Lone
Star Chapter Conservation
Campaigns & Goals 2010-2011
The Executive
Committee of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra
Club has approved and/or reaffirmed the Chapters
priority campaigns and goals for conservation action
in Texas during 2010 and 2011. In pursuit of these
priority campaigns and goals the Lone Star Chapter
of the Sierra Club is committed to achieving environmental
justice for all Texans, promoting environmental
education, and meeting the challenges posed by
climate change. Where appropriate, the Chapter
will pursue these campaigns and goals in part through
the sunset review of relevant state agencies.
The Chapter conservation campaigns reflect those issues that will receive the most significant commitment of both Chapter staff and volunteer time and resources over the next two years. In pursuing these issues the Chapter is working closely with a wide range of organizations and interests committed to environmental and public health protection and sustainable resource management. The six priority conservation campaigns for 2010 and 2011, along with the goals under each priority campaign, are as follows:
Beyond Coal Prevention of air quality deterioration by new coal-fired
power plants Reductions in air pollutant emissions from existing coal-fired
power plants
Clean Energy Solutions More efficient use of energy by Texas consumers, agricultural
producers, businesses, government entities, and institutions Increased reliance on renewable energy sources to meet
power needs, including the responsible promotion of solar,
wind, and geothermal energy production Prevention of the expansion of nuclear power, including
addressing threats to the environment and public health from
all aspects of the nuclear power cycle from uranium mining
to radioactive waste management and disposal
Green Transportation
Development of a comprehensive and environmentally sound
state transportation policy implemented by state, regional,
and local transportation agencies Expansion of funding and other support for mass transit,
including rail, and other transportation alternatives to
the heavy dependence on vehicles Appropriate use of federal economic stimulus funds by transportation
officials
Safeguarding Communities:
Clean Air & Water Reduction of toxic and other harmful emissions from industrial
plants, electric power generating plants, and energy production
activities Strengthening the states water quality protections for
surface water and groundwater, including adoption of tougher
limitations on wastewater discharges, enhancement of water
quality standards, and more effective regulation of energy
production activities that might pose a threat to water quality Enhanced enforcement of air and water pollution control
laws
A Texas Land & Wildlife Legacy
Establishment of a dependable and ongoing source of funding
for acquisition, maintenance, and management of Texas state & local
parks Preservation and restoration of coastal wetlands, riparian
corridors, wildlife habitat, and other critical ecosystems,
including those along the Texas-Mexico border Protection of state and federal public lands in Texas,
including the designation of wilderness areas in Big Bend
and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks and the expansion
of the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River through Big Bend National
Park Sustainable populations of nongame, endangered, and threatened
species
Water for People & the Environment Preservation and provision of instream flows and freshwater
inflows to bays and estuaries necessary to maintain healthy
fish and wildlife populations More efficient use of water by Texas consumers, agricultural
producers, water suppliers, businesses, government entities,
and institutions through conservation and drought management Management of the states groundwater resources on a sustainable
basis
