Linda Smithe, Executive Committee Chair, cooling off
Dear Riley,
CHAIR CHAT
It’s Summer!! Get out there and have some fun!
Greetings,
I have been asked, “Why we are called ‘Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group’?”
One reason is because Sierra Club practices the “One Club Policy,” which means that Club leaders have an obligation to meet several affirmative standards of conduct. One of those standards is that the title “Sierra Club” always comes first when naming a Group. That explains the first part of our name.
What about “Loxahatchee Group,” the second part of our name? Some might erroneously assume that Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group got its name from Loxahatchee, FL, which is an unincorporated part of Palm Beach County, or perhaps from developments, such as Loxahatchee Groves.
None of those are correct. Rather, the name sprang from one of the earliest actions our Group focused on.
Our initially small group of volunteers worked hard to get the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter to be recognized as a Federally-designated Wild and Scenic River in the early 1980s. And for a decade or so after that, Loxahatchee Group volunteers spent countless hours on cleanup trips on the river to get it as pristine as it looks today. The success of these actions instilled a great deal of pride to our newly formed Group and, thus, “Loxahatchee” was adopted as our group name.
The Sierra Club “One Club Policy” also includes the following key guidelines:
• Communicate and work together with common courtesy and collegial respect.
• Create a welcoming environment for new members, visitors, guests, staff and volunteers.
• Always represent the Club and its mission in a positive and professional manner.
• Accurately present the Club’s policies and positions when communicating on behalf of the Club.
• Respect your obligation to the Club’s members
• Use Club resources wisely and in keeping with the fiduciary responsibility of all leaders.
• Foster an open democratic decision-making process.
• Respect the policies and procedures that have been established by and for members engaged in specific Club activities.
We are one of 16 Groups within the Sierra Club Florida Chapter.
If you are having trouble reading your Turtle Tracks in your email, try clicking on “View as a Webpage”.
Loxahatchee Group members Sabrina and Randy Carle at the scene protesting Alligator Alcatraz
On June 19, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a plan to build a massive ICE facility in the heart of the Everglades — a project dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — on the very site where Marjory Stoneman Douglas and the growing Everglades Restoration movement defeated the infamous Everglades Jetport in 1970.
In response, hundreds of activists from across the state rallied at the site, sending a powerful, unmistakable message: “No Alligator Alcatraz!”
But the state has ignored the protests, overridden local authority and started construction — despite serious environmental concerns raised by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the fact that the land is owned by the county.
Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” ICE facility would devastate a vital part of the Everglades — undoing decades of restoration progress and wasting billions of taxpayer dollars already invested in preserving this unique ecosystem.
On-site protests are continuing and lawsuits have been filed, but the project continues.
What to do?
Protest in person if you can. The address is 54575 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL.
Presented by: Javier Estevez, FL Chapter Political and Legislative Director
Program: Join us for a wrap-up of the good, the bad, and the unknown from the 2025 Legislative Session
Where: Zoom: The Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register
Javier Estevez has been with Sierra Club Florida since 2022, previously serving as the organization’s Operations & Legislative Coordinator, he is now the Chapter’s Political and Legislative Director. Born and raised in Miami, Javier brings a wealth of experience to his role, including a run for Florida State House in 2018 and service as his local party’s Legislative Liaison and Campaign Chair from 2019-2021.
Please consider financial support for the Sierra Club
You can donate on the local, state or national level.
You can make it a one-time or a recurring payment.
Your donations allow us to do what we do.
There are three ways to help us financially.
1. Our personal favorite! You can donate directly to our local Loxahatchee Group. Make it a one-time donation or a recurring monthly or annual donation. Set it and forget it! All your hard-working dollars are spent within Palm Beach, Martin, St Lucie, and Okeechobee counties.
OR
2. You can donate to the Florida Chapter either as a recurring monthly donor or just once. This supports statewide issues, which include protecting Florida's wetlands, waterways, and wildlife, securing a clean energy future for everyone, and preserving our state parks.
OR
3. You can explore Ways to Give on the National Sierra Club website. A donation here supports national issues. The Sierra Club is on the frontlines of the fight for a safer, cleaner, healthier future for all.
Note: Contributions, donations, gifts, and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. They support our effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. The Sierra Club Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(4) organization.
Southland Rock Mine Project: Unfortunately Approved by Palm Beach County Commissioners
Gail Ladd
Pam Maldonado
Chris McVoy
Sheila Calderon
Linda Smithe
Sierra Club Florida Chapter staff member Marcelo Balladares
By Linda Smithe, Chair, Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Executive Committee
On May 22, Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group volunteers and others strongly urged Palm Beach County Commissioners to wait for a South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) evaluation of the Southland Rock Mine Project before making any decisions or taking a vote on the project. We were joined by Sierra Club Florida staff members and almost 100 others from Friends of the Everglades, Captains for Clean Water, Everglades Audubon, Sustainable Palm Beach, and other groups.
The commissioners’ vote to ignore us and approve the project was 6-0.
Our stance is that the Southland Rock Mine Project should be thoroughly reviewed by professionals prior to any vote by the PBC Board of Commissioners in order to eliminate potential risks to the Everglades. We believe any decisions affecting this vital ecosystem must be made in a way that is consistent with state and federal law and the goals of Everglades Restoration.
We objected to a vote now for the following reasons:
· The project violates Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan, which strictly limits mining in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Mining is permitted only for specific purposes, such as supporting public roadway projects, agricultural activities, or water management initiatives related to ecosystem restoration, regional water supply, or flood protection. Florida’s 4th District Court of Appeals has upheld this interpretation, affirming that general commercial mining is not allowed in the EAA.
· The Southland Project would be situated directly adjacent to the EAA Reservoir and Storm Water Treatment Area. The potential for mining to alter the area’s hydrology is a significant concern. Any project must be subjected to the most rigorous scrutiny to prevent compromising these restoration investments.
· The Southland Project is under review by SFWMD as an unsolicited proposal under Section 255.065 of Florida Statutes and the full process could take a year. The project has not been placed on the agenda of the SFWMD Governing Board.
· Lack of Water Quality Treatment: The proposal does not include any meaningful water quality component, despite claims made by the applicant. The most pressing need in the EAA right now is improved water quality treatment.
· Rushing approval of the Southland Project could have unintended environmental, legal, and financial consequences. There was no reason to rush the County’s approval.
Given the significant environmental risks involved, Palm Beach County Commissioners should have based their decisions on sound science and in full alignment with the goals of Everglades Restoration. Unfortunately, the commissioners were convinced that they had to approve first, before an SFWMD evaluation, which is wrong in our opinion.
Linda Smithe Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group, Executive Committee Chair destinationloop@gmail.com Jupiter, FL 33458
Palm Beach County Residents Deserve Milani Park
Milani Park Site Plan by Brooks Scarpa Landscape Architects, LLC
Palm Beach County Commissioners are considering halting the much-needed Milani Park project in Highland Beach, a project in which it has already invested $6.5 million.
This park project started decades ago when the Milani family sold the property to the county with the agreement that it be used for a park, with construction allowed to start as late as 2030. The project languished for years until 2022, when Commissioner Marci Woodward took office and made taking action on it a priority.
The project has long been opposed by neighboring Highland Beach residents who fear that their private beaches will be compromised by the existence of a nearby public park. However, the town of Highland Beach and the county reached an agreement recently and landscape architects have completed a design of the park space that eliminates invasive vegetation, promotes natives, includes an over-arching tree canopy and boardwalks for enjoying the natural area that leads up to the beach.
Unfortunately, the project took a turn recently as the Milani family spoke up to say they are no longer in favor of a park on their former property. They regret the dissension the plans have caused within their former neighborhood.
None of the recent convoluted twists in this long saga change the fact that this county needs additional public beach access for its citizens.
According to “Discover the Palm Beaches,” the beaches play a crucial role in the tourism economy, contributing significantly to the local economy through various means. The Tourist Development Tax, which is paid for by visitors and not by residents, is reinvested in destination promotion efforts that attract more visitors. This cycle generates jobs that fuel local businesses and support critical public services. The tax revenue supports beach restorations, cultural programs, and new facilities, ensuring that the beaches remain a vital part of the tourism industry's contribution to the county’s economy.
There are over 1.5 million residents in Palm Beach County. The vast majority don’t have private beach access. County residents have already invested a great deal of time and money in facilitating this project for the public good and enjoyment.
If you are a Palm Beach County resident and want to have an opportunity to go to the beach in the future contact the Palm Beach Commissioners and tell them, “I want more beach access not less!”
Linda Smithe, Loxahatchee Group Executive Committee Chair
Palm Beach County’s Proposed Waste Incinerator: A Major Setback for a Sustainable Future in South Florida
By Keili Mader, Conservation and Resource Studies, Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, and Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group Student Leader
In late 2024, Palm Beach County announced plans to replace its aging Renewable Energy Facility (REF 1) with a new “waste-to-energy” incinerator. Operating since 1989, REF 1 uses older technology and is less cost-effective for producing energy. Replacing REF 1 with a new incinerator that matches the county’s second newer incinerator, REF 2, would cost an estimated $1.5 billion. The Solid Waste Authority (SWA) claims this is necessary to handle growing trash volumes.
However, this massive investment would lock Palm Beach County into an outdated solution that harms public health and the environment.
According to the Energy Justice Network, incinerators release toxic pollutants into the air, such as dioxins, mercury, cadmium, and hydrochloric acid. Exposure to these chemicals is directly linked to cancer, asthma, and developmental and reproductive issues. Sixty-three per cent of residents within 2.5 miles of the proposed location are people of color, exposing these neighborhoods to a higher risk of these health issues. If built, the new incinerator would likely burn trash from other counties as well, turning Palm Beach into South Florida’s dumping ground.
Misleadingly labeled as a “waste-to-energy” facility, the proposed new incinerator would only recover a small fraction of energy from the trash. Incineration is the most expensive and polluting way to handle waste or produce electricity; it is much less harmful to ship waste to landfills than to poison the air.
It’s evident that the investment of a new trash incinerator would create lasting environmental and health issues in the community and keep South Florida from enjoying a cleaner, sustainable future. Instead, Palm Beach County should consider investing in better recycling, composting, and zero-waste programs to reduce landfill waste. These alternatives would be cheaper, more sustainable, and safer for residents.
For more information, refer to the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group commissioned report by the Energy Justice Network, "It's Not Easy Being Green"
The Loxahatchee Group is seeking applicants for its Fall 2025 Advocacy Intern Program (unpaid). The application deadline is July 21 and successful applicants will be notified by July 31. The internship term is flexible, but roughly August 18 through December 10.
Come along to a great event and donate a few hours helping us at our information table. It’s the Garden Fair Event on Saturday, August 16, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, at the Acreage Branch Library: 15801 Orange Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL.
We would love to have you join us and be a part of such an exciting event! No experience needed. You’ll work with other volunteers at our information table, handing out Sierra Club literature and answering easy questions. All you need is your smiling face!
This half-day event will be packed with exciting activities, informative gardening talks, yummy fruit tastings, and a variety of donated seeds, cuttings, and plants for everyone to take home.
For more information or to volunteer contact Glenn Laufer, Glenn Laufer
Solar United Neighbors - Still going strong
The Switch Together Program is now available! This is still a group-purchasing program for residents and business owners, but it is on a much larger scale than the solar co-ops were. This program is currently open to residents primarily in Palm Beach and Broward County, and also some of the surrounding counties.
Switch Together is a group-buying program offered by local governments and national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors. It makes it more affordable for you to install solar panels with significant discounts. Optional add-ons such as battery storage and electric vehicle chargers are also available through the program. Switch Together offers free educational webinars and in-person events to explain the process and benefits of going solar.
Switch Together conducts a rigorous review of installer qualifications, ensuring participants receive a high-quality installation from a trusted installer.
Through the current program, the average household is expected to save $9,192 on a high-quality solar installation. The 30% federal solar tax credit can further reduce system costs, making solar energy more accessible than ever before. It is free to register, and there is no obligation to purchase a system.
Michelle Dunaway is now a Florida Master Naturalist!
She said that the Coastal Systems content was hard, but she persevered.
Gail Ladd, left, and Maria Pizano-Balatovis participated in local NO KINGS events.
Maria, left, also attended a bear hunt protest in Palm Beach Gardens.
Zara and Chuck Brenner, right, pitched in at the Blowing Rocks Preserve on June 8, World Ocean Day.
Zara Brenner (far left) and Linda Smithe (second from right) volunteered at a Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management cleanup event at Juno Dunes Natural Area on May 21. They helped remove 1,560 pounds of trash. Thanks to everyone for working so hard to keep this natural treasure clean and green.
Zara Brenner (4th from right) and Sabrina Carle (far right) and other volunteers helped the Department of Environmental Resources Management remove 200 pounds of trash and invasive nonnative Caesarweed from the 548-acre Winding Waters Natural area in West Palm Beach on April 24.
SIERRA CLUB BROWARD GROUP HAPPENINGS
Suzee Bailey
Broward Group General Meeting on July 10: In Person or Virtual
When: Thursday July 10. 6:30 p.m. in person, 6:45 p.m. via Zoom
Presenter: Suzee Bailey, Founder of Residents for Resiliency
Topic: Highlighting the four critical water issues that Residents for Resiliency aims to bring to the forefront of public awareness: Safe Clean Drinking Water, Flood Mitigation, Storm Resiliency, and Restoring the Health of our Priceless Waterways.
Broward Group Film Series
The Sierra Club Broward Group, in collaboration with the League of Women Voters, Climate Reality Project, and Broward Public Libraries, will present four fantastic films for public screening.
The next in the Eco Shift Environmental Film Series 2025 will be the screening of “Phosfate” on Saturday August 23, 2 to 5 PM, at the North Regional Broward College Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33066.
Documentary Filmmaker Erik E. Crown joins local water activists to investigate accelerated cancer rates and other illnesses in central Florida communities, tracing the source to phosphate mining. A panel discussion will follow the film. You must register to attend
Broward Group Outings
Saturday, August 2, 9:30 AM – Paddling the Middle River-Wilton Manors Loop. Paddle a 7-mile loop through an urban environment with some wildlife viewing. Kayak rentals available. Leader: Max Goldstein, 954-296-3411. You must register
Saturday, September 6, 8:30 PM – Evening Turtle Hatchling Walk in Pompano Beach. Casual walk along the beach to learn about turtle nesting and possibly encounter a nest with active hatchlings. Leader Jordan Holaday, 732-912-1800. You must register
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