{"id":21123,"date":"2015-08-20T06:36:58","date_gmt":"2015-08-20T10:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thebeatnews.org\/BeatTeam\/?page_id=21123"},"modified":"2016-09-18T16:05:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-18T20:05:35","slug":"the-beat-news-august-29-2007","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeatnews.org\/BeatTeam\/the-beat-news-august-29-2007\/","title":{"rendered":"The BEAT News August 29, 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Budget process starting NOW <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Executive Office of Energy and Environment (EOEEA) will hold a hearing to allow interested parties to provide their  comments as part of our Fiscal Year 2009 recommendation process.<\/p>\n<p>Written comment is encouraged prior to the hearing.&nbsp; Interested  parties may also submit written comments at the hearing or through the close of  business on <strong>September   10, 2007<\/strong>.&nbsp;  Please address them to:<\/p>\n<p><em>I<\/em><em>an A. Bowles, Secretary<br \/>\n              Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy  and Environmental Affairs<br \/>\n            100 Cambridge Street,    Suite 900<br \/>\n            Boston, MA02114<br \/>\n&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ATTENTION:  FY 09 Budget<\/em><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">For  those attending the hearing please be sure to bring a picture I.D. in order to  pass through the building security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"generaltext\"><em><strong>BEAT suggests we should be aksing for:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> funding for a dramatic increase in Environmental Police in the Berkshires to decrease illegal habitat destruction by ATVs and jet skis <\/li>\n<li>Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program should NOT pay overhead, and indeed should receive $1,000,000 in state funding to be used, in part, as matching funds for applying for a federal State Wildlife Action Grant to help implement our Wildlife Action Plan (Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy)<\/li>\n<li>Making the DEP Circuit Rider Program a part of the budget so these hard working people have permanent jobs with benefits <\/li>\n<li>$600,000 for the Riverways Program &#8211; one of the most cost effective  programs the state has <a name=\"Jan\" id=\"Jan\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>          <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\">\n<p align=\"center\"><strong>Jan Reitsma Appointed Executive   Director of John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor   Commission and<\/strong><br \/>\n            <strong>&nbsp;Superintendent of Roger Williams National   Memorial<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Jan Reitsma has been   named the Executive Director of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley   National Heritage Corridor and the Roger Williams National Memorial in <span id=\"lw_1188344671_0\">Providence<\/span>, Rhode Island. He will enter on duty on September 2, 2007. Acting Executive Director Thomas E.   Ross will return to his position as Deputy Superintendent for the Corridor and   Roger Williams. <\/p>\n<p>The John H. Chafee   Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor was designated by Congress in   1986 to commemorate the region&#8217;s place in history as the birthplace of the   American industrial revolution. It encompasses 24 communities between <span id=\"lw_1188344671_1\">Worcester<\/span>, Massachusetts and <span id=\"lw_1188344671_2\">Providence<\/span>, Rhode Island along the 46-mile Blackstone River.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;The Blackstone River   Valley National Heritage Corridor is a model for heritage corridor development,&quot;   said John Latschar, Acting Regional Director for the National Park Service   Northeast Region. &quot;We sought a director with strong skills in partnership   development and strategic planning. Jan also understands the Corridor&#8217;s   tradition of success.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Reitsma has had a   successful career in public service and environmental protection. He served as   Assistant Secretary, Environmental Impact Review, and served as Undersecretary   for Policy and Programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts&#8217; Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA). He was   the Director of Rhode Island&#8217;s Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM),   an organization of more than 500 employees with an operating budget of $75   million. <\/p>\n<p>In his capacity as RIDEM Director, Reitsma   was an active Corridor Commissioner. &quot;Jan was valued for his hands-on approach   and leadership.&quot; said Commission Chairman Edward F. Sanderson. &quot;He brings the   skills we need to lead the Corridor into the future.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>&quot;It is a privilege to serve as the next   Executive Director to the Commission at this time in the Corridor&#8217;s   development,&quot; Reitsma stated. &quot;My work in <span id=\"lw_1188344671_3\">Massachusetts<\/span> and <span id=\"lw_1188344671_4\">Rhode   Island<\/span> and   with the Heritage Corridor has made it clear to me that work of the Commission,   the National Park Service staff, and corridor partners have been the catalyst   for considerable collaboration, vision, and tangible results in preserving the   resources and heritage of this region. I look forward to continuing the   tradition of bi-state collaboration and partnerships during my tenure.&quot; <\/p>\n<p>Recently, Reitsma has worked as a   consultant on environmental issues, specializing in brokering collaboration   among government, industry, academia, and grass roots organizations. He also   served as adjunct lecturer at Brown University&#8217;s Center for Environmental Studies. He has an   undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from Brown University and a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School   of Law. He enjoys sailing and other outdoor activities. Reitsma resides with his   family in Barrington, RI. <a name=\"MEC\" id=\"MEC\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\">\n<p><strong>From the Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative<\/strong> &#8211; August 22, 2007        <\/p>\n<p><strong>End of an era    As most of you know, our fearless leader, Jim Gomes, is leaving ELM<\/strong>.    <\/p>\n<p>His  last day in the office will be August 31st.  Jim has served as   President of  the organization for more than 14 years and we will miss him terribly.  Jim&#8217;s combination of political savvy, policy depth, sense of timing,   ability  to collaborate and foster and maintain relationships has served not   only ELM  well, but the environmental community as a whole.  It is fair to say   that  key environmental accomplishments during the past decade are a result   of  Jim&#8217;s talents and skills. From the <span id=\"lw_1188343449_1\">Massachusetts<\/span> Environmental   Collaborative  to the Mass. League of Environmental Voters to the Mass. Smart Growth  Alliance, Jim leaves a legacy of working to broaden and strengthen our  influence.  From a strong Community Preservation Act, a focus on   adequate  funding for the environmental agencies, and a robust effort to reduce   toxic  chemicals in the state, we see the results of Jim&#8217;s work.  We could go   on,  but we will have ample time to laud Jim and his accomplishments and to  celebrate his tenure at ELM at several upcoming events, so stay posted. <\/p>\n<p>Jim is looking forward to the next chapter in his professional career   and is  actively pursuing a number of interesting possibilities.  We will, of  course, let you know once he accepts a new position. In terms of   finding a  new President for ELM, a transition committee of the Board and staff   has  been active and is in the process of interviewing candidates with a   hope  that we will have someone new at the helm this fall.     <\/p>\n<p>We wish Jim all the best and thank him for everything he has done for   ELM  and for the <span id=\"lw_1188343449_2\">Massachusetts<\/span> environment.    ___________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>Boston Globe- &quot;<strong>A limit on environmental appeals Rules would restrict  residents&#8217; power<\/strong>&quot;    <br \/>\n            By Robert Knox, Globe Correspondent &#8211; August 19, 2007    <\/p>\n<p>Local environmentalists say rules changes proposed by state regulators   would  cut ordinary citizens out of the democratic process and leave the  environment vulnerable to ill-considered development projects.    <\/p>\n<p>They point to cases where citizen involvement has made a crucial   difference  in heading off developments, such as a plan to build houses on wetlands  adjacent to Silver Lake in <span id=\"lw_1188343449_3\">Kingston<\/span>. The environmentally sensitive area  ultimately became the Silver Lake Sanctuary, after residents appealed   to the  Department of Environmental Protection under the state&#8217;s Wetlands   Protection  Act.    <\/p>\n<p>The Department of Environmental Protection last month proposed changes  intended to speed up environmental decisions that leave developers   hanging  for two years or more and imperil financing for worthwhile projects.   The new  rules would eliminate the right of any 10 residents of a community to   appeal  a DEP decision to the department&#8217;s administrative law division for a   hearing  before an administrative law judge. But state officials say the new   rules  would retain essential protections.    <\/p>\n<p>&quot;There are many ways to participate short of an appeal,&quot; said spokesman   Bob  Keough of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.    <\/p>\n<p>Acting on a directive from <span id=\"lw_1188343449_4\">Governor Deval Patrick<\/span> to make the wetlands  appeals process more efficient, the DEP has proposed to limit who can  appeal, require parties to present their evidence early in the   proceedings,  and set a six-month deadline for the appeal to be resolved.    <\/p>\n<p>State officials point to Hoosac Wind, a proposed wind farm in the  Berkshires, as a project hung up for three years after a permit was  successfully appealed to the department&#8217;s administrative division. The  decision was overruled by the department&#8217;s commissioner and then taken   to  court by local petitioners. <\/p>\n<p>Although the number of appeals has not been overwhelming in recent   years &#8212;  13 so far this year, only four last year &#8212; wetlands appeals have been   used  for &quot;other than environmental grounds,&quot; Keough said, such as the desire   not  have a project built in the petitioners&#8217; backyard.    <\/p>\n<p>But advocates say the rules changes would have a chilling effect on   civic  participation by ordinary citizens.    <\/p>\n<p>&quot;The changes would eliminate an important part of environmental   protection,&quot;  said Mettie Whipple, president of the Plymouth-based Eel River   Watershed  Association.    <\/p>\n<p>The right to appeal lends weight to issues raised by residents, who are  often more knowledgeable about local terrain than regulators and   developers,  environmentalists say. The potential for an appeal may cause parties to   make  changes or accept conditions proposed by folks &quot;on the ground.&quot;    <\/p>\n<p>&quot;The process makes everybody come to the table and say what the issues   are  and what the facts are,&quot; said Tom Palmer, president of the Friends of   the  Blue Hills.    <\/p>\n<p>The proposed rules would restrict the right of appeal to residents who   can  show they would be &quot;personally harmed&quot; by a project, said Deidre   Menoyo, a  former DEP assistant commissioner who opposes the change. Demonstrating   harm  to the environment would no longer be enough. &quot;It&#8217;s a hard standard,&quot;   Menoyo  said. The old rules allowed residents who could gather at least 10  signatures on a petition to file an appeal.    <\/p>\n<p>Opponents say the change runs counter to the Wetlands Protection Act,   which  refers to wetlands as &quot;public resources.&quot; In the Silver Lake case,   Menoyo  said, citizen intervention protected an important public resource that  provides part of Brockton&#8217;s water supply and became a 92-acre   conservation  area.    <\/p>\n<p>In another instance, the Friends of the Blue Hills four years ago   backed a  10-citizen appeal of a proposal to fill a naturally vegetated area and   build  condos on the Quincy waterfront near Marina Bay. A DEP administrative   judge  stayed the project indefinitely, and the property was eventually   purchased  by Quincy for open space.    <\/p>\n<p>Appeals don&#8217;t always go the petitioners&#8217; way. Two years ago the Friends   of  the Blue Hills appealed the DEP&#8217;s approval of the Massachusetts Water  Resources Authority&#8217;s draining of a reservoir in the <span id=\"lw_1188343449_5\">Blue Hills   Reservation<\/span>,  contending that the agency should require the replacement of the lost  wetlands acres. The group won its appeal, but the decision was reversed   by  the DEP commissioner, permitting the MWRA to go forward.    <\/p>\n<p>Even then something good came out of the process, Palmer said.  &quot;People know what&#8217;s going on,&quot; he said.    <\/p>\n<p>A measure of the issue&#8217;s importance to the general public, say rules   change  opponents, is the nearly 500 comments on it posted to the governor&#8217;s   website  (<a href=\"http:\/\/devalpatrick.com\" target=\"_blank\"><span id=\"lw_1188343449_6\">devalpatrick.com<\/span><\/a>). The issue is number three on the site&#8217;s &quot;myissue&quot;   space,  just behind marriage equality.    <\/p>\n<p>Keough said the strong public response is likely to cause at least one  alteration in the proposed regulations before they go into effect (the   final  public hearing was held this month in <span id=\"lw_1188343449_7\">Worcester<\/span>). If adopted, he said,   the  new regulations will make it clear that groups such as regional   watershed  associations would still have standing to appeal DEP decisions &#8212; a   right,  he said, the new rules had never intended to question.    <\/p>\n<p>&quot;We thought it was well-established in case law that established  environmental organizations like watershed organizations would continue   to  have standing to file appeals,&quot; Keough said.    <\/p>\n<p>Robert Knox can be contacted at <span id=\"lw_1188343449_8\">rc.knox@gmail.com<\/span>.      <\/p>\n<p>C Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company   <\/p>\n<p>_________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>Globe Editorial- &quot;<strong>To spray or not to spray<\/strong>&quot;<br \/>\n            August 16, 2007    <\/p>\n<p>THE MASSACHUSETTS Highway Department has gone back and forth on whether   to  use herbicides to control roadside vegetation. It sprayed them in the   1990s,  stopped until 2003, and then resumed using them that year. It should go   on  the wagon again.    <\/p>\n<p>The alternatives are to use nontoxic, organic herbicides and to remove  plants by hand or with mowers or weed whackers. These options are the  preference of the Massachusetts Coalition for Pesticide Reduction,   which  includes such groups as the Toxics Action Center and Environment <span id=\"lw_1188343449_9\">Massachusetts<\/span>. Twelve legislators have joined in opposing the spraying.    <\/p>\n<p>The core of the coalition&#8217;s argument is that humans and the environment   at  large are already exposed to enough harmful chemicals without   additional  ones from the highway department.  The department says that it removes unwanted bushes and weeds manually   or  mechanically on the vast majority of the 48,200 acres it maintains but   needs  the herbicides for about 188 acres &#8212; less than half of 1 percent of   the  total &#8212; where manual removal is too hazardous to workers. Commissioner  Luisa Paiewonsky says that much of the vegetation removal is needed for  safety reasons, to maintain drivers&#8217; sight lines. She says the state   takes  all precautions to protect its workers from the chemicals.    <\/p>\n<p>Yet the country&#8217;s basic approach to toxic substances that have been in   use  for decades &#8212; innocent until proven guilty &#8212; makes more sense with  defendants in courts than with chemicals in the environment. Except in   the  most obvious cases, like DDT or Agent Orange, conclusive guilt is   difficult  to prove. So the country&#8217;s farmlands, orchards, utility and railroad   rights  of way, and highways continue to be sprayed with chemicals.    <\/p>\n<p>There are indications, however, that their toxicity extends beyond the  vegetation or insects they are intended to kill.  Oust, one of the herbicides the state uses, has been shown to harm   animal  reproductive systems. Cornell University professor David Pimentel says   the  country loses 67 million birds each year to pesticide use on farmland   alone.    <\/p>\n<p>The commissioner says the department does not spray near residential   areas  or wetlands. &quot;We take extraordinary steps to limit the environmental  impact,&quot; she says. And she suggests that the alternatives are not   always  sufficient. Scientists at the <span id=\"lw_1188343449_10\">University of Massachusetts<\/span> studying   organic  herbicides or steam applications as ways of controlling road vegetation   have  reported in a preliminary finding, she said, that such methods do not   attack  nuisance plants as systematically as commercial herbicides do. She also   said  the organic herbicides require more frequent applications than toxic  herbicides.    <\/p>\n<p>Those disadvantages have to be weighed against the cost to the   environment.  The state should return to its old policy of controlling unwanted   vegetation  without herbicides.      <\/p>\n<p>C Copyright 2007 The New York Times Company<\/p>\n<p>__________________________________________________________________  <\/p>\n<p>This bulletin prepared by:    <\/p>\n<p>David L. DeKing  <br \/>\n            Vice President for Education and Collaboration  <br \/>\n            mailto:<span id=\"lw_1188343449_11\">ddeking@environmentalleague.org<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>Bernard J McHugh  <br \/>\n            Citizen Education Coordinator  <br \/>\n            mailto:<span id=\"lw_1188343449_12\">bmchugh@environmentalleague.org<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>Isabel T. Grantham  <br \/>\n            Research Assistant  <br \/>\n            mailto:<span id=\"lw_1188343449_13\">igrantham@environmentalleague.org<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>Environmental League of <span id=\"lw_1188343449_14\">Massachusetts<\/span> <span id=\"lw_1188343449_15\"><br \/>\n            14 Beacon Street, Suite 714  <br \/>\n            Boston, MA 02108<\/span> <br \/>\n            Tel: <span id=\"lw_1188343449_16\">617-742-2553<\/span> <br \/>\n            Fax: <span id=\"lw_1188343449_17\">617-742-9656<\/span> <a name=\"low\" id=\"low\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\">From Riverways:<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">Hi   folks,<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">Since we seem to be in   the midst of the 2007 low flow season, please keep your eyes open for any   unusually low streams or rivers that you may encounter.&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> Riverways   would<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> love to hear about them and receive photographs to help us update our   Low Flow Inventory (see<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> <\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>http:\/\/www.mass.gov\/dfwele\/river\/programs\/rifls\/lowflow_inventory.htm<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> for the data we had collected as of 2004).&nbsp; The date, time river name   and town name along with any photos<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> would<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> be very helpful as   well as whatever you know about what might be causing the   situation.<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> Good locations<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> for photographs include riffles (rocky   area<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">s<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> where flow is normally fastest) or well-defined   channels,<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> where it<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> is easier to see how much aquatic habitat   is<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> available<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> (i.e. how much of the stream bed is wet or dry and w<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">he<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">ther the water is   moving or standing still)<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">.<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> Feel free to email information and photos to   myself (<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>margaret.kearns@state.ma.us<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">) or Alex Hackman (<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>alex.hackman@state.ma.u<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">) or Joanna Carey (<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>Joanna<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>.<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><u>Carey@state.ma.us<\/u><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">) who also work on   the River Instream Flow program here at Riverways.&nbsp;<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> <\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">Thanks<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> for your   help<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">!<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">Margaret Kearns <span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><br \/>\n            <span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">Watershed   Ecologist<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">,<\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"> Riverways   Program<\/span><br \/>\n            <span id=\"lw_1188341621_0\">251   Causeway St., Suite 400<\/span><br \/>\n            <span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\">Boston, MA   02114<\/span><br \/>\n            <span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><span id=\"lw_1188341621_1\">(617)   626-1533<\/span><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><span lang=\"en-us\" xml:lang=\"en-us\"><\/span><a name=\"Ward\" id=\"Ward\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\">\n<p><strong>COMMUNITY SUPPORTED   AGRICULTURE&nbsp;(CSA)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The peak of harvest season   seems like a good time to announce that one of my goals for Pittsfield in the   next two years is to have a CSA Farm established here. &nbsp;For the   uninitiated, a CSA Farm is simply an arrangement where consumers can purchase a   share of a farm&#8217;s harvest at the beginning of the growing season and then pick   up freshly picked produce on a weekly basis. <\/p>\n<p>The benefit to the consumer is   a variety of fresh produce at a great value.&nbsp; The benefit to the   farmer is having your crop sold before you plant it. &nbsp; The benefits   to the community include boosting the local economy and preserving open   landscapes.<\/p>\n<p>Currently there are five CSA   Farms in Berkshire County and the closest one to Pittsfield is the Garden at   Holiday Farm in Dalton. &nbsp; I&#8217;m a member there and it&#8217;s a great CSA   but it&#8217;s very small and it has a waiting list every year.&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>I think that Pittsfield could   easily support a CSA Farm of its own, so I&#8217;m conducting a survey of interest to   establish market demand and hopefully encourage local farmers to give it a try.   &nbsp; (There&#8217;s an article on small farm diversification in yesterday&#8217;s   Berkshire Eagle. 8\/20\/07)<\/p>\n<p>So help me out.&nbsp;   If you are a likely customer of a CSA in <span id=\"lw_1188341113_0\">Pittsfield<\/span> please click the link below and join the list. &nbsp; This does not   commit you to anything and I will not share your information with anyone.&nbsp;   I will only use it to contact you in the future or announce CSA   opportunities in <span id=\"lw_1188341113_1\">Pittsfield<\/span>.&nbsp;   Feel free to forward this email to your friends &#8212; the more names, the   better!<\/p>\n<p>CLICK HERE:<br \/>\n              http:\/\/surveys. lsw.com\/survey. php?UserID= 5<\/p>\n<p>Thanks,<br \/>\n              Mike Ward<br \/>\nCity Councilor<br \/>\nWard 4 <span id=\"lw_1188341113_2\">Pittsfield,   MA<\/span><br \/>\nward4ward4.com<br \/>\n<span id=\"lw_1188341113_3\">413-499-0462<\/span><a name=\"MAHWY\" id=\"MAHWY\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\">\n<p><strong> MassHighway Planning to Spray Toxic Chemicals on Roadsides Across the State<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During his first couple weeks,  Environment Massachusetts&#8217; new field organizer Winston has gotten right to work fighting toxic herbicides that the highway department is spraying along roads in 60 communities across the state. He&#8217;s done a great job so far, working with our coalition partners to get 12 legislators and the Boston Globe on our side, and now he&#8217;s asked me to pass a message along to you to enlist your help as well!  Here&#8217;s what he has to say:    <\/p>\n<p>Before 2003, the state maintained the roadsides by removing vegetation with weed whackers and lawn mowers. Then, in 2003, MassHighway began using toxic chemicals to get rid of weeds &#8212; toxic chemicals that can run off into our water supply and which can present significant health hazards.    There&#8217;s no need to expose these communities to dangerous chemicals when a lawnmower or a pair of hedge trimmers will do the trick.  <\/p>\n<p>Plans are in the works to begin using these toxic chemicals later this month, so we need to act quickly. We&#8217;ve asked the Secretary of Transportation and Construction Bernard Cohen to choose safer alternatives, and I&#8217;d like to ask you to do the same. Click below to sign our petition, and be sure to spread the word to your friends and family as well. https:\/\/www.environmentmassachusetts.org\/action\/healthy-massachusetts\/herbicides?id4=ES <\/p>\n<p>To read the Boston Globe editorial in support of safer alternatives, click here: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.boston.com\/news\/globe\/editorial_opinion\/editorials\/articles\/2007\/08\/16\/to_spray_or_not_to_spray\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.boston.com\/news\/globe\/editorial_opinion\/editorials\/articles\/2007\/08\/16\/to_spray_or_not_to_spray\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;What kind of chemicals? What could happen to me or my kids if we are exposed to them? Are they going to be spraying in my backyard?  Let me tell you the answers to those questions and more. <\/p>\n<p>The chemicals that MassHighway is currently using or planning to use are Oust Extra and Accord Concentrate.  The toxic ingredient in Accord Concentrate is Glyphosate, and it has been linked to such health risks as eye soreness, headaches and flu-like symptoms. Long term exposure could affect reproductive development and has shown an increase in pancreas and liver tumors in lab rats. Oust Extra has Sulfometuron Methyl which can cause blurred vision, reproductive issues and anemia.    <\/p>\n<p>MassHighway has plans to spray these chemicals in dozens of cities and towns across the state. Click on the link below to see a map of where spraying is happening or may happen, and you can click on the pins on each city to find out more about which roadsides are being sprayed. https:\/\/www.environmentmassachusetts.org\/action\/healthy-massachusetts\/herbicides-map3?id4=ES <\/p>\n<p>Please pass this information on to people you know who live in one of these cities or towns.    To find out more about Glyphosate, click on the links below: http:\/\/data.pesticideinfo.org\/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC33138 http:\/\/www.beyondpesticides.org\/infoservices\/pesticidefactsheets\/toxic\/glyphosate.htm <\/p>\n<p>From<br \/>\n            Frank Gorke  <br \/>\n            Environment Massachusetts Director <br \/>\n            FrankGorke@environmentmassachusetts.org <a href=\"http:\/\/www.environmentmassachusetts.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.environmentmassachusetts.org<\/a><a name=\"NGWP\" id=\"NGWP\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td height=\"451\" class=\"generaltext\"><em>From Water Headlines for August 27, 2007<\/em>:<\/p>\n<p><strong>New Guidance on Watershed Permitting <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>EPA has published a new technical guidance that   will help integrate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)   permits into watershed management plans. &quot;Watershed-Based NPDES Permitting   Technical Guidance&quot; is a follow up to the 2003 implementation guidance and leads   permitting interested parties through the analysis of watershed data and   developing a framework for implementing an NPDES program.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;This guidance helps citizens and regulators   accelerate watershed protection through more innovative and holistic permits and   programs under the Clean Water Act,&quot; said Assistant Administrator for Water   Benjamin H. Grumbles. &quot;The detailed information and case studies provide a road   map to cleaner and healthier watersheds.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>The guidance supports approaches to permitting   that may help target the watershed&#8217;s most pressing environmental needs. The   approaches will help achieve water quality-based effluent limitations based on   water quality standards while providing opportunities for cost reductions and   improved efficiencies such as water quality trading. The guidance includes case   studies describing how watershed approaches involving NPDES permitting have been   implemented across the country. The agency is accepting comments on the guidance   on a continuing basis. For an electronic copy of the guidance: www.epa.gov\/npdes\/watersheds<a name=\"mttm\" id=\"mttm\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>            <\/center>          <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"generaltext\">\n<p><strong>Bush Administration Mountaintop Mining Rule Called a Disgrace <\/p>\n<p>Friends of the Earth disagrees with rule and rulemaking process, calls for congressional oversight<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>WASHINGTON &#8211;  August 23 -Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder responded  to the Bush administration&rsquo;s planned mountaintop coal mining rule with  the following statement: <\/p>\n<p>          &ldquo;The Bush  administration&rsquo;s effort to sanction mountaintop mining is a disgrace.  I&rsquo;ve flown over mountains and seen firsthand the massive scale of the  destruction where this mining has occurred. This type of mining blows  mountains to pieces, destroys habitat, sends toxic runoff into streams  and rivers, and causes hardship and adversity for the people who live  nearby. And of course, coal has other problems. Turning away from coal  would mean not only less destruction in our heartland but also more  safety for our workers and less global warming, giving our planet a  better chance of long-term survival.     &ldquo;In addition to  disagreeing with the substance of the proposed rule, Friends of the  Earth has concerns about the rulemaking process. According to press  accounts, administration officials have said they are not likely to  change the proposed rule in response to comments received during the  60-day period. This makes a mockery of the public comment process and  violates basic legal principles. We are also concerned about the  possibility that former Interior Department staffer J. Steven Griles, a  convicted felon associated with Jack Abramoff, may have played an  improper role in the rule&rsquo;s formation. Congress should use its  oversight authority to address these concerns.&rdquo;<a name=\"RGGI\" id=\"RGGI\"><\/a><span><span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n          <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"generaltext\">\n<p>PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT<\/p>\n<p><strong>Name &amp; Citation of Regulation(s): <\/strong>The Regional   Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI): 310 CMR 7.70 (7.70), 310 CMR 7.00 Appendix B   (7), 310 CMR 7.29.<strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Brief Explanation and Rationale for Proposed Changes:<\/strong> <span id=\"lw_1187656134_0\">Massachusetts<\/span> is the first of 10 member states to issue rules for instituting a market-based   mechanism for reducing emissions associated with global climate change. The new   regulations address three separate areas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>310 CMR 7.70 (7.70) &#8211; This regulation will implement the Cap and Trade   system to control emissions of CO2 from power plants in <span id=\"lw_1187656134_1\">Massachusetts<\/span>.&nbsp;   This proposal is based on the Model Rule. MassDEP will auction nearly 100% of   allowances.&nbsp; There will be a small set-aside for the exchange of certain unused   GHG Credits. Allowances will be retired for voluntary renewable energy   purchases.&nbsp; There will be an upper limit on this retirement of 200,000 CO2   allowances per year.\n<\/li>\n<li>310 CMR 7.29 (7.29) &ndash; The existing regulation addressing CO2 emissions from   six power plants in the Commonwealth will be modified and ultimately replaced by   7.70. Postpone and combine the 2007 and 2008 compliance demonstrations into one   demonstration due by September 1, 2009.\n<\/li>\n<li>310 CMR 7.00 Appendix B(7) (B (7)) &#8211; The existing regulation addressing the   creation of Greenhouse Gas Credits (GHG Credits) will be modified and ultimately   replaced by 7.70. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Web Link to View Draft Regulations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The draft regulations are posted at http:\/\/mass.gov\/dep\/service\/regulations\/newregs.htm#co2trade and <a href=\"http:\/\/mass.gov\/doer\/RGGI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/mass.gov\/doer\/RGGI<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Public Hearing Information:<\/strong><br \/>\n              Public hearings will be   conducted to receive public comment, both oral and written, on the proposed   regulations on the following dates:<\/p>\n<p>Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, 6 p.m.<br \/>\n              MassDEP&ndash;Northeast Regional Office<br \/>\n              <span id=\"lw_1187656134_2\">205B Lowell   Street<br \/>\n                Wilmington, MA 01887<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, 6 p.m.<br \/>\n              1st Floor Conference   Room<br \/>\n              MassDEP&ndash;Southeast Region Main Office<br \/>\n              <span id=\"lw_1187656134_3\">20   Riverside Drive<br \/>\n                Lakeville, MA 02347<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, 6 p.m.<br \/>\n              Lesley Phillips Forum, Fine and Performing   Arts Building (C Building)<br \/>\n              Holyoke Community College<br \/>\n              <span id=\"lw_1187656134_4\">303   Homestead Avenue<br \/>\n                Holyoke, MA 01040<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, 9:30 a.m.<br \/>\n              MassDEP<br \/>\n              One Winter Street, 2nd   Floor, Rooms A, B, and C<br \/>\n              <span id=\"lw_1187656134_5\">Boston, MA   02108<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Written comment on the regulations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday,   September 24. <\/p>\n<p>              MassDEP requests that written testimony regarding its   proposed regulations be submitted electronically via e-mail (Word, WordPerfect,   Rich Text, Plain Text or HTML formats preferred) to Nicholas.M.Bianco@state.ma.us,   or by mail to Nicholas Bianco, MassDEP, <span id=\"lw_1187656134_6\">One Winter   Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108<\/span>.&nbsp; Copies of the MassDEP regulation,   background document, and filed comments will be available for inspection during   normal business hours at MassDEP, <span id=\"lw_1187656134_7\">One Winter   Street, Boston, MA<\/span>.&nbsp; These documents will also be available at: http:\/\/mass.gov\/dep\/service\/regulations\/newregs.htm#proposed.<\/p>\n<p>For questions about MassDEP&#8217;s proposed regulations, please contact Bill   Lamkin (<span id=\"lw_1187656134_8\">978-694-3294<\/span>, william.lamkin@state.ma.us) or   Nicholas Bianco (<span id=\"lw_1187656134_9\">617-292-5705<\/span>, Nicholas.M.Bianco@state.ma.us). <a name=\"grants\" id=\"grants\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"generaltext\">\n<p><strong>DRINKING WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION GRANTS   <\/strong><br \/>\n              &nbsp;<br \/>\n              FY08 Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant Program <br \/>\n              <strong>Application   Deadline: 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 <\/strong><br \/>\n              &nbsp;<br \/>\n              The Massachusetts   Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the Executive   Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, is pleased to issue the FY08 Request   for Responses for the 2008 Drinking Water <br \/>\n              Supply Protection Grant Program.   &nbsp;<br \/>\n              &nbsp;<br \/>\n              This grant program provides funding to public water systems and   municipalities for land acquisitions that protect public drinking water supplies   and drinking water quality. The direct recipient of a grant must be a   municipality <br \/>\n              or public water system authorized by the Commonwealth to provide   water to the public. &nbsp;Eligible land <br \/>\n              acquisitions include land located in   existing drinking water supply areas. &nbsp;Land may be acquired through <br \/>\n              purchase of   fee<br \/>\n              simple title, purchase of a conservation restriction, or purchase of a   combination of fee simple title and conservation restriction(s).<br \/>\n  &nbsp;<br \/>\n  The   maximum grant award for a single project is $500,000. &nbsp;The maximum reimbursement   amount available is 50% of the total project cost. This Request for Responses is   being issued in anticipation of the availability of funding. Final grant awards   are continent upon funding. There is no guarantee that monies will be awarded.   Multiple contracts may be awarded by MassDEP. <br \/>\n  &nbsp;<br \/>\n  Qualified applications   will be selected on a competitive basis. &nbsp;We look forward to receiving your   applications. Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, September   5, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. <br \/>\n  &nbsp;<br \/>\n              The complete Drinking Water Supply Protection   Request for Responses (RFR) is now available on the Comm-<br \/>\n              PASS website: https:\/\/www.comm-pass.com\/ Directions for negotiating the site   are included below.<br \/>\n  &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>              Questions? Contact Christy Edwards (EOEEA)   via email at <span id=\"lw_1181582333_5\">Christy.edwards@state.ma.us<\/span><br \/>\n  &nbsp;<br \/>\n              FY08 Drinking   Water Supply Protection Grant Comm-PASS Instructions:<br \/>\n              1.) On the Comm-PASS   home page (<a rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.comm-pass.com\/)<\/a> select the &ldquo;Solicitations&rdquo; tab at the top-left of the page. <br \/>\n              2.)   Select &ldquo;Search for a Solicitation&rdquo;.<br \/>\n              3.) In the &quot;Search by Specific Criteria&quot;   section enter &ldquo;BRP 2007-03&rdquo; in the Document Number field.<br \/>\n              4.) This search   will yield one result. Click on the sentence on the top of the page that says:   &quot;There are 1 Solicitation(s) found that match your search criteria&quot;.<br \/>\n              5.)   Select the spectacle icon on the far right-hand column to view all information   available for this grant <br \/>\n              program.<br \/>\n              6.) Click on the tab that says   &quot;Specifications&quot; to view the grant Request for Response. Answers to questions   and amendments to the original RFR (if necessary) will also be posted here.   Click on the spectacle <br \/>\n              icon to view and print any document posted in this   section.              <a name=\"jcenr\" id=\"jcenr\"><\/a> <\/p>\n<p>            <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center>          <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"generaltext\"><strong>Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture  2007-2008 Hearing Schedule<\/strong>. <br \/>\n            This schedule is subject to change. &nbsp;For  questions please contact the Committee at (617) 722-2210<br \/>\n            &nbsp;<br \/>\n            All hearings in State House Hearing Room A-1 unless otherwise noted<br \/>\n            &nbsp;<br \/>\n            Pesticides &amp; Hazardous Waste &#8211; September 10, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            Fish and Game &#8211; September 17, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            Policies &#8211; September 24, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            Dept. of Conservation &amp; Recreation (DCR) &#8211; October 1, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            Sewers, Title V, Wetlands &#8211; October 15, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            Miscellaneous &#8211; October 22, 2007 &#8211; 1:00 PM<br \/>\n            <center><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\" class=\"generaltext\"><a href=\"#top\">return to top<\/a><\/p>\n<p>          <\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Budget process starting NOW The Executive Office of Energy and Environment (EOEEA) will hold a hearing to allow interested parties to provide their comments as part of our Fiscal Year 2009 recommendation process. Written comment is encouraged prior to the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21123","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry","no-media"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The BEAT News August 29, 2007 - Berkshire Environmental Action Team<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Archived copy of The BEAT News for August 29, 2007\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeatnews.org\/BeatTeam\/the-beat-news-august-29-2007\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The BEAT News August 29, 2007 - 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