Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Work on Controversial Keystone XL Pipeline
from the Center for Biological Diversity
The hotly contested Keystone XL pipeline hasn't been approved for construction, but federal officials don't seem to care; they've allowed the pipeline company to mow down 100 miles of native prairie grasslands in Nebraska to clear the way -- before any public hearings were held on whether Keystone XL should move forward at all.
The Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth filed a lawsuit in federal court in Omaha Wednesday to halt that work. Specifically, we're challenging decisions by the State Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow work to begin before a decision's been made on the pipeline or the public hearings, which look like little more than a sham at this point.
If approved, TransCanada's 1,700-mile pipeline would carry up to 35 million gallons of oil a day from tar sands in Canada to refineries in Texas. Not only will this project add fuel to the global climate crisis, but the pipeline will cut across Nebraska's legendary Sandhills, hundreds of rivers and streams, and the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides drinking water for millions of people. TransCanada's existing pipeline, called Keystone 1, has reportedly leaked 14 times since it started operating in June 2010.
Get more from Reuters.
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Berkshire Grown Returns with Holiday Farmers’ Markets
The Weekends before Thanksgiving and Christmas in North & South County
GREAT BARRINGTON + WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (October 6, 2011) – Given the remarkable success of past Holiday Farmers’ Markets, Berkshire Grown will host four markets in 2011 with a north and south county presence: Thanksgiving markets will take place in Great Barrington on Saturday, November 19, and in Williamstown on Sunday, November 20. A second set of markets will take place again, both in the same locations on December 17, the Saturday before Christmas.
A Successful History
The Holiday Farmers’ Markets began in 2009 with two market locations the weekend before Thanksgiving, taking place on the same day. Given demand for winter markets, Berkshire Grown hosted a total of four markets in 2010, adding the weekend before Christmas as a second economic opportunity for the food and farming community. This year, the organization will be producing four markets again.
Berkshire Grown has made great strides toward increasing awareness of locally grown food throughout the region. The Holiday Farmers’ Markets have been a major achievement with more than 4,400 people attending the markets in 2010, during which vendors generated more than $80,000 in sales for their businesses. There were 64 vendors at the November markets and 72 vendors at the December markets, which attracted more people than the best-attended Berkshire-based farmers market during the summer. The markets welcomed 2,100-plus attendees in 2009 and are showing significant economic impact as the events grow. “Wildly beyond expectations,” was how one of the vendors described their experience in a post-market survey, which is issued after every market.
Opportunity
The Berkshire Grown Holiday Farmers’ Markets create new opportunities for farmers and food producers to increase sales of locally produced and preserved agricultural products, which helps the local economy. The Holiday Farmers’ Markets connect farmers and food producers directly with members of the community, strengthening the Berkshire Grown farm-to-table network.
“We are thrilled to promote our region’s farmers and food producers at the Berkshire Grown Holiday Farmers’ Markets for a third year,” says Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. “The markets extend the season for regional farmers and food producers, increasing their sales, as well as provide an opportunity for community members to celebrate and support the dynamic farms and artisan food producers of our region.”
Details
Many components for holiday meals will be offered from farmers and food producers in the region including produce, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, bread, pies and other baked goods, plus pickles and jams. The December markets will include local craft vendors for holiday shoppers. Entertainment will be presented at both venues and pre-order pickups will be available.
In Great Barrington, Holiday Farmers’ Markets will be held at the Muddy Brook Elementary School Gymnasium on Monument Valley Road and in Williamstown, the markets will take place at the Williams College Towne Field House on Latham Street. All four markets will run from 10 am – 2 pm.
Great Barrington – Muddy Brook Elementary School Gymnasium
Saturday, November 19th – 10 am – 2 pm
Saturday, December 17th – 10 am – 2 pm
Williamstown – Williams College Towne Field House
Sunday, November 20th – 10 am – 2 pm
Saturday, December 17th – 10 am – 2 pm
As part of Williams College’s ongoing commitment to sustainable food and local agriculture, the College is co-sponsoring the markets by donating the Williamstown venue as well as providing funding toward the event. The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program and The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives is supporting the markets as a community partnership to further incorporate the principles of sustainability into the fabric of campus life. For more information on Williams’ ongoing commitment to sustainable food, visit http://sustainability.williams.edu.
In addition to generous support from Williams College, the premier sponsor for the markets is The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. Major sponsors of the event include Berkshire Co-op Market, Berkshire Organics, BlueQ, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Mezze Restaurant Group, Sweet Brook Farm and The Red Lion Inn.
Still Seeking Vendors
Holiday Farmers’ Markets organizers are currently seeking farmers and food producers who are interested in selling locally grown food and food products with a focus on educating the consumer about local sources. The deadline for market applications is October 17. Interested parties for the markets should contact the following market managers:
Williamstown – Katharine Millonzi | bgnhfm@gmail.com | 413.242.6460
Great Barrington – Rosemary Levine | rosemarylevine@yahoo.com | 413.528.8950
Visit www.berkshiregrown.org/holiday-farmers-markets-2011 for additional details.
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Button Up: Efficiency Workshops About Leaky Windows, Ice Dams
“Alternatives to Replacing Your Windows: An Introduction” is first in a series of workshops to help homeowners increase their household comfort and efficiency will take place on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:00 pm at the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation/Sheep Hill. This initial workshop is the first of two sessions that will feature attractive affordable alternatives to replacing your windows. A third workshop will examine why ice dams happen and how to prevent them. The series of workshops is “Button Up” to help people button up their homes for comfort, efficiency, and affordability during the winter months.
The October 11th workshop will provide an introduction to ways people can improve their comfort by using window treatments, air sealing, and other approaches such as interior storm windows to reduce cold air around leaky windows. Those interested in the interior storm option are invited to come to a second workshop on November 1st, when they will build a customized interior storm window for their home. All workshops will be presented by the Center for Eco Technology (CET) in partnership with the Williamstown COOL Committee.
Laura Biddulph, Energy Outreach Specialist at the Center for EcoTechnology, will be the featured presenter. Both window treatment workshops will be held at 7PM at Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, 671 Cold Spring Rd in Williamstown. The first workshop is free and open to the public with registration requested. At the second workshop, participants will be provided with materials to make an interior storm window for their home. Participation in the first workshop is a prerequisite for the second workshop, and there is a materials fee of $25. Registration is required.
The workshop series will continue on Monday November 7 at First Congregational Church in Williamstown where Laura Biddulph from CET will present “Ice dam prevention: Why they happen and what to do about them.”
According to Biddulph:
Many people think that they need new windows. Replacement windows are expensive and often NOT the best solution to the cold drafty chill we feel around our windows. With the price often being $300+ per window, they can take over 35 years to pay themselves off through energy savings. The good news is that there are cost effective, attractive alternatives to replacement windows that will add the comfort and savings the average replacement window customer is seeking without spending hundreds of dollars per window.
The workshops are co-sponsored by Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, First Congregational Church, and Northern Berkshire Transition with support from The Chorus Foundation.
You can register for the workshops online at www.coolwilliamstown.org , or by contacting Amanda Town at CET at 413-445-4556 ext 10, amanda.town@cetonline.org
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Updated Plant List of Massachusetts Published
--From MassWildlife News
Experienced and budding botanists, restoration ecologists, environmental consultants, foresters, land managers, conservation commissioners, and wildflower enthusiasts will be interested to learn that The Vascular Plants of Massachusetts: A County Checklist has been recently revised and is now available for purchase either as a hard copy or CD. Authored by former and current DFW botanists Bryan Connolly, Melissa Dow Cullina, Paul Somers, and Bruce Sorrie, the 270-page booklet includes 319 new taxa and 676 new county-level records since the first Checklist was published in 1999.
A hard copy of the Checklist is $25 and includes a CD. The CD alone can be purchased for $5. Make checks payable to: NHESP-DFW and mail the check to "Plant Check List Booklet", NHESP, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Among the new and updated features of this revision are current Massachusetts Endangered Species status, invasive rank categories, and a function on the CD allowing for searches by older scientific names.
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New EPA Summary of Fish Advisories Across the U.S. in 2010
from Water Headlines for the week of October 11, 2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a fact sheet summarizing the National Listing of Fish Advisories for 2010. As in previous years, states continued to increase their monitoring and assessment activities related to contaminants in noncommercial fish. EPA believes the increase in monitoring—rather than changes in contaminant levels--is the main reason for the continued upward trend in the amount of U.S. waters placed under advisory.
EPA also encourages states to issue safe eating guidelines when providing advice. Safe eating guidelines are in effect in 21 states and the total number has increased since 2008. The guidelines identify fish that are safe to consume, and promote enjoyment of recreational fishing.
The National Listing of Fish Advisories, which was initiated in 1993, is a compilation of fish advisory information provided to EPA by states, tribes, territories, and local governments. The data are voluntarily submitted to EPA in an effort to provide a central repository of fish consumption advisory information for the United States.
EPA formats the data and makes the information available at: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/advisories_index.cfm.
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Massachusetts Fall Loan Deadline: November 4th, 2011
The Carrot Project is pleased to announce that our loan fund serving farms and on-farm value added businesses in Massachusetts will be accepting prequalified applications for our Fall deadline through November 4th, 2011 for loans of $35,000 or less. There are two additional upcoming deadlines on January 6th, 2012 and March 2, 2012.
For more information, please go to:www.thecarrotproject.org/programs/loan_programs
Or contact Benneth Phelps at: bphelps@thecarrotproject.org or 617.674.2371
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EPA Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study
Fall 2012 EPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study. The U.S. EPA, as part of its STAR program, is offering Graduate Fellowships for master's and doctoral level students in environmental fields of study. Subject to availability of funding and other applicable considerations, the Agency plans to award approximately 80 new fellowships by July 31, 2012. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years, usable over a period of five years. The fellowship program provides up to $42,000 per year of support per fellowship. The application deadline is November 8, 2011. More information, eligibility criteria, and application instructions are available at http://epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2012/2012_star_gradfellow.html.
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