Program for the General Meeting, Thursday Evening, March 18th, at the Huntsville Public Library We of the North Alabama group are frequent visitors to the various sites in Tennessee's South Cumberland State Recreation Area. After all, it's a hundred square miles of spectacular scenery that we can PARTICIPATE IN. We can hike across the plateau, or up and down its edges, swim, splash or fish in its creeks, explore its caves. Certainly we can sleep and eat in the forest.

We are at first lured by intriguing names such as Savage Gulf, Fiery Gizzard and Firescald Creek. Several "gulfs" are great gorges cut by the creeks in their bottoms: Big Creek, Savage Creek, Collins River and Ranger Creek. Some our favorite destinations are the Stone Door, Hobb's Cabin, Greeter Falls, Ranger Falls--all this water is falling off the Cumberland Plateau, the largest forested plateau in the continental United States.

Our program for March will feature speakers representing Friends of the South Cumberland: Mary Priestly is a botanist and Curator of the Sewanee Herbarium at the University of the South, and Latham Davis is a book designer, publisher and editor. They will fill in the gaps of our own knowledge of the SCSRA and their organization; they will regale us with tales and details we need and want to know, both scientific and civic.

You can check out their website at friendsofscsra.org. From there, you will want to go to Sewanee Herbarium. -Brenda Cummins

The North Ala. Sierra Club is an annual contributor to the FRSCA. We recently raised our contribution to $100 for this year. You can become a member by sending $25 to Phillip A. Johnson, PO Box 2705, Hendersonville, Tenn. 37077.

If you are having trouble accessing our WebPages please send a short message to natberry@yahoo.com or call Nat Berry at 256-461-8107.

Tom Burley has volunteered to take over the mailing of the monthly electronic newsletter. Anyone who wants to be added to the email list should send an email to Tom at tdburley@knology.net.

On Feb 5th, the day of the six-inch rain, North Ala. Sierrans Joette Carter, Freddie Diplacido, Sam Denham joined Cahabans Joe Copeland and Carroll Wilson to go to Montgomery to praise the Forever Wild Board for the Walls of Jericho acquisition and to urge action on the 120-acre McComb property adjacent to Monte Sano State Park (the northernmost one mile of the Flat Rock Trail). Developers are ready to move in, but they are willing to put houses on only the flat parts at the bottom of the mountain, and are offering the mountainous acres for sale to Forever Wild.

One of the two Huntsville members of the Forever Wild Board, Mr. Giles Machen, who is also big in the Alabama Wildlife Federation, after hearing the supporting comments from us (no other public comments were made during the whole meeting, so this property sort of stole the show after the Walls of Jericho talk died down) made the motion that the conservation department go ahead with the scoring and appraisal process on the property. There will be an upcoming Forever Wild meeting on June 24th in the new Lodge building in Monte Sano State Park. Mark your calendars!

Sam Denham

TVA's Reservoir Operations Study Final Environmental Impact Statement Now Available

The final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for TVA's Reservoir Operations Study (ROS) is now available for your review and comment. The FEIS identifies the Preferred Alternative recommended by TVA staff. The results of this study may impact the operations of TVA dams and reservoirs located in Alabama. The ROS website contains further information and an electronic copy of the FEIS, at www.tva.com/ros. A paper copy of the FEIS also may be available at your local public library. A list of libraries can also be found on the ROS Web site.

Comments may be submitted through April 12, 2004, via the ROS Web site at www.tva.com/ros; by mail to TVA Reservoir Operations Study, WT 11A, 400 West Summit Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37902; or by fax to 865-632-3146. The TVA Board of Directors is expected to make a decision about any change to TVA's reservoir operations in late spring 2004.

April Hall
Alabama Rivers Alliance

On Saturday April 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Earth Day will be celebrated at the Hays Preserve with hikes, exhibits and presentations. Sierra Club will probably participate with an exhibit, and the Preserve is looking for a few hike leaders to lead hikes at 10, 12, and 2. There will also be a birding hike at 7 a.m. and a night hike at 7 p.m. For more information, call Soos Weber at 427-5116.

Sign up for Green Power for as little as $4 per month Call Huntsville Utilities at 535-1255 Connect to www.cleanenergy.org for more information

The following two articles are courtesy of the Bama Environmental News - www.BamaNews.com February 27, 2004 #218

AEMC Releases Draft Strategic Plan

Nearly a year since it was proposed, the Alabama Environmental Management Commission, the board that oversees the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, has released a draft strategic plan. The plan, which is 12 pages long, was created after the Commission received input from a diverse stakeholders' group, five public hearings throughout the state and meetings with ADEM staff. Some of the recommendations include:

* Developing a more defined enforcement and penalty policy
* Expanding pollution prevention programs
* Addressing quality of life issues, including environmental justice
* Recommending ways to fund ADEM
* Establishing a committee to evaluate the director and provide comments on the performance of senior staff
* Create a better working relationship with the governor, legislature, public and regulators
* Improve technology
The plan will be placed on the ADEM website in the next few days. You can access it by going to http://www.adem.state.al.us

National Sierra Club Asks For Shutdown of Chemical Weapons Incinerator

The U.S Army should halt chemical weapons incineration in Anniston, Alabama until advanced agent monitors are installed, resolved the Sierra Club's National Board of Directors this week.

This month, two incinerator workers were exposed to Sarin gas when performing activities associated with the processing of rockets that are being burned at the facility. The incident, along with a number of unplanned shutdowns at the facility, prompted the Sierra Club and 19 other environmental, civil rights and public health organizations to call for an investigation by the Pentagon and a shutdown of operations, earlier this month. The latest call for advanced chemical agents monitors to be installed comes from passage of a "sense of Congress" resolution that the Army should deploy improved chemical agent monitors.

For additional information on the Sierra Club's stance and the chemical weapons incineration issue, go to http://www.cwwg.org

ExCom. Members

Chair Judy-Jones 852-6179
Vice Ch./Treas.-Sam Denham 539-1033
Web Page-Nat Berry 461-8107
Newsletter editor - Jack Drost 880-2644
Membership - Dave Kostowny 325-2296
Conservation-Bruce Martin 725-2168
Outings-Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060
Publicity-Liz Poleretzky 461-5819
Political-John Allen 539-5287
At Large-Doug Horacek 772-6788
Secretary-Joette Carter 776-3551
Fund Raising-Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
At Large-Nancy-Dudney 882-9408
Programs-Brenda Cummings 881-7447
At Large-Rick Riquelmy 881-0786

Hike Ratings

Easy-Less than 5 miles, no serious elevation changes, no trail obstacles.
Moderate-5 to 10 miles, some elevation changes and/or rough trail (rock
hopping), or trail obstacles such as creek crossings.
Strenuous-More than 10 miles, substantial elevation change (1000 ft or more), trail may be rocky, obstructed or nonexistent.
Exploratory-any event that the leader has not experienced before, may fit any class above.

Tuesday, March 16, 6 pm. Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust parking lot, 907 Franklin St, Info Dan Scott, 650-5128

Thursday, March 18, 6:30pm. General Meeting at Huntsville Public Library. See Front page for program details.

Natchez Trace Bicycle Trip - Date changed to April 24th - May 1st. See below.

Saturday, March 20th Rueben Creek (near Sewanee) joint outing with Cahaba group Meet 9 am at Winchester Rd Winn/Dixie. Off Trail hiking, 6 miles moderate. creek crossings, interesting rock wall, loads of wildflowers. bring lunch and water.Joette 776-3551

Sunday, March 21st Monte Sano Hike 1:30pm Walk on the two newest trails in Monte Sano State Park (the new trail blazed by Carl Craig from the top of the landslide to Natural Well, and come back via the Brenda Cummings/Carl Craig trail---through the one-time marijuana plot). The new trail, since it has been blazed, but not constructed, will be essentially an off-trail hike, so this is rated moderate. Bring a snack and water. About 6 miles. Meet at Sam Denham's house, 4333 Chickasaw Dr SE, 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, March 23, 6 pm. Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust parking lot, 907 Franklin St, Info Nancy Dudney, 882-9408

Thursday, Mar 25, Outings Meeting 5:15, excom meeting 5:45. Call Brenda Cummings for more information, 881-7447

Saturday, March 27, Monte Sano Dayhike Meet 9 am at Monte Sano Park Hikers Parking Lot. Bring lunch and water for an eight mile walk from Monte Sano to Burritt. Rated moderate. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168

Tuesday, March 30, 6 p.m. Downtown Evening Hike. Huntsville Land Trust parking lot, 907 Franklin St, Info Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348

Saturday-Sunday, April 3-4 Buck's Pocket Hike and Car Camp. Meet 8am at the Franklin Building for Traveling to Buck's Pocket State Park for a hike down the canyon, then car camping Saturday night. Leave shortly after breakfast Sunday morning. Contact Doug Horacek for more information at 772-6788.

Tuesday Night Hikes will move to the mountain on April 6th. Typically, we'll hike about 3+ miles and until sunset, depending on the weather and inclination of the hikers that day. For more info, contact Dan Scott, 650-5128 or dandeescott@juno.com.

Tuesday, April 6, 6 p.m. Return to the Mountain Evening Hike Celebrate this annual rite of spring as we return to our favorite (dirt) trails in Monte Sano State Park on the evening of April 6th. Meet at the Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's Parking Lot at 6 pm. This year the park is requesting a $1 donation to help with maintenance costs at the park., Info Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168

Newsletter Labeling Wednesday, April 7th, 5:30 Barbara Martin's office downtown. Holmes Ave at Church St. Judy Jones 852-6179 (h)

Saturday, April 10 Lake Guntersville Dayhike Meet 9 am at the Publix at Hampton Cove(431) for car pooling. Plan for a 7-9 mile hike with mild elevation changes. Hike will be moderate and last 4-6hrs. Bring H2O and Lunch. Possible sightings of deer and eagles with beautiful spring flowers. May have optional supper afterwards at the lodge in the park if desired. POCs are Dave Kostowny (256-325-2296) and Bruce Martin (256-725-2168)

Tuesday, April 13, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's Parking Lot, Info Liz Poleretzky, (wk)461-5819

Saturday, April 17 Monte Sano Hike Meet at 9 am Monte Sano hikers parking lot. Hike to Flat Rock via stone cuts. Approximately 5- 8 mile hike, bring lunch and water. Strenuous due to elevation gain and rocky creek. Joette 776-3551

Sunday, April 18 Cane Creek Preserve Hike Here's a suggestion for a hike where the leader will only need to gather people and lead them to Tuscumbia. Joe Copeland is taking Cahaba group to Cain Creek Preserve on Sunday, April 18th. Anyone interested in leading this for the North Ala. Group, please call Joe Copeland in Cullman at 256-287-1652(h) or email at joec@powernet.org

Tuesday, April 20, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's Parking Lot, Dan Scott, 650-5128

Saturday-Sunday, April 24th-25th, Sipsey Backpack. Moderate backpack to our favorite campsite at Bee Branch, 16 miles over two days. Call for meeting location and time. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net.

Saturday-Sunday, April 24th-May 2nd Natchez Trace Bicycle Trip - We'll pedal the 440-mile trek from Nashville, TN to Natchez, MS, 55-80 miles per day, rated strenuous. Sag wagon assisted trip will provide you with campgrounds, most meals and snacks and transport to and from the Trace. You'll need a bicycle, camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, pad, eating utensils). Cost will be divided equally with all participants and should be approximately $125-150 each. Limited to 10 participants. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Tuesday, April 27, 6 pm. Mountain Evening Hike Monte Sano State Park, Hiker's Parking Lot, Info Nancy Dudney, 882-9408

Other Outings

"The following activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the readers of our newsletter."

Nature Wanderers

Saturday, March 20. Sipsey Cookout Let's get together to welcome spring and enjoy a cookout at Teresa's "favorite place" on the Sipsey River. Hotdogs, chips, and s'mores provided by Natures Wanderers. Bring your own beverage and a smile. If you plan to attend, contact Teresa Young 256-773-1945 for meeting time/place.

Saturday, March 27. Sipsey Wilderness/ Bankhead Forest Hike Enjoy an easy to moderate hike with the Wild Alabama group in the Sipsey Wilderness or Bankhead Forest. Destination to be determined later. Possibly some exploring and off-trail. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Trading Post in Wren. Call Ted Kuzma 256-974-7771 or Janice at Wild Alabama 256-974-6166

BICYCLE ACROSS MAGNIFICENT ALABAMA June 5-12, 2004. Seven days, 400 miles, 100 riders max, $225. More info and registration www.bikebama.com, Sam Denham, treasurer, B.A.M.A., 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).