The BEAT News December 19, 2012

News Headlines

Youth Exhibit Opens in Hilltowns for New Year

Places We Live, Play & Learn: Narratives of Life by Western MA Youth Photographers

Opening Reception: Dec. 30th, 2012 from 12-2pm
Cummington Community House in Cummington, MA

(Cummington, MA) – For the month of January 2013, Hilltown Families and the Cummington Cultural Council will present a group exhibit titled Places We Live, Play & Learn: Narratives of Life by Western MA Youth Photographers, comprising of 20 Western MA youth ages 10-18.

 

All are welcomed to an opening reception on Sunday, Dec 30 from 12noon-2pm at the Community House Gallery at 33 Main Street in Cummington, MA (rear of the Community House). Snow date: Jan. 1st from 2-4pm).

 

Youth participants in this group exhibit were encouraged to explore, document and share their connections to their hometowns through photographic images and an accompanying narrative. Combined, the pieces together reflect and communicate how these participating youth view and understand their local history, culture and/or community values, as well as the significance of the physical spaces surrounding them.  Participants from around the region submitted nearly 30 entries for this group exhibit.

 

“The aim of this exhibit was to afford area youth the opportunity to participate in a group exhibit that could aid in their learning and appreciation of their community, town and region,” explains Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families Executive Director.  “Contributors were asked to share the backstory of the images they captured from their town by using local resources, such as their town library, historical society and historical museums, or by interviewing experts and elders in their community. This was a great project for area youth to participate in community-based learning while strengthening their understanding to their hometown.”

 

Images and narratives from this exhibit will be featured here on Hilltown Families in the months to come.  But better yet, come to the opening reception  on Sunday, Dec 30 from 12noon-2pm in Cummington and meet and greet this great group of local photographers and hear what stories they have to share.

ABOUT HILLTOWN FAMILIES

 

Hilltown Families is an online grassroots communication network for families living throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts.  Hilltown Families’ mission is to connect, collaborate, and create community building events, community based educational opportunities, and service learning experiences.  Hilltown Families is incorporated as a non-profit in the state of Massachusetts, currently awaiting the approval of 501(c)3 status. www.HilltownFamilies.org.  

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Millions of Turtles Being Seized From the Wild — Take Action

from the Center for Biological Diversity

Every year more than 2 million U.S. freshwater turtles are seized alive from the wild and exported overseas — mostly to support food and medicinal markets in Asia. Unregulated international trade has allowed the depletion of native turtle populations across the United States, including the beautiful Blanding’s turtle, with its striking yellow throat and lightly speckled shell. This unique reptile is already at risk of extinction.

In response to a 2011 Center for Biological Diversity petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for Blanding’s turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins. This is a key step forward: Once a species is listed under CITES, international trade is monitored and regulated with permits.

Take action with us to tell the Fish and Wildlife Service that you support CITES protections for freshwater turtles — before it’s too late.

BEAT Note: In 2006, the state of Massachusetts took the spotted turtle off the state’s endangered species list over the strong objections of many conservation organizations including BEAT.

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Sunday of President’s Day Weekend Climate Action – 2/17 in D.C.

From families hit by monster storms and fires, to drought-stricken farmers in the Midwest, millions of Americans are already feeling the disastrous effects of the climate crisis in their own lives.

It’s never been clearer that we need bold and immediate climate leadership –  that’s why this Presidents Day weekend thousands of activists will head to the White House and tell President Obama to shut down the climate-killing Keystone XL pipeline once and for all.

Something this big has to start early, and it has to start with the people who care the most. Commit to join us in Washington D.C. on February 17th and make this the biggest climate demonstration yet: act.350.org/signup/presidentsday/

BEAT Note: [If you are going, please let Jane at BEAT know. Perhaps a bunch can carpool or at least share ideas.]

The last time we stood up against Keystone XL, thousands of us surrounded the White House – and it worked. Right when every political and energy “expert” said the tar sands pipeline was a done deal, we beat the odds and convinced President Obama to take a year to study it.

Now that year is over, and Mother Nature has filed her public comments: the hottest year in American history, a horrible ongoing drought, and superstorm Sandy. And still Big Oil is pushing as hard as ever for their pet project, looking for even more private profit at public expense.

There is also good news: Together, we’ve proven time and time again that grassroots voices can speak louder than Big Oil’s dollars. So this Presidents Day weekend, the Sierra Club, 350.org, and other environmental groups are working with our partners across the progressive community to organize the biggest climate demonstration yet.

Our goal for Presidents Day is to form a massive human pipeline through Washington, and then transform it into a giant symbol of the renewable energy future we need – and are ready to build, starting right away.

You can make this a Presidents Day weekend that the president can’t ignore and won’t forget – sign up to join the rally, bring your friends, and stop the climate-killing Keystone XL pipeline on February 17th: act.350.org/signup/presidentsday/

We’ll have more details soon about the rally and how you can make your voice heard, but for now, start making travel plans and circle Presidents Day weekend on your calendar. Together, we can show the president that the year’s delay didn’t lull us to sleep. Instead, we’re more fired up than ever, and determined to help him do the right thing.

See you in February,

Allison Chin, Sierra Club President
Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director
Bill McKibben, 350.org co-founder
May Boeve, 350.org Executive Director
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip-Hop Caucus President
Liz Havstad, Director of Civic Engagement and Strategic Growth for the Hip Hop Caucus

BEAT Note: [If you are going, please let Jane at BEAT know. Perhaps a bunch can carpool or at least share ideas.]

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EPA to Reduce Harmful Soot Pollution

In response to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized an update to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution (PM2.5), including soot, setting the annual health standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. By 2020, ninety-nine percent of U.S. counties are projected to meet revised health standard without any additional actions

Today’s announcement has no effect on the existing daily standard for fine particles or the existing daily standard for coarse particles (PM10), which includes dust from farms and other sources), both of which remain unchanged.

“These standards are fulfilling the promise of the Clean Air Act. We will save lives and reduce the burden of illness in our communities, and families across the country will benefit from the simple fact of being able to breathe cleaner air,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

Fine particle pollution can penetrate deep into the lungs and has been linked to a wide range of serious health effects, including premature death, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as acute bronchitis and aggravated asthma among children. A federal court ruling required EPA to update the standard based on best available science. Today’s announcement, which meets that requirement, builds on smart steps already taken by EPA to slash dangerous pollution in communities across the country. Thanks to these steps, 99 percent of U.S. counties are projected to meet the standard without any additional action.

It is expected that fewer than 10 counties, out of the more than 3,000 counties in the United States, will need to consider any local actions to reduce fine particle pollution in order to meet the new standard by 2020, as required by the Clean Air Act. The rest can rely on air quality improvements from federal rules already on the books to meet this new standard.

More on the 2020 Map: http://www.epa.gov/pm/2012/2020map.pdf

The standard, which was proposed in June and is consistent with the advice from the agency’s independent science advisors, is based on an extensive body of scientific evidence that includes thousands of studies – including many large studies which show negative health impacts at lower levels than previously understood. It also follows extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the public, health organizations, and industry, and after considering more than 230,000 public comments.

By 2030, it is expected that all standards that cut PM2.5 from diesel vehicles and equipment alone will prevent up to 40,000 premature deaths, 32,000 hospital admissions and 4.7 million days of work lost due to illness.

Because reductions in fine particle pollution have direct health benefits including decreased mortality rates, fewer incidents of heart attacks, strokes, and childhood asthma, the PM2.5 standards announced today have major economic benefits with comparatively low costs. EPA estimates health benefits of the revised standard to range from $4 billion to over $9 billion per year, with estimated costs of implementation ranging from $53 million to $350 million. While EPA cannot consider costs in selecting a standard under the Clean Air Act, those costs are estimated as part of the careful analysis undertaken for all significant regulations, as required by Executive Order 13563 issued by President Obama in January 2011.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to review its air quality standards every five years to determine whether the standards should be revised. The law requires the agency to ensure the standards are “requisite to protect public health with an adequate margin of safety” and “requisite to protect the public welfare.” A federal court required EPA to issue final standard by December 14, because the agency did not meet its five-year legal deadline for reviewing the standards.

EPA carefully considered extensive public input as it determined the appropriate final standard to protect public health. The agency held two public hearings and received more than 230,000 written comments before finalizing today’s updated air quality standards.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/pm

 

Administrator’s video: http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/usepa#.UMtrHeQ8155

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EPA Issues Memo Clarifying Permit Requirements for “Good Samaritans” at Orphan Mine Sites

On December 12, 2012, EPA issued a memorandum to its regional offices that encourages cleanup activities at hard rock abandoned mine sites. The memorandum is intended to reduce the perceived Clean Water Act legal vulnerability faced by “Good Samaritans” who want to clean up their communities. There are hundreds of thousands of abandoned mine sites across the nation and many pose serious health, safety, and environmental hazards. Many community organizations have been looking at opportunities to clean up these sites and EPA’s memorandum clarifies that these “Good Samaritans,” or non-liable parties, who volunteer to clean up these abandoned sites are generally not responsible for obtaining a permit under the Clean Water Act both during and following a successful cleanup.

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EPA Releases National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change

EPA has released the “National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change,” which describes how EPA’s water-related programs plan to address the impacts of climate change and provides long-term visions, goals and strategic actions for the management of sustainable water resources for future generations. The strategy, which builds upon EPA’s first climate change and water strategy released in 2008, focuses on five key areas: infrastructure, watersheds and wetlands, coastal and ocean waters, water quality, and working with Tribes. It emphasizes working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, developing information and tools, incorporating adaptation into core programs, and managing risks of impacts including from extreme weather events. The 2012 strategy also includes goals and strategic actions for EPA in 10 geographic climate regions. For more information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange.

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Caryn Brause of SITELAB Architecture + Design Wins WMAIA People’s Choice Award for EcoBuilding Bargains Design

architecturedesignaward EBB 2012

 

 

(Project group congratulating award winner Caryn Brause. Pictured (left to right): Steve Ferrari (Project Construction Manager), John Majercak (Center for EcoTechnology Executive Director), Steve Jablonski (Architect of Record), Caryn Brause (Design Architect), Jeremy Toal (current WMAIA President).)

Northampton, MA – Local architect Caryn Brause was recently honored for her design that transformed a Springfield warehouse into the home of EcoBuilding Bargains, which sells used and surplus building materials at bargain prices to the community for home improvement projects. Brause married the concept of the store with the design of the building, featuring repurposed materials throughout the space while maximizing its energy efficiency.

Last Friday, Brause received the one of the Western Massachusetts chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ juried Merit Awards and People’s Choice Awards for the project. The project was voted by the public as the embodiment of excellent local design, and contributing to the quality of life throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Brause’s firm, SITELAB Architecture + Design, partnered with the store’s parent organization, the Center for EcoTechnology, a local non-profit. Both are committed to minimizing ecological impact and reducing energy consumption evidenced in the store’s construction.

The retrofit cut the building’s energy use in half through high performance insulation, heating and lighting. The brilliant integration of reused materials is a focus throughout the design.  One of the most obvious examples is the building’s vestibule, structured with recovered timbers and infilled with reused sliding doors and recycled material panels. It not only provides an airlock from the outside to the new insulated building, but teaches about repurposing by showing innovative methods for material reuse.
Brause hopes the project will be a national model for how to make a 100-year-old building a modern green facility.

“The building’s design is not just about bringing in customers, it’s also about showing how you can give new life to an older inefficient building,” said Brause.

In addition to Brause’s professional work, she is also an Assistant Professor in the Architecture and Design Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she leads design studios and teaches digital design and communication.  UMass students Angela DeGeorge and Kevin Sheehan assisted in the design of the structure as well as educational displays and signage used throughout the building

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EcoBuilding Bargains is an innovative enterprise of the non-profit Center for EcoTechnology, and was founded in 2001 to reuse valuable building materials, make home improvement more affordable, create local jobs and provide job training.  EcoBuilding Bargains sells used and surplus building materials at bargain prices to help hardworking do-it-yourselfers rebuild their homes, lives and communities.  The materials are donated by individuals, contractors, manufacturers and homeowners who wish to see quality goods used to help their neighbors.

The Center for EcoTechnology helps people carry out their daily activities with less environmental impact. It provides practical solutions that save energy, materials and money and have a positive impact on our environment and commu­nity.  The Center for EcoTechnology serves residents, business and communities in the areas of Energy Efficiency and Green Building, Green Homes and Businesses, and through its non-profit retail store – EcoBuilding Bargains.

The Center for EcoTechnology is a 35-year-old non-profit organization with offices in Pittsfield, Northampton and Springfield. Visit www.cetonline.org to learn more.  For more information about EcoBuilding Bargains, stop by the store at 83 Warwick Street, visit www.ecobuildingbargains.org, or call 413-788-6900

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Housatonic Valley Association Water Protection Program Manager

* Hiring Announcement
*May be filled as Director depending on qualifications

Announcement Date: November 26, 2012 Applications accepted immediately and until position is filled.

 

Organization Description:

Founded in 1941, the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is a nonprofit organization that works to conserve the natural character and environmental health of our communities by protecting and restoring the land and waters of the 2,000 square mile Housatonic watershed, which spans portions of western Massachusetts, western Connecticut, and eastern New York.

We accomplish our mission by establishing partnerships with agencies and organizations; conducting research, education, and advocacy; and providing technical assistance to watershed communities and neighborhood groups. Our work consists of three major programmatic areas: 1) land protection; 2) water protection; and 3) community education and engagement. HVA has six full-time and seven part-time environmental and support staff, and benefits from the additional support of approximately 150 volunteers. To learn more visit www.hvatoday.org.

 

Position Summary:

HVA seeks a highly motivated professional to manage our Water Protection Program. The full-time Water Protection Program Manager reports to the Executive Director. In addition, the Water Protection Program Manager provides guidance to our New York staff, coordinates with HVA’s Berkshire Office staff to ensure consistent watershed programming, and provides leadership and staff support to the Board Water Protection Committee. The position is based out of HVA’s main office in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut.

The Water Protection Program Manager is responsible for strategic leadership and day-to-day implementation of HVA’s water protection and education programs in Connecticut. The Water Protection Program Manager represents HVA in several regional watershed associations and statewide environmental coalitions. In general, the Water Protection Program Manager is HVA’s ‘go-to person’ for all water related questions pertaining to the Housatonic Watershed.

 

Principal Duties:

The HVA Water Protection Program is a dynamic and growing program, which includes a diverse suite of environmental projects and program administration. Principle duties include:

 

Watershed Conservation (80%)

  • Establishing and maintaining relationships and strong partnerships with peer groups and water/river advocates throughout the watershed.
  • Collaborating effectively with water protection leaders within the Housatonic Watershed and across Connecticut to advocate for improved water protection policy.
  • Working with partners to assess pollutant sources within the Housatonic Watershed (e.g. nutrients, bacteria, metals) and develop corresponding action and/or management plans.
  • Working with partners to identify and prioritize fisheries restoration and river management objectives for watershed sub-basins; oversight of existing projects to improve fish passage in the watershed (e.g. fish ladder installation and culvert assessments).
  • Developing and coordinating community and volunteer water quality monitoring programs, including biological, physical, chemical and thermal assessments.
  • Responding to public concerns regarding potential impairments or other water quality-related issues identified within the watershed.
  • Identifying opportunities to develop public access points along the river and oversight of existing river access improvement projects.
  • Recruiting, managing, motivating and supporting a team of volunteer river stewards and coordinating HVA’s River Stewards of Tomorrow internship program.
  • Serving as a classroom and field educator for middle school and high school programs.

 

Administrative (10%)

  • Developing descriptions of programs/projects and associated revenue and cost information for HVA development staff to incorporate into foundation, individual and corporate proposals, and creating written progress and final reports to funders.
  • Helping to identify potential sources of funding for programs.
  • Providing brief program updates regularly to development and communication staff for membership materials.
  • Developing revenue and expense program/project estimates for annual budget development, monitoring periodic program/project financial reports over the course of year and recommending program/project modifications as needed.
  • Assisting with major organizational outreach and fundraising events (such as the annual membership meeting, fundraising events, river celebrations and paddle trips).

 

Required Qualifications:

The Water Protection Program Manager position is a mid-level environmental professional position, with opportunity for advancement, which requires a dynamic, outgoing, flexible, and highly self-motivated individual who possesses a solid understanding of community-based river protection issues and is a proven and effective environmental program manager.

The Water Protection Program Manager is expected to be available for programs as needed on evenings and weekends. The Manager must be physically able to independently access the river and its shoreline on a regular basis in order to conduct program work. Unlimited access to a personal motor vehicle for work-related travel and transportation of moderate quantities of educational and field equipment is required. Routine daily travel to work with partners throughout the watershed is required.

The successful candidate for the Water Protection Manager position enjoys working with the public; is comfortable responding quickly to unanticipated watershed issues and managing subsequent shifting

priorities; able to work effectively independently; comfortable working as part of a team; and willing to occasionally pitch in to help other co-workers achieve success. In addition the ideal candidate will possess:

  • A bachelor’s degree in watershed management, natural resources or fisheries management, environmental science, environmental policy, environmental education, aquatic biology, or other relevant degree field. A master’s degree is preferred.
  • A minimum of three years of experience working with the public on projects or programs related to river or watershed protection, including monitoring and improving surface water conditions, environmental protection advocacy and leadership, environmental education and community outreach. Five of more years of experience is preferred.
  • Strong managerial skills, preferably within a non-profit context, including strategic planning and program development, staff management, budgeting and financial management, recruiting partners, and working effectively within a small organization
  • Experience acting as a strong advocate for environmental protection, and developing and implementing effective environmental restoration and protection strategies.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Excellent communications skills and is able to function effectively as the principal spokesperson for the organization’s Water Protection Program; he/she must be a strong writer and speaker.
  • An understanding of technical information about issues such as river access, hydrology, pollution control including nutrient management, riparian buffer protection and restoration, fish passage, dam removal, road crossing design, and other river-related issues.
  • An understanding of river and water protection laws, regulations and policies in Connecticut (e.g. local inland wetlands and zoning regulations, state and federal water quality standards, etc.). Similar knowledge of Massachusetts and New York laws, regulations and policies is preferred.
  • Proficiency in ArcGIS and has experience conducting watershed-based GIS analysis.
  • Proficiency in popular social media (e.g. Facebook) and prior experience with website editing and management.

 

This is a full-time (40+ hours/week), permanent, salaried position with a generous employee benefits package. Salary is commensurate with experience. The Water Protection Program Manager is expected to use his/her own vehicle for work travel outside the office. HVA reimburses travel expenses. HVA is an equal opportunity employer. The Cornwall Bridge office is a dog-friendly office.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send a letter of interest, resume and list of professional references to:

Lynn Werner, HVA Executive Director

lynnhva@hotmail.com

OR Housatonic Valley Association, PO Box 28, Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754

 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Electronic submission is preferred. Call 860-672-6678 with questions.

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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

AWRA Summer Specialty Conferences

June 24-28, 2013 | Hartford, CT

ABSTRACT DEADLINE FOR BOTH:
February 8, 2013

 

AWRA Summer Specialty Conference on Environmental Flows
Hartford, Connecticut
 June 24-26, 2013
The objective of the conference is to offer a professional forum on the latest issues concerning the research, policy, and application of establishing environmental flows. The conference topics will be of particular interest to scientists, policy makers and regulators, consultants and stakeholders practicing in the environmental flows arena or affected by changes in flow policy water management requirements.

AWRA Summer Specialty Conference on Healthy Forests=Healthy Waters
Hartford, Connecticut
 June 26-28, 2013
How valuable are forests–whether in the city, country, or wilderness-to the management of water resources? This is a hot topic and AWRA is holding a specialty conference to address the many issues associated with forest management for the protection of water supplies and aquatic communities. The sessions will be relevant to water managers, aquatic biologists/ecologists, planners, engineers, forestland managers, economists, consultants, water purveyors and industrial users of water.

American Water Resources Association (AWRA) 540.687.8390 – Middleburg, VA 20118

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Share Your Expertise!

 2013 Massachusetts Conference on Service and Volunteering

June 6, 2013 / Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel / Marlborough

Call for Presenters

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is pleased to announce that its Call for Presenters for the 2013 Massachusetts Conference on Service and Volunteering is now open!

 

This is a great opportunity for practitioners to share their expertise in the field of service and volunteering and highlight the power and possibilities of engaging volunteers to address pressing community needs across the Commonwealth.
Presenters will play a key role in sharing best practices and trends during an inspiring day of learning, connection, and dialogue.

Don’t miss this opportunity! The workshop proposal deadline is February 15, 2013.  If your proposal is selected, MSA will notify the lead presenter by March 1, 2013.

For more information, please contact:

Naomi Weiner, Director of Training & Technical Assistance

617.542.2544 x218

nweiner@mass-service.org
Help spread the word about this opportunity by forwarding this email.

Best,
Lindsay Snyder

Director of External Relations & Development
Massachusetts Service Alliance

 

Massachusetts Service Alliance
100 North Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA  02114
P 617. 542. 2544
F 617. 542. 0240
www.mass-service.org

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Notice of Funding Opportunity! NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK / April 21-27, 2013

Due: Friday, January 18, 2013 by: 12:00 p.m.

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is pleased to release a Request for Proposals for National Volunteer Week 2013 projects.

MSA seeks to award grants up to $4,500 to support projects that engage volunteers to meet an identified community need during National Volunteer Week, April 21-27, 2013.

These project grants represent a wonderful chance to expand service opportunities for people of all ages throughout Massachusetts and to celebrate the power of service as a strategy to meet community needs.

 

PROPOSALS DUE:

Friday, January 18, 2013
by: 12:00 p.m.

 

Submit to:

Massachusetts Service Alliance

Attention: Shana Lothrop

100 North Washington Street, 3rd Floor

Boston, MA 02114

Please direct any questions about this RFP to Shana Lothrop at
617.542.2544 x214 or slothrop@mass-service.org.

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Trout Unlimited Is Currently Seeking Proposals for River Restoration Project Grants

as part of its partnership with NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program, which is aimed at environmental and economic renewal in local communities through coastal habitat restoration.  This new Trout Unlimited-NOAA grant program funds projects in Northeast states and Alaska for projects involving salmon and sea-run trout as the primary target species along with other diadromous fish.

Proposals are sought for local efforts to accomplish on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine, and freshwater habitats. Although all types of habitat improvement activities are eligible for funding, there is special emphasis involving fish passage projects, such as culvert removals in Northeast states and dam removal in Alaska. Applications are currently being accepted for 2013 project funding with a deadline of January 28, 2013. Applicants should incorporate the participation of TU and NOAA Restoration Center staff to strengthen the development and implementation of sound restoration projects. Click here to download the Request for Proposals, here to download the grant application form, or contact Joe McGurrin at the TU national office at jmcgurrin@tu.org for more info.

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