Redwood Needles Summer 2021 Sierra Club Redwood Chapter
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Redwood Needles
Summer 2021 Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Volume 63, No. 3
Water (or lack thereof) is on our minds
On the Path
a note from
Chapter Director Jeff Morris
As we begin to collectively wend our way
out of a global pandemic, there are many calls
for getting things back to “normal” and hopes
of renewal and a reset. While that’s certainly a
hopeful perspective, it is more likely that as a
society, locally and globally, we’ll still be living
with viral events in the near term and into the Redwood Needles
foreseeable future. A Quarterly Publication of
Sierra Club Redwood Chapter
The same can be said of climate conditions in
Mailing Address
the Redwood Chapter territory, and the greater P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
world.
Office Address
One of the key impacts is drought. While there has been a lot of press Sonoma County Environmental Center
about California “re-entering” drought conditions, it seems like a more 55A Ridgway Ave. Santa Rosa, CA
rational argument to say that any variance from the previous drought (707) 544-7651
conditions from four years ago have now realigned themselves. Public
policy, unfortunately, is not completely following along. redwood.chapter@sierraclub.org
Unlike the aphorism that “rain follows the plough,” the false harbin- www.sierraclub.org/redwood
ger sales pitch that drove on the dustbowl conditions of the 1930s,
Editor
drought and wildfire conditions are sadly linked. Like so many other Shoshana Hebshi
results of climate change, they also have a more profound impact on the shoshana.hebshi@sierraclub.org
most vulnerable communities.
Proofreader
During the last eight months, our Redwood Chapter activists have Judi Danner
been involved in elevating all of these combined issues, externally,
through webinars on the impact of wildfires and need for defensible Chapter Chair
space and home hardening in addition to our combined work with the Victoria Brandon
Loma Prieta and San Francisco Bay chapters on sea-level rise impacts in
the San Francisco Bay Area. Advertising information and
questions can be directed to
shoshana.hebshi@sierraclub.org
The work is internal, as well. Through collaboration with the SF Bay
Chapter, we have conducted workshops on equity and inclusion and Address corrections should be sent to
how we can be better allies for all vulnerable populations on any issue, address.changes@sierraclub.org or
including climate. The workshop series has ended, but we will continue Sierra Club, P.O. Box 52968, Boulder, CO
to work on implementing strategies and ideas to make sure Redwood 80322-2968 or (415) 977-5653.
Chapter is as inclusive and representative of all the diversity in our
geographically expansive region. You can manage your Sierra Club
account at myaccount.sierraclub.org or
While there are challenges ahead, especially around wildfires as we email member.care@sierraclub.org
enter what is expected to be a significant fire season, there is also reason
for hope that we are facing these challenges with new perspectives and Non-member subscriptions are $6 per
renewed energy that will help support our fellow community members year. Send requests to P.O. Box 466
Santa Rosa, CA 95402.
here within the Redwood Chapter and beyond.
The Redwood Needles is published
four times a year on recycled paper using
soy-based ink.
Cover Photo: Dawna Mirante
2 Redwood Needles j Summer 2021It’s Not a Drought
Water ‘abundance’ is gone as we adjust to the new water supply
The Russian River at Memorial Beach in
Healdsburg is usually a summer recreational
paradise, but this year, the water level is so low,
wading is the only option. Photo: Shoshana Hebshi
By Shoshana Hebshi can (and should) certainly take more needs to happen.”
Chapter Communications Coordinator personal responsibility for reduction, Furch, also active in the Sonoma
there’s another story brewing that County Water Coalition, emphasized
It’s no secret that we are in a severe turns a sharper lens on agricultural that this is a complex issue with a lot
water crisis. Exploring waterways and industrial water use and how of moving parts to get to sustainable
throughout our region will find rivers these operations figure into the water solutions. But “people must be a part
and streams quite low. This time of equation. of the solution or there is no solution.
year, the Russian and the Eel rivers Of course, agriculture needs water That includes everyone: businesses,
would normally be farmers, residents…
recreational attractions. everybody.”
Seasonal creeks would These solutions include
be rippling through ‘We have to be in it for the long better monitoring and
stone-laden corridors. greater understanding of
But this summer, we
see our reservoirs and
haul. This is not a blip’ — Rue Furch water usage. For exam-
ple, some agricultural
lakes, like Lake Sonoma ponds that store water
and Lake Mendocino, from rains and/or diver-
at shockingly low levels that expose to grow crops, raise animals and sions are required to drain the ponds
banks so eerily it’s nearly desert-like. operate production facilities. And before the season when the water is
All life that has been supported by the industrial water use is necessary for most needed.
flows is at critical risk. the functioning of our economy and Solutions also must include vali-
Agencies and jurisdictions are infrastructure. But how much? Can dated data on the amount of water
delivering notifications to curb water water regulators do more to rein in used by industries, including the wine
use. The City of Santa Rosa has excess or illegal use so the water is industry, and curtailing illegal diver-
asked its residents to cut back by 20 shared more equitably? sions of water upstream that prevent
percent. On June 7, the Healdsburg Rue Furch, a member of Redwood rightful access for downstream users.
City Council declared a local drought Chapter’s executive committee, wears As water becomes scarcer and rates
emergency and implemented Stage many hats, including serving on the increase, however, we will see changes
3 water restrictions to achieve a 40 Advisory Committee for the Santa occur, like the closing of the McClure
percent systemwide reduction in Rosa Plain Groundwater Sustainabil- Dairy in Point Reyes this summer.
water demand by establishing residen- ity Agency. She holds historic knowl- Owner Bob McClure, whose family
tial water allowances and commercial edge about local water issues, and she has been operating a dairy on Point
business reduction goals. Well owners relies on a well on her rural Sebastopol Reyes National Seashore for four
along the Russian River, including property. generations, cited water shortages as
small, food-producing farms, have “My perspective is that we need the main factor driving his decision to
received Emergency Regulation to use less and store more,” she said. sell his organic cows to an out-of-state
Notices from the Department of Water “Everyone could do a little more to buyer and shut down his farm.
Resources. conserve, but it is absolutely necessary
While we as individual water users to take a broad look at everything that Continued on Page 5
Summer 2021 j Redwood Needles 3Redwood Chapter TALKIN’ TRASH
Executive Committee
The executive committee is the governing body of the Methane reduction via green
waste diversion is underway
chapter, with one (1) member delegated by each of six (6)
regional groups and six (6) members elected at large. Each
group elects its own executive committee. The chapter
ExCom meets every-other month in either Santa Rosa or
Willits. The meetings are being held over Zoom during the By Theresa Ryan
Covid-19 pandemic. Sonoma Group Zero Waste Chair
Chapter Director: Despite legislative attempts to delay implementation of SB
Jeff Morris • (530) 355-9880 • jeff.morris@sierraclub.org 1383, a statewide bill passed in 2016 to set methane emissions
Chapter Communications Coordinator: reduction targets, Zero Waste Sonoma, also known as Sonoma
Shoshana Hebshi • shoshana.hebshi@sierraclub.org
County Waste Management Agency, is moving forward to
Administrative Staff: implement the policy countywide.
Tom Devlin • (707) 544-7651 • tdevlin@sonic.net
SB 1383 aims to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP)
Regional Coal Organizer: by curbing organic waste disposal and divert edible food from
Jacob Klein • jacob.klein@sierraclub.org
landfills.
Chapter Chair • At Large • Political Chair • According to Calrecycle, methane, though a short-lived pollut-
RCC Delegate • Wilderness Chair:
Victoria Brandon* • (707) 994-1931 •
ant, is 84 times more powerful than CO2 and a major contributor
vbrandon95457@gmail.com to climate change. It is emitted through organics, like food
Vice Chair • Solano Group Delegate to Chapter: scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard, which make up
Joe Feller* • (415) 902-3395 half of what Californians dump in landfills.
Secretary: Christine Hutfles Calrecycle says reducing SLCPs like organic waste will have
Treasurer & Finance Committe Chair: the fastest impact on the climate crisis.
Jana Selph • (707) 829-5356 SB 1383 mandates that 50 percent of organics need to be
At Large • Council of Club Leaders Alternate • RCC diverted from the landfill and 75 percent by 2025 from 2014
Delegate: Rue Furch* • (707) 823-3555 levels. The law also requires at least 20 percent of edible food
At Large • Conservation Chair • Council of Club Leaders be recovered before it hits the landfill; subsequently, it has to be
Delegate: Tom Roth* • (707) 632-5873
distributed to food recovery programs.
At Large • Energy and Climate Chair: Randy MacDonald*
(707) 391-0833
Another benefit of not wasting edible food is related to water
conservation, which becomes increasingly important with
Transportation Chair:
Steve Birdlebough • (707) 576-6632 evolving drought conditions. Water is used to produce food, and
At Large • Legal Chair: Elizabeth Johnson*
water and energy are involved in transporting and disposing of
Grazing Chair: Felice Pace • (707) 954-6588
wasted food. So, SB 1383 potentially is an environmental trifecta:
climate mitigation, food insecurity and water/energy conserva-
Forest Chair:
Jeanne Wetzel Chinn tion.
Lake Group Delegate to Chapter:
Zero Waste Sonoma is considered a leader in the state for its
Debi Sally* • (707) 235-9011 success and momentum with SB 1383.
Lake Group Delegate Alternate: ZWS is tackling part of the food recovery piece of the law
Denise Rushing • (707) 560-1166 by using the Food Waste Prevention and Rescue grant it was
Mendocino Group Delegate to Chapter: awarded from Calrecycle to expand food recovery infrastructure
Mary Walsh* • (707) 937-0572 that will result in diversion of 705,000 pounds of food and a
Mendocino Group Delegate Alternate: Robin Leler reduction of 561 metric tons of CO2 over two years.
Napa Group Delegate to Chapter: ZWS has also identified more than 500 businesses involved in
Chris Benz * food generation, such as commercial food distributors, grocery
North Group Delegate to Chapter: stores, schools and wholesale food venders that will need to
Ned Forsyth* • (707) 826-2417
donate their excess food.
North Group Delegate Alternate:
A recent setback to the local enactment of SB 1383 is that
Joyce Yowell • (559) 916-8575
Renewable Sonoma, a proposed composting facility, did not
Sonoma Group Delegate to Chapter: received funding to go forward, and local green waste will
Shirley Johnson-Foell* • (707) 206-1138 continue to be trucked out of the county to be processed.
Chapter Webmaster: Melanie Matway
* Signifies voting member of the ExCom
4 Redwood Needles j Summer 2021CLIMATE CORNER
Whose drought is this?
By Randy MacDonald But climate change also belongs to eliminate our carbon footprint,
Chair, Redwood Chapter Climate & to all those who contributed to it, and we must work with others
Energy Committee because this is a human-caused locally and beyond to bring about
Co-Chair, Climate Protectors climate emergency. real climate solutions. The impor-
Every one of us has had some tance of mass action by everyone
The historically dry conditions part in gener-
throughout most of California and ating the
across the American West are tech- greenhouse Climate change belongs to all those
nically referred to as a “drought” gases which
by the National Weather Service. are heating the who contributed to it, becasue this is
But in a recent editorial, the L.A. Earth’s oceans,
Times said we need to start calling dry lands and a human-caused emergency.
this what it really is: atmosphere.
“There is no drought. That It’s true that
phrase is sometimes used to deny certain people have polluted more to whom this climate crisis belongs
the epic and obvious change in than others, but none of us cannot cannot be overstated. Our coor-
our climate patterns, but that’s all escape our own responsibility for dinated action leads to political
wrong. Just as there is no tempo- our part of the climate crisis. power, which we must exercise
rary drought in the Sahara, where There is a third group to whom while there is still time to ensure a
heat and dryness punctuated by this climate change belongs: livable planet.
flash flooding is the norm, there is People who rise up and take The scale of the changes needed
no temporary drought in Califor- meaningful steps to reverse global to decarbonize human society
nia.” warming. Yes, we are victims, by the middle of this century
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves and we are also perpetrators of are daunting indeed. But look a
instead, “Whose climate change is our climate crisis, but we have the young person in the eyes and then
this?” Does climate change belong ability and moral obligation to try to tell me that we are not up
to those who suffer its impacts? do something about it. I call these to this challenge, a challenge we
That would include every one of people “Climate Protectors,” and I ourselves created.
us, and indeed it is true: We cannot invite you to join us! This is our drought. This is our
escape the increasingly dire condi- Our climate crisis is not going to climate crisis.
tions spreading across our planet solve itself. Every one of us must Visit climateprotectors.net and
as a result of global warming. do all we can in our personal lives become a Climate Protector today!
Solutions to diminished water supply are plentiful if we all work together
Continued from Page 3
to think about plants that are part of the solution. Tree roots
“It’s going on all over,” Furch said. provide routes for water into the aquifers. They become
One potential solution being explored is desalination. little flow channels. We have to stop cutting down trees
The practice has been growing in popularity in California, that are part of the solution for groundwater recharge.
especially in the southern region, and it is coming north. Greater awareness of the value of ‘Slow it, Spread it, Sink
Yet, this solution is energy intensive and may not be appro- it,’ should lead to smart land use policies in recharge areas,
priate to implement. and protection of soils where agriculture could thrive.”
And yet another solution water authorities are exploring, Northern California water “abundance” will be a thing of
Furch said, is aquifer injection. By injecting excess water the past as dramatic changes in rainfall and hotter weather
in the rainy season or from another source, into an aquifer, brought on by impacts of climate change affect our seasons.
the water table can be replenished. But there’s a risk of Furch said this drastic shift in how we view water will
contaminating the underground water due to chemical change our behavior out of necessity.
interactions that may not be predictable, and more research “We have to be in it for the long haul. This is not a blip,”
will be necessary. she said, adding that everyone has to be part of the solu-
Vineyards and other types of agriculture need to tran- tion. “We have to acknowledge that this is how it is. Don’t
sition to more drought-tolerant crops or dry farming, and use the word ‘drought.’ This is weather. This is how it is.
many of them have, Furch said. And, she added, “We have We have to get real with that.”
Summer 2021 j Redwood Needles 5The next big step in protecting our public lands
By Victoria Brandon area in the South Fork Trinity River a long-time environmental champion.
Chair, Redwood Chapter and Mad River watersheds; and Starting not long after the 2012
require federal agencies to coordinate election, a broad stakeholder group
I’ve been fascinated with the natural fire management, all without limiting led by the Wilderness Society and
world ever since I was a child paddling recreation access or affecting private the California Wilderness Coalition
about on the Rippowam River in property. worked to define boundaries, identify
Connecticut among the sunfish and This legislation will help achieve the outstanding natural features, and hold
snapping turtles. Since landing in goals set forth in Gov. Gavin Newsom discussions with neighboring private
Lake County 40 years ago, most of that and President Joe Biden’s executive landowners, federal agencies, and local
passion has been focused right here in orders to protect 30 percent of our lands tribes as part of the “Mountains and
northern California. It’s been a great and waters by 2030 (an effort known Rivers” campaign.
privilege to advocate for Wild and as 30×30). California is currently in the With the support of the Sierra Club,
Scenic Cache Creek, the Boxer/Thomp- process of putting together a statewide Huffman’s legislation was consolidated
son Wilderness Bill, Mt. Konocti County plan on how to implement this goal, with three other California bills and
Park, the Berryessa Snow Mountain and Sierra Club believes passing the two bills from other states, creating a
National Monument, and others. Now PUBLIC Lands Act is key to our state package that easily passed the House
I’m excited to campaign for a new bill achieving it. in February 2020 and was then attached
that will benefit millions of Californians Passing the bill would be a milestone to the House version of the must-pass
from remote Del Norte County to the victory for Californians. By expanding National Defense Authorization Act
San Gabriel Mountains. protections to include more than a (NDAA). Unfortunately, some of the
Wilderness proponents in California million acres, the bill will increase equi- public lands provisions did not make
had good reason to rejoice earlier this table access to the outdoors, like in the it into the final version of the NDAA.
spring, when Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) Los Angeles area, where an expanded When the new Congress convened in
introduced the Protecting Unique and San Gabriel Mountains National Monu- 2021, however, the bills found a new
Beautiful Landscapes by Investing ment will connect nearly 17 million champion in Sen. Padilla.
in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act. people to the region’s largest green This is the best opportunity we’ve
This ambitious legislation will protect space. The bill establishes new tools had in at least a generation to perma-
some of the state’s iconic landscapes and protocols to protect the landscapes nently protect these lands—and
as designated wilderness or wild and that were devastated by wildfires the clock is ticking. The expanded
scenic rivers; expand equitable access last year. And expanded access to the protections included in the PUBLIC
to nature for communities that need outdoors will help boost California’s Lands Act are essential not only for
it most; improve wildfire protections; economy. Before the COVID-19 protecting lands, water, and wildlife
and promote the outdoor recreation pandemic, California’s outdoor recre- and expanding equitable access to the
economy. ation economy generated more than $57 outdoors. They will also bring mental
The legislative package consists billion in revenue and supported more and physical health benefits to our
of three bills that passed the House than 578,000 jobs. Increased access to communities, create healthier and safer
of Representatives earlier in the protected wilderness could push those landscapes and environments for all,
year, including one bill that affects numbers even higher. and build up the natural infrastructure
landscapes in my very own Redwood Local conservationists have priori- we need to take on the climate crisis
Chapter. Rep. Jared Huffman’s (D-CA) tized some of these special places for a and the extinction crisis.
Northwest California Wilderness, long time, but political considerations My 20 years as an environmental
Recreation, and Working Forests made permanent protection unachiev- advocate have been deeply rewarding,
Act would designate 262,000 acres of able during previous rounds of wilder- and I’m particularly looking forward
pristine federal lands as wilderness; ness legislation in 1984 and 2006. That to popping the cork on a bottle of good
permanently protect more than 480 changed after the 2010 census with the champagne when the PUBLIC Lands
miles of wild and scenic rivers; estab- creation of a new Second Congressional Act becomes the law of the land.
lish a 700,000-acre special restoration District, now represented by Huffman,
Chapter & Group leadership elections • Solano Group: Joe Feller, joe56feller@gmail.com
• Sonoma Group: Shirley Johnson, johnsons@sonoma.edu
The Redwood Chapter and Group Executive Committee • North Group: Ned Forsyth, nedforsyth48@gmail.com
election season has begun. Nominating Committee Chairs have
been selected, and candidate recruitment is proceeding. ELECTION SEASON DEADLINES
Three Chapter At-Large seats will be up this year, and either
three or four Group seats. If you are interested in running for a • Aug. 20: Chapter and Group candidate slates are complete
position, please contact the relevant nominating committee chair. and submitted to Elections Committee Chair Jim Horn.
• Sept. 6: Deadline for submission of candidate statements for
NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRS publication in the Fall Redwood Needles. Deadline for submission
of ballot petitions to the Election Committee Chair.
• Chapter Elections Chair: Jim Horn, jhorn@hornengineers.com • Oct. 4: Ballots and candidate statements are published in the
• Lake Group: JoAnn Saccato, shylila@cluemail.com Fall Needles, and voting begins in both hard copy and electronic
• Mendocino Group: Jeanne Wetzel Chinn, jeannechinn@gmail.com formats.
• Napa Group: Samantha Smith, samsmithitaly@yahoo.com • Dec. 31: Voting closed. All votes must be in.
6 Redwood Needles j Summer 2021Reducing car mileage one step in taking climate action
By Shoshana Hebshi paying to widen many existing roads,” “Be open to a grocery store or more
Chapter Communications Coordinator he said. “And with all of us driving high-density housing coming to your
our cars and trucks less and less every neighborhood to create more walkable
“If Sonoma County is to reach year, the county’s budget for pothole areas and prevent urban sprawl. Get
carbon neutrality by 2030, an action repair may finally begin to catch up familiar with public transit routes and
that we most certainly must take is with the need for upkeep.” set a goal to reduce your driving by 5
to reduce our driving by 5 percent or In the state budget, Gov. Gavin percent this year. If you drive 10,000
more each year, over the next nine Newsom has allocated some added miles a year, aim for 9,500 miles this
years,” according to Sierra Club Trans- funding for bike and pedestrian year, and 9,000 the next.”
portation Chair Steve Birdlebough. pathways, as well as other “active Change is coming, Birdlebough
Birdlebough described this goal transportation” activities. However it says, as the climate crisis makes it
during Sonoma County’s April 6 is recognized that such funding needs imperative that we alter our behavior
Climate Action and Resiliency Town to increase further to meet the demand more quickly than in the past. “There’s
Hall, organized by the Sonoma for significant improvements to make a change of thinking among the public
County Board of Supervisors. biking and walking more convenient works people and at the state level.
Cars and trucks are responsible for and safe, and Birdlebough urges us to It’s getting easier to reduce speed
more greenhouse gas emissions than “put pressure on the legislature to get limits, so the tools are beginning to be
any other part of the economy, accord- more funding.” available and the thinking is going in
ing to California’s Air Resources Other ways for individuals to be the right direction. And we need to
Board. proactive is to think about which trips move the needle faster than it’s been
It has been known since Senate can be made by foot or by bike, and moving.”
Bill 375 was enacted in 2008 that to leave the car parked as much as If you are interested in being more
curbing greenhouse gas emissions possible. active in transportation issues, please
from vehicles will require more than “Buy a bicycle if you don’t already volunteer with our transportation
a shift to battery-powered cars. While have one. Maybe it’s electric, so if you committee.
electric vehicles somewhat reduce have to go up a hill, the motor kicks in For more information, contact us at
the environmental impact of driving, and makes it easier to ride,” he said. redwood.chapter@sierraclub.org
production of batteries adds
significant greenhouse gases to
the planet, and all vehicles cause
road wear and tear, which requires
greenhouse gas-intensive repairs.
Communities can help reduce
driving by making new and exist-
ing development less dependent
on automobiles. Locating services
in every neighborhood enables
people to walk, bike or take public
transportation rather than driving.
Birdlebough outlined four major
ways to reduce driving without
harming the economy:
1. Focus growth in walkable
urbanized areas.
2. Expand a safe and attractive
network of bike and pedestrian
Redwood Chapter supports Climate Trekkers
routes. Youth activists marched 266 miles from Paradise to San Francisco in June to put pres-
3. Create seamless, transpor- sure on lawmakers to support the Civilian Climate Corps as part of the Green New
tation systems with easy connec- Deal. Redwood Chapter and its Sonoma and Solano groups helped along the way by
tions of all modes. providing food and encouragement. Chapter activist Shirley Johnson (pictured front
4. Shift heavy goods movement row center) met up with the marchers in Petaluma where she and three other volun-
from trucks to trains.
teers reflected on “how cool it was to lovingly prepare their meal.”
“There is a silver lining in all “The marchers are good people with a look of determination,” Johnson said. “These
of these changes: we won’t be young people are our future, and I feel confident they will continue to make this planet
investing money in construction a better place.”
of many new roads, nor will we be
Summer 2021 j Redwood Needles 7Redwood Needles Nonprofit
PRST STD
U.S. Postage
Sierra Club
PAID
Permit No. 363
Petaluma, CA
Redwood Chapter
P.O. Box 466, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
RAISE YOUR VOICE
Help Hold PG&E Accountable for its Negligence
Join us to demand that PG&E stops ravaging our trees and instead invests in modern
infrastructure that will greatly reduce wildfire risk. State leaders must hold PG&E accountable
for its negligence.
We have launched a petition to show state leaders that their constituents care about this
issue and do not want to see PG&E continue to devastate healthy trees, impose on private
landowners and neglect to quickly update its antiquated infrastructure as we face another
fire season.
Sign the petition here:
https://addup.sierraclub.org/campaigns/
hold-pge-accountable-for-infrastructure-failure-in-wildfires
www.sierraclub.org/redwood
Sonoma • Napa • Solano • Lake • Mendocino • Humboldt • Del Norte • Trinity • Western SiskiyouYou can also read
