June 2005 news

•  Pair of bills battle over bottle recycling -— ALBANY — Don't know what to do with your empty water bottles? There's no agreement at the state Capitol either. Environmental groups and grocery stores dueled Wednesday over whether to expand New York's bottle-deposit law or scrap it altogether. The outcome could change the way New Yorkers handle recyclable trash. (June 2, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  It's World Environment Day - And things are not looking so good. United Nations: World Environment Day 2005 -- Environment atlas reveals planet wide devastation - Yahoo! News  -- Eye on Earth: Satellite atlas shows changes - Environment - MSNBC.com U.N. World Environment Day project focuses on cities. A photo atlas released by the United Nations Environment Program shows mankind's impact on the planet, from major deforestation to urban sprawl. (June 6, 2005) Go here to get the map: One Planet, Many People: Atlas of Our Changing Environment -- BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Changing planet revealed in atlas An atlas of environmental change compiled by the United Nations reveals some of the dramatic transformations that are occurring to our planet.  See: BBC NEWS | In pictures: How the world is changing
•  Your days of lugging cans could end, or not - N.Y. weighs two competing bills on returnables law Environmental groups say the popularity of sports drinks, bottled water and beverages such as Snapple was not envisioned when most states adopted bottle deposit laws 20 or 30 years ago. Groups estimate there are more than 2.6 billion such bottles that could be recycled but instead end up in landfills.  (June 6, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Former DEC leader to oversee depot reuse The Seneca County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) Friday announced it has hired Erin Crotty, now running The Crotty Group, a management consulting firm, to assist it in implementing land-use plans and proper management of natural resources at the depot in Romulus. The Crotty Group will focus its attention on a 7,500-acre parcel in the depot’s interior that contains some 520 ammunition storage bunkers, unique ponds and wetlands and a variety of wildlife, including the world’s largest herd of white deer. (June 6, 2005) Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Bitter Bottle Battle Brews (Albany, NY/Rochester, NY) -- New York State lawmakers are considering two separate pieces of legislation that could change the current 5 cent deposit consumers pay on some bottles and cans. Some legislators want to expand the current program and others want to take it to the curb. 06/02/05 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  EPA Orders Ethanol Use in Gasoline - Gas prices in New York State could go up as much as eight cents per gallon soon. The federal government ordered New York and two other states to continue using ethanol as a gasoline additive. The additive is made with corn and is designed to reduce air pollution. 06/03/05 R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Monroe County To Host Northwest Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection -Household Hazardous Waste collection will take place Saturday June 11th from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Town of Ogden Highway Garage on South Union Street...  (June 9, 2005) Monroe County
•  Dangers Found In Kids Jewelry - Children’s jewelry may seem harmless but it can be dangerous according to several local environmental groups. The health advocates bought children’s jewelry off the shelves of several area stores and then had the pieces tested for lead. The results showed many pieces had an alarmingly high concentration of lead. (Jun 10, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Ontario Beach Study In Home Stretch - Sweltering heat made Ontario Beach a popular place Thursday, even though the beach won't officially open until next weekend. Each year, high bacteria levels keep the beach closed for about a third of the summer. A study looking for a solution to the issue is in its final few months The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spent $1.3 million dollars looking for a solution to the algae problems that contribute to bacteria at the beach.  (Jun 09, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  EPA is Watching Ontario Beach - Beach goers in the Rochester area may be greeted with “no swimming” signs more often than not this summer. The Environmental Protection Agency says Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte is closed more often than any other beach on Lake Ontario, from a quarter to half the possible swimming days. The problem is high bacteria levels.  (Jun 09, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  A vicious sport leaves trail of death, cruelty - Dogs brutalized, but masters seldom caught — In a raid on a suspected dog fighter's residence in Rochester, the only ones home were three dogs covered in bloody wounds. Jill Ploof, a cruelty investigator at the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm, walked toward the first dog she saw, a frightened 103-pound pit bull-mastiff mix. The dog quickly turned aggressive, barking, growling and showing its teeth. She followed the dog until it backed itself into a stairwell. There, Ploof was able to secure the dog and move it outside to the truck.  How to help To report animal cruelty, or if you suspect dog fighting, call Lollypop Farm's confidential hotline at (585) 223-6500.(June 12, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Town rejects wind-farm halt - But Springwater board will consider limits on projects - — SPRINGWATER — The Springwater Town Board voted 3 to 2 against declaring a moratorium on wind farms Monday night. However, Supervisor Mark Walker, who opposed a moratorium, said before the vote that he would rather have the town attorney draft a local law to govern the construction of wind farms. That draft will be ready for the Town Board's review at its next meeting, June 20, Walker said. He contended that a moratorium would delay Town Board action. (June 7, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  In Auburn, Something to Crow About - A yearly burden in Cayuga County is getting some national attention. National Geographic is back in the city of Auburn to again film a documentary about its copious crow population. The two-hour show titled “Swarms!'' includes a segment on Auburn's roost of thousands of wintertime crows. (Jun 07, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Bill on pesticide alerts OK'd - Monroe legislators put county in line with state notification law - After months of public debate on science, privacy and public health, on Tuesday night Monroe County adopted a controversial state law that restricts pesticide use. According to the Neighbor Notification Law, companies that use liquid pesticides will be required to give their client's neighbors 48 hours of notice by mail each time they spray. It's a state law that passed five years ago in Albany, with an opt-in provision for counties. Monroe is the 13th county to pass the measure. In April, it was adopted by the five boroughs of New York City, which are technically counties. (June 15, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
• 13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Pesticide Notification Law Passes Monroe County Legislature (Rochester, NY) 06/15/05 -- Starting next year, the rules will change for Monroe County residents who use pesticides on their lawns. On Tuesday night, the county legislature voted 21-8 in favor of the 48-hour notification law. The law requires lawn care companies to notify neighbors before using pesticides within 150 feet of their home. That notification must come in writing at least two days before application. 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  WXXI: County Pesticide Notification Law Passes (2005-06-15) ROCHESTER, NY (2005-06-15) Monroe County lawmakers Tuesday night approved a measure which would require lawn-care companies to notify neighbors of their clients before spraying liquid pesticides. The 48-hour Neighbor Notification Law is a state law that counties have the option of adopting. wxxi NewsRoom
•  Pesticide Notification Law Okayed -Monroe County legislators have approved a controversial law that requires lawn care companies to provide 48-hours notice to neighbors when a company goes to spray pesticides at a person's home. Lawn care companies have lobbied against the move, which some other counties have also adopted.http://www.wham1180.com
•  Pesticide notification law voted in - Pesticide applicators in Monroe County will now have to give neighbors of affected properties a 48-hour notice, when they intend to use liquid pesticides. The legislation actually exists as state law, with counties having the choice to "opt in" to it. WROC TV NEWS 8 NOW ROCHESTER NEW YORK
•  Erie County's woes offer lesson to Monroe — When Ontario Beach opens today for the swim season, it will be about only half of what it was in previous years. But at least it will be open. In Erie County, the government is so financially strapped that it can't even pay for lifeguards at Bennett and Wendt beaches along the shores of Lake Erie. (June 18, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Plans for bus depot are still flexible -— Renaissance Square planners say they are no longer committed to the concept that the bus terminal must be built underground. The station, which will remain as one of the three elements of the project, could also be constructed above-ground with a satisfactory design, key figures in the project say. Chief architect Moshe Safdie, a Boston-based urban planner, said Tuesday that he wants above-ground and below-ground proposals to be considered. Safdie visited Rochester on Tuesday as part of the first public session on Renaissance Square. (June 15, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Swimming Unsafe in Conesus Lake - Heavy rains have put a damper on swimming in one Livingston County lake. The county's health department is prohibiting swimming, wading or playing in the north end of Conesus Lake. ( June 18, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  State taking a closer look at Buell Road contamination - Contaminates have been found at the Buell Automatics site as well as on adjacent properties.  The public has until June 20 to comment on a plan to investigate contamination from Buell Automatics Inc., 381 Buell Road. ( June 19, 2005) Gates-Chili Post
•  What's a little pesticide between neighbors? Well, chemicals don't respect property lines. At issue is whether Ontario County should pass a law requiring notification when sprays are used. CANANDAIGUA - Kimberly and Bryan Babcock don't care if dandelions fill their lawn or beetles crave their vegetable garden. But they do care if their 4-year-old son, Ben, plays near places treated with pesticides.  ( June 19, 2005) Daily Messenger
•  Duluth News Tribune | 06/17/2005 | Lawmakers divided over oil drilling in Great Lakes WASHINGTON - A group of lawmakers from states surrounding the Great Lakes on Thursday urged Congress to permanently ban new oil and gas drilling in the waters. A federal moratorium precludes new drilling operations in the lakes, but it is set to expire in 2007. Although U.S. lawmakers from the region generally oppose opening up the waters for more drilling, they differ on the best approach. (June 19, 2005) DuluthSuperior.com : Duluth Superior news, jobs, homes, cars
•  DEC to consider all-season fishing of bass in New York Albany – Bass fishing could become a year-round sport in New York.
  In most of the state, the season for largemouth and smallmouth bass opens Saturday and runs through the end of November. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is considering opening up the season in the spring and winter, under certain restrictions.
  The spring and winter season would be catch-and-release with only artificial lures allowed. The year-round season would not be in effect in some waters, including much of the Hudson River. (June 19, 2005) recordonline.com - The Times Herald-Record, serving New York's Hudson Valley and the Catskills
•  Pittsford singled out for ecology - It's only N.Y. community in book on preservation successes.— PITTSFORD — Pittsford is the only New York community and one of just 19 nationwide identified in a new book as having done the most to safeguard natural landscapes and protect wildlife. "We were really looking for the best of the best," said Christopher Duerksen, a nationally recognized land use and environmental expert and principal author of Nature-Friendly Communities. "Pittsford — they are really one of the shining lights." (June 24, 2005)  Democrat & Chronicle
•  HIV Rapid Testing Available - Monday is National HIV Testing Day. The Rochester Area Task Force on AIDS and New York State organized numerous testing events throughout the region. Democrat & Chronicle
•  2004 Municipal Land Use Report - Funds from the Genesee Transportation Council (GTC) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) were provided as a grant to continue a system for annually reporting changes in land use within Monroe County. Up-to-date land use data is important for transportation modeling and analysis and will be used by GTC as input into their traffic simulation model. This land use information will be used to assess changes in land use, identify trends, guide capital project investments and help pinpoint "hot spots" of traffic congestion that may become candidates for possible traffic management solutions such as Transportation Development Districts (T. D. D.) or Transportation Management Associations (T. M. A.). Monroe County
•  Rochester ranks 7th among clean cities - The Rochester area is one of the cleanest cities in the United States, according to a Readers Digest analysis of the 50 largest cities in the country. Rochester scored seventh cleanest, Buffalo was third, and Portland, Ore., won the top spot. Chicago was the dirtiest. Edward J. Doherty, Rochester's commissioner of environmental service, was pleased that the review looked at a variety of categories rather than focusing on just one that could provide a misleading picture. (June 23, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  State Health Commissioner Advises Precautionary Measures as Sweltering Heat Grips the State - Albany, June 24, 2005 -- State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. is urging New Yorkers to stay out of the heat with temperatures projected to reach the high 90s across much of the State this coming weekend. If you must be outdoors in the sweltering conditions there are precautions you can take to avoid heat-related illness. The elderly, infants, young children, people who have mental illness and those who are physically ill are at the highest risk. (June 25/05) New York State Department of Health
•  FEDERAL COURT DECISION UPHOLDS CLEAN AIR EFFORT Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today hailed a federal court decision in a key clean air case. In State of New York v. Environmental Protection Agency, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. rejected much of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) attempt to weaken federal air pollution rules. The court also rejected all industry arguments that air pollution control requirements should be weakened even beyond the lax standards the EPA had adopted. "This is a victory for clean air and for accountability," Spitzer said. "Today’s court decision fully upholds the basis of all of our enforcement cases against coal-fired power plants – that plant modifications that increase air pollution must be accompanied by the installation of pollution controls on smokestacks." Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Activists push energy savings — New York could save nearly $250 million a year on home energy bills by 2011 just by expanding the list of products required to be energy-efficient. That's the message from consumer advocates of the New York Public Interest Research Group, who visited Rochester on Wednesday. The millions in savings — along with environmental benefits — are possible by changing energy standards on just 17 common products, including televisions, DVD players and floor lamps, said Fran Clark, a NYPIRG staff member from the group's Syracuse office. (June 23, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Current Situation Regarding Chronic Wasting Disease --from DEC.
•  Proposed Cuts to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Announced New York is committed to reducing vehicle emissions  Governor George E. Pataki has announced proposed regulations that will require significant reductions in motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. New York is the first state to propose a regulation that would adopt California's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions regulations. --from Environment DEC - New York's Online Newsletter about the Environment
•  Ginna Hopes New Site Stays Empty - Imagine building a $2.8-million building with the hope of never having to move in. It might sound like a crazy idea, but that is exactly what Ginna Power Plant did. The Macedon building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday could be the most action the building will ever see. No one will work out of the building and, for the most part, the doors will stay locked. However, the building will serve a purpose: It will offer peace of mind. The facility will serve as headquarters should Ginna nuclear power plant experience a nuclear emergency. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  PCB cleanup faces setback - Project to clean Hudson River delayed until 2007; critics claim GE is dragging its feet - SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The dredging of PCBs from the Hudson River has been put off for another year, delaying the start of the massive cleanup until 2007. It's the second announced delay of the project since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in 2001 the plan to remove 2.65 million cubic yards of PCB-laden muck from the river bottom. Dredging was originally scheduled to begin this summer. Negotiations between General Electric Co. and the EPA stalled last year when the company sought to limit how much of the muck it would remove. The EPA refused to bend, but then a detailed plan on which sludge "hot spots" will be dredged was delayed until February. That report was supposed to have been done in March 2004. Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  Giving notice - After nearly six months of deliberating and hours of public testimony, Monroe County opted into the state's 48-hour neighborhood notification law. As the name suggests, the law requires lawn-care companies to tell neighbors of properties they plan to spray with liquid pesticide of their plans two days in advance. The measure's been controversial ever since it was proposed by County Executive Maggie Brooks in her 2005 State of the County Address in January. Lawn-care companies have claimed repeatedly that the law won't work as intended and will ultimately hamper efforts to use best-practice tactics, "integrated pest management" in the lingo of the business. Environmental and cancer groups have responded that the voluntary registry proposed by the lawn-care businesses is a toothless law. "To render this law voluntary is to render it useless," said the Sierra Club's Frank Regan. City Newsweekly
•  Great Garden: Chance encounter turns Brighton man on to petal power -— Share your favorite - Know of another garden you'd like to see featured? Tell us about it in 200 words or less. Include the address and, if possible, a photo. Mail it to: Great Gardens, Living section, Democrat and Chronicle, 55 Exchange Blvd., Rochester, NY 14614; fax us at (585) 258-2554; or e-mail lhutch@DemocratandChronicle.com . Please include your daytime phone number so we can reach you. (June 25, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Rochester serves as EPA lab - In visit, official reviews multifaceted pollution assessment — For environmentalists, it was like a royal visit. On Monday afternoon, the acting regional director of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, Kathleen C. Callahan, visited Rochester. On the steps of City Hall on Church Street, as traffic rushed by, she bestowed a 2005 EPA environmental quality award on Mayor William A. Johnson Jr.  -- What's at stake - Synergy and coordination. EPA's Rochester initiative is designed, in part, to foster cooperation and to share concerns and information on environmental issues among citizens, regulators, advocates, academics and business interests. (June 21, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Environmental agenda stalls out - — ALBANY — At the close of the 2005 legislative session, much of the environmental agenda sat discarded, like so much litter along the highway. All the major bills touted by the environmental lobby died, such as: An expanded bottle bill.- An open-space preservation proposal. - A measure to protect small areas of wetlands. - A cap on carbon dioxide pollution. (July 1, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Council revises policy on Great Lakes diversion - Guidelines still aim to exert regional control over water source - A revised set of modern-era proposals to thwart any future Great Lakes diversion or bulk export plans was released yesterday by the Council of Great Lakes Governors, of which Gov. Bob Taft is co-chairman. The public comment period ends Aug. 29. Collectively known as Annex 2001, the documents continue to have the same broad goal of establishing regional control of the world's largest source of fresh drinking water. - toledoblade.com -
•  Activists list top 12 polluters - Kodak is among state Citizens' Environmental Coalition's Dirty Dozen — ALBANY — Each of New York's top polluters got an "award" Wednesday at the state Capitol: a dirty golf ball perched on a tee. The Citizens' Environmental Coalition and five other groups used the annual Dirty Dozen awards to "tee off" the polluters, including Rochester's Eastman Kodak Co., and "to get out of the rough and back into the nice, green fairways," said spokesman Christian Werwaiss. Other winners, picked by a panel of five activists from about 30 nominees, included General Electric Corp., the state Department of Transportation and the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Westchester County. (June 30, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  STATES SUE OWNERS OF THREE PENNSYLVANIA COAL PLANTS Clean Air Cases Orphaned by Bush Administration Pursued by States Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Maryland and New Jersey today filed a federal lawsuit, charging that the corporate owners of three large coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania have violated the Clean Air Act. Some of the plants have been operating since the 1950's with inadequate air pollution controls.  The power plants are owned by Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries. While major upgrades have been made to improve the plants’ power-producing capacity, their owners failed to install modern pollution controls as required by law. As a result, the plants emit thousands of tons of air pollution each year. That pollution causes smog and acid rain in Pennsylvania communities and nearby downwind states. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Don't forget to keep four-legged friends cool, too — With temperatures topping out over 90 degrees and more hot weather on the way, keeping cool is essential. But people are not the only ones at risk. Pets can sometimes be the forgotten casualties of the heat. Jim Basquil, communications director for the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm in Perinton, takes his dogs to work with him every day. They go straight from his air-conditioned vehicle to his office. However, his situation is unique. (June 28, 2005) Democrat & Chronicle
•  Town declares war on light pollution  - If neighbors are disturbed by the glow from commercial or residential lighting, they can now get the offending light dimmed or removed. CANANDAIGUA - The town adopted lighting regulations Monday to preserve dark skies, promote energy conservation and reduce the glare from car dealerships and other retailers along commercial strips. Daily Messenger