Recent Articles | Articles 2012 | Articles 2013 | Reverse Order
The Oregonian - June 5, 2013
The Sierra Club and other environmental groups sued BNSF railway and coal companies in federal court Wednesday, charging that they pollute the Columbia River and other water bodies with coal dust from uncovered coal trains.
Sustainable Business Oregon - June 5, 2013
The debate over coal shipments through the Northwest amped up again Wednesday when the Sierra Club, in a lawsuit, charged several companies with violating the federal Clean Water Act.
Sisters Nugget - May 30, 2013
Sierra Club representative Borden Beck is one of those dedicated to permanently preserving the Owhyee. Here we are still waiting for Congress to do something," said Beck at a recent Sierra Club gathering in Bend. Clearly frustrated by the inability of Congress to act, Beck accused the last Congress of "being the first since 1964 to not pass any wilderness legislation."
OPB News - May 14, 2013
Among those cheering the bill's passage is Brian Pasko. He's the Director of the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club. He says Waldo Lake is thought to be one of the purest lakes in the world.
The Oregonian - May 13, 2013
"Waldo Lake is a unique Oregon treasure," Brian Pasko, director of the Sierra Club's Oregon chapter, said in a prepared statement. "Today's action by the Oregon Legislature will protect Waldo Lake's unique ecology and ensure that it is a place for quiet recreation and solitude to be enjoyed by Oregonians for generations to come."
Eugene Register-Guard - May 13, 2013
Environmental groups that for years have pushed for a ban on all gasoline-powered engines were relieved. "Waldo Lake is a unique Oregon treasure," said Brian Pasko, director of the Sierra Club's Oregon chapter. "Today's action by the Oregon Legislature will protect Waldo Lake's unique ecology and ensure that it is a place for quiet recreation and solitude to be enjoyed by Oregonians for generations to come."
Eugene Weekly - May 13, 2013
Efforts to save Waldo Lake may be paying off for clean water enthusiasts and lovers of Oregon's lakes and forests. A bill has passed in both the Senate and House in the Oregon Leglislature that would ban float planes from landing on the lake. Removing polluting motors from the pristine lake has been a conentious issue with efforts by the Forest Service, conservationists and others fought at every step. The bill now gets sent to Gov. John Kitzhaber to sign into law. Here is the info from the Sierra Club.
KUOW by Ashley Ahearn - April 2, 2013
The Sierra Club, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Columbia Riverkeeper and other environmental groups have sent a notice of intent to sue BNSF Railway and several coal companies for violations of the Clean Water Act. "This letter has informed them of their illegal discharge of coal dust in chunks and other potentially dangerous material into the Columbia River and other Northwest waterways in violation of the federal clean water act," said Cesia Kearns with the Sierra Club's Power Past Coal campaign.
Sustainable Business Oregon - April 2, 2013
The Sierra Club has notified Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway that it intends to sue the company and several coal businesses for alleged federal Clean Water Act violations.
The Oregonian - March 13, 2013
Whatever the Aviation Board decided would likely have led to litigation, said Brian Pasko, director of the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club. Environmentalists are concerned in particular with possible pollution and the introduction of invasive species from seaplanes. "This lake has been sought after as a place for quiet recreation for well over a decade," Pasko said. "The public has come to expect that from the lake. By allowing four seaplanes, you allow a very small minority to have a very significant impact on the way a majority of folks enjoy the lake."
Coos Bay World - March 9, 2013
Coos County Circuit Court Judge Paula Bechtold ruled in January that the port must waive approximately $20,000 in fees under an extensive public records request filed by the Sierra Club. Hamner said the port has yet to decide whether it will appeal Bechtold's ruling.
The Oregonian - January 31, 2013
A Coos County judge, in a harsh rebuke to the local port district, ruled that the port "abused its discretion" by attempting to discourage the Sierra Club from obtaining public records involving a proposed coal export terminal. Circuit Judge Paula Bechtold ordered the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay to turn over the documents without charge, and awarded the environmental group attorney's fees in the case.
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