Loma Prieta Chapter's eNewsletter: December, Volume 1
December 9, 2023
YOU Can Make a Difference; Read How in This eNewsletter
► Final reminder to vote for Executive Committee members.
► Become a local environmental changemaker through our annual $15,000 match challenge.
► Read our joint letter regarding concerns for the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Enhancement Project.
► Attend our next Forest Protection Forum on December 11th.
► Take a hike! See the comprehensive list of activities available with your chapter into early January.
Executive Committee Elections Final Reminder
Dec 15 deadline. This is the final reminder to VOTE for the next members of the Loma Prieta Chapter and Group Executive Committees. Thank you to those that already voted!
Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and oldest grassroots environmental organization, is proudly democratic and member-driven. The at-large delegates you elect, along with the local Group delegates that represent geographic regions, direct the work of our Chapter. Those elected will start their two-year term in January 2024.
Only once a year, your Chapter sends a unique postal packet inviting you to become a local environmental changemaker. If you are able, we hope you have already explored its contents! Again a generous donor has offered a dollar-for-dollar match, so your gift can go twice as far for our local environment. Learn more.
Joint Comment Letter: Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Millbrae and Burlingame Shoreline Area Enhancement Project
The Bay Alive Campaign joined Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, Center for Biological Diversity, Sequoia Audubon Society, Green Foothills, and SF Baykeeper in objecting to a proposal by OneShoreline to create a 2.65 mile offshore flood protection barrier off the Millbrae/Burlingame Bay coast. Our joint letter highlights serious flaws in the selection process for a preferred project, raises major feasibility concerns due to inadequate consultation with regulatory agencies and stakeholders, and highlights problematic water quality issues and potential harm to wildlife and recreation opportunities.
Our Chapter Bay Alive team also submitted detailed comments about the necessary scope of environmental review for this project to move forward.
Comment Letter: Sea Level Rise Guidance to DTSC Project Managers for Cleanup Activities
As sea levels rise worldwide due to climate change, the San Francisco Bay will experience increased flooding along its shorelines, as well as groundwater rising in some areas. These impacts will not only increase the risk of property damage and the loss of wetlands critical to Bay ecology and climate mitigation capacity, but can also transport hazardous chemicals from old industrial sites ringing the Bay, posing a health risk to residents and Bay ecosystems alike. A 2012 White Paper from the California Energy Commission’s California Climate Change Center identified more than 200 hazardous waste sites along the Bayshore that will be in a 100-year flood zone with a 3-foot sea level rise. Read the full comment letter.
Point Molate’s Victory in Court Puts a Regional Park in Sight
Two years ago, our Bay Advocacy Program showcased Point Molate, Richmond, as a successful model of community and environmental collaboration. Now, a significant legal victory positions Point Molate closer to becoming a regional park, overturning the City of Richmond's project approvals due to deficiencies in the environmental impact report for a luxury housing development. Despite a minor challenge from a previous settlement agreement, this court decision boosts the East Bay Regional Park District's chances of acquiring the site. It signifies a pivotal step towards realizing a vision of community green space, biodiversity protection, and resilience for Richmond. Read more.
Newark Wetlands are at Risk
“Climate activists are pushing back on a contentious shoreline housing project in the South Bay city of Newark. By building there, the activists believe, the city will miss an opportunity to restore sensitive wetlands and areas for them to migrate to as seas rise.
Marshes are the region’s first line of defense against rising seas, and the Bay Area has just 15% of its wetlands left. Environmental advocates want these ecosystems protected.”
How can local cities and residents use nature-basedadaptations to sea level rise? Watch recordings of our webinar series with SF Bay experts and please share with your local elected officials.
Basic/Wilderness First Aid Courses
Saturday, December 9th Sunday, December 10th 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Peninsula Conservation Center
Certification provided by the National Association for Search and Rescue, is valid for two years, and is included in the course fee. Textbook NOT included. There are two training options. 1) Basic Wilderness First Aid: Saturday only; $50 for Sierra Club members; $60 for non-members. 2) Wilderness First Aid: both days; $80 for Sierra Club members; $100 for non-members. Register today!
Opposing a Proposed Project in Coyote Valley
On November 30th, your Loma Prieta Chapter in collaboration with residents and environmental organizations including Green Foothills and Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, spoke in opposition of the Heritage Oaks Memorial Park Project which is proposed in Coyote Valley. This project could fragment wildlife habitat and impede the vulnerable wildlife corridor between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range.
Comment Letter: Valley Water Community Outreach Plan
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and Sierra Club California have been submitting comments to and meeting with Santa Clara Valley Water District regarding the Valley Water Community Outreach Plan since April 2023. We recently submitted a comment letter with general recommendations, as well as recommendations for the Water Supply Master Plan and Delta Conveyance Plan.
Global Bioenergy Sector’s Targeting of California’s Forests With Massive Wood Export Pellet Scheme Monday, December 11th, 4:00 pm
Gary Hughes, American Program Coordinator for BiofuelWatch, will present at the next Forest Protection Forum. Learn more and register.
The monthly Forum is sponsored by Sierra Club's Stop Clearcutting CA campaign, the chairman of which is Loma Prieta’s Karen Maki. If you are interested in joining the team, contact forests@lomaprieta.sierraclub.org.
Comment Letter: Public Health Risks of Artificial Turf
Recently the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter received a copy of a letter dated November 9, 2023, addressed to the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. It was from the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department on the Public Health Risks of Artificial Turf.
The Sierra Club is interested in environmentally related public health impacts of artificial turf. However, reading this letter left us quite concerned as it does not reflect the most current findings regarding artificial turf. Read the full letter.
Tuesday, December 19th
7:00 - 8:00 pm Virtual Presentation
Join us for an evening with Keith Gale, a twenty-two-year veteran of the National Ski Patrol located at Pinecrest, CA. Keith will be speaking on the current snowpack and avalanche hazards and a quick overview of the current fatalities. He’ll discuss the AVY 1 curriculum that he’ll be teaching via Zoom, January 30 & February 1 and some dates in February for the field instruction, and March 9-10 (Donner/Castle Peak area). Learn more.
The updated Housing Element (HE) has some important improvements. But some final adjustments will further strengthen this important HE with regards to encouraging more affordable housing and allowing for more greening of the city. The HE assumes that the Land Use Designation High II is not going to be used. We have maintained that High II should be included in the HE, though only in limited areas and only near transit. Its higher density and height are good tools to increase affordable housing, as a required community benefit, and to do it in an environmentally positive way by requiring green open space on the site. Read the full comment letter.
Interview of Kristina Loquist
Congratulations to Kristina Loquist, who has been a valuable and trusted resource for the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, on receiving the Chapter's first Guardians of Nature Award for Outstanding Service by a Public Official's Staff Member! In an interview, I had the chance to talk to her about her background and work with local environmental organizations and her advice for others that want to volunteer and make this world a better place. Read the full interview.
Connecting with Conservation in San Benito County
Chapter members, Lisa Barboza and Katja Irvin, attended the October Pajaro Compass Network Fall Stakeholder Meeting. Held at the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust’s Nyland Property, the meeting offered conservation education and an opportunity to maintain connections with the environmental community in San Benito County.
There's an abundance of learning available through the 30x30 network in California. The SCLP 30x30 Task Force attends several a month. To participate in Native American Heritage Month, the SCLP 30x30 Task Force attended two webinars to deepen understanding of respectful Tribal engagement. Additional webinars attended focused on wildlife crossings and Marine Protected Areas and Climate Change.
Water Committee Needs a Chairperson (or Chairpeople)!
The Water Committee (which is actually a subcommittee of the Conservation Committee) needs a new chairperson as our long-time chair Katja Irvin moves on to serve as Conservation Chair for the Guadalupe Regional Group. Co-chair Carol Steinfeld will stay on to help the new chair. Duties involve facilitating the monthly meeting and compiling the agenda as well as speaking at water agency meetings as appropriate. But all of this is negotiable! Join our next meeting in January to learn more or contact Carol at water@lomaprieta.sierraclub.org.
Breeze of Innovation Light Tower Survey
Most of you know that our bird populations are in deep trouble. Recent reports indicate that more than 30% of USA bird populations have been lost since 1970. One cause is urban lighting. Urban light has a strongly negative effect on the migrations of birds and insects; a few weeks ago, in Chicago, more than 1000 birds were killed in a single evening, as reported in the Atlantic and New York Times.
This is your town. Here’s what you can do to stop this senseless destruction of our bird population: Please respond to the San Jose Light Tower Corp survey. Read more.
A Presence with Posters!
The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter (SCLP) sent posters to have a presence at the 30x30 Statewide Partnership Gathering in October, 2023, in Riverside, California, and our SCLP 30x30 Task Force recommended that the Straw Program / Point Blue Conservation Science submit their successful work with students at the Power in Nature poster session.
One of the best ways to safeguard a thriving and just future is by ensuring that your Loma Prieta Chapter remains a champion for the environment of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties. Naming us as a beneficiary in your bequest will provide meaningful and enduring resources that will allow continued local and powerful environmental activism.
Please contact our Chapter Development Coordinator Justyna Guterman for the specific language for your estate planning and/or read more here. For additional information about planning a bequest please contact Julia Curtis, (800) 932-4270.
Your connection: Newsom’s California Public Utilities Commission once more sides with PG&E against the climate, as expected. You can take action by volunteering with Climate Action Leadership Team and/or ELA.
"Under the new rules, “schools will not be permitted to generate their own power any longer. Instead, they’ll be forced to buy their own solar back from utilities at full price,” said Sasha Horwitz, a legislative advocate at the Los Angeles Unified School District. He said the changes would make it harder for the school district to achieve its 100% clean energy goal, “hurting our ability to reduce emissions, electrify our schools and invest in safe, healthy learning environments for our children.”"
Your connection: The alternative to the gouging mismanaged utilities are the Community Choice Aggregations like Peninsula Clean Energy and our work with them to rapidly transition to 100% renewables through Climate Action Leadership Team. Learn more about our Climate Action Leadership Team.
Your connection: They are not sure why. Probably pandemic and work from home related. Our Sustainable Land Use Committee is working on compact walkable communities if members want to volunteer. Learn more about our Sustainable Land Use Committee.
Your connection: In all cases, the emissions of the top 10% are as high as those of at least the bottom 50%. Transport, especially car use, is a major factor in the sky-high emissions of the richest 10%, with these emissions 20-40 times higher than the transport emissions of the poorest 10% in the countries analysed. Our Sustainable Land Use Committee is working on this with 15 minute cities and Paris Aligned Buildings. Companion article:Richest 1% account for more carbon emissions than poorest 66%, report says
Photographers, see the great images in our Chapter Annual Summaries and help protect local nature with your images! Share with us your high-resolution photos of local nature, with or without people, to inspire local residents to support Loma Prieta Chapter work. Please contact Chapter Development Coordinator Justyna Guterman.
