July 2007  News

(The most recent news stories are at the top.)

• New Yorkers Urged Not to Disturb Young Wildlife - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation New Yorkers are reminded to keep their distance from newborn fawns and other young wildlife during the warm weather months. Although they may seem as though they're abandoned, helpless and in need of assistance, it usually isn't true. Look -- but don't touch. It could do more harm than good. NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
• State links chemical hazard to dry cleaner in Brighton  — A Brighton neighborhood already dealing with two hazardous sites now has a third — the former Speedy's Cleaners at 2150 Monroe Ave. Tetrachloroethene (or PCE), a chemical commonly used by dry cleaners, was found in high levels in recent groundwater samples and now has been linked by state environmental officials to Speedy's, which moved from the Monroe Avenue site about two decades ago. (July 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• State warns emerald ash borer a threat to state's trees - The emerald ash borer, an insect that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the United States, is making its way toward New York. In an effort to prevent or minimize an infestation, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is urging that users of firewood burn only locally available wood and not transport wood to distant campgrounds or state parks. (July 31, 07) The Ithaca Journal: RSS - Local News
• Hamlin Wind Tower Report Delayed - HAMLIN, NY (2007-07-31) A frustrated HamlinWind Tower Committee told the town board and town supervisor Monday night that more work must be done before anyone can decide whether to proceed with wind tower development in Hamlin. (July 31, 07) WXXI NewsRoom
• Meet the beetles - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Only a half-inch long, the Japanese beetle can do "a fair amount of damage in July and August" as it munches on more than 600 different kinds of common garden plants, trees and crops, said Russell Welser of the Ontario County Cornell Cooperative Extension. Fair amount? That might seem like an understatement to some gardeners who have seen their raspberries and the other fruits of their labor go the way of the little invaders. (July 30, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
• Hamlin to hear wind farm preferences tonight — HAMLIN — The Hamlin Town Board is holding a special meeting beginning at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss a town community center and to hear the town Wind Tower Committee’s recommendations to the board. The community center hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and the wind committee presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. (July 30, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• CITY TO GIVE UPDATE ON PORT PLANS & IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Representatives from the City’s Dept. of Environmental Services will update the public on the Port Plans and Improvement projects, 7 p.m., Wed., August 1, at the Departure Hall in the Ferry Terminal, Charlotte. (July 31, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Wind power ardour cools Opponents Complain Of High Cost, Inefficiency, Noise And Disruption Of Birds' Migration - On the lush land along the north shore of Lake Erie and south shore of Lake Huron the fertile soil returns hundreds of tonnes of corn, barley and wheat, but lately a new kind of farm is sprouting up. Alongside the expansive hectares of traditional crops, mammoth steel towers with spinning blades are springing up from concrete roots planted firmly in the soil. (July 31, 07) National Post
• The Buffalo News: Home: Invasive pests claiming new habitats in New York State Boring beetle, lake mussel, fruit virus among species devastating to ecosystems First the American chestnut, then the elm. Forest experts say New York will soon add another well-known species, the ash, to the list of trees nearly wiped out by aggressive insects and diseases imported from elsewhere. (July 30, 07) The Buffalo News
• Feds giving Rochester port $11.6M for fixes — Rochester is slated to receive $11.6 million in federal funds for upgrades to the Port of Rochester. Two separate announcements, one made Friday by Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton regarding about $10 million, and the other coming Thursday by Rep. Louise Slaughter for $1.6 million, provide funds for large-scale renovation to the port. (July 29, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• We've cooked our own goose over Canada geese - Humans have a meddling hand in the mess they've made. July 29, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• Canada geese are foul play - Nuisance birds shrug off area shooings, leave big mess behind - Canada geese have been a problem in this area for years, not only because of their droppings but because of the traffic problems they cause and the damage they do to lawns, which they eat. Municipal leaders, golf-course superintendents and others have tried a variety of methods to deal with the birds, which are protected by federal and state laws and regulations. (July 29, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• RG&E project imperils trees - Big growth must come down near new power line in Greece — GREECE — At the Britton Road Cemetery, a stand of stately oaks shades the eastern border near the Rochester city line. The trees, many reaching heights of 50 feet or more, line the edge between the Jewish cemetery's oldest section and the abandoned Rochester and Southern Railroad line. In some areas, headstones dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s are just a few feet west of the tree bases. (July 29, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Some say growing more corn will lead to more pollution TOLEDO It seems like a simple equation. Because of the rising demand for ethanol, farmers are growing more corn, which needs more nitrogen fertilizer than other crops. Then it stands to reason that applying more chemicals means more of it will wind up polluting rivers and lakes. (July 29, 07) cantonrep.com
• Mosquito sample tests positive for West Nile Virus - Suffolk County -- The New York State Department of Health has notified Suffolk County that a mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus. The sample was collected from the Blydenburgh County Park by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services on July 17th. This is the first sample in Suffolk County to test positive for West Nile virus this year. Acting Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Parks Tracey Bellone has closed the park from dusk to dawn starting today until further notice. (July 27, 07) New York State News on the Net!
• Rise in Cases of West Nile May Portend an Epidemic - New York Times The number of West Nile virus cases in the United States is nearly four times what it was a year ago, meaning that a large epidemic may be in store, government researchers are reporting. “It’s certainly a warning sign that we need to be extremely vigilant,” Dr. Lyle Petersen, the director of the division of vector-borne infections at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said yesterday. “The worst is yet to come.” (July 26, 07) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
• Lake Erie is getting warmer and smaller The lake is in far better shape than it was 20 years ago, but scientists worry it might not stay that way as it deals with new environmental threats - Lake Erie is hot. OK, just slowly warming -- and drawing increasingly heated interest among beaker-bearing scientists, criss-crossing our lake this summer looking for answers to questions about temperature and related matters. Among them: Will Lake Erie continue its 30-year drop in depth and area? Will damaging invasive aquatic species like zebra mussels keep gaining in strength and numbers? Will the harmful algae blooms and no-oxygen "dead zones" keep growing each year? (July 26, 07) cleveland.com: Everything Cleveland
• Senate panel approves $600,000 to protect the Great Lakes from soil erosion - Washington -- The full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $600,000 for Great Lakes Basin Soil and Erosion Control. (July 24, 07) New York State News on the Net!
• Rochester Launches "Green Team"  -ROCHESTER, NY (2007-07-25) The City of Rochester is conducting energy audits of 70 city buildings in an effort to save both money and the environment. And it's looking ahead to possible "green" building standards for construction projects in the city, plus tax incentives for Rochester businesses to "go green." WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
• CITY RECEIVES AWARD FROM CONSTELLATION NEW ENERGY FOR USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced that the City was recognized with an award by its energy supplier, Constellation NewEnergy. In recognition of its ongoing efforts to 'go green,' the City received the award for reducing its use of fossil fuels and exceeding state standards for use of renewable energy sources with its decision to purchase Green-e certified renewable energy. "It is so important that we continue to look for ways to conserve energy and be environmentally and fiscally responsible," said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. "This energy purchase certainly qualifies and I'm glad to see that our decision to 'go green' is having a clear, tangible benefit for taxpayers. I would like to thank City Council for allowing us to enter into this agreement to purchase green energy. I would also like to thank the committee of City employees who came together to evaluate and make a recommendation about who would be the best energy service provider, and Constellation NewEnergy for this wonderful recognition." (July 25, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• MAYOR ROLLS OUT "GREEN TEAM" ANNOUNCES ENERGY AUDITS PLANNED FOR 70 CITY FACILITIES Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced the formation of the City's "Green Team." The "Green Team" was developed to update and expand environmental compliance policy and coordinate cross-departmental efforts. Its first project will be an energy audit of the City's 70 smaller facilities, including Recreation Centers, firehouses and NET offices. "I'm excited about our 'Green Team',"said Mayor Duffy. "The City continues to look for opportunities to implement efficiency improvements. The list of ways we are 'going green' is growing. Whether it's operating 100 percent of City Hall's electricity with renewable energy sources, or powering more than 80 alternative fuel vehicles in the City's fleet, it's important that we act as environmental stewards and encourage others to do the same." (July 25, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Fish virus spreads - Rochester, NY - MPNnow A deadly fish virus spreading through upstate New York has been detected in three new locations and, for the first time, has been found in rainbow trout, one of the state’s top game fish, state scientists said Monday. Viral hemorrhagic septicemia was found in fish taken from the Little Salmon River in Oswego County and the Seneca-Cayuga Canal, as well as an isolated farm pond in Niagara County, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said. (July 24, 07) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• TOXIN KILLS ENDANGERED BIRDS A toxin that has killed tens of thousands of shorebirds throughout the Great Lakes is back. Type-E botulism is spread up the food chain by invasive species. And as Bob Allen reports, the toxin recently killed four birds on the endangered species list: (July 24, 07) The Environment Report
• Fatal fish disease spreads to Finger Lakes region -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY Virus, first found in Great Lakes two years ago, is affecting more species of fish despite control efforts  ALBANY -- A fatal fish disease first discovered in the Great Lakes two years ago has spread into three areas in the western part of the state, and for the first time, into rainbow trout, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Wildlife officials don't know how the fish became infected with viral hemorrhagic septicemia in the Little Salmon River in Oswego County and the Seneca-Cayuga Canal in the Finger Lakes, despite rules adopted last year to stem the illness by barring people from moving fish from one water body to another. VHS is a disease that causes the hemorrhaging of fish tissues, including internal organs. Uniformly fatal, the disease is common in Europe and Japan. Biologists believe that the virus arrived in the ballast of ships that ply the Great Lakes. (July 24, 07) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
• TheStar.com - Environment - Could climate change herald mass migration? Concerns raised as the U. S. Southwest grapples with historic drought, water supply depletion and the creeping sense that things can only get worse - than 300 golf courses, a booming economy, endless sunshine and, at last count, at least five Saks Fifth Avenue department stores — in short, nearly everything the well-heeled sybarite would need. There’s just one thing missing: rain. For the past month, not a drop has fallen in Maricopa County, home to greater Phoenix, the state’s economic engine and fastest-growing hub. Over that period, temperatures have hovered five to seven degrees above the 30-year average, at one point holding steady at over 43C for 10 straight days, while hundreds of brush fires burned statewide. (July 22, 07) TheStar.com
• Brooks and RIT Announce New Green Fleet Vehicle Partnership - Continuing her leadership in protecting the environment, growing our economy and employing our community’s spirit of innovation, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks was joined by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) President William Destler and Nabil Nasr, Director of The Center for Integrated Manufacturing to announce a new partnership between Monroe County and RIT to assess the performance of Monroe County’s E85 flex-fuel vehicles. E85 flex-fuel comprise of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that power the flex-fuel vehicles engines. - MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
• CUOMO ANNOUNCES 5 MAJOR WATER POLLUTION SETTLEMENTS: OVER $8 MILLION TO BE USED FOR WATER PROTECTION - NEW YORK, NY (July 18, 2007) - In the latest in a series of major environmental initiatives, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced over $8 million in 5 major settlements involving the protection of New York’s streams, rivers and wetlands. A majority of these funds will be used to protect the Bronx River from future water pollution and to expand an environmental education program. The settlements are part of Attorney General Cuomo’s ongoing statewide environmental protection initiatives - from Office of New York State Attorney General Andrew M Cuomo
• www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR SIGNS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND BILL Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today that he has signed legislation that will increase revenue to the State’s Environmental Protection Fund from $225 million to $250 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year, and to $300 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and thereafter. “The Environmental Protection Fund is a pivotal funding source for the state’s premier environmental programs,” said Governor Spitzer. “It is critically important that we advance the state’s comprehensive environmental agenda and that requires that we back up our ambitious policy objectives with appropriate funding.” (July 19, 07) http://www.ny.gov/
• Governor signs environmental protection fund bill - Albany - Governor Eliot Spitzer announced Thursday that he has signed legislation that will increase revenue to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund from $225 million to $250 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year, and to $300 million in fiscal year 2009-10 and thereafter. (July 20, 07) New York State News on the Net!
• Zebra Mussel's impact anything but clear - After becoming so badly polluted it was labelled a “dead lake” in the 1960s, few would have imagined the waters of Lake Erie would one day be compared to the vibrant hues of the Caribbean. But in an ironic twist of fate, a destructive invasive species that entered the Great Lakes about 20 years ago has created increasingly clear waters, leaving many to reasonably assume the lakes keep getting cleaner and healthier. But it's just an illusion created by the zebra mussel — a tiny interloper that's killing off life under the surface even as it continues to make all the Great Lakes look more and more picturesque. (July 19, 07) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
• Anderson delivers sobering report; Great Lakes mayors told it will soon be too late to reverse environmental decline - Canadians have just over 12 years left to reverse the damage to our environment if we are to save it, says the mayor of The Blue Mountains. Ellen Anderson made that pessimistic prediction to council Monday night while reporting on the annual meeting of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. (July 19, 07) Osprey Media. - Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA
• State acts to shield water -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY Protection of Great Lakes supply from sale elsewhere is goal of new compact - ALBANY -- New York is poised to join seven states and two Canadian provinces that border the Great Lakes to lock up the world's largest source of fresh water from outsiders. The plan, called the Great Lakes St. Lawrence River Basin Water Compact, was approved Monday by the state Senate, about two months after the Assembly adopted it as part of an Earth Day environmental package. (July 19, 07) Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
• ScienceDaily: New Research Seeks To Enhance Alternative Fuel Integration In Public Vehicle Fleets Science Daily — Rochester Institute of Technology and the County of Monroe, New York have created a research partnership to assess the performance of the County’s fleet of E85 flex-fuel vehicles. E85 is comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline and is considered a major alternative energy option for American automobiles. (July 19, 07) Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology
• GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE CITIES INITIATIVE Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy, the Lower Lakes Regional Director of GLSLCI, said, "We have all worked very hard over the past 30 years to protect and restore the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, and we cannot allow that progress to be reversed with pollution increases like the ones allowed in this permit." (July 18, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• ENVIRONMENT: Recycling has grown, but landfills are king - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper The way society thinks about waste has changed dramatically. Highly-engineered landfills have replaced the old municipal dumps. Recycling has gone mainstream, and schools, environmental groups, and governments promote it along with reuse and waste reduction. But landfills are king, and there are two in Monroe County: High Acres in Perinton and Mill Seat in Riga, both operated by Waste Management Inc. (Monroe County owns Mill Seat but contracts with Waste Management for its operation.) (July 17, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
• CITY WATER OPERATION CENTER RECEIVES AWARD Mayor Robert J. Duffy announced today that the City's Water Operations Center, located at 10 Felix St., has been awarded LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC's leading edge system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, energy efficient, high performing buildings. The Water Operation Center has the distinction of being the first building in Rochester and the first municipal building in the state to be LEED Gold certified. (July18, 07) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Green Bay Press-Gazette - DNR's VHS dilemma: Lakes or landfills? MADISON — The specter of viral hemorrhagic septicemia is likely to claim thousands of trout and salmon from Wisconsin's state-owned hatcheries in coming weeks without the disease infecting a single fish. "We're going to end up with a surplus of fish that we don't have use for," explained Mike Staggs, fisheries director for the Department of Natural Resources. (July 15, 07) Green Bay Press Gazette
• RIT to evaluate county's alternative-fuel vehicles — Monroe County and the Rochester Institute of Technology announced a partnership Monday to study the performance of county vehicles running on alternative fuels. The county has stepped up efforts in recent years to use vehicles that run on ethanol. The county has 78 hybrid-electric vehicles and E-85 flex-fuel vehicles, which run on 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. (July 17, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Global Warming to Hit U.S. Northeast Hard, Scientists Say Long-term Severity Depends On Near-term Choices, Scientists Say "CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—If heat-trapping emissions are not significantly curtailed, global warming will substantially change critical aspects of the Northeast's character and economy, according to a new report by the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA), a two-year collaboration between the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and a team of more than 50 scientists and economists. Near-term choices about energy, transportation, and land-use will largely determine the extent and severity of climate change."  (July 11, 2007) Union of Concerned Scientists
• MPNnow.com: 'Adaptable' coyote now calling suburbia home Coyote sightings in the area are becoming more common. ( July 13, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
• Rochester quality of life ranked No. 1 of 50 metros - Good suburban public schools, affordable housing and ease of commute are just some of the reasons Rochester was ranked by Expansion Management magazine as having the best quality of life among the 50 metro areas with more than 1 million people. The monthly business magazine judged Rochester to be the best Five Star Quality of Life Metro in its survey, analyzing categories such as work force, education, crime rate, public schools and infrastructure. Pittsburgh, Austin, Boston and San Jose followed in the top five. (July 11, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• Brownfield tax breaks debated -  ALBANY — Besides the more than $1 billion that the state knows it owes developers of projects built on polluted land, taxpayers could be on the hook for billions more, according to state officials. That's because besides 54 projects already identified as qualifying for breaks, another 123 are also in line to get them, officials said this week. (July 14, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• E. coli closes Hamlin Beach; 1st time in 3 years — The beach at Hamlin Beach State Park was closed today after testing revealed the presence of unsafe levels of E. coli in the water. Park officials said the buildup of the infectious bacteria is a result of last night's stormy conditions over Lake Ontario. It was the first time since the 2004 swimming season. (July 13, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• London Free Press - National News - Researchers urge Great Lakes help - Researchers urge Great Lakes help - Ships carrying invasive fish and other species in from the ocean need tougher rules, study says. U.S. and Canadian researchers yesterday urged tougher rules for ships plying the Great Lakes in an effort to reduce the invasion of damaging foreign species. (July 13, 07) London Free Press
• EEE found in bird-biting mosquitoes - West Monroe -- Oswego County Public Health Director Kathleen Smith Wednesday announced that the Eastern equine encephalitis virus was found in a pool of mosquitoes collected near the Toad Harbor Swamp in West Monroe. The virus has only been found in the type of mosquitoes that bite birds, not in mosquitoes that feed on humans or mammals, said Smith. The mosquitoes were collected June 25 near the large swamp on the north shore of Oneida Lake and sent to the state health department’s Wadsworth Center Laboratories near Albany for testing. The Toad Harbor site is a longtime surveillance location known to periodically harbor the virus. (July 12, 07) New York State News on the Net!
• Schumer seeks funds to repair aging sewers - Towns, cities need help to fix 'dilapidated,' archaic systems, he says — ALBANY — New York's "aging and dilapidated" sewer systems are a public health hazard and a hindrance to economic development, and towns and cities need assistance from the federal government to repair them, the state's senior U.S. senator said Wednesday. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said federal funding for the projects is at an all-time low as overflowing and leaky pipes spew sewage into homes and local bodies of water. (July 12, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• The Epoch Times | Pollution Making Great Lakes Fish Inedible Levels of toxic chemicals alarmingly high, states report - Could eating fish from the Great Lakes become a thing of the past? Environmentalists say it's very likely, given the levels of toxins dangerous to both fish and people present in the lakes. A report by the Canadian environmental watchdog group, Environmental Defence, says pollution from industrial, municipal, and agricultural sources poses a serious threat to the ecological health of the Great Lakes. (July 12, 07) The Epoch Times
• Botulism blamed in bird die-off - Syracuse.com DEC reports appearance of dozens of dead birds along Lake Ontario shoreline. Water birds, once again, are dying by the hundreds on Lake Ontario. Several hundred dead birds - including numerous Caspian terns, a species of special concern in New York state - have washed up in recent weeks along Little Galloo Island and the eastern coast of Lake Ontario, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said Monday. The culprit: Type E avian botulism, a deadly toxin. (July 10, 07) Syracuse.com
• MPNnow.com: Young bear cruises CA, causing a stir. Hide the birdseed! CANANDAIGUA — Police were busy Sunday fielding calls from residents who had spotted a black bear lumbering about in the city, from North Bloomfield Road to West Gibson Street (July 9, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
• MPNnow.com: Bloomfield adopts water alert system - Keep your eye out for the red and black flags. BLOOMFIELD — It's not exactly a Homeland Security warning system, but Bloomfield and East Bloomfield have adopted a low-tech system to let people know when to go easy on the water during a drought. (July 10, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
• Zoo event seeks to benefit Madagascar region — The Madagascar Fete, an evening of conservation science and fun at the zoo, is planned for 6 p.m. Sat. July 21 at the Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St. Paul St. Dr. Jeff Wyatt, director of animal health and conservation at the zoo, has traveled to Madagascar several times to research the lemur, which is endangered due to dwindling rain forest.(July 10, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Old computers get new life, raise funds  - Money earned benefits Ithaca's Sciencenter ITHACA — If a vintage computer is collecting dust in your basement, there's a hospital for it in Ithaca, then hopefully a new home. Babbage's Basement rehabilitates computer systems, selling them from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Proceeds benefit the Sciencenter. (July 10, 07) The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY
• Take Steps for a Healthy Swimming Season ALBANY, NY,  With summer in full swing, State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., recommends a number of steps New Yorkers can take to ensure a healthy swimming season. "Swimming is great family fun and great exercise," Commissioner Daines said. "New York has so many wonderful beaches and public pools for us to enjoy. But everyone needs to use appropriate caution to prevent recreational water illness. Whether you go to one of the many swimming pools or beaches regulated by the Department of Health or swim in your own backyard pool, you can practice healthy swimming behaviors and reduce your chance of getting sick." July 9, 2007 – New York State Department of Health
• Dave Henderson: Lake Ontario watershed meeting slated for July 23 - The state is developing a five-year Watershed Action Plan for the Southeast Lake Ontario Watershed, which will conduct its first meeting from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, July 23 at the Martha Eddy Room on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. The watershed includes the Finger Lakes, Syracuse, the Lake Ontario shore, Oneida Lake, eastern Rochester, the Tug Hill and Sandy creeks. (July 3, 07) The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY
• At least 3 black bears roaming region — State Department of Environmental Conservation officials today said they believed there are at least three young black bears roaming the region.One bear was spotted walking in Ogden yesterday afternoon, another was spotted in Geneva yesterday morning and a third was sighted in Canandaigua yesterday morning, said Randy Nemecek, DEC regional supervisor for natural resources. (July 10, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Hot Weather Impacts Animals - As summer temperatures get close to the 90 degree mark, pet owners certainly can't forget about their furry friends. Lollypop Farm has some important do's and dont's for pet owners. When it's 90 degrees out it can actually feel much warmer to pets. (July 8, 07) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• MPNnow.com: The disappearing honeybee - One of nature's best and most vital pollinators is enduring tough times because of a mystery disease. Just this week, Senator Clinton requested quick federal funding for research. Not everyone takes his cup of tea with a dollop of honey. But whatever your sweetener of choice, local experts agree there's reason to be seriously concerned about what's happening to the honeybee — here, nationally and worldwide. (June 5, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
• MPNnow.com: The glass-vs.-plastic wars hit home Japanese bottle makers check out a state-of-the-art recycling facility at the Ontario County landfill to borrow some ideas. Why were 15 nattily dressed Japanese executives touring a noisy, dusty glass-recycling plant in Seneca one recent day? All of them were in the business of making bottles. They were on a mission to learn more about the ins and outs of glass recycling and do some idea-swapping with Americans at a state-of-the-art facility. (July 6, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
• Horrors of lead ignite lawsuits; landlords cry 'unfair' - Pressure grows on building owners - As many as 200 lead poisoning lawsuits are working their way through state Supreme Court in Rochester — enough to have prompted court officials to appoint a judge, Matthew A. Rosenbaum, to oversee the majority of them. Lead-based paint, once thought to dry faster, last longer and resist moisture, has been banned in the United States since 1978, and in Europe since the early 1900s. (July 8, 07) Democrat & Chronicle
• Oil Based Paint Soon to be Illegal - Oil based paints have been the preferred choice of professionals for more than 70 years especially for outside jobs. Come July 16th many of those paints, stains and sealants will no longer be available in New York State. (July 6, 07) http://www.rnews.com/
• Chemicals in Sportfish and Game: 2007-2008 Health Advisories The New York State Department of Health (DOH) issues advisories on eating sportfish and game because some of these foods contain chemicals at levels that may be harmful to health. The advisories tell people which fish and game to avoid and how to reduce their exposures to contaminants in the fish and game that they do eat. These advisories are for sportfish and game that people take and are not for fish and game sold in markets. The health advisories are (1) general advice on sportfish taken from waters in New York State; (2) advice on sportfish caught in specific New York State waterbodies; and (3) advice on eating New York State game. Fish and game can be nutritious and good to eat. Fish are an important source of protein and are low in saturated fat. Naturally occurring fish oils lower plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and may have other health benefits.--From New York State Department of Health
• www.ny.gov - RENEWABLE ENERGY TASK FORCE MEMBERS NAMED Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson today announced the appointment of members to New York's Renewable Energy Task Force. Under Lieutenant Governor Paterson’s leadership, the goal of the Task Force will be to identify and recommend ways of expanding the state’s use of renewable energy and alternative fuels.  (June 24, 07) http://www.ny.gov/
• SUNY ESF awarded green grant - Building better plastics - SYRACUSE — The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) is set to start a green research project that could have local commercial potential for companies such as Tessy Plastics Corp. in Elbridge and Welch Allyn in Syracuse. The project, which commences in September, will explore how to develop biodegradable plastic from trees. Medical-device manufacturer Welch Allyn could potentially manufacture its products, such as tongue depressors, using the new plastic, says Dr. Arthur J. Stipanovic, senior research associate, faculty of chemistry, and director of analytical and technical services at SUNY ESF. (July 7, 07) The Central New York Business Journal
• After Lobbying, Wetlands Rules Are Narrowed - New York Times WASHINGTON, July 5 — After a concerted lobbying effort by property developers, mine owners and farm groups, the Bush administration scaled back proposed guidelines for enforcing a key Supreme Court ruling governing protected wetlands and streams. The administration last fall prepared broad new rules for interpreting the decision, handed down by a divided Supreme Court in June 2006, that could have brought thousands of small streams and wetlands under the protection of the Clean Water Act of 1972. The draft guidelines, for example, would allow the government to protect marsh lands and temporary ponds that form during heavy rains if they could potentially affect water quality in a nearby navigable waterway. (July 6, 07) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
• Lake users react to fish virus - Still, state officials are taking a serious look at VHS, which up until now had only been identified in one other New York state location outside of the Great Lakes. The virus had previously been confirmed in Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Conesus Lake. (July 5, 07) The Citizen, Auburn NY
• Emerson submits work plan to DEC addressing TCE cleanup timetable -ITHACA — Emerson Power Transmission submitted its work plan in response to a letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation calling for quicker and more comprehensive action in addressing contamination on South Hill. -The plan combines numerous aspects of the project, as requested by the DEC in their letter. The areas addressed include soil borings in the 25 Areas of Concern, further investigation of the fire water reservoir where the contamination was first identified and further investigation into possible transmission pathways in the bedrock. (July 5, 07) The Ithaca Journal
• Army Depot ethanol plant case goes to court - Group wants environmental impact study - ROMULUS — Principals involved in the proposed construction of a $115 million ethanol plant and accompanying biomass generating facility at the former Seneca Army Depot in the Town of Romulus are headed for a mid-July court appearance. The case, an Article 78 proceeding, one in which actions of a municipal body can be challenged in court, is to open at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17 in state Supreme Court in Waterloo. Representing the Finger Lakes Future Alliance and others is attorney Wendy A. Marsh of the Hancock & Estabrook law firm of Syracuse. The Harris Beach law firm of Rochester will represent the Town of Romulus. (July 5, 07) The Ithaca Journal
• GE unit invests in N.Y. Noble wind power parks | News | Bonds News | Reuters NEW YORK, - General Electric Co.'s (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) GE Energy Financial Services unit will invest in three Noble Environmental Power wind parks that will generate 282 megawatts of power in Upstate New York.This was the GE unit's first investment in wind energy in New York, it said in a release. June 26 (Reuters) Breaking News, World, U.S., Video, Investing and Business News & More | Reuters.com
• Energy shifts are in the wind - Iberdrola, RG&E say proposed deal can move New York toward renewable power goals — The proposed purchase of the parent of Rochester Gas and Electric could help New York state move toward achieving its renewable energy goals, participants in the deal said Tuesday. Iberdrola SA, a major Spanish utility, has agreed to pay $4.5 billion to acquire Energy East Corp., parent of RG&E, New York State Electric and Gas, and other Northeast power companies. (June 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• CITY HALL: Officials offer answers to concerns about reservoir plan - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper The federal Environmental Protection Agency has mandated new protections for the nation's drinking water. And that has had Rochester's environmental services department looking for a way to do it without disturbing two beloved public spaces: the reservoirs at Cobbs Hill and Highland Parks. Residents of the city and some suburbs get their drinking water from Hemlock and Canadice Lakes; water flows from those lakes to the city's three reservoirs - Rush, Cobbs Hill, and Highland. None of the three are covered, however, which leaves the water vulnerable to microbial or manmade contamination. (July 4, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
• Troubled by coyotes' howl? State offers the lowdown — IRONDEQUOIT— Suburbanites shouldn't fear sharing their neighborhoods with coyotes — most of the time anyway. Scott Smith, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and Irondequoit Animal Control Supervisor Richard Keppler will host an information session called "Suburban Coyotes" to help people understand when alarm is appropriate and what to do when a coyote menaces. (July 5, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• CITY GARDENING CONTEST ENTRY DEADLINE IS JULY 31 City residents are reminded that July 31 is the entry deadline for the 16th annual Flower City Looking Good Garden Contest, which recognizes outstanding gardens in the City of Rochester. Over 285 city gardens have been recognized since the contest began in 1991. Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Local advocates applaud bald eagle's removal from 'endangered' list Across the Lower Hudson Valley and the country, advocates hailed yesterday's removal of the bald eagle from the Endangered Species List as one of the most important victories of the conservation movement. America's most prolific symbol was removed from the federal list yesterday. The announcement was made by U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne during a ceremony at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. (June 29, 07) THE JOURNAL NEWS: LOHUD.COM
• Mercury Reduction Plan for New York and New England Waters - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation A draft plan has been released for reducing mercury in the waters of New York State and New England to eliminate fish-consumption advisories caused by mercury from air deposition. Seven states-New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont-collaborated with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) to produce the draft plan entitled, "Northeast Regional Mercury Total Maximum Daily Load" (TMDL). In New York State, the draft TMDL is not anticipated to place any additional economic or regulatory burdens on municipalities. The intent of the draft plan is to serve as a starting place for initiatives to control atmospheric deposition to levels where fish-consumption advisories are no longer necessary. (June, 07) NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
• Lyons board plans landfill maintenance and cleanup LYONS - The Town Board discussed plans for summer maintenance at the closed Lyons/Galen Landfill at its meeting Wednesday night. (June 30, 07) Finger Lakes Times Online
• Expect to spot more bears, say experts — The bear that wandered into Monroe County's suburbs last week apparently has left the area, but environmental officials said such sightings almost certainly will become more common here. The black bear population has exploded in the Rochester region, said Greg Fuerst of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. In 1990, an estimated 150 to 200 bears were in the 11-county region. Today, he said, "we could be dealing with 600 bears." (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Device dump lures residents - Hundreds turn out for program to recycle their computers, more - Started this year, the appointment-only collection program has been a remarkable success for the county at its recycling center on Lee Road. The free events are a partnership with Metro Waste Paper Inc., which manages the center, and its subcontractor Sunnking Inc. The county signed up 200 people for the first recycling event in April. On Saturday, more than 450 people were expected to drop off old computers for disposal. (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• MPNnow.com: Schumer urges tougher handling of toxins With air and groundwater pollution spread far and wide, Sen. Charles Schumer calls for stricter standards and vigorous cleanup efforts. CANANDAIGUA — Sen. Charles Schumer likens the handling of toxic wastes "like those plaguing Victor" to using a squirt gun where a cannon is required. During a teleconference Wednesday, he blasted the federal Environmental Protection Agency for not developing stricter standards to deal with industrial toxins. The state Department of Environmental Conservation likewise was scolded for its ineptitude in fielding complaints and inspecting sites for compliance. (June 28, 07) MPNnow.com: Rochester and Western Finger Lakes News, Entertainment, Sports, Opinions, Photos and More
• Leaders seek action on TCE, cite Victor - Schumer, Spitzer demand response - — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, using Victor as a prime example, said Wednesday that environmental contamination by the solvent trichloroethene is a growing problem in upstate New York that federal authorities must address more aggressively. Schumer, D-N.Y., said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency "has turned a blind eye to this growing danger." He called on the agency to toughen regulatory standards and update its health risk assessment of trichloroethene, or TCE, which he said is 20 years out of date. (June 28, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Schumer berates EPA for lack of action on TCE contamination - ITHACA — Claiming that the Environmental Protection Agency has been dragging its feet for too long, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY, called for action on the issue of trichloroethylene contamination in Upstate. The call came in the form of a press blitz Wednesday during which Schumer said if he didn't see action soon he would propose budgetary pressures on the agency. (June 28, 07) The Ithaca Journal
• Legislator inaction irks panel on energy - Task force bemoans lawmakers' failure on power plant siting law — ALBANY — The Legislature's recent failure to agree on new regulations for siting power plants is a major impediment to New York's progress in promoting renewable energy, a member of a new state task force said Tuesday. "Article 10 is definitely something that the Legislature and the governor need to bring to completion," said Carol Murphy, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, referring to a streamlined approval process for power plants that expired in 2002. (June 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• How many more dumps are out there? 'Many times it looks pristine,' says an EPA spokesman, 'but you never know' — Many of the known rural waste sites in the Rochester region were discovered in a frenzy of environmental sleuthing that began in the late 1970s, in reaction to the Love Canal hazardous waste-dumping disaster in Niagara Falls. A few more have come to light since then. But as development moves farther into once-rural areas, a question lingers: Are more sites yet to be uncovered? (July 1, 2007) (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• MPNnow.com: Cancer study, cleanup plan in works  But Victor residents who met with state officials about groundwater pollution left roiled over the pace of answers and action. (Jun 27, 07) Messenger Post Newspapers
• ENVIRONMENT: Nationally and locally, bird populations decline - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper But times have changed. Back then, there were several hundred of the pheasants in the Greater Rochester area. In the last 10 years, however, the bird has all but disappeared from the region. There are generally fewer than five in the yearly bird count, says Spahn, who is the former records chair for the Genesee Ornithological Society. Only one was recorded during the 2006 Christmas Count in the Rochester area. (June 26, 07) Rochester City Newspaper
• The toxic legacy of midnight dumping - An ongoing Democrat and Chronicle investigation has revealed that the Rochester region is replete with old, illicit, toxic dump sites that have not been cleaned up by government agencies. As a result, hazardous chemicals, especially TCE, continue to seep through soil and water, posing a threat to the health of nearby residents.  (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Ozone Advisory Extended - An ozone warning that was to expire Tuesday night has been extended. Conservation and health officials warn of high levels of fine particulate matter in western New York and other areas. (June 22, 07) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• Dump worries go on and on - A history of plodding cleanup goes back decades; toxicity lingers as area issue — When workers began clearing the earth for a 2005 Mendon subdivision expansion, the grader's huge blade encountered more than soil. "All of a sudden it was scraping a big wide blue, red and purple smear," said Lt. Michael Van Durme of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (July 1, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle
• Cobbs Hill reservoir faces demotion - Tighter federal rules on water systems also affect Highland and Rush — Cobbs Hill and Highland reservoirs would be removed from the city's water system but maintained as park features, and Rush reservoir would be covered with a floating tarp, under a proposal to be unveiled tonight. The city is responding to tightened federal regulations on how communities store and treat their drinking water. (June 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle

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