June 2022
Sustainable Warwick Minutes
Wednesday June 22, 2022
Meeting chair: Bill Greene
ACTION ALERTS!
Please take the following actions:
1. Call 518-474-8390 to urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill for a moratorium on crypto mining.
2. Easy way to submit comments on CLCPA - See NY Renews site:
nyrenews.org/submit-a-public-comment-on-nys-draft-scoping-plan
For more information on the above:docs.google.com/document/d/19YyL4cwVPH80UQm7z6xXYKm_tAQDdBOP3Cp865vKWZQ/edit
Committee Updates
Pollinator Pathway: SW has a new web page devoted to the Pollinator Pathway. It includes information on how and why to add native plants to our landscapes, as well as a map with locations of pollinator gardens. If you are interested in joining the Warwick Valley Pollinator Pathway, please sign up with this form (and please also share that request with your friends). Discussion about how to encourage others to join, including social media and press release. Lisa from Central Valley offered to spread the word in her circles.
Zoom Garden Plot: This online gardening group meets via Zoom at 8 PM on the second Monday of every month for a hyperlocal discussion of gardening. All welcome. To view past Zoom meetings go to Zoom Garden Plot page.
Book Club: An online book discussion meeting every second Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m. The book for July is Bewilderment by Richard Powers. The last book read was The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert. All welcome. Email BookClub@sustainablewarwick.org to join the club. A list of recommended books the group has read appears on the SW website's Book Club page.
CLPCA (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act): The draft scoping plan for implementation of this NYS law is still available for comment. This is a comprehensive plan to address climate change and environmental justice issues. There has been pushback from the fossil fuel industry, so comments in support are necessary. Here’s one form for submitting comments to support this important work.
Danskammer proposal: The DEC denied a permit that would allow this old gas plant near Newburgh to be turned into a new gas plant. A challenge in court upheld this denial based on the goals of the CLCPA.
Social Media: Several people are posting to the SW Facebook page, but it’s not clear who the main administrator is. We are looking for someone to take on this role — please let us know if you are interested. Contact steeringcommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Discussion
Proposed skatepark and bike path near library: Alice questioned the proposed siting of these projects, as they would impact the ecology of a small but lovely area. She has spoken to Mayor Michael Newhard and Donna Kaminski and will contact others to see if this area could be protected while finding a more suitable location for the two projects.
Hudson Valley Climate Solutions Week 2022: Sustainable Hudson Valley is planning another Climate Solutions event September 17-25, partly in person and partly virtual, throughout the Hudson Valley. Michael will contact Melissa Everett of SHV to check her opinions on how Sustainable Warwick might get involved. We brainstormed this topic and came up with the following list:
History and description of PDR
Pollinator pathways
Using less plastic
Political action/lobbying on climate
Other?
If you are interested in being involved, please contact steeringcommittee@sustainablewarwick.org
Minutes by Mary Makofske