RochesterEnvironment.com’s Newsletter

September 2006

Go to: News - What's New?- Events of the Month - Actions to take - Site of the Month

NEWS SUMMARY: Many of the news links below may already be out of date because these online news sources do not archive their stories.  To get the full articles, you can contact the news service and ask them for a copy. 

News for September 2006:

• Research grant creating models for air pollution movement in state - Computer models that simulate what happens in real life have become important tools in managing ecological problems and discovering ways to avoid worst-case scenarios. Sherri Mason, chemistry professor at SUNY Fredonia, has funding from the Great Lakes Commission to create a workable atmospheric model that will predict how air pollutants move into New York State from cars, industry, and even Great Lakes evaporation. With a research grant of $80,000 through the Great Lakes Air Deposition (GLAD) program, she is collaborating with the State Department of Environmental Conservation to model the locations of chemicals in the air that are known to be carcinogenic or hazardous to humans. The OBSERVER, Dunkirk, New York
• 2006 NY Deer Hunting Forecast - Region 8 The 2005 deer season in Region 8 resulted in the harvest of 44,633 total deer, down 11.4% from the 50,374 killed in 2004. Considering however, that Deer Management Permit (DMP) availability was down 37% from 2004, a decline of only 11% in the total take may actually be welcome news for Region 8 hunters. Buck take in 2005 (18,318 bucks) was statistically identical to that of 2004 (18,230 bucks) indicating that the regional deer population held steady in 2005. In light of the significant population declines in 2003 and 2004, this stabilization is good news.  Region 8 deer hunters should expect to see slightly more deer in general this year as compared to last, but gains will probably not be dramatic. Increases in deer population and deer takes should be greater in the northern half of the region, and a little less in the Southern Tier, but most units should have bottomed out and currently be on an upward track. Deer Management Permit availability will increase overall by about 12% this fall in an effort to keep pace with this anticipated rise in the deer population. This step is necessary since we not only have to consider where the population is now, but also the direction it is headed in the future, and try to keep a step ahead. All current indicators, however point to a regional deer herd that is on the rebound -- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting NY's Environment and Managing its Natural Resources
• www.ny.gov - GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $5.8 MILLION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY - Funding to Support 60 Projects to Reduce Runoff and Improve Aquatic Habitat - Governor George E. Pataki today announced more than $5.8 million in grants for 60 water quality improvement projects throughout New York State that will help to reduce the amount of pollution in waterways and restore critical aquatic habitats. - “Our efforts to improve water quality in the Empire State are vital to ensuring that people have access to clean, healthy water and our pollution does not harm important aquatic habits,” Governor Pataki said. “These grants support local water quality improvement projects and will provide needed funding to restore, preserve, and protect our water resources. We are pleased to partner with local communities in this effort and will continue to provide assistance to promote beneficial projects.” - Monroe County Stormwater Coalition – $16,174 for the purchase of a hydroseeder for critical area seeding. - NYSDEC Press Office - Governor Pataki's Environmental Press Releases
• 9/12/2006~Red knot named candidate for Endangered Species Act protection The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today it has designated the red knot, a migratory bird, as a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection. The announcement was published in today?s ?Federal Register? as part of the annual Candidate Notice of Review, an appraisal of the list of plants and animals that may warrant protection under the Act. In 2004 the Service initiated a status review for the red knot through the internal candidate assessment process, according to Marvin Moriarty, Northeast regional director for the Service. The candidate determination also serves as a response to petitions subsequently filed requesting protection under the Act. The Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society requested emergency Endangered Species Act protection for the Atlantic coast population of the red knot. In 2005, the Service received two additional petitions ? one initiated by Defenders of Wildlife, and one initiated by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network ? both requesting emergency protection. In response to the petitions, the Service found that the red knot does not warrant temporary protection under the Act?s emergency provision because the threat to the bird is not imminent, although its population has experienced a significant decline. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home
• Monroe County Selected by the CDC as a "Model Community" Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that Monroe County has been designated as a “Model Community” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This honor is being bestowed on Monroe County for the county’s successful emergency preparedness efforts. - MyMonroe. Opening Up Government. | Monroe County, NY
• Development threatens farmland - Preservation issues arise as areas such as Farmington grow - With a loss of 20 percent of its farmland to development from 1992 to 2004, Farmington's fate is similar to other western Ontario County towns, according to a report by the Ontario County Planning Department. Of the 25,252 acres in Farmington, 13,358 acres were classified as agricultural in 2004 compared with 16,627 acres in 1992. The number of farm operators in Farmington is estimated to have dropped from 32 to 27 over the past six years, and just 11 of them are full-time farmers, said farmer George Ayres, a member of the town's Agricultural Advisory Committee.  (September 25, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• WXXI: Volunteers Canvass City for Lead Hazards (2006-09-21) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-09-21) A group of 30 volunteers walked through North Clinton Avenue neighborhoods in Rochester Thursday afternoon, passing out information on childhood lead poisoning. The volunteers are with the AmeriCorps chapter at Monroe Community College and they were working with Rochester's Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. (Sept 24, 2006) Public NewsRoom
• MPNnow.com: Duckweed clogs shore  Meanwhile, blue-green algae has bloomed on the east side of Canandaigua Lake. - CANANDAIGUA — Duckweed has turned portions of Canandaigua Lake into a sea of green confetti. The small, round plant arrived with the rains from Hurricane Ernesto and grew thick at Bob Krokus’ home on West Lake Road. (Sept. 17, 2006) Messenger Post Newspapers
• RIT aids in emissions study - U.S. initiative gives $2 million to fund a 5-year research project— HENRIETTA — Every gallon of gas you pump into your car comes out the tailpipe as, among other things, roughly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Now scientists and policy makers around the globe are seeking ways to cut gas emissions that are considered a major factor in rising temperatures worldwide. To help take the guesswork out of the impact of policy changes on automakers, consumers and the environment, a federal initiative — the National Science Foundation's Materials Use: Science, Engineering and Society program — has given $2 million to researchers from Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan to develop a computer model that will map out the impact of different scenarios. (September 24, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• Wayne County, Golisano mull wind power— LYONS — Wayne County leaders will continue to discuss whether to delve into the wind power business with billionaire Tom Golisano. Golisano and his newly formed company, Empire State Wind Energy LLC, have been talking with communities across upstate New York in recent months about taking the issue of wind farms into their own hands. The goal, Golisano said, is to provide financial and technical support to communities so they, rather than outside private companies, would be in control of where wind farms are located — and potentially reap the profits of energy distribution. (September 20, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• Study shows New York State mercury pollution more widespread than previously reported - Mercury pollution has made its way into nearly every habitat in the U.S., exposing countless species of wildlife to potentially harmful levels of mercury, a new report from the National Wildlife Federation shows. The impacts in New York State raise significant concern during the state's comment period for a draft power plant mercury emissions rule. (September 20, 2006) New York State News on the Net!
• Stresses flood Great Lakes - U.S. weighs massive restoration plan; scientists say the time to act is now - WASHINGTON — The Great Lakes restoration plan before Congress addresses myriad problems that scientists say are threatening the Great Lakes. The lakes, environmentalists say, are showing signs of extreme stress from toxic contaminants, invasive species and development that has destroyed more than half of the wetlands that normally buffer the lakes from pollution.   (September 15, 2006)  Democrat and Chronicle
• Great Lakes protection stalling in Congress - (September 15, 2006) — A massive grass-roots plan to safeguard the ecological future of the Great Lakes may be endangered on Capitol Hill. -  (September 15, 2006)  Democrat and Chronicle
• Invasive species are lakes' worst enemy — Excerpts of an interview with Donald Scavia, a University of Michigan natural resources professor, on the Great Lakes: (September 15, 2006)  Democrat and Chronicle
• No new money for Great Lakes cleanup WASHINGTON -- Despite calls for federal financial assistance from scientists and state officials, the Bush administration says it won't be investing billions of dollars in new funding for cleaning up the Great Lakes. The admission came Wednesday during a U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee hearing as members of Congress, including Michigan's Rep. Vern Ehlers, quizzed Bush officials about the administration's financial commitment to Great Lakes restoration. (September 14, 2006) MLive.com - Everything Michigan
• Wayne County man is state's first West Nile death this year - A Wayne County resident has died after contracting the mosquito-borne West Nile virus — the first human death from the illness in New York state this year. It is also only the second West Nile death north of New York City and Long Island since the New York state Health Department began keeping records in 2000. A person died from Schuyler County in 2003. (September 13, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• East Rochester school getting new power source - District hopes to have fuel cell in operation next month— EAST ROCHESTER — The East Rochester Union Free School District has begun laying the groundwork for its new energy source. The concrete foundation for the district's 200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell is expected to be installed within a couple of days, said Michael Mamo, assistant superintendent for business. Plumbers have also begun running pipes from the boiler room into the area where the fuel cell will be housed on the district's campus. (September 12, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• Some commuters kick out their cars - Environment - MSNBC.com Cars a cash hole In 2004, U.S. households spent an average of $650 a month on transportation, of which only a fifth was gasoline and motor oil, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rest was mainly the cost of the car, insurance and repairs. Only $37 was spent on public transportation, which includes air travel. Today's News from MSNBC - MSNBC.com
• The City's Neighborhood Empowerment Team, Department of Community Development and Law Department will host an information forum for city residents and landlords on the City's new lead paint legislation, 6 p.m., Wed., Sept. 13 at the NET Area F Office, 500 Norton St. NET, DCD and Law staff will present the City's implementation plan for the first year of the lead ordinance, passed in Dec., 2005 by City Council. The new, comprehensive ordinance is designed to make Rochester's rental housing stock lead safe over the next three years by a combination of inspection and testing, interim controls of properties with lead paint, and education of tenants and landlords on the dangers of lead to children. - PUBLIC (City of Rochester News Release - 09/11/2006)
• Anglers Advised Not to Move Fish Between Water Bodies The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is advising anglers of the negative effects of moving fish from one body of water to another. Whether purposely or accidentally done, stocking of fish is illegal without a DEC permit. Introduced fish species can negatively affect the fishery and aquatic ecosystem of the waters they are released into by preying on fish already present, out-competing native species for food, spreading diseases and changing the amount, size, and type of microscopic organisms in the water. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting NY's Environment and Managing its Natural Resources
• Lead Free Funding To Help 50 Homes  - 2010. It's the year Greater Rochester hopes to rid itself of the threat of lead paint. We learned Tuesday the local effort to do that is 80-percent complete. The latest effort to meet that goal is a $376,000 program funded by the Monroe County and run by the city of Rochester. (September 6, 2006) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• Residents living near contamination site want medical bills paid - News - MSNBC.com It's been several years since chemical contamination was cleaned up from a G.E. small appliances plant in Brockport, but questions remain about whether there could be a possible cancer cluster near the former site. The issue was argued in the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court in Rochester on Wednesday.  (September 06, 2006) Rochester, NY news from WHEC-TV - MSNBC.com
• Victor to air two park plans - Village-town meeting designed to elicit public comment - — VICTOR — The joint Town Board-Village Board meeting tonight will feature a presentation and public hearing on master plans for two Victor parks. The 7 p.m. meeting will be at Town Hall, with a presentation of the master plans by Doug McCord, owner of McCord Landscape Architecture of Penfield, followed by a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. and a possible vote by the boards on the plans. (September 11, 2006)Democrat and Chronicle
• EPA pulls plug on spray string toys — The federal Environmental Protection Agency has asked stores to pull from their shelves illegal spray string toys manufactured in Asia that violate American regulations to protect the ozone layer. (September 10, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• Pending federal rule may threaten bodies of water - Easing transfer process sparks contamination fears — A pending federal rule could open Lake Ontario to the risk of new invasive species, the nutrient pollution that feeds seasonal algae blooms and the bacteria that can make swimmers sick, according to environmentalists and state attorneys general who have formally opposed the change. "We think it opens up doors for all kinds of mischief," said Jim Tierney, an assistant New York attorney general. Known as the water transfer rule, the change would give businesses and communities the right to shift water from one body to another without taking the cleanliness of the water into account by applying for federal pollution permits. (September 5, 2006)
• More mosquitoes test positive for West Nile in Rockland The level of West Nile virus activity in Rockland County is on the rise, even as the temperatures drop and the mosquitoes that carry the disease are less active, health officials said yesterday. Five batches of mosquitoes trapped in the county during the week of Aug. 21 tested positive for the disease, which is spread between birds and mosquitoes. People can contract the potentially fatal virus through a bite from an infected mosquito. (September, 09,06) THE JOURNAL NEWS: LOHUD.COM
• Owners' lead law worries lessen - With 1,500 rentals checked, about 70 percent have passed city test— Predictions that Rochester's older rental housing would be so riddled with lead hazards that most units wouldn't meet new city regulations have so far proved false. More than 1,500 city rental houses and apartments have undergone lead hazard tests since the regulations took effect July 1. City Hall estimated that more than 60 percent would fail. So far, about 70 percent have passed. (September 5, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
• Lead paint partnership announced in Monroe County  - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy Tuesday announced a new partnership benefiting 50 housing units in the city. Under the arrangements of the plan, which will be presented to the county legislature for approval on September 12, Monroe County will accept $376,500 in federal Housing and Urban Development funding originally allocated to the City of Rochester for lead paint remediation. New York State News on the Net!
• KILLER CARP! Coming soon to a Great Lake near you? In the meantime, Asian carp have closed within 50 miles of Lake Michigan and turned large sections of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers into carp havens where little else can survive. (September 6, 2006) Detroit Free Press - www.freep.com
• MPNnow.com: Development a hot topic for lake watchdogs The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Alliance held its annual meeting Saturday, hearing from a developer and an attorney. CANANDAIGUA — To see what a hot-button issue lakefront development has become, one only needed to be seated among the 100 or so members of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Alliance as they gathered for their annual meeting Saturday morning. (September 03, 2006) MPNnow.com: Local News

 WHAT'S NEW?  Each day RochesterEnvironment.com scours the Internet for all environmental articles, events, actions and issues pertaining to Rochester, New York.

 Updates in RochesterEnvironment.com for September 2006:

• 10/01/06 - New site for trails: Friends of Webster Trails To manage and promote wild areas, trails and linear parks in partnership with the Town of Webster for educations and recreational purposes.
• 09/27/06 -- Looking for a way to help our Great Lakes and take Action? Great Lakes Restoration More than 80 organizations representing millions of residents in the Great Lakes have joined a new coalition whose goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Formed in 2005 with support from the Wege Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and others, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition reflects a growing public awareness about the urgent need to protect the Great Lakes. The Coalition seeks to secure a sustainable restoration plan and the billions of dollars of state and federal funding needed to implement it. Led by the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Conservation Association, the coalition seeks to clean up sewage and toxic sediments, to restore damaged habitat, to protect high quality habitat, and to control and prevent the introduction of invasive species, each of which is an essential component of restoring the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. For more information on how to join the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition contact Chris Grubb (grubbc@nwf.org ) or Jeff Skelding (jskelding@nwf.org ).
• 9/14/06 - Sometimes (it seems) tolerating geese that crowd our lawn, ponds, and streets makes us want to eliminate them altogether. That doesn’t make much sense environmentally or humanely, but as we sprawl out into the wilderness animals that we used to encounter only in the wilds now find our new properties home. Anyway, here’s a very good article about why the geese population has increased so much and what the government is considering doing about the ‘problem.’ New gander at goose control - Newsday.com Some cry fowl as new set of rules enable less restricted removal of the Canadian birds some see as nuisance - Joggers and golfers tired of dodging goose droppings take heart: New federal regulations that give states more flexibility to manage their resident Canada geese populations could make it easier to remove the birds from Long Island's parks, golf courses, airports and farms. The new rules issued last month by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are intended to streamline the process for goose control - from destroying nests and eggs to shooting or euthanizing adult birds. Such actions previously required federal permits because the birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. -- (September 13, 2006) Newsday.com: News, Entertainment and Sports
• 09/03/06 -- Here's some good ideas on Rochester-area recycling: environment: think outside the (recycling) box - You're throwing out that old cell phone charger? That busted recliner? That '87 Chevy Celebrity? And you call yourself "Earth friendly?" Mother Nature guffaws and kicks you in the shin. --from Insider: Rochester Remixed
• 09/03/06 -- Like the information provided by Monroe County’s new 48 Hour Neighborhood Notification Law, it’s good to know where the pesticides are: According to Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides (RAMP)’s Spring 2006 of it’s newsletter “RAMP Info” DOT sprays herbicides on state roads: Monroe County roads so far not sprayed” On May 8th the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) began its annual pesticide spraying of roadways. The DOT provides a pre-recorded toll-free hotline (1-877-201-8762) where citizens can learn the spraying schedule by town and highway number. The DOT also post these locations on its website < www.dot.state.ny.us >

Events of the month:  Each Month I will post all up and coming environmental events until they are over.  Be sure to check the list often as events come and go and I only post this newsletter once a month. 

Events for October 2006 and beyond:  

When	What	Where
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2006	THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2006 - Department of Environmental Services - Public Informational Meeting - Brooks & Genesee Landing Waterfront Public Improvement Project - 7:00 p.m. St. Monica's Church -841 Genesee St. -428-6732	7:00 p.m. St. Monica's Church -841 Genesee St. -428-6732
noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, October 5	The League of Women Voters will hold a discussion on the problems and health of the Genesee River from noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, October 5, on board the Mary Jemison at Corn Hill Landing. Charles Knauf, Environmental Health Project Analyst for Monroe County, will review past and current environmental projects on the river, at the beach, and at Irondequoit Bay. The cost of the cruise, lunch and discussion is $25. Reservations: Jane Schmitt, 334-0588. --from City Newspaper	on board the Mary Jemison at Corn Hill Landing.
Click here for full Schedule: WXXI: Public Flu Clinic Schedule Released (2006-09-26)	**EVENT** / **ACTION**  WXXI: Public Flu Clinic Schedule Released (2006-09-26) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-09-26) Public flu shot clinics in Monroe County start next week with an afternoon clinic at the Dome Center in Henrietta. The University of Rochester School of Nursing says it plans to hold about two dozen public flu clinics and 100 clinics at Rochester-area companies over the next few months. They say there's a solid supply of the flu vaccine on hand this year. Health authorities are advising all eligible people to get a flu shot. That's especially true for people 50 and over, young children and pregnant women. The same holds true for people with medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease. Public NewsRoom
2:30 p.m. Oct. 8	Library will sponsor wetlands discussion — Christine Sevilla, a wetlands expert, will talk about the wetlands of western New York at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Penfield Public Library, 1985 Baird Road. Sevilla has written a reference guide to public access to wetlands in and around Monroe County. Registration begins Friday by calling the library, (585) 340-8720, online at www.penfieldlibrary.org  or by visiting the circulation desk.	Penfield Public Library, 1985 Baird Road.
	09/23/06 -- **EVENT** - Rochester Area Churches Offering Free Showing of Film “An Inconvenient Truth”  Press Contacts: Kate Kressmann-Kehoe, 244-8629 Elizabeth Pixley, 334-0977, epixley@rochester.rr.com  Rochester, NY- Beginning Oct. 1, more than 80 area churches will screen the film “An Inconvenient Truth.” There are differing opinions regarding global warming, nonetheless, all agree it is an issue faith communities must examine. The screenings are part of a nationwide effort involving over 4,000 congregations. Interfaith Power and Light, a nationwide, non-profit organization focused on mobilizing a religious response to global warming, organized the campaign. "We are stewards of God's earth.” explains Rev. Corey Keyes, of the West Bloomfield Congregational Church, UCC. “We are charged with the care and nurture of the earth. Global warming is therefore very much a faith issue." The Rev. Debbie Grohman of Park Presbyterian Church in Newark, said, “Theology and a sound understanding of humanity as creation’s stewards drive this movie.” A listing of churches offering the free screenings of the film follows. Updated schedules are also available at the website of the Greater Rochester Council of Churches: http://grcc.org/ . For a complete list of participating churches see http://www.nyipl.org  For more information contact: Kate Kressmann-Kehoe, 585-244-8629 or Elizabeth Pixley, 334-0977 or epixley@rochester.rr.com	For a complete list of participating churches see http://www.nyipl.org
Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8	AT CUMMING NATURE CENTER: 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512 (585)374-6160 www.rmsc.org - Hiking trails and visitors center with restrooms, drinks and snacks (from vending machines), and a wildlife viewing area. - Open Weekends Only Hours: Visitors Center 9am–5pm; Trails 9am–4:30pm. Admission: RMSC members free; Non-members: donation welcome—$3/person; $10/family. Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8 Timber Sports Weekend College woodsman teams test their skills at ax throwing, log rolling, cross-cut sawing and more! See teams in action from Finger Lakes Community College, Paul Smith's College, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (Syracuse), and SUNY ESF Ranger School (Wanakena). Saturday, 10/07: 10am–3pm Set-up and demonstrations. Sunday, 10/08: 10am–5pm Competition.	AT CUMMING NATURE CENTER: 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512 (585)374-6160 www.rmsc.org
March 15-18, 2007	-from Rochester Gardening The Gardenscape Professionals Association http://www.gardenscapepros.com/  announced that advance tickets for GardenScape 2007, Rochester's Flower Show, are on sale now until the end of 2006. These tickets offer a $2 savings on adult admissions to the March 15-18, 2007 event. Sounds like a gift idea for your favorite gardener - or yourself! http://www.RochesterFlowerShow.com/
submission deadline is October 31st, 2006	Nature Photo Contest - from Genesee County Cooperative Extension To promote the recreational and educational opportunities at the Genesee County Park and Forest and the DeWitt Recreational Area Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and the ACORNS volunteer group at the Genesee County Park are sponsoring a photo contest. - There is no fee to enter the contest and submission deadline is October 31st, 2006. More information, official rules and entry forms are available at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia, or by contacting Amy Berry at 343-3040, Ext. 106. LeRoy Pennysaver	More information, official rules and entry forms are available at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County located at 420 East Main St. in Batavia, or by contacting Amy Berry at 343-3040, Ext. 106. LeRoy Pennysaver
every Saturday	Current Events with the Land Trust - Land Trust. Nature walks, cruises, birdwatching, luncheons and more go on throughout the year in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. --from Finger Lakes Land Trust  Get the Summer Talks & Treks 2006 Schedule: (requires .pdf)
October 25, 2006 at 6 PM	When: October 25, 2006 at 6 PM - What: Center for Environmental Information’s 32nd Community Salute to the Environment -Peter R. Smith President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will discuss the relationship between energy efficiency, the development of renewable resources, and climate change in a carbon constrained future. As third-party administrator of the five-year $175 million a year System Benefits Charge, as well as Central Procurement Agent for the more than $770 million Renewable Portfolio Standard, NYSERDA uses innovation and technology to solve some of New York's most pressing energy and environmental problems in ways that benefit the State's economy. -For more information check www.ceinfo.org  or contact Shirley Sherman at 585-262-2870 or cei@ceinfo.org . -Where: at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 125 East Main Street, Rochester, NY.	at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 125 East Main Street, Rochester, NY.
Monday, October 16  at 7 p.m.	Sierra Club Book Study Group Sierra Book Study Group has chosen to read Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail Or Succeed by Jared Diamond. “compelling in its ability to relate the pandemonium of the present to the hushed agrarian sunrises of the far past” NY Times "The Icelanders..learned to adapt to living within the limits of their environment. a book to help us do the same" LA Times ---  Monday, October 16 at the Winton Library, 611 Winton Road, North at 7 p.m. There are copies in the library system. Open to all. Hope to see you there.	at the Winton Library, 611 Winton Road, North
Wind Events Many Dates and locations	Wind Power Events and Events Around NYS. --from New York Wind Power Education Project. "To: NYS community, civic, and community organizations — There are many opportunities to learn about and discuss wind power in the next several weeks. Please consider attending these events and publicizing them to your membership. Also: The various regional planning councils in New York State have launched a program to help municipalities address wind power development. This effort, coordinated by the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, is described at: http://www.gflrpc.org/AboutTheCouncil/Newsletter/fall06.pdf -- About The NY Wind Power Education Project The NY Wind Power Education Project is a collaborative effort of the Pace Law School Energy Project, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, and NYPIRG to increase the public's understanding of wind power issues, including its environmental benefits, in the belief that a better informed public can participate more meaningfully in the environmental review process and other public discussions surrounding proposed wind facilities. Twice per month, the NY Wind Power Education Project will distribute this email bulletin on wind energy issues and events around New York State. If you would like to forward announcements for possible inclusion in the WPEP Bulletins, simply email Anne Reynolds, areynolds@law.pace.edu . (The same address should be used if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
	The latest Parks, Recreation and Human Services Calendar Update is available on the City of Rochester's web site. Click on the link below (or copy and paste the link into your browser) to view the document. http://www.cityofrochester.gov/prhs/updates/30JUNE06update.pdf

**Action**  (The Internet makes environmental action easier.) Check out these items and help out ( http://rochesterenvironment.com/action_rochester.htm )   RochesterEnvironment.com has made it easy to act on environmental issue by searching for all online environmental actions pertaining to our area.

Actions you can take for October 2006:

• **ACTION** Global Warming and other high profile environmental issues have grabbed public concern, but few think about Stormwater pollution. And yet, the things we do around the home—wash our car, our pet’s droppings, chemicals we use on our lawns, grass clippings, repairing our house and property, and maintaining our swimming pools—can have a profound effect on our area’s water quality. These are things that each of us can do to prevent contamination to our area’s waters, by learning about the potential pollutants going down our drains and into our area’s sewers and into our streams, rivers, and lakes. Check out The Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County and especially print out this important flyer and post it so you can remember. Make Your Home the Solution to Stormwater Pollution
• **ACTION** Healing Our Waters® - Great Lakes Coalition - Urge House Members Not to Short Change the Great Lakes - Call your member of the House of Representatives. The Capital Switchboard, where you can be patched into his or her office is (202) 224-3121. Tell them you support S. 2430, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2006, as written, and strongly oppose any attempt to amend it on the House floor. Send an email to Chris Grubb ( grubbc@nwf.org ) to let us know you took action and what the response was. -Background: The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act is a critical component of the larger Great Lakes restoration effort. Earlier this summer, thanks to the leadership of Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH), the Senate passed this bill (S. 2430), which authorized Congress to spend up to $20 million a year to protect and restore Great Lakes fish and wildlife habitat. Last week, a subcommittee of the House Resources Committee held a hearing on the bill. This Wednesday, the House leadership is poised to bring the bill up for a vote on the House floor, but plan to pass it at its previously authorized level of $8 million.  We have manageable solutions to the problems facing the Great Lakes. But we’ll never be able to put the lakes back on track with a business-as-usual approach. Overall the Great Lakes region has lost over 50% of its wetlands. Some parts of the Great Lakes have lost over 90%. This habitat loss and fragmentation is combining with invasive species, sewage overflows, toxic pollution, and other stressor such that scientists say the Great Lakes are nearing a tipping point of irreversible change. Every day we wait, the problems get worse and the solutions get more costly. Please take action today on behalf of the Great Lakes by calling your Member of the House of Representatives today.
• 09/12/06 - **ACTION** Considering how much the government gives to subsides global warming energy, why not consider the government helping out energy sources that don’t warm up the planet and pollute? --from Public Citizen  Take Action! Urge the New York Public Service Commission to Adequately Fund State Incentives for Solar Energy! Send an email now! In June, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) authorized $45 million for the "Customer-Sited" tier of the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) through 2009. However, less than a third of this funding will go to solar PV and only a tenth will go to small wind. This is significantly short of what is needed to support these important technologies. Public Citizen | Action Items
• **EVENT** / **ACTION**  WXXI: Public Flu Clinic Schedule Released (2006-09-26) ROCHESTER, NY (2006-09-26) Public flu shot clinics in Monroe County start next week with an afternoon clinic at the Dome Center in Henrietta. The University of Rochester School of Nursing says it plans to hold about two dozen public flu clinics and 100 clinics at Rochester-area companies over the next few months. They say there's a solid supply of the flu vaccine on hand this year. Health authorities are advising all eligible people to get a flu shot. That's especially true for people 50 and over, young children and pregnant women. The same holds true for people with medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease. Public NewsRoom
• **ACTION** - Comment on Mercury Pollution Proposal - Exposure to harmful levels of mercury can impair a child’s ability to walk, talk, read and write.

• Every year over 630,000 newborn babies in America are exposed to high levels of mercury. In New York the state Department of Health continues to expand the list of water bodies with fish that are unsafe to eat due to mercury contamination.

  This can and must be stopped. Studies show that quick and stringent mercury pollution limits gets mercury out of the environment.

  Last week, the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) finally proposed a draft regulation that would require coal-fired power plants - the largest industrial source of mercury pollution - to reduce mercury pollution 50% by 2010 and 90% by 2015. Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and other states already require at least 90% mercury pollution reductions at each of their coal power plants within the next few years.

  MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

  It is vital that New Yorkers tell the DEC what they think of New York's proposal during the public comment period, which ends Friday, October 20th. All written testimony needs to reference "the proposed addition of Part 246 to Title 6 NYCRR."

  To learn more about the proposed power plant mercury rule and how to comment go to www.nypirg.org/energy/mercury.html .

  You can send email comments directly to DEC at: 246camr@gw.dec.state.ny.us .

  Comments can also be submitted directly to DEC via written mail: David Gardner Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Air Resources 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-3254

  Verbal testimony can be given at the following three public hearings.

  October 12th, starting at 9:00 a.m. Department of Environmental Conservation Region 8 Office, Conference Room 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd. in Avon, NY

   
•  **ACTION** Don't let them disappear on the ballot box.  Green Party Ballot Status: New York State Election Law says that in order for political parties to maintain ballot status, it must have at least 50,000 votes in each gubernatorial election. For the major, corporate-driven parties, this is easy. For independent, third-parties this is more difficult. In 1998, the Green Party ran Al "Grandpa" Lewis for governor and he got 52,533 votes. For the next four years, the Greens had a ballot line in New York State, allowing citizens to register as Greens and making it immensely easier to run candidates for local office. In 2002, the Greens ran Stanley Aronowitz for Governor and received 41,797 votes, losing ballot status. The Green Party sued to allow people to remain registered Greens and won. In 2003, the Monroe County Board of Elections sent a letter to all registered greens erroneously telling us that we are now considered "blanks". Many Greens then registered in a different party, not knowing they did not need to. The Monroe BOE did not send a second letter correcting this error. People can still register in the Green Party, but must check "Other" on voter registration cards and write in "Green". This year marks another gubernatorial election. The Greens will hold its convention on May 20th, in which its slate for state offices will be chosen. Because the state does not recognize us as an “official” party (because we do not have ballot status), we cannot have a primary, so members of the State Committee will elect those who have collected petition signatures to run for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller and US Senate. Once the candidates are chosen, we will have to garner thousands of petition signatures from mid July to mid August across the state to get our people on the ballot in November. Any registered NYS voters are allowed to gather signatures. Contact the local Green Party at (585) 234-6470 if you are interested in helping the Greens get ballot status back. Once we regain our ballot status, people will be able to register Green easier. We will be able to run more candidates more effectively thus challenging the corporate-party system. Dave Atias Visit http://www.gpomc.org  and http://gpomc.blogspot.com

Rochester-area Website of the Month:  The Rochester area has over 80 environmental groups. Rochester Environmentalists http://rochesterenvironment.com/environmentalists.htm  Each Month, I highlight a Rochester-area website that helps promotes finding environmental information on the web.

• Friends of Webster Trails To manage and promote wild areas, trails and linear parks in partnership with the Town of Webster for educations and recreational purposes.