May 2021 Meeting Minutes

The Sierra Club - Lehigh Valley Group Executive Committee
Monday May 10, 2021 7:00 PM
Virtual meeting using Zoom
MINUTES

Executive Committee Members:  Matthew MacConnell, Doug Roysdon, Nanci McGonigal, Al Wurth, Marilyn Jordan

Guests:  Courtney David, Robyn Shumbris, Trish___ Donna Cohut (Penn Future)

Welcome visitors and introductions:
Guests introduced themselves. The Executive committee introduced themselves and their positions on the ExCom.

Conservation Reports (Matt MacConnell)

  • P2.5 air pollution. Matt displayed the website https://www.purpleair.com/ which shows PN2.5 particulate air pollution. High levels are found only in limited areas, such as where exhaust from diesel trucks is concentrated, and where a homeowner is burning wood.  Matt installed monitors at four locations. Two are not working (technical problems). The purpose of “purple.air” is to get public and political engagement. Perhaps a university student could analyze the data and develop it further. Matt commented that our Illick’s Mill public meeting about trucks and warehouses led to getting the purple air probes. Matt wants to place a probe downwind of a cement plant or factories. Doug wants to have a program on Air Quality in the Lehigh Valley at the Ice House, but would need help.
  • Tree planting at Jordan Creek in Trexler Preserve. Matt wants to arrange a field trip for volunteers to see how the planted trees are growing, and to remove plastic tubes.
  • Buck Mountain2 Acid Mine Drainage Remediation. Matt explained the long standing and frustrating problems that prevent him from getting permission to access the repaired limestone remediation bed that  should be neutralizing acid mine drainage. Leaks were repaired and need to be checked. He wants to repeat his previous testing of pH and aluminum in Buck Mountain Creek from the mine drainage source all the way to the Lehigh River. Robyn volunteered to help with friends and family. Al asked if State Parks knows about the problem, and also candidates for Township commission. Robyn said white water kayakers are also a constituency for clean water.
  • Ricky Park wetland. Weeds are appearing in the wetland the Sierra Club created. Signage is needed and Matt is hoping for volunteers.
  • Lehigh River: The two water quality monitors in the Lehigh River at Palmerton and Laurys Station both need battery replacement.

Green Hills Walkability Project  (Courtney David)

  • Courtney presented her plan for improving walkability in Green Hills in Orefield. Residents in a housing project are forced to walk along Tilgman Street in order to get to the Green Hills Commerce Center. There is no sidewalk along Tilgman Street which makes walking dangerous. Counrtney displayed a map and pointed out how creating a walkway and a trail along the Norfolk southern rail line and Chapman Road would provide a safe way to walk.
  • Matt advised Courtney on how to proceed with various steps. Al Wurth suggested talking to the two candidates for Township Commissioner. Doug advised contacting community groups.

Web page update (Nanci Mcgonigal) Dave Reber sent material for the web page. Al Wurth provided information about primary candidates for all positions.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Our next meeting will be on June14, 2021

Minutes by Marilyn Jordan