Help us continue our efforts by supporting SSJ Sierra Club locally with a year-end contribution. Due to our impactful advocacy, donations are not tax deductible.
Please join us on Wed., Dec. 6 at 6:00 PM at Cypress & Grove Brewery for the Holiday Potluck & Wacky Auction. It's the time of year to celebrate with good food and friends.
The Wacky Auction begins with everyone bringing gently used (or new) items that they wish to part with to the party.
During the evening, our Wacky Auctioneer will auction off these items and help us raise money to benefit the Suwannee-St Johns Group.
Share the fun and festivities and go home with your own Wacky Auction item.
Sierra Club Suwannee-St Johns Group Executive Committee requests the Alachua County Commission deny the extension of the Special Use Permit for the Florence C&D Landfill. Approval of this permit would allow the operation to increase in height, nearly doubling the current height of the facility, which operates without a liner, in violation of "design requirements" in FAC Rule: 62-701.730.
· This site was never properly designed to serve as a C&D landfill. Historically, this site was first permitted an excavation facility called Feagle Fill Dirt (FFD) and according to records FFD had been illegally dumping on the land from the late 1960’s-1983.
When the Department of Environmental Review enforced a closure plan, FFD claimed economic hardship, with the inability to complete the closure plan, unless they were allowed to continue charging for dumping. The FFD operators filed for a variance requesting all regulations that prohibit disposal of inert materials, specifically road construction debris, in standing water.
· Water quality and public health for neighboring residents is threatened by continued use of this unlined construction and demolition debris landfill.
· Records of the pollution plume from the facility demonstrate the flow moving towards Boulware Springs and Paynes Prairie, both important public resources.
· There is no requirement to continue the use of Florence C&D Landfill. A recent presentation from the Alachua County staff shared information that shows the present waste sites for disposal have at least 20 years of life, without the Florence C&D Landfill. This provides enough time for zero waste programs to come online to assist with appropriate waste reuse and recycling of these materials.
“Zero Waste” is the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
· By disproportionally burdening Southeast Gainesville residents, a predominately Black community, with the noise, dust, and pollution associated with C&D waste greatly hinders efforts to attract both safe and clean investments into this neighborhood.
The residents of Southeast Gainesville have been subjected to the noise, dust, and pollution from this landfill for more than 50 years. This is an environmental injustice that our community must make right.
To protect the health and safety of Southeast Gainesville residents, and to preserve water quality throughout Alachua County, we respectfully ask that the Alachua County Commission deny the Special Use Permit for the Florence C&D Landfill.
Photo Credit: Sarah Younger
Party for the People:
Energy Justice, GRU and What You Can Do!
By: David Hastings
The SSJ Energy and Climate Action Team (ECAT) and Sierra Club Florida led an exceptionally successful meeting on November 9. The meeting was titled "Party for the People: Energy Justice, GRU and What You Can Do!"
You likely know that legislation passed last spring transferred control of Gainesville's municipal utility (GRU), owned by the City, to a state appointed authority. While community groups are challenging this in court, the Energy and Climate Action Team is exploring ways to continue our goal for reducing our use of fossil gas and increasing clean renewable energy.
We formed three Working Groups to explore ways to effectively respond to this change and work toward our clean energy goals: the GRU Response Team, the Empower Support Team and the Social Media Team. If you want to join us in taking action, contact Jyoti Parmar at jyoti.parmar@sierraclub.org or 352-641-0095.
We are also working with GRU in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to plan our future energy resources. Renewable energy and increased energy efficiency or fossil gas?
Photo Credit: Sarah Younger
To finish off the party, we enjoyed eating banana splits and took turns taking swings at the Cluck Clemons pinata!
Join the fun and explore local answers to a global question as we create and expand on solutions in N. Central Florida. Come work with us on Clean Energy, Energy Justice, and Energy Equity!
Our next ECAT meetings are Monday December 4th and Dec 18th 5:00-6:30 PM
Alachua County Levada Brown Recycling Center
Have you ever wondered what happens to those milk jugs, newspaper, tin cans and plastic containers you throw into the blue and orange bins? Find out where these recycled materials go once they leave your home. No matter how much you know about environmental issues, you will be impressed, amazed and startled to see how one of the best counties in FL handles waste and recycling.
The tour will last about an hour. The following items will be covered:
A brief history of solid waste management in Alachua County
How various waste materials are disposed of in Alachua County
What items can be recycled in Alachua County
How recyclables are processed
How to properly dispose of hazardous materials
Leaders: David Hastings and County staff from the recycling center
Photo Credit: Jon Brainard
On Saturday, October 28, gardeners from the Dunnellon Community Garden visited the Garden Doctor Teaching Farm. Owner operator, Kevin Gunter (pictured above in orange coveralls), shared about permaculture, growing vegetables, and aquaculture.
ICO Rim Ramble at Payne's Prairie
By: Michelle Rutledge
The Gainesville ICO recently participated in the Ranger-Led Adventure! Rim Ramble Hike at Paynes Prairie. Paynes Prairie is described as a natural feature that is biologically, geologically, and historically unique. The Prairie's relationship to people past, present, and future is an important one and relevant local history was shared by the ranger during the hike.
Photo Credit: Michelle Rutledge
The group hiked a 1.5 mile trail through a dense upland forest and sinkhole rich terrain. Although the morning began with rain showers, the weather during the hike was perfect and the clouds provided some cover to keep the temperature mild. Upcoming ranger-led hikes can be found on the Friends of Paynes Prairie website at https://prairiefriends.org/
Photo Credit: Maryvonne Devensky
We support the mission, programs and goals of Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park through fundraising, outreach, education, and volunteerism.
Many thanks also to the ICO Leaders for volunteering your time. Inspiring Connections Outdoors (ICO) provides safe and fun outdoor experiences for youth from underserved communities. ICO is part of the Sierra Club's Outdoors for All campaign, which works to expand universal access to nature for children and youth. If there is interest in volunteering as an ICO leader, please contact our Gainesville ICO chair, Sarah Younger at ssjsierra@gmail.com.
Election Schedule for SSJ Executive Committee
SSJ Executive Committee (ExCom) consists of seven members, and five of these seats are up for election this year. For Sierra Club members in good standing, look for an email with instructions on casting your electronic ballot.
Oct 2nd- Nominations Due
Oct 23rd- Petition Candidate deadline (additional candidates can petition to be on the ballot by providing signatures of at least 25 members)
Nov 13th- Voting begins
Dec 18th- Voting ends
Jan 2024 - Newly elected SSJ Executive Committee members term begins
Any questions or concerns about your ballot please contact Joanne Tremblay at jojohighsprings@gmail.com.
SSJ "Best of the Season" Nature Photo Contest
Do you enjoy taking photos while exploring the great outdoors? Share your best nature photo taken this winter by uploading it to the Sierra Club SSJ Nature Photo Contest. The entries will be judged for uniqueness, composition and quality, and must be original.
The requested format is a square photo of good quality (800 pixels X 800 pixels). Winning entries will be featured on the Sierra Club SSJ website, newsletter, and social media. Additional prizes will be announced as the competition grows with more sponsors.
