RENewsletter June 27, 2010

RENewsletter | June 27, 2010

The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com

“Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change.”

[6/20/2010 – 6/27/2010]

* Need to vent? | Go to my blog: Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY

* Found an important Rochester environmental story from a credible source that you think needs attention? Or, an Environmental Event, Please, SEND ME THE LINK. If you think this newsletter, which continually informs our community on our local environmental news, events, actions, is worthwhile, please encourage others to sign up.

Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. -- Carl Sagan

*** The June 2010 Environmental Site of the Month Award goes to the The Green Dandelion . | Go to Environmental Award.

[Hyperlinks work by CTRL + click to follow a link]

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Opening Salvo: “Rochester’s energy solutions, connecting the dots”

At the risk of pushing everyone’s buttons, you’d think the disastrous BP oil spill, the din over drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Gas Shale, a couple of recent nuclear power issues, and the energy bill stalled in Congress, would galvanize the local press and the public to seriously consider wind power for some of our energy needs. (Check here for the above stories: Rochester Environmental News ). But the New York State Power Authority’s Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project (GLOW) isn’t getting much attention.

Why not? These off-shore wind farms in Lake Ontario have the potential to produce 120 to 500 MW of power--nothing to sneeze at. Wind power doesn’t pollute the atmosphere, doesn’t warm the planet, doesn’t use up our natural resources, nor does it run the potential of befouling all the land and water near it. Is wind power perfect? No, but it does not at all deserve the bad press it gets either: Myths vs facts.

I know it’s naïve to think that we might inconvenience ourselves just to buck the system that is wrecking our environment. There so much money and power in the oil industry. There are so many people ready to say nasty things if you question a fossil-fuel based economy. And there’s so much other stuff going on. Despite the carnage, it’s so much easier to just drill for oil and keep doing what we are doing.

That sounds naïve too. In the real world, where the laws of physics are at play, there are consequences to all our actions. We are not innocent by-standers to the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico or the contentious move to begin drilling for natural gas near-by. Every time we turn the key in the ignition or heat our homes with fossil fuels, we are part of the problem. We are legitimatizing an energy system that isn’t in the long-term interest of our lives.

The oil continues to spill into the Gulf. Ice in the Arctic and Antarctic melts. The planet warms. Political pundits argue whether Obama should have made his case for his energy bill from the Oval Office. Groups gather and protest when wind farms threaten their view. We drive our vehicles unmindful of the price to our planet. Landowners want the chance to make a quick buck on drilling on their property. The public when polled say they want renewable energy. The media cannot or will not connect the dots because they want to remain “objective”, as if they and their high-tech equipment wouldn’t be lost if our environment collapsed.

If we don’t begin to connect the dots and appreciate how the complicated and convoluted route from the switch on our lamp befouls and warms the planet, then we are not a serious people. We are like children who think magic is running the place.

FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com (Click on my email for feedback)

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NewsLinks – Environmental NewsLinks – [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area from the past week]

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Updates – Daily Updates – [Connecting the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on environmentally in our area—and why you should care? Clicking on -DISCUSSION – will take you to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]

6/27/2010 - Hands Across the Sands at Charlotte Beach. The Hands Across the Sand | A worldwide gathering opposed to near- and off-shore oil drilling in our waters event in the Rochester, NY region was at Charlotte Beach. “Hands Across the Sand is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting all of the above from the devastating effects of oil drilling.” Dozens Gather to Speak Against Off-Shore Drilling - YNN, Your News Now A local group says it’s fed up with BP Oil Company and off-shore oil drilling. Dozens met up at Ontario Beach Park to speak out against it. "‘Hands Across the Sand" is an effort that's sweeping the nation. A handful of environmental organizations are taking part in it. (June 26, 2010) TOP STORIES - Rochester - YNN, Your News Now [more on Energy in our area]
6/26/2010 - Against Fracking for natural gas in our area? Check out this site for finding out about the dangers of fracking and actions that can be taken. Fracking in New York State | FrackAction.com "Fracking is a commonly accepted term for hydro-fracturing, a process where water, sand and chemicals are injected into the earth at high pressure. The aim of hydro-fracturing is to fracture rock formations deep underground in the hopes of liberating natural gas that would be otherwise inaccessible, and to bring it to the surface. "
6/25/2010 - Reveal Fracturing Chemicals: Knowledge will set you free from making bad decisions: I cannot imagine how the public or their representatives can vote intelligently on drilling in the Marcellus Gas Shale (or anywhere else for that matter) without knowing what chemicals are being used in the hydrofracking process. Trade secrets or not, potentially dangerous chemicals that could potentially contaminate our land and water should be clear and open to public scrutiny before making any decisions of this magnitude. Public safely and the protection of our environment come first—no more argument. Dems, Natural Gas Industry Negotiating Fracking Disclosure Plan - NYTimes.com Rep. Diana DeGette and the natural gas industry are actively negotiating a plan to require public disclosure of the sometimes toxic chemicals that drillers use to flush gas out of the ground, according to sources on both sides of the talks. The Colorado Democrat has authored a much tougher bill calling on U.S. EPA to regulate fracturing. Now she is trying to hammer out a deal with industry representatives, but the industry is reported to be split about whether to cut a deal with Democrats or hope that Republican gains in November's midterm elections will stamp out any regulatory efforts. (June 24, 2010) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
6/25/2010 - What to do when those new light Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs blow: Learn about the proper way to dispose of the when they burnout from the new online Green Monroe Newsletter. Recycling CFLs in Monroe County A Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulb saves about $30 in energy costs over the bulb’s lifetime. Switching from incandescent light bulb to more energy efficient ones is an easy way to reduce energy use and lower utility cost. Each CFL bulb contains a very small amount of mercury - an average of 4 milligrams in each bulb. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends recycling and responsibly disposing of CFLs at the end of their life cycle. In Monroe County, all the Home Depot stores are collection locations. The CFL recycling container is located inside the main entrance next to the service desk. --Green Monroe Newsletter - greener future for the community of Monroe County "Welcome to GreenMonroe.org – a place to find rebates, subsidies, incentives and grants available to the community of Monroe County to lower energy cost and buy renewable energy. "
6/23/2010 - Environmental impacts of the BP Gulf Oil Spill: It seems reasonable to expect the press to anticipate the possible environmental effects of an environmental accident as large as the BP Gulf Oil Spill. One site that focuses on the possible impacts to specific species and the role they play in the Gulf warrants attention: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 "The oil spill from the offshore drilling platform Deepwater Horizon has reached the US Gulf Coast. Many commercial fisheries as well as sport-fishing will be impacted by the spill. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned about impacts on beach-nesting, wading and sea birds, as well as turtles, and fisheries, but many other species in coastal and off-shore habitats are affected. US Federal and State agencies are posting information to a common portal. In order to increase awareness about the potential and actual impacts of this disaster on Gulf of Mexico biodiversity, we have put together lists of links with information about the species and habitats of the region. " -from Encyclopedia of Life
6/23/2010 - The Press and Climate Change: Finally, a long-awaited article on the credentials of those scientists speaking to the press on Climate Change. For years the public understanding of the science behind Climate Change has been muddied by the press’s search of ‘objectivity’ who always seem to be able to find scientist strongly agreeing with the evidence that leaned towards a view that our planet is warming up due to anthropogenic change, and those who didn’t. It made for great press and kept one of the most critical issues of our times in tied in what appears to be unnecessary knots. But, has the press actually gone out and assessed the credentials of the scientists? It doesn’t seem so and this has been a great failing of the press. Long after a consensus by most of the world’s scientist weighed in on the side of Climate Change the press has sown the seeds of doubt. Doubt is good to a point. But, doubt can also make the public incapable of understanding something as important and complex as Climate Change. This means it made it easier for communities to vote against measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The public finds it convenient to consider energy options, like wind power, without considering Climate Change—so the arguments in the public arena are reduced to aesthetic ones, instead of reasonable ones in the light of Climate Change. Without the press reporting accurately Climate Change and the credibility of those backing this science the public does not feel compelled to act on future environmental choices with the most important and critical factor in their decision making. How are we going to make intelligent choices that involve our environment, like drilling for oil, unless the press takes a more informed attitude on science and begins to frame Climate Change issues more accurately? Climate Change at present is the elephant on our news pages: everything related to public discussion on energy, and other environmental issues should be done so with Climate Change in our minds. We need a more mature press that understands the difference between science and opinion. Study questions credentials of climate-change skeptics The hundreds of academics who sign warnings for politicians to delay action on slashing greenhouse gas emissions do not have the same expertise as those who say human activity is causing global warming, says a new study to be released Tuesday in the Proceedings of the U.S. National Academy of Scientists. "Despite media tendencies to present both sides in (the causes of global warming) debates, which can contribute to continued public misunderstanding regarding (human-caused climate change), not all climate researchers are equal in scientific credibility and expertise in the climate system," said the study, Expert credibility in climate change. (June 21, 2010) Vancouver Sun | Latest Breaking News | Business | Sports | Canada Daily News
6/23/2010 - Local Environmental Education: One way to learn about our Finger Lakes ecology is to get on a boat and have a class: CAYUGA LAKE FLOATING CLASSROOM "In collaboration with Tiohero Tours, we offer affordable programs for schools, community groups and residents of the Cayuga Lake Watershed and surrounding region. Our experienced instructors can provide a range of safe, fun and engaging experiences. "
6/23/2010 -Looks like good news for a new trail south of Rochester: Notes from a friend: "An official in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP) in Albany recently stated that the proposal for a greenway trail stretching ca. 230 miles from Rochester, NY, to Williamsport, PA, along the Genesee River and Pine Creek will be incorporated into the next draft of the statewide master plan for recreational trail development in New York State. This complements similar developments in Pennsylvania, where this proposed trail system has already entered into state, regional, and county planning efforts. Officials in the NYSOPRHP office in Albany are already in dialogue with their counterparts in the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) in Harrisburg. Both agencies were attracted to this proposal because of its massive scale and the connections that it establishes between recreational systems in two states. Developing the trail system now enters a new phase because it has finally achieved the status of a broad interstate planning goal formally supported by the relevant agencies in two states. Given that many sections of this trail system are already completed or currently being developed, this adds increased momentum for further progress in this trail system."
6/22/2010 - How can we increase walking and bicycling as Transportation in our area? Check out this: 2010 Equal Footing Summit - America Walks On September 16, 2010, America Walks in partnership with the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) is convening organizations, agencies, and businesses at the Equal Footing Summit in Chattanooga, TN. Join us as we launch a National Walking Strategy. Work with us to build momentum for a more walkable America. Why now? Because 2010 is when: Congress passes a five-year transportation bill America focuses on childhood obesity You can make a difference!
6/21/2010 - What is the state of Walking and Bicycling for Transportation in the US and what can we do it increase this? Check out this report. walkinginfo.org: PBIC 15-Year Status Report "This report is the third status update to the National Bicycling and Walking Study, originally published in 1994 as an assessment of bicycling and walking as transportation modes in the United States. Following the 5-year status report (1999) and 10-year status report (2004), the 15-year update measures the progress made toward the original goals of lowering the number of fatalities while increasing the percentage of trips made by bicycling and walking. Injury and fatality statistics are presented to measure this progress, as well as results from surveys related to travel habits. The 15-year report, unlike its two predecessors, examines a range of efforts to increase bicycling and walking in the United States. Programs at the Federal, State, and local levels are included, as well as case studies on best practices. Finally, the report makes recommendations for research, policy, and other measures that can be taken to meet the goals of the original study. " walkinginfo.org
6/21/2010 - Something you can do about the BP Gulf Oil Spill: National Audubon Society: Gulf Coast Disaster - How You Can Help "Audubon is inspired by the many people who have contacted us to find out how they can help the birds and other wildlife threatened by the Gulf oil spill. Your commitment to their health and safety during this crisis is greatly appreciated – and it underscores how much you value the natural world. Audubon is working with many other public and private conservation organizations to coordinate volunteers and connect them with oiled-wildlife response leaders to help in the recovery effort. Hands-on work to protect and save birds and other wildlife will be a complex and potentially dangerous process, and first and foremost it is important that only trained volunteers participate on the front lines. Untrained volunteers can pose a risk not only to themselves, but to the birds and wildlife they are trying to save. " --from National Audubon Society

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Events – Rochester Environmental Events Calendar – [The most complete listing of all environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.] If you don’t see your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the info: FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line.

June 28, 2010 documentary screening 7:00 PM | Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House 900 East Avenue.

America’s Decaying and Neglected Infrastructure June 28, 2010 documentary screening 7:00 PM at the Dryden Theatre, George Eastman House 900 East Avenue. Beyond the Motor City is a new PBS documentary that examines how Detroit, a grim symbol of America’s diminishing status in the world, may come to represent the future of transportation and progress in this country. It also reveals that over the last 30 years, much of the world has left Detroit—and America—behind, choosing faster, cleaner, more modern transportation. This event is free and open to the public.

July 2010

July 01, 2010 4-6:30 PM | Emerson Park Pavilion, Auburn, NY

7/01, OWASCO LAKE DAY 2010, Emerson Park Pavilion, Auburn: 4 - 6:30 pm. Sponsored by Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) and Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency (WQMA). Resource Fair: 4 - 5 pm; Updates on Owasco Lake: 5 - 6:30 pm Free Admission - Free Parking.

Saturday, July 10, 10 a.m. - noon, | West Lake Rd., Canandaigua, Upland Parking Lot.

Saturday, July 10, 10 a.m. - noon, "Fossil Hunt at Onanda Park" ,West Lake Rd., Canandaigua, Upland Parking Lot. A popular field trip aimed at children 5 to 13, but all welcome. Kim Babcock, Sustainability Coordinator at Finger Lakes Community College, will guide us up the gorge at Onanda searching for traces of prehistoric creatures. Donations accepted. Contact: Kim Babcock at 585-394-6704 or kk1177@hotmail.com

Wednesday's July 14, 6:30 pm -9 pm | 3374 Fallbrook Pk., Canandaigua

Wednesday's July 14 and 21, 6:30 pm -9 pm, "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture", 3374 Fallbrook Pk., Canandaigua. Bring something for otluck, sit by the lake, and have a discussion of this new book by Shannon Hayes, also author of "The Farmer and the Grill" and "The Grassfed Gourmet". Facilitator Alison Clarke, who will order books for articipants. Contact her for more information, registration and directions at 585-394-0864 or accompost@gmail.com.

JULY 19TH | MCC

1/2 Day Workshop "GREENING YOUR CAREER SKILLS" at MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Career Development Services, FLE$C, Nixon Peabody, Monroe Community College and the Rochester Engineering Society are hosting this first year event to educate individuals who are unemployed, in transition or seeking new career opportunities on the ways in which they can receive career training to help them on a path towards a "green career." There will be a keynote speaker, a panel discussion and breakout sessions on a variety of topics including: careers in environmental science, building science, and the relative training needed to enter these and other green "fields". The cost of the event is $5 with pre-registration, $8 at the door. A continental breakfast will be provided. For more information and to register please go to Career Development Services: 800.736.6710

Wednesday's July 21, 6:30 pm -9 pm | 3374 Fallbrook Pk., Canandaigua

Wednesday's July 14 and 21, 6:30 pm -9 pm, "Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture", 3374 Fallbrook Pk., Canandaigua. Bring something for otluck, sit by the lake, and have a discussion of this new book by Shannon Hayes, also author of "The Farmer and the Grill" and "The Grassfed Gourmet". Facilitator Alison Clarke, who will order books for articipants. Contact her for more information, registration and directions at 585-394-0864 or accompost@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 3 pm, | Naples Community Park

Saturday, July 31, 9 a.m. to 3 pm, " Hiking Trail Construction and Maintenance", Naples Community Park. Presenter and guide, Marty Dodge, Professor in the Conservation Dept. of the Finger Lakes Community College has built and maintained trails in NY, Me, and Alaska including Nature Interpretation Trails at Cummings Nature Center. Work gloves, long pants and long-sleeved shirts recommended. Bring water and bag lunch. Registration required to dodgemc@flcc.edu or 394-3500. While Marty is leading a month trip to Alaska, registration taken by Alison Clarke , 394-0864 or accompost@gmail.com, CSL contact or Mary Norman, 585-278-7547, mary.norman@xerox.com, contact for the local Sierra Club, a co-sponsor

August 2010

August 2-6, 2010 | SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY

“Compost Operations Training Course” Learn best management practices to improve efficiency and cut costs of production! August 2-6, 2010 SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY Still Time To Register… Registration Information: go to: Compost Operations Training Course SEE Questions: contact Cary Oshins at: 484-547-1521 or email: cary.oshins@compostingcouncil.org Sponsors and Partners: US Composting Council, SUNY Cobleskill, Soil Control Lab, ReoTemp, Cornell Waste Management Institute, Northeast Recycling Council Inc, NYS DEC, NYSAR3, CT DEP, and NY SWANA. Please post and/or forward this information to those you feel would benefit! Thank you. If you want to be removed from this email list, please let us know at: cwmi@cornell.edu Cornell Waste Management Institute Department of Crop & Soil Sciences Cornell University 101b Rice Hall * Ithaca, NY 14853 email: cwmi@cornell.edu ph: 607-255-1187 fx: 607-255-0238 http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu

August 12 at the Anderson Performing Arts Center at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y. for 3 sessions - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT (June 18, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Energy in our area]

EPA Announces a Schedule of Public Meetings on Hydraulic Fracturing Research Study; August 12 Meeting to be Held in Binghamton, N.Y. (New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting four public information meetings on the proposed study of the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and its potential impacts on drinking water. Hydraulic fracturing is a process that drills vertical and horizontal cracks underground that help withdraw gas or oil from coalbeds, shale and other geological formations. By pumping fracturing fluids (water and chemical additives) and sands into rock formations, fractures are created in the formation from which natural gas or oil can be more easily extracted. The meetings will provide public information about the proposed study scope and design. EPA will solicit public comments on the draft study plan. The public meetings will be held on: August 12 at the Anderson Performing Arts Center at Binghamton University in Binghamton, N.Y. for 3 sessions - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT (June 18, 2010) U.S. EPA Newsroom - News Releases [more on Energy in our area]

September 2010

Saturday, September 4, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Ontario Barn Vineyards 513 Whitney Road, Ontario, NY

The annual Ontario Barn Festival will be held Saturday, September 4, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The festival will feature all day live music, BBQ, arts & crafts, promotion of solar energy, apple picking, free ice cream and face painting and lots of fun! Bring the entire family! Sept 4, 2010 Ontario Barn Festival. Part of our mission is to promote solar energy.

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Action – Take Action - Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester Community and around the world. I’ll keep Actions posted until their due date.

ACTION: Due Date Now.

from the Green Party of Monroe County "The Green Party of Monroe County is looking for progressives in our community to enhance its local platform. If you have an interest in real solutions to our environmental, economic and social problems, you can have an impact on what the Green Party will do when elected. Work on your own or with other like-minded folks to create individual planks of our local platform. Issues can be something you have already been working on or something you have always wanted to fix. Examples of some issues include, industrial pollution, area brownfields, renewable energy, land trusts, etc. Contact Dave Atias if you are interested in helping get our government on the side of the people. Greenpmc34@yahoo.com or 585-315-7687 "

ACTION: Due Date Now:

URMC Receives $15.5M for Live Virus Vaccine Isolation Studies - News Room - University of Rochester Medical Center This week, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) announced plans to begin a cluster of bird flu vaccine trials, many of which will contain live, weakened viruses and require participants to remain in isolation for several days a time. Slated to start this summer, the studies are funded by a National Institutes of Health grant amounting to more than $15.5 million over five years. Volunteers could receive up to $2,025 for completing this study – including a $50 honorarium for a screening visit, $125 per day spent on the isolation unit, $75 per follow-up outpatient visit, and a $250 bonus for completing all study visits on time. As the isolation unit does not offer cooking facilities, food and beverages will be provided. For further information or to enroll, please call the Vaccine Research Unit at (585) 273-3990. (June 15, 2010) University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY

Action Alert: Due Date Now:

CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTION ALERT URGENT! Call the New York State Senate Today Hydro-Fracking Moratorium On the Move! A key NYS Assembly committee approved the moratorium on hydro-fracking! With this movement in the Assembly, it is important that the Senate now move as well. Call Senator Antoine Thompson, Chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and urge him to put the Hydro-Fracking Moratorium bill on the agenda and urge the Senate to pass the Hydro-Fracking Moratorium before the recess. Take Action Now

Action Due Date: Today

Donate to a worthy cause: Christine Sevilla Project (Christine Sevilla Project) "Welcome to A Living Project to Preserve a Place in Christine's Honor For All to Enjoy in Perpetuity Christine's family and friends envision a natural area, including wetlands, preserved in her memory. This vision includes an educational component, like an interpretive trail to help others recognize what Christine saw - an interconnected natural community of flora and fauna, soil and water. Perhaps even an Arts and Music Festival to celebrate what Christine so treasured. "

ACTION - Action Due Date - July 2

Make your voice heard on this hot topic of outdoor wood boilers (OWBs): Commissioner Grannis Releases New Proposal to Cut Pollution - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation DEC Rules Would Affect Outdoor Wood Boilers New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the release of a proposed new state regulation to dramatically cut pollution from outdoor wood boilers (OWBs). The proposal will reduce the significant air quality impacts from the boilers, and address what has become a public nuisance for many New Yorkers. The proposal was published in the Environmental Notice Bulletin this week and can be viewed on DEC's website at Proposed Part 247, Outdoor Wood Boilers, and Part 200, General Provisions - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation . The public comment period will run through July 2. | Closest hearing is Genesee Community College Conable Technology Building, RM T102 Batavia, NY 14020

ACTION: DUE Date: July 9

DEC Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Policy to Reduce Fish Mortality to July 9 - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has extended the public comment period for the "Best Technology Available (BTA) for Cooling Water Intake Structures" draft policy until July 9, 2010. The draft policy outlines the process for determining BTA and sets performance goals for reducing impacts. BTA determinations are made on a facility specific basis, and certain power plants and other facilities that use water for cooling purposes may need to recycle and reuse that water through a process known as "closed cycle cooling" technology. This will greatly reduce the amount of water withdrawn from New York rivers or other water bodies and, correspondingly, minimize the amount of fish, fish eggs and larvae destroyed in the process. The draft policy and supporting documents and the original press announcement about the draft policy can be found on the DEC website. --from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Action Due Date: August 16, 2010

DEC Extends Public Comment Period on Draft Solid Waste Management Plan - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Comments Now Accepted until Aug. 16, 2010 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has extended the public comment period for the draft Solid Waste Management Plan, "Beyond Waste: A Sustainable Materials Management Strategy for New York," until Aug. 16, 2010. (June 3, 2010) [more on Recycling in our area] Public Input Requested: Help the DEC set a new bar on what should be recycled in our area and the rest of New York. Things have been changing in our ability to recycle in the past years. “The Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) was issued in 1987. It set a waste reduction and recovery goal of 50%-bold for its time--and contained a broad and aggressive list of recommendations.” But, now there are new waste streams such has electronics, and things we don’t want in our waste streams at all such as pharmaceuticals, and mercury-containing products. So, take a look at the Draft Solid Waste Management Plan. - "The Draft Solid Waste Management Plan entitled "Beyond Waste: A Sustainable Materials Management Strategy for New York State" is now available for review. Check out Beyond Waste and attend one of the several hearings coming to a place near you. If you cannot attend one of the hearings, you can write in your response. “Comments should be submitted to Ed Dassatti, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7250.” You can comment through July 6. Please email us with any questions or comments. Draft New York State Solid Waste Management Plan - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation This SWMP process offers an opportunity to take stock of where we are with regard to solid waste management strategies and articulate a bold vision for maximizing recovery and minimizing waste. A SWMP will provide the Department with an opportunity to address the broader environmental implications of solid waste management alternatives, including global climate change. The Plan will include an analysis of the environmental and economic benefits of its recommendations to maximize recovery and reduce waste. In so doing, we will build the case for legislative and regulatory actions to achieve more aggressive recovery goals. "

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Award – Environmental Site of the Month Award – [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's environmental issues.]

The June 2010 Environmental Site of the Month Award goes out to The Green Dandelion. One of the great things about living in the Rochester region is that we have a lot of colleges and universities near us. That means we have a very aware educational culture whose students and faculty ‘get it’ on the need to pay attention to our environment. The Green Dandelion is an excellent example of university students taking the lead in informing themselves about green emery and recycling and passing that information both inside and outside the university through new technologies that are the new media. This is a fun and informative site that encourages dialogue about preserving and protecting our environment.

The Green Dandelion “The Green Dandelion is a blog focused on sharing recycling, energy conservation and sustainability initiatives, ideas and events through blogs and online community interaction. Our content shares the distinctive voices of University Facilities and Services bloggers and those who work to improve the environment at the University of Rochester. We hope The Green Dandelion reflects the pleasure and joy we all derive from being involved in sustainability.”