page 2 revisedmarch april 04 - Arizona Sierra Club

Stattate of the Envirvironment...Is there hope? Yes! See p. 4Canyon Echowww.arizona.sierraclub.orgGrand Canyon Chapter July/August 2006Watater Sentinels to the Rescue!Help for the Verde River is ComingBy Elna OtterArizona Corporation CommissionMoves to Increase ReneenewablesBy Sandy BahrThe Grand Canyon Chapter recentlyreceived word that it is one of four groupsselected by Sierra Club from many applicantsto receive a Water Sentinels grantto help in developing a volunteer waterquality monitoring program. Water is acritical priority in our state, with regardsto both its quantity and quality. TheVerde River, recently nominated by theSierra Club and designated byAmerican Rivers as one of the ten mostendangered rivers in the country, facessignificant issues. The Verde supplies aportion of the drinking water to Phoenixand other communities in centralArizona. The river is severely threatenedby excessive groundwater pumping anda myriad of water quality concerns. Thisgrant provides funding to monitor a portionof the upper Verde, with the hopeand expectation that the knowledge andexperience gained through this projectwill help people act to protect the VerdeRiver and other rivers in the state.The purpose of the national WaterSentinels program is to create a personalconnection between people and theirlocal special places by informing themYellow Dog Sentinel’s in Michigan sampling for aquaticinsects in the Salmon Trout River. Photo courtesy of TimGuilfoile.about environmental issues and involvingthem in hands-on conservation work.Since its establishment in 2001, theprogram has trained, equippedand fielded 561 water qualityvolunteers who are participating in 36distinct sampling projects. These volunteershave collected and analyzed morethan 3,100 water quality samples andhave established monitoring programs inapproximately 31,000 square miles ofwatersheds that are home to 20 millionAmericans. They have used their resultsto both educate the public and fightmisinformation.Currently, Arizona has a sentinelsgroup, the Yavapai Sentinels, working onwater quality issues in Granite Creek.Members of the group have kindly offeredassistance in getting this new sentinelsprogram started, but will dependon additional volunteers to conductmonitoring. This project will provide agreat opportunity to get your hands dirtyand feet wet. We will use volunteers tomeasure stream flow and collect watersamples for lab testing. This is a funproject and we are looking forward tospending some time on the Verde withany interested volunteers. Please join usin this fun and meaningful project!Elna chairs the Chapter’s Water Committee.What You Can DoTo learn more about the monitoringproject and other water activities,please attend a special GrandCanyon Chapter Water Committeemeeting and presentation by theYavapai Sentinels on Friday, July 7at 6:30pm at the Verde ValleySchool. Contact Elna Otter at (520)212-9736 for more info or to RSVP.The Verde Water Sentinels plan tohold a training session on Sat, July15 from 9:00am to 4:00pm inJerome. Training will includeclassroom time and an afternoonat Deadhorse State Park samplingin the Verde River. To learn moreabout the monitoring project orparticipate in the training, pleasecontact Lisa Dwyer, our new GrandCanyon Chapter ConservationProgram Assistant/PublicationsEditor. You can reach Lisa at(602) 253-9140 or emaillisa.dwyer@sierraclub.org.On May 23 and June 5, 2006, theArizona Corporation Commission (ACC)took public testimony on its proposal toincrease Arizona’s renewable energy standardfrom a goal of 1.1% by 2007 to astandard of 15% by 2025 for the utilitiesregulated by the ACC. This is a significantincrease in the standard and animportant step in moving Arizona to amore sustainable, renewable energyfuture.While we will need to require an evengreater percentage of our energy comefrom renewables in order to address globalwarming and provide actual reductionsin greenhouse gas emissions, thisproposed increase is a good start downthat road. It also requires that about athird of the energy be generated by distributedsources. That means primarilysolar roof-tops. That is good news forArizona’s solar industry.Arizona Public Service Company(APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), andthe electric cooperatives are all regulatedby the ACC. Salt River Project has specialstatus in the law and is regulated bythe Arizona Legislature. The Legislaturehas made no renewable energy requirementsof SRP. That really isn’t fair nor isit the way we will ensure clean air, cleanand adequate water, and a sustainablefuture for our children.About 50 members of the publicshowed up at the hearing on May 23.They were present to voice their supportfor the increase in the renewable energystandard. Unfortunately, one of the Commissionersdid not like the public inputor the support for the standard, so hedecided to take a hostile approach topublic input and openly tried tointimidate and belittle people.Commissioners Mundell andHatch-Miller listened to the commentsand thanked people for participating.Commissioner Gleason haranguedpeople and attempted to confuse andobscure the main purpose of their comments.It was truly some of the worstbehavior demonstrated by an electedofficial–and there certainly has beenplenty.To Commissioners Mundell andHatch-Miller, we say thank you for beingrespectful and for encouragingpublic involvement.To Commissioner Gleason, we senda little reminder that irrespective ofwhether you agree with someone, you,the elected official, should not be discouragingthem from participating, andat a minimum, owe them the courtesyof listening to their comments. After all,you work for them.To commissioners and to theArizona Legislature, we encourage youto ramp up requirements for renewableenergy. If we are to protect air quality,limit climate change, and provide a moresecure future for our children, it is criticalthat Arizona look to improving itsefficiency and to its largest energyresource, the sun.Sandy is the Chapter Conservation OutreachDirector.What We NeedLet the Commissioners know yourthoughts on this and other issues!Your Commissioners s are:Jeff Hatch-Miller, ChairmanMike GleasonKris MayesBill MundellMarc SpitzerWrite to:Arizona Corporation Commission1200 West WashingtonPhoenix, AZ 85007Or via email at:hatch-web@cc.state.az.usgleason-web@cc.state.az.usmayes-web@cc.state.az.usmundell-web@cc.state.az.usspitzer-web@cc.state.az.usEnjonjoy, , explore e and protect the planet

do to thalineGrand Canyon ChapterArizona Chapter Action DirectororyCanyon EchoVol. 42 No. 4July/August 2006Canyon Echo (ISSN 0164-7024) ispublished bimonthly for Sierra Clubmembers by the Sierra ClubGrand Canyon Chapter,202 E. McDowell Rd., Ste. 277,Phoenix, AZ 85004.Phone: (602) 253-8633Fax: (602) 258-6533POSTMASTERSend address changes to Sierra ClubMember Services, c/o Canyon Echo, P.O. Box52968, Boulder, CO 80322-2968.Periodicals postage paid atPhoenix, AZ. Printed at Valley Newspapers.Copyright Sierra Club Grand CanyonChapter, Canyon Echo 2006.EDITORLisa Dwyer(602) 253-9140lisa.dwyer@sierraclub.orgDEDICATED VOLOLUNTEERSOutings EditorJerry Nelson(602) 279-4668peakbagger2@gmail.comPhotographersRobert Ball, Jerry Nelson, Alex StewartMailing OrganizersJohn C. Blakney, Bill Gill, Jerry NelsonPublications CommitteeBob Ball, Jack Foster, Richard Genser, RenéeGuillory, Dawson Henderson, Jerry NelsonPublications ChairMichelle Harrington(602) 628-9909mharrington@biologicaldiversity.orgWebmasterDawson Hendersondawsonh@earthlink.netSUBSCRIPTIONSAnnual dues to the Sierra Club are $39,($1for the Canyon Echo). Subscriptions ratefor non-members is $10. Send check payableto: Sierra Club - Canyon Echo,202 E. McDowell Rd., Ste. 277Phoenix, AZ 85004ADVERTISINGAdvertising is sold on a first-come, spaceavailablebasis. Endorsement of theadvertisers by the Sierra Club is not implied,and all interactions between advertisers andconsumers are solely the responsibilities ofthose parties.SUBMISSIONSSend electronic copies to the editor. Indicatecopyright or Creative Commons preference. Fordisks and hardcopies, please label with yourname and the file name. Send a S.A.S.E. forreturn of disk. We are not responsible for lost ordamaged items. Writer’s guidelines can beobtained by contacting the editor. All rights topublication of articles in this issue are reserved.The deadline is the first day of the monthpreceding the two months of the issue. Opinionsexpressed in the Canyon Echo are those of thecontributors and do not necessarily reflect theofficial views or policies of the Sierra Club.Conservation Outreach DirectorSandy Bahr 602-253-8633 grand.canyon.chapter@sierraclub.orgGrand Canyon Conservation Program CoordinatorRoxane George 928-774-6514 roxane.george@sierraclub.orgConservation Program AssistantLisa Dwyer 602-253-9140 lisa.dwyer@sierraclub.orgGRANDCANYONCHAPTERBECOME INVOLVED:Contact arepresentative inyour area to voiceyour concerns andto participate inlocal activities.(xc) 2006 ChapterExecutive Committee(Ex-Com) Members(x) Group Ex-ComMembersCHAPTER OFFICES & COMMITTEE CHAIRSFlagstaffSEDONA/ VERDEVALLEALLEYPrescottYAVAPAPAIAISAGUAROPhoenixPALALO VERDETucsonChairperson/Personnel/Council: Ken Langton (xc) 520-749-3829 kplangton@msn.comVice-Chair: Jim McCarthy (xc) 928-779-3748Secretary: Bev Full (xc) 480-595-2306 Bfull@cox.netTreasurer:Dale Volz (xc) 480-892-5102 dvolz@earthlink.netConservation: Don Steuter (xc) 602-956-5057 dsteuter@hotmail.comNominations Chair:Michelle Pulich-StewartPolitical Chair: Lynn DeMuth lmdemuth@cox.netOutings Chair: Jim Vaaler (xc) 602-553-8208 jimvaaler@msn.comMembership Chair: Chris Gehlker 602-866-9024 canyonrat@mac.comElections Chair: Tom Cadden thomascadden@aol.comLegal Chair:Lara SchmitFundraising Chair:Volunteer OpportunityEx-Com (At-Large): Elna Otter (xc) 520-212-9736 otter@rnsmte.comEx-Com (At-Large):Chad Campbell (xc)Ex-Com (At-Large):Tom Martin (xc)Ex-Com (At-Large): Jon Findley (xc) 480-756-2916 jonaz@learnweb.com2006 Group Voting Representatives to Chapter Ex-Comm:Palo Verde: Stormy Rose Saguaro:Louis LantzPlateau: Bob Sutherland Sedona/Verde Valley:Carole Piszczek-SheffieldRincon: Keith Bagwell Yavapai:apai:Tom SlabackPALALO VERDE GROUP—PHOENIXSouthwest Regional DirectorRob Smith 602-254-9330 rob.smith@sierraclub.orghttp://arizona.sierraclub.org/paloverde/Chair: Paul Zemboy (x) 602-989-1977 pzemboy@hotmail.comVice-Chair: Heidi Garcia (x) hgarcia1111@yahoo.comTreasurer:Dan Cline 480-921-9242 danpsu@hotmail.comSecretary/Webmaster: Blair McLaughlin (x) 480-515-3850 blair.mclaughlin@cox.netConservation: Don Steuter (x) 602-956-5057 dsteuter@hotmail.comOutings: Darrell Foster AZ-Outdoorsman@cox.netInner City Outings (ICO): Denise Berringer-Wood 602-867-3017 dberringerwood@yahoo.comPrograms Chair: Sherry Celine (x) 602-840-4611Sierra Singles:Volunteer OpportunityPolitical: Stormy Rose (x) rosestormy@earthlink..comEnergy: Jon Findley (x) 480-603-7087 jonaz@learnweb.comAt-Large Members: Charles Zemis (x) 480-206-7694 c@kaidroo.netChris Gehlker (x) 602-866-9024 canyonrat@mac.comPLATEATEAU GROUP—FLAOUP—FLAGSTGSTAFFhttp://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/plateau/PLATEATEAURINCONChair: Bob Sutherland (x) 928-774-9309 ars@infomagic.netTreasurer:Sharon GalbreathSecretary: Carol Tepper (x) 928-638-9827 carol_tepper@yahoo.comMembership: Lara Schmit (x) 928-779-3186 laraschmit@yahoo.comAt-Large Members: Tom Martin (x) 928-556-0742 tomhazel@grand-canyon.az.usJacquee Lovett(x) 928-853-7444 jl396@dana.ucc.nau.eduRINCON GROUP—TUCSONhttp://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/rincon/Chair/Transporransportation:Keith Bagwell (x) 520-623-0269 akbagwell@hotmail.comVice-Chair/Programs Linda Rothchild-Tepper (x) 520-747-5078 ltepper@juno.comSecretary: Joy Herr-Cardillo (x) 520-622-1752Treasurer/Memberreasurer/Membership:ship: Sean Sullivan (x) 520-250-9040Conservation Chair: Matt Hogel (x) 520-231-2517 unmalpescado@hotmail.comInner-Cner-City Outings (ICO): Matt Nelson 520-404-7992 onejourney@juno.comPolitical/Merchandise: Lee Oler 520-791-9246Newsletter Chairs: Brian and Kim (x) Beck 520-326-9587 knbbeck@mindspring.comOutings Chair: Janet Krisinski-Saxer and Chris Saxer jski@cox.netWebmaster: Bart Beck 520-885-8326 bbeck2@mindspring.comVolunteer Coordinator: Pete Bengston 520-219-3507At-Large Members: Isabel Segovia (x) 520-795-2575 isegovia@biologicaldiversity.orgRoy Emrick (x) 520-326-7883SAGUGUARARO O GROUP—NORTHMARICOPA COUNTYhttp://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/saguar.arizona.sierraclub.org/saguaroChair/Group Rep: Louis Lantz (x) 480-488-4581 louis85331@direcway.comVice-Chair/Pol/Outings-Chair/Pol/Outings: Bev Jones-Full (x) 480-595-2306 bfull@cox.netTreasurerreasurer: Urb Weidner 602-595-3301 northwoods@cox.netOutings: Dalia Spina (x) 623-465-4844 director@dalia.comHospitality: Norma Hand (x) 480-595-9977 rhndnhnd@aol.comWebpage: Elizabeth Diethelm ediethelm@cox.netPublicity: Phyllis Strupp phyllis@princetoneditorial.comAt-Large Members: Bill Harrington (x) pensacolaboy@earthlink.netJean Miyake (x)jeanmiyake@juno.comSEDONA/VERDE VALLEY GROUPhttp://www.arizona.sierraclub.org/sedona/Chair: Carole Piszczek-Sheffield(x) 928-204-1269 carolepiszczek@yahoo.comSecretary:Claire Swain (x)Treasurer:Gary Dorer (x) 928-203-9050Hikes/Outings: Henry Mellon (x) 928-646-5484Conservation Chair: Lisa Vunk 928-204-0689 kaligaia333@redjellyfish.netYAVAPAPAI AI GROUP—PRESCOOUP—PRESCOTTChair/Conservation: Tom Slaback (x) 928-778-4233 PrescottKid@webtv.netVice-Chair/Outings: Carolyn York (x) 928-541-1952Secretary: Joe Wenzel (x) 928-771-0838Treasurer:Paul Poyner 928-778-6534 rpaul@cabelone.netMembership: Doris Cellarius (x) 928-778-6724 doris@cellarius.orgwww.arizona.sierraclub.org

July/Auly/August ugust 2006Grand Canyon Chapter What’s s Going OnCanyon Echo3An Inconvenient Truthruth.See the Movie--HelpSave the PlanetBy Sandy BahrAl Gore’s new global warmingdocumentary, An Inconvenient Truth,opened in Phoenix and Tucson in June.The movie poster calls it “the mostterrifying movie you will ever see.”Maybe. But it certainly could be oneof the most important.Several Chapter activists went tosee a sneak preview. We encourage youto go see it as well.What’s more important than youseeing it, however, is getting yourfriends, family and neighbors to thetheater.Scientists involved with theIntergovernmental Panel on ClimateChange estimate that during ourchildren’s lifetime, global warmingwill raise the average temperatures onEarth within a range of 2.7 to 10.5degrees Fahrenheit. The movie highlightsmany of the problems associatedwith such a rapid increase intemperature.The good news is it also highlightsmany of the solutions. There is muchwe can do to launch a new energy futurefor America and for our state.Some of the tools are already being putto work at the state and local level.Whether it is more energy efficientcars, increased mass transit, or energyconservation or investment in energyefficiency and renewable energy, we allcan help make a difference.Sandy is the Chapter Conservation OutreachDirector.WHAT YOU CAN DOTo get started, we urge you togo to the movies! For moreinformation on global climatechange, please go to website:http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/ait/. To find out moreabout the movie and whereit is playing, go to website:www.climatecrisis.net. To actlocally, please contactJon Findley, Energy CommitteeChair, at 480-756-2916 orjonaz@learnweb.com.Thank you -- Canyon Echo Mailing Party!A HUGE thanks goes out to ALLvolunteers who help distributethe Canyon Echo on a regularbasis! We could not get theissues delivered without theassistance of our dedicated andincredibly helpful Chaptervolunteers! Thank you all fromyour Grand Canyon ChapterExecutive Committee and Staff!Mark your Calendars to CelebrateSierra Club’s Voluntolunteer PicnicSouth Mountain Park(Big Ramada Area)1090919 S. Central AvenueSunday, , November 12Noon to 3pmJoin us for this fun Potluck and Volunteer AwardsRecognition Picnic. Bring your favorite dish to shareand enjoy a beautiful fall day in South MountainPark. The Grand Canyon Chapter will provide drinks,plates, and utensils. This is a free event—all youneed to bring is the dish you wish to share.For more details or to RSVPVP, please contact theChapter office at (602) 253-9140 or (602)253-8633.Antiquities Act Centennial CelebrationSaturday, October 21, 2006All Day EventAgua Fria National MonumentFestival events include exhibits, presentations, culturalsite tours, demonstrations, living history, hikes, arecognition ceremony, and more!For more information or to voluntolunteereer, pleasefeel free to contact Jim Condon atjcondon@aguafriafriends.org or Scott Jones atscott.jones@sierraclub.org.This event is hosted by the Bureau of LandManagement and sponsored by the Friends of theAgua Fria National Monument and Horseshoe Ranch.A few of our volunteers at the party. Pictured from left to right: BillGill, LeLand Wilson, Mary Zedick, Don Begalke, Jerry Nelson,Maggie Huntington, and Edith Reeves. Photo courtesy of Scott Jones.Want to Helpin the Future?The next mailingparty is on June28 from 2pm to7pm. Pleasecontact JerryNelson at (602)279-4668 orBill Gill at(gill512@cox.net)for location andother details.Calling All Bat FansHoly Chiroptera, Batman! Severalvolunteer projects are coming upthis year with various bat speciesincluding Mexican freetails,pipistrelles, Townsend andCalifornia leafnose bats. First,many volunteers are needed foran 18-month project starting mid-June with AZ Game & Fish andMaricopa Department ofTransportation to survey bridgesfor bat activity and potential atbat-friendly sites. After initialtraining, volunteers would adopta sector with one or more bridgesto monitor.Second, Superstition Wildernesshikers are needed to monitorbats’ usage and humanvandalism of the Dacite Mine batgate when it is installed later thisyear. For more information,please feel free to contactHalina at (602) 749-2063 orhkubus@yahoo.com.Echo NewsYou can UseInside4 Call & Echo: Is there hope?6 AZ Endangered Waters7 Care More for the Planet8 AZ Legislative Update9 National Park Service -Grand Canyon’s ColoradoRiver10 Group Announcements11 Great Hikes and TripsOn the WebChapter Action Networkgrandcanyon.sierraclubaction.orgOn the WebSierra Club Home Pagewww.sierraclub.orgOnline Newswww.sierraclub.org/newsSierra Magazinewww.sierraclub.org/sierraThe Planetwww.sierraclub.org/planetwww.arizona.sierraclub.org

4Sierra ClubGrand Canyon ChapterCall & EchoCall to the CanyonSometimes it is disheartening to only hear aboutenvironmental problems and about the terrible shapeof our planet. Is there any hope?Echo ResponseHope isn’t a mirage.Why? Local governments are going green.San Francisco and Seattle are using the precautionaryprinciple in their environmental codes. The precautionaryprinciple is a “better safe than sorry” approach tobusiness, public health, and technology development.Instead of the corporate, risk-based model which asks“how much harm is allowable?” the precautionary principleasks “how little harm is possible?” That’s a bigshift. The idea is also part of the European Union charter,so it’s not just American cities that are trendingmore progressive.Two positive tidbits on the national scene: The EPAhas toughened up diesel fuel standards by requiringthe removal of sulfur, a small but necessary step in improvingour air. Also, the U.S. is experiencing a renewableenergy surge. Solar power is really shining in Californiabecause local and state policies demand cleanenergy development. And wind power is gusting thanksto commitments by companies like Patagonia; WholeFoods; Oregon’s Noodlin’ and Burgerville restaurantchains; and the makers of Silk soy milk.All of this underscores the importance of politicalaction. We see a vast difference in the level of environmentalprotection when government listens to citizens.Opportunity is knocking right now since we’re headinginto election season—see you on the campaign trail!National Monuments Quiz - The Results...In the May/June 2006 issue, we featured the National Monuments Quiz in celebration of theAntiquities Act. We here at the Canyon Echo know there has been a tremendous amount of anticipationto receive the results to this quiz! Below are the answers to each question. Enjoy!MULTIPLE CHOICE1) What was the first national monument created by the Antiquities Act?B. Devils Tower National Monument2) President George W. Bush has created a single national monument during his presidency. How large ofan area did he protect?A. 15,000 square feet until the recent designation of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands MarineNational Monument which is over 1,400 miles long and 100 miles wide! It is home to morethan 7,000 species, with one-fourth of them found nowhere else.3) What was the name of the former national monument that used to incorporate Papago Park in Phoenix?D. Papago Saguaro National Monument4) Which of the following national monuments did not later become a national park?E. Fort Wood National Monument5) Which President has created the highest number of national monuments since the Antiquities Act waspassed?A. Theodore Roosevelt - 18!6) How many national monuments currently exist in Arizona?E. 17TRUE/FUE/FALSE7) The National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Buruea of Land Management allmanage national monuments. TRUE8) Grand Canyon National Park incorporates lands previously protected by three national monuments. TRUE9) Only the President can create national monuments. FALSE, as Congress can also designate e aNational Monument.FILL IN THE BLANK10) Name the national monument in Arizona that is on entirely nonfederal land. Hohokam Pima11) Theodore Roosevelt created five national monuments in Arizona. Name them.Montezuma Castle, Petriftrified ied Forest, Tontonto, o, Grand Canyon, and Tumacacori12) Congress has barred the President from using the Antiquities Act to create national monuments inwhich two states? Wyoming and Alaska13) What is the name of the system of Bureau of Land Management-managed nationalmonuments and special lands? National Landscape Conservation SystemDo you ever want some answers to yourenvironmental questions? In each Canyon Echo,we feature a question from our members focusingon environmental concerns. If you have aquestion, please send it to:Sierra Club—Grand Canyon Chapter202 E. McDowell Dr. Ste. 277Phoenix, AZ 85004or lisa.dwyer@sierraclub.orgGrand Canyon Action NetworkCheck out the Grand Canyon Action Network and keep up to dateon your local Sierra Club Action Alerts.http://grandcanyon.sierraclubaction.orgSign up today to make your voice heard onthe issues affecting our home, theenvironment.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

July/Auly/August ugust 2006Thank You to Our DonorsCanyon Echo5Every March, the Grand Canyon Chapter sends out a request for donations to ourmembers. These donations go directly to the work we do here in Arizona. This year,Earth Friends has issued a challenge grant to help us raise additional funding. Everydollar we raise beyond what we raised last year will go toward meeting their matchand securing the $6,000 grant. Much thanks to all of you who have already contributedto this effort.If you have not yet sent in a donation, you can still send your check to:Sierra Club - Grand Canyon Chapter202 E. McDowell Rd, Ste 277Phoenix, AZ 85004-4536FriendsBarbara HeathAugusta DavisJanet Noll NaumerGary RussellAnn TaylorEugene SteinerMichael KnappJoan and GJ. HamburgerJack CromerKeith KabackThomas KreuserJohn and Arlene PurbaughBryan SeamanSamuel and Joan SpoonerMary E WolterDavid W AndersonJanine BlaelochDenise and Jack BoydT J Wernette and C BrownBeth BruceMary Rose DuffieldMs. Barbara A. KrajewskiBryan MulvaneyD CutlandAnnie McGreevyA PageLeonard & AudreyOppenheimerMr Roger BarthelsonJean ClarkJean AdamsWilliam BullionKaren BuxtonBarbara M. CainBeatrice CatricalaEdward And Mary LoughranDavid E LudwigDarla MastersonA. John and Angela MazellaJames Mc NallenJanet E MooreElizabeth PotofAnn PritchardMark StambaughHelen StilesWillian and J. Allyn GeilScott W DentLucy LoganSuzanne NyeRobert RosettHitched to EverythingElse in the UniverseJanet MorrisonBarbara H HoladayMarilyn BinckleyKathleen BrownDon J CheekMark CoryellMs L G DrewNancy A IngleMike LenhartMr Brian E McCarthyKris and Russ McKinleyDawn MyersSuzanne PainterHap PersonDr Thomas L VincentTerry and Jack DruckerR Cynthia PruettJoseph ToussantHarold G WeinbergEarl GrahamLucille StinerJeanne Devine-SollBarbara G SparksMrs A N SchneiderFriends ($1-$29)Hitched to Everything Else in the Universe ($30-$49)Keep Close to Nature’s Heart ($50-$99)Make the Mountains Glad ($100-$299)Keep Close to Nature’sHeartBonnie StoneRobert DixonP Whitehurst and WEhlenbergerDr Barry A FriedmanSharon J FairchildPatricia SteadSusan DavisSandy DrausKaren ForresterJerome FroimsonF Stoller and W GrabeHolly HansonBetty and Earle HoytBarbara KurtisDouglas B PriceA Quiroz-MontielSally RingsEvelyn and William RowlandMs Rebecca RubinSara VanceLowanda BurgerAnne HenryGary H MayoEric DavisonMarilyn CarneyRic WatkinsThe Morning Stars Sing Together ($300+)The Grand Canyon Chapter of theSierra Club also wishes to thank allof the other generous and kindsupport received from those whochose to remain anonymous.Thank you again to our generous friends at Earth FriendsWildlife Foundation for their continued support of the SierraClub’s Grand Canyon Chapter. This year, they have issued achallenge grant of $6,000. If we raise $12,000, a two-toonematch, they will award the grant for one of our priorityprojects. Every dollar we raise beyond what we raised lastyear will go toward meeting that match. If you would like togive to help meet this match, please send a donation today.Checks can mailed to:Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter202 E. McDowell Rd, Suite 277Phoenix, AZ 85004Make the MountainsGladGregory B SullivanGail FadenrechtDavid Bixby and KarenSchroederCarolina C ButlerJessica CouleurCraig and Lynn DibleRichard and Claire GenserDarlene D HaganTim LengerichCarole Piszczek-SheffieldDavid and Anna M ShaneJanet C TillotsonJeff WrightDavid B ShafferElizabeth SwainKim WilsonDavid MannThomas N BlamerHoward SacharoffEls and Jack JanusKen TudorSandy DrausSpenser ShepardTom SchroerRandy DietrichJohn PalmerTom PalmerLon StewartSara RogersJim McPhersonThe Morning Stars SingTogeogetherDonald G BegalkeBill and Alice RoeKen and Esther KrouseThank YouDucksbackfor your supportof our Chapter!Ducksback – CentralArizona’s new and onlyfull service Patagoniadealer – chose theGrand Canyon Chapterof the Sierra Club to bethe recipient of its firstannual Earth DayCelebration Award anddonated 5% of its EarthDay sales to the GrandCanyon Chapter.We very muchappreciate theirsupport!For more informationabout the store, go towww.ducksback.net orcall Ducksback at (602)957-2027 or emailquack@ducksback.net.Special thanks toBob and Susan Flemmingwho donated moneyin honor ofJenna Reimer’sFirst Communion.Thank You Wild Oats!We would like to thank Wild Oats for inviting us tohost information tables at its stores in Phoenix andTucson, and for its generous support of the SierraClub. During April, they offered a special couponwhere a portion of the proceeds were directed tothe Sierra Club.Like the Sierra Club, Wild Oats and Henry’s believein protecting the health of our planet andpreserving it for future generations. They activelyrecycle in all stores, choose renewable powersources where available, provide corn-basedbiodegradable containers in the deli, and featureeverything from Fair Trade products and locallygrown produce, to beef, chicken and pork raisedon sustainable farms, plus environmentally safebody care and household products.We appreciate e all their support t of us!Office Thanks To:Don Begalke, for helping us mail legislative alertsand office support every Friday.Maggie Huntington and Jon Findley, for all youroffice support.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

6Sierra ClubGrand Canyon ChapterThe River’s Edge:Arizona’s Endangered WataterersBy Patricia CossackRiparian areas make up less than 5%of Western America’s landscape. Theseareas can frame a lake, run with a riveror meander with the stream. They areimportant to the survival of those thatlive within them, around them or in thewater bodies that produce them. Riparianareas are nature’s last defense in securingthe quality of the water systemthey surround. They are nature’s filters,helping to reduce polluted surfaceUpper Verde River in Winter. Photo courtesy of Robin Silver.runoff and excessive sediment; they alsoensure bank stabilization, store and releasewater, recharge aquifers, and keepthe water cool by offering shade. Riparianareas are home to a multitude of insectsand offer animals food, water, andshelter from the elements.There are few places where riparianareas are more important to the survivalof wildlife than in Arizona’s desert landscape.These areas offer shelter from thebrutality of Arizona’s sun as well as coverfrom her cold winters. These areas are ofimmense ecological importance – 60%of Arizona’s native wildlife depend on riparianareas and 10-20% use riparianareas for part of their life cycle.The most noticeable source of ariparian area’s demise is Arizona’s rapidgrowth and the plethora of housing developments.Agriculture, which still uses68% of the water in Arizona, has alsocontributed to their degradationthrough water diversions and groundwaterpumping. However, pollution canalso cause high levels of turbidity in awater system creating degradation of riparianareas. Invasive non-native speciesare also devastating to riparian areas. Themost visible is the tamarisk, an Africanand Mediterranean species of tree,brought to this country more than 100years ago for ornamental purposes.Many of Arizona’s rivers andriparian areas have already been destroyed.By far, the biggest threat isgroundwater pumping. An article fromIssues on Line on Science and Technologycalled The Perils of GroundwaterPumping by Robert Glennon states,“In Arizona, groundwater pumping hasdried up or degraded 90 percent ofArizona’s once perennial desert streams,rivers, and riparian habitats.”The Verde River now seems destinedto become the next Arizona river to fallvictim to groundwater pumping. TheVerde River, along with its tributaries,flows 170 miles through central Arizona.The bald eagle, southwest flycatcher,peregrine falcon and the spike dace fishuse the ecosystem of the Verde River. TheVerde River was recently listed in AmericanRivers top ten endangered riversreport. There is a $200 million projectbeing promoted by Prescott and PrescottValley to drill more wells at the headwatersof the Verde River. This could divertas much as three billion gallons ofgroundwater a year. This diversionof water could dryup over 20 miles of theVerde. When the water tablein an aquifer is lowered thewater from the river will flowinto it, leaving the riverbeddry—leaving all that dependon it for survival left to facea bleak future.The San Pedro River insouthern Arizona is alsothreatened by groundwaterpumping. This is one of thelast free-flowing desertrivers in the southwest. Itprovides important habitat for hundredsof bird species, two native fish, and manymammals and plants, including theendangered Huachuca water umbel.Strong and decisive action must betaken by all of us to protect this and otherArizona rivers and riparian areasthreatened in our state.Pat is an intern with the Grand Canyon Chapteroffice.What You Can DoFor more information, please checkout the following websites:http://azriparian.asu.edu/ andhttp://www.cropinfo.net/riparian.htm.Also, check out the upcomingvolunteer opportunities on p. 1 of thisEcho, “Water Sentinels to theRescue,” for water monitoring andother water related activities inArizona.Celebrating the 10th Green RiverFloat TripBy Bev FullTwice a year, since 2001, I have hadthe pleasure of leading members on the70-mile stretch of the Green RiverGreen River by canoe. Photo courtesy of Bev Full.below Green River, Utah, through LabyrinthCanyon to Canyonlands NationalPark. Traveling by canoe, hard kayak,inflatible kayak, foldboat, and raft, wecamped on sand bars, in cottonwoodgroves, and on islands. One hundred SierraClub members have participated todate and have collectively donated over$10,000 to support Chapter conservationprojects. In addition to fun, adventures,explorations, birding, andphotography, the trip showcases spectacularpublic lands that are endangeredExcellent OpportunitiesConservationChair: Don Steuter,(602) 956-5057, dsteuter@hotmail.comEnergyChair: Jon Findley,(480) 756-2912, jonaz@learnweb.comEnvironmental JusticeChair: Keith Bagwell,akbagwell@hotmail.comForest ConservationVolunteer OpportunityGrand CanyonChair: Jim McCarthy, (928) 779-3748MiningChair: Don Steuter,(602) 956-5057, dsteuter@hotmail.comby mining, grazing, and off-road vehicleuse, to name a few. The area is recommendedfor permanent protection in theUtah Wilderness Act, a bill cosponsoredby over 180 membersof Congress includingArizona’s own Raul Grijalva(AZ-8). We have asked EdPastor(AZ-4) to become a cosponsorbut unfortunately hehas so far declined. Wewill continue to urgeparticipants to contact theCongressman on this issue.The 11 th Bi-annual GreenRiver Outing will float the next stretchof the Green River through CanyonlandsNational Park to the confluence with theColorado River during the ColumbusDay weekend, October 6-10, 2006.Anyone interested to join us on thisadventure can contact Bev Full at(480)595-2306 or bfull@cox.net.Bev is the Canoe Outings Organizer andLeader and on the Chapter ExecutiveCommittee.Governor’sClimate Change Advisordvisory GroupUpdateOn June 22, the Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Group made alist of recommendations to the Governor on how Arizona can reduceits greenhouse gas emissions and do its part to limit climate change.The list includes recommendations for increasing energy efficiency,clean car requirements, and a larger investment in renewable energy,among others. To see a list of the recommendations and find outmore about them and the group, go to www.azclimatechange.us.-- WHAT YOU CAN DO --Please encourage Governor Napolitano to act to implement theserecommendations. To reach the Governor, call 602-542-4331 (tollfree 1-800-253-0883), fax 602-542-1381, or email by typing thefollowing link into your server: http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp.The Governor’s address is 1700 West Washington, 9 th Floor, Phoenix,Arizona 85007.National Parks & Wildlife RefugesChair: Ken Langton, (520) 749-3829kplangton@msn.comWater & Watershed ProtectionChair: Elna Otter, otter@rnsmte.comWildernessCo-Chairs: Michelle Pulich Stewart,sun7river@yahoo.com and Jim Vaaler,jimvaaler@msn.comWildlife & Endangered SpeciesChair: Halina Szyposzynski,hkubus@yahoo.comwww.arizona.sierraclub.org

July/Auly/August ugust 2006Canyon Echo7By Bev FullMy memories of a simplertime and lifestyle might give youfood for thought about someconservation choices we mightmake today—or at least inspireyou to think about how, decadesbefore the modern environmentalmovement took off, we livedwith conservation in mind.Housing: Our house wassmall. Middle class homes hadone bathroom and kids sharedrooms. The birth rate was lowand we were in a depression. Wedidn’t need walk-in closets orstorage areas because we didn’thave a lot of stuff. I remembermy dad referring to many productsas “made to sell.” He was acynic.Heat: I have dim memoriesof a coal bin. Our house had one,but it became obsolete when weconverted to oil, then naturalgas. I don’t imagine it took muchto heat a small house: it seemedvery snug.Garbage: Every few days mymom would wrap some scrapsneatly in a newspaper and putthe package into a tiny garbagepail. It would have taken usmonths to fill up the garbagecan that I now have for weeklycollection. Why so little garbage?Nothing was wasted.Transportation: In thispre-sprawl era, those fortunateenough to own a car reserved itfor work and special occasions.Walking was the transportationmode of choice. Kids walkedeverywhere and some rode theirbikes. Our town was linked toothers in our region by passengertrains.Air Conditioning: LakeMichigan was a mere five milesaway and with a bike you couldreach the lake in no time. Sure,it was ice cold, but who cared?For cooling the house we hadone table-sized electric fan thatturned from side to side. Wecould sit in front of that—aslong as we didn’t stick ourfingers in it!Bathing: We didn’t havetwenty-minute hot showers tostart or end the day. Hairwashing was a once-a-weekritual. My mother wouldsqueeze lemons for the rinse(vinegar for brunettes). Bathtubswere more common thanshowers, but we were privilegedwith both because my dad installeda showerhead in ourbasement ceiling.Food: There were no fastfood places using billions of disposablecontainers per minute!Meals came from our kitchen.We recycled into another meal,soup, stew, or salad. Since refrigeratorswere small, many“housewives” walked to theneighborhood market for meatsand vegetables every day. I havememories of local farmers bringingtheir produce down ourstreet in a horse-drawn wagon.Alas, all those farms are nowhousing developments. Becausemany people could not get tothe store or did not have thestorage to keep milk fresh, deliveryservice by a horse drawnwagon was the only option. Thehorse knew each and every stop.Our house had a milk receiverhigh up on an outside wall. Wecarefully rinsed out the usedbottles and put them back intothe milk receiver to be pickedup for reuse by the SwansonDairy.Wash Day: This was aweekly chore, but I thought itwas kind of fun. I got to sortthe clothes by color and dirtiness.We had some big washtubs and a washing machinewith a spinner. We put thewhite things into the water firstand placed the dirtier items intothe same wash and rinse waterin order of dirtiness. We usedsolar energy, in the form of aclothesline for drying—an optionnot permitted today by myHOA. And, all slivers from cakesof soap were saved, soaked, andmolded to make a large soapball.Entertainment: We did nothave SUVs to haul our family50 miles to a soccer game, butwe had the vacant lot. Do thesestill exist? In no time at all wewould have a game of ball, kickthe can or color-it-purple going.Our parents had a hard timegetting us to come inside whenit got dark. For other forms offree entertainment, we walkedto the park for sledding, to theskating rink, or to go swimming.We also hiked in the undevelopedbeaches and surroundingcountryside.World War II: Our townwas patriotic—and so was conservation.We planted victorygardens, canned our food, andpicked fruits and berries! Someneighbors kept chickens. Theechoes I can still hear of roosterscrowing are definitely amemory—live chickens are notpermitted by my current HOA.My dad made a device to flattencans so the metal could beused in the war effort. We carefullyemptied and rolled uptoothpaste tubes tight. To savegas, we never drove more than35 miles per hour and did notdrive very far.Bev is the Canoe Outings Organizerand Leader and on the ChapterExecutive Committee.Care More For the Planet t (Or At t Least Act Like You Do)Two Chapter volunteers lob a significant challenge to us, and to the world at large, to assert a steelier environmental ethic, one thatat the very least recognizes the connections between our choices as consumers and the health of the world we live in. Occasionally,we do have very tough choices to make, and none of them involve a time machine somehow turning back the clock to a fabled‘simpler time.’The overriding messages in the above and below essays—about acting with care, using resources thoughtfully, and rememberingthat conservation is patriotic—are basic and easily communicated. The difficulty is this: we (especially Americans) have so manychoices. But as these writers argue, the stakes are really high, so it’s incredibly important to keep trying.What aspect of environmental ethics engages you? Who or what inspires you to keep conservation in mind as you go about yourday?Send comments, prose, or poetry along these lines via email to Lisa Dwyer at lisa.dwyer@sierraclub.org or regular mail to: CanyonEcho Editor, 202 E. McDowell Road, Ste. 277, Phoenix, AZ 85004By Carole Piszczek-SheffieldLooking out the window ona clear and sunny day here inthe high country wouldn’tconvince anyone that our environmentis in trouble. Blue skiescrossed by jet-generated slipstreams belie the sadness downbelow. Rivers that make this aridArizona area uniquely green aresteadily losing volume to developments,even in our valley. Treesare infested with bark beetles,made vulnerable over the yearsby drought. Their brown carcassesdot the landscape, witheredblack bent arms droopingto the earth.A walk along trailsoriginally created by coyote andrabbit reveals red pathwayswhere folks can walk twoabreast, where dirt has beeneaten away by relentless bikersand thoughtless, wanderingtourists who smell of perfumedsoaps and whose only liquid ontheir de rigueur “hike” is a tin ofsoft drink. Worse are the roadway-liketrails plied by commercialtour groups who make a livingoff the natural beauty of theplace. Their big-man tires gougedeep into the dirt, spewing powderyred dust over trees, shrubs,and unfortunate hikers whohappen along. Wherever thosesame tires touch red stone, theyleave rubbery smudges that theheaviest monsoonal deluge cannoterase, nor can our blazingsun bleach, or relentless windsobliterate.And that’s here, a tinyfraction of the world that, like amovie star or fashion model, getsby on her looks. When the looksfade, when the tire tracks anddeep ruts and dead trees overwhelmthe vista like an agingdiva’s wrinkles and saggy face,fickle tourists will move on, remarkinghow beautiful it oncewas, and asking what happened.But what of the rest of theworld, the one that exists outsideof here. How’s the old girldoing? Not so good.Noise deafens sacred places,air-born chemicals etch windowsin historic houses. Asthma is onthe rise, the result of contaminantsin the air. Signs on pondswarn swimmers and fishermenaway: don’t eat the fish; don’tlet the water touch your skin.Chernobyl is still a damnedplace, uninhabitable for humansfor hundreds of years, andfull of heartbreaking images:trees grow through the floors ofabandoned school roomsnearby, children’s belongingsstill strewn across desks. Inmany parts of the world womenwalk miles to chop a few precioussticks to burn under thecooking pot, preparing vegetablescooked in water from acommunal well. Sanitation isa luxury.The culprit? Our gluttonyfor more, bigger, better, faster,higher, and wider.In the pristine reaches ofthe north, icebergs melt andpolar bears drown in the lifegivingsea. Greedy politiciansand oil executives eye the ArcticNational Wildlife Refuge,imagining pulsing oil and alonger fix, ignoring the caribouwho have made this home overthe millennia.I could go on, but to whatend? If I think about the stateof our environment for too longmy heart begins to seize up, mymind races.How can humankind notrecognize the finality of thesestruggles? Or the strange ironyin some of them? Why for exampledo we allow the cuttingof ancient trees on federal landsonly to pulverize them for easiershipment to foreign lands wherethey are “reconstituted” intomake-believe boards and soldback to us?Right now there seems tobe a resurgence in environmentalawareness brought on by thelooming energy crisis. Realityfor most converges at the gaspump and the wallet. Neo-conservationistsare worried aboutfilling their cars and payingmore for goods, not about thedrop-off in the Emperor penguinpopulations in the Antarctic.But all allies, regardless ofstripe, will be valuable as welaunch still another battle tosave this beleaguered old Earth.The stakes are higher, the outcomeuncertain. But battle wemust.Carole is the Chair of the Sedona/Verde Valley Group.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

8Sierra ClubGrand Canyon Chapter“When will it end?”Arizona Legislative Session Drags on into Late JuneBy Sandy Bahr“When will it end?” That was themost popular refrain at the legislaturethis session. At press time, the sessionhad still not ended, but they had finallyreached agreement on the budget. It isinteresting that in a year when they havebudget surpluses they have the mostdifficulty reaching agreement.The budget was certainly no greatshakes from an environmental perspective—nodollars for the Arizona WaterProtection Fund—dollars that are targetedfor protecting riparian areas, notenough money for operation and maintenanceof State Parks, and a messed upbudget for the Arizona Department ofEnvironmental Quality. Legislators gaveGame and Fish money they did notrequest to fund some pet projectspromoted by a couple of people. TheLegislature did not even consider givingback the dollars they swiped from theArizona Heritage Fund several years ago.The Heritage Fund provides dollars forhabitat acquisition and a number of thenongame wildlife programs at Game andFish and funds parks, trails, andenvironmental education at State Parks.This has been a trying session inmany ways. Partly because it was so long,and partly because it was so mean. Therewere many contentious issues and generallycranky people. Probably the mostsignificant and difficult environmentalbattle was over a hazardous air pollutantsbill. SB1356 hazardous air pollut-ants; de minimis (Allen), a measurewhich would have made it moredifficult to limit emissions of hazardousair pollutants (HAPs) at existing facilitiesand delay limitations on thesepollutants at new facilities. HAPsinclude many chemicals with knownand potential human health effects, includingcancer and birth defects. Theindustry people were in a tizzy becausethe Arizona Department of EnvironmentalQuality finally developed a ruleon these pollutants. Industry killed previousattempts to develop rules and haddelayed their implementation for 13years. Once the rule would pass, theycame to legislature to undercut it. Ultimately,the Governor vetoed this billand the rule is being implemented.Though it was a nasty session andthere certainly was the usualanti-environmental nonsense, we did seea few positive bills make it through.SB1350 pesticides; child care facilities;notifications (Allen) passed out of theHouse 41-12-7, the Senate 28-0-2, andwas signed by the Governor. The measurerequires that child care facilities uselicensed applicators for pesticide applicationand that a pesticide applicatornotify a child care facility at leastseventy-two hours in advance of any pesticideapplication. It requires that theDepartment of Health Services developa policy for child care facilities to notifyparents, guardians, children, and personnelat least forty-eight hours inadvance of any pesticide application.Finally, it also includes some exemptionsfor the least toxic pesticides. This is goodnews for kids and for their families.Also on a positive note, HB2129NOW: : illegal hunting; penalties (JPWeiers, Mason: Biggs, et al) was signedinto law by the Governor. This billprovides higher penalties for poachingwildlife, including a stronger penalty forpoaching “trophy animals.” It also includesprovisions which make it a pettyoffense to feed wildlife (excluding treesquirrels and birds) intentionally in Pimaand Maricopa Counties, thus targetingthe more urban areas of our state.Feeding wildlife is a bad idea formany reasons. Animals become habituatedto humans and associate them withfood. Ultimately, that results in somekind of conflict between the people andthe animals where one or both lose. AsArizona continues to urbanize and moveour cities and towns farther intoimportant wildlife habitat, there are increasingconflicts. Some conflicts can beavoided if people refrain from feedinganimals. This bill will help both peopleand wildlife, especially animals like bearsand coyotes.Look for the legislative report cardin the next issue of the Canyon Echo fora more complete report on the sessionand some of the priority bills. If you areinterested in getting our weeklylegislative updates, learning more aboutthe legislature, participating in our legislativeday or other legislative activities,please contact Sandy Bahr atsandy.bahr@sierraclub.org or (602)253-8633.Sandy is the Chapter Conservation OutreachDirector.Special thanks toeveryone whodonated to ourChapter for theMarch Appeal. Stillhaven’t sent in yourcheck? See p. 5 toget more informationon how to help theGrand CanyonChapterer.Classified Ads($8 for 30 words or less each issue. $48 for entire year. 25 cents for each additionalword. Reaches more than 13,000 readers throughout Arizona. To place an ad, mail oremail your copy to the Editor. We are not accepting personals. Please make checkpayable to Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter.)FOR RENT. Cabin and vintage trailers at Blue River Wilderness Retreat.Cool off and relax @ 6,400ft. Situated among pines and cottonwoods onthe Blue River, bordered by the Apache/Sitgreaves National Forest, nearthe Blue Range Primitive Area. Abundant hiking, birding and fishingopportunities along perennial streams. Located on the Arizona/NewMexico border, near Alpine, AZ. Reasonable rates! Group or individualaccommodations. Rent by the week or month. www.blueriverretreat.com.Call: (928) 339-4426 Email: j.hoffman@frontiernet.net.EARTH WISE SINGLES. Where eco-passionate, politically active adultsmeet others of like mind and heart. Join the community that cares. FREEfor limited time. www.EWSingles.com.WHALES, PINNIPEDS & WILDFLOWERSIsland Hopping in Channel Islands National Parkand Marine RefugeLeaving from Santa Barbara, CA2006 Fundraisers:July 21-24: 4 Islands, $750August 25-29: 5 Islands, $875September 14-18: 5 Islands, $875For information, contact Bev Full at(480) 595-2306 or email bfull@cox.net.TRAVELVEL. Mystical PERU - Shaman guide, August 17 - 27. IRELAND - Women-Sacred Feminine, Sept. 27 - Oct. 7. HUMPBACK WHALES- Dom. Rep.Feb 07. AFRICA - Soul Safari, May 07. www.ajourneyofdiscovery.com.(727) 785-5563.VACACATION RENTAL.AL. White Mountains. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, sleeps 6-8,fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, golf, skiing, crosscountryskiing, snow shoeing. $100/night, $500/week. VRBO.com#60487. kimholaway@frontiernet.net.MAKE HISTORORY. . Seeking true stories about Fossil Creek, , FossilSprings, and/or the Childs-Irving plants. Send recollections to, orset up an interview at, renaissance_writing@yahoo.com. Put “Fossil Creek”in the subject line and include contact information in your email.Sierra ClubP.O. Box 52968Boulder, Colorado80322-2968NameAddressMOVING?Paste the current mailing label here and writein new address below.(Please allow 4-6 weeks processing time.)City State Zipwww.arizona.sierraclub.org

July/Auly/August ugust 2006Canyon Echo9National Parark Service Decision Ignores Degradation ofGrand Canyon’s Colorado RiverBy Roxane GeorgeIgnoring massive public support forthe protection of the wilderness valuesand natural resources of Grand CanyonNational Park, as well as science that saysthe Canyon’s river is in trouble, on March23, 2006, the National Park Service(NPS) released a Record of Decision(ROD) for the Colorado River ManagementPlan that will increase motorizeduse and harm the river’s wildlife, plants,and beaches.The Record of Decision is the finalstep for the NPS in choosing its preferredalternative, as the plan for managing theriver over the next ten years. Sierra Clubstaff and volunteers urged the NPS tostep forward to protect the wild characterand resources of the Grand Canyonfor future generations. The final plan doesneither.The NPS decision increases theannual number of commercial and privateusers from nearly 22,000 currentlyto over 24,000. Maximum group sizelimits will be reduced somewhat but stillallow as many as 32 people on one trip,even though the NPS has acknowledgedthat the majority of the river’s beachescan only support 24 or fewer people.A recent report by the United StatesGeological Survey (USGS), The State ofthe Colorado River Ecosystem in GrandCanyon, shows that protection of theColorado River calls for reduced recreationalimpacts. In view of the currentstate of the river’s fish, beaches, and culturalsites, the NPS’s plan to actually increaserecreational impacts is not onlyunsustainable, it’s inexcusable.Wilderness character will not beprotected, as promised in previous plans.In fact, commercial motorized use willincrease, and motorized trips will be allowedthroughout the popular five andone-half month long “summer” season.Even with the increase in overallvisitation, the plan still fails to make accessfair and equitable, allocating the majorityof trip permits to commercial outfitters,while those who would like totake a private trip must participate in aweighted lottery system. Currently, thewait for a private trip permit can be upto 20 years long. Under the proposedGrand Canyon Chapter’s Book CornerThe Weather MakersHow Man is Changing the Climate andWhat it Means for Life on Earth.By Tim Flannery. Atlantic MonthlyPress, 2005. 357 pages.Reviewed by Jim VaalerIn reviewing The Weather Makers, Ibelieve Tim Flannery presented the issueof global warming in a positive, hopefullight; with a prospect for timely solutionsand hope for the future.While this reviewer thinks this could beconsidered laudable and maybe evennecessary, but given what I know abouthuman nature, I have my doubts.If we don’t outright exterminateSign up for the ElectronicEcho!Some members have expressed interest toreceive a link to the online PDF of this publication, rather thanthe printed newsletter. We’d like to tryoffering this option to all of our members. Because we mustorder the newsletter in blocks of 500 from our printer, we needat least 500 people to make this request for us to save anypaper. To date, we have had approximately 80 people shareinterest in this method. If you sign up for the e-Alert, you willNOT receive a paper copy. Instead, you will receive an emailwith a link to the PDF of the newsletter on our website.To sign up for an e-Alert send an email with your full nameand your membership ID (8-digit number located on themailing label) to: CanyonEchoESub@gmail.com.Please note: You will continue to receive e thepaper version until we receive at least 500requests.system the wait could be even longer.Noisy helicopters will still fly in andout of the Canyon for passenger exchangesat Whitmore. The NPS and theFederal Aviation Administration have yetto achieve a plan to reduce aircraft noiseat Grand Canyon to comply with a 1987law requiring substantial restoration ofnatural quiet at the park.Because of the extreme degradationof river resources recorded in the USGSreport, several conservation groups, includingthe Sierra Club, filed suit inFebruary 2006 to compel the Departmentof Interior and U.S. Bureau ofReclamation to modify the operationsof Glen Canyon Dam to protect theriver’s resources. Our goal is to end thedegradation of the river and beaches inthe Grand Canyon and to protect itsnative fishes.Roxane works for the Chapter as the GrandCanyon Conservation Program Coordinator.What You Can DoGet involved! For moreinformation and to help withour work to protect theColorado River, contact ourChapter at (928) 774-6514,roxane.george@sierraclub.org, orwww.arizona.sierraclub.org.The USGS Report is available at:http://www.gcmrc.gov/products/score/2005/score.htm.The ROD is available at: http://www.nps.gov/grca/crmp/index.htm.Thank you to the following donors who gavegenerously to our Restore and ProtectGrand Canyon ProjectCathi BorthwickJames DryerBill BreedMarcey OlajosRoy and Fran EmrickElizabeth RoemerLinda Rothchild-TepperHenry BienieckiKeith BagwellLee Olerourselves through our own arroganceand short-sightedness, then we will mostsurely end up back in the Stone Age withan opportunity to get it right next time.Cynical and bleak, yes, but then cynicismhas always been the cutting edgeof truth.For those still in denial aboutglobal warming and its impact to climatechange, I think it is safe to say thatthe verdict is officially in. Tim Flanneryhas in a very lucid and understandableway made the truth of science availableto anyone with an open mind and theability to think. Flannery states that carbondioxide emissions in our atmospheremay be the lynch pin that decides thesuccess or failure of the grandDenise HowardSandee BinyonMike ColbertKen LangtonC.W. SimingtonElena BermanThe Wilburforce FoundationPhilip GeorgePhillis and Louis Herbsterexperiment, called human civilization.For instance, many amphibians are alreadylearning what it is like to be onthe receiving end of global warming bythe noted decline in population aroundthe world by scientists.Finally, Flannery points out thesolutions to global warming—they areall around us—the answers to asustainable civilization. Is mankind upto the challenge posed by global warming?One can often look at the local situationin order to gain some insights intothe global dilemma. Is the Phoenixmetropolitan area sustainable in thelong term?Jim is the Chapter’s Outings Chair.The Canyon Echo encourages its contributors to license their workthrough Creative Commons. This set of icons indicates that the contributorhas chose the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License:The following statement applies to all contributions designated with the above icons:This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ orsend a letter to Creative Commons, 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California,94105, USAAll other contributions, including photos, cartoons and written work, fall under standardcopyright restrictions.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

10Sierra ClubGrand Canyon ChapterHappenings Around the StattateWelcome! Six Groups make up the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter (see pg. 2 for listings). Conservation, political and legislative activism, administrativework, and outings are a few ways we work to protect this amazing state. And there are many more! All the events and meetings listedbelow are open to members interesterested ed in learning more about the Sierra Club. We aim to make this world a better, more livable place.We need your help! You can find out more at our website: www.arizona.sierraclub.org- click on meetings.Keeping Groups in the LoopMeetings are open to the public. For directions, please call or email the contact person listed.Chapter AnnouncementsPalo Verde Group (Phoenix and suburbs)JUL 11 1 (Tue) ue) Palo alo Vererde de Group Conservation Committee ee Meetingting.The Palo Verde Group Conservation Committee meets at 7:00PM todiscuss issues such as desert preservation, forest protection, wildlifeand endangered species, energy conservation, growth management, etc.Located at the Sierra Club office, 202 E. McDowell in Phoenix (2nd fl.conf room, southeast corner of the Econolodge Suites). Contact DonSteuter at (602) 956-5057 or email dsteuter@hotmail.com. Note: e: Nomeeting scheduled in August. Next meeting will be on Sept12.JUL 11 1 (Tue) ue) Palo alo Vererde de Group Executivecutive e Committee ee Meetingting.The Palo Verde Group Executive Committee meets at 8:30PM to reviewmatters related to group policies, outdoor activities, finances, and otherbusiness. At the Sierra Club office, 202 E. McDowell in Phoenix (2nd fl.conf room, southeast corner of the Econolodge Suites). Contact PaulZemboy (canyontrekker@hotmail.com or (602) 989-1977). Note: e: Nomeeting scheduled in Aug. Next meeting will be on Sept 12.JUL 18 8 (Tue) ue) Mt. Graham Presentation at the Phoenix Zoo. Joinus for a spectacular and controversial Mt. Graham slide presentation.Mt. Graham, the 3rd highest mountain in Arizona has unsurpassed biologicaldiversity. Presented by James Vaaler, a Sierra Club board memberextraordinaire. Directions to Phoenix Zoo: Take Galvin Parkway, go thru2nd gate, make immediate left. Event will begin at 6:30PM for socializingand available treats; meeting will be from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. For furtherinformation, please contact Sherry at (602) 840-4611.Rincon Group (Tucson and surrounding area)JUL UL 12 (Wed) 7PM. Rincon Outings Leader Planning Meetingfor Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec events. Please join us for our next RinconOutings Section get-together to plan and discuss leading outings for hiking,climbing, backpacking, camping, biking, and other outdoor activities.We’re also recruiting leaders for many types of organized events. Ifyou’ve ever considered becoming a Rincon outing leader and want tolearn more, this meeting will be a great opportunity. If any leaders haveevents to include in the Rincon Newsletter for Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec butcan’t attend this meeting, please send your date/event in advance tome and Chris so we can add to the activities calendar. Snacks andrefreshments will be provided. For more information, please contactJanet Krisinski-Saxer at jski@cox.net. Location: at the home of outingleaders Jerry and Pat Cagle (Craycroft/Grant). For directions, please call(520) 975-4955 or jcagle@cox.net.Sedona/Verde Valley GroupJUL 8 (Sat) Potluck Picnic at Red Rock Crossing from 5:30PM to7:30PM. Open to all Sierra Club members and guests. Bring a prepareddish to share with others. Grill will be available for burgers, etc. Car poolas much as possible; first ten vehicles to enter park for free. Please callCarole Piszczek-Sheffield at (928) 204-1517 or email atcpiszczek@commspeed.net.Plateau Group (Flagstaff and surrounding area)JUL 5 (Wed)ed), AUG UG 8 (Tue)ue), SEPT 5 (Tue)ue) Executivecutive e CommitteeeeMeeting 6:00PM at the Sierra Club office in Flagstaff. For more information,please contact Bob Sutherland at (928) 774-9309.Yavapai Group (Prescott and surrounding area)JUL 5 (Wed), AUG 2 and SEPT 6 (Weds) Yavapai apai GroupExecutive Committee Meetings at 6:00PM. For info and directions,please contact Tom at (928) 778-4233.The Chapter Political Committee meets the first Monday of each monthat 5:30PM in the Sierra Club’s Phoenix office. All members are welcome todiscuss legislative and federal issues, and act as advocates for conservationby taking political action. Contact Lynn DeMuth at lmdemuth@cox.net fordetails.JUL 8-9 (Sat/Sun) Grand Canyon Chapter Conservation andExecutivecutive e Committee ee Meetings.tings. The Sedona/Verde Valley Group willhost the quarterly Conservation (Saturday) and Executive (Sunday)Committee meetings of statewide Club leaders to consider matters relatedto statewide conservation efforts, share experiences across groups, andcoordinate strategy to align our Chapter mission and goals with that of thenational Sierra Club. The two-day meeting will take place at the VerdeValley School in the Village of Oak Creek. Accommodations will be availableat the school for those who call ahead of time. However, please bring yourown towels, pillows and bed linens, toiletries, etc. For more info, call CarolePiszczek-Sheffield at (928) 204-1517 or email cpiszczek@commspeed.net.JUL 19 9 (Wed) ed) 7:00PM Wilderness Committee ee meeting.Plan todiscuss the Roadless Rule Petition process and schedule and establishservice project dates. The meeting will be held at Jim Vaaler’s home locatedat 4038 E. Turney in Phoenix. Cross streets are 40th Street and IndianSchool Road. If you need directions, please call Jim at (602) 553-8208 oremail jimvaaler@msn.com.JUL 20 (Thur) 6:30PM Wildlife Committee Meeting. Learn aboutongoing efforts to protect Arizona’s amazing wildlife and how you can help.The Chapter Wildlife Committee meets on the third Thursday of every othermonth to discuss ongoing work on behalf of wildlife protection. Location:Willow Coffeehouse (SE corner of 3rd Ave and McDowell) in Phoenix. Pleasecontact Halina at hkubus@yahoo.com or Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633.JUL 25 and AUG UG 22 (Tue) ue) 6:00PM Energy Committee.ee. The EnergyCommittee meets to work on our 2006 projects, including the Cool Citiesand renewable energy campaigns. We will also talk about the national sceneand local energy issues. Everyone is invited to come and participate nomatter how much or how little you know about energy issues. Location:Sierra Club, 2nd floor conference room in Phoenix. Please contact JonFindley at 480-756-2916 or email jonaz@learnweb.com.AUG 1 (Tue) Copy y Deadline for Sept/Oct Canyon Echoho, , Theme:Growth and Wataterer. Submissions of articles, drawings, photographs, poetry,essays, Call & Echo, and brief epiphanies are welcome. We recommendcontacting the editor before writing at (602) 253-9140 orlisa.dwyer@sierraclub.org to discuss word count, photos to include, licensing,issue topics, and to request submission guidelines.AUG 30 (Wed) Canyon Echo Mailing Parartyty, 2:00PM to 7:00PM(stop by anytime). Club volunteers save the Chapter thousands of dollarsevery year by preparing the Canyon Echo for mailing. Thank you! The job iseasy to learn and takes only a few hours once every two months. We allhave a good time. Work begins at 2:00PM and continues until all copiesare addressed, bundled and sacked, usually around 7:00PM or earlier.You’re free to arrive as your schedule allows and any amount of time isappreciated. Contact Jerry Nelson at (602) 279-4668(peakbagger2@gmail.com) or Bill Gill at (gill512@cox.net) for location andother details.Saguaro Group (North Maricopa County)JUL 19 9 (Wed) ed) at 7:00PM Saguaro o ExCom, outings,conservation and other committees meet at the Harris Bank,southeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. Call LouisLantz for information at (480) 488-4581 or Louis85331@msn.com.AUG 26 (Sat) at 6:00PM Third Annual Gold Mountain Sunsethike, e, happy y hour, , lasagna dinner, , music, and special filmshowing on large screen. This fund raiser will be held at a spaciousTonto Hills view home. A $20 donation is requested. For reservations,information, and directions please contact Louis Lantz at(480) 488-4581 or Louis85331@msn.com.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

July/Auly/August ugust 2006Enjoy y and Explore ArizonaCanyon Echo11JUL 1 (Sat) “C” Anderson MesaDay Hike (6 miles, +-500’ EC).Plentiful wildlife and great views of theSan Francisco Peaks are the majorfeatures of this Flagstaff section ofthe Arizona Trail. We’ll begin at theMarshall Lake Trailhead. This vitalwetland, which is more of a marshthan a lake, is frequented by baldeagles in winter and osprey in summer.We’ll finish the one-way hike atSandy’s Canyon. Call Ted Tenny,(480)396-3389.PhoenixJUL 8 (Sat) “C” Walnut CanyonLink (Arizona Trail) Day y Hike (11.5miles RT, 200’ EC). This trail featuresa scenic forest and canyons as it goesover a segment of the Arizona Trail,which joins at a road near WalnutCanyon National Monument. The hikeruns into a tributary canyon and thenwest along the Walnut Canyon rim toFisher Point. Located 12.8 miles eastof Flagstaff. Trip Leader: NancySutherland, (928) 774-9309, formeeting time and location. FlagstaffJUL 15 5 (Sat) “C” Kachina TrailHike in the Coconino NationalForest near Flagstaff. 8:00AMCarpool from I-17 and Carefree Hwy.Starting at 9500’ elevation, hike 5miles with a 700' elevation gain.Lunch after in Flagstaff. Contact LouisLantz: louis85331@msn.com or (480)488-4581. PhoenixJUL 15 5 (Sat) “A” ” West est ClearCreek (White Box / Hanging Gar-den) Water Hike. Join us for a nontechnicalcanyoneering adventurethrough a spectacular, remote ripariancanyon with large “slotted” poolsand lush vegetation (my favorite waterhike). Our destination is West ClearCreek Wilderness on the MogollonRim. After a 2-mile walk down a 4x4road, we will scramble down the steepside of the canyon (no trail) until wehit the cool waters of the creek. Justaround the corner is the largest poolin the wilderness, the illustrious“White Box.” We will continue downstreamthrough several more poolsuntil reaching the verdant HangingGardens, our turnaround point, wherewe will enjoy our lunch in this wateryparadise. The flora and geology arespectacular in this canyon. This hikehas no trails--scrambling, rock hoppingand swimming are all included inthis awesome adventure. You mustbe a strong, agile hiker and able toswim. The complete hike is approximately8 miles RT, with a 1,500’ EC(much, much harder than it sounds).High-clearance vehicles are neededfor this rough road that might give abrush scratch or two. Afterwards wewill gather for dinner andconversation. Limit 15.Contact Darrell Foster atAZ-Outdoorsman@cox.net (preferred)or (602) 569-5549. PhoenixJUL 18 (Tue) “C+” Tucson Moun-tain Sunset Ridge Hike(2 miles, about 400’ EC). We will hikea ridge in the Tucson Mountains andwatch the sunset. We will leave fromthe trailhead about 45 minutes beforesunset. Bring plenty of watersince it will be hot. Contact: DrewMilsom for details at(520) 621-2678 (daytime), 908-1087 (evening). TucsonJUL 20 (Thur) “D” BEV’S HIKELone Mountain Hike.e. Meet at 7:00AM. Breakfast after at Kashma’s Patioat the Summit in Scottsdale. ContactBev Full: bfull@cox.net or (480)595-2306. PhoenixJUL 22 (Sat) “C” West ClearCreek Clean-up. Help clean up abeautiful riparian area adjacent to theWest Clear Creek Wilderness. We’llwork with the Forest Service to repairand improve a much used andbeloved creek and the adjacent wildernessarea. All ability levels arewelcome. We’ll begin at 8:30AM, andthen work until noon or later dependingon energy levels and commitment.We’ll be working in the shade and haveaccess to water. Wear sturdy shoesthat you don’t mind getting wet, sunscreen,work clothes and gloves.Lunch and cool drinks later in the Villageof Oak Creek. Contact CarolePiszczek-Sheffield at (928) 204-1517or email cpiszczek@commspeed.netfor details. Sedona/Vererde de VallealleyJUL 22 (Sat) “D” Red MountainTrail rail Day y Hike (2.5 miles RT, 300’EC). This trail features beautiful sculpturesand formations. Red Mountainis a red cinder hill, almost like a miniBryce canyon. Once inside the basin,you can explore all around enjoyingthe colors, shapes, play of light andother features which make this placeso special. Located 31.7 miles northof Flagstaff. Trip Leader: NancySutherland, (928) 774-9309, formeeting time and location. FlagstaffJUL 29 (Sat) “C” West ClearCreek Inner City Outing (ICO)Dayhike. We will hike down the MaxwellTrail in the West Clear Creek WildernessArea. There will be a roundtrip hiking distance of about 4 mileswith an elevation change at about1,000 feet. We will be hiking downthrough a Ponderosa Pine forest as itcuts through the beautifully crossbeddedCoconino Sandstone. At thebase of the trail there is a swimminghole to cool off. We will follow a fainttrail downstream to an area of prehistoricrock art. We will look for Beavercut trees as well as fossilizedBrachipods as we walk down thecreek bed. We are always looking forvolunteers to help manage the kidson these ICO trips. If you are interestedin helping, please contactthe leader, Jim Vaaler, atjimvaaler@msn.com or call Jim at(602) 553-8208. To become an officialICO trip leader, you must completea volunteer application and gothrough a simple but importantscreening process. To do this, contactDenise, dberringerwood@yahoo.com.PhoenixAUG 5 (Sat) “C” Mingus Moun-tains/Woodchute Wilderness DayHike (8 miles RT, 700’ EC). Enjoy thecool mountain air, the peaceful forestand green grass on 7,200 footWoodchute Mountain, plus remarkableviews from the precipice wherelogs in years past were chuted downfor the Jerome mines.After the hike enjoy a snack in colorful,historic Jerome. Contact HenryMellon (928) 646-5484 for meetinglocation and time. Sedona/VererdedeVallealleyAUG 5 (Sat) “B” Kendrick Moun-tain Wilderness Trail Day y Hike(9.2 miles RT, 2430’ EC). This trailleads up to a 10,000 foot peak withtremendous views. The hike featureslarge aspen groves, mixed conifers,steep switchbacks, several openspaces, an old lookout cabin and afire look tower. There was also terriblefire damage in 2000. Located 21miles northwest of Flagstaff. TripLeader: Nancy Sutherland, (928) 774-9309, for meeting time and location.FlagstaffAUG UG 5 (Sat) “A” ” Wet t BeavererCreek Water-Hike. Join us for ahike, splash and swim along Wet BeaverCreek, just one and a half hoursnorth of Phoenix. We will start off onthe Bell Trail for 3.5 miles before droppinginto the creek for 2 miles (no trail)upstream, for RT total of 11 miles.Once in the creek expect lots ofscrambling, wading, swimming, pushingthrough brush and rock hopping.The red sandstone walls will close inand create many beautiful pools thatwe will swim/float through, giving usHiking GuidelinesSee Outings continued on p. 12The Sierra Club is a nationwide organization with active local outings for members andnon-members. Please join us as we make friends and explore life-enriching interests.Simply find an outing by date and phone the contact for directions, reservations, time andadditional information.RESTRICTIONS: NO FIREARMS, RADIOS OR PETS.Outings are by reservation. Call early (group limit 20). Each hike is rated for degree ofdifficulty and risk by the leader.“A” +16 miles or + 3,000 ft. elevation change (EC)“B” 8–16 miles and 1,500–3,000 ft. ECample time to study the areas diversegeology. We will stop for lunch at thenarrowest part of the creek for lunchbefore heading back. Strong, agile hikerswith a sense for adventure will lovethis outing. Waterproof your gear andbring a flotation device. Trailhead elevationis 3,900’ with a 500’ EC. Afterthe hike we will gather for dinnerand conversation. Limit 15. ContactDarrell Foster atAZ-Outdoorsman@cox.net (preferred)or (602)569-5549. PhoenixAUG 8 (Thur) “D” Bev’s Hike,Jewel el of the Creek Trail.rail. In theSpur Cross Ranch Preserve. Breakfastafter at the Carefree Coffee Company.Meet at 7:00 AM. Contact BevFull at bfull@cox.net or (480) 595-2306. PhoenixAUG UG 9 (Wed ed Sunset) t) “C”. TucsonMountain Sunset Canyon Hike (2miles, about 100’ EC). We will hike alittle known canyon in the TucsonMountains and see what has grownduring the monsoon. We will leavefrom the trailhead about 45 minutesbefore sunset. Bring plenty of waterer. Contact: Drew Milsom for detailsat (520) 621-2678 (daytime), (520)908-1087 (evening). TucsonAUG 12 (Sat) “D” Greens PeakHike (2 mile RT). Come enjoy the WhiteMountains. We will hike to the ForestService to where on a clear day youcan see San Francisco Peaks, MountBaldy, and Escudilla. For info contactDonna Butler at (480) 232-0159 ordonnatakeahike@yahoo.com.PhoenixAUG 19 (Sat) “B” Mt. HumphreysTrail Dayhikyhike (9.0 miles RT,3,843’EC). This steep mountain trailleads to the highest point in Arizona.“C” 3–8 miles, 500–1,500 ft. EC RT Round Trip“D” – 3 miles and 500 ft. EC OW One WayTrip leader has absolute authority to question trip participants as to their equipment,conditioning and experience before and during the trip. All participants on Sierra Cluboutings are required to sign a standard liability waver. If you would like to read the liabilitywaver before you choose to participate in an outing, please go to http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms/ or contact the National Outings Dept. at (415) 977-5528 for aprinted version. Sierra Club liability covers leaders only. Each person is responsible for hisor her own first aid equipment. If you are injured, notify the leader immediately. If you leavethe trip, with or without the leader’s permission, you are considered to be on your own untilyou rejoin the group. Hikers are encouraged to carpool and share the driver’s fuel expense.Suggested compensation is 5 cents/mile. Donations accepted from all participants at $1(member) and $3 (nonmember). Money is collected by the leader and deposited with thegroup treasurer. For more information, call Jim Vaaler at (602) 553-8208. Hikes andoutings are also listed in the Rincon Group newsletter and in the Palo Verde Group SierraClub Singles newsletter.www.arizona.sierraclub.org

12Sierra ClubOutings continued from p. 11Enjoy y and Explore ArizonaGrand Canyon ChapterAlong its 4.5 mile course is a thrivingalpine forest streaked with huge rockslides and avalanche tracks which hugthe mountain’s slopes. Humphrey’strail is steep, long and extremely rockyin its higher reaches. Once you reachsummit ridge you’ll feel like you’restanding on top of the world. Located14.5 miles northeast of Flagstaff. TripLeader: Nancy Sutherland, (928) 774-9309, for meeting time and location.FlagstaffAUG 19 (Sat) “B+” Doyle PeakDayhike. Starting from the end of theFreidlein Prairie Road, we will follow theWeatherford Trail to Doyle Saddle andthen go cross country to the old firelookout cabin on top of Doyle Peak.There is about a 2,800’ elevationchange on this outing, with about 12miles of hiking RT—almost all of whichis within the Kachina Peaks WildernessArea. From the summit of Doyle, wewill have excellent views of the InnerBasin, as well as the other namedsummits that ring the Inner Basin. Theleader will discuss the wilderness historyof the area as well as the geologicprocess that formed the InnerBasin. For reservations, meeting placeand time, contact your leader: JimVaaler at jimvaaler@msn.com or callJim at (602) 553-8208. PhoenixAUG 19 (Sat) “B+” HuachucaMts., Ramsey Canyon Loop Hike(10 miles RT, 2,830’ EC). Escape thedesert heat as we hike through thefantastic Huachuca Mountain range.This out and back loop hike will startat the Ramsey Canyon Preserve andcontinue to the crest of the ridge intothe Miller Creek Wilderness. The lushand beautiful surroundings will affordus an opportunity to observe sky islandecology and environmental issuesaffecting the region. Limit 12. ContactMitch Stevens for details at (520) 722-6860 or mitchstevens@qwest.net.TucsonAUG 26 (Sat) “C” Santa MariaRiver Dayhike. Bagdad area. (4-5miles RT.) Meet in Prescott 8:00AM.Hopefully pools of water will beavailable to cool off. Rugged walkthrough river bed. Rock hop, sink insand, wade in water (maybe be a fewinches to 6 feet). Remote area. Coverbackpack with plastic, swim in someareas of get to final destination.Water shoes, shorts or bathingsuit required.Very little shade. Hatand sunscreen a must. Bring waterand sack lunch. Call Carolyn York at(928) 541-1952. PrescottttSEPT 16 6 (Sat) “C” Prescott. tt. LynxLake. 10:00AM. Walk around lake.4 miles RT. Boat rentals available$12.50/hr. Observe wildlife—ducks,geese and hawks. Restaurant on site.Call Carolyn York at (928) 541-1952.PrescottSEPT 16 “C” Horton on Creek TrailHike (9.4 miles RT). Horton Creek Trailclimbs a little over 1,000’ along aneasy to moderate climb. Enjoyponderosa pine, Douglas fir, oak andmaple with lots of shade. For info,please contact Donna Butler at(480) 232-0159 or email atdonnatakeahike@yahoo.com.PhoenixSEPT 23 (Sat) “B+” Mt. OrdDayhike. (14 RT) This dirt road upMt. Ord in the Mazatzal Mountainsascends nearly 4,000 feet to alookout tower at the 7,123-footsummit. We’ll follow this road as itpasses through several vegetationzones and enjoy many spectacularviews. Drive 55 miles from Scottsdale.Call Ken McGinty at (602) 265-2854.PhoenixOCT 7-10 0 (Sat-Tue) ue) 11 th Bi-annualGreen River er Float Trip, ColumbusDay Weekend. This time the trip goesthrough Canyonlands National Park tothe confluence with the ColoradoRiver. Cost is $295. Contact yourleader Bev Full for information and reservationsat bfull@cox.net or (480)595-2306.NOV 11-13 (Sat-Mon) Exploringthe Colorado River Outing #2. Thisis a camp and float trip to Topock Canyonover Veterans Day Weekend. ContactBev Full for information and reservationsat bfull@cox.net or (480)595-2306.Grand CanyonChapterFire SeasonReminderThe fire risk throughout Arizonais significant this year – from theponderosa pine forests to thepiñon-juniper to the fragileSonoran Desert, we are likely tosee a considerable number offires. High temperatures, lowhumidity, and low moisture in alot of the vegetation contribute tothe fire risk. With the majorityof fires in Arizona beinghuman-caused, it is importantthat we all do our part to limit thefire risk.Thank you so much for helpingout and doing your part. Formore information, please feelfree to contact the GrandCanyon Chapter office at(602) 253-8633 or emailgrand.canyon.chapter@sierraclub.org.Sierra Service OutingsJUL 10 (Mon) Moonlight Owl Survey. Join the Wildlife Committee andArizona Game & Fish biologists in a moonlight owl survey at LookoutMountain in the Phoenix Preserves. We will meet at 6:15PM at a nearbylocation. Game and Fish experts will give us a brief overview of the urbanresearch project and train us on the evening’s protocol, then we willcarpool to the site. Broadcasting owl calls will begin at 7:00 pm by playing30 seconds of an owl call and then listening for a response. After threerepetitions for each species, an abbreviated process will be repeated attwo more points which takes about 3 hours to complete. We will hikeabout 1.5 to 2 miles RT of easy to moderate hilly terrain. Headlamp orflashlight, wataterer, , sturdy dy shoes are requireduired. Snacks, jacket andcamp chair are optional. Please RSVP by July 9 as space is limited.Contact Halina at hkubus@yahoo.com or (602)749-2063.JUL 21-23 (Fri/Sat/Sun) Wolf olf Weekeekend.end. Please join our wolf friendsfrom Arizona and New Mexico for some or all of the planned activities.The Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Work Group meeting is on July21 at 1:30PM (NM time) in Reserve, NM, about an hour east of Alpine.We really need wolf-friendly folks to attend this meeting, particularly inlight of the recent tragic demise of the Hon-Dah pack, and the continuingneed for new wolf releases to sustain the wild population. Then it’s backto Arizona’s wolf country to help remove fencing in an area not beingused by grazing and then off to a barbeque that evening in Nutrioso. Enjoyan educational program with AZ Game and Fish biologists. For moreinformation, please contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 orsandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.AUG 12 and 13 (Sat/Sun) Beat the Dog Days of August—Helpwith the Desert t Torortoise oise Survey. Volunteers are needed to help searchfor desert tortoises. Arizona Game and Fish Department (Lisa Bucci) islooking at desert tortoise survival in a long-term study site in the TontoNational Forest and in a second nearby site that recently experienced awildfire. The volunteer weekend will involve a potluck dinner the nightbefore the surveys, one night of primitive camping, waking at the crack ofdawn, and a morning of desert tortoise surveys. We will be done by thehottest part of the day. We will be collecting invaluable data abouttortoises in the Sonoran Desert. To sign up and for more information,contact Sandy Bahr at (602) 253-8633 or sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.AUG UG 25-27 7 (Fri/Sat/Sun) Help Bring Back the Black-f-fooootededFerreerrets.Please join us over a weekend in the Aubrey Valley, just west ofSeligman and north and south of historic Route 66 to help Arizona Gameand Fish to place flagging on acclimation pens for the Black-footedFerrets.The pens are used to hold the captive born ferrets and allow themto acclimate prior to being released into the wild. The flagging helps keepout the birds of prey. This is pretty light duty, but important work. We willdrive to Seligman either Friday night or early Saturday morning, work for4-5 hours on Saturday, enjoy watching the prairie dogs, and then go outto dinner. We will head out on Sunday morning. You can either camp orstay at one of the inexpensive motels. Your assistance will help the ArizonaGame and Fish Department and these endangered animals. For moreinformation or to make a reservation, please call Sandy Bahr at (602)253-8633 or email sandy.bahr@sierraclub.org.SEPT 2 and 3 (Sat/Sun) Anderson Mesa Habitat Restoration.Please join us for both fun and labor as we partner with the Arizona WildlifeFederation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department on habitatrestoration work in the grasslands of Anderson Mesa. The Mesa is ofmajor concern due to its diversity of plants and animals, and particularlyfor the American pronghorn. We plan to meet at 8:30AM in the CoconinoNational Forest, 45 miles southeast of Flagstaff. The specific meetingplace will be determined and maps provided before the outing. Our workdaybegins with a check-in and safety meeting. We will either be cutting smalljunipers, piñon, and/or ponderosa pines with loppers and handsaws, orwe will be taking down old, wildlife-unfriendly fencing. The work day willend by 2:00PM. A potluck dinner and campfire will follow. Some will becamping overnight and will use either one of the free dispersed campingareas with no water or facilities, or one of the $10 fee campgrounds. Wewill breakfast, break camp and return to Phoenix on Sunday, at the mutualconvenience of carpool members. Please contact Halina athkubus@yubus@yahoo.com or (602) 749-2063 for details, carpoolinginformation, and to RSVPVP. Please RSVP so that I may give AZGFD aheadcount and coordinate the potluck.www.arizona.sierraclub.org