Volume 42, Number 3, 2003 www.ventana.org M AGAZINE OF THE V ENTANA C HAPTER OF THE S IERRA C LUB JUN,OUTINGS JUL, AUG The Club successfully demonstrated in 1972 for passage of Prop. 20, the Coastal Protection Initiative, which preceeded the Coastal Act. From left, unidentified, State Senator Don Grunsky, Julian Camacho, Ansel Adams, others unidentified. Jerry Lebeck Corky Matthews Lois Robin Roy Anderson (l) and Art Benoit (r), seated; Ed Sloan standing on summit of Chris Broadwell and Robin Brooks atop Silver Peak near Lake Thomas Edison El Capitan looking east toward Half Dome, 1973. debate the view, 1980s. Ventana Chapter turns 40 See p. 12 Explore, enjoy and protect the planet hile it is the intent of The Ventana to print articles that reflect the position CHAPTER CHAIR Wof the Ventana Chapter, ideas expressed in The Ventana are those of the Proposed legislation to sanctuaries along the California coast. ing a variety of wastes in the Sanctuary authors, and do not necessarily reflect the regulate cruise ships Dedicated environmentalists and several months after the fact. The cruise position of the Sierra Club. Articles, graphics politicians are working hard to protect lines cannot be trusted to monitor their and photographs are copyrighted by the ecent visits by cruise ships to the authors and artists and may be reprinted only the Sanctuary, but there needs to be own activities, and some states visited by port of Monterey have generated more work on the federal level to clean cruise lines are reluctant to pass laws to with their permission. enormous concern for the health DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS R up cruise ship practices. The cruise ship protect their resources. While Alaska has of the Marine Sanctuary. A very popular All materials for publication must be received industry has an abysmal record for envi- led the way with some strict laws against by the deadlines listed in The Ventana publica- division of the travel industry, cruising is ronmental compliance. EPA figures have air pollution, proposed legislation in tion schedule (see below). No exceptions. attracting up to 80,000 passengers a year. showed a large percent of major cruise Hawaii restricting the cruise industry SUBMISSIONS FORMAT Yet, when the first mega ship was sched- lines have violated air pollution laws. never even received hearings in either Please limit articles to 800 words; letters to uled to arrive last year, environmental- Royal Caribbean has pleaded guilty to the House or the State Senate. 300. All submissions may be edited for clarity ists were unprepared for the impacts. We 21 felony counts for dumping oil and The precious coastal waters belong to and length. Submissions are preferred via e- learned that there were very few regula- mail or on a high density 3-1/2 inch diskette. dangerous chemicals in ports in Alaska us all. We must ensure that these waters Save files as “text” or “ascii.” Mail hard copy tions for cruise ships at the federal, state and Florida. Recently in Monterey, receive strong protection. to editor, address below. or local level. Within days, led by Crystal Cruise Line admitted to dump- —Rita Dalessio WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS Kaitilin Gaffney of the Ocean Send submissions to: Debbie Bulger, Editor Conservancy, several groups including 1603 King Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 the Sierra Club were gathering informa- e-mail: [email protected] tion and lobbying public officials to pro- F ROM THE E DITOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS tect the coast and the ocean from the Do not call editor! Send address changes to wastewater discharge and smokestack Let’s continue to make inspire creativity in members today. Sierra Club, The Ventana, P. O. Box 52968, emissions of these polluting vessels. Boulder, CO 80322-2968. a difference Special thanks to the following people POSTAL NOTICE Now, local Assemblymember John who expended a great deal of effort in The Ventana (015057) is published 6 times a Laird has co-authored (with his issue of The Ventana recounts locating buried photos, recalling old bat- year, (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Nov) paid by Assemblymembers Nakano and some of the history surrounding tles, and scouring shaky memories to subscription included in membership fee, by Simitian) three bills to protect Califor- the founding of the Chapter and The Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, T recall who the heck the people were in nia’s shores and ocean habitat. AB 906 the Group. It is the story of people with 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. the photos. Thanks go to Rod Periodical postage paid Santa Cruz, prohibits the dumping of gray water a vision who set out to provide a sharp- Holmgren, Corky Matthews, Lois California, and at additional mailing offices. from kitchens, laundries and showers as er focus on environmental activism on Robin, Kirk Smith, Joyce Stevens, Postmaster: Send address changes to Sierra well as discharges from dry cleaning and the Central Coast and succeeded in Gabrielle Stocker, Dave Bockman, Chris Club, The Ventana, P. O. Box 604, Santa photo processing chemicals. AB 121 pro- achieving a great deal. Cruz, CA 95061-0604. Broadwell, and Gil Galbreath. (I hope I hibits dumping treated or untreated It is by no means a comprehensive didn’t forget anyone.) Editor: sewage or bilge water into state waters. narrative of the environmental battles Debbie Bulger • 457-1036 While I’m thanking folks, I would e-mail: [email protected] AB 471 requires cruise ships in fought, won or lost, but instead a tribute also like to acknowledge the generosity (no change of address calls, please!) California coastal waters out to 25 miles to the fulfillment of a dream that has of Mingzhi Wei who donated a 19-inch Production: to burn only highway-quality diesel fuel. touched all our lives. computer monitor to the Ventana staff. Lynnelle Wing, Art Director; Cruise ships would also be required to Enjoy the old photos, remember old This larger monitor is a big help during Vivian Larkins turn off their diesel engines and hook up times, and strengthen your resolve to Writers: the layout process, enabling us to see Rita Dalessio, Debbie Bulger, to electric power while in port to reduce carry on the fight to preserve and pro- more of the page at one time. Thank Owen Bailey, Sarah Ryan, Nada Kovalik, smokestack emissions. In addition, AB tect this beautiful area. I hope especially you, Mingzhi. Rod Holmgren, Corky Matthews 906 and AB 121 contain language to readers under 40 will be inspired to Read about the last 40 years, and get Photographers: direct the state water agency to petition increase their activism and continue the ready to deal with the increasing pres- Alan Church, Ken Adelman, the federal government to extend these tradition. Perhaps learning how the Corky Matthews, Jerry Lebeck, sure on the environment which will Lois Robin, Kaitilin Gaffney, provisions to protect the four marine Chapter functioned in the early days will occur in the next 40. Debbie Bulger —Debbie Bulger Proofreaders: Richard Stover, Vivian Larkins Charles Koester, Jeff Alford Courier: WITTWER & PARKIN, LLP Mike Vickers Distribution: Practicing in the areas of Environmental and Land Use Law The Bird Feeder Lew Weinstein, Jann McCord, Debbie Bulger, Sheila Dunniway A Birder’s Emporium Advertising Sales: Debbie Bulger Late Night Food Delivery & Software: 147 S. River St., Ste. 221 Richard Stover Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Chapter website: http://ventana.sierraclub.org Phone (831) 429-4055 Everything for the wild bird enthusiast Fax (831) 429-4057 Please send all Letters-to-the-Editor to: including bird feeders, houses, baths, Editor, c/o Sierra Club • 1603 King St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 field guides, bird books, videos, Send e-mail to: [email protected] Deborah A. Malkin cassettes, t-shirts, posters, ATTORNEY AT LAW binoculars, note cards seeds, and more. VENTANA PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: Specializing in Issue Deadline Mailing Date Wills, Living Trusts, Tax-saving Trusts, #4 Jul. 21 Aug. 7 #5 Sep. 15 Oct. 2 and other forms of Estate Planning. #6 Nov. 10 Nov. 28 Also offering assistance with Conservatorships and Probate. 347 SOQUEL at OCEAN Free initial consultation Santa Cruz • 457-8240 Articles received after deadline may Discount offered to Sierra Club members. Open Mon. - Sat. 9:30 - 5:30 not be published. The Creekside Offices at 2425 Porter St., Suite 15 • Soquel, CA 95073 • 831-462-9100 Sun. 11:00 - 4:00 2 The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 42 Number 3, 2003 Printed on Recycled Paper Sierra Club award improves Seaside LETTERS demonstration garden The Ventana welcomes letters. Send to: $500 grant from the Ventana LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Chapter will help spread native The Ventana, 1603 King Street plant beauty at the busy corner of Santa Cruz, CA 95060 A Canyon Del Rey Boulevard and or email to [email protected] Please include a phone number with Fremont Street in Seaside. Mary Wilson, your letter. Anonymous letters are garden designer and Sierra Club mem- not accepted. Letters may be edited ber, accepted the award on behalf of the for length. project. The Chapter presented the award in commemoration of Earth Day Population growth at the root of 2003. environmental problems The grant will go into a fund to cover State demographers have recently garden expenses including the purchase announced that the California population of an electric string trimmer and some grew by almost 600,000 people in 2002, large boulders to keep motor vehicles bringing the state population to 35,591,000. from driving into the garden. The boul- It was the fourth year in a row that the pop- ders are needed because vehicles have ulation increase exceeded 500,000.