March 2008 News

• EPA News Release (HQ): New Requirements to Protect Children from Lead-Based Paint Hazards The "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" rule, which will take effect in April 2010, prohibits work practices creating lead hazards. Requirements under the rule include implementing lead-safe work practices and certification and training for paid contractors and maintenance professionals working in pre-1978 housing, child-care facilities and schools. To foster adoption of the new measures, EPA will also conduct an extensive education and outreach campaign to promote awareness of these new requirements. Lead Home | Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil | US EPA
• www.whec.com - New dog parks in Monroe County a possibility The Monroe County Parks Director says dogs need a place to let loose and be "leash free". Thanks to a private organization, this idea may soon become a reality. (March 27, 08) www.whec.com
• IJC releases new water regulations proposal JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- It's taken over 50 years, but the International Joint Commission is now proposing a new plan to regulate water levels. The current plan, Plan 1958-D, stated that the IJC must respect navigation, domestic and industrial use, irrigation, shorelines and the Montreal Harbor. (March 31, 08) News 10 Now | 24 Hour Local News | TOP STORIES
• Rare Blackbird May Pass Through Our Area - SCHENECTADY, N.Y. Scientists are hoping upstate New Yorkers will look to the skies this week, in hopes of spotting a Rusty Blackbird. (March 30, 09) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• Lights Go Out for 'Earth Hour' - People in greater Rochester joined others from around the world and turned off their lights for one hour Saturday night to raise awareness about climate change. (March 29, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• Reservoir options weighed | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Required changes to the city's water reservoirs will cost less than originally estimated — and with now just two options on the table, Mayor Robert Duffy said cost could be the deciding factor. The city must overhaul its Cobbs Hill, Highland and Rush reservoirs to comply with new federal regulations on how communities store and treat their drinking water. (March 31, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Lake Ontario Plan Worries State  The International Joint Commission is releasing a new plan for regulating the water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The new "Order of Approval" and Plan 2007 is a result of a study of the benefits and liabilities of several other proposals that have been submitted. It's the first revision to the plan in about 40 years. (March 28, 08) WXXI NewsRoom
• It IS easy being green - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Going green doesn’t have to require spending more money or making drastic changes to your lifestyle, according to Alicia Marie Smith, author of “Tips for Going Green,” a 200-page book made of recycled paper published last year by Encouragement Press LLC. (March 30, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• The greening of western New York - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Electricity-producing wind towers are popping up on the hills south of Naples; Wal-Mart stores from Macedon to Hopewell are recycling tons of plastic that used to go to landfills; and the president of Finger Lakes Community College this month signed a pledge that the school would strive to bring its carbon emissions to zero within two years. These are just a few of the changes taking place locally that reflect a movement to “go green.” And we’re far from alone. (March 30, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Sailing far from clear for new lake-level plan | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle An international panel floated a new plan on Friday for regulating water levels in Lake Ontario, but whether the proposal will sink or swim remains very much an open question. The plan, written by the International Joint Commission to replace decades-old rules, would benefit some of the lake's diverse user groups more than others. (March 29, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Bat Die-Off Prompts Investigation - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Thousands of hibernating bats are dying in caves in New York and Vermont from unknown causes, prompting an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), as well as wildlife agencies and researchers around the nation.New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Local Bats are Fine, DEC Says - 13WHAM.com The Department of Environmental Conservation reports that bats are dying off in alarming numbers in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and other areas in the Northeast. The dead or dying bats are thin and many have white noses covered by some sort of fungus. Researchers don’t know what’s killing the bats. (March 28, 08) 13WHAM.com
• Shoreline property owners look to benefit from new water level proposal | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle As details emerged about a new proposal to regulate Lake Ontario water levels, it appeared that shoreline property owners may be clear winners. Under the plan released this morning by the International Joint Commission, a U.S.-Canada treaty organization, levels would be adjusted to provide some benefit to shoreline wetlands, though not nearly as much as environmental advocates would like. (March 28, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Slaughter Pushes Waterfront Bill - 13WHAM.com (Rochester, N.Y.) - U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (D, N.Y.) wants to support redevelopment of industrial areas, including those along Rochester waterways. (March 28, 08) 13WHAM.com
• State details cleanup plan for toxic site in Farmington - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Almost 30 people showed at the Farmington Town Hall last night to hear the details of a planned cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at and around the former Griffin Technology site. (March 27, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Officials detail cleanup of toxic solvent in Farmington | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle FARMINGTON— State Department of Environmental Conservation officials outlined Wednesday night how a Syracuse-based firm that specializes in cleaning up brownfields wants to break down remnants of the toxic solvent trichloroethene at a site along Route 96. Almost three quarters of a ton of trichloroethene, or TCE, had been dumped on the property of Griffin Technology more than two decades ago and, according to the DEC, the contamination levels in groundwater are as much as 400 times acceptable levels. (March 27, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• State DEC holds seminar on bears | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle  Black bears were sighted throughout Monroe County last year, and wildlife officials expect them to reappear soon. That's why the state Department of Environmental Conservation held a seminar Wednesday at the Public Safety Training Facility on Scottsville Road — to instruct local law enforcement personnel on how best to react, what to expect and how to handle the situation. It was the first such "mass training" for law enforcement in Monroe County. (March 27, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Audit finds ‘serious problems’ with New York’s dams - ALBANY - The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently proposed tougher dam safety rules after an audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office found serious problems that have existed in some dams in New York State for as long as 36 years and have not been fixed. DEC has identified 133 high and intermediate hazard dams located in areas where failure would cause serious property damage and in some cases loss of life with high priority deficiencies. Under the current law, DEC can require a dam owner to repair or remove a dam if its condition has been rated as unsafe or unsound and poses an imminent threat of failure. (March 25, 08) New York State News on the Net!
• Bats Perish, and No One Knows Why - Researchers have yet to determine whether the bats are being killed by a virus, bacteria, toxin, environmental hazard, metabolic disorder or fungus. Some have been found with pneumonia, but that and the fungus are believed to be secondary symptoms. ( March 25, 08) http://www.nytimes.com/
• Zoning Board Approves Perinton Landfill Expansion (Perinton, N.Y.) -- The process of expanding the High Acres Landfill in Perinton took a step forward Monday night. The Perinton Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved to allow Waste Management to expand the landfill into a wedge-shaped area in the town. (March 25, 08) http://www.13wham.com/Default.aspx
• Schumer wants fed funding for Great Lakes invasive species, toxic sediment and industrial pollution WASHINGTON – With the Great Lakes increasingly threatened by invasive species, habitat loss, toxic sediment, and other dangerous conditions, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Monday announced efforts to get the federal government to do more to ensure that “vital funding” is delivered to local governments currently footing the billion-dollar bill for programs to protect and preserve New York’s most precious natural resource. (March 25, 08) New York State News on the Net!
• Blooming good idea: Recycle Easter plants | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Now that Easter has come and gone, what do you do with the lilies, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths you received? Flower lovers can recycle the flowers by planting them outdoors when the weather warms up a little more, say operators of area garden centers. (March 24, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Safety status of Ginna will be addressed | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Federal regulators will present information on their latest safety assessment of the Ginna nuclear power plant at a public meeting today. High on the agenda will be an episode a year ago in which the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission marked down the plant's operator, Constellation Energy, for a shortcoming in emergency preparedness at the nuclear plant in Ontario, Wayne County. (March 25, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Third toxic site found in Brighton - Rochester, NY - MPNnow A third toxic site in Brighton has been found by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC recently announced that 235 Metro Park — which is sandwiched between East and West Henrietta roads and Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road to the south —tested positive for traces of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE). (March 24, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• www.whec.com - High fuel prices increase the cost of food Whether you are preparing for Easter dinner at home or plan on eating out, grocery stores and restaurants are raising their prices. It's not only because of the high cost of gasoline, but also diesel fuel. News 10NBC spoke with a local restaurant about how it’s trying to keep the cost down. (March 23, 06) www.whec.com
• Farmington site to be tested for toxic vapors | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle FARMINGTON — Tests for vapors contaminated with the toxic solvent trichloroethene will be taken on the property of Wade's Market Center this spring. The tests will determine whether there is a need to take air samples inside the grocery, said Todd Caffoe, an environmental engineer with the regional office of the state Department of Environmental Conservation. (March 22, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Earth Day volunteers sought - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Planting Irondequoit Pride, an all-volunteer citizens effort to beautify the town, is calling all families, Scouts, youth groups, and members of civic and social organizations, etc. to join them for a cleanup effort at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, which is also Earth Day. Rain date is Sunday, April 27. (March 20, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• NRC to discuss Ginna nuclear power plant annual assessment at public meeting - ONTARIO - The results of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual safety performance assessment for the R.E. Ginna nuclear power plant will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday, March 25. The session is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Ontario Town Hall, at 1850 Ridge Road in Ontario, N.Y. ( March 20, 08) New York State News on the Net!
• Plan for lake level raises anxieties - After months of delay and continuing controversy, the international body that oversees the Great Lakes is about to announce a new plan for regulating water levels in Lake Ontario. The announcement will be of intense interest to the thousands of people who live, play or do business along the lake's shoreline, as well as those who boat, fish and use the lake's deep waters for commercial shipping or power generation. ( March 19, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Residents wanted to brighten Brighton - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Get out your brooms, brushes and work gloves, because it’ll soon be time for some townwide spring cleaning. Following in the footsteps of the city of Rochester, Brighton will celebrate the town’s first “Clean Sweep” event April 26. Town officials are encouraging residents to team up with their neighbors and help clean up trash and debris around town. Rochester started its own Clean Sweep event in 2006 and last year had more than 5,000 volunteers pick up more than 1,500 tons of debris over multiple weeks. The state Canal Corporation also holds a similar annual event. (March 19, 08) Homepage - Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Toxin muscles in on zebra mussels -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY Researcher finds bacterium that kills invasive pest infesting New York, other states  CAMBRIDGE -- A small laboratory in the rolling farmland of northern Washington County may have dealt a real setback to the zebra mussel, a tiny striped mollusk that infests waters of New York and about two dozen other states. Thursday, March 13, 2008 Albany NY News - Times Union - Serving Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Troy
• Site's cleanup draws little interest | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Barring a flood of public comments, state environmental officials could decide early next month on a cleanup option for a site in northeast Rochester where soil and groundwater are contaminated with toxic solvents. (March 12, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Bat Die-off Prompts Investigation - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Thousands of hibernating bats are dying in caves in New York State and Vermont from unknown causes, prompting an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), as well as wildlife agencies and researchers around the nation. The most obvious symptom involved in the die-off is a white fungus encircling the noses of some, but not all, of the bats. Called "white-nose syndrome," the fungus is believed to be associated with the problem, but it may not necessarily contribute to the actual cause of death. It appears that the affected bats deplete their fat reserves months before they would normally emerge from hibernation and die as a result. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Don't throw out that printer cartridge! - Three printer cartridges are thrown away every second. Chances are, you have thrown away several yourself. But you can turn this trash into treasure, and help out a local charity at the same time. (March 13, 08) RochesterHomepage.net
• The Buffalo News: City & Region: Lake Ontario fishery threatened by invasive species LOCKPORT — Invasive species and fluctuating populations of game fish and their prey will continue to keep the Lake Ontario fishery in a state of flux, state officials said at a meeting here Thursday. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s “State of Lake Ontario” session drew about 50 anglers and charter boaters to Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Training Center at the Niagara County Fairgrounds. (March 14, 08) The Buffalo News
• New York joins Great Lakes water compact - NewsFlash - mlive.com ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Incoming Governor David Paterson says New York has committed to an interstate treaty designed to keep arid states from pulling water out of the Great Lakes. (March 14, 08) Michigan News, Sports, Business, Entertainment - MLive.com - Everything Michigan
• NPR: An Upside to the Invasive Zebra Mussel? (March 13, 98) NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts
• Health Report Raises Dispute Over Great Lakes Pollution  - WASHINGTON — Top federal health officials said Wednesday that they had asked the Institute of Medicine, the government’s premier medical adviser, to referee a dispute over a report suggesting that pollution in the Great Lakes region may have serious health consequences for people who live there, including infant mortality and breast cancer. “It’s a good way to get a really high-quality and completely objective scientific review,” said Dr. Henry Falk, who oversees environmental health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (March 13, 08) The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia
• A decade of RochesterEnvironment.com | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle March 9, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• Third toxic site uncovered, in Brighton - Even as state environmental officials are publicizing cleanup plans for two Rochester-area toxic dump sites, another local contamination site has been placed on the to-do list. The new site, off Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road, is a commercial property where the once-ubiquitous industrial solvent trichloroethene, or TCE, was used — and apparently spilled. Groundwater near the building at 235 Metro Park in Brighton contains relatively high concentrations of TCE, as well as other solvents. (March 13, 08) Democrat & Chronicle
• RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN 18TH ANNUAL FLOWER CITY LOOKING GOOD PROGRAM Mayor Robert J. Duffy today encouraged residents to take advantage of the City’s 18th annual "Flower City Looking Good!" program. "This popular initiative celebrates Rochester’s rich horticultural heritage," said Mayor Duffy. "It encourages residents to engage in healthy outdoor activities in our beautiful historic parks and neighborhoods and along our trails and waterways. For nearly two decades this program has consistently encouraged environmental stewardship and highlighted the importance of our natural resources. It instills pride through beautification and cleanup efforts that ultimately strengthen the vitality of our city." (March 12, 08) Welcome to the City of Rochester
• The Buffalo News: National: Sen. Clinton supports Great Lakes restoration WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday called on the Senate Budget Committee to reject President Bush’s proposed budget cuts in programs to restore the Great Lakes.( March 09, 08) The Buffalo News
• Recycling program involving Kodak - Kodak, Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs have launched a nationwide recycling program at in-store Kodak picture kiosks. (Feb 27, 08) RochesterHomepage.net
• Recycling water bottles - It's the biggest selling beverage by the bottle, next to soda. We're talking about bottled water. In 2006, people in the United States consumed more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water. That number grows by 10% every year. But all those empty bottles are bad for the environment. At the Monroe County Recycling Center, you will find a lot of plastic. "In January we saw 69 tons of that material come through the door here," says Kimmie Romeo. She is an educator at the center. (March 6, 08) RochesterHomepage.net
• Local 'green' business a growing concern | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Roof-top gardens have become increasingly popular in metropolitan areas, but one local company took that idea to the next level. Rochester-based Green Living Technologies LLC has developed soil-based green roofs and walls, with some of the "walls" acting more like artwork. (March 09, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Watertown Daily Times | Invasive species litigation targeted ALBANY — State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo wants to make sure New Yorkers' interests are protected in federal litigation involving invasive species in the Great Lakes. Several American and Canadian shipping companies and associations are challenging a Michigan law requiring all ships to treat their ballast water to rid it of non-native invasive species before dumping it into Great Lakes waters. Ballast water is contained in large tanks and is used to keep oceangoing ships stable during transport. (March 3, 08) Watertown Daily Times | News for today, history for tomorrow!
• Peregrine Falcons Return to Rochester  - ROCHESTER, NY (2008-03-03) Rochester's duo of Peregrine falcons are back in town, and taking up residence again at the top of the Kodak Office Tower on State Street. Jim Pisello of the Audobon Society says the male falcon, Kaver, was sighted over the weekend. The female, Mariah, spent the winter in town. This is the eighth year the same pair has come to nest on the Kodak tower (Mariah nested with another falcon in Rochester since 1998 before Kaver replaced him). March 3, 08) WXXI Public Broadcasting Council
• Grand old trees protect — and are protected - Rochester, NY - MPNnow In the older sections of Oakwood Cemetery on the corner of Whalen and Baird roads, the long dead and their crusted tombstones are shaded by beautiful trees that comfort the beholder. At 1684 Scribner Road, 77-year-old homeowner Nancy Moretti can look out her window and see the giant old horse-chestnut tree she remembers fondly from childhood. The majestic 80-footer stands in a circle in the driveway of her historic brick home known as the Luther Clark House, built in 1852. (March 06, 08) Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• FLCC vows to go green - Rochester, NY - MPNnow The initiative is full of buzz words, such as “climate neutral” and “sustainablity.” But the Go Green project launched this week at Finger Lakes Community College boils down to a simple concept: getting by with less and being creative with what you have. On Wednesday, FLCC President Barbara Risser signed the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. It commits the college to energy conservation, waste reduction and promoting sustainability. (March 06, 08) Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Monroe County’s environmental state is two-sided - Rochester, NY - MPNnow For the City of Rochester and its surrounding towns and villages, there seems to be a tale of two very different communities. Depending on whom you ask, it’s either the best of times or the worst of times for the environment in Monroe County. Late last month, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced that Monroe County was the top producer of industrial toxic releases to the air, water and land statewide, based on figures from 2006. The EPA said that is largely due to the presence of Kodak Park, the state’s biggest industrial plant, which partially sits in Greece. (March 06, 08) Rochester, NY - MPNnow
• Rochester Chosen for New York Pollution Prevention Institute ALBANY, New York, March 4, 2008 (ENS) - The Rochester Institute of Technology has been selected to host the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute, a new research and development center that will design and test green manufacturing methods and provide technical support to businesses for pollution reduction measures that will help make them more competitive. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced the selection of RIT on Friday. The governor proposed $4 million for the Institute in his 2008-09 Executive Budget, building on the $2 million he and the Legislature included in last year's budget to launch the Institute. (March 4, 08) Environment News Service

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