Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Feb-Mar 2006 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter
Feb-Mar 2006 Delaware Sierra Club Newsletter
A Sierra Club Newsletter about Environmental Matters Important to Delaware February - March 2006
State Needs To Refocus Controls on Development Hope Springs Eternal on Waste.....
by Marlene Rayner
by Dave Keifer
As in many things, land development oversight is different in Delaware (1) 290 ft
from most everywhere else. The State gave planning and zoning
authority to the counties in the late 1960's but forgot it took back the (2) 190 ft
roads from the counties in the 1930's. So the counties can approve
developments and gain real estate tax revenues while the state scratch-
es around to find money to build the roads to service the development.
The State has made halting steps to inject itself into the land develop-
Future “Mount Cherry Island” heights illustrated (1)original proposal; (2) recent
ment control business. They are doing this when the things they are
DNREC approved height in stabilization and expansion project. Photo taken in August,
responsible for, specifically roads, schools, and related public facilities,
2003 by Debbie Heaton and first appeared in September, 2003 Delaware Sierra News.
are largely unplanned.
To say I am personally disappointed about recent state decisions concerning
waste in Delaware is an understatement. The decision by DNREC to allow any
The State must recognize its responsibilities, refocus its direction, estab-
Cherry Island Landfill (CIL) expansion and the Legislative Sunset Committee's
lish meaningful dialog with the counties and municipalities and provide
decision to do nothing about reining in the Delaware Solid Waste Authority
mandatory direction. Currently, facilities are not being constructed at a
(DSWA) are disconcerting. At best they suggest a lot of "behind the scenes"
pace equal to demand. Counties and municipalities can raise adequate
discussion that "others" (private citizens, environmental groups) are not privi-
funding with low real estate taxes but the cost of infrastructure is a bur-
leged to. At the worst, the decisions suggest collusion. The decisions are an
den borne solely by the State. The status quo must be realigned lest
abomination to the communities affected by CIL.
our future infrastructure costs exceed a point which the taxpayers can
The DNREC expansion announcement couched in terms of "Cherry Island
sustain. closure is finally set…" is disingenuous. This decision allows CIL expansion
with the original berm/stabilization plans for the original (higher!) landfill.
The only people benefiting from this mess are the developers who know This means CIL can be built-up higher sometime in the future, because it
exactly what they need to do to make money. There is nothing wrong already has the base for it. The Sunset Committee decision to pass on any rec-
with that as long as the rules they must live within are clear, account for ommendations for the DSWA because "DSWA is showing improvement..."is
all of the public sector costs that must accompany growth, and safe- ridiculous. Imagine in today's goal oriented world, a job (like that provided by
guard the natural resources that make Delaware a good place to live. DSWA for the State of Delaware) that requires review only every 6 years!
It is greatly hoped that DNREC, the Governor, the Sunset Committee, and
The law requires that the counties and towns update their plans and our legislators have some secret plan which would force accountability onto
implementing ordinances on a fixed schedule. They are in that process the DSWA to accomplish what most Delawareans want - landfill waste mini-
now. The State must work with them cooperatively to assure outcomes mization, greatly improved recycling, curbside pick-up, and proper disposal of
that the citizens can live with. More importantly, the citizens need to waste. Instead we got a recycling rate in the bottom half of the bottom half of
show up at planning commission, town council, levy court, and a host of the US and a costly mess to clean up at CIL.
State government workshops and hearings to keep all of these groups Now we have to worry about the re-emergence of incineration (under the
moving in the same direction. see “state needs” continued on page 7 guise of multiple names), which was banned in the 1990s, presently being dis-
cussed seriously in the Governor's Task Force on Waste!
Table of Contents page
Hope Springs Eternal on Waste 1
Refocuse Controls on Development 1 Delawar e Chapter
Sierra Executive Committee Members; Committee Chairs 2 NON-PROFIT
100 West 10th St., Suite 1107 U.S. POSTAGE
Letter From New Chair/New Ex Com Members 2 Wilmington, DE 19801 PAID
Delaware City Refinery Issues Continue 3 WILMINGTON, DE
High Noon for Natural Gas 4 PERMIT NO. 740
Power Plants Health Effects 4
Proper Disposal for Compact Fluorescent Bulbs 5
Plan Your Spring Garden Now for Wholesome Food 5
What is methane? 6
Helping Delaware’s Birds 6
Curb Global Warming 7
Sierra Calendar: Meetings and Events 8
Delaware Chapter and
Southern Delaware
New Chair’s Message
Group Leaders By Dave Keifer, Sr.
Chapter Office: I have been agonizing over how to write this so it does not sound like every other new Chair's first message of the New
2742 Hazlettville Rd Year. If I do not get something written quickly the Newsletter Chair will rain hot coals down on my head so here goes.
Dover, DE
302-678-2712 The simple fact is that we are facing a very difficult year at all levels. The Administration in Washington is attempting to
Chapter Executive Committee
drill for hydrocarbons in Alaska and in the Outer Continental Shelf, reduce control over air and water pollution, and gener-
Rich Anthony 645-1732 ally reduce us to the quality of life of the late 1800's while simultaneously ignoring the clear and overwhelming evidence of
Dick Bewick 736-1670 global warming.
Steve Callanen 539-0635
Kathleen Davis 286-0642 The folks in Dover are growing, Cherry Island, bemoaning the problems of unplanned growth while not realizing the com-
Lorri Fencer 530-0391
pelling need of the State government to service the growth that has occurred or is already approved.
David Keifer 678-2712
Tim O’Connor 697-7466
Chad Tolman 478-3516 It is a target rich environment for people who prefer clean air and water, open space that is not just State subsidized golf
Matt Urban 636-0628 courses, and a sane energy policy. We will be working to focus our efforts to maximize results, significantly improve our
Chapter Appointed Officers communications with our members and the public to expand our cadre of activists, and work to accelerate the education of
Chapter Chair: Dave Keifer 678-2712 elected officials at all levels of government.
Vice-Chair: Kathleen Davis 286-0642
Conservation: Rich Anthony 645-1732
Litigation: Carl Solberg 492-1225 We appreciate your support in the past and encourage your active participation in the future. You may reach me at
Land Use: Carl Solberg 492-1225 phone: 302-678-2712
Anti-Pollution: Al Denio 455-0389 email: dave.keifer@delaware.sierraclub.org.
Outings: Jennie Egan 453-0827
Membership: Ron Zink 735-8996
Newsletter: Marlene Rayner 571-8097 New Executive Committee Members!
Southern Delaware Group(SDG) Lorri Fencer
Rich Anthony 645-1732
As a lifelong Delawarean, I am happy to serve on the Executive Committee of the Delaware Chapter of the
Carrie Bennet 732-3358
Terri Usuki 436-4042 Sierra Club. Most of my activities with Sierra have involved pollution issues, particularly at the Delaware City
Matilda Purnell 945-1317 Refinery. These activities include attending monthly meetings at the refinery's Citizen Advisory Panel, reviewing
Sallie Callanen 539-4733 refinery air permits, attending public hearings and providing comment. This focus will continue.
SDG Appointed Officers In any club or organization, members are the most important resource. Involved, informed and active mem-
Chair: Rich Anthony 645-1732 bers contribute greatly to an organization's strength. As a member of ExCom, I am hoping to continue with
Vice-Chair: Sallie Callanen 539- 0635
Conservation: Terri Usuki 436-4042
Sierra efforts in this direction.
Secretary: Carrie Bennet 732-3358 On a personal note, I am an avid runner and hiker, am married with a 12 year old daughter and am a CPA
Chapte Delegate: Steve Callanen 537-4733 who works in the insurance industry.