News Headlines
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New England Had More Smog Days in Summer 2012, but Long-Term Trend of Cleaner Air Continues
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Showing Buried Streams the Daylight
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Riparian Buffers Keep Nutrient Pollution at Bay
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Trading Coal For Gas: A Devil’s Bargain
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Berkshire Environmental Educators Network’s (BEEN) 9th Annual Educator’s Conference Call for Presenters
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List of G.E. Documents submitted to Repositories from September 2, 2012 through September 15, 2012
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Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries Annual Bird Seed Sale 2012
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Project Native’s Fall Planting Sale
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Balancing Nature and Commerce in Rural Communities and Landscapes
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Wildlife Habitat Grants Available For Landowners
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FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants
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Landscape Partnership Program
New England Had More Smog Days in Summer 2012, but Long-Term Trend of Cleaner Air Continues
As the 2012 summer ozone season comes to an end, EPA today confirmed that New Englanders experienced a modest increase in the number of poor air quality days this year, compared to 2011.
Based on preliminary data collected between April and September, there were 29 days when ozone monitors in New England recorded concentrations above the air quality health standard. By contrast, in 2011 there were a total of 16 unhealthy ozone days. However, over the longer term air quality in New England continues to improve.
The number of unhealthy ozone days in each state this summer were as follows: 27 days in Connecticut (compared to 14 in 2011); 17 days in Massachusetts (10 in 2011); 12 days in Rhode Island (6 in 2011); 4 days in Maine (3 in 2011); 4 days in New Hampshire (2 in 2011); and 0 days in Vermont (1 in 2011). Ground-level ozone is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups when average concentrations exceed 0.075 parts per million over an 8-hour period.
The increase in the number of days with unhealthy air this summer was directly related to the increase in the number of hot days this summer. Intense sunshine and hot weather influence the formation of ozone; many areas of New England had more days exceeding 90 degrees this summer than during last summer. Although the 2012 ozone season is ending, pollution from small particles in the air is a year-round concern.
Although warm temperatures this summer led to an increase in unhealthy days, over the long-term, New England has experienced a decreasing number of unhealthy ozone days. For example, in 1983, New England had 113 unhealthy days, compared with 29 this summer, a 74 percent decline.
“When we look back to the air quality conditions a generation ago, we can feel proud of the advances we have made in reducing air pollution,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England regional office. “The unhealthy days we experienced this summer, however, remind us that our efforts to improve air quality must continue. All of us can make a difference by choosing to drive cleaner, fuel efficient cars and conserving energy in our daily lives.”
Ground-level ozone (smog) is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) chemically react in the presence of sunlight. Cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses give off the majority of the pollution that makes ozone. Fossil fuel burning at electric generating stations, also produce significant amounts of smog-making pollution. Gas stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, also contribute to smog formation.
More information and Useful Resources:
– Free daily air quality forecasts (www.epa.gov/ne/aqi)
– National air quality smart phone apps: (http://www.airnow.gov/)
– New England air quality summaries (1983 – 2012): (www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/standard.html)
– Preliminary detailed information on 2012 air quality information in New England (www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/o3exceed-12.html)
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Learn More about the Latest EPA News & Events in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/newsevents/index.html)
Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)
More info on EPA’s Environmental Results in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/results/index.html)
Showing Buried Streams the Daylight
from EPA’s Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Program
Dark, wet and ever-flowing, but rarely seen. If you live in a city, they are all around you, but you would never even know it. They are buried streams—waterways that once flowed over land but were routed into underground pipes to make way for urban development. New EPA research suggests that these buried streams may contribute to the degradation of water quality in this country. Consequently, scientists offer a simple solution: un-bury the streams. Read More
BEAT Note: How about un-burying “Taconte Brook” (not an official name – it is the little brook that runs from Taconic High School land, through Conte Elementary School land, and then goes into a pipe to reach the West Branch of the Housatonic River?
Riparian Buffers Keep Nutrient Pollution at Bay
from EPA’s Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Program
Letting trees and other vegetation grow along stream and river banks is a relatively inexpensive and environmentally effective way to reduce the amount of excess nitrogen runoff reaching the water. But how wide do these riparian buffer areas need to be to achieve the desired effects? Find out here. http://epa.gov/research/sciencematters/sept2012/riparian.htm
Trading Coal For Gas: A Devil’s Bargain
from 350.org
We have a critical opportunity in the next week to stand up for a fossil fuel-free future in Massachusetts. The state Energy Facilities Siting Board is accepting public comments on a proposed new natural gas plant in Salem until next Wednesday, October 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Let’s let the Board know that a new gas plant cannot be part of a sustainable energy future in Massachusetts! Please mail your comments to: M. Kathryn Sedor, Presiding Officer, Energy Facilities Siting Board, One South Station, Boston, MA 02110. Please also e-mail a copy of your comments to info@350ma.org so we can keep a record.
There’s an irony here: the gas plant is being proposed on the site of the retiring Salem Harbor coal plant, meaning that Massachusetts would be trading one dirty fossil fuel for another. This plant would emit up to 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, while also spurring an increase in fracking – a toxic gas drilling technique that’s already poisoning the air and water of local communities all over the country. According to the New England Power Generators Association, this proposed plant isn’t even needed because our regional electric grid has excess generating capacity!
After years of tireless campaigning, health and climate activists in Massachusetts won a critical victory last May when Salem Harbor’s owners announced it would shut down in 2014. Let’s follow this up by letting our state officials know that a new gas plant is not the solution to Massachusetts’ climate and energy challenges. Thanks for all you do, 350 Massachusetts
Berkshire Environmental Educators Network’s (BEEN) 9th Annual Educator’s Conference Call for Presenters
Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 8:30-2:30
Berkshire Community College
BEEN’s Educators Conference provides an opportunity to experience new and innovative environmental science teaching methods and lesson ideas in workshops led by inspirational teachers and environmental educators from throughout Berkshire County and Western MA.
We are looking for presenters to lead 80 minute interactive environmental science workshops. Preference will be given to workshops that meet one or more of the goals of the conference:
- Place-based Environmental Studies
- Integrating Math and/or ELA into Science
- Inquiry Investigation
- Next Generation Science Standards
Participants should leave your workshop with a new lesson or activities to implement in their classrooms.
We are offering a $90 stipend to teachers as an added incentive to lead workshops on an environmental science project they have implemented in their classroom.
Teacher workshop leaders will present during one session and attend two other workshops.
If you are interested in presenting, but are concerned about how to put a workshop together, please contact me at:
sbergman@flyingcloudinstitute.org
To lead a workshop please complete the Presenter form at the following link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dC1OdlJsdjE3SC1GSE03RkhoaExsWnc6MA
Forms must be received by October 12, 2012
Rough Agenda:
7:45 Presenter Registration Opens
8:00-8:20 Participant Registration
8:30-8:55 Welcome
9:10-10:30 Workshop Session 1
10:40-12:00 Workshop Session 2
12:00-1:00 Lunch and Networking
1:10-2:30 Workshop Session 3
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me by e-mail.
Best
Stephanie
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Stephanie Bergman
Coordinator, Berkshire Environmental Educators Network (BEEN)
413-229-3321
sbergman@flyingcloudinstitute.org
www.flyingcloudinstitute.org
Documents submitted to Repositories from September 2, 2012 through September 15, 2012
Documents submitted to the Berkshire Athenaeum
Letter (with attached report) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Richard Fisher (USEPA), September 6, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Groundwater Management Area 1 (GECD310); East Street Area 1 LNAPL Volatilization Assessment Interim Data Report
Letter (with attached report) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), September 7, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Monthly Status Report Pursuant to Consent Decree August 2012 (GECD900)
Letter (with attached report) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Michael Gorski (MADEP), September 6, 2012, Re: August 2012 Monthly Status Report; GE Pittsfield ACO/MCP Activities
Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA), GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Non-Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD720); Summary of August 2012 Inspection Activities for the Group 4C Floodplain Properties
Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA), Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Residential and Non-Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD710 and GECD720); Summary of August 2012 Inspection Activities at the Remediated Phase 2 Residential Floodplain Properties
Letter (with attachments) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA), Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Floodplain Residential Properties Adjacent to 1½ Mile Reach of Housatonic River (GECD710); Summary of August 2012 Inspection Activities for the Phase 3 Floodplain Properties
Letter (with attachment) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dave Dickerson (USEPA), September 14, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Silver Lake Area (GECD600); Notification of Exceedance of Ambient Air PCB Notification and Action Levels
Documents submitted to the Connecticut Repositories
Letter (with attached report) from Richard W. Gates (GE) to Dean Tagliaferro (USEPA) and Michael Gorski (MADEP), September 7, 2012, Re: GE-Pittsfield/Housatonic River Site; Monthly Status Report Pursuant to Consent Decree August 2012 (GECD900)
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Support our Sanctuaries while feeding your backyard friends!
Mass Audubon’s Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries Annual Bird Seed Sale 2012
Benefit Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries by purchasing high quality birdseed during our Annual Birdseed Sale Fundraiser. We offer the highest quality seed. This year we are featuring a new provider—Blue Seal Feeds. A new offering is white safflower seed. Also, please note changes in available bag weights.
- Song Maker Premium Mix is a blend of striped and black oil sunflower, sunflower chips, peanut hearts, fine cracked corn, and white millet—a good all-around mix for a variety of species.
- Ultra-Clean Black Oil Sunflower is high in energy and protein—the preferred seed for many species.
- Sunflower Chips are black oil seeds, but without the husks, for less cleanup under your feeder.
- Thistle Seed (Nyger), is an excellent food for finches.
- Fine ground Cracked Corn can be used for ground-feeding birds such as doves.
- White Safflower Seed is reputed to be less desirable to squirrels.
- High Energy Suet Cakes will fit in standard wire suet feeders.
- Nutty Treat Suet Cakes contain peanuts.
We are also offering Mass Audubon’s A Guide to Backyard Birds, a full-color laminated guide featuring more than 50 birds you might see at your backyard feeder.
TO ORDER:
Call or stop by for an order form:
Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries, 472 West Mountain Rd., Lenox, MA 01240. 413-637-0320
Orders are due by Wednesday, October 17, 2012.
PICK UP
When: Saturday November 3, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary 472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox, MA 01240
Project Native’s Fall Planting Sale
Balancing Nature and Commerce in Rural Communities and Landscapes
Date: February 4-6, 2013
Location: National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, WV
Course Description:
During this 3-day course community-based teams will focus on the economics, community character, natural resources, and partnership building skills necessary for creating sustainable communities. Teams will identify opportunities to differentiate their communities based upon their unique assets, have the opportunity to hear the latest trends in bringing alternative energy or transportation or sustainable agriculture practices to their rural communities, and develop specific action plans for implementation when they return home!
Community Leaders & Citizens:
- Are you interested in strengthening your community’s capacity to manage economic and demographic changes in your area sustainably?
- Is your local economy vunerable rather than vibrant? Are you struggling to keep your younger generations from leaving the area?
- Conversely, is your rural community feeling the pressures of rapid growth, increasing tourism, or resource development?
- Is your community concerned about losing its unique character and special places?
- Is your community seeking a better relationship with large landowners–whether public land managers or private sector interests such as agricultural or forestry concerns?
Public Land Managers:
- Are you interested in improving communications and partnerships with nearby communities?
- Are you feeling the pressures of reduced budgets and changes in visitor patterns?
- Are you interested in opportunities for improved resource management by addressing adjacent land issues in your surrounding community?
Private Landowners & Businesses:
- Are you interested in improving communications and partnerships with nearby communities?
- Do you want to invigorate economic opportunities in your community and grow your business?
- Do you want to strengthen your community’s capacity to compete economically?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then consider putting together a community team and attending this course!
Application Deadline: January 4, 2013! The tuition fee for accepted teams is $595/team.
Wildlife Habitat Grants Available For Landowners
From MassWildlife
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) invites farmers, woodlot owners, and other private landowners who want to actively manage their property to benefit wildlife to apply for a Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) grant. LIP is designed to reimburse private landowners up to 75% of the total project cost of managing lands to improve habitat for declining types of wildlife in the Commonwealth. The application deadline is October 12, 2012. Eligible applicants must successfully complete their proposed project by June 30, 2013. State and municipal agencies are not eligible for this funding. LIP information and application documents are posted at: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/grants/lip/lip_home.htm.
Since 2005, MassWildlife’s Landowner Incentive Program has funded 157 wildlife habitat projects and provided technical assistance to private landowners from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. Past projects have benefited a wide array of species-at-risk across the Commonwealth including but not limited to, enhancement of beach habitat for shorebird breeding, creation of grassland-bird breeding habitat, and habitat maintenance for rare turtles. Through the LIP, MassWildlife has contributed close to $3.5 million for the conservation of declining species on private land over the LIP’s six-year history.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are inviting communities, state agencies, and tribal governments and territories to submit applications for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 2013 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program. These competitive grants assist applicants with hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of hazard mitigation projects to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property due to natural hazards. DCR and MEMA will provide technical assistance to potential applicants upon request. For complete grant details, see the 2013 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Guidance. Full applications are due by December 5.
Landscape Partnership Program
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the FY 2013 Landscape Partnership Program, which will offer competitive grants to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and EEA agencies to help fund partnership projects that permanently protect a minimum of 500 acres of land and develop natural resources protection zoning or open space residential design in municipalities. This program seeks to preserve large, unfragmented, high value conservation landscapes (including working forests and farms), expand state-municipal-private partnerships, increase leveraging of state dollars, enhance stewardship of conservation land, and provide public access opportunities. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for solicitation number “ENV 13 DCS 04.” Proposals are due by October 22.