Speak-Up for the Great Lakes
by Derek Scheer, Water Policy Director, Clean Wisconsin

The Great Lakes are one of the natural wonders of the world. This world-class resource deserves world class protection. Between now and October 18 is the best opportunity for Wisconsinites to express these values and comment on an important agreement that will change the way water is protected in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. 

On Monday July 19, the Council of Great Lakes Governors (Council), led by Wisconsin's Governor Doyle released the Draft Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact to enhance joint decision making about the use of Great Lakes water. The compact is designed as a contract between the eight Great Lakes states that will protect, conserve, restore, and improve the waters and water-dependent natural resources of the Great Lakes Basin.

As it is currently written, the Compact would recognize the connections between all Great Lakes water resources including groundwater. It would regulate out of basin pipelines and water bottling. It would also require conservation, return flow and an improvement to the Great Lakes in exchange for the use of the water. It also gives teeth to the regulations with its enforcement provisions.

But the Compact is not perfect. The conservation measures and improvement standards need to include definitions and benchmarks. The 10 year phase-in period is too long. The water withdrawal amounts are calculated over 120 days meaning that many large water users are not regulated regionally. The evaluation of the "cumulative" impacts of water withdrawals should focus on local rivers and groundwater levels, recognizing that environmental damage is greatest at the local level. Wisconsinites should request these improvements.

The Council has requested comments from the public on this draft. Because of the nature of compacts, this is your best opportunity to act on this issue. Make your voice heard by attending one of the five Wisconsin DNR hearings. Take the time to submit written comments or if you don't have time to create your own letter, sign on to an E-letter at http://cleanwisconsin.org/ campaigns/greatLakes.html.

The locations and dates of the hearings are (or were) as follows:
* Tuesday, September 28: Milwaukee. Wisconsin State Fair Park Youth Center, 84th Street just south of I-94. Enter Gate 5: the Center and parking lot are on the left.
* Thursday, September 30: Ashwaubenon. Ashwaubenon Village Hall Council Chamber, 2155 Holmgren Way. Visitors should enter using the Public Safety entrance.
* Monday, October 4: Stevens Point. UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources lobby and auditorium, 800 Reserve St.
* Tuesday, October 5: Duluth. Holiday Hotel & Suites, Lake Michigan Room, 200 W. 1st St.
* Wednesday, October 6: Ashland. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, U.S. Highway 2 and County Highway G, west of Ashland.

Since the date of the hearing in our area is past, comments may be submitted to:
David Naftzger
Executive Director
Council of Great Lakes Governors
35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1850
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Or via e-mail to: Annex2001@cglg.org

This article is a short synopsis of the presentation that Derek Sheer made at the Kenosha Public Museum on Monday evening, August 30.

Calendar:

October 8–10: John Muir Chapter Autumn Assembly at Camp Ehawee in the LaCrosse area. See your September– October 2004 Muir View for information, directions and registration form or call Barry Thomas (262) 859-2960 for additional information.

October 14, Thursday: Southeast Gateway Group Executive Committee meeting at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3015 Pritchard Drive in Racine, starting at 7:00 p.m. All members are welcome.

October 16, 2004, 10:00 a.m.: Third Saturday Hike and Lunch - Lake Geneva Shore Path, Williams Bay to Fontana section. This section of the path is 3.5 miles in length and described as "moderate, some boardwalks with railings, mostly lawns" in the Walk, Talk & Gawk guide. Meet in Williams Bay in the public parking lot north of Geneva Street across from the Beach. We will walk to Fontana, have lunch and shuttle back to Williams Bay. Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 to sign up.

October 21, Thursday: Political and Election Issues Caryl Terrell, John Muir Chapter Director, will speak. Our regular monthly meeting will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church on Durand and Prichard Drive in Racine at 7:00 p.m. An optional "get together" dinner at 5:30 at the Olive Garden. All members, as well as the general public, are welcome.

October 23, Saturday: Work day on the Root River Pathway in Colonial Park from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Bring work gloves, insect repellent and appropriate tools for removing more invasive species. This is our "Make a Difference Day" project. Call John Berge at (262) 633-8455 for additional information.

November 1, Monday: Deadline for the December / January issue of the Southeast Sierran. Contact information is on the last page of this newsletter.

November 4, Thursday: Conservation Committee meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with questions, items for the agenda or additional information.

November 11, Thursday: Southeast Gateway Group Executive Committee meeting at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3015 Pritchard Drive in Racine, starting at 7:00 p.m. All members are welcome.

November 13, Saturday: Work day on the Root River Pathway in Colonial Park from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Bring work gloves, insect repellent and appropriate tools for removing more invasive species. For additional information call John Berge at (262) 633-8455.

November 18: Morphology of the Root River: How Streams Work. Craig Helker from the DNR will speak. The September meeting is at the Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Avenue, Kenosha at 7:00 p.m. All members, as well as the general public, are welcome.

November 20, 2004, 10:00 a.m.: Third Saturday Hike and Lunch - Wehr Nature Center, Whitnall Park, 9701 College Avenue, Franklin. Meet at the nature center parking area. We will hike several short trail loops and visit the nature center. Parking fee ($2) and trail donation ($1 for adults, $.50 for children). Contact Dana Huck at (262) 639-0465 to sign up.

December 2, Thursday: Conservation Committee meeting at Berges' house, 1529 Crabapple Drive, Racine, at 7:00 p.m. Contact John at (262) 633-8455 with questions, items for the agenda or additional information

An Editorial…
by John Berge

Recently, substituting for Barry Thomas, I had the privilege of having lunch with Larry Fahn, the President of the Sierra Club. He mentioned a most disturbing statistic. In the past, 90% of the members of the Sierra Club voted in national (presidential and congressional) elections. Now, that number has dropped to 60%, only slightly better than the rest of the people. No wonder the environment has suffered in recent years.

What can we do about that? Obviously, each of us can make sure that we vote. If you have any doubts that you will be able to get to the polls on election day, apply for an absentee ballot and get it in on time. Wisconsin no longer requires you to give a reason for such an application. We may be moving more towards the Oregon model of mail-in ballots.

Secondly, I would expect that the environment and its protection would be one of the major considerations in your choice of who you, as a Sierran, vote for. I am not advocating a single issue ballot, but isn't the protection of the environment why you joined the Sierra Club? I also recommend that you go back and carefully read the banner along the bottom of the pages in the September–October issue of the "Sierra" magazine.

That luncheon meeting with Larry Fahn and others was for the purpose of reviewing the Milwaukee Environmental Voter Education Campaign. They could use our help in manning phone banks, doing door-to-door canvases and working on the final get-out-the-vote push. These activities started back in the last week of August and run right up to Election Day, November 2. They need as many volunteers as possible, especially from October 31 through November 2. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, call the Sierra Club office in Milwaukee at (414) 453-3127 or visit www.sierraclubvotes.org.

At the luncheon, we were also encouraged to help the endorsed candidates in our own area. I look to the Sierra Clubs endorsement and the voting records as listed by the League of Conservation Voters. The endorsements are based on extensive questionnaires sent to the candidates as well as how they voted and what environmental leadership they provided. I will be helping and thanking them with donations, both financial and volunteered time. The endorsed candidates generally need both. Can you spare some time and money to support those candidates who vote for you and the environment?

From the Chair
by Barry Thomas

Each October, the John Muir Chapter holds its Autumn Assembly. This year's Assembly will be held from October 8–10 at Camp Ehawee, Stevenstown, Wisconsin. It is being hosted by the Coulee Region Group.

The purpose of the Autumn Assembly is to highlight a local group in terms of their geographical area, environmental issues, important projects they have accomplished and any unique parks, natural areas or noted personalities in the area.

In addition the Autumn Assembly provides an opportunity for the Midwest Office and State Chapter personnel to speak about state and national Sierra Club issues. The chance to interact with your fellow Sierrans from around the state is another highlight.

I encourage you to attend the Autumn Assembly, not only because it is a great experience, but also because the Southeast Gateway Group will be the host for the 2006 Assembly. The best preparation to be a host is to have first been a participant. A lot of planning goes into being a successful host. Some of the committees needed are children's programming, clean up, meals and snacks, hikes or outings, budget, program scheduling, publicity, speakers, lodging and registration.

I look forward to having us host the 2006 Autumn Assembly because I think we have a lot to offer both geographically and in terms of what we have accomplished as a group. However, I also recognize that the involvement must extend way beyond our seven person ExCom. We need a lot of participation from our membership to make this a memorable event. If you are one of those people who have said, "I should get more active in the Sierra Club", this is your opportunity.

My goal is to have our committees in place by the end of our annual leadership retreat in January. Our first deadline is to have a date and place chosen by December 1, 2005. Please contact me if you would like to serve on one of our planning committees. Let's truly make this a group effort.

Candidates Needed for ExCom

Three terms on the SEGG Executive Committee will expire this fall. If you are interested in getting involved in a leadership role with the group. Please contact Barry Thomas, (262) 859-2960. Candidate biographies and the ballot will appear in the next Southeast Sierran.

Some Good News For a Change
by John Berge

The Bush administration continues to make administrative changes to the rules which open up king-sized loopholes in our environmental laws, but despite these, improvements are being made by state and local governments.

The consent agreement between WE Energies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is showing positive results at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant with expectations of more improvement in the next couple of years. A selective catalytic reduction system became operational in Unit #2 last year and one will be installed in Unit #1 which will become operational in 2006 or 2007. That on Unit #2 has reduced the total NOx output at Pleasant Prairie from over 21,000 tons to about 11,000 tons this year. When that on Unit #1 is installed, WE Energies claims that their NOx emissions will be down to about 3,000 tons, an 85–90% reduction.

Also in 2006, scrubbers, or wet flue-gas desulfurization systems will be installed on both generating units to reduce SO2 emissions from the current 33,000 tons to something in the neighborhood of 3,000 tons. How much mercury will also be removed by the scrubbers and where it will end up is still debatable. The DNR and public citizens will have to keep an eye on these improvements, paid for by the consumer, of course, and make sure that the promises become reality.

South of the border in Illinois, Governor Blagojevich has stated that he will introduce legislation to force eleven Illinois hospitals to shut down their medical waste incinerators if they don't do so voluntarily. The closest medical incinerator to the Southeast Gateway territory is at Evanston Hospital which said "it has already agreed to close its incinerator but won't be able to do it quickly enough to satisfy the governor or local residents," according to a recent article in the Sun Times. The Evanston City Council voted 8–1 to approve an ordinance that will ban incineration in the city as of October 15. This follows a six-month Sierra Club campaign in Evanston. Medical incinerators are major sources of dioxins, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals linked to cancer, birth defects and other health risks. As the Hippocratic oath says, "First do no harm."

Also in Chicago, it was announced that the Sierra Club, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and five other groups have sued the Bush administration for failing to force the cleanup of five coal-burning power plants in the Chicago area. If the suit is successful in forcing the five Midwest Generation power plants to obtain permits with strong compliance requirements and provision for compliance schedules, this too could improve our air quality in southeast Wisconsin. The Chicago region, like areas in southeast Wisconsin, fails to meet standards for ozone and fine-particle pollution.

Upcoming Programs…

October 21: Important Legislative Action and Election Issues That Pertain to our Environment. Caryl Terrell, John Muir Chapter Sierra Club Chapter Director will provide us with updates about the very important upcoming elections. Our political action co-chairs Betsy Georg and Barb Meyocks will also provide input and information to help in this serious campaign. This regular monthly meeting will be in Racine at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3015 Pritchard Drive (just off Highway 11) at 7:00 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 at the Olive Garden, 6000 Durand Avenue. Please join our social get together.

November 18: Morphology of the Root River; How Streams Work and Recommendations for Environmental Improvements. Craig Helker from the Wisconsin DNR will present this project that the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network has funded. This regular monthly meeting will be in Kenosha at the Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Avenue, at 7:00 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 at Villa D' Carlo, 5140 6th Avenue. Please join us and get a chance for an informal chat about upcoming events.

Monthly Meeting Snacks…

We need someone to volunteer to manage our snack schedule. We would like to rotate members to bring juice and a treat to the meetings. They would come about ten minutes early and set up and also stay a few minutes to clean up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Please let the ExCom (information on back page) know if you would be interested in helping in this matter.

Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund Receives Award
By Donna Peterson

On October 14, Marcia Wensing, Stewardship Chair, will be accepting the Virginia Kline award from the Madison Arboretum on behalf of the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, Inc. (CPPF) for its restoration work at the Chiwaukee Prairie.

The CPPF, located in Kenosha County, was chosen this year as one of two recipients of the Virginia M. Kline Award for Excellence in Community-Based Restoration. This award includes a check for $2,000.

Prairie lovers have defended this place since the now famous blizzard of l965 when citizens like Professor Hugh Iltis came from as far away as Madison to speak against a proposed marina for the southeast corner of the prairie. They lost that battle, but formed the Kenosha/Racine Project of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), thus starting the preservation of the prairie.

In 1983 a new group of defenders met to develop a preservation plan for the area. Soon after the land management plan was adopted, the preservationists formed the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund. Its three major goals are: (1) to buy land, (2) to restore that land, and (3) to educate volunteers and the public about this valuable national natural landmark located in the southeast corner of Wisconsin.

The CPPF has raised and spent in excess of $100,000 for land which is a considerable amount for a small grassroots group. After four long years, CPPF finally received a federal tax exempt status and was able to write for grants.

In 1965 when Phil Sander and Al Krampert led the group to save the prairie there were 498 parcels of land to buy. Now there are approximately 82 privately owned lots left to buy inside the target area south of 116th Street.

The Chiwaukee Prairie is a remarkable place by any prairie lover’s standards. It is the largest wet mesic prairie remnant in Wisconsin. When the contiguous Illinois Dunesland is added, it becomes one of the most valuable segments of the Great Lakes Eco-region, and home to more than 400 plant species, including the federally endangered prairie white-fringed orchid.

Since l995 the CPPF has embarked on numerous work projects. Prescribed burns, cutting in fire breaks, removing weedy trees, eliminating aliens and seeding damaged areas have all been carried out in year-round monthly work parties. Other activities include writing grants and educational materials, conducting tours and sponsoring all-day events as well as assisting with many plant and animal surveys.

Eagle Scout projects have included trail building, fence removal, TNC sign restoration and relocation, installation of 20 bluebird houses and 10 bat houses, clearing a fen, restoring creeping juniper to the sand dunes and building two kiosks. Other Kenosha youth groups of all ages have also helped. By appealing to new people, especially youth, Stewardship Chair, Marcia Wensing, hopes for even more assistance from the local community.

In January of 1994 a mining company asked for a zoning change on 425 acres of land in Pleasant Prairie in order to dig an open pit limestone quarry directly opposite the prairie on Highway 32. A whole new group successfully rallied to stop this project. The preservation and restoration of the prairie continues to this day!