Picnic on the Mountain for June Meeting

Our next general meeting, Thursday, June 16th, will move outdoors to the small pavilion at the Overlook in the Monte Sano State Park picnic grounds. Bring a picnic lunch – the Sierra Club will furnish drinks, plates, cups and napkins.

The pavilion is easy to find. Turn right off Nolan Drive into the state park picnic area. Remember to put a couple of dollars into the box at the gate – the park gets no funding from the state. Park your car and take the path to the right of the large pavilion that sits at the end of the parking lot. The path will take you to the overlook and the small pavilion. For more information, call Judy Jones, 852-6179.

- the Editor

Funds Sought for Chief Ladiga/Silver Comet Trail

Bikers, runners and hikers are trying to raise funds to help complete the Chief Ladiga Trail in Cleburne County

Alabama. This 32.5 mile Alabama trail connects to the 60 mile long Silver Comet at the Georgia state line. Together, that's a 92.5 mile trail from Anniston to Atlanta. A real southern gem.

Cleburne County, a rural poor county with one small town Heflin, has a population of 14,000. The cost of paving Cleburne County's nine miles is $586,400. Cleburne County has about 9 miles and 5 bridges on the trail. A federal transportation grant of $440,400 has already been set aside. All that's needed is the remaining 20% $146,000, and the work can begin. Using forest timber cutting fees, the county can raise all but about $50,000.

Since this is a project of regional interest, the Sierra Club invites anyone who would like to contribute, to write checks payable to “Cleburne County Chief Ladiga Trail Fund” and mail

them to Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 413, Heflin, AL 36264. The fund will send receipts to anyone donating more than $250, amounts less than that can be claimed on individual tax returns without a receipt. For more information call Glenn Berry, an officer of the Cleburne County Rails-to-Trails Committee 256-463-2525.

- Marjorie Holderer of the Spring City Cycle Club

4-Wheelers Threaten Gray Bat Sanctuary

Hambrick Cave, on the north shore of the Lake Guntersville TVA reserve, houses a colony of approximately 250,000 endangered Gray Bats. Recently a 4-wheeler camp opened on private land near the reserve and off-roaders are using the camp to gain access to the TVA reserve causing damage to the watershed and disrupting the area around Hambrick Cave.

Use of off-highway vehicles – 4-wheelers and dirt bikes – is up 700% nationally to 36 million users since 1976. Off-road motorized sports are now a $4.8 billion industry. As land is developed for residential use, the increasing number of off-roaders are ignoring no trespassing sign and causing problems on public and private lands including farm and pasture lands. Four-wheelers particularly can create large ruts in trails and greatly increase soil erosion, a big problem in watershed areas.

Mike Hanvey, the owner of a tree farm near Hambrick Cave, has contacted TVA officials about the 4-wheeler traffic but TVA officials have declined to intervene, even though TVA has a strict policy of no motor vehicles on watershed areas.

For more information contact Mike Hanvey mhanvey@internetpro.net

- the Editor

Taping ticks is a safe way to toss them
What’s the best way to get rid of ticks? When I go hiking in the woods I constantly find ticks crawling on my body. I don’t want to let them loose again to bite someone else. Is there a simple way to kill them that’s not too toxic?
A forest ranger once told us that he takes along a roll of Scotch tape. Whenever he finds a tick, he just encloses it in the tape, sticks it in his pocket and when he gets home he throws the tape in the trash. This seems like a simple and safe way to entomb and dispose of these dangerous critters that can transmit diseases. - John Allen

Questions?

Web page - email natberry@yahoo.com.

Want the newsletter by email? Email Tom at tdburley@knology.net.

Newsletter questions or comments - Email the editor at

JDinHSV@aol.com

National Sierra Club Comes Out Against CAFTA

The debate in Congress regarding the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is heating up.

Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club had the following response to a speech President Bush gave promoting CAFTA: "We should not enter into trade agreements that put our communities at risk by limiting our government's authority to protect public health and the environment. CAFTA threatens the health of our families and communities by allowing foreign corporations the right to challenge environmental and public health protections in secret trade tribunals. The American people want trade that is safe, clean and fair. We can get this by making sure that environmental and public health standards can not be challenged by corporations, and that the environmental provisions in trade agreements are strong and enforceable.”

Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks has also expressed concern about the agreement citing a net loss of Alabama jobs under NAFTA and a negative impact on small Alabama farms. Other concerns Sparks expressed are:

- No standards for public health, worker safety or environmental laws

- Industrial pollution has increased in work environments under NAFTA

- No guarantee that manufacturers in other countries will use materials certified to protect consumers from dangerous or toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde or arsenic

- Little surveillance of animal or plant diseases in Central America

- Less than 3% of imported food products are currently inspected

Representative Artur Davis has committed to vote against CAFTA, leaving Congressman Bud Cramer the only Democrat remaining in Alabama who has not yet made public his position.

- the Editor

Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25

Name______________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

City/State____________________________Zip____________

Phone___________________Email______________________

Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your chapter newsletter.

Enclose check and mail to:

David Kostowny

116 Pebblebrook Circle

Madison, AL 35758.

Upper Bankhead Parkway Fate Still Undecided

Repair, widen and repave the upper stretch of Bankhead Parkway so it can be reopened for automotive traffic or keep it the way it is now – a beautiful paved trail that is used by countless walkers, bikers, hikers and nature lovers? There is still no decision on the fate of the Bankhead Parkway. A feasibility study sponsored by Sen. Jeff Enfinger is nearing completion and public hearings are promised. In the meantime, citizens are mobilizing to keep the Bankhead the way it is and others are lobbying to open it back up and close the park entrance onNolan.

A new group has formed to organize opposition to the reopening of the road. The Upper Bankhead Parkway Conservancy is bringing together all of those who currently use the closed road for recreation to give them a united voice. For more information on the group, email dmtilley@hiwaay.net.

The North Alabama Sierra Group has not taken a position on the reopening of the upper Bankhead Parkway.

- the Editor

2005 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 256-725-2168

Outings - Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060

Publicity - Liz Poleretzky 461-5819

Programs Logistics Coordinator

- Doug Horacek 772-6788

Secretary – Judy Burley 883-4267

Fund Raising - Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651

Tuesday Hikes - Nancy Dudney 882-9408

Programs - Brenda Cummings 881-7447

General Meeting and Picnic

Thursday, June 16, 6:30pm. Pavilion at the Overlook, Monte Sano State Park. Bring a picnic lunch; the club will furnish drinks, plates, cups and napkins.

Tuesday, June 14, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.

Saturday, June 18, 12th Annual Pisgah Gorge Hike/Rockhop. Strenuous. Waterfalls, boulders big as houses, spiders big as dinner plates, swimming, ticks, snakes, poison ivy, everything! The most beautiful scenery in Alabama is worth it! Leader approval required. This hike is too strenuous for dogs; so no dogs, please! Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Tuesday, June 21, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Liz Poleretzky, (wk) 461-5819.

Excom meeting

Thursday June 23rd, Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45. Info Judy Jones 852-6179.

Friday-Sunday, June 24- 26, Car Camp / Day Hike Cherokee National Forest. Moderate. Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest is a place of scenic beauty that provides opportunities for anyone interested in nature and history. We will depart on Friday, June 24 at 11:00 am and drive to the Chilhowee Campground where we will spend the night. We will hike 10 to 12 miles on Saturday and return to the campground Saturday night. We will return on Sunday. The campground has toilets and showers and will cost $6.00 per person per night plus a $3.00 day use fee. Rated exploratory. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net

Sunday, June 26, Wade Mountain Dayhike. Easy. Meet at Wade Mountain Trail Head 2:00pm. Bring water, insect repellent, and sturdy hiking boots. Rated easy. Contact Doug Horacek 772-6788 for more information.

Tuesday, June 28, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Nancy Dudney 882-9408.

Monday, July 4, 11:00am until. Cookout and Swim Party. Easy and Fun! We'll furnish hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken with potato salad, baked beans and salad. Just bring $5 for Sierra Club donation and your bathing suit. We'll also have volleyball and watermelon on the grass. Food serving is at 12:00 noon. Meet at Freddie Diplacido's, 170 Williams and Broad (off Dug Hill Road) 533-0651.

Tuesday, July 5, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Nancy Dudney 882-9408.

Friday-Sunday, July 8-10, AT Slackpack North GA. Strenuous. We will depart on Friday around noon and camp at Unicoi State Park Friday and Saturday. On Saturday we will hike from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap a distance of 13 plus miles. On Sunday we will hike around 6 to 8 miles and return to Huntsville. The cost for the campsite will be around $14.00 per person. Plans are to eat dinner each night at Unicoi State Park Lodge which has a buffet. Rated strenuous. Contact Tom Burley at 883-4267 or tdburley@knology.net

Saturday, July 9, 8:00am. Monte Sano Dayhike. Strenuous. Hike around the mountain, 11 miles, rated strenuous. Meet at the Land Trust parking lot on Bankhead. Bring lunch and water. We'll go to Cold Spring, Rock Cuts, O'Shaugnessy Point, Lily Pond, Natural Well and Three Caves on our way back to our cars. Flashlight would be a good idea. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.

Tuesday, July 12, 6:00pm, Mountain Evening Hike. Meet at the Monte Sano Hiker's Parking Lot. Info: Nancy Dudney 882-9408.

Newsletter Labeling

Wednesday, July 13th, 5:30pm. Barbara Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St. Info: Judy Jones 852-6179 (h).

Saturday, July 16, Snorkeling, 9:00am. Easy. Meet at Madison Aquatic Park. Bring mask, snorkel and fins, I have extra or you can rent some at the park for $5.00 plus tax. Come and see fish and the waters of the quarry. Take I-565 to the Wall-Triana exit, go north to Madison. Take a right east on 20 and go just past the railroad tracks. Take a right on Intergraph Road, and then a left east on the road to the driving range. Madison Aquatic Park is just past the driving range, follow the signs. Contact Doug Horacek at 772-6788 for more information.

Saturday, July 23, Greeter Gulf Creekwalk and Swim. Strenuous. Walk through Tennessee's Garden of Eden. Rated strenuous because of slick rocks and walking through water up to waist deep. Must wear boots in the water for ankle support---river sandals are NOT OK. Bring water and lunch. Meet 8:30am at Winn Dixie on Winchester Rd. For more information, Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).

Other Outings / Events

“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, June 25. Sipsey Dayhike.

Join Ted and friends from Wild South for an easy-to-moderate hike in the Sipsey Wilderness area of the Bankhead Forest. Meet at Trading Post in Wren at 9:00 am. Bring lunch and water. Call Ted Kuzma 256-974-7771 or Janice at Wild South 256-974-6166.

Saturday, July 9. Bike Ride - Mooresville

Easy bike ride around the back roads [gravel and paved] of Mooresville and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Bring water and snacks and be prepared to swim! Meet at Mr. Primes Steakhouse at Mooresville Exit #2 on I-565 at 9:00 a.m. Call Doug Felton 256 432 1812 (w) or 256 830 2271 (h).

Sunday, July 10. Sipsey Dayhike.

Join Ted Kuzma as he leads the monthly Sunday hike in the Sipsey or Bankhead. Meet Ted at the Trading Post in Wren at 9:00 a.m. for an easy to moderate hike. Destination to be decided at time of hike. Bring lunch and water. Call Ted Kuzma at 256-974-7771 for details.

Nashville

Monday, July 11, Outings Leader Training 101. Outings Leader Training 101 is a required course for outings leaders. For those interested in leading hikes, backpacking trips, canoe trips, or any other type of outing that you wish to lead, please make plans to attend this interactive training session that will be held at The Atlanta Bread Company at 1725 West End Avenue in Nashville, TN at 6:30 p.m. Food is available at this meeting place, and the training will last no longer than two hours. For additional information and to pre-register, contact Katherine Pendleton at 615-360-3481 or email Katibug1959@aol.com