The BEAT News

July 9, 2009

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

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Zebra mussels have arrived in the Berkshires

The first known infestation in Massachusetts has been confirmed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Lakes and Ponds Program in Laurel Lake in Lee.  A lake monitoring volunteer participating in a zebra mussel monitoring project in the Berkshires that was initiated by DCR in 2008 was the first to report the occurrence.  DCR is now working with other state agencies to devise a plan to attempt to contain the zebra mussels to that lake. 

Native to the Caspian and Black seas, zebra mussels likely found their way to North America in the ballast water of transatlantic ships. In 1988, the first case showed up in the Great Lakes, and since then the invasive species have spread throughout the Great Lakes, the Hudson River and bodies of water in New York, and to major rivers like the Mississippi.

Once zebra mussels have infested a body of water, they cause damage to aquatic species and manmade structures and property.  Experience in other states has shown that eradication is not an option; therefore preventing the spread is critical to protect other regional waterbodies. 

Preventing the spread of zebra mussels
There are ways to curtail zebra mussels from hitchhiking from one body of water to another:

  • Inspect and clean your boat after removing it from the water and away from the launch ramp. If you find any mussels, scrape them off and kill them by crushing them. Dispose of the remains in the trash. Remove all plants and mud from boat, trailer and equipment.
  • Empty and dry all buckets and dispose of all bait in trash receptacles before you leave. Do not take bait home or leave it on the ground or dump it in any waterway.
  • Carefully feel your boat’s hull for any rough or gritty spots, which may be young mussels that cannot be seen. Microscopic mussels will feel like sandpaper.
  • Away from the waterway, drain all water from boat and dry all areas, including the motor, motor cooling system, live wells, ballast tanks, bladders, bilges, and lower outboard units.
  • Keep water craft dry for at least one week during hot, dry weather or up to four weeks during cool, wet weather before launching into any freshwater lake or pond. Drying is the only way to prevent spread of zebra mussels.
  • Thoroughly clean all fishing and recreational equipment (fishing nets, etc.).
  • Inspect, clean and dry all life jackets, water skis, clothing, diving equipment, footwear and anything else that may have come in contact with the water. Wash, dry, and brush pets that have been in the water.
  • If you can’t keep your craft dry, wash your boat’s hull, trailer, equipment, bilge and any other exposed surfaces. High-pressure, hot water will help to reduce the spread, but a household bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach per 2 cups of water) must be used to prevent the spread.

For more information and steps for boaters to take to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, please view these links:
Link to DCR's zebra mussel profile page - http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/lakepond/factsheet/Zebra%20Mussel.pdf
Link to Berkshire Eagle Article (07/07/09) - http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_12765775

-- Source: Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation ,  Lakes and Ponds Program   

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
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$100,000 in Grants to Organizations that Promote Local Agriculture

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) awarded seven grants totaling $100,000 aimed at encouraging consumers to buy Massachusetts-grown food.  
“Buying local, farm-fresh products bolsters the state’s agricultural economy while promoting good health and nutrition,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, whose office includes DAR. “Buy Local campaigns are essential for spreading the word about the benefits of purchasing local produce.”

Organizations from South Deerfield, Great Barrington, Topsfield, Nantucket, Dartmouth, Barnstable and Boston will receive Buy Local Grants. Under this program, DAR awards grants to community organizations throughout the state to support efforts that encourage consumers and businesses to buy produce from local farmers.

“Local farms provide both fresh produce and sustainable, working landscapes for Massachusetts residents and visitors to enjoy. We’re thrilled to honor groups whose work promotes Massachusetts farm products,” said DAR Commissioner Scott Soares.

“I echo the sentiments of Secretary Bowles and Commissioner Soares, in congratulating the grant winners, for the recipients’ determined efforts to promote local produce and the associated benefits of these products,” said Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.  

“Buy Local Grants are a vital boost to local farmers and agricultural economies,” said Rep. William M. Straus, chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture. “Even in this fiscal climate, I am pleased state government continues to promote both through direct grants to where it is needed.”

The grants are aimed at attracting additional funding to support future programs, increasing agricultural product sales for farmers, and promoting regional agricultural products such as maple syrup from Western Massachusetts or apples grown in Northeast Massachusetts.

Agricultural sales have trended up in recent years. A February 2009 report from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that Massachusetts agriculture expanded from 2002 to 2007, growing by 27 percent both in crop and livestock sales and in the total number of farms. The USDA’s latest agricultural census states that the number of Massachusetts farms increased from 6,075 in 2002 to 7,691 farms in 2007. The market value of agricultural production also jumped during the same period, from $384 million to $490 million.

The grant winners are:

Berkshire Grown will work with the Berkshire Visitor’s Bureau to help promote their Buy Local campaign, and it will create community root cellars and other activities to extend the season.

Great Barrington
Award: $24,500
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture will train volunteers and to promote local agriculture at local events.

South Deerfield
Award: $13,057
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension will promote its regional Buy Local program and create a new website.

Barnstable
Award: $16,000
Sustainable Business Networks of Greater Boston will assist with Buy Local campaigns throughout the Commonwealth.

Wayland
Award: $2,000
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) will work on extending the season programs to help local growers increase their sales.

Dartmouth
Award: $23,88
Sustainable Nantucket will promote the agricultural components of the Nantucket Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market

Nantucket
Award: $10,000
Essex Ag Society will update its website and create Farm Kits to help farmers in their area use the Buy Local message in marketing their products.

Topsfield (northeastern region)
Award: $10,557

The DAR’s mission is to ensure the long-term viability of local agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions – Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance – the DAR strives to support, regulate, and enhance the Commonwealth’s agricultural community, working to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture’s role in energy conservation and production.

BEAT Note: Despite sales, the total number of acres in production in MA went from 518,510 in 2002 to 517,879 in 2007.   Local County statistics break down as follows:
In Franklin County, the number of farms increased from 586 in 2002 to 741 in 2007 with sales of $42,895 in 2002 and $56,844 in 2007 and 74,281 acres in 2002 and 79,465 in 2007. 
In Hampden County, the number of farms increased from 458 in 2002 to 508 in 2007 with sales of $23,686 in 2002 and $25,735 in 2007 and 37,637 acres in 2002 and 36,841 in 2007.
In Hampshire County, the number of farms increased from 542 in 2002 to 711 in 2007 with sales of $35,079 in 2002 and $38,617 in 2007 and 50,756 acres in 2002 and 52,756 in 2007.
In Berkshire County, the number of farms increased from 401 in 2002 to 522 in 2007 with sales of $21,725 in 2002 and $20,601 in 2007 and 68,630 acres in 2002 and 66,352 in 2007.
Support your local farm in 2009!
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Announcing Free Summer Canoe Programs for 2009

Mass Audubon and Housatonic Valley Association are announcing a series of free summer canoe programs on the Housatonic River. These trips are part of the Housatonic Environmental Literacy Program (HELP).

HELP is one of ten restoration projects within the Housatonic Watershed in Massachusetts awarded by Trustees from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from an initial round of projects funded by the settlement with General Electric. The funding must be used to restore the natural resources and services that were impaired as a result of the chemical waste contamination.

HELP canoe trips are approximately three hours long and include all equipment necessary. Accommodations can be made for paddlers with special needs. All participants will receive a copy of Mass Audubon’s Paddlers Guide to New England. The trip is appropriate for children ages 5 and up.

Please call 413-637-0320 to reserve as space is limited. Locations will be given when reservations are made. The trips are scheduled for July and August as follows:

JULY 7 – AUGUST 25
Tuesdays:       7:00am – 9:00am or 10:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday s:     2:00pm – 4:00pm or 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Sundays:        12:00pm – 3:00pm

Berkshire Wildlife Sanctuaries
Massachusetts Audubon Society
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA 01240
413-637-0320
www.massaudubon.org
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Video Contest Winners Inspire Stewardship for the Nation’s Waters

The two winners of EPA’s first-ever water quality video contest made videos that will help educate the public about water pollution and give simple steps that people and communities can take to improve water quality.
 
“We are delighted by the number and quality of contest submissions,” said Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Michael H. Shapiro. “This is another illustration of how new Web technologies allow people to express their passion for water quality in new and exciting ways.”
 
In the 30 or 60 second category, “Protect Our Water - Check Cars for Oil Leaks” submitted by Lucas Ridley of Trenton, Ga. was the overall winner. His video illustrates one easy step you can take to protect your watershed through proper motor vehicle care.
 
In the 1-3 minute category, “Dastardly Deeds and the Water Pollution Monster” submitted by Nora Kelley Parren of Hinesburg, Vt. was the winner. Her animated video, made entirely out of discarded paper, illustrates how polluted runoff threatens ecosystems and offers tips people can take to protect water quality. The two winning filmmakers will each receive a $2,500 cash award, and their videos are featured on EPA’s Web site.
 
EPA received more than 250 video submissions that covered a wide variety of topics including low impact development, wetlands, marine debris, watershed management, water quality monitoring, polluted runoff, and other water-related topics. EPA received many other highly creative videos, and 22 videos were recognized as honorable mentions. 
 
Thanks to the 1972 Clean Water Act, there have been great improvements to our nation’s waters over the past 37 years; however, there is more that we can do. Educating citizens about actions that they can take to reduce their impact is vital to improving the nation’s water quality.
 
To view the winning videos and honorable mentions:  http://www.epa.gov/owow/videocontest.html
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Learn About Forests and Parks   
   
Calling all tree-huggers! Mass Audubon has developed a new section of their website dedicated to state forests and parks. Check it out at http://www.massaudubon.org/advocacy/forests.php for an introduction to forest stewardship, resources for woodland management and volunteering, and more! 
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NOFA Summer Conference 8/7-9

Northeast Organic Farming Association
Annual Summer Conference
August 7-9, 2009
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Don't miss the oldest, most diverse grassroots organic event of the year!

Learn how to grow good, healthy food and live a more sustainable life! Mingle with enthusiasts of organic food and living!

Register before JULY 6th for a great early bird discount!
With 60 new workshops added since the last update, there are now over 220 great workshops!

The NOFA Summer Conference is the Northeast's largest and most comprehensive gathering of growers and enthusiasts of organic food. With a 35 year history of teaching people about organic farming, gardening and living, this year's conference promises to be the most educational yet, with workshops on a wide range of topics, concurrent programs for kids and teens, an old fashioned country fair (open to the public), organic meals, camping, dancing, live music, and fun! Close to 100 exhibitors will participate in the trade show where you can learn even more and make connections for important products, services and with movement non-profit organizations.

Keynote addresses by Paul Stamets, mushroom expert and author of Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World and urban farmer Will Allen, CEO and founder of Growing Power.

Don't miss it. Register now! Visit www.nofasummerconfe
rence.org for more information about the conference, including the workshop schedule.

Spread the word! Pass this along to family, friends, and neighbors. See you in August!
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Sabic goes carbon neutral
By Tony Dobrowolski from the Berkshire Eagle

Updated: 07/04/2009 12:25:34 AM EDT

Saturday, July 04
PITTSFIELD -- Sabic Innovative Plastics and Motorola have combined to develop a new polycarbonate resin that the electronics company hasused to develop the world's first certified carbon neutral device.
The product is a new mobile phone that is made from an eco-engineered resin developed by Sabic of which 25 percent contains material culled from discarded plastic water bottles. It is the first mobile phone to use post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
The development of the new resin took place at a Sabic facility in Indiana, said Tom Stanley, the company's vice president of technology. But the molding and testing of the new substance occurred in Pittsfield, where Sabic Innovative Plastic's maintains its world headquarters. The entire process took a couple of years to complete, he said. <more>
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Public Discussions with Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Experts

This spring, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA),  MassDEP and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) conducted  a series of public meetings to present the proposed 1990 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Baseline and 2020 Business as Usual Projection.   Pursuant to the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), the 1990 Baseline and 2020 Projection were finalized and posted to MassDEP’s website on July 1, 2009.  We’d like to thank you for your interest and participation in GWSA implementation thus far and to invite you to continue to be part of this important effort.

This letter is to inform you about the GHG reduction policy development work we are engaged in now and to invite you to participate in upcoming public meetings in July and early fall.

The GWSA requires that Massachusetts set a goal for reducing GHG emissions by 10% to 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, prepare a plan for meeting that goal and set the stage for achieving at least an 80% reduction by 2050.  Massachusetts has established 12 policy work groups composed of state agency personnel from the Executive Offices of (and Departments within) Energy and Environmental Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Economic Development to begin developing the goal and the plan.   The Act requires these GHG reduction plans to be economy-wide, so the work groups are reviewing GHG reduction policies for a range of different sectors of the Massachusetts economy, including transportation, buildings, electricity generation, waste management, industry, and forests.

In July, each of these work groups has invited experts on climate issues to make presentations at public meetings as input to the identification of potential greenhouse gas reduction policies. We are looking forward to learning more about potential strategies for each of these sectors and hope this will also be the beginning of ongoing discussions with leading thinkers and researchers on GHG reduction strategies.  These meetings are open to the public and we invite you to participate in them.  We would also welcome suggestions of other experts whom we should invite to participate in the meetings, or otherwise consult with on strategies to consider. The expert discussions are organized by sector and sources of GHG emissions.  The list of scheduled public expert discussions is presented below; but please check the MassDEP website (http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/climate/index.htm ) to confirm there have been no changes for any meeting you plan to attend.

We also plan to host a series of public meetings this fall to present the GHG reduction policy ideas that the state agency work groups are developing to the public and to get your input and suggestions.  Later this summer, we will post the schedule for these outreach meetings on our website and send notices out via email.

Thanks for your interest in this program.    If you have any questions about the policy workgroups or the State’s efforts to implement the GWSA, please contact Lee Dillard Adams at MassDEP, lee.dillard.adams@state.ma.us.
Sincerely,
Lucy Edmondson
Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning, MassDEP

Public Discussions with Experts about GHG Reduction Strategies and Policy

Please note:  All email addresses, unless otherwise noted, are “first name.(middlename.)lastname@state.ma.us” and are not case sensitive.

Low Carbon Fuel Supply (Dwayne.Breger and Nathan.Phelps)
Thursday July 9, 2009, 3-5 PM, MassDEP - 1 Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room A, Boston

Energy Sector Sequestration (Eric.Fahle and Steve Petsch: spetsch@geo.umass.edu )
Thursday July 9, 2009, 10-12 AM, MassDEP - 1 Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room A, Boston

Building Efficiency and Energy Consumption (Alissa.Whiteman and Mike.Guigli)
Monday July 13, 2009, 10-12 PM, DOER - 100 Cambridge Street , 2nd Floor, Conference Room B, Boston 

Transportation Vehicle Efficiency (Marc.Breslow and Amy.Branger)
Tuesday July 14, 2009, 9-11 AM, EEA - 100 Cambridge St. , 2nd Floor, Conference Room A, Boston

Forests (Robert.O’Connor and Robert.Rizzo)
Monday July 13, 2009, AM, Harvard Forest , Petersham , MA

Materials and Waste Management (John.Fischer)
Monday , July 13, 2009,  1-3 PM, MassDEP - 1 Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room  A , Boston

Agriculture (Lee.Dillard.Adams and Gerald.Palano)
Friday July 17, 2009, 1-5 PM, MassDEP - 627 Main St , Commissioners Conf Room, Worcester

Process Emissions (non-energy) (Marc Wolman and Rich.Bizzozero) and Industrial Process Energy Efficiency (Alissa.Whiteman and David.Howland)
Wednesday July 15, 2009, 9 AM-12 PM, MassDEP - 627 Main St , Commissioner's Conference Room, Worcester
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Know any teens who'd like to spend a week on the trail?
Berkshire Teen Trail Crew has added two additional weeks of programming to their summer schedule!

Due to popular demand, AMC's Berkshire Teen Trail Crew in South Egremont has added two one-week backcountry trail crews to their busy schedule.  These crews are taking place at two South Berkshire treasures, Guilder Pond on Mt Everett and Fountain Pond in Great Barrington.  What an opportunity for local youth, ages 15-19, to lend a hand to local stewardship efforts, learn about camping and trail work, and have a great time in the woods.  It's imminently affordable, too!  190$ covers food, camp gear, and leadership for the week.  Fountain Pond is August 2-7, and there are only a few spots left.  We just announced the addition of the Guilder Pond Crew August 9-14, so now there are six or seven spots available, but they fill fast! 

For more information:
Find the registration form online @ AMC's website:  http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/trails/volunteer/trailopps/vol-crews-schedule.cfm
See first hand accounts of past crews: www.amctrails.blogspot.com (click on "Berkshire Teen Trail Crew" on the right)
Or call or email Matt Moore, contact info below. 

Loving the sunshine,
-Matt

Matthew J Moore
Regional Trails Coordinator
PO Box 131
62 Undermountain Rd.
South Egremont, MA, 01258 
(413) 528-8003
mjmoore@outdoors.org
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Forest Futures Visioning Process with a Walk-in-the-Woods

WALK-IN-THE-WOODS
SAVOY MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2009, 3:45 – 8:30 P.M.
then
MASS. COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS
MURDOCH HALL, SAMMER DENNIS ROOM
375 CHURCH STREET, NORTH ADAMS
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Public Forum (Light Food and Refreshments Available)

3:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Walk-in-the-Woods, Savoy Mountain State Forest
DCR State Lands Manager Bill Hill will lead the group to several locations to discuss and view
examples of the forest conditions and management practices at some of our state lands. Meet at the
Mass. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Eugene D. Moran Wildlife Management Area parking
lot located 9/10 of a mile north of the junction of Rt. 9 and Rt. 8A (Savoy Road) on the left-hand side,
traveling north toward Savoy State Forest. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. If
possible, please car pool.

5:45 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Travel to Mass. College of Liberal Arts

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Public Forum (Light Food and Refreshments Available)
Please join us for a public forum to elicit your feedback about public values, goals, and concerns about
the management of DCR forest lands, going forward. The program will begin with brief presentations
that will provide an overview of the Forest Futures Visioning Process, basic facts about forests, and
key issues. This will be followed by an opportunity for you to ask questions of the subject
experts/presenters. Then, we will have an hour of organized discussion, in small groups who will
report back to the group-at-large about what is important to you about the Massachusetts forest lands.

If you would like to join us for the Public Forum on July 14, please RSVP to MODR@umb.edu.
For directions
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Downing & Kulik Announce Funding for a Renewable Energy Site Survey at New Hingham Regional Elementary School in Chesterfield
July 01, 2009

Chesterfield – State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) and State Representative Stephen Kulik (D-Worthington) are pleased to announce that the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s  Renewable Energy Trust (RET) has awarded up to $5,600 in funding for a Municipal Site Survey of a proposed wind site at the New Hingham Regional Elementary School in Chesterfield, MA.

“By exploring and identifying appropriate sites in western Massachusetts for renewable energy generation we ensure clean energy availability and future costs savings for our region,” said Downing.  “We also have a responsibility to make sure our site selection is deliberate and that we strategically site wind projects in locations with minimal environmental impacts.  This RET grant will help the New Hingham School community take the necessary preliminary steps to do just that.”

The site survey will provide valuable information used for identifying advantages and disadvantages of wind generation on the school’s property and whether the proposed site is of sufficient size and wind resource to warrant a detailed site survey.  This preliminary survey will help the New Hingham Regional Elementary School Committee determine whether it is reasonable to conduct a more comprehensive feasibility study for a wind project on the site.

Representative Kulik said, “The high elevation and remote location of the New Hingham School presents a great opportunity to study the feasibility of wind power to provide greater energy independence and cost savings for the people of Chesterfield and Goshen. A successful wind project at the school will also be a great and inspiring educational tool for the children.”

The Renewable Energy Trust is an arm of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative which provides financial assistance to individuals and businesses to support renewable energy projects that maximize environmental and economic benefits to the Commonwealth.  To learn more about the organization, visit http://www.masstech.org/renewableenergy/index.html.--
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