>Peter's supporters can repute how or why RT got the endorsement, but the >bottom line is the Sierra Club >endorsed RT and not Peter. Slice and dice >however you want.
Dear Megan: Some dilligent Sierra Club members followed up on RT's claims to environmental protection and this is what they found. Please pay special attention to the REALITY/SOURCE part. I do not fault Sierra Club's function or process, only the RT's deception on the issues. Laura Huseby Field-Regina Sierra Club volunteer, member and McLaughlin supporter Protection of Our Drinking Water Source CLAIM: Rybak claims that his leadership on separation of storm water and sanitary sewers in the City protects our drinking water. REALITY: Our drinking water intake is located on the Mississippi River in Fridley, Minnesota, significantly upstream from any sewer discharge points from Minneapolis, and would therefore have no effect on source water quality. SOURCE: City of Minneapolis, Source Water Assessment, 2001. Also, separation of storm water and sanitary sewers is mandated by federal law and is not an original mayoral initiative (59 FR 18688, April 19, 1994). Storm Water Utility CLAIM: Rybak claims leadership for new storm water fee and incentives. REALITY: CM Sandy Colvin Roy, Chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, spearheaded the effort for the storm water fee and incentives. SOURCE: Ordinance 2004-Or-132, November 5, 2004, proposed by CM Colvin Roy, Goodman, Benson, and Zimmermann. Storm Water Management CLAIM: Rybak claims use of alternative storm water practices instead of "big pipe" projects. REALITY: Alternative storm water practices are not being considered for the largest City projects, such as the 35W/62 interchange and the 35W storm sewer upgrade. Storm water management, also, was not properly addressed at three out of four LRT stations (the 4th station did address storm water discharges but only because of Minnehaha Creek Watershed District requirements). SOURCE: Environmental Assessment: Interstate 35W and Highway 62, State Project: 2782-281. St. Mary's Tunnel plan. Phosphorus Ban CLAIM: Rybak claims that he made phosphorus a significant issue in 2001 and later it was banned in lawn fertilizers in the City. REALITY: The City phosphorus restrictions were in place before Rybak was in office. SOURCE: The "Phosphorus Ban" was Ordinance 2001-Or-113, proposed by City CM Lisa McDonald and CM Sandra Colvin Roy. It was adopted unanimously by City Council on September 28, 2001, and was approved by Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton on October 4, 2001. The Above The Falls Master Plan CLAIM: Rybak claims he is a big supporter of implementing the Above The Falls Master Plan. REALITY: As Mayor, Rybak has had the basis to object to state permits or withhold City permits, but was silent as heavy industry continues to develop on the Mississippi River in ways that violate this Plan. SOURCE: Minnesota Statutes 103G.245, Subpart 6, prohibits the issuance of the necessary state Public Waters Work permit if the proposed project is inconsistent with a local plan. City CUP permits have been issued to American Iron & Supply and Graco when such facilities violate the Above The Falls Master Plan. Arsenic Clean Up in E. Phillips Neighborhood CLAIM: Rybak claims that the City is decontaminating all property in the East Phillips Neighborhood with harmful levels of arsenic from a former pesticide manufacturing plant. REALITY: This Superfund clean up was initiated and funded by EPA Region V. The City has provided no funding, has not established clean up standards, and does not direct clean up activities at this site. SOURCE: EPA Region V, Superfund Office. Air Quality CLAIM: Rybak promised to play a lead role in State rulemaking on air permits and continue to work aggressively with the State to protect air quality when permits are issued for Minneapolis facilities. (From Sustainability Plan) REALITY: As a result of resignations and reassignments, the City no longer has staff to review State rule makings and permit issuances. SOURCE: Environmental Services staff roster indicates loss of the one person working on these air issues with the City. Kyoto Protocol CLAIM: Minneapolis is one of the first cities to meet the Kyoto Protocol for pollution reduction. REALITY: Minneapolis may be able to comply with the Kyoto Protocol by 2010 if CO2 emissions can be further reduced. SOURCE: 2003 State of the City. Coal Plant Conversion CLAIM: Rybak successfully lobbied for conversion of the Riverside Coal Plant to natural gas. REALITY: There was no known opposition. (If a state needs to increase electric generation to meet increasing demands, it must reduce existing emissions to compensate for it. The Riverside Coal Plant conversion was supported by Xcel Energy, MPCA, and various environmental organizations, besides the Mayor.) SOURCE: MN Stat 216B.1692, required submission of the Metropolitan Emissions Reduction Proposal (MERP). The MERP was submitted July 26, 2002, and was reviewed by MPCA, December 30, 2002. Vapor Recovery at City Gas Stations CLAIM: Rybak claims that he led the initiative on establishing City restrictions on gasoline pumps in the City for recycling toxic fumes. REALITY: The City passed an ordinance requiring this before Rybak took office. SOURCE: Ordinance 2001-Or-160, proposed by CM Biernat, amended Title 13, Chapter 287.110, required that all gas stations established after 1/1/02 must install and use a Stage I vapor recovery system. This proposed ordinance passed unanimously on December 28, 2001, by City Council and was approved on December 31, 2001, by Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 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