This article was submitted for the May / June 2004 issue of the newsletter.
Sierra Club in Action: Fighting
Columbus Sewer Violations
Columbus
provides sewer services to much of Central Ohio. By doing
so they have taken responsibility for the health and well
being of over 1 million people. Yet they pour 3 billion
gallons of raw sewage into our rivers each year. Residents
reported over 3,500 sewage backups into their basements in
2003. Typically, there are 2 unreported backups for every
one that is reported. This tremendous individual financial
burden and health threat to our residents must end .
PLEASE DONATE!
NEW MATCHING
CHALLENGE—
A generous donor has agreed to match new donations
up to a total of $3000! Your contribution NOW is
important so that we can be sure to secure the matching
dollars! Our 2003 matching challenge brought in $1720,
which was matched. We started the match later last year
and fell only slightly short of the goal of $2000. This
year we are starting earlier and with your help we will
meet the goal of $3000!
On Nov. 24, 2003, Columbus passed a water/sewer rate
increase that would raise the average bill by about
$40/year. Yet the City is a long way from spending these
dollars in an economic and environmentally beneficial
manner. Too much of our money is spent for new sewers on
the fringes of town, creating sprawl and adding sewage to
a system already over capacity. Please donate generously
and help us meet our challenge by making a
tax-deductible check to the Sierra Club Foundation.
You must mention the challenge in order for us to receive
the match. Mail to: Sierra Club Treasurer, 6760 Hayhurst
St., Worthington, OH 43085.
CONTACT
TO VOLUNTEER IN OUR SEWERS CAMPAIGN OR
TO REPORT A BASEMENT BACKUP
The Sierra Club is pleased to announce the hiring of
Cyane Gresham as Conservation Program Coordinator. She
will be working on Clean Water and sewage overflow issues
in the Columbus area.
Cyane comes to us with a wealth of experience. She has
served on the Executive Committee of the Central Ohio
Sierra Club and currently is a volunteer with Franklin
County MetroParks and Friends of the Ravines in
Clintonville.Last year Cyane received a J.D. degree from
Fordham University School of Law in New York City. She was
admitted to the Ohio bar last November. She has a B.A. in
Geology from Williams College. For 12 years Cyane worked
for the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA as a
horticulturist and native plant and invasive weed expert.
She has done horticulture research in New Zealand,
Australia, Papua New Guinea, Germany and England as well
as in the U.S. See her article “Landscaping with Native
Plants” on p2.
We extend a hearty welcome to
. She can be
contacted through the
Chapter office at 614-461-0734 ext. 311.
This tremendous individual financial burden and
health threat to our residents must end
Your contribution NOW is important so that we can be
sure to secure the matching dollars!
