Volume I, Issue 5
Footnotes Online
Volunteer Speaks Out on Horsepasture River
Bill Thomas, former Conservation Chair of NC Sierra Club, recently authored an op-ed published in the Asheville Citizen Times calling for the Horsepasture River in Transylvania, which currently carries a Class B Trout Waters classification, to be reclassified as an Outstanding Resource Water.
In the 80's, the Sierra Club was instrumental in preventing the river from being dammed. Now, Bill Thomas and the Sierra Club have initiated an effort - through DENR (NC's Dept of Environmental and Natural Resources) - to give the Horsepasture River the state's highest level of regulation and protection.
On June 2, the Environmental Management Commission will make a decision after reviewing all comments and DENR's recommendations. We encourage all Sierrans to review the issue and submit your concerns via our Action Alert.
(At the moment, Gorges Park is closed due to road construction, and parking is not allowed on NC281. Anyone wanting to visit Horsepasture River should walk from the Park HQ on US64 about 2 miles along the road (NC281) to the trail that meets the river. Interested parties can also consult the Jocassee Gorges guide (by Bill Thomas) for alternative, if longer, routes.)
Legislative Update
They're Back!! The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened Tuesday, May 13 and has hit the ground running. Governor Easley introduced a budget in the first few hours of session, while leadership in both chambers has encouraged a narrow focus on pecuniary matters -- anticipating a session that will actually be short, and is rumored to adjourn sine die at the end of July.
The Sierra Club is applauding a drought response legislative package brought forward by the Governor that we think will create efficiency and fairness, including uniform reporting for groundwater withdrawals across industries and uniform conservation mandates for local governments in times of drought. Communities will be able to do more to conserve water, but they can't do less.
Sierra Club is a key player among several progressive groups actively engaging in the emerging transportation debate. We are greatly enthused by a multi-modal bill proposed by the Governor's interim 21st Century Transportation Committee that will be introduced in the House by Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg). This bill is truly deserving of the "21st century" moniker. Rather than focusing on loops and roads, this bill will provide a mechanism to establish a stream of funding for multi-modal projects throughout NC. The DOT spends less than 3% of its annual budget on transit.
We'll be asking Sierra Club members and supporters to help call for sound investments in the state's water and transportation infrastructure. We’ll also need your support protecting our coasts, encouraging the legislature to study the benefits of a North Carolina Clean Cars program, and enacting an Energy Star Tax Free holiday. Stay tuned!
Sign up for Lobby Day on Tuesday, June 24, and talk to legislators about issues important to you.
The Office Welcomes our Stanback Intern
Serra Aktan is a rising sophomore at Duke, working towards a certificate in global health policy with a major in biomedical engineering.
She has worked in various community outreach programs, such as Project Child (a child tutoring program) and Red Cross for Kids (a program teaching elementary school children about first aid and emergency response). Outside of school she enjoys playing the piano, reading and traveling.
This summer, she will be working closely with Christa Wagner, Chapter Lobbyist, in the General Assembly on a range of environmental policy issues. As our Stanback intern, she's excited to be working with Sierra Club on promoting clean, green, and healthy legislation in the short session. And we're excited to have her.
Cape Fear Gets Rid of Plastic
Congratulations to the Cape Fear group! They urged the grocery giant Harris Teeter to donate 1000 reusable cloth bags for distribution at public education events by the group. Chair Janice Wilson was instrumental in the conversation. The group has already distributed nearly 250 bags at a recent farmer's market, and the recipients were more than willing to convert from plastic to cloth.
Outings
Thur, Jun 5 - American Tobacco Trail Hike
Unwind with the Orange-Chatham group and get your late-day exercise with an easy 4-mile hike on the American Tobacco Trail.
Fri, Jun 6 - Sun, 8 - Mt. Mitchell Shoulder
Join the Piedmont Plateau group in backpacking to a base camp on Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the east.
Fri, Jul 4 - Sun, 6 - Pisgah National Forest Grandpas' & Grandsons Mountain Get-Together
Join the Capital Group for easy day hikes and camping in an idylic setting.
Can't wait for the next issue of Footnotes Online? Check out the NC Sierra Club Blog for cool cities updates, outings reports, environmental news, and developments in North Carolina.