BEATNews May 15, 2014

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Please send items of interest to Kristen.

 

Home Energy Savings Informational Session

The Becket Energy Committee will be hosting a workshop for Town residents, second homeowners, and members of surrounding communities. Marin Goldstein, from the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), and John Gingrich of Energy Sage will present on energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities.

Learn about new ways to conserve energy,
cut your utility costs and increase home value

Free Coffee and Donuts

BECKET TOWN HALL

SATURDAY JUNE 21

10 – 12 NOON

Please RSVP: call Nina at (413) 623-8934 ext 10

Topics for Discussion will include but not be limited to:
• Mass Save primer – review steps to implement a residential energy efficiency plan
• Residential Solar (Photo Voltaic) – selection, installation and financial implications
• Ins and outs of solar thermal water heating
• Overview of renewable energy resources that exist for residential users
BECKET ENERGY COMMITTEE (BEC)

Visit our website at www.townofbecket.org home page; Boards and Commissions, Energy Committee

Learn:
• What you can do to become more energy efficient
• What the Town of Becket has done
• About Solar power and other renewable energy
• The BEC’s short and long-term goals
• About other energy topics through links to other websites

It also includes the following information:

What we’re about:
The committee’s charge is to advise the Becket Board of Selectmen and make recommendations about energy efficiency in town buildings and operations, ensure compliance with the requirements of the Massachusetts Green Communities Program, investigate and recommend renewable and alternate energy opportunities for Becket’s municipal government, advise and assist the town and community to identify and apply for energy and conservation related grants and funding opportunities, educate residents about ways that they can save energy and reduce energy payments, advise them on energy-related issues and recommend specific initiatives.
Committee Members:

Name                    Title
Cathy DeFoe        Chairman
Garth Klimchuk    Vice Chairman
Alvin Blake          Secretary
Robert Gross        Member
Katherine Hoak    Member
Chris Bouchard    Ex-Officio
Ed Gibson           Ex-Officio
Bill Girard            Ex-Officio
Dan Parnell         Ex-Officio

How to Contact Us:
Please contact us at energy.committee@townofbecket.org with any questions, comments, requests or suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you.

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EPA Seeking Public Comment on Enhancing Transparency for Chemicals and Mixtures Used in Hydraulic Fracturing

WASHINGTON — EPA announced today that it will seek public comment on what information could be reported and disclosed for hydraulic fracturing chemicals and mixtures and the approaches for obtaining this information, including non-regulatory approaches. EPA is also soliciting input on incentives and recognition programs that could support the development and use of safer chemicals in hydraulic fracturing. A public process through an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) will help inform EPA’s efforts to promote the transparency and safety of unconventional oil and gas activities while strengthening protection of our air, water, land and communities.

“Today’s announcement represents an important step in increasing the public’s access to information on chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing activities,” said James Jones, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “EPA looks forward to hearing from the public and stakeholders about public disclosure of chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing, and we will continue working with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to ensure that we complement but not duplicate existing reporting requirements.”

EPA’s ANPR includes a list of questions for stakeholders and the public to consider as they develop their comments. Following the 90-day comment period, the agency will evaluate the submitted comments as it considers appropriate next steps. Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemakings are intended to engage the public and solicit comments and/or information from the public for EPA’s consideration in addressing a particular issue, including information that EPA could consider in developing non-regulatory approaches or a proposed rule .

Read EPA’s ANPR: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/prepub_hf_anpr_14t-0069_2014-05-09.pdf

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Fourth Annual BioBlitz in Berkshire County to be held June 13th, 14th, 2014

Event puts scientists and residents together to survey local species

Great Barrington, Mass.: In celebration of local biodiversity, Berkshire County’s fourth annual BioBlitz will be held at the Threemile Hill Trail in Great Barrington Friday starting at noon, Friday June 13 to noon on Saturday June 14. This year’s event is co-sponsored by MassLIFT-AmeriCorps, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, Dr. Augie’s Science Education Programs, The Nature Conservancy, Great Barrington Land Conservancy, Mass. Service Alliance, Mass. DCR, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Berkshire South Regional Community Center, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Greenagers, inc., Flying Cloud Institute, and Project Native, marking a new chapter in this collaborative venture. The weekend event will allow scientists and local residents to document the extensive variety of life in a local area and experience first-hand the diversity and importance of a healthy, active ecosystem in their own community.
The BioBlitz is an opportunity for biologists, naturalists, and environmentalists to gather in a given area and in a 24-hour period complete a formal survey of all living species. Approximately 25 scientists will be on hand to explore, identify and educate, including specialists such as John Wheeler of the Berkshire Mycological Society, the Nature Conservancy’s Angela Sirois, and entomologist, Tom Murray. The public is encouraged to attend to watch the scientists work, and even participate in collecting and sorting specimens. Each year Berkshire BioBlitz attracts a group of 200 community members, families, and school children to participate with the scientists.

The biological survey is the “core” of the Berkshire BioBlitz, with a variety of family-friendly, interactive, nature-oriented programs taking place during the 24 hour event. Public programs will start Friday at 2pm and include a mushroom walk with John Wheeler, track & sign tips and tricks from Elia Del Molino, and pond life exploration with Bruce Winn of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. Later, there will be a “Moth-Light” demonstration and an “Owl Prowl” hike with naturalist Rene Wendell of the Trustees of Reservations’ Bartholomew’s Cobble.

Saturday morning will start early with an 8:00 a.m. bird walk led by local naturalists followed by a Native Species walk offered by Project Native’s Karen Leblanc. At noon on Saturday, the event will end with a closing ceremony and an announcement of our final species tally.

The first 24-hour biological survey took place in 1998 in Walden Woods, Concord, MA. Through the success of that event, many states and countries have joined the movement and held similar surveys.

“This is a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to get back to nature and to learn about the amazing lives of plants and animals in their own backyards.” said Lisa Provencher, entomology curator assistant at the NY State Museum, and founder of Dr. Augie’s Science Education Programs.

“What I love most about these events is the community,” added Collin Adkins, MassLIFT-AmeriCorps member and co-coordinator for the BioBlitz. “This year’s event is 100% volunteer run. I have never seen so many wonderful organizations and people come together to explore and celebrate biodiversity. We welcome everyone to participate.”

Directions to Threemile Hill Trail: from the south take route 7-north. From the east take route 23-west to route 7-north. From the west take route 41 to route 7-north. From the north take route 7-south. Parking will be located at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center off of route 7 in Great Barrington.

All programs are free. For a full schedule visit http://www.berkshirebioblitz.org/

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Let MA Sierra Club know the fracked gas pipeline issue is important

Mass Sierra Club’s Executive Committee will be meeting this Sunday, May 18th at 1pm at Harvard Forest in Petersham. Among other things, they will be discussing the proposed fracked gas pipeline. It is really important to let the committee know that this issue is very important to the members! So, if you are a Sierra Club member (or want to join right now) and want to attend this meeting, let’s see how many of us we can carpool out there! (Harvard Forest is a really cool place with great dioramas of the change in forest in New England from pre-colonial to modern day.)

Here is the MA Sierra Club announcement:

Massachusetts Chapter Executive Committee Meeting
Next meeting Sun. May 18, 2014, 1 pm
Harvard Forest, Petersham
http://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/fisher-museum
Free and open to all Sierra Club members. The agenda will include issues in the central part of the state. Ask questions, make suggestions, find out what you can do. Updates on our work to protect the environment. Contact Roxanne Zak chapter-chair@sierraclubmass.org

Jane
—
Jane Winn, Executive Director
jane@thebeatnews.org, 413-230-7321
BERKSHIRE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM (BEAT)
Working with you to protect the environment for wildlife

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RAFTING FOR LOONS

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is interested in receiving loon sighting reports this spring and summer. Reports of birds with chicks are of particular interest. For years, MassWildlife has been monitoring loons nesting in the state. Common Loons, listed as a Species of Special Concern in the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, returned to nest in Massachusetts in 1975 after being absent as a breeding bird in the state for almost a century. From 1975 to 1983 loon pair activity was only observed on the Quabbin Reservoir. In 1984, loon activity was also observed on the Wachusett Reservoir. By 1986, loon nesting activity began to spread to other water bodies in the state. In 2012, 35 territorial loon pairs were documented on 13 lakes and ponds in the state. Submit loon pair sighting reports via MassWildlife’s electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species VPRS Information System, an online data submittal and mapping application, or email: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us, or send by postal mail to “Loon Survey”, DFW, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

In addition to monitoring loon activity, MassWildlife has been partnering with other agencies and organizations to improve nesting sites for loons. Recently, the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), based in Gorham, Maine provided funding for 18 loon rafts to be placed on reservoirs where loons have been attempting to nest. Common Loons cannot walk well and are very awkward on land. They only come on to land in spring to breed and build their nest within a few feet of the shoreline. This is not a problem in water bodies with constant water levels, but for loons nesting on reservoir shorelines, fluctuating water levels can be a problem. If water levels rise, the nest and eggs flood and will not hatch. If water levels drop more than 6 to 12 inches the nest will be abandoned because the loon cannot reach the nest. To reduce losses on reservoirs, loon rafts are constructed of cedar logs, foam floatation, and wire with vegetation placed on the raft to appear as if the raft is a small island. Predator canopies are added to protect the nests from predation by other birds. The raft is floated and anchored in the loon territory. Because the raft floats, it protects the nest and eggs from being flooded or stranded. Some loons utilize the rafts immediately; others may take a few years to use the raft. This month, loon rafts will be deployed at the DCR Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs and on reservoirs operated by the Fitchburg and Pittsfield water departments where loon pairs have been reported.

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OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND WITH THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS

The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) has 60 jobs posted on their website. These range from full-time to seasonal opportunities in every region of the Commonwealth. 

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MASS AUDUBON IS HIRING FOR SUMMER AND BEYOND

Mass Audubon currently has 60 jobs posted on their website. There are camp positions, part-time jobs, internships and several full-time opportunities. Click here for more details.

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