[Green] GSC: Belated July minutes, and call for Agenda items

Tue Aug 16 19:48:03 CDT 2022

Hi, Dear Green friends!

Doesn’t it seem like our July meeting was years ago?  We met in the sanctuary, remember—plus a few folks on Zoom.

Anyway, we’ll plan on meeting in the RE building parlor on Sunday, and also by Zoom. NOTE: The Baileys are on vacation!  Will someone please fill in as note-taker?

Here is a draft agenda; please send additional items to me by 7 p.m. Friday. Thanks!  Also, note that the River Trail sweep schedule is in the minutes. I encourage you to print that page and cut out that portion so you can tape it to your wall (if you are on a trail-sweeping team). 

1. Approval of July GSC meeting minutes (attached and pasted).
2. FaCTOhio update
3. Clear Into The Future grant projects
	a. Pollinator Plot
	b. Solar bench
4. CCL update
5. Injection Wells update
6. ReImagine Appalachia update
7. MOVCA update
8. Contributing to the September 11 service (which is also water communion) from Braiding Sweetgrass discussion group members
9. First Daughter and the Black Snake viewing, August 28 in FUUSM social hall: setup & etc.
10. Who is willing to talk to some UU guy in Reading, PA, about our solar project? His congregation is mulling an installation!!
11. Things I’ve forgotten or don’t know about.

Thanks, team!  Hope to see all of you at 12:30 on Sunday in the RE parlor, either live and in person, or via Zoom. 

—dawn

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta
Green Sanctuary Committee Meeting
12:30 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2022
Live in the FUUSM Sanctuary and on Zoom

In attendance: George Banziger, Ginnie McNeil, and Cindy Taylor on Zoom; Jim Grecni, Debra Miller, Dave and Shari Ballantyne, Kelcey and Chris Jacobs, Mike and Adeline Bailey, Roger Kalter, Maggie Meyer, and Dawn Hewitt.

Dawn Hewitt called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m.

Minutes of the June meeting were approved without amendment.

Postmortem of July 16th Honoring Indigenous People: Three Sisters Dinner. The group agreed that the dinner and program were well received. Kelcey Jacobs reported that the dinner raised $1,392, exceeding our goal of selling all 50 tickets to raise $1,000. Dawn noted the great volunteer teamwork to bring it off successfully, and she and others were especially appreciative of the many GSC members who supported the HIP project. Of special note: Cindy Taylor’s excellent program on Indigenous basketry; and Dave Ballantyne and Mike Lang’s extra kitchen duty and clean-up work. As soon as the funds are in the Three Sisters special account, the donation will be sent to Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, earmarking it for their Indigenous Solidarity Fund. Adeline will submit a check request, supply a cover letter, and notify Maggie Meyer, treasurer’s assistant, of the correct address. Future HIP activities include plans for an August screening of “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” a bio-documentary about Indigenous water protector Winona LaDuke. The committee is also in discussion with the Social Justice committee about a joint program (tentatively set for September 11) on justice for Indigenous people on the front lines of protecting lands and water.

River Trail Sweep Schedule was reviewed and updated with some revisions:
1 - Chris & Kelcey Jacobs … Jan & Nov
2 - Dawn Hewitt & Tim Finkel … Feb & Aug
3 - Cindy Taylor & Patty Troisi (Rebecca Phillips sub) … Mar & Sept
4 - Dave & Shari Ballantyne & Mike Lang … Apr & Oct
5 - Jim Grecni & Debra Miller … May & July
6 - George Banziger & Darryl Ting … June & Dec
Subs are: Vic Elam, Maggie Meyer (on hold until October), and Mark Krivchenia.

Roger Kalter said other trail sections still need volunteer clean-up teams. He supplied his business cards to give his contact info to others who might be interested in helping maintain other sections of the trail.

FaCTOhio Update Ginnie McNeil reported that FaCTOhio is currently developing strategic plan for the next 3 to 5 years, working on grants, etc. She said Ron Prosek, chair of their Brine Education Committee, recently presented a brine education program at a Catholic Church in Cleveland that was well received and recorded. They are trying to make the recording available to share with other groups. The group has noted the intersection of legislative politics and faith communities. Buckeye Environmental Network’s Teresa Mills and their Brine Taskforce have teams out in regions of Ohio collecting data about injection well pollution to the air as well as the land and water. Ginnie expects to hear a report from them soon.

Clear Into The Future DuPont grant projects Rebecca Phillips reported that Marietta’s Lock One project is on hold, so we need to find a place to site the solar charging bench. City property on the east side of the Muskingum is recommended. Roger Kalter suggested a bench is needed in Knox Park, if a location that is sunny enough to charge the bench can be found.

The pollinator habitat is always in need of watering and weeding volunteers. Cardboard and mulch “smothering” was recently applied to the expanded garden area, which will be planted later. Rebecca is also seeking volunteers to table at Harmar Days, which occurs July 29 - 31, the same time as FUUSM’s Homecoming activities. She will send an email request to the congregation.

(Rebecca’s reports are included in the Addendum to these minutes.)

Updates on Injection wells, ReImagine Appalachia, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby

(George’s reports are included in the Addendum to these minutes.)
Highlights from the ReImagine Appalachia meeting: A strategic approach from a Reimagine talk by Sean O’Leary of Ohio River Valley Institute: focus attention on “persuadable opponents” who are open to some criticisms of the natural gas industry.

CCL - Manchin again torpedoes the BBB climate change provisions supported by CCL; focus is now on Get Out the Vote initiative.

Injection Wells permitting- no further action at this time, but George thinks injection well operators and ODNR will no longer think citizens and officials in Washington County will be complaisant to the permitting process. Follow-up from Ohio Department of Natural Resources public meeting and their responses to questions raised by participants - George said ODNR used deflection to questions on air pollution and brine waste. They talked about the purposes of the chemicals used in fracking but did not identify them. And so far as permit approval, Ohio EPA relegates authority to ODNR, which is required approve permits if all required spaces on the application are completed.

Legal challenges - process continues; oil producers involved in the lawsuit re Veto Lake contamination expect another such problem is likely. Roger commented that a Rowing and Cycling Club activity is scheduled for July 27th at Veto Lake. Those interested in participating in this recreational get-together can help watch for oil slicks on the water.

Maggie Meyer asked why Ohio residents aren’t outraged by the health dangers from injection wells. Ginnie said most people don’t know what is happening; when they learn about it, they are shocked. Roger said oil and gas money controls the state legislation and legislators. The C8 study and end result of litigation is an example of how things often work out: now Chemours, the company that purchased the Teflon production facility is relitigating the regulations.

Rebecca said her recent review of cancer rate data in Ohio as produced by the Ohio Department of Health showed that Washington County has a higher cancer rate than that of the Big C cities. Roger noted that Marietta Memorial is the largest employer in the county, and has expanded the cancer treatment facility in Belpre. Ginnie asked if anyone had access to a benefit/cost study on fossil fuel industries in the region. George said Sean O’Leary and Ben Hunkler of the Ohio River Institute were conducting a study on the topic.

MOVCA update Adeline reported that the group was participating in the Plastic Free July challenge, mainly asking that individuals ‘choose to refuse’ single-use plastic products and encourage businesses to reduce or eliminate their use of those products. A discussion followed about the limited effectiveness of recycling as well as sharing ideas about sustainable products to replace single-use items. 

Other items

- Vic Elam relayed to Dawn a report of some progress on the Federal Lands Access Program grant proposal he is encouraging for Marietta’s Lock One Park: one of the applicants in competition for the funding has been eliminated.

- Dawn reported that GSC was well represented at the July 13th Listening Session on developing a restoration program for the Ohio River and her watershed areas. The meeting was hosted by the National Wildlife Federation, West Virginia Rivers, and Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Adeline Bailey, scribe

Next GSC meeting: Sunday, August 21, 12:30 p.m. Location to be announced.

Addenda: July 2022 GSC Meeting

CITF Project Report for Green Sanctuary, July 2022 - Rebecca Phillips

Solar Charging Bench

Safety Services director Steve Wetz has confirmed that the city has no firm date for moving ahead with the Lock One Park project and has asked for ideas on where to place our bench. Placement near the pollinator habitat is not recommended as council member Geoff Schenkel and others have noted concerns about drug deals and other undesirable behavior in this area, which is basically deserted after dark.

Pollinator Habitat
l  The plantings are doing well, though the rich soil is requiring frequent weeding. I spoke once with Marcus McCartney about Master Gardener involvement and will do so again as a reminder.
l  The drip irrigation system donated by Chris Hoke and Al Tuttle is working well. Fourth Ward council member Geoff Schenkel has expressed appreciation for this asset on city property.
l  Due to its siting on city property, the pollinator habitat now reports to Main Street West and Marietta Main Street. For large projects such as planting days, Jen Tinkler of Main Street will announce the needs to her volunteer base, which during the academic year includes Marietta College students.
l  The city has agreed to expansion of the habitat from the decorative light posts along Fort Street to the bottom of the slope; this configuration will pretty much eliminate mowing confusion and improve safety. Grass on the lower portion is already being smothered by the cardboard and mulch method. Marietta Morning Rotary has offered assistance with creating a brick mowing edge to border the flat area along the street though the design is still in process; the target date for this project is sometime after the Harmar Days festival ends on August 1. Volunteers rescued bricks from a building slated for demolition; they are currently being stored behind Gilman Methodist Church. The city will provide mulch for the site.

l  After consultation with Soil and Water, the coordinating committee has decided to use a state-approved aquatic herbicide on the site's poison ivy, manual control proving inadequate. Mark Krivchenia, who has extensive experience using herbicide to control invasive plants in prairie and wetland restoration, has offered to supply the chemical and assist in treating the site.

- Rebecca Phillips

George Banziger 's Reports for Green Sanctuary July 17 , 2022

ReImagine Appalachia

            In a meeting I had with virtually with Natalia Rudiak of ReImagine Appalachia, she explained that the process of getting endorsements  for the ReImagine Appalachia Resolution has reached its peak. She asked my assistance in reaching out to statewide municipal groups.

            In an issue related to ReImagine Appalachia, I attended a webinar  on June 28 sponsored by Ohio River Valley Institute in which Sean O’Leary described the approach of strategic communications to persuade people in Appalachia to endorse a green economy. He advocated a focus on “persuadable opponents,” who are open to some criticisms of the natural gas business.

Citizens Climate Lobby

            On July 15 we learned that Senator Manchin of WV has rejected the climate provisions of the Reconciliation Bill. This effectively kills much hope of getting serious climate change action from the current Congress.

`           CCL members are also asked to urge members of Congress to support “secondary asks,” such as the Growing Climate Solutions Act.

 I sent another draft LTE to Chris Hoke of Tyler County WV; she has also agreed to submit the LTE to the Charleston Gazette, Its content is similar to the Climate Corner article I wrote for the News & Sentinel that was published in April 23. The Letter from Chris was published in the Gazette on June 14. CCL knows that Manchin and his staff read this newspaper, and his staff make note whenever Manchin’s name is mentioned in an op-ed or LTE—that’s why I mentioned his name twice in this LTE.

The Great Lakes chapters of CCL are sponsoring a get-out-the-vote initiative in Wisconsin and Ohio. The rationale for this project is that many people have been energized by recent Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Roe v. Wade and WV v EPA) and this energy needs to be harnessed to getting people to the polls. Candidates who support abortion rights are also likely also to support actions to address climate change.

Injection Wells

            No word from County Commissioner, Charlie Schilling, yet if he has received written assurances of what ODNR officials told him on June 9 about  informing local officials about new applications for injection wells.

            No public word yet about the May 25 Bordas and Bordas law suit in the Washington County Circuit Court identifying 16 defendants (all brine disposal companies) and 132 allegations on behalf of oil/gas producer Bob Lane; a similar law suit was filed on behalf of Bob Wilson.

            I am meeting with Melissa Ostroff from Pittsburgh on Monday July 18 to place some VOC (volatile organic compounds) monitors near injection wells in Washington County in order to assess the impact of these wells on air quality.

            A larger issue related to this opportunity is that of “primacy,” i.e., the U.S. EPA granted authority to ODNR to review applications and monitor injection wells in the state. In response to a question about this matter at the June 2 meeting regarding the application for an injection well in Little Hocking, ODNR stated that impact on air quality is the responsibility of Ohio EPA. Of course, the Ohio EPA is not part of the permitting process for Class II injection wells. There is an effort, in which I have been involved to challenge this primacy. Sierra Club lawyers are working on this issue.

- George Banziger

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