News for April, 2006 - most recent stories are at the bottom.

•  Energy answer may be blowing in the wind - Meeting explores lake turbine viability - A year ago, the idea of putting wind turbines out in the open waters of Lake Erie to generate electricity seemed like just another item on a renewable energy buff's wish list. Today, there are signs of momentum building. The latest was an all-day summit yesterday at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Toledo, the first of its kind that the U.S. Department of Energy has organized for the Great Lakes region. About 200 people - many of them state and federal employees - came together to exchange research into the viability of offshore wind power in the lakes. - (April 05, 2006) - toledoblade.com -
•  State Health Commissioner Novello Speaks At State Senate Legislative Hearing On Long Island Dr. Novello Says Pandemic Flu Plan Serves as Blueprint to Build Strong Response to a Flu Pandemic with State Agencies, Counties and Health Care Providers ALBANY, March 10, 2006 – State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., today presented details on the State Health Department's comprehensive Influenza Pandemic Plan at a State Legislative Hearing in Mineola, New York (see Dr. Novello's remarks below). The hearing on the State's preparation for a potential pandemic was held by the New York State Senate Committee on Health and the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. Many facets of the State Health Department's plan are already in place as part of the State's overall emergency preparedness efforts to protect the health of all New Yorkers. New York's plan parallels the recently announced national strategy for pandemic influenza released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The State's plan addresses New York's unique characteristics such as demographics; population density; and international borders; as well as public health and health care systems capacities. New York State Department of Health
•  Welcome to the Great Lawns Great Lakes Program Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, with financial support from the Stormwater Coalition, coordinates an environmentally friendly lawn care education program for homeowners known as Great Lawns/Great Lakes. Through this program, a team of highly trained Master Gardener volunteers teach classes for homeowners on how they can maintain an attractive lawn and reduce stormwater pollution. The classes are scheduled upon request in municipal libraries, town and village halls, retail stores, and at meetings of community groups. For information about upcoming classes or to request a presentation, contact Margo Bauer, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 461-1000 ext. 230 or mcd25@cornell.edu --from Monroe County
•  How Citizens Can Help Reduce Stormwater Pollution - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has determined that the majority of the remaining water quality problems in the State are the result of stormwater runoff and and other types of nonpoint source pollution. The towns and villages that comprise the Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County are working together to reduce stormwater pollution from new construction, roadway maintenance operations, and other sources over which they have some control. However, the Coalition needs your help to reduce stormwater pollution from activities such as the illegal dumping of household hazardous wastes or motor oil into storm drains and improper lawn care practices. There are many opportunities for homeowners, families, students, and groups to become involved in local efforts to reduce stormwater pollution such as storm drain stenciling, distributing educational materials (door hangers) within neighborhoods, stream monitoring, and attending environmentally friendly lawn care training sessions. For information about how you or your group can become involved, contact us at 753-5472 or 753-5468. --from Monroe County
•  Great Lakes Lawmakers Unveil Restoration Bill $20 billion federal act would fix lakes, boost region’s economy By Andy Guy Great Lakes Bulletin News Service - www.truecolorearth.com  Proponents of Great Lakes restoration say their proposal would affect 20 percent of the planet’s fresh water and hasten the region’s transition to a modern, more prosperous economy. WASHINGTON DC—Four months after Great Lakes leaders officially unveiled a $20 billion plan to revive the health of their region’s troubled waterways and distressed economy, a bipartisan coalition of Congressional lawmakers officially introduced legislation on Wednesday that would kick off the effort, which one U.S. senator said is “the biggest restoration project in the world.” The proposed Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would direct public investments to some of the nation’s bedrock cities—Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Gary, Ind., and other blue-collar midwestern urban centers. (April 7, 2006) Michigan Land Use Institute: Making Smart Growth a Reality In Michigan
•  Golisano lays out alternative wind plan: Proposal says community project could make $125,000 per turbine annually  - ARKPORT - A community-based wind farm would be a cash cow for the community. That was the message at a meeting Thursday night at the Arkport Central School Performing Arts Center, arranged by Hartsville resident Steve Dombert. Dombert was initially opposed to any wind farm coming to Hartsville, but is now urging the town board to look at a community-owned project. (April 7, 2006) Hornell Evening Tribune Online
• Lawsuit filed to halt wind turbines - Residents challenge environmental review in Yates and Steuben — Local people who argue that wind turbines do not belong in the residential neighborhoods that dot the hills of Steuben and Yates counties filed suit Friday in hopes of stopping the construction of 53 turbines in the towns of Prattsburg and Italy. A group called Advocates for Prattsburg is formally challenging the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency's December decision to approve an environmental impact statement prepared by wind turbine developer Ecogen LLC. - (April 8, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Kodak falcon lays 6 eggs, a record - Mariah, the female peregrine falcon that nests atop Eastman Kodak Co.'s State Street office building, has laid a record six eggs. Average falcon nests range between two and five eggs, though some have included as many as seven. Chicks hatch about a month after the last egg is laid. (April 7, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Bill seeks $10 billion to clean Great Lakes - Lake Ontario's perpetually polluted shores will benefit if lawmakers approve a federal bill to direct $10 billion to cleaning up the Great Lakes. Introduced Wednesday, the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act would provide funding for a broad Great Lakes cleanup plan drafted over the past three years. Authors of the plan had originally called for $20 billion from all levels of government over 10 to 15 years to complete their work. (April 6, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  City Newspaper: News & Views: News articles: No problemo? Rochester and the decline of cheap oil When James Howard Kunstler's first book, "The Geography of Nowhere," came out in 1994, talk about running out of oil was akin to talk about that fake moon landing. Crackpots, oil executives, and every undergraduate geology student in the county knew we were approaching the peak of worldwide oil production, but most people had better things to worry about. Most still do. James Howard Kunstler: "We won't run the interstate highway system on bio diesel or second-hand French-fry potato oil. That's wishful thinking." Clarke Condé Almost immediately after his book was published, Kunstler become the go-to guy for biting criticism of America's built environment. His four non-fiction books and popular blog (The Clusterfuck Nation Chronicle) have focused on the unsustainable aspects of our culture. Like a revival preacher, he has railed against what he sees as our asinine insistence on constructing car-dependent sprawl and our blindness toward our impending energy problems. His message is to repent while there is still time. City Newspaper
•  Braddock Bay Raptor Research celebrates spring migration  A Bald eagle, a Broad-winged hawk and a Turkey vulture are just three of the raptors that will help celebrate spring migration over Braddock Bay April 15 to 23. Braddock Bay Raptor Research (BBRR) is sponsoring its 18th annual celebration of Bird of Prey Week (BOP) in and around Braddock Bay Park, its lodge and its hawkwatching platform. Throughout the week, there will be numerous opportunities for people to get a close-up view of some of the majestic birds. There will be weekday programs for kids, and two full weekends of hikes, tours, presentations and activities for the whole family. Westside News Inc.
•  Parks primped as weather warms — As pleasant weather beckons people outdoors, workers are busy preparing the parks for spring and summer use. There's plenty of work to be done, too, despite a mild winter by Rochester's standards. (April 12, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Will beach be OK to dip in? - Cost, safety cloud Duffy's Durand-Eastman idea — Questions about safety, expense and water quality hang over Mayor Robert Duffy's proposal to reopen Durand-Eastman beach for swimming this summer. An internal team at City Hall began analyzing these and other questions inherent in the project this week, and Deputy Mayor Patty Malgieri said she expects a draft report next week. Once the city has a grasp on details, she said, officials will move quickly to involve Monroe County and the town of Irondequoit in seeking state money to help pay for improvements. (April 12, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  County urged to OK Riga landfill measures — The Monroe County Legislature will consider two measures today that will affect the Mill Seat Landfill in Riga. County Executive Maggie Brooks wants lawmakers to approve a lease agreement with Waste Management Renewable Energy LLC to develop a landfill facility to operate and market energy produced in the landfill. The proposal calls for a public hearing before finalizing the lease agreement. (April 11, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Naples to sue windfarm? - Messenger Post staff NAPLES - The Village Board will likely vote next week whether to join Advocates for Prattsburgh in its suit to halt a 53-turbine windfarm in neighboring Prattsburgh.  (April 11, 2006) Daily Messenger
•  Decision on Hamlin/Kendall water drawing near Officials from the towns of Hamlin and Kendall met with residents on March 30 in Kendall to conduct another public hearing on the proposal to switch from the Hamlin/Kendall Water Department to Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA). "There were about 58 people at the meeting to hear the presentation," Hamlin Supervisor Denny Roach said. Each town was represented by its board and the opinions and comments of the residents were noted. Westside News Inc.
•  WXXI: County Issues Reminder on Pesticide Law (2006-04-12)- ROCHESTER, NY (2006-04-12) With the lawn care season arriving, Monroe County's Health Department has mailed out information packages to retailers who sell pesticides. The mailings are to remind people about the new neighbor notification law. It requires commercial pesticide applicators and homeowners who apply their own bug or weed killers to post signs on their property, alerting neighbors that chemicals have been used. wxxi NewsRoom
•  Rochester's Clean Sweep Program - Be A Part of the Action! Help Clean Up Our Streets! Clean and attractive neighborhoods are vital to the health of our city! - “Rochester's Clean Sweep... Showing Pride in Our City” - A six-week spring clean up initiative that begins April 17 --from Welcome to the City of Rochester
•  Rochester Clean Sweep 4/13/06 - Over the next 6 weeks Rochester is going to be in the middle of what could be the biggest clean up in its history. This morning mayor Duffy kicked off his program called Rochester Clean Sweep, Showing Pride in Our City. Each week volunteers will focus on a different section of the city by picking up trash and getting ride of graffiti. Duffy hopes to get enough volunteers to spruce up the neighborhoods by the end of next month. “Our goal is that as we arrive at Memorial Day weekend in May we can look back and from Genesee Valley Park to Charlotte we see just a fabulous clean city.” 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
•  Lawn care law largely ignored — Many Monroe County homeowners are not complying with the county's new pesticide neighbor notification law, officials say. Under the law, homeowners who apply weed-killers and insecticides to lawn and garden areas larger than 100 square feet must post small signs informing neighbors that chemicals have been applied. In addition, the law requires retailers to post signs next to pesticides explaining the law to their customers. (April 15, 2006) Daily Messenger
•  Veto freshens wind-power clash - Pataki move blocks takeover of 'renewables' fund — ALBANY — Among his 202 budget vetoes, Gov. George Pataki blocked a move by the Legislature to take control of grant money earmarked to spur renewable energy projects around the state. For that, environmentalists and some wind-power companies are glad. They fear that if the Legislature takes control of the approximately $20 million fund, the money could become lost in the budget shuffle — becoming just another fund for "pork-barrel" projects — and companies would be scared away from investing in the state. - (April 15, 2006) Daily Messenger
•  Environmental Protection Agency - EPA Press Release: Chemical Releases to Air and Water Drop Drastically in New York State from 1998 to 2004 (New York, NY) The quantity of toxic chemicals released into the air and water by industry in New York State fell by more than 35%, from 50 million pounds in 1998 to a total of 31 million pounds in 2004, according to data in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) issued today. The amount of total releases, including land disposal, dropped by 8.9% in the state from 2003 to 2004. TRI provides Americans with vital information about chemicals released into their communities, and is an important instrument for industries to gauge their progress in reducing pollution. On a national level, over 23,000 facilities reported on approximately 650 chemicals for calendar year 2004. --from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
•  Area Sierra Club starts book group - Local Sierra Club members have created a book club to educate themselves about the science and politics of the environment. Their first book will be Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble by Lester Brown. The book was selected for its explanation of environmental stresses, as well as its practical solutions. All are invited to participate in two discussions, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, and Tuesday, May 30, at the Brighton Public Library, 2300 Elmwood Ave., Rochester.  (April 17, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Sierra Club speakers urge change - Fears of global warming prompts call to live within limits — Antarctic ice is melting at an alarming rate, high ocean temperatures are spawning monster storms, and average global temperatures in 2005 were the warmest on record. Climate change is here, said speakers at the eighth annual Sierra Club Environmental Forum. It would be easy to become overwhelmed with hopelessness, facing a challenge with the potential to transform daily life for everyone on Earth — but emerging technology offers hope for the future if we can change our mindset, they said Thursday. (April 22, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  'Green' groups demand action — ALBANY — Environmental groups Thursday pressured the Republican-led Senate to stop holding up key conservation bills they say have statewide support. (April 21, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Monroe County: Webster & Penfield to Host Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that the County's Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the Towns of Penfield and Webster have joined forces to hold an appointment-only House Hold Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Town of Penfield Highway Garage, 1607 Jackson Road, on Saturday April 29, 2006 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon...--from Monroe County
•  Enraptured by raptors For 20 years, Braddock Bay Raptor Research has made a name for itself as it studies and celebrates birds of prey.  It's already been designated an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society. Greece Post
•  Hamlin pulls plug on own water district operation - By a vote of three to two, Town of Hamlin officials decided to make a switch from participation in the Hamlin-Kendall Water Authority to the Monroe County Water Authority at a meeting April 10. At the April 10 board meeting, Supervisor Denny Roach said that the town had been offered an opportunity by the MCWA for a 40-year lease for the operation of the town's water system. The town has operated previously in an agreement with the Town of Kendall that has supplied water and service to residents. "This has been a difficult decision and we've labored over it," Roach said. "It seems more economically feasible to lease our services to MCWA." Westside News Inc.
•  Wind turbine firm files complaint - ITALY — A Buffalo-area wind turbine company has filed a complaint, saying the town’s six-month extension on its wind turbine moratorium unlawfully prevents the firm from building the electricity substation it would need for its Steuben County generators. The substation that Ecogen LLC plans to build on Emerson Road is needed to connect electricity produced by the 30 wind turbine generators proposed for Prattsburg and 23 turbines proposed in Italy. Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  Volunteers clean up Rochester - About 350 people join effort in Maplewood and Charlotte sections — Despite a persistent, cold drizzle, as many as 350 volunteers showed up Saturday for the first of six large-scale cleanups in Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy's "Clean Sweep" initiative. Wearing Day-Glo green T-shirts, the volunteers gathered under white tents at Maplewood Park to await Duffy's greeting, then fanned out in Maplewood and Charlotte, where litter and debris fluttered like leaves along roadways and in garden beds, parks and construction zones. - (April 23, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Earth Day Brings Awareness - Rising oil and gas prices were part of the focus Saturday, on the celebration of Earth Day. Other issues like global warming, endangered species, and overflowing landfill, are also in the spotlight. (April 22, 2006)  R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Naples joins suit against wind-power project — Village leaders in Naples, Ontario County, have voted to join a lawsuit challenging a wind energy project planned for the nearby towns of Prattsburg and Italy. Ecogen LLC, a Buffalo-based developer, plans a 53-turbine project in the Steuben and Yates county communities, and has received preliminary approval from the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, which completed an environmental review of the project in December. - (April 24, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  400 pick up 36 tons of trash - Rochester's first "Clean Sweep" to rid neighborhoods of trash, leaves and other debris netted 400 volunteers who collected 36 tons of waste near Maplewood Park. - (April 24, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  EPA commends environmental achievers in New York - In celebration of Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday honored 20 individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts to protect the environment in New York. Regional Administrator Alan Steinberg presented EPA’s Environmental Quality Awards and acknowledged winners and runners-up for the Presidents Environmental Youth Award at a ceremony in EPA offices in Manhattan. EPA selects Environmental Quality Award winners from non-profit, environmental and community groups, individual citizens, educators, business organizations and members of the news media, as well as from federal, state, local or tribal governments and agencies. The honor is given to those individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to improving the environment in EPA Region 2, which covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and seven federally-recognized Indian Nations. The Agency receives nominations for the awards from both inside and outside EPA. New York State News on the Net!
•  Empire BioFuels gets extension SENECA FALLS — Empire Biofuels missed Friday’s deadline for submitting its draft environmental impact statement — or a timeline — for its proposed ethanol plant, but town officials say they’ll still accept it when it’s submitted today or tomorrow. Supervisor Peter Same said the company didn’t meet the deadline and didn’t send the Town Board an update letter because its lawyer was out of town last week. Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  With Great Lakes near “tipping point,” Congress urged to act Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission is urging Congress to approve the recently introduced Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act, now that the latter has returned from its Easter recess. The legislation would implement key recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration to address the Great Lakes’ most pressing restoration and protection needs. “The average person on the street may not realize it, but the Great Lakes are facing a crisis,” said Tom Huntley, chair of the Great Lakes Commission. “There’s a very real concern that the combination of stresses they are facing could push them beyond a ‘tipping point’ where we could see massive and potentially irreversible damages to the Great Lakes ecosystem.” Great Lakes Commission | Commission des Grands Lacs
•  STATES SUE EPA FOR VIOLATING CLEAN AIR ACT AND REFUSING TO ACT ON GLOBAL WARMING Ten state Attorneys General today sued the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for failing to adopt strong emission standards to reduce air pollution from new power plants across the nation. The District of Columbia and the City of New York also joined in the legal action. The Clean Air Act requires that the EPA review and revise emission standards for new pollution sources every eight years to ensure that they protect public health and the environment. On February 27, 2006, EPA issued revised regulations in accordance with a court order. However, the revised standards completely fail to regulate power plant emissions of carbon dioxide, the major contributor to global warming. In addition, the revised standards for other air pollutants harmful to public health are unacceptably lax. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said: "In defense of public health, the environment and our economy, power plants must be required to sharply reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. EPA’s newly adopted rule represents an abdication of leadership and foresight in favor of the unacceptable status quo." Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  State Health Department Urges New Yorkers to Take Precautions to Avoid Tick Bites, Prevent Lyme Disease ALBANY, NY, April 25, 2006 - State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., today reminded all New Yorkers to take precautions from now through the fall season to protect themselves against potential tick-borne diseases that may cause chronic health conditions, such as Lyme disease. The State Health Department's "Be Tick Free" education campaign was developed in coordination with local health departments in counties where the report of ticks and Lyme disease cases are most prevalent. The Department's "Be Tick Free" logo is displayed across New York State on trail markers, billboards and bus placards, as well as on local television public service announcements. The Department is also providing updated educational and awareness brochures on Lyme disease prevention and stickers containing the logo to counties to assist them in their public outreach efforts in the communities they serve.--from New York State Department of Health
•  $1M given to return salmon to Lake Ontario — Banrock Station Wines of Canada is donating $1.1 million ($1.25 million Canadian) to the Banrock Station Wetlands Foundation Canada for a five-year project to restore the native Atlantic salmon back to Lake Ontario, the company said today. - (April 28, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Rochester, 3 area towns get grants for trees  — Rochester and three area towns are among 42 statewide chosen to share in $448,000 in grants to study and plant urban trees, Gov. George Pataki announced yesterday. - (April 28, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Olmsted parks celebrated - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy issued a proclamation Wednesday designating April 26 through May 3 as Rochester Olmsted Parks Week. - Seneca, Genesee Valley, Highland and Maplewood parks were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect.- (April 29, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  WXXI: Kodak Completes Environmental Goals (2006-04-27) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-04-27) Eastman Kodak Company says it's achieved the environmental goals it set for the year 2008 more than two years early, thanks partly to the move from traditional to digital photography. wxxi NewsRoom
•  EPA > Wetlands > American Wetlands Month May is the month we recognize and celebrate the wonderful ways wetlands enrich the environment and people. It is a time to give back to the environment by learning more about wetlands and participating in the many scheduled events. The Environmental Protection Agency is proud to partner with other federal, state and local agencies and private organizations celebrating American Wetlands Month each May. Events are scheduled across the country to educate, involve and engage Americans who want to better understand the value of one of Earth's most important ecosystems. This year's theme is "It Pays to Save Wetlands."
•  Speakers at housing conference spotlight social ties to health - They decry links among toxic environment, race, income - Background Environmental justice is the quest for a healthy environment for everyone, regardless of race or income level. Today, 80 percent of Hispanics, 65 percent of black Americans and 57 percent of whites live in counties with polluted air, and problems like lead poisoning are far more frequent in low-income communities. (April 29, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Advocates give our ozone level an 'F'  — Monroe County received a failing grade for its continued problems with ozone pollution in the annual State of the Air report released today by the American Lung Association. "The worst ozone problem in the state is in western New York," said Peter Iwanowicz, director of environmental health for the association's New York chapter. While industrial pollution, on the whole, has declined in recent years, ozone problems linger. The chemical components of ozone — volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides — are produced by fuel combustion, so as the number of vehicles on local highways has increased, more ozone is created, canceling out other gains. (April 27, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Urban Forestry grants announced for 42 communities - Nearly $448,000 in urban and community forestry grants were announced Thursday to 42 communities across New York State. The awards support tree planting and forestry programs that will enhance community landscapes and provide environmental benefits to residents in urban and suburban areas. Under the Urban and Community Forestry Grants program, which is funded by New York State and the U.S. Forest Service and administered by the State Department of Environmental Conservation, grants are available to cities, villages, towns and not-for-profit organizations. The Community Greening Grants promote municipal urban forestry programs through tree planting, tree inventory and management planning, tree maintenance, and educational projects that explain the importance of planting and maintaining trees in communities. New York State News on the Net!
•  Kodak unveils its data on global pollutants — Many governmental leaders have advocated against restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, calling international treaties like the Kyoto Protocol a drain on the economy. But some American corporations are quietly taking action. Tuesday, Eastman Kodak Co. released its global greenhouse gas emissions to public scrutiny. Three years of Kodak data for all six of the greenhouse gases regulated by the Kyoto Protocol — carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride — were posted online by the California Climate Action Registry. - (April 5, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle