The Roadrunner

Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — Nov./Dec. 2001

Sierra Club Candidates' Forum

Kern 2nd Dist. Supervisorial Race Chapter Executive Committee needs
Bakersfield's Beale Library, 7 PM, Tues, Dec. 4th. volunteers to raise their hands and sayI
The Chapter and the newly-formed Buena Vista would like to help!
Group will host our first-ever forum for candidates in
Step right up and run for one of the open spots
Kern County’s second district supervisorial race
on the Kern Kaweah Chapter EX-COM. The election
from 7 to 9 PM on December 4, 2001 at the Beale
proper, done by mail, will be in January. Meetings
Library, 701 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield. This forum is
are held approximately once a month, usually on a
a major undertaking of the Club and we need your
Saturday afternoon. Call Georgette Theotig 661.
help—and your attendance—in making it a success.
822.4371 for more details as to what is involved after
All five candidates in the race have agreed to
you say you want to take part.
participate: Mary Beth Garrison, Bernita Jenkins, Don
It is easy to say that one doesn’t have enough
Maben, Gary Sperling, and Linda White.
experience, not enough time, can’t do it! But then
As Club activists know, county supervisors have a
you will never know what you are missing—great
profound effect on the environment. They not only
discussions, great learning opportunities, and great
set policy, but they also set the tone of public dis-
camaraderie are just some of the benefits, and every
course. Current Kern County supervisors, for exam-
once in a while you can rightfully indulge yourself
ple, openly attacked formation of the new Sequoia
in the feeling that you are truly doing something for
National Monument and Carrizo Plain National
the natural world that you love and appreciate.
Monument and encouraged others to do so.
If running for the Chapter Ex-com sounds like a
It's already apparent we’ve got our work cut out
bit too much to begin with, talk with your local Ex-
for us in educating the candidates. One stated pub-
com and offer your services there. There is a 99.9
licly that he’s “concerned about public access to
percent chance you will be welcomed with open
public lands” and that “there was a tendency to
arms. Call the number at the head of your group
close these lands to the public.” And when asked
listing, p. 6, and find out how you can serve locally if
about urban sprawl he replied, “Urban sprawl? We
not in a chapter-wide position.
don’t have it here."”(That was probably news to the
Give yourself the gift of new experiences .
Bakersfield audience.) Another candidate replied to
the same question with “I am for private property Yes, YOU ARE NEEDED!
rights” as though sprawl was enshrined in the con-
stitution and clean air is not. Gifts to Buy? Sierra Club Calendars
The event is open to the public, so bring your How to Shop? Call Georgette, Stephanie!
friends and neighbors—and your questions. Mod-
Order those beautiful Sierra Club productions
erator Harry Love will ask some questions on behalf
today: the traditional, always terrific Wilderness
of the Club, but he will also be taking written
Calendar to hang on your wall that features a new,
questions from the audience.
large-size photo every month and the Engagement
Some of the topics we hope to discuss are urban
Calendar, spiral bound book format to put by your
sprawl in Bakersfield (yes, Virginia, there’s sprawl in
telephone with a different picture each week. Just $10
Kern County), air quality in the southern San Joa-
each, and they can be delivered to your door via the
quin Valley, preservation of agricultural land, pro-
postman. Call Stephanie Ruosso (Bakersfield area)
tection and management of our national monuments,
661.393.8286 or Georgette Theotig (rest of the
improper use of off-road vehicles, environmental
Chapter) 661.822.4371 to put in your order now.
justice for all, protection of the Kern River Wildland
Quantities are limited and that’s no joke! You don't
corridor, energy development within the county,
want to be disappointed. Remember too—profits go
amelioration of impacts from wind energy projects in
to support Chapter conservation efforts!
Tehachapi, and concentrated animal feeding oper-
ations (aka milk factories).
For updates, contact Paul Gipe at 661.822.9150 SEE YOU AT THE CANDIDATES FOR 2ND
or visit http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org/. SUPERVISORAL DIST. FORUM,
DECEMBER 8TH!
2 THE ROADRUNNER
Threat of Chapter-supported Lawsuit
Requires Air Pollution Control Board to
take Positive Actions for Clean Air.
This past July, Earthjustice threatened the Air
Pollution Control Board with a lawsuit on behalf of
our Chapter, two other Sierra Club Chapters, the
Fresno Medical Alliance for Healthy Air, Latino
Issues Forum, and the Center on Race, Poverty and
the Environment. The suit would have asked the San
Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District
to adopt and enforce six ozone pollution control
measures it had promised to enact by 1998. These
are rules regulating architectural coatings, organic
liquid storage, organic solvent disposal, commercial
charbroiling and replacement of two other rules with
newer, more effective pollution-control measures
within six months. The Air District, in the settlement,
has now agreed to do this under court supervision.
Kevin Hall, with the Fresno Chapter of the Sierra
Club, noted, “This is a positive move by the Air
District. But we will continue to monitor them
carefully to ensure their continued compliance with
federal law.”
“This is a victory for everyone who breathes in
the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada Moun-
tains,” said Bruce Nilles, an attorney with Earth-
justice. “We are pleased with this outcome because it
will eliminate more than 6 tons per day of pollu-
tion.” Nilles cautioned,“But, this is just the be-
ginning. The District must reduce ozone pollution by
300 tons per day over the next four years to meet the
federal ozone standard.” Do you need further
confirmation that this threatened suit was necessary?
Breathing is more dangerous in Bakersfield,
Fresno, and the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville area than in
any other place in the nation except Los Angeles.
"It continues to be hazardous to your health," said
Dr. David Pepper of the Medical Alliance for Heal-
thy Air. "Each year, we see more children and elderly
people in the emergency room because of air
pollution. It’s a sad situation that can be addressed
with a little political backbone. Today, the Air
District is taking an important first step in the right
direction.”
We are most grateful to Bruce Nilles, the attorney
with Earthjustice, who represented the coalition,
skillfully handling the legal activities and to you, our
Chapter members for your financial support of the
Sierra Club and the Kern Kaweah Chapter. This has
helped to bring about this obviously much needed
action that is a giant step forward toward attaining
clean air in the communities that we call home.
There is still more to be done. If you want more
information and/or want to help, call 661.323.5569
to find out what you can do.
#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#
VICTORY: Giant Sequoia National
Monument Lawsuit Dismissed.
Carla Cloer's response to the news that the Giant Sequoia
Naiional Monument Lawsuit was dismissed follows below:
As you may remember, the County of Tulare, the
timber industry and a couple of individuals filed a
lawsuit against the Administration in an attempt to
undo the new Clinton-designated Giant Sequoia
National Monument.
After G. W. Bush won the election, several
environmental organizations including the Sierra
Club, NRDC, Tule River Conservancy, the Wilderness
Society, and the State of California filed with the
court to become Intervenors so that they could argue
in support of the Monument. We knew that the issues
raised in the lawsuit were frivolous, but we couldn’t
be sure that the Bush administration would strongly
defend the suit.
The judge did not act for several months: Finally
some news to report, and it’s GOOD! On Friday,
September 28, 2001, Judge Urbina granted the
government’s motion to dismiss in its entirety Tulare
County et al.’s lawsuit challenging the Giant Sequoia
National Monument.
Essentially, the judge strongly reaffirmed the
validity of the Antiquities Act against the plaintiffs’
claim that it is an unconstitutional delegation of
authority to the president; reaffirmed in general the
authority of the president to establish national mon-
uments under the Antiquities Act, and in particular
President Clinton’s exercise of that authority in this
case; ruled that establishment of the Monument
violated neither the National Forest Management Act,
the National Environmental Policy Act, nor the
Administrative Procedure Act; and held that estab-
lishment of the Monument did not violate any
supposed pre-existing rights the plaintiffs may have
had within the Monument, including rights they
claimed under the 1990 Mediated Settlement Agree-
ment. Because the lawsuit was dismissed, our motions
to intervene were moot. In any event, for now the
Monument is safe, at least from the legal challenge,
and we should all declare victory.
A big thank you to our attorneys at Earthjustice!
As for the ongoing USFS planning process for the
new Monument Plan, we continue to have many
many concerns that the process is not leading to
something that will follow the intent and purpose of
the Proclamation that created the Monument. Many
of us, including local volunteers and Sierra Club
staff, are working hard to get this plan on the right
track and/or to lay the groundwork for a legal
challenge should the USFS not be up to the chal-
lenge of managing this irreplaceable natural wonder.
We hope that it will not be necessary to head to
THE ROADRUNNER
court in future years to save the Sequoias once again!
But, that is what we will do if it is required!
Carla Cloer, Sequoia Task Force Chair/Sierra Club
Sequoia ForestKeeper: Organization’s
First Meeting is Grand Success.
About six members of the Kern Kaweah Chapter
were among the fifty or so who attended the launch
of the new Sequoia ForestKeeper organization at
noon on 20 September 2001 in front of the same
ginat sequoia tree where President Clinton signed the
Giant Sequoia National Monument Proclamation.
Representatives of the California environmental
foundation, Environment Now, the Monache Inter-
tribal Association, John Muir Project and Range-
Watch made preliminary statements. Following Ara
Marderosian’s keynote message (see excerpts below)
a nicely catered lunch and a stroll among the giants
ended the celebration for most, with some taking a
further tour with Martin Litton to view the des-
truction in the forest caused by the Forest Service
logging.
Following are excerpts from Marderosian’s
speech:
It is due to the perceptive awareness of the need
for a focused organization and the support of the
directors and staff of the California environmental
foundation, Environment Now, that we are here today
to launch the Sequoia ForestKeeper.
Sequoiadendron giganteum. John Muir called
Sequoias “nature's masterpiece,” “the greatest living
thing,” and a “king tree.”
Sequoia trees are the world's largest living things.
These majestic trees have reached ages of 3,200
years, diameters of 38 feet, and individual weights of
600 tons. To put it in perspective, some Sequoia trees
have been in existence since 1000 BC, a time that
predates Plato, Confucius, and Buddha to name a
few. The Sequoia, a relative of the Coast redwood,
grows in natural groves only in California. Sequoia
National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National
Monument contain more than half of the world’s
Sequoia groves.
As well as being a sanctuary to these giants, the
Sequoia National Forest is a complex and abundant
forest ecosystem that is home to hundreds of plant
and animal species, including the California Spotted
Owl and Pacific Fisher. In spite of its stature, how-
ever, the Sequoia ecosystem is threatened.
Logging continues to occur in the Sequoia
National Forest and in the Giant Sequoia National
Monument, and logging loopholes exist in the Giant
Sequoia National Monument Proclamation.
The Sequoia ForestKeeper has been created to
ensure that this ecosystem will endure and evolve
through future windows of time. Its mission is to
protect and restore the ecosystems of Sequoia
3
National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National
Monument through monitoring, enforcement, edu-
cation, and litigation.
The Sequoia ForestKeeper will serve as the eyes,
ears, and voice for the forest. The plan for action
includes: (a) to effectively participate in the planning
of our national monument in order to create a
management plan that truly protects the Sequoias,
preventing logging under the guise of forest health,
fuels reduction and resource management from
destroying the ecosystem as a whole, (b) to educate
the public as to the wonders of this great forest and
to the potential threats to its well being, and (c) to
monitor the health of the forests’ many ecosystems
so that future generations can share in the wonder of
this magnificent forest.
Quote from a fitting observation made by the poet
William Blake: “The tree which moves some to tears
of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that
stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and
deformity—and some scarce see nature at all. But to
the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagi-
nation itself."
Marderosian urged each individual “to make a
promise to yourself that you can make a difference
and you can help to preserve this magnificent
ecosystem. Be accountable, tell a friend, and be part
of the solution.”
For further information with details on how to
become a member, contact 760.376-4434 or 866.
533.7873. Web site is www.sequoia forestkeeper.org
News from the legislative front.
Mainly +++! Hooray!
You have seen the articles on Sequoia Monument
and air pollution. No more need be said.
State news: Signed: authorization for a state-wide
vote in March on a 2.6-million dollar bond issue for
parks: purchase of land, renovation, etc.
Signed: Bills coordinating local water supply and
land use decisions to help provide California’s cities,
farms and rural communities with adequate and
assured water supplies.
Signed: Bill that gives local governments the op-
portunity to deny build-out of antiquated subdi-
visions in places where development should not
occur and should end the practice of artificially
inflating land values for the purpose of extorting
exorbitant sums of money out of land trusts and
public agencies that wish to acquire the land affected
(Hearst Lands plus several others!).
Yet to Come: Support for the Roadless Area Con-
servation Rule, the law that will prevent road
development in our national forests. In just 60 days,
850,000 comments! Took a year to gather the last
1.5 million comments, response is amazing but does
not mean success! When this and drilling in ANWR
4 THE ROADRUNNER
comes up again, YOUR VOICES WILL BE VITAL.
Sept. Joint RCC Meeting Report. Next
meeting: Southern Section. Sunday, Jan 6th.
LA Sierra Club Office.
All members welcome!
Twice a year delegates from the California Chap-
ters meet in San Luis Obispo to discuss the current
environmental issues facing the state. Many of the
topics discussed are often the same at each meeting
but have reached different stages of necessary action.
On the weekend of September 18–19, the RCC
(Regional Conservation Committee) from both
northern and southern parts of the state met. A grass
roots organization spoke on behalf of an initiative
they plan to place on the ballot regarding old-growth
trees. It would prevent the removal of a commercial
grade tree that was older than 150 years. They were
seeking Sierra Club approval. A topic of concern to
the Central Valley, that of urban sprawl into agri-
cultural lands, may be addressed through a proposed
initiative for the Nov, 2002 ballot that would require
towns to establish urban growth boundaries that
would contain growth and encourage in-fill devel-
opment. Another legislative bill, now law, should
help to control growth by stating that water supply
must be assured prior to development.
On coastal issues a proposed national seashore for
the Gaviota-Santa Barbara area was discussed along
with the concern that the governor is seeking to
weaken the power of the Coastal Commission.
The long-term issues of additions to Wilderness
land, the Yosemite National Park plan to reduce
human impact, and the continued threat to the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge rounded out the discussion
issues.
The amount of time, knowledge, and fortitude that
both our member volunteers and Club staff dedicate
to these issues attest to our degree of success in the
past. It also indicates the degree of vigilance we must
maintain to keep our victories coming. The final
lesson learned is that your letter writing, e-mail
messages, and presence at meetings is the only way
we can win. Harry Love
Kern River Freeway
still needs your help.
A joint meeting of the Bakersfield City Council
and the Kern County Board of Supervisors, on July
23, unanimously choose Alternative 15 of the Ba-
kersfield Systems Study. Alternative 15 consists of
the Kern River Freeway plus an extension of the
freeway through town to state routes 178 and 58
plus a north beltway that will be built several years
after the Kern River Freeway. Alternative 15 paves
350 homes and 520 businesses; it costs $1.5 billion,
if eight lanes wide and no cost overruns. Arthur
Unger, SC speaker, was the only person opposed to
the Kern River Freeway; many other individuals and
groups spoke against putting the freeway near their
property.
Unger pointed out that instead of a freeway, we
could use a small fraction of 1,500 million dollars
to subsidize frequent bus service. He also said that
the freeway was opposed because it will bring air
pollution and noise to those who recreate by the
river and facilitate suburban sprawl onto farmland.
Unger thinks the Kern River Freeway can still be
stopped by preventing its funding. Kern is the most
populous county in CA that does not have a sales tax
dedicated to building roads; so, the state will have to
pay for the Kern River Freeway. Since the plan is to
exclude trucks from the Kern River Freeway, the state
might not want to pay for it. On August 20,
Governor Davis said California will not build any
more freeways.
Please write to Davis, thank him for his courage
and foresight in making this proclamation (Address
on p. 8) and express your wishes for not supporting
the proposed freeway.
Over one hundred flyers to homes and businesses
at the eastern end of the freeway have been dis-
ributed. Call 661.323.5569 if you can help with this
effort and/or desire more information.
Letter to the editor
Save the Arctic Wildlife Refuge
After the terrorist attacks on New York, now, more
than ever, we need to realize that oil dependence is
what makes this country vulnerable to outside at-
tacks. Far from encouraging more oil drilling in
places like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to
defend our national security we need a huge pro-
gram to encourage sustainable energy production
and a move to solar, wind, and much greater energy
conservation.
As someone who wants America to be able to
retain its freedom, civil liberties, and environment
rather than giving them up like the Terrorists want us
to, I am urging our United States Senators to oppose
opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling. I hope you will agree, and write our two
California Senators to ask them to oppose oil drilling
in the Arctic. Harold Wood
Around the Chapter
* Buena Vista Group Meeting in Patriots Park in
September provided a nice opportunity for club
members to “be normal” after the Sept 11th occur-
rence. Delicious potluck contributions provided a
great meal with an “ice cream social” at the end
with, incidentally, enough ice cream to share with the
neighborhood kids playing in the park.
The Buena Vista group is very sorry to have
THE ROADRUNNER
received the resignation of Leah Hagemeier, its chair.
Leah is now located permanently in Los Angeles.
Glenn Shellcross, the vice-chair, is filling in and has
expressed hope that volunteers for this job and other
positions on the group’s ex-com will step forth. Call
661.832.3382 if you want to submit your name or
recommend someone to be contacted.
* Great Job, Paul. Paul Gipe, Chapter Chair, has
been most generous with his expertise and time in
putting on Energy Seminars all over the Chapter’s
geographical domain—Visalia, Pine Mountain Club,
Bakersfield, and still more to come. We are very
fortunate to have a person with his background and
willingness to share in our Chapter. Thanks, Paul.
*Great Job, Elizabeth Saba & Ann Williams who
recognized that a friend, the Kern River, needed help
as it wandered thru Bakersfield proper. These two
were the spearheads who have led to a group called
Rivercare. Rivercare is dedicated to cleaning up the
river’s banks from the incredible amount of trash
that is left along its course. You can read more about
it in the on-line version of Midgebuzzings and there
will be more of an update in the next issue of the
Roadrunner. So now, more power to you, Elizabeth
and Ann, and your fellow members of Rivercare.
WINTER WANDERINGS
Nov. 1st (thur) Kern River Specific Trails Plan.
Public meeting. 6 PM. Kern Co. Public Services
Bldg, 2700 M St, Bksfld. Hiker advocates are needed.
Nov. 3rd (sat) 9 AM Unrecognized Tribes of
California Rally. All day walk through Bakersfield
to Elk Hills. Transfer of Elk Hills oil fields from
Federal control to Occidental Oil Company, threatens
their heritage . Details? Call 661.637.1851. Nov. 8th
(thur) Public Meeting on Proposed Forest
Management Plan for Four Southern
California Forests (includes Los Padres). Frazier
Park Community Center. 6 to 9 PM. Your voice
needs to be heard.
Nov. 9th. (fri) Mineral King Group Social
Gathering at Brewbaker’s Brew Pub, Visalia. 6 PM.
Nov.10 (sat) Excursion to Aquarium of the
Pacific. Long Beach. Call Gita, 661.242.8258 for
more deta ils.
Nov. 17th (sat) Pinto Peak (7508ft), near Towne
Pass. We will probably start from Emigrant Pass, Interested in attending ex-com meetings of your
using the abandoned jeep track. Meet at the CalTrans group? of your Chapter? Call relevant telephone
Park and Ride Lot, E. Ridgecrest Blvd, at 7:30 AM. number listed in the Chapter Roster, p. 6.
Call Dennis at (760)375-7967.
5
Nov.19 (mon) Owens Peak Gp. Program to be
determined. Maturango Museum, 100 E. Las Flores;
7:30 PM . Call Dennis for more info. 760.375.7967.
Nov. 20th (tues) The Kangaroo Rat. Speaker:
Ellen Cypher. Buena Vista Group. Beale Library.
Bksf. 7 PM.
Nov 24th (sat) Pacific Crest Trail Section
Liebre Mt. Strenuous. Beautiful views over
Antelope Valley. PMC tennis courts, 8 AM. Flying J,
8:30 PM. Call Ches, 661.242.0423 for more details.
Nov 27th (tues) Birding at Carrizo Plain. Meet 8
AM for full day trip, 1 PM for half day trip. PMC
tennis courts. 2000 to 6000 sand hill cranes, hawks,
etc. congregate in the late afternoon. Bring snack
and plan for late return. Details? 661. 242.2137.
Dec. 1 (sat) Mineral King Group Outing to
Marble Falls, Sequoia National Park. For info call
Theresa Stump 559.731.0594 or Harold Wood at
559.739.8527.
Dec. 1st (sat) Condor Group Holiday Party. 6
PM. PMC, Pool Pavilion Room. Bring potluck item
to share, white elephant for gift exchange.
Dec 4th (tues) 2nd Supervisorial District
Candidates’ Forum. Beale Library, Bksf. œ7PM.
(Details p. 1)
Dec. 8th (sat) Chapter’s Christmas Party. 6 PM .
All Kern-Kaweah Chapter members are invited to
celebrate at the home of Gordon and Eva Nipp in
Bakersfield. Please bring your special potluck dish.
For directions call 661.872.2432.
Dec. 9th (sun) Mineral King Group's Annual
Holiday Party, at Harold and Janet Wood’s house,
Visalia, 4 PM . All Sierra Club members welcome, Call
to R.S.V.P. 559.739.8527.
Dec 14th (fri) 6 PM. Mineral King Group Social
Gathering at Borders Books Coffee House, Visalia.
Dec. 15th ( sat) Timosea Peak (8664ft), west of
Owens Lake. Good winter workout with great view of
Cottonwood Creek and Owens Valley. Meet at the
Ridgecrest Cinemas at 7:00 AM. Call Dennis at
760.375.7967.
Looking Ahead to 2002
Feb 1-3 (fri-sun) Cross Counry Ski Tour in
Sequoia National Monument. Feb 16-18 (sat-mon)
Cross Country Ski Backpack to Trail of the
Giants, Sequoia National Monument. Limit 8. These
two trips will be led by Gary and Paulette Landers,
Call now for details: reservations 714.529.8154
6 THE ROADRUNNER

MIDGEBUZZINGS
For many years I’ve subscribed to National Public
Radio, where I have found comprehensive coverage
of the news at a very early hour. It was NPR that first
alerted me to the terrorist attack on the World Trade
Towers in New York City and provided me with the
best information during those first awful days. I tune
in every morning while I do the daily chores of mak-
ing coffee and getting breakfast.
Yesterday morning, however, I found that I
couldn’t listen any more. Someone was discussing
terror as the current mode of warfare, and I re-
member his saying: “We have to be ready for many
more horrifying surprises.” That’s not news to many
of us. We have been expecting an attack like the one
in New York for some time, and have said as much to
each other. Part of the reason for that sense of
imminent peril has been regular attention to the best
news sources, and reading about the wretched
conditions in which the majority of the people in the
world are living. In other words, to be informed
means to know that we are in danger. Even so, we
can’t think about it constantly.
For the last couple of years or so I have used the
privilege of this column mainly to address environ-
mental issues and problems: the awful quality of our
air; poisons in ocean waters; threats to forest lands,
overdevelopment of farm lands and so on. But
thanks to that moment yesterday, I am throwing
down, if not a gauntlet, then a silken glove, in
resolution. I have decided that if you, my readers,
want another place to look for beauty and poetry
besides your own perceptive imaginations, you will
find it in this column, insofar as I am able to discover
and share exquisite things with you.
I hope that I have not lost entirely the sense of
wonder I enjoyed for so many years as a writer.
Dulling occurs with degradation of the environment
as we have seen it in the nearly thirty years that I
have been writing this column. In my case it is
attributable partly to advanced age and the wearing
down of faculties and senses. But part of it, also, is
owing to constant inundation with bad news. We
cannot tune out current events, because we know that
social morality includes the obligation to be in-
formed, and because in knowledge there is some
security. But right now we are all oversensitive to
horrors, both in the environment and in society. You
don’t need to hear any more about them from me.
What many of you may need now is to look with me
at what the clearest light reveals to us about the
magnificence of being alive and loving the earth
For starters I am leaving in a couple of days for a
full week in Zion and Bryce National Parks. In the
next Roadrunner I will share with you my im-
pressions of the beauties of those places, and after
that, from now on, I will be looking for beauty
anywhere I can find it. If this endeavor does not
enhance your lives, at least it may help to sharpen my
own vision again. Ann Williams

Kern Kaweah Chapter Roster, 2001

Executive Committee Paul Gipe, Chair 661.324. 1923. Buena Vista Grp G.Shellcross, 661.589.0595
(Bkfd);
Condor Grp. Ches Arthur, Chair 661.242.0423 (Pine Mtn. Club);
Kaweah Grp Theresa Stump, Chair 559.781.0594 (Porterville);
Mineral King Grp Harold Wood, Chair 559.739.8527 (Visalia)
Owens Peak Grp Dennis Burge, Chair 760.375.7967 (Ridgecrest)

************************************************************************

MANY THANKS
to all of you who have submitted information, articles, letters to the editor and helped with the mailing. That
really makes the Roadrunner your newsletter! Keep it coming in 2002!

************************************************************************
Holiday Wishes
for
Patience, Perseverance and Hope
to all our members, readers, families, and friends—and don't forget the President’s admonition to try to get
back to some normalcy in our personal lives. Enjoy happy days—
THE ROADRUNNER 7

Sierra Club President addresses Sierra Club Membership

Excerpts from letter written by Jennifer Ferenstein, Pres. of Sierra Club
Dear Sierra Club Family,
“As individuals and as an organization, we share in an awareness of the pain and suffering that directly
touches many, and indirectly touches all.”
September 11th is being called “the day that changed the world.” Even if much is different today, the
core values that define us as Americans—tolerance, generosity, freedom and love of country—have not
changed. Nor has the mission of the Sierra Club changed. Now is the time for these values to emerge stronger
than ever ... to ensure that appreciation ...f or our living planet endures.
As our nation ... plans for the future, environmental issues will continue to arise. The Sierra Club will
engage in these discussions; we believe that protecting our air, land and water is a critical part of protecting
our homeland. As policy-makers take up the nation’s environmental agenda, we will continue to be vigorous,
forceful and effective advocates for environmental protection.
We will conduct our advocacy in a fashion and tone that helps Americans unite around our common
environmental values. We can, and will, disagree without being disagreeable, but our public lands, waters, air
and wildlife must not be sacrificed by those who would choose to exploit the recent tragedies for short-term
gain.
Preserving and protecting the quality of our natural and human environments have been the Sierra Club's
mission for 110 years. Today we re-affirm our commitment to this mission. Now, more than ever, we are
dedicated to the defense of “America the Beautiful”—our communities, our forests, wetlands and wilderness
—and to the values infusing our international work and human rights campaigns. As we redouble our
commitment, I ask you to share our resolve and to join us in our vigilance as we stand watch to protect the
environment for our families, for our future. Sincerely, Jennifer Ferenstein

UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER special from Jack Solomon, Condor Group

It was a good thing I hadn't yet read that article on mountain lions in Discover Magazine when I decided
to take a brief overnight jaunt to Sawmill last August, because if I had, I would have been thoroughly alarmed
when a lioness and her cub practically stumbled over me at sunrise. As it was, I was thoroughly enchanted,
blissfully unaware of the new data suggesting that mountain lions appear to be changing in their behavior
towards us, in one case or two seeming to regard us as a good source of protein.
From the mountains nearby where I visit there is a dazzling site for an overnight stay, tentless beneath the
stars, with the southern San Joaquin Valley sparkling out to Bakersfield It is also a very difficult place to find
a level open space for a sleeping bag. This I finally found, with room for just one, and passed a pleasant night
under the stars, only to be greeted at dawn by a sight even more impressive than petroglyphs or even
condors: my mountain lion and cub.
These things just happen, you know. One minute I was munching a breakfast bar and talking to Sonia (my
wife) on a walkie talkie, and the next, I found myself staring at the gorgeous golden head of a mountain lion,
who was watching me intently from a distance of about fifty yards. As I reported the exciting news to Sonia, a
spotted cub, speckled like a fawn, suddenly bounded out of the rabbit brush about thirty yards from me, back
towards mom. I suppose that if it had decided for an even closer look at me I wouldn't be telling you this
story now, but the tale has a happy ending. Mom and kitten gave me one last look and majestically (this is the
only word) vanished into the brush. A few minutes later, a deer completed the tableau by bounding away to
the east (exactly the opposite direction from the lions), and, with my bottle of water running out, it was time
for me to return home.
And as I now think of it, maybe I should contact Discover Magazine and tell them that their tales of
mountain-lion-devoured joggers just might be a bit too alarmist. Well, one can't be certain, of course, but I
am certain that the mountain lions belong just where they are, and it is up to us visitors to their realm to be
careful when we tread there. Who knows, in another lifetime or so I may be lucky enough to see the same
sight again.
8 THE ROADRUNNER
THE ROADRUNNER
November, December, 2001
You can find it on the web
http://kernkaweah.sierraclub.org
Activities, alerts, and special features six additional
numbers of Ann William’s Midgebuzzings, Write Ann
Williams, 3112 LINDEN AVE, BAKERSFIELD, CA, 93560. if
you need copy.Web questions? hwood1@sierraclub.org
General Publication Information
Deadline: Dec 5th for Jan. Feb issue
Address: jmal@frazmtn.com or M. Lockhart, Editor,
Roadrunner, PO GG, Frazier Park, CA 93222
Submit an article? 650 words max., shorter is better.
Submission after deadline? we will try to get it in.
****Want to sign up to receive ACTION ALERTS?****
Send to alunger@juno.com WE NEED MORE OF YOU!
Not a member of Sierra Club and/or Kern Kaweah
Chapter? Want this newsletter? Send $5 to
L. Unger, 2815 La Cresta Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305
handy list for calls, writing letters!
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NUMBERS:
White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111 or 800.374.6702
e-mail : president@whitehouse.gov |White House Address:1600
Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC 20500
Senators Barbara Boxer, 312 N Spring St. Suite 1748, LA
90012. TP:213.894.5000 and Diane Feinstein, 11111 Santa
Monica Blvd., Suite 915, LA 90025 . TP:310.914.7300
Call US Capitol Switchboard - 202.224.3121 ask by name
Dir. Gale Norton, c/o Tom Fulton, , U.S. Department of the
Interior, 1849 C Street, NW,Washington,DC 20240
Dir.Ann Venneman. U.S. Dept of Ag, 14th & Independence
Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.
CALIFORNIA NUMBERS:
Gov. Davis: 1-916-445-2841
Calif. Legislative Switchboard (receptionist will help you
contact your Senator and/or Assembly member if you are unsure):
916-322-9900
Yes, I want to join the Sierra Club. Check enclosed.
Name.......................................................................
City.....................................State.............. Zip.........
Check one:
Introductory $25........
Regular $39....... Joint $47.........
Any of the following $24:
Senior..... Student....... Limited Income...
F94QW 0600-1 Send to Sierra Club, POBox
52968, Boulder, CO, 80322.
. provides us solace and perspective in these trying
NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE
FRONT. HOORAY! MAINLY +++!
You have seen the article on Sequoia Monument! No
more need be said.
State news: Bill signed authorizing a state-wide vote
in March on a 2.6 million dollar bond issue for
parks: purchase of land, renovation, etc.
Signed: Bills coordinating local water supply and
land use decisions to help provide California's cities,
farms and rural communities with adequate water
supplies.
Signed: Bill that gives local governments the
opportunity to deny build-out of antiquated
subdivisions in places where development should not
occur and should end the practice of artificially
inflating land values for the purpose of extorting
exorbitant sums of money out of land trusts and
public agencies that wish to acquire it (Hearst Lands
plus several others!)
Support for the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, the
law that will prevent road development in our
national forests. In just 60 days, 850,000 comments!
Took a year to gather the last 1.5 million comments,
response is amazing
BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN SUCCESS! WHEN
THIS AND DRILL IN ARCTIC WILDLIFE
REFUGE COMES US AGAIN, YOUR VOICE WILL
BE VITAL. WATCH FOR ALERTS!
Organic Milk Available
Milk Certified by California law to be organic
can be found in two big Bakersfield stores that I
know of. The milk is produced by small family
farms in California without the use of hormones,
antibiotics or
pesticides. Many of the cows are raised in pastures,
not barns. It is available with and without fat. If you
are willing to pay substantially more for what I
consider an environmentally superior product, and
can not find this in your store, please contact me.
Arthur Unger 323 5569 alunger@juno.com
Quote of the Day: "In my view, we need to know
that vast natural areas such as the Arctic Refuge exist
as we cope with the events of the past month. Nature
reminds us of the eternal rhythms of life of which we
are a part and which will endure over time. Ensuring
an enduring refuge in the Arctic, no matter how
uncertain other parts of our life may seem right now,
THE ROADRUNNER 9

times. This crisis has reawakened us to the

importance of protecting our values, and I believe
that the Arctic wilderness has a place on that list.
"Sen Joe Lieberman (DConn). October 2nd