Comments for Berkshire Environmental Action Team http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:17:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on GE Video Debunked By BEAT by bruce http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/ge-video-debunked-beat/#comment-36 bruce Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:17:02 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/?p=2690#comment-36 Thanks Kevin, Yes, that ad for GE's video pops up on my facebook page as well. If we had the money, we'd have an ad for our rebuttal pop up next to their ad. The amount of money GE has put into this debate and their willingness to distort the truth or create new "truths" is very frustrating for us to say the least. Thanks for your comments. Bruce Thanks Kevin,
Yes, that ad for GE’s video pops up on my facebook page as well. If we had the money, we’d have an ad for our rebuttal pop up next to their ad. The amount of money GE has put into this debate and their willingness to distort the truth or create new “truths” is very frustrating for us to say the least. Thanks for your comments.
Bruce

]]> Comment on GE Video Debunked By BEAT by Kevin Paolillo http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/ge-video-debunked-beat/#comment-35 Kevin Paolillo Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:52:39 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/?p=2690#comment-35 Great article. The video showed up as a paid sponsored site on the sidebar of Facebook. I'm guessing that since I grew up in Pittsfield and went to the very elementary school that borders the plant, this wasn't an accident (another scary concern about corporate power, but we'll save that for another time). I watched the video, had my doubts about its veracity, and then came here to find out the truth. The first doubt was why, in this incredible environment of academia, did they pick a professor from Pennsylvania as the "voice" of the river? The other thing that struck me is how the video basically flip flops on the role of nature in the healing process. When convenient and less costly, GE says "nature will do everything naturally. Just let nature work." When inconvenient and costly, the power of nature to heal itself is impossible and will result in complete irreparable devastation. The truth is, the only thing nature can't do on its own, is remove the PCB's. GE. GENERAL EVASIVENESS. I don't care if it takes patience and 50 years to responsibly clean every bit of PCB out. In the grand scheme of nature, that timeframe is nothing. Better the next generation starts fresh. Great article. The video showed up as a paid sponsored site on the sidebar of Facebook. I’m guessing that since I grew up in Pittsfield and went to the very elementary school that borders the plant, this wasn’t an accident (another scary concern about corporate power, but we’ll save that for another time). I watched the video, had my doubts about its veracity, and then came here to find out the truth. The first doubt was why, in this incredible environment of academia, did they pick a professor from Pennsylvania as the “voice” of the river? The other thing that struck me is how the video basically flip flops on the role of nature in the healing process. When convenient and less costly, GE says “nature will do everything naturally. Just let nature work.” When inconvenient and costly, the power of nature to heal itself is impossible and will result in complete irreparable devastation. The truth is, the only thing nature can’t do on its own, is remove the PCB’s. GE. GENERAL EVASIVENESS. I don’t care if it takes patience and 50 years to responsibly clean every bit of PCB out. In the grand scheme of nature, that timeframe is nothing. Better the next generation starts fresh.

]]> Comment on BEAT’s Wetlands Protection Act Tutorial by bruce http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/wetlands-protection-act-tutorial/#comment-43 bruce Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:15:05 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/?p=4648#comment-43 Hi Joan, You bring up some good issues. First of all I should tell you that BEAT doesn't have a global position for or against wind power. We look at each individual project independently. There are a number of wildlife-related and habitat-related issues that we generally look at when reviewing a project. We believe that wind-power projects, and alternative-energy projects in general, should not get a free pass when it comes to environmental regulations. This means that construction must comply with the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act and other relevant state and federal regulations and guidelines. We also feel strongly that habitat fragmentation is one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. This means that the site for a project must be chosen carefully so as not to inhibit the movement and migration of wildlife and should not disrupt existing wildlife corridors. We usually think of wildlife corridors in terms of land parcels, but we also have to protect migration routes of birds and protect areas that are heavily used by bats. You asked about the Audubon Society's position. I'm not sure whether you meant the National Audubon Society or Massachusetts Audubon (two unrelated groups), but I would rather let them speak for themselves. I would suggest you contact them directly. I am glad that you are interested in protecting wildlife. Please stay involved, and contact me if I you have any other questions concerning BEAT's position. Bruce bruce@thebeatnews.org Hi Joan,
You bring up some good issues. First of all I should tell you that BEAT doesn’t have a global position for or against wind power. We look at each individual project independently. There are a number of wildlife-related and habitat-related issues that we generally look at when reviewing a project. We believe that wind-power projects, and alternative-energy projects in general, should not get a free pass when it comes to environmental regulations. This means that construction must comply with the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act and other relevant state and federal regulations and guidelines. We also feel strongly that habitat fragmentation is one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. This means that the site for a project must be chosen carefully so as not to inhibit the movement and migration of wildlife and should not disrupt existing wildlife corridors. We usually think of wildlife corridors in terms of land parcels, but we also have to protect migration routes of birds and protect areas that are heavily used by bats. You asked about the Audubon Society’s position. I’m not sure whether you meant the National Audubon Society or Massachusetts Audubon (two unrelated groups), but I would rather let them speak for themselves. I would suggest you contact them directly. I am glad that you are interested in protecting wildlife. Please stay involved, and contact me if I you have any other questions concerning BEAT’s position.
Bruce
bruce@thebeatnews.org

]]> Comment on BEAT’s Wetlands Protection Act Tutorial by joangmears http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/wetlands-protection-act-tutorial/#comment-42 joangmears Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:49:22 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/?p=4648#comment-42 With the serious threat of wind turbines being built on Lenox Mountain, what consideration has been given to animal and amphibian habitat? Wetland areas will be damaged or destroyed for endangered salamanders and frogs. Why does the Audubon Soc. support wind turbines? If this technology affects the health of humans (insomnia, ear problems, etc.) due to noise, flashing lights and non-stop ground vibration, how can it not affect animal life, as well? Please answer these questions. With the serious threat of wind turbines being built on Lenox Mountain, what consideration has been given to animal and amphibian habitat? Wetland areas will be damaged or destroyed for endangered salamanders and frogs. Why does the Audubon Soc. support wind turbines? If this technology affects the health of humans (insomnia, ear problems, etc.) due to noise, flashing lights and non-stop ground vibration, how can it not affect animal life, as well? Please answer these questions.

]]> Comment on Links by Anne Meczywor http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/environmental-links/#comment-6 Anne Meczywor Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:56:43 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/?page_id=1893#comment-6 This could use a little updating, methinks. Sadly, no more Dan or Dennis to contact at the state level. This could use a little updating, methinks. Sadly, no more Dan or Dennis to contact at the state level.

]]> Comment on Volunteer by Patty Cramer http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/donate-or-volunteer/volunteer/#comment-13 Patty Cramer Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:01:00 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/#comment-13 Jane, I got your thank you card, thank you. I have something to email you but I can't find your email anywhere on the site. Please email me so I can send a document that would be helpful. Patty Jane, I got your thank you card, thank you. I have something to email you but I can’t find your email anywhere on the site. Please email me so I can send a document that would be helpful.
Patty

]]> Comment on Volunteer by bruce http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/donate-or-volunteer/volunteer/#comment-12 bruce Thu, 12 May 2011 10:20:39 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/#comment-12 Hi Natalie. And we're interested in having you at all trainings! We'll make sure we keep you posted on volunteer opportunities. Chocolate chip cookies would be great! Thanks. See you Saturday. Bruce Hi Natalie. And we’re interested in having you at all trainings! We’ll make sure we keep you posted on volunteer opportunities. Chocolate chip cookies would be great! Thanks. See you Saturday.
Bruce

]]> Comment on Volunteer by Natalie Clifton http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/donate-or-volunteer/volunteer/#comment-11 Natalie Clifton Thu, 12 May 2011 06:55:02 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/#comment-11 Hello there, Very interested in all trainings. Looking forward to the River Clean up on the 14th. Please let me know if I can bring anything along... would love to donate chocolate chip cookies :0) Hello there,

Very interested in all trainings.

Looking forward to the River Clean up on the 14th. Please let me know if I can bring anything along… would love to donate chocolate chip cookies :0)

]]> Comment on Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act: 5 by Jane http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/agencies-regs/laws-and-regs/massachusetts-wetlands-protection-act-5/#comment-5 Jane Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:27:24 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/?page_id=587#comment-5 Hi Dennis, I would suggest you contact your local Conservation Commission on how to proceed with the diseased or insect infested trees. The Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over work in the buffer zone. (Here is a <a href="http://www.thebeatnews.org/agencies-regs/conservation-commissions-2/" rel="nofollow">link to our Conservation Commission contacts page</a>.) As for grandfathering, the only mention of grandfathering in the Wetlands Protection Act regulations is in the Riverfront Area section 10:58(6), and then only for very specific activities or areas. (Here's a <a href="http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/310cmr10a.pdf" rel="nofollow">link to a pdf of the regulations</a>.) Again, it is the Conservation Commission who uphold these regulations, so you could ask them about your particular circumstance. Thanks for the questions. - Jane Hi Dennis,
I would suggest you contact your local Conservation Commission on how to proceed with the diseased or insect infested trees. The Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over work in the buffer zone. (Here is a link to our Conservation Commission contacts page.)

As for grandfathering, the only mention of grandfathering in the Wetlands Protection Act regulations is in the Riverfront Area section 10:58(6), and then only for very specific activities or areas. (Here’s a link to a pdf of the regulations.) Again, it is the Conservation Commission who uphold these regulations, so you could ask them about your particular circumstance.

Thanks for the questions. – Jane

]]> Comment on Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act: 5 by Dennis Volpe http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/agencies-regs/laws-and-regs/massachusetts-wetlands-protection-act-5/#comment-4 Dennis Volpe Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:24:02 +0000 http://www.thebeatnews.org/BeatTeam/?page_id=587#comment-4 Is there a provision for a homeowner to remove diseased or insect infested trees close to the dwelling within a 100ft buffer zone. Also is there a grandfather clause for land purchased and developed prior to 1980 as being exempt for the act? Is there a provision for a homeowner to remove diseased or insect infested trees close to the dwelling within a 100ft buffer zone. Also is there a grandfather clause for land purchased and developed prior to 1980 as being exempt for the act?

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