The BEAT News

In the News

• MACC's 8-unit training course, Fundamentals for Conservation Commissioners seeking last minute registrants
• PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
• DCR Forestry
• Growing the Valley is a new online forum for farmers and gardeners in the Pioneer Valley and Hilltowns
• Second and Third Graders on Snowshoes at Berlin and Grafton Elementary Schools
• The VINS/SCA Environmental Science Research Program deadline for grant applications has been extended to March 16, 2009
• GE's Response to EPA's comments on the Corrective Measures Study Report is on the EPA website
• FFY 2010 319 NSP Competitive Grant Program, New Non Federal Match Opportunity

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DEP Enforcement Actions In The Berkshire

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PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

Name & Citation of Regulation(s): Waste-To-Energy Facilities: Class II Recycling Programs (310 CMR 19. 300)

Brief Explanation and Rationale for Proposed Changes: Section 32 of the Green Communities Act classifies a Waste-To-Energy (WTE) facility in commercial operation prior to December 31, 1997 that uses conventional municipal solid waste technology to generate electricity as a Class II renewable energy generating source if it “operates or contracts for one or more recycling programs approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.”  MassDEP proposes to establish within its Solid Waste Regulations the requirement for a solid waste facility permit modification that specifies how a WTE facility will obtain an approved recycling program from MassDEP.  WTE facilities will need to demonstrate compliance with these regulations in order to qualify as a Class II renewable energy generating source under the Department of Energy Resources Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (225 CMR 15.00).

Web Link to View Draft Regulations: http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/regulations/newregs.htm#wec

Public Hearing Information: MassDEP will hold public hearings at the times and places set forth at http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/hearings/wecphn.htm

Testimony may be presented orally and/or in writing at the public hearings. The period for accepting written comments will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2009.  Submit comments to: MassDEP, c/o Tina Klein, One Winter St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108 or tina.klein@state.ma.us.  Copies of the proposed regulations can be obtained on the MassDEP website at http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/publiche.htm, at one of the Service Centers at each of MassDEP’s four regional offices; or by contacting Tina Klein at 617-272-5704; or at tina.klein@state.ma.us.  

For special accommodations for these hearings, please contact Donald M. Gomes, MassDEP ADA Coordinator, at 617-556-1057, TDD Service 1-800-298-2207, One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108. This information is available in alternative format upon request.
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DCR Forestry

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is undertaking a public engagement “Forest Vision” process to review policies and practices for management of forestlands under its care and control.  Mass Audubon has issued a position statement on DCR forestland management issues that should be addressed and resolved through this process.

For more information, contact Heidi Ricci at hricci@massaudubon.org.
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Growing the Valley – http://growingtheva lley.proboards. com – is a new online forum for farmers and gardeners in the Pioneer Valley and Hilltowns to share ideas and resources. It’s a place to go to ask questions, help others find solutions.

Divided into categories – livestock, crops, classifieds, events, etc. – users can post questions or ideas, and other members can respond. The sky’s the limit as to what can be discussed. This is now the place to go with questions and ideas like:
·         How do I deal with an egg-bound hen?
·         Does anyone have second-cut hay for sale?
·         I’ve got a manure spreader for sale.
·         What kind of soil is the best for planting eggplants?
·         Which seed catalogs have seeds for purple carrots?
·         Where can I buy raw milk?
·         What kind of fencing is best for goats?
·         Here’s a link to a great article on grazing.

This forum is brand new, and will only be as good as the people who join and use it. Please take a look, post some questions, see if there are questions already there that you’d like to respond to. And please forward this message around to others who you think might be interested.
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Second and Third Graders on Snowshoes at Berlin and Grafton Elementary Schools

The Dyken Pond Envioronmental Education Center has received a grant though the United States Forest Service called "Healthy Kids/Healthy Habitats".  The grant promotes "More Kids in the Woods" or more hands-on outdoor experiences for kids in the Berlin and Troy School Districts.  Funding provides free field trips to the Dyken Pond Center and 3 visits from Dyken Pond educators into the classroom.  The program focuses on birds and their habitats and has components that include a snowshoe excursion and having students participate in a nation-wide bird identification program.

On Monday, February 9, children in the third grade at Berlin Elementary made their first attempt at snowshoeing and it was a huge success!  Before the students went out Mrs. Leslie Conklin, teaching assistant at the school shared her idea of making snow goggles.  This activity fit into the theme that the class is currently studying which is Alaska (Polar Regions).  Snow goggles were used by the Alaska Native hunters, who would often encounter snow and ice during their hunting excursions.  The snow goggles protected the hunters’ eyes from snow and ice glare in the springtime.  The goggles were usually made out of wood, ivory and/or bowhead whale baleen with carved narrow slits for viewing.  As the third-grade was a little short of the above mentioned materials their goggles were made from file folders and yarn. 
 
While the class was outside on their snowshoeing excursion, Ms. Lisa Hoyt, Director, Dyken Pond Center also introduced the students to some Alaskan games that children used to play. The experience was a huge success for the students, and they are looking forward to their next visit from Ms. Hoyt where they will continue to investigate birds and habitats.

Thank you very much.

Lisa Hoyt
Director
Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center
475 Dyken Pond Road
Cropseyville, NY 12052
518  658-2055
www.dykenpond.org
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The VINS/SCA Environmental Science Research Program is open to research institutions including universities and non-profit organizations in the Northeast.

Deadline for grant applications has been extended to March 16, 2009.

http://www.vinsweb.org/programs/2008VINSFellows.html and http://www.vinsweb.org/assets/pdf/VINSSCAFellowship2009.pdf
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GE's Response to EPA's comments on the Corrective Measures Study Report is on the EPA website at   http://www.epa.gov/region1/ge/thesite/restofriver-reports.html#CMS,
Under:

• Related Correspondence
• Letter (with enclosure) from Silfer (GE) to Svirsky (USEPA),

        March 6, 2009,

• Re: Rest of River; Response to EPA's Interim
• Comments on Corrective Measures Study Report (PDF)
• Tables (PDF).
• Figures (PDF)

Jim Murphy
United States Environmental Protection Agency
New England - Region 1
Office  of the Regional Administrator
1 Congress Street Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
617-918-1028 (phone)
617-721-2868 (cell phone)
617-918-0028 (fax)
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Good morning,

I want to make you aware of a very important and exciting change in the 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program for the upcoming grant round, FFY 2010.  (The RFR will be issued on April 1, 2009. – see more info at http://lists.topica.com/lists/mwc-list@igc.topica.com/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=813401237)

The requirement for a 40% non-federal match has always been challenging for 319 applicants.  It's not only a large percentage to contribute, but the requirement to time the match contribution simultaneously with the signed contract has meant that up-front work to do site work, engineering, plans, and permitting could not be counted toward the match.

New for FFY 2010, the up-front project development work, including site work and designs, may be eligible to be counted as match.  There are a few strings, of course…(see how to access an explanatory fact sheet posted on Comm-Pass below).  First and foremost, proposal writing itself is NOT eligible.  Up-front eligible match must happen on or after October 1, 2008, through the life of the project contract. All other 319 match eligiblility rules still apply.  

We've also clarified how other projects within the subwatershed can be counted toward the project match contribution.

Because these are new guidelines, we anticipate that an additional level of scrutiny will be applied to proposals that include up-front match.  Therefore, applicants should be scrupulous about providing complete details including cost, timing, relevance, and documentation in their proposals.

We hope this helps.  Please call or email if you have any questions about this or any other aspect of the program. 
Best
Jane

Jane Peirce
s. 319 Program Coordinator
DEP/DMS, 627 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
ph: 508-767-2792
fax: 508-791-4131
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