Big Challenge: Protecting Indiana’s Waters

VOLUME XXVVVII, NUMBER 1
S P R I N G 2 014
Big Challenge: Protecting
Indiana’s Waters
Water quality in Indiana is not what it should be. Most of the state’s streams and
rivers are listed as impaired for one or more pollutants, most commonly mercury
and E. coli. Many lakes experience toxic blue-green algae blooms as a result of excess
nutrients. Since the state regulates point sources of pollutants, most water pollution
is the result of unregulated, non-point sources. For example, mercury pollution is
largely a product of coal combustion for electricity generation that releases mercury
to the atmosphere, which eventually finds its way into surface waters. E. coli
contamination comes from leaking septic tanks, pet and wildlife droppings, and
livestock manure applied to cropland that runs off into waterways.
In response to these and other water pollution issues, the Hoosier Chapter has
developed a program called Protecting Indiana’s Waters. The overall goal of the
program is to educate the public about water quality and ultimately reduce
pollutants in our waterways. We will do this by training volunteers around the state
to take monthly water samples of rivers and streams, identifying the major threats
to water quality, creating public awareness of these problems and mobilizing public
pressure on policy makers to correct the problems.
We began in March last year in central Indiana, looking at nutrients in the White
River and Fall Creek. We now have a year’s data on phosphorus and nitrogen,
providing a baseline for comparison with future results. We have added more sites
on the White River and Fall Creek, and also have volunteers sampling Cool Creek
in Carmel, Mud Creek in Fishers, Prairie Creek in Pendleton and White Lick Creek
in Plainfield.
Continued on page 2.
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
2 Sierra Club Art
Exhibit to Advocate
for the Environment
4 Inner City Outings
program nears lift-off
5 A Look at the 2014
Indiana General
Assembly Session
6 Hoosier Chapter
Needs YOUR Support!
SIERRA CLUB OFFICERS
INDIANA SIERRAN
Hoosier Chapter Office:
1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 140 • Indianapolis, IN 46208
(317) 822-3750 • [email protected]
Web Site • http://hoosier.sierraclub.org
Big Challenge... continued from page 1.
Chapter Director: David Maidenberg, (317) 822-3750,
[email protected]
Conservation Director: Bowden Quinn,
(317) 822-3750, [email protected]
CHAPTER OFFICERS
AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair: Steve Francis, (574) 271-9394,
[email protected]
Vice Chair: Dick Miller, (317) 251-1591,
[email protected]
Secretary: Dave Ellis, (219) 730-7913,
[email protected]
Treasurer: Mary Beth Wert, (812) 378-0400,
[email protected]
Executive Committee At Large Members:
John Blair, (812) 464-5663, [email protected]
Richard Hill, (812) 273-6015, [email protected]
Mike Mullett, (812) 376-0734, [email protected]
Glenn Pratt, (317) 253-7061, [email protected]
Grant Smith, 317-924-4034, [email protected]
Paul Steury, (260) 799-5869, [email protected]
CHAPTER COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Bylaws & Standing Rules: Mike Mullett (see above)
Conservation: Dick Miller (see above)
Energy Committee: Mike Mullett (see above)
Finance: Richard Hill (see above)
Legislative: Grant Smith (see above)
Outings: Dick Miller (see above)
Personnel: Dick Miller (see above)
Political: Steve Francis (see above)
Newsletter Graphic Designer: Paula Richards,
(317) 596-9180, [email protected]
I N D I A N A B EYO N D C OA L S TA F F
Campaign Rep.: Jodi Perras, (317) 296-8395,
[email protected]
Organizer: Megan Anderson, (317) 222-1146,
[email protected]
To train our volunteers, we provide a workshop to learn the
techniques of sampling and analysis, based on a manual developed
by chapter Conservation Director Bowden Quinn and on Hoosier
Riverwatch sampling protocols. Riverwatch trainer and chapter
member John Ulmer conducts the training, which explains why
and how to sample and analyze for E. coli and such chemicals as
dissolved oxygen, phosphorus, and nitrate/nitrite. We held the first
workshop at Butler University in March and will hold a second
one in the Bartholomew County library in Columbus on May 24.
Another significant expansion of our efforts took place this
spring, when chapter representatives traveled to Mackey in
southwest Indiana to test Smith Fork, which runs through the
Somerville South Mine, an open pit coal mine. With the help of a
local resident who has property surrounded by the mine on three
sides, we identified and sampled two locations on the stream, one
above and one below the mine. Possible pollutants released from
coal mining include heavy metals, such as iron, and extreme
acidity. Again, we provided the community members with water
sampling kits and training so they can continue to monitor the
impacts of mining on their waters. We are also training volunteers
around the Bear Run Mine in Sullivan County.
Further efforts related to the coal industry will focus on the coal
ash ponds at the Indianapolis Power and Light’s Harding Street
plant in Indianapolis. Two plant neighbors have volunteered to
help monitor the water in Lick Creek, just above the coal ash
ponds, and in the White River by the Sunshine Gardens
neighborhood, just below the ponds.
We enter the data the volunteers collect into the Hoosier
Riverwatch database and one being developed by the chapter. The
Indiana Department of Environmental Management is preparing
guidelines for volunteer data to be added to their databases, which
will help increase its impact on regulatory decisions. To meet our
objective of improving the quality of our waters in measurable
ways, we must translate the energy and concern of our volunteers
into concrete actions that target sources of pollution and eliminate
them. This remains the big challenge for the future of the
Protecting Indiana’s Waters program. !
Organizer: Matt Skyua, (317) 222-1189,
[email protected]
G RO U P C O N TAC TS
Bloomington Area: Tom Mooradian,
[email protected]
Dunelands: Dave Ellis (see above)
Heartlands: Lori Adelson, [email protected] and
Clarke Kahlo, [email protected]
Michiana: Hazel Stevens, [email protected]
Wildcat: Gerry VanHorn, [email protected]
Winding Waters: Charlie Mitch, [email protected]
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Dr Richard (Dick)
Miller sunday a.m.
(before Tornado
warnings) at Fall
Creek checking
water temp and
chemistry. He
monitors this site
and others
monthly.
S P R I N G 2 014
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
WINTER 2007
Groups on the Rise
By David Maidenberg, Director, Sierra Club, Hoosier Chapter
As usual, there is much going
on here for Indiana Sierra
Club supporters. Current
priorities like mapping out a
clean energy future for the
state,monitoring our rivers and streams,working with
legislators and others policymakers, are just a few of
the matters on which we are focused. Here are a few
others items you may wish to be aware of.
Sierra Club Groups in Indiana
Sierra Club groups are active is several parts of the state
including Columbus, Bloomington, Indianapolis,
Lafayette, and Northwest Indiana. Groups function as
mini-chapters. They organize hikes, service projects,
conservation activities and often engage in activism.
This year we are planning to expand our groups.
Creating & maintaining groups requires a team of
Sierra Club volunteers. Our current priorities are to
explore group building in the southwestern part of the
state, in the New Albany/Clarksville are, and in
northeastern Indiana. Can you help? If so, please let us
know by emailing or calling the Hoosier Chapter office.
Outings Leader Training
We need individuals to lead hikes and other outings
throughout Indiana. Some training, including basic
Red Cross, is required. We plan on having one or two
training sessions later this year. Are you interested? If
so, please let us know! It is likely that at least one of
the trainings will take place the weekend of
September 19th.
Chapter Excom Elections
Thank you for voting in the most recent election for
positions on the chapter executive committee.
Elected to two year terms were John Blair, Grant
Smith, Glenn Pratt, Steve Francis, and Richard Hill. Four
additional seats will be on the ballot for terms starting
next year. For information, see the article elsewhere in
this issue.
Our Web Site Additions
A page for new members of the Sierra Club in Indiana
was recently added to the chapter's website
(hoosier.sierraclub.org). The page serves as a guide
that may be useful to veteran members as well. Also,
at our “Volunteer” link, we've added a few specific
volunteer tasks in addition the the volunteer
submission form.
Online Events Calendar
We try to keep our online calendar updated with hike,
meetings and other events that might be of interest
to you. Be sure to check it regularly at:
hoosier2.sierraclub.org/events.
SIERRA CLUB ART EXHIBIT
TO ADVOCATE
FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Sept. 5 – Oct. 24, 2014
The Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter invites amateur and professional
artists—even non-artists—to create and submit new art for its annual
exhibit at the Indiana Interchurch Center this fall. The Catalyst for
Change: Seeing Indiana’s Environmental Issues through Art exhibit
will feature art that explores the vital need for stewardship,
sustainability, awareness and advocacy for Indiana’s environment.
One of the goals of the exhibit is to broaden participation by
including people who do not have an extensive art background but
who would like to express themselves on an environmental issue they
feel passionate about. Entry information and ideas on potential
subject matter for the art will be posted at hoosier.sierraclub.org. !
A 2013 People's Choice Award
Winner- Pinetree - Jean Salzmann
3
INDIANA SIERRAN
Inner City Outings program nears lift-off
By Scott Breen
Sierra Club Inner City Outings provides safe and fun
wilderness trips for people with limited access to the
outdoors through 52 chapters across the country. The
Bloomington Chapter of Sierra Club Inner City Outings
(Bloomington Chapter) will be the first modern-day
program in Indiana. It will also be the first in the country
to be student-run with an Indiana University student
organization, Sierra Club Inner City Outings at Indiana
University (ICOatIU), running the Bloomington Chapter.
The vision for the Bloomington Chapter is to work
with local community partners to do both 1) an
environmental education series led by Indiana University
environmental science students and 2) a related,
immersive, and engaging outing with local youth.
Students will be hired and paid a small stipend to be
environmental education fellows planning out and
conducting the environmental education series. Students
and community members will be trained as Sierra Club
Outings Leaders to lead the related, immersive outings.
Another way to get involved is students and community
members can volunteer on the outings as an additional
chaperone after passing a background check.
An example of the programming would be an
environmental education series with several one-hour
sessions on how caves form, what lives in caves, what
threatens those that live in caves and the formations in caves,
etc. The environmental education series on caves would then
be followed with a caving adventure near Bloomington.
The Bloomington Chapter has already established
relationships with Boys and Girls Club, Girls Inc., and
Banneker at the View in Bloomington to provide access to
youth. Partnerships have also been established with
Indiana University Outdoor Adventures and Caving Club
at Indiana University to help with the outings and help
provide the necessary equipment and expertise.
Right now the Bloomington Chapter is in need of
funds, as well as volunteers or outings leaders from the
community. Tax-deductible donations can be made out to
The Sierra Club Foundation with Bloomington ICO
written in the memo line. Aside from money, the
Bloomington Chapter also needs outdoor equipment such
as lifejackets, paddles, and hiking shoes for youth who
may not have any. E-mail [email protected]
to coordinate on in-kind donations. Also, if any members
can provide or know of anyone who can provide first aid
certification and/or training at low cost, that would be
exceptionally useful so please send us an e-mail if you can
help us in that regard.
The training to be a Sierra Club Outings Leader and
the first outings will take place in fall 2014. All are
welcome! The training will be for those who want to lead
general Sierra Club outings and those who want to lead
ICO outings. There are a few additional components to
the training that are only required for ICO leaders, such as
child abuse recognition and prevention. Those additional
components will be part of the all-inclusive training taking
place one day in the fall.
Details with exact dates will be posted as soon as they
are available on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com
/bloomingtonico (one does not need to be a member of
Facebook to view it). Also, an e-mail can be sent to
[email protected] to get on the Chapter’s
listserv. Those on the listserv will receive periodic e-mails
with important information and dates.
The Chapter appreciates any support you can give as we
get the first ICO Chapter in Indiana off the ground! !
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CHAPTER OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
4
S P R I N G 2 014
A LOOK AT THE 2014 INDIANA GENERAL
ASSEMBLY SESSION
People concerned about protecting Indiana’s environment can celebrate several victories from
the 2014 session of the Indiana General Assembly. This includes he passage of mass transit
funding for central Indiana, removal of the most harmful provisions in the “Ag Gag” bill, and
stopping proposed legislation that would have prevented environmental regulations stronger
than the federal safeguards.
WINS:
raising up to 10 percent of the transit
• Defeating Ag Gag (Farm property
trespassing): As initially proposed, Senate
Bill 101 would have criminalized the act of
documenting
animal
abuse,
unsafe
working conditions, and environmental and
public health violations at industrial
system's operating costs from the business
community. Since 2008, transit advocates
have sought legislation authorizing cities
and counties to establish regional transit
systems and enable new, local funding
sources for improved public transit.
livestock operations. The bill passed both
chambers, but only after the removal of a
controversial provision, known as "ag gag,"
that would have made felons out of
whistle-blowers who cause monetary loss
to a farm's business by exposing unethical
or illegal activities.
• Overcoming
SOME SETBACKS:
• Energy efficiency: Senate Enrolled Act 340
shuts down the two-year-old Energizing
Indiana program, under which energy
auditors visit homes and businesses and
recommend ways to reduce energy
Anti-Environmental
consumption. Funded by a fee on electricity
Legislation: HB 1143 would have made it
bills, the program was established under the
illegal for Indiana’s Executive Branch to pass
Daniels administration, and was Indiana’s
policies tighter for public health than what
most significant clean energy program. This
the U.S. EPA does. After passage in the
multi-utility energy efficiency initiative has
House the bill was heard in the Senate
saved more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours of
Environmental Affairs committee but no
electricity since its inception. Despite a veto
vote was taken, killing the bill for the 2014
campaign, Governor Pence allowed SEA 340
legislative session. In other legislative
to become law without his signature. The
action, language that would have put into
Governor has vowed to seek legislation in
law a moratorium on new environmental
2015 to establish a new energy efficiency
regulations was stripped from House
program to replace Energizing Indiana
Enrolled Act 1005— ensuring that the
environmental rules board retains the
authority to enact new safeguards.
• Mass
transit
breakthrough:
• The Right to Farm: Although lawmakers
recognized the danger of enshrining Right
to Farm in the Indiana Constitution, they
Senate
did pass a statute which provides
Enrolled Act 176 allows six central Indiana
unprecedented legal protections for
counties to have voter referendums on
factory farms. The new law—Senate
whether to fund mass transit projects,
Enrolled Act 186 — requires environmental
primarily through income taxes. The bill
regulators, planning and zoning officials,
excludes light rail projects and sets up a
and judges to construe laws and rules in
non-profit that would have the goal of
favor of big agri-businesses.
5
INDIANA SIERRAN
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR HOOSIER CHAPTER
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES
The Hoosier Chapter is accepting nominations for
club members to run for the Chapter Executive
Committee (ExCom). The Executive Committee
governs the Hoosier Chapter. Four ExCom positions
are available this time, with newly elected members
serving a two-year term.
Please submit your nominations by September 1,2014,
to the nominating committee by sending the
information listed below via one of the following ways:
• By mail to Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter, Attn:
Nominating Committee, 1100 W. 42nd Street,
Suite 140, Indianapolis, IN 46208
• By an e-mail message to
[email protected]
Include the nominated member’s name, address,
phone number, e-mail address and any information
you would like the nominating committee to consider
in making its selections. Any member of the Sierra
Club Hoosier Chapter in good standing may submit
his/her name for consideration to be nominated for
an at-large seat.
The Nominating Committee will consider all
submitted names and declare a slate of nominees.
Anyone not slated who would like to be a petition
candidate may also submit a petition signed by fifteen
Sierra Club members in good standing by October 1,
2014. Any person who is proposed to or who
volunteers to the nominating committee but is not
approved will be notified by the nominating
committee and informed of the right and process to
be a petition candidate. In addition, write-in
candidates are allowed.
If you have any questions, please call the chapter
office at (317) 822-3750 or email to the address above.
Responsibilities of Executive Committee Members
Candidates should have the desire to actively
participate in the work of the executive committee,
which includes providing opportunities to club
members in the chapter to participate in conservation
efforts, outings and programs, both locally and
nationally. They should be willing to actively work on
other chapter efforts in conservation, fundraising,
volunteer development, publicity, legislation,
regulations, and/or chapter management. Candidates
should be willing and able to participate in six
bimonthly executive committee meetings, usually on
Saturdays. One or more special meetings or planning
meetings/retreats may be held. If you are or know of a
member who fits this brief description, please
consider suggesting him or her—or yourself—to the
nominating committee.
Hoosier Chapter Needs YOUR Support!
By Steve Francis & David Maidenberg
If you are ready to stand up for Indiana’s air and water,
woods and wildlife ... don’t! Just quietly go home and
stay out of the way. Indiana is open only for business, so
don’t interfere. You could get in trouble, right?
That’s exactly what big agribusiness and the fossil
fuel industry want for Indiana—lax regulations,
unobstructed growth, and a cowed populace ...consume
and be silent. You don’t know what’s good for you unless
you’re buying it, so stay out of the way or you’ll regret it.
We don’t think that we’re there yet, thanks in part to
the hard work of dedicated staff and volunteers at the
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter. But we can’t do it without
your help. Your donation to the Hoosier Chapter will
directly support grassroots efforts right here in Indiana.
We are already on the hook for the bloated and
unnecessary coal-to-gas plant in Rockport, the laws
6
written to guarantee profit to the company with us
paying up in any case. But it’s not over just yet, because
the Hoosier Chapter and our allies have not stopped
fighting it.
Each year, agribusiness tries to pass laws and even
amend the state constitution to make it illegal for you
expose their operations... even if they are breaking the
law! But they have not been able to do it yet because of
the hard work of Sierrans and our allies around the state.
It’s hard work though and we need your help. Please
make a cash gift to the Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter right
away. We get limited funding from the National Sierra
Club and all of your donation will go directly to the
Chapter to help us organize, fight and win in
Indiana.You can send it in the included envelope or online at: http://hoosier.sierraclub.org/donate2.html !
S P R I N G 2 014
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!
Name___________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________
City____________________________________________________________________________
State_______________________________________________Zip__________________________
One-time Contribution Amount $_______________
❏ A check made payable to Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter supports all chapter programs including our
effective, citizen-based advocacy and lobbying. Donations are NOT tax-deductible.
❏ A check made payable to Sierra Club Foundation supports educational and other programs but
cannot be used for lobbying or electioneering activity. Donations ARE tax-deductible.
Please mail your check or money order payable to:
Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club
1100 W. 42nd St., #140, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Monthly contributions can be set up at:
www.hoosier.sierraclub.org/donate2.html
CONSERVATION GRANT AVAILABLE TO
HOOSIER CHAPTER MEMBERS
Is there something you would like to organize but lack the basic funds to get started? Wait no
longer! The Hoosier Chapter has made available a limited amount of funds for seed grants to
get conservation projects, events and activities off the ground.Any Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club
member is eligible to apply for the grant by notifying the chapter
director, filling out a simple form about the project, following up with
information about the event and submitting your receipts. Grants can be
made for any amount up to $200. This is designed to get a number of activities
going around the state—workshops, environmental education, activities and
more. The only limit is your imagination. The grant can be used for publicity,
materials, rental space and more but it cannot be used for salaries or stipends.
The grant will be reviewed by the Hoosier Chapter Conservation
Committee usually within one month. Please
send your request for a proposal form to:
[email protected]
7
Printed on recycled stock with soy inks.
hoosier2.sierraclub.org/events
For upcoming events of interest to members, see:
Indiana Sierran
Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 140
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208
The Indiana Sierran is the official publication of the Hoosier Chapter of the
Sierra Club. It is published three times a year.
Annual club dues are $39; $1 is for a subscription to the Indiana Sierran.
Membership dues are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. The Indiana
Sierran subscription rate to nonmembers is $10 per year. Send address changes for
members to Sierra Club, 85 Second Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.
INDIANA SIERRAN
All Indiana Sierran newsletter articles should be sent to David Maidenberg, Chapter
Director: [email protected]
Advertisements are accepted for goods and services that are relevant to our members’ needs.
The Indiana Sierran’s policy is to publish news concerning environmental issues and events.
Publication does not necessarily constitute endorsement, but is for information only.
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