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The BEAT News

August 20, 2008

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In the News

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators)

DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshires
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22 Tires, 2 Barrels, and a TV

First Church really cleans up

On Saturday, August 16th members of First Church of Christ in Pittsfield, joined folks from Berkshire Environmental Action Team, The Trustees of Reservations, the Housatonic River Museum, and other volunteers for a river cleanup at Fred Garner Park. In just under three hours the crew pulled out 22 tires - including one enormous and heavy truck tire - two metal barrels and a plastic garbage barrel, a television set, and several bags of trash.

The group met at Fred Garner Park on Pomeroy Ave. in Pittsfield, and started cleaning at the confluence; where the east and west branches of the Housatonic River meet. From there they worked their way up the west branch of the river as far as they could clean in two hours. They then had to haul everything they collected back out to the parking lot, where the City of Pittsfield will haul everything away for proper disposal. The City Conservation Agent made sure the gate to the park was unlocked and provided large, tough garbage bags for the cleanup.

At the end of the cleanup, workers were greeted with lunch provided by members of First Church.

The cleanup was organized by First Church of Christ, Berkshire Environmental Action Team, The Trustees of Reservations, Housatonic River Museum, Housatonic Valley Association, and the City of Pittsfield.


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Instream Flow MesoHABSIM Course

Rushing Rivers is happy to announce the next professional course in application of MesoHABSIM. The most rapidly adopted method for fish and invertebrate community habitat simulation. Already applied in the Northeast, Texas, Wyoming, and Europe. This peer-reviewed and published method serves as a model for state wide flow regulations, river restoration planning, watershed management and as an exciting research tool. Learn the basics of the approach, use of the software and data collection in 5 days and gain competitive advantage in environmental consulting. This detailed training is on the heels of introductory continuing eduction course offered by the American Fisheries Society at the annual meeting in Ottawa. It is also featured at the Flow08 conference organized by the Instream Flow Council. For more information about the course and registration see: www.RushingRivers.org. or check it out at YouTube. You can also become a certified MesoHABSIM User by joining the Partnership program of Rushing Rivers. See Rushing River's website for details.

Piotr Parasiewicz
Rushing Rivers Institute
264 N. Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
tel: 413 687 4740
fax: 440 425 2028
url: www.RushingRivers.org


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Stop the Department of Justice from opening up trails to ATVs! 

Hiking on trails far away from traffic, noice, exhaust, and other "civilized" disturbances is inherent in the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) long efforts to provide outdoor recreational experiences to everyone. Whether we are hiking in the Delaware Water Gap, the Presidentials, or the Highlands, we treasure the remoteness and tranquility found in the forests, mountains, and streams. Currently, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which could change those tranquil moments by allowing off-road vehicles or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) access to our trails.

Creating outdoor recreation opportunities that are accessible to those with disabilities is an important responsibility for government at all levels as well as for organizations like the AMC that provide public recreation activities. The AMC actively promotes accessibility opportunities, and has constructed accessible trails, campsites, and facilities in our effort to provide recreational opportunities to people of all ages and all abilities.

The DOJ rule proposes a broad definition of "other power-driven mobility devices" which could allow high-powered, internal combustion all-terrain ATVs on trails that are not intended, designed, or appropriate for motorized recreational use. This expansive definition puts the burden on agencies to develop reasonable modifications to policy to permit the use of other power-driven mobility devices and will: confuse both the visiting public and land managers with mixed messages on appropriate use; allow motorized vehicles where they are not expressly prohibited; cause damage to trail treadway that is not designed to accomodate power-driven devices; increase the buden on volunteers maintaining the trail; potentially damage natural and cultural resources during off-trail travel; detract from the "Trail Experience" for other users; discourage the creation of Accessible alternatives; establish a precedent for the permissible use of yet-to-be invented devices;and create a virtually un-enforceable policy for use of other power-driven mobility devices by people without disabilities.

Comments are needed to the DOJ today to keep these trails non-motorized.

Additional information and text of the proposed language is available at:
http://www.ada.gov/NPRM2008/ADAnprm08.htm

Take Action: Please tell the Department of Justice that this initiative is potentially devastating to what we value about the Appalachian Trail and to other trails and areas in our forests and parks.

Your comments are needed to the DOJ on proposed changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please take a few minutes today to send your comments. Comments must be received by DOJ by August 18. When submitting comments electronically, you must include "CRT Docket No. 105" in the subject box, and you must include your full name and address. Submit electronic comments and other data to:
http://www.regulations.gov

Put "CRT Docket No. 105" in the search box to find the right rule revision to comment on.

Send your comments to the Department of Justice today to keep our trails non-motorized.

Send your letter to the following decision maker(s):

Department of Justice


Below are the bullet points for your letter:

Subject: Comments CRT Docket No. 105

Dear Department of Justice,

  • Open with your experience and connections to the outdoors, particularly experiences hiking in quiet and secluded areas.
  • State that you support the accessibility of all people to outdoor recreational activities (and perhaps provide personal examples where disabled individuals have participated in outdoor activities).
  • Say that the proposed language - in particular the definition of "other power-driven mibility devices" is a well-meaning effort to promote accessibility, but that it has the strong potential to end up increasing damage to the trails and surrounding natural resources, increasing maintenance, repair, and enforcement burdens and severly damaging the outdoor experience of hikers and others seeking to experience nature.
  • Thank them for the opportunity to comment and be sure to include your name and address.

Sincerely,

[Your name and full address here]

What's At Stake:

The United States Department of Justice is proposing revisions to the Americans with Disabilities Act that would allow a wide range of "power-driven mobility devices" - which would include Segways, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, and other 4-wheel drive vehicles - on pedestrian trails. The Appalachian Trail and other traditional backcountry areas in our national parks and forests could be opened to ATVs and other "power-driven mobility devices".

Make sure to put in "CRT Docket No. 105" in the search box to find the right rule revision to comment on.

Also, please put the "CRT Docket No. 105" in the subject line of your comments and be sure to add your full name and address.

Thank you for your action!

Heather Clish
Deputy Director of Conservation
Appalachian Mountain Club
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