Updates December 04

• 12/31/04 -- Get the latest environmental news across New York State from Environmental Advocates of New York  THE GREEN SHEET - Environmental Advocates of New York's Statewide Bulletin Board - Copies of The Green Sheet can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.eany.org. IN WITH THE NEW -The masthead says this is the first issue of the 10th year that Environmental Advocates of New York (EANY) has published The Green Sheet. We hope you agree that this is a notable achievement. During its decade of publication, The Green Sheet has been a resource for many people and organizations concerned about New York’s environment. When you see it in February, however, The Green Sheet will look different. And it will have a new name. For the next stage of its evolution, the publication will be called Green Sheet New York (GSNY). Sign Up - Please help us protect New York's community of people, land and wildlife by joining Environmental Advocates of New York's EAdvocacy network today!
•  12/31/04 -- Article on what you can do with your Christmas tree: environment: Green ways to get rid of evergreens --from insider - Rochester remixed
•  12/31/04 -- **ACTION** What you can do to help creation of a dog park - To get involved in efforts to establish the four dog parks, call the county Parks Department at (585) 256-4962. Riga divided over landfill pact - Town Board may vote on Mill Seat changes today Many residents feel shunted aside by county - The future of Monroe County's Mill Seat landfill. The Riga Town Board might vote today on a plan to accept out-of-county trash, which could lead to the dump's expansion but also help the county financially. The noon meeting is at Riga Town Hall, 6460 E. Buffalo Road. (December 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Riga divided over landfill pact - Town Board may vote on Mill Seat changes today Many residents feel shunted aside by county - The future of Monroe County's Mill Seat landfill. The Riga Town Board might vote today on a plan to accept out-of-county trash, which could lead to the dump's expansion but also help the county financially. The noon meeting is at Riga Town Hall, 6460 E. Buffalo Road. What you can do - To get involved in efforts to establish the four dog parks, call the county Parks Department at (585) 256-4962.(December 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  12/31/04 -- **ACTION** Help victims of the tsunami impacted countries in southern Asia and eastern Africa:  American Red Cross - Preparing Communities for Emergencies and Keeping People Safe - Preparedness
•  12/28/04 -- New Year's Resolution on the Environment: There are many reasons why the public needs to get more involved on environmental issues.  Artic Refuge under Attack - Endangered Species Act Under Attack - Important Ocean Treaty Under Fire - Big Global Warming Vote in the Senate - Save a Pristine Coral Reef Ecosystem.  One easy way to help take action is to sign up for free World Wildlife Action notices. 
•  12/26/04 -- Another victory for wise environmental practices: The drop in cases of West Nile Virus without the massive assault of pesticides by many communities, including Monroe County, shows that many environmental problems can be worked out or maintained.  Though, West Nile Virus will probably always be with us, we can deal with the problem in an intelligent way (keeping the public informed and reducing the places where the mosquito bearing insects can develop), rather than wildly spraying toxic pesticides that enter our air, ground, and water.  This is another victory like the Seneca Park Zoo Expansion that if approached with patience, education, and compromise can achieve sustainable solution.  Rochester 's history of environmental issues is an example of many solutions to long-term environmental problems. With tolerant and informed pubic officials at the city, county and state level, and the proliferation of over 80 environmental groups, Rochester, New York, I believe is a model of how a mid-sized American city deals with the inevitable rise of environmental problems that come with growth. - West Nile cases plunge - 71 statewide instances last year, compared with only 10 in 2004.— West Nile virus, the mosquito-borne illness that prompted some panic when it first hit America in 1999, barely drew a batted eyelash this year in New York as human cases plummeted. Ten people tested positive statewide for the virus in 2004 — compared with 71 last year. Around 200 birds had confirmed West Nile this year — compared with 1,367 in 2003. December 25, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  12/26/04 -- Environmental Compromise is not Impossible:  Quietly, and without much fanfare, this month a major compromise has occurred on the expansion of the Seneca Park Zoo and the contentions that it not extend into Seneca Park, which is an Olmstead Park.  Many groups struggled responsibly and thoughtfully over this issue for several years and now  a reasonable compromise has been made.  RochesterEnvironment.com hails the efforts of so many citizens on both sides of the issue who made their case and the public officials who listened to their positions.  What I learned from this struggle to keep the zoo from expanding into the zoo's parking lot and destroying Trout Pond is that it takes time, education of the issues, persistence by ordinary citizens, and an administration open to listening to its constituents to solve problems of development and conservation.  Without these ingredients, there is merely a conflict in which one side wins and the other loses--which, on most environmental issues, means both sides lose. Read this amazing story by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:  Zoo deal preserves park, aids elephants - Proposal makes room for baby pachyderm, puts parking off site. — And a little elephant shall lead them to compromise.  Monroe County officials announced Wednesday a plan that apparently ends a long-running rancorous debate over expansion of the Seneca Park Zoo. The zoo will expand northward, building a $4 million elephant exhibit on 8 acres. Most importantly, though, the plan calls for an expansion of zoo parking off-site instead of in the middle of the scenic park designed 111 years ago by the legendary Frederick Law Olmsted. (December 23, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle 
•  12/25/04 -- **ACTION** Help the House Finches - House Finches need your help! Since 1994, participants in Project FeederWatch have helped scientists document House Finch eye disease as it spread across the country. We still need participants, especially in the West, an underrepresented region. Data are essential to find out whether the House Finches at your feeders are healthy or diseased, so sign up even if you only see healthy individuals. Participation is free and is a great activity for any level of birding experience! Sign up at http://birds.cornell.edu/hofisignup/signup.html  or email questions to housefinch@cornell.edu .
•  12/25/04 -- Good article by Robert Kennedy Jr. Environmental Justice for All - “You can’t talk about the environment today honestly in any context without being critical of this president,” Kennedy says, describing the mission of his book. “More than ever before in American history, the White House is allowing industries to buy clout in Washington and influence federal laws to serve their own interests.”
•  12/25/04 -- Alternate fuel progress from the NYS Governor:  STATE OF NEW YORK - EXECUTIVE CHAMBER - GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR - Press Office - 518-474-8418 - 212-681-4640 - http://www.state.ny.us  - FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
  Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO PROMOTE HYDROGEN-FUELED VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT IN NEW YORK - More Than $1.4 Million Will Fund Two Projects in Western NY and Capital Region - Governor George E. Pataki today announced more than $1.4 million in State funding for two hydrogen-powered vehicle demonstration projects in Buffalo and Albany. The funding is being made available through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of the State's efforts to develop a sustainable Hydrogen economy in New York that will attract new jobs and businesses for the 21st Century.
• 12/25/04 -- Why the environment matters: Researchers Predict Massive Avian Decline As part of the most comprehensive study on worldwide avian biodiversity to date, researchers from Stanford University predict that within a century, 10 percent of bird species in the world will be extinct, with an additional 15 percent endangered. Reporting by Roddy Scheer http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2200
•  12/25/04 -  Organization to curb the trading of exotic species: WildAid - WildAid's driving goal is simple and specific: to decimate the illegal wildlife trade within our lifetimes, allowing threatened species to recover to safe levels.  Unique among the world's challenges, we believe we can end the illegal wildlife trade within an immediate timeframe and realistic economix parameters.  In describing WildAid as the new face of environmentalism, the New York Times Magazine called our approach 'aggressive, but economically comprehensive.' Our programs disrupt the trade at every level by reducing poaching, targeting illegal traders and smugglers, and drastically lowering consumer demand for endangered species parts and products.  We are also revolutionary in our funding - sending 100% of donations from the public directly to the field.  WildAid is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in San Francisco with offices in China, India, Vladivostok, Cambodia, Thailand, Galapagos, Quito, London, Washington, D.C., and New York City.
•  12/21/04 -- Oil spills are forever.  Or, are they? Oil Spill Devastates Alaska...Again - Fifteen years after the Exxon Valdez devastated the Alaskan coast, another oil spill is making headlines. A Malaysian freighter lost power to its main engine on December 7, 2004 and ran aground on the west-side of Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Island chain. The ship was carrying 483,000 gallons of heavy bulk fuel and another 21,000 of diesel fuel.--Greenpeace USA
•  12/18/04 -- In terms of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Rules of 2004 - Rochester, New York has some good news and some bad news.  We did not make this story: EPA-OAQPS -- PM 2.5 Designations - Press Release where air standards are " the Clean Air Fine Particle Rule, an EPA action designating areas whose air quality does not meet the health-based standards for fine particle pollution. A designation is the term EPA uses to describe the air quality in a given area for any of six common pollutants known as criteria pollutants. Those pollutants include fine particles, which are unhealthy to breathe and have been associated with premature mortality and other serious health effects. Fine particles are those less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and are also referred to as PM2.5."  However, Rochester did fail in 8-hour Ozone Designations (in April of 2004) - EPA designated 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in April 2004. Visit the 8-hour ground-level ozone designations page to learn more about that action.  "A designation is the term EPA uses to describe the air quality in a given area for any of six common pollutants known as criteria pollutants. Those pollutants include ground-level ozone, which is unhealthy to breathe. 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." Rochester is listed here: EPA-OAQPS -- 8-Hour Ground-level Ozone Designations - Region 2: State Designations  ---Read more:  The New York Times > Washington > Many Counties Failing Fine-Particle Air Rules WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 - About a third of all Americans live in counties that do not meet seven-year-old standards for microscopic particles of pollution that cause thousands of premature deaths a year, the Environmental Protection Agency said Friday. The 20 states affected, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, now have three years to develop plans to bring their problem counties into compliance by 2010, or face the loss of federal highway money. (December, 18 2004 NYTimes.com
•  12/17/04 -- How is our environment doing this year? "Don’t believe everything you see in campaign commercials. Just because the candidates stand on a beach or clear brush, doesn’t mean they’re not working to dismantle the laws that protect our air, water, and open space. That’s why it’s so important that we hold Congress accountable for its actions on the environment. Today, LCV issued the 2004 edition of its famous National Environmental Scorecard, the document bridges the gap between rhetoric and reality. We’ve sorted out the most important environmental votes in Congress, based on recommendations from representatives of over twenty major environmental groups, and let you know where your elected representatives stand. Check out the latest Scorecard and get the truth. How did your Representative and Senators score? Download the Scorecard and read about the issues, like energy policy, forest protection, and national parks and check the scores of your Senators and member of Congress.
  Take Action to let your representatives know how you feel about their votes." --from  the League of Conservation Voters.
•  12/12/04 -- **ACTION** U.S. PIRG asks, will endangered species survive Congress? you decide In the last week, big developers, the timber lobby, and other polluters have teamed up with the White House to orchestrate a lobbying and media campaign to eliminate key protections for endangered species. Since last Thursday, they've unveiled a recommendation to allow developers and oil operations to continue to pave over dwindling habitat for the endangered sage grouse. Then, a handful of anti-species governors delivered speeches urging the elimination of endangered species protections. Finally, the Bush administration issued a policy that would remove protections for up to 80 percent of habitat critical to the survival of Pacific salmon, opening these areas to logging and development. To stop this campaign in its tracks, urge your member of Congress to fight these attempts to let polluters weaken protections for America's endangered species. Then, forward this email on to your friends and urge them to take action to preserve America's natural heritage. To take action, click the link below or paste it in your web browser: http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=876&id4=ES
•  12/12/04 -- **ACTION** Help the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and get a free subscription to their magazine. Highlights of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation "Please fill out our web site survey and help us serve you better. A free issue of the NYS Conservationist magazine is offered to all participants."
•  12/10/04 -- **ACTION**  MSNBC - U of R part of new flu vaccine study Volunteer for Flue Study? Healthy people ages 18 to 64 that have not received a flu shot this year are eligible. The study is especially look at people ages 50 to 64. If you are interested you can call 273-3990.Rochester, NYUSA - Local doctors are launching a flu vaccine study that could help prevent another vaccine shortage like the one the u-s is facing this year. NEWS 10NBC has learned that a flu vaccine widley used in Western Europe is being tested right in Rochester for FDA approval.  MSNBC - News Front Page
•  12/09/04 -- **ACTION** One of the most effective laws on the books for preserving our environment is the wise use of the The Endangered Species Act of 1973 , please take action on this issue. Endangered Species Coalition Sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge! Join thousands of your fellow citizens in pledging your support for the Endangered Species Act.
•  12/05/04 -- **MY THOUGHTS** Over the years, I am finding less environmental coverage for our area.  Does that mean things are getting better?  That our brownfields are getting cleaned up, our air and water is getting cleaner?  Does it mean that climate change isn't occurring and that we shouldn't have any idea what possible changes that might mean for our farmers? Have our polluting industries polluted less.  Have our recycling efforts increased and is there less going into landfills (like plastics and leaves).  Have our governmental agencies and media been doing any proactive studies to monitor the state of our waters, ground, and air and what are their results?  Are we coming closer to a wiser energy program, where we are not polluting and depending more on foreign oil? After new changes in what constitutes wetlands, are our existing wetlands being preserved, or are develops just plowing them asunder, quietly, without our knowledge? Is our community doing anything to relieve urban sprawl?  Increasing effort to get the public to use public transportation?  Is the Genesee River and Ontario Lake getting cleaned up?  How are our Finger Lakes doing?  Can we eat the fish in the many waters around Rochester?  What are our communities doing about the geese accumulating around ponds?  Are they secretly killing them off and feeding them to the poor? Is anyone, any group or state or federal organization making any efforts to conduct cancer or toxic studies to proactively search for possible environmental problems, or are our media and public officials just lying around hoping ever thing is OK?  --In other words, there's a lot going on about environmental information, but that doesn't mean our environment has accepted our way of life and there will be no consequences.  The truth is that there is less environmental news, less environmental studies, less governmental workers doing less to keep the public informed and more potential for serious environmental problems down the road.  But, because there is so little effort to keep the public informed about our environment, to keep pushing them to buy environmentally friendly products and recycle correctly, things will only build up to a crisis and then our media will have something juicy to report.  Though, it may be too late to avoid catastrophe.  Any, while you waiting for something to be reported, check out what has been reported on the main Rochester environmental issues: Superfund Zebra Mussels Deer Problem Lyme Disease RabiesUrban Sprawl Invasive Species   Recycling  Great Lakes Commuting Parks Genesee River  Fast Ferry Pesticides Wet Lands Lead Poisoning Brownfields Dioxin Water Quality Finger Lakes   West Nile Virus Geese Problem Energy Air Pollution Acid Rain Food  Animals Plants Environmental Health
•  12/05/04 -- The find out how well New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting New York's Environment and Managing Its Natural Resources are doing online.  To get improved services from our official environmental agencies, we must give feedback. Web Site Survey for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
•  12/05/04 -- Global Warming: How warm was it? EPA : Global Warming : News and Events : Science and Policy News : Temperature Tracker The EPA has been tracking the temperature of the planet for awhile.  How are things going.
• 12/03/04 -- Targeted Grants to Reduce Childhood Lead Poisoning; Notice of  Funds Availability EPA is soliciting grant proposals from eligible entities to conduct activities to reduce incidences of childhood lead poisoning in vulnerable populations, including projects to: (1) Address areas with high incidences of elevated blood-lead levels; (2) identify and address areas with high potential for heretofore undocumented elevated blood-lead levels; (3) develop tools to address unique and challenging issues in lead poisoning prevention; and (4) identify tools that are replicable and scalable for other areas. Activities eligible for funding include outreach and public education, data gathering, monitoring, training, inspections and assessments, demonstrations, and new, innovative approaches for identifying or reducing lead poisoning.  Eligible Applicants  State governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education - Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) - Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education - Individuals http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-26474.htm  
•  12/02/04 -- Keeping up on Global Warming: Global warming’s other effects on the oceans Global warming’s other effects on the oceans - The often overheated debate over the effect of anthropogenic CO2 on the earth’s atmosphere has distracted scientists from considering how this greenhouse gas might be affecting other global systems, warn some researchers. Two related papers published in Science in July estimated that as much as one-half of the anthropogenic CO2 is being sucked up by the oceans, increasing ocean carbon levels and lowering the average pH from a pre-industrial level of 8.16 to 8.04 today (Science 2004, 305, 362–366; 367–371). If the CO2 concentration doubles from present levels by 2100, as some models predict, then the pH could drop to a level between 7.6 and 7.8. --from Environmental Science and Technology Online
•  12/02/04 --Interesting idea: From - Democrat and Chronicle | Pet of the Week
•  12/02/04 --**ACTION** - Concerned about global warming and air pollution?  Take the Power Pledge PowerSwitch! “I will demand the PowerSwitch! I will urge companies and governments to stop polluting our atmosphere. I will make the PowerSwitch! to clean and efficient energy. I will ask my family and friends to join me and take action. For our climate, our planet and our health - I will act NOW” --from WWF Canada
•  12/02/04 -- Holiday ideas from Greenpeace USA - The holiday season is now upon us. It's the perfect time of year to gather together with family and friends and celebrate all of the wonderful things this season has to offer. But for many Americans, this time of year has turned into a frenzy of shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating and traveling. If you think all those mad dashes to the mall takes a toll on you, just think of how these activities impact the environment. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the holidays and still be good to the Earth.
•  12/01/04 -- Just in: Western & Central NY Outdoors Newsletter - (December 2004 Issue) What's Inside this issue: 'Twas the night before Christmas on the FLT - A New Trail in Brighton - Women – There’s No Excuse! - 7,700-mile Sea-to-Sea Hike - The Silver Ribbon of Death - Holiday Gift Ideas - Wilderness First Responder Class at Cornell University - Upcoming Events and Highlights @ Pack Paddle Ski!