RENewsletter | October 25, 2009
The Free environmental newsletter from RochesterEnvironment.com
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/>
"Our Environment is changing: Keep up with the Change."
[10/18/09- 10/25/09]
* Need to vent? | Go to my blog:
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> Environmental Thoughts -
Rochester, NY
* Found an important Rochester environmental story from a credible source
that you think needs attention?
<mailto:FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com?subject=Got%20a%20Rochester%20ar
ea%20Environmental%20link%20for%20you> Please, SEND ME THE LINK.
Opening <> Salvo | NewsLinks <> | Daily Updates <> | Events <> |
Environmental Site of the Month <> | Take Action <> |
[Hyperlinks work by CTRL + click to follow a link]
*** The October 2009
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Environmental%20Site%20Award.htm>
Environmental Site of the Month Award goes to 350.org <http://www.350.org/>
| Go to Award <> .
__________________________________________
Opening Salvo: "Rochester's 350.org Coverage"
Judging from the media response around the world, the 350.org
<http://www.350.org/> event has been a hit: October 24 Press Release |
350.org <http://www.350.org/media/Oct24release> "350.org To Stage Largest
Day of Environmental Action in History | 5,242 Simultaneous Events on
Climate in 181 Countries."
"Citizens, scientists and world leaders in 181 countries will take to nearby
streets, mountains, parks, and reefs today to demand strong action on
climate change, in what will be the most widespread day of political action
in the planet's history. 5,242 rallies and creative demonstrations will take
place, all of them centered on the number 350, to draw attention to 350
parts per million (ppm), which an overwhelming number of scientists now
insist is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."
However, judging from our local media response to the several 350.org
events, not much happened: a Rousing Dud. (Disclaimer: Because I did not
rush out and buy up all the paper versions of our local media, or
frantically tune into all the TV and radio stations either, ((because they
are insufferably myopic and merely pander to their corporate sponsors)), I
am basing this observation on what our local media has posted on the
Internet today-October 25, 2009.)
Maybe I posted this article too soon and the media just hasn't gotten up to
snuff yet on how this world-wide event played out in Rochester. Maybe,
they're all scurrying around in their backrooms, honing 350.org coverage so
it will be a real sizzler when it comes out. Maybe.
But, I'm not on any of the local media's editorial staff. So, what do I
know? Maybe, getting world-wide attention focused on the planet warming up
just is too far out of the comfort and profit zones of our local media. That
must be the case because there are lots of sports, criminal activity,
political carping, and lots of sports coverage on our local media. Really,
a lot of sports. Sports are in, imminent environmental collapse is out.
Only as an observer (another disclaimer: I was a participant) did I see over
sixty bicyclists ride from downtown Rochester to the RIT campus. Then, I
witnessed for myself a great rally with the RIT president and his college in
full support of the sea change needed on the matter of Climate Change and a
full day's programming to show that our community gets it on 350ppm. I
witnessed lots of people taking photos and videos and uploading them to
350.org. To be fair, our local media wasn't completely hopeless. I see one
media with one article on one 350.org event for our area: RIT
<http://rochester.ynn.com/all-news-news-2134-content/all-news-news-213...
ent/top_stories/485932/rit-marks-international-day-of-climate-action> Marks
International Day of Climate Action "It may not always be the right weather
for a bike ride around here, but as they say wait 5 minutes and it'll
change. The rain Saturday morning didn't stop a group of environmentally
conscious riders from hitting the trail. The purpose: to mark the
International Day of Climate Action." (October 25, 09)
http://rochester.ynn.com/
Yet, all in all it's very troubling. One of 350.org's purposes (the other
was to get our politicians' attention focused on the upcoming United Nations
Climate Change Conference Copenhagen <http://en.cop15.dk/> 2009) was to
make enough noise to make everyone take notice of the danger point we have
passed for a sustainable environment. That is, to both circumvent the
dysfunctional media and get in the face of a corporate-manipulated press
that is disinclined to speak about the fact that the planet's atmosphere is
warming up due to humanity's activities.
Our planet is warming up due to our way of life. This is as clear as those
annoying pop-ups on every mainstream media's web page, as clear as the
ubiquitous sports scores that flash across those flat screen TV's, and as
eye-catching as the endless violence that inundates local media stories:
Those charged with informing us with the information we need to live
sustainable are not doing their job.
If you did attend one of the area's 350.org events, and you still welcome a
challenge, why not contact your local media and ask them why they didn't
cover Rochester's participation in this world-wide event?
FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com
<mailto:FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com?subject=I'm%20contacting%20you%2
0from%20the%20RENewsletter> (Click on my email for feedback)
__________________________________________
NewsLinks - Environmental <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
NewsLinks - [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area
from the past week]
* It's 350.org Climate <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Action Day!
* Climate Action for the
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Unborn Generation
* Bottle Bill Will Go <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Forward
* Cleaning Great Lakes <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
with Fed Monies
* Gov. Suspension of Flu
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Shots for Health Care
Employees
* The Return of H1N1 <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Drilling Study Names <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Fracturing Chemicals
* It's Climate Change <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Awareness Week
* Methane for Clean Fuel
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> by RIT
* Climate Change <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> &
Great Lakes
* Zero Waste Catching On
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* NYS Sen. Schumer - <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
More Money Cleaner Water
* Irondequoit _ Fed <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Monies for Energy Efficiency
* Cycling Conference at <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
RIT
* Irondequoit <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Development
* Students Learn About <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Genesee River
* Our Water <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Infrastructure Needs Big Bucks
* New Info on Insect <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Repellent - EPA
* Is Eating Great Lakes <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Fish Safe?
* State of Invasive <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Species in Central NY
* NYS Nature Web Tool - <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
NYS DEC
* Opposition to Wind <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Power in Canada
* Fed Monies to Clean up
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> Great Lakes and Finger Lakes
* Collecting Water <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Bottle Delayed - Again
* Appliance Rebate <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
* Anti-Pollution Measure
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm> in Great Lakes
* Local Polluted Site <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Still Not Cleaned Up
* Questioning Energy <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Star
* Non-Native Pests <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Legislation
* Cutting Funds to <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
Global Warming Efforts
* Dog Parks <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/news.htm>
________________________________________
Updates - Daily Updates
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Daily%20Updates.htm> - [Connecting the
dots on Rochester's environment. Find out what's going on environmentally in
our area-and why you should care? Clicking on
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/> -DISCUSSION - will take you to
my blog "Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]
* 10/24/09 - We're awake and it's 6:20 AM and we're getting ready to
ride in one of the <http://www.350.org/map> Rochester, NY's 350.org events.
Hopefully, we'll have a photograph of some aspect of the event which will be
heard around the world - 350.org <http://www.350.org/> "On 24 October,
people in 181 countries are coming together for the most widespread day of
environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the
world, people are gathering to call for strong action and bold leadership on
the climate crisis."
* 10/24/09 - You can hold that we need energy and that our area has
lots of natural gas we can dig up for that. You cannot hold that there
won't be a price to pay, as the planet warms up with more use of fossil
fuels and possible contamination issues arise: Don't just cop a tude: Get
informed about gas drilling in our area: Buried
<http://www.propublica.org/series/buried-secrets-gas-drillings-environ...
-threat> Secrets: Gas Drilling's Environmental Threat - ProPublica "21 of
31 drilling states have no regulations specific to hydraulic fracturing of
31 drilling states have detailed regulations guiding hydraulic fracturing
drilling states require that fracturing chemicals be disclosed states
require that the volume of fluid left underground after fracturing be
recorded
* 10/24/09 - The Green Party of Monroe County
<http://gpomc.blogspot.com/> has some thoughts on Drilling on the
Marcellus Gas Shale: Green
<http://gpomc.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-impact-will-hydraulic-fracturi...
l> Party of Monroe County: What impact will Hydraulic Fracturing in the
Marcellus Shale have on our Water, Environment and Economy?
* 10/23.09 - ACTION <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/action.htm>
- Think long and hard about gas drilling in our area: Citizens
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/action_alerts/alert1009.htm> Campaign for
the Environment CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTION
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/action_alerts/alert1009.htm> ALERT! TELL
ALBANY TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND PROTECT WATER The public needs 120 days
to review massive new draft oil and gas drilling regulations On September
30, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
finally released the long-awaited Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental
Impact Statement (DSGEIS) for Oil & Gas Drilling in New York. The document
is over 800 pages long, and Albany is only giving the people 60 days to
review it. Tell Albany it cannot ignore the people! New Yorkers must be able
to understand and weigh in on this issue. Meaningful input from the public
is essential for a healthy democracy. --from CCE - Water Protection Public
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/> Health Energy Renewable Policy Toxic
Wildlife Chemical Contamination Subscribe Newsletter Jobs Calendar Pollution
Air Quality Advocacy Farmingdale White Plains Albany Syracuse Buffalo
* 10/23/09 - If you haven't been reading the series of article on the
state of our clean drinking waters from the New York Times Toxic Waters -
Series - <http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters> The New York Times,
here's a chance to hear all about it. Toxic
<http://www.democracynow.org/2009/10/22/toxic_waters_regulatory_absenc...
ws_chemical> Waters: Regulatory Absence Allows Chemical, Coal and Farm
Industries to Pollute US Water Supplies "Toxic Waters: Regulatory Absence
Allows Chemical, Coal and Farm Industries to Pollute US Water Supplies We
speak to New York Times reporter Charles Duhigg about the latest in his
investigative series "Toxic Waters," which examines the worsening pollution
in the nation's water systems." --from democracynow.com
<http://democracynow.com/>
* 1022/09 - Good cause to curb our toxic intake: Safer
<http://www.saferchemicals.org/> Chemicals, Healthy Families Safer
Chemicals, Healthy Families is a groundbreaking coalition of diverse groups
united by their common concern about toxic chemicals in our homes, places of
work, and products we use every day.
* 10/21/09 - Reminding you of the first is a series of important
lectures about the future design of our city--starting Tonight: "Reshaping
Rochester" lecture series RRCDC:
<http://www.rrcdc.org/reshapingrochester.html> Rochester Regional Community
Design Center The Rochester Regional Community Design Center (RRCDC) invites
you to attend an exciting medley of lectures, exhibitions and discussions
centering on how Rochester can revitalize itself through excellence in urban
design. Click here for the flyer: 5th
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\images\5th%20ReShaping%20Rochester.bmp>
ReShaping Rochester
* 10/21/09 - Why should we care about bats? We are living through a
massive die-off of our bat populations due to White Nose Syndrome and it
does matter. This story has been brought up at various times by mainstream
media, but if our media were focused more (a lot more) on our environment,
which begat us and keeps us alive, the decimation of a critical species in
our area would be more well know and more monies allocated to remedy this
situation. Check out: Battle for Bats Video
<http://caves.org/WNS/battle_for_bats.htm> "The Story of White Nose
Syndrome"
* 10/21/09 - We attended an interesting program last evening on how
Climate Change is and will further affect the Arctic rim of Alaska. Tuning
into mainstream media on the repercussions of oil drilling in the Alaskan
arctic, whose attempts are to 'balance' the coverage between the interests
of the oil companies and the state of the environment, doesn't give you the
insight into the extent of the threat of what drilling and spilling oil in a
most fragile environment means to the rest of us. Check out Chill the
Drills - Sierra Club <http://www.sierraclub.org/arctic> "To the north of
the Arctic Circle and beyond Alaska's Brooks Range mountains lies America's
Arctic - the final frontier in American conservation. From Point Hope on
Alaska's far western edge, to the pristine coastal plain of the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge in the east, this land - and the seas that surround
it - are our single most endangered national treasure."
* 10/19/09 - Media Misses Major Environmental Story: Because it is
such a major change in burning trash, I have been amazed at the lack of
public response to the DEC's Ban on Open Burning. [New Regulation on Open
<http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/58544.html> Burning Takes Effect Oct. 14 - NYS
Dept. of Environmental Conservation (October 5, 09) ] So, here's an
interesting article that gets the revolutionary change this enhanced
regulation will bring: Burned
<http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=854111&categor...
ON> up over burn barrel ban -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY:2903: "My
retort to that is, policing a barrel ban is not going to be much easier, not
in the back country. And there's an awful lot of New York that's back
country. Getting the cooperation of burn barrelers, and working with them,
would have been a smarter approach."
* 10/10/09 - From --
<http://www.libous.campaignoffice.com/index.asp?Type=NONE&SEC=%7b63B1A...
CC-4AA5-8809-BB1F15C56D7E%7d> Safe Drilling Now! you can vote on Drilling
for Natural Gas in our area, but the questions are very limited and don't
even address the issue of getting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
which this burning this type of Natural Resource will produce: Online
<http://www.libous.campaignoffice.com/index.asp?Type=POLLING&SEC=%7B3D...
-5FA5-4D3C-B76F-3E913DA544C8%7D> Poll by Senator Libous
* 10/19/09 - Tracking Climate Change reveals new websites on this
issue almost everyday. I try to focus Climate Rochester
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/weather&climate.htm> on how Global
Warming with affect Rochester, NY's climate, but, of course, we're all
connect weather-wise. Here are my latest finds on Climate Change: The Pew
Center on Global Climate Change has launched Climate Compass
<http://www.pewclimate.org/blog> a blog featuring timely viewpoints and
expert insights on issues critical to the climate conversation. Key topics
to be covered include Senate legislation, the Copenhagen climate talks,
Obama administration actions, climate science, low-carbon technology, and
corporate and individual strategies to address climate change. Also,
ClimateEthics.org <http://climateethics.org/> "ClimateEthics.org is a
commentary site on climate change science and policymaking by those working
on climate change ethics. The site is intended for policymakers, interested
public, and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response in the form of
ethical comments on issues in contention in climate change policy formation
around the world and provide insights on aspects of climate change science
that raise ethical issues and thus are in need of attention by
policymakers." | RealClimate <http://www.realclimate.org/> "RealClimate is
a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the
interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to
developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream
commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will
not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science."
| Sacramento Bee <http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sierra_summit> --
Sierra Summit | Climate Feedback <http://blogs.nature.com/climatefeedback>
"Climate Feedback is a blog hosted by Nature Reports: Climate Change to
facilitate lively and informative discussion on the science and wider
implications of global warming. The blog aims to be an informal forum for
debate and commentary on climate science in our journals and others, in the
news, and in the world at large."
* 10/18/09 - RIT Climate Change Action Awareness Week - Monday Oct.
19th - Saturday Oct. 24th: Are you ready for an ambitious, fair and
binding global climate deal? Join us as we call on world leaders to pass
climate policies grounded in the latest science and strong enough to get us
back to 350ppm. http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/gwteachin/350/
* 10/18/09 - Environmental
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/2009/10/350-why-it-matters...>
Thoughts - Rochester, NY: 350 Why It Matters 350 Why It Matters
<http://www.350.org/> "350 is the number that leading scientists say is the
safe upper limit for carbon dioxide-measured in 'Parts Per Million' in our
atmosphere. 350 PPM-it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as
possible to avoid runaway climate change." -from Understanding 350 | 350.org
Several events are going on in Rochester this coming Saturday for the
350.org and we hope you will attend one. If enough people demonstrate in a
positive way that they acknowledge the problem of Climate Change and are
willing to make their voice heard, it might make a difference. It's all on
350.org <http://www.350.org/> . more...
<http://rochesterenvironmentny.blogspot.com/2009/10/350-why-it-matters...>
* 10/18/09 - Special Calendar notice: Thank you for your overwhelming
response to the forum on natural gas production in New York State on October
19th! Pre-registration is closed (as of 10/17 afternoon) because we have
exceeded the room capacity. We are adding a follow-up meeting later in
October. To be invited to the follow-up meeting, email i...@fmce.org with
Subject="NYS Natural Gas - Follow Up Meeting". More action items and
information on our Announcements page. Doors open to the public at 6:30pm.
If you are already pre-registered, please arrive promptly. At 7pm, "No
Show" seats will be released to "walk-ins" on a first-come, first-serve
basis. http://fmce.org/
___________________________________________________
Events - Rochester <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/calendar.htm>
Environmental Events Calendar - [The most complete listing of all
environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.] If you don't see
your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the info:
FrankRe...@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line.
* October 27, 2009 - 7:00PM to 9:00PM Unitarian Church of Ithaca, 306
N. Aurora Street, Ithaca, NY
* Introductory Program on Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Exploration
October 27, 2009 - 7:00PM to 9:00PM This free public meeting will introduce
residents to the issues associated with the development of natural gas
production in the Marcellus Shale. The program will provide an overview of
the relevant geology, water issues related to drilling and hydrofracking and
the potential economic benefits and community impacts. Location: Unitarian
Church of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca, NY. This introductory
session will be good preparation for the program on legal issues offered
Oct. 29. For more information, contact: Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Tompkins County at (607) 272-2292 or email s...@cornell.edu
* Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 7:30 p.m. Brighton Town Hall,
Downstairs Meeting Room 2300 Elmwood Avenue, Brighton
* GENESEE VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY October Program - FREE TO THE PUBLIC
As You Clean Your Garden by Christine Sevilla As you clean out your garden
this fall and start to plan for next season you might notice some plants
that you haven't seen before. Some might be vines with long thin seed pods,
or they might have had small white flowers this spring and now have long
thin seed pods and the whole plant has turned brown. You might be thinking
about planting purple loosestrife or Japanese barberry this spring. These
plants and others cause damage to wildlife habitat by offering little food
or cover. We will explore how to get rid of them and suggest alternatives to
plant that offer more value to wildlife. We will also raffle off a
butterfly-weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and give away butterfly-weed seeds.
* 9:00am-12:30pm Sunday, November 1st Temple B-Rith Kodesh 2131
Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY
* Electronic Recycling Event _ Computers and electronics may contain
hazardous waste elements such as lead solder, cadmium, and beryllium.
Monitors, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), and Televisions have anywhere from 4 to
8 pounds of lead. These types of equipment need to be recycled properly in
an environmentally sound fashion. Find out more HERE
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Stuff/Dropofftemple8X10.pdf> .
* Monday, November 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Owego Treadway Inn,
in Owego, NY
* New
<http://mycce.org/monroe/event.taf?_pageid=12&_menuid=84&_function=inf...
ntid=32> York Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Summit New York Marcellus Shale
Natural Gas Summit: Challenges and Opportunities Monday, November 30, 2009
http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu Cornell Cooperative Extension, in
collaboration with a number of local and statewide partners, will host a
Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Summit at the Owego Treadway Inn, in Owego, NY,
on Monday, November 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
* Monday, November 16 at 7:00pm Brighton Town Hall Auditorium 2300
Elmwood Ave. Rochester, NY
* Please join the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) for a
breathtaking journey through the famous Redrock country of Southern Utah.
Presented by SUWA's National Grassroots Organizer Jackie Feinberg, Wild
Utah: America's Redrock Wilderness is a multi-media slide show featuring
stunning images by noted wilderness photographers and narrated by Robert
Redford. Attend a unique multimedia slideshow on Utah's threatened Redrock
Country...Educate and activate yourself in 2009! Hosted by RRG Sierra Club
For more information, contact Jackie Feinberg at jac...@suwa.org
* December 1, 2009 6 p.m NYSDEC Region 8 Office Main Conference Room
6274 East Avon-Lima Road Avon, New York 14414-9519 (585) 226-2466
* DEC Releases Revised Draft <http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/58489.html>
Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan - NYS Dept. of Environmental
Conservation Second Round of Hearings Scheduled; Public Comments Due by Dec.
14, 2009 The New York State Hazardous
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/chemical/9054.html> Waste Facility
Siting Plan and Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) have been
revised and are now available for public review, Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. Both documents
are available on the DEC website. (October 1, 09) Press
<http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/press.html> Releases - NYS Dept. of
Environmental Conservation[more on Brownfields
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\brownfields.htm> in our area]
* Friday, December 4, 6-9:30 PM; Saturday, December 5, 9:30 AM-3 PM
First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road, Rochester NY
14610
* METRO JUSTICE ALTERNATIVE FAIR Date/Time: Friday, December 4,
6-9:30 PM; Saturday, December 5, 9:30 AM-3 PM Place: First Unitarian
Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road, Rochester NY 14610 Cost: $3
suggested donation for ages 12+. Children under 12 free. FREE CHILD CARE.
Description: Support social justice when buying holiday gifts - at
Metro Justice's 28th annual Alternative Fair, featuring hundreds of fair
trade, earth friendly, and/or locally produced goods that support a just and
sustainable world. Holiday shopping for the whole family, including
clothing, toys, non-competitive games, pottery, and jewelry hand crafted by
local artists, fair trade imports, and more. Food, entertainment, and
information tables by local progressive organizations will be available.
The Alternative Fair is an annual fund-raising event for Metro Justice (
www.metrojustice.org ) , an independent, grass-roots, progressive membership
organization that works for human rights, equality and economic and
environmental justice by raising community awareness and engaging in
non-violent action. Accessibility: The building is accessible
_________________________________________________
Action - Take <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/action.htm> Action -
Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on
local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester
Community and around the world. I'll keep Actions posted until their due
date.
* Action Due Date: Now.
* ACTION <http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/action.htm> - Think
long and hard about gas drilling in our area: Citizens
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/action_alerts/alert1009.htm> Campaign for
the Environment CITIZENS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTION
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/action_alerts/alert1009.htm> ALERT! TELL
ALBANY TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND PROTECT WATER The public needs 120 days
to review massive new draft oil and gas drilling regulations On September
30, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
finally released the long-awaited Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental
Impact Statement (DSGEIS) for Oil & Gas Drilling in New York. The document
is over 800 pages long, and Albany is only giving the people 60 days to
review it. Tell Albany it cannot ignore the people! New Yorkers must be able
to understand and weigh in on this issue. Meaningful input from the public
is essential for a healthy democracy. --from CCE - Water Protection Public
<http://www.citizenscampaign.org/> Health Energy Renewable Policy Toxic
Wildlife Chemical Contamination Subscribe Newsletter Jobs Calendar Pollution
Air Quality Advocacy Farmingdale White Plains Albany Syracuse Buffalo
* Action Due Date: November 10, 2009 --from the U.S.
<http://www.epa.gov/> Environmental Protection Agency
* Think EPP Brownfield sites cleanup are not stringent enough, let
them know: EPA Seeks Comment on Greener Site Cleanups WASHINGTON - The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a new strategy
that would make cleanups at hazardous waste sites greener. The Superfund
Green Remediation Strategy is an initial effort to outline key actions and
related activities that can be undertaken to promote green remediation and
to reduce energy use. EPA is taking comment on action items that fall into
three major categories: policy and guidance development, resource
development and program implementation, and program evaluation. The
strategy also contains several recommendations including a call for EPA to
implement a series of near-term program initiatives, and to establish a
baseline of Superfund energy usage. The public comment period is open for
60 days. Reducing the demands placed on the environment during cleanup of
contaminated land is a high priority for EPA. In addition to the new
strategy, EPA has developed Principles for Greener Cleanups. The principles
call for EPA's cleanup programs to use greener approaches during any phase
of site work and establish the goal of evaluating cleanup actions to ensure
protection of human health and the environment while reducing the
environmental footprint of cleanup activities, when feasible. Cleanups that
do not satisfy threshold requirements for protectiveness or do not meet site
specific cleanup objectives, are not considered greener cleanups. More
<http://www.epa.gov/superfund/greenremediation> information on the
strategy: View
<http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_20&fo...
eb&email_type=bulletin> all news releases related to hazardous waste
* Action Due Date: The deadline for submitting applications
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102706291987&s=1979&e=001-QG5x_Bi0NIZdi5468...
KfHN8K8xs4lFCZT_o2or3_xAFSwEjY4BodrBCQ9k_bmpM0v8-IKzp6K5MgGoKpRNI4uW8bUPW32 u
HJS8fOjy8jl3vkanytOpmwTtNocWKfo-82lb30WhiuaSgnpyTA==> is November 20, 2009.
* Ways you can help our Parks:
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\parks.htm> New round of funding available for
park and trail groups Grants aim to boost organizational capacity Parks &
Trails New York is offering a new round of Capacity
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102706291987&s=1979&e=001-QG5x_Bi0NITdcbY62...
KKVDkFg9BoxWuio1V51ShkjZ3a_wml4dRyTiIvC6TVfdBv3v8OFGpkx8j5hwOJWnQIFf0B3PVsO d
gi7rodkrgoTUoDcWYJB8j_neW4qrvFqddHL3tCA=> Building Grants for park and
trail groups in New York State. The grants, of up to $3,000, will strengthen
not-for-profit organizations that are working to build and protect parks and
trails in communities across the state --- helping to not only provide
places for close-to-home, healthy physical activity but also generate
additional tourist dollars to strengthen local economies. The goal of the
program is to enable not-for-profits to: better fulfill their missions;
improve their reach, effectiveness, and impact; leverage more resources; and
increase community support for and involvement in park and trail planning,
development, and stewardship. Funds can be used to assist with activities
associated with organizational start-up and development, training,
communications, and volunteer recruitment and management. The deadline for
submitting applications
<http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102706291987&s=1979&e=001-QG5x_Bi0NIZdi5468...
KfHN8K8xs4lFCZT_o2or3_xAFSwEjY4BodrBCQ9k_bmpM0v8-IKzp6K5MgGoKpRNI4uW8bUPW32 u
HJS8fOjy8jl3vkanytOpmwTtNocWKfo-82lb30WhiuaSgnpyTA==> is November 20, 2009.
For more information, email <mailto:gra...@ptny.org> Parks & Trails New
York or call 518-434-1583. --from Parks <http://www.ptny.org/index.shtml> &
Trails New York - expanding, protecting and promoting a network of parks,
trails and open spaces
* Action Due Date: December 1, 2009 -from U.S. <http://www.epa.gov/>
Environmental Protection Agency
* EPA
<http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/ab2d81eb088f4a7e85257359003f...
7323a817211b6ca852576230052ff23!OpenDocument> Seeks Public Input on
National Enforcement Priorities Through Online Forum WASHINGTON - The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has launched an online discussion forum to
receive public input on the future priorities for EPA's national enforcement
program. The public will be able to provide feedback through the EPA Web
site until December 1, giving them a forum to submit ideas for EPA to
consider for new areas of enforcement focus. All ideas will be evaluated and
considered for recommendation to the EPA administrator about the future
direction of EPA's national enforcement and compliance priorities. The
current enforcement priorities through 2010 focus on significant
environmental problems, including pollution from stormwater runoff, air
toxics, concentrated animal feeding operations, and mineral processing. To
submit suggestions for potential priorities: Information on the
enforcement priorities: (August 31, 2009) U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency <http://www.epa.gov/> [[more on Action
<file:///C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Frank\My%20Documents\Frank%20Web%20S i
tes\RochesterEnvironment.com\action.htm> in our area]
__________________________________________________
Award - Environmental
<http://www.rochesterenvironment.com/Environmental%20Site%20Award.htm> Site
of the Month Award - [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an
environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog
that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's
environmental issues.]
The October 2009 Environmental Site of the Month award must go to Bill
McKibben's 350.org <http://www.350.org/> online and offline efforts to
rally the world about the specific dangers of Climate Change. Much went on
locally to participate in this world-wide rally, though little mention of
this fantastic effort in our local press. Go to 350.org and find out what
we did and who joined 350.org in our area.
350.org <http://www.350.org/> "TODAY, the 24 October, people in 181
countries came together for the most widespread day of environmental action
in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people
gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate
crisis."
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