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The Sierra Fund is now Indigenous Futures Society.

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2016

News and project updates from 2016.

Kids love first ever Fishing for Fun, Saturday May 21

Fishing for fun and finding facts was the theme of a family event held at Seaman’s Lodge on Saturday May 21. During the afternoon at Pioneer Park, a family-oriented educational event provided information on which locally caught fish are safe to eat and which are better caught and then released due to high mercury. This event was held in conjunction with the second annual Post It Day volunteer event to post state issued fish consumption advisories at regional water bodies.

TSF invited to present to CA Environmental Caucus and Delta MERP

Earlier this month, TSF was honored to be invited to make a presentation to California Environmental Legislative Caucus of the State Senate and Assembly on water quality impacts of abandoned mines. Separately, though on the same day, TSF staff also gave a presentation to the Delta Mercury Exposure Reduction Program (MERP) on our experience conducting public outreach about the human exposure potential to legacy mining pollution in the Sierra. We are thrilled that the abandoned mine and mercury issues in the Sierra are getting the attention they deserve from statewide leaders, and the TSF's outreach efforts around mercury in the Sierra are proving a useful model for other regions in the State.

California Mining Reform Law signed by Governor Brown

Governor Brown signed into law two significant pieces of legislation aimed at improving enforcement of California’s Surface Mining and Reclamation Act (SMARA). The Governor signed SB 209 (Pavley) and AB 1142 (Gray), two complementary bills that together represent significant reform to SMARA. SB 209 and AB 1142 together make numerous changes to the state surface mining provisions regarding reclamation plans, financial assurances, annual inspections, and enforcement.

SMARA Reform Bills Advance in Senate and Assembly

Two important new pieces of legislation to improve implementation and enforcement of surface mining in California are poised to be taken up as soon as next week on the floor of the Senate and Assembly, almost the final step before heading to the Governor’s desk for his signature. SB 209 (Pavley) and AB 1142 (Gray) have both moved ahead with support from a diverse set of interested parties including county supervisors, mining industry advocates and conservationists.

New study of mercury fate and transport in Lower Feather and Yuba Rivers

A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers Michael Singer, Lee Harrison and colleagues from the University of Michigan has identified how flooding frequency and duration affect mercury biogeochemistry along a 40-mile stretch of the Yuba/Feather River system. They found that about 5 percent of the total mercury in this lower section has the potential to become toxic. Their research appears in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

Environmental Working Group releases findings from mercury study

Environmental Working Group's new study of over 250 women indicates that "US fish advice may expose babies to too much mercury." EWG's newly completed study enrolled 254 women who eat at least two meals of seafood, fish or shellfish every week and measured the amount of mercury in their hair to assess how much mercury was in their bodies. EWG's study found that almost 30 percent of their participants had too much mercury exposure according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for pregnant women.

TSF CEO Izzy Martin receives James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award

The Sierra Fund CEO Elizabeth "Izzy" Martin was honored to be presented with one of the James Irvine Foundation's 2016 Leadership Awards for her efforts to protect the Sierra Nevada region and one of California’s most precious resources – water. This prestigious award is made in recognition of individuals who are advancing innovative and effective solutions to significant issues in California. Izzy was one of five awardees this year, and one of the few individuals working on water quality issues to have ever received the award.

TSF’s 8th Annual Winter Legislative Reception a success!

Leaders of Sierra Nevada organizations, legislators, agency heads, and many more gathered on February 17, 2016 for The Sierra Fund’s annual winter legislative reception, held this year at the Citizen Hotel in downtown Sacramento. Over 150 people toasted this year’s honorees for their leadership in reforming regulations to protect California's water, and consistent support for protecting Sierra Nevada natural resources: Governor Jerry Brown, Senator Ben Allen, and Assemblymember Anthony Rendon.

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park slated for funding in Governor’s proposed budget

The Sierra Fund was excited to see that Governor Brown’s proposed budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year includes funding allocated specifically for addressing hazardous materials remaining from historic mining activities at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. The proposed funding in the Governor’s budget would allow the project to continue to move forward to gather data on cultural resources and environmental assessment, to ensure that proposed solution(s) both protect the park’s fantastic historic legacy, which earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places, and also address contamination remaining from historic mine operations.