The BEAT News December 11, 2006

In the News:

  • CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Environmental Monitor
& Public Notices Alphabetically
by town

Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators)

DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshires

NPDES News

 

The BEAT News Archives

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The Town of Adams signed on as the Designated Developer for Greylock Glen
From a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Press Release

On December 11, in a ceremony at the Discover the Berkshires Adams Visitor Center, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) and the Town of Adams signed an agreement, designating the Town of Adams as the Provisional Developer of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education Center, adjacent to Mount Greylock State Reservation. The agreement fulfills M.G.L. Chapter 676 of the Acts of 1985, which authorized DCR’s predecessor agency to develop a regional economic and recreational facility at Greylock Glen.

“I was very impressed by the development plan that the Town and their collaborators assembled,” said DCR Commissioner Stephen H. Burrington. “The exciting proposal is a fine example of practical sustainable development, and I believe the Town has the necessary qualifications and experience required to realize the vision outlined in the plan.”

The Town’s plan for the project, developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, includes construction of an environmental education center, a performing arts amphitheater, an environmental arts center, camping and lodging and meeting facilities, and a multi-use trail system with a cross-country ski center. Development will be generally concentrated in a 53-acre area, with approximately 1,000 acres, 94% of the site, permanently protected as conservation land.

Edward MacDonald, Chairman of the Adams Board of Selectmen, noted that implementation of the project is not only important to the town but to the entire northern Berkshire region. “The project will help Adams become a destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education and connect more meaningfully to existing cultural institutions within the Berkshires,” he said.

The Town and DCR will share initial funding for pre-development design, permitting, and project development expenses, expected to cost approximately $300,000. During Phase I, DCR will expend matching funds of up to $3 million to match non-Commonwealth investment on a one-to-one basis. The Town will provide non-Commonwealth funding for the project. The project is expected to cost $44 million in total.

“The Town’s proposal represents a creative blending of economic development and recreational opportunities compatible with the unique character of the Mount Greylock region,” said DCAM Commissioner David B. Perini.

“The signing of this agreement is a critical milestone in moving this important project forward,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert L. Culver. “The Center will provide significant economic benefits to the Berkshires in a way that stresses environmental awareness and sensitivity of design, development and operation.”

“We’re closer and closer to seeing the Greylock Glen development a reality,” said State Representative Daniel Bosley. “This is very exciting and is the first step toward many other positive effects the Glen will have on the area and its tourism and economy, and will tie in with the culture the Berkshires are known for.”

The Center will be created in phases. Phase I work will include the creation of trails, outdoor recreation amenities, a campground, outdoor environmental art, maintenance facilities, infrastructure improvements, and environmental restoration. MassDevelopment will also restore the water and sewer lines located on Gould Road as part of Phase I. Phase II will include the Greylock Glen Art & Nature Center, a Nordic ski center, and the performing arts amphitheater. Phase III will include a lodging and meeting facility.

Numerous proposals for the development of Greylock Glen have been raised in the past 50 years, including casinos, a hotel, a village, condominiums and golf courses. These proposals were all ultimately rejected, due to the size of the proposed projects and concerns over resulting environmental impacts.

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Environment Transition Team Listening Session 12/12

The Energy and Environment Transition Team Committee “listening sessions” lasted for more than three hours as the people filling the auditorium each had about two minutes to speak to the panel. The Berkshires were represented on the panel as well by Amy Pearlmutter from Becket, who is part of this Transition Team.

For more information on the transition visit BEAT’s Advocacy page.

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Churchill Estates – Disapproval Recommended

On December 5, 2006 the Pittsfield Community Development Board disapproved this project without prejudice – which means the developer could start all over again, but can’t continue on with the current proposal. The Community Development Office found significant deficiencies which had not been addressed, and they did not believe these deficiencies could be addressed in a couple of weeks as the developer suggested. The Board had received a letter from the Board of Health which said that per the subdivision regulations the project should be disapproved. View letter (tif) The City Engineering Department/Department of Public Works and Utilities said that the road design did not meet the City’s requirements. View letter (tif).

At the December 7, 2006 Pittsfield Conservation Commission hearing, the developer asked for a continuance to February 15, 2007 to have time to re-group and decide what they want to do. Because the continuance was allowed, the developers will not have to re-notify abutters. BEAT will be sure that the February meeting is televised on local cable Channel 18.

Read the developer’s “hydrogeologic review (pdf) “.

Read the Review (pdf 1.35mb) written by the consultant who was hired by the City. The Review recommends that the City disapprove the plans for Churchill Estates Subdivision.

See BEAT’s Churchill Estates webpage for more information and some history of this project

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Bringing Business Back to the Berkshires

Just ten weeks after BerkShares made their debut on the streets and in the
cash registers of southern Berkshire County, Massachusetts, trade in this
model local currency has been brisk. BerkShares Inc., the organization
sponsoring the project, estimates that 333,000 BerkShares have already been
purchased from the four participating banks. Much of that has already gone
into the hands of the 188 participating local merchants and service
providers, who, in turn, have spent the currency at other participating
local businesses.

BerkShares are issued in five denominations: 1s, 5s, 10s, 20s, and 50s. They
are beautifully produced bills that celebrate local heroes, landscapes, and
the work of local artists. They are designed by John Isaacs of John Isaacs
Design and printed at Excelsior Printing using special security paper from
Crane and Co.‹all businesses located in the Berkshire region.

But BerkShares are even more powerful than they are beautiful. Every
BerkShare spent helps keep community assets from leaving the Berkshires for
far-off places. Every BerkShare spent means more money in the hands of
Berkshire businesses. And as the BerkShares keep circulating, the effect is
cumulative.

An estimated 3,000 people have been using BerkShares on a regular basis for
food, movie tickets, clothing, books, music, and a variety of services from
legal advice to landscaping, from car repair to carpentry. The BerkShares
project has given them a powerful impetus to shop locally whenever possible.

In an age of global commerce and internet shopping, BerkShares Inc. has
found a powerful way to strengthen the local economy of its home region. It
has reformed the way many Berkshire business owners and residents of the
think about their local economy. It has helped educate the Berkshire
community on why shopping locally matters. And, most importantly, it has set
in motion a revolution that can make the Berkshires not only a beautiful and
wholesome place to live, but one where locally owned businesses thrive, and
where economic self-sufficiency can be nurtured as an alternate model to the
nameless, faceless global economy.

BerkShares Inc. is cosponsored by the E. F. Schumacher Society and the
Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please call
413/528-1737, or visit www.berkshares.org.

A gallery of photographs by Berkshire photographer Jason Houston,
documenting the history of BerkShares, can also be viewed at the BerkShares
website.

Susan Witt, Peter Tiso, Christopher Lindstrom, and Michael Gordon
E. F. Schumacher Society
140 Jug End Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230 USA
www.smallisbeautiful.org

Board of Directors: Jessica Brackman, Starling Childs, Merrian Fuller,
Hildegarde Hannum, Eric Harris-Braun, Constance Packard, Joseph Stanislaw,
Ganson Taggart, Nancy Jack Todd, and Charles Turner.
Board of Founders: Ian Baldwin, David Ehrenfeld, Satish Kumar,
John McClaughry, and Kirkpatrick Sale.
Advisory Board: Tanya Berry, Thomas Berry, Wendell Berry, Lisa Byers, Olivia
Dreier, Hazel Henderson, Wes Jackson, Amory Lovins, John McKnight, David
Orr, Michael Shuman, Cathrine Sneed, Lewis Solomon, John Todd, Greg Watson,
and Arthur Zajonc.

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Barbara Boxer on the Environment

Via Americablog:
A lot of deserved attention on Iraq this week. But, there was an Associated Press article yesterday that reinforced why
winning is so important. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) is now in running the
Senate’s environment committee — and she’s done with the Bush
administration ruining the environment:
In the interview, Boxer also promised to end Bush administration rollbacks
on environmental rules if they are not supported by science. “Any kind of
weakening of environmental laws or secrecy or changes in the dead of night –
it’s over,” Boxer said. “We’re going to for once, finally, make this
committee an environment committee, not an anti-environment committee. …
This is a sea change that is coming to this committee. “When Barbara Boxer says “it’s over,” then it is over. And the world needs a
sea change to save the seas, the air and the land.

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EPA Seeks Nominations for Annual Environmental Merit Awards
Deadline for Nominations is Jan. 27, 2007

(Boston, Mass. – Dec. 6, 2006) – Notable environmental achievements
in New England during the past year are eligible for recognition by
EPA’s New England Office.

EPA is now accepting nominations for the 2007 Environmental Merit
Awards, which seek to recognize environmental achievements during the
past year. Award categories are available for individuals,
businesses, state and local governments, and other organizations.
Awards are also given under a lifetime achievement category.

“People throughout New England apply themselves to finding solutions
to environmental challenges, often without recognition,” said Robert
W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “EPA
New England’s annual Environmental Merit Awards let us honor people
who deserve to be recognized.”

The awards have been given out annually since EPA was created in
1970. Past recipients have included scientists, community activists,
business representatives, public officials and other individuals
committed to preserving the environment. Nominations can be submitted
by anybody, and individuals or organizations are allowed to submit
self-nominations. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 27, 2007.

An independent EPA panel will select the winners based on the
following criteria: long-term effects on the environment; ability to
address an environmental problem or need; collaboration with others;
ability of the program or accomplishments to be widely shared;
clarity and effectiveness of the presentation; and promotion of
innovative ideas or techniques.

The awards are given in four categories: individual; business,
industry, trade, and professional organization; local, state or
federal government; and environmental, community or non-profit
organization. Awards winners will be invited to a ceremony this
spring in Boston.

For nomination forms and more information on Environmental Merit
Awards, see: http://www.epa.gov/ne/ra/ema/

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Please Help Start the Rushing Rivers Institute!

Rushing Rivers Institute –
Science for Sustainable Management of Running Waters

The rivers of the northeast are drying out!
Drinking water is becoming a big issue would wide!
Landuse and climate change impact life in rivers and increase flood hazards!
Please help to protect our rivers and future water supply!
Support science for the sustainable management of running waters!
PLEASE HELP START THE RUSHING RIVERS INSTITUTE!

Rushing Rivers Institute
50 Two Ponds Road
Belchertown, MA 01007

The growing importance of water issues due to global climate change calls for sophisticated, science-based management and protection of
running waters. Hydropower re-licensing, permits for water withdrawals
for municipalities, agriculture and recreation, flood protection
measures, and dam removals are urgent and controversial issues. State
and local governments, industry and watershed management groups, are
frustrated with the inadequacy of available management tools with which
to address complex hydrological/ecological and societal issues. The lack
of applicable environmental management tools is not caused by
underdevelopment in science, but by limited access to integrative
applications of available state-of-the-art research. The key drawback in
the application of cutting-edge research in water management planning is”disconnect between needs of resource managers for simple and effective
solutions on the one hand, and cost-independent needs for innovation and
basic understanding of complex processes, that motivates scientist on
the other hand” (Acreman M. 2005 Linking science and decision-making:
features and experience from environmental river flow setting.
Environmental Modelling & Software 20, 99-109).

During the past seven years, first at the Instream Habitat Program at
Cornell University, and then the past two years at the Northeast
Instream Habitat Program www.neihp.org at the University of
Massachusetts and Mt Holyoke College, we conducted research that
considerably improved the tools and techniques for the management of
riverine resources available today Computer simulation models, supported
by cutting edge remote sensing technology, allow for the quantitative evaluation and validation of the ecological potential of river
management scenarios at the watershed scale, and build a foundation for
intelligent decision making.

With the goal of assuring the timely release of our developed
technology, geared towards the sustainable management of running waters,
the group of scientists from NEIHP want to establish an independent
sister organization as a clearing house for river science. Rushing
Rivers will conduct on-demand, applied research, to protect and restore
rivers, and offer professional training and project review services. It
will build upon the expertise of the Northeast Instream Habitat Program,
as well as the experience of scientists at the universities and research
institutes throughout the country and internationally. This will help to
secure future water resources for both human use and the environment.

The need for the services provided by Rushing Rivers Institute is
undeniable. It is reflected in our world today, in the poor condition of
our rivers and recurring water problems. As a private organization, the
institute will have a high level of flexibility and productivity. The
Institute is designed to generate its own funding through applied
research projects, software marketing, education and training. As a new
organization we need to establish a secure base of funds in order to
develop to our full potential. In the near future we will need to
acquire research equipment, such as a truck and boat, and office
equipment. Eventually we will need additional staff, including graduate
and postdoctoral researchers, administrative support and interns. Please
support the Rushing Rivers Institute initiative. Any form of support,
monetary or tangible, will further our efforts.

Although we currently focus on rivers in the northeast, our work is of
global importance, and the funds invested in Rushing Rivers Institute
are an investment in the future of our planet. Rushing River Institute
is still in the development stage, and to protect the integrity of our mission, we have registered as Rushing
Rivers Inc. for the purpose of this initial campaign. We are presently
applying for non-profit status for 2007. Donations will not be tax
deductible for 2006, but hopefully in 2007. We will notify you when our non-profit status is approved for further
consideration of your generosity. Donations maybe either be sent to the
Rushing Rivers address, or submitted online through the campaign’s
homepage, provided in the letterhead.

You are cordially invited to attend our information meeting on January
25th at 6pm in the Red Barn of Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. The
Hampshire College Red Barn is located at the Admissions Building
entrance off of Route 116 about 1000 feet before the main entrance to
Hampshire College. We kindly request an RSVP to miirawirth@rushingrivers.com or by phone at 413-825-1412.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Piotr Parasiewicz
Rushing Rivers Institute
50 Two Ponds Road
Belchertown, MA 01007

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Fellowship Announcements from Williams College

National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellowship:
2007
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
CAMPUS ECOLOGY FELLOWSHIPS
CALL FOR PROPOSALS

NWF is seeking undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to confronting global warming on campus and beyond. NFW encourages sustainability task forces, environmental committees, or similar groups to nominate one or more student applicants for the Fellowship. NWF’s Campus Ecology Fellows receive modest stipends, training, networking opportunities, and national recognition. NWF especially is seeking applicants from campuses interested in stepping up leadership to confront global warming.

Projects may cover a range of approaches to confronting global warming, including transportation, energy, habitats, and planning. Fellows receive up to $2000 to offset project expenses. Additional funds up to $1000 for meeting expenses may be requested if the applicant’s nominating committee or other affiliated group commits to working with the fellow to convene teams from 3-5 other campuses or other community organizations to share climate action strategies.
Deadline:January 31, 2007
Apply Now

2006-Edi Sonntag
Michigan State University
Herpetofauna Survey

2004-Sarah Ferriter
University of Southern Maine
Biodiesel Use

For more information contact Kristin Kranendonk at 703-438-6265 or campus@nwf.org

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