: “Sincethe human race began, women havedelivered for society. It is now time forthe world to deliver for women.” Soquoted the indefatigable Jane Robertsfrom an article in The Lancet(10/12/07). Jane is the co-founder of 34Million Friends, started because of her

The Power of One PersonBy Bonnie Tillery ([email protected])

outrage when theB u s h / C h e n e yA d m i n i s t r a t i o ndefunded the UnitedNations PopulationFund (UNFPA), andher belief thatAmericans caredenough that 34 mil-lion of them woulddonate $1 to makeup for this loss. Hermission is to spreadthe word that whathappens to womenmatters, and herambitious agenda inNew Jersey was togive eleven talks infive days.

To quote from the34 Million Friendsweb site: “UNFPAhelps the most vul-

nerable women in the world plan theirfamilies, give birth safely, and protectthemselves from HIV/AIDS. It promotesthe rights of women by encouragingequal access to food, education, andhealthcare. UNFPA works worldwide toeliminate gender-based violence includingfemale genital cutting and rape used as aweapon of war.”

Noting that “media is everything.”Jane is thinking big in order to make adifference and bring attention to thehealth and education challenges girlsand women face. As an example, shementioned a BBC film crew that broughtattention to the lack of personnel, facili-ties and supplies in Chad where a doctorwas quoted as saying, “I’m sick and tiredof being sick and tired of not having themeans to care for these women.” Notonly did the hospital get what was need-ed, but the country’s health administra-tion saw change as well. With the helpof a Packard Grant, Jane and a documen-tary film maker are working to producea film she hopes will do for women’shealth issues worldwide what “AnInconvenient Truth” did to raise aware-ness of global warming.

In 1940 there were 3 billion people;today there are 6.6 billion; and in 2050 itis estimated there will be 9.1 billion. Janenoted that there is a worldwide shortageof family planning supplies which willnot help this “environmental and humani-tarian disaster” in the making. To find outmore, go to www.34millionfriends.org.

Why should we as environmentalistsbe concerned about these issues? Whenwomen are educated and have familyplanning resources, they have their firstchild later, they space their children far-ther apart, and they have fewer children.This is not only healthy for the womenand their families but, with fewerdemands placed on natural resources, it ishealthy for the environment. I heard overand over again at the programs I attendedthat no matter what we do to curb globalwarming, if we don’t address populationgrowth through education of women andgirls and access to voluntary family plan-ning, it will all be for nothing.

Heidi Breeze-Harris and Jane Roberts:everyday women who stood up and said“I will make a difference.”

Island HHopping iin CChannel IIslands NNational PPark ((California)— SSix FFundraising CCruises OOffered iin 220008, bbenefiting tthe

Club’s PPopulation PProgram

February 9-11: 3 islands, $475.April 4-7, May 2-5, July 18-21: 4 islands, $775.

August 23-27, September 13-17: 5 islands, $925.

Come explore the wild, windswept islands of Channel Islands National Park.These islands are home to a wide variety of plant, animal and bird life, and the sur-rounding waters churn with colorful fish, seals, and sea lions. All islands have ruggedshorelines dotted with sea caves. In spring the islands are ablaze with wildflowers. Insummer the pristine waters of the Marine Sanctuary will entice swimmers, snorkel-ers and kayakers. Each island offers special charm: San Miguel for white sandy beach-es and a congregation of elephant seals; Santa Rosa for its rare stand of Torrey Pines;Santa Cruz for high mountains, deep valleys and the famous Painted Cave; Anacapafor a brown pelican rookery, picturesque lighthouse, and excellent snorkelingwaters; tiny Santa Barbara Island for a friendly colony of sea lions who swim withsnorkelers and follow kayaks. Visitors will marvel at remains of the rich culture leftbehind by the Chumash people who lived on these islands for thousands of years.

All cruises depart from Santa Barbara, CA, aboard the twin diesel “Truth.” Feeincludes an assigned bunk, all meals, snacks, beverages and the services of a ranger/nat-uralist who will lead hikes and point out items of interest. Proceeds will benefit SierraClub’s Global Population & the Environment Program. To make a reservation send a$100 check, payable to Sierra Club, to Joan Jones Holtz, 11826 The Wye St., El Monte,CA 91732. For questions contact her at 626-443-0706 or [email protected].

Jane Roberts of 34 Million Friends answeringquestions at one of her 11 New Jersey pre-sentations in October.

For 1-year terms. Please vote for UP TOFOUR.�� Donald Kopczynski �� Melissa McCarthy�� Gil Hawkins �� Mirjana Zivkovic�� Mike Selender �� Scotte Perry

West Jersey Group: Candidates for Group ExCom. Please vote for UP TO TWO.�� Gina Carola�� Trish Clements

�� Write in:___________________________�� Write in:___________________________

The Smart Container Act, A-4483, wassubmitted in the New Jersey Assemblyon Nov 8, 2007 by prime sponsorAssemblywoman Valerie Vainieri-Huttle(D-37th LD, Bergen). The Bergen Recordand WCBS-NY have publicized it, and itis getting much attention, according toRocco Mazza, Asw Huttle's Chief of Staff.

The Bill would require a 10¢ deposit onall personal beverage containers, andwould establish a redemption process forthe State of NJ. The bill was modeled pri-marily after Michigan’s statute, which alsoimposes 10¢ deposits, but includes aspectsfrom some of the ten other bottle billstates. As in Michigan the Smart ContainerAct will direct 75% of the unclaimeddeposits to environmental projects.

A-4483 will become model legislationfor other states, hopefully doubling recy-cling rates, reclaiming precious naturalresources, reducing recyclables goinginto landfills/incinerators, reducing globalwarming, and reducing litter in our water-ways, and on our beaches and roadsides.

Getting this Bill passed by theLegislature will be a tremendous politi-cal challenge, as the retailers’ associa-tions and beverage industry will almostcertainly invest millions of dollars tooppose it. However, the industry mustadapt to become part of the solution,and municipalities will save tax dollarsby being relieved of a considerable por-tion of their recycling responsibilities.

People and institutions are resistant to

Bottle RecyclingLegislation IntroducedBy David Yennior, Recycling Issues Coordinator

change, but with dismal recycling rates inNew Jersey, and a budget crisis looming,and the prospect of Global Warming, newstrategies must be enacted. It is undeniablethat deposit programs work extremely wellin the eleven other bottle bill states: NewYork, California, Michigan, Massachusetts,Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Delaware,Iowa, Oregon and Hawaii.

I thank the many people who have sup-ported this effort, especially the leadershipof the Sierra Club’s New Jersey Chapter.Rob Stuart, the former head of NJ-PublicInterest Research Group, coined the Bill’stitle. Al Dubois, Clifton’s recycling coordi-nator, and staff of the Container RecyclingInstitute have been invaluable.

Finally, special thanks go toAssemblywoman Valerie Vainieri-Huttle[see the Appreciation Day story on p.4]for her leadership role and for makingNew Jersey’s Smart Container Act possi-ble. The Bill will now need a sponsor inthe NJ Senate, as well as co-sponsors.

Please stay posted for further commu-nications about strategy to get thisimportant legislation passed and signedinto law. A broad coalition will berequired. Expect soon to see a websitecovering the Bill’s progress.

Please alert me to any press coverageof A-4483 that you see. We need every-one's help to make the Smart ContainerAct a reality in New Jersey. Please let usknow what you can do and pass alongany suggestions that you may have.

ISSUES COORDINATOR’S REPORT:

THE SSIERRA CCLUB'S NNORTHEAST RREGIONAL CCONSERVATIONCOMMITTEE'S ((NERC) SSPRING CCONFERENCE

PROPOSED DDATE: MMARCH 115, 22008“Training tthe TTrainers:”

Global warming & energy efficiency • Lobby training, recruitment, media How Congress works • Role-playing

Possibly in New Haven (rail access, central location). New members always welcome!

Contact: Bob Johnson, [email protected]


At our January Chapter ExCom meeting we will adopt issue priorities for 2008. All members are invited to participate in the discussion. See the gray box in column 2 on p. 12.

3

Two LivesBy Ken Johanson ([email protected])

Chair’s Message

Nelson C. Doland, Jr. died onNovember 24, 2005 at the age of 87.Waldemar Wastallo, Jr. died onSeptember 2, 2005 at the age of 80.

Nelson and Walter, as they wereknown to their friends, could not havebeen more different. Nelson was a suc-cessful attorney. He practiced law inBoonton for 63 years and still maintainedhis practice at the time of his death. Hewas the municipal attorney for Boontonfrom 1950 to 1970 and judge of themunicipal court from 1970 to 1973. Healso was a member and trustee of theRockaway Valley United MethodistChurch and a 25-year member of theBoonton-Montville Lions Club.

Walter was a quiet and unassumingman. During the 60’s and 70’s heworked for the United StatesGovernment as a mechanical engineertesting components for military aircraft.He authored a number of technicalreports, some of which are still availableon the web. Following his retirement hereturned to the family homestead, tend-ing the crops and leading a simple life.

But maybe Nelson and Walter werenot as different as one might think. Inever had an opportunity to meet eitherman, and I doubt very much that theyever got to meet each other, but I thinkthey would have gotten along very wellif they had.

Nelson and Walter both believed insupporting worthwhile causes. Nelsonwas a community activist and served onthe board of Saint Claire’s Hospital formany years and Walter, while reticent totake on a more public role, provided gen-erous support to a number of nonprofitorganizations during his lifetime.

But Nelson and Walter shared anotherpassion. They both cared deeply aboutthe environment and preserving openspace. In 1998 Nelson deeded a portionof his farm to the Morris County FarmPreservation Trust, and Walter was amember of the John Muir Society and aconsistent contributor to the New JerseyChapter of the Sierra Club. Nelson andWalter both loved nature, and they bothdid what they could during their lifetimesto support the environmental movement.

But their support of the environmentalmovement did not stop at their deaths.Both Nelson and Walter made provisionfor the New Jersey Chapter of the SierraClub in their wills, thereby assuring thattheir efforts to support the environmen-tal movement during their lifetimeswould continue long after their deaths.

I am deeply honored and very appre-ciative of Nelson and Walter’s commit-ment to our mission and their trust inour stewardship. I am also saddened thatI never had a chance to thank themwhile they were alive.

But from what I have learned aboutNelson and Walter after their deaths, Idon’t think that either of them would belooking for thanks from me or from any-one else in the New Jersey Chapter. Whatthey would be looking for would be acommitment from us to get the job done,to use their gifts to further the environ-mental cause in a productive and cost-effective manner. On behalf of the NewJersey Chapter, I hereby make that com-mitment. And thanks Nelson and Walterfor your belief in the New Jersey Chapterof the Sierra Club and your unwaveringsupport of our mission to protect and pre-serve our natural environment.

by Dick Colby ([email protected])

Perspective on Ballot Question 3

Editorial

The disparity in the results of NewJersey's four ballot questions in Novemberposes a challenge to the political scientist(which I'm not). But I'm curious and eagerto test the following hypotheses toexplain why Question 3 ("open space")passed easily (54-46%) and Question 2("stem cell research") did not (47-53%).

(1) Is there a difference between urban,suburban and rural counties?

(2) Does the difference reflect politicalparty preference?

(3) Might newspaper endorsementshave played a role?

(4) Is median wealth (income) a factor?(5) Might a high percentage of college

graduates make a difference?(6) Is ethnicity a factor?(7) How about religion?(8) Did higher voter turnout tend to

favor open space or stem cells?(9) Did Sierra Club campaign efforts

make much of a difference?The data are in the spreadsheet, below.

I'd be happy to send anyone my original,in Excel format, which has color-shadingsthat facilitate the discovery of correlationsby "eyeballing."

(1) Population Density (Urban/Suburban/Rural): Rural counties voted noon both questions except for Salem, whichmay have been influenced by its local news-paper. The two most urban counties, Essexand Hudson, strongly supported both.Union County, third most urban, supportedboth, but less strongly.

(2) Political party registration (R-D):Democratic counties went yes on bothballot questions except for Middlesex,possibly influenced by the local newspa-per. Republican counties clearly went noon both.

(3) Endorsements: Atlantic, Camden,Hudson, Mercer, Morris, and Union general-ly voted consistent with newspaper recom-mendations. Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon,Somerset, Sussex, and Warren countieswere generally inconsistent with newspa-per recommendations. In counties wherethe local newspapers offered "split" recom-mendations, Cumberland and Salem votedconsistently with those recommendations,whereas Burlington voted inconsistently.The mixed outcome for this "endorsement"hypothesis suggests a relatively small effect.

(4) High family income: little correla-

“pho

to: J

ames

Men

dels

sohn

"

We authorized a lawsuit joiningElmwood Park’s (Bergen County)Environmental Committee utilizing EasternEnvironmental Law Clinic as our attorney,on a pro bono basis, in litigation aagainstMarcal CCorp. for its air pollution and envi-ronmental justice violations. (Sept)

We resolved to preserve Deep VVollRavine aand WWoodlands iin WWyckoff(Bergen CCounty) where 11 McMansionsare scheduled to be built. (Sept)

We voted to support a new proposedSiierra CClub ppopulation ppolicy whichwould replace a conglomeration of poli-cies in place over the years starting inthe 1960s, many of which are outdatedin language and intent. In part, the newpolicy is based on goals set at theInternational Conference on Populationand Development in Cairo in 1994, inwhich the Sierra Club participated. Thenew policy is broad enough that variousissues can be worked on without the

Resolutions Adopted by ExCom in September, October and November

policy becoming dated. (Sept)We opposed the proposed NJ

Turnpike IInterchange 66 tto 99 WWideningProgram because it would not reducetraffic congestion, would induce devel-opment, would destroy hundreds ofacres of open space, and would notencourage alternate transportation nortrip reduction. Furthermore, it is notcompatible with New Jersey’s stated goalof reducing global warming emissions by20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. (Oct)

Princeton NNurseries PProperty: We urgedpreservation of this 2700-acre site strad-dling Monmouth, Mercer and BurlingtonCounties, which contains fossils and theheadwaters of several streams includingCrosswicks Creek. (Nov)

We voted to join a lawsuit opposingnational legislation that would permitexpedited condemnation of public andprivate property, anywhere in New Jersey,for construction oof ppower llines. (Nov)

tion: Bergen supported both ballot ques-tions. Hunterdon, Morris supported nei-ther; Monmouth and Somerset mixed. Lowfamily income: little correlation. Let'sreject this hypothesis!

(5) Education level: Counties with morecollege graduates (Hunterdon, Morris,Somerset) seemed less supportive of bothquestions. But some low-graduate counties(Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Ocean,Warren) were also unsupportive.

(6) Ethnic effect? The two most Blackand Hispanic counties, Essex and Hudson,went overwhelmingly supportive of bothballot questions. The four least Black andHispanic counties, Hunterdon, OceanSussex and Warren, went negative onboth questions. Ethnicity does seem tomake a difference!

(7) Religious effect? The five mostCatholic counties (Bergen, Essex, Hudson,Middlesex, Union) all supported openspace, and all except Middlesex support-ed stem cells. The least Catholic county,Salem, voted up on open space and downon stem cells. Many of the most religiouscounties (=50% religious) were support-ive of stem cells, but not all. The religiouseffect, if any, seems small.

(8) I was unable to find data on turnout.(Jeff Tittel, our Chapter Director, is highlyrespected for his analyses of ways thatturnout affects election outcomes.)

It's interesting that Middlesex County,home of Rutgers University -- and thereforewith the most to gain from stem cells,voted it down.

(9) A major determinant of voter-behav-ior is widely said to be campaign spend-ing: on mailers, lawn signs, radio and TVspots, and phone calls. There was a "Keepit Green" coalition of environmental orga-nizations that supported BQ-3, and anorganized opposition that includedbuilders and possibly fiscal conservatives,but I haven't seen estimates of how muchmoney was spent, and how it was target-ed. The Club's Ocean County Group dis-tributed more than 140,000 flyers: notenough to turn Ocean County around, orto raise the difference between the openspace vote and the stem cell vote to 10or more percentage points. The spread-sheet identifies 8 counties in which thatdifference did extend to 10 or more per-centage points.

Of course voting behavior is generallycomplex, just as people are complex,with a plethora of factors typically inplay. My take is that population density,political party affiliation, and ethnicityseem to be the most important determi-nants in motivating the environmentalbehavior that was observed on Nov 6. I'dwelcome more discussion.


A variety of Club books, notecards, badges and clothing is available from www.sierraclub.org/store

4

YOU HAVE MORE TO GIVE THAN YOU KNOW

Maybe you can’t make a gift to protect the environment during your lifetime, but you can become a financial hero by remembering the

Sierra Club in your will. You can even direct your gift to a special Club program or to the New Jersey Chapter.

For information about making a bequest to the New Jersey Chapter call George Denzer at 609-799-5839.

Maplewood is a commu-nity of 24,000 people with abroad spectrum of incomeand ethnic mix. The govern-ment of the town is com-posed of a five-memberCouncil which elects themayor. The incumbent,Fred Profeta, has takenadvantage of the legacy ofenvironmental awareness ofhis community to pushMaplewood to the forefront of the move-ment to reduce Greenhouse Gas emis-sions and improve energy efficiency. Hiswork has recently been recognized atthe Global Warming & Energy SolutionConference, in New Hampshire, wherehe was given one of the 2007 ClimateChampion Awards.

A long-term activist in social and envi-ronmental causes, Mayor Profetabelieves that the problem of GlobalWarming and Climate Change will beresolved only through grass-roots action.Fred thinks that the level of awareness ofthe New Jersey public is generally highand the acceptance of the recentlyapproved Global Warming Response Actwill be good. However, people are notyet sufficiently alarmed by GlobalWarming. He believes that some of theskeptics who oppose decisive action inthis area do not necessarily doubt thescientific evidence but are more worriedabout the cost of implementing such ini-tiatives. They do not yet understand thatin the end going green will result in costsavings and the development of newtechnologies with high paying jobs.Maplewood has already moved from talkto action. Besides the existing jitney pro-gram which eliminates the use of about300 cars per day, the town has improvedits recycling program by allowing com-mingling, has completed an energy auditof the municipal building, has built thefirst LEED-certified police station in NewJersey with solar panels on the roof($30-50,000 savings/yr), and has commit-ted to reduce GHG emissions 20% by2015, ahead of state mandates.

For this mayor, education starts athome. And home is the municipal build-ing. One of the tasks of the town admin-istrator is to clearly communicate to theentire staff the decisions of the TownCouncil on green initiatives. Maplewoodis also planning to hire an energy effi-ciency expert to train its other employ-ees, and to be available to surroundingmunicipalities. His efforts for a broaderinvolvement of the community wereexpanded this year with the firstMaplewood Green Day Fair, distributionof Fight Global Warming lawn signs,launch of a Choice Campaign where thetown residents pledge to substitute fiveincandescent with compact fluorescentbulbs in their homes and businesses, andthe enactment of an EnvironmentalAction Plan. This asks residents to imple-ment personal initiatives from changingto local food to eating less meat, frompledging to buy new cars with a betterfuel economy than the present ones (atleast 7 miles) to auditing their homesand signing up for green electricity.

New Jersey Environmental Leaders:Fred Profeta, Mayor Of MaplewoodInterviewed by Stefano Crema on Oct 26, 2007

COOL CITIES CORNER:

Knowledge is power.Aware that full schedulesand limited resources, inmany cases, prevent mayorsfrom becoming fullyinformed on how to under-take cost- and emission-reduction initiatives, MayorProfeta is working with theCommittee for a GreenFuture, of which he is a Co-Chair, to develop a series of

toolkits with clear and simple instruc-tions on how to develop green initia-tives. These packages will be available toany municipality in New Jersey. TheCommittee is also going to establish cri-teria that have to be met by any munici-pality wishing to declare itself "green."Fred believes that State and/or privatefunds should be used to encourage theseefforts. His proposal is that some of theincome obtained by New Jersey from theauction of carbon credits to power com-panies under the Regional GreenhouseGas Initiative agreement should be dedi-cated to this goal. He also would useincome from carbon offsets voluntarilypurchased by companies or individualsto reduce their carbon footprints.

Mayor Profeta has thought long andhard on how to blend development withsustainability. He strongly believes thatcontinuous economic development isneeded for New Jersey municipalitieswhich are strongly dependent on prop-erty taxes. However, development mustbe done the smart way. We need to pre-serve open spaces and stop the develop-ment of farmland. We need to redevelopthe cities, reuse areas that have alreadybeen paved over, and build green build-ings using local materials. Developmentshould proceed in a way that brings jobsand housing closer together to reducethe amount of commuting. One way bywhich the state could help would be toeliminate the present waiver that per-mits rich communities to pay poorerones to take over their share of low costhousing. This has the effect of separatingthe homes of many low-income workersfrom their jobs, forcing environmentallyunhealthy commutes on them.

While Fred believes it is not going tobe an easy fight, his vision for the futureis sunny. He trusts that we will be ableto meet the challenge of GlobalWarming and beat it. He does not thinkthat government mandates alone will doit. A grass-roots involvement by the pub-lic is essential. Government however,has a duty to rally the troops to the taskahead. We need the same leadership thataroused the country to face the chal-lenge of World War II and win the raceto the moon. The power of Americaningenuity and the flexibility of theAmerican industrial system, combinedwith the political will of the nation, willallow the United States to succeed. Hisoptimism is not limited to America. Hebelieves that the leaders of the develop-ing nations will take strong actions tocontrol their emissions. His main con-cern is that, if we wait too long to move,we might not be able to remedy thedamage wrought by Global Warming.

November 11th was a brilliant day onPrinceton Ridge, as Chapter officers,benefactors and award-winners gatheredfor the Chapter’s annual AppreciationDay bash—to enjoy conversation, finewines, select cheeses, other delicacies,soft music, and even, eventually, dancingto some not-so-soft music.

Special awards went to college stu-dents Carlos Rymer, Brittany Hopkinsand Andrew Mathe, who organized andled the NJ Climate March, April 13-16,2007. Rallies were held at RutgersUniversity in New Brunswick, atPrinceton University, and at The Collegeof New Jersey, each then proceeding tomarch on Trenton to lobby for theGlobal Warming Response Act—whicheventually passed both houses and wassigned into law by Governor Corzine.

Assembly-woman Valerie Vainieri-Huttle (D, LD-37, Bergen Co) was recog-nized for her prime sponsorship of a billto introduce Beverage ContainerRecycling to New Jersey as well as her

Appreciation Day Awardsprime sponsorship of the landmarkGlobal Warming Response Act.

DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson wasrecognized for helping to advance theClub’s agenda and working to protectthe State’s natural environment.

The Chapter’s “Volunteer of the Year”award went to Greg Auriemma, organiz-er and Chair of our new Ocean CountyGroup, and delegate to the Club’sAtlantic Coast Ecoregion working group,which is pressing for protection forendangered North Atlantic Right Whales.Greg’s Group distributed more than140,000 circulars in support of the 2007Ballot Question #3.

The affair was organized, advertised,cooked for, set up and cleaned up by theremarkable Denzer family, Joan andGeorge, with a precision that made theirhefty work look easy.

As can be seen in the photographs,taken by Meiling Chin and WynnJohanson of our Loantaka Group, every-one had a good time.

Climate March awardees Brittany Hopkinsand Andrew Mathe with Ken Johanson

Asw. Valerie Huttle, between Ken Johanson and Jeff Tittel

DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson withBarbara Walsh and Betsy Kohn

Greg Auriemma is honored

Meiling Chin and Joan WooleryMary Ann Hipp, Betsy Kohn, PeggyAndro, Mike Herson and John Hipp

A. Farmanfarmaian, Barbara and Dr. Donald Louria

Bob Campbell, Jeff Liebman and Jeff Tittel

Sunil Somalwar Dr. Donald Louria with Jeff and Anita Liebman


Is there an environmental issue that we’re MISSING? If so, please call or write to Club officers.

5

There are alternate andmore energy-efficient waysto heat water. According toEnergy Star, the governmentrating system for energy-effi-cient appliances, a typicalhousehold uses most of itswater for showering (37%).Next comes the washingmachine (26%), followed bythe dishwasher (14%), thebathtub (12%) and sinks(11%). What is the most energy-efficientway to heat all this water?

Most of us have storage tanks for ourhot water. 20 to 80 gallons are keptwarm at all times by a gas or electricheater. Even when we don’t need it,there is warm water available. The mostefficient storage heaters can save 10 to20% more energy compared to ineffi-cient tanks. While storage tank heatingsystems are the cheapest to buy andinstall, they waste the most energy, andcost us more in the long run by heatingwater when we don’t need it. Such ener-gy loss is called “standby loss.”

One alternative to storage tanks is“demand” water heaters, or “tankless” sys-tems. These are small boxes with a coilinside. Water circulates through this heat-ing coil only when hot water is needed.

While tankless systems can save 45 to60% more energy than inefficient storagetanks, demand systems don’t easily pro-vide a small trickle of hot water, and ittakes a bit longer for the hot water toreach the tap. However, if the properheater size is chosen, we can have anunlimited supply of hot water with nostandby loss.

Tankless systems are easier to repair thanstorage systems are. If a storage tank breaks,the whole unit must be replaced. On-demand water heaters have replaceableparts. They also take up much less spacethan storage tanks do. However, few

Conservation Eco-Tip

Alternatives to Conventional Water Heating Methods By our Chapter Conservation Chair, Laura Lynch. (Her weekly eco-tips can befound at www.sustainablelawrence.org, which we thank for permission to reprint.)

plumbers are yet willing toinstall them, as the systemsoften need modifications togas lines (they need less gasoverall, but more at once).They also cost more to install,but in the end, they savemoney and energy throughhigh efficiency.

Heat pumps are used toheat air for homes in thewinter. But they can also be

used to heat water. Heat pumps transferenergy from surrounding air to heatwater. They can be 65% more efficientthan standard storage tank water heaters,but they’re optimal in warm climateswhere houses need to be cooled for along time. New Jersey doesn’t yet fit thatdescription (but give global warmingsome time and it might).

For those using solar power, there isthe option to heat water through homesolar panels as well. Operating costs canbe reduced up to 90%, with energy sav-ings to match. Solar water heaters relyon a renewable resource, which is a goalof sustainability. However, users shouldhave a backup system for cloudy days.

If one likes to tinker, there are systemsavailable that capture heat from dishwash-er and washing machine wastewater.

When shopping for a water heater, lookfor the Energy Factor (EF) rating. This is anumber that takes into account the oper-ating costs, energy required, and heat lossfrom the system. The higher the number,the more efficient the heater.

Finally, follow these three easy-to-doright-now steps to use your hot water moreefficiently: (1) lower your water-heatingtemperature, (2) insulate your tank andpipes and (3) reduce your overall water use.

For more information on sustainabili-ty, including some valuable links to web-sites on water-heating, visit ecotips.sus-tainablelawrence.org.

At this crucia l juncture in thedebate over the re-licensing of theOyster Creek Nuclear Generat ingStation, the last thing the public needsis a bunch of high profile politicalinsiders masquerading as an environ-mental group issuing reports on NewJersey’s energy future.

The New Jersey Affordable, CleanReliable Energy Coalition, NJ ACRE,which Jeff Tittel, Director of the NewJersey Sierra Club, aptly nicknamed“FAKER,” is AmerGen’s latest publicrelations effort to sway public opiniontoward the continued operation, until2009, of the corroding nuclear plant.AmerGen, the owners of Oyster Creek,put together the group, which includesthe mayor of Lacey Township, to drumup support for re-licensing.

Their debut coincides with a reportfrom the federal Office of InspectorGeneral , which issued a scathingassessment of the Nuclear RegulatoryCommission’s review of AmerGen’s re-licensing application. The OIG inspec-tors found that the NRC did not fullyevaluate AmerGen’s application, stat-ing that major portions did not get“meaningful” review. In someinstances, the NRC “cut and pasted”portions of the AmerGen applicationinto its evaluation. This OIG reportaffirms what NRC critics have consis-tently stated: the agency is a rubberstamp for the nuclear industry and haslost sight of its mission to safeguardthe public.

NJ ACRE’s appearance on the nuclearscene also comes at a time when ourcoalition, Stop The Re-licensing of OysterCreek (STROC), has gained steam in thelegal system. The coalition, which is com-prised of six environmental and citizen’sgroups, made history in September in aprecedent-setting hearing before theAtomic Safety Licensing Board to bring tolight structural safety issues regarding theplant. With legal representation by theRutgers Environmental Law Clinic, thecoalition targeted extensive corrosion ofthe drywell, the steel structure that sur-rounds the reactor and shields the publicfrom radiation.

Most recently, AmerGen could havedecided to spend their quite considerablebank account in a variety of ways toimprove safety and reduce environmentalimpact. Cooling towers would minimizedestruction to Barnegat Bay. A concreteairplane-proof shell over the fuel poolsholding 4000 tons of radioactive wastesitting 70 feet in the air would decreasethe threat of terrorism dramatically.

Instead, AmerGen is putting its moneyinto the formation of a bogus environ-mental group that is designed to lure thepublic’s attention away from safetyissues and scare us into believing thatOyster Creek’s closure would hurt theregion economically.

Their latest antic is a study by BatesWhite, whose mission is to “optimizebottom line results” for its clients. Inother words, make money forAmerGen’s stockholders.

The study completely ignores thefinancial consequences that wouldresult from safety failures at the plant,particularly from the fragility of the cor-roding drywell.

This study also failed to consider anyof the requirements set forth by the stateBoard of Public Utilities’ Office of CleanEnergy. The state requires that 22.5% ofNew Jersey’s energy needs be met byrenewable energy systems by the year2021. Of that requirement, two percentmust come from solar power. The BPUestimates that 1,800 megawatts of

Update on the Re-Licensingof Oyster Creek NuclearPower Station (Ocean Co)By Janet Tauro ([email protected])

power could come from solar by 2021.That amount of solar would be tripleOyster Creek’s output.

The study also failed to consider thewind farm project the state has autho-rized off the New Jersey coast, as wellthe considerable efforts by environmen-tal groups, non-profits, and grassrootsorganizations to address climate change.These groups are pounding the pave-ment and meeting with community orga-nizations and local elected officials towork out energy solutions such as com-munity solar farms.

• Consider the Sierra Club volunteerswho are educating elected officials toimplement climate change initiativesthrough the Cool Cities Program.

• Consider elected officials in ColtsNeck, Pine Beach, Belmar, Red Bank,Jackson, Chatham, Irvington, Montclair,Neptune, Burlington County, Cape MayCounty, and East Windsor, partneringwith the New Jersey EnvironmentalFederation to go green from anti-idlingordinances, to the way they clean theirbuildings and light them.

• Consider the League of WomenVoters’ volunteers who underwentextensive training to learn how to guideelected officials to apply energy savingsinitiatives into town government.

• Consider the Brick and Toms Riverschool districts which together saved2.3 million kilowatts of electricity,38,000 therms of gas, and over$300,000 in costs by participating in aGreen Schools Program sponsored bythe non-profit Global Learning Network.By learning simple conservation prac-tices, the districts saved 1,530 metrictons of carbon emissions from releaseinto the atmosphere.

• Consider the communities thathave enl is ted in the BPU’s CleanPower Community Partnership and aretackling global warming on a locallevel through conservation and mak-ing renewable energy choices. Theyinclude; Belmar, Long Branch, RedBank, Hoboken, Basking Ridge,Maplewood, Trenton, Cape May City,Montclair, Orange, Hudson County,Rowan Univers i ty , L indenwold,Middlesex County, Summit , WestOrange, At lant ic Ci ty Ut i l i t iesAuthority, South Orange, Morristown,and the At lant ic County Ut i l i t iesAuthority.

• Consider the giant sculptures ofbrightly painted fluorescent l ight-bulbs that have been placed in hightra f f ic spots in West Orange tohe ighten the publ ic ’ s awarenessabout conservation.

• Consider Belmar officials who havemandated energy conservation initiativesin the town’s building codes.

• Consider that Monmouth Universitywas lauded by the BPU for green prac-t ices and conservation programsdevised by students and put into effecton campus.

These are just a few examples of ener-gy initiatives being taken by our commu-nities, that would reduce the demandfor electricity. This is how global warm-ing needs to be addressed. New Jerseyresidents deserve an energy future thatis safe, cutting edge, and does notdepend upon an aging, rusting dinosaurof a nuclear reactor whose time is soobviously up.

(Janet ’s group, GRAMMES(Grandmothers, Mothers, and Morefor Energy Safety) is allied with theSierra Club in pending litigation overthe renewal of the license to operatethe Oyster Creek Nuclear GeneratingStation for another 20 years.)

Issue Coordinator’s Report

Award for Tiger ConservationFrom our Tiger Coordinator, Sunil Somalwar ([email protected])

award to establish fellowships for stu-dents pursuing master’s, doctoral andpost-doctoral degrees in wildlife conser-vation at the National Centre forBiological Sciences in Bangalore.

You may recall that the NJ Chapterplayed a significant role in his gettingthe Sierra Club’s Earthcare award a cou-ple of years ago.

(Our tiger conservation activitiesare separately funded by donors allover the world.)

Dr. Ullas Karanth received this year’sJ. Paul Getty award for his leadership inthe field of conservation science. Dr.Karanth is probably the world’s mostimportant tiger conservationist / scien-tist. Our Tiger Program (saving-wildtigers.org) works closely withhim. In collaboration with his group, weare currently exploring ways to helpvoluntarily relocate people from coretiger habitat in India.

Dr. Karanth will use his $200,000

Of Hybrids and Global WarmingFrom our energy expert, Sunil Somalwar ([email protected])

1) Economics oof hhybrids: The Wall Street Journal for 29th

October has a table listing how long ittakes to recoup the extra price of thehybrid version of a car model.

Saturn (hybrid vs. non-hybrid): 5 yrsFord Escape: 3 yrsHonda Civic: 5 yrsToyota (Corolla vs. Prius): 18 yrsToyota Camry: 12 yrsToyota Highlander: 11 yrsLexus: 2 yrs

They assumed 15,000 miles/year and$2.80/gal. What the table really tells usis the price premium for the hybrid

model. For example, the Lexus hybridis only $500 more expensive than thenon-hybrid, but a Prius costs $7000more than a Corolla.

2) What ppeople tthink:Between Mar 2006 and April 2007,

the number of Americans who thinkthat global warming is the world'sbiggest problem has doubled from 16%to 33% BUT the percentage of peoplewho

a) are willing to pay higher energytaxes is stuck around 20-30%, and

b) want the government to requiremore efficient cars, appliances or build-ings, has dropped from 40's to 30's.


2008 is an election year for the entire House of Representatives (and US President). Our Political Committee would welcome help with interviewing candidates and deciding on endorsements.

6

HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR GROUP (BY COUNTY)Northwest JJersey GGroup: Hunterdon, Sussex & WarrenNorth JJersey GGroup: Passaic & most of BergenEssex CCounty GGroup: EssexHudson-MMeadowlands GGroup: Hudson & SE BergenLoantaka GGroup: Morris & UnionCentral JJersey GGroup: MercerOcean CCounty GGroup: OceanRaritan VValley GGroup: Somerset & MiddlesexJersey SShore GGroup: Monmouth & OceanWest JJersey GGroup: Gloucester, Camden & BurlingtonSouth JJersey GGroup: Atlantic,Cape May,Cumberland & Salem

These designations are approximate: members are welcome to

participate in whichever Group(s) they find convenient

GroupNews• • • • • • • • • • • • •GroupNews

FROMAROUND

THE STATE

Northwest Jersey Group(Sussex,Warren aand HHunterdon CCounties)

OFFICERS:Chair, PPolitical CChair: Christine Feoranzo [email protected]: Susan Rotter 973-347-8849 [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition!

Secretary: Open PPosition!

Treaasurer: Charles Kopp 973-770-7718 [email protected]: Open PPosition!

Membership CChair: Open PPosition!

Outings && EEvents CChair: Pat Mangino 862-432-7552 [email protected] tto CChapt. EExCom: Open PPosition!

Cool CCities DDelegate: Open PPosition!

WEBSITE: hhttp://newjersey.sierracllub.org/northwest/

Our Group has reorganized: We are focusing on the following goals: building a moreactive and vibrant Group; scheduling more guest speakers; and hosting more frequentoutings that are related to the issues that concern our members and the general public.

Our Group is working to change the view our municipal governments have of us, sothat we can help motivate the preservation of our region’s wilderness.

These goals can not be achieved without the help and commitment of our members.We need to fill our open positions to build a new team. So please come out and meetwith us during the next few months.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: Held on the FIRST WEDNESDAY of EVERY month, at 7pm, atthe Grist Mill Café, located in the Andover Post Office Shopping Plaza on Rte 206 (Rte517 intersection) in Andover. Phone: 973-786-6400.

Please visit our website for details on what we have planned each month:http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/northwest/

North Jersey Group(Bergen aand PPassaic CCounties, aapproximately)

OFFICERS:Group CCo-CChairs: Betsy Kohn 201-461-4534 [email protected]

and Mike Herson 201-262-9472 [email protected]

Co-CChairs: Tom Thompson 201-848-1080 [email protected] Mike Herson 201-262-9472 [email protected]

Outings CChair: Ellen Blumenkrantz [email protected] IIssues: Tricia Aspinwall [email protected] CChair: Greg Tondi [email protected] AAlternate: Phoebe Gistrak [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition!

Treasurer: Tom Thompson 201-848-1080 [email protected] PPublic LLands: John Kashwick 201-660-8820 [email protected]: Mary Ellen Shaw 201-489-1588

WEBSITE: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/North

EXECUTIVE CCOMMITTEE MMEETINGS: Held at least four times a year. Please contactBetsy or Mike (see above) for date and location.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: Begin at 7:30 pm; dates and locations indicated below. Formore information, call Betsy (see above) or sign up for e-mail notices of group activi-ties at http://listr’s eral meetings, Cool Cities Campaign, recycling, environmental justiceor other issues, please contact Betsy or Mike (see above).

Jan 117: at the Paramus Public Library, E-116 Century Road, Paramus: “We AAre TTheSierra CClub,” an introduction to Club activities, conservation issues and volunteeropportunities in northern New Jersey, with group activists.

Feb 114: Location and program TBA.

Mar 113: Location and program TBA.

CONSERVATION IISSUES: Below are some issue updates. To find out more or alert usto others, please contact Mike, Tom, Betsy, or Tricia (see above).

(1) Congratulations to SaveParamusWetlands.com for moving a step closer toward per-manently preserving 35 acres containing wetlands and the headwaters of the C1Musquapsink Brook that flows into the Oradell Reservoir! A month after the Augusthearing, the DEP denied the developer’s application for freshwater wetlands andstream encroachment permits.

(2) Large-scale housing projects threaten the Ramapo River and watershed just overthe NY/NJ border where the sole source aquifer provides drinking water for NJ andRockland County residents. The first phase of the proposed 1,195-unit Tuxedo Reserve— 105 houses on the rocky slopes between Sloatsburg and Tuxedo Park — is nowbefore the Tuxedo Planning Board.

(3) In Mahwah, the citizen group STOP opposes the Pilot Travel Centers plan for atruck stop on Route 17, just 50 feet from the High School and not far from otherschools. The Pilot project raises serious concerns about children’s exposure to dieselemissions and more pollution in the Ramapo River watershed.

(4) We continue to be concerned about Clifton’s Latteri Park, Elmwood Park’s air qual-ity as bankrupt Marcal reorganizes under new ownership, Hackensack River vegetativeriparian corridors, essential for flood control and habitat, and Van Buskirk Islandwhere the Eastern Towhee, Baltimore Oriole, Black-crowned Night Heron, and othermigratory species have been sighted.

CALL FFOR VVOLUNTEERS! To find out how you can help with issues, outings, meet-ings, Cool Cities Campaign, recycling, environmental justice, transportation, and more,please contact Betsy or Mike (see above).

RECYCLE PPRINTER CCARTRIDGES! Please leave your used printer cartridges in the win-dow box by the exit door at Whole Foods Market, 905 River Road, Edgewater (open8am to 10pm every day). No remanufactured cartridges, please. Thank you for recy-cling and supporting the North Jersey Group!

Hudson-Meadowlands Group(Hudson CCounty aand ssouthern BBergen CCounty: LLyndhurst, RRutherford, EEastRutherford, CCarlstadt, RRidgefield, EEdgewater, CCliffside PPark aand FFairview)

OFFICERS:Chair: Louise Taylor 201-886-9320 [email protected]: Helen Manogue 201-963-3511 Secretary: Connie Ftera 201-869-7950 [email protected]: Brane Zivkovic 201-758-0398 [email protected] CChair: Open pposition!

Political CChair: Brane Zivkovic 201-758-0398 [email protected]: Open pposition!

Parks CChair: Rosemary Arena 201-861-6222 [email protected] CCities CChair: Helen Manogue 201-963-3511 Singles CChair: Marlene Rost 201-766-8982 [email protected] CChair: Scotte Perry 201-320-1758 [email protected] LLanndmark Status CCommittee:Chair: Rosemary Arena 201-861-6222 [email protected] CChair: David Kronick 201-869-6218 [email protected]

Group EExCom Members: Gil Hawkins 201-944-5799 [email protected]

Donald Kopczynski 201-224-2641 [email protected] McCarthy 201-324-3964 [email protected] Selender 201-484-7277 [email protected]

Meetings: The Hudson-Meadowlands Group holds four General Meetings per year.Please contact Louise Taylor for information about the next meeting.

We distributed about 1200 flyers and 1000+ hand cards in support of Ballot Question#3, bumper stickers and posters, and put up a carefully-targeted smattering of lawn-signs, both in N. Bergen and in Hoboken. Hudson County had the highest “Yes” votein the state. We think we had at least something to do with that.

We are working hard to save open space on the Hudson River shore, and to protectthe New Jersey Palisades south of the George Washington Bridge from further destruc-tion. We need your help. Please contact Louise Taylor to volunteer.

Essex County Group“web-ssite: hhttp://newjersey.sierraclub.org/Essex/. Or click from the NJ Chapter’s web-site.

OFFICERS:Chair: Walt Goldenbaum 973-925-8662 [email protected] Vice CChair: Janine Schaeffer 973-432-2043 [email protected], PPol CChair: Chris Weis 973-224-0474 [email protected]. VVice-CChair: Linda M. Stiles 973-736-2224 [email protected] CChair: Walter Clarke 973-723-1642 [email protected]/Parks: Dave Ogens 973-226-0748 [email protected], FFundraising: Linda M. Stiles 973-736-2224 [email protected]: Lori Tanner 973-857-0519 [email protected] CCoordinator: Walt Goldenbaum 973-925-8662 [email protected] Membership: Barbara Conover 973-748-8054 [email protected] OOrange IIssues: Sally Malanga 973-736-7397 [email protected]

Linda M. Stiles 973-736-2224 [email protected]

ACTIVITIES: Presently working with land conservation groups to preserve 120 acresatop the Second Watchung Mountain (known as the West Essex Highlands) in WestOrange as open space. Building a Passaic River Display for the Environmental Centerin Roseland. Working to preserve a five-acre forested tract in West Orange and anAncient Forest on Gov. McClellan’s former estate. Working to preserve wetlands in theHatfield Swamp in the Passaic River Basin and the remaining forested areas in Essex


The Chapter sends a fund-raising appeal each March. Please be supportive.

7

(Continued on page 8)

County, continuing to ensure that the Essex County Park and Open Space TrustFund is implemented in a fair and consistent way, and addressing environmental jus-tice (EJ) issues.

EXECUTIVE CCOMMITTEE MMEETINGS: Held on the SECOND TUESDAY of every monthat the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland, 621-B Eagle Rock Ave (973-228-8776). Please confirm date and time with Walt Goldenbaum (see above), as meet-ing times can vary.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: The meetings described below are free and open to the public.They take place on TUESDAYS, from 7 to 9pm, at the Essex County EnvironmentalCenter, 621 Eagle Rock Ave, in Roseland. Refreshments are provided. Contact WaltGoldenbaum ([email protected] or 973-925-8662) for general information.

Feb 55: “Who KKilled tthe EElectric CCar?” 7 to 9 pm. The Sierra Club Essex Group invitesyou to view this thought-provoking film about the downfall of the electric car indus-try. A lively discussion will follow. Free and open to the public.

Jan 88: Get Involved in an Essex CCounty BBio BBlitz, 7 to 9 pm. Volunteers needed to helplaunch the first ever Bioblitz of the South Mountain Reservation! The Rahway RiverAssociation will present information on how to conduct and participate in a 24-houreffort to sample & identify flora and fauna in Essex County’s 2047-acre SouthMountain Reservation. Our Bio Blitz in planned over A 24-hour period starting at 5pmon June 20 and concluding at 5pm on June 21. For more information please telephone973-228-8776. Free and open to the public.

Loantaka Group(Morris aand UUnion CCounties, aapproximately)

There is a new website address for the Loantaka group: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/loantaka/

OFFICERS:Group CCo-CChairs: Eric Hausker 732-669-0719 [email protected] and Paul Sanderson 908-233-2414 [email protected] Treasurer: Joyce White [email protected]: Open PPosition!

Conservation CChairs:Morris CCounty: Chris Mills 973-377-1742 [email protected] CCoounty: Eric Hausker 732-669-0719 [email protected]

Cool CCities CChair: Stefano Crema 973-627-4354 [email protected] CChair: Meiling Chin [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition!

Education CCoord: Jeff Huppert 973-263-0344 [email protected] CChair: Eric Hausker 732-669-0719 [email protected],Events: Bob Johnson 908-598-0656 [email protected] CChair: Wynn Johanson 908-464-0442 [email protected]: Doug Williams 973-263-8404 [email protected] QQuality CCoord: Bob Campbell 908-273-5720 [email protected]: Bob Johnson 908-598-0656 [email protected]: Bob Muska 908-665-2296 [email protected]

If you might be interested in getting involved, come to one of our ExecutiveCommittee Meetings on the FIRST TUESDAY of the month and get to know us. Thereare no obligations and there will be no pressure.

To find out our activities, go to: http://loantaka.njsierra.orgTo join our e-mailing list, send a blank e-mail to: http://lists.sierraclub.org/archives/nj-loantaka-news.html

EXECUTIVE CCOMMITTEE MMEETINGS: Meetings are held on the FIRST TUESDAY of the month at 7:30 pm at Library of theChathams, 214 Main St., Chatham.

All members are welcome at Executive Committee meetings. Right now, we haveopen positions on it! If you would like to find out more, please contact PaulSanderson.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: are held on the SECOND WEDNESDAY of the month at 7:30pm at the Library of the Chathams, 214 Main St., Chatham.

Come learn something new and make some new friends. We’d welcome the chanceto meet you and to introduce ourselves. Please see the schedule, below, and join us!

DIRECTIONS: on our Website : http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/loantaka/.

MEETING SSCHEDULLE:Jan 99 – Mountaintop RRemoval: A program about the mountaintop removal method ofcoal mining in West Virginia will be presented. Other groups who have seen this pro-gram have said this is a must-see presentation.

Feb 113 – Alaska: Julia Shaw of the Alaska Wilderness League will give a presentation ofenvironmental issues in Alaska.

Mar 112 – Wild UUtah: AAmerica’s RRedrock WWilderness: A campaign is underway to desig-nate Utah’s redrock canyonlands as a national wilderness. A slideshow presentation onthe Utah wilderness will be followed by questions and discussion.

Advance nnotice: MMay 114 – Organic GGardening - Organic Gardening and its lowimpact on the Environment: Come out to hear Jonathan Jeans who has been gar-dening organically in NJ for more than 35 years. Organic gardening in the backyardis beneficial to the environment as it adds no chemicals to the landscape, encour-ages wildlife and creates a safe place for humans to spend time in - while addingmany healthful treats to the dinner table and welcome sights for the eyes andsounds for the ears.

ACTIVITIES: (Consult our website (http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/loantaka/) formore information.)

The Loantaka Group is working with concerned citizens and local environmental orga-nizations to protect open space and wildlife habitat in Morris and Union Counties, and

to safeguard the water resources on which we all depend. We are also organizing vol-unteers to help maintain and improve trails in the Morris and Union County ParkSystems. In addition, the Group is actively involved in State-wide initiatives involvingair quality, transportation, and environmental legislation. Volunteers are always wel-come. Call Paul (908-233-2414), Chris (973-377-1742) or Bob Johnson (908-771-9676)for more information.

Central Jersey Group(Mercer CCounty, aadjoining pparts oof BBurlington, MMiddlesex, MMonmouth aandSomerset)

OFFICERS:Chair: Terry Stimpfel 609-918-1149 [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition!

Secretary: Open PPosition!

Treasurer: Bonnie Tillery 609-259-6438 [email protected]’n CChair: Rocky Swingle 609-587-7568 [email protected]: Terry Stimpfel 609-918-1149 [email protected]: Leona Fluck 609-259-3734 [email protected] CChair: Terry Stimpfel 609-918-1149 [email protected]: Ruth Ann MitchellMembers aat LLarge: Harold Rapp 609-671-0435 [email protected]

Leona Fluck 609-259-3734 [email protected] McFarland 609-448-8699 [email protected] Ann Mitchell

The CCentral GGroup’s wwebsitee iis http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/central.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: Our general meetings are free and open to all - members andpublic alike. Come join us, make new friends, enjoy refreshments and share conserva-tion ideas! Please see our website for meeting locations, directions, maps and lastminute inclement weather announcements.

Jan 88: No meeting. Enjoy the holidays.

Feb 113 ((Wed): What is the connection between Population aand GGlobal WWarming, andwhat can we do about it? Former Vice President Al Gore, speaking on global warmingat the National SC Summit in San Francisco on Sept. 9, 2005, talked about the “colli-sion between our civilization and the earth,” with a quadrupled population of ourplanet in the past century, and called for us to take responsibility for the environmen-tal consequences. Bonnie Tillery, Chapter Population Issues Coordinator & member ofthe Club’s National Global Population and the Environment Program Committee willgive a slide presentation showing this link. Discussion to follow. 7:30 pm at WestWindsor Branch of the Mercer Co. Library System, 333 North Post Rd, PrincetonJunction, corner of Clarksville & Old Post Roads.

Mar 88 ((Sat): Roeblingg PPark SSpruce-uup and Lunch at Mastoris: 9am. Enjoy a “Walk in thePark” while supporting the spring trash pick-up at Spring Lake - Roebling Park (end of


Please share this newsletter with a non-member friend, inviting use of the coupon on p. 12.

8

Sewell Ave., Hamilton). Joint with Mercer Co Parks and D&R Greenway Land Trust.Bring working gloves. Dress appropriately, may be muddy. From 12:15 - 1:30 pm,enjoy a very casual meal at Mastoris Restaurant & Diner, Rte 130 & 206, Bordentown.Get an update on the progress of the NJ Recycling Bill. Families Invited. Contact Leonaand George Fluck: [email protected] or Terry at 609-918-1149 [email protected]. See Outings section and website for additional information.

OUTINGS: For more information on Central Group Outings see our website and theChapter Outings List in this Sierran.

Feb 225 ((Mon): D&R Canal State Park Hike (Princeton - Mercer Co.)

Mar 117 ((Mon): Canoe/Kayak The Crosswicks Creek/Hamilton-Trenton-BordentownMarsh.

SOME LLOCAL IISSUES aand AACTIONS the Central Group is currently addressing include:Princeton Nursery (Mercer and Monmouth Co.), Klockner Woods (Hamilton Twp),Rte 33 Woods (Hamilton), NJ Turnpike Exits 6-8 Expansion, and Rte 33 By-pass(Hamilton, Washington Twps).

HAVE AA FFEW HHOURS? WWILLINNG TTO HHELP? CCONCERNED? WWANT TTO TTAKEACTION? Please contact Terry.

Please e-mail Terry to receive up-to-the-minute Central Group meeting reminders andnotices of local events. And please e-mail Laura Lynch at [email protected] toreceive NJ Sierra Chapter-wide Issue Alert messages.

Raritan Valley Group(Middlesex aand SSomerset CCounties, aapproximately)

WEBSITE: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/RaritanValley/

OFFICERS AAND CCONTACTS:Chair: Sandi Lowich [email protected]: Open PPosition!

Conservation CChair: Jane Tousman 908-561-5504 [email protected] Membership: Sunil Somalwar 732-572-7721 [email protected] Outings: Open PPosition!

Politiccal CChair: Randy Gill 732-525-2612 [email protected]: Michael Ricketts 732-371-9961 [email protected], WWebmaster: Don McBride 732-560-0369 [email protected]: Sandi Lowich [email protected]: Open PPosition!

Chapter DDelegate:: Sunil Somalwar 732-572-7721 [email protected] EExCom: Dan Aronson

ISSUES: We are fighting development along streams, wetlands, flood plains and steepslopes. We are pro-farmland preservation. Group members are involved in local issues,answering questions for concerned citizens regarding development andmonitoring/reviewing all township/regional land use master plans in our area. Thisincludes working to protect threatened and endangered species in these areas. We arealso focusing on addressing global warming at the local level.

Calling AAll VVolunteers: The Raritan Valley Group welcomes you to our activities.Currently, the positions of Vice-Chair, Outings Chair and Programs Chair are open. Ifyou are interested in filling an open position, contact Sandi Lowich, the Group Chair.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: Held at 7:30 pm on the SECOND MONDAY of the monthexcept for July and August. Meetings are held at the Unitarian Society of NewBrunswick, 176 Tices Lane, East Brunswick. Take the Ryders Lane exit off Rte 1towards East Brunswick. Make a left turn at the first four-way intersection onto TicesLane, and the church is the second driveway on the right. The public is invited andrefreshments are served. For further directions and information, visit our website.

PROGRAM SSCHEDULE: Unavailable at press time. Please contact officers above, or website.

EXECUUTIVE CCOMMITTEE MMEETINGS: Held at 7pm on the SECOND MONDAY ofJanuary, April and July (before the General Meetings and at the same location). AllSierra Club members are invited to attend.

Jersey Shore Group (Monmouth CCounty, aapproximately)

Web SSite: hhttp://NewJersey.SierraClub.org/JerseyShore/OFFICERS:Group CChair: Dennis Anderson 732-970-4327 [email protected]

6 Maple Ave, Matawan NJ 07747Vice-CChair: Open PPosition!

Secretary: Joe DeLuca 732-389-1835 [email protected] CChair: Faith Teitelbaum 732-229-0553 [email protected] Webmaster: George Newsome [email protected]: Pat Fuschetto 732-308-4588 [email protected] CChair: Laura Bagwell 732-741-8678 [email protected] CChair: Mike Verange 908-902-0718 [email protected] Membership CChair: Alan Roseman 732-780-1308 [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition!

Fund-rraising CChair: Oppen PPosition!

GENERAL MMEETINGS:Held at 8pm on the FOURTH MONDAY of each month - except in July, August andDecember - at a NEW location: the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse at 1475 WestFront Street in Lincroft (please check the congregation’s website for directions:http://www.uucmc.org/where-we-are.htm). Come early to socialize and enjoy refresh-ments. For additional directions or information, please contact Dennis Anderson or

GROUP NEWS(Continued from page 7)

Faith Teitelbaum (see list of officers, above), or visit our web site.

Jan 228: Pete Bacinski, head of Sandy Hook Audubon, will treat us to a bird’s eeye vviewof tthe rregion.

Feb 225: Richard Webster, Esq. Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic. “Can NNuclear PPowerbe ppart oof tthe SSolution?”

Mar 224: Amy Goldsmith, State Director of NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF), willspeak on the Clean CCommunities pprogram that she is encouraging municipalities toadopt.

GROUP EEXCOM meetings are held at 6pm before each Group Meeting, at Luigi’sRestaurant, nearby.

Ocean County GroupWebsite: www.newjersey.sierraclub.org/ocean

OFFICERS:Chair: A. Gregory Auriemma, Esq. 732-451-9220 [email protected], OOutings: Dawn Marie Johns 732-269-3729 [email protected] Conserv’n CChair: Margit Meissner-Jackson609-296-4367 [email protected]: Richard Washik 732-616-2775 [email protected] Political CChair:: Nancy Brown 732-892-6089Publicity CChair: Howard Schwartz 609-242-9304 [email protected]: Joyce M. Isaza 732-920-9270 [email protected] CChr: Sandy Brown 609-242-9304 [email protected] MMember: Jocelyn Isaza 732-581-0130 [email protected] MMember: Helen Henderson 908-278-9807 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE CCOMMITTEE MMEETINGS: Generally held on the SECOND MONDAY ofeach month at the home of one of our ExCom members.

GENERAL MMEETINGS AAND EEVENTS: Meetings are held bi-monthly (i.e., in alternatemonths) usually on the FOURTH MONDAY at 7pm at the “Skywalk Cafe” in the OceanCounty Administration Building, 129 Hooper Avenue (2nd Floor), Toms River. See ourWebsite for directions. We’ve recently purchased a new computer projector and largescreen, which has made our meetings even more dynamic, interactive and interesting.

ACTIVITIES && IISSUES: We recently celebrated our 2nd Anniversary as a Group! Andwe’re hard at work: Preventing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, defend-ing the Endangered Species Act, fighting drilling off the Jersey Coast, repealing NewJersey’s “Fast Track” (pro-development short-cut law), and supporting expanded recy-cling legislation.

We’ve also targeted critical local open space, sprawl, and air and water quality issueswith special emphasis on the massive “over-development” of Jackson Township whichwill impact the drinking water for Brick, Pt Pleasant, Pt Pleasant Beach and Ram-Town(Howell). We’re also involved in the campaigns to create a new park at “Anchor Reef”on Barnegat Bay and to stop “nitrogen pollution” of the Bay. We’re also fighting todefend both the Toms River and Cedar Creek against more development and protectOcean County’s newest park in Lacey against “Big Box” money’s demand for new roads.Volunteers are needed to help with these all issues, membership outreach, tabling atlocal events, fund-raising, and a computer-based voter education program.

FOR MMORE IINFORMATION about our activities and events, please visit our WEBSITE:www.newjersey.sierraclub.org/ocean. Special thanks go to our Web-Master, Rick Washik!

Jan 228 ((Mon): All our welcome for our first GENERAL MEETING of the New Year willbe held at the “SKYWALK CAFE” in TOMS RIVER! We will recap the events and issuescovered in 2007 and discuss the events and issues planned for the year ahead. Maintopic TBA.

Feb ((Sat): Join us for our first oouting oof tthe NNew YYear. This will be a “Special Event” aswe take an “ECO TOUR” of the Barnegat Bay at the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.Pack a lunch and bring your binoculars, as we will see lots of waterfowl. For moredetails and the date of the event, please contact Dawn Marie Johns, our Outings Chair.

Mar 226 ((Mon): GENERAL MEETING held at 7pm at the “SKYWALK CAFE” in TomsRiver. Our main topic TBA

West Jersey Group(Camden, GGloucester aand BBurlington CCounties, aapproximately)

Web ssite: http://mysite.verizon.net/vzev1ujt/

OFFICERS:Group CChair: Gina Carola 856-848-8831 [email protected]: Frank ZinniSecretary: Ellen ZinniTreasurer: Trish Clements 856-768-5639 [email protected] CChair: Bud Kaliss 856-428-8071 [email protected] Political CChair: Wayne Zanni 856-728-4507 [email protected] Pinelands RRep: Lee Snyder [email protected] CCoord’s: Frank and Ellen ZinniConservation CChair: Stacey Ayala [email protected] CChair: Mike Brown 856-547-9221 [email protected] CChair: Reiss Tiffany 856-829-6405 [email protected] GGrowth CChair: Open pposition!

Programs CChair: Bill Freund 609-440-6228 [email protected] CChair: Open pposition!

GENERAL MMEETINGS: are held at 7:30 pm on the SECOND TUESDAY of each month,at the Unitarian Church, 401 N. Kings Highway (Rte 41), Cherry Hill (located betweenRte 70 and the convergence of Rtes 38 and 73, just north of a traffic light at ChapelAvenue). Handicap accessible parking and entrance in rear of building.

Jan 88: Nick Charles Harrison, journalist from Woodstown will lead a panel discussionon “TDR vvs. NNJ HHome RRule” in the context of his soon to be published article in theAPA monthly Bulletin.


Become active in one of your Group’s conservation campaigns! Attend a Group meeting! Meetings offer interesting speakers and topics, nice fellow-members, and usually food!

9

(continued on page 10)

Feb 112: Robert Melvin, planner with Melvin-Kernan,Planners of Thoroghfare will dis-cuss his townscape ddesign ffor tthe WWoolwich TTDR off Rte 322.

March 111: Jackie Feinberg of the Utah Wilderness Coalition will present a multi-mediaslide show of the beautiful Utah RRedrock WWilderness and lead a discussion of the Utahwilderness campaign. Learn how you can help urge Congress to designate 9.5 millionacres of public lands as wilderness.

South Jersey Group(Atlantic, CCape MMay, CCumberland aand SSalem CCounties, aapproximately)

OFFICERS:Group, OOutings CChair: Tom Boghosian 609-625-0878 [email protected]: Open PPosition!

Conservation CChair: Open PPosition!

Pol. CChair, CCalenddars: Dick Colby 609-965-4453 [email protected] CChair: Gary Roman 609-625-3438Secretary/Treasurer: Julie Akers 856-697-3479 [email protected]

The central conservation issue, for which the Group was founded in the 1970s, contin-ues to be protection of the Great EEgg HHarbor WWild && SScenic RRiver, and continues to con-sume the energies of those few officers who remain active — both within the Sierra Cluband in two other organizations that have “spun off” from the South Jersey Group. Veryfew of our local members seem interested in the meetings we’ve scheduled in the pastfew years; most have been cancelled for lack of interest. For the present, we’ll continueto be listed in this Newsletter, and offer a point of contact for Club members in SouthJersey who want help with local issues. If you have topics (and places) for meetings,please let the officers know about them. We welcome general comments from Clubmembers in South Jersey. To be placed on a carefully guarded distribution list for localissues and meetings, please e-mail [email protected].

Current IIsssues: Two Cape May County campaigns to prevent the use of tropical rain-forest wood for rebuilding oceanfront boardwalks, in Ocean City and Wildwood, arebeing led by Georgina Shanley [[email protected]]. Club officers and staffhave been following closely the several studies seeking to determine sustainable wwatersupply llevels for southeastern New Jersey, with the hope that findings will be used byplanners (such as those employed by the Pinelands Commission) who authorize devel-opment. Other hot issues include proposals to develop several large tracts of environ-mentally sensitive land in Millville, damage done to sand trails by ATVs, and induce-ments for public recycling.

Possibly RRelevant MMeetings:Jaan 88 ((Wed) 66:30pm: Bi-monthly meeting of Citizens United to Protect the MauriceRiver and its Tributaries. Meeting place: Gant Room, Millville Public Library, 210 BuckStreet. Cumberland County development issues are commonly discussed, includingart, historical and recreational attributes of the area. Contact Renee Scagnelli (CU) at856-305-3238 or [email protected].

Jan 117 ((Thurs) 77pm: Atlantic County Friends of the Parks: Monthly meeting of Friendsof the Parks, a group which works to improve and promote the Atlantic CountyParks System. A focal point is preservation oof hhistoric rresources iin tthe pparks, alongwith advocacy for environmental attributes of parklands in fast-growing AtlanticCounty. All are welcome. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. Warren Fox NatureCenter (WFNC*): Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor: Milepost 15 on NJ Rte 50, 3miles south of Mays Landing.

Jan 228 ((Tues) 77pm: Members’ Meeting of the Great Egg Harbor WatershedAssociation. An opportunity to catch up on conservation planning for the Great EggHarbor Wild and Scenic River, at a public (membership) session of the WatershedAssociation (an organization that once got its start as our Group ExecutiveCommittee!). For more information or to confirm, call Julie Akers, 856-697-6114.WFNC* (see above).

Feb 220 ((Wed) 77pm: Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River Council: Bi-monthly meeting, open to the public. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. WFNC*(see above).

Feb 221 ((Thurs) 77pm: Friends of the Parks: Monthly meeting. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. WFNC* (see above).

Feb 225 ((Tues) 77pm: Great Egg Harbor River Watershed Association: Trustees’ meeting,open to the public. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. WFNC* (see above).

March 112 ((Wed) 66:30pm: Bi-monthly meeting of Citizens United to Protect theMaurice River and its Tributaries. Meeting place: Gant Room, Millville Public Library,210 Buck Street. Cumberland County development issues are commonly discussed,including art, historical and recreational attributes of the area. Contact ReneeScagnelli (CU) at 856-305-3238 or [email protected].

Mar 220 ((Thurs) 77pm: Friends of the Parks: Monthly meeting. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. WFNC* (see above).

Mar 225 ((Tues) 77pm: Annual Members’ Meeting of the Great Egg Harbor WatershedAssociation. Contact Julie Akers, 856-697-6114. WFNC* (see above).

Singles Section(A CChapter-wwide, sspecial iinterest ssection ooffering hhikes/cleanups, ssocial gatherings, mmovies, mmeetings, eetc.)

Please join us! The NJ Singles Section was specifically created to offer a variety of singles-ori-ented activities to NJ Sierra Club members and those who would like to know more aboutus. We are not a local group; we are a statewide additional “layer” of Club involvement.Everyone is welcome to attend our events. Come out and meet fellow Club members andothers who care about the environment. We can only offer as many activities as we havevolunteers to run them – if you have the slightest urge to get involved, please give in to it!

Webpage aaddress: hhttp://newjersey.sierraclub.org/Singles/email: [email protected] ((mention ““Sierra CCllub” iin yyour ssubject lline)

The BEST way to be notified of upcoming events is to join our free listserv. Anyonemay subscribe by going to: http://lists.sierraclub.org/archives/NJ-SINGLES-NEWS.htmland clicking on “Join or leave the list”. You may subscribe and unsubscribe at will;directions on how to unsubscribe are at the bottom of each announcement. We rec-ommend joining the listserv as some events are advertised only by email. If you prefernot to receive email, you may view an archive of all prior messages at http://lists.sierr-aclub.org/archives/NJ-SINGLES-NEWS.html.

OFFICERS:Chair: Bob Johnson [email protected] CChairs: Joyce Haddad [email protected]

Dave Ogens [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition! Contact us! We need you!Treasurer: Joyce White [email protected] ddesigner: Tom Miller [email protected] CChair: Open PPosition! Contact us! We need you!Programs: Open PPosition! Contact us! We need you!Publicity: Open PPosition! Contact us! We need you!CoolCool CCities CCoordinator:: Terry Stimpfel [email protected]: Walter Goldenbaum [email protected]

Volunteer OOpportunities: We need volunteers in all areas of the state to run events.Volunteers needed for the positions of: hike leaders, members of all committees,including social event planners. Please attend an executive committee meeting oremail any of the officers if you are interested. You may co-chair any position with afriend, if desired. We’re happy to help you learn the ropes.

GENERAL MMEETINGS: Casual pizza gathering, introduction to club issues and activi-ties, and letter-writing. SECOND MONDAY of each month (except July/Aug) startingat 7pm with optional pizza, at the Chatham Library (214 Main St). Guest speakers ateach meeting at 7:30 pm. $5 donation at door and RSVP (required for pizza only) tojoycewhite(at)netzero.net or 973-364-7573, ext. 3, by noon the day before. (Pleaseleave name and specify plain or veggie-topping pizza.) Free (and no RSVP required) ifyou’re not having pizza.

Jan 114, FFeb 111, && MMar 110 –– sspeakers ttoo bbe aannounced.

Directions tto tthe CChatham LLibrary: From I-287 take Rte 24 East to Exit 8 (Summit Ave).Turn left at the top of the ramp and then left again so you go back onto Rte 24 headedWest. Take exit 7A for Chatham and bear right onto Rte 124 (Main St). Follow Main St.through 2 lights. The Library is to your right about 1/2 block past the 2nd light. FromParkway take I-78 West to Rte 24 West. Take exit 7A for Chatham and follow abovedirections.

ExCom MMEETINGS take place once a month at various locations. All welcome. Contactany officer for location.

SOCIAL GGATHERINGS:SOCIAL DDINNNER: FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month at 6:30 pm. Join us for dinner inMorristown at the Famished Frog. RSVP required; join our listserv for further details.

SOCIAL DDINNER: THIRD TUESDAY of each month at 7pm. Join us for dinner in aMontclair restaurant. Location will be announced 2 weeks before the social. RSVP isrequired to [email protected] or 973-364-7573 option # 4.

Consider vvolunteering wwith tthe CCool CCities CCampaign. The message and method ofempowering groups to manage carbon dioxide emissions are relevant for public andprivate school systems, nonprofit community operations, etc. in New Jersey.Volunteers with diverse skills and contacts are important for environmental success.Sign on now. Want to promote the Cool Cities goals but have limited free time?Contact Terry Stimpfel at [email protected] with your ideas and to learn aboutshort duration assignments.

HIKES:Please see the Outings section of this newsletter for our hikes. Many of Paul Serdiuk’sSouth Jersey hikes/events are also oriented toward singles.

Senior Section/Fifty-Plus Section(A cchapter-wwide sspecial iinterest ssection wwhich ooffers aa mmonthly ccalendar oofactivities aand eevents, iincluding hhikes, cclean uups, ssocial ggatherings, aand ootherfunctions wwhich mmight bbe oof iinterest tto tthose mmembers oover ffifty)

The mission of this section is to support Sierra Club goals, and to promote activismthrough letter writing, phone calls, and other active support for environmental issues.

We work through a “ListServe,” by which members learn about current environmentalissues, and how they can be supported. Issues range from local to State to national.

Nancy Carringer is the founding Coordinator of this Section, but she is now leavingNew Jersey. She leaves this message: “I’ve enjoyed working with the Sierra Seniors

and the FiftyPlus News. It has been fun watching membership grow (we reached

102 members in June. Now holding steady at 99. Some members have been with

us since we started back in ‘04)! I know many of you have not only participated

in activities, but also been faithful participants in “action alerts.” Thanks for get-

ting involved.

I have relocated to Massachusetts, and look forward to getting involved in the

Massachusetts Chapter. Arline Zatx has volunteered to replace me. We will co-lead

until she feels comfortable flying solo. Arline has been active in Sierra Club, as well

as running her own group called “FunTravels.” Her e-mail address is azatz@fun-

travels.com. Feel free to check in with her. And I hope you’ll stay in touch with me

at [email protected] .”

Young Sierrans(A sspecial iinterest ssection ffor YYoung SSierra CClub MMembers iin ttheir 220’s && 330’swith ssocials aand EECO cchats aalong wwith ddiscussions mmeant tto cconnect aandinform eenvironmentally-mminded iindividuals sseeking tto gget iinvolved wwith ppreserv-


JANUARY Jan 11, 22008 ((Tue): CClayton PPark, UUpper FFreehold TTwp, MMonmouth CCo. (Special Interest: History) Ringin the New Year with a moderate 6-mile hike in one of Monmouth County Park System's best keptsecrets. Moderate elevation gains. Hiking shoes not required. Bring snack and drink. Meet 9am at theWawa store near the intersection of County Rte 537 and I-195 in Upper Freehold Township. Badweather (includes snow cover) cancels. Confirmation/questions call or text leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718 or mjverange@ aol.com (JS)

Jan. 66 ((Sun): SSocial HHike, AApple PPie HHill, BBurl. CCo. 9am. 7-8 miles. All are welcomed. Moderate pace.Hike the highest point in SJ for a great panoramic view of the pines. Bring picnic type food to share attailgate social after hike. NP/NC. Meet at Carranza Memorial parking lot, 6.7 miles SE of Tabernacle, onCarranza Road. Leader: Paul Serdiuk, 609-462-3593 Eve. [email protected]. Inclement weather cancels

Jan. 112 ((Sat): PPine MMeadow LLake LLoop, NNY. 10am. 8 mile beautiful hike along the streams to/from PineMeadow Lake in Harriman State Park. Icy conditions would change route. Bring lunch & lots of water.Heavy rain/snow/sleet would cancel. Joint with AMC. Limit 12 people. Must preregister. Leader: EllenBlumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Jan 112 ((Sat): HHatfield SSwamp HHike, EEssex CCo. 10am. Meet at the Essex Co. Enviromental Center. Wewill hike 4-5 miles through the Hatfield Swamp. Wear waterproof boots; if snow covered, then crosscountry skiing or snow shoes an option. Lunch to follow at local eatery. A $3 fee will be charged tononmembers. All participants must sign a liability waiver. Rain cancels. Leader: Ron Pate:[email protected] (E)

Jan. 113 ((Sun): HHarriman SState PPark NNY. 10am. 8-mile moderately paced hike. Depending on trail condi-tions we will either take trails or fire roads from Johnsontown Circle on a moderate paced hike. Bringlunch & lots of water. Limit 12 people. Joint with AMC. Must preregister. Heavy rain/snow/sleetwould cancel. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Jan 118-221 ((Fri-MMon): MMartin LLuther KKing WWeekend, XX-CC SSki/Snowshoe TTrip staying at Trail's End B & Bin the Lake Placid area of the Adirondack Mts. of New York. Ski at Mt. VanHoevenburg Center, site ofthe 1980 Olympics, and other X-C centers. Also, lots of backcountry X-C/snowshoeing areas. Great forall levels of skiers/snowshoers. Cost: $258 p/p, includes 3 nights' lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2dinners, 2 apreas ski parties, taxes and gratuities. Very popular trip, early sign-up necessary (Sept). CallCharlie Phy at 609-567-0221 for complete details.

Jan. 119 ((Sat): MMoonlight HHike, CCampfire aand CCampout. 7pm. 7 miles, moderate pace. Hike the Pinesunder the Wolf Moon on a new route and return to a roaring campfire. Bring picnic-type food to shareat tailgate social after hike. NC/NP. Meet at Atsion Lake, Burl. Co: From Rte 206 take Atsion Rd. west 1mile, go to Goshen Pond Group site sign turn left go to camping area. Camping is available Friday andSaturday, call to reserve space. Leader: Paul Serdiuk, 609-463-3593 eve. or [email protected]. Inclementweather cancels. Contact leader to confirm hike.

Jan 119 ((Sat): JJockey HHollow GGrand LLoop, MMorris CCo. 10am. We will do the Grand Loop at JockeyHollow National Park in Morristown. See http://www.nps.gov/morr/planyourvisit/directions.htm fordirections and information. Bring lots of water, lunch, and wear hiking boots. Meet at the visitors' cen-

Learn more about your environment…take a Sierra Club educational hike!

OutingsOutingsOutingsOutingsGROUP OUTINGS COORDINATORSCentral Jersey: Leona Fluck

[email protected] County: David Ogens 973-226-0748 (H)

64 Elm Rd, Caldwell 07003Hudson-Meadowlands: VacantHunterdon: Susan Schirmer 908-996-7722 (H)Jersey Shore: Mike Verange 908-732-8364 (H)

1497 W Front St, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Loantaka: Joyce White 908-272-4478 (H)

[email protected] Jersey: Ellen Blumenkrantz 201-784-8417

[email protected] Jersey: Pat Mangino, [email protected] Valley: VacantSouth Jersey: Tom Boghosian 609-625-0878 (H)

4794 Andorea Drive, Mays Landing, [email protected]

West Jersey: VacantRiver Touring: Fred Tocce 908-453-2205 (H)

Rd 1 Box 277, Washington, NJ 07882 Inner City Outings: Anne Dyjak 732-560-0953 (H)

NJ-ICO, 17 Mt. Horeb Rd, Warren, 07059Chapter Outings: Ellen Blumenkrantz 201-784-8417

[email protected]

Outing Leaders: Please send April-June 2008 write-upsto your Group Outings Coordinator before January 31. Ifyou are planning to lead an outing close to the beginningof one of our quarterly publication periods, please submitit for the previous Sierran, due to the occasional lag inmailing. Also, please send outing rosters or sign-upsheets to the Chapter Office as soon as possible aftereach outing.

Note: If possible, leaders should send their trip descrip-tions to the Group Outings Coordinator instead of directlyto the Chapter Outings Coordinator. This is particularlyimportant for occasional leaders.

Group Outings Coordinators: Please submit your April-June 2008, trip write-ups by February 3.

NOTES ON OUTINGS: All Outings are open to Club mem-bers, guests and anyone interested in outings. Unless oth-erwise specified, the events are free and open to the pub-lic. ALL participants must sign liability waivers on ALL out-ings sponsored by Sierra Club. This is a new policy. Pleasecheck with the leader before bringing small children on anouting. A parent or other responsible adult must accompa-ny persons under 18. At their discretion, leaders may per-mit pets on outings if the event description specificallyincludes bringing pets. Sierra Club outings are arranged by volunteer leaders

who are in charge of the trip and responsible for the safe-ty, welfare and enjoyment of all participants. Leaders

determine qualifications to participate, adequacy ofequipment, routes to be followed, and special precautionsto be taken. Please arrive adequately prepared andequipped. If you have any allergies, please remember tobring your medication. The leader has the final word inthe conduct of the trip. Your cooperation will help assurea safe and pleasant outing.Please arrive early at the meeting place so that the out-

ing can start on time. For day hikes, lunch, water (at leasta liter), extra clothing, rain gear, and emergency equip-ment should be carried in a small daypack. For all excepteasy hikes, sturdy over-the-ankle shoes or boots shouldbe worn. For most trips, you are expected to have yourown equipment. In some cases, it may be rented fromoutdoor/camping suppliers -check the yellow pages orcall the trip leader. If the weather is questionable on thedate of the outing, you may assume that it will take place,unless the schedule indicates otherwise.

Unless registration is required, such as for weekendtrips or river tours, or if you have a question about theouting, it is not necessary to contact the leader beforethe trip. Do not call to join a trip after the posted dead-line date. When phoning a leader, please honor his orher requested calling times and call 3 to 5 days beforethe outing. Please include a self-addressed, stampedenvelope (SASE) when writing to a leader. On populartrips, Sierra Club members will be given preference.

Watercraft trips let you experience the unspoiled partsof our region, but water safety does impose specialrequirements. The size and skill of each party must be appro-priate to each river, so participation in each trip must be at thediscretion of the leader. We ask you to register at least oneweek in advance. Unless a phone number is provided,please send a SASE with an honest assessment of yourpaddling experience, whether you need or can offer a ride,your phone number, and any questions you may have. Youwill receive a description of the trip, with directions, where youcan rent a canoe, and what you will need to bring. Almost alltrip leaders can arrange for partners to share a canoe if youwill be coming by yourself. Unless stated otherwise: rentalcanoes are available, trips do not require advanced paddlingskill or exceptional physical conditioning, public transportationis not available, non-members may participate, and responsi-ble smokers are welcome.

If you are a Sierra Club member interested in becomingan Outing Leader or have suggestions for new outings,contact your Group Outings Chair or the Chapter OutingsChair for assistance and further information. The SierraGroup contributing each outing is given at the end of thewrite-up, as follows:

(C) Central Jersey (JS) - Jersey Shore (L) - Loantaka (N) - North Jersey (NW) - Northwest Jersey (S) - South Jersey (W) - West Jersey (NJ) - NJ Chapter (H) - Hudson (RV) - Raritan Valley (IC) - Inner City Outings (RT) - River Touring (E) - Essex County (ACOC) - Atlantic Chapter

Outings Comm.

GROUP NEWS(Continued from page 9)

ing tthe ffuture. Many eevents oopen tto aall YYoung SSierrans rregardless oof mmarital ssta-tus sso wwhether yyou aare ssingle, ddating oor mmarried, pplease ccome jjoin uus!)

Young SSierran wweb ssite: http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/YoungSierrans/.

YOUNG SSIERRAN CCOMMITTEE PPOSITIONSHead CChair && CCoordinator: Diana Christine Eichholz [email protected] Vice CChair: William Sevchuk [email protected] Coonservation CChair: Steve Timmerman [email protected] Webmaster: Julie Garber [email protected] Ex-CCom/YS NNational

Rep. ((CA) Jackie Enfield [email protected] Northern JJersey YYS RRep. Jim DeSantis [email protected] Outings CChaiir NNorth: Donna Morgan Outings CChair CCentral: Open PPosition! Please Contact Us!Outings CChair SSouth: Open PPosition! Please Contact Us!

We need Young Sierran Outing Leaders for all areas, but extra especially for theCentral and South Jersey areas. We will help you step-by-step through the trainingprocess to properly lead hikes and outdoor activities. Reimbursement, insurance andguidance are provided under the Sierra Club’s membership. If interested contactYoung Sierran Coordinator Diana at [email protected] or call 732-764-9073.

EVENTS: Volunteers for events throughout New Jersey wanted. Meet great people inyour area! Publicity provided. Contact Diana at [email protected] to RSVP or formore information on any of the events listed below.

Jaan 111 ((Fri) 66pm: 20/30s Singles Mingle in Morristown Café CalalooJan 227 ((Sun) 22pm: 20/30s Sunday Social Game Day & Pizza in Somerset CountyFeb 11 ((Fri) 66pm: 20/30s Singles Mingle Happy Hour in Bergen County with NightclubDancingFeb 99 ((Sat) 66pm: 20/30s Social Dinner in Somerset CountyFeb 223 ((Sat) 77:30 ppm: 20/30s Rock N Roll Bowling in Somerset CountyFeeb 228 ((Thurs) 77pm: Hoboken Greendrinks Happy Hour SocialMar 11 ((Sat) 66pm: 20/30s Singles Mingle, Billiards & Nightlife in Middlesex CountyMar 114 ((Fri) 77pm: 20/30s Singles Mingle in Princeton & Live Band MusicMar 229 ((Sat) 22-33pm: Young Sierrans Committee Meeting, Bridgewater LibraryMar 229 ((Sat) 33pm: Public Lecture & Slide Show Presentation on Alaska Wilderness byJulia Shaw from the Alaskan Wilderness League — in the Bridgewater Library with let-ter writing, and question & answer discussion session. This important slideshow pre-sentation and Lecture is open to all of any age. www.AlaskaWild.org Mar 229 ((Sat) 55:30 ppm: Dinner at The Office Grill on Rte 22 in Somerset County. Opento all ages.Mar 229 ((Sat) 77:30 ppm: Game Night at The Office Grill. Open to all ages. Last time wehad a lot of fun!

All Events will be announced via The Young Sierrans E-Mail List Serve. To be put on it,send an e-mail to [email protected] with subject heading “Young Sierrans E-MailList” — or to subscribe directly go to http://lists.sierraclub.org/archives/NJ-YOUNG-SIERRANS-NEWS.html. Events for 20’s only are available for those wanting to volunteerto host 20’s only events. Young Sierran Event Volunteers always needed and welcomed.

Sierra Student Coalition(a ssemi-aautonomous oorganization oof ccollege aand hhigh-sschool sstudents)

National WWebsite: http://www.ssc.org/

Inner City Outings Section(another CChapter-wwide sspecial iinterest aactivity)

OFFICERS:Chair: Marty Cohen 201-670-8383 [email protected] Treasurer: Anne Dyjak 732-560-0953 [email protected]

Inner City Outings is a community outreach program, providing wilderness adventures forcity youth of New Jersey. Volunteer certified outings leaders conduct outings (generallyday-trips) mostly on weekends. If you would like to experience the rewards of introducinginner-city youth to the wonders of nature, your involvement is encouraged and you arerequested to contact us at [email protected] or theabove e-mail address-es. To learn more, visit our webpage at http://www.sierraclub.org/ico/newjersey/.Last year, for the 50 ICO groups nationwide, ICO leaders led 727 outings for 9,203youth participants, while New Jersey ICO led 7 outings for 67 youth - less than 1 % ofthe national total. As New Jersey’s population of 8.8 million represents 3% of thecountry’s population, the NJ-ICO Chair considers this performance to be sub-par andso would like to solicit leadership help. If you would be willing to devote some timeand energy discussing and implementing ideas for growing NJ-ICO, please contact us.

Care for more Club involvement? You can sample (and subscribe to) several specialist Club electronic newsletters by logging on to: [email protected], [email protected], www.sierraclub.org/population, and www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming.

The WWinter WWalk aat NNoon (William Cowper, 1731-1800)

. . .Where now the vital energy that moved,While Summer was, the pure and subtle lymphThrough the imperceptible meandering veinsOf leaf and flower? It sleeps; and the icy touchOf unprolific winter has impressedA cold stagnation on the intestine tide.But let the months go round, a few short months,And all shall be restored. These naked shoots,Baren as lances, among which the windMakes wintry music, sighing as it goes,Shall put their grateful foliage on again,And more aspiring, and with ampler spread,Shall boast new charms, and more than they have lost.

The Jersey Sierran: January-March 2008 11

(continued on page 12)

Feb 229-MMar 22 ((Fri-SSun): CCATSKILL MMOUNTAIN WWINTER WWEEK EEND ((NY). Alpine Inn. Enjoy all of win-ter's white magic in the special beauty of the high peaks of the central Catskills. Hikers and snow-shoers can explore and photograph the scenic mountain beauty of the miles of the spectacular statemaintained trail system covering this mountain range. Skiing the numerous alpine resorts and crosscountry ski trails also available. In the evening by fireside we plan a great mountaineering or SCUBAcolor slide program and/or magic show. Excellent accommodations and gourmet food! Total cost for 2nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, one trail lunch and all taxes & gratuities: $219. Our several crosscountry skiing and hiking trips are rated from the easiest to more difficult. Leader : Al Tatyrek (eve 973- 763- 2303 - no calls after 10pm). Send transportation, activities planned and other info with $100deposit and SASE envelope to our co-leader and registrar: Balance of payment is due on arrival at theAlpine Inn. Info website: http://www.geocities.com/petebeck_00/catskills Registrar & co-leader: PeterBeck H 201-274-4471 212 Perry St., Dover NJ 07801 (E)

MARCHMar 22 ((Sun): SSocial HHike aand BBirthday BBrunch. 9:30 am. 5 miles, moderate pace. Hike between tworivers in late winter, wildlife sighting possible. Then help celebrate the leader's birthday as we enjoyan all you can eat buffet at Renault Winery Restaurant. NC/NP. Meet at Atsion Office on Rte 206,between Hammonton and Red Lion Circle, Burl. Co. Leader. Paul Serdiuk 609-462-3593 eve., [email protected] Limited seating, call early to reserve a place. Inclement weather cancels.

Mar 22 ((Sun): IIsland PPond LLoop ((Rockland CCo, NNY) 10am. 9-mile moderately-paced hike from LakeSkannati to Island Pond and back. This loop has several scenic views, and only some moderate ups anddowns. Heavy rain/snow/sleet would cancel. Bring lunch & lots of water. Limit 12 people. Must pre-register. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Mar 88 ((Sat): RRoebling PPark TTrash PPick-uup ((Mercer CCo). 9 -12pm. Enjoy a "Walk in the Park" while sup-porting the spring trash pick-up. Bring working gloves, if you have them. Wear long-sleeves and longpants. Meet at Spring Lake - Roebling Park (end of Sewell Ave, Hamilton). Joint with Mercer CountyParks and D&R Greenway Land Trust. Leader: Harold Rapp [email protected] (C)

Mar 88 ((Sat): BBreakneck PPond lloop ((Rockland CCo, NNY) 10am. 10-mile moderate paced hike in Harriman.Trail conditions will determine exact route/combination of fire roads and hiking trails to this lake for alovely picnic lunch spot at old summer camp on lake shore. Heavy rain/snow/sleet would cancel.Bring lunch & lots of water. Limit 12 people. Must preregister. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Mar 88 ((Sat): SSocial HHike aat EEagle RRock RReservation. 10am We will hike 4-5 miles at a moderate pace.Bring water and snacks and wear hiking boots. Meet at the Highlawn Pavilion Parking lot off EagleRock Ave. in West Orange. Take I-280 to Prospect Ave (exit 8B), head north, right turn onto EagleRock Ave, left turn into reservation. A $3 fee will be charged to nonmembers. All participants mustsign a liability waiver. Rain cancels. Leader: Ron Pate: [email protected] (E)

Mar 99 ((Sun): CCanoe/Kayak TThe MMullica RRiver ((Burlington CCo). 9am. Daylight Savings Time beginstoday!! We'll paddle 14 miles from Atsion to Pleasant Mills. This is a trip for experienced Pinelandspaddlers. Call to confirm trip, meeting logistics and participation. Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or [email protected] (W)

Mar 117 ((Mon): CCanoe/Kayak tthe CCrosswicks CCreek/Hamilton-TTrenton-BBordentown MMarsh on St.Patrick's Day (Mercer Co). 10am. Wear Your Green! We'll paddle with the tide from Bordentown upthe Crosswicks to Roebling Park. Bring lunch and beverage. After lunch: option to hike to Spring Lake.Meet at Bordentown Beach, end of Park St. in Bordentown. Please contact leaders to confirm trip andparticipation. Leaders: George & Leona F 609-259-3734 or Leona@pineypaddlers (C)

Mar 220 ((Thur): CCanoe/Kayak tthe NN.Branch RRancocas aand CCelebrate tthe VVernal EEquinox ((BurlingtonCo): 9am. Welcome spring with a paddle on the 10-mile canoe trail from the trailhead behind BCCC to

Our Action Alerts (bulletins on New Jersey environmental issues) are on our website (www.newjersey.sierraclub.org). Click “Take Action.”

ter. Inclement weather cancels. Proper footgear required (sabilicers, crampons or snowshoes) if appro-priate for the conditions. Optional lunch at a local eatery if we get done in time. No pets please.Leader: Jeffrey Sovelove, [email protected] . Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike. (E)

Jan. 220 ((Sun): BBlack RRiver TTrail/Patriots PPath 11am 8 miles very scenic trail connects two nature centersin Morris County and follows the Black River. Snow/sleet/rain would cancel. Limit 12 people. Must pre-register. Carpool can be set up from Parsippany at 10:15 am or you can meet at trail head at CooperMill in Morris County. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Jan 225-227 ((Fri-SSun): CCatskill MMountain ((NY) WWinter WWeekend: AAlpine IInn. Enjoy all of winter's whitemagic in the special beauty of the high peaks of the central Catskills by skiing the numerous alpine resortsand cross country ski trails. Hikers and snowshoers can explore and photograph the scenic mountainbeauty of the miles of the spectacular state maintained trail system covering this mountain range. In theevening by fireside we plan a great mountaineering or SCUBA Diving color slide program and/or magicshow. Excellent accommodations and gourmet food! Total cost for 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfasts, 1 din-ner, one trail lunch and all taxes & gratuities: $219. This is a joint trip of the AMC and Sierra Club. Ourseveral cross country skiing and hiking trips are rated from the easiest to more difficult. Leader: Al Tatyrek(eve 973 - 763- 2303- no calls after 10pm) Send transportation, activities planned and other info with $100deposit and SASE envelope to our co-leader and registrar: Balance of payment is due on arrival at theAlpine Inn . Info Website http://www.geocities.com/petebeck_00/catskills Registrar & co-leader: PeterBeck H 201-274-4471; 212 Perry St., Dover NJ 07801 (E)

Jan 226 ((Sat): TTallman MMountain SState PPark. ((Rockland CCo, NNY) 11am. Moderate, 7 miles. We will hikethrough Tallman Mountain State Park and view the berms and salt marsh. We will then walk the mile-long Piermont pier halfway across the Hudson! Trails include the Long Path. Bring lunch and water.Take Rte 9W to Piermont NY. Drivers meet in front of 450 Piermont Ave. (building with mural).Leader: John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10pm) or [email protected] (ACOC)

FEBRUARYFeb. 22 ((Sat): MMinnewaska/Lake AAwosting ((NY). 10:15 am. 9-mile scenic loop along trails and carriage-ways to Lake Awosting. Beautiful views. Optional dinner stop in New Paltz after hike. Rain/snow/sleetwould cancel. Bring lunch, snacks & water. Group limit 12 people. Must preregister. Leader: EllenBlumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Feb. 33 ((Sun): HHike WWissahickon GGorge ((Philadelphia). 8:30 am. 8 miles, moderate pace, over hills andvalleys. Hike the Gorge in late winter with its spectacular views. Bring picnic-type food to share at tail-gate social after hike. Proper hiking shoes required. Meet at 8:30 am in the rear parking lot of CrownPlaza Hotel (formerly Hilton Hotel) on Rte 70, to carpool/caravan to site or meet 9:30 am at ValleyGreen parking lot in park. NP/NC. Leader: Paul Serdiuk, 609-462-3593 eve or [email protected] Inclementweather cancels

Feb 33 ((Sun): RRamapo RReservation, BBergen/Passaic CCos. 10am. 8-mile, moderate-paced loop connectsRamapo Reservation to Ringwood State Park passing 3 lakes. Lunch stop at a great viewpoint. Bringlunch & lots of water. Heavy rain/snow/sleet would cancel. Limit 12 people. Opt. pizza/beer stop afterhike. Must preregister. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Feb 99th ((Sat): SSocial HHike aat EEagle RRock RReservation, EEssex CCo. We will hike 4-5 miles at a moderatepace. Bring water and snacks and wear hiking boots. Meet before 10am at the Highlawn PavilionParking lot off Eagle Rock Ave. in West Orange. Take I-280 to Prospect Ave (exit 8B), head north, rightturn onto Eagle Rock Ave, left turn into reservation. A $3 fee will be charged to nonmembers. All par-ticipants must sign a liability waiver. Rain cancels. Leader: Ron Pate, [email protected] (E)

Feb 99 ((Sat): TTallman MMountain SState PPark. ((Rockland CCo NNY) 11am. 7 miles. This is a beginners youngpeoples hike. We will hike through Tallman Mountain State Park and view the berms and salt marsh.We will then walk the mile-long Piermont pier halfway across the Hudson! Trails include the LongPath. Bring lunch and water. Take Rte 9W to Piermont NY. Drivers meet in front of 450 Piermont Ave.(building with mural) at 11am. Leader: John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10pm) [email protected] (ACOC)

Feb 99 ((Sat): HHarteshorne WWoods, MMonmouth CCo. (Special interest: Recent History) Moderate 6-mile hikehas elevation gains and a lot of scenery. Please bring drinks and snacks. Hiking shoes are suggested.Meet at 9am at the Rocky Point parking area. Take GSP to exit 117. Take Rte 36 toward Sandy Hook,approx. 11 miles. Exit right at Portland Rd.(last exit before bridge). Stay on Portland Road to top of hill.Parking area is ahead to the left. Bad weather, (includes snow cover) cancels. Confirmation/questionsplease call. Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718 or mjverange @aol.com (JS)

Feb. 99 ((Sat.): LLet's ssocialize oon sskis ((snowboards)! Join other Sierra Singles for a day of skiing/snow-boarding at Campgaw Mountain (Mahwah, Bergen County). Campgaw Mountain is offering us a 50%discount off its regular rates! Bring your own equipment or rent it at Campgaw. Don't know how to ski(snowboard)? It's about time you learned in a relaxed non-threatening, environment with a patient PSIAcertified instructor (that would be me for skiing and our Snow Sports School Director for snowboard-ing). At mid-day, let's sit down together around the table at Campgaw cafeteria for lunch and socializ-ing and do the same for dinner by the end of the day. "Rain" date, Sunday, Feb. 10. We'll meet at 10am.For more information contact the Leader (George Ekel) by e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone(201-444-2096). Registration with the Leader a MUST!

Feb 114 ((Thurs): CCanoe/Kayak OOswego RRiver oon VValentine's DDay ((Burlington CCo): 10am. Meet at LakeOswego, Lake Oswego Rd in Penn State Forest. Paddle 7 miles and celebrate our "Love of the PinelandsRivers" with homemade brownies & chocolate candy. Please contact leaders to confirm trip, meetingtime and participation. Leaders: George & Leona F, 609-259-3734 or [email protected] (W)

Feb 116 ((Sat): WWatchung RReservation RRamble, UUnion CCo: 10am. Moderate 5-mile hike. Meet at theScience Center parking lot on Coles Ave. where it intersects with New Providence Rd. inMountainside. We should be done around Noon. Leader: John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past10pm) or [email protected] (ACOC)

Feb 116 ((Sat): LLewis MMorris PPark, MMorris CCo. 10am. We will start at Sunrise Lake, then hike to the park-ing upper lot and back down to the lake using a combination of the Yellow and Red trails. The pacewill be a moderate to slow one. See the Morris County Parks Commission website (http://www.mor-risparks.org/aspparks/lmdir.asp) for directions. Bring lots of water, lunch, and wear hiking boots. Meetin parking lot. Inclement weather cancels. Proper footgear required (sabilicers, crampons or snow-shoes) if appropriate for the conditions. No pets please. Leader: Jeffrey Sovelove,[email protected] . Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike. (E)

Feb. 117 ((Sun): SSocial TTundra SSwan HHike, BBurlington CCo. 10am. 6 miles. Moderate pace. All are wel-come. Hike the wintry beauty among ponds filled with Tundra Swans. Bring binoculars. Dress for thecold weather. NP/NC. Bring picnic type food to share at tailgate social after hike. Meet at WhitesbogVillage parking lot. Take Rte 70 east to Rte 530 north (Browns Mills/Ft Dix), go 1 mile, turn right ontoWhitesbog Road, go to parking lot. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-462-3593 eve., [email protected] Inclementweather cancels.

Feb 223 ((Sat): CClausland MMountain ((Rockland CCounty NNY) 11am. 6 miles. We will climb up ClauslandMountain (700' Climb) through historic Rockland Cemetery to an old Nike missile base. Bring hikingboots, lunch, 2 quarts of water. Take Rte 9W to Piermont NY. Drivers meet in front of 450 PiermontAve. (building with mural) at 11am. Leader: John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10pm) [email protected] (ACOC)

Feb. 223 ((Sat): SSocial FFull MMoon HHike. 7pm. 6-7 miles. Moderate pace. All are welcomed. Hike the pinesin winter under the Snow full moon. Bring snack type food to share at tailgate social after hike. NC/NP.Meet in field behind Atsion Ranger Office on Rte 206 between Hammonton and Red Lion Circle, Burl.Co. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-462-3593 eve. [email protected] Contact leader to confirm hike.

Feb 225 ((Mon): DD&R CCanal SState PPark HHike ((Princeton, MMercer CCo.): 10am. 4 miles, easy pace. We'llenjoy a winter walk on the towpath from Turning Basin Park, Alexander Rd., crossing over theMillstone Aqueduct and end at the Kingston Lock on Rte 27. Bring binoculars, lunch and beverage.We'll stop for lunch as we hike along Carnegie Lake. Dogs are welcome! Inclement weather cancels.Leaders: Leona and George F. 609-259-3734 or [email protected] (C)

Printed on Recycled Paper


Visit our Website: www.newjersey.sierraclub.org. The “Committees/Initiatives” menu includes a list of legislative bills we’ve evaluated, and an introduction to our Cool Cities Program.

12

OUTINGS(Continued from page 11)

Smithville Park. Option to meet for breakfast at the Vincentown Diner. Contact leaders to confirmtrip, logistics and participation. Leaders: George & Leona F. 609-259-3734 [email protected] (C)

Mar 222 ((Sat): PPatriots PPath SStroll ((Morris CCo). 10am Come take an easy stroll on Patriots Path inMorristown. This 3-5 mile stroll will start out from the Speedwell Lake parking lot, across the streetfrom Historic Speedwell. See the Morris County Parks website (http://www.morrisparks.org/) fordirections. The path is wide, partly paved, partly crushed stabilized gravel with very little in the way ofelevation gains. We will be strolling at a very moderate pace. Please bring plenty of water and a lightsnack. Great for beginners. No pets please. Inclement weather cancels. Proper footgear required (sta-bilizers, crampons or snowshoes) if appropriate for the conditions. Optional lunch afterwards. Leader:Jeffrey Sovelove, [email protected] . Joint ADK/Sierra Club hike. (E)

Mar 222 ((Sat): MMoonlight HHike, CCampfire aand CCampout. 7pm. 7 miles at moderate pace. Enjoy a springmoonlight hike in the Pines under the Worm Moon on a new route and return to a roaring campfire.Bring picnic type food to share at tailgate social after hike. NC/NP. Meet at Atsion Lake, Burl. Co.,From Rte 206 take Atsion Rd. west 1 mile, go to Goshen Pond Group site sign turn left go to campingarea. Camping is available Friday and Saturday, call to reserve space. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-463-3593eve. or [email protected]. Inclement weather cancels

Mar 223 ((Sun): PPine MMeadow LLake/Harriman SState PPark ((Rockland CCounty NNY) 10am 9-mile beautifulhike along the streams to/from Pine Meadow Lake and the Egg for NY skyline views. Icy conditionswould change route. Bring lunch & lots of water. Heavy rain/snow/sleet would cancel. Limit 12 peo-ple. Must preregister. Leader Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected] (NJ)

Mar 229 ((Sat): HHook MMountain HHike ((Rockland CCounty NNY) 10:30 am. 7 miles. Excellent views of theHudson River and Croton Point. Meet at the South Parking Lot of Rockland Lake State Park off Rte 9W.Leader: John P. Jurasek, 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10pm) or [email protected] (ACOC)

Mar 330 ((Sun): MManasquan RRiver RReservoir, MMonmouth CCounty ((Special IInterest: bbirds) Enjoy an easy 5-mile circular hike on one of the largest reservoirs in the area. We may observe water fowl. Bringsnacks, drinks, bird books or binoculars. Hiking shoes are not required. This is a great family hike.Meet at 9am at the main entrance to the reservoir on Windeller Rd. Take the GSP to exit 98. Head weston I-195 to exit 28 (Rte 9). Go north on Rte 9. Make first right onto Windeller Rd. The main entrance is1.5 miles on your left. Meet in the parking area at the far left toward the back. Bad weather, (includessnow cover) cancels. Confirmation/questions please call or text leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718 [email protected] (JS).

Chapter Office 609-656-7612145 West Hanover Street, Trenton 08618

fax: 609-656-7618

Chapter Director: Jeff [email protected]

Program AssistantBecca Glenn 609-656-7612

[email protected]

If no one is in the office to take your call, pleaseleave a message on the answering machine.Please SPELL YOUR LAST NAME, and statewhether the phone number you leave is for daytimeor evening.

Upcoming ExCom Meetings:All members are welcome to attend thesemonthly statewide policy deliberations, heldon MOSTLY SECOND SATURDAYS.Details, including agendas and travel instruc-tions, are available from Ken Johanson, theChapter Chair. (Best confirm!)

January 12 at the Chatham PublicLibrary (214 Main St.)

February 9 at the Hamilton PublicLibrary (Mercer Co, Cypress Lane)

March 15 at the Hamilton Public Library

Conservation and/or Political Committee meet-ings start at 10am. Lunch is shared at noon.The main meeting starts at 1pm. We some-times continue discussions informally over din-ner at a nearby restaurant, at 5pm.

NEW JERSEY CHAPTERLEADERSHIP

* Indicates Chapter-wide elected ExCom members.** Indicates committee chair or co-chair

Chair* Ken Johanson (908) [email protected] Laurel Drive, New Providence NJ 07974-2421

Vice-Chair and Vice-TreasurerSunil Somalwar (732) [email protected] S Park Av, Highland Park NJ 08904-2954

Conservation ChairLaura Lynch (609) [email protected] Lumar Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648-3127

Political Chair* Rich Isaac (973) [email protected] Fellswood Dr., Livingston NJ 07039-2235

Political Vice-ChairRandy Gill (732) [email protected]

Secretary* Bonnie Tillery (609) [email protected] Sawmill Rd, Hamilton NJ 08620

Treasurer*George Denzer (609) [email protected] Dey Road, Cranbury NJ 08512-5418

Outings ChairEllen Blumenkrantz (201) [email protected] Carlson Court, Closter NJ 07624

Newsletter EditorDick Colby (609) [email protected] Liverpool Av, Egg Harbor City NJ 08215-1319

WebmasterGeorge Newsome (732) [email protected]

Membership ChairChris Mills (973) [email protected]

Group Effectiveness ChairRich Isaac (see above)

Council Delegate*Jane Tousman (908) [email protected] Butler Rd., Edison NJ 08820-1007Alternate: Rich Isaac - (see above)

Student Outreach CoordinatorJeff Huppert (973) [email protected]

Atlantic Coast Ecoregion DelegateGreg Auriemma (732-451-9220)[email protected]

NY-NJ Trail Conference Delegate*Mike Herson (201-262-9472)[email protected]

Legal ChairBill Singer, Esq. (908) [email protected]

Other ExCom members at large* Bob Johnson (908) [email protected] Summit Ave #32, Summit NJ 07901

* Lee Snyder (609) [email protected]

Michel Cuillerier (973) [email protected]

Regional Issues CommitteeJoan Denzer** (see George Denzer, above),Bob Johnson, George Denzer

Fundraising CommitteeKen Johanson**, Joan and George Denzer,Sunil Somalwar

Personnel CommitteeJoan Denzer, Sunil Somalwar**, KenJohanson, Laura Bagwell, George Denzer

Legislative CommitteeKen Johanson**, Dave Mattek, Carolyn Freeman, Bill Finnegan, Jeff Tittel

Litigation Oversight CommitteeKen Johanson**, Carolyn Freeman

Finance CommitteeGeorge Denzer**, Sunil Somalwar, Ken Johanson

Information Technology CommitteeSunil Somalwar**, George NewsomeBob Johnson, Laura Lynch

Facilities (office, meeting sites)George Denzer**, Joan Denzer, BobJohnson, Sunil Somalwar, Bonnie Tillery

Issue CoordinatorsClean Air IssuesBob Campbell (973) [email protected]

Bill Green (908) [email protected] Roger Av, Cranford NJ 07016-2715

Delaware River IssuesGina Carola (856) [email protected] Elberne Av, Westville NJ 08093-1715

Environmental JusticeZoe Kellman (201) [email protected]

Global Warming / Cool CitiesFaith Teitelbaum (732-229-0553)[email protected]

Stefano Crema [email protected]

Highlands IssuesMike Herson (see left column)

Marine Issues Greg Auriemma (see left column)

Pinelands IssuesLee Snyder (see left column)

PPA Liaison: Mike Gallaway [email protected]

Population IssuesBonnie Tillery (see left column)

Recycling IssuesDavid Yennior (973) [email protected]

Sprawl IssuesJane Tousman (see left column)

Tiger Conservation IssuesSunil Somalwar (see left column)

Transportation IssuesBob Johnson (see left column)

Utah IssuesJohn Kashwick (201) [email protected]

Wildlands IssuesDave Mattek (609) [email protected] 1/2 Park Av, Pennington NJ 08534-2313

Dick Colby ([email protected]) .............EditorKaren Brown ([email protected]) .........Designer

Editorial Board: George and Joan Denzer, Rich Isaac, Ken Johanson, Laura Lynch,

Paul Sanderson, Sunil Somalwar, Bonnie Tillery and Jeff Tittel.

The Jersey Sierran appears in January, April, July and October.

The deadline for copy is on the 10th of the month, two months before appearance.

Members are cordially invited to propose articles, essays, letters, poetry and artwork.

(Group/Section News columns are prepared byGroup/Section Chairs; Outings are vetted by the Chapter

Outings Chair, Ellen Blumenkrantz.)

Opinions, unless otherwise attributed, are of the writer only.Advertised products and services carry no Club endorsement.

The JerseySIERRANSIERRAN Members please send address changes:To [email protected], orSierra Club Membership85 Second St, 2nd FloorSan Francisco CA 94105,or 415-977-5653, andNJ Sierra Club, 145 West Hanover St.Trenton NJ 08618

Prospective advertisers:see instructions:http://newjersey.sierraclub.org/njs_sierran/njs_advertise.asp

Printed by Redmond Press, Denville, NJPeriodical postage paid at Princeton NJ.

The Jersey Sierran is published quarterly bythe Sierra Club’s New Jersey Chapter, 145 West Hanover St, Trenton NJ 08618

Copyright 2008

Permission to reprint (with sourceacknowledgement) is granted to other Sierra Club entities.

Vol. 37, No. 1 • Winter, 2008

Thank you to all who contributed to this issue!This newsletter is produced mostly by volunteers.

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DATED MATERIAL DO NOT DELAY Nonprofit Organization-Sierra ... · from renewable sources by May 31, 2009 – one of the strongest standards in the nation. In addition, the recently