Editor’s note: We continue with the Jim Hines Chronicles, which reflect the emails by our premier lobbyist on the ins and outs of environmental activism and its opponents. This covers the last two months (June-July). Jim is our Chapter and Ventura Network vice-chair and a conservation leader who belongs to many wildlife groups and is available as a speaker.
By Jim Hines
July 26: Underwater cities inundated from sea level rise in 2050 include those in our chapter areas of Isla Vista, city of Carpinteria and Pt. Mugu Naval Base. Data from The Hill, complete with an interactive map. Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/AreasFlooded2050
July 25: At my weekly phone meeting with a senior staffer of Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), I voiced my concerns over his policies regarding national forest management. Manchin opposes new Biden Administration rules which consider the impact of climate change on national forests and seeks to reduce man-made and mechanical methods to manage our national forest lands and instead allow natural processes to occur. Our Los Padres National Forest is planning massive forest thinning and brushing projects which I believe would destroy much of the natural vegetation which controls erosion and protects the life-giving community watersheds and critical habitat for endangered species.
July 20: After years of chasing famed U2 rock guitarist David Evan (aka The Edge) from coastal commission meetings and then finally our successful lawsuit in Los Angeles court, Edge has now indicated that he will consider selling the property to the state. We urge the Governor to use voter-approved state conservation bonds monies to acquire the massive 450-acre "Leaves in the Wind" property above Malibu Lagoon.
July 14: Breaking News...House Republicans have just approved their version of the budget for the Dept. of the Interior, and it includes a 35% cut in funding, including cuts to America's national parks. Increased oil and gas drilling on public lands in ocean waters is possible. There is also language prohibiting the flying of any native American flags or symbols on federal lands.
July 13: The FBI budget is on the chopping block for several political reasons and oil companies and toxic waste companies see an opening with friendly members of Congress willing to cut out environment investigations. I have a meeting next week with an FBI environmental investigator to learn more.
July 13: I am sure all of you have heard about the news this past Monday giving approval allowing the oil industry in Ventura county vast new policies in the county general plan to continue to drill, flare and haul oil by trucks through our county. I took part in the Western Oil and Gas Association-Ventura County discussion yesterday and I can tell you the oil industry is elated by the court action on Monday. The county Board of Supervisors, which is pro-oil industry by its 3-2 vote, scheduled adoption of the court action into the county general plan for Tuesday, July 25.
June 29: Mountain Lions Forever campaign is rolling along this week by working with our Sierra Club California office staff to gain state legislative support for AB 1322 (Friedman) which would limit the sale and use of the deadly rodenticide, Dopaquinone. Also meeting with staff of CA Dept of Fish and Wildlife regarding upcoming state endangered species act protection for mountain lions and their habitats. Great success here, but not so good elsewhere. In July I will meet with staff of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, where, sadly, lion killing is a state sport. You only must be 12 years old, get a license for a hunting season 365 days a year.
June 19: Why do I meet with so many appointed and elected officials who oppose environmental protections...our adversaries in the world of environmental protection? The Biden Administration has been lukewarm in environmental protection, so I still meet with various officials to remind them that they pledged but have not followed up on environmental protections. While it is important to meet with our elected friends, the political world I live and work in is mostly dominated by those who oppose protection of the environment. Case in point: The 3-2 majority of the Ventura Board of Supervisors are no friends of the environment, so I must face that reality and still meet with MAGA elected officials here. I also come to their offices to build a rapport with their staff and that always works. It is important for me to meet with friends and foes in my efforts to protect all that is wild.
June 18: For the first time I have been invited to speak to a law enforcement organization in Ventura County. Usually, law enforcement is not friendly to the environment with such actions as endorsing candidates of that mindset. This will be interesting as I venture into this new world.
June 17: It was a beautiful late Spring day as people gathered to celebrate a lost heritage: Confederate flags were flying as speakers spoke of the return of the good ole days and a new future to come. What a day it is to be in rural Alabama! But I wasn't in Alabama, I was in rural Somis in Ventura County. I attended part of the patriotic celebration of a local MAGA coalition as they spoke about the upcoming 2024 elections. This was held after the federal indictments of Donald Trump, and his people were super charged up. So, the rest of this beautiful weekend I will spend in my beautiful gardens in all their blooming glory...recharging myself for a challenging week ahead for campaigns to Protect Wildlife and Wild Places.
June 12: Count the votes...well not quite yet; instead count the money. With new laws which allow unlimited monies to flow into Ventura county campaign war chests, we are already seeing the spigots turned wide open. Brace yourself.
June 5: OK. I got the microgrid funding request figured out: Does our chapter support this grant request? Responses: Yes. Request for $1,000 was by FoodShare of Ventura sent to U.S. Senators Feinstein and Padilla.