Eric Silva from the South Miami-Dade Watershed Study gave an engaging update to 40 Sierra Club members "We are running out of cheap water and we will need to use other alternatives like desalination to keep up with demands." When SWFMD was pressed for questions regarind the pumping of sewage wate below the aquifer they could not comment (Sierra Club is engaged in a lawsuit regarding this issue.

The following is a direct quote on page executive summmary iii AREAS of Controversy of Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park AUGUST 2005.

"The public has expressed a strong preference for providing an elevated highway that would provide environmental enhancements with few impacts. THE TEN-MILE BRIDGE WAS NOT SELECTED DUE TO FISCAL CONSTRAINTS!!!"

After reading the report I found that the methods used to calculate costs were not clearly elucidated in the study.

It is regretful that the federal government will NOT take into account the overwhelming Scientific and Local support for Everglades Restoration.

YOU CAN HELP!!! There will be a meeting on September 15, 2005 at 6:30pm Florida International University Graham Center Ballroom. 11200 S.W. 8th St. FOLLOW SIGNS TO RESERVED PARKING LOT

If you would like to comment or receive a copy of the >500 page docuemnt please contact Barbara Cintron via 904-232-1692 or email (ttmcomments@usace.army.mil)

We''ll See you at the September 15th Meeting!

Commissioner Gimenez was mysteriously absent during the Miami-Dade County Commissioner successful override of the Florida Annexation. How mysterious. It seems as though Carlos Gimenez is trying to walk a political tightrope by appeasing environmentalists by voting against annexation the first time and showing support for Virginia Key Beach Park. In the next breath he is absent for the override vote.

How politically adroit. Now Commissioner Gimenez can claim that he never voted for Florida City Annexation.

He just failed to represent his constituents during one of the most controversial land disputes in this county?s history. Missing a vote as an elected official is irresponsible.

Some political columnists claim tongue in cheek that he was buying a car (AC Weinstein of Miami Sunpost) I don?t know where he was.

I just know Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez was M.I.A.

Miami Dade County residents have gained some ?investment? from the Federal government?s transportation bill this past November. It appears as though our representative Lincoln Diaz Balart has engineered a much needed mass transit funding coups for us. The funding will provide a 100 federal to 1: local match for a street car system to connect midtown Miami with the Metrorail system. The Transportation bill also funds the much needed Metrorail North and FIU extensions.

A modern mass transit system reduces reliance on pollution causing automobiles and enhances urban mobility. Investment in mass transit is a ?win win? for Business and Environmentalists.

Street cart systems from Houston , Portland, to San Diego have shown to be enormously popular with area residents. They have gotten provided true alternatives to the automobile addiction of our culture to enhance urban mobility.

A recent straw vote of Miami Beach Residents voted overwhelming in favor of a street car system that would connect Miami Beach with Miami.

"Tamiami Trail Modernization: The Skyway " Contact Jonathan Ullman at jonathan.ullman@sierraclub.org. You can also mail a letter to the Miami Herald to express your support edherald@herald.c om

Underground Storage Wells ----- The Sierra Club has filed a federal Safe Drinking Water Act lawsuit to prevent treated sewage from being discharged into and contaminating drinking water supplies in Florida. The suit was filed against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For over a decade, the state has failed to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and as a result Miami-Dade County's daily injections of 112.5 million gallons of treated sewage underground are migrating up into drinking water aquifers.

Commissioner Katy Sorenson gave a thumbs up to 200 engaged citizens on August 14, 2005 at Crandon Park. She encouraged everyone to "Hold-the Line" and attend all public meetings.

The picnic was filled with great food, live music and plenty of excellent fellowship. Green Hold the Line t- shirts were being sold at breakneck speed as individuals got signed on to the email distribution list

Most importantly the BROWNIES were AWESOME.

The City of Miami invests 4 percent compared to other cities investment of 10-12 percent. Wealthy areas have been know to invest upwards of 15 percent for high quality parks (Miami Beach)

You would think that with the current boom in real estate that Miami city leaders would invest in rapidly depleting open space.

They have an opportunity on a September 23rd Miami Commission Meeting. It is here that City leaders can show vision by raising impact fees to developers of these highrises.

The Parks Committee of miami is comprised of a grassroots group of 24 homeowners associaiton that are pushing for this. Contact raiseimpactfees@aol.com for more info.

In addition to raisiing impact fees why doesn't Miami save the entire Virginia Key as a recreation park land? It would be Miami-Dade's equivalent of "Central Park by the Water"?

The Sierra Club Miami Group will be hosting the Harvest Moon Dinner on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Parrot Jungle and Garden. Not only will this be a change of venue, but it will also be a DANCE! So put on your dancing shoes as we begin the festivities with a cocktail reception, buffet dinner and door prizes and drawings, followed by music for your dancing and listening pleasure. This fundraising event begins at 7:00 PM.

Details are still being worked out. The planning committee meets from 6-7:30 PM, just before the General Meeting. Members include: Karen Gorenstein, Coky Michel, Paul Michel, Gisela Ullrich, Mark Oncavage, Mike Robinson, Georgia Guerra, Benoit Jockheere, and Maria Papazian. We want to thank and welcome Leslie Scalley and Lydia Rosario, to the committee. In addition, we welcome back Elizabeth Smith, Associate Editor of The Wine News (www.thewinen ews.com ) and Sierra Club member, who made the arrangements for the donation of the complimentary wine at last year?s Harvest Moon Dinner as well as for this year?s.

If you would like to join, please contact Maria at 305- 519-0877 or at mdpapazian@msn.com. Please, note that if you can?t make it to the meetings, you can still volunteer to help in other capacities.

The Sierra Club Miami Group needs funds in order to continue its vital role in protecting the unique South Florida environment. Tickets for the Harvest Moon Dinner and Dance are on sale now through October 30th for $100.00/person. You may make reservations by contacting mdpapazian@msn.com. See you there!

The Featured Article and other articles will represent the Club's position on a issue except if they are labeled in the Heading as Letters or Discussion. Letters and Discussion Items are the opinion of the author and not the Miami Sierra Club. Publication is meant to promote discussion.

Submissions Please submit articles to Mike Robinson and Betsy Grass (editor of the print Causeways) at the same time. Deadlines are the second Monday of each month.

Paid advertisments are being accepted by Betsy in the Print edition. Paid Advertisments to the E-newsletter will not be accepted at this time but may at a future date (pending opinion of the Miami Sierra Club Board)

Do you enjoy attending festivals to socialize with people! We have great opportunities for you to talk about thr benefits of the Sierra Club. Contact mdpapazian@ms n .com for more details

Saturday, Sept. 24 11 AM-4PM Sweet Vine Environmental Fair Harris Field Park, Homestead