In the News
CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
Green Renovation at the Bullitt Reservation The Trustees are working to convert a 19th-century farmhouse at our soon-to-open Bullitt Reservation into a net-zero-energy building. When complete, it will be a model of green renovation. |
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT AT CRITICAL JUNCTURE |
Meeting on Habitat Management in Wildlife Management Areas - July 29, 7pm, Lenox Town Hall Auditorium, 6 Walker Street, Lenox The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board is seeking public input and comment on the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s habitat management activities on wildlife management areas. Wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists, hunters, anglers, birders, wildlife management area users and other conservation-minded citizens are invited to a public informational meeting scheduled at the Lenox Town Hall Auditorium, 6 Walker Street, Lenox, at 7PM. The meeting will include a presentation about the Division's wildlife habitat management goals, habitat management practices and wildlife outcomes on its wildlife lands and will include a question and answer period. "The Division’s mission is to conserve the Commonwealth’s wildlife diversity in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens,” notes Tom O’Shea, DFW Assistant Director of Wildlife. "The agency is obligated to restore and sustain healthy wildlife populations of all kinds. This public meeting will provide interested citizens with the scientific background and biological results for grassland, shrubland, and forest management activities carried out on DFW lands to provide critical habitats for declining types of wildlife." Two more public informational meetings will be scheduled in other parts of the state. One meeting will be held in August in the Connecticut River Valley area and the other will be scheduled in September in eastern Massachusetts. Information on those meetings will be posted in the Public Meetings area of the Division’s website (www.mass.gov/masswildlife) when details are finalized. |
WMECo will be working at contaminated Newell St Site Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) will be deploying construction crews to Newell Street II area to remove two of the four electrical towers at their property over the next week or two. Preparation work is starting today. WMECo crews will construct a temporary access road using protective mats so that the equipment involved with this operation will not impact the site, including the engineered barrier. The concrete supports for the towers will remain in place, and no soil will be removed. GE will replace any plantings that are damaged or destroyed during this operation. EPA will have oversight of these operations to ensure the remedy is not compromised. The attached sitemap indicates the location of the Newell Street II area. The second attachment shows the location of the access road. (See attached file: sitemap_2008.pdf)(See attached file: WEMCo proj.pdf) Please contact me if you have questions. Thanks. Jim Murphy |
National Car Rental Fined Nearly $500K for Diesel Idling Violations at Logan and Bradley Airports (Boston, Mass. – July 19, 2010) – Pending court approval, several companies affiliated with National Car Rental will pay a fine of $475,000 for repeated violations of motor vehicle idling regulations at two New England airports: Logan International in Boston, Mass. and Bradley International near Hartford, Conn. On numerous occasions in 2006 and 2007, EPA investigators observed the shuttle buses that carry passengers from the airport terminal to the rental car locations idling excessively. At the time, Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc operated the National Car Rental facilities at Logan and Bradley Airports. The current owners and operators of these facilities are Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company of Boston, LLC, and CAMRAC, LLC. Both Massachusetts and Connecticut have clean air regulations which limit motor vehicle idling (to five minutes in Mass. and three minutes in Conn.) with exceptions allowed for vehicles undergoing maintenance, making deliveries or in extreme cold conditions. “Here in New England, we suffer from disproportionately high asthma rates,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “Diesel pollution is very harmful, especially for sensitive populations such as the young, elderly and people who suffer from asthma. It is critical for the health of the surrounding community that companies like National Car Rental comply with anti-idling laws.” EPA had documented idling violations at Logan Airport dating back to 2002. Since taking over from Vanguard in mid-2007, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and CAMRAC have been taking steps to address excessive idling at the Logan and Bradley facilities, including more management oversight, posting no-idling signs, installing electronic idling controls and retraining drivers. The Consent Decree, lodged in federal court and requiring approval by the court, requires the companies to continue with anti-idling measures, such as driver training, daily management walk-throughs to monitor idling, maintaining electronic idling controls and posting of no-idling signs. Diesel emissions contribute to a number of serious air pollution problems such as smog, acid rain and increased carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. In New England, diesel engines are the third largest human-made source of fine particles, contributing more than 20 percent of fine particle emissions. Fine particles can cause lung damage and aggravate respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis. Based upon human and laboratory studies, there is also considerable evidence that diesel exhaust is a likely carcinogen. Idling engines typically waste up to a gallon of fuel per hour. As a result, it makes good economic and environmental sense to minimize idling. Moreover, idling is harmful to engines, increasing maintenance costs and shortening engine life. For a wait time of more than a few seconds, turning off the engine saves fuel, protects the engine, and helps improve air quality. More Information: |
The High & The Mighty - The Forests of Mohawk & Monroe This summer exhibit will take visitors on an inspiring and captivating visual journey into the tall forests of the Mohawk Trail and Monroe State Forests. Teaming up with the Eastern Native Tree Society (ENTS) who are specialists in measuring some of the tallest trees in the state, the DCR’s Western gateway Visitors Museum has produced a photographic tribute to the majestic trees and vistas of both of these forests which are noted for their beauty and varied forest environments. The highlight of the exhibit are large format prints of some of the forests’ and state’s tallest and most beautiful trees. Additional large color prints highlight the magnificent landscapes and terrain of both parks. The science and folklore of forests and trees are also part of the exhibit. Through this experience, the DCR and the ENTS hope to spark an interest and appreciation for the natural wonders that are available to us through the stewardship of the DCR. Western Gateway Heritage State Park is located at 115 State Street, Building 4, North Adams, MA 01247 Jessica A. Rowcroft |
Settlement Clears Way for Cleanup of Easthampton, Mass. Site (Boston, Mass. – July 15, 2010) – Two parties have entered into an agreement with EPA to clean-up asbestos-contaminated soils at a site in Easthampton, Mass. in the near future. According to the agreement, the two parties, W. R. Grace & Co. and Oldon Limited Partnership, will pay an estimated $833,000 to clean the contaminated soil. They have also agreed to pay EPA’s past cleanup costs of $72,537. The 2.3-acre site is located in a mixed residential, commercial and agricultural area and includes a facility owned by Oldon. Grace leased the facility, located on Wemelco Way, from Oldon between 1963 and 1992. During that time, Grace received asbestos-contaminated vermiculite concentrate from the Zonolite mine in Libby, Mont., and produced Zonolite attic insulation and fireproofing material. Investigations by EPA have identified asbestos contamination at the facility including asbestos-contaminated soil behind the vacant building on the eastern half of the property and residual asbestos contamination inside the building. The settlement agreement requires this contaminated soil and the interior of the building to be cleaned up. The parties are also responsible for cleaning up asbestos-contaminated soils discovered on a railroad right of way owned by the town that is slated to become a bike trail, as well as soil on other properties immediately adjacent to the facility. “The parties involved in this site have stepped up to the plate in cleaning their own facility,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “This kind of action helps protect the environment and public health and we applaud them for taking responsibility.” Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355 |
Patrick-Murray Administration Awards $8.1 Million in Grants to Commonwealth’s 35 Green Communities BOSTON — Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - In keeping with the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to clean energy, Governor Deval Patrick today announced that 35 cities and towns that earned official Green Community status last month began reaping the benefits of that designation today - receiving grants for municipal renewable energy and energy efficiency projects worth $8.1 million statewide. "These 35 cities and towns have already demonstrated outstanding leadership by qualifying to be Green Communities," said Governor Deval Patrick. "With the grants they are receiving today, these communities can take critical next steps as our partners on the road toward a clean energy future." "With these grant awards, our administration is supporting a range of investments from state-of-the art energy efficiency buildings to local renewable energy installations, which will help communities create a stronger, more sustainable future for Massachusetts," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. Following their designation as Green Communities by the Department of Energy Resources' (DOER) Green Communities Division, the following municipalities met a June 4 deadline to apply for $8.1 million in grants for local clean energy projects: Acton, Arlington, Athol, Andover, Becket, Belchertown, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Easthampton, Greenfield, Hamilton, Hanover, Holyoke, Hopkinton, Kingston, Lancaster, Lenox, Lexington, Lincoln, Lowell, Mashpee, Medford, Melrose, Montague, Natick, Newton, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield, Sudbury, Tyngsboro, Wenham, and Worcester. DOER reviewed the grant applications and awarded today's grants based on a minimum award of $125,000 for each Green Community, with the maximum amount per community adjusted for population and per capita income. "These 35 cities and towns are the pacesetters in a growing movement to make municipal operations cleaner and greener," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles, whose office includes DOER. "These grants will enable communities from Cape Cod to the Berkshires to cut waste, save energy dollars, create local jobs, and increase their energy independence." The signature program of the landmark Green Communities Act of 2008, the DOER’s Green Communities Grant Program uses funding from auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reward communities that earn Green Communities designation by meeting five clean energy benchmarks: • Adopting local zoning bylaw or ordinance that allows "as-of-right-siting" of renewable energy projects; "DOER received an impressive array of thoughtful and ambitious proposals in this inaugural round of Green Communities grants," DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice said. "I am pleased that we can assist these cities and towns as they further distinguish themselves as energy innovators." A list of some of the western Mass. Green Community grant amounts and projects follows: Athol: $171,523 for energy efficiency improvements at the senior center, an HVAC analysis of the town hall and library, and a solar hot water system at the fire station Becket: $141,326 for a new road salt shed closer to the center of town which will reduce vehicle miles traveled by snow removal vehicles Belchertown: $160,917 to buy down cost of town's energy management services contract for municipal buildings Easthampton: $174,985 for LED streetlights Greenfield: $202,066 to buy down the cost of an energy management services company contract, community energy efficiency programs, and consulting services Holyoke: $321,221 for energy efficient school, traffic and street lights and to insulate city hall Lenox: $134,766 for energy efficiency measures and training, energy expert consulting services, community wind forums and a solar homes program Montague: $154,944 for a fine bubble aeration system to improve the efficiency of the wastewater treatment process at the public water pollution control facility Northampton: $198,500 for a 51 kW solar power project Pittsfield: $256,632 for an energy management system at city hall Springfield: $988,102 to improve the energy efficiency of boilers and vending machines and for five energy management systems In addition to grants, each Green Community is receiving Big Belly solar waste compactors in time for the summer parks and beaches season. Purchased with DOER energy efficiency funding, Big Belly compactors can hold several times more trash and litter than similarly sized regular trash receptacles - thereby reducing the number of garbage truck trips required to empty them. Each municipality will also receive a certificate from the Commonwealth recognizing it as an official Green Community. DOER will take additional applications for Green Community designations and grants later this year. Click here for more information on DOER's Green Communities program. |
A little sunshine on Greylock Glen Tuesday July 13, 2010 Now, in the latest Glen reincarnation, Stephen Brown is project manager yet again. Why is this important? Follow me. After all the public meetings, after all the MEPA reviews, after the land disposition agreement, and after $6 million disappeared with no accountability, the Greylock Glen development could never have been built. Never! And the reason why the Glen development could never have been built was because parts of it were designed on Specialty Minerals property. Brown knew that early on. Proof. Comment letters from James R. Mulkey, director of manufacturing operation at Specialty Minerals, and myself, brought forth this issue in 1998. Attorney Elisabeth C. Goodman, of Bernstein Cushner and Kimmel, again raised this issue in a comment letter dated Oct. 7, 1999. In my letter to Mr. Brown dated Nov., 14, 2000, concerning the Greylock Center Land Disposition Agreement, I state: "Please note: The above mentioned parcel 6, shown as Parcel 6A and Parcel 6B on Schedule PP, does not belong to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Specialty Minerals owns those two parcels. Furthermore, golf fairway #13 still trespasses on parcel 6A." What was DEM/GMA’s response? They deceptively and fraudulently move the boundary line on the map included with the Final Environmental Impact Report so it appeared as if #13 fairway was within their boundary. In a telephone conversation on Nov. 7, 2000, Jerry Lewis, environmental manager of Specialty Minerals, confirmed that "no land agreement had been made or is in the works." So, I ask you, at the very least, shouldn’t our Board of Selectmen demand an accounting of the $6 million that disappeared before we go forward with another project managed by Stephen Brown? Wouldn’t it be nice, once and for all, to have a little sunshine on the Glen? JOHN "ROCCO" TRIMARCHI |
Job Announcement: Executive Director for the River Management Society |
Massachusetts Biomass Policy Development Manomet Study on Biomass Sustainability and Carbon Accounting Meeting Times/Locations Tuesday, July 27, 2:00-4:00pm Wednesday, July 28, 6:00-8:00pm Agenda (both meetings are identical) 1st Hour
2nd Hour
DOER will accept Public Comments on the content of the meetings through Thursday, August 12th at doer.biomass@state.ma.us |
What are the impacts of losing more than a million bats? |
Subject: Invasive Ants Hello; We are biologists studying an invasive stinging ant that is spreading in New England. We are seeking help from nature centers, wildlife sanctuaries, and similar organizations to find locations of this species. The ant, Myrmica rubra, is sometimes called the "European fire ant." Although several species of ants sting if provoked, M. rubra is more aggressive towards people than are the native ants of New England. Many thanks, |
MOUNT GRACE LAND CONSERVATION TRUST, Kate Marquis, Michel Merle Owner Carly Hutchinson seeks assistance with a field of bittersweet: about one acre, on Tom Swamp Road near New Athol Road. Field is overgrown with bittersweet. Some plants have been cut and stacked on tarps. Further work is required; very labor-intensive. The owner will hire a professional to do follow-up (hand-spraying or hand-dabbing of chemical weed killer). We are looking for volunteers to undertake this project. The field was actually a field of bittersweet under cultivation for the fabrication of wreaths; when that enterprise folded, the field became an invasives nightmare. So this is a remediation project, which could be done over two days. The land owner would provide refreshments and lunch. The 56-Acre woodlot is in the process of being protected by Mount Grace. The job is to cut larger plants, pull out smaller ones. Make brush piles Owner states, no workers under 18 Possibility of Eagle Scout program that would continue the yearly clearing for 3 to 4 yrs. Equipment needed: loppers, big and small gloves plastic leaf bags plastic sheets/tarps buckets |
With a Boost from Innovation, Small Wind Is Powering Ahead |
Changes Coming for Environmental Species MassWildlife has proposed changes to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) regulations. The public will have the opportunity to provide input at a hearing later this month. Mass Audubon supports many of the changes, including improved transparency through a new public comment system for changes to the Priority Habitat maps delineating rare and endangered species habitats, and a broader conservation planning approach to protection of Species of Special Concern. Expanded provisions for grandfathering and exemptions are also proposed. Mass Audubon has concerns about a few of those provisions, and will provide comments and suggestions for further refinements. A plain language description of the changes is also available. Public hearing details: |
Environmental Budget - How Low Can You Go As we reported last week, higher budget funding levels hinged on Massachusetts’ receipt of about $700 million in federal FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) funding. In Governor Patrick’s review of the penultimate budget, he vetoed the higher numbers, sending back a budget that does not rely on FMAP funds, resulting in $457.5 million worth of vetoes with $4.4 million coming from the environmental agencies. Environmental agency budgets are down from $196.6 million last year to $175.2 million this year – or .67% of the state budget. View funding levels and the Governor’s vetoes. It is still possible that the state will receive FMAP funds, in which case a supplemental budget will be released. We will keep you posted with further details. |
Global Work Party 10/10/10 |
A Crack in the GMO Façade Then act on the latest GMO legislation that aims to establish mandatory labeling of GMO products, prohibit-open air cultivation, and protect farmers and ranchers impacted by GMO contamination. |
From MassWildlife News WILDLIFE LANDS BIOLOGICAL DATABASE NOW ONLINE The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) has recently posted a searchable biological monitoring database on its website that provides survey information on plants, animals (primarily songbirds), vernal pools, natural communities, and other natural resources found on some of the agency’s wildlife management areas (WMAs). Some of the collected information includes plant surveys conducted before and after habitat management activities. The database may be of interest to anyone who has visited particular WMAs and wants to know more about the natural resources on those lands; anyone who plans to visit WMAs and wants to know more about the plants and animals they can expect to see; or anyone who is curious about the types of natural resource data the Division collects on its lands. “This database helps people not only learn about the diversity of plants, animals, and habitats on our wildlife management areas,” said Tom O’Shea, Assistant Director of Wildlife. “It also provides wildlife professionals with essential baseline information needed for developing habitat management plans on Division lands.” The DFW Biomonitoring Database is hosted on the Mass.gov Open Data Initiative Wiki Space, a web tool utilized by state agencies to help make public data available and accessible to the citizens of the Commonwealth. For more information, go to: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/management/bdi/forest_mgt/bio_monitoring.htm. |
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