01/17/02 -- This from the Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club: Sprawl Follows The Pipes - How Government Supports Sprawl Presentation of the Sierra Club ‘Green Paper' on the Monroe County Water Authority Thursday, February 7th, 7:30pm at First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Rd South. On Thursday, February 7th, the Rochester Regional Group will release and publicly discuss the findings from their two year study on the relationship between government funding and sprawl in the Rochester region. The paper, titled Sprawl Follows The Pipes, is an in depth look at the operations of the Monroe County Water Authority and how they support and fund the infrastructure of poorly planned regional growth, called ‘sprawl'. This membership program is free, open to the public, and will be held at the First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Road South, Rochester, at 7:30pm on Thursday, 2/7/02. It is no secret that in Monroe County the administration is not only remarkably pro-business but also strongly pro-development, often to the exclusion of other needs. County government support for private development is one critical reason why, in the last 25 years, our region has experienced an explosion of sprawl, despite the fact we have seen little economic or population expansion. One of the key ‘quasi-governmental' agencies contributing to sprawl development is the Monroe County Water Authority, who have expressed the belief that it is their "manifest destiny" to complete an ambitious expansion plan sending their water pipes entirely over all Monroe County and adjacent regions. Particularly in the last 10 years or so we have seen a vast increase in roads, a doubling of the number of cars, malls springing up like mushrooms after rain and, of course, an explosion of new housing tracts and other suburban developments. All this translates into the loss of woodlands, the loss of bird and small animal habitat, increase in non-point source pollution, increased air pollution - the whole dreary, anti-environmental story. The 50 page Sierra Club study documents how this ‘profit at the price of nature' occurs, showing the link between private development projects, local government and water pipe expansion which supports and encourages these profit seeking enterprises. The paper reveals a number of little known facts and figures related to the local Water Authority operations, such as the fact they are the third largest user of electricity in Monroe county. This is attributable to the fact their Lake Ontario water must be pumped up hill as high as 900 feet and transported over a distance of 35 miles through over 1,500 miles of pipes. This massive use of electricity, ironically, makes Authority water use a significant contributor to air pollution from electric generation. The discussion examines the probable future expansion plans of the Monroe County Water Authority. Chief among these plans is the construction of a large new water treatment facility in Webster (in coordination with Xerox) which will include a new reservoir in Perinton, that will serve the eastern side of the County and adjacent districts. Sierra Club conjectures that if this comes to pass, or if other conditions continue unchanged, there is a real possibility of the Monroe County Water Authority purchasing Rochester's City Water Bureau, including the pristine Hemlock and Canadice Lakes. Because of its record as a pro-development agency Sierra Club strongly opposes an Authority purchase of the 125 year old City water system. The ‘Sprawl Follows The Pipes' Green Paper concludes with 11 environmentally related recommendations for controlling sprawl by controlling the water distribution network. Seven of these recommendations relate directly to regaining citizen control over the Authority such as redefining its mission from supporting private profit to leading the way with a regional water master plan based not on where pipes will be built next but on ‘Water Exclusion Zones' which specify where the pipes will not be built. Copies of ‘Sprawl Follows The Pipes' can be obtained by writing: Sierra Club - Rochester Regional Group PO Box 39516, Rochester, N.Y. 14604 or by calling (585) 244-2625. E-mail orders may be sent to: animalguides@hotmail.com. There will be a modest charge to cover printing and mailing costs.
01/17/02 -- From the paper version of the DemocratandChronicle.com, "The Monroe County Soil and Water District has announced it's annual tree and shrub program. Order forms are available from any town clerk, or call 585-473-2120 ext. 101"
01/16/02 -- What is our governor going to do about NYSDEC Environmental Protection Fund? Environmentalists: Funds held up by Pataki ALBANY — Environmentalists Tuesday said the Pataki administration is jeopardizing the state’s environment by refusing to release millions of dollars that they claim has already been committed to preserve open space. (Wednesday, January 16, 2002) (PlattsburgPress)
01/16/01 -- This is environmentalism at it's best: Communicate your facts, opinions, and values to others about your environmental concerns Take your issue online like these people have: Soccer controversy hits cyberspace A citizens group has launched a Web site protesting the proposed soccer complex. A citizens group fighting the plans to open a 22-field soccer complex in Greece have expanded its protest to the Web. Members of the Citizens for the Integrity of Greece Canal Park have gone online so other residents can log on and see the latest developments. The group launched its Web site - www.nosoccercomplex.org - in November as a way to offer continuous information about the county's proposed complex, said David Ridley, co-founder of the Citizens for the Integrity of Greece Canal Park. (Wednesday, January 16, 2002) Greece Post
01/16/02 -- Important meeting tonight: Meeting to discuss soccer complex The meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Greece Town Hall, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd..(Wednesday, January 16, 2002) DemocratandChronicle.com
01/15/02 -- A step backwards for persevering our environment today: President Bush's administration has taken one of the most important tools environmentalists have in preserving the integrity of our environment, and made it into a paper shuffling problem. White House to Relax Some Environmental Regulations The Bush administration announced today that it would ease some Clinton administration regulations covering wetlands and streams, saying the changes would reduce unnecessary paperwork. (January 15, 2002) The New York Times on the Web
01/14/02 -- Ask President Bush to clean up our air: Clean Air Now
01/14/02 -- RochesterEnvironment.com has not been updated for two weeks because of technical difficulties. Hopefully, I have solved a nasty software problem and will commence with my daily updating of this web site.
01/03/02 -- Buried in today's news is an ominous environmental message: City Faces Looming Cuts Rochester, NY - Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson and City Council members were sworn in for a new term of office Wednesday. They'll start that term facing a major hurdle--a large budget deficit. The city's budget for 2002-2203 fiscal year is approximately $360 million. The city currently projects a gap of approximately $25 million. A large drop in sales tax revenue has helped inflate the ballooning budget deficit. "We're talking about police administrators, fire, environmental services, recreation centers, the public library....everything is up for grabs," said Johnson. (Thursday, January 3, 2002) iKnowRochester.com
12/27/01 -- How can you make a difference in our area? Lollypop Farm Home Page needs your help. Maybe you have something they can use. Read this story and help: Animal rescue costs $200,000 Lollypop Farm is caring for more than 300 animals seized on Dec. 1 PERINTON -- Less than a month after Lollypop Farm accepted the largest number of seized animals in its history, costs are beginning to mount for the Humane Society shelter. (Thursday, December 27, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
12/27/01 -- Made your New Year's Resolutions yet? Here some from Green Peace's Green Ribbon Pledge Take the pledge to conserve energy for a secure future! There are hundreds of things you can do every day to reduce energy consumption. And cutting down energy use is the single most important thing you can do to secure our future from the negative effects of unreliable, unstable and environmentally damaging energy sources.
12/26/01 -- *Christmas Tree Recycling Program Find out where to drop your tree off for recycling this year. *You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view documents available in Portable Document Format (PDF).--from Monroe County: Department of Environmental Services
12/22/01 -- Need a break on heating bills?: NYSERDA - New York State Energy Research and Development Authority - Home New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, Corporate Plaza West, 286 Washington Ave. Ext. Albany, NY 12203-6399 , Toll-Free: 1-866-NYSERDA , (1-866-697-3732) or Local: 518-862-1090 ,Fax: 518-862-1091
12/19/01 -- What is your impact on our environment? Measure Your Ecological Footprint If you have always wanted to measure your ecological impact on the planet and did not know how, you now have that opportunity on the Redefining Progress web site. Redefining Progress has developed a new, upgraded web-based Ecological Footprint Quiz calculator, which measures our individual impact on the planet. To discover the size of your own Ecological Footprint, click here to take this quick and easy 13-question quiz --from Redefining Progress
12/18/01 -- Been hearing glowing reports on the news about how fantastic our environment is doing and how all those Chicken-Little Environmentalists are panicking about nothing? Well, before you swallow all that nonsense, you might want to surf over to Environmental Research Foundation - Rachel's Weekly and read about "Environmental Trends." Here's what it's all about: "Every couple of years someone writes a new report claiming that most environmental problems have been greatly exaggerated or don't even exist. There are now at least a dozen writers and publicists who spend their days putting a smiley face on environmental trends including Gregg Easterbrook (NEW REPUBLIC, and author, A MOMENT ON THE EARTH, 1995), Michael Fumento (author, SCIENCE UNDER SIEGE, 1993), Rush Limbaugh (syndicated radio talker), John Stossel (ABC TV), and John Tierney (NEW YORK TIMES), among others. Now a Danish mathematician, Bjorn Lomborg, has joined the ranks of these illuminati with a new book called THE OPTIMISTIC ENVIRONMENTALIST (2001), which we will review in the future. The details vary, but the basic message from all these savants is similar: the environment is not seriously deteriorating; indeed, it is improving in almost every way. Human population? Growth has slowed. Forest loss? In many countries, tree cover is expanding. Global warming? It may not be so bad -- northern winters will be more pleasant. Toxic chemicals? The worst is past. The real problem, they say, is all those gloomy environmentalists scaring us to death simply to raise money. When these contrarian reports grab headlines, the public -- understandably -- doesn't know what to believe. Do environmental problems really exist or do they exist only in the minds of environmental wackos and professional doomsayers? To get our bearings in this debate, we can turn to the mainstream of the mainstream: a new 327-page report titled OECD ENVIRONMENTAL OUTLOOK [1] from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which describes environmental trends in the OECD's 29 member nations (Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.K. and the U.S.) "
12/16/01 -- This from the Citizens'
Environmental Coalition
[cecwny@buffnet.net]: "According to the EPA, Kodak (located in
Rochester, NY) is one of the largest polluters of cancer-causing chemicals in
the United States and is New York's number one manufacturing polluter. We have
been pressuring Kodak to reduce its emissions of toxic chemicals including
significant dioxin releases. Unfortunately, Kodak continues to release the
equivalent of 544 million adult doses of dioxin every year.
Their decades of pollution may be taking a profound toll on the people
of Rochester, NY. Women living near Kodak Park had approximately an 80%
greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer, increasing to 96% for women
living near Kodak for more than 20 years. In 1997 alone, 33 cases of childhood
brain and spinal cord cancer were found in a five mile radius surrounding
Kodak. Twenty percent of the population living within a quarter mile of Kodak
is under 10 years old and regularly exposed to toxic chemicals. In addition 21
schools are located within three miles of their incinerator stacks.
Regrettably, there has been no epidemiological study concerning Kodak's toxic
emissions and nearby childhood brain cancer cases. That is why we need your
help. Also be sure to
check out our new Kodak campaign website,
www.kodakstoxiccolors.org
12/16/01 -- Are you interested in
environmentally safe energy? Here's a note from Eric Smith, Chairperson
for the Rochester
Regional Groups Energy Committee: "Do you think there is a better
way to product electricity than coal fired power plants? Or nuclear power? Do
you want to be on the leading edge of alternative energy production? NOW is
the time to seriously look to GREEN ELECTRICITY.
Want to learn more about it? Want to get involved? Check out the Co-opplus of
Greater Rochester. This is a co-op that is forming RIGHT NOW that will offer
alternative energy sources!! Rochester-area residents will be able to purchase
their electricity from non-fossil fuel sources (mostly wind and bio-mass).
This is the way to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, clean up our
environment and to address an issue that is only getting bigger! Rochester can
be a leader and an example for the nation. We need people to get involved!! We
are looking for people to start working on this project immediately. For more
information, call Fred Schaeffer 716-244-2074, or email Fred at
bettys@rpa.net, or send email to
rochester_energy_group@hotmail.com."
12/16/01 -- It's interesting and also unsettling that while today's Democrat and Chronicle did a major (headlines) story on the proposed soccer complex in Greece Canal park today, that they did not mention the web site of the group protesting the soccer complex. They listed the sports groups wanting our Monroe County parks, but not the group opposing it. Is this fair play? The monopoly D&C can silence free and open expression on major environmental issues, but RochesterEnvironment.com won't: Go to NoSoccerComplex.org and see the other side of this major Rochester-area environmental issue. Soccer proposal a complex question Jack Doyle's plan to create 22 fields in Greece relies on attracting tournaments from out of town. Will they come? -- Monroe County's plans to build a massive soccer complex in Greece would benefit local teams in the growing sport. But the main mission is economic development by drawing thousands of soccer players from throughout western New York and outside the state for large tournaments. (Sunday, December 16, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
12/14/01 -- It still isn't too late to stop Global Warming: Save Our Environment Action Center :: Stop Global Warming 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.
12/14/01 -- Your help is needed: Humane Society Investigating Animal Cruelty Case Rochester, NY - The Humane Society is investigating a brutal case of animal cruelty at the University of Rochester. A mutilated cat was found hanging in a bag on the door of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the university. The cat was discovered December 2 by members of the fraternity. If you have any information pertaining to this crime, please call the Animal Cruelty Hotline at (585) 223-6500. The Humane Society is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. (Friday, December 14, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
12/14/01 -- This just in: The Partners in Information Access for Public Health Professionals is producing a satellite broadcast on Children's Environmental Health Information Resources. The live broadcast will take place on Thursday, January 31, 2002, 1-3 pm. The target audience for this broadcast includes physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, epidemiologists, public health educators, counselors, administrators, librarians, or anyone else providing environmental health-related services. (Continuing education credits will be offered for various professions) I urge you to read the attachment or go to the web site at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtn/child-env/index.asp for more information about the broadcast as well as to register your institution as a downlink site. This is an important topic and will be a very interesting broadcast. Partners in Information Access for Public Health Professionals is a project of many government agencies and non-governmental organizations - NLM, CDC, HRSA, PHF, ASTHO, NACCHO and the NN/LM.
12/12/01 -- Event: "The Cumming Nature Center in Naples will reopen on December 26th featuring winter sports and activities. The Nature Center was closed for the season on November 12th. Winter activities include cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. For details, call (585) 374-6160." The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com PO Box 1020, Geneva, NY 14456 1-800-252-4461
12/11/01 -- Interested in joining in the Green Party of Monroe County: Here's their web address: Green Party of Monroe County, www.GPoMC.org Find out the Green Party's platform and their candidates.
12/11/01 -- Think Global Warming is a real problem? Think that you would ride your bike to work if it was safe? Here's a way to get involved in the way our area commuters get to work: I cannot stress the importance of the Regional Trails Initiative by the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) enough. Don't sit this one out! Make our region bike-friendly. Finger Lakes, Rochester linked by trails? A regional trail system will be discussed tomorrow. For those of you Rochester commuters who'd rather walk to work without the risk of being hit by a car, help may be on its way. Tomorrow night, the Genesee Transportation Council will meet with local officials to discuss the possibilities of linking Rochester with the Finger Lakes in a series of walking and bike paths. They will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. at Canandaigua City Hall, 2 N. Main St. (Tuesday, December 11, 2001) Daily Messenger
12/11/01 -- Consider helping the environment in this way: The Audubon Annual Christmas Bird Count. All are welcome to participate on any Christmas Bird Count From beginning birder to seasoned ornithologist, all are welcome to participate on any Christmas Bird Count. Participants must do their counting within a designated 15-mile CBC circle on the given count day. To find the CBC closest to you, enter your town name in the space below, or use our map to zoom in on your location. When you see a count you are interested in, click on the blue circle to find contact information for the Compiler (organizer) of that count to volunteer your services.
12/09/01 -- Online activism in Rochester is one of the most effective ways to promote a cause. NoSoccerComplex.org this week will take out ads in the Messenger Post Newspapers for two weeks beginning this Thursday to protest the proposal to create a soccer complex in Greece Canal Park--one of your Monroe County parks. An online activist site allows you, the visitor, to quickly learn about the this Rochester-area issue. You can view photographs of the area affected, join an online forum, get a newsletter to inform you when an important event is coming up, and learn the entire history of the matter--including important documents.
12/07/01 -- Global Warming in Rochester: Over the years I have had several question about how Global Warming will affect Rochester. Here's some source authority on that: From ClimateHotMap.org - Global Warming, Early Warning signs. New England Double normal rainfall, June 1998. Rainfall in Boston on June 13-14 broke a 117-year-old record, closing Logan Airport and two interstate roads. Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts each received more than double their normal monthly rainfall. Reference: New England Regional Climate Center. Climate Impacts- 1998. http://met-www.cit.cornell.edu/climate/Impacts_06-98.html
12/07/01 -- Here at RochesterEnvironment.com we are very pleased to see that the Doyle administration is taking a more thoughtful and inclusive view of the proposed soccer complex at Greece Canal Park. Surf over to NoSoccerComplex.org for more information on this subject: County delays plans for proposed soccer complex Officials want time to form a new project committee. Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle recently decided to delay further action on the proposed 22-field soccer complex until a new advisory committee is assembled. (Friday, December 7, 2001) Greece Post
12/07/01 -- "New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin M. Crotty invites all New York 5th grade students to showcase their artist talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the 2002 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. Teachers and parents who teach their children at home may request information packets by calling (518) 402-9412. Posters must be submitted by December 21st." --from The Town Crier News -- http://www.thetowncrier.com, PO Box 1020, Geneva, NY 14456 1-800-252-4461
12/05/01 -- Learn about the soccer complex at Greece Canal Park in this week's City (page 4) "Pay To Play."
12/01/01 -- This from H. Carl McCall, State Comptroller, A.E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, NY 12236 (518-473-4333): McCall's letter to George E. Pataki on appropriation bill to provide spending authority for $150 million in dedicated funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) projects. "the funding network for the State's environmental programs is unraveling." For more information about the crisis in EPF funding read Environmentalists Concerned About State Plan For Borrowing.
12/01/01 -- This from the Citizens Environmental Coalition: Join the campaign to reduce Kodak’s emissions! Go to the campaign website at www.kodakstoxiccolors.org for more information on how you can hold Kodak accountable. Please respond to cecwny@buffnet.net if you would like more information about Kodak or would like to join the campaign. Also - we are pleased to announce that we have bumper stickers and buttons available (for only $1.00 each) as well as free stickers, which you can order by contacting us. Citizens' Environmental Coalition, 425 Elmwood Ave. Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14222, (716) 885-6848, (716) 885-6845 fax, cecwny@buffnet.net, www.cectoxic.org
11/30/01 -- This is odd: One of the biggest stories around our town and our major medias have not run it yet: Funds Approved For ''Fast Ferry'' Project Rochester, NY - U.S. lawmakers have approved funds that could help revive Rochester's ''fast ferry'' project. The money--$4.5 million--will be used to renovate the harbor in Charlotte and construct a port for a ferry terminal. (Friday, November 30, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
11/30/01 -- Can we dare hope that Monroe County Executive, Jack Doyle, will now consider the public's input before carving up one of our Monroe County Parks for businesses? Doyle will delay plan for soccer complex -- Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle wants the County Legislature to postpone consideration of his soccer complex proposal for Greece until he gets a new advisory committee that will include opponents to the project. <> <>(Friday, November 30, 2001) DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
11/30/01 -- Another way to help reduce the traffic on our streets when you commute: ERideShare.com. a note from Steven Schoeffler, webmaster www.eRideShare.com "I thought I'd call your attention to www.eRideShare.com, the top national ridesharing site (according to Yahoo and Google) with more than 1100 carpool listings and 350 active cross-country listings."
11/28/01 -- Opportunity to help direct important online environmental information: The EPA, our government's Environmental Protection Agency has a very comprehensive environmental information web site, help them make it better: EPA Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire Please help us improve EPA's Web site by completing our short customer satisfaction questionnaire. We will use your feedback to improve our service to you. Please note that if you have comments or questions, or were unable to locate information, you will have the opportunity to return to our site and contact us after completing the questionnaire.
11/24/01 -- Support the GTC in their effort to improve Rochester area bike/multiuse trails. Please fill out the attached web survey. 39 seconds at most (http://www.gtcmpo.org/Reg Trails Page/Trail_Survey.htm).
11/24/01 -- Important information from the EPA about recycling: U.S. Recycling Economic Information Project The U.S. Recycling Economic Information (REI) Study is an unprecedented national study that demonstrates the importance of recycling and reuse to the U.S. economy. The study, commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and numerous states through a cooperative agreement with the National Recycling Coalition, clearly shows what many have known for a long time—that "Recycling is Working."
11/21/01 -- Event: STRAW BALE SEMINAR: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 FROM 7 TO 9:30 PM AT CALVARY ST. ANDREWS CHURCH (corner of Averill and Ashland Aves. between Mt. Hope and South Aves.) Detailed slide presentation and discussion of residential and community scale straw bale projects * Straw bale building techniques * Earthen plaster finishes * Adobe floors * Incorporating sustainable systems into design An opportunity for everyone interested in sustainable design and straw bale building to network and learn. MARY GOLDEN is an architectural graduate student preparing for practice in sustainable and sacred design. PAUL KOPPANA, Skyhawk Construction, Crestone, Co, is a natural builder specializing in straw bale and passive solar construction. Suggested donation for use of the space: $5 Contact information: 924-0554.
11/21/01 -- Important information from the New York State Department of Health: The New York State Cancer Surveillance Improvement Initiative. The goal of this project is to provide New Yorkers with information about cancer. It will also guide future research on the causes of cancer and cancer prevention programs. The scientists taking part in the project are looking for the best ways to map where cancer patients live. They are also looking at risk factors - things in people’s lifestyle, medical history or the environment that may increase a person’s chances of getting cancer.
11/16/01 -- Find out about and help Citizens For The Integrity For Greece Canal Park. Go to NoSoccerComplex.org.
11/15/01 -- Do you know which species are endanger or threatened in New York State? If not, surf over to the New York State Department of Conservation's List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species of New York State Can you guess what animal has just been added to the list. (Hint: surf to the bottom of the page.)
11/14/01 -- Event: 4th Annual Human Rights Day Anniversary Monday December 10th. Start Time: 5:00 PM 4th Annual Human Rights Day Anniversary. Monday, December 10th. ?Exploitation of the Land and the People Who Work it: Migrant Workers in Our Midst? Agenda: 5:00 pm: Gather at Sister Cities Bridge (Enter from State St. between the federal Bldg. & Crowne Plaza Hotel) for candlelight vigil & reading of the UDHR and the Earth Charter. 5:30 pm Procession to the Downtown Presbyterian Church for Potluck Supper. 6:45 p: Program: Speakers & actions. ADA accessible, Child Care, Interpreted for the hearing impaired, Tabling available & welcomed. Co-sponsored by Metro Justice and many other groups. Call 232-1463 for Reservations. Metro Justice http://www.metrojustice.org/
11/13/01 -- Are our Monroe County Parks under attack again? Monroe weighs golf idea Proposal calls for junior facility in which county would have stake -- Several local golf enthusiasts are meeting with Monroe County officials about establishing a junior golf facility that might entail county funding and ownership. (Tuesday, November 13, 2001) -DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE
11/13/01 -- From the Daily Messenger, some very good advice about recycling during the holidays: Help reduce waste during the holidays Reducing waste is the first line of defense against an overfull trash can or recycling bin. Recycling is so much a part of life that separating materials for the pickup is a normal part of everyone's household routine. (Tuesday, November 13, 2001) Daily Messenger
11/12/01 -- Should we cut old growth trees in Hemlock? Important Rochester-area Concern: Grab this week's City (Greater Rochester's Alternative Newsweekly, Volume 31, Number 7, November 7-13, 2001) Pg. 6 What In The Blazes, Hemlock Lake And The Loggers. by Jack Bradigan Spula. In order to understand completely the issue surrounding the old growth forest trees that the city owns around Hemlock Lake and the questions as to whether or not to cull them, you must read this article. And remember, "The plan isn't carved in stone, says commissioner Ed Doherty. "We're going to be cautious," he says. The public, he says, can submit comments and questions, either to conservation staff based at Hemlock Lake or to City Hall directly."--quote from City. Send your comments or questions to City of Rochester, Department of Environmental Services, 30 Church Street, Room 300B, (716) or phone (585 after Thursday 428-6855) Rochester, New York 14614, Attention: Mr. Ed. Doherty, Commissioner of Environmental Services.
11/10/01 -- I cannot stress the importance of the Regional Trails Initiative by the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) enough. Don't sit this one out! Make our region bike-friendly. Our Rochester-area is a potential designation for non-attainment area for ground level ozone. This means we have to curb the use of fossil fuel engines. You can be a very important part of helping the Genesee Transportation Council (the main body responsible for fixing and construction of roads in our five-county region) in facilitating bike and other non-polluting transportation for our area. Take a few minutes to read the Regional Trails Initiative and send in your specific recommendations as to where roads and trails in our area need to be improved and connected for easier and safer bike comminuting.
11/09/01 -- On the web-site www.vote.com, which is monitored by Congress, one of the lead questions is "Would drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Improve Our Security?" Right now the vote is over 80% YES. Please go to the site, click the "Active Votes" in the upper left hand corner, scroll down to the fifth question and vote "NO!"
11/09/01 -- Got a moment to help clean our water? A new report shows that a tougher standard is needed to prevent cancer deaths related to arsenic. Go to Vote.com and vote "No"
11/08/01 -- Here's an interesting item from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Disasters: Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center. This disaster has had serious repercussions for animals, too. Animals became trapped in buildings after people learned they were unable to return. At an apartment management company’s request, three PETA vehicles were sent up to New York City early on the morning of Friday, September 14, to assist in rescuing stranded animals. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, the comfort of beloved nonhuman companions and the knowledge that they are safe truly means so much to human victims and their friends and families.
11/07/01 --Don't sit this one out! Make our region bike-friendly Act on the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC):'s Regional Trails Initiative They want your input. To develop a comprehensive and achievable action plan for community leaders to create and maintain a safe, accessible, and highly functional regional trail system that is fully integrated with the existing transportation system and constitutes a nationally recognized distinguishing features of this region. GTC is interested is getting your input on the trail network in the region, including suggestions for improvements to existing trails, ideas for new trails and desired connections, and input on how you use (or would use) the trails in our area. Visit GTC's web site for more info on the initiative or email comments to trails@gtcmpo.com" Opportunities for the Public to Get Involved in the Regional Trails Initiative There are several ways for you to get involved in the Regional Trails Initiative: 1. Attend Public Input Workshops on November 14 (Downtown Rochester) Wednesday, 7-9pm, Downtown Central Library, Kate Gleason Auditorium, phone: (716) 232-6240. Link to the Workshop Notice for more information or click on each location for a map and meetings details. 2. Complete the Regional Trails Initiative Survey below (or print out a copy of the survey in Adobe PDF and mail or fax it back to GTC) -- Survey Coming Soon! 3. E-mail your comments to trails@gtcmpo.org A second set of public input meetings will be held in February 2002 to obtain your feedback on the draft Action Plan and the draft Recommendations. More information will be provided about these meetings as February approaches.
11/07/01 -- Event from our Friends at
Metro Justice: Here's a
holiday alternative. Gifts that support social justice. Great
food and good fun too. It will all happen at the Metro Justice
Alternative Craft Fair. This annual event has been celebrated for more
than 20 years. Many local progressive groups will be there. These include
Abundance Cooperative Market, Ciudad Hermana/Sister City, Equal Exchange,
Genesee Valley Organic Community Supported Agriculture, Labor Council, Lilac
Children's Garden, Nature Study Guild, Politics of Food, Sierra Club, ROCLA
and Waste Not The Weavers' Guild of Rochester will make its first appearance
at the fair. They have 120 members, many of whom are nationally known
artists and teachers. The Weavers' Guild will have four tables of hand woven
textiles such as scarves, vests, hats, table runners, blankets and shawls.
We'll have 'Art for the Kitchen'. These trivets are created into authentic
quilt patterns from ceramic porcelain tiles. The beautiful 'Quiltiles'
prevent hot pots from burning tabletops. The 9" x
9" size is also ready made to hang on walls. They were made especially
for Metro Justice by an artist in Wartburg, Tennessee, and have never before
been in Rochester. As usual, we'll have the largest selection of Cooperative
Games in
Rochester. They're excellent gifts for kids, teens and adults. What is a
cooperative game? It's where you play as friends, not enemies. The games
foster cooperation rather than competition. Players help each other climb a
mountain, deal with a snow storm, bring in a harvest, understand ecology,
solve a mystery, etc. There will be 40 tables of vendor offerings. The local
groups that support progressive social justice will discuss their issues,
sell their wares and food too. There will be lots of jewelry, pottery,
greeting cards, sweaters, massage tools, local and third world crafts. Have
supper on Friday November 30 or lunch on Saturday December 1. There will be
veggie lasagna, hot burritos, great soup and lots of other yummy things.
Bring the kids. Let them play in our free child care area. Listen to live
music provided by the Golden Link Folk Singing Society on Saturday. See old
friends, and make new ones. It will be an eclectic mixture, a hubbub, like a
bazaar in a third world country. About 1000 people are expected. Its always
fun! The Alternative Craft Fair will be on Friday November 30, from 6:00
p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday December 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A
suggested donation for admission is $1; children age 12 and under are free.
The Fair will be at the First Unitarian Church at 220 Winton Road South,
which is wheel chair accessible. Hope to see you there. Also we would be
delighted if you told some friends about it. For more info, call Metro
Justice at 325-2560 or Fred Schaeffer at 244-2074
11/07/01 -- Important Environmental Public Meeting & opportunity for public comment: from Audubon New York : NYS Open Space Conservation Plan "Public hearings on the 2001 Update of the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan are set. Audubon New York has been a leader in advocacy for the Plan since its inception in 1990. It is updated every three years to reflect changing environmental needs and public concerns. It was last updated in 1998. This is an excellent opportunity to make your voices heard to protect Important Bird Areas and other open space projects important in your area. See below for links to the schedule of dates and locations, key talking points, highlights of the plan and Important Bird Areas that are affected by the plan. November 13 -Rochester Museum and Science Center - Eisenhart Auditorium Bldg., 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY. 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. -- Workshop, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. -- Public Hearing, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. -- Public Hearing.
11/07/01 -- Is it all hype, or is there something to this chicken-little environmental stuff? Read this story in today's news: U.N. Says Planetary Plundering Threatens Earth The human race is plundering Earth at an unprecedented rate, but the growing power of women over their own futures could save the planet from destruction, the United Nations (news - web sites) said Wednesday. `More people are using more resources with more intensity than at any point in human history,'' the U.N. said in its annual world population report for 2001. (Wednesday, November 6, 2001) LONDON (Reuters)
11/06/01 -- This from the Atlantic
Chapter of the Sierra Club: Hello Activists, Governor Pataki has changed
the system of contacting him. You can no longer e-mail him directly. You
have to go to his web page www.state.ny.us/governor
and click the "Contact the Governor" link. I am providing
you with a sample letter on the important issue of clean
drinking water. Tullia Limarzi, Atlantic Chapter Coordinator
SAMPLE MESSAGE [CUT OUT AND PASTE INTO GOVERNOR'S PAGE] Dear Governor
Pataki, I am dismayed that recent state legislation authorizing the
establishment of six gambling casinos in New York State will site one of the
casinos in Ulster County and might be lawfully sited on watershed lands that
drain into the Ashokan Reservoir. Any casino located near the Ashokan
(which provides water to 9 million residents of New York City and
Westchester County) could have significant adverse impacts on that
reservoir's water quality. A new casino itself would trigger creation of new
impervious surfaces, increased stormwater runoff, destruction of trees and
existing green spaces, and mostly importantly would spark sprawl in
surrounding watershed areas, with new restaurants, gasoline stations,
shopping centers and other ancillary development. I urge that when
negotiating the final siting of the casinos and executing Tribal-State
compacts as provided by federal law, you commit your Administration to
opposing any casino within the City's watershed boundary and to support
instead alternative sitting proposals that are outside of the watershed.
BACKGROUND Last week the state legislature authorized the Governor to
enter into agreements to establish six casinos throughout the state,
including one in Ulster County. Unfortunately, Ulster County is also
home to the Ashokan Reservoir (the city's second largest) and has been the
subject of increasing development pressure in recent years. From the
perspective of keeping our drinking water pure and safe, allowing casino
development in the New York City watershed (and the sprawl that comes with
it) is a terrible idea.
11/06/01 -- Here's a way you can help: --from RNews.com Small Pox Vaccine Study A landmark study to increase the number of available doses of small pox vaccine is underway at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Its one of only four institutions nationwide to conduct the study.Participants who qualify will be paid $25 per visit, with eight visits scheduled, and parking will be free. Anyone interested in volunteering for the study should call (716) 273-3990.
11/05/01 -- Event: UNDERSTANDING INVASIVE PLANTS IN ELLISON PARK PDF Link: Invasive plants workshop.pdf (Monday, November 5, 2001) Jack Doyle, Monroe County Executive Learn results of study done on impact of non-indigenous (invasive) plants in Ellison Park Saturday, November 10, at 10am. $2.00 fee per person. For more information, or to register, call 256-4956
11/05/01 -- Event: "Degrees
of Danger-The Health Threats of Climate Change and Energy Choices in New
York" Presented by: Dr. Kent J. Bransford, M.D, Environment and
Health Program, Physicians for Social Responsibility. Monday, December 3,
2001 7:30-9:00 pm, "Class of 1962" Auditorium, University
of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Physicians
for Social Responsibility (PSR) is a national organization representing
over 20,000 health care professionals and supporters. Founded in 1961, PSR
puts medical data to work to preserve the environment, address
national security threats, and ameliorate urban violence. With it's
international affiliate, International Physicians for the Prevention of
Nuclear War, PSR received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.
11/05/01 -- Here's something interesting. This came in my mail, and I do not know if this device works, but it may interest those you have to drive in deer country this fall: We are now marketing the Shu Roo, a product that will help drivers avoid deer/vehicle accidents. Our website is www.shuroo.net. We would appreciate any help in introducing this effective product to the American market. Thank you, Bob Conley
11/05/01 -- Important document about the update on the status of the proposed Finger Lakes National Forest Oil and Gas Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Document (ROD).
11/03/01 -- This is another Brownfield story in our area that we should be watching: Contamination Concerns Near Old Air Force Manufacturing Base Rochester, NY - During World War II the town of Greece played an important part. It was home to an air force manufacturing base. It is a warehouse now, but at the time ships, B-52 bulkheads and surface to air missile-handling equipment was built there. (Saturday, November 3, 2001) iKnowRochester.com
11/03/01 -- Event: From our friends
at the Common Good Planning Center:
All around this region, there are examples of both contention and
cooperation on environmental matters, from land use clean up and reuse to
economic development. When decision-making turns contentious, unnecessary
resources may be expended and negative residues may persist
long after the issue is resolved. The toll that can take on the fabric of
community vitality can impede or eliminate the possibility of future
collaboration and positive civic engagement. Before and even during the
conflict, however, lies great potential for building trust, cooperation, and
sound environmental decisions. Rochester Area Community Foundation and
Downtown Community Forum invites you to learn how at 'Civil Civics' and
the Environment: Preventing and Resolving Environmental Disputes Monday,
November 12, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Downtown Community Forum's Dugan Center, 15 St.
Mary's Place, Rochester, The program will be presented by Dr. Susan Senecah
is Associate Professor at the SUNY College of Science and Forestry in
Syracuse, where she coordinates undergraduate and graduate programs in
Environmental Communication and Participatory Processes. She is also
Associate Director for Environmental Conflicts and Public Participation for
the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts at Syracuse
University. In addition, she serves as Special Assistant for Environmental
Policy to New York State Senator George Maziarz. She is also an
environmental facilitator, mediator, public involvement process designer,
and policy consultant. Dr. Senecah is visiting the city through an
"Environmental Policy Expert in Residence" project of Rochester
Area Community Foundation, made possible by grants from the Joyce Foundation
and Council of Michigan Foundations. Parking: There is free parking in front
of St. Mary's Church and in the Blue-Cross/Blue-Shield garage. For more
information, call Evan Lowenstein at 271-4271 x4311 or e-mail elowenstein@racf.org;
or Betsy Glavin at (716) 232-7168. Evan Lowenstein, Leadership Council
member, Common Good Planning Center, 34 Meigs Street, Rochester, NY 14607,
(716) 442-2730 Fax: (800)-858-8245 www.ggw.org/commongood