Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Bimonthly!Publication!of!the!Kern-Kaweah!Chapter!of!the!Sierra!Club!—!Nov./Dec.!2002
environmental successes included laws to protect sales tax on new and used cars and trucks to a new
Lake Tahoe and Mono Lake, hold polluters respon- fund for transportation alternatives and mitigation of
sible for their contamination, and promote energy transportation’s environmental impacts. Programs
efficiency, renewable energy and nuclear safety. funded by the initiative include public transit, safe
As Deputy Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton bike and pedestrian routes and facilities, clean-fuel
administration, Garamendi was deeply involved in school buses, wetlands and habitat protection, and
saving the Headwaters redwood forest, negotiating on water quality enhancements.
water issues, and blocking the Wilson administra-
Campaign Finance Reform Initiative - Support
tion’s attempt to open a radioactive waste dump at
Major Elements of the Initiative (Kern only):
Ward Valley.
*Applies to all county elected positions. *Limits
contributions by persons to $500 per candidate for
each election—primary, general or recall. *Limits
POSITIONS ON PROPOSITIONS contributions by political committees to $1,500 per
Statewide candidate for each election.
*Doubles contribution limits for candidates who
Prop 46: HOUSING BOND - Support accept voluntary expenditure ceilings: Individuals
Sierra Club California (SCC) supports Prop 46, could contribute $1,000 for each election; political
which will provide $2.1 billion for affordable committees $3,000.
housing, with a strong emphasis on infill develop- *Voluntary spending ceilings: Supervisors, $100,000
ment. primary, $150,000 general. County-wide, $200,000
Building affordable housing in existing urban primary, $250,000 general.
centers not only provides an antidote to land *Waives fee for ballot statement and identifies candi-
gobbling sprawl, but increases housing near job dates in the ballot pamphlet who accept the ceilings
centers, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and revitalizes on spending.
urban centers, all of which have social as well as *Enforcement action could be brought by citizens as
environmental benefits. well as the District Attorney with fines for violations
Prop. 46 includes new “smart growth” criteria of contribution limits.*Effective January 1, 2003.
for its largest program, the Multifamily Housing Benefits of the Initiative:
Program. It favors infill projects, adaptive reuse, and *Increases public trust in the election process and in
projects near public transit, schools, recreational county government itself. *Reduces the real or per-
facilities and job centers. ceived control monied special interests exert on de-
The net result is that Proposition 46 will fund the cisions of those elected. *Helps guarantee that all
development of some of the most environmentally citizens will have a fair and equal opportunity in
friendly housing in the State. electing county candidates. *Encourages candidates
Prop 50: CLEAN WATER - Support to seek broader grassroots support and to focus on
SCC supports Prop 50, the Clean Water and issues of concern to all voters. *Encourages more
Coastal Protection Bond of 2002. This 3.44 billion citizens to run for office. *Encourages citizens to
dollar bond, placed on the ballot by initiative, will participate in civic affairs with confidence that their
allow state and water management agencies to carry officials’ decisions are based on merit, public good.
out a wide range of resource protection projects and
water management programs that Sierra Club has
advocated and supported. These projects and
programs will help to protect and restore the state’s
natural resources and environmental quality.
The three broad categories are (1) water supply
and water quality protection - $2.110 billion
(2) coastal resource protection - $1.050 billion and
(3) inland resource protection - $280 million
This fund will help protect watershed, rivers, lakes,
and coastal water from pollution and sewage, re-
storing natural resources critical for our drinking
supplies and wildlife habitat.
Prop 51: Transportation Fund - Support
SCC has endorsed this Proposition, the Traffic
Congestion Relief & Safe School Bus Act. This
measure would allocate 30% of the state share of the
THE ROADRUNNER 3
and Merriam peaks, Gordon and Eva plied the lakes who meet with legislators, provide background and
for trout, and the rest of us blissfully explored the up-dates on legislation that affects the environment.
breathtaking alpine beauty. Dinner time found us Chapter delegates were Harry Love, Mary Ann Lock-
drooling as we eagerly watched Eva frying up the hart, and Chester Arthur. Joe Fontaine was also a
freshly caught trout, which was generously shared. voting participant.
Post-dinner entertainment was Tony Swan teaching Elections. The key discussion and debate centered
us east and west coast swing dancing on a granite on endorsements in the race for governor and
slab. environmental ballot propositions. (results on p. 1.)
Neither the McNally fire smoke nor mosquitos Water. Everything from sources of to uses of
could dampen our wilderness spirits. Many thanks to water was a major focus of attention, heightened by
Gordon and Eva for once again leading us into the our current drought. Our burgeoning population
high country! By Georgette Theotig demands that we adopt growth limitation boundaries
reflective of how much water is available for ad-
Meet some rare neighbors: ditional homes, especially in agricultural areas.
Other issues of concern addressed were Senator
VERY SPECIAL ONES Boxer’s Wilderness Bill and Giant Sequoia National
They can be very fancy dressers, wearing bright Monument Management Plan. Senator Feinstein still
red-orange and salmon outfits at some times of the has not supported this bill. Continued pressure is
year. needed. Please call (202.224.3121), or e-mail
They like the wide-open spaces of the valley floor, (senator@feinstein.senate.gov)
with some heading up a little ways into the foothills. Carla Cloer, from the Mineral King Group, spoke
They have been described as opportunistic when it eloquently on behalf of the Sequoia Monument and
comes to deciding what should be on their dinner the need for all Chapter members to take an active
table—grasshoppers, moths, crickets are their pri- role in analysis of the draft EIR, release date un-
mary “meat and potatoes” but any other animals known. When you hear about a local public meeting,
that will fit into their mouths add variety to their diet if at all possible, attend.
(it must be said, sometimes even their own young). After two days of intensive discussion, lobbying,
You might consider them a lazy lot as they spend and debate (along with social events), delegates and
several months of the year dozing away in their non-delegates return with new information and new
underground get-aways, get-aways they have taken tools with which to inform members, legislators, and,
over from squirrels and, if in the neighborhood, most importantly, the public. We are all reminded
kangaroo rats. Why dig when you don’t have to? But that the Club speaks for all people who want to see
when it is necessary, they can manage that also. our environmental heritage preserved.
Want to learn some new dance movements? Watch
these critters headbob (moving the head up and LOOKING AHEAD TO 2003
down, sort of like nodding, yes yes yes) and rocking There will be lots to do!
(moving the shoulders forward, to one side, back, to Sequoia National Monument Management Plan
the other side, repeat.) This lets the potential partner Dairies Clean Air Action
know you are interested! Is it worth a try? Tejon Ranch, in the valley (Laval Road, East)
Hard-to-find? Yes, but not because they want to in the mountains (Centennial City)
be. It just so happens that the lands on which they Fire Plans and more.
can live are being occupied by others (that’s you and Keep those telephones, computers, faxes, satellite
me and the plow). So now they have a new title after contacts, mental vibes—even pens and pencils at
their name. the ready. We will need them!
Look on page 6 for the answer and a portrait of
this creature.
The gift that provides pleasure all year long!
************************CA/ Sierra Club Calendars.
NEV CONSERVATION COM
SEPT 14-15, SAN LUIS OBISPO only $10.
Twice a year delegates from each chapter in Limited Supply
California and Nevada meet in San Luis Obispo to call georgette theotig now 661.822.4371
talk to other delegates, discuss conservation issues MIDGEBUZZINGS
within the state, and vote on policies for the Club to
take in legislation, elections, and local issues. It's a Until a few days ago I thought I was an outdoor
time to hear what others are doing, what tools they writer. But then I attended my first OWAC con-
use, what victories have been won and the fights that ference at Asilomar. Three days of being wined and
are on-going. Reports from Club’s staff, the ones dined and escorted about by superbly professional
THE ROADRUNNER 5
conference managers and their staff convinced me to returned we were treated to an epicurean feast
look into membership in the Outdoor Writers Asso- including hors d’oeuvres of clams, mussels and
ciation of California. oysters, and a main course from steaming pots of
As a total innocent, I could not at first grasp the crab and lobster—all eaten over the protection of a
reasoning behind the Lucullian accomodations for complimentary apron which Julia Child would envy.
OWAC members, and honestly considered calling The ghosts will rally and demand justification for
someone to come and get me before I became as the consumption of all that seafood after a visit to the
jaded by opulence as, say, a Congressman or a CEO. aquarium. But they’ll have to catch me first. I’m off
Four of us were given the Director’s Cottage: three to the Chesapeake Bay for a week of sailing. Ann W.
bedrooms with separate baths, a large living room
with fireplace laid and ready, and a fully supplied
SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF
kitchen. Windows opened to the sounds of roaring HENRY’S ACHIEVEMENTS
surf. That night we were taken to the Monterey This environmental crusader will be honored with
Aquarium for the new jellies display and then sent the dedication of a plaque in SHORT CANYON,
progressively from wine and cold cuts overlooking Sunday, November 3rd at 3:30 PM.
the bay, to an elegant restaurant featuring steak and To commemorate Mary Ann's many accomplish-
seafood, then to a charming nook in yet another ments in protecting the fragile desert she understands
gracious place for dessert. Meantime we were and loves, all are invited to join her and her family at
showered with gifts: a backpack filled with literature the ceremony in the canyon (directions below) and
on the local amenities, including a lovely trails book, the casual reception to follow at the Maturango
and loads of writing materials. All this time I was Museum in Ridgecrest.
surrounded by some of the most delightful people Her nearly twenty-year survey of the flora of
I’ve ever found collected in one group: funny, life- Short Canyon, where the desert meets the Southern
loving, and, as far as I could tell, without a smidgen Sierra Nevada Range, provided the basis for its
of professional jealously or snootiness. designation by BLM as an Area of Critical Environ-
At a meeting the next day, all became clear. A mental Concern. With over 300 species of plants, this
fascinating and well-known speaker, Peter Schroeder, canyon is a premier location of spring wildflowers
who is to outdoor writing what Galen Rowell was to attracting people from many states and countries.
photography, brought everything into focus and set In the 1970s Mary Ann conducted a five-year
the easily-greased wheels of my imagination spin- study of the endemic Eureka Sand Dunes grass,
ning. Here’s an example of what he does. He gets an which provides a wild gene pool for the grains of our
idea for a story about an upcoming skiing compe- nation. This helped lead to the closure of the dunes
tition in Switzerland. He approaches Swiss Air, lays to all vehicles.
out his idea, and asks for “comp” travel. Swiss Air, Short Canyon’s location: 15 miles of easy driving
delighted with his choice, provides him with free first northwest from the Maturango Museum will take you
class tickets going and returning. Similar arrange- to the mouth of the canyon (located behind Brady’s
ments are made with the best hotels and restaurants in Café where Highways 14 and 395 come together.)
the area of the event. Peter sets off with several Entrance to the canyon is at Leliter Rd. north of
cameras, notebooks and laptop. When he returns, he Brady’s (follow the signs.) The dirt road, passenger
writes so engagingly that his article is accepted, and car accessible, ends in a parking lot above the second
well remunerated, by a leading sports magazine. aqueduct.
Hundreds of people read his story and arrange to The dedication ceremony will take place at the
travel to the same place—only they pay plenty for west end of the parking lot near the trailhead. At its
Swiss Air, the restaurants and the hotels. Everybody conclusion everyone is encouraged to go to the
wins, and opulence is transformed to virtue. When I reception at the Maturango Museum to enjoy more
understood this, I could actually hear, at the back of an opportunity in comfortable surroundings to
door of my mind, little jibberings and squeaks as the visit with Mary Ann and each other. The Museum is
ghosts of my Chapel Welsh ancestors fell off the step located at the corner of China Lake (Business Hwy
and plunged into darkness—gone, at least for now. 178) and Las Flores Ave. (100 E. Las Flores Ave.,
My gosh, I’m only sixty-eight. I have a lifetime of Ridgecrest, CA 93555) - Tel. 760.375.6900 -
writing ahead of me. As for fear of flying, the
prospect of free first class tickets lays it to rest with
those stiff-necked spooks.
The following day the Director’s Cottage Four
were whipped away by tour masters for exquisite
experiences in the environs of Monterey and Carmel,
Big Sur, Point Lobos, and the sea itself. When we
6 THE ROADRUNNER
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