2007 Summer Internships with The Nature Conservancy
The following types of internships are being sought by the Berkshire Taconic Landscape of The Nature Conservancy:
(2 openings) Ecological Restoration and Wildlife Management Interns
(5 openings) Wetland Restoration Crew members
These positions are currently being filled with applicants through the Student Conservation Association. If you are interested in any of the below positions please contact Angela Sirois via the below information.
Angela Marie Sirois Stewardship and Restoration Specialist The Nature Conservancy Berkshire Taconic Landscape Program
413.229.0232 ext 225
413.446.0378 cell phone
Wetland Restoration Crew
Position Description
Interns will work as a crew (5-6) to implement a comprehensive effort to control invasive species within a globally rare wetland system. The crew will focus their efforts at Kampoosa Bog (http://www.kampoosa.org/) in Stockbridge, MA along with supporting other ecological restoration activities throughout the Berkshire Taconic Landscapes (BTL) preserves in MA, NY, and CT. The crew will be responsible for mapping, monitoring, and removal of invasive species (especially Phragmites australis) through the use of a glyphosate herbicide. Daily activities include preparation of equipment, possible entrance to site via canoes, treatment of invasive species, and removal of vegetation. Restoration crew will also get to work with volunteers, teaching them about the threats of invasive species, treatment techniques, and educating them about the unique natural history of Kampoosa Bog. Other responsibilities may include assistance in general stewardship activities in Kampoosa Bog, such as boardwalk construction, ecological monitoring, and equipment maintenance.
Ecological Restoration and Wildlife Management Interns Position Description
Interns will work as a small crew (2-3) to implement a variety of management actions to restore globally significant wetlands, enabling them to continue to harbor a number of rare species. Restoration will be focused on two wetland sites. Interns will be responsible for assisting in the mapping, monitoring, and removal of invasive plant species from within and around the wetlands. Some time will also be spent monitoring the rare reptile species through habitat surveys and telemetry. Interns will also assist with general stewardship of over 3,000 acres within the Berkshire Taconic Landscape (BTL) that The Nature Conservancy (TNC) owns or holds easements over. These tasks include trail maintenance, boundary marking, easement monitoring, and equipment maintenance. On occasion there will be time spent attending workshops and making site visits to TNC perseveres in MA, NY, and CT. The Nature Conservancy often relies on the help of volunteers to meet our ambitious conservation actions, so interns will be both working with and supervising small groups of volunteers.
Battle Invasives in the Berkshires 4/21, 4/28, 5/6, 5/20
Location: Schenob Brook, Sheffield, MA
Date:
Saturday, April 21st
Sunday, May 6th
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
- - - - - - -
Location:Kampoosa Bog, Stockbridge MA
Date:
Saturday, April 28th
Sunday, May 20th
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
- -- - -
Overview:
Experience the beautiful and rare wetlands of the Berkshire Taconic Landscape, while assisting staff in the fight against invasive plants. Learn how to identify and remove these unwelcome guests, and then use your new skills in the field. Please wear rubber boots or hiking boots and clothes you won't mind getting muddy. Also bring a lunch, plenty of water and work gloves.
Registration:
Please sign up at least one week in advance. To register orfor more information about locations, rain dates and other volunteer opportunities in the Berkshires, please contact Angela Marie Sirois at 413-229-0232, ext. 225 or asirois@tnc.org.
Name & Citation of Regulation(s): 310 CMR 74.00, 75.00 and 70.00 : Mercury-Added Vehicle Switch Regulations, Collection and Recycling of Mercury-Added Products Regulations, and Environmental Results Program Certification
Brief Explanation and Rationale for Proposed Changes:
The “Massachusetts Mercury Management Act” which was signed into law on July 28, 2006, is designed to keep mercury out of our trash and wastewater, where it is released into the environment. The law requires manufacturers of products containing mercury to collect “end of life” products to recycle the mercury and phase out the sale of certain products containing mercury. The law also establishes specific requirements for mercury switches in vehicles, and for lamps that contain mercury.
The Mercury Management Act requires MassDEP to oversee the programs and initiatives established to meet the Act’s goals, and contains deadlines for implementing them. MassDEP is proposing regulations that will govern the three new programs with the earliest deadlines and/or timeframes:
Removing mercury-added switches and other components from end-of-life vehicles: vehicle recyclers and scrap recycling facilities must have started removing mercury-added components from end-of-life vehicles in October 2006. Automobile manufacturers have funded and started a program to collect the removed switches and transport them to a mercury recycling facility. Any manufacturers who produced vehicles with mercury-added switches but who are not participating in the on-going collection/recycling program must set up their own program by August 1, 2007;
Collecting and recycling end-of-life mercury-added products: manufacturers must file plans with MassDEP by May 1, 2007
Collecting and recycling mercury-added lamps: manufacturers must implement a public education program by January 1, 2007 and meet specific recycling targets by the end of December 2008.
Public hearings will be conducted under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30A on:
Tuesday April 17 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
205B Lowell Street
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Wednesday April 18 at 10 AM
Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street, 2 nd Floor Conference Room
Boston, Massachusetts
Thursday April 19 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
436 Dwight Street, Room B42
Springfield, Massachusetts
Tuesday April 24 at 10 AM
Department of Environmental Protection
973 Iyannough Road, Route 132
Hyannis, MA
Tuesday April 24 at 2 PM
Mansfield Town Hall, Selectman’s Meeting Room
6 Park Row
Mansfield, MA
Wednesday April 25 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner’s Conference Room
627 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts
Testimony may be presented orally or in writing at the public hearings. Persons planning to give oral testimony at the hearings are encouraged to also provide a written summary. Written comments will also be accepted until 5:00 PM on Monday May 7, 2007. Written testimony must be submitted to:
Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Waste Prevention
One Winter Street 8 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Attn: Lori Segall
Copies of the proposed regulations and background information are available from DEP’s web site at http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/publiche.htm. In addition, copies are available for inspection during normal business hours at: the Bureau of Waste Prevention, One Winter Street, Boston, MA, DEP’s four regional offices, or by contacting Lori Segall at 617-654-6595.
2007 Summer Internships with The Nature Conservancy
The following types of internships are being sought by the Berkshire Taconic Landscape of The Nature Conservancy:
(2 openings) Ecological Restoration and Wildlife Management Interns
(5 openings) Wetland Restoration Crew members
These positions are currently being filled with applicants through the Student Conservation Association. If you are interested in any of the below positions please contact Angela Sirois via the below information.
Angela Marie Sirois Stewardship and Restoration Specialist The Nature Conservancy Berkshire Taconic Landscape Program
413.229.0232 ext 225
413.446.0378 cell phone
Wetland Restoration Crew
Position Description
Interns will work as a crew (5-6) to implement a comprehensive effort to control invasive species within a globally rare wetland system. The crew will focus their efforts at Kampoosa Bog (http://www.kampoosa.org/) in Stockbridge, MA along with supporting other ecological restoration activities throughout the Berkshire Taconic Landscapes (BTL) preserves in MA, NY, and CT. The crew will be responsible for mapping, monitoring, and removal of invasive species (especially Phragmites australis) through the use of a glyphosate herbicide. Daily activities include preparation of equipment, possible entrance to site via canoes, treatment of invasive species, and removal of vegetation. Restoration crew will also get to work with volunteers, teaching them about the threats of invasive species, treatment techniques, and educating them about the unique natural history of Kampoosa Bog. Other responsibilities may include assistance in general stewardship activities in Kampoosa Bog, such as boardwalk construction, ecological monitoring, and equipment maintenance.
Ecological Restoration and Wildlife Management Interns Position Description
Interns will work as a small crew (2-3) to implement a variety of management actions to restore globally significant wetlands, enabling them to continue to harbor a number of rare species. Restoration will be focused on two wetland sites. Interns will be responsible for assisting in the mapping, monitoring, and removal of invasive plant species from within and around the wetlands. Some time will also be spent monitoring the rare reptile species through habitat surveys and telemetry. Interns will also assist with general stewardship of over 3,000 acres within the Berkshire Taconic Landscape (BTL) that The Nature Conservancy (TNC) owns or holds easements over. These tasks include trail maintenance, boundary marking, easement monitoring, and equipment maintenance. On occasion there will be time spent attending workshops and making site visits to TNC perseveres in MA, NY, and CT. The Nature Conservancy often relies on the help of volunteers to meet our ambitious conservation actions, so interns will be both working with and supervising small groups of volunteers.
Battle Invasives in the Berkshires 4/21, 4/28, 5/6, 5/20
Location: Schenob Brook, Sheffield, MA
Date:
Saturday, April 21st
Sunday, May 6th
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
- - - - - - -
Location:Kampoosa Bog, Stockbridge MA
Date:
Saturday, April 28th
Sunday, May 20th
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
- -- - -
Overview:
Experience the beautiful and rare wetlands of the Berkshire Taconic Landscape, while assisting staff in the fight against invasive plants. Learn how to identify and remove these unwelcome guests, and then use your new skills in the field. Please wear rubber boots or hiking boots and clothes you won't mind getting muddy. Also bring a lunch, plenty of water and work gloves.
Registration:
Please sign up at least one week in advance. To register orfor more information about locations, rain dates and other volunteer opportunities in the Berkshires, please contact Angela Marie Sirois at 413-229-0232, ext. 225 or asirois@tnc.org.
Name & Citation of Regulation(s): 310 CMR 74.00, 75.00 and 70.00 : Mercury-Added Vehicle Switch Regulations, Collection and Recycling of Mercury-Added Products Regulations, and Environmental Results Program Certification
Brief Explanation and Rationale for Proposed Changes:
The “Massachusetts Mercury Management Act” which was signed into law on July 28, 2006, is designed to keep mercury out of our trash and wastewater, where it is released into the environment. The law requires manufacturers of products containing mercury to collect “end of life” products to recycle the mercury and phase out the sale of certain products containing mercury. The law also establishes specific requirements for mercury switches in vehicles, and for lamps that contain mercury.
The Mercury Management Act requires MassDEP to oversee the programs and initiatives established to meet the Act’s goals, and contains deadlines for implementing them. MassDEP is proposing regulations that will govern the three new programs with the earliest deadlines and/or timeframes:
Removing mercury-added switches and other components from end-of-life vehicles: vehicle recyclers and scrap recycling facilities must have started removing mercury-added components from end-of-life vehicles in October 2006. Automobile manufacturers have funded and started a program to collect the removed switches and transport them to a mercury recycling facility. Any manufacturers who produced vehicles with mercury-added switches but who are not participating in the on-going collection/recycling program must set up their own program by August 1, 2007;
Collecting and recycling end-of-life mercury-added products: manufacturers must file plans with MassDEP by May 1, 2007
Collecting and recycling mercury-added lamps: manufacturers must implement a public education program by January 1, 2007 and meet specific recycling targets by the end of December 2008.
Public hearings will be conducted under the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 30A on:
Tuesday April 17 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
205B Lowell Street
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Wednesday April 18 at 10 AM
Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street, 2 nd Floor Conference Room
Boston, Massachusetts
Thursday April 19 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
436 Dwight Street, Room B42
Springfield, Massachusetts
Tuesday April 24 at 10 AM
Department of Environmental Protection
973 Iyannough Road, Route 132
Hyannis, MA
Tuesday April 24 at 2 PM
Mansfield Town Hall, Selectman’s Meeting Room
6 Park Row
Mansfield, MA
Wednesday April 25 at 1 PM
Department of Environmental Protection
Commissioner’s Conference Room
627 Main Street
Worcester, Massachusetts
Testimony may be presented orally or in writing at the public hearings. Persons planning to give oral testimony at the hearings are encouraged to also provide a written summary. Written comments will also be accepted until 5:00 PM on Monday May 7, 2007. Written testimony must be submitted to:
Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Waste Prevention
One Winter Street 8 th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Attn: Lori Segall
Copies of the proposed regulations and background information are available from DEP’s web site at http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/publiche.htm. In addition, copies are available for inspection during normal business hours at: the Bureau of Waste Prevention, One Winter Street, Boston, MA, DEP’s four regional offices, or by contacting Lori Segall at 617-654-6595.
Apply now for USDA Rural Development Energy Funding
USDA Rural Development invites grant, guaranteed loan, and combined guaranteed loan and grant applications for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption. All projects must be for a pre-commercial or commercially available technology. Grant requests up to 25% of total eligible project costs are encouraged, not to exceed $500,000 for renewable energy and $250,000 for energy efficiency projects. Minimum total eligible project costs to qualify for grants are $10,000 for renewable energy and $6,000 for energy efficiency projects. Loan Guarantees can be issued for up to 50% of total eligible project costs, not to exceed $10 million. Minimum total eligible project costs to qualify for a guaranteed loan is $10,000 for both renewable and efficiency projects. A combination grant and guaranteed loan option is also available for up to 50% of total eligible project costs, with the grant portion not to exceed 25% of total eligible project costs. Costs incurred before determining eligibility of the application for both grants and loan guarantees are not eligible. In addition, funds are not available for residential use.
Grant applications must be submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than May 18, 2007. Applications for guaranteed loans and combined guaranteed loan and grant packages must be submitted to the appropriate USDA Rural Development State Office no later than July 2, 2007. Combination packages will compete and be awarded on a bi-weekly basis until funds are exhausted. Guaranteed loan applications will be accepted and processed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. The amount of grant funds available in FY2007 is $11.385 million, of which 50% will be reserved for the grant portion of the combination grant and guaranteed loan packages. Funding will also be available for loan guarantees up to $176.5 million. Any unused guaranteed loan funding as of August 1, 2007 may be pooled and revert to grant funding.
For more information, please refer to the Federal Register Announcement dated March 22, 2007. You may also visit the main webpage for the program. Applicants may submit grant-only applications to the Agency in either electronic or paper format as indicated in the Federal Register Announcement.
From
Gore's Legislative Recommendations to the House. By David Roberts, Gristmill, Grist Magazine, March 21, 2007. A summary of Gore's ten legislative recommendations. Also on the website: a 38-minute video of Gore's opening statement before the House Energy Subcommittee.
An immediate "carbon freeze" that would cap U.S. CO2 emissions at current levels, followed by a... 90% reductions by 2050.
Start a long-term tax shift to reduce payroll taxes and increase taxes on CO2 emissions.
Put aside a portion of carbon tax revenues to help low-income people make the transition.
Create a strong international treaty by working toward "de facto compliance with Kyoto" and moving up the start date for Kyoto's successor from 2012 to 2010.
Implement a moratorium on construction of new coal-fired power plants that are not compatible with carbon capture and sequestration.
Create an "ELECTRANET" -- a smart electricity grid that allows individuals and businesses to feed power back in at prevailing market rates.
Raise CAFE standards.
Set a date for a ban on incandescent light bulbs.
Create "Connie Mae," a carbon-neutral mortgage association, to help defray the upfront costs of energy-efficient building.
Have the SEC require disclosure of carbon emissions in corporate reporting, as a relevant "material risk."
The trails in our parks are used by a diversity of recreational users. One such use is by off highway vehicles (OHVs), such as ATVs and off-road motorcycles. OHV use on public lands has been growing nationally, by as much as 300% in many areas, over the last decade. In Massachusetts, an estimated 90,000 households participate in OHV recreation on public lands. Historically, eight DCR forests have been open to OHV use. Unfortunately, with a growing population of enthusiasts; few legal riding areas; and inadequate past attention to the siting, construction and maintenance of designated trails; this activity has produced environmental degradation in many areas and touched off conflicts with other trail users. As a result, DCR is working to tackle this issue by developing a new policy for OHV trail use, siting, maintenance, and management.
The Policy Development Process
Recognizing the scale of the challenge and the range of interests, DCR adopted a regional, multi-stakeholder approach to the issue in 2005. We assembled an OHV working group composed of trails users, scientists, land managers, and others to expand the discussion and inform the agency's decisions. The most important task of this working group was to develop a set of objective criteria that could be used to assess the appropriateness of OHV use on any given DCR property.
The group's deliberations produced draft criteria that were presented in public meetings across the state in 2006. Public comments from these sessions were incorporated into the final policy. The new OHV policy establishes a two-tiered process for assessing and designing OHV trails, what we call a "coarse" and "fine" filter process. In the first stage, a GIS analysis is used to assess the extent of important natural resources on a property, including wetlands, drinking water supply resources, rare plant and animal habitats, priority natural communities, forest reserves, and steep slopes. This analysis will be used to determine if OHV use is at all compatible with the property. The second stage or fine filter seeks to address the specific siting, management, and maintenance of OHV trails. The policy also includes provisions to encourage safe and enjoyable motorized recreation areas, including mileage goals, coordination with local communities, and cooperation with local clubs and supporting organizations.
Last fall, the draft policy was submitted to the Stewardship Council (DCR's advisory board) for their review. In February, the Council approved the policy. The full policy is available on DCR's website at www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/orv .
DCR has now begun the process of applying the coarse filter criteria to the properties where OHV use is currently allowed - Beartown, F. Gilbert Hills, Franklin, Freetown - Fall River, Georgetown-Rowley, October Mountain, Pittsfield, Tolland and Wrentham State Forests. Depending on the outcome of this assessment, the agency may take action in the next few weeks to eliminate or reduce OHV use in specific properties prior to the riding season that begins May 1, 2007. The agency will hold public meetings in communities where designated OHV use changes.
Enforcement an Ongoing Concern
The Stewardship Council added an important condition to their approval of the new policy. Recognizing that illegal OHV use is widespread on public and private lands across the Commonwealth, the advisory body challenged the agency to produce a plan for addressing enforcement concerns by early August, 2007. Any plan to improve OHV enforcement must address penalties for misuse of these vehicles and the capacity of law enforcement agencies to catch law-breakers. Any process to strengthen OHV laws and regulations and bolster law enforcement capacity should involve the Legislature, multiple law enforcement agencies, environmental interests, land management entities, and motorized recreation enthusiasts. The agency is therefore initiating a process that encourages participation by these and other diverse interests and will proceed quickly to produce a plan for the council's review in early summer.
The Elements of Sustainable OHV Management
Growing demand for motorized trail recreation and a steadily decreasing supply of open space available for the sport will ensure that OHV recreation will continue to be one of the most polarizing challenges in trail recreation for the next decade. DCR believes that effective and sustainable management will requires three essential elements:
1. Legally designated riding areas designed, constructed, maintained, and managed specifically to accommodate this use,
2. Strengthened state laws, OHV regulations, and expanded enforcement capacity to deter illegal riding, and
3. Consistent information regarding safe and environmentally responsible motorized trail recreation coordinated among land managers, law enforcement agencies, dealers and manufacturers, and local clubs and riders.
This complex topic will continue to spark energetic debate. DCR will continue to encourage broad coalitions of stakeholders to work together in pursuit of all these essential elements. DCR is hopeful that the network of individuals, organizations, and decision-makers who have been engaged in this process so far and/ or who care about trails in Massachusetts will contribute to the consistent communication that is critical for effective and sustainable management.
To submit suggestions or questions, please contact DCR at mass.parks@state.ma.us or the agency's comment line at 617-626-4973.
Tips and Tools
(Resources, links, and publications)
DCR's Off-Highway Vehicle Policy has been adopted by DCR's Stewardship Council and is available at www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/orv.htm .
National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council website is at http://www.nohvcc.org/ .
Nominations Sought for Outstanding Trail Projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program: The Coalition for Recreational Trails is inviting nominations for outstanding trail projects in the categories of: construction and design; maintenance and rehabilitation; education and communication initiatives; accessibility enhancement; multiple-use management or "corridor sharing"; environment/wildlife compatibility; and use of youth conservation/service corps. Nominations are due April 20, 2007. For a Nomination Form and more information, contact paul.jahnige@state.ma.us .
