Palm and Pine Report, February 1, 2017: summary of our activities

Sierra Santa Margarita Group

Michael H. Momeni, PhD

Environmental Nuclear Scientist

Déjà vu 1982

All Federal and State elections have environmental consequences.  Unless we are proactive, we will lose our protected national and state parks, and the public lands. The changes may open these cherished nation heritages to commercial exploitation.  These actions would be nicely couched in mantra of creating job, or energy-independence using the natural resources located on the public lands.

I remember it well!  As our previous experience during 1967 to 1975 in California, and then again during January 1982 to 1989 indicates, the institutions that have protected our air and water (EPA), labor safety (OSHA), and our national forests and public lands (Department of Interior) all will be made ineffective by cutting their budgets, eliminating the important regulations such as 40CFR Code of Federal Regulations, and by reducing their technical staff.  The assault on the institutions of higher education and the intellectual cadre of our society was the low mark of the 1982-1989 periods.

We may argue against the outcome of the 2016 election. Where did we go wrong?  But, for now, we can’t back down; we have to protect our air, water and our public lands.

Transportation

The transportation corridor from Ontario to San Diego has exceeded the highway carrying capacity.  Increasing the number of lanes will briefly alter the present congestion and but will only increase air pollution problems. The population of the southern California has been increasing for decades. It will increase because of demand for new developments.

To remedy the problem, jointly we must expand both the existing mass-transit system and create rapid electric trains from Ontario to San Diego.  The train tracks could be placed between the north and south bound traffics on Highway15.  This option would be cost-effective, would reduce commuter travel time; but more importantly, it will reduce the impact of noxious exhaust on public health by improving the air quality in Temecula valley.

Members of the Transportation Task Group from the Santa Margarita Sierra Club have regularly attended the monthly Transportation-Now conference of the Riverside Transit Agency. We are looking forward to working with Joseph Morabito, representing the Southwest Transportation-Now group, to advance the expansion of Mass-transit system within the Southern California region.

Altair Development Complex in Temecula

Altair Specific Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report SCH No. 2014111029 was reviewed. The results the Review of Altair Specific Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Report SCH No. 2014111029, is posted as:

http://sierraconservation.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-altair-specific-plan-draft.html

The Land and People of the Santa Margarita Watershed
Eleanora Robbins was our speaker on our January monthly meeting. Her fascinating lecture centered on the geology of the Santa Margarita watershed. She said, in some respects it resembles many characteristics of the East African Rift Valley.  The cities of Temecula and Murrieta lie in a tectonically active rift. 

The background of Dr. Robbins is fascinating.  She started her professional career in the Peace Corps as a geologist with the Geological Survey of Tanzania; on vacation, she mapped in the East African Rift Valley for Lewis Leakey.  Then she was a researcher for the US Geological Survey for 34 years, working on mineral deposits, coal, and petroleum.  In San Diego, she served as adjunct faculty for 14 years at San Diego State Univ.  Her current research on the sulfur cycle of the San Diego River is with the San Diego River Park Foundation.

Hikes:

Gary Marsalone and Robert Bob Audibert guided two tours:

• Eureka Peak Hike, December 3, 2016; and Sierra Santa Margarita Hike: West Side Loop
• Trail, Joshua Tree National Park, January 14, 2017.

Christmas Holiday Celebration

We had a very joyous holiday celebration at the scenic Vail Lake Resort just east of Temecula.  The music (Caren Hanson) and sing along Christmas carols lead by Elena Garcia “Joy to the world... and heaven and nature sing...the resounding joy...” We enjoyed hayride on open wagon; it was a reminiscent of experience some of us have enjoyed a long time ago. I still remember my first hayride; I was a junior high teacher.  We all brought a dish to share: salads, cookies and cakes. The pizza and barbecued pulled chicken were among the hot items.

I think we all had a good time.   

Planned Events

Earth Day: The Sierra Club is planning an Earth Day Celebration Fair.  Earth Day is Saturday, April 22nd. The details are at the planning stage.  Caren Hanson is the event coordinator.

Outreach to Children: Caren Hanson has been organizing outreach to children in elementary schools in Temecula. She has collaborated with ‘Kids4Birds to donate hummingbird feeders to schools, arrange visit to the classroom to discuss correct feeding of birds.  Caren loves birds and wants to instill the same love in children.

February 9, monthly meeting: Brenda de Luna will be the speaker; the topic is “Youth Speakers on the Environment”. She will bring her students that have been working on community environmental education through a speaker program.

Valentine's Party: We will celebrate 2017 Valentine Day on February, 12.  Our club members will meet for dinner at the Macaroni Grill in Temecula.