The BEAT News August 6, 2008

US House of Representatives Passes
The Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act

Good news! On July 30, 2008 the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3957, The Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act. H.R. 3957 would establish a water-use efficiency and conservation research and development program within the EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

In a related development, the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on July 23, 2008 concerning "opportunities for the federal government to support and better coordinate research and technological innovation to enhance water supplies and water quality and to support improved water management." During this Hearing the Subcommittee also heard testimony on a draft legislation titled, The National Water Research and Development Initiative Act.

The House of Representatives also passed H.R. 2339, The Produced Water Utilization Act of 2007. H.R. 2339 creates a program to research the reuse of water linked with oil and gas extraction.

MEPA issues the “Final MEPA Integrated Permitting Policy”

BEAT comments: While many things in the “6/2 FINAL DRAFT INTEGRATED MEPA/PERMITTING REVIEW POLICY” bother us, nothing bothers us more than one word in the last line, “MEPA expects to publish a written evaluation of that review in the Environmental Monitor.” [emphasis added]. Why not WILL?

This policy delays any public input on large projects until after the proponent has met with, and worked out the details with, all the various state agencies – then the public can comment.

This administration’s lust for “renewable energy” comes at a very high environmental price. What is needed is a Comprehensive Energy Plan to look at how much of what form of energy is needed where, and how best to meet those needs with conservation and various forms of clean, renewable energy.

Urge Governor Patrick to sign the Environmental Bond and Land Conservation Tax Incentives into law!
(ELM Bulletin brought to you by the Communications team at the Environmental League of Massachusetts.
General Questions or Comments?
Contact: Margo Cole – [email protected])

The Environmental Bond, which provides the capital funding for the Commonwealth’s land conservation programs, contains a significant incentive for private land protection – the Land Conservation Tax Incentives Act. 

This Bond, with the Conservation Tax Incentives, is on the Governor’s desk. We’re close, but we need broad-based, vocal support to make sure the "double-wammy" for land conservation is accomplished.
 
What Would the Conservation Tax Incentive Do?

Be a catalyst for conservation and make conservation more competitive with development. Provides a state income tax credit on qualified land (as certified by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs) up to $50k in value, no more than your annual tax liability, rolling forward 10 years. It is an incentive to encourage private land owners to donate certified conservation land to non-profits, the state or a municipality; it will help land-rich, cash-poor citizens by giving them a compelling option to protect our natural heritage instead of giving up their land for development. It will also provide capital to farmers and foresters, as agricultural and forestry land may be certified.

Why is a Tax-Incentive to Protect Land Needed?

We use tax credits to encourage investment in what we feel is important. There are tax credits for the motion picture industry, a state sales tax holiday, renewable energy development tax breaks, and so forth. Nearly 60% of undeveloped land is privately owned and unprotected. More than 40 acres are lost daily to poorly planned development. To ensure the preservation of our most critical natural resources, including agricultural land and land in forestry, the state must employ a variety of tools, from improved local zoning and increased capital investments in land protection, to enhanced tax incentives for voluntary land donations by private land owners.

What is the Status of the Conservation Incentive? 
Before the Governor as an outside section of the Environmental Bond – the bond provides a minimum of $50M per year for state land protection programs.  The tax incentive is a complement to state land protection programs.

TAKE ACTION! 
Call the governor, thank the staff member who answers for the Governor’s commitment to land protection, and say you are asking him to sign the Environmental Bond (house bill 5054) into law with the conservation tax incentive (section 8 of house bill 5054) included!

Governor’s Telephone: 617-725-4005
Call ASAP!

For more information, contact Jen Ryan at Mass Audubon, 617.759.0227 or Steve Long at the Nature Conservancy, 617.312.5932.

For more information follow this link to the Globe article


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As many of you have probably heard, Green for All is coordinating a National Day of Action: Green Jobs Now! A Day to Build the New Economy On September 27, 2008. The goal of this action is to send the message to our elected officials, and the world, that "We’re Ready" for a green economy.
 
With the elections coming up (this will be the day after the first presidential debate) and in the wake of Al Gore’s recent challenge to get off of fossil fuels, this Day of Action has the potential to mark a turning point in our economy and history.

MAGJC would like to collaborate with you all to plan events in Boston/Cambridge and across the state in key areas like Western Mass, New Bedford and Worcester. We’re on the verge of a substantial legislative victory – it’s very likely that before the end of the week we will have Pathways Out if Poverty legislation passed for the state. We want to really use this momentum to move this green economy foward in the right way.
 
If you’d like to collaborate or share ideas for the day, please e-mail: [email protected]
 
The website will be up soon: www.greenjobsnow.com. It will show where the actions are taking place across the country and provide resources for the various sites. In the meantime, see more information below.
 
We look forward to working with you!
 
In Solidarity,  
MAGJC Team
 
From Green for all:

Yesterday, in a landmark speech, Vice President Al Gore set forth a challenge to America to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity in the United States within a decade. In addition to addressing environmental, economic, and national security concerns, this effort has the potential to lift people out of poverty and into prosperity.  We applaud Vice President Gore for his visionary leadership on climate change and for challenging Americans to dream and act big. The potential for a clean energy economy to address our economic and national security needs while building a brighter environmental future is real. And it begins now. It is a time for Americans and our government to rise to the occasion. Congress has the ability to accelerate our transition to an inclusive, clean, and green economy by supporting a comprehensive set of policies that support job creation and job training. We urge Congress to begin by fully funding the Green Jobs Act. But it cannot and must not end there. Like Vice President Gore, we challenge Congress to take America forward. Read our full statement on this important speech.

Green For All is proud to partner with the "We" campaign (www.wecansolveit.org) to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

Get Ready…9.27.08
On Saturday, September 27th, 2008, one day after the first Presidential Debate of the most important election in our lifetime, join Green For All, 1Sky, and tens of thousands of Americans for: Green Jobs Now! A Day to Build the New Economy. From the streets of Los Angeles to the hills of Appalachia, people from all walks of life will organize events large and small to demonstrate to Congress, to the next President, and to the nation that we are ready to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty and solve the climate crisis. It is a simple message we’re sending: "I’m ready to build the green economy." Yet it is profound. It is an "at-risk" youth saying, "I’m ready to be trained in solar panel installation." It is an entrepreneur saying, "I’m ready to green my business." It is a college activist saying, "I’m ready to stand up for working families AND the environment." It is tens of thousands of ordinary Americans asserting the extraordinary: we are ready for an economy that is good for people, and the planet. We are ready for Green Jobs Now! 9.27.08… Get Ready. GreenJobsNow.com website and more information coming soon.
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from Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow

Massachusetts House adjourns without passing Safer Alternatives Bill

The Massachusetts House adjourned its last formal session for the year on July 31st without passing the Safer Alternatives Bill.

What happened:
In the final days of the session, there were hundreds of bills that the House of Representatives could have taken up and voted on; too many for all to be addressed. Many of those bills addressed environmental or public health issues, and ultimately, House leadership decided that other bills in that category would make the cut, but not this one. This one would have to wait until next year. Industry opposition to the Safer Alternatives Bill has been very strong and that undoubtedly played a role in that decision.

What we accomplished:
The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow team-including you if you ever called, wrote, or met with a Representative or spread the word about AHT to someone else that you know-built up a powerful grassroots network and gained support for the bill from well over half of the Massachusetts legislators:

  • 114 (out of 200)legislators co-sponsored the bill when it was filed in January, 2007
  • The bill passed the Senate unanimously in January, 2008
  • 85 Representatives signed a letter of support for the bill to Speaker DiMasi, delivered in May
  • Champions for the bill urged House leadership to pass the bill this session, resulting in it being considered as one of the few possibilities for passage in the final days of the session.

What happens next:
When a bill does not pass, it starts over again in the next session. So in December and January we will refile the Safer Alternatives Bill, ask your help to get a majority of legislators to co-sponsor the bill again, and prepare for a hearing on the bill early next year.

It will have to pass both the House and the Senate next session – so we have lots of work to do before then and through the next session to keep building up support so that we can bring this to victory the next time around. Stay Tuned!

Thanks for all that you do.
Elizabeth Saunders
(For the AHT team)
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Residents may offer opinions
(from the Berkshire Eagle)

City
Article Last Updated: 08/01/2008 09:04:30 AM EDT

Friday, August 01
PITTSFIELD —
The public is invited to comment on the draft of Pittsfield’s master plan, but Director of Community Development Deanna L. Ruffer said its basic elements are in place.

"We’ve established the vision, the goals to achievement, and the specific strategies to achieve those goals," Ruffer said. " … I think there could be come people who might identify things we’ve missed, or want to complement an order which we plan to implement."

An 18-member advisory committee has already worked with many of the plan’s shareholders through a series of public meetings.

Copies of the plan are available for review at the Community Development Department in City Hall, the Berkshire Athenaeum, or online at the city’s Web site.

A final public meeting on the master plan will take place at City Hall on Sept. 10. Adoption of a final master plan will occur in October.

City residents can submit written comments on the draft master plan at either [email protected], or to the Master Plan Advisory Committee, 70 Allen St., Room 205, Pittsfield, MA 01201. The public can also call Melissa Provencher of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission at (413) 442-1521, ext. 22.

— Tony Dobrowolski
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Green wins big in Mass.
(from the Berkshire Eagle)

Statehouse passes large number of eco-initiatives
Wire and staff reports
Article Last Updated: 08/04/2008 12:16:19 PM EDT

Monday, August 04
BOSTON — So who was the biggest winner on Beacon Hill this session: Gov. Deval L. Patrick? House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi? Gay marriage activists?

Guess again.

Tally up the crush of bills passed during the Legislature’s 19-month formal session and it’s hard to find a politician or interest group with bigger bragging rights than environmentalists.

From ocean management to global warming, "green jobs" to clean energy, the environmental lobby racked up win after win at the Statehouse, helped along by a sympathetic governor, powerful House speaker and worries about soaring energy prices and the state’s iffy economy.

Activists hope the successes not only burnish the state’s reputation as a green leader, but pay long-term dividends, from preserving open spaces to reversing the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

"It’s been the greatest session in recent history," said Jennifer Ryan, Mass. Audubon’s legislative director.


"I’m very pleased with the direction we are going to protect our environment," said Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox. Pignatelli noted he was especially proud of the state’s recent improvements on policing and protecting lands that had been purchased and designated as green spaces.

There have been so many environmentally friendly bills, it’s been hard to keep them straight at times. Some are still awaiting Patrick’s signature….read more
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“POLLINATORS CONFERENCE”, OCT. 3-4, AMHERST

Pollinators are in trouble!  They provide important services for agriculture and they help sustain native populations of plants and animals – including people. So, join us to learn more at:
“Pollinators Conference: Information for Action”
Friday and Saturday, October 3 & 4, 2008
University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.  

Researchers from around the country will share information on:
*Pollinator status, threats, and research methods
*Information for landowners and managers on practices that sustain pollinators
*Existing outreach efforts, including partnerships, citizen science, and education

Scientists and naturalists, concerned citizens and educators, farmers and gardeners and local, state and national agencies and non-governmental organizations that manage lands will find this information valuable. Open to the public with registration.
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ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY & IMPORTANT HABITAT MAPS ON-LINE
From MassLand E-News
The Newsletter of the Massachusetts Land Conservation Community
August 4, 2008 – Volume 8, Number 12

Massachusetts Ecological Integrity Maps and MassDEP Important Habitat Maps Now Available On-Line

MassDEP and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst announce the release of ‘Massachusetts Ecological Integrity Maps’ and ‘MassDEP Important Habitat Maps’ for 112 cities and towns in Western Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Ecological Integrity Maps (IEI) are based on a computer software program and a method to prioritize land for conservation based on the assessment of ecological integrity for various ecological communities (e.g. forest, shrub swamp, headwater stream) within a particular landscape. The computer software program is known as the Conservation Assessment and Prioritization System (CAPS) and has been under development by UMass researchers over the past several years.  The results of the CAPS assessment are available as GIS data and IEI maps depicting an IEI score for each point in the undeveloped landscape.

Using the IEI values, the MassDEP Important Habitat Maps depict polygons representing 40% of the landscape with the highest wildlife habitat value. Activities subject to the Wetlands Protection regulations that are in areas mapped as important wildlife habitat require a detailed wildlife habitat evaluation. Some of the new maps replace the June 2006 preliminary version previously posted for the Highlands Communities Region and Housatonic River Watershed and therefore, Applicants and Conservation Commissions should be sure that they are using the most recent maps in these areas. Additional information on how to use these maps can be found in the “Massachusetts Wildlife Habitat Protection Guidance for Inland Wetlands” published in March 2006, http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/wldhab.pdf  

The IEI Maps and the Important Habitat Maps are available for download from the Mass CAPS web site (www.masscaps.org). Funding for these maps is provided in part by the U.S. EPA Clean Water Act grants, MassDEP and UMass Amherst. Maps for the rest of the cities and towns in Massachusetts are scheduled to be available in early 2010. Questions should be directed to Lisa Rhodes at MassDEP (617-292-5512) or Scott Jackson at the University of Massachusetts (413-545-4743; [email protected]

Scott D. Jackson, Program Director
UMass Extension’s Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation Program
Department of Natural Resources Conservation
Holdsworth Natural Resources Center
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
(413) 545-4743
(413) 545-4358 (fax)
[email protected]

More news from:
MASSLAND E-NEWS
The Newsletter of the Massachusetts Land Conservation Community
August 4, 2008
Volume 8, Number 12
 
Items of interest to the Massachusetts land protection community.

NEW “LAND & WATER” PLATE SUPPORTS LAND PROTECTION – ORDER TODAY!  

The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition has been working with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to establish a new “Land and Water Conservation” license plate program. The Trust’s experience with license plate programs has demonstrated that this can be a stable and sustainable source of funding for land protection.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles requires that 3,000 plates be pre-ordered and held with checks sent in advance, before they will put this plate into production.  Once the 3,000 checks are received, they will ship the plates to the vehicle owner.  If the 3,000 plates are not sold in a year, they return the checks.  

Please contact Bill Hinkley at MET for additional information about the plate or the program in general. He can be reached at 617.626.1177 or [email protected]

ORDER FORM & MORE INFO:
http://www.masslandandwater.info/
________________________________________________________________________  
2009 COMMONWEALTH CAPITAL POLICY RELEASED

Governor Deval Patrick has released the 2009 edition of the Commonwealth Capital Policy.  This Policy has helped to inspire hundreds of improvements to local land use regulations and greatly enhanced awareness of smart growth/smart energy techniques. A press release has been issued and a mailing containing a letter from the Governor, a summary of the 2009 Commonwealth Capital Policy, and a copy of the 2009 application has been sent to the Chief Elected Official (Mayor or Chair of the Select Board), Planning Board, Conservation

Commission, and City/Town Manager or Administrator of each community. These materials are also available on-line on the Governor’s Commonwealth Capital webpage at www.mass.gov/commcap.  Questions and comments in regard to Commonwealth Capital can be directed to [email protected] or (617) 626-4949

[BEAT NOTE: While Commonwealth Capital Policy may have done some great things; as it was originally devised under Gov. Mitt Romney, it has some real problems – especially for rural Western Massachusetts. It wrecked havoc with the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program – thanks to Tad Ames of the Berkshire Natural Resource Council, State Rep. Christopher Speranzo, and many others, this has been rectified. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW MODEL CR & APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE

The new 2008 Model Conservation Restriction and the updated Conservation Restrictions Application from the Division of Conservation Services at EEA are now available on the MassLand website.  

Links for Model CR:
PDF version – www.massland.org/pages/tools/documents/ModelCRMarch08.pdf
Word version – www.massland.org/pages/tools/ModelCRMarch08.rtf  

Links for CR Application:
PDF version – www.massland.org/pages/tools/documents/CRapplicationformrevisedMay08.pdf
Word version – www.massland.org/pages/tools/CRapplicationformrevisedMay08.rtf  

NOTE: ALL CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS SUBMITTED SHOULD USE THIS MODEL!  

The Conservation Restriction Handbook is being revised and updated to reflect the changes, so Land Trusts and Conservation Commissions should NOT use the CR model and application in the Handbook.  Please use the new Model CR and Application rather than the one in the Handbook.
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CONSERVATION TAX INCENTIVE BROCHURE FROM LTA  

The Land Trust Alliance has published a new brochure, Using the Conservation Tax Incentive, to help your land trust tell potential easement donors about the tax incentive now renewed through December 31, 2009. All land trusts with more than one easement as of the 2005 census will receive 25 free copies.  Additional copies are available from LTA at www.LTA.org
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2010 FOREST LEGACY RFP NOW AVAILABLE  

The MA Forest Legacy Program FY 2010 Request For Proposal announcement is posted at:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/other/  
The due date for Forest Legacy proposals is September 17, 2008.  

Important: all project proposals must be entered into the “Forest Legacy Information System” (FLIS) by September 19, 2008 for project proposals to be considered complete and eligible for ranking by the Forest Legacy Committee. Project proponents should work with the appropriate Forest Legacy Area Sponsor to complete the data entry into FLIS.  

For additional information or questions please contact:
Michael J. Fleming, CF
Regional Planner
DCR / Bureau of Forest Fire Control & Forestry
PO Box 155
Clinton, MA 01510
phone: 978-368-0126 x114
fax: 978-368-0217
e-mail: [email protected]
web: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/index.htm
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RECREATIONAL TRAILS GRANTS INFO ON-LINE  

It is not too early to start thinking about applying for a 2008-2009 Recreational Trails Grant (even though we have not yet awarded last year’s grants).  Guidelines for the 2008-2009 Recreational Trails Grants are available and on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/regionalGrants.htm.  The deadline for applications will be October 1, 2008.
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NEFF SEEKS COMMUNITY FOREST PROGRAMS COORDINATOR 

The New England Forestry Foundation is seeking applicants for its Community Forest Programs Coordinator.  
The Community Forest Programs Coordinator is an enthusiastic team player who focuses on outreach and partnership-building centered on NEFF Community Forests, landowners, forest conservation and stewardship professionals, and volunteers.  This position promotes and implements adult-oriented forest education, outreach, and stewardship activities in support of NEFF’s mission of promoting sustainable forest management on private lands throughout New England.  It also incorporates various communications activities.  

This position is based at NEFF’s headquarters in Littleton, MA. Compensation is commensurate with experience.  NEFF provides a generous benefit package, including health coverage and 401(K).  

To apply send resume and cover letter in confidence to Maria Garcia at [email protected] or by mail to NEFF, 32 Foster Street, PO Box 1346, Littleton, MA 01460.  For information, call (978) 952 6856 or fax (978) 952 6356.  Electronic submission of credentials is encouraged.
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LAND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE, MOUNT GRACE LCT  

The LCA is an entry-level position in Land Protection and is responsible for communicating, reviewing, and managing project data and providing project and departmental support.  The LCA processes landowner inquiries and project leads, assists with conservation project assessment, coordinates diligence tasks, maintains project documentation to departmental standards, and provides general administrative and project support.  The position requires strong interpersonal skills and knowledgeable interaction with landowners, attorneys, government officials, appraisers, surveyors, foresters and other consultants.  The LCA is supervised by the Conservation Director and may supervise volunteers. Applicants will have, at minimum, a college degree in a natural resources, regional planning, or paralegal related field, with a minimum of two years experience in an office environment, preferably in a non-profit or land conservation related field, and a genuine enthusiasm for conservation, familiarity with land conservation techniques and conservation laws, and ability to work independently. Strong database management (MS Access) GIS software (ArcGIS 9.x) skills required. Salary Mid 30’s. Send cover letter, resume and references to: [email protected] or 1461 Old Keene Rd, Athol MA 01331. No phone calls, please.  Resumes accepted until Aug 31.  Mount Grace will be reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews on an ongoing basis. 
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OFFICE MANAGER, SUDBURY VALLEY TRUSTEES  

Sudbury Valley Trustees, a dynamic regional conservation organization headquartered in Sudbury, has an immediate opening for Office Manager.   The successful applicant must be excellent with details, technology, and have strong interpersonal skills. See www.svtweb.org for complete job description. Salary and benefit package commensurate with experience.  EOE.  Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Office Manager Search, Sudbury Valley Trustees, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 or e-mail to [email protected]
[email protected]_______  
OFFICE MANAGER, MERRIMACK VALLEY WATERSHED COUNCIL  

The Office Manager assists the executive director in accomplishing the daytoday functions of running the office including office administration, membership and advocacy. The Office Manager assists in completing paperwork, coordinating volunteers and developing the membership department, which funds our programs. S/he will also be responsible for maintaining consistent contact with our members and watershed constituents through press releases, newsletters and website updates.  

For a full job description, see:
www.merrimack.org  
Merrimack River Watershed Council, Inc.
600 Suffolk St., 5th Floor
Lowell, MA 01854
Tel: (978) 275-0120
Fax: (978) 275-0125
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