SIERRA

What are the key issues facing this region? The Maersh Terminal is a key item. We and other environmental groups are pushing for a complete Environmental Impact Study (ELS). Only with a thorough study can we make an informed decision on a project as major and as important as this one.

We are also following the wind energy project proposed for the Eastern Shore. There are several pertinent questions that need to be addressed. These include consideration for bird migration, the hazards to navigation, and the capabilities of the existing electrical grid. Again we are urging a complete ELS. This is the first time in the US to be considering an off-shore field of these wind mills.

Transportation remains a key concern. We would like to encourage more walking and bicycling. To those ends we are considering getting more knowledgeable about pedestrian facilities in all the local municipalities.

One item of particular interest is the Norfolk Southern Railroad's right-of-way from Virginia Beach to Norfolk, which is now available for these communities to acquire and make available for pedestrians and some form of transportation.

If you have an issue or service project come to the next meeting and let us know about it.

Fred Adams Click to email comments, or call 467-2775.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Walter 'Skip' Earl from ODU to present his experiences at 9 different ventures with Earth Watch. These include Easter Island, Africa, South America, Israel, Pompeii, Venice and far away places like Kentucky and Wyoming!

Earth Watch is dedicated to Conservation, Education, and Research for a more sustainable world. It involves people from all walks of life directly in global field research. People work alongside leading researchers on any one of more than 130 projects currently active.

We think that this will be a most interesting way to review what is going on to increase the chances of improved sustainability through out the globe.

The date is the 8^th of September, the location is the Virginia Beach Central Library and the time is 7-9 PM.

We have been following the Wind Energy Project on the Eastern Shore with great interest. I would be proud to see a group of windmills creating clean energy that would be a positive contribution to the condition of the Chesapeake Bay.

However, there are some questions that need to be answered. For one, the location is a surprise. The proposed field comes way down into the bay; it appears as though it would be in the path of migrating birds and on the outer limits for safety of ships in storm situations.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is putting together a project to determine the actual migration paths. This has not been done in the past because it requires some fancy radar that hopefully can be obtained from NASA. TNC has the lead and is doing a good job.

There are other questions that include whether or not the electrical grid can handle the additional power. The average RPM of the blades is 13 with a max of 26. I'm not sure what happens when RPM reaches 26 and there still is more wind. These are not fast speeds, however many birds flying at night strike stationary objects like light houses.

Our main concern right now is to insure that the Corps of Engineers requires a comprehensive environmental impact study that fully addresses all the issues and all the pertinent alternatives. Will keep you posted and if you have questions please call Fred at 467-2775.

Bluebirds and how to attract them is the subject of this month's meeting. Mitchell Norman with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries was involved in a most interesting survey concerning Bluebirds.

He observed over 60 Bluebird houses and had activity in 56 of them. That in itself is remarkable. Come and see what kind of habitat these beautiful creatures prefer. These Bluebirds had families and some had more than one clutch for the season. A few even had three clutches already this year.

Come and see what the Bluebirds like and hear answers to questions like: Do they migrate?, What kind of houses do they prefer?, and Are there any particular orientation to the houses that are suggested?

The date is 4 October at the Virginia Beadch Central Library and the time is 7-9 PM. See you there and this is one time when you don't need your binoculars.

There will be a Sierra Singles hike on Saturday, October 11, in First Landing State Park. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Trail Center, which is on the "Trails" side of the park, at the end of the parking lot. We will hike approximately four miles, then go somewhere for lunch. Call Nancy McAdoo at 464-4483 if you have questions. Hope to see you there!

One area of activity that the CHESAPEAKE BAY GROUP is becoming steadily noted for is the construction projects that we have been involved in.

Our members have been responsibile for an Osprey platform at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve along with a bat house and butterfly garden. Individuals have worked in a team to construct huge cages for birds of prey. This group later went on to construct a remarkable butterfly garden with a beautiful lattice-work entrance and room for 50 budleias. Members have developed and maintained a small butterfly garden at the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Most of these projects but not all have been by our retired membrs. If you have ideas for projects that have ideas for projects that you believe would be beneficial to the environment and would like to participate in such projects, contact Fred at 476-2775.