The Central Ohio Sierran News of the Central Ohio Group July-August 2010 Volume 39, Number 4

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC We’re Going Electronic—See page 4 to request hard All programs, meetings, events and out- copy or email notification. ings in this newsletter are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Monthly Program, 7:30 pm, Wed., July 14 Articles appearing in The Central Ohio “Ohio’s Nuclear Legacy” Sierran are the opinions of the authors Location: Northwood High Building, 2231 N. High St., Room 100 and do not necessarily reflect policy of the Sierra Club. Ohio's Nuclear Legacy is the story of nuclear weapons production in Ohio dur- ing the Cold War (Mound, Fernald, and Piketon) and the continuing impact of these sites on the environment. In the 1950s the Ohio River Valley was one of the major centers of nuclear weapons production, so much so that a New York Times reporter In This Issue: once called it "Atom Valley." Three of the nuclear sites were in Ohio, two in Ken- tucky, and one in Indiana. Chair’s Corner...... 4 This talk by Carol Rainey will focus on the three Ohio sites--Mound Labora- Instructions on Receiving Your tory, the nation's first nuclear research lab, south of Dayton; Fernald, a uranium foundry north of Cincinnati; and Piketon, a uranium enrichment plant near Ports- Central Ohio Group Newsletter4 mouth--giving a brief history of what went on at each of the sites, the problems the Now Seeking Candidates for COG’s workers experienced, and the legacy of nuclear waste which continues to be a prob- Executive Committee ...... 4 lem today. Carol Rainey is a retired English instructor, writer, and long-time anti- nuclear activist. She is the author of One Hundred Miles from Home: Nuclear Con- Sierra Club Meetings ...... 5 tamination in the Communities of the Ohio River Valley. COG Newsletter Copy Editor Special Event Movie “DIRT!”, 7:30 pm, Tues., July 27 Needed...... 5 Location: The Drexel East, 2254 E. Main St. in Bexley Outings ...... 6 DIRT! The Movie, directed and produced by Bill Benen- Community Events...... 11 son and Gene Rosow, takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated Directory ...... 12 source of fertility from its miraculous beginning to its crip- pling degradation. The opening scenes of the film dive into the wonderment of the soil. Made from the same elements as the stars, plants Conservation Issues: and animals, and us, "dirt is very much alive." In modern in-

Take the Columbus Curbside Re- (Continued on page 5) cycling Survey ...... 2 2010 Downtown Columbus Strate- Annual Picnic, 5-9 pm, Sunday, August 22 gic Plan...... 3 “2010 Central Ohio Sierra Club Potluck Picnic” Location: Mansion Shelter, Highbanks Metro Park Ohio Sierra Club Comments on 9466 US Route 23, 4 miles north of I-270 OEPA 2010 “Impaired Waters” Report ...... 9 Bring plate, cup and utensils, a dish for the potluck, and if you wish equipment for outdoor games (there is a horseshoe pit at the site). We'll supply the drinks, talk Columbus Creates a Grey Future about the environmental issues we're addressing, and lead anyone who's interested for Rate Payers ...... 10 on a hike on one of the park's trails. You might also want to come early for your own hike, as there are a number of trails and landmarks as described below. Highbanks is appropriately named for its massive 100-foot high shale bluffs

(Continued on page 5) Page 2 Take the Columbus Curbside Recycling Survey by July 31 Use this opportunity to ask questions of the city

By Pat Marida planning process. At www.RecycleColumbus.org, residents can respond to Questions for Mayor Coleman and City Council: Mayor Michael Coleman’s proposal to bring a new curbside recycling program to all single-family homes at no direct cost • Who is on the recycling team and what are their qualifica- to residents. The online survey will be available until July 31. tions; have they previously designed complex municipal re- The Sierra Club encourages our members and friends to take cycling programs? If so, where; and what were the results? this survey. It asks about the size of containers you prefer and • What recycling studies have been previously conducted for how often you would need collection of recyclables and yard and by the City? How are those studies being incorporated waste. Question #8 gives you the opportunity to make com- into the current effort? ments, which is where your participation can count. • Is there a study that shows alternate-week yard and recycling Mayor Coleman said that this is the beginning of a commu- pickup is “the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and envi- nity process to engage residents about the best way to imple- ronmentally-friendly design”? ment a comprehensive curbside recycling program in the City of Columbus. The city said that alternating recycling pickup • What are the services the public and the city want? with yard waste pickup, each every other week, would offer the • Who are the consulting companies, and how are they being most “cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally- solicited and paid? friendly design”. • Has a cost analysis has been done? What about a cost- Environmentally-friendly is not a technical term, so how did benefit analysis? they reach this conclusion? If an alternating plan is more effi- • What other research has been done? cient, have they considered implementing an alternating sched- ule with trash and yard waste now? Steve Grossman of • What are the goals? To protect the environment, create jobs, Grossman Environmental Recycling thinks the city is putting improve quality of life? the cart before the horse. He feels that the city first needs to • Because Columbus is late to the game, they can see almost decide the type of program they want, and that will dictate the every new type of system in the world. Is the recycling team type of containers needed for that particular program. He rec- looking into this opportunity for innovative leadership? ommends that Columbus decide on recycling goals—what • SWACO has implemented rules that force all waste to go to quantities they envision recycling, what types of materials they their landfill or other facilities they designate. SWACO says will accept, who will pick it up and where it will go—both ini- they need the waste to make the landfill cost-effective. If the tially and with goals for the future. city implements a new program of landfill diversion, how Whatever the goals, the amount our city is going to divert will this impact SWACO and its ability to operate cost- will need to start off with a small amount. Cities that are up to effectively? How can Columbus and SWACO optimize their 50% diversion have been doing it for years. As cities figure out working and financial relationship? how to work best with local recyclers, their programs can be If the SWACO landfill diverts 10% of our waste, it would in expanded. Cities work with recyclers to facilitate acceptance of theory extend a 25-year life of the landfill by 2-1/2 years. This a similar and wider variety of materials. As an example, it is is not significant and Columbus would soon have to spend a more efficient for a city to find recyclers who are able to accept considerable amount to locate a new landfill and carry trash a all paper or glass and not just one type. And the city needs to longer distance. If on the other hand Columbus diverted 50- make it easy for residents. 60% it could mean considerable landfill savings. As a start, Grossman recommends mandatory recycling. It The bottom line is that a thorough analysis needs to be done, works like this. If recyclables, in the hauler’s opinion, are over and the mayor needs to make sure that people on his recycling 10% they will not pick it up. committee have a hands-on knowledge of recycling. This The public is being asked for input, but more information is would include people in the recycling business. Members of the needed and it is important for the public to be brought into the Ohio Association of Recyclers have a variety of expertise— from landfill operators to officials in other communities in Get Involved with Columbus Recycling! The Colum- Ohio. Grossman says the majority of people he knows in the bus Community Coalition’s Environment Committee has business have not been contacted. Columbus Curbside Recycling meetings at 7 pm on third “Recycling is key to making Columbus an attractive 21st Thursdays at the Harrison West Park Community Center, Century community in which to live and raise a family,” ac- 535 W. First Ave. Next meetings are July 15 and August cording to Hearcel Craig, chair of the Public Service & Trans- 19. This is an opportunity to participate with the group portation Committee. that paved the way for the mayor’s recycling decision. OK, Mr. Craig, Mayor Coleman, and City Council, let’s do it, and do it right. Page 3 2010 Downtown Columbus Strategic Plan

By Pat Marida The urban planning firm MSI Design, hired by the Colum- bus Downtown Development Corporation, has completed its study and proposal for a decade-long Downtown Strategic Plan. Concepts were included from four public meetings held in 2010, and from more than 500 comments and suggestions made by the public. Downtown development affects everyone who lives in Co- lumbus. Downtown accounts for 100,000 jobs in Columbus, 22% of the city’s jobs, generating $100 million in annual tax revenue, yet over the past 10 years only an average of $10 million per year has been spent on capital projects downtown. Columbus gets back in 1 year what it spends in 10 years through support- ing a vibrant job market, so this is considered an excellent investment. Acres of new parkland as proposed in this drawing by MSI Design Images The current Downtown plan, adopted in 2002, included calls for more housing and riverfront projects such as the • Restoring High Street as Downtown’s commercial corridor and . and allowing on-street parking on High Street The 2010 Plan is based on 10 Principles, 12 Ideas, and 8 • Developing housing around Topiary Park Strategies defined by the planning team, including connecting • Replacing surface parking with garages and infill, making a uses, districts and people; embracing transit; developing sig- "Creative Campus" stretching from the Columbus Museum nature parks and public spaces; prioritizing sustainability; of Art and Columbus State to the King-Lincoln District increasing the amount and variety of downtown housing; and • Building a 3-C multimodal transportation hub south of the investing in arts and culture. convention center for local, regional and national transit and The new Plan has divided the downtown into 3 develop- for the proposed rail line between Columbus, Cleveland and ment corridors: Riverfront to the west; the High Street Core in Cincinnati the center and the Discovery District to the east. A dozen • Developing a field house near the Convention Center that major ideas were offered for developing and connecting could host amateur sports competitions and could free up within and between these corridors. space in the Convention Center for more convention busi- The most exciting part of the plan is the proposal to elimi- ness nate 7 major dams on the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, in- • Adding state-of-the-art bike rental and storage facilities cluding the Greenlawn Dam which is a site of major untreated • Replacing surface parking lots with residential and retail sewer overflows into the Scioto River. infill The Sierra Club notes that dams are environmental insults, • Building 2 pedestrian bridges over the Scioto River—one creating stagnation and sedimentation behind them with from Veterans Memorial to the and a scouring and dangerous undertows below. Such an environ- “cultural promenade” from COSI to downtown. These ment is not conducive to native aquatic life. bridges could be short because of a much narrower river. With the dams removed, the width of the rivers would de- • Developing housing and outdoor attractions in Franklinton crease from 500 to 200 feet downtown. This would create 125 near COSI. new acres of wetlands and green space, including 45 new acres Downtown. Standing in the way of realization of the 2010 Downtown Plan are 2 unhappy proposals. The first is the I-70/71 The Plan recommends removing the Fifth Avenue Dam at “upgrade”, a 7-plus-year construction nightmare which would OSU, an action that the Sierra Club has been asking for since widen the freeways, destroy inner city housing and businesses, 2002. Dams at Griggs and O'Shaughnessy reservoirs would increase noise and traffic and further cut off links between not be affected. areas downtown. The second is a proposal for a racetrack at Also included in the 12 Ideas were: Cooper Stadium, which is close to COSI and would destroy • .Adding bike lanes on either side of Broad Street, narrowing the atmosphere there and at Veterans Memorial, and also the street and re-creating its tree-lined past. Added green would disturb what is now outstanding bird life at Scioto space could be used to divert storm water Audubon Park and Greenlawn Cemetery. • Building a Downtown COTA transit station to replace bus While the downtown planners are not able to address these stops at Broad and High and eliminate bus backups. (Continued on page 8) Page 4 Chair’s Corner Instructions on By Doug Calem Receiving Your As I write these words the days are still getting longer Central Ohio Group Newsletter as we near the summer solstice. Light in the northern hemi- sphere will soon reach its peak, though the heat will con- tinue to build for the next two months (even though we had As mentioned in the March-April newsletter, a preview of August for a week or so in May). I hope you we are in the process of migrating from paper to all have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors -- whether electronic delivery of the newsletter. Please review that be on foot or bicycle, in a canoe or kayak, holding on the steps you need to take for receiving future to a hang-glider, or even jumping out of an airplane if that's copies of your newsletter. what it takes. • If you want to continue to receive a paper version, Come enjoy the outdoors with us! We encourage all of please send your request to Douglas Calem, 4890 you to join us for the Central Ohio Group potluck picnic on Sharon Ave., Columbus, OH 43214 or August 22 at the Mansion Shelter in Highbanks Metro Park douglas.calem(at)gmail.com. (for details see page 1). We'll supply the drinks, talk about • If you would like to receive email notification of the environmental issues we're addressing, and lead anyone the electronic newsletters, please send your email who's interested on a hike on one of the park's trails. And address to Doug at the address above. We will don't forget to take advantage of our Outings—shorter Fri- use your email address only to send you a link to day night hikes around Columbus and longer Sunday hikes the newsletter on the Central Ohio Group website. on trails further afield. • We will begin the electronic-only newsletter with Please note that this is the last bimonthly printed news- the September-October edition. letter. We will still be sending printed newsletters twice a • Starting Nov/Dec 2010 we will print a paper year in May and November. Please contact me with your edition twice a year—in Nov/Dec to distribute preference for a paper newsletter or to receive notification ballots for the Executive Committee election and of the posting of online newsletters. Though each newslet- in May/June for a mid-year update. ter will be available online in PDF format, we encourage • PLEASE NOTE that The Ohio Sierran is now you to receive email notification so you won’t miss out on available only online. It can be viewed at any of our events, and also you will be able to note the ti- www.ohiosierraclub.org. tles of our articles. Now Seeking Candidates for COG’s Executive Committee

Consider being a candidate for our Central Ohio Group Executive Committee. If there is an environmental issue that is of particular concern you, this is the perfect opportunity to address it! The Sierra Club’s Central Ohio Group is seeking candidates to run in this fall’s Executive Committee election. ExCom is the top decision-making body in the Group and consists of 11 members. SIX positions will be open for the upcoming election. Those elected will serve a 2-year term beginning in January 2011. Membership on the ExCom requires attending the monthly meetings (currently being held on first Wednesday evenings) and participating in local programs and activities. ExCom members also agree to take on other responsibilities, such as being a member of a standing committee or a conservation subcommittee. The following characteristics are desirable: long-term commitment to the environment, positive manner with people, experience in leadership or in the Sierra Club, and dependability. If you are interested in being part of an active and vital organization working to protect and enjoy the environment in Central Ohio, contact Central Ohio Group Chair Doug Calem at (614) 430-9399 or douglas.calem(at) gmail.com. Thank you! Page 5

Sierra Club Meetings and Activities Sierra Club Potluck Picnic Continued from page 1 Central Ohio Group (COG) Executive Committee that tower over the Olentangy State Scenic First Wednesdays: July7 and August 4 at 6:45 pm River. Tributary streams cutting across the Meets the first Wed. of most months at the Upper Arlington Library, bluff have created a number of deep ravines 2800 Tremont Rd. Contact Group Chair Doug Calem at 614-430-9399 extending into the eastern part of the park. douglas.calem(at)gmail.com for more information or if you have a subject Ohio and Olentangy shales, often contain- for the agenda. ing outstanding examples of large concre- COG Conservation Committee tions, are exposed on the bluff face and Third Wednesdays: July 21 and August 18 at 7 pm sides of the ravines. This area has been des- Conservation subcommittee representatives and interested individuals ignated a National Natural Landmark. meet on the third Wed. of most months. Contact Ohio Sierra Club Visitors can see outstanding examples Conservation Program Coordinator Matt Trokan at 614-461-0734 x 311 of oak-hickory, beech-maple and flood matt.trokan(at)sierraclub.org for location, more information or if you have plain hardwood forests on the park's 11 an agenda item. miles of trails, includ- COG Political Committee ing a long trail next to Fourth Sundays: July 25 and August 22 at 2 pm the Olentangy Committee members interview Central Ohio candidates and make River. The park con- recommendations for endorsements. There will be a very important election tains two Adena In- in Nov. 2010. The committee also meets with elected officials to keep them dian burial mounds informed of the Group’s position on local issues. We often have speakers at and a prehistoric these meetings. Contact PolCom Chair Melanie Braithwaite at 614-326- earthwork 4670 melbraithwaite(at)aol.com for location, information, or to be put on the email list. Ohio Chapter Conservation and Executive Committees Sun., July 18 —10 am ConsCom, 1 pm ExCom Held at the Ohio Sierra Club office, 131 N. High St. in downtown

Columbus. Lunch will be served. Contact Chapter Chair Enid Nagel at Dirt! The Movie Continued from page 1 513-435-4074 enidsierra(at)yahoo.com for more information or if you have dustrial pursuits and clamor for both profit a subject for the agenda. and natural resources, our human connection to and respect for soil has been disrupted. DIRT! The Movie--narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis--brings to life the environmental, COG Newsletter Copy Editor Needed economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from Do you have skills in writing and editing? Are you good at plan- all over the world who study and are able to ning ahead to meet deadlines? The Central Ohio Sierra Club is look- harness the beauty and power of a respectful ing for a copy editor to solicit and edit articles for our bimonthly and mutually beneficial relationship with newsletter. Group leaders make arrangements for programs, meet- soil. The real change lies in our notion of ings and other Group activities, and the copy editor’s job includes what dirt is. When humans arrived 2 million gathering this information together to send to our layout editor, and years ago, everything changed for dirt. And from that moment on, the fate of dirt and proofreading when the layout is completed. humans has been intimately linked. The focus of our newsletter is on local issues. Staff regularly But more than the film and the lessons submit articles. Group leaders can provide suggestions for timely that it teaches, DIRT the Movie is a call to articles on the work of the Sierra Club and other environmental or- action. The only remedy for disconnecting ganizations in Central Ohio. For Outings, the copy editor proofreads people from the natural world is connecting what is put together by the Outings Committee and the layout editor. them to it again. What we've destroyed, we While our newsletter has traditionally contained a page of commu- can heal. nity events, this feature is included at the discretion of the copy edi- This event is sponsored by the Central tor. Ohio Sierra Club, Simply Living, the Colum- If interested, please reply to COG Chair Doug Calem at doug- bus International Film and Video Festival and the Free Press. The movie is free and las.calem(at)gmail.com. THANK YOU! open to the public. Donations will be ac- cepted. Page 6 Outings: July/August Outings are open to all; you do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate. In fact, if you are interested in joining the Sierra club, we encourage you to go on an outing and get to know some Sierrans. We think you’re likely to come back! To aid you in selecting outings that fit your experience and fitness levels, please see our Outings Rating System. - The general policy of Sierra Club is that dogs not be taken on hikes unless the write-up mentions that they may be included. - In order to participate in one of the Sierra Club’s outings, you will need to sign a liability waiver. - Outings are free of charge unless otherwise noted. - We support energy conservation and carpooling wherever possible and appropriate. Participants may voluntarily contribute gas money to the driver.

Outings Rating System Friday, July 2, 7 pm: Friday Our pace and distance will depend on Each outing is rated twice. Both Night Hike, North Bexley, Ratings: E/ the weather. The hike includes a brief scales are one to five; the E scale indi- S 1/2 We will venture through eight stop at the Lake Hope Furnace where cates the required experience level and parks that are part of the "Emerald we can learn about how furnaces in this the S scale shows the physical activity Necklace". If conditions are not muddy, region were used to make iron for the level anticipated. the nature trail along Alum Creek will Civil War. Bring plenty of water, lunch, and a towel and bathing suit if you are E Scale be included as well as the walking bridge to Academy Park. Meet in the interested in swimming. Meet at 9 am 1 Novice - no experience required. behind McDonald’s at Route 33 and 2 A little experience is required. east parking lot at Franklin Park at 1777 E. Broad St. Optional dinner afterward. Gender Rd. Leader: Dave Dorsky, 614- 3 Moderate experience required. 848-7879, valordave(at)hotmail.com. 4 Considerable experience required. Leader: Chris Tisdale, 614-260-2109. 5 For the very experienced only. Wednesday, July 7, 6:30 pm: Friday, July 16, 7 pm: Friday S Scale Wednesday Night Hike, Franklin Night Hike, Clintonville, Ratings: E/S 1 Not strenuous. Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Enjoy the 1/1 Meet at 7 pm at the Whetstone 2 Could be strenuous. variety of plantings and waterways to be Library parking lot in Clintonville, just 3 Somewhat strenuous. found in this park located at 1777 E. west of High Street by the entrance to 4 Strenuous. Broad St. close to downtown Columbus. the Park of Roses. We will walk through 5 Very strenuous. We will meet by the east entrance to the Clintonville and then enjoy an optional dinner in a nearby restaurant afterward. If you are interested in an outing but conservatory at 6:30 pm for an hour- Leader: Tom Ruf, 614-406-5336, are unsure if you can manage it or if you long walk through the park. It is tomruf85(at)yahoo.com. wish to meet the group at the trailhead Community Night from 5-8pm, so time instead of the assembly point, call the will be left to explore the Conservatory Sunday, July 18, 9 am: Clear leader and discuss the trip in greater at your leisure. Leader: Chris Tisdale, Creek Metro Park Day Hike, Ratings: detail. Be advised that many day hikes 614-260-2109. Lightning will cancel the E/S 3/4 We’ll start at the Creekside are 10 miles or longer and require proper walk. Meadows picnic area and hike the equipment. Here’s a list of what you Friday, July 9, 7 pm: Friday Hemlock and Chestnut trails to the west should bring: Night Hike, Grandview, Ratings: E/S end of the park. We’ll return via the 1. Sturdy hiking boots or shoes. Make 1/1 We will hike on one of our Chestnut trail and then walk the sure your footwear is broken in before favorite neighborhood walks through Cemetery Ridge trail. The total distance you attempt a 10-mile hike. Grandview. Meet promptly at 7 pm in is approximately 10 miles. The terrain 2. Clothing appropriate to the season. the parking lot of the Grandview library at Clear Creek is hilly and the trails are Layering works best in cold weather to at 1685 W. First Ave, two blocks west often uneven, so good hiking boots are a prevent overheating. Raingear is essen- of Grandview Avenue. After the hike, must. Be prepared for the July heat! tial for comfort as hikes may proceed we will have dinner in one of the Bring plenty of water and a lunch and rain or shine. Grandview restaurants. Leaders: George meet at 9 am behind McDonald’s at 3. A small first aid kit with band aids or Huntley, gh6(at)earthlink.net, 614-444- Winchester Square, at Route 33 and moleskin for blisters. 1970, and Barbara Daniel, Gender Rd. Leader: John Fiske, jrob48 (at)aol.com, 614-457-3699. 4. At least one liter of water (two liters barbarapdaniel(at)aol.com. in warm weather). Note that water is Sunday, July 11, 9 am: Lake Friday, July 23, 7 pm: Friday usually not available on the trail. Hope Day Hike and Swim, Ratings: Night Hike, Highbanks Metro Park, 5. Snacks or lunch if mentioned in the E/S 2/2 Join us for a 5-7 mile hike Ratings: E/S 2/2 Meet at 7 pm outside hike description. around Lake Hope followed by an the Nature Center. Be prepared for some Hike leaders reserve the right to optional refreshing swim in the lake to hills as we hike up and down the scenic cool off after the hike. The terrain is deny participation to anyone deemed to (Continued on page 7) be inadequately prepared . rolling with some small but steep hills. Page 7 Old Westerville. We will be walking Main Campus, Ratings: E/S 1/2 Friday Night Hikes through some of Old Westerville’s Come enjoy the serenity of OSU’s main Friday Night Hikes are a great quaint neighborhoods and around the campus on a mid-summer’s evening. charming Otterbein College campus. Meet at 7 pm at the Tuttle Park way to unwind from a hectic week, a Our hike will end with an optional Recreation Center at the end of W. respite from the hurry, and a transi- dinner at an area restaurant. Meet at 7 Oakland Ave. west of Neil Ave. We’ll tion to a more relaxed weekend. pm in the parking lot located behind walk south along the Olentangy River There are usually 3 to 4 miles of brisk Graeter’s Ice Cream Parlor at the corner before turning into the main campus. walking with an optional stop after- of State St. and College Ave. Bring a Our route will include old favorites such ward for refreshments and conversa- flashlight and wear sturdy footwear as as Mirror Lake and the Oval. We’ll also tion. When days are long, most of our we may encounter some wet and muddy walk by the new Ohio Union (building Friday Night Hikes are in area Metro areas. Leader: Linda Halverson, 614- closes at 7 pm during summer quarter), Parks. When days are short, we hike 325-6415, lmat1010(at)aol.com. the Wexner Center and the refurbished in lovely area neighborhoods. But Sunday, August 1, 7 pm: Friday Thompson Library. We’ll find a restaurant in the area for an optional wherever they are, Friday night Hikes Night Hike, Three Creeks Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 1/2 We will follow dinner afterwards. Leaders: John and are always wonderful. So, have some Marilyn Fiske. Contact John (jrob48(at) fun, make some friends, and meet as many trails as possible to keep us in the cover of the woods. Bring water and aol.com) or Marilyn (mjean49(at) some new people--come on a Friday footwear appropriate for conditions. aol.com) at 614-457-3699 for further Night Hike! Please note, however, Meet at 7 pm by the Confluence Trail information. that heavy weather generally cancels bulletin board for a hike at an easy pace Sunday, August 8, 9 am: Mohican a Friday Night Hike. If it looks ques- for 3 to 5 miles on grassy and dirt trails. State Park Hike, Ratings: E/S 4/4 tionable, check with the leader for From I-270, take US 33 east to the This hike of 10+ miles takes us along that particular Friday. South Hamilton Road exit. Turn right the trails of the Clear Fork River and and go about 1 mile to Bixby Road and ridges that form the Clear Fork Gorge. turn right. The entrance is about 1 mile The gorge is more than one thousand (Outings, Continued from page 6) on the right. Leader: Chris Tisdale, 614- feet wide and hundreds of feet deep and 260-2109. originated from the erosion of the ravines. Highbanks is located just west moraines, rock till and deposits of the of US 23 about 3.5 miles north of I-270. Wednesday, August 4, 6:30 pm: Wednesday Night Hike, Franklin Wisconsinan glacier. Today the wildlife The Nature Center is the first driveway and old-growth white pine, hemlocks, on the right after you enter the park. Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Enjoy the variety of plantings and waterways to be hickory, and a variety of oak and maple Leader: Dave Dorsky, 614-848-7879, all comprise an area designated as a valordave(at)hotmail.com. found in this park located at 1777 E. Broad St. close to downtown Columbus. National Natural Landmark. Bring Sunday, July 25, 9 am: We will meet by the east entrance to the water, lunch, suitable attire and meet at John Bryan State Park, conservatory at 6:30 pm for an hour- 9 am in the far end of Target’s parking Glen Helen Nature long walk through the park It is lot on Polaris Parkway, just west of exit Preserve, Yellow Springs Community Night from 5-8 pm, so time #121 on I-71 north of Columbus. Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4 This is a will be left to explore the Conservatory Leader: Jose Cabral, cabral.1(at) dog-friendly hike. We will hike through at your leisure. Leader: Chris Tisdale, osu.edu. John Bryan State Park to Glen Helen 614-260-2109. Lightning will cancel the Friday, August 13, 7 pm: Friday Nature Preserve to visit the Raptor walk. Night Hike, Scioto Audubon Metro Center. The hike continues to the Friday, August 6, 7 pm: Friday Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Join us for a “Yellow Springs” and we will hike on walk starting from the Grange Insurance an old stagecoach road that offers some Night Hike I, Blendon Woods Metro Park, Ratings: E/S 1/2 This park Audubon Center at the Scioto Audubon great scenery. This is a brisk-paced hike Metro Park. We will look for birds on of 11 miles, so please be aware of your located at 4265 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. has more than 5 miles of public hiking the Whittier Peninsula, followed by a hiking abilities and limitations. Bring hike through the park and the Brewery lunch, water, and hiking boots and meet trails of which we will cover about 3 miles. If the heat is a factor, we will District. Meet at the Audubon Center behind Bob Evans Restaurant at parking lot at 7 pm. Wear sturdy shoes Westland Shopping Center (just east of seek the shade of the woods. We will conclude our trek at Thoreau Lake for uneven walkways. The Audubon I-270 and West Broad St.) We will Center is located at 505 West Whittier leave there promptly at 9 am. Leader: observing the waterfowl settle in for the night. Meet at 7 pm at the Nature Center Street in downtown Columbus. We will Jim Halverson, 614-325-6415, be walking about 3.5 miles, followed by jimhalvey(at)aol.com. parking lot. Leader: Chris Tisdale, 614- 260-2109. an optional dinner after the hike. Friday, July 30, 7 pm: Friday Leaders: Avalon and David Espinoza, Night Hike, Old Westerville, Ratings: Friday, August 6, 7 pm: Friday 614-403-7849 Night Hike II, Ohio State University – E/S 1/1 Join us for a 3+ mile hike in (Continued on page 8) Page 8 Outings We’ll hike 5-6 miles around scenic variety of plantings and waterways to be Continued from page 7 Hargus Lake in AW Marion State Park. found in this park located at 1777 E. We will have one or two short snack Broad St. close to downtown Columbus. Sunday, August 15, 9 am: stops during the hike and lunch in the We will meet by the east entrance to the Alum Creek State Park park after the hike. If the weather is conservatory at 6:30 pm for an hour- Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/3 nice, you will have the option of hiking long walk through the park. It is This is a dog-friendly hike. 2-3 more miles after lunch at nearby Community Night from 5-8 pm, so time Alum Creek State Park is just a 10 Stage’s Pond. Bring your own food, will be left to explore the Conservatory minute drive from our meeting place. plenty of water, and sturdy shoes or at your leisure. Leader: Chris Tisdale, This 9-mile hike will take us over a hiking boots for the wooded and at 614-260-2109. Lightning will cancel the variety of terrains from wooded trails to times uneven and muddy terrain. Meet walk. open meadows, wetlands, beaches and a south of Columbus at 9 am behind Tim marina. We will stop at the Dog Park to Sunday, September 5, 9 am: Hortons at the north end of Great Scioto Trails State Park Hike, give Rover a chance to romp without a Southern Shopping Center, located on leash. You will learn some interesting Ratings: E/S 4/5 The forest and park the west side of South High Street (SR are nestled in the high ground of the historical facts about the area and how 23), just north of I-270. Leader: Dave Alum Creek Dam is part of the flood Appalachian foothills rising above the Dorsky, valordave(at)hotmail.com, 614- Scioto River Valley. This historic area control plan for the Ohio River Basin. 848-7879. Meet at 9:00 am in the parking lot of was home of the Shawnees as late as the Wal-Mart on the northeast side of Route Friday, August 27, 7 pm: Friday 1700s and saw the arrival of early 23 just north of Powell Road. Hiking Night Hike, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, American explorers who traveled up the boots are a must as we may encounter Ratings: E/S 2/2 This park has wooded Scioto River. This hike of 11+ miles some wet and muddy areas on the trail. areas and grasslands as well as a few covers most trails in the forest and is Bring a snack and water and swim suits lakes and a wide variety of birds. The comprised of rugged terrain that rapidly if you want to cool off in the lake trails vary from even, hard-packed descends or rises. While offering toward the end of the hike. Leader: gravel to uneven, bush-hogged expansive views of the area, this is a Linda Halverson, 614-325-6415, vegetation. Trails can sometimes be strenuous hike and may have additional lmat1010(at)aol.com. muddy, too. From I-270, take I-70 west weather related challenges. Bring water, to the Plain City-Georgesville Road/SR lunch, suitable attire and meet behind Friday, August 20, 7 pm: Friday 142 exit and go about 0.8 miles north. Tim Hortons in the Great Southern Night Hike I, , The entrance is on the right. Drive back Shopping Center on U.S. 23 just north Ratings: E/S 2/2 Join us for a walk to the Whispering Oaks picnic area of I-270. Leader: Jose Cabral, cabral.1 through historic German Village. We where we'll meet at 7 pm. We’ll go to an (at)osu.edu. will walk around the German Village optional dinner afterward. Contact neighborhoods and visit Fetch Park. leader Line Martineau, 614-749-1447. Meet at Schiller Park (Deshler and Jaeger) at 7 pm. We will be walking Sunday, August 29, 9 am: 2010 Downtown Strategic about 3 miles and will stop for an Hocking Hills Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 3/4 This is Plan optional dinner at a local area Continued from page 3 restaurant. Wear sturdy footwear a dog-friendly hike. The appropriate for uneven walking scenery in and around Old Man's Cave, 2 issues, the Sierra Club and you, our surfaces. Leader: George Huntley, 614- Cedar Falls, Rose Lake, and Ash Cave readers, can ask Columbus and the 444-1970, gh6(at)earthlink.net. is unequaled for its beauty and serenity. Ohio Dept. of Transportation to elimi- You will see and learn about the gritty, Friday, August 20, 7 pm: Friday nate these two counterproductive pro- reddish stone, called Blackhand posals. Night Hike II, Sharon Woods Metro Sandstone, and how it was left behind The next step is for Columbus City Park, Ratings: E/S 2/2 Meet in the more than 200 million year ago when Council to approve the Plan, which will Apple Ridge parking lot at 7 pm. We'll Ohio’s ancient ocean drained from the give us another opportunity to make our hike through woods and meadows and land. We will be hiking 12 miles at a views known. Be on the look out for around Schrock Lake. Although much brisk pace and tackling some action alerts regarding the downtown of the terrain is flat, be prepared to challenging hills, so please be aware of plan and how you can get involved. navigate a few small hills. Sharon your hiking abilities and limitations. Woods is located north of I-270 at 6911 Bring lunch, water and hiking boots and For more information on the 2010 Cleveland Avenue in Westerville. The meet at 9 am behind McDonald’s at Downtown Strategic Plan, visit Apple Ridge area is the first right from Route 33 and Gender Rd. Leader: Jim www.downtowncolumbus.com/plan. the main park road. Leader: Dave Halverson, jimhalvey(at)aol.com, 614- See the two documents that depict the Dorsky, valordave(at)hotmail.com, 614- 325-6415. 10 Principles and 12 Ideas of the Plan 848-7879. for Downtown Columbus in graphic Wednesday, September 1, 6:30 Sunday, August 22, 9 am: Hargus detail as a revitalized urban center of pm: Wednesday Night Hike, Franklin interconnectedness and sustainability. Lake Day Hike, Ratings: E/S 2/2 Park, Ratings: E/S 1/1 Enjoy the Page 9 Ohio Sierra Club Comments on OEPA 2010 “Impaired Waters” Report

By Pat Marida in Lake Erie and in the Maumee River, and none are sched- In Dec. 2009 Ohio EPA’s Division of Surface Water is- uled for many years. In fact, the Maumee River is not fac- sued a draft of the Ohio “2010 Integrated Water Quality tored into the Report because the data is over ten years old. Monitoring and Assessment Report.” Every two years, states Drinking Water: The list gives no focus or priority to are required to submit a list of impaired waters to the US surface waters that provide drinking water. Surface drinking EPA for approval. The Report is often referred to as the water sources should be assessed for impairments before Integrated Report or the Impaired Waters Report. waters that have no public drinking water intakes. The high- “Impaired Waters” are those waters that are not meeting est priority should be given to the waters that provide the state water quality standards as defined by Section 303(d) of most drinking water based on population. Polluted source- the Clean Water Act. US EPA requires that each state docu- water places a financial burden on the community to remove ment the methodology used to add or delete waters from the those pollutants in the treatment process. Pollution needs to existing Impaired Waters list. be identified at the source, especially at a time when com- The Ohio Sierra Club requested public hearings to better munities may not have the resources to effectively remove explain proposed changes to the methodology and to get chemicals such as atrazine from drinking water. Ohio has public input. OEPA responded by holding 2 hearings in Co- given priority to watersheds that have no public drinking lumbus and one in Lorain. water sources. Only 39% of the public water suppliers are The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a calculation evaluated and there is no representation of the number of of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can people that drink water from the listed stream water unit. receive and still meet water quality standards. Ohio uses Public drinking water use was only added in 2008 and we many data points and tracking information to determine encourage future actions to address the lack of information. TMDLs. The data is broken down into four “uses”—human Human Health: The Report says that between 1/4 to 1/3 health, recreation, aquatic life and drinking water (recently of the units assessed are in attainment. This is an alarming added). The data and are complex and mathemati- statistic. OEPA says that PCB contamination in fish is the cally determined. While some improvements from 2008 to number one problem, followed by mercury. Every body of 2010 appear to have been made, tests have not been con- water in Ohio is under a mercury advisory for fish consump- ducted on Lake Erie and some of the major impaired water- tion. sheds throughout the State. Recreation: Only 44% of waters where people are most The Sierra Club is urging Ohio EPA to adopt nutrient likely to fish or swim meet the recreational use standard. standards as soon as possible. Phosphorus and nitrogen Aquatic Life: Ohio EPA claims that between 80-93% of move into our rivers in great quantities from agricultural Ohio’s waters are no longer impaired for aquatic life, but fertilizers, from factory farms and from sewage treatment this category is about fish quantities and overall evaluation plants. These are classified as “nutrient” pollutants because of aquatic life. The Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources they supply nutrients to aquatic algae, which consume oxy- (ODNR) together with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission gen and subsequently create lifeless “dead zones”. The Ohio states that Lake Erie walleye populations have declined from River and the Western Basin of Lake Erie are experiencing over 80 million about five years ago to around 20 million problems with increasing nutrients and algal blooms. West- now. Likewise, there are reductions in forage fish, bass, and ern Lake Erie has the second-worst dead zone in the na- other species. The 2010 Report does not reflect the declin- tion, after the Mississippi/Gulf of Mexico, and action is ing fish numbers. urgently needed. The Nature Conservancy requested that OEPA include Part of the challenge is that US EPA assigns responsibility coverage of the status of mussels in Ohio in its upcoming for evaluating and reporting impaired waters on a state-by- 2012 Report. The health of many species of freshwater mus- state basis, rather than on a watershed basis. Lake Erie is sels is at risk throughout Ohio, with 24 endangered mussel shared with four US states and Ontario, and the Ohio River species, 4 threatened and 9 species of concern. Given the is shared with 8 states. Continuing the status quo at the na- digitization of and extensive stream data in Ohio, Ohio EPA tional, state and local levels and relying upon our current is well-equipped to significantly advance knowledge of practices and control strategies will not support a positive Ohio’s water quality using mussels as an indicator species. public health and environmental outcome. Additional Comments Ohio needs to adopt nutrient limits and establish nutrient • The Sierra Club supports the new breakout into smaller loads per stream. In other states bordering Lake Erie, there assessment units, which helps to identify problem areas and are load calculations for nutrients to determine the maximum focus limited resources. allowable load per input, per tributary. Since the 1990s • Rivers not tested for the last 10 years were deleted from Ohio’s nutrient pollution has been increasing. OEPA’s Re- the last Ohio EPA assessment. This appears to be responsi- port failed to show the increasing nutrient problem in tribu- ble for raising the percentage of Ohio waterways in attain- taries to Western Lake Erie and declining fish populations. ment with the Clean Water Act to 93% in the recently- Ohio has not conducted much needed nutrient TMDL tests (Continued on page 10) Page 10 The OARS project will not address the Columbus Creates a Grey Future for Ratepayers root cause of overflows—storm water runoff. Operational costs will also in- By Matt Trokan, Ohio Sierra Club Water mate change). While the OARS project crease in order to pump sewage from 170 Conservation Program Coordinator will significantly address overflows in feet below ground to a treatment plant. Wet weather in Columbus can mean the downtown area, the project is far As our weather becomes more erratic different things to different people. For from perfect and will have long and short and storms more prevalent, the long-term officials with the Columbus Division of term economic and environmental costs. environmental cost of discharging storm Sewerage and Drainage (DOSD), wet The short term costs are hard to assess water into streams becomes apparent. weather brings to mind combined sewer because the Ohio EPA has not performed Collecting storm water and dumping it overflows (CSOs) and an approaching a full environmental assessment of the into the Scioto will not recharge the wa- deadline to have substantive reductions project. The largest combined sewer pro- ter table. of billions of gallons of sewage over- ject in Ohio’s history has not been sched- Green infrastructure that diverts storm flows by July 1, 2010. While the city uled receive a full environmental assess- water, such as state-of-the-art retention/ has made hundreds of millions of dollars ment or public hearing. infiltration ponds, rain barrels and rain in improvements to our two wastewater The 3-year construction of the OARS gardens (at disconnected downspouts) treatment plants, Jackson Pike and tunnel will have a negative impact on the can reduce the source of overflows, Southerly, the largest reductions in CSOs quality of our surface and ground water. lower costs to ratepayers, reduce the are to be addressed by the construction Storm water runoff will wash bentonite utility’s carbon footprint and improve of the OSIS Augmentation Relief Sewer slurry (a machine lubricant) into the water quality in our rivers. Almost none (OARS). Olentangy and Scioto Rivers. Ground- of the 2.5 billion dollars earmarked to The $250 million dollar OARS project water will be lowered by pumps and Columbus’ Wet Weather Management will be the largest project of its kind in discharged back into the rivers, affecting Plan have been spent on green infrastruc- Ohio’s history. The 4.5-mile long, 20 ft. the availability and quality of water for ture. The OARS project does not con- wide, 170 ft. deep OARS combined aquatic wildlife. Environmental damage tain a green infrastructure component sewer will store overflows from the will happen if the construction site and there are no provisions for this in the Olentangy-Scioto Interceptor Sewer floods. future. DPU doesn’t track what they (OSIS) line which collects storm water The Ohio Sierra Club submitted com- spend on green infrastructure. and sewage from the downtown area. ments to the OEPA asking for further As we reach the July 1 deadline for The OARS tunnel will have a 54-million environmental review and a public hear- significant reductions, watch for action gallon capacity and city officials are ing. Sixty-seven Central Ohio Group alerts to tell the Columbus DOSD that quick to praise the project design for members sent emails to OEPA with a we want a green future, not a grey one. reducing overflows to approximately one similar request. a year (excluding increases due to cli-

There is a lack of clarity of how streams Ohio EPA to advocate locally for dam OEPA “Impaired Waters” and rivers are chosen for TMDL testing. removal. Report • There is also an admission that nitrates • Hydromodification, or changing of Continued from page 9 are elevated in public drinking water stream banks and courses, is among the supplies, so the data from each attain- top causes of impairment. We suggested released OEPA Report. Attainment rated ment standard is deficient. that Reports include a comprehensive as 93% when two large watersheds were • Ohio can and must impose a tougher statewide assessment of these impair- left out - the Maumee and the Great Mi- standard for factory farms, especially in ments. We encourage OEPA to develop ami - is a gross misrepresentation of the light of the admission of higher nitrate hydromodification standards, which data. The Maumee River is not sched- levels in streams and rivers. would help provide consistency in envi- uled for review until 2019. Because of • Water quantity and flow should be fac- ronmental protection and improve the the nutrient problem in the Great Lakes, tored into the overall prioritization and quality of their regulatory decisions. OEPA should place the Maumee River at assessment of streams. Those waters We appreciated OEPA staff participa- the top of the list. with the greatest quantity of water tion in meetings and their responsiveness • Improved communication, watershed should be given priority over those with and promptness in addressing questions group involvement, and public involve- smaller volumes of water. about the Report. We are unaware of any ment is needed in the 303(d) process. •More financial resources are needed to public forums and discussions prior to Many of the issues identified in these train additional level 3 volunteer data the required Report. comments should have been addressed in collectors and hire adequate staff to We agree with The Nature Conser- periodic forums about the prioritization conduct TMDL tests every five years. vancy’s assessment of this Report; no and status of the impaired listing and • Ohio EPA informed us that significant matter how hard some tried to review it, TMDL testing. improvements to large rivers can be at- in general the Report failed to provide • Only one-third of the states’ water bod- tributed to municipal sewer improve- an understandable format that members ies were measured for recreational use. ments and removal of dams. We urged could review and comment on. Page 11 Non-Sierra Club Community Events The following activities are not sponsored nor administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published because they may be of interest to our readers. These events are all open to the public. They are free unless otherwise noted.

DAWES ARBORETUM located on Ohio Rt. 13, five miles Mon., July 19—Air Pollution & the Capital City: A discus- south of Newark and 3 miles north of I-70, Exit 132. Visit sion on ozone pollution, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Mid-Ohio www.dawesarb.org or phone 800.44.DAWES for information Regional Planning Commission, 111 Liberty St. Watch the or to register for the camp. acclaimed film, The Search for One Clean Breath, and par- July—Camp Dawes Five-day summer day camps for 6-8- ticipate in a panel discussion with health and environmental year-olds and for 9-11-year-olds in July. Kids will encounter experts, community leaders, and environmental experts about native critters, learn survival skills, turn trash into art, wade in the air quality in central Ohio. RSVP (required) to Lisa a gorge stream, create art and much more. Cost is $100. Estrella at OEC(at)theOEC.org or 614-487-7506. August 14-19—Dawes Annual Art Show with Licking Thurs., July 22—Columbus Green Building Forum Lunch County Arts featuring artists from all over central Ohio. and Leaders Event, 11:30am-1:30pm. Presentation by Doug Opening night is Sat., Aug. 14 from 6-8pm with artists partici- Walden, Project Manager for Owens Corning’s Sustainability pating. This free show continues daily through Aug. 29. Hours Team. Learn about the sustainability initiatives of one of the are 8-5 Mon-Sat and 10-5 Sun. region's leading building material manufacturers. Lunch can be ordered online up to 48 hours before the event Thurs., July 1—Green Building and Health Workshop: at www.usgbc-coh.org; the presentation is free. Kitchen & Bathroom with Josh Bowling, Noritz; Heather & Mon., July 26—Air Pollution & the Capital City: (A repeat Steve Johnson, Generation Green; and Doug Lugar, Creative of the July 19 program). Cabinet Solutions. From 6-8 pm at Greenovate, 9 E. Second Sat/Sun, July 31-Aug. 1—Summer Plant Showcase at In- Ave. niswood Gardens, 940 Hempstead Rd. in Westerville. Pur- Wed., July 7—Green Screen at the Gateway Film Center. chase plants directly from local nurseries and tour the gardens "The Garden" is an Academy Award nominated film about with our horticulturist. Experts will be available to answer the largest urban farm in the U.S. and the struggles to protect gardening questions. Sat.10-5; Sun. 12-5. it from being bulldozed by the government. 7 pm at 1550 N. Thurs., Aug. 5— Green Building and Health Workshop: High St. Tickets: $8.50, $5.00 student. Sponsored by the Ohio Basement & Attic with John Hetterscheidt, Hetter Heating & Environmental Council and the Gateway Theater. Cooling and Donna Jurden, Indoor Radon Program, Ohio De- Sat., July 10—Sustainable Gardening Class Practices for partment of Health 6-8 pm at Greenovate, 9 E. Second Ave. plant health and improved soil taught by Franklin County Sat, Aug. 7—HoBiodynamic Herbs & Honey Learn about Master Gardeners. From 9-noon at OSU’s Waterman Farm, the biodynamic approach to herb production and Dawn and 2490 Carmack Rd. Cost is $40/class. Register for 4 classes Carson Combs’ unique approach to sustainable bee hive man- (winter, spring, summer, fall) and save $10. Register with agement. From 6:30-8:30 pm at Mockingbird Meadows, Cory Skurdal at OSU Extension, Franklin County 614-247- 16671 Burns Rd., Marysville. Contact dcombs(at) 6046 skurdal.1(at)osu.edu. This and other class descriptions, mockingbirdmeadows.com 614-354-5162. directions and parking information are at franklin.osu.edu/ Sat., Aug. 21—Guided Tour of Stratford Ecological Cen- topics/master-gardener-volunteer-program. ter, (See July 17 program.) Sat, July 17—Fourth Annual Genoa Fest, a celebration August 26—Columbus Green Building Forum Lunch and commemorating the completion of the Township's portion of Leaders Event, 11:30am-1:30pm. Presentation by Dave the Ohio-Erie Trail. Included are children's activities, live Phillips, Mid-Ohio Food Bank Vice-President of Opera- native animals and critters, educational exhibits, music and tions. Learn about the process, pitfalls and opportunities ex- entertainment, Classic Car and Bike Cruise-In, a Flea/Farmers' perienced by the owner of one of the newest LEED buildings market, local artists, and food for purchase. Proceeds from in Central Ohio. Lunch can be ordered online up to 48 hours races, silent auction and raffles go to charity. From 10 am-4 before the event at www.usgbc-coh.org; the presentation is pm at McNamara Park in Genoa Township in Westerville. free. The park is accessed by a shared driveway with Genoa Town- Sat., Aug 28—Fourth Annual Wessie Fest at Otterbein ship’s Safety Complex at 7049 Big Walnut Rd. Lake From 10 am-2 pm along the Alum Creek bikeway just Sat., July 17—Guided Tour of Stratford Ecological Cen- south of Main St. in Westerville. Vehicles enter through 60 ter, 10am-noon at 3083 Liberty Rd. outside Delaware. Meet Collegeview Rd. Live native animals, fish & critters, chil- the animals, visit the gardens and greenhouses, and explore dren's activities, exhibits, native plants, music, and food. Bi- the forest. $5/person. Advance registration required at cycle to the event! Sponsored by Westerville Parks and Rec- www.StratfordEcologicalCenter.org. or phone 740-363-2548. reation and the Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries. Page 12

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Sierra Club Central Ohio Group Directory The Central Ohio Sierran ...is published once every two For E-mail addresses, see the Directory on the Central Ohio Group website at months by the Central Ohio Group of www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central the Sierra Club. Printing: approximately 4,200. To submit articles, please contact Chair Webmasters Doug Calem *...... 614-430-9399 Bob Snider ...... 614-486-1273 Pat Marida at 614-890-7865 marida(at) Vice-Chair and Treasurer Matthew Baker...... 614-846-5904 wideopenwest.com David Donofrio* ...... 614-327-6310 *Denotes member of the Executive Committee for All contributions to the newsletter Secretary 2010. will be considered, especially those of Kathy O'Keeffe* ...... 614-578-4510 interest to central Ohio residents. Arti- Political Committee Chair Sierra Club Columbus Office cles published in the newsletter also Melanie Braithwaite* ...... 614-326-4670 Main Number ...... 614-461-0734 appear on the Central Ohio Group web- Monthly Program Coordinator site. David Ditmars* ...... 614-459-3636 Teresa McHugh Visit our website at Representative to the Ohio Chapter National Field Staff ...... Ext. 302 Don Kleinhenz*...... 740- 881-5647 MacKenzie Bailey www.ohio.sierraclub.org/central Rep. to Chapter Forest Committee National Field Staff...... Ext. 305 Bob Kyle ...... 614-855-1600 Nachy Kanfer Newsletter Editor Membership Chair National Coal Campaign .... Ext. 308 Madeline Shaw Natasha Tankovich...... 614-734-0244 Matthew Reitman 614-431-6932 Outings Chair Ohio Coal Campaign………...Ext. 316 Jose Cabral ...... 740-331-1161 Jen Miller (Energy and Transportation) At-Large ExCom Members Ohio Chapter Staff ...... Ext. 304 Send address changes to: Salle Cleveland*...... 740-417-4122 Christian George (Energy) Sierra Club Member Services Mark Converse* ...... 614-478-8571 Ohio Chapter Staff ...... Ext. 301 P.O. Box 52968 Newsletter Editor Matt Trokan (Water) Boulder, CO 80328-2968, Madeline Shaw...... 614-431-6932 Ohio Chapter Staff ...... Ext. 311 or Email: [email protected]