1. The Roadrunner
Bimonthly Publication of the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club — July/August 2002
CELEBRATE! SENATOR BOXER ANNOUNCES CALIFORNIA WILDERNESS
AND RIVERS BILL AT SAN FRANCISO CEREMONY
Excerpts from release by Vicky Hoover, CA/NV RCC Wilderness Chair, and Barbara Boyle, CA/NV/HI Sr. Regional Rep.
Nearly five years of intensive wilderness activism have achieved a total of 14 million acres of desig-
by Sierra Club and other wilderness volunteers came nated wilderness in the state, nearly 14 percent of the
to a major milestone on May 11 when California state’s total area. Early bills often protected high
Sen. Barbara Boxer announced her plans to in- alpine areas of great scenic splendor. The current
troduce the California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act campaign focuses also on lower-elevation areas that
of 2002. This new bill includes 2.5 million acres of tend to be more highly productive as wildlife habitat
new wilderness, over 400 new wild and scenic river and reservoirs of biological diversity. As such, these
miles, a Sacramento River National Conservation lower-level areas are frequently more at risk from
Area, and even potential wilderness areas to be resource exploitation—as well as more accessible to
restored. degradation from such threats as off-road vehicle
Accompanying Senator Boxer before a crowd of abuses. These are the areas that need protection the
more than 200 people overlooking the Golden Gate most!
Bridge and San Francisco Bay were Rep. Hilda Solis California Chapter activists from every corner of
of Los Angeles, who will introduce a southern the state have been a key element of the grassroots
California companion bill to Boxer’s, as well as Rep. supporters who helped us arrive at this important
Lois Capps, wilderness supporter representing the achievement in the campaign. As it has grown, this
Santa Barbara area, a surprise participant who hap- statewide movement has developed strong ties in
pened to be in the area for a family gathering. Rep. local communities, while also reaching out broadly to
Mike Thompson, who represents the northern coastal the state’s political and business leaders. The
region, will introduce the northern California House volunteers have been the essence of this campaign.
companion to the Boxer bill. Many were new recruits to the wilderness and rivers
Senator Boxer emphasized the enormous support movement. Together they are forming a whole new
her bill has received around the state. Dramatically generation of hard-working, successful activists in
she unrolled a 20-foot long scroll listing the organi- California!
zations and elected officials who have expressed their Now this campaign moves into the Congressional
support. And she noted how modest this bill is, arena, with first, a drive to seek Senator Feinstein’s
honed to about a third of California’s potential 7 support. as co-sponsor of the Bill. The campaign will
million acres and thousands of wild river miles. increase media work and defense of every area within
Around the state about 20 other media events and the legislation, while continuing public outreach and
celebrations were held on the 11th, gaining great education on the values of protecting these areas for
media coverage in major TV, radio and newspaper future generations.
outlets and giving a boost to activists around the state
who worked hard to achieve local support. These
events culminated three years of inventorying and
two years of organizing efforts in every region of the
ACTION ITEMS
1. National Monument lands are under threat again! A bill in
state. the House would weaken a key conservation tool for
Among those speaking for wilderness protection protection which could end up exposing our National Monu-
in various locations were an eastern Sierra rancher, a ment lands to oil and gas exploration, mining, and un-
Lake County Supervisor, the San Diego mayor, a regulated off-road vehicle use. Oppose Bill 2114 asap.
California board member of the National Hispanic 2. All Calif. House Reps - ask them to support The National
Environmental Council, anglers, business owners, and Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act (p. 2.) (see above).
others emphasizing the broad support that wildlands 3. Feinstein - ask her to cosponsor Wilderness Bill.
preservation enjoys among California's diverse pop- 4. OHV - Algodones Dunes (BLM) Oceano Dunes (State
ulation. Parks & Davis), Write Letters to the Editors, indicated gov
Senator Boxer’s new bill will be the 19th suc- officials (p. 3.) All pertinent addresses? See p. 8.
cessive wilderness bill for California. Past wilderness
bills, starting with the original 1964 Wilderness Act,

2. 2 THE ROADRUNNER
PROPOSED WILDERNESS AREAS IN not be able to be changed by the whim and fancy of
KERN/KAWEAH REGION INCLUDED any administration.
The uproar from many individual citizens who
IN BOXER BILL have been complaining loud and clear about what
*1,280 acre addition to the Golden Trout Wilderness has been happening in our national forests was the
in Sequoia National Forest. This area extends from force that produced this effort. That uproar must
the North Fork of the Kern River eastward to the continue even louder and clearer than before so that
Kern Plateau including the entire watershed of the bill can be introduced, passed and so that even
Durwood Creek and most of the Rattlesnake Creek Bush will realize the political implications if he
watershed. doesn't sign it. Write—write right now and write again
*11,200 acre addition to the Domelands Wilderness and again to all our Congresspersons.
in Sequoia National Forest. This includes the area PS. Additionally the administration appears to
around Siretta Peak, the watersheds Little Trout and have been using money in the name of fire pre-
Snow Creeks and most of the watershed of Machine vention in the forests to support timber industries
Creek. demands for more logging permits.
*48,000 acre addition to the Bright Star Wilderness,
mostly in Sequoia National Forest, but also including CHAPTER HOT-LINE FLOURISHES.
some Bureau of Land Management areas. This pro- SIERRA CLUB CALIFORNIA HAS ITS
posed Wilderness is in the Piute Mountains south of OWN ALERT SYSTEM.
Lake Isabella. The first half of the good news is that the Kern
*In Sequoia National Park 68,480 acres would be Kaweah chapter now has nearly 60 people on its
added to existing National Park Wilderness in the local hotline and the response to alerts has been
Mineral King area and the Hockett Plateau. great. How do we know? Several folks have been so
*Mt. Pinos Ranger Dist, Los Padres NF. Antimony, grateful to have the opportunity to easily have their
Emigdio, Pleito plus. I-5 to west of Pine Mtn. Club. opinions expressed that they have sent notes back to
*The Lower Kern River would be added to the Wild our efficient hot-line editor, Art Unger, thanking him
River System. This designation would include just personally for the information sent out.
under 30 miles of the river between Isabella Dam and The local Chapter hot-line will continue to em-
the mouth of Kern Canyon just east of Bakersfield. phasize valley and very local concerns: air quality,
NATIONAL FOREST ROADLESS dairy proliferation, sprawl, energy and water. You
AREA CONSERVATION ACT will be receiving information with requests for your
participation on various levels, everything from
Ask friends, relatives to write too! returning postcards, writing letters, to attending meet-
Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Sherwood ings and making telephone calls.
Boehlert (R-NY) have been gathering support in The second half of the good news: State of
Congress for a bill to protect some of America’s last California has its very own action network. Just by
wild forests. The result is The National Forest simply signing up (details below) you will be getting
Roadless Area Conservation Act. It is bipartisan environmental news directly and specificially related
legislation that would protect nearly 60 million acres to our state and will have opportunities to express
of pristine National Forest lands from most logging your opinions about environmental concerns and
and roadbuilding. pending legislation to our state legislators easily and
This proposed legislation would codify the quickly.
Roadless Area Conservation Rule, one of the most This arrangment has been long overdue and in the
sweeping land conservation measures in a generation. first three weeks, 700 people signed up. When an
The rule was approved following years of scientific alert was sent out on the network concerning the
study and more than 600 public meetings across the Salton Sea, the response of over a thousand faxes
country. To date the Forest Service has received bogged down the machines in Sacramento and an
more than 2.2 million comments favoring roadless urgent e-mail was sent out to stop faxing and to
protection. This outpouring of public response is telephone instead. You can be sure that all this
almost ten times greater than that for any other rule activity got the attention of many people in Sacra-
in history. Despite the earlier overwhelming public mento! We urge you all to sign up for this network
support for protecting America’s wild forests, the also.
Bush Administration has been moving toward Why be served by two action networks, local and
logging in the last wild areas of our National state? The state list is not going to send you a note
Forests—including Alaska’s Tongass Rainforest. about such things as local supervisors’ meetings or
This congressional legislation has now been land planning meetings dealing with requests for
introduced to effect the type of protection that will constructing buildings. However, your Chapter list

3. THE ROADRUNNER 3
will do just that. The state list will deal with statewide dairies to be permitted. A programatic EIR could
environmental legislation that demands a response provide that information.
from citizens all over California. Forests: Sequoia Monument. The Tulare County
In both arenas, local and state, your responses will Board of Supervisors lawsuit against the new Giant
count, particularly when joined by others. That is Sequoia National Monument is not yet over. The
citizen power easily come by. We urge all of you who BOS and Terra Bella Mill appealed the District Court
are on e-mail to participate. ruling that held their objections lacked credibility
Postscript: Do remember, you aren't expected to and upheld the proclamation of the Monument. The
react to everything, and do remember, the delete key Sierra Club, Earthjustice, and the Natural Resources
works beautifully. Also, if you would like to have Defense Council as well as California’s Attorney
information sent out to you only on some specific General Bill Lockyer have intervened on behalf of
topics, you can arrange for that. Finally, if you find the Monument in the Court of Appeals. Meanwhile,
your circumstances dictate that you should remove the Forest Service plans to release a draft Man-
yourself entirely from a list, that too can easily be agement Plan this summer that from all current
done without thought of shame or recrimination. indications will have few alternatives that we can
Please try these systems, because citizen voices do support. Sequoia continues implementing actions
have an effect on our legislators and other govern- that have not gone through the NEPA process. For
mental officials actions. Get into the fray and sign up the latest, check out http://california.sierraclub.
now. org/sequoia/
Registration Details: State, Private Forest Lands. Destructive logging
*Local hot line. Just make a request via e-mail to practices are taking an enormous toll on our state-
Art Unger, list master, at alunger@juno.com regulated forests. The plans of one industrial timber
*California State Activists Line: Go to Sierra Club company to clearcut over 1 million acres of Sierra
Home Page, then move to California in choose a Nevada forests foreshadow further damage. Davis
place option, and there you will find California appointments to State Forestry Board are still more
Activist information in lower left hand corner. negative forces to contend with. Check out Clean
Water, Healthy Forests Ca,mpaign on SC Home Page.
CONTINUED ISSUES OF CONCERN OHV concerns:
Updates (as of June 14) to keep you informed.
The Coastal Commission decided to initiate no
Air Pollution: California needs to get in line with changes at Oceano Dunes State Recreational Vehicle
feds. According to the LA Times, “In 1976 the Park, continuing to allow offroad vehicles to run
California state legislature passed a bill exempting over nesting sites of plovers. An Endangered Species
agriculture from the federal requirement of securing Act lawsuit has been filed. Pre-hearing settlement
permits before operating or expanding.” That conferences with State Parks and a federal judge have
exemption has now been invalidated in a settlement been held and there has been great progress during
between EPA and the challenging environmental these talks. State Parks is aware that it would be likely
groups, including our Chapter. that an injunction from the federal court (a decision
California now has six months to begin to enforce maker not influenced by Governor Davis and the
new rules that will require ag business to get permits off-road lobby) could be obtained.
for operating machines that give off more than 25 The Bush administration has issued a draft plan to
tons per year of materials that ultimately produce re-open California’s Algodones Sand Dunes to off-
smog and particulates. In order to avoid having to go road vehicles despite the harm they cause to
through the trouble of getting permits, it is hoped imperiled species, clean air, and human safety. The
that ag operators will tighten up on the amount of new proposal would almost completely remove these
pollutants coming from their machines, helping clean protections, re-opening all 50,000 protected acres.
up the air. It is expected that California will Support for permanent closure of this dunes
eventually invalidate the 1976 bill. refuge acreage to off-road vehicles is urged. The
Dairies: The efforts of the Chapter continue to Sierra Club Desert committee supports the com-
emphasize the need of a programatic EIR that would promise plan that is working on the ground now. It is
cover all of Kern County. The latest dairy ap- both reasonable and balanced, leaving roughly half
plication, Vanderham dairy, would be ten times of the dunes open for OHV recreation, while
larger than dairies of a generation ago but ten times preserving habitat and welcoming low impact recrea-
smaller than the present Borbas dairy proposals, an tional uses on the other half.
example of the increase in size which dairies are A scary item in the June 5, LA Times: To quote
requesting. What needs to be known is the impact of sub headline: “A new breed of bikers is tearing up
all cows in the the present dairies and what would be the roads on machines that easily top 100 mph—and
considered a reasonable amount of cows in new leave police in the dust”—and they are riding on

4. 4 THE ROADRUNNER
trails in the Santa Monica Mountains as well as in The Great Coastal Places campaign centered on
areas down to San Diego. getting persons to attend the Coastal Commission
USFS: Los Padres gas &oil drilling and four forest meetings. This assured at least minimum (and free)
management plan: Scheduled for release this fall. coverage in the media. Increased (again free)
coverage, including local TV outlets, occurred when
SIERRA CLUB CALIFORNIA HAS attendance was increased by getting one agenda item
SUCCESSFUL MEETING IN SLO. at each meeting (by request of campaign members)
Sierra Club California. What is it? Each of the 200,000 to be devoted to lobbying for a local great place.
California members of the Sierra Club belongs to one of thirteen
chapters. Our Kern Kaweah Chapter has 1,600 members. Sierra
The Commission members were at first pleased
Club California is the administrative entity for these thirteen with the attention of the public. However, as the
chapters. This is the elected entity that sponsored the meeting Commission members and the general public both
described below. Attending were Lorraine & Art Unger, C Arthur become more informed about decisions made,
and MA Lockhart. Lorraine Unger represents our Chapter on the unpopular as well as popular, public scrutiny and
Board of Directors of this group.
pressure increased, obviously not always well
Concerns regarding development in the state were received.
discussed in a workshop preceding the general meet- The Healthy Forests, Clean Water campaign is
ing. These goals representing short-term and long- focused on state lands, public and private, which are
term views were agreed upon: being truly harmed by lack of regulation as well as
1. Support for Urban Growth Boundaries defined by by a state forestry board which more than tilts toward
state. private industry.
2. Support for infill in present urban areas. Goals of this campaign are to educate the public
3. Support for developing liveable cities. on the role healthy watersheds play in protecting the
Some interesting points of discussion included the quality and quantity of our water supply, hopefully
following: leading ultimately to more corrective legislation for
*the role the present tax distribution system plays forest protection.
in supporting sprawl (money for cities comes mainly Open Space initiative in Alameda County’s
from sales taxes, sales taxes are distributed in pro- campaign centered arouind good polling (gave clues
portion to sales taxes collected in an area; in order to to campaign staff as to the wording and distribution
increase sales tax income, an area must increase sale of hand-outs aimed at specific groups), fund-raising
outlets. Result; support for more malls, etc. where and good endorsements (get many as possible), all
sales taxes are generated). considered essential for passage .
*the need to explore regional configurations that The Border Campaign deals with the environ-
would lead to further development of already estab- mental justice and physical effects that the establish-
lished urban centers by sharing tax income with rural ment of the border wall along the US-Mexican
areas. This could provide open space for both urban border has had. A wide swath of US land along the
and rural dwellers. wall looks like a scorched earth policy was applied.
*The need for state regulation. A city establishes On the far side are Mexican villages that are now
urban growth boundaries. To escape the limitations inundated not only with dust but with light from
set, business moves out beyond the boundaries. lamps that shine all night long placed along the
Object of boundaries is nullified but rather works to fence. The visits to the Mexican and American sides
increase sprawl. of this barrier have been eye-openers for the com-
*The need to insure that infrastructure (water, mittee members. points of view of the committee.
sewers, school lots, etc.) for any development is there Make plans to attend this excellent meeting next
before approval for construction.is given. June!
The regular session was outstanding, First, a
presentation by Bill Allayud, our state director of KERN KAWEAH CHAPTER
lobbying, who gave updates on the present status of BANQUET DELIGHTS ALL
the Fran Pavely’s global warming bill (control car Saturday, April 20, marked the annual banquet
emissions—SC supports) and Sheila Kuehl’s Salton for the Chapter. Held at the East Bakersfield Veterans
Sea bill (needs much adjusting as it threatens to Hall, over 115 members attended. Members looked
weaken the California endangered species bill). The at displays from different organizations, from the
new California Alerts system was announced, already Kern Parkway Committee to the BLM. They met old
700 strong (see article, p. 2). and new friends during the social hour. Conservation
Four presentations followed (MCed masterfully issues were the highlight, with people signing
by Lorraine Unger, our rep on Sierra Club Calif.), petitions, viewing wildlife and recreational displays
emphasizing explanations of the inner workings of and writing postcards to protect the Oceano Dunes.
campaigns to carry out objectives of the Sierra Club. The program portion of the evening started with a

5. THE ROADRUNNER 5
welcome from Chapter Chair Paul Gipe, introduction thrush through the echoing timber does so rinse and
of board members, and then the announcement of wring the ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him
award winners. Harold Wood, 2001 recipient of the sing.”
Sierra Cup Award, announced that Mary Ann Happily such pleasures remain as long as we can
Lockhart was this year’s winner for her work on hike a few miles into the woods, as I did with a friend
issues in the Los Padres Forest and excellent work on this spring, thanks to a new and sporty brace that
the Roadrunner. A large segment of people from the keeps my trick knee in alignment and makes me feel
Condor Group gave her a standing ovation. Ann more like an athlete than an old lady. If you haven’t
Williams announced that Michele Hoffman was the been on the Ladybug Trail along the Kaweah River
winner of the Ruth Allen-Susan Miller Award for her in the spring, let me encourage you to go. It is, just as
many years as banquet organizer and coordinator of a friend told me, “heaven on earth.” Even on a
Roadrunner distribution. The last award, Long Trail Sunday in mid-May, once we’d left the trailhead and
Award, was proudly granted to Monty Harper for his crossed the river over a sturdy wooden bridge, there
tireless work on behalf of the Club and Chapter for were very few people, and flowers were everywhere. I
over the past 30 years. Mel Rubin, a good friend, haven’t seen a display of poppies like that since the
gave a short history of Monty’s accomplishments. last great burst of color on the Carrizo Plain years
The evening concluded on a musical note from ago, and there were abundances of others: lupine,
Bill Oliver. With harmonica and guitar, he sang orig- owl’s clover, California pinks, Fremontia, Chinese
inal compositions on David Brower and the whim- houses, Ithuriel’s spear and Mariposa lilies, among
sical events in traveling in a RV. His style and lyrics those we were sure of.
brought back memories of the work of John Denver, The trail ascends gradually for three miles
Bob Dylan, and the Kingston Trio. Toe tapping, through a variety of zones. We walked in the shade
hand clapping, and even sing-a-long dominated his of oaks, evergreens and bays, by open hillsides heavy
performance. with wild grains and grasses, and finally to a stand of
It was an evening of praising the dedication of five or six Giant Sequoias rising from an unlikely
others to the environment and making merry with rooting in a small ravine. It is thought that these
song. By Harry redwoods were carried down as cones ages ago in an
Love enormous landslide from the high mountains that
tower in the distance and are always present in the
MIDGEBUZZINGS hiker’s awareness.
One of our favorite backpacking destinations was Wonderful also were sounds. The Kaweah River,
Big Whitney Meadow in the eastern Sierra, a vast though gorgeous in its thunderous and unrestrained
flowered space which we had mostly to ourselves for fall of wild water even in this dry year, was for the
fishing, dreaming, or just wandering beside the banks most part far from the trail. While its voice stayed
of a gentle stream that eventually becomes the Kern with us, it was muted, leaving the space around us
River. open to other cadences. Birds were shy, but plentiful
The hike started at nine thousand feet along a hot, and singing all the way. And I can’t remember the
sandy trail of the kind we labor on looking forward last time I so enjoyed the sweet music of grass
to firmer ground with more shade and more green. moving in wind, by itself enough to go back for.
But there was one unfailing enchantment in that As it happened, there was a mysterious call on this
place: a mystery of song. I never saw the singers, but walk, too—first from a distance above the trail, and
I always assumed that there were two birds, hidden then below us. It was a single note at intervals of
somewhere in the nearby woods, calling and an- several seconds, soft, plaintive, and lonely, beautiful
swering one another with voices like flutes. After the in effect if not in song. I will be listening for it from
backpacking days, when I began learning avian calls now on, not because it is important to know the
and songs, I discovered I’d been hearing a single caller’s name, but because experience reopens on the
bird, the hermit thrush. The first sound of it on tape strength of memory, and sound is a key.
was a pleasant shock, as it still is, and brought to By Ann Williams
mind the experience of Gerard Manley Hopkins, a
poet from another country where, even as here: “ . . .

6. 6 THE ROADRUNNER
6
KernKaweah GROUP NEWS
2002 Basic Roster of Kern Kaweah Chapter and Groups, Bakersfield, CA 93385
Executive Committee 661.324.1923. Paul Gipe, Chair; Vice Chair, Harry Love; Ara Marderosian, Secretary, Larry Wailes,
Treasurer; Lorraine Unger, Membership. Regional Delegates, Harry Love, Ara Marderosian, RCC, Lorraine Unger, SC Council;
Buena Vista Group (Bakersfield) 6 6 1 . 8 3 3 . 3 7 9 5 . Elaine White, Chair; Glenn Shellcross, Vice Chair; Kevin Smith,
Secretary; Karen Smith, Treasurer. Condor Group (Pine Mtn Club, Frazier Park area) 6 6 1 . 2 4 2 . 0 4 2 3 . Ches
@frazmtn.com. Ches Arthur, Chair; Dale Chitwood, Vice-Chair. Candy Posson, Secretary, Marta Bigler, Treas. Kaweah Group
(Porterville) 5 5 9 . 7 8 1 . 0 5 9 4 . Theresa Stump, Chair; Dianne Jetter, Vice Chair; Boyd Leavitt, Treasurer. Mineral K i n g
(Visalia) 5 5 9 . 7 3 9 . 8 5 2 7 . Harold Wood, Chair; Mary Moy, Vice-Chair; Cynthia Koval, Secretary; Janet Wood, Treasurer.
Owens Peak Group (Ridgecrest) 760.375.7967. Dennis Burge, Chair; Steve Smith, Vice-Chair; Jean Bennett, Secretary;
Dolph Amster, Treasurer.
Chapter Ex-Com usually meets in Bakersfield at noon, in the Beale Library. Often changes, so call Paul Gipe, Chair, for latest
information. Mineral King Ex-Com usually meets on fourth Thursday. Call Wood to verify. Other Ex-com meetings are not set.
Buena Vista Group Kaweah Group
Meets at Bakersfield, Beale Library Meets in Porterville. Interested in hikes? Other ac-
For further information call tivities? Call Theresa Stump, Chair. 559.781.0594
Elaine White, Chair, 661.833.3795 A fine group of twenty or so people came out to
You will see volunteers on the road once every four hear Carla Cloer speak about trails in the Sequoia
months. Armed with picks and BIG bags, they are Monument. 11 ventured out to take the follow-up
collecting trash from a section of the highway hike which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
between Taft and Bakersfield. Call Elaine to find out The Kaweah Group in the Porterville-Lindsay
the next exact date and join them. Find out what it is Area NEEDS YOU in order to help continue the fine
like to feel the whip of traffic and the hot sun on programs described above. Lots of jobs and offices
your backs—and take time to admire the sign that both big and small are waiting to be filled by willing
says Sierra Club is responsible for caring for this volunteers. No pay, but lots of fun, gratitude and
section of the highway. satisfaction for helping to make the world a better
place. Contact Theresa at 559.781.0594.
Condor Group
Meets at Pine Mountain Club Owens Peak Group
For further information call Ches Arthur, Chair, Meets in Ridgecrest
661.242.0423. email: ches@frazmtn.com For further information call Dennis Burge, Chair
Hoping to further the education of visitors to the Mt 760.375.7967 email: dennis93555@yahooo.com
Pinos District of Los Padres, some local group We had a great May program from Supervising
members are going to design and man for the Ranger Mark Faull of Red Rock Canyon & Tomo
summer a temporary visitor’s center at the Apache Kahni State Parks. He had great slides that really
Saddle Station, located west of PMC, on the week- show so much more of Red Rock than the casual
end. Fire crews are now stationed at this site, which visitor might be aware of. Tomo Kahni is a new State
makes it possible for volunteers to offer these ser- Park near Tehachapi that preserves a Native
vices. The Forest Service has been more than helpful American site.
in this endeavor. No one knows how this will work General meetings will begin again in the fall.
out but everyone concerned thinks it is worth a good
try. BLM SCHEDULES PUBLIC MEETINGS RE:
OHV TRAILS
Five public scoping meetings scheduled to gather
Mineral King Group public comments on the preparation of draft envir-
Meets in Visalia onmental impact statement (EIS) and proposed
For further information call Harold Wood, Chair. amendment to the 1980 California Desert Conser-
559.739.8527 email:harold.wood@sierraclub.org vation Area Plan that will establish or revise off-
Group Ex Com meets 4th Monday monthly. All SC highway vehicle route designation for Surprise
members welcome. Call 559.739.8527 to attend. Canyon, located in the Panamint Mountains in Inyo
Check Min. King Group Website for updates and County. Contact: Doran Sanchez 909.697.5220,
send in your address for regular updates: dasanche@ca.blm.gov or alunger.juno.com.

7. THE ROADRUNNER 7
SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SEN DIANE FEINSTEIN NEEDS TO
What? Californians want more oil drilling on their HEAR FROM ALL OF US.
coast?!!!!. That's the latest according to Gayle Please write a letter as soon as possible to Sen
Norton!. (One wonders what papers she reads! Feinstein urging her to become a co-sponsor of Sen
Editions from 19O2??). Let her know the truth and Barbara Boxer’s Wilderness Bill. She surely is
tell her if the Federal Government is going to buy hearing from the opposition and she must hear from
back oil drilling leases off the Florida Coast they us too.
should buy back our California off-shore drilling Remind her that the watersheds of wilderness help
leases too! Write now! (address below) Isn't it protect our water quality and quantity, and wilderness
unfortunate we don't have Bush relatives in high areas attract tourists and therefore $$$ from all over
places in our state? the world.
Sign up now to receive ALERTS.
Take Action. Numbers Below. Call, Write!
Alert Addresses Here Federal Government Numbers
Chapter alerts: e-mail alunger@juno.com White House Comment Line: 202.456.1111
Bush’s e-mail - president@whitehouse.gov
State wide alerts: Go to SC Club Home Page, Address - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC
choose California. Full info on how to sign up in 20500
lower left hand corner (no charge). You will find US Capitol Switchboard - 202.224.3121.
more up-to-date info on State activities also. Sen Barbara Boxer: 312 N Spring St., LA 90012 -
Join the 60 locals, 700 state wide. 213.894.5000
WE NEED MORE OF YOU! Sen Diane Feinstein: 11111 Sta. Monica Blvd. S.
915, LA 90025
Dir. Gale Norton, c/o Tom Fulton, Department of
special contact addresses for this issue the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC
Dir. Ann Venneman. U.S. Dept of Ag, 14th & In-
ORV OCEANO DUNES:
dependence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.
Write letters to Gov. Davis, San Luis Obispo County
phone: 202.720.2791
Tribune (bmorem@thetribunenews.com) and your
local paper. More info? go to Santa Lucia Chapt.
California numbers:
from SC Home Page.
Gov. Davis: 1-916-445-2841. Calif. Legislative
ORV ALGODONES DUNES: More info? Search
Switchboard (receptionist will help you ID your
algodones dunes from SC home page. Write asap to
Senator and Assembly member if you are unsure):
Jim Komatinsky BLM-El Centro, 1661 South 4th
916.322.9900.
Street, El Centro, CA 92243.
SPECIAL. SC's Summer 2002 Programs at
LeConte Memorial Lodge, Yosemite National Park. Yes, I want to join the Sierra Club. Check enclosed.
Free programs on natural history, outdoor ad- Name.......................................................................
venture and conservation issues presented several City.....................................State.............. Zip.........
evenings each week, 8 PM, special outdoor discovery Check one:
programs for children and families. Special WIL- Introductory $25........
DERNESS QUILT PROGRAM, workshops on Regular $39....... Joint $47.........
keeping a Nature Journal. Any of the following $24:
Hours: Wed-Sun, 10 a.m.. to 4 p.m., Senior..... Student....... Limited Income.........
May-Sept. Schedule: F94QW 0600-1
:http://www.sierraclub.org/education/leconte/programs.asp Send to Sierra Club, P O Box 52968, Boulder, CO,
80322

8. 8 THE ROADRUNNER
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENTS Aug 24 (sat) Brainerd Lake (up S. Fork, Big Pine
Creek, 10270 ft, 2700 ft gain, 7 mi RT) jumping off
IN THE GREAT OUT-OF-DOORS
point for climbs of Middle Palisade, Disappointment,
July-August Calendar
Norman Clyde, Temple Crag, and other great Sierra
EVERYONE IS WELCOME, Sierra Club members and non- Peaks. Moderately strenuous. Meet Sat, Aug 24 at
members, to join in any of the outdoor activities listed .
7:00 AM, Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Call
Thursdays 7 PM. Conditioning Hikes. 4-5 miles. 760.375.7967 or 760.375.8161 for more info.
Corner of Highways 178 & 184. Call 661.872.2432. (Owens Pk)
or 861.1186. Bakersfield (KK Chpt.)
Friday Evening Strolls. Meet at 6 PM, PMC parking Aug 24 (sat) Piedra Blanca Trail hike. Trail begins
lot. 1 to 2 hours. Relaxed walk in local areas. Call Reyes Creek. 6 mile round trip, elevation gain of 800
661.242.0432 for info. (Condor Gp) feet. Grand views of the Cuyama badlands. Relatively
Birding trips in local mountains of Frazier Park/ easy hike. Bring lunch and lots of water. 8 AM start,
Pine Mountain Club area. Third Saturday AM. tennis courts, PMC. Call 661.242.1076, (Condor Gp)
Details: call 661.242.2137. (Condor Gp.) LOOKING AHEAD
July 2nd. (tues) Solar Energy. Buena Vista Group.
7 PM Tejon Room, Beale Library, Bksf. Sept 14-15 (sat-sun). CNRCC (California-Nevada
July 13 (sat) Bench Lake Loop (west out of Onion Regional Conservation Committee) will meet at SLO
Valley, 10880+ ft, 2100 ft gain, 5.2 mi RT) Tour the for all-state, all-regional meeting. (Note date change
lovely little-visited lakes of Onion Valley. Moderate from Sept. 7-8.)
hike. Meet 7:00 AM Ridgecrest Cinema parking lot. Rumor: The 100 Peaks Group of the Sierra Club is
Call 760.375.7967 or 760.375-8161 for more info. said to be planning to come to Frazier Park, Pine
(Owens Pk Gp) Mountain Club in late September to add to their bag
July 15th (sun) Southern Sectional Meeting of RCC of mountain peaks climbed. More info next issue.
(regional conservation committee) at Sierra Club Los
Angeles headquarters, 9 AM. A good place to learn
about state-wide conservation activities. Call 242.
0432 for more info. The Roadrunner
July 19-21, 2002 (fri-sun) Annual Sequoia Camp- PO Box 3357
Out at Quaking Aspen Campground. Sponsored by Bakersfield, CA 93385
Angeles Chapter—contact Bonnie Strand, e-mail:
nelsdotter@aol.com (Mineral King)
July 25th (thur) Reptiles. Excursion. Hungry Valley.
Meet 8:15 AM, PMC. Adults, and children under 18
accompanied by adults, are welcome. Details?
242.0432. (Condor Gp)
July 27 (sat) Annual Peak to Peak Hike. (Cerro
Noroeste to Mt. Pinos). About 6 1 /2 miles in length,
strenuous parts. Bring lunch, water. 8 AM, tennis
courts, PMC. Call 242.1076. (Condor Gp)
Aug 3 (sat) Visit Wind Wolves. Pics and talk
presented by Clendenens. Potluck, 6 PM. Program, 7
PM. Pool Pavilion Room, PMC (Condor Gp)
Aug 6th (tues) San Joaquin Kit Fox. Buena Vista
Group. Tejon Room, Beale Lib. 7 PM
Aug. 6 - 13, (tue-tue), Summer Backpack. Piute
Pass-French Canyon Backpack. Lake-hopping in the
high Sierra with some cross-country hiking. Not for
beginners. Call leaders Gordon and Eva Nipp at
661.872.2432 or email at gnipp@att.net for infor-
mation and reservations. (KK Chapt)
Aug. 16-19 (fri-mon) - Outing to Montana de Oro
State Park, SLO - Cynthia Koval cyn4life@cvip.net
or harold.wood@sierraclub.org 559.739.8527 to at-
tend. Walk-in Group campsite reserved. (Mineral
King Gp)