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Welcome to the Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club |
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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!
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.
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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.
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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.
Read more...
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2011 Outings Schedule
Make Plans this Summer to join the Sierra Club for outdoor fun & service. - Sign Up Today! Click here for more information. |
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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.
Lobby Day was especially exciting this
year because we were able to join other supporters of the environment
from around the state at a rally - For the Love of Montana, which the
Sierra Club co-sponsored, and which drew some 300 citizens from around
the state!
Special thanks to executive committee
members Rod Jude, Jonathan Matthews, and John Wolverton. Other volunteers
participating included, Steve McArthur, Rachel Jennings, Brigita Wohlsein, Ann Maechtlen, Carol
Marsh, Whitney Byrd, and Robbie Liben.
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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!
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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.
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. Click here for more Information & talking points.
Urge Senators Max Baucus and Jon
Tester to support important climate
and energy legislation! |
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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
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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!!! |

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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
Of course, the program isn't all work and no play. Trainings will be the main focus, but you can also expect to enjoy:
- 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 Trident Cement Kiln
on the Missouri River |
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:
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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! |

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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 |
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