Sierra Club Policies
Urban Environment
The Sierra Club is vitally concerned that the urban environment, in which a majority of this country's
residents and a majority of our members live, be healthy and stimulating since the physical state of a
city reflects the well-being of its people. The Sierra Club is also concerned that urban areas, which
consume the majority of our resources, be highly efficient and non-polluting so as to minimize our
impacts upon this planet's resources and environment. Therefore, the Sierra Club urges planning and
policies which stimulate:
Conservation of Open Space
Preservation of hills, coasts, wetlands, other outlying natural areas and agricultural lands by zoning,
curbing suburban highway development, control of municipal services and other devices to eliminate
"leap-frog" sprawl.
Abundant, convenient public open spaces, including parks, playgrounds and natural "unimproved" areas.
"Infill" residential and commercial development on unused or under-used land within city
boundaries and already served with streets, water, sewer and other public services, but excluding parks,
park-like lands, agricultural lands, and sensitive and hazardous areas.
Opening up of waterfronts to public access and use.
Protection and Enhancement of the Quality of Urban Life
Protection and enhancement of the quality of urban life by preservation of our architectural and cultural
heritage.
Preservation and revitalization of urban neighborhoods, with residents protected from unreasonable
economic and physical disruption; rehabilitation of housing and community facilities; jobs creation; a
safe and healthy workplace environment; and elimination of "redlining" practices.
Attractive, compact and efficient urban areas; with densities and mixtures of uses that encourage walking
and transit use, and encourage more efficient use of private autos in balance with other transportation modes.
Conservation of the Urban Infrastructure
Upkeep and improvement of the urban infrastructure, including water supplies, sewage, rail systems and
waterfronts. Improvement of transit systems, including operating and capital subsidies where necessary
to maintain reasonable fares and safe, frequent service.
Wise Use of Resources and Safe Disposal of Waste Energy- and material-efficient residential and commercial
buildings and water-conserving development.
Incentives for reducing the generation of solid waste and for promoting recycling of materials.
Management of toxic and hazardous materials to decrease their use and to assure that public health and
the environment are fully protected from any releases to air, water or land (during manufacture, use,
storage, transport or disposal). Full public disclosure of the uses, emissions, and potential effects of
all hazardous and toxic materials.
These development patterns and transit improvements would conserve energy, water, land and building
materials while enhancing the pleasure and safety of urban life and reducing travel distances.
This and the control of toxic substances would improve air and water quality and make better use of
existing urban infrastructure. Additionally, these patterns would reduce developments in forestlands,
on coasts, in coastal wetlands, and other natural areas.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, February 1, 1986
Sprawl and Population
The relationship between sprawl and growth is complex. That complexity, including factors identified by
local Sierra Club entities, should be fully and meaningfully reflected in materials developed by the
sprawl campaign.
Sierra Club founder John Muir said " when we try to pick out anything in the universe we find
it is hitched to everything else." Thus, the actions we take on behalf of one campaign have
the potential to affect our other campaigns. Ideally this synergy will result in our campaigns
reinforcing and supporting each other.
The potential for this synergy is present in our Sprawl and Population campaigns. Clearly, there are
many locations where the impacts of sprawl are greatly exacerbated by population growth. But sprawl is
a pattern of increasingly inefficient and wasteful land use that is devastating environmental and
social conditions, not only in regions where population is growing rapidly, but also in regions where
it is not. Some places are consuming land at record rates, and yet have stable or declining populations.
The Board urges and expects both campaigns to be alert to opportunities for mutually reinforcing
messages, campaign materials and efforts.
Passed by the Board of Directors, September 23, 2000.
Environmental Quality of Settled Areas
The Sierra Club believes that careful planning is necessary in communities to maintain an appropriate
relationship between natural features and man's works. Therefore, in general, the Club supports
programs to maintain adequate natural and scenic open space; to conserve pure air and water; and to
establish and maintain regional, county, and city parks and greenbelts. Moreover, in principle, the
Club supports the regulations of the location, size and character of advertising signs; the screening
or removal of nuisance sights; and the placement of utilities underground wherever practical.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, December 10, 1966
Open Space and Taxation
The Sierra Club urges all states to adopt taxation policies that recognize the highest and best use of
open space lands may be their continuance as open space and encourages their use for purposes consistent
with their open character, rather than their necessarily being appraised at their highest marked value,
as for urban and industrial purposes.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, May 7-8, 1966