Updates April - May 04

April and May 2004

• 5/28/04 -- Want to learn more about the NYS renewable energy movement?  NY RPS Proceeding On February 19, 2003, the Public Service Commission instituted this proceeding to develop and implement a renewable portfolio standard for electric energy retailed in New York State to address increasing concerns with the climate effects of, and over-dependence on, fossil-fired generation.  The 2002 State Energy Plan required that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority examine and report on the feasibility of establishing a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). NYSERDA's preliminary report found that an RPS can be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the wholesale and retail marketplace in New York and that an RPS has the potential to improve energy security and help diversify the state's electricity generation mix. The report also states the expectation that an RPS would spur increased economic development opportunities in the renewables industry, including the attraction of renewable technology manufacturers and installers. Accordingly, this proceeding has been instituted to develop and implement a renewable portfolio standard for electric energy retailed in New York State.
• 5/28/04 -- New site to monitor the health of our Great Lakes:  Great Lakes Forever Great Lakes Forever is a public education initiative of Biodiversity Project and its partners. Great Lakes Forever is designed to raise awareness of the ecological value of the Great Lakes and concern about the threats to the ecosystem’s health. It is also designed to encourage citizen involvement in Great Lakes protection. The campaign has two goals: A broader, more engaged constituency that sees reasons to care more about the Great Lakes and is therefore more receptive to messages encouraging positive actions.Institutional commitment and a sustainable capacity to build a more engaged Great Lakes constituency. Great Lakes Forever frames discussion of the Lakes around four key issues: water quality, water quantity, habitat protection, and invasive species control. Working with a coalition of Wisconsin partners and region-wide advisors, we are working to raise the profile of important, but poorly understood Great Lakes issues, such as: polluted run-off, groundwater depletion, and habitat loss. The program combines five communications components in an effort to reach the public on these issues: media outreach (press kits,) educational advertising (print and radio,) point-of-experience signs (at coastal park facilities,) community events, and Web-based outreach.
• 5/28/04 --  **ACTION**  – Comment on Kodak’s hazardous waste permit by Friday June 4th - The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is accepting public comments on Kodak’s Hazardous Waste permit (a “part 373 permit”), which allows Kodak to use, store, and burn millions of pounds of hazardous waste every year. This is the only opportunity you have to tell the DEC about Kodak’s hazardous waste permit. Now’s your chance to state your concerns about air quality, neighborhood health problems, etc. - Despite Kodak’s pollution reductions, strong odors and high levels of toxic chemicals continue to invade the neighborhoods bordering Kodak Park. Eastman Kodak is NY’s #1 polluter and one of the largest emitters of cancer-causing chemicals in the United States. The Bucket Brigade is calling for comprehensive air-monitoring in the neighborhoods around Kodak. Rochester residents have a right to know what they are being exposed to. We need your help to send this message to the DEC on Kodak’s hazardous waste permit. - Please consider sending a public comment letter on Kodak’s hazardous waste permit to the DEC at the address below, by the June 4th , 2004 deadline. - Please send a copy of your letter to cecmike@choiceonemail.com You may review Kodak’s hazardous waste permit by going to the Maplewood Public Library, located at 1111 Dewey Avenue in Rochester or by contacting Peter Lent at the DEC at 585-226-5390. A sample letter is copied below which we encourage you to personalize. Peter Lent, Deputy Regional Permit Administrator NYSDEC - Region 8 - 6274 East Avon-Lima Road - Avon, NY 14414 - palent@gw.dec.state.ny.us Dear Mr. Lent, I am writing in regards to Kodak’s part 373 hazardous waste permit. I am greatly concerned about Kodak’s operations in Rochester at Kodak Park.  I would like the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to work with concerned citizens and Kodak to set up a real-time ambient air monitoring program around Kodak Park, that would monitor the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Given Kodak’s long history of chemical spills and accidental releases, violations of state and federal law at Kodak Park, strong chemical odors in the neighborhoods bordering Kodak, and recent worker layoffs at Kodak Park (which may lead to less oversight of Kodak’s operations), Kodak must comprehensively monitor the ambient air in the Kodak Park neighborhoods. Kodak Park neighbors have a right to know what they are being exposed to, especially because strong chemical odors continue to invade the bordering neighborhoods I officially request that such monitoring program be included in Kodak’s part 373 hazardous waste permit.  The part 373 hazardous waste permit should also require Kodak to clean up, in a timely manner, all of Kodak’s hazardous waste sites in Rochester. This should include the installation of groundwater collection systems in source areas, or areas most highly contaminated by pollutants. Kodak and DEC needs to totally abandon the idea of “passive containment” for groundwater contamination and diligently strive to find effective ways to remediate their most difficult groundwater pollution problems.  Finally, Kodak needs to take greater steps to reduce their air and water emissions. Thank you for considering these important matters. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Your Name Your address
• 5/30/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas** Renewanle Energy--there's no argument against it. Democrat & Chronicle: Plan pushes renewable energy A proposal wants 25% of electricity sold to be from green power by 2013.- — By 2013, 25 percent of the electricity sold in New York should come from renewable resources, such as hydropower, wind, solar and biomass. That’s the gist of a recommendation made Thursday by Eleanor Stein, an administrative law judge with the New York state Department of Public Service. (June  4, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• 5/30/04 -- Speaking of Sprawl:  Today's article cannot make it any plainer: Monroe County has a Sprawl problem. "The report also says that the area is continuing to lose farmland to development three times faster than the national and state average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest census on farming, which was conducted in 2002 and released Thursday. Only farmland preservation efforts in Monroe County have kept it from getting worse." --from Democrat & Chronicle: Monroe's farmland continues to decline— The number of farms in Monroe County and their total income have increased, even though the farms have gotten smaller in the past five years, a new report says. (June 4, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• 5/30/04 -- Sprawl and Air Pollution issue: Here's a thought for the new Renaissance Square Project -- Why doesn't Rochester spend some of its transportation millions on this idea from General Motors, rather than the Renaissance Square Project? GM - GMability Education 5-8: Seattle Gets GM Hybrid Buses Hybrid Powertrains Will Improve Fuel Economy and Reduce Emissions - From left to right, King County Executive Ron Sims, and GM's Beth Lowery, Tom Stephens and Debbie Frakes ride on a 60-foot articulated hybrid electric bus in Seattle. SEATTLE (Oct. 21, 2003) – General Motors will equip 235 new buses with clean hybrid technology, which will increase the fuel economy of the buses by up to 60 percent. The yearly fuel savings from the new fleet of buses will be equal to replacing more than 8,000 internal combustion engine cars with hybrid electric vehicles.
• 5/30/04 -- Considering the importance of the Lead Poisoning in Rochester, here's an interesting deal from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation: Get a FREE package of non-lead sinkers when you subscribe to the Conservationist online. Offer ends August 15, 2004
• 5/30/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas** This is a worthwhile Recycling effort: EPA: Resource Conservation Challenge - Shopping Centers The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and EPA have teamed up to form America's Marketplace Recycles! (AMR!), a new initiative under the EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge. AMR! is an award program aimed at shopping centers, their retail tenants and employees, and the shopping public. The purpose of America's Marketplace Recycles is to: 1. Promote recycling at shopping centers by shopping centers themselves, retail tenants, and consumers; 2. Help promote and energize the recycling message; and 3. Encourage waste reduction in packaging.
• 5/30/04 -- New environmental service by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA SunWise: UV Index UV Index - The ozone layer shields the Earth from harmful UV radiation. Ozone depletion, as well as seasonal and weather variations, cause different amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth at any given time. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and EPA, the UV Index predicts the next day's ultraviolet radiation levels on a 1-11+ scale, helping people determine appropriate sun-protective behaviors. Guidelines for reporting the UV Index have been revised according to guidance from the World Health Organization. More information is available on the EPA Launches Revised UV Index page. - Today's UV Index
  The UV Index is calculated daily. Enter your zip code or city and state below for today's UV Index in your area. EPA SunWise The SunWise Program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach the public how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun through the use of classroom-based, school-based, and community-based components.
• 5/28/04 -- **EVENT** DEC ANNOUNCES JUNE FISHING CLINICS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK -New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Kenneth Lynch today announced that two Family Fishing Clinics will be held in June. The first will occur on Saturday, June 5, 2004, at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery in Elbridge. A second will take place on Sunday, June 13, 2004, at the Falcon Sportsmen Kid’s Fishing Derby at Falcon Sportsmen Club in Auburn. -DEC and Onondaga County Parks Department are conducting a Family Fishing Clinic at Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery. The clinic will consist of two separate instructional sessions presented by DEC staff and volunteers. The first session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each session will consist of five 15-minute breakout stations with instruction in common fishing tackle and techniques; fish identification and biology; conservation and ethics; aquatic ecology; and fish preparation and cooking. During the second half of the session, the group will split time between casting practice and fishing. -During this clinic, fishing rods, tackle, bait and educational materials will be provided. No fishing license is required during the event. Sign-up is by preregistration only and is limited to 100 individuals per session. Children under age 16 must be supervised. The cost is $1.00 for children and $2.00 for adults (18 and older) with all proceeds going to the “Friends of Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery.” For information or to preregister contact the Carpenter’s Brook Fish Hatchery, Route 321, Elbridge, by calling (315) 689-9367. Please indicate which session you will be attending. -The second DEC fishing clinic will be held during the Falcon Sportsmen Kid’s Fishing Derby on June 13, 2004, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and will take place at the Falcon Sportsmen Club, Turnpike Road, Auburn. For more information, contact Tim Noga at (315) 252-1321.
• 5/28/04 -- Cause for concern:  Fuel is getting more expensive, but should we compromise our environment for cheaper and dirtier fuel? Diesel Fuel Is Cheaper "While environmental laws prevent them from being sold in New York state, dealerships are allowed to sell used diesel cars. Dorschel now offers diesel Volkswagens"- from (May 28, 2004)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• 5/28/04 -- **EVENT**  Swallow-wort, an exotic, invasive, perennial vine of the milkweed family, has been rapidly expanding in Jefferson County, completely displacing native plants in some important natural habitats and infesting some perennial crops. Wind dispersed seeds from large infestations on Henderson Shores and on the off shore islands have been infecting the rest of Jefferson County, threatening to recreate the same habitat loss further inland. Concerned private landowners and government agencies have formed a collaboration to alert other landowners and resource managers to the threat posed by the recent, very rapid swallow-wort expansion. Prevention and early detection are the most cost effective and successful means of dealing with the expanding infestation. Enclosed is a reprint from NY Forest Owner magazine which explains swallow-wort biology and threats. Currently, the following townships in Jefferson County have infestations of Pale Swallow-wort: Cape Vincent (including Grenadier and Fox Islands), Clayton, Lyme (including Galloo and Stony Islands), Adams, Ellisburg, Hounsfield, Orleans, Philadelphia, Brownville, Henderson, Antwerp, Champion, and Rutland. Infestations have recently been sighted near Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County. Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension, The Nature Conservancy, NYS DEC, NYS Office of Parks and Historic Preservation have organized a technical information meeting for natural resource managers, highway departments, town governments and others who could potentially find swallow-wort a problem in their management areas. We encourage you to attend this important meeting. The meeting will be a Certified Pesticide Applicator Training Course in Forestry (2), Horticulture and Turf (3A) and Right-of-Way (6A) categories. We are approved for 1.5 certification credits. The meeting will be Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 p.m., at the new Robert G. Wehle State Park in Henderson. The swallow-wort infestation there is severe and will give participants eye witness evidence of the amazing ability of swallow-wort to completely overwhelm many types of habitat. Head west at the flashing light at the corner of Rtes 3 and 178 (Military Rd). Continue on Military Rd to the park. Please contact Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension at (315) 788-8450 to confirm attendance.
• 5/28/04 -- **EVENT** Press Release: Cornell Cooperative Extension, NYSOPRHP, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Home Page (NYSDEC) and The Nature Conservancy will hold a public forum on Pale Swallow-wort at 1:00 on Saturday, June 5 at Robert G. Wehle State Park. The park is located in the Town of Henderson at the end of the military road. Pale Swallow-wort is an invasive perennial weed has been spreading aggressively throughout Jefferson County in the past decade. Also known as "dog-strangling vine", it chokes out native vegetation and destroys natural habitats. Small patches of Pale Swallow-wort can expand into solid stands of multiple acres in less than 10 years. Currently, the following townships in Jefferson County have infestations of Pale Swallow-wort: Cape Vincent (including Grenadier and Fox Islands), Clayton (including Grindstone Island), Lyme (including Galloo and Stony Islands), Adams, Ellisburg, Hounsfield, Orleans, Philadelphia, Brownville, Henderson, Antwerp, Champion, and Rutland. The largest infestation is on the Robert G. Wehle State Park. Infestations are also present in St. Lawrence County, and in the Toronto and Finger Lakes regions. Pale Swallow-wort can invade the habitats of native and endangered wildflowers and birds. It also interferes with the life cycle of monarch butterflies, causing the larvae to die. Deer will not eat Pale Swallow-wort, due to toxic substances in the leaves, and it has no natural disease or insect predators in North America. Pale swallow-wort is adapted to many soil and environmental conditions; the only place it will not grow is in standing water. Representatives from The Nature Conservancy, NYSDEC and Cornell Cooperative Extension will be on hand at the public forum with presentations, educational materials and control information for this noxious, invasive weed. Take Rte 3 to the flashing light at Henderson Harbor, turn west on the Military Rd. to the park.
• 5/28/04 --Lead Poisoning in children is a serious problem in Rochester, New York.  For more information go to the New York State Department of Health's  Promoting Lead Free Children in New York State: A Report of Lead Exposure Status Among New York Children, 2000-2001 - "This report summarizes data on childhood blood lead levels in New York State (NYS), excluding New York City1 (NYC) for children under six years of age tested in years 2000 and 2001 (earlier data contained in "Protecting Our Children from Lead: the Success of New York’s Efforts to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning, May 2001" are not comparable due to changes in methodology), and blood lead screening rate data from 1994 to 1999. These data, obtained from local health departments and state district offices, are intended to support national, state, and local efforts to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent childhood lead poisoning. The data contained in this report demonstrate New York State’s continued progress in addressing lead poisoning in children. New York State has made substantial progress in the prevention, early identification, and prompt, effective management of childhood lead poisoning. It is well understood that the factors contributing to childhood lead poisoning in New York State are complex and interrelated with other social, economic, and legal issues. These interrelationships are crucial to understanding the problem and to developing appropriate responses. The State Health Department is working to continue the positive trends described in this report as well as to seek, develop, and implement effective strategies that will protect children from elevated blood lead."
• 5/28/04 --  **ACTION** This just in from Environmental Justice: Public Notice - Public Notice of Review and Comment for the Draft "Survey to Describe Concentrations Ranges for Selected Analytes in Rural New York State Surface Soils." On October 7, 2003, Governor Pataki signed into law comprehensive Superfund/Brownfield legislation that included a new Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP). The goal of this new program is to enhance private-sector cleanups of brownfields and to reduce development pressure on "greenfields". The BCP is administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The BCP requires that the DEC, in consultation with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), develop regulations that create an approach to remediation of contamination at brownfields. The regulations will include contaminant-specific soil cleanup objectives for soils that are based on a site's current, intended or reasonably anticipated future use. The law allows background soil levels in rural areas to be considered in the development of these soil cleanup objectives. As part of the ongoing development of the soil cleanup objectives, the agencies have prepared a draft document entitled "Survey to Describe Concentration Ranges for Selected Analytes in Rural New York State Surface Soils" which is intended to generate data on contaminant levels in rural surface soils. The draft document is available at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/superfund/index.html  . DEC and DOH are seeking input on the draft document. Comment is sought from interested parties including consultants, risk assessors, environmental organizations, potential developers of contaminated property and others. Comments should be submitted in writing, providing the technical and/or scientific rationale for the comment to ceheduc@health.state.ny.us  .Comments will be accepted through June 18, 2004. For more information about the proposed study, the development of soil cleanup objectives process, or to be put on the mailing list to receive information about this topics, please send an email to the address above or call 1-800-458-1158, extension 27530. There will be three public information workshops relative to the BCP held across the state in late May and early June. Information about the BCP and the workshops is available on the DEC website at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bcp  
• 5/28/04 -- **ACTION** -Good development?  Add your voice or just listen in on a major project in Rochester that may influence sprawl and the air quality and development of Rochester, New York: Monroe County Legislator Calvin Lee (Monroe County Leg, 25th District) and Stephanie Aldersley (Monroe County Democratic leader, also representing 16th district) have announced a public hearing on the proposed Renaissance Square plan on Thursday, June 3, 2004 @ 7:00 - 8:30 PM - County Office Building, 4th Floor - Legislature Chambers 39 West Main Street - Call 428-3407 before June 3rd to sign up to speak. *Please do so ASAP lf you are wishing to speak* as speakers' spots will be limited. There will probably a 5 minute limit (depending on the number of speakers) and if your material is prepared ahead, they ask for a hard copy as well. This is a great opportunity, and we are grateful to our Monroe County Dems for this opportunity. Also please note:  PFABBS: People For A Better Bus Station will be meeting on Wednesday, June 2nd at the Universalist Church downtown at 7:00 PM.
• 5/28/04 -- Looking for some outdoor environmental fun this summer?  Check out a listing of "Area Naturalists to Lead Finger Lakes Talks & Treks this Summer" from June 2004 Outdoor Newsletter  of Hike, Bike, Cross Country Ski, Snowshoe and Birding Trail Guide Books
• 5/27/04 -- Looking for information on the Great Lakes? Great Lakes Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science GLEAMS is a network of people—from the Great Lakes Region—representing a variety of disciplines and working together for the advancement of aquatic education. GLEAMS aims to provide educators with information, methods and materials for including water related content and activities into their curricula. GLEAMS also provides its members with opportunities to network and connect with marine and aquatic science educators throughout the Great Lakes region and beyond.
• 5/27/04 -- Major site for assessing childhood illness and possible links to environmental toxins: CCHE Home Page The Center for Children’s Health and the Environment (CCHE) is the nation’s first academic research and policy center to examine the links between exposure to toxic pollutants and childhood illness. CCHE was established in 1998 within the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. CCHE’s mission is to promote the health of children by conducting environmental health and policy research.
• 5/27/04 -- New address: Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning Committed to ending childhood lead poisoning in Monroe County by 2010 has a new address. "The Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning consists of individuals and organizations that share a commitment to ending childhood lead poisoning in Monroe County, New York. We are public agencies and private landlords, university researchers and parents, and much, much more. Our goal is ambitious but attainable: this is a fight we know we can win. Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning -Committed to ending childhood lead poisoning in Monroe County by 2010 -For more information, contact: pbrantingham@leadsafeby2010.org  Also, "The Coalition is presenting a major community event on June 10. Find all the details on our full-day Community Lead Summit, including registration information. Community Summit -Also, be sure to watch "Let's Make Lead History," an interactive live broadcast on WXXI-TV June 9 at 8:00 p.m. Local and national experts in medicine, housing, law, and lead hazard control will answer viewer calls on air, by phone, and by email.
• 5/26/04-- Politics of Food has a new website: Politics of Food is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization that is committed to the creation of a locally based, sustainable food system that is nutritionally, ecologically, and economically sound. We fulfill our mission through education, advocacy, and community development. Our History: The Politics of Food Program, Inc. began in 1975 under the umbrella of the Rochester Peace and Justice Education Center. In 1991 we became an independent, not-for-profit with a focus on sustainable food systems. We define a sustainable food system as a system of food production that:• Is environmentally sound, using renewable resources;• Is economically viable, providing wages that are just for all farmers and farm workers; • Produces safe, nutritious food; and • Promotes social justice and the humane treatment of animals. The Politics of Food Program has always had as a major goal connecting farmers, consumers, restaurants, and other food producers in the region.
• 5/23/04 -- **ACTION** - Reward offered - Reward offered in deaths of 26 guinea pigs - Lollypop Farm is asking for your help to solve a mysterious case of animal abuse. Someone left 26 dead guinea pigs in a cardboard box behind the animal shelter in Fairport. Investigators don't know yet how they died but the Humane Society is concerned because of the link between animal cruelty and human violence.- Lollypop Farm is offering a $1,000.00 reward. The Humane Society of the United States is offering its own reward of $2,500.00.- Anyone with information is asked to call the Animal Cruelty Hotline at (585) 223-6500.(May 21, 2004)  10NBC / WHEC TV-10
• 5/23/04 -- This just in on local activism: ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS STOP STATE POLICY TO WEAKEN MONITORS -Two environmental groups, Stop Polluting Orleans County and the state-wide organization Citizens’ Environmental Coalition won a decision by the Albany County Supreme Court against state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin Crotty, challenging Crotty’s decision last year to allow Waste Management of New York to hire its own monitors at a proposed landfill in Albion. The DEC’s policy before the Crotty decision was to require landfill operators to pay for DEC engineers to serve as on-site environmental monitors. The two groups who brought the lawsuit believe DEC staff bring more independence and integrity to the task than industry-selected monitors would. According to Pat Wood, SPOC’s President, “This stops Waste Management and other polluters from controlling the way they are monitored.” Mike Schade, Western New York Director for CEC, said, “This decision should give us time to urge that new legislation be enacted that permanently stops the Commissioner from weakening one of the only measures that assures New Yorkers will know when environmental protection laws are being violated.” Documents filed with the SPOC-CEC lawsuit included statements by representatives from DEC’s union showing that the cost of DEC on-site monitors is entirely paid for by facilities subject to monitoring, including salary, fringe benefits, travel and training. “The argument that this was a cost-cutting measure within the Commissioner’s discretion was not accepted by the court,” according to the groups’ attorney Gary Abraham. As a result of the court’s decision, the DEC must either reinstate the old policy or provide notice and an opportunity for public comment before officially changing the policy. --from Mike Schade, Western New York Director, Citizens' Environmental Coalition, 543 Franklin Street., Buffalo, New York 14202, (716) 885-6848 Phone, (716) 885-6845 Fax, cecmike@choiceonemail.com , http://www.cectoxic.org/ http://www.ecothreatny.org/ http://www.kodakstoxiccolors.org/
• 5/23/04 -- The Story of Rochester's Fast Ferry: Go to the Democrat and Chronicle's comprehensive Fast Ferry page to get the story and the public's questions about this new service.
• 5/21/04 -- The warm weather is coming.  Time to think about smog and Air Pollution and ozone alerts: Check out EPA AIRNow The AQI tells you how clean the air is and whether it will affect your health. Through AIRNow, EPA, NOAA, NPS, state, and local agencies work together to report current and forecast conditions for ozone and particle pollution.  How is Rochester, New York's air today: (scroll down to Rochester) EPA AIRNOW New York Air Quality
• 5/21/14 -- We live next to the greatest source for Fresh Water in the world.  How are the Great Lakes Doing?  Check out EPA; Great Lakes "The Great Lakes - Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario - form the largest surface freshwater system on the Earth. More than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes basin, and the daily activities of these people, from the water consumed to the waste returned, directly affects the Great Lakes environments. The United States and Canada both have jurisdiction over the Great Lakes Basin. Within the US, the EPA and nine other agencies together administer more than 140 different federal programs helping fund and implement environmental restoration and management activities in the Great Lakes basin. In addition, governance of the Great Lakes system is shared with eight U.S. states, nearly 40 Tribal Nations, more than half a dozen major metropolitan areas, and numerous county and local governments. This site provides information about efforts to keep the lakes clean for the people, animals, and plants that depend on them."
• 5/121/04 -- **ACTION** --from Union of Concerned Scientists- Restoring Scientific Integrity - Stop EPA Suppression of Science on Public Health Congress has the responsibility to ensure that decisions on federal environmental legislation and policy are based on accurate and complete scientific information. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ignored repeated requests for information on toxic mercury pollution, clean air, and global warming from members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is responsible for oversight on these and other critical public health issues. Urge EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt to release the requested information to allow Congress to fulfill its responsibilities to protect public health and to restore scientific integrity in federal policymaking. Since the release of UCS's Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policymaking report in February, more than 3,000 scientists--including 20 Nobel laureates--have signed on to a statement calling for an end to the Bush administration's suppression and manipulation of science. Widespread media attention followed, including pieces in Scientific American, The New York Times and The Washington Post. The attention provoked a statement from White House Science Advisor John H. Marburger III, but a subsequent UCS report showed that the White House failed to offer any substantive evidence to refute the scientists' basic charge.
  http://www.ucsaction.org/ctt.asp?u=2229243&l=36140 Take Action Here: UCS Action Center
• 5/21/04 -- Interested in having Clean Air?  Maybe you can help: EPA will take public comments on the supplemental proposal for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will also hold a public hearing on June 3 in the Washington, D.C. area to solicit comments. For more information on today's supplemental proposal, the public comment and hearing processes, and the January 2004 proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule, visit: http://www.epa.gov/interstateairquality "In the January 30, 2004 Federal Register, EPA proposed new air rules for reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury. EPA proposed the Interstate Air Quality Rule which focuses on states whose SO2 and NOx emissions are significantly contributing to fine particle and ozone pollution problems in other downwind states. The proposed Interstate Air Quality Rule would cover 29 states in the Eastern United States and the District of Columbia. In a separate but closely related action, EPA proposed the Utility Mercury Reductions Rule for controlling mercury emissions from power plants. Together, the Interstate Air Quality Rule proposal and mercury proposal create a multi-pollutant strategy to improve air quality throughout the U.S."
• 5/19/04 - It's hard to believe, but true.  One of the most plentiful fish in the sea is on the demise: MSNBC - Report: Cod could be wiped out by 2020 The world’s cod stocks could be wiped out by 2020 because of over fishing, illegal catches and oil exploration, the environment group WWF said Thursday.
• 5/19/04 - Interesting study on Climate Change and health and what you can do: Pollution Probe has released its Primer on Climate Change and Human Health. The Primer describes the potential effects that a warmer and more variable climate could have on our health. It also discusses the climate change impacts that are expected to occur across Canada, as well as some of the actions that the various levels of government are taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Helpful tips are given on what you can do to reduce emissions and ways in which you can protect yourself from harmful effects. The report can be downloaded from the Pollution Probe web site: http://www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Air.htm  --This from Raví Mark Singh, Communications & Membership Coordinator, Ontario Clean Air Alliance, Ph: (416)926-1907 ext. 245, NOTE OUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: info@cleanair.web.ca. The Ontario Clean Air Alliance is a coalition of health, environmental and consumer organizations, faith communities, unions, utilities, municipalities and individuals working for cleaner air through strict emission limits and a phase-out of coal in the electricity sector. Our partner organizations represent more than six million Ontarians.
• 5/19/04 - Summer is coming, but maybe we should cool it on toxic pesticides: Study: American Pesticide Levels Are High -- Many U.S. residents carry unhealthy levels of pesticides in their bodies, with children, women and Mexican Americans disproportionately exposed to the toxic chemicals, according to a study to be released Tuesday. -- First Coast News - NBC 12 and ABC 25 - local news, weather, programming, sports, traffic, health, consumer and television programming information for Jacksonville, southern Georgia and St. Augustine.
• 5/19/04 - Get the latest from Common Good Planning Center 's News Letter--an excellent source on stopping Rochester-area sprawl: "Welcome to the May 2004 CGPC Electronic Bulletin! Highlights:* UNCOMMONLY GOOD AWARD BESTOWED! * In PERSPECTIVE, see our thoughts on the issue of CHOICE.* Learn about our research into AGRICULTURE AS AN ECONOMIC DRIVER* Quite a few KUDOS* Oodles of Planning in the News, including Smart Growth Bills Brewing in Albany * Local Government Workshop May 14, Community Lead Summit June 10, and other Important Events * Greater Rochester Quality of Life Indicators Report; Thoughts on Sprawl and Urban Schools * See Some Town Center Design Guidelines * Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette * A chance to weigh in on our region's LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN You can see the E-Bulletin here: http://www.cgpc.org/newsletters/enews-2004-05.shtml
• 5/19/04 -- Seeing how Monroe County's air failed the latest ozone test ( WXXI: EPA Says Rochester Region Fails Ozone Standard (2004-04-15) ) and the Renaissance Square project won't do much to actually improve transportation (although that is what the monies from the government are allegedly for) perhaps there is a way to help improve our area's transportation.  Over at Genesee Transportation Council; Rochester, NY you can find out about and make public comment on the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: The Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) is continuing the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2005-2025 (LRTP). The LRTP provides a 20-year perspective of existing and projected transportation system capabilities, needs, and objectives, as well as strategies to meet these objectives for the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. GTC is now beginning the second round of public involvement to identify transportation alternatives that will maximize the contribution of the transportation system to the social and economic vitality of the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes region.
• 5/17/04 -- Don't forget to read some good environmental reading for news and events from  Environmental Advocates of New York- The Green Sheet Archives THE GREEN SHEETVol. 9 - No. 5 May 2004  Lead Story: Get Smart. On the Alert, For Your Information, Activists' Corner, The Month Ahead, Contact Information
• 5/17/04 -- Going fishing? Check with the DEC Environment DEC: Changes Made to 2004 Recreational Fishing Regulations DEC has announced changes--effective immediately--in 2004 recreational fishing regulations for summer flounder (fluke), scup (porgy) and black sea bass. These changes supersede 2003 regulations regarding these three species.
• 5/17/04 -- **EVENT** From Great Lakes Information Network "Become one of the extraordinary people to run or walk in the Race for the Great Lakes on Friday, May 21 in Buffalo, New York. You can make a difference by joining hundreds of runners and walkers around Western New York who are participating in the race. By joining, you help protect and restore the precious waters of the Great Lakes and improve the lives of the people and wildlife that depend on Great Lakes waters, now and in the future. More information Click to download Acrobat .PDF files for: more information; to learn about sponsorship opportunities; or to register to run or just join the fun on race day." Friday, May 21, 2004 - Start time: 7:00 p.m. - The Pier - 325 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo, New York
• 5/15/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas** The Deer Problem in New York State is a serious one.  Here's an interesting solution to one of the issues surrounding the Deer Problem: State Tests Deer Reflectors - For the past two years, New York State has been experimenting with reflectors designed to keep deer from crossing the busy highway. A three-mile stretch of the reflectors line the sides and in the middle of the NYS Thruway near Exit 45. In theory, when headlights hit the reflectors, they create a red beam visible to deer that criss-crosses the thruway and shines into woods, ditches, and the roadside. (May 15, 2004)  WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
• 5/15/04 -- The United States has fallen behind in the world's efforts to stop global warming and create better energy sources.  Maybe, we should look to Canada: A study released on May 11, 2004 by the Pembina Institute and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, “Power for the Future: Towards a Sustainable Electricity System for Ontario”, suggests that Ontario could save approximately $14 billion between now and 2020 by choosing energy conservation over building new nuclear power plants. The study examines the potential contributions to electricity supply from low-impact renewable energy sources, such as wind, small-scale hydro and biomass. It outlines how Ontario’s future electricity needs can be met while phasing out both coal-fired and nuclear generation. The report is available for downloading at www.pembina.org
• 5/15/04 -- **ACTION** Take Action by telling the EPA to strengthen the mercury rule. Click here to send a submit a comment to the EPA docket.Maybe it's time to move away from dirty energy sources.  Presently, 52% of our energy needs in the United States are from coal generated power plants. Read on: Death, Disease & Dirty Power: Mortality and Health Damage Due to Air Pollution from Power Plants Newly released U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) information on toxic air emissions shows that electric utilities were once again the biggest air polluters in the U.S. in 2001. The 2001 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data constitute our nation’s premier database of information on how much toxic air, water, and land pollution is released each year by various industries. Coal-fired electric power plants first reported to TRI for the 1998 reporting year, and this year’s inventory provides more usable information on persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemicals (PBTs). This report is an in-depth analysis of the quantity and nature of toxic pollution from coal-burning power plants. It demonstrates that discharges and emissions from electric utilities occur at levels that raise serious public health concerns. It also shows the role of special pollution exemptions that allow the electric power industry to continue to release much higher levels of toxics each year than would be permitted if controls were installed. Analysis of the 2001 TRI data shows that using currently available control technologies coal-fired electric power plants could reduce their air emissions of mercury, non-mercury metals, acid gases, and organics, such as dioxins by over 90 percent. Many power plants are already using these control technologies. A court-approved settlement requires EPA to propose its regulations by December 15, 2003. Read the report: Clear The Air | Reports
• 5/14/05 -- **ACTION** Stop the Department of Energy's (DOE) attempt to change the Nuclear Waste Policy Act! The change in the law would allow the DOE to stop clean up at nuclear waste sites around the country, and to reclassify High-Level Waste as Low-Level Waste, and leave this material in leaking tanks at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, and in New York, Washington, and Idaho. Failure to clean up the tanks will lead to severe and long-lasting pollution of our nation's important rivers and aquifers, which provide drinking water, as well as water for fish and crops that feed millions of people nationwide. TAKE ACTION:Tell your senators to vote for amendments to remove the harmful nuclear waste provisions in the Defense Authorization bill. CONTACT INFORMATION:You can email or fax your senators directly at http://www.nrdc.org/action/ If you prefer to call your senators, the Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121 (or toll-free at 800-839-5276). FOR MORE INFORMATION:http://www.ananuclear.org/  and http://www.nrdc.org/ BACKGROUND: The Senate will begin debating the FY05 Defense Authorization bill next week (May 17). The bill currently contains language that would allow the Department of Energy (DOE) to abandon potentially millions of gallons of highly toxic radioactive waste in rusting tanks next to the Savannah River in South Carolina, endangering human populations for thousands of years. Funding for cleanup at other key sites with high level waste (Hanford, WA and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory) is being held until those states agree to a similar measure. The DOE wants the exemption so it can cement the wastes in place as part of its accelerated cleanup strategy to finish cleanup early and save billions. Doing so, however, would create massive high level waste dumps at these sites and threaten future generations with severe contamination. For more Nuclear Abolition action alerts, go to: http://www.gracepublicfund.org/nuclear/
• 5/13/05 -- **ACTION** --from  New York Public Interest Research Group "Hi everyone! This summer NYPIRG is focusing on mercury pollution & other clean air issues, and I wanted to let you know about what we’re planning in Western NY, in case your group would like to get involved. If you’re already involved, here’s the update:  For the past few months, we’ve been working in a national coalition (facilitated by Clear the Air) to generate coalition letters & comments to oppose the EPA’s awful proposed mercury rule. Elected officials spoke out, lots of press was generated, a coalition letter from almost 600 groups was sent, & the EPA received OVER HALF A MILLIION comments from concerned citizens. The public outcry on this has been so enormous that it even caused the EPA to extend their official public comment period through June 29th – 3 months longer than what was originally planned. This is all really good news, but we need to keep pressure on the EPA to do the right thing. They have extended the time they have to finalize this rule into next year, which could allow this issue to fade from public scrutiny. So we’re keeping it alive with a few different actions/events, all of which your groups can help out on if you’re interested: More public comments are needed! http://www.cleartheair.org has a form for individuals to submit comments online. The new national goal: 1 million comments. If you haven’t already sent a comment, do it now! Let your group’s members know about this, too.
• 5/13/04 -- **EVENT** --from Brownfield Association -- Dear Brownfielder and those with an interest in Real Estate in New York, We invite you to attend the National Brownfield Association's New York Chapter Spring Meeting and to take part in this valuable event on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 from 1:15 pm – 6:30 pm. Empire State Plaza Convention Center Meeting Room 6,  Albany, New York.  This meeting will focus on discussing the recently passed Brownfield Bill and will feature presentations from the various state agencies involved with enforcing regulations or providing incentives. In addition we will host a networking reception and awards ceremony to provide NBA members with an opportunity to meet with agency representatives and the legislators responsible for passing the bill. With the focus of our meeting on state agencies and legislators it was only fitting to select Albany for the location of this meeting. We are proud to have Chapter President Phil Amicone, Mayor, City of Yonkers, MC the event and moderate the Mayors’ Panel which will discuss the best practices for redevelopment of brownfields in upstate New York. Before the meeting, an optional three-hour boat trip will depart from Albany and tour the Hudson River. Participants will be shown the capital region's waterfront redevelopment opportunities and see Brownfield success stories in the cities along the river. The cost to attend the meeting and reception is $65 for NBA Members and $75 for Non-members and to attend the optional boat tour the cost is $50 for NBA Members and $65 for Non-members (lunch will be provided on the boat). A limited number of informational display tables are available to promote your organization. The Program Agenda and Registration Form are provided below. Please register for this event, and pass this information along to any brownfield property owners, developers, end users, investors, professional service providers and representatives from municipal or state government whom you feel would benefit from the up-to-date information and senior level contacts at this event. Check our website for Program Agenda and meeting updates www.brownfieldassocation.org. National Brownfield Association, 440 North Cumberland, Avenue, Suite 155, Chicago, IL 60656, (773) 714-0407, (773) 714-0989 Fax - Please click below for more information and to register for this meeting: Email: lorikaroles@brownfieldnews.com http://www.brownfieldassociation.org/mailers/NY_mailer.html
• 5/10/04 -- Who you gonna call for environmental problems?  Get the ultimate guide on contacts for environmental problems from the New York State Attorney's Office: A Citizen’s Guide to Environmental Information in New York State (88 pages, requires )
• 5/10/04 -- **ACTION** Conserve Our Ocean Legacy -Our oceans are in trouble. A comprehensive report on the state of our oceans from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is clear - we need immediate action to protect and restore our fragile marine ecosystems. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is accepting comments from governors on what steps they should take next. Please ask your governor to take advantage of this opportunity to conserve our oceans by supporting aggressive recommendations to protect and restore fragile ocean ecosystems. --from U.S. PIRG U.S. Public Interest Research Group
• 5/10/04 -- **ACTION** Sign the petition -- keep sewage out of our rivers! Did you know that over a trillion gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste are dumped into our rivers each year? Please sign our petition today to support increased funding for sewage treatment, oppose "sewage blending" after rain events, and endorse community notification of sewage overflows. Help us reach 5,000 signatures -- sign now!
  http://amriversaction.ctsg.com/ctt.asp?u=24513&l=33831 -- from American Rivers.
• 5/10/04 -- Still got questions of Global Warming:: NEW STUDY MAY HELP RESOLVE GLOBAL WARMING DEBATE -Skeptics who doubt whether global warming is happening may now be without their number one argument. A study published Thursday, May 6, in the journal Nature appears to have resolved a discrepancy between surface temperature readings and tropospheric temperature readings that has long been cited by skeptics. Press release & news coverage: http://www.ems.org
• 5/07/04 -- **EVENT**   Community Summit Join us for a Community Lead Summit - June 10, 2004 - 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Clarion Riverside Hotel - 120 Main Street East - Rochester, New York 14604 - The community is coming together to make a commitment: By 2010 we will end childhood lead poisoning in Monroe County. - Top national experts will share the latest research and successful approaches from other communities. Over 20 workshops will address housing, health, education, strategy, and legal questions relating to lead poisoning. Attendees will visit exhibits, demonstrations, and information booths throughout the day. Finally, the community will come together for a Summit Assembly at which key community leaders will make specific pledges to take action to protect our children from lead poisoning. Everyone is welcome. Attend all or just part of the day. For complete details, including registration information, go to the Program Book. To make your own commitment to take action to end childhood lead poisoning, go to Commitment. Be sure to watch "Let's Make Lead History," an interactive broadcast on WXXI-TV, June 9 at 8:00 p.m. Local and national experts will answer all questions by phone or email.--from  Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning consists of individuals and organizations that share a commitment to ending childhood lead poisoning in Monroe County, New York. We are public agencies and private landlords, university researchers and parents, and much, much more. Our goal is ambitious but attainable: this is a fight we know we can win.
•  5/07/04 -- **EVENT**  SPEAK OUT FOR CLEAN AIR AT KODAK! - Urge Kodak Shareholders to Vote for an Environmental Shareholder Resolution -  Kodak neighbors know all about noxious odors near Kodak Park. Thanks to the Bucket Brigade citizen air-monitoring program, we are also learning more about Kodak’s toxic emissions. Now is the time to urge Kodak to improve production and save money, too! - JOIN AN INFORMATIONAL PICKET AT KODAK’S ANNUAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 9 AM, THEATER ON THE RIDGE, ROCHESTER - What will we be telling shareholders? - Recent sampling by the Bucket Brigade found high levels of toxic chemicals in the air near Kodak Park, including acrylonitrile 1,000 times above the DEC annual ambient air guideline. These results confirm neighbors’ worst fears – high levels of toxic chemicals are crossing the fenceline of Kodak Park and entering the surrounding community. Eastman Kodak is NYS’s #1 manufacturing polluter and one of the largest emitters of cancer-causing chemicals in the United States. Kodak expects to spend about $57 million for future environmental investigations and cleanups at Kodak Park, part of $141 million in environmental liabilities worldwide. Kodak spent $84 million worldwide in 2003 alone for pollution prevention, waste treatment and cleanup costs. Non-toxic production will save Kodak money and keep neighbors safe! Eastman Kodak plans to eliminate 12,000 to 15,000 jobs worldwide because of “accelerating declines in film sales and a need to be more aggressive in digital imaging.” Kodak has laid off 550 Rochester employees since July, some with only six hours’ notice. How many layoffs could be avoided with a cheaper, non-toxic production plan? How do Shareholder Resolutions work? Shareholder resolutions are presented by stock owners at annual meetings to advocate for corporate policy changes. Corporations often use the phrase “responsibility to our shareholders” to avoid investing in environmental protections and other accountability measures. On May 12th shareholders will be voting on an important shareholder resolution, “Adopt a Non-Toxic Chemicals Policy” resolution, which was supported by NYS Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who oversees the NYS Pension System, a major Kodak investor. “Adopt A Non-Toxic Chemicals Policy” requests that Kodak phase out the use and release of extremely toxic chemicals, and replace them with cost-effective safer alternatives. In addition, Kodak would provide an annual report to shareholders on progress made in addressing pollution problems. - For more information, call Citizens' Environmental Coalition at 716-885-6848 or log onto www.kodakstoxiccolors.org  or email: cecmike@choiceonemail.com  
• 5/05/04 -- **EVENT**   5TH ANNUAL ARTISTIC ROOTS: AN INSPIRED EVENING OF WORDS & MUSIC TO CELEBRATE THE WESLEY HILL NATURE PRESERVE -  EVENT CONTACT: NANNIE NEHRING BLISS - Phone: (585) 393-9653 - taoser@frontiernet.net FINGER LAKES LAND TRUST CONTACTS: - Liz Brown, Western Lakes Chapter: (585) 394-4189 ­ liz@fllt.org Emily Eisman, Ithaca: (607) 275-9487 ­ emily@fllt.org  www.fllt.org  LISA BIGWOOD CONTACT: contact@lisabigwoodmusic.com Management: Bob Potter, Cabin Fever Recording - 585-315-7444 Full Press Packet available at: www.lisabigwoodmusic.com  Featuring folk artist, LISA BIGWOOD; experimental jazz trio DOJA; and fiction writer NINA ALVAREZ. CURTIS NEHRING BLISS, Assistant Professor of the Humanities at FLCC will host the event and multi-talented TONY GALLICCHIO will serve as house pianist.  Open Mike will follow formal performances In the Lobby: Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) information, preserve maps, history & photos; Finger Lakes Environmental Action (FLEA) information; home-made food and drink  Free and open to the public. Donations welcome to benefit FLLT¹s continued stewardship of the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve -SATURDAY MAY 15
  HISTORIC BRISTOL VALLEY THEATER - 151 SOUTH MAIN STREET, NAPLES, NY - DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM - FORMAL SHOW FROM 7 ­ 9:30PM  OPEN MIKE FROM 9:45 ­ 11PM
• 5/05/04 -  **Good/Bad Ideas** As time goes on, if we don't make the difficult environmental choices, they will not get easier because we put them off.  Here's a good proposal that might cost some more for a house and help preserve open space: Democrat & Chronicle: Environmental tax proposed — ALBANY — Communities would have the option of adding a tax to real estate transactions to fund environmental preservation projects under a bill introduced Tuesday by two legislators. Under legislation proposed by Sen. Carl Marcellino and Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, chairmen of the environmental conservation committees in their houses, communities could adopt a tax of up to 2 percent on a portion of real-estate sales. The state currently charges a 0.4 percent transfer rate. (May 5, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• 5/05/05 -- **EVENT**  Now these kinds of meeting are only a trip across the lake: On Wednesday May 12, 2004 the world’s leading reducers of greenhouse gas emissions will meet at Toronto City Hall to discuss how to accelerate action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The speakers include Mayor David Miller, Premier Gary Doer, David Anderson, Leona Dombrowsky, Bob Fung and Elliott Morley (U.K. Minister of the Environment). Please see below for more information and registration details, or email pscanga@toronto.ca Raví Mark Singh  Conference of the REDUCERS International climate change experts meet in Toronto to speed up action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally  - The world’s leading reducers of greenhouse gas emissions will gather in Toronto on May 12, 2004 for an important international conference that will lend new momentum to the battle against climate change. The conference will address how to accelerate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. Attendees represent a significant coalition of greenhouse gas reducers from the private and public sectors in North America, Europe and Australia. Municipal, provincial, and state governments will make significant new announcements. The Conference of the Reducers is being hosted by the City of Toronto, organized by The Climate Group, U.K., and sponsored by the Government of Canada, the Governments of Manitoba and Ontario, the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Toronto Hydro, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, N.Y. Date: Wednesday, May 12, 2004, 7:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. - Where: Toronto, Canada - City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Council Chamber - Please RSVP to Pat Scanga: 416-397-0950 -pscanga@toronto.ca
• 5/05/04 -- **ACTION** Stop EPA Suppression of Science on Public Health Congress has the responsibility to ensure that decisions on federal environmental legislation and policy are based on accurate and complete scientific information. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ignored repeated requests for information on toxic mercury pollution, clean air, and global warming from members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is responsible for oversight on these and other critical public health issues. Urge EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt to release the requested information to allow Congress to fulfill its responsibilities to protect public health and to restore scientific integrity in federal policymaking. --from Union of Concerned Scientists
• 5/05/04 -- More thoughts on the need for good environmental reporting: Missing Spula from City Newspaper.
• 5/05/04 -- Day after day the state of our environment deteriorates, usually passing critical milestones without our notice. Busy as we are with our own lives and busy is our media with Iraq and the upcoming election, there's almost no time to peruse environmental news, but here's a items that should catch your eye:  Yahoo! News - World's Great Apes Running Out of Time, Leakey Says Mankind's closest animal relatives the Great Apes are facing extinction and need urgent action to ensure their survival, Kenyan environmentalist Richard Leakey said Wednesday." Yahoo News. OK, if that didn't cause you concern, then maybe this will: ENN News Story - U.S. oceans report says coastal areas are in peril WASHINGTON — Pollution, overfishing, and poor management have put North America's oceans in serious peril, but it is not too late to save them, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy said Tuesday. It recommends setting up a special office at the White House to oversee a new, coordinated policy; doubling investment in scientific research; and strengthening the ability of the government to police polluters and fisheries."Our oceans and coasts are in trouble, and we as a nation have an historic opportunity to make a positive and lasting change in the way we manage them before it is too late," retired Navy Adm. James Watkins, who chaired the commission, told a news conference.
• 5/04/04 -- Are we going to get cleaner air?  Yes, says the EPA: EPA - OAR - Clean Air Rules of 2004 - The Clean Air Rules are a suite of actions that will dramatically improve America's air quality. Three of the rules specifically address the transport of pollution across state borders (the Interstate Clean Air Rule, Mercury Clean Air Rule and Nonroad Clean Air Rule). These rules provide national tools to achieve significant improvement in air quality and the associated benefits of improved health, longevity and quality of life for all Americans. Taken together, they will make the next 15 years one of the most productive periods of air quality improvement in America's history.  Check out the just released: The Ozone Report: Measuring Progress through 2003", lays the groundwork for the planning and analysis needed to track progress toward attaining the nation's more protective 8-hour ozone standard and reporting the results to the public. Ozone levels across the nation were down substantially in 2003. The improved air quality resulted from favorable weather conditions and continuing reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – the pollutants that combine in the summer heat to form ozone.
• 5/02/04 -- Just in case you have not had time to see the new Rochester Fast Ferry, go to RochesterEnvironment.com's Fast Ferry page and see some photographs I took of the new boat. 
• 5/02/04 -- **EVENT**  Beechwood Park on Lake Ontario -- Preview the Newest State park in our Region.  Saturday, June 19, 2004 -- 10AM To 2PM - on the shores of Lake Ontario near Sodus. Beechwood Park is an ecological gem, 45 minutes from downtown Rochester on the shores of Lake Ontario near Sodus Point.  Operated for many years as a Girl Scout camp, the property was purchased by New York State about 4 years ago and added to the State Parks system.  It will be opened to the general public when a management plan for the property is completed.  The Park includes a half mile of Lake shoreline, including Maxwell Bay, an estuary marsh at the mouth of Salmon Creek.  The site has it all--wetlands, majestic old growth beech trees, pine plantations, a stream, lake vistas and open space to roam and enjoy.  The Center For Environmental Information has received permission to sponsor our 30th Anniversary Members Event, Educational Tour, and Picnic on June 19th.  We invite members o Rochester area environmental groups to join us.  Tour the park, Learn about Lake Ontario Coastal Zone issues, Enjoy environmental fun and games and refreshments. Bring your family and a picnic lunch. We will provide beverages and desserts.  A $2/person donation ($1 for children) will be appreciated.  For further information, check the Center for Environmental Information (CEI) website in May ( www.ceinfo.org ) or call 585-262-2870. 
• 5/02/04 -- Essay - "Blasting Deer" Is allowing for the shooting of deer all year round a good idea for deer population control?
• 5/02/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas**  Cause for Concern? Why not use nontoxic ways to curb unwanted plants along our highways?---DOT Begins Spraying Weeds - The New York State Department of Transportation will begin mowing the grass and chemically treating the roadside on highways.  For more information about the roadside work, call the DOT toll free at 1-877-201-8762. R News: Your NewsChannel -- When you call you find out that in Monroe County Roundup and Oust are being used to control plant growth around our highways.  Are they safe?  Oust herbicide information - ROUNDUP ORIGINAL Liquid Herbicide AGRICULTURAL and INDUSTRIAL CAUTION IRRITANT
• 4/29/04 --**Good/Bad Ideas** Don't' Give up on your Pet.  There's help.  Pet Peeves and know that help is available, said Alice Calabrese, acting president at Lollypop Farms. -The line - (585) 295-2999 - is open 24 hours. Callers leave a message and a volunteer returns the call. Russ Roberts, a Pet Peeves volunteer, said that the help line has already received more than 400 calls. Sometimes the owner gets off the phone with enough information to correct or change behavior issues; other times a follow-up call is necessary.
• 4/29/04 -- Remember this story?  "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the Rochester region is failing to meet new health standards for ground level ozone pollution. As a result, motorists in the Rochester area may be forced to buy reformulated gasoline which costs more per gallon." (April 17, 2004) Public NewsRoom -Doesn't look good: EPA-OAQPS -- 8-Hour Ground-level Ozone Designations - Map of nonattainment areas -  EPA National News: EPA Issues Designations on Ozone Health Standards (Washington, DC - April 15, 2004) Thirty-one governors were told today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that areas of their states do not meet new health standards for ground-level ozone. Part or all of 474 counties nationwide are in nonattainment for either failing to meet the 8-hour ozone standard or for causing a downwind county to fail. The vast majority of counties, 2,668 in all, meet the new standards. Ozone aggravates asthma, damages the lining of the lungs and makes breathing more difficult. Some 159 million people live in areas that do not meet the new ozone standard. --What does it all mean? EPA-OAQPS -- 8-Hour Ground-level Ozone Designations
• 4/28/04 -- **ACTION** Reject Energy Bill 'Lite'! - Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), and the energy bill’s other supporters are plotting ways to enact the forlorn legislation. The bill's boosters have released a somewhat pared-down version of the bill (S. 2095, the "Energy Policy Act of 2003") which, at $14 billion, would cost about half that of the bill that came out of the energy conference last fall. But despite this attempt to gather more support for the legislation, the new version of the bill remains an egregious example of corporate welfare in the guise a national energy policy.
• 4/28/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas** Ready to get serious about Recycling? Check this out: Yahoo! Groups : freecyclerochesterny Rochester (NY) Freecycle Network -Need an item? Need to get rid of an item? Rochester Freecycle can help! -Whether you're looking to discard or acquire an item, you've come to the right place. Computers, furniture, clothing, paper - no item is too big or too small. Since this is a FREEcycle list, ALL items must be 100% FREE (no money, no trading). In order to prevent SPAM, all new members must be approved by the moderators; before your membership is approved, YOU MUST REPLY TO A CONFIRMATION EMAIL sent from the address rochester@kcfreecycle.org . Upon subscription, you will receive a welcome message via e-mail - please take a moment to read through this before participating. More info on Netiquette and Yahoo Groups can be found in our List Guidelines - see http://www.kcfreecycle.org/roch/guidelines.htm l. The Rochester Freecycle Network serves Rochester, NY and the surrounding areas (please, no one from outside NY). No freecycle group in your town? Start one! Go to www.freecycle.org  for more info. The Rochester Freecycle Network is inspired by the Tucson Freecycle Network, the original freecyclers. Find out more about the international freecycle movement at www.freecycle.org . Questions? Comments? E-mail the Rochester Freecycle Network at rochester@kcfreecycle.org
• 4/26/04 --**Good/Bad Ideas** Diesel fuel pollution is an important matter, good to see our governor on top of it:  WXXI: Pataki Brings "Clean Bus" Funds to Monroe (2004-04-22) ROCHESTER, NY (2004-04-22) Governor Pataki marked Earth Day in Rochester by announcing that some school buses will be more environmentally friendly. Three local school districts will be participating in the "New York State Clean Air School Bus Program." It's designed to modify existing diesel school buses into cleaner running vehicles. (April 26, 2004) Public NewsRoom
• 4/25/04 -- It's Bike Day today: Sunday, April 25 is Bike Day - Second Life Bikes is kicking off its summer bike give away program  Second Life Bikes receives new and old bikes from community groups, individual donor and Heberle Disposal; 2nd Life Bikes fixes the bikes and gives them out to inner-city kids.  Where: 18 Borchard Street, near the N. Clinton/Norton intersection. Call Ray and Second Life Bikes @ 338-2292. Bike Day is an intense melee of those that want and those that need Second Life Bikes. It is up to us to determine whether the want is need or greed. Christie not only keeps track of the kids, but remembers most of them! We keep track of everything on MS Access. Basically, anyone who comes to us gets written on a pad. First come first served. When the next person is called, they are coupled with a volunteer. That volunteer then directs that individual to the bike pile for selection. Then the volunteer makes the bike operable and safe. That is followed with documentation: photos, serial numbers, etc. It seems simple, but experience what goes on.
• 4/25/04 -- Here's why RochesterEnvironment.com would like to see the NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION LAW! passed in Monroe County and be the seventh county in New York State to pass this law: Pesticides too harmful to use in any form, doctors warn - The link between common household pesticides and fetal defects, neurological damage and the most deadly cancers is strong enough that family doctors in Ontario are urging citizens to avoid the chemicals in any form. The frightening message came yesterday when the Ontario College of Family Physicians released the most comprehensive study ever done in Canada on the chronic effects of pesticide exposure at home, in the garden and at work. (April 25, 2004) globeandmail.com - Canada's best source for news continuously updated from The Globe and Mail
• 4/25/04 -- We need a clean, non-global warming energy source, but nuclear energy is not the answer. Here's an example why: U.N. wants to end confusion about Chernobyl  - VIENNA (Reuters) - Although the world may never know the full impact of the world's worst nuclear disaster, the United Nations nuclear agency wants to put an end to the confusion for millions of victims of the Chernobyl accident. The disaster occurred 18 years ago, at 1:24 a.m. on April 26, 1986, when an explosion at Reactor 4 of the Ukrainian power plant spewed a cloud of radioactivity across Europe and the Soviet Union. (April 25, 2004) Latest News and Financial Information | Reuters.com
• 4/22/04 --  **Good/Bad Ideas** Of course, RochesterEnvironment.com is for this bill: Bill pushes for access to hazard data - Lawmaker wants all environmental data on Internet - New York residents should have better access to environmental information through the Internet, a state assemblyman said Wednesday. (April 22, 2004) pressconnects.com | Binghamton, NY | Press & Sun-Bulletin
• 4/22/04 -- It's Earth Day in the United States.  What's going on here: Earth Day - US Government Portal
• 4/22/04 -- It's Earth Day in Canada also.  What's going on there? Welcome EARTH DAY CANADA
• 4/22/04 -- A little sadness on Earth Day.  City Newspaper would have had a great Earth Day article on Rochester's Environment, I speculate.  There is a great silence in Rochester on Earth Day because one of our area's greatest environmental reporters is not giving his voice to our planet at this time. City Newspaper: Jack Spula
• 4/22/04 --**ACTION**  Too busy to attend a rally? Tied to your desk on Earth Day? You can still be a part of the celebration. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can tell your elected officials in Washington that you care about the environment -- and you're watching their votes.
  Participate in a virtual celebration of Earth Day. To commemorate Earth Day, take the time to write your Congressional officials in Washington. Let them know that you care about the environment -- and you're watching their votes.Take action now  --from The League of Conservation Voters
• 4/22/04 -- What are students doing for Earth Day? Grassroots - Grassroots' mission is to educate and enlighten the student body of the University of Rochester about the multiple environmental concerns facing our planet today. We hope to show through our diverse campaigns and projects how members of the university community can "think globally, act locally." We serve as a resource to the University and the surrounding area for information on environmental issues. We want to help instill a sense of pride in the campus and its surroundings as well as invoke a sense of responsibility for the earth.
• 4/22/04 -- It's Earth Day & many Rochester-area residents put their energies into to protecting our environment.  Democrat & Chronicle: Bike giveaway part of Earth Day -— In big ways and small, local folks want to make a difference on Earth Day, a time of environmental celebration and alarm that today marks its 34th year. (April 22, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
• 4/20/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas**   Let us make this energy plan work for our area: Democrat & Chronicle: Wind power now an option (April 20, 2004) — Starting today, electricity customers of Rochester Gas & Electric can get all or some of their power from wind turbines based in New York. It’s a first for the state, which hopes to buy 25 percent of its electrical power from alternative sources by 2012. Customers have three ways to sign up: Through a form coming with the normal bill in May, on the Internet ( www.rge.com ) or by calling (877) 743-9463.
• 4/20/04 -- **Good/Bad Ideas**  Our neighbors up north are on the right track about energy: London Free Press: News Section - Ontario aims to cut electricity use by 5% TORONTO -- Within six years, all homeowners in Ontario will be buying electricity at higher rates during the day and lower rates at night, Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday   TIPS TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY -Premier Dalton McGuinty's top five tips on trimming your electricity use: -- Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs that use a quarter of the electricity. -- Turn up the air conditioner setting a few degrees. -- Close the refrigerator door on a slip of paper and pull. If it comes out easily, it's time to fix or replace the door seal. -- Don't leave computers running when they're not in use. A continuously running computer can cost $250 a year. -- For those with electric hot water heaters, fixing leaky taps, insulating water heaters and using efficient showerheads can save money. --CANOE - Canada's news, sports, entertainment, finance and lifestyle site - Canadian Online Explorer
• 4/18/04 --  **EVENT**  Don't forget the biggest Earth Day Event this week (Tuesday) in Rochester: April 20, 2004 - Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club 's Sixth Annual Sierra Club Environmental Forum, 6 PM-  at the First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Road South; includes displays from many area environmental groups and keynote discussion by Peter Lehner, JD of Elliot Spitzer's office, "Protecting & Policing New York's Environment". More information at: http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/6th_annual_forum.htm
• 4/18/04 -- **EVENT**  Become a “Water Detective” at the RMSC - Title: Become a Water Detective at the RMSC - Location: Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 - Media Contact: Debra Jacobson, 271-4552, x231, - Margit Brazda Poirier, Water Education Collaborative, 271-4552, x320.- Website: www.rmsc.org  Did you ever wonder what lives in a stream? Or if a stream in your neighborhood is healthy or polluted? Find out what lives in your water and become a “water detective” at the Rochester Museum & Science Center on Saturday, April 17th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., free with museum admission. As part of the regular Science Saturdays Program at RMSC, experts from the Water Education Collaborative will help you discover whether a stream is healthy or polluted by examining what lives there. You will learn to identify live aquatic insects and discover their importance. Hands-on activities let you find out how water gets polluted and what we all can do to help protect water quality. Come see the short play, “A Waltz through the Watershed” in which the animals tell you about what’s going on in our water. This is the first of many events in the Rochester area that signal the approach of Earth Day. “Earth Week” events include a community clean-up sponsored by Delta Labs Inc., an Earth Day Festival at the University of Rochester, an “Alternatives in Living” conference and many more. For a listing of local events, visit the Water Education Collaborative web site at: www.thewec.org  and for national news see: www.epa.gov/earthday/ . For more information on these events, call 271-4552, x320.
• 4/18/04 -- Concerned about the new ruling on Rochester's failing grade on ozone emissions?  Check out what it all means for our area: EPA-OAQPS -- 8-Hour Ground-level Ozone Designations "EPA designates an area as nonattainment if it has violated, or has contributed to violations of the national 8-hour ozone standard over a three-year period. EPA also may designate an area as attainment/unclassifiable, if it has:1) monitored air quality data show that area is has not violated the ozone standard over a three-year period; or if 2) there is not enough information to determine the air quality in the area. The designations process plays an important role in letting the public know whether air quality in a given area is healthy. Once designations take effect, they also become an important component of state, tribal and local governments' efforts to control ground-level ozone."
• 4/18/04 -- **ACTION** TELL THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO REDUCE MERCURY POLLUTION - On December 15, the EPA released its weak proposal to reduce the danger posed by mercury from power plants. Instead of protecting mothers and children from mercury poisoning, this proposal sells out public health to the Bush Administration's allies in the energy industry. The targets are so weak that the industry will be allowed to continue polluting without using state-of-the-art mercury controls. The EPA is holding a comment period which will extend through April 30th. This is our chance to officially weigh in on this proposal. We need to tell the Bush Administration that they should act without further delay to cut mercury emissions from power plants by 90 percent by 2008. Please take a moment to tell the EPA to strengthen this rule to protect public health. To Take Action now, visit our Take Action page and log in: http://www.net.org/grassroots/
• 4/18/04 -- Get some Recycling tips from Monroe County: Department of Environmental Services Residents can improve the quality of our environment by putting into practice "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" and by participating in these Monroe County Solid Waste Management programs: Grasscycling - Yard waste is banned from Monroe County landfills. Leave grass clippings on the lawn after each mowing. This helps fertilize your lawn and reduces the yard waste going into our landfills. Composting - Turning organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil supplement for your garden. The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (585-461-1000) has detailed information on this and other environmental topics. - Household Hazardous Waste - Dispose of your Household Hazardous Waste materials properly and free of charge. Call (585) 760-7600 option #3 for details. - Junk Mail Reduction - Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by calling the following toll-free number: 800-353-0809. - Volunteering - Help keep our community clean by sharing your knowledge with others. Learn more about these programs as well as tour & presentation availability by calling (585) 760-7526.
• 4/13/04 -- **ACTION** You cannot fix the environment if you do not know what is going on. Most of us do not have the time, nor the inclination to give to our environment the time and attention it needs for us to have a healthy environment.  We have to depend on the intelligence and abilities of our best reporters and we have lost one of the best: We have learned that Jack Bradigan Spula no longer works as environmental reporter for City Newspaper.  City's says, City Newspaper: Jack Spula</