Southeast Environmental Task Force

Special Screening of "Dirty Business" Well Attended

2012-02-28T22:07:00.005-06:00

The February 10th screening of the "Dirty Business of Coal" was well attended in spite of the blowing snow and cold temperature. Additional seating had to be added once it was apparent that the turnout was going to be greater than anticipated.

Peter Bull, an award winning writer/producer/director of film and TV documentaries and director of the film, joined for the evening all the way from New York. Following the movie, Peter gave a brief presentation about his motivation for making the documentary and why there is no such thing as "clean coal". He also fielded questions about the film and the issue.

L - R: Linda Ruxton- Field Team Member, Tom Shepherd - Southeast Environmental Task Force, Juan Martinez - Field Team, Peter Bull - Director

Kevin Kuhn, Field Team Member, mans the sign-in sheets.

Some of the people that made it happen: Sierra Club, G2G Youth Group, The New !0thWard Service Organization, Eastside United Methodist Church , The Southeast Environmental Task Force and Director, Peter Bull

SAY YES TO EAGLES - NO TO FIRING RANGE!

2012-02-28T21:56:00.003-06:00

Eagles have been discovered nesting within the Blue Heron Rookery adjacent to the site for the proposed CPD outdoor firing range - the first to nest within our great city.

The Bald Eagle, though no longer on the endangered list, is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Act. The Act prohibits anyone from "disturbing" the eagles without an issued permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife. In the event that a permit is appllied for by CPD, SETF will ask USFW for public meeting and comment period. to allow those who are opposed to the range to be heard. We will keep you posted.

Click here for videos and comments from our supporters:

Tranquility lost:

Adding insult to injury...

2012-02-28T21:54:00.004-06:00

In addition to firing ranges, coal gasification plants, cement kilns, wetland fill-ins and delayed construction on the promised Calumet Environmental Center, Alderman Beale of the 9th Ward recently proposed an ordiance to lift the current 20 year Landfill Moratorium that isn't even halfway through it's life span. If the moratorium is lifted the impact will be most strongly felt on the southeast side. Land and Lakes will surely expand it's current Dolton operation to fill in the gap between it's two landfills that straddle the city limits. Waste Management could decide to re-open or expand it's landfills that are across the river from Hegewisch Marsh.

If this happens, the residents of Altgeld Gardens and Golden Gate, who are constituents of Alderman Beale, will be sandwiched between the stench of the MWRD treatment plant and the newly operational landfills. Hegewisch Marsh could also be affected by odors, dust, and unsightly garbage.

We find it interesting that while parts of the city move forward with roof-top gardens, curb side reycling, green operating industries and other 21st Century initiatives, we get pulled backward into the previous century with dirty industry, landfilling, diesel trucking, and a lot of promises.

Bald Eagle Look Out

2012-02-23T14:18:00.000-06:00

If you would like to get a peek at the bald eagles' nest built atop the trees on the proposed police gun range site stop by Windjammers at 13701 Hoxie Avenue. Mike Olson, the proprietor, will be glad to serve you a cold brew while pointing out the nest. Just be sure to bring a pair of binoculars with.

Kitchen Beauty

2012-02-23T12:23:00.000-06:00

On Friday, February 17th, the Task Force hosted one of it's more popular workshops. Our "Natural Beauty" workshop emphasizes the importance of using fewer chemicals in the name of beauty, and instead substituting everyday "good for you " ingredients that can be found in your kitchen. The ingredients cost only pennies and do the job. Things like cornmeal, lemons, vegetable oil, sea salt, and cocoa can be whisked together to make facial masks, moisturizers, refreshing body soaks and scrubs.

Ending a busy week with a workshop where you get to mix things up, make a mess, get a free facial message and a sip of sangria made from left over lemons and oranges, is high on our members priority list. In fact, this workshop is so much fun, we might have to offer it twice a year!

Linda Cook, Board member, demonstrates how to mix one of the recipes.

Sharon Rolek, Rose Martinez and Sylvia Villicana are busy mixing and stirring their potions.

Sylvia assesses the mess.

Julia readies herself for her facial message.

Linda Ruxton is "pleased as punch" with her scrub.

Sylvia is just as pleased a Linda.

Sea kelp and cocoa - who would have thought!

Waiting for the magic to begin.

BRRR!

2012-02-17T13:15:00.000-06:00

We had the perfect winter day for our "Winter Walk". There was a sprinkling of snow, and the temperature was in the low 30's, made even lower by the wind chill factor. Linda Ruxton, John Pastrik, and Kevin Kuhn, our volunteer guides, met the adults and children at the Egger's Grove parking lot. John and Kevin had already put in early hours doing stewardship work along with students from Washington High School at the site. After all had arrived, they started the hike, following the main path into the woods. John led the group pointing out tree types, sharing facts and his brand of humor. The children ( 4 little girls) walked, ran, and pranced along while the adults listened to John and chatted. After the 1/2 mile hike was over, the group warmed up around a fire made from brush that had been cut earlier. Tossing twigs into the fire kept the girls entertained even longer. The event ended, when one of the little girls stepped on an ice covered puddle and broke through. She was too wet to stay out in the cold.

Introducing children to the woods and the fun that is to be had outdoors the purpose of our event - judging from the fun that was had by all, it were successful.

The Eagles Have Landed And Are Nesting in the Millennium Reserve

2012-02-13T16:40:00.000-06:00

It has been confirmed; the eagles have taken up residence in a nest at Whitford Pond near the proposed CPD Firing Range.

When the SETF and other conservation groups first appeared before the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Department in 2010, we asked that a four-season wildlife study be done of the property. As residents, we were most familiar with the local landscape and understood how the wildlife utilized the fragmented parcels of property. and how integral that isolated parcel was because of the ponds. MWRD as property owners agreed to allow for a study. We then appealed to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who finally agreed to grant us a two day study, that proved to be too cursory to substantiate much.

We are hopeful that with the siting of the eagles, CPD and the Mayor will reconsider locating the range elsewhere and allow the eagles to propagate within the Millennium Reserve whose purpose is to preserve open space and wildlife habitat for future generations.

Go here to hear an interview with Carolyn Marsh, a member of SETF and Chicago Audubon and to see some great video footage of the birds:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/videogallery/68009994/News/Bald-Eagles-build-n

The Eagles Have Landed!

2012-02-09T16:28:00.000-06:00

SETF has been working with other organizations and groups in opposing the proposed CPD outdoor firing range for more than a year. The Range, which is to be located at 134th and Jeffery Avenue, will be adjacent to two wetland ponds that are critical for migrating waterfowl and a Blue Heron rookery. A firing range with 40 marksmen shooting at any given time would disturb and threaten these birds as well as the other wildlife currently in residence on the property. Though a noise study affirmed that residential areas would not hear the noise, the shooting would however be heard by visitors to Hegewisch Marsh - one of our Park District Parks and future home to the Calumet Ford Environmental Center.

As part of the Calumet Open Space Reserve, the property had been identified for open space reclamation along with the adjacent landfill. The potential for the property to offer public passive recreation was a vision of the Task Force. But a narrow vote by the MWRD Commissioners to approve the 39 year lease to the Police Department for the property left us discouraged.

Enter a pair of nesting Bald Eagles amid the Blue Heron Rookery. The Bald Eagle, while no longer an endangered species, is still protected by certain restrictions and the City will have to seek a permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife before the project can move forward.

We think the Mayor should reconsider the location of the gun range as placing a outdoor firing range in an urban area is at the very least controversial, and at the proposed site it is unacceptable.

Bald Eagle sitting on electric pole near location. (photo courtesy of WBEZ)

Eagle's nest easily distinguished by size. (photo courtesy of WBEZ)

Touring Regency Technologies

2012-02-09T12:19:00.000-06:00

Recently, SETF joined Alderman John Pope for a tour of Regency Electronics located at 116th and Burley Avenue. Regency recycles electronic equipment and appliances, disassembling them into pieces that can be shredded or processed for recycling. The company is under the umbrella of the larger Reserve Management Group that has another adjacent site that processes scrap metal in addition to multiple sites throughout the country.

After meeting with the management people in the office trailer, we donned hard hats and headed for the large warehouse were the recycling of the collected items is done. The warehouse was once part of LTV Steel and housed hundreds of workers. Today, as Regency recyclers, it houses fewer than 100 employees, most of which are temporary.

The warehouse was bustling with activity as workers disassembled, collected, moved, and shredded tons of discarded electronics and appliances. The huge warehouse was full from one end to the other. Forklifts zipped back and forth moving boxes of pieces and parts. A dozen or so employees stood huddled together at tables, dismantling items and tossing the parts into appropriate bins. Julius Hess of Regency explained that the process was very labor intensive.

Recycling products that has been broken down is just one arm of their business - they also refurbish and resell any computer or IT equipment that is worth selvaging.

For more information about Regency Technologies, visit their website at: http://www.regencytechnologies.com/
To purchase refurbished equipment, go to their ebay store here: http://stores.ebay.com/Regency-Technologies-Store?_lns=2&_sid=25639494&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Alderman Pope looks on as Jeff Corse explains the process.

A football field of discarded electronics.

Old appliances waiting to be disassembled.

Nothing is wasted as all pieces are classified by material content.

More appliences.

Imagine how many hardrives equal a ton!

Selvaging usable parts takes more skill and carefull handling.

Miles and miles of power cords.

Workers are busy as bees dismantling equipment.

The noisy, imposing shredder capable of handling almost any material.

SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE "DIRTY BUSINESS OF COAL"

2012-01-25T13:38:00.000-06:00

There will be a special, FREE screening of the documentary, "The Dirty Business of Coal" at 6:30 PM on February 10th at the Zone, 11731 Ave. O, Chicago. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with the Director, Peter Bull and Robert Rosenthal of The Center for Investigative Reporting. Please plan to attend to find out more about this issue and how it relates to your community.

For more information, call 773-646-0436.

As another year ends..

2012-01-09T16:10:00.000-06:00

Our members and friends spent a fun evening together last Monday as we celebrated another Holiday Potluck. With more food than we had room for, no one left with an empty stomach or empty an hand. Many recipes were swaped and compliments exchanged. One of the culinary hits that night was Juan's mosticolli whose secret ingredient was pineapple!

Our President, Bob LeSuer, took the opportunity to give an oral run down of our past year's acomplishments and to recognize our valued volunteers, Linda Ruxton and Jerry Carter. Jim and Julie Earnshaw received special recognition for their fundraising support of SETF with their particpation in a 13 mile walkathon in Wisconsin. They raised over $400.00 among family, friends and co-workers. Trees R Beautiful was also acknowledged for their receiving of the "Volunteers of the Year" award from Friends of the Parks for their work planting trees on the Burnham Greenway and in the Southeast Chicago. And member, Sharon Rolek , was thanked for the recycled items that she collects and then donates for use in our office and for her donation of the door prizes.

Too soon the evening came to an end and it was time to clean up the mess. We are fortunate to have such caring members; we thank them all for their support this past year and for making our Potluck Holiday Party such a success.

Volunteer Jerry Carter and President Bob LeSuer

Bob LeSuer with Jim and Julie Earnshaw

Our members listen intently as our President talks about our plans for 2012.

Intern Beatriz Diaz, new volunteer Margo and Allison Fisher of the Sierra Club.

Sample Letter to Editor Against Lucadia Project

2012-01-09T16:05:00.000-06:00

Appended below is a sample "letter to the Editor" that can be cut and pasted.

To: Editorial page editor of_____________________________________________

From: Name, Address
email address= Your Name@yahoo.com
Cell phone # ############
Our time to move “Beyond Coal” January 6, 2012

Dear Editor,

I am writing to encourage my neighbors and friends to stand up for clean, renewable energy jobs in our southside Chicago neighborhoods. Solar, wind, and geothermal energy technology can bring these jobs to our corner of the world. I do not want more dirty, polluting coal industry here in our community.

The Leucadia Corporation is proposing this year to build an expensive coal gasification plant that would produce synthetic natural gas from dirty coal. This means sooty streets and damaging effects to human health. The site for this plant would be 2 blocks from Washington High School, 3535 E. 114th St, where a monitor shows that the neighborhood’s air already has the states highest levels of toxic chromium, cadmium, and sulfates, which can trigger asthma attacks.

Our community has more than its fair share of polluting industries. The cumulative effect of the air pollution of these industries must be taken into account. Many are concentrated here where our air quality is some of the worst in the nation. The small amount of jobs that will be produced by the Leucadia coal plant are not the renewable energy jobs that we need.

This is our time in human history to move “Beyond Coal.” This is our time in our southside neighborhood to stand up for clean, renewable energy jobs. Please get involved in our “Beyond Coal” campaign. I ask my neighbors to visit these websites: www.sierraclub.org/coal/il and www.setaskforce.org

SETF Fights Gun Range

2012-01-04T15:07:00.001-06:00

The Southeast Environmental Task Force will be opposing the proposed gun range that the City of Chicago plans to build at 134th and Jeffery Avenue in Hegewisch. The range will border Whitford and O'Brien Marsh ponds, which are important feeding grounds for the endangered Black Crowned Night Herons and other water fowl. This site was also proposed as possible public park space.
The water district is scheduled to meet Thursday, Jan. 5th.

NWI News Article: Activists Fight Gun Range

SETF Interviewed on the Mike Nowak Radio Show

2011-12-18T22:01:00.005-06:00

Tom Shepherd and I were interviewed Sunday morning about the Millennium Reserve on radio WCPT's Mike Nowak Show. To hear our conversation, go here:

http://www.mikenowak.net/podcasts/?p=episode&name=2011-12-18_20111218_20111218_salazar_shepherd.mp3

SETF Presents: The Last Mountain

2011-12-06T15:21:00.000-06:00

Join us this Sunday for a viewing of "The Last Mountain" documentary. Depicting Appalachia's struggle against mountaintop removal mining, this film is both informative and thought provoking. Robert Kennedy Jr. contributes his insight about the mining industry and the future of energy production.

Sunday, December 11, 2011
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The SETF office
13300 Baltimore Ave.

Call 773-646-0436 for more information.

Jingle Bell Recyclables

2011-11-30T12:25:00.001-06:00

Scissors snipping, scraps flying and creative juices flowing, so went our ever popular "Holiday Crafting With Recyclables" workshop. This year's project included made over Altoid tins, Olde English Crackers, Christmas Card pendants, and Glittered Snowflake Ornaments. NO project is too difficult, and even the uncraftiest of people enjoy this workhop. The purpose of which is twofold: firstly, to demonstrate how items can be reused or have their life extended before tossing them out and secondly, to show how money can be saved for the holiday.

Christmas music playing in the background to set the mood, participants quietly focused on their projects, speaking only to compare designs or ask questions. The easiest and most interesting project proved to be the English Crackers made from toilet paper rolls covered in scraps of Christmas wrap, filled with candy and made to pop when opened.

Linda Ruxton, a member of SETF, carefully designed, wrapped and tied her Cracker only to discover after she was done that she had left the candy out!

Joe Mulac, a resident of the Vet's Park Neighborhood, carefully cut and glittered his snowflake ornament with a ton of glue.

Young Maya Bansett carefully selected the perfect Christmas card for her pendant for when it was completed all agreed it was one of the most stunning.

Beatriz Diaz, our intern brought friends and family who by all appearances had a good time and did a great job.

The two hours we allotted for the workshop flew by. After enjoying hot chocolate and cookies, the group cleaned up and was eager to display their works of art.

It's time to start searching for next years ideas - we never want to have to duplicate projects.

Linda Cook, SETF Board Member , shares some basic intructions.

Everyone was so focused.

The challenge was to express your individuality.

Limited materials made the projects that much more challenging.

Some were more precise than others.

A great way to spend a Friday evening.

Making suggestions.

The group proudly displays their end products.

Southeast Side Rallies Against More Dirty Industry

2011-11-30T11:23:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, November 19th, members of the Southeastside Environmental Justice Alliance rallied with residents and consumers against the proposed Coal Gasification Plant. The plant, which will cost 3 billion dollars plus to construct, will chemically process coal and pet coke into syngas, and produce tons of the greenhouse gas, CO2 that will have to be sequestered underground. Not all CO2 or other emissions will be captured, and other hazardous pollutants that cannot be extracted for profit will be captured and disposed of accordingly. By comparison, using natural gas is cheaper and less polluting.

Tired of polluting, smelly, and dirty industry, residents spoke out against the project asking instead for greener industries and job opportunities.

After brief statements from representatives of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, Green Seed Energy, the Juan Diego Center, the Blue-Green Alliance, the People for Community Recovery and the Eastside Methodist Church, participants marched up and down Avenue 0 welding signs to call attention to the issue. Many drivers passing by honked their horns in empathy.

For additional stories go here about rally and gasifcation plants:

http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=196192

and here:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/illinois/chicago/environmental-protesters-compare-selves-to-those-killed-in-union-massacre/article_16b827ec-60b3-592e-9b36-9621e2b8cfdf.html
and here:
http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/gasification-plant-green-light-could-hike-nipsco-rates/article_df1f7627-0db5-5e99-bb70-173cf4638e09.html

Linda Ruxton, resident and member of the Southeast Environmental Task Force constructs sign.

Posting signs along Avenue O.

Allison Fisher and Mike Star make a statement.

Pastor Zaki of the Eastside Methodist Church reminds residents that they should have a voice in their community.

"We want clean air, we want clean industy, we want new technology,' states Cheryl Johnson of People for Community Recovery.

Peggy Salazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force.

Tom Conway of the Blue Green Alliance

Getting ready to march.

Rally particpants march along Avenue O.

Marchers enthusiastically display their signs.

Our Last Tour of the Season

2011-11-28T23:47:00.000-06:00

It was the last tour of the season, and it couldn't have been a more perfect fall day. Our tour focused on energy production in the Calumet Region for as far back as the 1800's, when Standard Oil located it's kerosene refinery in Whiting Indiana, energy has been produced in our area. Today, within a 10 mile radius, we have the Stateline Power Plant, the much expanded BP Refinery, the Excelon Peaker plant, the methane producing landfills and the Excelon Solar Farm. Our Toxics to Treasures tour offered the opportunity to see these industries up close.

Tom Shepherd of the Task Force begins the tour with little tidbits of information about the local culture.

Miles of pipes, pungent odors, steely structures, and burning flares signify the BP Refinery.

Unsuspecting paddlers in Lake Michigan near the BP Refinery. Expansion project for tar sands evident by crane in the background.

Proposed site of Coal Gasification Plant. Stack from old coke plant can be seen.

Site of Excelon Solar Farm. Sign indicated native and sustainable landscaping.

The group disembark from trolley to get a closer look at the solar farm and to compare sights, smells and sounds to older industries.

Participants pose for group shot.

Youth Group from Faith in Place Tours Southeast Chicago with SETF

2011-11-22T15:30:00.001-06:00

Katy Regalado, a youth leader with Faith in place along with fourteen students ages 8-13 were given a Toxic to Treasures tour of the Southeast side by SETF. Member Tom Shepherd along with our Noyce Scholarship Intern, Beatriz Diaz, guided the group through through the wetland complex pointing out areas like Indian Ridge Marsh and Big Marsh and providing important facts about these locations and ecosystems. Beatriz focused on the nearby landfills, their past and current uses and the students experienced first hand the enormity of the trash filled hills.

Boarded and eager to get started with Tour.

Tom Shepherd, SETF member and tour docent, continues discussion while students eat lunch.

Intern Beatriz Diaz conducts a post activity with students.

TREES R BEAUTIFUL RECEIVE VOLUNTEER AWARD FROM FRIENDS OF THE PARKS

2011-11-22T14:21:00.000-06:00

About ten years ago, South Chicago resident Karen Roothaan founded Trees R Beautiful in her economically and ecologically distressed neighborhood. Karen, a self-described environmental activist who teaches math to pay the bills, had successfully co-founded an award winning community vegetable garden, the Bush Community Garden of Hope, before going on to start the urban forestry project.

Karen was not your typical tree hugger, however. She made it her mission to raise awareness about the importance of trees, and to recruit others in the neighborhood to assist in the greening of southeast Chicago. The group she founded sent no less than ten local people through the Openlands Project's Treekeeper Program, an intensive study in how to plant, nurture, and maintain trees.

Seeking local support, and in need of an established 501(c)(3) organization to act as fiscal agent, Karen brought her concept to the Southeast Environmental Task Force which enthusiastically embraced and endorsed the project.

Now in its tenth year, Trees R Beautiful was presented with the 2011 Friends of the Parks Volunteer Community Group Award, primarily for their tree plantings and stewardship of the trees along the Burnham Greenway on Chicago's east side.

Recently, Karen passed the leadership of the Trees program on to neighbor and collleague Daniel Estrada, who brings his team of 11 family members to the greening effort, helping to build an organization that will pass to the next generation of southeast-siders.

Pictured Trees R Beautiful Members: Karen Roothaan, David Vance, John Pastirik, Tom Shepherd of SETF, Mary Eileen Sullivan of Friends of the Parks and group leader Daniel Estrada with several members of the Estrada family.

=====================================
Tom Shepherd

Final Toxic Tour of the Season

2011-11-02T16:42:00.009-05:00

Our final Toxic Tour of the season is scheduled for Saturday, November 12, 2011, the theme of which is Energy Production in the Calumet Region.

If you ever wondered where the energy comes from when you flick on a light switch or turn your key in the ignition, this tour is for you. We will take you to electric plant and refinery sites throughout the Calumet Region. Sites very few people see or think about. You'll get to compare firsthand how solar farms compare to coal fired electric plants and hear about their impact on the local communities and beyond.

So join us for this trolley tour through Southeast Chicago, Northwest Indiana and West Pullman. Tour departs from our office. Please arrive by 9:30 am for coffee and sign-in.

Toxic to Treasures Tour - Energy Production in the Calumet Region
Saturday, November 12, 2011
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
cost: $25.00 per person

Call 773-646-0436 for more information or register by clicking on the Paypal button below.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

2011-10-05T12:49:00.001-05:00

Its been a very busy couple of weeks for SETF. We started things off by co-hosting the Environmental Justice forum at the Zone on Sept. 21st. The Environmental Justice forum was born from the collaboration of SETF, the Sierra Club, the 10th Ward Community Service organization and People for Community Recovery, and was attended by well over 160. It featured a panel of speakers including Kim Wasserman of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), Peggy Salazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, Cheryl Johnson of the People for Community Recovery, and Victoria Persky, an Epidemiologist with the University of Illinois. The forum was just the first in a series of community outreach activities the Environmental Justice Alliance of Greater Southeast Chicago has planned to help initiate and foster a green economy on Chicago's Southside.

Vounteers Kevin Kuhn and John Pastirik

Kim Wasserman from LVEJO

Becki Clayborn of the Sierra Club with Cheryl Johnson of People for Community Recovery

Karen Roothan of Tress R Beautiful

David Holberg of the Calumet Area Industrial Commmission with Peggy Salazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force

Map of Existing Local Industry

Robert instructing participate on how to interact with data gather program.

Audience listens to presenters.

Victoria Persky, M.D. with University of Illinois

On Sept. 24th, SETF held its annual Fall Fundraiser at the Green Olive; a great time was had by everyone in attendance. SETF thanks the Green Olive staff for being such gracious hosts. We look forward to having more events there soon, events like our upcoming Enviro-holics fundraiser in November. SETF would also like to extend a very special thank you to Friends of the Parks, the City of Chicago Dept of Environment, and the Field Museum for their generous donations of gifts for our door prizes and raffles. Congratulations go out to SETF members and friends: the Earnshaws who won a “Behind the Scenes Tour of the Field Museum”, Natalie Salazar winner of the rain barrel, and Preston Medrano, winner of our Wine Basket. And to everyone else for taking home some great prizes from our raffles.

Things are going to remain busy as SETF and Friends of the Park are hosting the Bike the Calumet event planned for Oct. 16th (see side panel).

Environmental justice groups fight pollution problems on Southeast Side

2011-09-15T12:23:00.000-05:00

SETF has joined forces with People for Community Recovery, Sierra Club, the New 10ward Community Service Organization, Juan Deigo Community Center, and Eastside United Methodist Church, to form the Environmental Justice Alliance of Greater Southeast Chicago in order to combat a rising tide of environmental injustices coming to the community.

Environmental justice groups fight pollution problems on Southeast Side

NEW TOXICS TO TREASURES BOAT TOUR - CRUISE THE CALUMET

2011-08-29T10:44:00.003-05:00

JOIN SETF FOR THIS END-OF-THE-SUMMER BOAT CRUISE ALONG "CHICAGO'S OTHER RIVER". THE 2 1/2 HOUR CRUISE WILL TAKE YOU DOWN THE THE CALUMET AS IT WINDS PAST GRITTY INDUSTRIAL SITES TO THE MOUTH OF LAKE MICHIGAN. WE'LL GLIDE PAST HISTORICAL BRIDGES AND SEE OLD MILL SITES WHERE ONCE TONS OF STEEL WAS PRODUCED. ON THE WAY BACK WE'LL TAKE A QUICK JAUNT INTO LAKE CALUMET, THE LAKE THAT FEW CHICAGOANS GET TO SEE.

THE TOUR DEPARTS FROM WINDJAMMER'S, A LOCAL ESTABLISHMENT THAT OFFERS A TASTE OF RIVERFRONT LIFE.

SOLD OUT!!! NO LONGER ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS.

New Industry to Bring Jobs, Soot to Southeast Side - Chicago News Cooperative

2011-08-18T13:42:00.000-05:00

New Industry to Bring Jobs, Soot to Southeast Side - Chicago News Cooperative

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE COAL GASIFICATION PLANT...

2011-08-17T12:58:00.003-05:00

REPRESENTATIVES FROM LUECADIA WILL BE ON HAND TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR COAL GASIFICATION PROJECT AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ST. SIMEON SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
3737 E 114TH STREET
CHICAGO, IL 60617

A Road Runs Through It

2011-08-17T09:12:00.011-05:00

The Hegewisch Marsh, an oasis of nature on the Southeast side of Chicago, is home to endangered species, beavers, and a host of other flora and fauna. Since being identified in the Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan as an important natural area to preserve as well as the targeted home for the proposed Ford Calumet Environmental Center, the city has been working hard on its restoration. Much has been accomplished in the past few years in an effort to return this green gem to as natural a state as possible. And much more remains to be done as evidenced by Walmart's recent donation of $100,00.00 (see video above) to help fund restoration work.

But now, due to the planned reconfiguration of nearby Torrence Ave and 130th Street, an access road will be built through the Marsh, parallel to Torrence Avenue, for the purpose of transferring Ford's new vehicles from their plant to their parking lot on the opposite side of the street. Acres of wetland, as well as newly established wildlife habitat, will be filled in and lost because of this construction.

In 2001, when the city recognized the value of the remenant natural areas scattered among the many abandoned brown fields on the Southeast side, it developed the Chicago Land Use Plan for the Calumet area, declaring that nature and industry could coexist side-by-side and that good business development benefited the environment. Perhaps that holds true in a more perfect world, but it has been our experience more often then not, that business trumps nature.

Picture slideshow generated with Smilebox

Woo-hoo! Earnshaws Raise 425.50 for SETF

2011-06-27T16:40:00.001-05:00

Because the Earnshaws completed the 13.1 course in the Walk Wisconsin walkathon, they were able to collect $425.50 in pleges for SETF. We appreciate all the time and effort they put in this fundraising campaign. We hope they will consider doing it again next year.

Walking for SETF

2011-06-09T21:00:00.003-05:00

Jim and Julia Earnshaw, members of SETF, completed the 13 mile Walk for Wisconsin marathon last weekend in Stevens Point, Wisconsin - and they did it all for SETF! The Earnshaws generously donated weekends of their time, working hard to build up their stamina and to collect pledges. They were determined to complete the course and they did.

It's not too late to support their efforts. Please consider making a donation to SETF.

Click below to see them in action.

This slideshow design customized with Smilebox

Robert Kennedy Jr Speaks Out About Coal Industry

2011-05-31T13:11:00.000-05:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

SETF Takes Taylor Elementary on a Toxics to Treasures Tour

2011-05-14T17:11:00.001-05:00

SETF's Tom Shepherd and Rod Sellers of the Southeast Chicago Historical Society took the 7th grade students of Douglas Taylor Elementary on a Toxics to Treasures Tour of their own neighborhood. Students learned about the brownfields and the sources of pollution as well as the green initiatives that exist on the southeast side. ABC7 was there to capture it on video for their Live Green series.

Trees R Beautiful Awarded Mini Grant

2011-05-01T13:11:00.001-05:00

Trees R Beautiful received a "mini-grant" from the program sponsored by the Fuller Park Community Development and Openlands and that is funded by the USDA Forest Service. The money will be used to purchase trees to plant throughout South Chicago, the Eastside and Hegewisch neighorhoods. Trees can only be planted on public property or parkways. The group has enthusiatically submitted their tree order and will be receiving them shortly.

If you would like to have a tree planted in your parkway or if you have questions about tree care, contact project manager Daniel Estrada at 773-375-5397.

Would you like to know more about Trees R Beautiful? Watch this short video produced by Zoe Jennings, a student from Northwestern.

10 Years: Trees In Chicago from Zoe Jennings on Vimeo.

First Eco-Tour of the Season

2011-05-01T12:50:00.003-05:00

We had a great turn out for the first Eco-tour of the season. They were all busy chatting and drinking coffee when the red trolley arrived. Ruby, the trolley driver, parked on the side of the building and opened the doors in a welcoming gesture. We rounded up everyone and had them board the wooden paneled trolley as quickly as possible as it wasn't going to be easy sticking to our 2 hour timeframe. The trolley 's benches were a little tight, but what it lacked in comfort, it made up for in quaintness. We waited five more minutes as one registered guest was missing. When he didn't show, Rod Sellers, our tour guide and local historian took his place at the front of the bus and we headed out to our first destination - the O'Brien Lock and Dam. Going down 130th, we passed the Hegewisch Marsh, the expanded Ford Motor plant, LaFarge Cement and a number of other industries that dot the Calumet River.

Because we were on a tight schedule, we quickly disembarked and gathered around as Rod explained the function of the locks and how the Calumet River was connected to the waterway system.

Time to get back on board and head for the site of the proposed CPD outdoor shooting range.

O'Brien Marsh seen through the window, was calm due to the time of the year and day.

Without being able to enter the site of the proposed gun range, it was impossible to see the nesting Blue Herons and Egrets.

One can however, easily see the tall landfills in the background.

On our way to Harborside Golf Course, we passed the working end of Lake Calumet. Seen here is a freighter parked in one of the slips alongside the grain silos.

Who would believe this was once a landfill instead of the link style course it is today. Harborside's hilly terrain borders Lake Calumet, a lake that most Chicagoans aren't aware of. While the golfers have access to the lake, the general public do not.

Two of our young tourists enjoying the tour and the weather.

The falls over which the water from the river is pumped so that it is aerated.

A view of the Ford Motor Company across the river from the SEPA station.

Indian Creek flowing out of Wolf Lake.

The proprietor of Club 81 Too tells us the history of his restaurant as we stand gathered in his backyard along Wolf Lake.

The ducks gathered around to listen too.

After a delicious lunch of fried chicken and fish, the tour ends with Board Member Tom Shepherd thanking everyone for coming out.

Score One for the Wildlife

2011-05-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

On April 21, the MWRD Board voted 9-to-0 to request a wildlife study of the area surrounding, and including, the proposed site for the Chicago Police outdoor firing range.

SETF had opposed the construction of the firing range in an area identified in the Open Space Reserve Plan containing the O'Brien Marsh and Whitford Ponds, two wetlands listed on the National Wetlands Inventory, and home to nesting Egrets and Blue Herons.

We thank Commissioner Debra Shore who was instrumental in convincing the Board of Commissioners to reconsider the request for a survey brought forth by local activists before granting the lease.

Members Raise Funds for SETF

2011-05-01T11:30:00.041-05:00

Jim and Julia, residents of the Southeast Side and two of SETF's biggest fans, have offered to fund raise for us by walking on behalf of the Task Force in the "Walk Wisconsin" marathon on June 4th. The 13.1 mile course utiizes the beautiful trail system in and around Portage County's urban areas. Upon complition, they will receive a commorative T-shirt and medallion. If you would like to support their efforts, you can make a pledge of .50 or 1.00 per mile for the 13 miles.

Yes, I would like to pledge now.

Berry Juice Photo Cells

2011-03-29T12:32:00.016-05:00

The SETF office became a temporary lab on March 13th when Robert LeSuer, our President and resident Chemist, conducted his "Make a Solar Cell Workshop". With the assistance of his chemistry students from nearby Chicago State University, he demonstrated how to use berry juices, iodine, Titanium Oxide, glass slides and other materials to construct and to create a photovoltaic cell that generates electricity. The process is similar to the one used by solar cells. Different types of berry juices, such as strawberry, blueberry and mixtures were tested to see which one worked best for generating a current. Participants were fascinated by the process and enjoyed the "hands on" experience.

Captivated audience.

"Lab assistant" mixes the solutions.

NO doubt a mixed audience.

Students explain the steps.

Examining the results.

Testing the current.

Assisting with the process.

"Hands on"

Robert LeSuer explains the process.

Great Blue Herons

2011-03-28T19:29:00.003-05:00

On March 15, SETF along with representatives from Chicago Audubon, Chicago Department of the Environment, The Chicago Legal Clinic, two Northwestern students, and a reporter gathered on a mission to scout for nesting Blue Herons near Whitford Pond.  Blue Herons are large waterfowl that build their nests high atop trees next to ponds that serve as sources of food for the birds.

We were hiking the property owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclaimation Department, the site that the Chicago Police Department is proposing to build an outdoor firing range on and the only site in Chicago known for nesting Blue Herons. The property is isolated, being surrounded by landfills on three sides.   It was last used as a staging area for the deep tunnel project and still contains limestone spoils that had not all been removed. We walked atop those spoils toward the pond and where the spoils ended, the marshy terrain began. As we trumped through the ankle deep water toward the huge nests that were easily visible in the bare trees, the nervous birds took flight. We continued hiking toward the pond curious to get a closer look, noting the many deer tracks along the way.

We had to scale a berm in oder to get a view of the Whitford Pond. This time of the year it's a rippling pool of water surrounded by thinned out Phragmities.    With mission accomplished and not wanting to disturb the birds any more, we headed back to the SETF office to warm up with a hot cup of coffee.

Photo courtesy of Chicago Ornithological Society, 15 March 2011
Great Blue Heron nesting on MWRD property

Single nest

Looking closely, you can spot two birds standing in their nests.

Looking out over the Whitiford Pond.

Hiking along the berm surrounding Whitford Pond.

Left to right

John Pastirik, Calumet Ecological Park Association
Jill Nilland, Chicago Ornithological Society
Carolyn Marsh, Chicago Audubon Society
Peggy Salazar, Southeast Environmental Task Force
Jennifer Maxwell, Calumet Initiative

Grove of trees where birds are nesting.

View of Whitford Pond looking south.

No More Coal!

2011-02-27T19:00:00.001-06:00

A three-billion dollar coal gasification plant that will turn coal and pet coke into syn-gas is planned for Southeast Chicago under the guise of Clean Energy. The project will take 3 years to build and will be located on the site of an old steel mill. It will provide 1000 temporary jobs and 100 - 150 permanent ones. Sound good so far? Well, here's what they don't tell you:

Pet coke, a by-product of the petroleum industry is dusty, contains harmful toxins and needs a market.
In addition to the pet coke, 3 million tons of coal will need to be mined annually for this plant and the mining of coal is harmful to the environment
The transportation of the coal and pet coke will add more emissions to the air. The gasification process will add more soot and smog. The burning of the gas produced will add even more.
Local utilities are being forced to purchase a percentage of this gas (SB 3388) at a higher rate because it costs more to manufacture gas; that increase in cost will be passed on to the local consumer - you.
The process will pull 10 million gallons of our drinking water from the river every day of which only portion will be returned.
Locally, the plant will mean an increase in traffic on already congested streets, more dust in the air from the handling and storage of the coal and pet coke and a decrease in an already compromised air quality

We depended on our local politicians to bring economic promise to our community through remediation and redevelopment of our many brownfields, and we expected intelligent, sustainable solutions. Instead it is apparent the Southeast side is a dumping ground for nothing more than detrimental industry like asphalt storage, scrap yards, food scrap processing and more coal plants.

Water cannons trying to keep dust down on coal piles.

House siding covered in coal dust.

Coal dust floating on child's toy water table.

Lime dusting the neighborhood streets as it leaks from the back of a truck.

Pet coke and coal dust tracked onto neighborhood streets from storage yard.

Neighborhood cars coated with lime dust from processing facility.

Mounds and mounds of scrap metal ready for crushing and shipping.

Back to Nature

2011-02-23T16:31:00.001-06:00

Last Friday, things were looking "pretty" at the Task Force office. Nine eager women showed up for our "Naturally You" pampering workshop. It was the perfect project for a cold, wintry evening. The purpose of the workshop was to demonstrate healthy ways in which to pamper oneself with beauty treatments that didn't contain manufactured chemicals or cost much.

We gathered everyday items found on most kitchen shelves and made beauty concoctions that not only worked, but in some cases were good enough to eat. With each recipe made, we explained the why and how of each ingredient. Things like natural yogurt, sugar, golden honey, and lemon rind were turned into gooey substances to slather on. The women cheerfully measured and mixed their way to beauty. At the end, all commented on how much fun they had and how much they had learned. They left our office content with their baby food jars full of sugar scrub and bath salts to continue their beautification process at home.

Relaxing facial message.

Looking pleased as punch.

Using a little elbow grease to mix up the bath salts.

Sugar scrub or ice tea mix?

Sticky fun!

Website updates

2011-01-03T08:56:00.000-06:00

Please note that we are undergoing some changes at the SETF website (www.setaskforce.org) and the website may be up and down, under construction and a bit finicky for a bit. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The website updates will not affect this blog, and we will use the blog to keep you updated with any important information.

Thanks for your patience.

SETF 2010 Fall Fundraiser

2010-11-15T21:26:00.000-06:00

Customize your own free slideshow

Outdoor Firing Range Slated for Environmentally Sensitive Area

2010-08-24T20:49:00.005-05:00

Nestled between landfills and the Little Calumet River (just south of 134th street and east of the Bishop Ford) river are 130 plus acres of fenced off MWRD property. And on this property exist two ponds preserved by the historic Calumet Open Space Reserve Plan: the O’Brien Lock and Dam Marsh and the Whitford Ponds. Both are known for their value as habitat for white egrets and blue herons, as well as other migratory bird species not commonly found in our backyards. But a recent proposal by the Chicago Police Department to develop a firing range on 33 acres adjacent to these ponds may drive the birds away, thus reducing an already-limited pool of nesting options for the Calumet area's marsh and wetland birds.

Never mind that the Calumet Land Use Plan, a momentous undertaking of the Department of Planning and Development partnered with the Department of the Environment, had recommended that the property be reclaimed as open space, or that the area is adjacent to TIF redevelopment areas, the Chicago Police Department is determined to locate a project on the Southeast side that other communities would not embrace.

On a recent tour of the property, members of SETF, CEPA, IDNR, DOE, Chicago Audubon Society and and other community organizations were given a presentation of the project by Sgt. Raymond Hamilton of the Chicago Police Department. While Sgt. Hamilton briefed us on the details, butterflies flittered through the wet prairie plants, egrets flew overhead criss-crossing the river and a spotted hawk glided effortlessly above us.

Ironically, the same attributes that make it a plausible site for the firing range make for an even better nature reserve. And after visitng the site and discovering the bird rookeries along the Whitford Pond area, learning that there hasn’t been a serious natural resource survey of the area in more than 15 years, and observing the wildlife thriving there, SETF is convinced that the Police Department should consider an alternative site - like one of the many brown fields or vacant industrial properties that exisit in the city - instead of impacting an area where nature and wildlife have taken refuge. While there are many location options for a gun range, the herons and egrets would have few choices for relocating, as isolated wetland areas with tall trees that are suitable for rookeries are far less common than brownfields.

EGRETS AND HERONS

View of O'Brien Pond from 134th Street

CURIOUS MOTHER DEER AND FAWN WITH CID LANDFILL IN BACKGROUND

VIEW OF MWRD PROPERTY

BIRDS OF A FEATHER...

WHITE EGRET AT O'BRIEN POND

ASSEMBLING FOR TOUR OF THE MWRD PROPERTY

Paper to Plants - A Messy Workshop

2010-08-16T20:40:00.000-05:00

Though it was hotter than we would have liked, the sun was a welcome sight after having had our paper making workshop rained out the first time. Knowing how messy the process was, we decided to set up our work tables and equipment on the sidewalk in front of the office. And it's a good thing we got an early start because just as expected, things did go wrong. First it was the power strip that didn't work necessitating our having to unplug one of our staff. Then it was a blender that quit on us before we even got started, leaving us with just one that worked. Luckily, our group was small enough that it didn't matter.

Tearing paper into tiny pieces.

Blending paper into a slurry.

We began by passing out mini-folders that we had made from recycled manila folders, They contained simple instructions, a sample of the finished project and a template to use as a cutting guide. After presenting an overview of the project, we led two at a time outside while the others stayed in to chat and enjoy the refreshments. Outside we stepped them through the process of making seed-embedded paper. We had each participant tear 5 sheets of used text paper into tiny pieces, add the prescribed amount of water, blend the two into a slurry and then pulse in a scant amount of flower seeds. The slurry was than poured onto screens, spread evenly around and then laid between pieces of felt to have the water extracted with a rolling pin. Knowing the paper takes hours to dry, we had to cut box cardboard into rectangles and cover them with aluminum foil.

Rolling out the excess water.

Measuring carefully.

Everyone was thrilled with the finished product and carried their wet sheet of paper home on our makeshift trays to dry. Before they left, they inquired about having a second part to the workshop to learn how to turn their paper into gift tags. We're working on scheduling a date.

A new sheet of paper!

A big "Thank You" goes out to Pat Rosen of the Gibson Nature Preserve and Wild Ones, chapter 38 for donating the Midwestern Wildflower seeds.

End of an era

2010-06-01T13:04:00.000-05:00

Undoubtedly, this news has reached many Calumet environmentalists through other venues, but in case you are a curious visitor to our blog, Marian Byrnes, founder of the Task Force, passed away on Thursday, May 20th at the age of 84. A brief obituary that captures the key elements of Marian's life was posted by Tribune reporter Duaa Eldeib. There is one factual error in the article: she was preceded in death by three of her sons David, Kevin, and Brian and has three surviving grandchildren. Her fourth son, Alan, is quoted in the article. Marian will be deeply missed, and in my mind the best way to honor her life is to carry on her vision of a healthy and vibrant South Side Chicago.

A memorial mass has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 13th from 6-8 PM at Our Lady Gate of Heaven, 2338 East 99th Street, Chicago, IL 60617. You may check back here for updated information and a reminder as we approach the service.

Those who are interested in making a donation in memory of Marian may choose from one of the following:

Southeast Environmental Task Force
In memroy of Marian Byrnes
13300 S. Baltimore Ave.
Chicago, IL 60633-1425

Circle Pines Center
In memory of Marian Byrnes
8650 Mullen Road
Delton, MI 49046

The Human Society of the United States
In memory of Marian Byrnes
Department MEMIT9
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037

Rotenone application at T.J. O'Brien Lock and Dam

2010-05-18T11:22:00.000-05:00

As the title of this blog entry suggests, the fist toxicant, rotenone, is going to be administered in a 2 mile stretch of the Little Calumet River downstream of the T.J. O'Brien Lock and Dam. For those of you unfamiliar with the region:

View Larger Map

(Hopefully, my Geography friends will find this map a little more acceptable than my last one. If not, a better map can be found here.)

Purpose of the rotenone treatment

The purpose of this piscicide treatment, which is being conducted by the IL Department of Natural Resources, is to determine if Asian Carp are in the waterway. I am told that the locks will close on Thursday the 20th, at which point the canal will be cleared, nets will be put in the water, water samples will be collected and chemical barriers will be put in place to protect boats, marinas and other properties. Rotenone treatment will begin on the afternoon of the 20th, and IDNR will collect dead fish and conduct monitoring from the 21st through the 25th or 26th. Dead fish collected during the process will be sent to landfills.

What the public should be aware of

It is important that between May 20-27, 2010 the public should:

NOT Swim or recreate in the Little Calumet River
NOT Fish in the Little Calumet River
NOT Eat fish found in the Little Calumet River

The rotenone application process will not affect drinking water.

Press conference

The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee will be holding a press conference at 10 AM on Thursday, May 20 at Sunset Bay Marina, and more information can be found at the website: www.asiancarp.org.

What about Rotenone?

I did a little digging about the chemical and came up with an opinion piece from the research journal Bioscience which advocates for the use of Rotenone in fish and marine research. The article is accessible to the non-expert, and here are a few points of interest I pulled from my read through:

The World Health Organization classifies rotenone as moderately hazardous (level 3 on a scale of 1 [most toxic] to 4 [least toxic]). It has a low toxicity for birds and is moderately toxic to rats.
Rotenone kills fish by blocking a cell's ability to take in oxygen, and the chemical is easily taken up through the gills. The chemical is not readily absorbed by human skin or the gastrointestinal tract, which is the primary reason why it is less toxic to humans.
Rotenone breaks down when exposed to sunlight and plenty of oxygen.
The chemical is used in a variety of fisheries management practices, typically to eliminate undesirable species prior to seeding an area with target species.
Application as a piscicide is the only legal use of rotenone in the US.

What next?

We at the Task Force are paying close attention to the Asian Carp issue and are talking to a lot of people. As we learn more about the impact this invasive species (and subsequent management operations) has on the environment, recreation and residents, we'll pass the information along to you. If you have some information to share, please contact the SETF office.

Thanks to Nicole Kamins at Chicago Dept. of Environment and Greg Morris of the USCG Marine Safety Unit Chicago for providing me with information for this blog entry.

Green things at the Task Force

2010-05-13T07:05:00.001-05:00

First, thanks to all who came out to the Green Olive on Friday night. We had a great turnout and V. P. Bryant served up enough drinks to surpass our goal for the evening by almost 50%! Thanks to member and Geographer par excellence Mark Bouman who pointed out that we could have pulled in a few more environmental socialites if the map in my previous blog entry pointed to the correct address for the green olive. Who reads maps anyway? :-(

Second, I'd like to announce a partnership between SETF, Chicago DOE and Green Corp - Calumet (GC-C). GC-C is a job training and community service program which will specialize in ecological restoration projects in the Calumet area. Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the USDA Forest Service will allow GC-C to set up its home base in the SETF office starting this month and provide programming through November 2011.

GC-C will be led by Zach Taylor, Program Manager for WRD Environmental. He will facilitate the restoration projects in the area and direct crew member training on restoration techniques, chainsoaw operation and safety, herbicide application, seed collection, plant identification, regional ecology, and prescription burn trianing. Zach most recently worked as a Field Ecologist for V3 Companies and has conducted restoration work in Chicago, Nevada and Maine. He holds a B.A. from Winona State University in Minnesota.

Finally, there's green as in money. Our membership drive will be wrapping up shortly, and we still have a long way to go to reach our goal (and feed a few more birds). If you haven't become a member or made a donation, it's not too late. Please support the Task Force by becoming a member and letting your neighbors and colleagues know about our programming and activities. Thanks for reading.

Tire burning still dirty

2010-05-06T20:34:00.000-05:00

Surprisingly, the Illinois house voted overwhelmingly to support polluting the air we breathe with toxic chemicals from burning tires and give Geneva Energy, the plant in Ford Heights wanting to burn tires, green credits for doing so! We at SETF are thankful to those members of the state senate who are opposed to increasing the likelihood of asthma and other respiratory illnesses in their consituency, for on Thursday they shot down senate bill 380, keeping the air we breathe from getting more poisonous.

It seems curious, however, that many representatives thought the potential economic benefits (Sen. James Meeks thinks Geneva energy might leave the area should they not get incentives to stay in Ford Heights) outweighed the environmental risks (the Illinois EPA has cited Geneva Energy for pollution violations 4 times since 2006). Was your representative one of them? You can check the house vote here and the senate vote here. (And if you don't know who your representatives are, check this link.) You might want to send your representative an email, asking him/her why they thought SB380 was a good idea. Feel free to ask if they think there is any merit to Illinois EPA's investigation into whether or not the incinerator, built in a small village with a 95% minority population, vioates any environmental justice laws.

There is no doubt that we need economic revitalization in our region. To do so at the expense of the health and well-being of residents is unsustainable and unethical.

Tip-sy Friday Fundraiser

2010-05-05T18:58:00.002-05:00

This Friday (May 7th) we'll be hosting a drink night at the Green Olive (13501 Ave N. - check the map below for directions) from 5-9. We serve the drinks, you leave the tip, and we use the extra cash to keep up our programming and make better use of our office space for environmental activities in the area. If it's been a rough week and you need to relax for a bit, stop on by, say hi and relax with a bunch of Calumet lovers.

View Larger Map

Founder of SETF receives award at Calument Summit

2010-04-27T21:21:00.003-05:00

Day one of the 2-day Calumet connectedness summit ended with the awarding of four lifetime hero awards; given to those members of the Calumet region community who have dedicated their lives to local environmental acitivites. For those who know Marian Byrnes, founder of the Task Force, it should come as no surprise that she was a recipient of one of tonight's awards:

We at the Task Force are proud to be part of an organization created by person such as Marian, and we hope that we can meet the high standards of environmental advocacy she has set for us all.

By the way, the summit is amazing! The first day was filled with exciting and informative talks that focused on connecting people and places in the Calumet. I'll post a follow up to the entire summit after tomorrow's activities.

Items of note

2010-04-11T19:39:00.003-05:00

Thanks to those of you who have helped us get started with our membership drive. As you can see, the bird feeder is slowly, slowly being filled. If you would like to support SETF's efforts to improve the environmental health of south side Chicago, please send in your memberhsip today.

I'd like to bring your attention to the Chicago Clean Power Ordinance which will help improve air quality by requiring Chicago's two coal fired power plants to significantly reduce their soot and carbon dioxide emissions. Here's an exerpt from the Chicago Clean Power website:

The Chicago Clean Power Ordinance is one of the first of its kind and will protect public health, promot clean energy and help Chicago live up to its pledge to be the greenest city in America.

You have an opportunity to show your support for this ordinance by attending the press conference on April 13th held by 49th ward alderman Joe Moore. Stop by the 2nd floor of city hall at 10 PM and let the politicians know that all Chicago residents have a right to breathe clean air.

Last but not least, this link to an article in the Southtown Star came to my inbox from one of the SETF board members. You should check it out before tossing that outdated cell phone or broken ipod.

It's April 1st, but are we fools?

2010-04-01T12:29:00.004-05:00

During the month of April (and a little bit of May), the Task Force holds its spring membership drive. Our goal this year is $11,750. On our blog (and website) you'll find a bird feeder, which as of today is rather empty. So empty, in fact, that there are no birds at the feeder. Over the coming weeks, we hope to "fill the feeder" and attract some birds. An individual membership is $25, and you can read our appeal letter for more information about what we are planning for 2010.

But if you're wondering if supporting the Task Force is necessary, consider the following excerpt from Amendment 1 of House Bill 1470:

"Renewable energy resources" includes energy and its associated renewable energy credit or renewable energy credits from wind, solar thermal energy, photovoltaic cells and panels, biodiesel, crops and untreated and unadulterated organic waste biomass, trees and tree trimmings, hydropower that does not involve new construction or significant expansion of hydropower dams, incineration or burning of tires, and other alternative sources of environmentally preferable energy.

Passage of this bill would allow Geneva Energy, one of two tire incinerators in the country, to earn valuable green energy credits for generating large amounts of toxic air pollution. For years, Chicago's South Side has struggled with developing economically viable communities that are also healthy living areas. Many of the communities in the south side are predominantly minority and low income. Ford Heights, where the Geneva Energy plant resides, is no exception.

SETF works to empower residents in their fight for environmental justice. We hold workshops for residents to learn about environmental issues. Our Good Neighbor Dialogs bring residential concerns to local businesses and encourage industrial partners to strive for ever greener practices. Our Watchdog program keeps an eye out for environmentally unfriendly activities and teaches residents how they can report suspicious activity.

Speaking of suspicious, here's more of HB1470:

"Renewable energy resources" does not include the incineration or burning of garbage, general household, institutional, and commercial waste, industrial lunchroom or office waste, landscape waste other than trees and tree trimmings, railroad crossties, utility poles, or construction or demolition debris, ..."

Does it make sense to you that tires are not on this list? Why not share your opinion with your representative. If you think this legislative foolishness is disturbing, you are not alone. Post a comment if you have other useful information about tire burning or HB1470.

Please consider supporting the Task Force. Thanks for reading.

Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About the Food Industry...

2010-03-24T20:37:00.003-05:00

I don't know if the lousy weather we had on Saturday helped or hindered our showing of Food, Inc., but quite a few people braved the windy, Chicago weather to join us. I had to brave that same weather earlier that morning when I headed out to buy popcorn and soda, since what's a movie without popcorn and soda. We also made a conscious effort to serve healthier snacks like apple juice and trail mix, but after watching the movie, that's up for debate.

Food, Inc., for those of you that haven't seen the movie, covers a wide variety of issues related to the food industry. Topics such as: the environmental impact from production, the genetic engineering of seed, the expansive use of corn in our food as well as animal feed, worker issues, and the impact industrial food production has on our health. The film was packed with information. We took a break midway just to let our audience digest it some (no pun intended) before continuing. You can't watch the movie without feeling inspired afterward to plant a bucket of tomatoes on your patio at the very least! Doing so guarantees that they will be produced locally, organically, vine ripened and free of worker abuse.

Comments made after the movie:

"Organic farmers are inspiring - monopolies need to be fought."
"I wasn't aware of the persecution from companies against farmers."
"I didn't know about the subsidization of crops making certain foods less expensive."
"Unaware of the incredible power of the food industries."
"I'll be canning more foods and buying more organics."
"My mind is boggled by the use of corn in so many products."
"I'll be buying my food at farmers markets when possible."
"I recommend shopping at more farmers markets and reading more labels."
"It was an eye-opener!"

Sharon Rolek offers suggestions for change after movie.

Participants sharing thoughts while munching.

Serious discussion.

SETF March 20th Event

2010-03-08T11:38:00.001-06:00

On Saturday, March 20th SETF will host a screening of Robert Kenner's eye-opening documentary FOOD INC. followed by a brief discussion. Robert's documentary exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights. Please plan to join us.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

CSI Office

13300 S. Baltimore Ave. Chicago

773-646-0436

Leadership changes at the Task Force

2010-01-23T11:03:00.000-06:00

The Board of Directors held their annual elections at the January meeting. Robert LeSuer was elected to the position of president, Bryant Williams was elected vice-president, Linda Cook was elected treasurer and Tom Shepherd was elected Secretary. The board appointed Peggy Salazar as the interim executive director for 2010. Peggy's commitment to the organization as past-president and impressive record as an active volunteer gives the board great confidence that she will help the Task Force through the upcoming year as we continue to provide relevant environmental programming to the Southeast Side community and advocate for environmentally sustainable growth.

The board of directors has a lot on its plate this year, and we are dilligently working to improve the organizational structure, which will in turn increase the value of the Task Force to the community. We'll continue to post important announcements both here and on our website www.setaskforce.org.

SETF hosts Asphalt Operations Services, possible buyer of Wisconsin Steel site.

2010-01-17T18:39:00.000-06:00

On Thursday, January 7th, SETF members and community residents braved the wintry weather to listen to a presentation by Al Meitl, manager of Asphalt Operating Services (AOS). AOS has plans to purchase 135 acres of the Wisconsin Steel site, located near 106th and Torrence Ave, with the intent to build a new liquid asphalt storage facility. This meeting was the first of several for the company to inform the community of the impact their facility will have. The 17 meeting attendees learned about how the AOS operations require barges to bring in raw materials and diesel trucks and rail for transporting final product to their customers. AOS claims that the increase in truck traffic along Torrence Ave would increase by upwards of 100 trucks/day, but that will not impact the service level of the road and will have minimal impact to current traffic patterns. Attendees raised concerns about the noise of the proposed operations, and we were informed that outside of the trucks and rail, the facility runs quiet. Odors may be a concern, however, and the company will be using a state of the art biofiltration system which efficiently converts sulfur containing compounds (those that create that hot-asphalt smell) into elemental sulfur that gets trapped in the filter.

If approved, AOS would like to start construction of the facility in early 2010 with the plant to begin operation by winter 2010 and be fully operational in early 2011. Mr. Meitl predicts the new facility will create 30-45 new jobs for the area.

A public meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 18, 2010 from 7 to 9 PM at St. Kevin Church, 10509 S. Torrence Ave. A special hotline has been created for those who have questions or concerns, and they can call 1-773-729-7545 for more information

Upcycling at SETF

2010-01-06T20:41:00.000-06:00

Members and neighbors joined in the creative fun on December 3rd at the SETF office. Using glue and scissors, they fashioned Christmas decorations from old cards, plastic glasses, discarded Cd's, milk cartons and other recycled items. The creative juices were flowing! It was fun to watch each person's style develop as the evening wore on. The ladies were so engrossed in their projects, they didn't want to bother taking a break to enjoy the refreshments. And while there were no penalties for incomplete projects, Linda Cook stayed until the very last minute, determined to finish all of hers. Everyone deserved an A+ for effort.

Trying to keep her fingers out of the glue!

Neatness counts!

Measuring up the final project.

Everyone was so helpful.

Milk carton birdhouses.

Sharing ideas.

Holiday Cheer With Finkl Steel

2010-01-06T20:10:00.000-06:00

On December 18th, Richard and Linda Cook and I were guests at Finkl Steel’s annual Christmas party. The party was held on the uppermost floor of what use to be an old plastics factory. The expansive room was bordered by lighted Christmas trees, lights twinkled from the rafters overhead and tables dotted the floor. There was even a snowy vignette of life-size snowmen flanked by mistletoe reindeer. It was a virtual wonderland.

The room was full of employees, guests and carolers from the nearby university ambling about. And while we enjoyed the vast selection of delicious food and the wonderful wine bar, we were none the less surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Al Underys of Finkl came to our rescue and was gracious enough to join us at our table spending a substantial amount of time explaining to the Cooks Finkl’s move to the Southside. Using his handheld technology, he was able to show our Indiana members the exact location of the new site. Al also took the opportunity to introduce us to a number of other Finkl employees.

We were having such a good time sharing in the holiday cheer that we regretted having to leave the party early in order to beat the traffic home. I’m especially sorry that I didn’t get to play bean bags – the competition looked mean.

Thanks Finkl Steel for having us as your guests. We look forward to working with you in 2010.

The carolers were lovely.

Linda Cook looks on as Al Underys pin points Finkl's new location.

Posing for the camera.

Mr. and Mrs. Frosty were the judges of the beanbag competition.

Changes afoot

2009-12-10T08:11:00.000-06:00

At our November meeting, the Board of Directors was informed that Mike would be stepping down as executive director. While it is true that this drastic change in leadership happens at an unfortunate time, the board wants to let everyone know that we are committed to making the appropriate changes to keep the Task Force both operational and productive in the near future. Here's a list of some of the things we're doing.

We've contacted our major supporters, informing them of the change in leadership structure. We have provided them with a strategic plan that addresses our goals for improving organizational governance, fiscal integrity, and ability to provide programming to the community.
We are reviewing the budget with the primary goal of keeping the office on 13300 S. Baltimore Ave. open! In our opinion, this is a very important space that has been underutilized in the recent past, and we plan on changing that.
We will hold elections at the January board meeting. After new leadership is selected, the board will be able to present more specific details about actions and acitivities for the 2010 year.

In closing, we want to insure our community and partners that we are working passionately, and working hard to bring about the improvements necessary to keep the Southeast Environmental Task Force an important partner in the effort to improve the quality of life of South Side residents through environmental education, pollution prevention, and open space management. We welcome your input during this transitional stage, and I encourage you to email us or contact the main office with your suggestions.

Thank you for reading.

Wolf Lake Outdoor Bash

2009-09-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Come celebrate fall and howl at the moon on the shores of Wolf Lake October 24th with SETF. We are pleased to announce our exciting new fall fundraiser entitled 'Harvest Moon', which will take place from 3pm-10pm on Saturday 10/24.

We will have a bonfire starting at 7pm and many delicious food and drinks, some even homemade! We believe the atmosphere set by the hall’s newly installed pine lodge decour will provide a lovely fall location on the lake for this venue, propelling one straight into the north woods. The night will have a fall ‘Oktoberfest’ theme, offering brats slowly cooked in beer with other German and European delectables. You can find us at:

Sportsman’s Club
13139 S. Avenue M
Chicago, IL

Tickets cost only $30. Please rsvp with setf@sbcglobal.net by October 15th. We look forward to seeing you there.

Local industry goes green

2009-08-27T14:22:00.000-05:00

This summer Holcim concrete has taken an active interest in the community garden found at 97th and Marquette. Holcim has long been a part of SETF's 'Good Neighbor Dialogue' where we engage local industry on the southeast side in dialogue over their practices and opportunities we see to make them more eco-friendly and energy efficient. At a recent meeting in Holcim, SETF expressed its interest in finding supplies for our garden and natives work. We had a lot of day-to-day work needs such as requiring nails, paint, wood, and other materials for construction of interpretive displays. Not only did Holcim supply the above goods, but they also furnished safety goggles and gloves for our volunteers in addition to giving a safety lecture!

Many thanks to Tim, Kervin, and John at Holcim for their time and dedication to our cause. We are pleased that Holcim recognizes the value of sustainable agriculture and native gardens for our community and that they are willing to give their time and resources. We look forward to a continuation of the productive and mutually beneficial relationship with Holcim in the coming years.

Putting a new shade of green in your green thumb

2009-08-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

What do birds and tomatoes have in common? One unique garden in South Chicago located on 97th Street and Marquette Avenue. Recently, two groups on the Southeast Side of Chicago have teamed up to address two issues: the dearth of grocery stores and markets that offer a selection of healthy produce, and the lack of native gardens with plants that encourage biodiversity.

Healthy Southeast Chicago and the Southeast Environmental Task Force (www.setaskforce.org) are together encouraging residents to plant “biodiversity gardens” using native plants like the purple coneflower (Echinacea) shown here for health and various native wild flowers to attract birds and insects. This is coupled with classic urban agriculture edibles such as peppers, corn, squash and tomatoes.

Native plants restore the health of our ecosystem by providing habitat for birds, butterflies, and other insects, and vegetable gardens provide nutrition for people. SETF is also exploring how natives can also be used to clean polluted soil over the years. With any luck, social justice and environmental conservation will find a healthy balance in communities home and community gardens

SETF hires new Community Educator!

2009-07-27T16:35:00.000-05:00

SETF is pleased to announce that we have a new staff member, Ms. Danielle Diaz. Danielle will be the new Community Educator and is replacing Jessica Canas, who is now headed off to Peace Corps' Masters International Program. Danielle started work at SETF in mid July and has hit the ground running, closely working with Jessica and attending meetings to get to know partners before Jessica heads off to Cornell August 15^th. SETF is very fortunate to have Danielle, who has a Masters degree in Environmental Education from California State University and a BA in Environmental Studies from Loyola. Danielle has worked with children of all ages in environmental education, and brings a particular passion for art to her work for SETF.

As the Community Educator, Danielle will work closely with civic and governmental organizations in the Calumet Stewardship Initiative (CSI), promoting environmental curricula in Calumet-area schools and community-based organizations. Danielle will play a vital role in the organization of the CSI Education Team and in producing the CSI triennial newsletter. In her capacity, Danielle will also be responsible for creating and implementing environmental education programs for students, adults and families of the Southeast Side, as well as professional development opportunities in environmental education for teachers. A large portion of her time is allocated to outreach, specifically in the Latino community of the Southeast Side of Chicago.

SETF's 2009 Bike Tour!

2009-05-11T11:43:00.000-05:00

Lights, Camera, Action!

Announcing SETF's "Sweet Home Chicago Bike Tour"
Calumet Park, 9801 S. Ave. G, Chicago
June 6th, 9am

Open to everyone

The tour will focus on locations where movies were made on the Southeast Side of Chicago and will include the neighborhoods of South Chicago, the Eastside and Pullman. While seeing the spots where the films were shot we will pass natural treasures en route.

The cost is $25.00 per person and includes a box lunch. The tour will begin in Calumet Park. If you're a movie buff, cyclist or both, you will want to join us for this fun event. We will be biking past some amazing natural areas with local resident experts to inform you. Registration is required.

Contact us at (773) 646-0436 or setf@sbcglobal.net to register or for more information.

The Green revolution is in our hands

2009-02-17T16:18:00.000-06:00

We inherit a legacy from our past. Often times in the Southeast side this is viewed as negative: a polluted landscape from large industries such as steel, an out of work manufacturing workforce which is over skilled and underpaid, and resultant pervasive unemployment. Yet if one looks at our situation from the angle of climate change, he/she sees the excellent opportunities the Calumet affords. For instance, due to our steel industry, we have a large, talented, and ready labor force experienced in manufacturing, perfect to take on the challenge of green industry. This could come in a variety of forms, such as manufacturing jobs for solar panels. The southeast side also has 3,000 acres of 'brownfields' (abandoned or under-used industrial lands) potentially conducive to alternative energy sites. Indeed, the Calumet region could produce a whole slough of "Green Collar" jobs, perhaps the best in the country. SETF sees the green revolution as a means of revitalizing the southeast side through the creation of jobs.

Poverty is multidimensional. Matrices that are of most valuable to measure poverty deal not only with economic benefit, but also freedom to choose a better life or the ability to run your own business. Green collar jobs are springing up nationwide in areas similar to the Southeast side. Minority owned green businesses are already established in the south Bronx for example. The challenge then, is to make sure that the new wave of industry, green industry, is able to proactively combat poverty in our communities. SETF looks forward to future collaboration with organizations like Green for All (www.greenforall.org) to make this happen. Indeed, our children's future is in our hands.
Photo by Jessica Canas

A ravaged landscape?

2009-02-17T16:11:00.000-06:00

Calumet and the southeast side of Chicago is often stereotyped as a barren wasteland; a landscape stripped of its natural resources and left to rot away. This narrow-minded view often thwarts sustainable development and conservation in the region, which is unfortunate. A root cause of this problem is that Chicagoland residents often forget the illustrious past of the region.

The labor force of the Calumet built the steel which fueled all of our regional railroad developments, aided us greatly in World War II, and made Chicago one of the great American cities it is today. Moreover, the ecology of the region sits atop an eco-tone, which is an intersection of of various habitats from wetlands to forest to prairie.

As imperfect as the landscape may be, it is still a very important refugia for diverse wildlife on the edge, holding important bird nesting sites as well as rare plant assemblages. SETF believes the people of Chicago should look towards the southeast side's past with more pride, and also hopes that residents will now look toward the future with more optimism. Our natural and human resources still abound, if we find creative ways to tap into them.

1st photo by Rod Sellers
2nd photo by Jessica Canas

A rich tapestry of cultural diversity structures our views of nature

2009-02-17T16:03:00.001-06:00

Calumet's waves of immigration have a region claiming routes from Croatia to Mexico. Steel workers such as the one pictured here were responsible in large part for this blending of cultures. Equally diverse are the landscapes which have been carved out from Native Americans to European settlers to industry. Unfortunately, the latter two have left a very difficult legacy for nature to recover from.

This dramatic region is now negotiating its rich industrial past with future plans for economic and environmental revitalization. Unfortunately, this negotiation is thwarted by unjustly high rates of poverty and unemployment, due to the waning of industry which helped to build up the Southeast side in its hey day. Yet diversity still thrives, even more so nowadays. Today, one finds African Americans living side by side to Haitians and Ethiopians. Unfortunately, these social groups share a commonality of pollution from the air, water, and land. Ships coming through the harbors below, cars commuting on the highways above, and industry fouling the air they breathe all present a multi-pronged assault on the health of residents.

Environmental problems and poverty challenges are arguably the two biggest problems facing our world today. In this sense, the Southeast Side is a microcosm of our world’s failures. Moreover, the two phenomena are linked and we are now seeing an increase in poverty and inequality as our natural systems collapse. Both of these issues are already acute and only stand to worsen in the coming decades for the Southeast side. SETF will work hard to address both of these facets, which we see as key to the region's development in the coming decades. We hope to build a future that leaves us as proud as we are about our past.
Photos by Rod Sellers