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In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators) DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire return to top |
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Proposed 50-megawatt wood fueled power plant to be located on the banks of the Westfield River. In a move that pits energy generation against the protection of our natural resources, a poorly designed power plant is planned for the banks of the Westfield River. It would pump excessive water from the Westfield River for its cooling technology resulting in dangerously low flow volumes. This would in turn endanger the salmon, trout, and other aquatic creatures living downstream from the project. In spite of this, the state has granted a Water Management Act Permit, allowing the plant to withdraw water for cooling. The Westfield River: crown jewel of $600 million salmon restoration effort. The Westfield River is a major tributary to the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River is one of only 14 American Heritage Rivers in the country and is New England’s largest watershed. The Westfield River was designated in 1993 as the Commonwealth’s first Wild & Scenic River, and is known for its rare and endangered wildlife species, fisheries resources, and recreational resources. The Westfield River is considered the "crown jewel" of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC) restoration effort, on which $600 million has been spent. Wood-fueled plants can be protective of water resources. All power plants must strike a balance between benefits and impacts to the environment. However, a look at other biomass plants around the country indicates that many have selected air cooling or else have been modified to be more protective of water resources. Please refer to “Lessons Learned from Existing Biomass Power Plants” published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in February 2000. Russell Biomass does not need to withdraw water from the Westfield River, but has clear options which protect aquatic life and are still competitive with other comparable facilities. In the rush for renewable energy, potentially negative impacts on the environment have been largely ignored – even by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Instead of insisting on a facility design and technologies that would protect the Westfield River, MassDEP has given the green light to the pumping of excessive volumes from the river even when the river is low, endangering wildlife that depend on the river including the valuable salmon and trout fishery. Failure to comply with the Water Management Act. MassDEP has issued a permit allowing the facility to pump up to .89 million gallons per day of water from the river, to be used onsite for the cooling tower. In addition to the fact that this permit puts at risk the environmental health of the river, it is also in violation of several of the provisions of the Water Management Act, the rules which govern how Water Withdrawal Permits are supposed to be issued. return to top |
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From Water Headlines - a weekly on-line publication that announces publications, policies, and activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water return to top |
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BRTA Input Meetings Meeting Schedule |
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National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) News - February 23, 2009 1. Green Infrastructure Webcast on March 3 1. Green Infrastructure Webcast on March 3 |
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Westfield River threatened. Please help. Professional scientists and wetland and waterways experts throughout the state are protesting the MA DEP's handling of the Russell Biomass water withdrawal permit. Now you can make your voice heard with them. Rob Moir of the Ocean River Institute has already gathered over 1900 signatures on a detailed sign-on letter protesting the handling of the Russell Biomass water withdrawal permit and the appeal. If you want to learn more about the history of the permit and appeal, and/or if you want to help preserve the Westfield River you can read the letter, add your own comment, and sign on with the others at this link: http://www.oceanriver.org/WestfieldRiverRussellMA.php |
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California Job Opportunity FIELD CREW LEADER (1) and RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (2) needed for study of acoustic disturbances to bird and carnivore communities in Sierra National Forest, in the central Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Primary responsibilities include re-locating and marking study sites, installing and checking acoustic monitoring equipment, conducting bird (point count and transect) surveys, and conducting carnivore (track plate) surveys. This project will provide a rich and challenging opportunity to build experience in diverse field techniques, explore the central Sierra Nevada range, and interact with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and environmental professionals. Qualifications: The field project will run for approximately 12 weeks (late May – mid August for the Crew Leader and early June – late August for the Research Assistants). You will be expected to work five days per week, but the weekly schedule (i.e., days off) will vary. A stipend for housing and compensation for driving your personal vehicle will be provided. Some camping may be necessary at distant sites. Salary is negotiable and will depend on qualifications and experience. Please send a cover letter and resume, including the names and contact information of three references, by email to: matt_dietz@tws.org Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until all three positions are filled. |
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Conservation District Sponsors Seedling Sale The nonprofit Berkshire Conservation District is sponsoring its yearly This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who suffered damage from the There are three Berkshire County pickup locations (Peru, Lanesboro, or For more information, request a brochure, or to volunteer call the |
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State Funds Available for Towns to Receive Municipal Energy Audits |
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News from MassWildlife BEARS AND BIRDFEEDERS If you feed birds and live in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County, or western Massachusetts, it’s time to think about removing bird feeders before bears emerge from hibernation. With the snow melting and longer day length, bears are will soon be leaving their winter dens. To avoid possible seasonal conflicts between people and bears in central and western Massachusetts, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is issuing its seasonal reminder that bird feeders should be taken down by mid-March and other preventive steps be taken. "There is little in the way of natural foods and bears learn to seek out high-energy human foods such as bird seed," says Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife Bear Project Leader. "This may lead to conflicts that pose hazards to both bears and people." Massachusetts is home to approximately 3,000 resident bears, with the majority living west of the Connecticut River. Bears also reside as far east as Worcester County and in northern Middlesex County. Bears have excellent long-term memories and remember which foods are available at different seasons, as well as where these foods can be found. Even if a feeder is inaccessible to bears, they will be attracted by the scent of seed and suet. Once they learn the location of these foods, bears will return. Bears are typically shy and fearful of people, but deliberate feeding or indirect availability of human food, coupled with a lack of harassment can cause bears to become accustomed to people. If bears lose their fear of people and develop a taste for human foodstuffs, bears can become bolder and may cause damage that ultimately results in harm to people or to the demise of the animal. If a bear is passing through a neighborhood without stopping, enjoy the sight. However, if the bear stops to feed on trash, bird seed, or other human generated foods, remove those foods after the bear has left and advise neighbors to do the same. Due to their fear of people, bears tend to leave a yard when people step outside and make noise. Keep garbage in airtight containers, securely stored in a cellar, garage, or shed. Put trash at roadside the day of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Keep doors to sheds and barns latched or locked to prevent bears from finding grain, sweet, or meaty foods. Refrain from feeding pets outdoors. Do not deposit sweet or meaty items in compost piles as bears will soon find them. In residential areas where bears are known to be present, the entire neighborhood must take recommended actions or bears will move from yard to yard seeking food. Cardoza noted that taking these actions also reduces problems with other common wildlife species such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. For more black bear information, go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_bears.htm. SHARE THE FUN OF FISHING, BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR If you have an interest in fishing and enjoy sharing this fun and relaxing activity with others, consider becoming a Volunteer Instructor with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s (MassWildlife) Angler Education Program. Volunteer Instructors are committed and enthusiastic outdoorsmen and women (15 years or older) who want to pass on the traditions, ethics and excitement of fishing and outdoor activities to beginners of all ages. The free instructor training workshop will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters in Westborough 10 AM – 4PM. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Though the training is free, pre-registration is required and a maximum number of 15 participants will be accepted. To register, contact Jim Lagacy, Program Coordinator at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us. This training session is specifically designed for people who can work as part of a team to teach fishing techniques, how to choose appropriate fishing equipment, ethics and laws, safety tips and aquatic ecology. Upon completion of the training, participants will be considered certified Angler Education Program Instructors In-Training with MassWildlife. Instructors are asked to participate in teaching fishing skills at fishing clinics and weekend family fishing events. A minimum annual commitment of 10 hours is expected of Volunteer Instructors. 2010 WILDLIFE STAMP COMPETITIONS NOW OPEN The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is asking interested wildlife artists to consider entering one or more of its three 2010 wildlife stamp competitions. Each year, MassWildlife issues three wildlife recreation-related stamps: an archery stamp, a primitive firearms stamp, and a waterfowl stamp. Income from the sale of these stamps supports wildlife research as well as the acquisition and management of key habitat areas. All three of the stamps feature artwork selected through competitions open to artists anywhere in the country. There is no cost to submit entries. Rules and regulations for the competitions are posted at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/stamp_info.htm. The deadline for entries to the archery and primitive firearms stamp competition is May 31, 2009; deadline for the waterfowl stamp is June 1, 2009. Wildlife stamps play an important wildlife management role in Massachusetts, generating about $300,000 annually. These funds are used to enhance critical wildlife habitat. All of the stamps are issued both in full-color hard copy and in a black-and-white stamped version for those who opt to purchase their licenses online. The stamps are required of licensed hunters who hunt deer during the archery or primitive firearms season or hunters pursuing migratory birds. Highly collectible for many hunters, these stamps are also sought by other conservationists and stamp collectors. Through these competitions, the MassWildlife obtains the right to produce the designated stamp featuring the winning artwork. The artist retains ownership of the artwork and the right to sell prints, which are of specific interest to members of conservation organizations such as the Massachusetts Bowhunters' Association, Ducks Unlimited, and beyond. Complete sets of all three stamps are on display at MassWildlife's Field Headquarters in Westborough. Collectors wishing to purchase stamps from past years should call Mary Cavaliere in the MassWildlife Boston office at (617) 626-1577. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem has a limited quantity of waterfowl stamps and stamp sets available for collectors. The Massachusetts Waterfowl Stamps and Prints, a loose-leaf binder with a detailed history of the waterfowl stamp program from its inception to the present was published by the Peabody Essex Museum and is available for purchase. Contact the Museum at www.pem.org or call (978) 744-3390. Information and regulations governing the three stamp competitions can be found at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/licensing/stamps/stamp_info.htm or by calling Jill Durand at (508) 389-6301. For more details on the stamp competitions, contact Ellie Horwitz at ellie.horwitz@state.ma.us or call (508) 389-6305. LATE WINTER ICE SAFETY As the winter months come to a close, the variable temperatures experienced in the state in the past week means the condition of ice on the Bay State's waterbodies is unpredictable and could be treacherous. Outdoor enthusiasts need to play it safe and check ice carefully before venturing onto ice-covered waters. An ice strength table is posted on the agency website at http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm. Clear, blue ice is the strongest ice. Slush or snow (white) ice is only one-half the strength of blue ice and can be very treacherous. "Honeycombed" ice, which occurs in the spring or during major winter thaws as the ice is melting, is the most dangerous ice. This type of ice is best avoided unless you are certain there is a safe layer of solid ice beneath the honeycombed surface. Assess ice safety by using an ice chisel to chop a hole in the ice to determine its thickness and condition. Make sure you continue to do this as you go further out on to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all over the pond or lake. Be aware that ice tends to be thinner on lakes and ponds where there are spring holes, inlets or outlets. Don't venture on to ice-bound rivers or streams because the currents make ice thickness unpredictable. What if you fall through the ice? As with any emergency, don't panic! Briefly call for help. It doesn't take long for the cold water to start slowing your physical and mental functions, so you must act quickly. Air will remain trapped in your clothes for a short time, aiding your buoyancy. Kick your legs while grasping for firm ice. Try to pull your body up using "ice pins" that should be hanging around your neck. Once your torso is on firm ice, roll towards thicker ice. This will better distribute your weight. Remember that ice you have previously walked on should be the safest. After you reach safe ice, don't waste precious time because you need to warm up quickly to prevent hypothermia. Go to the nearest fishing shanty, warm car, or house. Don't drive home in wet clothes! REMEMBER ENDANGERED SPECIES ON YOUR STATE TAX FORM How can you raise birds, hatch turtles, and grow flowers with nothing but paper and ink? Join the thousands of in-the-know people who use their state tax form to make a big difference for rare species in Massachusetts! Since 1983, Massachusetts tax filers of Form 1 have had the option of donating to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund when filing their state income tax (Line 32a: “Endangered Wildlife Conservation”), and tens of thousands of people have done so over the years. All contributions go directly into the Fund, currently the source of a significant portion of the annual operating budget of MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), which conserves and protects endangered species and their habitats in Massachusetts. Over 20,000 tax filers support the program with almost $200,000 in critically-important donations each year. Won’t you join them? With your contributions to the Fund, you directly help to study, protect, and restore rare and endangered animals and plants and their habitats. If you have made contributions in this manner, thank you for supporting the Program and its conservation efforts! Past donations have helped restore populations and conserve and maintain habitat for Bald Eagles, Hessel's Hairstreak butterflies, Northern Red-bellied Cooters, and the beautiful Eastern Silvery Aster. Direct contributions to the Fund can also be made by sending a check payable to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Fund to: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581. |
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