Table of Contents

• Mega-Loads
• Climate Action Alert
• How to Contact Your Legislator

• Outings
• Tire Burning
• Calling Sierra Club Hunters and Anglers
• Lolo Ski Area

• Newsletters
• Events
• Join our Email Lists

See our Latest Newsletter

(Fall/Winter 2011 - 4.5 Meg pdf)

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Clean Air Act at Risk — Action Needed!

By Bob Clark, Organizing Representative, Missoula Field Office

As 2011 winds down, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) efforts to curtail dangerous toxic pollution by adopting common-sense pollution safeguards to protect public health, are in jeopardy. Clean air advocates were disappointed by the Obama Administration’s delay of the Greenhouse Gas and Smog standards in September. So, it is now more important than ever for the EPA to adopt strong mercury and air toxics protections as well as a strong Regional Haze Plan.

Mercury is a significant threat to public health and dirty coal-fired power plants are the number one source of mercury pollution in the United States. According to EPA studies, the mercury contamination problem in the U.S. is so widespread that as many as one in six women of childbearing age is likely to have mercury levels in her blood high enough to put her baby at risk. There are 49 waterbodies in Montana that have been determined by the MT Department of Environmental Quality to be “impaired and threatened waterbodies in need of water quality restoration” due to mercury contamination. These waterbodies, located in 20 different counties, comprise 418,837 lake acres and 1,235 river miles.

The good news is that we already have the technology to clean up mercury pollution by 90%. By enacting a strong federal standard we will reduce mercury in the fish we eat quickly and significantly. Montana is one of 19 states that already has an emission standard for mercury. However, mercury pollution knows no boundaries and can travel hundreds of miles, so it is important to have a strong nation-wide standard for mercury. Additionally, the Mercury and Air Toxics standard is projected to create 31,000 short-term and 9,000 long-term jobs for ironworkers, pipefitters, electricians, and boilermakers.

The EPA is also working on a Regional Haze Plan that would protect public health and improve air quality in National Parks and Wilderness Areas. The plan could require Montana’s largest polluters, like the Colstrip and Corette power plants, to control Particulate Matter, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide emissions. These pollutants cause serious respiratory illnesses yet affordable technology exists today that would significantly decrease these emissions. The final rule is due by June 2012 and has the potential to significantly improve air quality in our state.

Unfortunately, these public health safeguards have been under constant attack by industry and members of Congress (such as Rep. Denny Rehberg), who are putting the profits of Big Oil and Coal, above public health. It is critical that we prevent Congress from interfering with EPA’s progress and ensure that the Obama administration finalizes these much needed safeguards.

Contact our Senators’ offices and urge them to protect the Clean Air Act and EPA’s authority to protect public health!

• Senator Max Baucus: (202) 224-2651, or e-mail comments at: http://baucus.senate.gov
• Senator Jon Tester: (202) 224-2644, or e-mail comments at: http://tester.senate.gov

Contact Congressman Rehberg’s office and tell him to Clean Up his Act: (202) 225-3211 or e-mail comments at: http://rehberg.house.gov

For more information, visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/stoppolluters/ or contact Sierra Club’s Missoula field office at 406-549-1142.

Take Action - Safe Chemicals Act

The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, would require that chemicals be evaluated for safety before they're placed in products. The Bill was recently reintroduced in the U.S. Senate. We're helping fellow supporters to convince Senators Baucus and Tester to co-sponsor this critical legislation, and we need your help. Montana plays an incredibly important role in determining the future of the Safe Chemicals Act because Senator Baucus sits on the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the committee in which the legislation has been introduced.

Womens Voices for the Earth is gathering petition signatures asking Senators Baucus and Tester to co-sponsor the Safe Chemicals Act. The Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club proudly endorses this legislation! Please sign the petition Today!

Click Here to Comment Today.
Read More from Women's Voices.

Missoula County, Conservation Organizations File Suit To Seek A Full Environmental Review Of Mega-Load Project

Missoula County and the National Wildlife Federation - along with the Montana Environmental Information Center and the Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club represented by the Western Environmental Law Center (Missoula office) and local attorneys Robert Gentry and Summer Nelson - filed a lawsuit in Montana District Court to protect Montana‘s citizens, economy and ecosystems from the potentially harmful impacts of Exxon/Mobil‘s mega-load transport project.

2011 Outings Schedule

Make Plans this Summer to join the Sierra Club for outdoor fun & service. - Sign Up Today! Click here for more information.

Legislative Lobby Day & For the Love of Montana Rally

In late February, more than a dozen Sierra Club volunteers spent the day in Helena to learn how to lobby on behalf of the environment in the Montana Legislature. Participants received a short training courtesy of Anne Hedges from Montana Environmental Information Center, engaged State House and Senate Representatives and the governor, and sat in on floor votes.

November 2010 Northern Rockies Wolf Action Alert!

Wolves Need Your Help Now More Than Ever

Members of Congress have drafted several pieces of legislation that would bypass the Endangered Species Act and dodge a court ruling by removing protections for wolves.

Please speak up for wolves — we REALLY need your help! Here’s how:

Contact Your Senators and Representatives TODAY!

October 2010 Climate Action Alert

Call Senator Baucus Today - Tell him to protect Montana's clean air and work to build Montana's clean energy economy!

The Senate will soon debate legislation that would actually help big oil and other corporate polluters at our expense by delaying the Environmental Protection Agency's effort to limit harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Click here for more information.

Sierra Club Watershed Restoration projects

In 2009, Sierra Club and Trout Unlimited volunteers worked on the Little McCormick Creek Restoration Project, northwest of Missoula, Montana.

In 2010, The Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club has partnered with Trout Unlimited to help restore several tributaries of Fish Creek, an important tributary of the middle Clark Fork River near Missoula, Montana.

More Information

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposes new-and-improved critical habitat designation for bull trout.

On January 13, 2010 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a new critical habitat designation for bull trout, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, throughout the Northwest, including western Montana. The new draft — offering four-to-six times more protected waters than a previous proposal in 2005 —includes 21,694 miles of stream habitat and 533,426 acres of reservoirs and lakes in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Nevada.

More Information

The Great Burn Proposed Wilderness Area

The Great Burn is a 250,000 acre expanse of wild country along the Montana/Idaho border west of Missoula, Montana in the northern Bitterroot Mountains. This primeval landscape burned heavily in the Great Fire of 1910 leaving charred snags, grassy slopes, and expanses of sub-alpine meadows. High cirques, impressive stands of mountain hemlock, and dozens of clear lakes also adorn the high country. While not as high and "craggy" as the main Bitterroot Range to the south, the area is biologically rich. Spared by the great fire are magical pockets of ancient western red cedar - some individuals over 500 years old - carpeted underfoot with mossy beds of sword and maidenhair ferns. Wind-swept peaks like Rhodes and Crater rise to nearly 8,000 ft., and an abundance of moisture nurtures the area. The Burn is a critical biological link between the massive Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness complex to the south and the Cabinet-Yaak ecosystem to the north. Full protection of this interstate wildland is essential to ensure a quality wilderness experiences for future generations.

More Information

Sierra Club Action Alert!

Help Pass Comprehensive Clean Energy Legislation this Spring!

Right now the Senate is debating a clean energy bill that would mean more jobs, less pollution, and greater security (Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, S. 1733). But this bill won’t work if corporate polluters refuse to pay their fair share, and instead lobby to weaken the clean air laws that reduce pollution. As Montana’s Senators Baucus and Tester help move this clean energy bill forward, they have the chance to stand up to the corporate polluters that are seeking bailouts and loopholes.

Urge Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester to support important climate and energy legislation!

How to Contact Your Montana State Representative

See our new legislative information section with information about how to contact your legislators and which legislators are on which committees.

Index of Legislative Session Information

• How to Contact Montana's Congressional Delegation
• 2009 Montana Senate Roster
• 2009 Montana Senate Committees
• 2009 Montana House Roster
• 2009 Montana House Committees
• US Representatives to Montana

Join our Energy Activist Network!

Building a Montana Sierra Club Energy Activist Network

As we move through the year there will be opportunities to affect positive change in how our communities address climate change and energy at the local, regional, and national level. We support clean energy choices that address global warming, and protect our wildlife and water. We urge responsible officials to support positive measures and oppose poor choices like dirty coal. We will continue to do outreach and public education events throughout the year but, most importantly, we need to build a network of activists from around the State who when called upon, will contact elected and agency officials, write letters to the editor, talk with their family and friends, or help at an earth day event .

To be included in our Energy Activist Network send an email to bob.clark@sierraclub.org and include your name, address, phone and email address.

Thanks You!!!

Student Environmental Leadership Training Programs

Student Environmental Leadership Training Programs are week-long training sessions in organizing skills led by the nation's top student organizers . Learn to develop effective groups that can tackle serious environmental issues, and network with other activists to build your region's student environmental movement. Then take what you've learned and put it to into action at your high school, on your campus and in your community.

LEARN:

• Campaign Planning
• Communication Skills
• Organizing 101
• Hear from Guest Speakers

• The beautiful surroundings of a serene state park
• Hikes, games, and energizing nighttime activities
• The company and friendship of fellow student activists

Learn more and APPLY NOW online at www.ssc.org/sprog
Questions? Call 1(888) JOIN-SSC

Holcim's Plan to Burn Tires

on the banks of the Missouri River

Tire Burning in Three Forks?

The Headwaters Group is working to stop Holcim, Inc.'s plans to burn tires at their Trident cement kiln north of Three Forks near Headwaters State Park.

May 25, 2007 Update

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has announced that it expects to release the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in June 2007. A record of decision on Holcim’s air quality permit will be published approximately 15 days later. We do not anticipate that there will be another opportunity for public comment. If the outcome is not satisfactory, the next step will be to appeal the decision to the Board of Environmental Review. We will only have 15 days after the record of decision to appeal so stay tuned...

Other Sources of Information. We have been working closely with:

• Montanans Against Toxic Burning.
• Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)

Save Lolo Peak, Act Today!

Lewis & Clark Historic Sites Threatened by Ski Resort Development

Proposal has little to do with skiing and everything to do with real estate profits

Click Here for more information about what you can do!

Calling Sierra Club Hunters and Anglers!!

We are actively surveying our members and volunteers and recruiting other hunters and anglers who share our conservation ethic. Nationally, approximately 20% of our members purchased a hunting or fishing license last year. That number is likely much higher here in Montana.

Don't hesitate to add your name to the growing list of local Sierra Club hunters and anglers who are organizing around the region and country. Contact Bob Clark in our Missoula office for more information on how you can join the effort to protect our precious resources for future generations.

Bob Clark, Conservation Organizer
PO Box 9283
Missoula, MT. 59807
406-549-1142
sierrabob@wildrockies.org

Interested in getting involved?

Join Our Email Lists

Click on the above group links to learn more about your group or click on one of the links below to join one of our news and alerts email lists.  We'll keep you informed.

Bitterroot Mission Group (Missoula)
Upper Missouri Group (Helena)
Headwaters Group (Bozeman)
Yellowstone Basin Group (Billings)
Montana Chapter

Emails will be infrequent and we will not use your email address for any other purpose.