Thursday, June 30, 2011

Flood Shows Need for "Room for Rivers"

The surge of water that made its way down the central valley of the United States and came to be known as the 2011 Mississippi Flood has come and gone in Louisiana. For many, catastrophe was barely averted by a few precious feet of levees and sandbags. Others fared less well, especially with the opening of the New Madrid and Morganza Floodways, unleashing the river’s awesome power in areas that many had assumed were safe to farm and inhabit. Although there was a bit of resentment about these actions among the people who call these floodways home, they were undoubtedly the correct actions to take, given the alternative of possibly inundating hundreds of thousands of homes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and swamping countless other towns, industries, and the vital oil infrastructure that keeps our state and nation’s economy chugging along. It’s hard to comprehend the tremendous volume of water that was flowing down to the Gulf of Mexico this spring, as well as the damage that water could have wrought had it not been adequately contained and diverted. But before we congratulate ourselves on our mastery over nature, we should take a critical look at the way we deal with that mighty force we call the Mississippi River.

Before the 20th Century, the river was lined with a patchwork of regional levees, built to protect important towns and their surrounding farmlands. Between these levees were huge gaps that allowed the river to periodically flood large basins, much the same as it had done for geologic ages. All that changed after the devastating Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, which swamped hundreds of thousands of acres and displaced more than a million people. With a new respect for the vital importance of this region to the welfare of the nation, Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1928, the largest public works program ever implemented up to that time. The responsibility for designing, implementing, and maintaining this project was given to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Their mission was straightforward: protect people and property from massive flooding. They went to work immediately, and before long had constructed an elaborate interstate system of levees, river control structures, and floodways that we now take for granted—but should praise to high heaven in years like this one. The Mississippi has been more or less contained for 83 years, with flooding being limited to regional areas or diverted into designated floodways and spillways. In that time span, however, our understanding of subjects like ecology and climatology has advanced, and our attitudes towards environmental engineering and the importance of conservation have changed, too.

We now realize how valuable open floodplain connectivity is to the rivers they cradle. Before the 20th Century, the Mississippi enjoyed millions of acres of rich, backwater floodplains. These basins, once covering millions of acres, were periodically flooded, bringing rich sediments and nutrients to a unique bottomland hardwood ecosystem that provides the majority of spawning grounds and rearing habitat for freshwater fish as well as well as food and nesting habitat for waterfowl. Today these open floodplains have been reduced to a tiny fraction of their former size, putting pressure on the species that rely on such ecosystems. Having less open floodplains also means that water has less places to go. During a flood event, the more open, undeveloped land to divert water, the better. Floodplains can also absorb and buffer the overabundance of nutrient pollution in the Mississippi, the root cause of our annual “dead zone.” Adopting a policy that encourages the expansion and conservation of open floodplains, rather than further development on them, can not only provide critical habitat for ducks and fish, but can give more wiggle room for officials trying to manage future floods.

We have also come to a greater appreciation for the river and its basins for providing important economic benefits other than transportation for commerce. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the total economic value of boating, hunting, and fishing resources in our state totals $6.75 billion dollars. Providing habitat for wildlife will allow for unique and highly productive places for anglers, boaters, hunters, birdwatchers, and nature lovers to enjoy their hobbies, as well as providing economic opportunities for businesses to cater to those activities. Working with the people and businesses that thrive from these services, we can push our state and federal officials to adopt river management policies that allow for greater tourism, recreation, and environmental benefits that will ultimately strengthen and diversify our economy. In a state that prides itself on being the “Sportman’s Paradise,” Louisiana can and should take the lead in this effort.

The Mississippi Flood of 2011 was not without its share of damage and disruption. Several hundred homes and thousands of acres of farmland were covered in muddy water. These areas will almost certainly be in need of economic and environmental restoration. This provides a critical juncture for concerned citizens to raise the issues just mentioned, and more. In the 21st Century, the discussion of our nation’s flood plans should focus not so much on controlling rivers—after all, the lesson of the last few hurricanes should completely put to rest old ideas that humans can completely bend nature to their will—to one of ecological management. Benefits would include reducing risk of flooding to upstream communities, increasing commercial and recreational use related to wildlife productivity, and a pollution buffer for the lower Mississippi and the Gulf. As our nation faces increasing flooding threats from climate change, increasing land use, navigation structures, and other factors, we should start embracing a growth policy that allows "Room for Rivers" -- retreating from their floodplains rather than continuing to develop upon them.

*****

If you are interested in learning more about how Sierra Club activists across the nation are tackling Mississippi River issues, go to http://connect.sierraclub.org/Team/Mississippi_River_Issue_/blog. You can get involved and be part of the team that is working to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, as well as fighting for a new "Room for Rivers" policy.

Also, our local Delta Chapter has its own water quality program, the Bayou Teche Water Sentinels, who monitor water quality at different spots on Bayou Teche. You can learn more about the Water Sentinels program by clicking here or by contacting Woody Martin at "hrmartin2sc@gmail.com".

Quarterly Delta Sierran Posted on Website

Just wanted to let you know that the Delta Sierran has been posted on the Delta Chapter website or you can follow the attached link. Articles, photos and news are appreciated from all members of the club. The next issue submission deadline is September 1, 2011. You can email your information to lesliemarch@hotmail.com.
Hope that you are all well, signing off from sunny Oregon.
Leslie March

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Calling All Young Movement Builders and Revolutionaries!

DO YOU DREAM OF CHANGING THE WORLD?

The environmental challenges of our generation are great and hard to ignore. You may have grown up in a community polluted with toxins from a power plant or refinery; you may have been impacted or moved by the tragedy of the BP Disaster; you may simply have that bug that doesn’t allow you to look away from what’s happening without wanting dig your hands in and make a difference.

The good news is that you are not alone.

For over 10 years, the Sierra Student Coalition, the nation-wide, student run Chapter of the Sierra Club, has hosted Summer Training Program (Sprog). A week-long, immersive environmental activist training program, Sprog gives young leaders the tools they need to start movements, run campaigns, and create the world they want to live in.

What: 2011 Gulf Coast Student Training Program (Sprog)

Where: Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA

When: July 16th to 24th, 2011

Who to Contact:

Jason Faulk jdfaulk@gmail.com 337-254-0684

Matt Wyatt matthewwendellwyatt@gmail.com 901-626-6600

OR APPLY HERE:

http://ssc.sierraclub.org/get-involved/training/summer-environmental-leader-training-program/sprog-training-0001.html

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sierra Club Delta Chapter Legislative Update June 12, 2011

This is our current update on bills which we are actively opposing or supporting. Your comments, suggestions and support are welcome.

The current Louisiana legislative session ends on June 23 which is only eleven days from this writing. So it is extremely unlikely that any bill that has not made it out of its first committee will move to passage by committees and both House and Senate. It is also a problem that several bills that we support are waiting for consideration by Senate Finance Committee which is bottled up with consideration of the state budget. Also important to note is that two bills (SB 97 and HB 389) and one resolution (HCR 48) which directly address the effects of the BP disaster have been pulled from the normal rotation of their consideration. We have seen hostile proposed amendments for these bills designed to gut their original intent. Bill sponsors are trying to put language back in that restores some purpose but all such hostile tactics reduce the possibility of making it through the legislative process. We are seeing a consistent campaign by the Oil and Gas industry to remove any mention of accountability for the BP disaster from legislative bills. It is amazing that little more than one year after the BP oil disaster we may see absolutely no mention of it in State legislation.

In order to follow progress of any of these bills you can go to the State Legislature website at http://www.legis.state.la.us/ Action items are listed in bold.

Legislative Bills which we oppose:

HB 290 Burns – Repeals the Wild Louisiana Stamp. This bill would have required bird watchers on State Wildlife Management Areas to obtain a hunting license instead of the currently offered Wild Louisiana Stamp. Pulled from first hearing, appears to be dead.

HB 296 Greene – Diverts money held in the Artificial Reef Development Fund to other purposes. This bill has passed the House and is referred to Senate Finance Committee.

HB 321 Doerge – Sale of water from Lake Bistineau. This legislation would give local governments authority to sell water from Lake Bistineau, with LDWF in advisory role. Funds would go to LDWF for control of noxious plants and for other benefits to the lake. This is about providing water for hydrofracking for natural gas. All things being equal it may be preferable to use surface water rather than more limited groundwater for gas development. But the lack of comprehensive state policy on how to deal with water resources leaves openings for disposition of publicly owned water in ways that may not benefit residents of the State. The bill was amended in 1st committee and is scheduled for consideration on House floor on Monday June 13.

HB 563 Cortez – Would have removed the right of property owners to sue oil companies for damages to their property, and placed resolution of all such disputes into the State Dept of Natural Resources Office of Conservation. This bill was deferred (killed) in House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

Bills we are supporting:

HB 70 Smith – Allows local authorities to purchase or lease hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles for previously exempted uses such as law enforcement and emergency vehicles. Bill has passed the house and awaits action by Senate Transportation Committee.

HB 212 Morris – Authorizes issuance of bonds for remediation of oilfield sites. Referred to House Ways and Means. Has not been heard by its first committee.

HB 219 Jones – Requires a minimum of 5% of the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund be set aside to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purchase of land, or rights, or servitudes, specifically including conservation servitudes from willing sellers to improve water quality, access, or other projects consistent with the Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan. Passed House, referred to Senate Finance Committee. The bill’s co-sponsor Sen. Fred Mills says Senate Finance will be the toughest hearing for this bill. We are asking for phone calls to Senators on Senate Finance Committee and will send out an alert when we see this one scheduled.

HB 371 Tucker - Authorizes issuance of Brownfields Investor Tax Credit to eligible taxpayers. Passed House, referred to Senate Rev & Fiscal Affairs.

HB 389 Connick - Provides that certain releases of medical claims relating to the BP oil spill are null and void. Heavily amended in House Civil Law, scheduled for House floor vote on 6-9-2011 but pulled from consideration at last minute. LEAN is trying to get language placed back in the bill that requires BP to advise spill workers of a right to medical monitoring. We are strongly supporting this language and will be working the House in the minutes before it comes up for a vote. Thanks for the phone calls to your legislators on this one supporting Connick’s amendments requiring notification of the right to medical monitoring. Keep the calls coming until the bill gets voted on in the House.

HB 412 Lambert – Creates Louisiana Beverage Container Law. Killed in House Commerce Committee. This bill gets introduced every year and gets killed every time.

HB 436 Henderson – Levies a tax on transportation of natural gas through pipelines in La. The bill was killed in House Ways and Means. Foster Campbell, Public Utilities Commissioner has tried for years to get legislation like this passed. It gets killed every time by Oil & Gas industry.

HB 496 Barrow – Provides for campaign contribution disclosures by appointees to certain boards and commissions. Referred to House & Govt Affairs, still has not been heard by its first committee. We support any such measure that promotes transparency and accountability in government. But chances for this bill are not good.

HB 513 Williams – Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on roadways. Passed House, referred to Sen Transportation Committee. Requires lights on bicycles at night and certain standards for walkways.

HB 595 Labruzzo - retains current tax credits for installation of residential solar and wind systems but adds that the state tax credit shall be in addition to any federal grant earned for the same system. Passed House, referred to Senate Rev and Fiscal Affairs.

HB 615 Simon – Adds geothermal energy systems to systems eligible for wind or solar energy systems tax credit. Referred to House Ways and Means, still has not been heard by its first committee.

HB 622 and 623 Jackson - Tax authority for ozone non-attainment areas. Pulled from committee by sponsor. Word is that other measures for funding of mass transit are being pursued.

HCR 48 (House Concurrent Resolution) Gisclair – Urges and requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to investigate any health conditions suffered by responders to the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and provide direction for the long-term health care of these individuals. Passed House, referred to Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Pulled from consideration by the committee. May be referred back to the committee calendar.

SB 40 Morrell - Authorizes DEQ to grant transferable credits for the investigation or remediation of hazardous waste "brownfields" sites. Passed Senate, referred to House Ways and Means Committee.

SB 70 Peterson – Repeals the La. Science Education Act which allows LA school science classes to treat creationism and intelligent design as credible alternative theories to evolution. Killed in Senate Education Committee. La Family Forum was a big opponent of this bill. The bill will not be reconsidered this session.

SB 97 Crowe – Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act (Requirement that dispersants be non-toxic). Passed Senate Environmental Quality. The bill’s sponsor is resisting attempts by DEQ and oil industry to amend the bill before consideration on Senate floor. The bill was pulled at the last minute from consideration by the full Senate. We are strongly supporting this bill and will work to get it put back on the calendar. We still need calls to Senators in anticipation of a Senate floor vote.

SB 133 Marionneaux – Applies La smokefree air act to bars and restaurants. Bill failed on Senate Floor. Big tobacco and casinos were against this one.

SB 184 Crowe – Seeks to eliminate filing deadlines until 2021 for lawsuits related to the BP oil spill. Referred to Senate Jud A, still has not been heard by its first committee.

SB 245 Willard-Lewis – State income tax credit for sales tax paid by homeowners when purchasing green materials. Referred to Senate Rev & Fiscal. Still not heard by first Committee.

SB 254 Willard-Lewis – Exempts sale of construction materials to the Make It Right Foundation from state and local sales tax. Passed Senate, referred to House Ways & Means Committee.

SB 255 Willard-Lewis – Grants a refundable residential energy efficiency tax credit for the qualified elderly. Passed Senate, referred to House Ways & Means Committee.

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Sierra Club Delta Chapter Legislative Update June 7, 2011

This is our current update on bills which we are actively opposing or supporting. Your comments, suggestions and support are welcome.

Legislative Bills which we oppose:

HB 290 Burns – Repeals the Wild Louisiana Stamp. Pulled from first hearing, appears to be dead. This bill would have required bird watchers on State Wildlife Management Areas to obtain a hunting license instead of the currently offered Wild Louisiana Stamp.

HB 296 Greene – Diverts money held in the Artificial Reef Development Fund to other purposes. This bill has passed the House and is referred to Senate Finance Committee.

HB 321 Doerge – Sale of water from Lake Bistineau. This legislation would give local governments authority to sell water from Lake Bistineau, with LDWF in advisory role. Funds would go to LDWF for control of noxious plants and for other benefits to the lake. This is about providing water for hydrofracking for natural gas. All things being equal it may be preferable to use surface water rather than more limited groundwater for gas development. But the lack of comprehensive state policy on how to deal with water resources leaves openings for disposition of publicly owned water in ways that may not benefit residents of the State. The bill was amended in 1st committee and recommitted to House Natural Resources Committee. The bill's prospects are not good. It raises too many unanswered questions.

HB 563 Cortez – Would have removed the right of property owners to sue oil companies for damages to their property, and placed resolution of all such disputes into the State Dept of Natural Resources Office of Conservation. This bill was deferred (killed) in House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.

Bills we are supporting:

HB 70 Smith – Allows local authorities to purchase or lease hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles for previously exempted uses such as law enforcement and emergency vehicles. Bill has passed the house and awaits action by Senate Transportation Committee.

HB 212 Morris – Authorizes issuance of bonds for remediation of oilfield sites. Referred to House Ways and Means. Has not been heard by its first committee.

HB 219 Jones – Requires a minimum of 5% of the Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund be set aside to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the purchase of land, or rights, or servitudes, specifically including conservation servitudes from willing sellers to improve water quality, access, or other projects consistent with the Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan. Passed House, referred to Senate Finance Committee.

HB 371 Tucker - Authorizes issuance of Brownfields Investor Tax Credit to eligible taxpayers. Passed H Ways and Means, up for vote on house floor.

HB 389 Connick - Provides that certain releases of medical claims relating to the BP oil spill are null and void. Passed House Civil Law, now goes to House floor vote.

HB 412 Lambert – Creates Louisiana Beverage Container Law. Killed in House Commerce Committee. This bill gets introduced every year and gets killed every time.

HB 436 Henderson – Levies a tax on transportation of natural gas through pipelines in La. The bill was killed in House Ways and Means. Foster Campbell, Public Utilities Commissioner has tried for years to get legislation like this passed. It gets killed every time by Oil & Gas industry.

HB 496 Barrow – Provides for campaign contribution disclosures by appointees to certain boards and commissions. Referred to House & Govt Affairs, still has not been heard by its first committee.

HB 513 Williams – Bicycle and pedestrian traffic on roadways. Passed House, referred to Sen Transportation Committee. Requires lights on bicycles at night and certain standards for walkways.

HB 595 Labruzzo - retains current tax credits for installation of residential solar and wind systems but adds that the state tax credit shall be in addition to any federal grant earned for the same system. Passed House, referred to Senate Rev and Fiscal Affairs.

HB 615 Simon – Adds geothermal energy systems to systems eligible for wind or solar energy systems tax credit. Referred to House Ways and Means, still has not been heard by its first committee.

HB 622, 623 Jackson - Tax authority for ozone non-attainment areas. Pulled from committee by sponsor. Word is that other measures for funding of mass transit are being pursued.

HCR 48 (House Concurrent Resolution) Gisclair – Urges and requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to investigate any health conditions suffered by responders to the Transocean Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion and provide direction for the long-term health care of these individuals. Passed House, referred to Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

SB 40 Morrell - Authorizes DEQ to grant transferable credits for the investigation or remediation of hazardous waste "brownfields" sites. Passed Senate, referred to House Ways and Means Committee.

SB 70 Peterson – Repeals the La. Science Education Act which allows LA school science classes to treat creationism and intelligent design as credible alternative theories to evolution. Killed in Senate Education Committee. La Family Forum was a big opponent of this bill.

SB 97 Crowe – Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act (Requirement that dispersants be non-toxic). Passed Senate Environmental Quality, may be amended before Senate floor vote.

SB 133 Marionneaux – Applies La smokefree air act to bars and restaurants. Bill failed on Senate Floor. Big tobacco and casinos were against this one.

SB 184 Crowe – Seeks to eliminate filing deadlines until 2021 for lawsuits related to the BP oil spill. Referred to Senate Jud A, still has not been heard by its first committee.

SB 245 Willard-Lewis – State income tax credit for sales tax paid by homeowners when purchasing green materials. Referred to Senate Rev & Fiscal. Still not heard by first Committee.

SB 254 Willard-Lewis – Exempts sale of construction materials to the Make It Right Foundation from state and local sales tax. Passed Senate, referred to the House for committee assignment.

SB 255 Willard-Lewis – Grants a refundable residential energy efficiency tax credit for the qualified elderly. Passed Senate, referred to House Ways & Means Committee.

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Action Alert - State Senate Bill 97 to ban toxic dispersants

Action Alert - State Senate Bill 97:

Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe of Slidell is personally committed to banning toxic dispersants in State waters. He has introduced SB 97 which requires that dispersants used in oil spill response and cleanup operations be “Practically Non-Toxic.” The bill passed out of its first committee hearing with support of LEAN and Sierra Club. The bill was opposed by lobbyists from Louisiana Chemical Association, the ammonia producers, and Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association. Discussion in committee with Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was that the bill would be amended on its way to Senate floor vote to allow “flexibility.” We are very concerned as to what “flexibility” will mean.

You can help:

Sign on to www.agcrowe.com and click to the right to sign the “Clean Our Gulf” petition. Senator Crowe needs numbers here to show support for requiring that dispersants be non-toxic.

Call your State Senator within the next few days to ask support for banning toxic dispersants. Let him know there are numerous non-toxic alternatives available. Toxic dispersants have been banned in other countries, why can’t we do it here. Find your State Senators at http://www.legis.state.la.us/

Go to http://www.legis.state.la.us/ and watch the progress of SB 97. If it passes the Senate then it will go to hearing in the House and then House floor vote. We may need phone calls to State Representatives. We will put out an alert when the next hearing is scheduled. It may be short notice. If you are available to show up at hearings and would like info on how that works please contact me at hrmartin2sc@gmail.com. We will let you know when the bill is scheduled to be heard and provide further information.

Thanks, Woody Martin, Chair

Sierra Club Delta Chapter