Archived Front Page Stories

March 30, 2006 Proposed National Forest land sales.... A Bad Idea at a Bad Time Comments due May 1. The Bush Administration has proposed to sell National Forest land to make up for an expected budget shortfall in rural school funding. See how you can help prevent this.

March 10, 2006 Missouri Legislature Hits A New Low. Senator Threatens Expert Witnesses. Senator John Cauthorn threatened an internationally recognized expert on biotechnology.

March 2, 2006 Sierra Club challenges KCPL dirty air permit, Cleaner Options Available, Group Explains. The Missouri Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club announced today it will challenge the permit issued to Kansas City Power and Light (KCPL) to build an 850 megawatt coal-fired power plant, known as Iatan II, 30 miles northwest of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

February 16, 2006 Upcoming Outings Training Workshop, Cuivre River, July 7-9.

February 14, 2006 What did the Forest Service know and when did they know it? In December of 2005, the Forest Plan was released for the Mark Twain National Forest. This plan is a document that determines how the Forest Service manages the public lands of the Mark Twain National Forest. The Forest Service received over 7000 comments on the draft Plan.

February 14, 2006 Another attempt to take away local control In yet another attempt to take away local control, Missouri State Senator David Klindt (R-12) has introduced a bill in the Missouri Legislature that would remove from county commissioners the ability to pass any ordinances pertaining to the use or storage of agriculture seeds.

February 8, 2006 Tell KCPL NO Rally - February 8 -  to focus on mercury.  One in five women tested nationwide has unsafe mercury levels. The final results of large mercury testing project puts spotlight on KCPL's plans for new coal-burning power plant.

January 31, 2006 Sierra Club considers challenge to KCPL's newest permit Calls for full investigation into KCPL’s apparent violation of its operating permit for Iatan I.

January 24, 2006  CAFO's, Renewable Energy, Eminent Domain, 2006 Session Begins with a Flurry of Activity

January 19,  2006 Family Farmers and Rural Citizens win victory on Local Control! Public outcry by Missouri family farmers and rural citizens opposed to attempts by the legislature to limit local control to restrict polluting factory farms achieved success this week.

January 9,  2006 Missouri Sierra Club Files Appeal on Decision by Air Conservation Commission to approve Springfield Utilities Air Pollution Permit The Sierra Club is appealing the state’s approval of the coal plant because it did not require the City to use modern pollution controls that are already being used in other states.

January 5, 2006 Sierra Club applauds Illinois Governor for protecting public health from mercury pollution
Missouri Sierra Club Calls on Governor Blunt to Follow Example.

December 29, 2005 Missourians Could be Saddled with Unneeded Power Plants Sierra Club Questions Expanding the Electricity Supply, Calls for Conservation. “We hope that Governor Blunt’s new Missouri Energy Task Force will look carefully at all costs and benefits of various energy sources”, said Carla Klein, Ozark Chapter Director.

December 27, 2005 Sierra Club calls dam failure "Catastrophic" Requests investigation by an independent, bi-partisan panel. Noting that the Upper Taum Sauk Reservoir dam belonged to AmerenUE and was constructed and maintained by AmerenUE, the Ozark (MO) Chapter of the Sierra Club asserts that AmerenUE should accept all responsibility for hardships caused by failure of the dam and that the costs for damages and cleanup should not be passed on to consumers through rate hikes.

December 8,  2005 Missouri Sierra Club Responds to Decision on Springfield Utilities   The Sierra Club, speaking on behalf of the community, testified that the construction permit granted to City Utilities for the construction of a new coal-burning power plant does not employ the best available technology.

December 1, 2005 Missouri Energy Costs to Jump This Winter: Energy and Money Saving Tips for Consumers

Nov. 21, 2005 Sierra Club request for KCP&L shareholder resolution Today the Sierra Club filed a shareholder resolution calling on Great Plains Energy, the parent company of Kansas City Power & Light, to analyze and report to the shareholders on the financial impact a tax on carbon dioxide emissions will have on the company.

October 25, 2005. Sierra Club and Coalition  request impaired waters list Yesterday, two Missouri environmental/conservation organizations formally requested that the EPA compile and establish a listing of Impaired Waterbodies for  Missouri, complying with the Clean Water Act. 

October 5, 2005.  "Save the Katy Bridge Coalition" Over 300,000 walkers, riders, and joggers from all over the world use the Katy Trail annually. The incorporation of the MKT “Katy” Bridge into the Katy Trail State Park would be a strong asset.

October 3, 2005. America Needs Real Energy Solutions The Energy Bill being brought to the floor of Congress this week exploits the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina and Rita to push through failed energy and air policies the Republican leadership in the House wasn’t able to get into the Energy Bill passed earlier this year. ...

September 22, 2005. Sierra Club marks World River Day with report on rivers explored by Lewis and Clark Sierra Club today released a report on the threats to the two main rivers navigated by Lewis and Clark two hundred years ago—the Columbia and the Missouri. The report comes out as people around the globe are preparing to celebrate World River Day on September 25.

Sept. 16, 2005. Come to the Oct. 7-9 19th annual Ozark Chapter campout. - More details. 

Aug. 31, 2005. America Needs Real Solutions To Our Oil Dependence  "Our hearts go out to the victims of Katrina and their families. However, this is a time to lend a hand, not point fingers or to make political gain - which is what politicians who favor drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off our coasts are trying to do.

August 22, 2005. Sierra Club objects to MDNR's "attitude change" The environmental laws are real and violations cause human health problems. It appears that Doyle Childers intends to coddle lawbreakers and harm human health. He is more inclined to protect polluters, than to prevent pollution...

July 29, 2005
Kansas City residents lose in PSC Decision The Public Service Commission has decided in favor of the high-cost, high pollution option desired by KCP&L’s high-paid managers, instead of choosing a lower cost, cleaner, healthier course. Rather than considering what is the most cost effective, best long-term solution, the PSC buckled to the pressure of one of the most profitable electric utilities in the state. Kansas City area residents are the real losers on this decision.

July 18, 2005
Missouri is poised to allow lower statewide water quality standards As the saying goes, “You can’t put a pearl necklace on a sow and make her a queen”. But that is exactly what Doyle Childers, Governor Matt Blunt's appointee as Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MODNR) is trying to do by linking water quality standards with economic issues....

July 7, 2005 Swimming in your toilet… The Missouri Department has selected streams to be studied in order that sewage with unhealthy levels of bacteria can continue to be dumped into them....

July 5, 2005 July-September Ozark Sierran Online. Shareholder activism, legislative session highlights, peak oil, ...

July 4, 2005 Ozark Chapter now publishing  RSS News Feed The Ozark Chapter has joined the many thousands of web publishers producing RSS news feeds. This means that  you can easily keep up to date on Missouri environmental news stories... 

June 1, 2005
Kansas & Oklahoma residents who rejected MOARK’s proposed egg factories are alerted that they may still wind up getting MOARK’s wastes.

May 26, 2005
MO Pickup Truck Drivers to Detroit: “Build Pickups That Use Less Gas!”  Missouri pickup truck drivers would have saved over $387 million at the gas pump last year and cut global warming pollution by over 3.2 million tons if U.S. automakers had used existing technology to improve the fuel economy of pickups, according to a report released by the Sierra Club today.

May 23, 2005
2005 Session Ends on a High Note
A session that began as an uphill battle ended in victory on four priority issues for the Sierra Club.

May 23, 2005
Three million more chickens in southwest Missouri's already polluted watersheds? Just say NO. MOARK, the nation’s third-largest egg producer, is seeking to expand its notorious egg productions facilities in southwest Missouri by adding approximately three million laying hens to its existing facilities.

May 11th, 2005   
Victory for Family Farmers, Clean Air and Clean Water!
Grassroots organizing captured the day at the Missouri legislature on Tuesday when HCS SB 187 was narrowly defeated in the House.

May 6, 2005
Peabody Energy: Anatomy of a bad corporate citizen
Each day, new and more alarming news comes out regarding our energy future and its potential effect on public health and the environment. Despite numerous claims to the contrary, Peabody Energy sits at or near the top of the list of bad actors that have not only profited from our environmental degradation, but have actively sought to increase profits by accelerating it. White Paper.

May 3, 2005
Community Groups Challenge KCP&L To Choose Lower Cost, Healthier Option at Annual Meeting The Sierra Club, Burroughs Audubon Society, and Concerned Citizens of Platte County today urged Kansas City Power & Light at its shareholder meeting to turn away from the expensive, unhealthy path of building huge new power plants

May 3, 2005
Coalition Opposes Anti-Local Control Legislation
Today, a coalition of family farmers, county commissioners and environmental organizations announced their continued opposition to HCS SB 187.

April 25, 2005
Conservation lobby day was our most successful ever! This year sixty-five individuals attended Conservation Lobby Day, representing twenty-two different organizations! Co-sponsoring groups launched a targeted lobbying effort on key legislation.

March 30, 2005
Mark Twain National Forest comment opportunity. The management direction of the MTNF for the next 10-15 years will soon be decided. If you want to see more protection for rivers, forests and wildlife and less destructive mining, logging, and ORV use, get information on how to comment from the Missouri Coalition for the Environment website.March 29, 2005

SIERRA CLUB Slams Backroom Deal Between KCPL, Office of Public Counsel and PSC Staff.  Late last night Kansas City Power and Light, KCPL, the Office of Public Counsel and several large industrial firms finalized a deal that will increase rates and harm public health. Now they are trying to get the State Public Service Commission to bless this deal....

March 10, 2005
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Praises St. Louis Rep. Barbara Fraser Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke about environmental ethics to a packed house at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri Wednesday evening.  Later he praised Representative Fraser’s efforts to address this health threat of mercury pollution at the state level.

March 7, 2005
Democracy on the decline! fast-tracked bills are direct attacks on democracy and the public’s right to know.

March 1, 2005, press release
Update on Premium Standard
Still Polluting After All These Years

Feb. 11, 2005
A wind farm slide show

Jan. 28, 2005
Change, it is a coming!   2005 Missouri legislature

Jan. 21, 2005
Why the Dirty Secrets Bill is Bad for Missouri Citizens and the Environment

Oct. 19, 2004, Missouri Environment and Labor Leaders Launch Blue-Green Alliance
New coalition calls for protecting the environment while promoting economic growth and family wage jobs.

Oct. 12, 2004
Report: Clean Energy Policies Would Create 30,250 New Jobs in Missouri
Sierra Club, Steelworkers Ask Why Bush Administration Rejects Clean Energy Policies and the Jobs They Create?

Oct. 5, 2004
Conservation organizations announce $3M settlement with Holcim
Funds will go for land preservation and air quality projects in Illinois and Missouri St. Louis, Mo. 

Sept. 27, 2004
Sierra Club Opposes Amendment 3 - Highway Robbery Amendment

Sept. 22, 2004
Sierra Club responds to Bush administration's 2003 status report on air pollution

August 31, 2004
Sierra Club Conservation Chair files complaint on land reclamation director

Aug. 24, 200
Fish Mercury Advisories
60% increase in river miles since 2002

July 7, 2004
Conservation Groups Appeal Holcim Air Permit St. Louis Mo.

Mar. 30, 2004
Mercury bill to be heard Wednesday, Mar. 31.  MO Bill establishes an emissions fee for large producers of mercury pollutants.

Track legislation of  environmental interest.

March 5, 2004
State Mercury Bill Seeks to Address Health Concerns in Fish Advisories 

Feb. 23, 2004
US Representative Sam Graves is "grandstanding" Representative Graves is NOT seeking objective, unbiased information, but rather that his mind is already made up.

Feb. 20, 2004
Army Corps Reform needed
Sierra Club and other environmental groups asked today for comprehensive reform of the Corps planning process before any new Corps projects are authorized.   In a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the groups state: " the Corps’ planning process is hopelessly biased to support the construction of large-scale projects, does not adequately protect the environment, results in the recommendation of projects that are not economically justified, and is based on flawed economic and scientific analyses."

Feb. 17, 2004
State Set to Settle Again with PSF-ContiGroup
Latest Agreement to Include $333,000 Fine, 6-year Extension on Waste System Improvements; Citizens Again Shut Out of Settlement Process

Feb. 17, 2004
THE STRUGGLE FOR CLEAN POWER
A Workshop For Coal Energy Activists
April 3, 2004 – Holiday Inn Milwaukee-City Centre

Feb. 9, 2004
Corporate Agriculture Taking Over Missouri

Feb. 9, 2004
Holden administration caves in to influential developers in Columbia

April 21, 2004
Final Four in Legislature. Message from Carla Klein.

May 6, 2004
Hybrid Evolution Tours Will Drive Home the Need for Clean Energy Solutions

March 19, 2004
Bush Administration’s Fishy Rule Would Weaken Clean Air Act
Hold the Mercury, Please!

March 5, 2004
Bad Environmental Bills on fast track
The Dirty Secrets Bills 
SCS SB 989 & HB 933
Cost Risk Benefit bills 
HCS SB 739 & HCS HB 980
Small Business Regulatory Board
HB 978 & SB 718

Dec. 18, 2003
Southwest Missouri citizens for clean energy oppose CU plan to burn more dirty coal
Burning coal to generate electricity has serious public health and environmental consequences

Dec. 16, 2003
Bush administration's mercury proposal contradicts prior EPA/FDA joint fish warnings

Dec. 10, 2003
Bush administration leans on Food and Drug Administration to downplay dangers of mercury

Oct. 6, 2003
Green Fleets Workshop Kicks Off Campaign
Cleaner cars are a key to building healthier communities and curbing global warming pollution. At a Sept. 27 workshop organized by the Sierra Club's Global Warming and Energy program, some two dozen participants worked on a strategy to "green" St. Louis area fleets with gas/electric hybrid cars. Click here for the full story.

Nov.23, 2003
Sierra Club files suit over construction of levee at Jefferson City

Oct. 14, 2003
Burning Rubber
Sierra Club Planet highlights cement kilns and effect on air quality. Holcim Cement Plant proposed for St. Genevieve.

Thursday, August 28, 2003
Environmental Groups File Lawsuit in State Court Challenging Quarry Permit for Proposed Cement Plant Project St. Louis, Missouri. 
The Sierra Club and others have filed a lawsuit against Holcim, Inc. and the Missouri Land Reclamation Commission challenging the issuance of a 100-year quarry permit by the Land Reclamation Commission. Holcim, Inc. had sought the quarry permit in connection with its proposed project to build the largest cement plant in the U.S. 40 miles south of St. Louis, at the border between Jefferson County and Ste. Genevieve County. 

Monday, August 18, 2003
Sierra Club ask EPA to take over 303d list in Missouri
The Sierra Club on Friday, August 15, petitioned the US Environmental  Protection Agency (USEPA) to take over the listing of impaired waters for  the State of Missouri in 2004.  

August 13, 2003
Governor Leavitt's environmental record
The Bush Administration nominated Utah's Governor Mike Leavitt to serve as the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Governor Leavitt's environmental track record suggests that we can expect little improvement from the Bush Administration, which has done a terrible job protecting our air, water and lands.

August 6, 2003
Sierra Club and other environmental groups file suit against Corps of Engineers on Holcim pemit

July 10, 2003
Governor Holden Vetos Disastrous Bill for Family Farms

May 1, 2003
News Release
SIERRA CLUB PRAISES US EPA  
237 waterbodies on 303d list.

June-August, 2003
Meramec River
The dam we stopped!
MIRACLES & MILESTONES
THE REBIRTH OF A RIVER
The Sierra Club joins the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the deauthorization of the Meramec River dam.
summer anniversary events

February 18, 2003
KC river polluted by toxic PCBs
Sierra Club Files Notice of Intent to Sue US Department of Energy in Kansas City

Nov. 25, 2002
Court orders EPA to declare St. Louis area in serious non-attainment for ozone. Sierra Club wins suit started in 1998.

Mark Twain National Forest Regional Outing planned. April 11-13, 2003

Nov. 18, 2002
Congressman Gephardt urged to request Holcim Environmental Impact Statement
National Sierra Club has joined environmental organizations from California to Massachusetts to ask Congressman Gephardt to call for an Holcim EIS. Illinois Senator Durbin, Missouri Governor Holden, Congressman Clay, St. Louis Mayor Slay, US EPA, Illinois EPA, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, US Fish and Wildlife, St. Louis County Council, and many legislators in Missouri and Illinois have already already stated support for an Holcim EIS.

Nov. 1, 2002
Chapter director, Carla Klein,  appointed to Missouri Energy Policy Council. 

Oct. 23, 2002
Sierran and Highpointer Jack Longacre will be missed.

Sept. 26, 2002
Communities at Risk - Herculaneum and Oak Grove Village among top 25.
National Press Release
Chapter Press Release
Full Report

Sept. 12, 2002
Chapter Volunteer Opportunities

Sept. 6, 2002
Sierra Club and others ask EPA and FWS to veto possible Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit for Holcim

August 20, 2002
Ozark Chapter Intervenes in Premium Standard Suit

August 13, 2002
Sierra Club releases rap sheets on CAFO polluters 

July 26, 2002
Sierra Club says NO to Prop B 

May 31, 2002 
2002 Session ends!  Missouri Environmental Legislation tracking

May 21, 2002
White River Group Listserv
The White River Group (WRG) has been inactive for several years and currently there are no organized activities or programs. Until the group is reorganized, Sierra Club members living in the WRG region are invited to join an online discussion group, called a  listserv. The listserv allows members to communicate about local and regional environmental issues and opportunities for action. Those interested in the reorganization of the WRG are also encouraged to join and to use this medium to communicate with other interested members. Join the listserv.

May 1, 2002 - Maryland Heights Real News.
Levees magnify downstream flooding

April 19, 2002
Sierra Club praises Senator Carnahan for protecting Arctic Refuge, 
condemns Senator Bond

April13, 2002
"After Midnight" - Doe Run's cheap new cologne

April 5, 2002
Environmental News from around Missouri now available - check the headlines.

April 2, 2002
Doe Run Cleaning up its mess? - press release

from March Healthy Planet
Several Bills in Missouri Legislature Pose Threat to the Environment
by Roy C. Hengerson

Feb. 9. 2002
Carla Klein is selected as the new Ozark Chapter Director

Mar 9, 2002
Chapter offers political training, March 9, 2002 St. Louis, MO

Nov. 28, 2001
Missouri can meet its transportation needs through smart growth

Nov. 15, 2001
Field Notes on Herculaneum
Comments on new drilling needed now.

from Nov. 2001 the Healthy Planet
New Chip Mill Legislation needs sponsors.  
Talk to your legislator.

Oct. 22, 2001
Putting Smart Growth into Context
Ron McLinden, transportation committee chair, talks to the League of Women Voters Forum on Smart Growth

Oct. 10, 2001
StopHolnam.com
New website presents the facts about the Holnam Cement Plant and air quality in Eastern Missouri

Oct. 4, 2001
Clean Air Lawsuit
Sierra Club and Missouri Coalition still fighting for clean air in St. Louis.  Litigation now pending in three US Courts of Appeal.

archived Nov.14, 2001
Arctic Alert - Letters and calls needed now to preserve the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge from drilling.
Information links.
National Resources Defense Council
National Sierra Club

August 30, 2001 
Taum Sauk Coalition lauds decision to abandon pumped storage plant 
The Taum Sauk Coalition, an ad hoc coalition of conservation and civic groups organized to protect the natural and cultural heritage values of the Taum Sauk area, enthusiastically lauds the Ameren Development Company’s decision to abandon plans for a pumped storage plant on Church Mountain and Taum Sauk Creek. The company announced yesterday it was withdrawing its requests for permits and ceasing all efforts to build the facility...

Archived Oct. 10
New Directions for Transportation Policy.
This is the written statement given to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission at its regular monthly meeting on December 1, 2000.   Ron McLinden chairs the Transportation Committee of the Ozark Chapter of the Sierra Club in Missouri. He was a member of the Missouri Total Transportation Commission.

archived Oct. 1, 2001
Understanding the Clean Air Lawsuit against the EPA.
Apr. 12 ... Ken Midkiff provides the chronology and details.

archived 8/112001
Do jobs come at the expense of the environment? 
States with the highest environmental standards 
also boast the best economic performance

Chip Mills Remain Threat to Ozark Forests.
Citizens meet to plan legislative agenda.

archived 5/21/2001
Impact of the Electric Power Industry on the Great Lakes
May 5 meeting in Chicago.

archived 3/30/2001
Missouri’s “Dirty Waters” to be cleaned up
Aug. 22... After months of negotiations involving the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Justice, the Sierra Club and American Canoe Association announced successful resolution of a lawsuit originally filed Nov. 12, 1998. A Settlement Agreement was filed yesterday with the federal court in Kansas City.

archived Dec. 20, 2000 **********************
Sierra Club endorses Sandra Reeves for US Congress 6th district

June 16,2000
EPA Clean Air Workshop for Citizen Participation well attended.
Ten members of the Ozark chapter attended this workshop. Overview and helpful links.

June 15, 2000
Special Update on the chip mill advisory committee.
Last public hearing on July 31,2000

Goals of the clean air lawsuit
Information from the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

archived Dec. 13, 2000   ********************

SIERRA CLUB ADVISES MEMBERS: “VOTE FOR CARNAHAN”

***************************

June 21, 2000
Forest Service Roadless Area Comments Due July 17

The Ozark Chapter takes a stand for clean air
...the EPA has failed to enforce the Clean Air Act in St. Louis. ...

High Capacity Chip Mills are Big Industry
...High Capacity Chip Mills are NOT small, sustainable logging operations anymore
than Premium Standard Farms' hog operations are Old MacDonald's farm....

Read Ken Midkiff's "Fear and Hatred in the Ozarks" and more...