The BEAT News

March 10, 2010

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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ACTION ALERT - Protecting Sensitive Ecosystems
From Mass Audubon - BEAT strongly supports this action!

On Monday, Mass Audubon hand-delivered a letter to all 160 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives asking them to support An Act to Regulate the use of Off Highway and Recreation Vehicles (SB 2257.) Signed by 9 major conservation organizations, the letter requests that they help move the bill out of the House Committee on Ways & Means and to the floor for a final vote.  The bill passed the Senate in January. 

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use is growing in Massachusetts with sales of all terrain vehicles increasing by more than 300% over the past decade.  The lack of enforcement is well documented in the state and was the focus of the 2007 Department of Conservation and Recreation Off Highway Vehicle Enforcement Working Group.  Lack of enforcement leads to extensive and long-term environmental damage on private and public land and unsafe conditions; on the 160,000 acres owned by the Department of Fish and Game alone there are close to 300 miles of illegal trails. 

Illegal riding on public lands, often unique and sensitive areas protected with public dollars for wildlife and sensitive ecosystems, damages public property and degrades the public trust.  It is expensive to restore sites, and may be impossible as damage to wetlands, wildlife, and endangered species can be permanent.
 
Read the full letter for more information.

Please contact your state Representative and ask them to speak to House Ways & Means Chairman Charles Murphy expressing support for S.2257!   To find out who your state Representative is, enter your address at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php and scroll down to "Rep in General Court." If you know your Representative's name, you can just call the House switchboard and be put through: 617-722-2000.  You can also email.  Email addresses can be found here http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm.

Sample Message:
State your name and where you live and ask to speak to the Representative.  If they are not there, you can speak to staff.

Tell them that you are calling in support of Senate Bill 2257, which has passed the Senate and is currently before House Ways & Means.

Say that you hope your Representative will speak to the House Ways & Means Chairman soon and let him know that it is an important bill to you.

Bill description:
Gives enforcement officers the tools they need to stop illegal and destructive riding on public and private lands and provide funding for the development of public trails in appropriate places.  The bill will:

  • Simplify the registration process and require registration for most OHVs with revenues directed to increasing enforcement capabilities, rider safety education, and the development, maintenance and restoration of OHV trails.
  • Fund enforcement - 25% of the fines collected from OHV violations will be split between the applicable law enforcement entities involved in the issuance of the fines.
  • Strengthen communication among riders, land managers, conservation organizations, enforcement agencies and other stakeholders by establishing an OHV Advisory Group similar to those in other states. 

Thank you for helping to protect the nature of Massachusetts!
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Help Wanted: Full-time, Temporary Day Camp Director, Lenox
Direct nature day camp. Must work well with children, adults.  Day camp experience, degree in environmental sciences/related field required.  Duties: Curriculum development, staff hiring and training, oversight of re-accreditation process.  16 weeks, May - August 20, 40 hrs./wk.  Some overnights required.  Wages $12/hr. Send cover letter, resume to: rlaubach@massaudubon.org
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Governor Calls for BPA Phase-out Regulation
from the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow

Governor Deval Patrick has responded positively to the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow urging him to address the dangers of the hormone disrupting chemical, BPA in common household products. He has directed the Department of Public Health (DPH) to prepare a regulation that can ban the sale of household products containing BPA.

This is a big step forward towards protecting the health of all developing children! Only 4 states have limited sales bans, the most protective law was passed last year in Connecticut. Our goal is to match the health protective standard of our neighboring state, and get a sales ban that covers infant formula and baby food containers, reusable bottles such as sports bottles, as well as baby bottles and cups.

Check out the Boston Globe story that ran today on the Governor's announcement and if you have time please write a comment!

Next the DPH will prepare a draft regulation to present to their Public Health Council on May 12th. We will need your active support because now we must convince the 14-member Public Health Council to issue a regulation that covers all baby products for which there are safer alternatives available!  If you would like to get more involved, we are setting up a volunteer BPA campaign planning committee, contact Namasha at nschelling@cleanwater.org. Otherwise stay tuned we will need your help soon!
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Environmental Leadership Program Accepting Applications

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) is a national non-profit accepting applications for its 2010 New England Regional Network. ELP's Fellowship Program targets emerging and innovative environmental and social change practitioners eager to connect their specialized work to larger environmental and social concerns. By participating in ELP's Regional Network Program, participants will receive intensive leadership and skill training, regional networking opportunities, and time for personal and professional reflection. Consisting of three retreats and additional optional trainings, our curriculum helps emerging leaders hone their leadership styles, improve their strategic communications, and strengthen their outreach to diverse constituencies. Applications for the 2010 New England Regional Network will be accepted through April 12, 2010.

For more information about the ELP and our application process please visit http://www.elpnet.org/application-process
--
Errol Mazursky
Executive Director
Environmental Leadership Program
202-422-9193
www.elpnet.org

Help ELP make the most of its recent $25,000 Challenge Grant - Give Today at www.elpnet.org/donate
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Road salt is poisoning water bodies, study finds

During winter thaws, some streams have salinity levels just under those found in the ocean.One of the most detailed investigations ever conducted in Canada into the fate of road salt has found that it is polluting groundwater and causing some streams during winter thaws to have salinity levels just under those found in the ocean. <more>
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Patrick-Murray Administration Announces April 22 Launch of Home Appliance Rebate Program

With $6.2 million in federal stimulus funding, "Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange" will reward consumers who trade in energy "clunker" appliances for new, super-efficient models

BOSTON — March 5, 2010 - As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's economic future, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles today announced that a federal stimulus-funded energy efficient appliance rebate program will launch in the Commonwealth next month. The "Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange" will begin on April 22, marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

"The Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange is the latest example of the Commonwealth's use of federal Recovery dollars to lower household energy costs, cut energy waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Governor Deval Patrick.  "I am delighted that launching this program will be part of our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day."

"Through the assistance and support of federal stimulus funds, we encourage our residents to use this state rebate program as a resource to help them cut costs and save money for their household needs while also promoting energy efficiency and protecting the environment," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocated $6.2 million to Massachusetts to administer an Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program designed to spur significant household energy savings by taking high energy consuming home appliances out of commission and replacing them with qualified ENERGY STAR models. 

"Swapping electricity-guzzling refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers for super-efficient new ones will cut energy use across the state, saving consumers money on monthly utility bills for years to come, while protecting our environment through lower energy use," said Secretary Bowles. 

EEA's Department of Energy Resources (DOER) estimates that 27,000 inefficient appliances will be taken out of service as a result of the program, meaning Massachusetts residents will use 2.6 million fewer kilowatt hours of electricity annually - the annual equivalent of eliminating 4.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide and enough energy to power 340 households for one year.  This program is being administered by the DOER in partnership with retailers, utilities and energy efficiency service providers.

"This program is a benefit to both consumers and the environment," said Barbara Anthony, the Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. "Buying a big household appliance is a big financial decision for families, especially during our economic recovery. This program provides a great incentive for consumers to make that purchase, and do it in a positive way for the environment."

Initial instructions for taking part in the Massachusetts program - dubbed the "Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange" - are now posted at www.masssave.com/GAX. By visiting the site, consumers can obtain an overview of the rebate process. In coming weeks, the site will include a list of refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and freezer models that will be eligible for the rebate in April. The program will continue as long as rebate supplies last, on a "first come, first served" basis.  

To ensure that the process is managed fairly, consumers will be required to make an advance reservation via www.masssave.com/GAX. Eligible consumers will also be required to turn in their inefficient appliances. Returned appliances must be working when exchanged for more efficient models, and, once returned, will be taken out of service. Only Massachusetts residents will be eligible for these rebates.

A final, searchable list of eligible appliance models and other details of the Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange, including rebate amounts for each appliance type and how to participate, will be posted on www.masssave.com/GAX on March 22.

"These rebates are the proverbial offer you can't refuse. They're incentives that will help consumers across Massachusetts save money, make their homes energy efficient, and protect our environment.  This is exactly the kind of investment we intended when we passed the Recovery Act and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day is the perfect time to start such an initiative," said Senator John Kerry.

"Massachusetts families continue to be squeezed by rising medical, education and energy costs. This rebate program puts federal Recovery Act funds to use assisting households in purchasing efficient every-day appliances that will reduce energy costs for families while also reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources and protecting our environment. I applaud the Commonwealth's kick-off of this program on Earth Day," said Congressman John F. Tierney.
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Green Energy Workshops Planned For Educators and Youth Group Leaders

A workshop to prepare educators and community youth group leaders to teach and empower youth about renewable energy and to reward them for becoming agents of positive change is planned for April 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield. The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) is hosting the workshop, which will be presented by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA).

The programs are Clean Green Power, an introduction to the technology involved in clean, renewable energy and conservation for K-12 youth; Wind Wisdom, where youth aged 10 and up learn the basics of wind energy; and the Junior Solar Sprint, where middle school students design and build model solar electric vehicles and have the opportunity to compete in the Berkshire Area Junior Solar Sprint on June 5 at Reid Middle School. Top teams are then invited to the annual JSS Northeast Championship on June 13 in Springfield.

Participating teachers and youth group leaders will enjoy hands-on activities and receive guidebooks that will help them create lesson plans to bring to the classroom. Students can take personal action to spread the word with a project of their own choosing, earning a patch and certificates, with special Girl Scout patches available.

Registration is required. The workshop is free to educators living or working within the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) area and $20 for others.

For more information or to register, contact Cynthia Grippaldi at cynthiag@cetonline.org, or call 445-4556 ext. 25.

CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization serving western Massachusetts for over 30 years.  CET receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.  CET is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. 
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WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week, Showerhead Specification, Facebook

Fix a Leak Week: Water utilities, manufacturers, retailers, communities, plumbers, and other professionals are working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program to promote Fix a Leak Week, March 15 to 21, 2010. The city of Dallas, for example, is kicking off the Great Dallas Fix a Leak Week Roundup on March 15 as part of a five-day event to repair leaks and replace plumbing fixtures in local homes with WaterSense labeled models. EPA is promoting ways to identify and repair dripping faucets, running toilets, and leaky showerheads. To learn more, visit: www.epa.gov/watersense/fixaleak.

Showerhead Specification: EPA has expanded its portfolio of products to include showerheads.  Showerheads meeting the final EPA specification will use no more than 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) and will meet additional criteria to ensure performance and user satisfaction.  Manufacturers can now submit their products for testing and labeling.  Look for more information from EPA, as WaterSense labeled showerheads are expected to be in the marketplace in late April.

Facebook: In February, WaterSense launched its own Facebook page. WaterSense will use Facebook to post program content and facts, and to promote its outreach campaigns, including Fix a Leak Week, week of March 15th. For the latest developments on the WaterSense program, and to learn and comment, visit the WaterSense Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/EPAWatersense.
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Monsanto-free Seed

After seeing Food Inc. a few people hung around and discussed what actions could be taken, especially growing heirloom varieties in our gardens. A chilling piece of news was brought up.  Monsanto not only sues people for saving and growing seeds cross-contaminated with their patented GMO seeds, they apparently have merged with one of the largest seed providers in the world.

Here's what was found through a Google search on the subject.

Feel free to share this with your friends and neighbors:

Monsanto bought Semenis in 2005 (and changed the name to American Seeds), one of the largest seed providers in the world: http://www.seedalli ance.org/ Seed_News/ SeminisMonsanto/

This list posted on Facebook shows which seed companies this impacts: http://www.facebook .com/topic. php?uid=13608793 236&topic= 4992

WHAT SEED TO AVOID - WHAT SEED IS "MONSANTO-FREE"

This more recent article from Garden of Eatin' first lists companies selling seed varieties controlled by Monsanto, then a list of those who are "Safe Seed" companies:
http://www.garden- of-eatin. com/how-to- avoid-monsanto/
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FREE air sealing now available through MassSAVE home energy audit

Hello, Energy Communities of Western Massachusetts --
MassSAVE, the utility-funded no-cost home energy audit program, has just added FREE air sealing to their services. 

Air sealing (sealing unnecessary air leaks in attics and basements) is often the most effective measure in terms of improving a home's energy efficiency.  In an older home, all the small leaks can be equivalent to having a window wide open all winter long.

The free air sealing is offered in addition to:
- $2,000 savings already available for attic, wall and basement insulation
- 0% interest loan up to $15,000 for insulation, high-efficiency heating systems, windows and solar hot water systems

Call MassSAVE at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a no-cost home energy audit.

Tightening up their homes for free is a concrete step that people can take this spring to increase their home's energy efficiency, and to celebrate Earth Day.

Thanks,
Tomasin Whitaker
Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator
Center for Ecological Technology (CET)
320 Riverside Drive 1-A, Florence, MA 01062
Tel 413-586-7350 ext. 225 / Fax 413-586-7351
tomasin@cetonline.org / Visit www.cetonline.org
Support our work
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Seeds of Solidarity Education Center.

The Seeds of Solidarity Education Center is very pleased to enter our 12th year of SOL (Seeds of Leadership) Garden, our program for North Quabbin youth, ages 15-18 that inspires leadership and service among youth as they use their bodies, minds and hearts to cultivate food and a hopeful future. The program begins April 1 and meets every Thursday (2.30-5) and continues on Thursdays through the summer and fall. I have attached the 2010 application which provides program details. Applications are due March 19

    If you know of youth that would both benefit (are interested in environmental issue and would thrive in a safe, supportive and challenging out of school setting) and contribute (kindness, reliability, commitment and an open mind to learning) please do extend this application to them. 

    I will be in the schools with presentations and info as well (Athol HS on March 9, Mahar on March 10). And, we now have a nine minute video on our website (www.seedsofsolidarity.org) and youtube that features the voices of youth and will help potential applicants get a good sense of the program and the work and philosophy of Seeds of Solidarity. Please watch and share if you wish. 

    Thank you considering and sharing this opportunity with potential applicants as we've found that the enthusiastic word of a peer or adult they respect and trust is the best way to get the word out.

In appreciation,
Deborah L. Habib, Ed.D
Executive Director and
Kaitlin Doherty, Program Director
978-544-9023
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The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) is seeking applications for the second annual Nonprofit Excellence Awards, which honor organizations making a difference in their community at a State House gathering on June 14th. At the event, Massachusetts will celebrate its second Nonprofit Awareness Day to celebrate the work of nonprofits, raise public consciousness of their contributions and celebrate the winners of these awards. Interested people can nominate an organization, individual, or their own organization for one of these important statewide awards. Applications for the awards are due on *March 15* and can be completed online. For award descriptions and to apply go to www.massnonprofitnet.org/awards

*The MNN 2010 Nonprofit Excellence Award Categories:*
The MNN Nonprofit Advocacy Award
The MNN Nonprofit Capacity Building Award
The MNN Nonprofit Collaboration Award
The MNN Nonprofit Communications Award
The MNN Nonprofit Governance Award
The MNN Nonprofit Innovation Award
The MNN Nonprofit Management Award
The MNN Nonprofit Leadership Award
The MNN Nonprofit Social Entrepreneurship Award
The MNN Nonprofit Young Professional Award
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Do you know a local Changemaker?

Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka's Changemakers have joined up to launch Revelation to Action: Your Place. Your Idea. Your Change. Believing that real change starts at home, we will find and help fund the most innovative ideas to inspire community action and improve communities across the Northeastern US.

PRIZES:

- 3 competition winners will each be awarded USD $5,000

- 7 state winners will each be awarded USD $5,000

- 3 early entry prize winners will receive a Keurig Coffee Brewer and a 12-month coffee supply

- Recommend an organization and if it wins, your prize is a Keurig Coffee Brewer and a 6-month supply of coffee

NEXT STEPS:

1. Visit

http://www.Changemakers.com/Revelation

2. If you are new to the site, create a profile, it only takes 5 minutes

3. Sign-in with your username and password

4. Download the entry form in a word document so that you can edit your entry and save changes before entering online ? this ensures that your work is saved

5. Enter your idea or organization here:

https://www.changemakers.com/en-us/node/69520/entryform

6. When you are finished make sure to click the "Publish" button to complete your entry

Early Entry Deadline: March 24, 2010

Final Deadline: April 21, 2010

Feel free to forward this email to other organizations or individuals that are strengthening communities across the Northeastern US. For complete rules and regulations for this competition, please visit our website at http://www.Changemakers.com/Revelation, and click on Eligibility, Criteria and Prizes.
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Wildlife Conservation Society: Wildlife Action Opportunities Fund

The mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is to save wildlife and wild places across the globe. The WCS Wildlife Action Opportunities Fund grants program provides funding to nonprofit conservation organizations, state wildlife agencies, and tribal governments throughout the United States and U.S. territories for projects focused on implementing priority conservation actions. The funding interests for the current Request for Proposals include: promoting wildlife resilience to climate change, protecting wildlife movement linkages and habitat connectivity, mitigating threats to wildlife from new renewable and extractive energy development, reintroducing state and federally designated threatened and endangered species, and coordinating existing planning efforts to benefit the needs of wildlife and wildlife habitat. The deadline for pre-proposals is March 26, 2010. Visit the WCS website (http://www.wcs.org/where-we-work/north-america/united-states/wildlife-action-opportunities-fund.aspx) to download the RFP and pre-proposal application form.
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Wild River Dance Video

For the International Day of Action for Rivers this year, we're celebrating wild rivers with a series of actions around the world. People everywhere will go to their favorite river, stream or beach (anywhere that represents water) and join us in doing a wild river dance!

Watch our video on YouTube:
Watch the video on YouTube
International Rivers will create our own Wild River Dance Video on the International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14, along with many other actions taking place that day. The video will be posted to YouTube shortly thereafter.

The video will feature International Rivers staff, board, volunteers and interns. If you want to participate in the worldwide Wild River Dance, jump in
Here's what to do:

  • Get a video camera. Maybe your mobile phone has one, maybe a friend can film you -- however you can get the footage.
  • Find some water. Bring a few people with you to the closest river, creek, marsh, beach or other body of water.  Only nearby body of water a storm drain or a river photo? Go for it!
  • Play some music. If you play a song using a boombox you can record it on the spot, or mix it with the video later to create an excellent music video.
  • Do your favorite Wild River Dance!
  • Post your video to YouTube as a "video response" to our Wild River Dance and tag it "wildriverdance." (Here's a quick set of instructions on how to make a video response on YouTube.)

That's it!

Your video doesn't have to be perfect and you don't need to live near a river. Try to think of creative and new ways that you can illustrate the idea of a free flowing river -- even if that means showing one that isn't. Make a statement. Be creative!

Videos that we especially like will be mashed up into a YouTube video that we'll put up on our channel and show at our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Berkeley on June 4. We'll keep you posted on the upcoming festivities.

If you can't make a video, we still want you to participate! Send digital photos of your wild river dance to ian@internationalrivers.org.

More information: 

Feeling overwhelmed?

Contact us: 

Ian Elwood
ian@internationalrivers.org
+1 510 848 1155

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