Robinson

Floridians flocked to see example of solar homes in their neighborhood. Over 100 eager citizens visited 2 solar model homes in Key Largo, FL. Communication with Central Floridians yielded a similar overwhelming public response to the 2006 SOLAR Tour.

Several participants cited the existence of state incentives as being crucial to their participation in a solar retrofit program. We saw first hand how an initial investment of solar infrastructure resulted in bills as low as 7 dollars a month! Since the Florida Keys are operated as a no for profit cooperative, residents cited their willingness to work with homeowners to promote sustainable energy practices.....

Both Homes surivived the WILMA scare with no loss in electricity; many of their neighbors asked them for assistance when gas in their gas generators ran out.....

Craig Williams -- Florida Renewable Energy Association (FREA)

As an active advocate for renewable energy I attend a lot of functions where this issue comes up and often get to speak to newspaper reporters, politicians, and the general public about it. From all of these discussions, however, one fact has become quite clear: Most Floridians are terribly unfamiliar with the methods available for developing renewable energy. Rarely has there been a greater need for an effective public awareness program. And this lack of awareness can very likely be correlated with our current lack of effective legislation.

In one sense, I have begun to tell others, there can be a distinct advantage for Florida in lagging so far behind other states - it?s quite easy to see what needs to be done. All one has to do is look around at the myriad programs enacted elsewhere that are yielding successful results.

One such program is a public benefit fund (PBF). The PBF is created by levying a small fee on the monthly bill of electricity consumers. In the State of Florida, a rate of 0.5 mills per kilowatt-hour, or approximately 50 cents on the typical household electricity bill, would provide over $100 million per year for the development of clean energy technology. To date, seventeen states and the District of Columbia have enacted such public funds.

Another useful tool is the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The RPS is a government policy that requires that a certain percentage of electricity sold by a utility within a specific target year must be generated by renewable means. For example, California?s RPS requires that 20% of the electricity that will be sold in 2017 from each utility must be derived from renewable technology. Similar policies have been adopted by over twenty states nationwide. Florida, the third largest energy consumer in the country, has yet to consider one.

I?m sure many of the readers of this newsletter are already familiar with these basic ideas. They are being proven every day in state and local communities throughout the country. The real challenge we have here in Florida is to get all of its citizens and government officials on the same page with ideas like these. Only from our common interest and our common knowledge can we hope to agree on the right solutions.

Click on the EPA link below for more information on State resources. http://www.epa.gov/chp/state_resources.htm

A proposed giveaway of 69 acres of public park land near the globally imperiled Rockridge Pinelands habitat is set for a referendum vote during this election cycle.

Commisisoner Dennis Moss is requesting this public land become privatized so that the proceeds can be used to enhance Metrozoo. "This is not some pie in the sky plan" he said.

The plan calls for a water park, housing, and other for profit ventures on County public park land to create a 1 billion dollar entertainment district.

The City of Miami Beach's Design Review Board has told NO to a Miami Beach Condo that it wished to restrict acces to Biscayne Bay.

Kent Harrison Robins, our political chair, presented a resolution at this meeting. He was joined by Urban Environment League members and several Miami Beach residents to oppose this request.

The Baywalk is part of a 6-8 block segment that has been closed off to the public for years. Seeing the success of other Miami Beach water walkways, other developers have voluntarily provided public access to Biscayne Bay. The City is hoping to create a 5.5 mile waterfront walkway.

We wish to express thanks to the Urban Environment League (website is http://www.uel.org) and Miami Beach residents that spoke against 100 Waverly residents for the good of ALL Miami-Dade County residents.

The next step to control unsustainable growth in our community is to restore the power to change master development boundaries to the voters.

Engaged citizens across the state are getting fed up with elected officials changing boundaries that contradict smart sustainable development. Smart development aligns with infrastructure such as roads, sewers, parks, and schools.

Miami is not alone in this struggle. Martin County is currently being challenged by unsustainable growth advocates. St. Joe is promoting a mega airport near its land holdings, Orlando continues its sprawl into the surrounding countryside.

Please sign the petition to give back control of development to VOTERS! You can find the petition on the website.

Please Spread the Word. If not you then W H O ???

Nate Geisler-

Biscayne National Park and the Everglades are international treasures, but did you know that only a handful of people regularly champion their protection from encroaching development in Miami-Dade?

What is keeping you from being one of the champions for the Everglades, the Bay and South Dade? It starts with a love for the area, then a concern for its well being into the future, and a commitment now and again to speak up at given opportunities.

One way you can give your two cents and see what is happening is at the South Miami-Dade Watershed Study, during the regular monthly meetings of its Advisory Committee.

Catch up and learn more about the Study at either of these two websites: http://www.sfrpc.com/institute/watershed.htm htt p://www.southmiamidadewatershed.com

In November there will be two meetings on November 17 and November 30. The County Commission?s Infrastructure and Land-use Committee recently held a public workshop on October 13. Community support is still mixed, some in agri- business are concerned about sliding property values, while others see now as an opportunity to locally market the fruits and vegetables of Homestead and Redland helping to promote agri-tourism in the region. Why not take advantage of the sub-tropical conditions unique to South Florida to help South Dade thrive?

One thing is for sure- once the land is gone it is gone. So lend your voice soon before the Study wraps!

Rosalie Shaffer --Conference Chairwoman

?Meeting the Challenges for Florida?s Future?

We face a lot of environmental challenges in Florida today. Here?s a chance to enjoy a weekend getaway while learning about ways we can preserve our threatened Florida ecology.

This year we will meet at the Pine Lake Retreat, with its more convenient location and excellent facilities. It?s located in central Florida, about 30 mi south of Ocala and 40 mi west of Orlando. (address: 21725 County Road 33, Groveland, FL).

Reservations continue to pour into Conference Headquarters (my home), for what I hope will be the biggest and best Conservation Conference to date. So far about 75 people have registered. I'm glad to see a lot of "new faces" registering.Call me (941) 729-9248 if you want me to "pencil in" your selection until your payment arrives.

Prefer to motel it? There are motels in Leesburg, but please register for any meals you might want at the conference and the registration fee. The retreat folks want a somewhat accurate count (ok if a few more show up), but please don't do what I have done in the past (oops)--which is, to show up at the conference and then try to get meals. The pantry might be empty!

Conference Registration: htt p://florida.sierraclub.org/registration.pdf

Conference Program: http:/ /florida.sierraclub.org/Program.pdf

Directions can be found on their website http://www.pi nelakeretreat.com

Re-charge your green batteries by meeting other like- minded folks.

PRESS RELEASE

We need your help to make sure the Tallahassee lobbyists and special interests don't take away majority rule in Florida.

They are the groups pushing Amendment 3, a measure the seeks to establish an unprecedented requirement of a supermajority to pass future initiatives.

Please visit our website at http://www.trustthevoters.com to learn more about ways you can help defeat Amendment 3.

Mike Matthews

A potentially deadly algae bloom is threatening Biscayne Bay and its surrounding waters. Scientists say the bloom is being fueled by an excess of nutrients in the water, and are uncertain of the source. However, the most likely suspect appears to be a controversial construction method being used in the $270 million project to widen the 18-mile stretch between Florida City and Key Largo?a project the Sierra Club has long apposed.

On September 23, 2006, the Miami Herald reported that an algae bloom of ?unprecedented persistence? is slowly creeping into Biscayne Bay. According to the Herald?s report, ?anglers, environmentalists, scientists, and managers of Biscayne and Everglades National parks worry when, where?and if?the bloom will stop or dissipate?. The bloom has lasted nearly a year and its effects are felt for more than 175 square miles--from northeastern Florida Bay on up through Barnes and Card sounds and now southern Biscayne Bay.

The cause of the Algae bloom remains a mystery, but the chief suspect appears to be the project to widen the 18-mile stretch, the main road from Florida City to Key Largo. The evidence: the bloom was first spotted, and so possibly began, here along the 18- mile stretch. So far, scientists agree that the bloom is being fed by an excess of nutrients in the water, but are unsure of the source. Environmental groups are pointing to a controversial construction practice called ?soil mixing?.

According to the Herald, ?hundreds of acres of destroyed mangroves were mulched, then mixed with the thick wetland soil they grew in, along with cement and a metal 'slag? material to form a stabilizing layer under the roadbed.? All of this organic material would seem to be obvious source of the excess nutrients feeding the bloom, although the Florida Department of Transportation denies this.

The Sierra Club has apposed the widening of the 18- Mile Stretch since the beginning, citing environmental impacts (the road boarders Everglades National Park) and urban sprawl concerns. The current situation does not yet warrant us saying ?we told you so?, and we can only hope that it will not come to that. Still, the algae bloom is a cause for concern, and we urge Sierra Club members to keep an eye on this developing story.

PRESS RELEASE-Urban Environment League of Greater Miami-

• Friday, November 17, 2006
• 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Trinity Cathedral, North Bayshore Drive at NE 15th Street
• Parking available at the Omni garage
• Cost: $35.00 per person / UEL members $30.00 -- -- payable to UEL
• 945 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 100
• Miami Beach, Florida 33139
• Telephone: 305-532-7227

Traveling on Highway A1A, the tour explores Florida at the Edge searching for best case examples of infill development that strengthen our Sense of Place and quality of life. We will see efforts underway in the City of Hollywood and visit Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale as guests of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, then explore accomplishments in the City of Delray Beach, perhaps the best Smart Growth community in South Florida.

We'll seek examples and discuss best practice techniques for approaching the work: Mix Land Uses Take Advantage of Existing Community Assets Create a Range of Housing Choices Foster Walkable Close-Knit Neighborhoods Promote Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place Rehabilitation and Use of Historic Buildings Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty, and Critical Envrironmental Areas Strengthen Growth in Existing Communities Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and Cost-Effective Encourage Citizen and Stakeholder Participation in Development Decisions From How to Achieve Smart Growth Smart Growth America

The Urban Environment League regularly hosts bus tours as mobile workshops to explore the regional context of our urban environment.

• HOSTS
• Jeff Perlman, Mayor of the City of Delray Beach
• Diane Colonna, Executive Director of the Delray Community Redevelopment Agency
• Neil Fritz and Gil Martinez,directors of the City of Hollywood CRA
• Gloria Katz who leads Smart Growth Broward

PHOTO- Robinson Chihuly Exhibit Fairchild Tropical Garden

Our Outings list keeps its exponential growth pace! Do you feel Like you need to get away and into NATURE? Join us for an outing!

November 18th - Turner River Canoe. This beautiful river goes 8 miles through very narrow channels from the Tamiami Trail, starting as fresh water and becoming increasingly salty as it flows into Chokoloskee Bay. Moderate BUT the last hour may be strenuous depending upon open water wind-weather-tide. Limit 18. Cost $35 members, $45 non-members. Leader: Jim Gross, 305-665-2401, e-mail: JMGross3013@aol.com.

November 11, 12 ? Canoeing and primitive camping on Fisheating Creek, www.fisheatingcreek.com, west of Lake Okeechobee. $65/person includes canoe rental, transport, and 4 meals. $40/person with own canoe. No charge for children under 12 in parents canoe. Moderate. Limit 20. Charles Hunt, 561-967- 4770, sierra@smartsolutions.com. Mike Baird, 561- 965-7237, GSDad@bellsouth.net

November 18 - Turner River Canoe. This beautiful river goes 8 miles through very narrow channels from the Tamiami Trail in the western Everglades, starting as fresh water and becoming increasingly salty as it flows into Chokoloskee Bay. Moderate BUT the last hour may be strenuous depending upon open water wind/weather/tide. Limit 18. Cost $35 members, $45 non-members. Leader: Jim Gross, 305-665-2401, JMGross3013@aol.com.

November 24, 25, 26 - Jonathan Dickenson State Park/Loxahatchee River Camp/Hike and Canoe. We will tent camp two nights, walk the short Kitchen Creek Trail and /or the Sand Pine Nature Trail. Saturday we will canoe the wild and scenic Loxahatchee River. Transportation, canoe rental, campsite fees and most meals included. Moderate. Limit 6. Cost: $110 members, $130 non-members. Leader: Kaatje Bernabei 305-223-6551

December 2 - Everglades National Park Day Hike. Introductory hiking for beginners and a refresher for veterans. We will walk the Anhinga Boardwalk Trail and the Gumbo Limbo trail and then drive to the Pinelands area and have a gourmet lunch and walk a trail there. Each trail is less than one mile long. We?ll see gators, birds, turtles, fish, insects and maybe a snake or two. Leisure. Limit 10. Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Leader: Kaatje Bernabei, 305-223-6551, e-mail: cbernabei@dadeschools.net. Asst: Alan Nowell, 305- 270-5262 (days), e-mail: alan.nowell@sfefcu.org.

December 9 ? South Dade Bike. Meet at Black Point Park in South Dade, bike 12 miles to Homestead Bayfront Park, swim, then bike back to Black Point for a Sierra lunch. Moderate to strenuous (24 miles). Limit 18. Cost: $15 members, $20 non- members. Leader: Jim Gross, 305 665 2401, e-mail: JMGross3013@aol.com. Asst: TBA

December 27 thru 31 Everglades Wilderness Waterway Canoe Trip. End 2006 with a quiet, unforgettable canoe trip with kindred spirits. Paddle 8 to 10 miles per day with us for five days amidst lush mangroves of the Ten Thousand Islands. Camp on beaches, chickee platforms or land sites. Watch the dolphins frolic, pelicans dive, mullet jump and other wild life celebrating the end of the year. Strenuous. Limit 6 with strong canoeing experience. Cost: $350 members, $380 non-members. Leader: Kaatje Bernabei, 305-223-6551, e-mail: cbernabei@dadeschools.net. Asst: Alan Nowell, 305- 270-5262 (days), e-mail: alan.nowell@sfefcu.org. (C)

January 6 Hells Bay Canoe Orienteering. Enjoy a challenging day of orienteering with map and compass while canoeing through mangrove lined channels and islands in Everglades National Park. Strenuous depending upon wind/wave conditions. Limit 16. Cost: $35 members, $40 non-members. Leader: Jim Gross, 305 665 2401, e-mail: JMGross3013@aol.com. (CV)

January 13 - Everglades National Park Day Hike. Introductory hiking for beginners and a refresher for veterans. We will walk the Anhinga Boardwalk Trail and the Gumbo Limbo trail and then drive to the Pinelands area and have a gourmet lunch and walk a trail there. Each trail is less than one mile long. We?ll see gators, birds, turtles, fish, insects and maybe a snake or two. Leisure. Limit 10. Cost: $20 members, $25 non-members. Leader: Kaatje Bernabei, 305-223- 6551, e-mail: cbernabei@dadeschools.net. Asst: Alan Nowell, 305-270-5262 (days), e-mail: alan.nowell@sfefcu.org.

January 13, 14, 15 Myakka Backpacking. Hiking in Florida's largest state park, six to nine miles per day for three days. Abundant wildlife and nicely marked trails. Strenuous. Limit 8. Cost: $35 members, $40 non-members. Leader: Dan Cruse, (305) 661 2975, 6580 Santona St. #27, Coral Gables,33146. Asst: Pat Lopez, 305-279-5354.

If you are interested in a trip, call or e-mail the trip leader and ask for details or come to the signup table at the general meetings.

Our outings are listed as Leisure, Moderate, or Strenuous. Be realistic about your physical condition and the degree of challenge you enjoy. Come ready to paddle, bicycle or hike and share the work. There are no passengers on our outings, only participants. Family trips are open to everyone. Once you have made a reservation, we ask that you make a serious commitment to attend the trip. Cancellations are detrimental to our program. Our outings leaders are unpaid trained volunteers.

Please sign up early for planning purposes. All reservations must be accompanied by a non- refundable deposit. Make all checks payable to Sierra Club Outings. Please write the name and date of your trip on your check and include your phone number. Deposits are $10 on trip fees of up to $100 and $20 on trips over $100 Fees on trips of $15 or less are to be paid in full with your reservation. Full payment is due 30 days in advance of the trip. Please send all payments to the trip leader.

If you must cancel, call the leader or assistant leader as early as possible. If you cancel 30 days or more in advance, your deposit will be refunded. If you cancel less than 30 days in advance, you lose your deposit. If you cancel 7 days or less in advance, you will forfeit all fees.

November 2006 Magarita Borda "Finding the Past" This documentary provides a window into a rare relationship between scientists and indigenous people working side-by-side with federal land managers to find answers to some of the most intriguing questions about the first people of the Northwest Coast of North America. The film takes us on a 5-day exploration of caves and ancient villages in the Prince of Wales Archipelago, where both Native cultural specialists and scientists face the difficulties of the trip and confront challenges inherent in the cultural perspectives they bring to the process of finding out about the history of this people's region. USA/Alaska

December 2006 Holiday FIESTA (PARTY)

January- November, 2007 open but filling up fast....Do you know someone who wants to speak?? Contact Ken Smith 305-758-3121.

email: miamisierra@gmail.com

web: http://florida.sierraclub.org/miami/