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Berkshire Regional Planning Commission meeting with Kinder Morgan and Conservation Law Foundation
Berkshire Community College Koussevitzky Auditorium
9.18.14 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
BRPC will be hosting both Kinder Morgan representatives and a representative from the Conservation Law Foundation at a Commission meeting, to be held at Berkshire Community College Koussevitzky Auditorium on Thursday, September 18, 2014, 6 p.m. This will be a public meeting and the public is welcome to attend and listen but this will not be a public hearing, rather an opportunity for the Commission members to become more informed regarding Kinder Morgan’s plans and be better educated regarding both the need for the pipeline and the federal permitting process which such a project entails.
NEEF Launches Algal Bloom Photo Contest
from Water Headlines from EPA – August 26
The National Environmental Education Foundation would like help documenting algal blooms in the nation’s waters. Algal blooms can occur in water bodies as small as a neighborhood pond and as big as the Gulf of Mexico. When algae grow out of control in our waters, the result can be unappealing, harmful to our health and harmful to the environment. Submit photos of algal blooms for a chance to win great prizes! For more information and official contest rules, please visit: http://neefusa.org/algalbloomcontest
EPA Finalizes Sufficiently Sensitive Test Methods for NPDES Permit Applications and Reporting
from Water Headlines from EPA – August 26
EPA finalized minor amendments to its Clean Water Act regulations to require “sufficiently sensitive” analytical test methods under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The rulemaking clarifies that NPDES applicants and permittees must use EPA-approved analytical methods capable of detecting and measuring pollutants at or below applicable water quality criteria or permit limits. This final rule is based on Clean Water Act requirements and clarifies existing EPA regulations. The amendments in this rulemaking affect only chemical-specific methods; they do not apply to Whole Effluent Toxicity methods or their use. For more information, go to: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/basics/index.cfm
Horticulture Certificate Program – Fall classes start soon!
The Horticulture Certificate Program at the Berkshire Botanical Garden is an education program designed for the professional, aspiring professional or serious home gardener. This program is run in partnership with Berkshire Community College and classes can be taken as part of the program, working towards a certificate, or taken as individual workshops.
Staffed by seasoned and practicing horticulturists and landscape designers, these in-depth classes provide a strong foundation for all horticultural pursuits-whether one is exploring or advancing career goals or simply acquiring or expanding their knowledge, skills and enjoyment of gardening. Classes include lectures, hands-on workshops and field trips.
Here are just some of the classes being offered as part of our fall semester:
Introduction to Herbaceous Plants
Native Plant Selection and Identification
Extending the Season’s Harvest: Growing Vegetables for Four Seasons
Drafting For Garden Design
Classes start soon! This is your chance to take your garden knowledge to the next level and meet new friends and colleagues in the process. For more information click HERE or call Elisabeth at 413.298.3926.