October 2005 news

•  Energy advocates want all of us to see the light - Area residents open their homes to show how they save by harnessing the sun, wind — As long as the sun rises and the wind blows, renewable-energy advocate Chris Schaefer won't pay another gas or electric bill. That's because the Bristol Center, Ontario County, resident is completely "off grid." Using an array of solar panels and wind generators, Schaefer can generate heat and electricity for his family without purchasing a single cubic foot of natural gas or kilowatt-hour of power. The only major energy expense he has is about $1,200 per year for propane cooking fuel. Solar tour A group of Rochester and Finger Lakes-region homeowners will open their renewable energy-equipped homes to visitors today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For directions to participating homes and to see what each home is equipped with, visit www.solarandwindfx.com/directions2005.htm  or contact Chris Schaefer at (585) 229-2083. (October 1, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  CCA-Treated Wood  - As of January 1, 2004, CCA can no longer be used in the United States to treat wood sold for use in residential settings, such as playsets, decks or tables. However, stores are permitted to sell existing stocks of CCAtreated wood, so check before you buy. In New York, Environmental Conservation Law § 37-0109 prohibits public entities such as state and local agencies, as well as school districts, from using CCA-treated wood for new structures in playgrounds. Existing treated wood structures in playgrounds, and all treated wood picnic tables, as well as any surrounding ground cover, must be maintained by public entities in such a way as to reduce the risk of CCA contamination.  --from Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  (A Guide for Homeowners Purchasing Pest Control Services for Their Lawns) - New York State law requires that a written contract be signed before pesticides are applied by a lawn care company to a residential property. This contract is a legally enforceable agreement between you and your lawn care company or pesticide applicator. It specifies what products and services will be provided and how much you will have to pay for them. --from Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Diesel fuel found in Webster creek The small spill poses no risk to residents or the environment, health and fire officials say.   A small amount of oil was spilled in the 600 block of Maple Drive in Webster Sept. 26 and ran into Shipbuilders Creek due to heavy rains. Webster Post
•  No flu vaccine shortage expected - County health officials are, however, asking all but high-priority groups to hold off on getting their shots.
  Monroe County health officials say there will be public flu clinics this year, most likely starting Oct. 1. East Rochester Post
•  State Health Commissioner Novello Advises New Yorkers as Flu Season Approaches  In anticipation of the upcoming flu season, State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., today advised New Yorkers who are most vulnerable to complications from influenza, as well as health care workers who have direct contact with patients, to seek vaccination over the next few weeks. The influenza season typically begins in late October and may run through April New York State Department of Health
•  Heavy metal - For being just another element on the periodic table, lead has the uncanny ability to make people sit up and pay attention. The persistent and toxic metal once common in paint was the subject of an animated public hearing at City Hall last week --- or rather, the question of how best to get rid of it was. Community organizers, activists, parents, scientists, and others are pushing for the strongest ordinance possible to get lead out of homes --- particularly those housing children up to 6 years old. They're the most likely to be exposed to lead-based paint and most likely to suffer its severe effects. (October 9, 2005) City Newspaper
•  Group pushes council for law against lead - Series of rallies to back tough bill — Consider it an in-your-face approach to lobbying, using a public presence to create public pressure for an aggressive city law to end childhood lead poisoning by 2010.  (October 12, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Sprawl in Rochester - from Environmental Advocates of New York  EANY - Publications - September 2005 - "In Western New York, where the population is declining, SRF money has been spent, or is proposed, for a multitude of projects that run pipes to areas where relatively tiny populations currently exist. Rochester and rural Monroe County are a perfect example of how local governments are trying to use state subsidized loans to promote sprawl. This year the Monroe County Water Authority requested nearly $4 million in loans that would push water and sewer service out into rural areas where only about 330 people currently live. The pipes would allow new development to occur where it was not possible before. "
•  Calling On City To Get The Lead Out - Supporters of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning turned out in force at Rochester City Hall Tuesday night to drive home their message. Rochester city lawmakers heard the outcries of the lead poisoning prevention group to adopt proposals that will make a difference. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  ES&T Online News: Zebra mussels reroute contaminant flow through food chain New research into how invasive species impact food webs suggests that some little fish may have a higher PCB concentrations than a trophy bass. Conventional wisdom holds that contaminants such as PCBs accumulate up the aquatic food web, reaching the highest concentrations in the predatory fish at the top of the food chain. But not in Lake Michigan’s Calumet Harbor—new research reveals that some smaller fish have higher PCB concentrations than the predators that eat them. The findings, presented at the Ecological Society of America meeting in Montréal in August, could mean that resource managers will have to revise fish advisories and sampling protocols for monitoring cleanups, experts say. (October 5, 2005) Environmental Science & Technology: ES&T
•  How might bird flu unfold in our area? - UR's vaccine researchers are working to ease fears and prevent a pandemic — Unless you've been stationed at a far-flung Antarctic outpost, you've heard of bird flu. Details about this new and mysterious illness are everywhere you turn — the TV news, the Internet, the newspaper. You've heard that it's deadly and has spread from birds to people in southeast Asia. But once it starts spreading from person to person it could spark a worldwide epidemic that will kill millions. (October 16, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Great Lakes activists say Bush waffling on cleanup WASHINGTON - In an executive order last year, President Bush set in motion a state-federal effort to rid the Great Lakes of invasive species, toxic pollutants, raw sewage and other environmental threats. Now after the leak of an internal report that doused a $20 billion cleanup strategy, the administration faces a mini-tempest over the degree of Bush's commitment to saving the lakes. http://www.startribune.com
•  Don't mess around with mushrooms - Local varieties have sickened or even killed several people — From the moment the snow starts to melt, until a skin of autumn frost appears on the forest floor, thousands of mushrooms grow in local parks. And most weekends, the members of the Rochester Area Mycological Association are out hunting for them. These people love mushrooms. They talk about mushrooms the way gourmets talk about wine, the way birders talk about warblers. And when a poison mushroom kills someone, as the species known as the destroying angel did a few weeks ago, they put all their effort into teaching people how to distinguish the deadly species from the dozens of other mushrooms that pepper the trees and grounds of local parks. Even at the end of the mushroom season. (October 15, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  TEN THREATS: PREDICTING NEW INVADERS - Some say it's only a matter of time before the Asian Carp enters the Great Lakes. (Photo courtesy of the USFWS)
•  No easy 'fix' for lead paint - City Council weighs issues as it gathers data for proposed law — While the City Council appears intent on targeting specific neighborhoods or problem properties with a new ordinance to prevent lead poisoning, the question remains how to do it, and how to help "fund the fix." Other remaining questions are whether to extend any new law to cover homeowners not just landlords; the scope of inspection to identify lead-based paint hazards; plus short- and long-term compliance requirements. The goal is to pass a law Dec. 20. What's next
  City Council will meet at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 27 for a work session with an expert panel. The panel will help the council members resolve fewer than 12 remaining discussion points, down from an initial list of 34.(October 14, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Debate Whirls Around Wind Farms - There are a lot of farms across western New York. Most have fields filled with food crops, but one type of farm offers a different landscape. Electricity generating windmills are creating a controversy in communities across the state. Thursday night in Alexander, developers and citizens joined for an informational hearing on proposed wind farms. Genesee and Wyoming County leaders favor their development. Some activists opposed to wind farms say the liabilities outweigh the benefits. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Monroe County & Irondequoit To Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection - The appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste collection will be held at the Irondequoit Garage, 25 Kings Highway, on Saturday October 22nd from 8 a.m to 12 noon...
•  The lead dilemma - Minutes before last week's City Council meeting, members of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning were staging a rally outside of City Hall. Holding a stream of nearly 3,000 postcards that stretched halfway around the building, they were urging Council to pass an aggressive clean-up law. Leon Berkowitz, a rental property owner and member of the New York State Coalition of Property Owners and Businesses, watched the rally and empathized with Council. He was headed in to speak to City Council --- to tell them, he said: "I really feel sorry for you guys; you're in a very tough position." (October 20, 2005) City Newspaper
•  Renaissance Square forum being held Tuesday October 25 - News - MSNBC.com As the Renaissance Square project continues to move forward, you can once again express your ideas and ask questions during an open house workshop. A 4th public workshop is being held Tuesday October 25 in the Atrium of City Plaza at 50 West Main Street from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rochester, NY news from WHEC-TV - MSNBC.com
•  County plans to create new wetlands in Chili - Work will make up for loss at airport - — CHILI — Monroe County officials will begin improvements to Black Creek Park this month as a payback for destroying 9.72 acres of wetlands during airport construction. Harold Keppner, of the Army Corps of Engineers, said the Greater Rochester International Airport violated the Clean Water Act by filling in wetlands without permission between 1999 and 2002. "The airport proceeded without the correct authorization. Wetlands were destroyed so development could occur on the land," said Keppner, project manager with the monitoring enforcement section of the Corps of Engineers. "So since then, they've been working with us so the situation won't happen again." (October 19, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Dog flu's bark puts area on alert — All we hear about these days is bird flu. But dog flu? That's right, canine influenza, which was found at greyhound racing tracks last year, is now spreading through the pet population in downstate New York and nationwide. It has not yet reached the Rochester area but is expected to get here eventually. Unlike bird flu, the dog flu is only occasionally fatal and has no prospect of spreading from dogs to humans. But it's another example of how the influenza virus is making an impact on animal and human health worldwide. (October 26, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Activist has solutions to warming - Speaker says global changes can be halted — Americans can't afford to wait for the world to solve our climate change problems, a local activist said Monday night. Hugh Mitchell of Rochester recently returned from a national Sierra Club meeting. The role of irresponsible energy choices in increasing global warming was chosen as the club's top national priority. "We need to make radical changes in our energy use and lifestyle," Mitchell said to local environmentalists in Penfield. (October 26, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Citizens air ideas about RenSquare - Renaissance Square lead designer Moshe Safdie had his flight canceled from Boston, so he could not attend Tuesday's workshop. But about a dozen design team members took comments, which will be posted at www.Rensquare.org.  --(October 26, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Rochester begins leaf collection -City crews begin their annual leaf collection program Monday, with the neighborhood-by-neighborhood schedule continuing through Nov. 25. Rochester residents should have received a 2006 calendar of environmental services that included the fall collection schedule and map. Anyone wanting to know their collection day can call the city's 24-hour information service at (585) 428-5990. --(October 26, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Flu Shots For Everyone - Nationwide, flu is cropping up in spotty areas, from California to other areas of New York state (not Rochester). Typically, flu season doesn't peak in the Rochester area until December or January. If your doctor doesn't have enough flu vaccine, you can purchase a flu shot at any number of community flu shot clinics. But be prepared to stand in line if you go.  13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  WXXI: Report: Staff Cuts Hamper Dam Inspections (2005-10-24) ALBANY, NEW YORK (2005-10-24) A report by an environmental watchdog group finds staffing cuts at the Pataki Administration's environmental agency could have dangerous consequences. The group says dams across the state are not being properly inspected. (October 26, 2005) wxxi NewsRoom
•  Webster lands $318K grant - The town of Webster received a $318,000 federal grant that will cover about half the cost of the town's planned purchase of development rights at the 134-acre Bechtold farm on State Road, Supervisor Cathryn Thomas announced Thursday.. (October 28, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Buffalo News - A mandate with money to remake the waterfront As Buffalo and Erie County continue to fight for more relicensing money from the state Power Authority, a new group already is at work, armed with at least $7 million a year from the Niagara Power Project and a mandate to remake the waterfront from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. The Buffalo News
•  Device helps show whether trees are dangerous — Several years ago, a decaying tree on the grounds of the George Eastman House threatened to fall onto East Avenue or crash into the historic mansion itself. City foresters eventually decided to remove the tree for safety's sake, but not without a lengthy dispute over whether the potential danger trumped history and aesthetics. Today, new technology would allow arborists to see inside such a tree to precisely gauge the extent of the damage. The system is based on ground-penetrating radar developed by the military and uses electromagnetic signals to sense cracks, hollows and rotten wood. (October 27, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Farmers mine manure's gassy treasure - Subsidy gives a boost to production of methane for generating power — ALBANY — Farmers may soon look to make money out of an unlikely source — manure — as New York continues its search for unorthodox sources of energy. State utility regulators this week approved a subsidy that's intended to encourage small to mid-size farms to convert their manure into methane gas. Essentially, it provides farmers with the same subsidy that a private homeowner gets for using solar-energy panels. About 200 farmers could benefit. - (October 29, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  the BFD: save your energy - How to conserve without walking to work or using your furniture for kindling - It's becoming increasingly apparent that oil will be the downfall of human society. Yeah, we had a good run there. But now we're marauding Middle Eastern countries for their oil supplies (which has a funny way of starting wars) and making sacrifices at the altar of ridiculously high gas prices (at the pump and for the home) thanks to hurricanes and capitalism-gone-wild. Find the cheapest gas station in town Find daily updates on the cheapest stations in the Rochester area: www.rochestergasprices.com --Insider: Rochester Remixed
•  13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Renaissance Square: If You Build It Where Will They Park? - Big plans for downtown Rochester now have leaders thinking about the big picture--plans for more loft apartments, more shopping, and the Renaissance Square Arts Center also bring up the issue of parking. Currently the city is working on a study to figure out the supply and demand. 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Keeping Webster Green (Webster, NY) 10/28/05 - The town of Webster has made open space preservation a priority and putting more farmland off-limits to developers. The town has set aside 134 acres, thanks, in part, to a grant from the federal government. 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  Residents meet, discuss wind farm proposals - Monterey | Orange town residents seemed receptive Thursday to the prospect of a wind farm stretching across the rural landscape. Clipper Windpower Inc., a California based company, would like to build a 40-turbine wind farm in the towns of Hornby and Orange. The wind energy company held a workshop Thursday to answer questions about the impact the $120 million project could have on each municipality. Corning Leader