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In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Advocacy News (Includes how to reach your legislators) DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire |
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Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy |
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Albany’s Urban Weasels Monday, Jan. 24
The story of the fisher in the Northeast United States is one of resilience and recovery. They have gone from near extinction at the peak of the fur trade to a burgeoning modern population that has recovered most of its historic range in New England, and is now pushing south along the Appalachian Mountains. Initially biologists considered fishers to be strict “wilderness animals,” partly because they survived the 19th-century trapper’s zeal only by hiding in the most remote areas. Recovery began with a 1930s trapping ban, but continued even after trapping seasons were reopened in the Northeast a few decades later. By the 1980s fishers were found in a variety of forested areas, not just wilderness. With carefully managed trapping seasons, Northeast fishers expanded their populations in all directions. <more> |
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Bill to Support Raw Milk Farmers Introduced. Legislation has been introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature that would allow licensed raw milk dairies to deliver raw milk to their customers. This move will help preserve small dairies in Massachusetts. "Allowing licensed raw milk dairies to deliver their products to consumers will give them an opportunity to meet existing demand," said Winton Pitcoff, Coordinator of the NOFA/Massachusetts Raw Milk Network. "This is an excellent way to help stop the loss of dairy farms in the Commonwealth, without relying on government subsidies." "Preserving dairy farms is important to everyone in Massachusetts," said Pitcoff. "They play an integral role in the state's agricultural landscape, contributing to the economy, using sustainable farming methods that contribute to environmental preservation, educating their customers about the value of fresh, local food, and producing a healthy product for all to enjoy." The bill would also allow licensed raw milk dairies to sell their milk on land that they own or rent which is not necessarily contiguous to the land where they milk their animals. This is important for farmers who have farm stores in or near towns, but milk their cows in more remote areas. Currently they are not allowed to bring milk off the property where it is produced. "Massachusetts raw milk farmers have proven, with an exemplary safety record, that they deserve access to markets for their products," said Pitcoff. "Neighboring states have proven that such access is safe and beneficial to both farmers and consumers." Farmers in Vermont are allowed to deliver raw milk to their customers, while laws in Maine and Connecticut allow raw milk to be sold in retail stores. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) oversees raw milk sales in Massachusetts, but requires that customers come to the farm to make their purchases. Senators and Representatives have until February 4 to sign on to the bill, "An Act relative to the distribution of raw milk," House Docket #02523. The legislation was drafted and submitted by Representative Anne Gobi (D-Fifth Worcester). The NOFA/Massachusetts Raw Milk Network works with licensed raw milk farmers, consumers and the public to ensure that safe, healthy raw milk is available to those who want it. |
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State Legislators need to hear from you about the Safer Alternatives Bill The Safer Alternatives Bill co-sponsor efforts are now fully underway. We have until February 4th to get as many legislators as possible to pledge their support for the Safer Alternatives Bill by signing on as co-sponsors. Have you called your State Representative and Senator yet? If not, (and if they're not one of the 17 who have signed on already) now's the time. Here's what you can do:
17 legislators have already signed up as co-sponsors: What you can do:
Once you've called, don't stop there. Depending on the legislator, it might take 5 or 50 people calling them to get them to sign on. 3. Come to the State House and help recruit other co-sponsors.
More information on the Safer Alternatives Bill In this economy, this bill is needed more than ever. The Safer Alternatives program will help Massachusetts businesses stay competitive on the global market which is rapidly moving towards a demand for safer products and services. The program will is funded by a fee on toxic chemicals brought into the state primarily by out-of-state firms. We can act now to begin a positive pragmatic program that will create healthy residents and a healthy economy. As you may remember, the Safer Alternatives Bill has been filed four times before, each time making progress, but not making it across the finish line to become law. As we are now entering a new legislative session (2011-2012) the bill must again start over at the beginning of the legislative process. We look forward to working with you to make it happen this year. Sincerely, |
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Birds and Communications Towers . After years of foot-dragging, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has agreed to issue an Environmental Assessment (EA) on the risks that cell and other communications towers pose to migratory songbirds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that 4-5 million birds are killed every year by towers or their lighting schemes. Audubon chapters and staff in California and Florida recently testified at two field hearings on the FCC's plans, arguing that an EA doesn't go far enough to assess the cumulative direct and indirect impacts of towers on birds. A more thorough process that includes a full Environmental Impact Statement would do a better job of getting to the bottom of the causes of bird mortality—tower height, guide wires, and lighting among them—and alternatives to help reduce bird deaths. Thanks to everyone who submitted comments in response to our alert earlier this month! We will keep you posted. |
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UCSF Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in Pregnant Women One of the leading reproductive health scientists from the University of California San Francisco, Dr. Tracey Woodruff, and her team of researchers, just released a new study that found for the first time that virtually all pregnant women in the US carry multiple chemicals in their bodies. Woodruff calls the study “surprising and concerning.” The study gained news coverage from around the country. Click here to find out more. |
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Draft Massachusetts Small MS4 General Permit Comment Period The Draft Massachusetts Small MS4 General Permit covers Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Dalton, and Lenox as well as other municipalities in the state. You can view BEAT's comments here. Due to inclement weather, the public meeting and hearing for the Draft Massachusetts Interstate, Merrimack and South Coastal Small MS4 General Permit in Leominster, MA on 1/12/11 were canceled and have been rescheduled as follows: |
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Private Landowner Technical Assistance Program webinar This Webinar will highlight the process and funding parameters of the 2011 Private Landowner Technical Assistance Program. Representatives from NFWF and the NRCS will be available to walk through the application process, program preferences and answer questions. PLTAP is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The purpose of this partnership is to provide grants on a competitive basis to support field biologists and other habitat professionals (botanists, ecologists, foresters, etc.) working with NRCS field offices in providing technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners to maximize wildlife conservation on private lands. The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2011. For more information about the program, follow this link http://www.nfwf.org/privatelandownerTAP or contact me at john.curry@nfwf.org or 612-713-5176. Thank you, John P. Curry |
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EPA Administrator Jackson to Speak at 2011 Green Jobs Conference The 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference — February 8-10 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. — will bring together thousands of union members, environmentalists, community and business leaders from all over the country to share ideas and strategies to build a sustainable economy that creates good jobs and protects our environment for future generations. And now, an exciting speaker has been added to the agenda. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will speak at the morning plenary on Tuesday, February 8. In addition, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will speak Wednesday morning, February 9, followed by a discussion on sustainable communities, moderated by WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi and featuring U.S. Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. In The Global Clean Energy Race: Policy Matters, listen and participate as leaders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries talk about the Pew Environmental Group’s latest report projecting global clean energy investments. Find out how federal policies can create good jobs in energy efficiency in Capturing Building Energy Efficiency Potential: Creating New Jobs and Markets through Federal Policies. Register today for the 2011 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference |
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New Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation BOSTON – January 21, 2011 – Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. today named Edward M. Lambert Jr., director of The Urban Initiative at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and former Mayor of Fall River, as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) effective Monday, February 7. A Fall River resident with over two decades of experience in public policy and management, Lambert, 52, will lead the largest of EEA’s six agencies, overseeing a staff of 1,140 employees and serving as chief steward of 450,000 acres of state forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds. “With a career devoted to working for residents of the South Coast and students of our public higher education system, it would be hard to overstate Ed Lambert’s commitment to public service,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “I am thrilled he is joining our team to take charge of the parks, beaches, and forests that make Massachusetts such a great place for people to live and visit.” “Ed Lambert is a seasoned and talented public manager who brings to the DCR broad experience and success in public policy and public sector leadership,” said Secretary Sullivan, who led the DCR during the first term of the Patrick-Murray Administration. “Having served as DCR Commissioner, I am keenly aware of how much the public expects of the state’s parks, beaches, forests, and campgrounds. I am confident that the DCR and its mission to provide recreation opportunities for the public while conserving the environment will thrive under Ed’s watch.” “With a portfolio of properties that range from ocean beaches and mountain trails to skating rinks, pools, and golf courses, the DCR enhances the quality of life for citizens and visitors across the Commonwealth every day. I thank Governor Patrick and Secretary Sullivan for entrusting me with the job of leading, managing, and advocating for this vitally important state agency,” Commissioner Lambert said. With Lambert’s appointment, Jack Murray, who served has served as DCR Acting Commissioner since Secretary Sullivan’s cabinet appointment earlier this month, will return to his position as Deputy Commissioner of Operations. Lambert worked most recently at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where, since 2007, he has been director of The Urban Initiative since 2007. In that role, he led a research center than provides in-depth reports, analysis, technical assistance and project development to municipalities, state agencies, and non-profit and business organizations. While there, he helped lead an effort to create the Massachusetts Gateway Cities coalition to develop a statewide urban agenda and shape state policy and legislation, and developed the first-ever satellite of the National Dropout Prevention Center. Lambert also taught undergraduate and graduate level courses in public policy and public management. As Mayor of Fall River from 1996 to 2007, Lambert managed an organization of approximately 3,000 employees with an annual operating budget of roughly $220 million. He improved the City’s financial position – balancing 11 consecutive city budgets and significantly upgrading Fall River’s bond rating. He also reorganized Fall River’s municipal government by creating a cabinet-style structure, breaking down barriers to inter-departmental cooperation. Prior to his tenure as Mayor, Lambert was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the Eighth Bristol District and serving as vice-chair of the Committee on Human Services and a member of the Committee on Education. Lambert was an author of legislation that reorganized the Massachusetts public higher education system, creating the five-campus University of Massachusetts system, and assisted in writing the state’s landmark Education Reform Act of 1993. He was elected five times to the Fall River School Committee, where he served from 1979 to 1988. Lambert earned a B.A. in psychology from Southeastern Massachusetts University and a Master’s in education counseling from Bridgewater State College. He resides in Fall River with his wife, Ava, and has a 22-year-old son, James. |
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History and future meet at the Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield Corn cobs used for insulation. Initials scratched into stairs. Old coins squirreled beneath floorboards. Even a letter from a boy to his grandfather describing the 1966 World Series. These are a few of the relics discovered during the renovation of the 1840s Cape-style farmhouse on The Trustees’ Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield, which opened to the public in October. “It’s been fun to see the history of the building as we’ve peeled away the layers,” says Mary Quigley. This fall, the owner of Quigley Builders and her crew were in the final phase of a “deep energy retrofit” of the historic farmhouse, a comprehensive renovation that will substantially improve the building’s comfort, durability, and air quality. The remodel is just one of the initiatives underway at this rolling landscape of forests, meadows, and streams, which diverse occupants have called home over the past century and a half – from those who lived here in the 1800s, when it was the town poor farm, to U.S. Ambassador William C. Bullitt, Jr., who summered in a mansion on the property in the first half of the 20th century. It was Bullitt’s daughter, Anne, who later sought to conserve the land she had so enjoyed as a child. Norman Walker of Ashfield, a Trustees volunteer and Anne’s childhood friend, helped guide her to The Trustees as the best caretakers for the property. After Anne’s death, in 2007, the main house and 103 acres of the estate were sold to a private buyer, who placed the land under a conservation restriction held by The Trustees. The remaining 262-acre section of the estate, which straddles Ashfield and Conway to the south, now forms the Bullitt Reservation. Good as Gold The reservation represents a mix of old and new and nowhere is that more evident than in the soon-to-be state-of-the-art “green” farmhouse. The improvements there should provide a reduction in energy use of 50 percent or more, as compared to a new structure built to code. To make room for the beefed-up insulation this requires – “superinsulation” is loosely defined as insulating with the intention to heat with intrinsic sources, such as body heat – the builders stripped the timber-frame house down to its skeleton. While it might have been easier and less expensive to outfit a brand-new building with energy-saving measures than to rebuild an older structure, “this is a chance to show people how energy savings can be achieved at a residential scale, and to demonstrate how the reuse and recycling of existing materials is an essential part of the sustainable process,” Quigley explains. “Plus, the appearance of the building still fits the historical character of this place.” “The Trustees believe that the greenest building is the one that already exists,” says Jim Younger, The Trustees’ Director of Structural Resources. This is the third green building project Younger has shepherded – the Doyle Center in Leominster opened in 2004 and the renovated Old House at Appleton Farms in Ipswich will open as the Center for Agriculture and the Environment in early spring. “As part of our efforts to reduce our organizational carbon footprint, we have committed to ensuring that every renovation or construction project is green and sustainable. We’re excited to share what we learn through those projects with the public, so that they can understand the real-life solutions they can implement to make their own homes more sustainable.” For more visit The Trustees website. |
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Environmental Film Festival to Celebrate Project Native's 10th Anniversary Project Native will kick off its 10th Anniversary Season with an Environmental Film Festival on Sunday, March 27th at the Triplex Cinema and Mixed Company Theatre in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. A variety of films will be shown on a wide-range of environmental topics. Films will range from 90-minute features to a series of short films. The goal is to not only show the problems facing our world, but to also inspire action for positive change. In an effort to reach a wide and diverse audience the films will be open to the public free of charge. Feature films include: FLOW: For the Love of Water, Living Downstream, Bag it, Good things to life: GE, PCBs and Our Town, Two Angry Moms and Dirt! The Movie In addition, collections of short films will be shown on: urban homesteading, invasive species, commercial meat industry and over-consumption. Project Native has invited several of the film producers and/or regional experts to conduct Question and Answer sessions following each of the films. However, recognizing that these films and the topics addressed therein are complex and multi-faceted, we will encourage attendees to continue conversing, brainstorming and digesting at one of several local restaurants. Host restaurants will provide a space for film festival attendees to mingle, network and ask additional questions of panel members. For more information visit www.projectnative.org |
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$25 Million to Improve Air Quality
HEI is an independent, non-profit research organization that provides impartial science to help address air quality problems in the nation. Established in 1980, HEI receives joint funding from EPA and the motor vehicle industry. The partnership has produced critical research that is often used in important EPA decision-making processes. |
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Williamstown, college granted intervenor status on Pownal biomass proposal WILLIAMSTOWN -- The Vermont Public Service Board has granted the town, Williams College and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission intervenor status in the permitting of a proposed 29.5-megawatt biomass facility at the former Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vt. Ronald W. Turbin, chairman of the Selectmen, said Thursday he was very gratified the town had been granted intervenor status, and that the Public Service Board stated in its decision the town would be impacted by the facility -- and in some cases may even be more affected than Vermont. "It’s really terrific, and we deserve it," he said. "The Public Service Board verified we did the right thing by filing for intervenor status." The Public Service Board filed the order on Jan. 14. Nathaniel Karns, executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, said while it’s fantastic the agency has been granted intervenor status, what is more important is the Public Service Board ruled it can consider the out-of-state impacts of the facility in it’s decision making, and may set conditions to mitigate those impacts. "If they hadn’t made that ruling, it wouldn’t have much mattered if we have intervenor status or not. We could bring up problems, but the board couldn’t consider them in its decision making," he said.<MORE> |
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Senator Downing's Commmittee Assignments Senate President Murray released the Senate's committee assignments and chairmanships yesterday. Senator Downing is pleased to announce that he has received the following appointments:
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District Office Interns Needed! Senator Ben Downing is seeking qualified college students to serve as interns in his district office, located in downtown Pittsfield. Internship hours can be crafted to fit your course schedule anytime Monday through Friday, 9-5pm. Legislative interns perform administrative duties to assist the Senator's staff, including switchboard coverage, database management, preparation of official correspondence and research on constituent inquiries and policy matters. Interns may be asked to attend meetings, briefings and hearings on behalf of the office. Special projects are assigned as necessary. Successful interns should have a professional demeanor; be detail-oriented; have superior written and communication skills; basic computer skills; and an interest in state government and public service. Internships with the Massachusetts Senate are unpaid, but academic credit may be available through your school. Preference is given to students with ties to the Senator's district or western Massachusetts. Interested students should contact Bethann Steiner, the Senator's chief of staff, at (617) 722-1625 or Bethann.Steiner@masenate.gov. |
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MassCEC Pilot Residential Rebate Program for Solar Hot Water Building on the success of the Commonwealth Solar rebate programs, which have installed nearly 34 MW of solar energy throughout the Commonwealth since 2007, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) recently unveiled a new rebate program to help residents finance solar hot water projects. Beginning in early February, MassCEC will begin accepting applications for a pilot version of the new program titled Commonwealth Solar Hot Water, which will help Massachusetts residents adopt solar thermal water heating technology. Rebates to qualifying Massachusetts residents will be awarded through a non-competitive application process for the installation of solar hot water projects by professional, licensed contractors. Solar hot water systems generate heat from sunlight to make hot water. Roof mounted solar 'collectors' for hot water systems look very similar to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which generate electricity rather than hot water. A solar hot water system can be connected to a home's existing hot water tank to heat water and usually provides 50 percent to 75 percent of total household hot water needs. Some solar hot water systems can also connect with the heating system to provide space heating. Because about 20 percent of the energy a consumer uses at home goes to heating hot water, solar hot water systems can generate significant savings by decreasing the amount of gas, oil or electricity used to heat the water. To find out more about solar hot water, see the "Solar Hot Water Factsheet" at www.masscec.com/solarhotwater. To qualify, a resident and project site must be an electric customer of NSTAR, National Grid, Unitil, or Western Massachusetts Electric Co., or of a municipal power company that participates in MassCEC's Renewable Energy Trust Fund. These include Ashburnham, Templeton, Holden, Holyoke and Russell. Rebates will be based on project size. The rebate announced today will amount to approximately $1,000 per system for a typical residential solar hot water system for a four to five person household, with additional rebates available for system components manufactured in Massachusetts. When combined with other federal, state, and utility incentive programs, this rebate can cover more than half of the cost of a system. The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water program is funded with $1 million from MassCEC's Renewable Energy Trust Fund. |
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EPA Seeks Applications for Community-Based Environmental Grants |
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New Poll Shows Strong Support for Bottle Bill Update A recently conducted poll shows that a vast majority of Massachusetts residents support pending legislation to update the state’s Bottle Bill, the 5c deposit on some beverage containers which has been in effect since 1983. According to a poll conducted in January by The MassINC Polling Group, 77 percent of the public wants to see additional containers---like water bottles, sports drinks, iced teas, and fruit juices---include the 5c deposit. “This poll provides the science to what we’ve known from our experience all along, that the Bottle Bill is popular. We need to pass the law to update it, which will result in a win/win/win for Massachusetts---cleaning up litter, increasing recycling, and saving cities and towns money from disposal costs,” declared Representative Alice Wolf, who, along with Senator Cynthia Creem, has championed the bill in the Legislature. “It’s been clear to me for ages that my district wholeheartedly supports the bill, and I believe this poll will help persuade legislators to enact this update in 2011,” remarked Senator Creem. Included in the poll’s statistics:
“There’s simply no reason to delay this bill any longer,” exhorted Janet Domenitz, the Executive Director of MASSPIRG, which pushed for the original Bottle Bill and has been campaigning for its update. “What better New Year’s Resolution for the Legislature than to pass this and get it to the Governor’s desk now? Governor Patrick is eager to sign this measure into law. ” The bill to update the current law has been pending in the Legislature for over a decade. The current Bottle Bill covers only carbonated beverages; the update would expand the types of containers to include water, sports drinks, iced teas and the like. Supporters represent a broad range, among others: the Sierra Club, Mass Audubon Society, the Charles River Conservancy, Environmental League of MA, Mass Recycle; as well as the League of Women Voters, the Mass Municipal Association, the Mass Redemption Coalition, the Mass League of Environmental Voters, and the Surfrider Foundation. Mayor Tom Menino and Governor Deval Patrick have been ardent supporters, and Congressman Ed Markey has filed a Bottle Bill in Congress. “While we represent the environmental constituency, it’s clear from our coalition that this bill is an environmental protection bill, plus. It saves money, it promotes corporate responsibility, and we now know its public appeal is overwhelming,” said James McCaffrey, director of the Sierra Club of MA. “This is already an early priority for ranking legislators in our 2011-2012 Environmental Scorecard,” added Lora Wondolowski, Executive Director of the Mass League of Environmental Voters. These results are based on a MassINC Polling Group statewide poll conducted January 5-8, 2011 among 400 Massachusetts residents, including 342 registered voters. Live telephone interviews were conducted via both landline and cell phone. Interviews were conducted in both English and Spanish by Eastern Research Services. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4.9 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence. |
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Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review - Executive Order By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to improve regulation and regulatory review, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. General Principles of Regulation.
(c) In applying these principles, each agency is directed to use the best available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future benefits and costs as accurately as possible. Where appropriate and permitted by law, each agency may consider (and discuss qualitatively) values that are difficult or impossible to quantify, including equity, human dignity, fairness, and distributive impacts. Sec. 2. Public Participation.
Sec. 3. Integration and Innovation. Sec. 4. Flexible Approaches. Sec. 5. Science. Sec. 6. Retrospective Analyses of Existing Rules.
Sec. 7. General Provisions.
(i) authority granted by law to a department or agency, or the head thereof; or
BARACK OBAMA |
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March 1 Deadline for Harvard Business School Scholarship The program will take place July 17-23, 2011 in Boston, MA. All applications must be received by Tuesday, March 1 to be considered for admission. Nonprofit CEOs of organizations with budgets over $500,000 are eligible to apply. |
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Scholarships are available for all 2011 MAC Programs A limited number of full or partial scholarships are available for all 2011 MAC programs including or Winter Conference for Educators, Fall Greening the School Conference, Summer Graduate Course and for the Summer workshops on the farm. These scholarships will be awarded to those who have need and are new to teaching (within the past 5 years) and to teachers from urban schools. The funds for these scholarships were provided through a generous donation from an AgEnhancement Grant from Farm Credit East. For more information on eligibility for these scholarships, check out our website at www.aginclassroom.org and click on the Annual Winter Conference Link or Workshops Link. |
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Scholarships available to attend MACC Annual Environmental Conference How to apply Download an application form: http://www.maccweb.org/support_fawcett.html |
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Tamakoce Wilderness Programs: Spring Session Begins the week of March 28th Time spent in nature has been proven to build confidence, cognitive skills, and self esteem. With the mentoring and skills acquired through a program like ours, noticeable signs of personal growth are evident almost immediately! If you have not already contacted me about registering, now's the time. Mondays 5-7 yr. olds in Williamstown Tuesday 8-12 in Grafton, NY Wednesdays 8-12 in Albany NY We also have a boys’ Rite of Passage program that meets once a month. Contact me for info. on tuition and times and whatever questions you have. Please pass this along to any group or friends that may be interested. Thanks. See you in the Woods! Dan Yacobellis |
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Roland Kays Scott LaPoint holding a tranquilized male fisher with a tracking collar.