The BEAT News January 2, 2013

News Headlines

Presentation by Local Author of “The Eskimo and the Oil Man: The Battle at the Top of the World for America’s Future”

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street  Pittsfield, MA

$5 – Students free

 

The Arctic century is upon us. A great jockeying for power and influence has erupted between nations in the high north. At stake is trillions of dollars in profit or loss, US security, geopolitical influence, and the fate of a fragile environment as well as the region’s traditional people. As the ice melts and oil companies venture north, the polar regions are becoming the next Saudi Arabia, the next Panama Canal.

Please join us on Wednesday, January 16th from 7-8:30 pm as local author, Bob Reiss gives a thought provoking presentation to delve into this issue. Bob spent 3 years traveling to the US high north to tell this story through the eyes of two men, one an Inupiat Eskimo leader on Alaska’s North Slope, the other the head of Shell Oil’s Alaska Venture, which seeks to drill for oil offshore in 2013. Their tale is set against the background of an undersea land rush in the Arctic, of Russian bombers appearing off Alaska’s coasts recently, of rapid changes in ice that will effect millions of sea mammals and effect the day to day lives of every American, in their cities and towns and also in their pocketbooks.

To get this story Bob Reiss spent time with scientists, diplomats, military planners, Eskimo whale hunters and politicians at the highest levels of Washington. He traveled to remote villages and sailed on a US icebreaker. Shell hopes to drill off Alaska in 2013 and the fight will make headlines. The Mayor of the North Slope seeks to protect his people’s 4,000 year old culture yet guarantee them income. The story begins as a fight and in the end the Eskimo and the Oil Man reflect the issues dividing every American community wrestling with the balance between energy use and environmental protection.
Co-sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), Berkshire Museum, Williams College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Berkshire Community College. For more information please contact Jane Winn 413-230-7321 or jane@thebeatnews.org.

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State Enacts Bill to Repair and Remove Dams 

At the December Pittsfield Green Drinks, Nick Wildman told us about the Division of Ecological Resotation’s efforts to restore free-flowing streams and rivers. The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) reports that restoring rivers and streams is about to get a little boost.

From MACC:

On the last day of 2012, the State Legislature enacted an important bill to help cities and towns repair and remove outmoded dams and coastal infrastructure designed to control floods, such as seawalls and jetties. The purpose of the bill is to ensure community safety during major storms, and to protect freshwater animals and plants, including migratory fish. The legislation is on Governor Patrick’s desk awaiting his signature.

The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) was a key player in ensuring the legislation made it through the House and the Senate. We encouraged officials to improve state policies and provide funding to help restore rivers and streams to their natural condition.

About 85% of the state’s 2,890 dams no longer serve their original purpose. Where appropriate, removing outmoded dams permanently rids their owners of liability, insurance and maintenance costs, flooding risks, and enables freshwater animals and plants to thrive and adapt.

The Legislature also addressed the risks posed by coastal infrastructure in the bill, since we are gearing up for more intense and frequent storms caused by climate change.

To read the bill’s text, click HERE.

The bill contains the following key provisions:

  • Establishes a new $17 million Dam and Sea Wall Repair or Removal Fund to provide both grants and loans to municipalities and nonprofit organizations, and loans to private dam owners. Monies are to inspect, repair and remove dams, seawalls, jetties, revetments, retaining walls, levies and other means of flood control. Half the monies may be spent on dam projects and half on coastal projects. Projects that address safety risks will be prioritized.
  • Enables municipalities to issue bonds to remove dams (30% of the 2,890 dams in Massachusetts are owned by cities and towns).
  • Removes municipal liability for the release of oil or hazardous material that occurred prior to a municipality acquiring a dam, as long as that city or town complies with applicable cleanup laws.
  • Requires state environmental agencies to update and create a comprehensive inventory of all dams. The inventory list will include owners (and abandoned dams), those in violation of regulatory requirements, the hazardous classification status of a dams, and those that pose a “threat to freshwater animal and plant and resident or migratory fish species habitat or movement.”
  • Ensures that emergency action plans are developed for all high and significant hazard dams.
  • Authorizes state agencies to assess fines for violations up to $5,000 (up from $500), and codifies agencies’ reporting and enforcement authority.

Presuming Governor Patrick will sign the bill, then state agencies will promulgate regulations. MACC plans will be to work with decision makers to ensure any regulations are strong, fair and support the critical work of conservation commissions.

We will keep our members informed of any updates.

MACC is especially grateful to Senator Marc Pacheco for shepherding this bill through the legislative process and The Nature Conservancy for leading efforts on behalf of the diverse groups making up the Dam Safety Alliance. Alliance members include the American Council of Engineering Companies of Mass, Boston Society for Civil Engineers, Mass Association of Conservation Commissions, Mass Audubon, Mass Municipal Association, Mass Organization of Scientists and Engineers, Mass Rivers Alliance, Mass Water Works Association and The Nature Conservancy.

Please contact MACC with questions: 617-489-3930 or staff@maccweb.org.

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DCR Draft Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations Public Meeting 

 

Thursday, January 10, 2013 – 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Ponkapoag Golf Course

2167 Washington Street, Canton, MA 

 

At this meeting, DCR will present information on draft rules and regulations governing the operations of state parks and recreational facilities, 302 CMR 12.00.   These draft rules and regulations will supersede those under which the agency currently operates, contained in 350 CMR 2.00 and 350 CMR 12.00, applying to those properties in the area formerly known as DCR’s Division of Urban Parks, and in 304 CMR 12.00, applying to state park and recreational facilities outside of that area.

 

The public meeting will include a brief presentation by DCR, followed by an opportunity for public input.   The draft regulations are currently available for viewing at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/policiesandregsupcoming.htm.

The presentation that will be given at the public meeting will be available for viewing shortly on DCR’s website at  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/policiesandregsmaterials.htm.

In accordance with requirements of the Massachusetts Secretary of State, the DCR will conduct a formal hearing process, including statewide public hearings and a public comment period, in early 2013.   If you have questions about this public meeting, please call 617-626-4974 or email DCR.Updates@state.ma.us.

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Keep the East Tar Sands Free

from 350 New England, and Tar Sands Free Northeast
2013 has the makings of an epic year in the climate movement.

The Keep the East Tar Sands Free action has three parts and we’re hoping you can help with all three.

Take the Tar Sands Action Pledge
 2013 may mark a turning point for climate change. Are you ready to put everything on the line to turn the tide. Keeping the East free of tar sands is a place to make our first stand.  If you’re ready to resist tar sands in the East and put your bodies on the line, please sign the action pledge here: http://350newengland.org/pledge/

Help organize a local NO PIPELINE solidarity action.
During the week of January 26th solidarity actions will be taking place in Canada and across the New England region with the goal of 1) putting the Tar Sands Northeast pipeline front and center for our elected representatives and 2) raising general awareness and recruiting people to go to the Portland action.

People all over the region will visit their US representatives’ offices and Governors’ offices. Others will be holding high-visibility actions at ExxonMobil stations to link this pipeline plan to its ultimate owner, ExxonMobil.  Canadian actions will specifically target the NEb. If you can help organize a local solidarity action please RSVP to David@350.org to join a tele-organizing meeting in your region. The next call is scheduled for January 3rd at 8:00 PM.

Join 350NewEngland.org in Portland, Maine to form a Wall of Opposition to the Eastern tar sand pipeline
The purpose of ExxonMobil’s eastern tar sands pipeline is to reach Eastern ports and profit from international markets. So on January 26th we’ll gather at the port in Portland, Maine to erect a Wall of Opposition to protest these destructive plans. People from across the region will bring banners, signs and other creative emblems of their local community or groups to construct a symbolic Wall of Opposition.  Will you come to represent your community?  Can you bring something symbolic of what you’re honor-bound to defend? There will be a march from downtown Portland to the port, where leaders from our united opposition group will stand in front of our Wall of Opposition to deliver our demand to keep the East tar sands free.

The hard fact we’re dealing with is that in 2008 key parts of this pipeline plan came dangerously close to approval before the companies postponed it for economic reasons. The only way to stop it now is to demand full citizen participation and then hold all our elected officials accountable. Let’s use January 26th to show our united determination to keep the East tar sands free.

Onward,

David and Vanessa for 350.org, 350 New England, and Tar Sands Free Northeast

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Berkshire County Boasts Most Green Drinks Chapters in State: Berkshire Eagle Columnist Speaks January 3rd

December 29, 2012

 

Every month in the Berkshires since 2006, folks have gathered to discuss all things green at after-work social events called Green Drinks. The local gatherings, from North Adams to Great Barrington, are chapters of the international phenomenon known as Green Drinks, a fun, free, and free-form conversation that takes place at the same time and place each time. Everything from education to local agriculture, conservation, the arts, business, and the ways all of those topics intersect are discussed at Green Drinks, often with the help of a special guest.

 

Such guests at these events have included authors, municipal planners and officials, conservationists, business owners, activists, scientists, artists, and more. They have educated thousands of Berkshire area residents and helped create fellowship around shared interests, and have sometimes also helped raise money for green causes, such as via the annual summer wiffleball tournament at Great Barrington Green Drinks.

 

But the big news is that come January, there will be Green Drinks events happening every week in the Berkshires, for all of 2013 and beyond, with the addition of a brand new regular meet-up in Lenox at Firefly Restaurant. Similar to the creative economy efforts whose successes we all enjoy locally, this fact of Green Drinks events happening four times a month in our county makes the Berkshires the most active area in the state, and arguably the most green-minded. Other chapters exist in Massachusetts and adjoining states (plus in cities in 70+ countries), of course, and can be viewed at the official website, www.greendrinks.org.

 

“We are glad to announce this fourth Green Drinks gathering in the Berkshires,” said Erik Hoffner of Orion magazine, which started the first Berkshire chapter in 2006 in Great Barrington. “These four monthly events are building community and increasing ecological literacy in the region. Lenox is a perfect new community to anchor this tradition, which is now being marked in every part of the county.”

 

Here’s when they happen each month:

 

First Thursdays: Great Barrington

Second Wednesdays: North Adams

Third Tuesdays: Pittsfield

Fourth Tuesdays: Lenox

 

Here’s the schedule of what’s happening where and when in January:

 

Great Barrington, January 3, Route 7 Grill – 999 South Main Street from 5:15 on with presentation at 6 pm

Berkshire Eagle outdoors columnist Tim Jones will discuss how hunting is good for conservation efforts and is increasingly seen as the ultimate in eating locally and sustainably. He will also map out how people can get started in hunting in 2013. Contact: Erik Hoffner, Orion magazine, ehoffner@orionmagazine.org, 528-4422.

 

North Adams, January 9, Freight Yard Pub, Western Gateway Heritage Park, starting at 5:30 with presentation at 6:30 pm

Presentation by Richard Doucette and Felipe Aedo about their bacterial pollution study of the Hoosic River. This research was done in cooperation with Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. Contact: Jane Winn, jane@thebeatnews.org, 413/ 230-7321

 

Pittsfield, January 15, Mad Jacks BBQ, 295 North St , starting at 5:15 and presentation at 6:30 pm

Short presentation by Berkshire Community College professor Tom Tyning on the incredible creatures found in the Berkshires’ vernal pools, from salamanders to frogs and more. Contact: Jane Winn, jane@thebeatnews.org, 413/ 230-7321

 

Lenox, January 22, Firefly Restaurant, 71 Church Street, 5 pm

Inaugural gathering of Green Drinks-Lenox at Firefly, which is delighted to announce that it will be the site for Lenox Green Drinks beginning this January. Hosted by the Lenox Green-Rainbow Party Committee, Lenox Green Drinks will take place the fourth Tuesday of the month from 5pm to 6:30 pm. Contact: Scott Laugenour, scottlaugenour@yahoo.com

 

All Green Drinks events are free and details about each can be seen at www.greendrinks.org.

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Repair Cafe – 1/19

The Pittsfield Resilience Circle (see info below) is holding a Repair Cafe where volunteers will repair people’s torn and broken items for free. BEAT is co-sponsoring this event..

The Circle is still in need of repair persons, entertainers, refreshment providers, and general helpers. If you would like to help with this unique event, please call Tom Harter at 413-212-8589 or email Janet Henderson at jmh227@hotmail.com.

The Repair Cafe will be held Saturday, January 19 from 1:00-5:00 in the basement at St. Stephen’s Church, 67 East St., Pittsfield (enter through the side door). This is an opportunity for people to get together at a free, friendly event and accomplish something at the same time.

Volunteers will be repairing bicycles, clothing, small appliances, toys, etc. There will be poetry and musical entertainment, as well as refreshments. Everything will be free.

If there is sufficient response both from volunteers and from people bringing items to be repaired, this may be a monthly event.

Why hold a Repair Cafe? To help reduce waste, promote repair skills, teach us all to be more self-sufficient, have fun, come together in a non-consumerist way, forge bonds of friendship through mutual dependency, and make Pittsfield a better place to live.

Like to help sponsor this event? Any amount is welcome. For gifts over $20, your name or the name of your group will be listed as a sponsor, with more publicity for larger contributions.

What would I like from you? Choices:

  • Volunteer as a repair person, entertainer, provider of refreshments, or general helper
  • Help spread the word by sending this email to others
  • Be a sponsor
  • Attend the Repair Cafe with a broken item

Thank you!

About the Pittsfield Resilience Circle:

The Pittsfield Resilience Circle is a group of people who meet twice a month to learn together, have fun, and become better friends through doing things for each other. The Resilience Circle is based on information available at localcircles.org. The group also has an informal Gift Circle. You can read about Gift Circles on the OpenCollaboration’s Blog at https://opencollaboration.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/gift-circle-faq/

About Repair Cafe:

The Repair Café concept was formulated in 2009 in the Netherlands by journalist and publicist, Martine Postma, and sustainability accelerator, Peter van Vliet. Since January, 2011, the Repair Café Foundation has provided support to groups in the Netherlands and in other countries who wish to start their own Repair Cafés.

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Resolve To Report Rare Species with a New Mobile App

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is pleased to announce that a new Android mobile application is now available for citizen scientists, sportsmen, birders, naturalists and other actively involved conservationists to report observations of rare species and vernal pools.  The new app is part of the electronic Vernal Pool and Rare Species Information System (VPRS) developed and launched this past November by MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program. The app allows registered VPRS users to capture basic information (species, location, photographs) while out in the field. The captured information is used to create an observation report which can then be completed at a home computer and submitted to MassWildlife through the VPRS system. More information on the app and a tutorial can be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/species_info/vprs_home.htm. The VPRS was funded by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wetland Program Development Grant with some additional funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in support of the Linking Landscapes Program.

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Connect Youth to Nature through Duck Stamp Art

The Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Program is looking for youth artists in to submit a duck stamp art entry in a statewide competition. Art and science may seem to be an unlikely combination, but when blended in the context of the JDS Program, art makes science come alive. This dynamic program links the study of wetlands and waterfowl conservation with a national waterfowl art project. Students in grades K-12 learn about the habitat requirements of various kinds of ducks and geese (waterfowl) and then express their knowledge of the beauty, diversity, and interdependence of these species artistically, by creating a drawing or painting and submitting it to the Massachusetts Junior Duck art contest. The art is judged in four age group categories in a statewide competition, and the entry judged Best of Show moves on to represent Massachusetts in the national JDS competition. Registration information is now available for the 2013 JDS Program; Connecting Children With Nature Through Science and Art at www.fws.gov/juniorduck. Artwork submissions are due by March 15, 2013.  NOTE: The address for submitting entries has changed this year: JDS Art Entry, DFW, 100 Hartwell Street Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

 

In celebration of 20 years of success in ‘Connecting Children to Nature Through Science and Art’ the federal JDS Program recently redesigned its arts and science curriculum to spark youth interest in habitat conservation and careers in natural resources through science, art, math and technology. Targeted for students in grades 5-8, with suggested adaptations for younger and older audiences, the curriculum encourages students to engage with their natural world and develop a deeper appreciation of natural resources. “A great way to appreciate waterfowl is to spend time outdoors observing and photographing them at your local ‘duck pond’,” said Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator. The guides meet a number of national educational standards for students in grades K-12. The curriculum may be downloaded at www.fws.gov/juniorduck/curriculum.html.

 

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Junior Duck Stamp is a pictorial stamp produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize the conservation efforts of students and support environmental and conservation education programs. The first place national winner of the art contest graces that year’s JDS and is sold by the U.S. Postal Service (www.usps.com) and Amplex Corporation (www.duckstamp.com) for $5. All proceeds are invested in the program to fund environmental education efforts; awards for the students, teachers and schools that participate in the program; and to market the JDS program.

 

In Massachusetts, the JDS is coordinated by the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife) with support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and the Massachusetts Wildlife Federation. For more information on the JDS go to www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/education/jds/jds_home.htm. For inquiries relating to hosting the Junior Duck Stamp Awards ceremony in April, 2013 or an artwork exhibit in 2013, contact Education Coordinator Pam Landry at (508) 389-6310 or Pam.Landry@state.ma.us.

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Report Waterfowl Feeding Sites & Waterfowl Sightings

 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is asking for help from sportsmen, birders, and other interested conservationists across the state to report sites where wild ducks and geese (waterfowl) are being fed or to report sightings of ducks and geese they see feeding at artificial waterfowl feeding sites from January 6 – January 26, 2013. Information needed for these reports include town, specific location (address, map, or GPS coordinates), date, number, and the kinds of wild ducks and/or geese observed. Currently, MassWildlife is trying to determine if there is a correlation between artificial feeding sites and waterfowl population size.  Feeding site locations or waterfowl feeding reports should be reported to H Heusmann, MassWildlife Waterfowl Project Leader by e-mail at: h.heusmann@state.ma.us; phone (508) 389-6321; Fax (508) 389-7890; or postal mail at DFW Park Mallard Survey, 100 Hartwell Street, Suite 230, West Boylston, MA 01583.

 

Every five years, since 1973, MassWildlife has conducted a winter waterfowl survey of sites where people feed wild ducks and geese. Designed primarily as a count of wintering mallards, the survey includes information on all waterfowl seen, including Canada geese.  The statewide survey covers public and private property in city, suburban, and rural areas. Sites may be located on fresh water, salt water, and estuaries.  Other feeding sites include parks, beaches, and backyard bird feeding stations.  Because feeding locations change between each 5-year cycle, the most current information on artificial waterfowl feeding locations is valuable.

 

While MassWildlife discourages feeding of wildlife, there is no state law or regulation prohibiting this activity and the feeding of ducks on some sites has been going on for decades. Some municipalities do restrict or prohibit feeding. Mallards are by far the most common duck seen at feeding sites, but MassWildlife is also interested in obtaining information about other ducks and geese seen feeding at these sites: black ducks are commonly observed along with wood ducks, pintails, gadwalls, wigeons, and hooded mergansers.  Canada geese are well known visitors to feeding sites and their presence is often the impetus for towns and cities to pass feeding prohibition bylaws. Results from this year’s survey compared to past surveys will be available later in the winter.

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Massachusetts Adopts Low Emission Vehicle Program

 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has promulgated new regulations (310 CMR 7.40) the Low Emission Vehicle Program. These amendment to 310 CMR 7.40, the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program, adopt the latest revisions to the California Air Resources Board regulations known as the “Advanced Clean Cars Program.” The amendments include: 1) more stringent tailpipe and evaporative motor vehicle standards for model year (MY) 2015-2020 vehicles; 2) more stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for MY 2017-2025 vehicles; and 3) requirements for placing increasing numbers of advanced technology vehicles in Massachusetts starting in MY 2016.

Web Link to View Final Regulations: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/laws/regulati.htm#lev

Date of Promulgation: 12/21/2012

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Williams Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program and Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation to Host Two Worksong Workshop Evenings.

 

The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program and the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation will be hosting two Worksong Workshops with singer Max Godfrey on January 8 and 9. On Tuesday January 8, join Max and friends a 6 PM at Sheep Hill, the headquarters of the WRLF on Route 7 south.  On Wednesday January 9, the worksong evening will be held at Goodrich Hall on the Williams campus beginning at 7 PM.  Registration is suggested.

 

Max Godfrey has been steadily digging through old field recordings of southern worksongs and teaching them to people in fields and kitchens, on front porches and street corners across the Northeast and in his home state of Georgia.  He draws upon the songs that African Americans sang for decades on chain gangs and in farm fields throughout the 20th century South. The singing of worksongs in the fields again represents an important step towards the restoration of culture in American agriculture; Max is on tour to share these songs with as many people as he can this winter.

 

During the evening participants will learn many songs traditionally sung by prisoners and field workers as a means of enduring the hardships of forced labor, but which have been rediscovered by farmers as tools for making their work more enjoyable.  With simple, call-and-response structures, these songs can be learned quickly and require no vocal “skill” whatsoever.  We will start with the simplest songs and share some more involved worksongs as our lungs warm up.  We will also share many songs from around the world that American farmers have adapted for use in the fields.  Even if you’re not a farmer you’re bound to remember some of these songs and enjoy sharing them with friends.  This singalong will include a dinner prepared by Max and his friends. Although there is no charge for the workshop, donations are welcome.

 

For more information, to register, or for directions:

Sheep Hill program January 8 ruraland@wrlf.org,   Williams program January 9 brent.wasser@williams.edu.

 

The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program aims to foster in future generations a passion for responsible environmental stewardship and the rediscovery of vital food. The mission of the Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program is to co-ordinate, inspire and provide leadership to further develop our academic resources, extra-curricular opportunities, and practical approaches to sustainable food from a broad range of perspectives – social justice, environmental, cultural and economic.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust, has been working to preserve the rural New England character of the area for more than 25 years, and sponsors nature education, local history, and seasonal food events throughout the year.  Sheep Hill is located on Route 7 south in Williamstown, approximately one mile south of the rotary.   

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Tamakoce Wilderness Programs Winter Wilderness Class

Hi All,

Hope your holiday preparations are going well. Do to popular demand, I’m sending out dates for a Winter wilderness class! If the weather cooperates with us this year, we’ll be learning how to overcome the challenges of starting a fire with ice covered wood! We’ll also be learning a lot about animals through tracking them, shelter designs for winter, emergency snow shoe making and of course, penguin sliding down the hills! This will be a bi-weekly class (every other week) and the dates are below.

 

Cambridge- 1/8, 1/22, 2/5, 2/19

Albany- 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27

Pownal- 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1

For those interested in our Spring session, that will be starting the week of March 18 in all the same locations and will continue weekly for 10 weeks.

Tuition for all classes is a sliding scale from $30 to $50 per day of the session you are registering for.

 

Please reply to this email to register for any of these classes. Pre- registration is required so please do soon at your earliest convenience.

Thanks,

Dan Yacobellis
tamakocewildernessprograms.com
518-658-0328

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January 8 – Wetland Wildlife Habitat Restoration for Landowners in the Housatonic Watershed, Great Barrington –

Private landowners, land trusts, property managers, and other interested conservationists are invited to attend a presentation on Wetland Wildlife Habitat Restoration in the Housatonic River Watershed. Biologists from MassWildlife and District Conservationists from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will be presenting information about the Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street in Great Barrington. Topics will include habitat restoration for rare and declining species and funding assistance for private landowners available for habitat management activities. Come learn how you may be able to contribute to the effort! Contact Marianne Piché at (508) 389-6313 or via email, marianne.piche@state.ma.us for more details.

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Cleantech Innovations New England’s-EPA Water Challenge for InnovateMass

Did you miss our informational webinar on 12/20? No worries, it’s right here

Sponsored by: Cleantech Innovations New England, a program managed by the New England Clean Energy Foundation (NECEF), sister organization to the  New England Clean Energy Council.

The funds supporting this award opportunity come in part from an i6 Green Challenge grant of $1.175M given to NECEF by the US Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration in partnership with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

Award Amount:  Up to $130,000 allocated for one single or multiple smaller awards.

Problem Statement: Cleantech Innovations New England is adding additional service awards of up to $130,000 to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) $1M InnovateMass demonstration program. Cleantech Innovations New England worked closely with the US Environmental Protection Agency to identify a pressing regional water challenge that may be addressed with innovative and commercially viable solutions. This challenge seeks technologies that offer long-term, resilient, and market-based solutions to the problem of nutrient pollution caused by insufficient wastewater treatment in coastal areas.

Nutrient pollution creates severe water quality problems that affect not only southeastern New England’s coastal watersheds, but also coastal and inland communities and ecosystems worldwide. Although currently permitted and available systems treat bacteria adequately, they are not designed to remove nitrogen, the nutrient of concern especially for coastal waters. In response, some communities are now requiring installation of denitrifying septic systems to protect sensitive areas, but these new systems can cost $25,000- $40,000 to install.

The issues of cost and performance are particularly acute for southeastern New England, where a high proportion of communities rely on septic systems. Studies indicate that 80% of the nutrient problem on Cape Cod is due to wastewater, and 85% of the Cape’s wastewater flow is treated by 123,000 conventional septic systems. Further west, thousands of residents in Rhode Island’s salt pond and rural communities depend on septic systems, and nationally 20% of US residences are on septic systems. These communities need cost effective solutions for retrofitting existing septic systems or replacing non-functioning ones. Such solutions call for ground breaking and affordable technologies as well as innovations in policy and regulation to address nutrient impacts to protect and restore the economic and ecosystem resources supported by coastal waters. This solicitation is seeking technologies capable of responding to the following performance goals:

  1. reduce nitrogen discharge from the septic system to preferably 95th percentile < 5mg/L
  2. recover nutrients (N, P and preferably K) from the wastewater and/or yield net energy from its operation
  3. cost in the range of $5,000-$10,000 for retrofits, and no more than $25,000 for new installations
  4. incorporate remote or on-site sensing technology to monitor performance
  5. be feasible to implement on a broad scale

Award Type: Funded service awards. A funded service award pays for costs associated with a specific activity or set of activities related to developing a business model or aiding the development of a recipient’s product or technology. Funded services typically fall into three categories:

  1. Technical Advisory services including prototype design, development, and manufacturing, product validation studies, and process or cost modeling activities. Technical services may also include development and/or use of new monitoring and modeling technologies.
  2. Advisory Services including business plan development, business development, fundraising support, financial management support, go-to-market planning and other services, typically performed by an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR).
  3. Incubation services including subsidized rent and/or subscription fees at a qualified incubator or laboratory in direct support of specific milestones.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this award the company must meet the following requirements:

  1. Operate principally within the six-state New England region
  2. Be involved in clean energy or clean energy technology
  3. Have applied for the InnovateMass Challenge

Criteria for Selection: Cleantech Innovations New England is chartered with expanding the regional clean energy economy by fostering regional connections amongst members of the cleantech community. Our goal is to help clean energy and clean technology startups succeed through the early stages of company development that occur prior to product availability or completion of outside financing. With these goals in mind applicants will be reviewed based on two main criteria:

  1. Ability to meet the performance goals described above in the section titled “Problem Statement” and execute on the solution if selected.
  2. How well the Cleantech Innovations New England award can help promote increased connections within the region. Projects that occur across borders, involve relationships with new firms, or offer service providers access to the cleantech market are all of interest to the program.

Preference will be given to projects that execute demonstration(s) on Cape Cod and/or in multiple states and to applicants that win and are able to leverage awards associated with the MassCEC InnovateMass Demonstration Project Pilot Proposal.

Qualified applicants will go through a tiered application process that is initiated by applying to InnovateMass

  1. Apply for the Innovate Mass opportunity via Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s InnovateMass website.
  2. Select applications/concept papers will receive an invitation to submit full proposals to Innovate Mass.
  3. Full proposals that provide a solution to the Cleantech Innovations New England’s-EPA Water Challenge will be given an opportunity to opt in to the Water Challenge in which they will be evaluated as part of a process that is distinct from the InnovateMass challenge.

Timetable:

The deadline for proposals is January 18th, 2013.

  1. Application window opens:  November 27th.
  2. Application window closed:  January 18th.
  3. Notification of Concept Paper Applicants Selected to Submit Full Proposals February 2013
  4. Release of Request for Full Proposals (eligibility limited to selected concept paper applicants) Quarter 1, 2013
  5. Final award notifications Quarter 2, 2013
  6. Demonstration Projects Begin Prior to June 30, 2013
  7. Demonstration Projects End Prior to June 30, 2014

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Upcoming Grant Opportunity: FFY 13 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Pre-RFR Meeting

 

The Mass. Department of Environmental Protection plans to hold a pre – RFR Informational Meeting to discuss potential projects before the FFY13 604(b) RFR is issued in early 2013.  We recommend potential respondents attend this meeting to discuss your ideas for new projects. The meeting will be held in the Chicopee Room at MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 10:00 AM to Noon. (Snow date is January 30th at the same location and time. See (www.mass.gov/dep/about/region/centralr.htm) for directions.)

 

For FFY 2013, the Department will continue to focus 604b grant funds towards watershed or subwatershed based nonpoint source assessment and planning projects leading to the: 1) determination of the nature, extent and causes of water quality problems; 2) assessment of impacts and determination of pollutant loads reductions necessary to meet water quality standards; 3) green infrastructure projects that manage wet weather to maintain or restore natural hydrology; 4) development of designs and implementation plans that will address water quality impairments; and 5) development of  assessment and remediation strategies in impaired watersheds in areas that are not regulated under MS4.  Applicants considering development of designs and plans to be considered for 319 implementation funding are encouraged to discuss their proposals with Jane Peirce of the 319 program  at (508) 767-2792, jane.peirce@state.ma.us

 

MassDEP’s assessment needs are identified in:

  • Massachusetts Watershed based plans (http://public.dep.state.ma.us/Watershed/Intro.aspx),
  • Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Management Plan (www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/nonpoint.htm), &
  • MassDEP’s watershed water quality assessment reports (www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/wqassess.htm).

 

Pursuant to Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act, eligible grant applicants must be either Regional Public Comprehensive Planning Organizations or Interstate Organizations.  Eligible entities include: regional planning agencies, council of governments, counties, conservation districts, cities and towns, and other substate public planning agencies and interstate agencies.  MassDEP encourages eligible respondents to propose water quality assessment/planning projects that will lead to direct actions by Municipalities and others to implement water quality improvements.

 

Respondents should note that MassDEP’s Division of Watershed Management (DWM) will concentrate sampling efforts in mid-west basins (Connecticut and Chicopee) during 2014. Further discussion of DWM’s new basin arrangement along with a map of the basin alignment can be found at:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/resources/swmonadj.htm

 

As the Commonwealth’s procurement rules prohibit MassDEP or any other RFR issuer from consulting with potential applicants to develop project ideas once an RFR is issued, potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MassDEP before the RFR issue date (2/4/13) to refine project ideas and obtain feedback.  Contact Gary Gonyea (617-556-1152 or gary.gonyea@state.ma.us) for a discussion of ideas and program objectives. 

 

The tentative schedule is as follows:

Pre-RFR Informational Meeting                                                January 29, 2013

RFR release on Comm-PASS                                                     February 4, 2013

Responses due to MassDEP                                                      March 15, 2013

Evaluation of Responses                                                          April 2013

Award Announcement (estimated)                                          June 2013

Projects Initiated                                                                     Fall 2013
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Trustees of Reservations Job Announcement: Regional Director – Western Region

Position Description

The West Regional Director (WRD) serves as the internal and external leader for The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) in Western Massachusetts. The WRD identifies and implements strategic and operational goals for The Trustees in a region encompassing the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and Central Massachusetts. The Director has a unique opportunity to develop and guide a remarkable array of mission-related visitor engagement and resource protection objectives, as well as enterprises and partnerships.

The Trustees’ West Region is defined by the New York, Vermont, and Connecticut borders on its west, north, and south, and on the east, a border roughly following I-495. Within this area, The Trustees own and manage over 10,000 acres across more than 40 reservations and monitor dozens of conservation restrictions. Our reservations in the West are diverse and include three National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, formal gardens, urban agriculture, woodlands, wildlands and recreational and educational enterprises in rural, suburban, and urban landscapes.

The position is currently based in Holyoke, MA, though Stockbridge, MA is also a possibility. Frequent travel across the region and regular travel across the state is required. The WRD reports to the President  & CEO and is a member of The Trustees’ Executive Team.

Click here for more information about this opening.
Click here for more information about all the current openings with The Trustees.

 

Trustees of Reservations Job Announcement: Agricultural Program Director

The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) envision a Commonwealth that is thriving as a result of people’s commitment to creating healthy, active, and green communities. We believe that a sustainable local food system that is inclusive of all people is fundamental to a vibrant future for Massachusetts as a sustainable system reaps a myriad of environmental, social and economic benefits for individuals and local communities.  In light of increasingly troubling trends such as food insecurity, diet-related illness, natural resource degradation, and climate change, The Trustees recognize the urgent need – and the opportunity – to play an active role in improving the local and regional food systems and engage many more people in these critical issues.

The Agricultural Program Director (APD) develops and implements The Trustees’ agricultural strategy, which is focused on a) nurturing a growing network of Community Farms throughout the Commonwealth, b) increasing the amount of sustainably produced food in Massachusetts, and c) working to improve food access for all. The APD leverages The Trustees statewide agricultural work, including partnerships with a growing number of collaborators, to improve the public’s access to local fresh food and, when possible, connections with sustainable agricultural landscapes. Given The Trustees active affiliations, the existing network of farms, and the engagement opportunities with Trustees’ members and visitors, the Agricultural Program Director has a unique opportunity to realize The Trustees potential as a leading farm and community garden resource in the region.

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Click here for more information about all the current openings with The Trustees.

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