Updates Aug - Oct 01
10/31/01 -- Very Important message from the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club: Please take a moment tell Governor Pataki how disappointed you are that he has refused to negotiate designated funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and ask him to work with the State Senate and Assembly to appropriate funding for the EPF immediately. Go to the Governor's web page at www.state.ny.us/governorand click "Contact the Governor" or call (518) 474-1041 SAMPLE MESSAGE: I was dismayed to learn that your administration is not supporting appropriation of funding in the Environmental Protection Fund for fiscal year 2001/2002. Environmental protection is too important to leave unfunded. Please work with the Senate and the Assembly to appropriate funding in the EPF immediately. BACKGROUND The Environmental Protection Fund was created in New York State Law in 1993 to ensure a steady stream of funding for land acquisition, municipal recycling programs, and the creation of parks. Since that time funding has also been allocated to acquiring land in the Long Island Pine Barrens, grants to farmers to control non-point source pollution, waterfront access, the Albany Pine Bush Commission, the New York State Biodiversity program and study of natural resource damages to the Hudson River caused by General Electrics PCBs. Governor Pataki refused to include the Environmental Protection Fund in the New York State budget deal worked out on October 24. His press secretary was quoted in the New York Times on October 25th as saying "the administration decided to save the money because the state might lose as much as $9 billion in tax revenue in the next 18 months." The EPF was created in 1993 after the state was unable to close a deal on an important piece of wilderness in the Adirondack's, Folensby Pond, for lack of funding. State budgets were tight in the early '90s and environmental funding suffered across the board. So, in 1993 several dedicated funding streams were directed into the Environmental Protection Fund so that environmental protection would not suffer in years of economic downturn when state funds were scarce. Since 1993 the EPF has funded the purchase of thousands of acres of state lands, paid for municipal recycling facilities and waste reduction programs, paid for municipal park facilities, supported development of control measures for non-point source pollution on farms and much more. If no funds are provided for 2001/2002 it means that opportunities for land acquisition might very well be lost, and this may mean major setbacks for other environmental programs including critical work on development of the natural resource damages action against GE for the damage caused by its release of PCBs into the Hudson River.
10/30/01 -- This from the EPA: Environmental Monitoring
Data Related to the World Trade Center Disaster Response
Available to Public EPA Invites Public to New Information
Repository in Lower Manhattan For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 30,
2001 (#01132) New York, N.Y. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
established an information repository containing environmental monitoring data gathered in response to
the World Trade Center disaster. The information is available at the EPA library located at
290 Broadway in lower Manhattan, which is the location of the agency's regional offices.
EPA began its environmental monitoring work on September 11, shortly after
the terrorist attacks occurred. Since then, the Agency has done extensive sampling and analysis of air quality and
dust throughout lower Manhattan and other potentially impacted areas, including Brooklyn, Staten Island and
northern New Jersey. EPA also gathered data on drinking water and river water and sediments. All of
this data is updated Monday through Friday and is available at EPA's regional library located on the 16th Floor
at 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The library is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. "We continue to closely monitor air quality and other environmental
conditions in and around ground zero," said William J. Muszynski, EPA Acting Regional Administrator. "While
we have fortunately not found levels of contaminants that pose a significant health risk to the general public, our
efforts to monitor the area and keep the public informed of our findings have not waned. We welcome all
concerned members of the public to our lower
Manhattan offices to review the information we've gathered and to visit our
website." Much of EPA's monitoring data, including data maps and general environmental
summaries, is available at EPA's website at www.epa.gov .
10/30/01 -- Is GE going to get away the EPA ruling that it clean up the PCB's in the Hudson River? In dredging debate, GE's role queried Democratic lawmakers concerned company may influence EPA plans WASHINGTON -- Five Democratic members of Congress, including Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, want to meet with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman, citing concerns that the General Electric Co. is trying to influence the agency's final plan to remove PCBs from the Hudson River. (Tuesday, October 30, 2001) TimesUnion.com
10/30/01 -- Global Warming is extremely critical. 2000 delegates from 160 countries are going to meet for two weeks in Marrakech, Morocco and the US only plans to take the sidelines in the UN's Climate Change Treaty. Read: Climate treaty talks move forward Nations hammer out language while U.S. sits on sidelines. --from MSNBC.com The world has helped the US in its fight against terrorism, even though the Bush administration reneged on its promise to help solve this problem. Now it's time to show the world that the US is ready to join in the global effort to curb Global Warming. From Grist Magazine: Tell Bush not to abandon Kyoto President Bush has already backtracked on his promise to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Now his administration has said that the Kyoto Protocol, the international treaty to reduce greenhouse gases, is "dead" and that the scientific evidence behind global warming is incomplete. Send Bush an email expressing your dismay. Action by Save Our Environment.
Take Action on the New York State Superfund! --this from the Citizen's Environmental Coalition: CLEAN UP NEW YORK'S TOXIC LEGACY: REFINANCE AND EXPAND STATE SUPERFUND New York's State Superfund is bankrupt as of April 1, 2001 with over a $50 million funding shortfall. The Governor and Legislature must act now to refinance Superfund before it runs out of money and halts cleanups at hundreds of toxic dumps. 800 LEAKING TOXIC DUMPS New York's State Superfund cleanup program has facilitated the remediation of 785 toxic dumps. Unfortunately, there are still approximately 800 toxic dumps in need of cleanup and 2,000 dumps in need of testing. An estimated $2.5 billion is needed to refinance the program.
Worried about our water? from SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT
ACTION CENTER
http://www.saveourenvironment.org
To send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, just go here:
http://www.saveourenvironment.org/action/index.asp?item=492&step=2
Even though arsenic causes cancer, and despite congressional and public
opposition, the Bush administration has suspended and proposed weakening a
new rule reducing the 'acceptable' level of arsenic in our drinking water.
The new standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb) is the result of more
than a decade of scientific reviews, public hearings, and discussions with
health experts and industry. The National Academy of Sciences recently found
that even 10 ppb may not be strict enough and presents a risk that is 30
times higher than EPA's highest acceptable cancer risk for drinking water
contaminants. The EPA is accepting public comments through October 31st on
where it should set the standard within a range of 3-20 ppb. Tell the
administration to stop caving in to industry pressure and to start
protecting our health by setting a stronger -- not weaker -- standard
for getting the arsenic out of our drinking water.
Remember, it's Deer Season: Car-Deer Accident Season According to the Department of Environmental Conservation more than a million deer are roaming New York State. The large number of deer coupled with the changing season and its understandable why this is a time of increased car-deer accidents. Motorist must especially be alert during dawn or dusk (Friday, October 26, 2001) RNews.
10/26/01 - Event: 'The Rewards of Regionalism' Start Time: 7:00 PM, Monday, November 5th. Evan Lowenstein of the Rochester Area Foundation and the Common Good Planning Center will speak on the topic of "The Rewards of Regionalism" from 7-8:45 PM in the Henrietta Public Library Community Room. An informal question/answer period and discussion will follow. Members of the public are welcome. To find out more: http://www.ggw.org/~hnu/
10/24/01 -- New page on RochesterEnviornment.com: Because of its extreme importance to our area, I have created a page Environmental Health where you can get news, resources, the answer to your environmental health questions.
10/23/01 -- Time to be proud of Rochester: ROCHESTER NAMED FINALIST IN WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETITION Mayor William A. Johnson, Jr., announced today that the City of Rochester has been named a finalist in the 2001 world-wide competition titled "Nations in Bloom," the leading international awards/competition, recognizing cities around the world for outstanding environmental practices. (Tuesday, October 23, 2001) Rochester City Hall
10/23/01 -- What is the quality of water in the Finger Lakes? Find out from the NYS DEC: Water Quality Study of the Finger Lakes from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation "The files listed below are parts of a report entitled "Water Quality Study of the Finger Lakes", which details work conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water over the past several years. The report is composed of two related components as follows: (1) Synoptic Water Quality component, and (2) Sediment Core component. The files are all in Adobe© Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is available at no cost from Adobe at the following web site: http://www.adobe.com
10/18/01 -- Food shortage, here's an item worth noting: Food donations dwindling Food cupboards are feeling the pinch as donations are headed to New York City instead of local pantries. The community has seen an impressive outpouring of support in the wake of the terrorist attacks that rocked the nation Sept. 11. People have donated everything from money, blood, clothing and food to aid those in need down in New York City. But volunteers at local food donation outlets are worried that people are forgetting about the people in their own backyards that are in need every day. (Thursday, October 18, 2001) Brighton-Pittsford Post
10/18/01 -- This is a crucial state-wide issue we are not paying attention to - despite major Superfund and Brownfield incidents in our area. Superfund Trouble Queens toxic waste sites still need cleanup - In 1983 when Radium Chemical Company abandoned its Woodside factory, which supplied hospitals with specially packaged radium to treat cancer patients, rods containing 120 curies of radioactivity were left buried in the ground. (Thursday, October 18, 2001) Newsday.com
10/18/01 -- This is an environmental story. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics is causing our environmental pests to grow more dangerous. Many People Purchasing Antibiotics For Anthrax Rochester, NY - Federal health officials are urging people not to buy or hoard the antibiotics used to treat anthrax. "The American Medical Association has issued a warning on its web site about buying any prescription drugs on line because there is no doctors supervision. They also say that using Cipro when you are not infected might lead to antibiotic resistance. (Thursday, October 18, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
10/16/01 -- This from our friends at the
Common
Good Planning Center: We have been requested by the NY Sustainable
Agriculture Working Group (NYSAWG) and Environmental Defense to write our US
Senators asking them to 1) Sign on to a "Dear Colleague" letter
regarding the need to deal in the next Agricultural Bill with the issue
of reduced competition among the buyers of ag products. We do not have
the time to verify thoroughly the facts alleged in the "Dear
Colleague" letter, but have been informed that they come from a set of
reports that were part of a project done for the National Farmers Union.
They may be found on the following web site if you wish to investigate this
further: http://www.foodcircles.missouri.edu/pub.htm
The reports and the "Dear Colleague" letter describe an issue that
should be of serious concern to anyone supporting the preservation of active
agriculture in our region. 2) Ensure that the Senate version of the Farm
Bill places a priority on regional equity and conservation by including $5.4
billion a year for conservation programs that reward farmers, ranchers, and
forest landowners who preserve open space, improve water quality, protect
public health, and create wildlife habitat. Attached are two documents that
give details of each effort, contact information, sample letters, and
talking points. We are forwarding these requests and background to you so
that you may give it serious consideration and follow through if you so
desire. Dr. Mary Jeanette Ebenhack Neil Jaschik
Administrative Coordinator Research Director, Common Good Planning Center,
34 Meigs Street, Rochester, NY 14607
(716) 442-2730 Fax: (800)-858-8245, www.ggw.org/commongood
10/16/01 -- Because of its importance to our own health and our our environment's, please take a moment and review the information on Anthrax by the Center For Disease Control. Anthrax The following documents have been developed to provide information pertaining to Anthrax that will help private and public healthcare providers develop plans to prepare for and respond to acts of bioterrorism. Also, The anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program in the U.S. Army Surgeon General's Office can be reached at 1-877-GETVACC (1-877-438-8222). http://www.anthrax.osd.mil
10/14/01 -- Because of the recent tragedies because of the terrorist act of Sept. 11, some environmentalist think that the EPA will drag their feet on getting General Electric to clean up the Hudson River. That would not be good. Read all about this issue in Multination Monitor's The Case Against GE
10/14/01 -- Read about RochesterEnvironment.com in this summer's issue of Choices - Bringing Environmental Health to the Classroom. - a publication of the University of Rochester, Environmental Heath Science Center. Go here to see the article about RochesterEnviornment.com http://www2.envmed.rochester.edu/envmed/ehsc/outreach/Choices_Newsletter.pdf
10/14/01 -- Check out some photographs of the Greece Canal Park before things start to change. Also, you can see lots of Rochester-area photographs on my RochesterEnviornment.com Photo Page.
10/14/01 -- Need a pet, want to find a stray pet? Go to the City's Rochester Animal Services (RAS) is dedicated to improving the quality of life and safety for city residents and their animals, the promotion of responsible pet ownership, and the reduction of animal overpopulation to reduce animal suffering and euthanasia. RAS enforces all New York State and City of Rochester ordinances pertaining to animal control. We operate an animal shelter for stray, injured, and disowned animals that serves both as an adoption center and as a site for locating lost pets. We strive to provide the best possible care for every animal in our charge.
10/14/01 -- There is still time to provide public comment of the cleaning up of the algae problem in Rochester Harbor. You have until October 31st, although the only place I've found mention of this is on the written version of the project mention on my action page. To see photos of the project and a full description of what the Army Corps. of Engineers is doing and the time schedule go here: Rochester 1135 Demonstration Project http://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/hot_topics/roch_index.html
10/12/01 -- Think we can dump our pollutions into our
vast oceans for ever and ever? Think again: Bleak
Story of Black Sea Highlighted in Global Assessment KALMAR/NAIROBI,
October 11, 2001 - One of the world's great seas is spiraling into decline
as a result of chronic over-fishing, high levels of pollution and the
devastating impacts of alien,
introduced, species, an international team of scientists is warning.
"The findings are a warning to the world that we cannot take the health
of our water systems for granted. We cannot treat them as dustbins without
far-reaching consequences. I hope these initial findings will galvanize the
countries bordering and using the Black Sea to act while there
is time" (October 11, 2001 -Yahoo Environment News
10/09/01 -- This from the EPA: THE BROWNFIELDS ECONOMIC
REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: PROPOSAL GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSMENT DEMONSTRATION
PILOTS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin to accept
proposals for the National Brownfields Assessment Pilots on October 5, 2001.
The brownfields assessment pilots (each funded up to $200,000 over two
years) test assessment models, and facilitate
coordinated assessment and cleanup efforts at the federal, state, and local
levels (see Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 66.811). In
fiscal year 2002, an additional $50,000 may be awarded to an applicant to
assess the contamination of a brownfields site(s) that is or will be used
for greenspace purposes. Greenspace purposes may include, but are not
limited to, parks, playgrounds, trails, gardens, habitat restoration, open
space, and/or greenspace preservation. EPA expects to select up to 38
additional National brownfields assessment pilots by April 2002. The
deadline for new
proposals for the 2002 assessment pilots is December 10 , 2001. All
proposals must be postmarked by USPS or delivered at U.S. EPA Headquarters
by other means, no later than December 10, 2001, and a duplicate copy sent
to the appropriate U.S. EPA Regional Office. Previously unsuccessful
applicants are advised that they must revise and resubmit their proposals to
be considered for the 2002 National assessment pilot competition. More
information on applying for a Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilot,
visit http://www.epa.gov/swerosps-test/bf/applicat.htm#apag
More information on existing Brownfields Assessment Demonstration Pilots,
visit http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/pilot.htm#assess.
10/06/01 -- Event: From the New York - Central & Western Chapter of the Nature Conservatory http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/centralwest/ Thousand Acre Swamp, Penfield, Monroe County, 9 am to 12 noon. Do something local for conservation. Volunteers needed for trial maintenance and preserve clean up. Please contact Pat Hume at 716-546-8030, ext. 29 or e-mail at phume@tnc.org for registration, directions and other pertinent information. Preregistration is highly recommended to ensure that all participants are notified about changes in schedule.
10/05/01 -- Some information from The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com PO Box 1020, Geneva, NY 14456 1-800-252-4461 The Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District provides habitat improvement services, including offering rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout in the fall. Information and order forms can be obtained by calling (716) 396-1450. Orders for trout should be placed by October 10th. Those placing orders will be notified at least one week prior to the date of delivery. The pick-up location is at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Center in Canandaigua.
10/04/01 -- Get involved with your community's environment: Help decide how redevelopment project in Rochester Harbor will proceed. Please provide your comments/recommendation by October 31, 2001. The redevelopment project includes the following features: 1. Realignment of Beach Avenue east of Lake Avenue. 2. Reconstruction and extension of River Street from Stutson Street into the port area. 3. Reconstruction of Latta Road east of Lake Avenue. 4. New access roads from Lake Avenue into the port area. 5. Parking and infrastructure improvements. 6. Construction of a customs station/ferry terminal/multi-use building and other requ9ired border crossing facilities to support operation of a fast ferry service between Rochester and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Installation of a public transient docking facility 7. New pedestrian trails along the river. First, request the Scoping Fact Sheet on the Rochester Harbor Section 107 Navigation Project, City of Rochester, Monroe County, New York. from the Department of the Army, Buffalo District, Corps of Engineers, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, New York 14207-3199. The purpose of this fact sheet is to inform affected agencies, organizations and the general public of the proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) activates and to elicit their concerns and recommendations. Then, review the preceding information and present any comments and recommendations in writing to Mr. Butler's attention at the following address: U.S. Army Cops of Engineers, Buffalo District, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14207-3199.
10/04/01 -- Event: From GENESEE VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY A New York Chapter of the National Audubon Society Wednesday, October 24, 2001 Toxic Chemicals and Ecology. Dr. James Haynes, a biology professor at SUNY-Brockport, will talk on endocrine disruptors in the environment and the human and wildlife health issues associated with them. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue in Brighton.
10/04/01 -- Events: Lots of events
at the New York State Department of Conservation at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg8/calendar.html#10-01
Also, Have an idea? SUGGEST IT!
DEC Region 8 wants to hear from you! We welcome any suggestions about how to
improve the quality of services we provide. Go to: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg8/suggest.html
10/03/01 -- Thinking of fixing up an old house with lead-based paint? Learn about abatement. Before you scrape, go to the Monroe County Department of Health, Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 111 Westfall Road, Room 838, Rochester, NY 14692, or phone: 716-274-6087.
10/02/01 -- As part of its Renaissance 2010 Plan, The city of Rochester has produced a Rochester-area Environmental Directory. It has highlighted many of our environmental concerns and provided information on who to call in case of a problem. For example, if you witness a dumping, you ... You can get a hold of the directory by writing to Anne Spaulding, City of Rochester, Division of Environmental Quality, 30 Church Street, Room 300 B, Rochester, NY 14614 (716-428-7474 or E-mail at aspauldi@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us
10/02/01 -- I'm passing this action alert from the Environmental Defense: Final House of Representatives Vote on Farming and the Environment! Take action and help fundamentally reform federal agriculture policies. You can take action on this alert http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/farm_reformII THIS WEEK, surprisingly, Congress will vote on a $170 billion farm bill that could hurt the environment. It curbs wetlands protections and subsidizes polluting factory farms. However, we can improve the bill by boosting funding to farmers who preserve water quality and open space, and protect public health and wildlife habitat. Help America's farmers help the environment!
10/02/01 -- Event: Living Under a Toxic Cloud - A teach-in on Kodak, Pollution, & Your Health. Saturday October 27th at SUNY Geneseo, NY. From 9 a.m - 3:45 p.m. Keynote speech by Neil Carman, Clean Air Program Director, Sierra Club on "Alternatives to Incineration" *Workshops on Kodak's Pollution, Dixon, Community Organizing, How you can hold New York's #1 Manufacturing Polluter accountable and more. Contact Kandid Coalition c/o Citizens Environmental Coalition, 425 Elmwood Ave., Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 885-6848. or E-mail at cecwny@buffnet.net.
9/30/01 -- If you didn't attend, last night the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club hosted a great show: Forever Wild combines Walkin' Jim Stoltz's original folk music and narration with his slides of nature taken on his annual six-week hikes. The result is a powerful program sharing the magic and inspiration of the wild. If you miss the event, find out all about Walkin' Jim at http://www.walkinjim.com/
9/30/01 -- I'm passing on this message: Non-profit organizations and local education agencies can now apply for funding through the US Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Education Grants Program. Fiscal Year 2002 Solicitation Notices have been mailed to recipients and applicants of past funding rounds but any organization or agency interested in applying for a grant in 2002 is welcome to apply. Solicitation notices may be obtained at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/solnotice01.html. The deadline for applications is November 15, 2001 and grant announcements will be made in June 2002.
9/30/01 -- Event: "Genetically Modified Foods: Do we have a choice anymore?" 1 p.m., Sunday October 7, 2001 at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton RD., Rochester, NY. Sponsored by the Choices & Environmental Task Force and the Population and Sustainability Committee of the the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club. Presented by Kelly Flegel, Executive Director of the New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. "Genetic Engineering is used to produce food. It is incorporated into seeds, injected into cows, and implanted in fish. It shows up on our breakfast, lunch, and dinner plate in various forms and many products. If we choose to not want this in our food, the choices we have are getting fewer and fewer. In the presentation and discussion, you will find out why genetic engineering is occurring in our food production system, who benefits now and tomorrow, and whether of not our choices have already been made for us." Call 716-335-2623 for more information.
9/30/01 -- Event: TOUR OF SOLAR HOMES - 10:00 am–4 pm, Saturday, Oct. 13th, Six area homeowners have reduced their dependence on utility-provided energy by generating electricity through solar and wind power. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 13, the general public is welcome to tour their homes and see first hand how renewable energy works. The homeowners are participating in the National Tour for Solar Homes sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. For more information, and to obtain directions to the sites, contact Nancy Allinger at 716-624-2382 or at allinbas@frontiernet.net. Check out these web sites: www.ASES.org and "www.NESEA.org" for national and regional information. Check out www.RenewableEnergyWorks.com after September 15 for local information. Free admission.
9/29/01 -- Event: Finger Lakes Regional lead Conference 2001 - at Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, NY 14621, TWIG Auditorium, October 2, 2001. Registration begins at 9:15 am. Welcome Everyone! Programs will include "Strategy for Primary Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning." "Neurobehavioral Costs of Low Level lead Exposure" "Opportunities to Advance Primary Prevention" and a panel discussion. If you haven't already done so already, please contact Pat Boprey to register for this conference" phone: 716-922-3983. or e-mail: pat.boprey@viahealth.org
9/28/01 -- Event One-stop drop for home wastes, donations CHILI (Friday, September 28, 2001) -- Tomorrow, residents of Gates, Chili, Wheatland and Scottsville can safely dispose of hazardous household waste and donate unwanted clothing, shoes, housewares and small appliances -- all in one place. The county Department of Environmental Services has organized a Household Hazardous Waste Collection from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the town of Chili highway garage, 3235 Chili Ave. (Friday, September 28, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
9/28/01 -- New Calendar: Because RochesterEnvironment.com's calendar service has gone down, I've signed up with a new calendar. For now, and maybe from now on, go this this address for RochesterEnvironment.com Environmental Events Calendar: http://www.localendar.com/public/FrankRxRx
9/27/01 -- Event: From The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com PO Box 1020, Geneva, NY 14456 1-800-252-4461 --There will be a New York State Waterfowl Identification Course held on September 27th from 7 to 10 pm at the Department of Environmental Conservation office in Savannah. Successful completion of this course is a requirement to hunt waterfowl on the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and certain state Wildlife Management Areas. There is no charge for the course, but participants are asked to register in advance. Call (315) 365-2134 for more information.
9/27/01 -- Here's an interesting online service from ForMyWorld: Get Your Free Local Report Pollution: Find out who's polluting in your neighborhood. Get information on air, water, land and toxics. Gardening Find plants that thrive in your region. Get regional gardening tips. Nature What birds, mammals, reptiles or amphibians live in your area? Recycling Find out about 15 different categories of products in your zip code.
9/27/01 -- Don't miss this meeting: "The city's most pressing environmental problem is the effect of lead paint. According to New York Public Interest Research Group, Monroe County had the highest percentage of lead cases among counties for children born in 1994 and tested before 1996. The problem is acute in Rochester, where 80 percent of the housing stock has lead paint. The majority of homes in the city were built before 1950. Lead paint was banned in 1978." --from Session set on city hazards -- The city is kicking off a campaign to educate residents about potential environmental issues and dangers in city neighborhoods from aging housing, former industrial plants and even household chemicals and waste. (Thursday, September 27, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
9/26/01 -- Important Notice: Senate Trying to Sneak Arctic Drilling into Defense Bills - Information From Atlantic Chapter - Sierra Club- Senator James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma, has filed amendments to the Defense Authorization bill (S.1348) that would mandate drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other sensitive areas. Both amendments authorize new and harmful spending including at least $38 billion in oil, coal, nuclear and auto subsidies (the same that passed in the controversial House energy bill, H.R. 4, in early August). We must ensure that these amendments do not become attached to important national defense legislation. This amendments may come to the floor today or tomorrow. Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer are pretty good on energy, but it can't hurt to remind them of our beliefs. senator@clinton.senate.gov 202-224-4451; senator@schumer.sentate.gov 202-224-6542
9/26/01 -- This from the Nature Conservancy: Photography Exhibition Online "In Response to Place," a photography exhibition of Nature Conservancy preserves created by a dozen renown artists, can now be viewed at the Conservancy's Web site, nature.org. The 130-photo exhibition, commissioned to observe the 50th anniversary of The Nature Conservancy, will begin a four-year international tour next month. The Conservancy decided to make a selection of these images available on the web so that everyone can enjoy the artists' passion for "The Last Great Places."
9/26/01 -- This from the Daily Messenger: Residents who live along the [Canandaigua] lake are asked to contact Olvany at (716) 396-3630 if they see zebra mussel shells washing up on their beach or if they have noticed a decline in mussels along their shoreline.
9/26/01 -- Event: Pittsford walking series combine nature and history Sunday events, which include breakfast, begin at the DelMonte Lodge and go along Lock 62.Interested in nature and history? Then you may enjoy a series of walks that begin at Pittsford's DelMonte Lodge Erie Grill and head to Lock 62 before returning. Dick Freitas of Penfield, a local trail enthusiast and trustee of the 1000 Acre Swamp Sanctuary, is organizing the walks that begin Sunday, Sept. 23. Walks will begin with a 9 a.m. breakfast buffet talk, followed by a two-hour walk. Walkers return at noon to the DelMonte Lodge, 41 N. Main St., Pittsford. (Wednesday, September 26, 2001) Brockport Post
9/26/01 -- Important from New York Rural Water Association: PREPARE FOR WINTER With winter soon upon us it's time to start thinking about winterizing your system. I know many of us try to do this in conjunction with deer season. You can start with your fire hydrants. Sometimes they don't shut down all the way or the drains may be plugged. It's very easy to check them. Just tie a 3/4 inch nut on to a string and lower it into the barrel of each hydrant. If you hear a splash or the string comes up wet, you need to pump it out. You must make sure your hydrants will operate throughout the winter. We all know the things we need to do, lets get them done so you can go chase that big buck. SECURE YOUR SYSTEMS: We have been asked to post the following on our web page: A Terrorist Threat Advisory has been for all geographic areas of the United States. This Advisory, intended for all infrastructures, has been sent by the FBI to all Federal facilities and to local law enforcement officials. All infrastructures should heighten physical and cyber security efforts. The advisory will last thirty days, until October 11, unless extended.
9/25/01 -- Event: Cornell Cooperative
Extension Master Gardeners are offering a Fall Garden Symposium on October
13th at DiPacific's Restaurant in Farmington. Subjects to be discussed
include "Discouraging Deer Damage for Homeowners," and
"Putting Your Garden to Bed." The registration deadline is
September 26th. To register, or to obtain more information, call (716)
396-3977, x38. --from The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com
PO Box 1020, Geneva, NY 14456 1-800-252-4461
9/25/01 -- Important information about children and the dangers of arsenic: Arsenic fears resurface Playground safety has long centered on children's cuts, bumps and falls, but concerns about exposure to arsenic in pressure-treated wood have quietly resurfaced. Pressure-treated wood, a staple of outdoor construction for nearly 70 years, contains a pesticide, chromated copper arsenicals (CCA), which protects the wood from insects and decay. It also contains inorganic arsenic, a poison and possible carcinogen that can be harmful if digested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. (Tuesday, September 25, 2001) Finger Lakes Times.
9/25/01 -- Don't miss this important series by PBS that begins this week: Evolution Knowledge of how evolution works is critical to understanding our environmental peril. Frequently questions asked about evolution.
9/24/01 -- Event: Community Environmental Symposium: Urban Environmental Issues, October 1, 2001, 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm, Rochester Museum and Science Center Eisenhart Auditorium, For more information, please call Mark Gregor at (716)248-5978, This event is free and open to the general public Refreshments will be served. Presentations: Keynote Speaker, Erin Crotty, Commissioner, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Who do you call to solve, report, or learn more about environmental issues? Frank Ricotta -NYS Dept. of Environ. Conservation. Urban environmental health hazards - Lead poisoning, Dr. David Broadbent - Rochester Lead-Free Coalition, Dr. Andrew Doniger - Director, Monroe County Health Dept., Property contamination - "Brownfields", Mark Gregor - City of Rochester, Division of Environmental Quality Eileen George - WAAM Neighborhood Group Leader, Handling and disposal of household hazardous waste, Tom Sinclair - Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services, Water Education Collaborative, Margit Brazda - Director, Water Education Collaborative, Symposium sponsors: City of Rochester, University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center http://www2.envmed.rochester.edu/envmed/
9/24/01 -- Event tomorrow: Lima to discuss land use Public meeting seeks community input in revising comprehensive plan LIMA-- A public information meeting will be held tomorrow to discuss revamping the town's comprehensive plan on land development. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Lima Courthouse, 7321 East Main St. (Monday, September 24, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
9/23/01 -- Sierra Club's Second Annual Fall Festival 9/29 - On Saturday, September 29th, at 6:30 PM at the Quaker Meeting House on 84 Scio St. Rochester the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club is sponsoring its second very successful Fall Festival.
9/23/01 -- Important Event today: Rally set against soccer complex GREECE - A citizens group trying to block the construction of a soccer complex next to Greece Canal Park will hold a public rally Saturday to gain support for its cause. The rally, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the park off Elmgrove Road, will feature speakers opposed to the soccer complex, as well as performances by musicians. (Sunday, September 23, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
9/22/01 -- This from The Town Crier News: "Governor George Pataki urges all to support the newly established New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund. Those wishing to learn more about the fund, or to make a donation, may call 1-800-801-8092 or visit www.state.ny.us
9/21/01 -- Event: from The Town Crier News: The 28th Annual celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day will be held in East Avon on September 22nd and 23rd on the theme, "A Natural Invitation to Step Outdoors." The festivities will run from 10 am to 5 pm each day and the Department of Environmental Conservation Office. Call (716) 226-2466 for further information.
9/21/01 -- Event: from The Town Crier News: Cumming Nature Center in Naples will hold their Mushroom Festival on September 23rd from 12 noon to 4 pm. Through guided walks and tasty treats, participants will learn everything they ever wanted to know about mushrooms. For details, call (716) 374-6160.
9/21/01 -- Event: from Kandid
Coalition: The next Kandid Coalition meeting will be on Thursday October
4th at 6:30pm
at the Rochester Public Library. Directions to that are below. At this
meeting we will be working on finishing up the final touches to organizing
the Teach-In on Kodak which will be on Saturday October 27th at SUNY
Geneseo.
9/21/01 -- This from Health-Track.org: "Federal Policymakers Hear Need for Health Tracking The need for a nationwide health tracking network has been recognized because you have spoken out with force about the basic public health protections you deserve in your community. Fifty-nine members of the 107th Congress have expressed support in statements or letters for improving the nation's ability to track chronic disease community by community and monitor environmental factors that may be linked." Also, Map Cancer Deaths and Toxic Releases --from Health-Tracker.org New system offers access to combined data on rates for cancers known or suspected to have environmental causes and toxic chemical releases of known or probable carcinogens.
9/21/01 -- Important information if you are repainting your old home: What Home Owners Need to Know About Removing Lead-Based Paint The complete What Home Owners Need to Know About Removing Lead-Based Paint brochure is available as an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file (size 159 KB). NOTE: If work is being done under an order from a government agency, any method for removing lead-based paint should be cleared with that agency. Special regulations or conditions may apply. Before the 1970s, household paint often contained lead. As lead paint ages, it can chip or crumble into dust. Exposure to lead-paint dust or chips can cause serious health problems. Children and pregnant women are at higher risk. So, if you live in or own an older home, you need to know how to protect yourself and others.
9/21/01 -- Here's a great way to help save energy. Check out this carpooling site: CarPoolConnect.com Recently commuters have made carpooling one of the most popular ways of saving money and the environment by sharing a ride to and from their destination. Carpools are incredibly simple to arrange. With carpoolconnect.com anyone wishing to find fellow commuters to carpool with can easily perform a search for someone in their area and contact them directly through the site. This is accomplished without compromising any ones security. All communication happens through carpoolconnect.com's messaging service.
9/21/01 -- If you helped out in this great effort, you probably want to know the results: Coastal Cleanup nets 3,600 lbs. of trash Saturday's volunteer effort was based at Durand Eastman beach and park. More than 200 volunteers collected almost two tons of trash Saturday to clean up area waterfronts and parks. They were all participating in this year's International Coastal Cleanup on organized by the Water Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. (Friday, September 21, 2001) Irondequoit Post
9/21/01 -- This from the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA): The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
will begin to accept proposals for the FY 2002 Brownfields Cleanup Revolving
Loan Fund (BCRLF) Pilots on September 20, 2001 (Catalogue of Federal
Domestic Assistance #: 66811). The Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund
pilots (each may be funded up to $1,000,000 per eligible entity) enable
States, Indian Tribes, and political subdivisions to facilitate the cleanup
and redevelopment of brownfields properties. The pilots test revolving loan
fund models that assist with the coordination of public and private cleanup
efforts. EPA expects to select up to 25 additional Brownfields Cleanup
Revolving Loan Fund pilots by March 2002. The deadline for new proposals for
the FY 2002 Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund pilots is November 15,
2001. All proposals must be postmarked by USPS, or delivered at U.S. EPA
Headquarters by other means, no later than November 15, 2001 and a duplicate
copy sent to the appropriate U.S. EPA Regional Office. To retrieve the
Proposal Guidelines for Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund pilots
visit: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/applicat.htm#guide
For more general information on existing Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan
Fund pilots, visit that page at: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/rlflst.htm
For general information on the U.S. EPA's Brownfields Program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
9/19/01 -- Here's an interesting environmental news item that could have affected our area that did not show up in our local news: "As a consequence of last week's terrorist attacks, the U.S. Energy Department has cancelled a shipment of high-level nuclear waste that was scheduled to be transported from New York state to Idaho by train this summer. Anti-nuke activists had dubbed the shipment a "mobile Chernobyl" and were planning to raise a ruckus when the freight train came through. They argue that such shipments are vulnerable to accidents and attacks." Kansas City Star 18 Sep 2001 <http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/local.pat,local/3accfb88.917,.html> --from Grist Magazine.
9/18/01 -- Get rid of your hazardous waste safely: County Hosts Another Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, September 29th. Residents can drop off itmes, by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Town of Chili Highway Garage, 3235 Chili Ave. To make an appointment for this collection, call the Town of Chili Highway, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., at 889-2630. PDF Link: HHW Chili Collection 9 29 01.pdf
9/16/01 -- Event: CEI Annual Community Solute to the Environment On October 24, 2001 the Center for Environmental Information will hold its annual Community Salute to the Environment. This year our guest speaker will be Nathaniel E. Robinson, chairman of the Great lakes Commission. Mr. Robinson was elected to his position in October 2000 and the central theme for his leadership is Ensuring Prosperity for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region. This theme will guide the development of a bold agenda that will be implemented by fully utilizing a broad team approach designed to tap the talent, interest, expertise and contribution of the Commission and its many partners and supporters. The strategy includes prudent policy development, increased information sharing and improved effectiveness of the Commission's advocacy initiatives for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region regarding environmental protection, resource management, transportation, and sustainable and economic development initiatives. Under Robinson's leadership, the Commission is developing a more focused advocacy strategy for Congress to ensure that prosperity for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is a priority. The Community Salute begins with 6:00 p.m. reception and dinner immediately following, at the Hyatt Regency on Main Street in Rochester, New York. For further information and reservations, please contact the CEI office. CEI, 55 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14604, (716) 262-2870 email ceiroch@aol.com
9/16/01 -- Lots of programs for putting your garden and pond away for the winter at RochesterGarden.org's Calendar Page.
9/15/01 -- If you are thinking of buying a new car, what are the best cars for our environment? At 2001 Fuel Economy Site by the EPA find the official information on auto fuel economy, "the federal government's fuel economy website has recently been retooled with an added gasoline price page and information on vehicle safety and air pollution." --from Yahoo.com
9/14/01 -- Don't forget this Event: 15th Annual International Coastal Cleanup Doing our part along the Genesee River and Lake Ontario Who: Organized by the Water Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum and Science Center in partnership with Monroe County, the City of Rochester, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Monroe County 4-H Club, Town of Irondequoit, and the Adirondack Mountain Club. What: Volunteer based cleanup event along the Genesee River and Durand Eastman Beach. Volunteers will collect and record the types of trash found on data cards. This information will be added to a nation-wide database and part of an international effort. When: 9 AM- 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 15th - Rain or Shine “Trash Bash” held from 12 noon- 1 p.m. with lunch and games/prizes Where: Four sites to choose from: Genesee Valley Park, Durand Eastman Beach, Turning-Point Park, and Seth Green fishing site (in the Maplewood Park area) Why: Last year, approximately 250,000 pounds of debris were collected from over 1000 sites worldwide. The Rochester community is joining in this extensive effort to protect and restore our unique community resource. Schedule of Events: · Arrive at the cleanup location where you would like to participate. · Enjoy a complimentary breakfast of bagels, juice and coffee. · Cleanup! You will be given gloves, bags, and data cards to record the garbage you collect. · When you are finished, come to Durand Eastman Park for lunch and entertainment at our “Trash Bash”. Enjoy live music and games, and be entered in a raffle to win a dinner cruise from the Harbor Town Bell and Mr. Dominic’s, passes to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and much more! Registration: We are encouraging those who wish to participate to pre-register for the event. (But walk-ins are always welcome!). To register, contact: Margit Brazda (716) 271-4552 ext. 320 Or email: margit_brazda@rmsc.org Please give us your name, address, day-time phone number, and at which location you wish to participate. If you are registering a group, in addition to this information, please provide us with your group name and number of participants and the name of the contact person.
9/14/01 -- Event: The Science Behind Forest management in Watersheds "A Symposium for Watershed Stewards" September 26, 2001 Kingston, New York. The symposium will feature science-based presentations that provide the empirical foundation for managing forested watersheds. Presentations will examine some of the latest research on the relationship between harvesting trees and nutrient cycling, synthesize established research on the effectiveness of Best Management Practices in controlling erosion and sedimentation on harvest sites, and discuss the impacts of increasing forestland parcelization on watershed management. The symposium will provide practical information for on-the-ground management and decision-making.
9/14/01 -- Event: Federal and State Wetland Regulations and Information Resources Seminar - How the 2001 supreme Court ruling affects wetland regulations, The role of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in wetland permitting, Wetland Analysis Using GIS and Easily available information Resources. Monday, September 24, 2001, 4-7PM Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Auditorium, 249 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY. Cost: $10.00. If you have questions or need additional information please call Louise Hartshorn at 760-7540.
9/14/01 -- I'm passing this on: American Tragedy - Your Help is Needed Donate Now! We are all deeply saddened by the tragedies of this week. You can help now by supporting relief efforts. Relief organizations tell us that they most need cash donations to fund special resources and personnel. To make a donation or learn more about these organizations, click the Donate Now links below. 100% of your donation will go directly to these relief organizations.
9/14/01 -- I'm passing this message along: Environmental
Organizations Mobilizing to Help Victims of Terrorist Attacks in New
York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. American Oceans Campaign extends our
sympathy to the victims of this week's senseless violence. In response to
this tragedy, we are joining hands with many of the Action Network partner
groups to mobilize more than 1,000,000 email activists to take action in a
new way to make an online donation to organizations working tirelessly to
assist victims of the terror, their families and rescue workers. As an
action network member of American Oceans Campaign, we ask that you please
consider giving online to any of the following organizations: The September
11th Fund (http://actionnetwork.org/ct/b71l.s41uqDq/):
Created by the United Way and The New York Community Trust, the September
11th fund provides needed services to victims and their families. The
American Red Cross (http://actionnetwork.org/ct/bd1l.s41uqD1/):
The Red Cross is providing immediate disaster mass care and blood to victims
and emergency workers in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania
following the attacks of September 11. Helping.org (http://actionnetwork.org/ct/b11l.s41uqJC/):
A comprehensive listing of online donation opportunities to help in this
time of need. Thank you for taking action online to help those in need
during this tragedy. Sincerely, American Oceans Campaign Visit the web
address below and tell your friends about
this important issue! http://actionnetwork.org/join-forward.html?domain=aocdc&r=Zd1l.s41uc-A
9/12/01 - Event: Wednesday, September 26, 2001 Important Bird Areas/Forest Biodiversity/Joint Audubon and Cornell University Laboratory or Ornithology Project. Dr. Michael Burger, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon New York, will speak on IBA's, the Forest Biodiversity Stewardship Program, and the Grassland Bird Conservation Project. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue in Brighton --from the GENESEE VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY A New York Chapter of the National Audubon Society Serving the communities of Western New York State in Monroe County and parts of Genesee, Livingston and Ontario Counties. The Mission of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society is to promote conservation of the Environment and advocacy for its protection, focusing on birds and other wildlife in Western New York.
9/12/01 -- Event: On Wednesday, October 24, 2001 Toxic Chemicals and Ecology Dr. James Hayens, a biology professor at SUNY Brockport, will talk on endocrine disruptors in the environment and the human and wildlife health issues associated with them. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue in Brighton. --from the GENESEE VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY A New York Chapter of the National Audubon Society Serving the communities of Western New York State in Monroe County and parts of Genesee, Livingston and Ontario Counties. The Mission of the Genesee Valley Audubon Society is to promote conservation of the Environment and advocacy for its protection, focusing on birds and other wildlife in Western New York.
9/12/01 -- No Environmental News to report admits the tragic crisis our county is experiencing with the recent terrorist attack.
9/10/01 -- Save Our Seneca Park - Learn about the expansion of the Seneca Park Zoo into Seneca Park from these two excellent site that will give you complete information: The Seneca Park ALLIANCE & Friends and Neighbors of Seneca Park. One of the most important things you can do is contact your Monroe County Legislature representative personally by phone. Don't know who your Monroe County Legislature representative is? Go here: Legislators Preview legislative district maps and link to your local representative.
9/10/01 -- Important information for Brighton: On Thursday, September 14th, the Town of Brighton's Corbett's Glen Advisory Committee will hold a public information meeting to update Brighton residents on plans for the town's newly acquired nature park. Parks and Recreation Director Jerry LaVigne says that the committee is making progress but that additional input from residents is needed. --Town of Brighton News
9/10/01 -- Green Solitaire, Where individuals matter to Earth, has its own domain name http://greensolitaire.org
9/09/01 -- Interesting quote on measures to control the West Nile Virus: "A New York State Wildlife official has discovered that of birds collected for a study on West Nile Virus, more died from pesticide poisoning, than from the virus itself." --from Your Health & The Environment, a publication of the Environmental Health Sciences Center, Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.
9/08/01 -- Just when you thought the EPA could finally make an important environmental decision, it looks like it's going to waver again over the most important pollution issue in this state: EPA floats possibility of more dredge input Albany -- Additional public comment may be sought on PCB plan The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may allow additional public comment on a plan to dredge PCBs from the Hudson River, a move that could delay the targeted 2004 start of the project. (Saturday, September 8, 2001) Times Union
9/08/01 -- Big Environmental Event: On October 11th & 12th (a Thursday and Friday) in Buffalo the Green Gold Expo. Green Business Exposition to be Held at the Buffalo Convention Center BUFFALO, NY, September 7, 2001 - Buffalo's Green Gold Development Corporation is proud to announce its first business Exposition to be held at the Buffalo Convention Center on October 11-12, 2001. Green Gold's 2001 Exposition is the 21st century equivalent of the Pan-American Exposition of 1901. It will present environmental technology as a defining theme for the region's future. (September 8, 2001) Yahoo News According to Yahoo news, these are the stated goals of the Green Gold Expo: 1.Promote and strengthen the environmental business cluster in the WNY region.2. Showcase thriving corporate models of environmental stewardship & sustainability policy. 3.Demonstrate to youth and the general public that there is an environmental job market.4. Raise awareness of the "Next Industrial Revolution" where businesses redefine themselves in terms of ecological compatibility.
9/07/01 -- This from the Kandid
Coalition: Reclaim the Air from Corporate Polluters! On
Saturday, October 2oth, the Kandid Coalition is organizing a regional
Teach-In on Kodak at SUNY Geneseo
where we will educate and empower people from all across Western New York to
hold one of new York's biggest corporate polluters accountable. Workshops at
the Teach-In will include: Kodak's Pollution 101, Community Organizing 101,
Health issues surrounding Kodak, Title V & Kodak, and many more!
Now is the time to pull together. We must help corporations to
understand that there are alternatives to incineration. We must make
the connection between the documented health problems in Rochester and the
fact that we live next to the largest emitter of carcinogens in the
country. JOIN US. Challenge Kodak to protect the health of the people
of Rochester. For more information or to register contact the Western
New York office of Citizens
Environmental Coalition (CEC) at 716-885-6848 pr at cecwny@buffnet.net.
Western NY Office
425 Elmwood Avenue, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14222, 716-885-6848, Fax:
716-885-6845
9/07/01 -- Event: Tour of Solar Homes 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday, October 13. Six area homeowners have reduced their dependence on utility-provided energy by generating electricity through solar and wind power. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 13th, the general public is welcome to tour their homes and see first hand how renewable energy works. The home owners are participating in the National Tour For Solar Homes sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. For more information, and to obtain directors to the sites, contact Nancy Alinger at 716-624-2382 or at allinbas@frontiernet.net Check www.RenewableEnergyWorks.com after September 15th for local information. Free Admission.
9/06/01 -- Ansel Adams and the Sierra Club. Did you know that Ansel Adams was not only a member of the Sierra Club, but on its board of directors for over thirty years? His photographs and philosophy greatly influenced the one-hundred-year history of the Sierra Club. You would have found out this and much more from the lecture provided by Hugh Mitchell and Dr. Raymond Nelson today at the Curtis Theater, George Eastman House. Hugh Mitchell, chairperson of the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club, and Raymond Nelson, former chairperson and photographer and publications director of The Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club, discussed Ansel Adams and the Sierra Club with a wonderful slideshow. The Curtis Theater was full and we all learned much about our environment. This lecture was in conjunction with In Praise of Nature: Ansel Adams and Photographers of the American West. Included with museum admission: To find out what the Rochester branch of the Sierra Club is up to and has been for several years, check our their Ecologue Newsletter.
9/05/01 -- This important public environmental event from the University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center: A Joint Symposium on Community Environmental Issues will be hold on Monday October 1, 2001 at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Eisenhart Auditorium at 7:00 PM. The objectives of the Symposium are to provide basic information and guidance on environmental issues of concern to the citizens of Rochester and to develop an understanding of other environmental issues and problems perceived by the community. The University of Rochester Outreach Program is collaborating with the City of Rochester 2010 Renaissance program to present a panel of local environmental leaders who will discuss issues that affect our neighborhoods. For additional information contact; mgregor@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us or call (716) 428-5978.
9/03/01 -- Important public information: If you live in Penfield: The Penfield Town Board will consider adopting an open space plan at its meeting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 3100 Atlantic Ave. For details, call 340-8600. (Tuesday, September 4, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
9/03/01 -- School opens. Do you know the pesticide law and schools? Pesticide law looms for area's schools - Within the next few days, K-12 schools statewide will be required to give parents, guardians and staff the chance to be notified in advance of pesticide use. The new law, which took effect July 1, covers all private, parochial, public and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) schools. (Monday, September 3, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE To see the law in full, go to:www.assembly.state.ny.us
9/01/01 -- This in from the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club: Breaking news from Albany! Governor Pataki Has just called a special session for this coming Tuesday, September 4, to deal with the State Superfund! Superfund has been one of our top legislative priorities for the last couple of years. (In the text of this e-mail you will find the Atlantic Chapter's resolution on Superfund/Brownfields) Please call Gov. Pataki, Senator Joseph Bruno, and Speaker Silver with this message or one like it: "It is important to me and my family that you refinance Superfund to clean up all contaminated sites to pre-disposal conditions within ten years, and that you include funding for community groups to participate in the remedy selection and cleanup processes" To Write To The Governor: Governor George E. Pataki, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224, To Email The Governor: gov.pataki@chamber.state.ny.us, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS. All responses will be sent via the U.S. Mail. The phone numbers: Gov. Pataki: 518.474.8390, Senator Bruno: Albany Office: 518.455.3191, District Office: 518.583.4458, Speaker Silver: Albany Office: 518.4553791, District Office: 212.312.1400. Call Bruno and Silver in both of their offices if you desire, or just call their Albany office. Also, please call your own State Senator and Assemblymember and give them the message too! If you need to find their phone numbers you can call the Legislative information line in Albany, those numbers are: 518.455.2800 for the Senate, 518.455.4100 for the Assembly
8/31/01 -- This just in: Pinnacle Hill TV Tower Info Page -Background: There is action before the Brighton NY Planning Board to allow the addition of a new Digital TV tower on Pinnacle Hill by American Tower. As of mid-summer 2001, there is still a concern about RFI and who will pay to remedy any new interference problems residents will have when the tower and 5 new TV transmitters go into service before May 2002.Impact on the Residents: Many of us, particularly those near Pinnacle Hill, already have some type of interference issue, often as simple as poor TV reception. The addition of the tower is just the start of the DTV roll-out. By May 2002, there'll be more stations on the hill. Logically, it would seem that there would be a greater risk of interference. Schedule: Next Meeting, Planning Board on September 12, 2001 (1 week early) FCC deadline for DTV operation to begin is 5/1/02
8/31/01 -- I don't know about you, but this story sends chills down my spine. It's clear to me that we don't get it. That is, it is clear that despite all indications that there is a severe degradation to our environment by our way of life, we continue on as if our environmental problems are simply problems we'll have to get around to solving someday. Only, I don't think it's going to be that simple. Astronaut Cites Environmental Damage LONDON (AP) - The view from space of a bright blue Earth is becoming marred by smoke and dust as environmental destruction grows increasingly visible, the commander of the International Space Station said Friday. U.S. astronaut Frank Culbertson told the British Broadcasting Corp. that the view had changed markedly since his first space mission in 1990. (Friday, August 31, 2001) Yahoo News
8/30/01 -It's a little late, as most requests for public input statements are around Rochester, but here it is: Lake Avenue project gets public hearing The state Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday to solicit comments about $10 million facelift for Lake Avenue. (Thursday, August 30, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/30/01 -Interested in the goings on with Rochester's
favorite project, the Fast-Ferry? You
can read the in the D&C article City
Council to vote on ferry lease Rochester City Council is expected
to vote Thursday on a lease agreement between the city and Canadian American
Transportation Systems. READ FERRY LEASE AGREEMENT
(Thursday, August 30, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND
CHRONICLE
8/30/01 -- Event worth checking out: What: Rochester
School for the Deaf Adventures in Education Program
OCEAN ODYSSEY 2001, Speaker: Jean Michel-Cousteau, When: Mr. Cousteau’s
presentation offered two nights Wednesday, October 3, 2001 or Thursday,
October 4, 2001, Reception: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m., Program: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Rochester School for the Deaf, 1545 St. Paul Street, Rochester, New
York, Reception and Community Presentation - open to the public, Ticket
prices: Regular ticket: $40 - Patron ticket: $75, Special Ticket Offer: This
year, if your ticket order is postmarked by September 10, your name will be
entered in a special 125th Anniversary drawing to win two roundtrip airline
tickets courtesy of JetBlue Airways from Rochester to anywhere JetBlue flies
in the continental United States. For more information, please contact
Rochester School for the Deaf’s Development office at (716) 544-1240
8/18/01 -- My thanks to the University of Rochester Environmental Health Sciences Center for doing an essay on RochesterEnvironment.com in "Choices."
8/28/01 -- Know of any
Brownfields
around Rochester? Maybe the EPA can help. The
Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Initiative: Proposal Guidelines for
Brownfields Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilots
The Environmental Protection Agency will accept applications for Brownfields
Job Training and Development Demonstration Pilots through October 19, 2001.
EPA expects to select approximately 10 Brownfields Environmental Job
Training and Development pilots by the end of December 2001.
8/24/01 -- Sign a petition! Help our Acid Rain problem in New York State. Support Sen. Schumer & Clean Air Act Let our NYS Senator Charles Schumer that we support his block of an EPA administration official until the Bush Administration fully supports our Clean Air Act.
8/24/01 -- Here's an interesting thought. If President Bush can give away billions of tax dollars, why must we abandon an important satellite that monitors the ozone layer? NASA Pulls Plug on Costly Satellite LOS ANGELES (AP) - NASA (news - web sites) is ending a satellite mission that kept tabs on the hole in Earth's ozone layer because the space agency can't afford the $10 million-a-year bill. (Friday, August 24, 2001) Yahoo News
8/22/01 -- Find out about Second Life Bikes: Second Life Bikes' (SLB) mission is to provide bikes and bike services to children of low income families. We take in bikes that are no longer being used or are thrown away and give them a second life, but SLB does not accept monetary donation at this time.
8/22/01 -- What's your impact on air pollution? Go to Airhead.org's Calculator and find out: Yes, the United States emits too much pollution, but what does that have to do with me? Guess what, you pollute. (Shocking, we realize.) Now that that's settled…the question is, should you be more worried about the impact of driving to the ski slopes every weekend or jetting to Aruba once a month? This is the place to find out.
8/21/01 -- SIERRA CLUB FALL FESTIVAL FUND RAISER 9/29 -
On Saturday, September 29th, at 6:30 PM at the
Friends Meeting House on 84 Scio St. Rochester the Rochester Regional Group of the
Sierra Club is sponsoring its second very successful Fall Festival.
Tickets
will be $15, $12 for Children and Senior Citizens. Free parking in the East End garage. Tickets can be bought in advance by call the Sierra Club
number 420-4363, and leaving a message with a phone number and best time to
call. Or contact at this e-mail address:
rochester_sierra@yahoo.com
This year we will have a special program that includes Walkin' Jim
Stoltz. "Bring the wild to your community gathering with one of Walkin'
Jim's award-winning multimedia programs of music, poetry and slides from his
long treks." A stirring
journey in song, slides, stories and poetry across the wide open spaces and
through the windows of time with a man who has walked over 23, 000 miles
through north American wildlands. Find out all about Walkin' Jim at
http://www.walkinjim.com/
Proceeds to benefit the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club. http://newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester/index.html
8/21/01 -- We should all contact Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)- to show our support for his efforts: Schumer threatens to block EPA pick Says he'll hold up confirmation of environmental official until clean air rules clarified by White House WASHINGTON -- Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed Monday to block the pending confirmation of a senior Environmental Protection Agency official until the Bush administration clarifies its clean air policy. (Tuesday, August 21, 2001) The Times Union "As many as 700 of the Adirondacks' 2,800 lakes are already too acidic to support native fish and plants, according to the Adirondack Council, an advocacy group."
8/20/01 -- We lose. Despite our efforts herbicides get sprayed: DEC approves spraying wetlands Power Authority to use herbicides on rights of way in Rochester area -- The New York Power Authority this week received permission from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to spray herbicidesin wetlands statewide. (Monday, August 20, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/20/01 -- The Bush Administration is probably going to make it very difficult for us to solve our Acid Rain problem here in the Northeast. Possible Federal Pullout Clouds Northeast States' Pollution Suits Northeast states would be hard-pressed to pursue their suits against power plants in the Midwest and South if the Bush administration withdraws. (Sunday, August 19, 2001) New York Times
8/19/01 -- There is still time! I've heard word that you can still comment on this proposal up until the end of September. Don't let this one slip away: Voice your concerns. Proposed bay docks generate concern. Damage to wetlands a prime worry about facility for townhouse owners -- A developer is again pushing to build docks near Willowpoint on the Bay, but some town residents and environmentalists worry that the project could harm Irondequoit Bay's wetlands and erode nearby steep slopes. (Wednesday, August 1, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE Comments should be directed in writing to Robert Shearer at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414.
8/17/01 -- What's going on with our water? Find out. Read "What's On Tap, The Future Writ in Water." by Jack Bradigan Spula in this week's City--August 15-21, page 10. (City is Greater Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly, get it at any restaurant, or anywhere in Rochester, free, best newspaper in Rochester.)
8/14/01 -- Walking, let alone biking, on Jefferson Road in Henrietta is risking your life. Jefferson Road is a study in making our roadways hostile to any kind of transportation but vehicles. How we gonna solve the energy problem, global warming, and urban sprawl if we do not make roads that will allow non-gas-guzzling vehicles? Here's your chance to help put some bike and pedestrian lanes on Jefferson Road. Write to the Department of Transportation and tell them you want bike lanes on Jefferson Road. The public may review and comment on the proposal through Sept. 4. Copies of the draft are available at the DOT's regional planning office, 1530 Jefferson Road in Henrietta or at the Genesee Transportation Council, 50 W. Main St. in Rochester. To see a summary of the report, click on: www.dot.state.ny.us --from Jefferson Road leads DOT project list - The state Department of Transportation has released a wish list of federally funded road projects that includes about $240 million worth of highway repairs and upgrades to the Rochester area. (Tuesday, August 14, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/13/01 -- Coming up on August 22. West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease Seminar --from Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County --"Edward Gshrey, DVM, from South Town Veterinary Hospital will be lecturing on the topic of the West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease, focusing on how they effect animals. With the recent onset of the West Nile virus in New York in 1999 there has been an increasing awareness of this virus, particularly as it is responsible for the death of 7 people and many more horses and wild birds. Lyme disease, is much more widespread, and many dogs and cats are infected each year. Learn about the history of both Lyme Disease and the West Nile Virus, how they are transmitted and treated, and how best to protect you and your pets from these viruses. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, August 22nd at 7:00pm. Registration is encouraged, and the cost is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 12 and under, and please, no pets! For more inforamtion and to register call 223-1333 x251 or register online
8/12/01 -- Before it's too late, be sure to visit "In
Praise of Nature: Ansel Adams and Photographers of the
American West" at the George Eastman House. I was there the other
day and you can't come away from this exhibit without a profound respect for
Ansel Adams' view of Nature.
8/12/01 -- Very Interesting: After all this time about the Seneca Park Zoo expansion proposal, the very assumptions about the need for an expansion are going to be put to the test. "As legislators, we owe it to the taxpayers to have the answers to these questions before a plan is adopted and expansion begins," Hanna said in a prepared statement.--from Legislator proposes review of zoo plan Many still question Doyle's projected attendance, parking -- Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle's controversial $65 million plan to nearly triple the size of the Seneca Park Zoo has hit another snag. (Sunday, August 12, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/11/01 --Tuesday, August 14, the Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides (RAMP), The Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club, and other groups will meet with the New York State Power Authority (NYPA) in order to try and convince the NYPA not to use herbicides on our roadsides in Monroe County. Stay tuned to this web page for details on the results of this meeting.
8/11/01 -- Want to know how much poison NYS has had to absorb recently? This from the DEC:
8/08/01 -- This from the Water Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum and Science Center
15th Annual International Coastal
Cleanup
Doing our part along the Genesee River and Lake Ontario
Who: Organized by the Water
Education Collaborative at the Rochester Museum and Science Center in
partnership with Monroe County, the City of Rochester, Cornell Cooperative
Extension and Monroe County 4-H Club, Town of Irondequoit, and the
Adirondack Mountain Club.
What: Volunteer based cleanup event along the Genesee River and Durand Eastman Beach. Volunteers will collect and record the types of trash found on data cards. This information will be added to a nation-wide database and part of an international effort.
When: 9 AM- 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 15th - Rain or Shine
"Trash Bash" held from 12 noon- 1 p.m. with lunch and games/prizes
Where: Four sites to choose from: Genesee Valley Park, Durand Eastman Beach, Turning-Point Park, and Seth Green fishing site (in the Maplewood Park area)
Why: Last year, approximately 250,000 pounds of debris were collected from over 1000 sites worldwide. The Rochester community is joining in this extensive effort to protect and restore our unique community resource.
Schedule of Events:
· Arrive at the cleanup location where you would like to participate.
· Enjoy a complimentary breakfast of bagels, juice and coffee.
· Cleanup! You will be given gloves, bags, and data cards to record the
garbage you collect.
· When you are finished, come to Durand Eastman Park for lunch and
entertainment at our "Trash Bash". Enjoy live music and games, and
be entered in a raffle to win a dinner cruise from the Harbor Town Bell and
Mr. Dominic's, passes to the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and much
more!
Registration:
We are encouraging those who wish to participate to pre-register for the
event. (But walk-ins are always welcome!). To register, contact:
Margit Brazda (716) 271-4552 ext. 320
Or email: margit_brazda@rmsc.org
Please give us your name, address, day-time phone number, and at which location you wish to participate. If you are registering a group, in addition to this information, please provide us with your group name and number of participants and the name of the contact person.
8/08/01 -- This from : State
PRIGs: "Right now, the Bush administration is trying to undo the
popular and balanced Roadless Area Conservation Rule - a forest conservation
measure that protects America's last wild national forests from logging,
mining, and drilling. You can help. Follow the link below to go
to a web site where you can let the Forest Service know you want our wild
forests to be protected. http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=11&id4=ES
8/08/01 -- The Democrat and Chronicle (DemocratandChronicle.com) says: "To share ideas and information about the [Fast Ferry] project. contact Metro Editor, Bob Finnerty: Phone: 258-2214, Mail: Democrat and Chronicle, 55 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY 14614, E-mail: rfinnerty@democratandchronicle.com Read: Fast ferry nears fiscal D-Day-- Millions of dollars of public and private investment poised to establish the first Great Lakes high-speed vehicle and passenger ferry service may be contingent on the willingness of government to accept a financial stake in it. (Wednesday, August 8, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/07/01 -- Get ready for this important event. On Saturday, September 29th, at 7:30 PM (we have not decided on the place) the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club is sponsoring its second very successful Fall Festival. Tickets will be, in advance, $15, $12 for Children. At the door, $18, $15 for children. Tickets can be bought in advance by call the Sierra Club number 420-4363, and leaving a message with a phone number and best time to call. Or contact at this e-mail address: rochester_sierra@yahoo.com. This year, besides having many great items to auction, we will have a special program that includes Walkin' Jim Stoltz." Bring the wild to your community gathering with one of Walkin' Jim's award-winning multimedia programs of music, poetry and slides from his long treks."
8/06/01 -- Passing on this note:
"Seneca Park: A Scenic Treasure, Then and Now"
At the Link Gallery July 23rd through August 20th, 2001
A reception to celebrate this treasure will be held in the Link Gallery
Wednesday, August 8 from 5:30 P.M. to 7 P.M.
All are invited.
Rochesterians and visitors alike have enjoyed, and too often taken for
granted, Rochester's beautiful parks. Designed for the public's pleasure
before we were born and left to our stewardship, each park has its own
unique history to appreciate and value. Understanding this history is
essential for us make constructive and respectful decisions for the future
of these parks. This month the Link Gallery is proud to advance the
understanding of Seneca Park, with a display of maps of the original and
modified park and with a variety of historic views.
Discussing Seneca Park, Olmsted biographer Dr. Charles Beveridge stated:
"Seneca Park represents the second of two designs created by
Frederick Law
Olmsted in Rochester in the 1890's by which he sought to reserve significant
sections of the Genesee River and its banks for permanent public access and
recreation. In his plan for Seneca Park, Olmsted created a variety of
landscape experiences. At the same time his design was unified by its
system of walks and drives as well as by its focus on the river and gorge.
In creating the plan, Olmsted drew from his earlier design work for scenic
reservations (Yosemite and Niagara) and from the planning of such formal
"Almedas" as New York City's Riverside Park. In the process he
created a
unique design that made full use of the opportunities offered by the
impressive scenery of the Genesee River below the falls."
Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. (1822-1903) was the landscape architect of the
original Rochester Park System, which included Highland, Genesee Valley and
Seneca Parks. By the time he came to Rochester, he was famed for his designs
of Central Park in New York City, Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Mount Royal
Park in Montreal, The Emerald Necklace in Boston, and the Buffalo Park
System. He was the site planner for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893
in Chicago, an event that spawned the City Beautiful Movement. He lead the
effort to preserve Yosemite Valley and Niagara Reservation as scenic
reservations for the public, setting a precedent for establishment of a
national and a state park system.
Olmsted's work expresses a strong aesthetic sensibility. He was a master
at
enhancing the natural beauty, which is unique and distinctive to each place.
His work also expresses his social and political values-he designed the
parks for ALL PEOPLE to share the benefits of fresh air and scenic beauty.
The combination of vision, design skill, scenic beauty and moral values
expressed in Olmsted's parks is the reason the parks remain vital, admired
and enjoyed today.
The Link Gallery is open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday though Friday and
is
located on the first floor of City Hall, 30 Church Street in downtown
Rochester.
8/06/01 -- And now for something totally different. For a little amusement, here is a campaign, I'm Changing The Planet, Ask Me How.": This campaign is designed to tell the world what we think of those mindless suburban drones that insist on getting 8 mpg while driving their kids to soccer practice. Join us as we direct our social activist energies toward the exciting new sport of Big Game SUV Hunting."
8/05/01 -- A great time for you and your children and a chance to learn about helping our environment is UnEARTHing Exhibit the at the Strong Museum: This highly interactive, kid-friendly exhibit explores the relationship between Americans and the environment, and features the familiar things we have created, used, and thrown away since 1850.
8/03/01 -- The news about the EPA's decision to force GE to clean up the Hudson River rages on in most NYS newspapers: http://www.newyorkwired.com/frnewslinx.htm#Environment
8/03/01 -- Here's an interesting way to help your environment: Consider how much information and services your community provides--location of Brownfields, water quality, environmental laws and codes in your specific area--and how much more assessable that information would be if you could sit at your own computer and get at it anytime. If you live in Chile, you can affect how much information will exist online of this type if you show up at this public meeting: The Chili meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at Chili Town Hall, 3333 Chili Ave. "State seeks tips on Web site Chili meeting will call on public for advice on what online services to offer -- Soon, ordering vehicle registrations and license plates over the Internet won't be the only New York state services you can get online." (Friday, August 3, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
8/02/01 -- Get the Scoop on the Goop. In this week's City, {Greater Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly, August 1-7, get it at any restaurant, or anywhere in Rochester, free, best newspaper in Rochester} on page 5, check out Scoop on the Goop and find out my concerns about the Rochester Harbor Algae Cleanup. Make sure you are a part of the cleanup--only one day left. You have until August 3, 2001 to provide the Army Corps of Engineers with your comments on the solutions to the algae in Rochester Harbor. Rochester Harbor is located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River in Monroe County. All the information is here from the Army Corps of Engineers Rochester Harbor (Ontario Beach) Section 1135 Project Modifications for Improvement of the Environment, Monroe County, New York. There are several plans to alleviate the algae problem in Rochester Harbor, including Pumping, Small-Scale Algae Screen, Full-Scale Algae Screen, and a Culvert. Point of Contact William E. Butler III, Environmental Protection Specialist, Environmental Analysis Team, Telephone: 716-879-4268, FAX: 716-879-4355, E-mail: william.e.butler@usace.army.mil You many review the preceding information and present any comments or recommendations in writing to Mr. Butler's attention at the following address: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, 1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14207-3199.
8/01/01 -- This from the Sierra Club on Hudson River Cleanup:
HUDSON RIVER CLEAN-UP A MONUMENTAL VICTORY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
decision
to require General Electric to pay to remove the PCBs from the Hudson River
is a monumental victory for public health, the Sierra Club said today. The
EPA's announcement comes after more than a decade of scientific study,
which has found that dredging the Hudson River is the best way to remove
cancer-causing chemicals that General Electric dumped into the river and
which linger today in the waterway.
"The EPA today took a monumental step toward protecting New Yorkers
from
cancer-causing PCBs," said Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope.
"Today's victory for the Hudson is a major win of national importance.
The
Sierra Club is very pleased to see Administrator Whitman's agency stand up
for protecting and restoring the Hudson River. For too long, General
Electric has shirked its responsibility for removing its pollution from
this great river, but now it's time for GE to come clean."
Sierra Club members in Upstate New York have worked for years to get
General Electric to shoulder their responsibility for dredging the Hudson
to clean up the PCBs they dumped into the river. Those most intimately
involved in the campaign see today's announcement as a validation of their
grassroots work in the face of a public relations campaign by GE that has
totaled in the tens of millions of dollars.
"It's thrilling to win a victory after all these years of battling
against
GE's stubborn disregard for our families' health," said Chris
Ballantyne,
director of the Sierra Club's Hudson River campaign. "GE spent millions
of
dollars to duck their responsibility for dumping cancer-causing chemicals
into the Hudson, but David has triumphed in this David versus Goliath
classic. Neighbors have been pitted against neighbors in the debate over
whether to clean up our river, but now is the time for the Upper Hudson
community to join together to restore and revitalize the Hudson."
During the 60-day public comment period that began last December on
whether
to clean up the Hudson, the Sierra Club mobilized more than 1,000 people to
attend 11 public hearings throughout the region. At those hearings, Sierra
Club members delivered over 5,000 postcards from people urging that the EPA
require GE to pay to clean up the PCBs. In addition, the group printed
signs reading "Clean Up the Hudson River -- For Our Families, For Our
Future", which more than 2000 local residents put in their store
windows
and front lawns.
To spotlight the impacts that the pollution has on communities of color,
the Sierra Club also joined with environmental justice organizations to
hold a "Fish-In for Justice" on the Hudson. (The Hudson used to be
home to
a thriving fishing industry, and many people caught their own fish for
their daily diets; today residents are warned against eating quantities of
fish from the river.) It also aired TV and radio ads, and flew two dozen
residents to Washington, DC, where they urged Members of Congress to
support a river clean-up.
GE dumped more than 1.3 million pounds of PCBs into the Hudson before the
chemicals were banned in 1977. As a result, the river-bottom is laced with
poisons, turning the river into a 200-mile-long Superfund toxic waste site.
8/01/01 -- This from the Nature Conservancy: Save the Birds! Nearly half of the world's 10,000 bird species breed in the Americas. We wake to their songs, mark the seasons by their presence and are inspired by their grace. But the birds of North America, Latin America and the Caribbean are in trouble. In fact, more than 1,000 species are now in decline or are dangerously scarce. Now there's an easy way for you to help — for free. Just go to The Nature Conservancy's home page, nature.org, look for the bird and click it. The Nature Valley Company will donate $1 to the Conservancy on your behalf. This money will help protect vital bird habitat. Places like the Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Ohio and Ecuador's Podocarpus National Park. Just one click. A pretty easy way to give our winged friends even more reason to sing, don't you think?
8/01/01 -- Don't let this one slip away: Voice your concerns. Proposed bay docks generate concern. Damage to wetlands a prime worry about facility for townhouse owners -- A developer is again pushing to build docks near Willowpoint on the Bay, but some town residents and environmentalists worry that the project could harm Irondequoit Bay's wetlands and erode nearby steep slopes. (Wednesday, August 1, 2001) - -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE Comments should be directed in writing to Robert Shearer at the Department of Environmental Conservation, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414.
8/01/01 -- Major Victory for our environment! In what is billed as the biggest environmental dredging plan in United States, the EPA has decided to force GE to clean up its mess in the Hudson. Although our Rochester-area media has not given this issue much attention (this story appeared inside the local news section today) is story will have a major impact on corporations who believe that they can pollute and get away with it. Whitman to Issue Order to Dredge Hudson for PCB's The E.P.A. administrator, Christie Whitman, has agreed to a plan requiring G.E. to spend more than $500 million to clean up the river's bottom. (Wednesday, August 1, 2001) The New York Times Checkout the number of news stories on this issue from around the state: http://www.newyorkwired.com/frnewslinx.htm#Environment