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Santa Lucian September 20111

Strike DownCitizens United!

David Cobbin personSept. 14

see page 2

The official newsletter of the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club San Luis Obispo County, California

Protecting and Preserving theCentral Coast

Santa Lucian

IIIII n s i d en s i d en s i d en s i d en s i d eCongress in wonderland 2

Bioneers is back 4

Thank you, Peter Douglas 6

Morro Bay vs. otters 7

Lets label GMOs 8

Classifieds 11

Outings 12

Please recycle

This newsletter printed on100% post-consumer recycled paper with

soy-based inks

Sept 2011Volume 48 No. 8

S a n t a L u c i a n S a n t a L u c i a C h a p t e r o f t h e S i e r r a C l u b

P . O . B o x 1 5 7 5 5 S a n L u i s O b i s p o , C A 9 3 4 0 6

N O N P R O F I T O R G . U . S . P O S T A G E

P A I D P E R M I T N O . 8 4

S A N L U I S O B I S P O C A 9 3 4 0 1

A Day of ActionMoving Planet is September 24

On Saturday, September 24, theSierra Club, 350.org and others aresponsoring Moving Planet, a globalday of action to encourage our societyto move beyond fossil fuels.

For too long, our leaders havedenied and delayed, compromised andcaved. That era must come to an end:its time to get moving on the climatecrisis.

Moving Planet will be a day to putour demands for climate action intomotionmarching, biking, skatingcalling for the world to move beyondfossil fuels.

World-wide events are beingplanned for a day of action under thetheme of moving beyond fossil fuels.People around the world will take tothe streets on bicycles, skateboards,foot, and more, coming together as aglobal community dedicated tomoving our planet in a new andenvironmentally positive direction.

The Sierra Club is encouraging ourmembers to get involved to helporganize Moving Planet events that

will help push forward local andnational campaigns and build themovement. The global fossil fuelinfrastructure is a threat to our futureeverywhere, polluting our oceans, ourland, our air, our communities and

our childrens lungs. Looming largestis the continued burning of coal andoil, which will tip climate change intoclimate catastrophe.

www.moving-planet.orgThe Empower Poly Coalition, SLO County Bicycle Coalition, Central CoastClergy & Laity for Justice and the Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Clubinvite you to a Bike Trivia Run, Stretch Your mind - Power Your future, tobe held during the day at local businesses. Pick up your trivia run checkpointcard and for automatic entry in a raffle at Steynberg Gallery, 1531 MontereyStreet, San Luis Obispo, any time after 12 p.m. Make your rounds via smarttransit, bike or walk; come back in the evening for the raffle drawing, freeappetizers and a screening of Moving Beyond the Automobile starting at 7 p.m.Come share your visions for a smarter society and see local efforts to changeour disposable lifestyle. For more information contact empowerpolycoalition @gmail.com, call (805) 459-6752, or visit www.350.org/en/about/blogs/moving-planet/. Lets move!

Sharon Smith HasFive Simple Rules

Sharon Smith is a SLO native whogrew up to become an organizer andtrainer in the environmental, global

justice, peace and human rightsmovements. This year, when herbook, The Young Activists Guide to

Building a Green Movement &Changing the World was published,the Sierra Student Coalition invitedher to speak at Cal Poly.

At that June meeting, she had someadvice for young people who might

want to go about doing the kind of thing she does but may feel inad-equate to the task. She pointed outthat 350.org began in 2007 whenseven college students fromMiddlebury met for dinner over thecourse of a few weeks, brought theidea to Bill McKibben, and created an

RULES continued on page 7

For information, contact:Ben Lovejoy(805) [email protected]

A North CountyMoving Planet Eventin Atascadero:Green Wheels

and...

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2Santa Lucian September 2011

Change of Address? Mail changes to:

Sierra Club National Headquarters85 Second Street, 2nd FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105-3441

or e-mail:[email protected]

Visit us onthe Web!

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Outings, events, and more!

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Santa Lucian

EDITOR

Melody DeMerittThomas A. CyrSteven MarxEDITORIAL BOARD

The Santa Lucian is published 10 times a year. Articles, environmental information and letters to the editor are welcome. The deadline for each issue is the 11th of the prior month.

send to:

Editor, Santa Lucianc/o Santa Lucia Chapter, Sierra ClubP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]

Santa Lucia Chapter

2011 Executive Committee Melody De Meritt

CHAIRSteven Marx

TREASURER

Cal FrenchMEMBERGreg McMillan

VICE CHAIRPat Veesart

MEMBERJono Kinkade

MEMBERLinda Seeley

SECRETARY

Cal FrenchCOUNCIL OF CLUB LEADERS

Committee Chairs Political

Chuck TribbeyConservation

vacantMembership

Cal FrenchLitigation

Andy GreensfelderNuclear Power Task Force

Rochelle Becker

Other Leaders

Open SpaceGary Felsman 805-473-3694

Calendar SalesBonnie Walters 805-543-7051

Chapter HistoryJohn Ashbaugh 805-541-6430

Activities Outings

Joe Morris [email protected]/Kayak

open

WebmasterMonica Tarzier [email protected]

Chapter DirectorAndrew Christie805-543-8717

[email protected]

[email protected]

Andrew [email protected]

[email protected]

Printed by University Graphic Systems

Office hours Monday-Friday,12 p.m.- 5 p.m., 974 Santa Rosa Street, San Luis Obispo

The Executive Committee meetsthe fourth Friday of every monthat 5:30 p.m. at the chapter office,located at 974 Santa Rosa St.,San Luis Obispo. All members

are welcome to attend.

CoordinatorKim Ramos, Admin and [email protected]

Assistant CoordinatorsMarie Clifford - correspondenceYvonne Yip - social networking

Santa Lucia ChapterP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

Denny MynattPRINT MEDIA COORDINATOR

Meeting: Move to Amend Wednesday, September 14, 7-9 p.m.

Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St., SLO. For info, call 543-8717.

www.movetoamend.org

Attorney David Cobb of DemocracyUnlimited serves as national spokesper-son for Move To Amend, a coalitioncalling for a constitutional amendmentto abolish Corporate Personhood, thelegal doctrine that allows corporationsto overturn democratically enactedlaws that seek to protect citizens fromcorporate harm.

On January 21, 2010, with its rulingin Citizens United v. Federal ElectionCommission misguided in prin-ciple and wrong on the law the

Supreme Court ruled that corpora-tions are persons entitled by the U.S.Constitution to buy elections and runour government. Join the movementto end corporate rule and amend theConstitution to reject the Courtsruling and establish that humanbeings, not corporations, are personsentitled to constitutional rights.

On August 5, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on the number of new jobs created in July, a number which did not significantly reduce the level of national unemployment. In response, House Energy and Commerce Commit-tee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich) seized the occasion to expound on a favoritetheme: the idea that protecting the environment kills jobs.

Millions of American jobs are in jeopardy because of the costly rulesproposed or under development by the EPA, he said, as reported in that daysedition of The Hill . If this administration is serious about job creation and not

just paying lip service, it should begin by putting the brakes on this regulatorytrain wreck.

What the nation needs, said Upton, eagerly seconded by Speaker of the HouseJohn Boehner, is regulatory re lief.

Regulatory relief is a beloved, deeply held conservative ideal, and will likelyremain so no matter how many facts are produced for the edification of Representatives Upton and Boehner and their ideological colleagues demon-strating that they are simply wrong.

Wrong in this case does not mean slightly off the mark. The idea thatregulatory relief is what the nation needs that the economy is sufferingunder the yoke of environmental regulations and that it cant recover unlessfreed of such regulations is part of a a false paradigm, a model of thinkingthat is contrary to reality.

One might assume that the nearly $100,000 in contributions that Rep. Uptonreceived from the mining and electric power industries in the first six monthsof 2011 may have helped to model his thinking on this matter.

Had Rep. Upton attended the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference in Washing-ton, D.C., last February as I did (www.greenjobsconference.org), he could haveheard EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson tick off some interesting facts andfigures, all of which probably would have ticked off Rep. Upton, as they arehighly damaging to his false paradigm. Jackson took the podium to note thatthe Clean Air Act is one of the reasons for the dramatic growth in the environ-

mental technologies industry. By 2007, the industry was generating approxi-mately $282 billion in revenues, producing $40 billion in exports, and support-ing 1.6 million jobs. EPAs new vehicle and fuel rules, when fully implementedin 2030, will produce $186 billion in air quality and health benefits, with only$11 billion in costs, a nearly 16-to-1 benefit/cost ratio. Other rules have beenfound to be even more cost effective, including EPAs Non-road Diesel Tier 4rule, which boasts a 40-to-1 benefit ratio.

Ms. Jackson went on in that vein, aware that the freshman class of Congres-sional Republicans, just then settling in to their new offices down the street,

were getting ready to use the EPA as a budget piata.I assume Rep. Upton has never read the 2010 EPA report Ms. Jackson was

citing, or the 1995 report of the MIT Project on Environmental Politics &Policy, which found that The money spent by complying firms represents salesand income to environmental product/service providers, who are privatebusinesses. New demand spurs new products and new services. It concluded:The all-out assault on federal and state environmental statutes now underwayis unwarranted and unwise. Gutting environmental statutes merely prolongspublic subsidization of inefficient uncompetitive businesses.

The reason why we are hearing the call for regulatory relief at this particu-lar moment is H.R. 2584, the 2012 Interior Appropriations bill, now beforeCongress. House Republicans have attached an unprecedented number of extreme anti-environmental riders to the bill slashing funding for thecritically important Land and Water Conservation Fund, putting uraniummines next to the Grand Canyon, and seeking in every way to keep the EPAfrom doing its job, including barring it from considering protection of humanhealth and the environment when issuing permits for offshore oil drilling.

The 2012 Interior Appropriations bill dwells in a dark, drafty hall of historydedicated to The Power of Bad Ideas. Call the office of Rep. Kevin McCarthy,

who is held fast in the grip of the false paradigm -- 461-1034 (North County) or549-0390 (South County) -- and give him the good word: environmentalprotections are not whats killing the economy; they are whats keeping it alive.

UPDATE : After an avalanche of bad publicity, H.R. 2584 has been tabled. Areplacement funding measure is considered unlikely to resurface with thedefunct bills toxic load of amendments.

Nothing Costs More Than a Bad Idea By Andrew Christie, Chapter Director

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On August 8, Defenders of Wildlife,the Center for Biological Diversityand the Sierra Club reached anagreement with SunPower Corp. andTopaz Solar Farms, a subsidiary of First Solar, Inc., to provide additionalconservation protections for theCarrizo Plain, where SunPowers 250-megawatt California Valley SolarRanch and First Solars 550-mega-

watt Topaz Solar Farm are plannedfor the generation of solar power fordelivery to the state grid.

The Carrizo Plain, a core recoveryarea for the endangered San Joaquinkit fox and giant kangaroo rat, ishome to the largest variety of threatened and endangered plant andanimal species in California.

Supplementary to permit condi-tions requiring protections for

wildlife and habitat based on environ-mental reviews by federal, state andcounty agencies, SunPower andTopaz have agreed to additionalconservation measures. More than9,000 acres added to the 17,000 acresof land required to be permanentlyprotected and preserved under thepermit conditions, resulting in a totalof approximately 26,000 acres --about 40 square miles -- of theCarrizo Plain. Thirty miles of fencingremoved from the area, allowing forgreater wildlife movement around theprojects. Additional enhancements

will be made to the wildlife-friendlyfencing around the solar systemarrays. No rodenticides are to be usedin the construction or operations of the projects, and the solar companies

will help fund efforts to eliminaterodenticides on the Carrizo Plain andin other San Joaquin kit fox conserva-tion areas. Topaz and SunPower willmake additional financial contribu-tions to San Luis Obispo County tohelp acquire a largely undevelopedsubdivision in the Carrizo Plain torestore for wildlife conservation.

One of most unfortunate side-effects of the initial rush by solarcompanies to claim sitesthroughout the southwesternU.S. and California without firstconsidering the issues of threatened species and habitathas been what we can only callan epidemic of endangeredspecies bashing. Locally, as theCalifornia Valley Solar Ranchand Topaz projects made their

way through the permittingprocess, some project propo-nents claimed there was anenvironmentalist split

wildlife advocates vs. cleanenergy advocates. This divisionhas everywhere been the result

the media as a handy hook for storiescovering opposition to the location of such projects, stories that invariablyscold environmentalists as hypocritesfor opposing a particular project.Those stories about site-specificconcerns raised by a specific projectroutinely tend to slide into theconclusion that such concernstranslate into opposition to solarpower and all renewable energyprojects everywhere.

It is essential that renewable energyprojects be located and designed inthe most sustainable manner possible.Siting projects on sensitive landscreates unnecessary conflict betweendevelopers and Californians who wish

to preserve our states native wildlifeand natural landscapes. There aregood places to put renewable energyprojects. The Carrizo Plain, as corehabitat for threatened species, is notone of them. The development of renewable energy in California toreduce carbon emissions and transi-tion away from fossil fuels can befacilitated appropriately on ampledisturbed and/or degraded sites (suchas brownfields, former industrial sites,defunct mines and abandoned agricul-tural lands) available throughout thestate.

The Santa Lucia Chapter did notendorse the agreement with the solarcompanies. We can only hope that the

additional money and time thecompanies had to expend to achieve asettlement of the issues that arosefrom the selection of their projectsites will serve to give pause to futureenergy companies eager to enter intopower purchase agreements withutilities without first determining

what else is on a proposed site besidescopious sunshine and a transmissionline.

We hope the additional mitigationsnegotiated might give the species of the Carrizo a fighting chance forsurvival despite the choice to locatethese facilities there.

A Solar Settlement

Last fall, the Sierra Club conducted a survey of the fees charged by SLOCounty and the incorporated cities for permits to install photovoltaic (PV) solarenergy systems on commercial buildings (See Let Solar Sell, February). Wedetermined that the maximum cost recovery limit municipalities should becharging in permit fees the amount needed to cover the costs to the city forthe review and inspection of a project is $2,540 for an average 131kWsystem. We found a wide variation among cities, with Pismo Beach ($15,907),Grover Beach ($9,509) and Morro Bay ($31,548) clocking in with permit feesfar in excess of the estimated maximum cost recovery limit, a clear disincentivefor any local business to go solar.

We brought this to the attention of the municipalities and alerted the media.The Tribune editorialized on the absurd gap between the high and low end forcommercial solar permit fees in the county (Solar permit discrepancies mustbe fixed, March 9, 2011). We have conducted follow-up interviews throughoutthe year, and are happy to report considerable progress in the three problemcities.

Morro Bay lowered its commercial PV solar permit fee in March.Pismo Beach lowered its commercial PV permit fee to $5,062.75 on April 5.Grover Beach is working on master fee schedule changes for both residential

and commercial PV, and should have a new schedule of fees in place later this year.

We strongly suggest that cities stop computing PV permit fees based on valuations and go to a more appropriate methodology such as what wevedocumented in the report and recommendations, said Kurt Newick, chair of the Global Warming and Energy Committee for the Sierra Clubs Loma Prietachapter.

Over the last five years, solar PV fee surveys by Sierra Club California chap-ters resulted in more than 70 cities significantly lowering their fees for residen-tial solar photovoltaic projects. Were very pleased to see similar results fromthe newest round of reports focusing on commercial PV projects.

The most current version of the Sierra Clubs San Luis Obispo Countycommercial PV permit fee report is available at www.solarpermitfees.org/ sanluisobispo.html/.

Capps Marks Completion of Nations Largest PublicHousing Solar Project

On August 18, CongresswomanLois Capps, the Housing Author-ity of the County of SantaBarbara (HACSB), solar energycompanies and others an-nounced the installation of newsolar panels on the low-incomehousing units throughout theCounty.

The Housing Authority hasinstalled more than 7,200 solarpanels on 863 low-incomehousing units at 21 sitesthroughout Santa BarbaraCounty. The project representsthe largest installation of solarpanels by any public housingauthority in the United States, of

which there are approximately 3,200, and will generate 1.7 megawatts of solarenergy. About fifty percent of the funding to complete the project was gener-ated from federal sources.

Capps praised the HACSB and solar energy companies for their work tocomplete these projects and the contribution of federal funding and otherefforts to transition to cleaner energy sources, including incentives to makehomes and businesses more energy efficient to lower energy bills and create

jobs.The installation of over 7,200 solar panels on affordable housing units across

the County shows how federal investments in clean energy are paying off righthere on the Central Coast. The installation of these new solar panels createdgood paying jobs, and will result in lower energy bills for families throughoutSanta Barbara County for years to come. I commend the tremendous work theHousing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara that serves our localcommunities each and every day, said Capps.

Due to its size and complexity, encompassing 863 housing units at 21properties, involving more than 7,200 solar panels and three utility districts ata cost of $12.25 million, our Solar Photovoltaic Project arguably represents themost significant and challenging undertaking in the entire 70 year history of the HACSB, said Frederick Lamont, Executive Director of the Santa BarbaraCounty Housing Authority. To the best of our knowledge this represents thelargest solar installation for any housing authority in the United States and weare pleased that this project will result in a substantial reduction in both ourlow income tenants electricity costs as well as the HACSB carbon footprint.

Of the $12.25 million needed to complete the project, over $6 million camefrom federal sources, including $1.2 million from a competitive AmericanRecovery And Reinvestment Act grant, $1.2 million from HACSBs energyperformance contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Develop-ment, and $3.67 million from a Department of the Treasury 1603 rebate,specifically developed for solar initiatives.

Update: The Price of Solar in SLO

Concerned local resident Pray for the kit fox.of poor site selection. Thissplit has been promoted by

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Bioneers, a popular annual conference held for 21 years in Marin County, willbe represented on the central coast at the second annual Central CoastBioneers conference in San Luis Obispo, October 14-16. Central Coast Bioneersis a project of Ecologistics, Inc., a local non-profit agency dedicated to findingbreakthrough solutions for people and the planet.

Registration is now open for the conference, held at the San Luis Obispo VetsHall. Attendees can choose to attend all offerings over the 3-day event, or selectfrom weekend, single day, select field trips and events or sampler passoptions. Student pricing is also available.

Bioneers is a gathering of scientific and social innovators who have demon-strated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and communi-ties. The San Rafael conference regularly draws thousands of attendees. CentralCoast Bioneers is a licensed Bioneers beaming site, which means the presenta-tions of leading social and scientific innovators speaking at the Bioneersconference in San Rafael will be transmitted live to Central Coast attendees.

Sixteen of the worlds brightest social entrepreneurs, scientists, NGO leaders, women leaders, educators, indigenous leaders and others will present cutting-

edge ideas for making communities strong and resilient.The beamed content is just the beginning. Central Coast Bioneers will alsopresent live, on-site speakers, hands-on workshops and local field trips de-signed to address regional interests.

Best-selling author Gail Sheehy and Jason McClellan, international thought-leader in the green architecture movement, will be in San Luis Obispo forlectures and book signings.

Twenty-five speakers and panelists will share their expertise at local after-noon workshops and presentations. Topics include green gardening, the

Los Robles del Mar: whos got the water?

On July 19, the Pismo Beach City Council had a Public Hearing on AnOrdinance Approving Amendment Number 1 to the Development AgreementNo. 2004-001 Between the City of Pismo Beach and Pacific Harbor Homes,LLC in other words, Bringing Back the Los Robles del Mar DevelopmentFrom the Dead. (See A Watershed Win, Feb. 2008).

The staff report was prepared by City Attorney David Fleishman. In sum-mary, it said that the LRDM developer had obtained rights to state water fromPismo-98 LLC, and that the transfer of that water entitlement was recentlyapproved by the City Council. The amendment to the agreement was adver-tised as a simple substitution of State Water for the groundwater resources,relieving any requirement of the developer to develop the on-site wells orhook them into the citys municipal water supply.

Fleishman said that Staff has not identified any additional or different

Pismos ThirstThe City is lusting after two huge, unsustainable development projects

dangers of water privatization, keeping our food supply local and sustainable,lessons to help consumers & green business owners avoid greenwashing,conservation of the Salinas River corridor, and many more.

There will be demonstration projects and field trips related to aquaculture,green building and storm water conservation. There will also be yoga and aseed exchange. Live beamed presentations will feature Philippe Cousteau,Gloria Steinem, Award-winning Chinese filmmaker John Liu, and AmoryLovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute.

The founders of Ecologistics, Inc., the presenters of Central Coast Bioneers, were inspired by the people and messages at Bioneers conferences they at-tended in Marin County. As Central Coast residents, they knew people in thecounties of Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara would enjoy sharingthis kind of energy and inspiration with members of their own region.

Registration and more information about Central Coast Bioneers, speakersand topics is available at their website, www.ecologistics.org/centralcoastbioneers/ or by calling (805) 548-0597.

M a r c

i a C a r t e r

Price Canyon: just a litte bit pregnant

by Laura Sprague

On July 21, the Local Agency Formation Commission took a field trip totour Price Canyon, where the Commission is pondering future annexation toPismo Beach to facilitate a proposed development that would expand the sizeof the city by a third, covering more than 1,100 acres with 650 homes, 160hotel units and a golf course.

When the LAFCO tour bus came to Vetter Lane to view the Godfrey Prop-erty, the site of four wells much coveted by prospective developers, they foundthe community had turned out in a major way. At least 40 people were

waiting to greet them at the end of the road, with several more in carsfollowing the bus.

I was on the bus, along with Sheila Blake, as LAFCO had graciously made afew seats available to the public. At each stop, LAFCO executive officer DavidChurch pointed out landmarks to orient the observers. He informed them as

to the status of each parcel, whether it was already in the Sphere of Influence(SOI) of Pismo, and its status relative to the Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) between Pismo and the County (i.e., whether the Board of Supervisors LRDM continued on page 9

PRICE CYN continued on page 9

Waiting for LAFCO Concerned South County residents converged on Local Agency Formation Commissioners at the Vetter Lane stop on their tour of Price Canyon.

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by Eric Greening

You may be getting a call fromconsultants working for the San LuisObispo Council of Governments.They will ask for 20 to 25 minutes of

your time to discuss transportationissues and to hear your opinion on

willingness to support a revenuemeasure for transportation.

I hope, if this happens, that you willhave the time, and take the time, togive them your own honest opinions,

whatever those are. Here are a fewthings you might be thinking aboutas you prepare for the possibility of being called:

1. Are there any younger cell-phoneusers in your household? If such aperson is willling to trundle over to

your land line connection to talk tothe pollster, it could help provide abetter demographic sample. They are

only calling land lines, but promise toproduce a result that balances thedemographic categories. Since landline owners with time to talk will tendto be retired, everyone else could beundersampled, leading to extrapola-tion from small samples. There is arisk that, if they find one African

American woman in her twenties on aland line with time to talk, she willhave to stand in for all African

American women in their twenties,despite the diversity of opinions to befound an any segment that couldresult from slicing and dicing thepopulation into categories.

2. The consultants are operatingfrom a belief system (based on pastexperience elsewhere) that raisingsales taxes is more acceptable thanraising gasoline taxes or vehiclelicense fees. Now that most of us haveseen the urgency of containingdamage to the climate and reducing

Appearing before the July 26California Energy Commission (CEC)

workshop on the future of nuclearpower in California, The Alliance forNuclear Responsibility (A4NR)presented the CEC with five recom-mendations to guide the future of nuclear power in California.

In the wake of the Fukushimanuclear disaster, the economicimpacts and loss of grid reliabilityfrom nuclear plants located inseismic zones must be scrutinized,said A4NR executive director RochelleBecker. These are all concerns solely

within state jurisdiction, and the CECis the right agency to hear the

publics questions.Both the Diablo Canyon reactors of PG&E and the San Onofre (SONGS)facility of Southern California Edison(SCE) were discussed. A4NR recom-mendations include requiring thenuclear utilities to undertake plan-ning to replace their nuclear mega-

watts in the event of a Fukushima-type outage; asking the federalgovernment to explain how Californiacan afford to host radioactive wasteinto an undefined future; requiring anexamination of the inadequacy of the$12.6 billion liability insurance cap inthe event of a radioactive release;evaluating the costs of expanding the

If SLOCOG Calls vehicle miles traveled,shouldnt we be expecting roadusers to pay their way ratherthan be subsidized? To theextent that any transportationmeasure would likely bedominated by road spending,doesnt it make sense that thetrue cost of the roads shouldconfront a driver when register-ing a car or stopping at thepumps? Sales taxes equallyaffect drivers and non-drivers,thus road spending derived therefromconstitutes a subsidy of drivers bynon-drivers, and insulates drivers, asa protected class, against the true costof their habit. This issue could bementioned to the poll-takers, whethersuch an opinion is solicited ornot. Their format will allow for thosepolled to raise issues of their own.

3. If the source of revenue en-hancement is to be raising the salestax, shouldnt people concerned withclimate, congestion, and pollutioninsist that the resulting funds bespent to promote true multimodality,not primarily road work, especially if the latter means expansion? Non-motorized options, public transitincluding operating support, whichhas been declining nationwide, evenduring the era of stimulus -- andincentives for ridesharing shoulddominate, not spending that allowsthe continued dominance of thesingle-occupant vehicle.

4. To the extent that road work isfunded by such a measure, thereneeds to be clarity that if the condi-tion of the roads is used to promote ameasure, the money should be usedto improve the condition, not toexpand the system. We saw thishappen with Proposition 1-B, in

which voters were told the roads werefalling apart (mentioning that gastaxes were falling short, not mention-ing that vehicle license fees had beendrastically cut when Schwarzeneggertook office), and that the respon-sible thing to do was to supportbonds to take care of them. Theresult was a measure that has to berepaid with interest over 30 yearsfrom the states General Fund, costingdouble what paying up front (whichcould have been completed by nowsimply by leaving the Vehicle LicenseFees alone) would have cost, andextracting $1.3 billion from each

years budget. The upshot is that thisroad work is being paid for not at thepump, but by elders losing their in-home care and by kids losing theirmusic and art teachers. What is mostgalling here is that the bulk of themoney is going not into road mainte-nance, but into huge expansionprojects like the billion dollar one onthe 405, creating even more pave-ment we can fall short in taking careof.

Those who have the opportunity totalk to poll takers need to insist intruth in labeling in the creation andmarketing of any transportationrevenue measure.

5. To the extent that the poll takerstalk to adults (and likely more toolder adults), remember the needs of kids in the household, and of kids youknowthose too young to drive,

whose safety from cars must be apriority if they are to have any accessto their community short of beinghauled around by drivers. People not

yet of voting age will not be invitedinto the conversation, but they willgrow into paying the tax if it is votedin, and deserve representation now, asthey are part of the community now.

6. Given the constrained times weare in, and the many who are hurtingeconomically, you may be willing tosupport a modest tax increase to keepthings going, but not a large increaseto support an ambitious list of pro-

jects. If that is the case, you shouldclearly let it be known.

7. Although this poll is abouttransportation, due to the fact thatour regional transportation agency ispaying for it, it should not be as-sumed that transportation is your highest priority for a new tax, if yousupport one. If you would rather someother public interest benefit from thefirst trip to the tax well before itmight run dry, there is nothing wrong

with saying so.One issue that may benefit from a

transportation tax could be openspace acquisition. The currentEnvironmental Enhancement andMitigation fund, overseen bySLOCOG, has helped with the

acquisition of such places as the ElfinForest and Atascaderos StadiumPark, so it is possible that a transpor-tation measure could be structured toinclude such a fund. It is, however,unlikely to stretch to include schools,or libraries or other public services orfacilities.

evacuation zones around reactorsfrom 20 to 50 miles as the Japanesedid; and considering the validity of the current state CPUC permits thatallow the two nuclear plants tooperate. The full A4NR recommenda-tions can be downloaded at http:// a4nr.org/?p=1543/.

It was in the CEC nuclear workshopprocess of 2005 that the impetusarose to study the costs, risks andbenefits of relying on nuclear power.

An outcome of that workshop was AB1632 (Blakeslee) which mandated thatthe CEC to do the study, and fromthat came the recommendations foradvanced seismic work. The need for

seismic studieschampioned bygeophysicist Senator Blakeslee andsupported by A4NRare at the heartof the nuclear license renewal debatein California.

The CEC began assessing the risksof nuclear power before a 2007Japanese earthquake idled theKashiwazaki nuclear plant at a cost of more than $12 billion in repairs andreplacement power, and well beforeFukushima. PG&E failed to heed therecommendations of the CEC andapplied for Nuclear RegulatoryCommission relicensing beforecompleting the studies, drawing apublic rebuke from CEC Commis-

sioner James Boyd in 2009. It wasonly after the tragedy of Fukushimathat PG&E began the studies inearnest, and the NRC has belatedlyadmitted they even need to reevaluateseismic and other threats to nuclearpower plants. Our state CEC wasasking all the right questions inadvance of the disaster, and deservespraise for the their farsightedness,said Becker.

A4NR carefully reviewed PG&E andSCEs responses to data requestsmade by the CEC and found numer-ous contradictions, omissions andinadequacies. In order to makeresponsible planning decisions, our

regulatory agencies need accurate andcurrent data, and we found theutilitys answers flawed, she said.

Presentations submitted to the2011 CEC workshop by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) are at odds

with the assertions of PG&E. Withregards to the Shoreline fault, 1800feet from Diablo Canyon, PG&Es

written response to the CEC states,Currently our logic tree does notconnect the Shoreline to the Hosgrifault, because we believe this is anunrealistic scenario based on tworecent studies.... In the USGSpresentation, however, the agencyconcludes that the Northwest end of

Nuclear Unknowns in Californias Energy FutureRepresenting ratepayers at the Energy Commission workshop on nuclear power

Shoreline Fault extends to themapped trace of the Hosgri Fault,indicating that there is no gapbetween these faults at seismogenicdepths.

Becker adds, It is to be hoped thatthe new 3-D seismic studies will helpclarify any uncertainty regarding theunknown hazards threatening theDiablo Canyon site. PG&Es claimsand research must be subject toindependent peer review by stateregulators. It was this lack of objec-tive oversight that led to the devastat-ing seismic cost overruns 30 yearsago.

Southern California Edison is

decades behind PG&E in updatingtheir seismic and tsunami research atthe San Onofre reactors, which is of concern because over 7 million peoplelive within 50 miles of SONGS. Theunfunded mandate of storing radioac-tive waste at that geographicallyconstrained locationand the needto plan for revised evacuationsareall potentially costly state burdens.

Becker told the Energy Commis-sion The CEC is taking on the rolethey shouldsafeguarding a reliableand affordable supply of power forCalifornia. This isnt about being foror against nuclear power, it is aboutresponsible planning.

by the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility

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Join 80,000 of your friends andneighbors and helpprotect our coast& shorelines

Be part of the solution to marine pollution! Marking its 27th year, theCalifornia Coastal Commissions Coastal Cleanup Day is the states largest

volunteer event. In 2010, over 82,500 volunteers removed more than 1.2million pounds of trash and recyclables from our beaches, lakes, and waterways.

Californias coast and waterways have historically been collecting spots forannual accumulations of trash and debris. This debris, if not removed, can beharmful and even fatal to marine wildlife, can damage our states economy, andcan even become a human health hazard.

Combined with the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the OceanConservancy and taking place on the same day California Coastal CleanupDay is part of one of the largest volunteer events in the world.

And this year, both events are being held simultaneously with San Luis ObispoCounty Creek Day. September is the best time to clean up our creeks, beforerain from winter storms arrive and wash debris into our oceans. SLO CountyCreek Day offers an opportunity to take action to remove harmful trash anddebris at nine inland clean-up sites.

Go to www.creekday.org or call (805) 544-9096 for Creek Day information.For Coastal Cleanup locations, go to www.coastal.ca.gov. If you are unable tofind a Creek or Coastal cleanup site near you, contact ECOSLO at (805) 544-1777 or [email protected].

The Coastal Commission is committed to eliminating the waste created atCoastal Cleanup Day and asks that you please bring your own reusable suppliesto the Cleanup.

By Judith Bernstein

With a clear National Policy and arevitalized, empowered, unified, andcomprehensive framework to coordi-nate efforts, we can achieve an

America whose stewardship ensures

that the ocean, our coasts, and theGreat Lakes are healthy and resilient,safe and productive, and understoodand treasured so as to promote the

well-being, prosperity, and security of present and future generations (FinalReport of the Inter-Agency OceanPolicy Task Force)

Who knew we even had a NationalOcean Policy? Certainly not me, untilI received the agenda for the Blue

Vision Conference, held in Washing-ton, DC, last month that includedlobbying on Capitol Hill for fundingto implement it (see Sierra ClubTakes to the Sea, July/August).

While preparing for the Hill visits, Idiscovered that the creation of our

ocean policy was a long time in themaking. In June 2006, the JointOcean Commission released anational ocean policy action plan forCongress, From Sea to Shining Sea:Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform.The plan was created at the request of ten prominent senators to provide aguide for legislative and fundingpriorities. It outlined the stepsCongress should take to address themost pressing challenges, highestfunding priorities, and most impor-tant changes to federal laws and thebudget process necessary to establisha more effective and integrated oceanpolicy. Four years late r, President

We cant improve on the observationin the Associated Press report thatbroke the news of the retirement of Peter Douglas after 26 years asExecutive Director of the CaliforniaCoastal Commission: They might notknow his name but the millions of

visitors annually lured to Californias1,100 miles of coastline are no doubtfamiliar with his work.

Meaning that Douglas is largely thereason why long stretches of un-spoiled coast have stayed that way,despite enormous pressure to renderthem otherwise.

The notion now being eagerlylobbied by the Pacific Legal Founda-tion, long-time dire foe of the CoastalCommission and the Coastal Act, isthat his replacement should bechosen with an eye toward theselection of someone more moderate,more pragmatic, more balanced in hisapproach; specifically, someone moreinclined than he was to give addi-tional weight to the wishes of devel-opers so that the scales might beallowed to tip in that direction moreoften, and less often toward themandates of public access andresource protection.

That notion sounds reasonable andpragmatic and balanced. It seemsperfectly sound.

And those inclined to believe that itactually is all those things are likeunto the oysters trotting along thebeach as the walrus and the carpentersuggest they talk of many things of shoes and ships and sealing-wax, of cabbages and kings while layingout bowls of garlic butter and tuckingin their bibs.

The only thing one need consider

Thank You, Peter Douglas

Open up Peter Douglas on July 13, 2007, awaiting the opening of the northern Pecho Coasttrail at Montana de Oro, above Diablo Canyon. The Coastal Commission required PG&E toopen the trail and provide expanded public access to the area as a condition of its permit tostore nuclear waste.

routinely as they are in every otherarena of our society. That is thereality, and in that reality the publicinterest is not served by practitionersof the kind of compromise thatslowly, steadily allows our naturaltreasures to slip through our fingers.The public interest is served only bypeople who are willing to fight for it.

Thats why the Commission needsanother tough, passionate, full-throated advocate who knows coastallaw and coastal politics backward andforward and who sees our relation-ship to the natural world as AldoLeopold, Stewart Udall and DavidBrower saw it, not as the IrvineCompany sees it. What we all need issomeone who knows exactly howLeopold felt one afternoon in NewMexico in 1909, when, in the courseof seeking to assure sufficientsupplies of deer for hunters, he shot a

wolf. He approached her body just intime to see a fierce green fire dyingin her eyes, a sight that haunted himfor the rest of his life. He came torealize the value of wolves and

wildness, and that it was a valuebeyond economic calculation.

The testament and summation of Aldo Leopolds land ethic is A Sand County Almanac . For Peter Douglas,the testament and summation of hisland ethic is the California Coastal

Act. The replacement for the Com-

missions first executive directorneeds to embody those qualities tothe maximum extent practicable. If

we get someone who is anything lessthan that more moderate andpragmatic than that then we willlive to see the end of Californias wildcoast.

about this notion is its source: theaforementioned dire foes of theCoastal Commission and the Coastal

Act. It is a roadmap to the realizationof an ill-concealed agenda, and it hasnothing to do with the reality of California coastal politics. It assumes

the tilt in the playing field betweenthe public and private sectors is theopposite of what it is. When it comesto coastal development, regulatorsand public interest advocates are asout-funded, out-lobbied and out-muscled by private interests as

OCEAN continued on page 10

9/17 isCoastalandCreek

Clean-up Day

Obama issued an Executive Order inJuly 2010 recognizing that:

The ocean, our coasts, and theGreat Lakes provide jobs, food,energy resources, ecologicalservices, recreation, and tourismopportunities, and play critical rolesin our Nations transportation,economy, and trade, as well as theglobal mobility of our Armed Forcesand the maintenance of interna-tional peace and security. TheDeepwater Horizon oil spill in theGulf of Mexico and resultingenvironmental crisis is a starkreminder of how vulnerable ourmarine environments are, and howmuch communities and the Nationrely on healthy and resilient oceanand coastal ecosystems.

The Executive Order lists ten policyobjectives in futherance of the goals of protecting, maintaining and restoring

the health and biological diversity of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakesecosystems and resources; increasingscientific understanding of ocean,coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystemsas part of the global interconnectedsystems of air, land, ice, and water,including their relationships tohumans and their activities; andimproving our understanding andawareness of changing environmentalconditions, trends, and their causes,and of human activities taking placein ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes

waters; and to foster a public under-

Our National Ocean Policy

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Morro Bay to Otters: Drop DeadMayor Yates secures a special rep for his city

In June 2010, a female sea otter pup was found dead on the beach north of the Morro Strand campground. Shehad been shot in the head.

In August 2011, Mayor Bill Yatesand a compliant city council majoritymade it official: Morro Bay dislikes seaotters. Specifically, the Morro BayCity Council, by command of theMorro Bay Commercial Fishermens

Association, officially dislikes seaotters on behalf of all citizens of Morro Bay.

Yates has declined to bring aceremonial proclamation of Sea Otter

Awareness Week before the citycouncil, a resolution passed every year for the last six years by MorroBay and dozens of other Californiacoastal communities. The purpose of the annual proclamation as requestedby Defenders of Wildlife is to teachpeople about the integral role thatsea otters play in the nearshoremarine ecosystem and to promoteresearch and conservation programs.

Cities and counties that have passedresolutions honoring Sea Otter

Awareness Week (September 25 -October 1) this year include Los

Angeles, Santa Barbara, Cupertino,Salinas and Monterey.

Mayor Yates said the Morro Bay

Commercial Fishermens Association would be upset if Morro Bay followedsuit this year.

In reporting the banishment of SeaOtter Awareness Week in its August11 issue, New Times should have usedthe word allegedly in reference tothe fishermen and what they said tothe mayor, as their representativesbecame unavailable for comment,leaving the mayor all alone to takeresponsibility for his action. The citycouncil soon joined him in complic-ity, when a requisite two votes couldnot be found to compel the mayor toput the item on a meeting agenda.

Which brings up the interesting

The writing on the wall The message above started popping up around Morroa Bay in August, letting the mayor (top right) know what residents thought of his decision to cancelSea Otter Awareness Week. Public pressure (right) had an effect.

question: Whos running Morro Bay?Mayor Yates has now proven to be as

supine before economic specialinterests as he has been before citystaff when a defective plan for a$35 million sewer project came beforethe city council and should have beensent back to the drawing board.Instead of heeding his own planningcommission and the specific critiquesof the Sierra Club, Surfrider andMorro Bay residents who pointed outthe glaring flaws in the plan, Yatesand the council approved it (and tried

to fire the planning commission forbeing disrespectful to staff) and sentit on to the California Coastal Com-mission, where it was immediatelyshot down for the reasons the publichad cited. Yates & Co. then autho-rized the expenditure of $350,000 onconsultants to tell the city how to getapproval from the Coastal Commis-sion -- something the public hadalready told the city for free.

Thus, the disappearance of SeaOtter Awareness Week seems symp-tomatic. It appears that Morro Bay in

2010 voted in a peculiar brand of clueless government-by-crony.

She rules Sharon Smith at Cal Poly.

international phenomenon over aperiod of four years.

A 14-year-old in Rhode Island set upcomputer recycling centers and

wound up advising the state legisla-

ture on how to do it.Those kind of things can happen if you remember five simple rules:

Focus -- pick one issue and push. You and a small group of friends, no

more than half a dozen people, can doamazing things

Surround yourself with otherpeople who work on these issues.Find a network of people passionateabout what youre doing

Get a mentorGet recognized and get funded.Smith experienced her first awaken-

ing of raised environmental con-sciousness the prelude to activism

when the Unocal oil spill decimated Avila Beach.

Unocal didnt agree to clean it upout of the goodness of their hearts orbecause it was the right thing to do,she recalled. They did it because theylost a lawsuit.

Today, Smith spends a good deal of her time bird-dogging Chevron forthe oil disaster they created in theEcuadorian rainforest and their flightfrom responsibility.

She is optimistic about the genera-

tion coming up. A 1999 eco-confer-ence in Philadelphia she attended wasbilled as the largest youth-orientedenvironmental event in the countrybecause 1,000 people showed up.Eight years later, PowerShift 2007 saw12,000 high school and college-ageparticipants.

So how much difference can a few

people make?Remember Captain Climate?,

asked Smith. He was my buddy; we were both 22, just out of college, andhe dressed up in this ridiculouscostumes with his pal Climate Ladand they bird-dogged John McCain atevery stop in his 2000 campaign; his

friends would hold signs saying

Rulescontinued from page 1

UPDATE: After New Times broke this story andthe flyer reproduced above startedcirculating around town, a genericproclamation suddenly showed up atthe August 23 meeting of the MorroBay City Council, proclaimingSeptember 25 October 1 to beWildlife Awareness Week in MorroBay.

The O word did not appear.

Whats the Plan?, wearing ski outfitsand shouting that they couldnt skibecause all the snow had melted off the mountain. Finally McCain calledhim up on stage at an event and saidTell me about this.

John McCain then became a majoradvocate for climate action in the

Senate... for a few years.

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Americas jobs crisis is an emergency. What we need isa bold, national jobs plan that maintains and creates thegood jobs America needs to move us back toprosperity. And we need a plan that will lay the founda-tion for our children and grandchildren to lead the

world in the 21st century clean energy economy.Send a letter to President Obama and Congress today

to ask them to adopt the Jobs21!, a plan that focuses ongrowing industries like renewable energy, energyefficiency, manufacturing in clean energy and advancedauto technologies, broadband Internet, a smart electri-cal grid, green chemistry, and recycling.

These are the industries that will make America acleaner, more energy efficient economy, and these arethe industries that secure our existing jobs and createnew jobs for millions of Americans across the country.

Jobs21! is a nationwide grassroots campaign, coordi-nated by the BlueGreen Alliance. Launched in 2006 bythe United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club, the BlueGreen Alliance is a uniquenational strategic partnership between labor unions and environmentalorganizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the

Tell Congress & PresidentObama: Lets Solve the

Jobs Deficit A Nationwide, Grassroots Campaign for GoodJobs in the 21st Century

green economy. The Allianceunites more than 14 millionmembers and supporters in pursuit

of good jobs, a clean environment anda green economy.

We have an opportunity to close the jobs gap and put people back to work with a plan to maintain our current jobs and create new ones by makingthe U.S. more competitive in the 21stcentury economy.

Jobs21! consists of six key job-creating areas: growing clean energy;making buildings more energyefficient; revitalizing Americanmanufacturing; moving power andconnecting the country; rebuildingroads and railways and driving 21st-century vehicles; and improving jobquality, the health of our communi-ties and the environment we share.

Creating jobs and putting middle-class Americans to work building a21st-century economy will resolve the

American jobs crisis and protect theenvironment. Go to www.bluegreenalliance.org to read the Jobs21! planand sign the pledge.

While supplies last, you can receivean autographed copy of the Guide asa gift for your donation of $50 ormore to the Santa Lucia Chapter.Write TREES in the memo sectionof your check and mail to SierraClub, P.O. Box 15755, San LuisObispo 93406.

Its Time to Label GeneticallyEngineered Food

For Pamm Larry, its perfectly clear:Food thats been genetically engi-neered needs to be labeled, because

were eating it now, dont know weare, and therefore have no choice.

When she came to that realizationlast January, she decided not to feelhelpless and overwhelmed by thesefacts and instead began an odysseythat became a state ballot initiative, a

website (www.labelgmos.org), and agrassroots movement.

It has also meant a new regimen of constant travel from Larrys home inChico, traversing the length of thestate meeting with curious and/orlike-minded people willing to gettogether and prepare for the signaturedrive to get the initiative on the ballotin 2012. Larry held three such seedmeetings in Morro Bay, SLO andNipomo over the weekend of August20-21. The initiative is now undergo-ing final draft and review; the signa-ture drive is expected to begin inOctober.

Worldwide, because their citizensdemanded it, more than thirtycountries require labeling of Geneti-cally Engineered (GE) food, alsoknown as Genetically ModifiedOrganisms (GMOs). American citizenscan do the same, starting in Califor-nia.

The Instigator Pamm Larry came to SLOon August 20 to lay out the plan to getGMO labeling on the state ballot.

In recent years, multiple geneticallyengineered food crops have beendeveloped and are being pushed onlocal populations in places like Africaand India. In Haiti, earthquake victimsburned their gift of GE seeds. Whilethe majority of genetically engineeredfood corn and soy is fed toanimals, were now eating it directlymore often, and more crops are beingapproved for cultivation every year, all

without independent long-term safetystudies.

The studies done are in the natureof 30-day testing done on a rat, saidLarry, but you dont keel over fromcancer the first time you light up acigarette. Without long-term testing,no one can say what the health effectsof these foods are. Nevertheless,enough independent data has beenamassed over the last twenty yearspointing to potential health risks thatit is clear the FDA and USDA havebeen worse than lax in failing torequire labeling. No legislative relief isin sight in California and 14 otherstates, where GMO labeling laws havebeen introduced in legislatures only todie in committee.

In 2004, a major ballot pushresulted in five California countiesmoving to protect their agriculture bypassing laws against growing Geneti-cally Engineered crops within their

jurisdiction. The bid to do the same inSan Luis Obispo, known as Measure Q,

was defeated by aggressive campaign-ing by Big Ag and its supporters in thechemical and biotech industries,primarily Monsanto, which holds thelions share of GMO patents. See (Will

We be GE Free?, Oct. 2004.) This is not that. Farmers can grow

anything they want, said Larry, thisis just about our right to know whatsin our food. I know labeling is doableand it can protect us. Its made animpact in Europe and I believe it canhere. Citizens of this country have theright to informed choice, and I thinkthats more important than the rightto a non-transparent profit.

A pledge to gathersignatures for the ballotinitiative campaign isavailable on line, along

with opportunities todonate, spread the wordin schools and on collegecampuses, and seeinformative videos on the

work being done tochallenge the force-feeding of GMOs tocaptive populations

worldwide. Go to www.labelgmos.org/.

This movementrequires everyone to getinvolved, because most

Americans dont evenknow what GE food isand that theyre eatingit, states one of the factsheets Larry handed outon her August swingthrough SLO. We must

Six Copies Left!

Its a start In 2007, working with JohnDiVincenzo, the Sierra Club brought aboutthe labeling of genetically engineered cornat the Avila Valley Barn, the first knownvoluntary labeling of GE food in t he U.S.

attempt to educate everyCalifornian on a personalbasis and warn them of thebillions of dollars thatMonsanto will spend to tryto convince each and everyone of us that we dont

want to label GE foods.

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environmental impacts as a result of this substitution of project watersources that were not already exam-ined in the applicable environmentalstudies for this project. He also saidthat approval of this ordinance willnot result in direct fiscal impacts tothe City.

It seems that Pismo city council andstaff expected this to be a quick slamdunk. They underestimated theintelligence and intensity of thepublic. By the time public comments

were through, the council membersappeared frustrated and confused.Council members questions to citystaff (the city attorney, city engineer,and city man-ager) highlighted thecouncils lack of knowledge about

what they were voting on. Vagueanswers by Pismo staff suggested poorpreparation and communicationamong the various city agencies.Some of the staff comments appearedoutright evasive.

There were approximately twentyconcerned residents in attendance,nine of whom brought the followingspecific concerns to the council:

1. The amount of water in the State Water Allocation (100 AF) may not beadequate to support the developmentas currently planned. We are notconvinced that the manner in whichthe lesser amount of water wascalculated was based on provenmethods, as opposed to assumptionsand conjecture.

2. The schedule of City Councilactions is glaringly out of sequence.Information essential to an informed

vote is contained in the Addendumto the EIR for LRDM which (accord-ing to a classified ad placed in theSLO Tribune) was not scheduled tocome before the City Council untiltwo weeks hence. Whether intentionalor not, putting the amendment up forcouncil action before review of theEIR Addendum granted the Council alicense to act in ignorance andcreated a disconnect between theCouncils poorly informed decisionand future ramifications of theamended agreement. (Appendix C of the EIR addendum contains critical

information about water conserva-tion. Ironically, Pismo put it in theEIR Addendum to support thesubstitution of the 100 AF State Water

Allocation for on-site well develop-ment in LRDM. Careful review of thecalculations and assumptions revealsthat the consultants report actuallyundermines the tenet of the State

Water substitution, which holdsthat reasonably achievable levels of conservation will yield the degree of

water economy necessary to sustainexpanded development. The consul-tants numbers dont support thisassumption.

3. The city attorneys staff reportgrossly oversimplified the criticallyimportant water element of thedevelopment agreement. Potentialimpacts that could be highly signifi-cant were summarily dismissed withthe statement that Staff has notidentified any additional or differentenvironmental impacts.... Fleishmanessentially recommended that anignorant City Council blindly assumethat substituting unlimited well water

with a potentially inadequate state water allocation would not create anyproblems.

4. What will the specific ultimatedisposition be for the existing wellson LRDM? The Amendment statesthere will be a simple substitution of state water for well water, but nothingis mentioned about the potentialfuture use of these wells. While theymay not be hooked into the citysmunicipal water system, there isnothing saying that they will not betapped for other purposes and to whatdegree. The public is entitled to a fulldisclosure of the potential future usesof LRDM wells after annexation,including those that fall underappropriative water rights.

5. Recalculating water demand sothat the numbers fit within a pre-defined limited supply sets a danger-ous precedent for future development,especially large projects like PriceCanyon.

6. An important point was madethat many of the residential parcels

within the LRDM project have thepotential to add a second unit . Todate, calculations of the amount of

endorsed including a particular parcelin the SOI of Pismo.) The recent MOArecommended including the Godfreyparcel in Pismos SOI.

Mike Winn, chairman of WaterResources Advisory Committee,answered many questions I had aboutSLO countys state water entitlement(25,000 AFY, but they only take about8,000 AFY due to limitations inpipeline capacity), the Polonio pass,pipeline capacity, and the methodused to determine a communitys

water need. I learned that SLOCountys proportionately small drawfrom the Central Coast Water Author-ity (CCWA) -- 10% of CCWAs totalcapacity compared to 55% for City of Santa Maria -- renders SLO minimallyinfluential in decisions and share of any excess water in the future. I gotthe impression that the outlook forPrice Canyon developers to obtain theamount of water needed (for currentplans) from state water entitlementsis very poor. Regarding the pipelinecapacity, Eric Greening notes theline was sized for the subscriptions atthe time of approval, not for the fullentitlement, and it contains noseasonal peaking capacity -- demandrises in the summer -- nor significantstorage capacity. That is why it isusually considered a supplementalrather than primary source forsubscribers, who need to use a wellfield or surface sources to balancesupply and demand. It is hard to seehow such a supplemental source, evenif obtained, and even if reliable, wouldmeet the needs of developers in thePrice Canyon area.

Then the bus got to Vetter Lane.Everyone was stunned. The chatterstopped as those on the bus gazed outat the cars lining both sides of thestreet and the large crowd of peoplegathered at the end of the road. SheilaBlake assured them Theyre harm-less, they wont hurt you. Noteveryone laughed.

When the Commissioners disem-barked, David Scheef asked Why isthe Godfrey property necessary forPrice Canyon development? andWhat would it take to exclude theGodfrey parcel from Pismos SOI?Marilyn Morse asked What can we doto protect Vetter Lane? Mr. Churchbriefly addressed them and invitedpeople to e-mail him to discuss theseissues further.

The tour was terminated after the Vetter lane stop due to lack of time.

As far as I could tell, there was nodiscussion among the official attend-ees of any of the major issues attachedto Price Canyon development (water,traffic, Mr. Mankins ranch/eminentdomain.)

Mr. Church announced that LAFCO will discuss and decide on whetherthe Godfrey parcel should be includedin Pismos sphere of influence at theirmeeting on September 21. This is a

very important meeting.The City is fond of stating that

annexation of the Godfrey Parcel andits vital wells does not necessarilymean the Price Canyon development

will go forward. This is a lot like a woman claiming to be just a little bitpregnant.

Solidarity is the key to prevailing inthe battle over excessive/needlessdevelopment. City residents of ArroyoGrande and Pismo Beach, along withresidents in the rural unincorporatedareas surrounding Price Canyon,share a common concern aboutthreats to our environment andquality of life. Several months ago, amember of the Pismo City Council

was overheard dismissing us as just agroup of five people. County Supervi-sor Jim Patterson, a LAFCO commis-sioner, lectured a group of us that met

with him a few months ago aboutbeing NIMBYs. Many view us asobstructionists.

Well, this is our home. County andcity government is supposed torepresent us, not Mr. King and out-of-town developers.

Just a few questions LAFCO executive officer David Church (facing the crowd, left) explains the Commissions Price Canyon process.

Price Cyncontinued from page 4

LRDMcontinued from page 4

LRDM continued on page 10

by Los Padres ForestWatch

In a surprising move, the California Department of Fish and Game is onceagain trying to authorize a commercial livestock grazing operation on theCarrizo Plain Ecological Reserve in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. (SeeLawsuit Halts Grazing in Carrizo Reserve, Feb.) Worse, they are proposing toissue the grazing permit to the very same cattle operation that has a trackrecord of poor grazing management on the Reserve, and without the benefit of first preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

ForestWatch has submitted a detailed 26-page letter to the Department,demanding that the agency prepare a full EIR that evaluates impacts from the

Commercial livestock authorized on overgrazed Reserve

Familiar Problem Facing

Carrizo Ecological Reserve

COWS continued on page 10

M a r c

i a C a r t e r

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water required to support LRDM haveneglected to take this into consider-ation.

7. The city has a history of expand-ing commercial development poten-tial within existing city limits throughrezoning and variances, and commer-cial development uses significantlymore water than residential. (Ex-ample: On 9/20/2005, the City Council

voted to rezone 110 Oak Park Boule- vard from open space to generalcommercial and to approve furthersubdivision into 25 lots.) Actions like

this will affect future water needs butthis has not been formally addressed.8. It was suggested that an official

study be undertaken to document theefficacy of specific interventions toconserve water in this particularcommunity. The same recommenda-tion was made five years ago byPismos own consultant, RRM group.They recommended that the degree of

water savings achievable throughconservation efforts (e.g. low flowtoilets, front loading washing ma-chines) be formally studied andsubstantiated in real world circum-stances. (Appendix C to the EIR

Addendum) This study was neverdone.

9. Concern was voiced that existingresidents will shoulder the responsi-bility and bear the cost to accommo-date more development through city-imposed rationing and requirementsto retrofit their homes with lo flowfixtures. Even if the city employsincentives and subsidies for retrofit-ting, the city taxpayer ultimately footsthe bill. Also, established landownersin the city are more likely to havebuilding permits denied (in times of drought) if an inadequate watersupply for LRDM creates a relativeshortage for the entire community.

10. Pismo does not need LRDM forresidential growth. LRDM willincrease the inventory of vacant

homes, which will devalue existinghomes even further. The City is notserving the interests of its residentsby pushing forward with this project.Razing the hillside and replacingpristine natural surroundings withrows of tract homes will erase thesmall-town character that visitors findso appealing. This will ultimatelyundermine the established tourismindustry here.

11. The existing developmentagreement between Pismo Beach andPacific Harbor Homes was draftedmany years ago and is now outdated.The economic downturn created newconcerns and issues for development.

The entire agreement should bereviewed and updated.

12. The State Water Allocationtransfer from Pismo-98LLC and PHHseems vaporous and mysterious. Thepublic only has the word of city staff that the transfer has taken place.

Where is the documentation? Thecontract? Also, Mr. Wilde/Pismo-98LLC is in debt to the city for over$170,000 due to unpaid water feesrelated to his State Water Allocation..

Who is going to cover the cost of thatdebt? The Preserve property is in

foreclosure. How might this influencethe Citys actions? Could this bea reason to rush through the Amend-ment?

13. Water runoff from the develop-ment (rain, landscape irrigation) willcarry contaminants into the aquifer.The water quality in the aquifer haschanged from when the original EIR

was prepared. We also have a betterunderstanding of hydrology. Anupdated EIR is indicated to incorpo-rate this new information and addressissues of storm water runoff that werenot appreciated back then.

14. It is irresponsible to pushforward if resources cant support theamount of development planned.

Serious consideration needs to begiven to scaling back the size of theproject.

By the end of all the comments anddiscussion, City Council members

were clearly confused about whatdecision they were being asked tomake, and what the implications of that decision might be. They openlyadmitted ignorance about appendix Cfrom the EIR addendum. Ultimately, asexpected, they all voted in favor of the

Amendment.In discussion after the meeting, a

concerned citizen pointed out thatsome degree of conflict exists betweenthe real estate business interests of Pismos Mayor and decisions about

future development, because develop-ment fuels the real estate industry.Indeed, this could be said of allmembers of city/county government

who are involved in the building,development, and/or real estateindustry.

There is certainly more than asuggestion of impropriety and ethicalcompromise here. We also discussedthe grand jury as an avenue to bringattention to local governments failureto act in the best interests of theirconstituents, as well as their failure tofollow the County General Plan andSLOCOGs 2050 Sustainable Commu-nities Program.

LRDMcontinued from page 9

standing of the value of theocean, our coasts, and theGreat Lakes to build afoundation for improvedstewardship.

The order also promises tostrengthen ocean gover-nance, to establish guidingprinciples for ocean manage-ment, and to adopt a flexibleframework for effectivecoastal and marine spatialplanning to address conser-

vation, economic activity, userconflict, and sustainable use of theocean, our coasts and the GreatLakes.

News of the Executive Order wasgreeted with excitement by theoceans community. The OceanDoctor, Dr. David Guggenheim whois a marine biologist with a helpful

website/blog (oceandoctor.org) saidFor the first time since 1969, wetook a comprehensive look at oceanpolicy and the need to manage andset overarching principles. This istruly a moment weve dreamed of.

As part of the Order, the Presidentestablished a National Ocean PolicyCouncil composed of top staff of 24government agencies whose scope of authority includes the ability to takeaction that can improve the health of (and prevent further damage to) ourcoastal areas and the Great Lakes.

The Council is asked to do severalthings: review federal laws (there areabout 144 at present) that impact theoceans/lakes to see if there are con-flicts, and to divide the country intonine regions for planning purposes,creating a Strategic Plan with thefollowing objectives:1) improved understanding of ecosystems to inform resourcemanagement and decisions;(2) recovered and healthy marine andcoastal species;(3) assessments of current andfuture states of the climate systemthat identify potential impacts andinform decisions;(4) mitigation and adaptation choicessupported by sustained, reliable andtimely coastal and marine spatialplanning;(5) improved scientific understand-ing of the changing climate systemand its impact;(6) A climate-literate public thatmakes informed decisions;(7) reduced loss of life, property anddisruption from high impact events;(8) improved freshwater resourcemanagement;(9) improved transportation effi-ciency and safety; and(10) a more productive and efficienteconomy through environmentalinformation relevant to key sectors of the U.S. economy.

(Each objective has a short,medium or long-term goal, plusindications of what will be evidencetoward progress).

Regional hearings on the draft Plan were held this summer, with the onein San Francisco well attended bymarine activists (including the

writer) and environmental groups who were invited to a briefing andlunch at the Sierra Clubs HQ. Wethen marched en masse from theClub to the Hilton where the hear-ings were held, holding up traffic andcreating some interest amongbemused bystanders. We divided upaccording to which objective we

wanted to comment on. The com-ments have been summarized byRoxy Carter, Sierra Club Marineactivist extraordinaire, on the Clubs

Activist Network website atconnect.sierraclub.org/. (Go to the

Marine Team link.)In spite of other hearings in past

years on similar objectives and thissummers testimony, the Ocean Policyhas yet to be fully implemented. Onlya pittance of funding has beenallocated to carry out the policy,specifically to conduct the study of conflicting regulations, set upregional planning areas and beginspatial planning in earnest. Instead,following the first round of hearings,the plan will be revised and morehearings held this fall.

Meanwhile, the slash-and-burnCongressmembers are adding NOAAsmodest budget request (around$27 million for FY 2012) to theirmust go list.

Before Congress left for its Augustrecess, a freshman Republican fromTexas floated an amendment to theDept. of Interior Appropriation Billthat would prevent the federalgovernment from implementing theNational Ocean Policy. According toNew Englands Conservation LawFoundation, If this amendment wereto make it through the legislativeprocess it would be a major setbackfor our efforts to restore (NewEnglands) ocean ecosystems andfisheries, reduce pollution from landbased sources, promote responsiblysited offshore renewable energy andthreaten our efforts to improve oceanmanagement and ensure all oceanusers have a voice in the future of ourocean use.

On the brighter side, regardless of how much money is allocated, federalagencies will proceed with imple-menting the NOP as best they can

with existing resources. And NGOssuch as the Sierra Club will bepushing for NOAAS proposed fund-ing. There is continued input frommarine activists (such as those at theBlue Vision Conference) about themany projects already underwayinvolving water quality, wind energy,expansion of marine protected areas,and promotion of ecosystem resil-ience in the face of climate change.The Clubs Marine Action Team states,Our communications will be two-

way; one set of communications willbe to raise awareness among grass-roots activists of potential benefitsfrom NOP implementation; the other

will be to raise awareness within theNational Ocean Council of currentprojects already underway withinregions, so that these projects can beincorporated into Strategic ActionPlans as appropriate.

Luckily for us, both our Senatorsand Congressional RepresentativeLois Capps stand staunchly behindimplementation of the National OceanPolicy. But other legislators need tohear from constituents that thehealth of our oceans is important toall states, and that the nation needs toaddress the impacts of climate changeon the oceans and other vital ecosys-tems. Lets let them know how wefeel.

Constituents of Rep. KevinMcCarthy can call his Atascaderooffice at 461-1034 (North County) or549-0390 (South County).

Oceancontinued from page 7

entire livestockoperation, whichincludes not onlythe Reserve but alsoneighboring lands inthe Los PadresNational Forest andthe Carrizo PlainNational Monument.

Our letter alsodemanded a strictmonitoring programand more surveys andprotective measures toensure that any grazing --if it does occur on theReserve -- is done for theright reasons, and with the leastamount of impact.

Stay tuned!

Cowscontinued from page 9

Immooovable A lawsuit filed by LosPadres ForestWatch and Sierra Club last yearforced Fish & Game to remove cattle fromthe Carrizo Ecological Reserve. Then theycame right back.

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Classifieds Next issue deadline is September 13 .To get a rate sheet or submit your ad

and payment, contact:Sierra Club - Santa Lucia ChapterP.O. Box 15755San Luis Obispo, CA [email protected]

CYNTHIA HAWLEYATTORNEY

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

LAND USECIVIL LITIGATION

P.O. Box 29 Cambria California 93428Phone 805-927-5102 Fax 805-927-5220

A portion of any commissiondonated to the Sierra Club

Pismo toSan Simeon

GREEN HOMES

Les KangasSolar Energy ConsultantREC Solar, Inc.775 Fiero Lane, Suite 200San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Office: (805) 528-9705Cell: (805) 305-7164

Toll Free: (888) OK-SOLAR (657-6527)Fax: (805) 528-9701

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Outings and Activities CalendarSeller of travel registration information: CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

This is a partial listing of Outingsoffered by our chapter.

Please check the web page www.santalucia.sierraclub.org for

the most up-to-date listing of activities.

All our hikes and activities are open to all Club members and the general public. Please bring drinking waterto all outings and optionally a lunch. Sturdy footwear is recommended. All phone numbers listed are withinarea code 805 unless otherwise noted. Pets are generally not allowed. A parent or responsible adult mustaccompany children under the age of 18. If you have any suggestions for hikes or outdoor activities, ques-tions about the Chapters outing policies, or would like to be an outings leader, call Outings Chair Joe Morris,772-1875. For information on a specific outing, please call the listed outing leader.

Island Hopping in Channel IslandsNational Park Reserve early! September 11-13; October 16-18.Californias Channel Islands are Galapagos USA! Marvel at the sight of

whales, seals, sea lions, rare birds & blazing wildflowers. Hike the wild, wind-swept trails. Kayak the rugged coastline. Snorkel in pristine waters. Discoverremnants of the Chumash people who lived on these islands for thousands of

years. Or just relax at sea. These fundraisers benefit Sierra Club politicalprograms in California. Cruises depart from Santa Barbara aboard the 68Truth . The fee ($590 for May and Sept & Oct.; $785 for July & August) includesan assigned bunk, all meals, snacks & beverages, plus the services of a ranger/ naturalist who will travel with us to lead hikes on each island and point outinteresting features. To make a reservation mail a $100 check payable to SierraClub to leaders: Joan Jones Holtz & Don Holtz, 11826 The Wye St, El Monte,CA 91732. Contact leaders for more information (626-443-0706;

[email protected].

Sat.-Mon., Sept. 3-5, Puerto Suello Trail Work Trip. Puerto Suello Trail is a vital link that connects the Ventana Double Cone trail down to the CarmelRiver, providing hiking/backpacking access to Hiding Canyon camp, Pine

Valley, and beyond to Pine Ridge. This will be a challenging, 3-day / 2-night work trip with plenty of brushing & clearing work to be done. Our route willtake us through the enchanted Carmel River drainage on our way to HidingCamp,serving as our home base to clear lower reaches of the Puerto SuelloTrail. Along the way, we will cross the Carmel River no less than 30 times astrail meanders through moss-covered boulders below coast live oaks and baylaurels. Experienced volunteers are encouraged. If you have never been on a

VWA trip, this one might not be for you due to 10-mile hike in, difficult

terrain, and numerous river crossings. Participants will need to be self-sufficient, with supplies for 3 days and 2 nights, shelter, and clothing. The VWAprovides tools and training. Come out and join us to make a difference inkeeping our beautiful wilderness trails alive & healthy for all to enjoy. Informa-tion: Robert Barringer at rob.barringer@ gmail.com.

Sat.-Sun, Sept. 10-11, 1-3 p.m., SLO Botanical Garden. A Sensuous NativeGarden. Indulge Your Senses in the Native Garden on Saturday with CarolBornstein, acclaimed author and horticultural expert from Santa Barbara,

where she served as Director of Horticulture at the Santa Barbara BotanicGarden. Then on Sunday, learn How to Attract Wildlife with California Nativesfrom Penny (Wilson) Nyunt of Las Pilitas Nursery in Santa Margarita. She has

written for various gardening publications and websites and believes thatinstead of changing your environment to suit your plants, it is easier and moreenvironmentally friendly to choose plants that grow in your environment. Bothpresentations will begin at 1 p.m. in the Glen Oak Pavilion in El ChorroRegional Park. Parking $3. Admission to the presentation is $5 for members;$10 non-members. There will be a docentled tour of the Garden from 2-3pm.

Sat., Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. Join us forthis important milestone marking the beginning of restoration efforts on thenew addition to the Sweet Springs Preserve in Los Osos. Be among the first tohelp rescue this imperiled habitat from invasive weeds, so that our native floraand fauna can thrive once again, and our children and grandchildren will havea healthy, coastal refuge to enjoy long into the future. Savor the outstanding

views of Morro Bay, Morro Rock and the windswept dunes along the sandspit. Enjoy speakers, raffle, food, drinks & plenty of camaraderie. Bring gloves,trowels and shovels if you can. Wear layers, sturdy shoes, hat &sunscreen. RSVP: 239-3928 or mcas@morrocoast audubon.org. Information at

www.morrocoastaudubon.org.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance Trail Crew OpportunitiesTrail Crew Volunteers are needed for work in the Ventana and Silverpeak

Wilderness Areas. If interested or to get more information contact Dave Knapp,Trail Crew Leader at e-mail [email protected].

Outings Sponsored by other organizations

Sat.-Mon., Sept. 3-5, Tamarisk Bashin Happy Canyon - Service Trip &Hike. Help restore a desert riparianarea in Death Valley National Park byremoving invasive tamarisk fromHappy Canyon in the PanamintMts. A year-round stream will let ussoak and cool if it gets too warm.Saturday, we will work with MartyDickes from BLM. Sunday, a hike tonearby Manley Peak. Monday is anoptional tour through Striped Butte

Valley and Warm Springs Canyon.Enjoy carcamping, potluck dinnerSaturday, and campfire stories.Contact leader Craig Deutsche,[email protected], (310-477-6670) CNRCC Desert Committee.

Sun., Sept. 4, 1 p.m. City Walk of Victorian-Age San Luis Obispo. Easyguided stroll past 18 lovely century-old homes and churches in the OldTown Historic District of downtownSLO. See the homes of mayors, thenewspaper editor, and the founder of Cal Poly, and learn about the lives of the newly wealthy who transformed

the city in the early 1900s. Durationabout 1 1/2 hrs. Meet in front of JackHouse, 536 Marsh St, SLO. Informa-tion: Joe Morris, 772-1875.

Sat., Sept. 10, 8:30 a.m. SouthernBig Sur Traverse. This hike willinclude a car shuttle. We will startthe hike at the Cruikshank trailheadand ascend to Upper CruikshankCamp. We will then head south overthe ridge between Villa and RedwoodCreeks to Buckeye Camp for lunch.

After lunch, we will hike to the junction of the Soda Springs Trail andfollow that trail back to the highway.The hike is of moderate difficulty,about 9 miles rt, 2000 ft. elevationgain. There is a possibility of ticksand poison oak. Bring water, lunch,snacks, and dress for the weather.Meet at the Washburn day use area of San Simeon State Park. For the dayuse area, make the first right turnpast Hamlet Restaurant as you leaveCambria going north. There is a goodprobability of stopping for eats afterthe hike. For info call Chuck at 441-

7597. For people in San Luis andSouth County who wish to carpool,meet at Santa Rosa Park in San Luisat 7:45.

Sat., Sept. 10, 9 a.m. Felsman Loopto top of Bishop Peak. The trail is 5.5miles and will take 2.5 3 hours.There are rough areas on the trail andappropriate hiking footwear isrecommended. We will go at amoderate pace and while there is

significant elevation change, the trailinclines are mostly gentle. Enjoy views of most of SLO. Meet a PatriciaDrive trailhead. Information: MikeSims at 459-1701 or [email protected].

Sun., Sept. 11. Gaviota Peak . Walkpast hot springs, then up to a 2,400foot peak for lunch and sweepingcoastal view. Well return via theTrespass trail. Long drive. Strenuoushike, 6 miles rt. Bring lunch and

water. Meet behind B of A on upperState St. at Hope Ave. at 9am. Info:Diane, 455-6818 (Santa BarbaraCdshap.), SLO County Residents callto find a meeting place.

Sat.-Sun., Sept. 24-25, Carrizo PlainNational Monument Work Party.Heres another chance to knock downbarbed wire fences and clear theCarrizo of these relics of the past:pronghorn antelope need wide-openspaces for survival. We will again work

with Alice Kock, pronghorn specialistfrom CA Dept of Fish and Game.

Work all day Saturday, happy hour,potluck dinner, and campfire Sat.night. Sunday we may work, or take

the day to enjoy the Monument.Participants need to bring heavy workgloves and everything needed for the

weekend; there are no stores or gasstations on the Carrizo. Information:Cal and Letty French, [email protected], 805-239-7338. CNRCCDesert Com/Santa Lucia Chapter.

Sun., Sept. 25, 10 a.m. JohnsonRanch. PoleCats is dedicated toleading local Sierra Club day hikesand modeling the benefits of usingtrekking poles (see ww.polecats.org ).2.2 miles/150 feet elevation change.The trailhead is located just afterLower Higuera goes under Highway101 and becomes Ontario Road.Confirm with David Georgi at 458-5575 or [email protected] forupcoming activities. Bipeds welcome.

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