SoCal Now April – June 2016

Your to-do listsave a wetland • take 100 hikes • meet the Sierra Club • grab a beer • act on climate change • sing happy birthday to John Muir • explore the San Gabriel Mountains • celebrate the National Park Service centennial • get ready to vote These events and more are found inside.

Whew, are you done yet?

It’s official: The massive natural gas leak in Porter Ranch has been deemed the worst acciden-tal discharge of greenhouse gases in U.S. history.

The leaking underground storage facility north of Los Angeles sent more than 95,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere, making this site the largest contributor to climate change in the state.

But it’s not the only place where horrific meth-ane pollution poses a threat.

Porter Ranch may be the canary in the coal mine for other places where housing develop-ments and oil drilling or natural gas storage sites collide. And it reinforces the urgent need to develop a plan for a permanent decommissioning of the site and to transition Los Angeles to 100% clean energy.

What other places could pose a risk?• MontebelloHills ineasternL.A.County is

a place riddled with old oil wells and slated for

Sometimes nature takes care of itself, some-times it doesn’t. Case in point: a big swath ofcoastal bluffs at the mouth of the Santa Ana River inOrangeCountythatwasonceranchlandhasevolved into a rare and intricate wildlife refuge.

That’s a good thing, except for the housing development planned on what has become home to herons and burrowing owls, lizards and fairy shrimp, and almost 100 other creatures and plants.

Building houses on what was once Banning Ranch near Newport Beach is a common story of habitat lossinCalifornia--andthat’swhatmakessavingitsopressing.Morethan90%ofthestate’swetlandshavevanished,whichiswhytheSierraClubandothershavebeen fighting for years to protect what few remain.

By saving this swath of more than 400 acres, we gain a unique ecosystem stretching from coastal mesas through the river estuary to the opensea. Ifnot,California losesoneof the lastmesa-wetland ecosystems in the state.

What can you do to help? Please visit svy.mk/1oW6T6u and sign our petition to let the California Coastal Commission know about theimportance of maintaining this coastal wonder. Then cometestifywhenthecommissionmeetsinMay.

For more information, go to www.bannin-granchconservancy.org or Terry Welsh, info@banningranchconservancy.org, (714) 719-2148.

Porter Ranch leak: Could it happen elsewhere?

Why this mesa-wetland needs your help

SIERRA CLUB

a hillside development that would place 1,200 homes right next to the old wells and danger-ouslyclosetoagasprocessingplant.SierraClub’sMontebelloHillsTask Forceworks to fight theplan that would “flatten” the hills and make the oil-drilling site “home.”

• Wilmington, by the Port of L.A., is aproposed processing site for 60,000 barrels of Canadiantarsandseveryday.Theoilcompany’splan is to get the diluted bitumen (dilbit) into refineries in the South Bay, a process that would increase pollution and pose a threat to residents who already breathe some of the most polluted air in the country.

Now is the time for strong federal regulations on methane pollution. The EPA recently released their first-ever set of methane regulations, but they aren’t strong enough - only covering new sources of emissions, rather than existing sites, liketheAlisoCanyonfacilityinPorterRanch.

SierraClubknowswecandobetter.Itlauncheda national campaign for the EPA to strengthen their regulations, using the Aliso Canyon gasleak as an example of what happens when strong regulations don’t exist.

Find out more about vulnerable areas of Los AngelesandOrangecounties.Contactthechairof theFracking,OilandGasCommitteeDavidHaakeatdhaake@ucla.edu.

TheAngelesChapterhaslongbeenadefenderof local mountains and habitats, and now it’s again being tested.

The Chapter recently sued to stop theSweetwaterMesaprojectinthemountainsaboveMalibuwhichwould forever change the faceofthe surrounding 28,000 acres of native chaparral habitat. The plan to build a complex of houses on a hilltop in the Santa Monica MountainsNational Recreation Area would permanently destroy this rare habitat.

And once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.ThelawsuitcallsouttheCoastalCommission

forviolatingstatelawinapprovingtheproject.Specifically, the commission unlawfully

approvedaprojectthatwasinconsistentwiththeCaliforniaCoastalActandtheLocalCoastalPlan(SweetwaterMesawasdesignated as open spaceintheCoastalPlan).

AndthecommissionviolatedtheCaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act by failing to do a proper environmental analysis of the project.The Commission rightly denied the projectin 2011, but was subsequently sued and pres-sured by real estate developers to reconsider its decision.

Now theChapter is going to court to stopthis project that threatens key scenic views-

If you think climate change is a long slow pro-cess, think again.

TheChapterishostingapanelofexpertswhowillsortfactfromfictionanddiscussjustwhat’sat risk for the coast at a Sierra Club ClimateForumonApril23inMissionViejo.

Sea levels have risen rapidly with devastating effects: flooding of wetlands, contamination of aquifers and food-growing soils, and a big loss of habitat for fish, birds and plants that thrive at the edges of our seas.

“Even if global warming is capped at govern-ments’ target of 2 degrees Celsius — which isalready seen as difficult — 20% of the world’spopulation will eventually have to migrate away from coasts swamped by rising oceans. Citiesincluding New York, London, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo,Calcutta, JakartaandShanghaiwouldallbe submerged,” says a story in London’s Guardian newspaper.

Californiaandthenation’scoastalareasareatrisk -- but how much and how soon?

All are welcome to join us and be informedabout the greatest risk the planet faces today. For more information, contact Angelica Gonzalez, Chapter Conservation Program Manager, atangelica.gonzalez@sierraclub.org or call (213) 387-4287.

Talk about oceans at risk ...

See you in court. M ean it

heds, habitat linkages, watersheds and trail corridors. Join us and become involved in sav-ingSouthernCalifornia’swildplaces.Contact

Angelica Gonzalez, Chapter ConservationProgram Manager, at angelica.gonzalez@sierraclub.org or call (213) 387-4287.

JIM KENNEY

TOM POLITEO

#HikeThe100DidyouknowtheNationalParkServiceturns100thisyear?Wedid--andwewantyoutojoinuson100(andmanymore)

guidedhikes onnational parklands -- from theSantaMonicaMountainsNationalRecreationArea inSouthernCalifornia toHawaiiandWyoming.Findthefulllistatwww.hikethe100.org

Channel Islands National Park

Don’tknowmuchabouttheislandsinSouthernCalifornia?Herearegreatchancestovisitthem closeup.•Comeona camping-hiking

excursion to Santa CruzIsland overMemorialDayweekend (May 27-30) to hike, kayak around the islands dream sea caves and camp. Good chance of seeing whales and dol-phins along the way! $150 per person, including boat ride. Contact MarlenMertz, (310) 990-7643,mbmertz@aol.com

•Wanttoseemoreofthisnationalpark?Comeisland-hoppingwithusthissummertoSantaBarbaraIsland,SantaCruzIslandandotherstoseefish,seals, sea lions and more. Trips are planned April through October and cost$650perperson(pricecoversbunkonprivateboat).ContactJoanJonesHoltz;(626)443-0706;jholtzhln@aol.com. 

Yosemite Backpacking AdventureJuly 1-4

Take the bus and back-pack for three days to travel from Porcupine Flat to the Yosemite Valley floor. You’llcatchallthemajorsites--HalfDome, Clouds Rest, GlacierPoint, Yosemite Falls -- and bed down in the back-country. See the best parts of this iconic nationalpark.ContactSridharGullapalli, (310) 821-3900, gnsridhar@hotmail.com

Learn to backpack with the prosMay & June

Have you everwanted to learn to backpack and get away innature? This class teaches you in three easy sessions (Sunday evenings,May1,15and22)everythingyouneedtoknow.Thenput what you learned into practice with a backpacking trip to a redwood forest grove in the Sierra on June 4-5. The course will teach you what to take, show you the latest equipment and what youneedtodobeforeyouleaveL.A.ApplybyApril15;classmayfillsooner.ContactDavidMeltzer,(310)913-1230

PHOTOS JOAN JONES HOLTZ

RAINER HÜBENTHAL/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

GEDSTROM

FRED DONG

41st Annual Hawallian Islands Eco-Adventure: The Big IslandJune 18-25

HikethelushWaipioValleyandblacksandbeachesintheNorthKohala rainforest, and stay in cottages near Hawaii VolcanoesNationalPark.Swim,snorkel,hikeor just relaxonthiseight-dayimmersion in the best of the Big Island. $1,644 to $1,809 per person, excluding airfare. Contact Bill Crane, (818) 773-4601,bilguana@socal.rr.com

John Muir’s Birthday HikesApril 17 and 23

TheSierraClubfounderwasbornApril21,1838.EachyeartheChaptercelebratesJohnMuir’slegacywithaseriesofhikes.Wecan’tthinkofabetterway to honor the man who persuaded presidents and America to protect its wildlands.OnApril17,chooseoneoffourhikes—easytohard—intheSantaMonicaMountainstocelebrate.DothesameApril23withaseriesofhikestoMuirPeakintheAngelesNationalForest.Checkoutdetailsofall the birthday hikes, and pick one that that’s right for you. Go to angeles.sierraclub.org/johnmuirhikes.

Santa Monica Mountains Trail Days in Pt. Mugu State ParkApril 22-24

We love SoCal parks, and sometimes they need our help. For morethan three decades theChapter has hosted awork partyweekend in theSantaMonicaMountainswhereyoucanshoreuptrails,pullout invasiveplants and work on a host of other chores. Isn’t it time to give back? Be one of the volunteers who contribute thousands of hours to keep this nationalparklandinshape.FreecampingatDanielsonRanchforallwhosignup.ContactMaryAnnWebster, (310) 559-3126;mawebster1984@ sbcglobal.net.

Tap your inner leaderApril 16

BecomingaSierraCluboutingsleaderstartswithcuriosityandaloveofthe outdoors. What better way to step up and lead than by taking advantage of the training opportunities the Angeles Chapter’s LeadershipTrainingCommitteeprovideseachyear.TheChapterishometooneofthelargestactivities and outings programs on the planet. The next leadership class -- a one-day seminar April 16 -- will be held in Pasadena. But you have tosignupbyApril2.ContactSteveBotan,(714)321-1296,ltcregistrar@hundredpeaks.org.

PHOTOS TOM POLITEO

SVEIN-MAGNE TUNNLI/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PAUL DEXXUS/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

What’s your next dream trip?

Lush rainforests, active volcanos, pristine beaches, natural hot springs, hidden waterfalls, and an amazing variety of wildlife, make this 14-day tour to Costa Rica an ideal tropi-cal eco-adventure. With 46 national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges, CostaRicaisknownasanenviron-mental eco-center.

It is a land with a breathtaking array of sights and sounds. Explore and learn why this country is known for its enlightened approach to con-servation.

Visit volcanoes, rain forests, eco-logical reserves, and wildlife sanc-tuaries with thousands of species of plants and trees, amphibians, rep-tiles,birdsandmammals.Highlightsinclude visiting unspoiled Pacific beaches to the wild Northern Caribbean, with stops at ManuelAntonio, Monteverde/Santa Elena,Arenal, Tortuguero and San Jose.

Dreamwith us. Every adventure begins with experienced Sierra Club leaders who show you the worldthrough the lens of nature and local culture. Every trip is different, creating memories you won’t find on other tours.

You may find yourself handing out solar-powered lanterns to villagers in Nepal or standing on the edge of a belching steam vent in the wilds of Iceland. We promise travel experiences like no other.

Costa Rica Adventure Oct. 1-14

PHOTOS MIKE SAPPINGFIELD

DONNA SPECHT

Itinerary and priceJust $1,950-$2,050 per person, excluding airfare. Interested?ContactDonnaSpecht,(714)963-6345,donnaspecht@juno.comDay 1: Land in San Jose and transfer toManualAntonioNationalParkDay 2 and 3: Spend the day in ManualAntonioNationalParkDay 4-6: Visit Santa Elena andMonteverdetohike,visitthereserve,go birdwatching, visit orchid gardens and moreDay 7-8: La Fortuna with a stop at Arenal Lake and boat tour of the CanoNegroWildlifeRefugeDay 9-10: Tortuguero, one of the most remote villages in the country. Day 11-12: Caribbean Tortuguero,which features baby turtles and good wildlife sightings.Day 13-14: San Jose and departure.

Hang time with Sierra ClubHere’sachance fornewmembers to learnabout localSierraClubcampaignsandactivitiesand

veteran members to find out what’s new. We want you to meet our leaders and organizers to see where you fit into the largest environmental organization on the planet. Bring a friend too -- it’s free.

Join usMay 9 at theCostaMesaCommunityCenter, 1845ParkAve.,CostaMesa. Formoreinformation,contactDonnaSpecht,(714)963-6345,donnaspecht@juno.com

It’s a crazy political yearThe upcoming 2016 presidential election can be summed up in one word: unprecedented. The number of candidates vying for the GOP nomination and larger-than-life personalities of some

candidates (need we say more?) add up to one confusing election time.Don’tletitthrowyou.TheChapterPoliticalCommitteeknowsthatthepresidentialraceisn’ttheonlyplacewhereenvi-

ronmentalists need to flex their political muscle.ThisyeartheSierraClubwillbevettingcandidates–fromyour localCityCouncil toyourstate

SenatororAssemblymembertopresident–andendorsingonlythosewhodemonstrateacommitmentto protecting the environment.

It’saprocessthatincludespersonalinterviewswithcandidatesandresearch–andwetakethisjobseriously.

You can expect to see endorsements at angeles.sierraclub.org/political_action/endorsements. The Clubendorseslocal,stateand,yes,federalcandidatestoguidevotersonwhichgoodenvironmentalistsare worthy of their vote.

Wanttojoinusandlendyourvoicetotheprocess?Emailpolitical@angeles.sierraclub.org.

Time to grab a beer. You betchaWe’re not usually this beer crazy. Really.ButtheFigueroaMountainBrewingCo.inWestlake

Village has a crazy good reason to hoist a pint in ourhonor.

Every Wednesday in April, starting April 6, the com-pany pours from a Benefit Taphandle. We are the organi-zationofchoiceforApril–meaningtheChapterreceives50% of all proceeds from the beer pourings.

So drink up!Where to go: Westlake Village Taproom, 30770

RussellRanchRoad,SuitesE&F,WestlakeVillage,Calif.91362. Open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

SoCal NowApril-June 2016

Volume71No.2* (web)

web: angeles.sierraclub.org

Mary Forgione Editormary.forgione@sierraclub.org

SoCal Now (USPS 971-700) is published quar-terly by the:SierraClubAngelesChapter3435 Wilshire Blvd. #660 LosAngeles,CA90010-1904.Phone: (213) 387-4287, Ext. 212. Hours:Mon.-Fri.10a.m.to5p.m.

Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA90052.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: SoCal Now, Sierra Club Data Changes, 3435WilshireBlvd.,#660,LosAngeles,CA90010-1904.

©2016SierraClubAngelesChapter. Image copy-rights held by the artists. Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Angeles Chapter.

Printed on wheat paper with soy-based inks.

Youcanhelpdecidethedirectionofthenation’slargestgrassrootsenvironmentalorganizationbyvotingintheSierraClub’sannualboardofdirectorselection.Nationalboardmembersareelectedforthree-yearterms. 

The2016electionfortheSierraClub’sNationalBoardofDirectorsbeganinMarch.Membersareaskedtochooseamongeightcandidatesforfiveopenseats.Youmayvotebypaperballotorbyelectronicballot.Youmay readcandidatestatementsandrequestane-ballotat sierraclub.org/board/elections.

Completedballotsmustbereceivedby April27.TheAngelesChapterrecommendsavoteforSusanaReyes,RobinMann,andJosephManningintheupcomingelectionfortheSierraClub’s

BoardofDirectors.

What, an election already?

Party with us for Earth Day AprilisamonthwecelebratenotonlyEarthDay(April22)butalsothebirth-

dayofSierraClubfounderJohnMuir.JoinusforaspecialeveningatG2GalleryinVenicewhereyoucanalsoseea

photographyshowofnationalparksandmonuments.We’llhavespeakers–andanopportunityforyoutograbaselfiewithMuirtoo.

SierraClubexecutivedirectorMichaelBrunewrotethisabouthim:“Althoughhediedalmost100yearsago--longbeforethefirstEarthDay--Muir

would have loved the idea of a day dedicated to celebrating (and protecting) our amazingplanet.Heisoftenrememberedforopposingthedestructionofwilder-ness,butMuir,firstandforemost,wasacelebrantofwilderness.Justpickuponeofhisbooks.Hisenthusiasmexplodesoffthepage.Hiscampaignstoprotecttheplaces he loved were fueled by this inexhaustible passion -- and by his conviction that experiencing the natural world could lift any human spirit as it had his own.”

Join the party, it’s free and open to all.Contact AngelicaGonzalez,ChapterConservationProgramManager,atangelica.gonzalez@sierraclub.orgorcall(213)387-4287.

Howwelldoyouknowyourwildbackyard?Nottheonewhereyourkidsplay,butthebigoneintheSanGabrielMountainsthathasriversandforeststoexplore-- and it’s oh-so-close to L.A. too.

Anyone who wants to learn about this breathtaking ecosystem is invited to come on a hike April 24 to see why the San Gabriels are so special and why it’s important that underserved communities receive greater access to this recreational resource.

Families with children are welcome to participate on this easy hike along the El EncantoTrailinAzusathat’saboutamileandahalfeachway.Youcanjoinusfora little barbecue at the end with hotdogs and vegetarian options too.

SierraClub and SanGabrielMountains Forever scored amajor achievementwhenPresidentObamacreatedtheSanGabrielMountainsMonumentin2014,but more work needs to be done to protect the land.

Meet8:30a.m.atthevisitorcenter/rangerstationparkinglotonHighway39,about a half mile south of the Encanto Trail. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring waterand snacks.Thehike is freeandopen toall. Interested?ContactRobertoMorales, (213) 387-6528 x213 or (818) 400-6340, roberto.morales@sierraclub.org.

Howdy, neighbor. Come meet the San Gabriels

Reach your local Sierra Club Angeles Chapter at (213) 387-4287 or e-mail info@angeles.sierraclub.org

And the winner is… FindoutattheAngelesChapterAwardsBanquetonJune5atBrooksideCountryClubin Pasadena. We will celebrate our dedicated volunteers and the National Park Service’s centennial.ContactDonnaSpecht,(714)963-6345,donnaspecht@juno.com.

ROBERTO MORALES

BOB CATES