In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Environmental Monitor
Public Notices Alphabetically
by town
The BEAT News Archives
Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators)
DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire
|
The Green Communities Division is pleased to announce the official launch of the Green Communities designation and grant program!
As many of you know, the Green Communities designation and grant program was created by the Green Communities Act of July 2008. Funded by proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), grants will be provided to municipalities who meet 5 criteria and qualify to be designated as a Green Community. These grants can be used for energy efficiency or renewable energy initiatives.ÿ To date, the Green Communities Division has been creating guidance and tools, and providing technical assistance through its Regional Coordinators and its Planning Assistance consultants to help municipalities meet the qualification criteria. The Green Communities toolkit can be found on our website at www.mass.gov/energy/greencommunities.
Today, we are launching the designation and grant program, with a 2 stage application process. First, a community must apply to be designated a Green Community by demonstrating it has met all of the qualification criteria. This application can be found on our website
http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/doer/gca/Guidance%20for%20GC%20designation%20application%20FINAL.docFor the FY 2010 program, in order to be eligible to submit a grant application, the local governmental body must submit a designation application by Friday, May 14, 2010 by 5:00pm, but may submit a designation application as soon as they are ready.
If a municipality is designated a Green Community, then it can submit an application for grant funding. A DRAFT grant application can be found on our website http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/doer/gca/Green%20Communities%20Grant%20Program%20Draft%20FINAL.doc .
Deadline for submitting a grant application is Friday May 28th, 2010 by 5:00 pm. Grants of up to $1,000,000 will be made available in this initial round.
If you have any questions, please contact your Regional Coordinator:
Northeast Region: Joanne Bissetta, joanne.bissetta@state.ma.us, 978-694-3315
Southeast Region: Seth Pickering, seth.pickering@state.ma.us, 508-946-2838
Central Region: Kelly Brown, kelly.brown@state.ma.us, 508-767-2703
Western Region: Jim Barry, jim.barry@state.ma.us, 413-755-2232
We look forward to receiving your applications and creating a Greener Energy Future for the Commonwealth!
Meg Lusardi, Deputy Director
Green Communities Division
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114
Ph: 617.626.7364 Fax: 617.727.0030
http://www.mass.gov/doer/
Creating a Greener Energy Future for the Commonwealth
return to top |
Nature crisis 'must be tackled'
By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website
Governments must tackle the underlying causes of biodiversity loss if they are to stem the rate at which ecosystems and species are disappearing.
That was one of the conclusions of an inter-governmental workshop in London held in preparation for October's UN biodiversity summit in Nagoya, Japan.
Delegates agreed that protecting nature would bring economic benefits to nations and their citizens.
Representatives of 54 countries attended the UK-hosted meeting.
The organizers hope that securing agreement on fundamental issues now will keep the October summit of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) free from the kind of divisions that dogged last month's climate change summit in Copenhagen.
“If our ecosystem services get to a state where we won't have them anymore - the pollinators, for example - this is going to be disastrous”
Maria Cecilia Wey de Brito Brazilian environment ministry
<more>
return to top |
Patrick-Murray Administration Awards $76,000 for River and Salt Marsh Restoration
BOSTON - Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles today announced that five river and salt marsh restoration projects will receive more than $76,000 in grant funding in fiscal year 2010 through the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER).
"Rivers and wetlands provide flood control, supply our drinking water, and support critical habitats important to the Commonwealth’s native fish and wildlife," Secretary Bowles said. "The Department of Fish and Game and its Division of Ecological Restoration have made dam removal, salt marsh restoration and urban river revitalization priorities in order to restore these vital systems."
The following projects were selected to receive funds:
- Town of Marshfield: $6,180 for the Green Harbor River Restoration Project
- Town of Somerset: $30,000 for the Somerset Marsh Restoration Project
- Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District: $20,000 for removal of the State Hospital Dam on the Mill River
- Ipswich River Watershed Association: $10,000 to examine the feasibility for the removal of the South Middleton Dam
- Hoosic River Revival Coalition/Hoosic River Watershed Association: $10,000 for the revitalization of the Hoosic River in North Adams
DER's grant funding is authorized by the Energy and Environment Bond Act of 2008. With its partners, DER works to restore aquatic habitat to benefit fish and wildlife. Restoration projects also serve the community by providing local jobs, improving public safety and helping communities prepare for and adapt to climate change.
"River revitalization is very important for cold water fish like brook trout and anadromous fish such as blueback herring, alewives, and rainbow smelt, while marsh restoration benefits fish and wildlife such as waterfowl and wading birds," said DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. "In addition to physical improvements to rivers and streams, DER and partners are implementing innovative flow restoration projects in Georgetown, Scituate, Pittsfield and Stockbridge that will restore more natural water levels to rivers and streams."
DER also announced that new projects in Pittsfield, Cheshire, Athol, Plymouth, Middleton, Lawrence, Taunton, Rochester, Scituate, Pelham, Georgetown, Lee, Milton/Boston, Stockbridge and North Adams have been accepted as DER Priority Projects. A total of 84 active ecological restoration projects throughout the state have now been designated as priority projects, making them eligible for technical assistance and a future DER grant.
The 15 new project proposals include dam removals, urban river revitalization and a first-in-the-state effort to implement proactive in-stream flow restoration. DER focuses on implementing scientifically sound and proven restoration techniques such as dam removal that provide the greatest positive impact to native fish and wildlife. These restoration projects have ancillary benefits including improving water quality and recreation, eliminating aging infrastructure and safeguarding the public.
DER accepted the following as new Priority Projects:
- Pittsfield: Partnership with Massachusetts Audubon Society for the Sackett Brook Restoration Project
- Cheshire: Partnership with the Hoosic chapter of Trout Unlimited for the Thunder Brook Restoration Project
- Athol: Partnership with the town of Athol for the Thousand Acre Brook Watershed Restoration Project
- Plymouth: Partnership with the town of Plymouth for the Wellingsley Brook Restoration
- Middleton: Partnership with the Ipswich River Watershed Association for the Ipswich River Restoration Project
- Lawrence: Partnership with Groundwork Lawrence for the Spicket River Revitalization Project
- Taunton: Partnership with Taunton Development Corporation for the Cotley River Restoration Project in Taunton
- Rochester: Partnership with the Coalition for Buzzards Bay for the Sippican River Revitalization Initiative
- Scituate: Partnership with North & South Rivers Watershed Association for the First Herring Brook Restoration
- Pelham: Partnership with the town of Amherst for the Amethyst Brook Restoration Project
- Georgetown: Partnership with the Parker River Clean Water Association for the Upper Parker River
- Lee: Partnership with the Housatonic Valley Association for the Housatonic River Restoration and Columbia Mill Dam Removal
- Milton/Boston: Partnership with the Neponset River Watershed Association for the Lower Neponset River Restoration Project
- North Adams: Partnership with the Hoosic River Revival Coalition for the Hoosic River Flood Chute Naturalization Project
- Stockbridge/Pittsfield: Partnership with the Housatonic Valley Association to restore the Pecks Brook and West Branch Housatonic River and the Larrywaug Brook
The DER's mission is to restore and protect the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people, fish and wildlife. The Division was created in July 2009 with the merger of the Riverways and Wetland Restoration Programs.
The DFG is responsible for promoting the enjoyment and conservation of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land preservation and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and game species, and enforcement of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's lakes and ponds.
return to top |
Governor's Proposed Budget Includes Funding for Toxics Use Reduction Program
In a step forward towards a victory for the public health and the environment, Governor Deval Patrick restored funding for the agencies involved in implementing the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program in his proposed fiscal year 2011 budget issued yesterday.
Particularly important is that in Patrick's budget, money from fees paid by companies that use toxic chemicals, would be spent on funding the program to help them use and release fewer toxic chemicals. That's what the TURA law intended (though it's not what's been done in recent years), Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow has pushed for this, and it is exactly what the Governor has proposed to do.
The budget includes funding for the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). Based out of UMass Lowell, TURI is an international leader in toxics use reduction and has been protecting public health and the environment in the Commonwealth, while saving Massachusetts businesses money, for twenty years. The Governor's budget also includes funding for the Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) that has successfully provided direct technical assistance to businesses to reduce their toxic chemical use, and to the Department of Environmental Protection to run the TURA program.
You may remember that last summer we asked you to call your legislators because funding for TURI and its programs was being removed from the state budget. We didn't win that fight, the funding was eliminated, and TURI was only allowed to stay open this year because of temporary funding from the federal stimulus package.
This year, AHT and others have gone to bat for the program to restore its funding in the Massachusetts state budget, and so far our efforts have been met with success.
Next the budget goes to the House to do it's version of the draft, then the Senate, then several more steps before it becomes final, so the deal is definitely not sealed. Stay tuned for how you can help, we'll most certainly be asking you to call on your legislators soon. But we're off to a good start, thanks to the Governor!
For more information, visit the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow website.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Saunders
For the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow team
return to top |
Energy Efficiency as the Commonwealth’s ‘First Fuel’
Selections from a press release from the Exec. Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has given final approval to plans committing the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to a three-year agenda of innovative, customer-focused programs that will deliver unprecedented savings for consumers, the economy and the environment, according to Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles.
The Green Communities Act signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in 2008 required the state’s investor-owned electric and gas utilities (and the Cape Light Compact, which operates efficiency programs on Cape Cod) to prepare energy efficiency plans that secure for their customers all available energy efficiency and demand reduction resources that cost less than new energy supply. The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council created by the Act unanimously approved the electric and natural gas utilities’ three-year efficiency plans last fall, and the utilities filed them with the DPU on October 30, 2009.
“The Green Communities Act established energy efficiency as the Commonwealth’s ‘first fuel’ – what we look to first to power our homes and our economy,” Secretary Ian Bowles said.
The plans call for electric and gas utilities to invest approximately $2.2 billion in efficiency measures over three years. Funding will include existing charges on ratepayer bills, carbon allowance auction proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) which has generated $79 million in auction proceeds to date, regional energy market revenues, and customer contributions. While utilities are allowed to recoup the cost of efficiency measures through rates (just as they would to pay for new supply), resulting improvements are projected to save participating electric and natural gas customers three times as much in the long run - more than$6 billion over three years.
"Today's decision levels the playing field, putting energy efficiency on equal footing with new energy supply when it comes to powering our economy," DPU Chairman Paul Hibbard said.
Greenhouse gas reductions attributable to electric and natural gas efficiency steps taken as a result of three-year plans are estimated at 15 million tons over the lifetime of the measures installed.
On the electric side, the plans set an energy savings target of 2.4 percent of electricity sales in 2012, which would reverse the overall electricity usage trend from growing roughly 1 percent per year to declining 1.4 percent per year. Energy efficiency investments to reach the 2012 target will save approximately 2,600 gigawatt-hours of electricity - enough to power more than 350,000 households, or 15 percent of the utilities' residential customers, for one year. With electricity savings of 2.4 percent per year going forward, Massachusetts would meet nearly 30 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency, rather than additional power generation, by 2020.
A similar set of natural gas plans target equally aggressive energy savings. Costing $480 million over three years, natural gas efficiency programs are expected to produce total energy cost savings of $1.1 billion for consumers. The natural gas efficiency plans set an energy savings target of 1.15 percent of natural gas sales in 2012, with aggregate savings over three years of 57 million therms.
Types of programs and services offered under the plans include improved energy assessments of ratepayers' homes, and incentives for purchase and installation of high efficiency lighting, appliances, heating and air conditioning, and insulation and air sealing.
The plans call for better outreach to and education of energy consumers about the availability and benefits of energy efficiency programs, including outreach that is multicultural and multilingual, community-based, and geared toward new markets such as small family-owned businesses. Relying on traditional public information campaigns as well as new social media techniques, this outreach is expected to triple the number of Massachusetts customers that have historically tapped into efficiency programs offered by public utilities.
"We now have the most cutting edge efficiency programs in the nation. They will produce unparalleled savings to fuel business competitiveness and put billions back in consumers' pockets to re-invest in other parts of our economy," said Sam Krasnow, Policy Advocate and Attorney for Environment Northeast.
A redesigned and improved web site providing a single point of entry for energy efficiency programs serving all utility customers - www.masssave.com - will launch next month.
<Full press release>
return to top |
Upcoming Grant Deadline: Feb 15th from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund
NEGEF's first Small Grants application deadline is just 2 weeks away! All applications must be postmarked or emailed by February 15th to be considered. If your group applied last May and has submitted your Final Report by the 15th, you are eligible to reapply for funding.
Apply Now or Contact Us
Plan Now for a Safe Lawn, Garden & Home in 2010
from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund
NEGEF grantee Green Decade Newton offers some great resources on chemical free lawns, gardens and homes. Click Here For More
Also check out the work these great groups: Neighborhood Pesticide Action Committee
Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine
Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Vermont
Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Tomorrow
Plan your organic lawn and garden now...Spring is just around the corner!
return to top |
The following two youth programs, offered by BRIDGE, may help further one of BEAT's goals of increasing diversity in the environmental movement.
Multicultural Bridges: A Bilingual Literacy and Tolerance Program for Kids
Multicultural Literacy and Tolerance Program for ages 5-8
Tolerance Program Southern Poverty Law Center ‘Raspberries and Rhinoceros’ Curriculum
Norman Rockwell Museum Art History & Arts Classes with NRM educators/interns
Bilingual Literacy Classes with Song, Books, Puppet Shows, Storytelling and more!
Music Awareness with HeartStrings ( connecting children with musical instruments)
For kids with Special Needs: Special Activities and Resources for parents & their kids
Outdoor Curriculum by trained educator using beautiful Norman Rockwell Campus
Prepare a nutritional snack everyday with trained teachers!
Promoting integration, tolerance, multiculturalism, literacy and fun leading to a successful future for our children!
For April Vacation 10-3:30 everyday $250/week
Early Drop Off and Late Dismissal for 8-5:30.
$50/day additional. Arts, NRM tours and excursions, crafts, and more.
Upcoming: August 2010 Month long program or week to week...ask for details.
Location: Norman Rockwell Museum, Rte. 183 Stockbridge, MA
Sign Up for April Vacation Starting Feb. 1st
First Come, First Serve!
Scholarships Available: Please call!
BRIDGE Youth Corps: Ambassadors for Community Stewardship and Cultural Diversity
Youth Ambassadors ages 14-21 participate in the following youth-inspired, youth-driven activities:
Volunteerism and Community Stewardship for BRIDGE Multicultural Presentations incl. MulticulturalYouth Concert and Multicultural Book & Tea Club!
Volunteerism and Community Stewardship for events community-wide
Welcoming Committees and Diversity committees in their own youth groups and schools with specially trained (by BRIDGE staff) Diversity Youth and Adult Facilitators sharing cultural knowledge and promoting inclusion
Trained in Cultural Competency (BRIDGE) and Teaching Tolerance (Southern Poverty Law) models.Certificates Awarded Upon Completion of 8 hr. training.
Receive college, high school and community service credit for participation in training & events
Backpack, Food and Clothing Drives Year Round
Clothing Exchange for Youth
Planning a Mission Trip to Costa Rica to build houses with other local youth groups
Internships for Multicultural Bridges Program: A bilingual literacy, tolerance and arts program for Spring Break (April 2010) and Summer Vacation (Aug. 2010). Hosted at Norman Rockwell Museum
Sign Up for Training Today!
February 17th 9– 4pm. $30/student. $7/student lunch. Snacks & drinks provided. Next training: Spring TBA. Scholarship Available. Please call Gwendolyn, 413-274-1001 or email Gwendolyn@multiculturabridge.org
return to top |
Fish and Wildlife Service: North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Standard Grants Program
This program provides support to public-private partnerships carrying out projects that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats.
The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act, or NAWCA) of 1989 provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife.
There is a Standard and a Small Grants Program. Both are competitive grants programs and require that grant requests be matched by partner contributions at no less than a 1-to-1 ratio. Funds from U.S. Federal sources may contribute towards a project, but are not eligible as match.
The Standard Grants Program supports projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico that involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats. In Mexico, partners may also conduct projects involving technical training, environmental education and outreach, organizational infrastructure development, and sustainable-use studies.
U.S. Standard Grants Deadline: March 5, and July 31, 2010.
Purpose and Scope
The Standard Grants Program is a competitive, matching grants program that supports public-private partnerships carrying out projects in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. These projects must involve long-term protection, restoration, and/or enhancement of wetlands and associated uplands habitats.
History
The Standard Grants Program began supporting projects in all three countries in 1990, shortly after the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act) of 1989 was passed. Each fiscal year, available funds have been distributed among projects in the three countries according to a pre-determined percentage within the range of percentages allowable under the Act. Currently, 50 percent of total available funds are used to support projects in the United States, 45 percent in Canada, and 5 percent in Mexico.
The Process
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Division of Bird Habitat Conservation http://www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/index.shtm (Division) is responsible for facilitating and administering the Act’s Standard Grants Program. The process for receiving and preliminarily reviewing project proposals is handled slightly differently for each country and enjoys the active participation of each federal government. For further details, visit the country-specific Web pages on this site.
Once a slate of eligible proposals has been determined per each country-program’s process, the proposals are further reviewed and ranked by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, a nine-member council established by the Act. The Council then recommends projects to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, a seven-member commission authorized by the Act to give final funding approval to projects. The Division administers the grants for all approved projects.
Current Funding
Total funding for the Standard Grants Program in FY 2009 is $77.2 million. Individual country totals can be found on each country-program’s Web page.
Accomplishments
From September 1990 through September 2009, some 3,850 partners in 1482 projects have received more than $983 million in grants. They have contributed another $1.96 billion in matching funds to affect 25.1 million acres of habitat and $1.1 billion in nonmatching funds to affect 219,950 acres of habitat. Individual country totals can be found on each country-program’s Web page.
Contacts
U.S. Standard Grants proposals: David Buie (david_buie@fws.gov), (301) 497-5870, or Bonnie Gaukler (bonnie_j -gaukler@fws.gov), (703) 358-2017.
Last updated: January 5, 2010
return to top |
Essex County Greenbelt Association (http://www.ecga.org), Essex, MA
Land Conservation Project Manager
Full-Time Position
The Project Manager will identify conservation opportunities through landowner outreach and manage specific land conservation projects from inception to completion. Responsibilities include meeting with landowners, organizing outreach events, drafting conservation restrictions, securing financing for land protection projects, and assisting in associated fundraising campaigns. The Project Manager will represent Greenbelt in local and regional conservation coalitions. Provides leadership in land conservation and advocacy in selected communities within the Greenbelt service area.
Specific Tasks:
- Identify and evaluate potential land protection projects, including field assessment of conservation values (scenic, ecological, agricultural) and land use and conservation alternatives;
- Prepare and implement fee and conservation restriction acquisition strategies;
- Negotiate donations and purchases of conservation land;
- Cultivate landowners and solicit charitable gifts of land and money;
- Represent Greenbelt in collaborative arrangements with conservation organizations, municipalities, and governmental agencies;
- Coordinate the work of appraisers, land planners, surveyors and engineers, legal counsel, and other professional consultants, and other Greenbelt staff on strategic projects and activities;
- Recruit, organize, train, and supervise volunteers;
- Prepare project reports, proposals, budgets, news releases, presentations, and correspondence;
- Make presentations to landowners, conservation organizations, community groups, municipal boards, legislative committees, and other audiences;
- Assist in preparing and implementing fundraising strategies for conservation projects;
- Represent Greenbelt at assigned member events, public events, and speaking engagements.
- Assist the Director of Land Conservation in planning and setting priorities for its work at the regional and community level;
- Participate in regular meetings of the Board of Directors, Acquisition Committee, and Greenbelt staff;
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Commitment to the conservation mission of Essex County Greenbelt. Bachelors degree and a minimum three years directly-related work experience, expertise in land conservation methods and funding, and demonstrated communication (writing and public speaking), negotiation, leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. Strong computer skills essential; basic GIS and relational database (FileMakerPro/Access) experience is desirable. Background in both natural and cultural resources is desirable as is familiarity with Essex County's landscape and communities. Ability to travel within Essex County and Massachusetts and to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings and events is essential.
Reports to: Director of Land Conservation
Coordinates with: Land Stewardship, Development, Operations
Administrative Support: Very limited. The individual in this position must be prepared to handle his/her own correspondence, filing, and record keeping.
Location: Cox Reservation, Essex, MA
Greenbelt offers a competitive compensation and benefits program, including a retirement plan and contribution to health insurance.
Interested individuals should send a résumé and cover letter electronically to dts@ecga.org by close of business Wednesday, February 24, 2010.
The Essex County Greenbelt Association (Greenbelt) is a nonprofit land trust that has conserved more than 13,000 acres of land in Essex County, Massachusetts. A membership organization, Greenbelt acquires and manages land, assists communities and state agencies in property acquisitions, promotes land conservation through events, publications and programs, and offers locations for outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The Massachusetts Watershed Coalition
....Creating a Network of Watershed Partners.
return to top |
Public Invited To DCR Forest Forums--
As part of its Forest Futures Visioning Process, the Department of Conservation and Recreation is holding five public forums this month to discuss draft recommendations on forest stewardship. This is your opportunity to let DCR know what is important to you! How much logging do you think is okay? Is it important that DCR know what biodiversity is on its land? Should they so biological surveys before the come up with a management plan for a park or forest? Should they document vernal pools? How much land should be set aside as "Large Forest Reserves" where no logging and no motorized vehicles are allowed?
Interested citizens are encouraged to attend and provide input on the management of state forests. Forums will be held in Westborough (Feb 4), North Adams and Pittsfield (Feb 6), Amherst (Feb 9), and Taunton (Feb 11). For details, go to: www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/forestryfvp.htm.
return to top |
Reductions in Toxic Chemicals Would Make Americans Healthier & Wealthier
from the Center for Environmental Health and Justice
 A new report, "The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act," found the U.S. has the opportunity to prevent rising rates of chronic disease and reduce health care costs by overhauling federal chemical policy. Evidence is strong and growing that chemical exposures contribute significantly to the rise in many chronic diseases, according to this new report synthesizing peer-reviewed science. As the U.S. debates the costs of health care and its reform, "The Health Case" documents the enormous health care costs of treating cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and other diseases and conditions linked to chemical exposure. By updating toxic chemical laws, the report found that Congress would reduce exposure to chemicals contributing to chronic diseases. Conservative estimates show that reducing the incidence of these diseases by just 0.1 percent could save $5 billion in health care costs. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has identified comprehensive reform of the toxics law as a key Obama Administration priority, stating that the law fails to provide EPA with the authority it needs to ensure chemicals are safe. Learn more about the new report.
return to top
|
Doctor Urges New York State to Adopt Purchasing Chemical Avoidance List.
from the Center for Environmental Health and Justice
Dr. Ted Schettler of theScience & Environmental Health Network asked the New York State Interagency Committee on Procurement to adopt a Green Purchasing Chemical Avoidance List at a December 2009 hearing. The list includes cancer-causing chemicals and substances known to be extremely persistent in the environment.
 "This list will enable the state to use its purchasing power to 'green' the marketplace and reduce the use of chemicals posing public health threats to New Yorkers, workers, waste handlers and recyclers," said Dr. Schettler. American Chemical Council representative Steve Rosario asked the Committee to oppose the proposal, noting that this list will spread to other states. CHEJ and breast cancer advocates spoke at the hearing and urged approval of the list of 85 chemicals, including PBTs, carcinogens, PBDEs, PFOAs, and BPA. For a copy of the list, contact anne@chej.org.
return to top |
From Mass Wildlife:
Division of Fish and Wildlife FOREST CERTIFICATION PUBLIC COMMENTS AND AGENCY RESPONSES ONLINE
As part of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) forest re-certification efforts, a summary of the public comments received and the agency’s responses to those comments have been posted on the agency’s website at www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/management/bdi/forest_mgt/response_public_comment.htm. >From October 30-December 20, 2009, DFW requested public input on agency proposals for re-certification of individual properties. The Division posted on its website lists of properties and acreages that are: 1) proposed for certification in the near term which are covered by a publicly reviewed forest management plan; 2) proposed for certification at a later date which are not yet covered by a publicly reviewed forest management plan; and 3) proposed to be unsuitable for certification (e.g., non-forested parcels). Several public comments were received, although most comments related to the forest certification process in general, and/or the management of Division lands in general. “We appreciate receiving these comments,” said John Scanlon, DFW Forestry Supervisor. “I want to thank each individual and organization for the time they took to prepare and submit certification comments.” The Division’s response to each public comment received is posted at the aforementioned link.
UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS --The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee will meet at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Westborough Field Headquarters located off North Drive in Westborough on Thursday, February 11, 2010 from 1:30- 4:30 PM. The Fisheries and Wildlife Board will meet on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at the Division's Westborough Field Headquarters located off North Drive. In case of inclement weather, the Board meeting will be held the following day at the same location. Both meetings are open to the public and the building is handicapped accessible.
return to top |
ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS MEET WITH GOVERNOR
from the Mass. Land Trust Coalition
Last week, Mass. environmental leaders, including Mass. Land Trust Coalition Coordinator Bernie McHugh, met with Governor Deval Patrick to discuss some of the environmental challenges facing the Commonwealth and the Administration's efforts to address them. The meeting was cordial and candid with many areas of agreement and a few issues raised where not all the environmental representative present wholly agreed with the Administration's approach - or with each other.
All agreed that better cooperation between government and the non-profit sector was needed to more clearly communicate environmental goals, challenges and achievements to the general public.
Governor appreciates environmental partnership as essential to jobs, quality of life:
For the Governor's part, he sees the environmental community as fundamental and essential partners in advancing the green agenda to protect natural resources, provide recreational opportunities, reduce air and water pollution, address climate change and realign the energy industry to meet our environmental goals while building the green economy. He was strong in his view that protection and improvement of the environment was crucial quality of life, public health and jobs retention and creation.
The environmental leaders expressed their strong appreciation for the Administration's efforts on:
* land protection and acquisition
* implementing energy efficiency programs
* national leadership on climate change (e.g., RGGI - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, GWSA - Global Warming Solutions Act)
* moving forward with the climate mitigation and adaptation advisory committees
* Solid Waste Master Plan - recycling, moratorium, performance standards: C&D suspension and study
* continuing incinerator moratorium
* Low Carbon Fuel Standard
* Ocean plan, and greater focus on conserving ocean resources
* cooperating to modify Safe Yield standards
* Sustainable Water Initiative
* Support for agricultural sector, dairy
* Most agreed about progress on wind and solar, although not all were happy with specifics, so far
Priorities/concerns raised by environmental leaders:
* Budget: environment agencies have taken a disproportionate hit over the last 10 years and services will be reduced
* Addressing additional water issues (e.g., stormwater, nutrients, etc.)
* Need to get out and communicate the achievements on energy efficiency and clean energy
* Environmental enforcement
* Differences within the environmental community on appropriate scale and sustainability of biomass energy
* Integrating greenhouse gas reductions into state decision making (e.g., transportation: prioritizing public transit over roadway expansion)
* Ethics reform impacts on non-profit NGOs: unintended consequences
* How can we better focus on re-localizing jobs and the economy, smart growth
Shared legislative priorities:
* Bottle bill
* Article 97 - no net loss
* Safer Alternatives
* Wind energy siting reform
* Off highway vehicles
* E-waste
return to top |
TWO SENIOR SCIENCE PROGRAM LEADERS, MANOMET CENTER
Position Openings
Would you like to work at the forefront of climate change adaptation? Or would you like to take the lead in ensuring that future energy policy and development is sustainable and environmentally sound? Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences has immediate openings for two talented and energetic Senior Program Leaders to join our team. As one of the nation’s oldest independent environmental research centers, Manomet is developing innovative models for businesses, agencies, and communities to forge a new partnership with the planet. We convene stakeholders and help develop science-based, enduring solutions that work in the real world and improve conditions for wildlife, habitats and people.
Senior Program Leader, Climate Change and Energy
The Senior Program Leader for Climate Change and Energy will direct and grow a major new project on climate change adaptation with national implications. Working with stakeholders in four major rural landscape sectors and at two spatial scales, the Senior Program Leader will develop and implement strategies to build climate change resiliency into critical ecosystem services.
Senior Program Leader, Energy and the Environment
The Senior Program Leader for Energy and the Environment will direct a major new project focused on ensuring that future energy development in the Northeast will be environmentally sustainable and protective of ecological habitats and wildlife. The Senior Program Leader will also develop an Energy and Environment Program at Manomet that will provide national leadership in this important field, especially in relation to wind energy and the power grid.
Additional Information
Both positions report to the Director of the Climate Change and Energy Initiative. The positions are located at Manomet’s headquarters on the bluffs overlooking beautiful Cape Cod Bay, in Plymouth, MA, 45 miles south of Boston. The positions are available immediately and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Manomet offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive package of benefits. Manomet is an equal opportunity employer.
For the complete job descriptions, please visit <http://www.manomet.org/about/employment/jobs>
return to top |
PROJECT CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER, NEFF
New England Forestry Foundation, Wildlands and Woodlands Conservation Project: Western Massachusetts Aggregation
POSITION: Project Campaign Fund-raiser Part-time: 24 hours per week
The Project: The New England Forestry Foundation has partnered with seven land trusts to test a new concept for increasing the pace of conservation in Massachusetts. Following on the Harvard Forest 2005 report, Wildlands and Woodlands, A Vision for the Forests of Massachusetts, which calls for conserving 1.5 million acres of forest in Massachusetts, this pilot project has centered on finding new methods for land trusts to collaborate together to conserve forestland. The concept is to aggregate individual land trust projects into a larger collection to attract funding from sources that are not generally available to local and regional land trusts. Additionally, the aggregation reduces due diligence costs of the conservation transactions. Aggregation offers land trusts an alternative to seeking funding for one relatively small project at a time and as such accelerates the pace of conservation. In this Western Massachusetts Pilot Project the land trusts collectively have secured options to purchase conservation restrictions on 77 forested properties in western Massachusetts at a maximum of 75% of the appraised value on a total of 11,500 acres.
The Fund-raising Campaign: The successful candidate will oversee and coordinate a $20 million fund-raising campaign to purchase the conservation restrictions, fund monitoring and enforcement costs and cover all due diligence and project staff costs. Nearly $7 million already has been raised. A Leadership Committee consisting of professional fund-raising staff and volunteer Board members from the eight land trusts along with individuals from the region who have a strong interest in this new type of collaboration is being recruited. Funding for the project will be sought from a combination of foundations, private individuals, a limited number of business interests, and state and federal funding programs.
The Position: This is part-time, 24 hours a week position. The Project Fund-raiser will report to the NEFF Executive Director and will interface with each of the current Leadership Committee members. The Project Fund-raiser’s primary mission is the financial success of the project. Office space is available, if necessary, at NEFF or a variety of locations from the project partners.
Responsibilities: Working in conjunction with the NEFF Executive Director, and other members of the project Leadership Committee the Project Fund-raiser will:
• Become familiar with existing plans and documents pertaining to the development of the fund-raising campaign, including the campaign timeline.
• Work closely with Leadership Committee and the NEFF Executive Director to determine the strategy of the campaign.
• Provide overall coordination for the project campaign and all of its aspects, including the campaign budget and financial reports.
• Support the Leadership Committee in keeping the campaign on track, meeting deadlines and achieving goals; also support the other project participants, coordinating as appropriate.
• Provide donor and grant research, analysis and stewardship.
• Work closely with the NEFF Executive Director and Leadership Committee to develop a prospect list, determine approaches to individual donors, especially regarding major gifts to the project campaign.
• Cultivate and write grants from foundation and government grant programs.
• Participate in solicitation visits if necessary
Skills/Experience Needed:
• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree and/or CFRE desired
• Proven success in leading a fund-raising campaign
• Proven success in major gifts solicitation
• Demonstrated familiarity with planned giving
• Willingness to develop and foster new strategies for land trusts working together on fund-raising
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proven success with grant writing
• Effective problem solver and decision maker who enjoys challenge
• Ability to work in a team and also work independently
• Interest in protecting the environment is desired
• Salary to be determined
To Apply:
Send cover letter and resume to: New England Forestry Foundation,
PO Box 1346 Littleton, MA 01460, Attention: Penny Flynn or email to: pflynn@newenglandforestry.org. Please put "Project Campaign Fund-raiser Search" in the subject line. If you have any questions please contact Keith Ross kross@landvest.com
Applications are due no later than 5:00 pm Thursday February 11, 2010.
return to top |
Draft State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010
Just a friendly reminder to encourage comments and input to the Draft State Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010. The State Mitigation Plan outlines Massachusetts' risk and vulnerability to natural hazards; such as, floods, hurricanes, winter storms, earthquakes, and wildland fires. The plan also details the State's strategies to minimize the long-term risk to these hazards. This plan is required by FEMA and is updated on a three year cycle. Your input is critical to the overall quality and accuracy of this document.
The Draft Plan can be found on the MEMA website, by clicking this direct link: http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/mema/MassachusettsMitigationDRAFTPlan.pdf The State Team will be continue to accept comments on the draft to accommodate as much participation as possible.
Also, please share this the plan with your constituents and/or others in your agency in order to ensure we have fulfilled FEMA's requirement of an "coordinated planning process." Again, your input is essential to this process. Pease let me know if you have any questions or would like the opportunity to discuss this plan in more detail. My contact information is below.
Thank you,
Sarah White
(formerly Sarah Zingarelli)
Hazard Mitigation Planner
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road, Framingham MA 01702
Framingham: 508-820-1435
Sarah.White@state.ma.us
return to top |
