The BEAT News

ACEC Public Hearing Rescheduled
Secretary Ian A. Bowles has rescheduled the Public Hearing to accept testimony about the Upper Housatonic River  ACEC  Nomination for  Thursday, January 29th, 2009, 7-9 PM at Lenox High School Theater,  197 East Street in  Lenox.  (* Snow date is Thursday, February 5, 2009 at the same time and location.)  The public hearing was originally scheduled for December 11, 2008 but was cancelled due to hazardous winter weather.
The public notice is attached.  The deadline for public comment letters is 10 days following the hearing or  February 9, 2009 .
For background information, please see the attachments and view the nomination document and a map of the proposed ACEC boundary posted at the nominator’s website, http://savethehousatonic.org.
Sincerely,
Beth
Beth Suedmeyer, Inland Coordinator
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Program
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, Suite 700
Boston, MA  02114
T:  (617) 626-1352
F:  (617) 626-1349
Beth.Suedmeyer@state.ma.us

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs) are places in Massachusetts that contain natural and cultural resources of regional, state, or national importance.  The 29 state-designated ACECs range in size from 160 to 37,450 acres.  The purpose of the ACEC Program is to preserve, restore, and enhance these exceptional resources.  For more information, go to http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec.

A new report is available on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) website. This report, titled "Assessment of Materials Management Options for the Massachusetts Solid Waste Master Plan Review" was completed by the Tellus Institute under contract to MassDEP.

The report is a literature review that summarizes data and information regarding the lifecycle energy and environmental aspects of various solid waste (materials) management approaches, including recycling, composting, landfilling, municipal waste combustion, and alternative technologies such as anaerobic digestion, gasification, and pyrolysis. The report provides some broad recommendations for an improved integrated materials management system. The report also summarizes successful programs from other jurisdictions.

For a full copy of the report, please visit the MassDEP web site at http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/priorities/dswmpu01.htm.
John Fischer
Branch Chief, Waste and Toxics Planning
MassDEP
One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02108
(617)292-5632
FAX (617)292-5858
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SHEFFIELD – A nature-inspired writing group begins this winter at Bartholomew's Cobble on the second Sunday of each month. Sessions combine outdoor walking with indoor writing. Emerging and experienced writers of poems, songs, memoirs, essays and fiction are welcome! The group will be facilitated by local writing instructor and poet Pauline Clarke with Trustees of Reservations naturalist Tammis Coffin. They will share techniques for tuning into moment and place with the senses and the imagination.

Former New York Times nature columnist Hal Borland lived just down the road from Bartholomew's Cobble, and many of his fine pieces of writing center around the hills, forests, fields, and river of the Weatogue Valley that this group of writers will explore. It is a place of  great interest and beauty, with winter ducks and eagles appearing along the river, the tracks of bobcat and coyote in the fields, and some very large trees. The Cobble is registered as a National Natural Landmark for its exceptional scenic value and natural diversity.

Pauline Clarke holds a Masters Degree in Writing from Vermont College . From 1990-2005, she published a column of nature related and local color essays in the Berkshire Record. She is a writing tutor and has taught writing workshops through Berkshire Community College . Tammis Coffin, M.A. has led nature-inspired writing workshops for Inkberry, The Thoreau Society, Massachusetts State Parks, and National Fish & Wildlife.

The cost of the writing group is by donation to The Trustees of Reservations. The location is at the Bartholomew's Cobble Visitor Center on Weatogue Rd., Sheffield. The group meets  January 11, February 8, and March 8 from 1-4pm. To learn more, or to register, contact Tammis at The Trustees of Reservations at 413-298-3239 x3003 or send an e-mail to tcoffin@ttor.org.
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Post-Settlement Auction Report Shows Robust Market for RGGI Carbon Dioxide Emissions Allowances

(New York, NY) — The ten northeastern and mid-Atlantic states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) today released the "Post-Settlement Auction Report" of Potomac Economics, RGGI, Inc.'s independent market monitor, providing detailed results of the auction held December 17, 2008. 

Potomac Economics observed the auction as it occurred and found that the auction was administered in a fair and transparent manner and in accordance with the noticed auction procedures.  As noted in its report, Potomac Economics monitored participant conduct in the auction and found "no material evidence of collusion or manipulation by bidders," and that "the vast majority of bids were submitted in line with competitive expectations."

The report described the auction as "robust" with 69 separate entities submitting bids to purchase nearly 3.5 times the available supply of allowances in the auction.  The level of "liquidity contributed to generating a clearing price that is consistent with the underlying supply and demand fundamentals governing the CO2 allowance market."   Potomac Economics indicated that "compliance entities or their affiliates, which should value the allowances most highly, purchased most of the allowances in the auction."

 The Potomac Economics report indicates that the auction was competitive and provides the dispersion of bids, a summary of purchased allowances, a summary of allowances won by bidder, and a summary of bid prices.  As summarized in the report, compliance entities and their affiliates accounted for over 80 percent of the quantity of bids submitted in the auction, a total of 46 entities won allowances, and bid prices ranged from $1.86 (the minimum bid allowed) to $7.20.  

In accord with the Auction Notice for Auction 2, Potomac Economics included in its report a list of Potential Bidders for Auction 2. Potential bidders are defined as "each Applicant that has been qualified and submitted a complete Intent to Bid." The list of 84 potential bidders demonstrates broad participation from compliance entities, financial institutions, and environmental organizations.

"With the information released today by the market monitor, it is clear that the RGGI auctions are working well," said Jonathan Schrag, Executive Director of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc. "The ten states' rules went into effect January 1, 2009, and it is reassuring to see that the auctions are running smoothly and that the majority of allowances have been purchased by the compliance entities which need them."

The complete Post-Settlement Auction Report for the RGGI CO2 Allowance Auction 2 is available at:  http://www.rggi.org/news/releases

In the second "pre-compliance" auction, all of the 31,505,898 allowances offered for sale on December 17, 2008, were sold at a clearing price of $3.38 per allowance.  The demand for the allowances was strong with a total quantity of 108,709,000 allowances demanded, which was almost 3.5 times the available supply for this second auction.  The auction raised 106.5 million dollars for use by the ten RGGI states. These states will invest auction funds in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, as well as other programs to benefit energy consumers.

In the first "pre-compliance" auction, all of the 12,565,387 allowances offered for sale on September 25, 2008 were sold at a clearing price of $ 3.07 per allowance. The auction raised 38.6 million dollars for use by the six RGGI states that offered allowances for sale during that first auction.

About the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

The 10 northeastern and mid-Atlantic states participating in RGGI have designed the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The states have committed to cap and then reduce the amount of CO2 that power plants in their region are allowed to emit, limiting the region's total contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.

Under the RGGI process, the 10 participating states will stabilize power sector CO2 emissions at the capped level through 2014. The cap will then be reduced by 2.5 percent in each of the four years 2015 through 2018, for a total reduction of 10 percent.

The 10 states participating in RGGI are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
For more information about RGGI, turn to: http://www.rggi.org

Learn About BerkShares

BerkShares, Inc. announces the next in a series of informational meetings about BerkShares, the local currency for the Berkshire region, on Monday, January 26 at 5:30 pm at Brix Wine Bar in Pittsfield.
 
Due to the continuing success of BerkShares in southern Berkshire County, where the currency was launched in September, 2006, the program is now moving northward and will eventually encompass the entire region.
 
In these challenging economic times, BerkShares present a bright spot in our local economy. By focusing on supporting local businesses and keeping the wealth generated by those local businesses circulating throughout the area we are ensuring the strength and sustainability of our region.
 
Many Berkshire organizations recognize and are stressing the importance of buying local, and BerkShares play a large part in that buy local initiative. Spending them is a visible sign of support for our community, demonstrating the commitment to shop locally rather than in chain stores or online. Accepting them in the course of doing business says to customers that their business is appreciated, as is the effort they are making to buy local.
 
With BerkShares there are things we can all do to make our lives easier, whether selling a product or service, buying things for our businesses or families, or making donations to support our favorite cultural attraction or non-profit.
 
Businesses accepting BerkShares can see new business, additional (and free) business promotion and increased profits.  Keeping them in circulation by spending them on local services ensures a stronger local economy, keeping our wealth in the Berkshires to support all of us.
 
Consumers spending them whenever possible eases their financial burden thanks to the exchange rate between BerkShares and federal dollars; when buying BerkShares from a participating bank you are saving money. Spending them also says “I’m proud to support my friends and neighbors who do business here.”
 
Non-profits accepting donations in BerkShares will quite possibly be realizing new money while offering an additional way for people to spend their BerkShares.
 
Learn how to make more money and how to save money on Monday, January 26 at 5:30 pm at Brix Wine Bar in Pittsfield.  Space is limited so registration is strongly suggested to Sharon@berkshares.org or 413-358-2692. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.
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Land Conservation Tax Incentives Passes on Final Day of Legislative Session!
(from ELM Bulletin, January 13, 2009)
 
Legislation that will provide a tax credit to land owners that make a gift of ecologically valuable land passed the legislature in the last hours of the session.  This was a priority for a number of environmental organizations and is the icing on the cake of an extraordinary session.  Some amendments to the legislation made it more attractive to legislators given the fiscal challenges the state faces; the tax credit has been capped at $2 million annually with the credit becoming available in 2011. 

Congrats in particular to The Nature Conservancy that led the lobbying effort. 
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From MassWildlife:
  
MOOSE SUCCESSFULLY RELOCATED FROM LOWELL

On Thursday, December 18, state Environmental Police Officers responded with the assistance of Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
biologists to reports of a 600-700 pound cow (female) moose wandering in the Crown Point Plaza area, a densely populated part of Lowell. Because of the public safety threat posed if the moose wandered into neighborhood traffic or nearby Route 3, the moose was
immobilized by Environmental Police Officers of the Large Animal Response Team (L.A.R.T.).  The moose was then transferred to
MassWildlife biologists and technicians who successfully relocated the moose to a wildlife management area in northern Worcester
County. Prior to the release, a GPS collar was placed on the animal as part of an ongoing moose study conducted by a graduate
student working for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts in
Amherst.   For more information about moose in Massachusetts and what to do if a moose is seen in an urban area, visit the following
web link: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/living_with_moose.htm.

WATER SUPPLY GULL STUDY

This summer and fall, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) began conducting a research program to track the habits
and flight patterns of gulls near the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, and is now asking the public’s help in reporting any sightings of
tagged gulls. With funding from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) Water Supply Protection Trust, permit and
capture assistance from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, and advice from the Massachusetts Audubon Society, DCR staff have already
caught and tagged nearly 250 Ring-billed, Herring, and Greater black-backed gulls around the reservoirs in an effort to track their feeding
habits and daily whereabouts.  Information from sightings will be used to help identify local food sources for the birds and determine the
best way to try to prevent them from spending the night at the reservoirs. From fall through spring, thousands of gulls spend the night
sitting in the water at the reservoirs. For almost 20 years, DCR has used various techniques to scare the birds away from the MWRA
intake pipes and prevent their droppings from polluting the water. While those techniques – which involve setting off loud noises near
the gulls, for example – have proven effective, DCR is looking for a more ecological and efficient approach.

Each gull species has its own tag color with a unique identification number for each tag. With help from the public, DCR has already been
able to record the whereabouts of many of the birds at various times during the day, week, and season. Sightings have already been
received from central Massachusetts to Maine, as well as from the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Newfoundland. Anyone who sees
a wing-tagged bird is asked to try to obtain the alpha-numeric combination on the tag (e.g., A57) and report it using the contact
information below. Be sure to include the time and place the bird was sighted. Contact Dan Clark at (508) 792-7423, ext. 215 or dan.clark@state.ma.us. Gull Study information can be found at www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/study/index.htm.

REMEMBERING JIM MCDONOUGH

Jim McDonough, former game biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, passed away in October. McDonough
received an Associate’s Degree from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture in Amherst in 1939. After temporary work with the Civilian
Conservation Corps, he was employed by then-named Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Game from 1948 to 1984 as a technician
and then a game biologist.  Veteran sportsmen and -women will remember that McDonough was particularly noted for his work with
white-tailed deer management and was instrumental in developing the Massachusetts antlerless deer permit system and ecologically-
based deer management zones.  He was also deeply involved with research and management of cottontail rabbits and early successional
habitats and conducted some of the earliest status surveys and habitat investigations of the New England cottontail.  McDonough was a
member of The Wildlife Society (TWS), the professional association of wildlife biologists and was among the first biologists to be
certified by TWS in the late 1970s, when the certification program was initiated.  Through his efforts and financial support, TWS
implemented the “Jim McDonough Award” in the 1980s to recognize Certified Wildlife Biologists who are members of TWS at all levels
and who have made significant contributions to the wildlife profession. Along with his friend and colleague, the late Dr. Robert McDowell
of Connecticut, Jim McDonough was instrumental in the formation of the New England Chapter in 1979 and served as its first president.  McDonough’s knowledge and advice also extended across the Atlantic, where he served as an advisor to the Irish Deer Society and a
younger generation of Irish deer biologists.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be meeting on January 8 at 1:30 PM at the Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife Field Headquarters off North Drive in Westborough. The Fisheries & Wildlife Board meeting in January will be held on Tuesday,
January 27, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Field Headquarters off North Drive in Westborough.  In case of
inclement weather the meeting will be held the following day, Wednesday January 28, at 1:00 PM at the same location. Both meetings
are open to the public and the building is handicapped accessible.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS –An updated Calendar of Events can be seen anytime at www.mass.gov/masswildlife.

January 18—Project WILD Workshop for Educators, Dorchester – Zoo New England’s Franklin Park Zoo (FPZ) invites all K-12 educators to participate in an exciting six-hour interdisciplinary hands-on/minds-on workshop focusing on terrestrial wildlife and ecosystems.
Participants will actively engage in activities, evaluate materials for unique needs and settings, share experiences with other educators,
take home ideas and resources to integrate in to their teaching, and make correlations to national and state content standards. Hours
may be used toward obtaining PDP’s. Pre-registration is required by calling the Education department at FPZ (617) 989-3742. The cost for
the workshop is $15 per person. Franklin Park Zoo is accessible by MBTA or there is free parking at the Zoo.

January 31—Black Bears in Massachusetts, Monson — As part of a Winter Lecture Series, the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary has invited
MassWildlife Biologist Ralph Taylor to give a talk about black bears. Taylor has been extensively involved in the black bear research
program that has been ongoing for more than 2 decades. This program will be offered at 1 PM at the Sanctuary located on 30 Peck Road.
Contact Norcross at (413) 267-9654.

*************************************************************
www.mass.gov/masswildlife
Subscribe to MassWildlife News, a free electronic monthly newsletter updating you on research, events, new laws and other agency
activities.  All you need to do is send an email to:
 Join-MassWildlife.news@listserv.state.ma.us 
MassWildlife serves you from the following offices: 
Western District, Pittsfield 413/447-9789--Conn.Valley District, Belchertown 413/323-7632--Central District, W. Boylston 508/835-3607
--Northeast District, Acton 978/263-4347--Southeast District, Bourne508/759-3406
MassWildlife Field Headquarters, Westborough 508/389-6300 
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Your Woods--After the Ice Storm

Helpful information from Jennifer Fish, Outreach and Stewardship Service Forester, Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR),
Amherst Regional Headquarters
As the electricity returns and trees are removed from roads, yards, and buildings many of you may be venturing into the woods to more
closely inspect the effects of the mid December ice storm. Some of you may find yourselves shocked at the number of trees that have
been broken or damaged while others will find very little damage in their woods. Regardless it is important not to panic and rush into
any decisions.

Ice storms are a common landscape disturbance and play an important role in diversifying our forests. Damaged trees may eventually
develop cavities and broken trees provide downed woody debris. Often oaks and sugar maple suffer less damage than white birches or
red maple giving some trees a competitive advantage after an ice storm.

Natural disasters can be a good opportunity to learn more about our landscape and how it changes and rebounds after a disturbance. At
DCR we are encouraging landowners, as well as anyone with an interest in the land, to call their DCR Service Forester or a private
consulting forester if they have questions or concerns about the effects of the storm. To see a list of foresters working in your area
click here.

We are also working on finding money to help landowners hire a professional to help them assess the damage to their woodlot and to
provide options so they can make informed decisions about the health of their woods.

In addition, I wanted to let you know about some web resources that have information about evaluating tree damage and the effect on
tree health that might be useful to you.
The UMass Extension  - The UMass Extension site has a good general article about the ice storm that encourages landowners not to rush
and to hire a professional to help evaluate their options. It will be updated as more information becomes available so check back from
time to time.

UMass Extension Online Forum - Another UMass Extension site that has an online forum which could be a good place for landowners and professionals alike to ask questions and find out what's going on at the local level.

The University of New Hampshire Extension - This is a University of New Hampshire Extension site. A lot of the information is specific to
New Hampshire but there are some general resources about tree care and pruning. They also have a good landowner message -- "We
learned many lessons from that (1998 ice) storm, the most important - trees and forests recover from damage, so don't panic, be safe
and seek professional help." This is certainly a message that is applicable to Massachusetts as well.

US Forest Service  - This is a forest service site related to the 1998 ice storm in the northern New England area but much of it is relevant
to this storm. There are some good technical publications that foresters might find helpful in assessing woodlot damage. The Forest
Service will continue to post articles to the site so check back from time to time.

Tree Survival and Growth Following Ice Storm Injury - This is a good publication put out by the Forest Service which provides results of
hardwood survival and growth response after the '98 ice storm.

As we learn more information we will be posting it to the DCR website and to www.MassWoods.net.
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Course on *Wetlands Assessment and Field Techniques* Offered at UMass Amherst

The UMass Department of Natural Resources Conservation in cooperation
with UMass Extension is offering “Wetlands Assessment and Field
Techniques,” a 2-credit course during spring semester at the University
of Massachusetts. The University is offering conservation commissioners
and administrators, environmental consultants, agency personnel and
other natural resource professionals two options for participating in
this course: 1) for two graduate credits through the Department of
Natural Resources Conservation or 2) as a non-credit option through
UMass Extension. Course instructors are Scott Jackson and Curt Griffin.
Class meets at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and begins
January 29, 2009.

This course offers in-depth information about Massachusetts wetland
regulations, wetland classification, boundary delineation, wetland
condition assessment, functional assessment, vernal pool certification,
wildlife habitat evaluation, and techniques for evaluating and
mitigating development impacts on wildlife habitat. Class will meet once
a week for 14 weeks during the spring semester. Nine indoor sessions
will meet from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday evenings. Five field sessions
scheduled later in the semester will meet once a week on Wednesday
afternoons (1:25 to 5:30 p.m.).

The cost for this course is $495 for the non-credit option. For graduate
credit the cost is $1,476 for MA residents and $2,535 for non-residents.
Space is limited. For registration or more information, contact: Scott
Jackson at (413) 545-4743 or sjackson@umext.umass.edu.
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