Updates April - May 03

Archived Daily Messages from April - May 2003

• 5/30/03 -- Now is the time to think about West Nile Virus: West Nile Virus Coming - Although human cases of West Nile virus aren't expected to start turning up until later in the summer, it's time to prepare now That word from Monroe County health officials who say we could start seeing West Nile show up in birds soon, but if there are any human cases, they usually don't show up until later on....Still , officials say now is the time to start taking preventive measures, doing things like reducing any standing water on your property that could breed mosquitoes. (May 30, 2003) http://www.wham1180.com
•  5/30/03 -- EVENT: FARM SANCTUARY - now open Wed-Sun (as of June 1st) for the season: www.FarmSanctuary.org Watkins Glen, NY, approx. 90-miles, 90-minutes south of Rochester. Animals rescued from abusive farm industry live out their lives on this 175-acre land. Very educational and a most enjoyable place to visit, for all ages. Please check into it ... you'll be forever glad you did, and the animals thank you too!
•  5/30/03 -- ACTION: From the Sierra Club: Easy Way to Do Your Part -What did you do with your old cellphone? Is it just clogging up your junk drawer? Well, the Sierra Club has teamed up with Staples and CollectiveGood, a socially responsible mobile electronics recycling company, for a solution. The new program makes recycling easy: simply drop off used cell phones, PDAs and pagers, as well as chargers, in collection tubes conveniently located near the cell phone displays in every Staples store nationwide. Go to greenbiz.com for the story: http://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=24585
•  5/30/03 -- ACTION:This from Environmental Advocates of New York - Home Page  Please take action this week to let the NY State Senate know you support the Clean Cars Act (S. 4044/Marcellino). Your letter can help push the Clean Car Act through the Environmental Conservation Committee in the Senate, where it is now stuck. The Clean Cars Act will direct the state Dept. of Environmental Conservation to develop new vehicle emission standards for greenhouse gases, the pollution that causes global warming. These standards will mean that New Yorkers will be able to choose cleaner and more efficient cars in the future.  You can take action on this alert either via email (please see directions below) or via the web at: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/Clean_Car_Bill Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/Clean_Car_Bill/forward/ We encourage you to take action by August 15, 2003
•  5/30/03 --EVENT:  Watch NOW with Bill Moyers on Friday at 9 pm MAY 29, 2003 -Examining J. Steven Griles: Conflict of Interest in the Interior Department? As the number two man at the Department of the Interior, J. Stephen Griles is in charge of the nation's natural resources. But some say that having Griles, a former powerful lobbyist for the energy industry, at Interior is like having a fox in the hen house. Recently, at the behest of members of the Senate, the Interior Department's Inspector General launched an official investigation into the ethical questions raised about Griles. On Friday, May 30, at 9 p.m. on PBS, NOW with Bill Moyers examines Griles' record at the Interior Department and scrutinizes the apparent conflicts of interest that has one environmental group documenting his every move. NOW's investigation looks at how Griles, who agreed to recuse himself from any Interior Department business involving former clients, has continued to meet with energy industry insiders who once paid for his services and now stand to benefit from his decisions. Check your local listings for air date. --from Earthjustice: Because the Earth Needs A Good Lawyer.
•  5/28/03 - The Neighborhood Notification Law got squashed in Rochester, but just across the waters, our northern friends are not to tolerant of the widespread use of pesticides:
  • A natural for lawns - On May 22, the Toronto City Council voted 26-16 for a by-law (ordinance) that will limit the use of pesticides and herbicides on residential lawns, says a report in the Globe and Mail. The measure, to be phased in over three years, will allow exceptions only for homeowners whose lawns have a "serious infestation problem."  Contrast this with what's happening in Monroe County, where the county legislature majority recently buried a proposal to enact a local "Neighbor Notification" ordinance pursuant to state law.(May 28, 2003)  http://www.rochester-citynews.com
  •  Toronto votes against pesticide use - Representatives of the lawn-care industry stormed out of a Toronto city council meeting Thursday, after councillors voted 26-16 in favour of a by-law that restricts the use of pesticides and herbicides. "It's been a long and process with a lot of back and forth, but I think we've reached a fair balance that ensures people won't be using pesticides if they don't need to," Councillor Brad Duguid, a proponent of the by-law, told Globeandmail.com. The use of pesticides will be permitted only to those homeowners who have a serious infestation problem. This will be determined by a committee comprised of environmentalists, lawn-care industry representatives and city employees. http://www.globeandmail.com
•   5/26/03 -- Where do you recycling rechargeable batteries? Enter your zip code and find out: Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
•  5/26/03 -- Find out what's in your backyard, from Environmental News Network - ENN.com (Go to the upper left hand corner and put in your e-mail and zip code.)
• 5/25/03 --Can we trust our health warning systems when there is great economic pressure to quiet outbreaks of disease?
  • 500 Quarantined In Toronto Five hundred people who may have been exposed to SARS in Toronto have been quarantined in their homes for 10 days. Authorities say there could be more than 30 new cases of SARS in Canada. (May 25, 2003) R News: Your NewsChannel
  •  Democrat & Chronicle: Toronto back on SARS watch — WASHINGTON — Federal health officials are again telling Americans to take precautions against the SARS virus if they travel to Toronto. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cited a possible cluster of new cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada’s largest city in reinstating its travel alert on Friday -- the brink of a busy travel weekend because of the Memorial Day holiday. (May 24, 2003)Democrat and Chronicle
  •  Democrat & Chronicle: Toronto off WHO SARS warning list — TORONTO — Canadian officials cheered Toronto’s removal from a list of the world’s SARS hot spots Wednesday, saying it was “another vote of confidence” and proof that it was safe to travel there. Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement said the decision was “an absolute vindication of our public health officials, our nurses, doctors, other emergency workers, everyone who fought long and hard.” (May 15, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  5/25/03 --ACTION: Adding to the voices that want Global Warming Curbed: Go to: Take Action: Emergency Campaign on Global Warming --from Environmental Defense
•  5/22/03 -- Wondering how Global Warming will affect the Rochester area: Read: Climate Change in the Empire State: http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/pdf/newyork.pdf   Read on: Warm welcome - Lots of studies point to the disastrous consequences of climate change on oceans and glaciers, continental climates, and other things global. But now the Boston-based Union of Concerned Scientists and the Ecological Society of America have brought the issue down to our backyards. The two groups recently issued a report, Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region, which looks at problems and offers regional solutions state-by-state. The report predicts "New York's climate will grow considerably warmer and probably drier during this century." Summer temperatures around here could rise seven to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, "roughly the same as the warming since the last ice age." There also could be changes in precipitation patterns (with drier soils and more droughts), more frequent "extreme events," and declines in Great Lakes ice cover.   (May 22, 2003) http://www.rochester-citynews.com
•  5/22/03 --EVENT:  This just in from --Margit Brazda Poirier, Director, Water Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 271-4552 ext.320 - FAX: 271-0492 - margit_brazda@rmsc.org Visit us at: www.thewec.org: "Hello, I'd like to announce that the Water Education Collaborative's new web site is up and running! Come visit us at: www.thewec.org The new site is colorful, user-friendly and interactive. Features include a Calendar of Events, Get Involved page for people who want to participate in water quality programs, "10 Simple Things You Can Do" to protect water quality, a directory of the WEC Board, an extensive glossary, Frequently Asked Questions, a Photo Gallery (see if you've been caught on camera), and more! In the future, we hope to add a database of stream monitoring information from the Community Water Watch program, a Teacher's Corner, and Kid's Page. As you will see from the note on the Home Page, we are looking for your feedback. A web site is a work in progress and we want to make this one as useful to YOU as possible. So please, email me with your comments, suggestions, ideas... Also, we are always looking for new events related to water quality education for the Calendar and any photos that are relevent too. Each month there will be a new "Tip of the Month" on our Home Page, so think about any water quality news or information you would like to see featured. Enjoy... and thanks for helping protect water quality!"
•  5/16/03 -- EVENT:  This just in from the Finger Lakes Land Trust: "BUILD A BLUEBIRD HOUSE MAY 31 The Finger Lakes Land Trust offers a chance to learn about the New York State bird Sat., May 31. Children especially will enjoy lending a hand to their feathered friends when they help Canandaigua Academy science teacher Eric Cosman "Build a Bluebird House," part of the Land Trust's summer 2003 series of nature Talks & Treks. This BYOH (bring your own hammer!) event starts at 10 a.m. at Camp Warren  Cutler on Gulick Road in Naples. All other materials provided. Why build a home for bluebirds in particular? "Bluebirds are a species of special concern," explains Cosman, a volunteer educator with the Land Trust. "They are cavity nesters, living in places like hollow trees. Loss of this habitat has been their greatest  threat, along with competition from sparrows. "Therefore, habitat restoration is one of the most beneficial and fun  things that people can do to help our beautiful New York State bird. And  building something with your own hands brings satisfaction. Plus, there's the added satisfaction of environmental stewardship: once you've built and  successfully stationed your bluebird house you can open the boxes  periodically and watch the babies as they grow." The event is free and open to the public as are all Finger Lakes Land Trust Talks & Treks. It is one of 12 summer 2003 interactive events presented by  the Land Trust's Western Lakes Chapter, based in Canandaigua. The Finger Lakes Land Trust is a private, not for profit land conservation  organization dedicated to protecting the natural integrity of the Finger  Lakes Region. In pursuit of that goal, the organization's Western Lakes  Chapter offers an annual Talks & Treks series of interactive educational  talks, workshops and field activities meant to engender a love of the land  and a will to conserve it. Since its founding in 1989, the Land Trust has permanently protected nearly  7,000 Finger Lakes acres across 12 counties. Its small staff based in  Canandaigua and Ithaca coordinates the efforts of almost 200 volunteers,  relying mainly on membership fees and donations for financial support. Basic membership costs $35 and offers a newsletter, events calendar,  volunteer opportunities and access to ecologists and other experts in the  field of land protection and management. The FLLT's work is vitally dependent on members' creativity, interest and  participation. For information on the T&T series, on the FLLT's other  events and activities, or on joining the Land Trust's work of protecting  the Finger Lakes' natural resources, call the Western Lakes Chapter at  (585) 394-4189 or the main office in Ithaca, (607) 275-9487, or visit  www.fllt.org."
•  5/15/03 -- Why shouldn't we trust corporations to take care of our environment, as the Bush Administration believes?  Well, maybe it's story's like these: Democrat & Chronicle: Diaz ordered to stay in Holley — ALBION — Acting state Supreme Court Justice James P. Punch has issued a temporary restraining order preventing Diaz Chemical Corp. from abandoning its Holley, Orleans County, plant without adequately securing the property and ensuring that ongoing environmental cleanup will continue. (May 14, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  5/15/03 -- We didn't lose this one, the public did:  Right to know gets 'No!' As lawns all over Rochester sprout new growth (and little warning flags), the Monroe County Legislature has effectively dug a pit for a mild environmental measure. Some background: In 2000, Albany enacted a "Pesticide Neighbor Notification Law" that requires commercial pesticide applicators to give 48-hour notice to neighbors of properties scheduled for spraying. But the law applies only in counties that pass a complementary local ordinance ("opt-in"). Six counties --- Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau, Albany, Tompkins, and Rockland --- have opted in. But Monroe County powers-that-be have not acted, despite pleas from local groups like Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides and legislators like Democrats Lynda Garner Goldstein and Stephanie Aldersley. At a May 12 news conference, Goldstein, Brighton Supervisor Sandy Frankel, and representatives of local environmental groups were not amused by all this. "I'm very disturbed by the way it was handled," said Goldstein. "This is an issue that has had a great deal of community interest." Said Sierra Club activist Frank Regan: "Monroe County is keeping the public out of the discussion... It seems that pesticide spray-drift around children is an 'unmentionable.'" Lila Bluestone, a member of the Breast Cancer Action Coalition, said the county should use the "precautionary principle" --- that is, act to reduce exposures now, rather than wait for absolute proof that a particular exposure will cause an individual illness.City Newspaper
•  5/13/03 -- EVENT: Dispose Properly of Hazardous Waste Democrat & Chronicle: Hazardous waste being collected in Perinton — PERINTON — Residents of Perinton, Pittsford and East Rochester may get rid of household hazardous waste from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Perinton Highway Garage, 100 Cobb’s Lane. Appointments may be made through Thursday. To schedule one, Perinton residents should call (585) 223-5115; others should call (585) 248-6250.  (May 12, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Plant Flowers: Democrat & Chronicle: People needed to plant flowers in city The city is inviting gardeners to plant flowers in city parks on May 17 as part of “Rochester Blooms,” a huge one-day volunteer beautification effort. Volunteers must register by calling (585) 428-6770 by Wednesday. They should bring their own garden gloves, trowels, shovels and rakes. (May 12, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle.
•  5/13/03 -- Defeat for Safety: The Neighborhood Notification Law -where lawn applicators must give 48 warning to neighbors before spraying dangerous chemicals--was squashed (tabled) by the Monroe County Environmental and Public Works Committee Wednesday, May 7th.   So, the issue is dead here in Rochester until we vote in a new legislative body--2006. That this happened in our conservative Monroe County Legislature is not as surprising as the callous manner it occurred.  We had been waiting several months for our Monroe County Legislature to review the effects of this law on the six counties that have passed the NNL  But, instead of an open airing of the facts, there was a secret (the press was did not attend and only two speakers) meeting of the committee where the Director of the Monroe County Health Department, Dr. Andrew Doniger, gave a nine-page report on the NNL.  Then, rather than hear any discussion of Doniger report or consider extending the period for one month where the facts and opinions of many groups fighting for this law (which actually is a law of New York State, but has to be adopted separately by each state) the committee decided to quickly stop doing anything with this law and voted to end the discussions.  All seems over.  Spray drift, not even mentioned at the meeting, will go on and we will continue on oblivious of what our neighbors are pouring into the air we breathe  -read more: Democrat & Chronicle: Pesticide bill's rejection irks county Democrats — Advocates of a Democratic proposal to require notifying neighbors before spraying pesticide said Monday that they weren’t given enough notice before the proposal was rejected. The proposal was rejected last Wednesday at a committee meeting of the Monroe County Legislature.  (May 13, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle.
•  5/13/03 --EVENT: from The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com "The Center for Sustainable Living presents an educational series, "Living Lightly on the Earth." The topic, "Canandaigua Lake Watershed: Preserving it for Future Generations," will be discussed from 7 to 9 pm on May 15th at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Cooley Road in Canandaigua. A suggested donation of $5 to $10 will be accepted at the door. Registration is suggested but not required. Call (585) 385-1502 for further information.
•  5/11/03 -- Very Curious: How does the Bush Administration deal with those who disagree on the environment?  They silence them by stealth: Smithsonian Exhibits Political Bias -Who knew that the Smithsonian could be used for political purposes? After his photographs were displayed on the floor of the Senate to demonstrate the splendor of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Subhankar Banerjee was surprised to learn that the Smithsonian was moving his highly anticipated photography exhibit from the main floor of the museum to a less visible space on a lower floor. Also, Banerjee's exhibit will no longer include his captions, which were supposed to accompany each photo.  Hear the story from NPR at: http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1251567
•  5/11/03 -- Animal site: Farm Sanctuary Family farms are being replaced with large-scale factory farms, where animals are treated like unfeeling commodities and subjected to institutionalized abuse. That's why Farm Sanctuary was formed. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has established America's premier farm animal shelters and waged effective campaigns to stop farm animal cruelty. In addition to its No Downers, No Veal and Farm Animal Defense campaigns, Farm Sanctuary promotes a vegan lifestyle.
•  5/11/03 -- See more New York State Animals: Don't just tramp through their habitats, see them active online: New York Wild The mission of New York Wild is to bring to the viewing public, for the entire year, a diverse group of wildlife in their natural habitats within New York State. As habitat continues to be impacted by people, it is vital to recognize the habitat needs of so many species in order to minimize future impacts. New York Wild is the first animal cam website that will operate on a year-round basis throughout New York State. Animal cams will be established not only for individual bird nesting seasons, but also for mammals and amphibians, in an effort to offer new insights on animals not commonly seen on animal cam websites.
•  5/11/03 -- Inspiring: I recently heard Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 26th) talk about our environment.  He is a great leader on the environment and one of the few fighting the Bush Administration's rollover of our environmental protections.
•  5/10/03 -- ACTION: How can you help? - Join the Bucket Brigade - Learn how to take air samples - Find out what is in the air we breathe.  Log bad air days and health problems experienced by your family - The more people we have keeping track the better picture we can build of the health impacts of Kodak on our community.  Learn about Kodak's chemical emissions and health effects- are there connections? Fund an Analysis - Kandid Coalition - PO Box 4044, Rochester, NY 14614 -- For more information, contact Sue Mihalyi suemihalyi@usadatanet.net 271-7713 www.kandidcoalition.org
•  5/10/03 -- EVENT: Learn more about the group that tried valiantly to salvage the Neighborhood Notification Law Wednesday May 7, 2003 from the Environment and Public Works Committee, who slipped in a secret meeting to kill this law in Monroe County.  Didn't heard about this?  Couldn't find it on the news?  It's no wonder, it was secret.  But, the secret will be exposed Monday, May 12, at 2pm at Brighton Town Park on Westfall Road, when Monroe County Legislator Linda Garner Goldstein explains all at a press conference on the slippery tactic behind the killing of the Neighborhood Notification Law for Monroe County.  Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester   Breast Cancer is a serious health problem in New York State, with more than 12,000 new cases and 3,500 deaths reported each year. Breast cancer represents over 28% of all malignancies among women. At this time, one in eight women can expect to be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Currently, Livingston and Monroe Counties rank third and fourth for all new diagnoses of breast cancer in New York State. This high rate of breast cancer and the high mortality rate for women, especially younger and minority women, has motivated us to become educated about this disease so that we, in turn, can educate others. We are further motivated by a concern for the future health of our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, mothers and friends.
•  5/10/03 -- Will it make a difference this year?  Will it make a difference this year if we vote for Major Bill Johnson or Maggie Brooks for Monroe County Executive.  I think so: Monroe County Executive e.Headquarters.  Democrat & Chronicle: County Exec candidate Johnson unveils Web site -(May 10, 2003) — Mayor William A. Johnson Jr. on Wednesday unveiled a Web site to promote his campaign for Monroe County executive. The site is located at www.billjohnson2003.com. The site includes downloadable videos, photo galleries and news articles. Next month the site will include a live chat feature.  (May 7, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Helping your city: Rochester Cares Website RochesterCares creates and manages effective volunteer programs to meet and exceed the educational, environmental, and human service targets of the greater Rochester community.
•  Keep your eyes peeled on this site:  AREA OF CONCERN - Rochester Embayment - This site is a sad reminder that there is so little information about our environment and yet we proceed with chemical contamination and other bad environmental practices with almost no in-depth information about even our Rochester-area environment.  Democrat & Chronicle: Great Lakes chemical hot spots go Online — As of today, Web users will be able to dial up a comprehensive look at 43 chemical hot spots that dot the Great Lakes basin. The International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canadian Great Lakes advisory group, this morning released its first status report in 10 years on these so-called “areas of concern,” which are marked by extensive contaminated chemical sediments that may date back 90 years.  There is one official area of concern in the Rochester region -- the Rochester Embayment, which is composed of the northernmost six miles of the Genesee River and a linked portion of Lake Ontario measuring 35 square miles. Information regarding progress on cleaning up the Embayment is very sketchy, or non-existent, on the IJC’s Matrix. The database tabulates changes to infrastructure, ongoing remediation projects, planned actions and other measures. (May 1, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  5/01/03 -- This is intolerable: Democrat & Chronicle: Local air gets an F for ozone Monroe and Wayne counties cited in Lung Association survey Almost half of U.S. residents live in areas with unhealthy amounts of ozone, the ground-hugging pollutant that contributes to respiratory disease. That’s according to a new American Lung Association report, “State of the Air: 2003.” The report, a state-by-state look (available online at www.lungusa.org), comes on the eve of White House provisions that would weaken the Clean Air Act, the group said. “State of the Air” also ranks U.S. counties where ozone pollution -- measured by “high ozone days” -- is significant. Monroe County was one of 18 New York counties to receive a grade of “F” -- worse than last year, when the county received a “D.” (May 1, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  5/01/03 -- Major Environmental Update: Don't forget the changes in the articles you can put into your Monroe County Blue Box: Springtime for recycling - The word is out: Well before Earth Day (April 22), Monroe County expanded the list of recyclables you can put in your blue box. Now the list includes boxboard (cereal boxes, for example), business (a.k.a. office) paper and envelopes, and toilet paper tubes. For a quick review, check out the page immediately following the blue/purple pages in the Frontier phone book. For the full story, visit www.monroecounty.gov; or call the county environmental line, 340-2438 (TTY 760-7605), or 428-5990 if you live in the city. Or call your private waste hauler, if that applies. Environmentalists like Frank Regan --- creator of www.rochesterenvironment.com, a key local independent resource for recycling information --- agree the list expansion is a change for the better. City Newspaper
•  5/01/03 -- Who checks on the clean-up efforts when something like a gasoline tanker overturns in our city? NYSDEC - Spill Response & Remediation
•  5/01/03-  Rochester at its best: 2003 Flower City Looking Good Program for Gardeners and Environmentalists City of Rochester, New York "Making All the Difference"2003 Flower City Looking Good Program for Gardeners and Environmentalists This year marks the 13th year for the City of Rochester Flower City Looking Good Program for gardeners and environmentalists. Over 2,000 volunteers are making a difference to the community through this vital program. Because of the success of this initiative, along with such significant community involvement undertakings as Neighbors Building Neighborhoods and the City's comprehensive master plan, Renaissance2010, the City of Rochester, New York, received an important international award.
•  4/25/03- EVENT:  From: Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club May 3 at 9:30 am Waterfall hike in the Letchworth area, adjoining a newly developed game area and the Finger Lakes Trail, with a orientation to the geology of the Mudville area. Hidden Waterfalls - The region of Mudville south of Letchworth State Park provides a wealth of little known areas of natural beauty, broad vistas, forgotten history and access to one of the longer cross-country hiking trails in our region. This trip will provide a small slice of orientation to these little-known treasures. Outings & Events
•  4/25/03 -- The web at its best: Check out this wonderful website and learn about the Bergen swamp preservation society--individual saving important biomes for our future: Bergen Swamp Preservation Society The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society was established as an educational institution to hold and preserve the lands of the Bergen Swamp, as well as any other property it may acquire. Its purpose is to conserve the flora and fauna of the lands under its control and to offer to schools, colleges and other interested parties access for observation and study. The properties of the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society constitute unique natural areas that are habitats for many rare plants and a number of rare and endangered species of animals. Two BSPS properties, Bergen Swamp and Zurich Bog are designated by the National Park Service as National Natural Landmarks.
•  4/24/03 -- Tell the GTC that air pollution and changing our energy consumption matters: Ride your bike, not drive your car: from : City Newspaper: This week's calls to citizenship: The Genesee Transportation Council's "Draft 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program Update" (highway, bridge, transit, bicycle, pedestrian) is available for public review/comment April 22 through May 1. Copies: GTC office, 50 West Main St., Suite 8112; selected government offices, libraries; online via www.gtcmpo.org. Info: GTC, 232-6240. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP) The Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) is making the Draft 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program Update available for a 10-day public review Tuesday, April 22, 2003 through Thursday, May 1, 2003. The Draft 2003-2008 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Update for the Rochester Transportation Management Area (TMA) and the balance of the GTC TIP Planning Region is presented here for your information and review. The GTC TIP Planning Region is comprised of the following seven counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, and Wyoming. The TMA includes all of Monroe County, plus the adjacent developed areas of Ontario, Livingston, and Wayne Counties. GTC is primarily responsible for programming projects within the TMA; New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Region 4 is primarily responsible for programming projects outside the TMA. Federal regulations require that the urban transportation planning process include the cooperative development of a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a staged, multi-year program of projects. The TIP identifies the timing and funding of all highway, bridge, transit, bicycle and pedestrian transportation projects scheduled for implementation in the region during the next five years using federal transportation funds. The 2003-2008 TIP will include transportation projects funded by approximately $400 million of federal aid, supplemented by other state and local sources of funds. This region’s TIP is developed cooperatively by GTC and NYSDOT.
•  4/24/03 -- It ain't all peaches and cream: Despite the promise that gene altered food is controllable, as James D. Watson does in DNA: The Secret of Life [by James D. Watson, Andrew Berry (Contributor)] it just isn't so: Fine in Altered-Corn Case WASHINGTON, April 23 (Reuters) — The Environmental Protection Agency said today that it had fined Pioneer Hi-Bred International $72,000 after finding evidence that Pioneer's experimental genetically engineered corn had contaminated nearby crops in Hawaii. The E.P.A. said Pioneer, a unit of the DuPont Company, immediately destroyed the tainted corn crops last month when officials discovered the problem. (April 24, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  4/24/03 -- How much industrial pollution enters our body?  What's in your blood? What is the Body Burden? According to Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals 2003 conducted at the Center of Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, we know that today almost everyone’s blood contains at least one of these contaminants, most seen only in the last forty years—lead, mercury, cadmium, and other metals; dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organo-phosphate pesticides; cotinine; and phthalates…Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Dioxins, furans, and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Non-coplanar PCBs Phytoestrogens, Selected organophosphate pesticides , Organochlorine pesticides, Carbamate pesticides, herbicides, pest repellents and disinfectants without know the consequences of these potential pathogens. You would think with all this pollution showing up in all our blood, we'd be concerned, that is, concerned enough about the full implications of these foreign elements in our blood before allowing more of them to go into the environment.
•  4/20/03 -- How will Climate Change affect the Great Lakes area? Global Environment - Great Lakes Communities and Ecosystems at Risk- UCS The Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States is an expansive area that is home to a rich and complex set of ecosystems. Some of the impacts of climate change will be uniform throughout this region, while others will be more localized. Choose a state or province and find out about the potential impacts of climate change on the environment, human health, and the economy. Check out Global Environment - Great Lakes Communities and Ecosystems at Risk, New York and read: • Impacts on New York Communities and Ecosystems • Global Warming Solutions for the Great Lakes region
•  4/20/03 -- EVENT: Care about Clean Air?:  Climate Solutions for the Northeast (Hartford, CT)  Clean Air - Cool Planet | Climate Change Solutions for the Northeast Clean Air-Cool Planet creates partnerships in the Northeast to implement solutions to climate change and build constituencies for effective climate policies and actions. Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) is the region's leading organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming:
•  4/20/03 --EVENT: Want to do something for Earth Week? Stand up for environmental health and justice this coming Wednesday! People all over the country are gearing up for the National Day of Action for Clean Air at Kodak next Wednesday, April 23, 2002, in support of Rochester residents impacted by Kodak's pollution. YOU can take part by showing up at one of two local drug stores next Wednesday! Rochester residents know the score: Kodak is the #1 manufacturing polluter in NYS, and one of the nation's top polluters of cancer-causing chemicals, including dioxin. Kodak also has a long history of contamination of the Rochester community, including dumping of hazardous wastes in Kodak Park. Here's the times and locations -CVS, 626 Park Avenue, at 12 noon - 12:45, Eckerd Drug, 685 Park Avenue, at 1:00 pm - 1:45 , Here are some of the locations joining forces to compel Kodak to be a better corporate neighborhood: Albany, NY Buffalo, NY Rochester, NY Massena, NY - Livingston County, NY Syracuse, NY Seattle, WA Portland, OR
  Austin, TX Falls Church, VA Chicago, IL Loudonville, NY - WANT MORE INFORMATION? Call Amy Liberatore at Citizens' Environmental Coalition, 716-885-6848, or email cecamy@choiceonemail.com ...and STOP BY ON APRIL 23! Look for the doctor handing out Prescriptions For A Cleaner Kodak in front of the store. Pleaset let us know if you can attend!
•  4/20/03 --EVENT:  From Margit Brazda Poirier, Director,Water Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 -(585) 271-4552 ext.320 - FAX: 271-0492 margit_brazda@rmsc.org Visit us at: www.thewec.org:
  • April 26 – Earth Day Celebration at Turning Point Park – Come enjoy tree climbing, guided nature hikes and a scavenger hunt, play games, win prizes and celebrate our natural environment! Activities for all ages. Free. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call (585) 271-4552 x.320 for information.
  • May 2 – 3 – “Our Fragile World” Event at the Seneca Park Zoo – Come enjoy the zoo while playing the Seek-N-Find game that takes you through 20 “stations” where you will learn about recycling, wildlife, water pollution and more through interactive games and exhibits. For all ages. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free with zoo admission. Call (585) 336-7200 for information.
  • May 5 – Join the Genesee Community Charter School 4th grade class as they help protect water quality by stenciling storm drains with a message: “Don’t Dump, Drains to Stream.” The class will gather at the Penfield Town Hall at 10 a.m.
  • May 10 – International Migratory Bird Day – the Bird Coalition of Rochester is organizing a festival to call attention to the need for active programs to conserve migratory birds and their habitats. Come to the festival at Braddock Bay Park from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. to see live bird demonstrations, entertainment, and hands-on activities for the whole family. Free. Call Ed McCrea at (315) 524-3358 or email: emccrea@msn.com for more information.
  • May 14 –15 – Science Exploration Days at St. John Fischer College – this annual event provides workshops, presentations, and exhibits for junior and senior high school students during the school hours. On May 14 from 7 – 9 p.m. the exhibit hall is open to the public and all ages are encouraged to attend. Free. Call Mike Carges at (716) 225-9600 for more information.
    
•  4/16/03 -- For years now Save Pinnacle Hill has been trying to make sure the Pinnacle Hill area was free from development, but because of latest development, we don't know what is to become of that land:  Democrat & Chronicle: Pinnacle Hill sale is delayed — The sale of a 2.9-acre piece of Pinnacle Hill has been held up by a minor complication involving the title to the property, according to the Realtor negotiating the deal.  (April 16, 2003) Democrat and Chronicle
•  4/16/03 -- Get the Facts from the experts: CDC | Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)  A new disease called SARS  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a new disease called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. As of April 13, about 190 cases of SARS had been reported in the United States. This fact sheet provides basic information about the disease and what is being done to combat its spread.
•  4/15/03 -- EVENT: CONFERENCE - THE CULTURES OF CAPITALISM: CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AND NEW DIRECTIONS - Thursday, April 17, 2003, Rochester Institute of Technology, Free and open to the public, This one-day conference examines capitalism as a social and cultural system. We address such questions as whether capitalism by its very nature generates prosperity for the world’s people or whether it tends to generate environmental degradation, resource depletion, increasing inequality within and between nations, and corporate malfeasance such as the Enron and WorldCom scandals. We examine the roles and responsibilities of consumers, community activists, and regulatory agencies in molding a culture of capitalism that ensures the wellbeing of all the world’s people. The Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Rochester Institute of Technology has designed this sixth annual conference to broaden the educational process through addresses and dialogue among scholars, community leaders, students, and members of the Rochester and surrounding communities.  FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Murli Sinha, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 18 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5604 (585) 475-2896 or (585) 475-6701
•  4/13/03 -Get rid of that hazardous waste safely: Democrat & Chronicle: Hazardous waste collection set — Monroe County’s Department of Environmental Services and the towns of Webster and Penfield will hold a household hazardous waste collection at the Webster Highway Garage, 1005 Picture Parkway, on Saturday, April 26. (April 13, 2003) —Democrat and Chronicle
•  4/11/03 -Here's a great idea: Rochester Food Not Bombs For the last nine months, the food cupboard and free meal program, Rochester Food Not Bombs has been applying for funding and has secured $17,000 to date in grant funding from local foundations, in addition to supplemental money raised from donations and fundraising. RFNB is in the progress of renovating the organization’s new building and installing a commercial kitchen with refrigeration. Rochester Food Not Bombs currently provides approximately 3,000 lb. of groceries to an average of ninety people a week. RFNB’s immediate goal is to implement a second weekly serving starting in June that will average 2,000 lb. of groceries to approximately 60 people a week. Rochester Food Not Bombs free food distribution program will focus on distributing perishable groceries that are currently going to waste without a screening process for clients. RFNB’s program will focus on reducing waste for area food producers, while eliminating barriers that prevent low-income people from accessing the nutritious groceries they need.
•  4/11/03 -Very bad environmental reporting:  Here's an example of the media getting it wrong on our environment. " Radiation safeguard available to local businesses David Galeazzo and the other 18 employees of the village of Webster are among the employees of the 46 businesses in town who are now safeguarded against possible radiation exposure. (April 10, 2003)  Webster Post"  The problem is that potassium iodide pills allegedly help against some damager to the thyroid gland in the presence of radiation. For the Webster Post to say that these 18 employees are now safeguarded against possible radiation exposure is absolutely ludicrous.  There are countless ways people can be harmed by radiation because of the extent of exposure, what kind of radiation, and other health factors in each individual.  If you are near a Chernobyl-like radiation leak, no matter how many potassium iodide pills you've downed, your going to die. So, to say that by taking a simple potassium iodide pill has protected these people from the effects of radiation from a possible attack or problem at the nuclear plant is not only wrong but irresponsibly gives the public a false security about nuclear power and its consequences.  Wouldn't it be nice if all our nuclear problems could be solved by a pill--just imagine if back in 1945 Nagasaki and Hiroshima had had those pills!  
•  4/10/03 -Thanks to City Newspaper for checking out what the Monroe County Legislature is doing (or not doing) on the Neighborhood Notification Law: Check out this week's story Pick Out Your Poison.
•  4/10/03 -They don't give up, and neither should we: To find out how to stop the Bush Administrations plundering of the Alaskan oil fields to provide rapacious oil companies from taking oil that won't fulfill our energy needs from a land that cannot sustain an attack by the old companies, go to: Northern Alaska Environmental Center  Here's the story: from the NYTimes: House Endorses Oil Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — House members endorsed oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge tonight as they considered a wide-ranging energy measure that seeks to spur domestic energy production and provides tax incentives to oil and power companies. Siding with the Bush administration on one of its top energy initiatives, the House defeated on a 228-to-197 vote an effort to strip the drilling plan from the measure. Lawmakers did support limiting development to a 2,000-acre "footprint" in the 1.5 million-acre coastal plain of the refuge on the North Slope of Alaska. (April 10, 2003) The New York Times on the Web
•  4/10/03 -EVENT: FREE COMMUNITY LECTURE - Sponsored by: The University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center and The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester -Devra Davis, Ph.D., M.P.H. -"Tales of Environmental Deception and the Battles Against Pollution: Breast Cancer and the Environment" Monday, April 28, 7:00 PM , Bausch & Lomb Auditorium, Rochester Museum and Science Center -  Dr. Davis will address concerns about the links between environmental pollution and human health. She will focus on her findings about breast cancer and the environment. Dr. Davis is the author of When Smoke Ran Like Water, which received the 2002 National Book Award bronze medal. She has appeared on Book TV, PBS's Now: With Bill Moyers and NPR's The Diane Rehm Show. Dr. Davis is a Visiting Professor in the Heinz School of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and is a senior advisor to the World Health Organization  In her acclaimed book, When Smoke Ran Like Water, renowned epidemiologist Devra Davis reveals how environmental toxins affect a broad spectrum of human health, including breast cancer, the development of the lungs, and whether or not we are able to have healthy children. She argues that we have the scientific tools to reveal the connection between the environment and disease in a way never before possible. When Smoke Ran Like Water exposes the ways the environment affects our health, what we can do about it, why standard approaches to public health need to change, why it has been so hard to get information on these issues before the public, and how some companies and localities are addressing these matters now. For more information about When Smoke Ran Like Water, visit: www.whensmokeranlikewater.com  Book signing by Dr. Davis, Barnes & Noble, Pittsford Plaza , Sunday, April 27 from 7:00-9:00 PM
•  4/10/03 -ACTION: Interested in Environmental Justice?  This just in from the New York State Department of Environment Conservation (DEC): "The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin M. Crotty is pleased to announce the release of a Commissioner Policy on Environmental Justice and Permitting.  The policy has been noticed in the Environmental Notice Bulletin and will become effective in 30 days after the date of publication.  The policy and be obtained at: NYSDEC Environmental Justice Program"
•  4/19/03 - Interested in Recycling?: Here's the latest Recycling and Composting Online Paper recycling news and trends / The latest news in composting and wood waste management
•  4/04/03-- ACTION: One of the most important decisions of our era: Who will speak to the public? (One of the reasons for RochesterEnvironment.com is because our media sources are being controlled more and more by fewer and fewer corporations. RochesterEnvironment.com give you all the news there is from the Internet on our Rochester-area environment--no corporate control. ((Why hasn't the media informed us of this important decision by the FCC on possible changes to the this important law?)) You can contact the and voice your concerns to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) FCC Strategic Goals: Media - Media Ownership: Learn about this issue from PBS:   NOW: Politics & Big Media - Overview | PBS Big Media: Overview --NOW has addressed the issue of media consolidation several times in the past year — in "Virtual Radio," and Bill Moyers Journal on FCC Deregulation we presented information about how consolidation in the media industry may change what you hear and see. With "Big Media" NOW updates the story of the proposed relaxation of media ownership rules as the time for a final decision comes closer. According to Senator John McCain, the changes being contemplated by the FCC right now are monumental and "will shape the future of communications forever." Yet a recent study by The Project for Excellence in Journalism showed that a large majority of the American public aren't aware of the media ownership changes being suggested by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Seventy-two percent of the respondents reported that they had "heard nothing at all" about the new ownership proposals. When asked if relaxed media ownership rules would have a negative or positive effect on the country, 11 percent thought relaxed rules would be positive; 46 percent thought it would make no difference, and 34 percent thought the result would be negative. You can tell the FCC what you think, and visit other sites to read a wide range of perspectives on the issue. Below are some facts and links that will help you learn more about what's at stake. The FCC had begun review of two ownership rules in 2001, the Broadcast-Newspaper Cross-Ownership Rule and the Local Radio Ownership Rule. Now six rules are being reevaluated. Broadcast-Newspaper Cross-Ownership Prohibition (1975) Bans ownership of both a newspaper and a television station in the same market. National Television Ownership Rule (1941) A broadcaster cannot own television stations that reach more than 35% of the nation's homes. Dual Network Rule (1946) - No entity can own more than one major television network. Local Television Ownership Rule (1964) - A broadcaster can't own more than one of the top four stations in a single market. Local Radio Ownership Rule (1941) - Limits the number of radio stations any one entity can own in a single market. Television-Radio Cross-Ownership Rule (1970) - Limits the number of TV and radio stations a single entity can own in any given market.
•  4/04/03 --How responsible are our area business towards our environment?  Democrat & Chronicle: Coalition names local firms to its Dirty Dozen  — An environmental group named two Rochester-area companies and a former one to its list of notorious polluters. The Citizens’ Environmental Coalition on Thursday handed out Dirty Dozen Polluter awards to Eastman Kodak Co., Diaz Chemical Corp. in Orleans County and General Electric Co., for a former plant in Brockport.  (April 4, 2003) —Democrat and Chronicle --- List Of "Dirty Dozen Polluters" Released ROCHESTER, NEW YORK (2003-04-03) The group Citizens' Environmental Coalition released its annual list of the 12 worst polluters in New York State.Three companies in the greater Rochester made this year's list according to coalition spokesman Mike Schade Schade is asking Governor Pataki, Senate leader Joe Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to take action against those companies who pollute. (April 4, 2003) Public NewsRoom
•  4/03/03 -- New site for old organization: Long respected for its care and maintenance of Honeoye Lake, The Honeoye Valley Association now has a new site where you can contact members and there are some great photos of the lake.  Honeoye Valley Association The Honeoye Valley Association is a not-for-profit volunteer organization that works in a variety of ways to protect and preserve the environmental quality of the Honeoye Lake watershed.