RENewsletter April 15, 2012

RENewsletter | April 15, 2012

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[04/08/2012 – 04/15/2012]

Opening Salvo: “Off-Shore wind farms, Climate change, and the Great Lakes”

The revival of off-shore wind farms for five states, including New York State, with President Obama’s ‘All of the Above’ approach on energy is likely to stir up fear and trepidation for those who had fought against the New York State Power Authority’s Great Lakes Off-Shore Wind Project (GLOW)—but it shouldn’t. However one might dislike the issues that come with wind power, they pale to the serious threats from Climate Change that are now looming over the Great Lakes.

Actually, the president is offering several domestic energy options as he attempts to protect and preserve our energy security from those nations who have held us hostage over our fossil fuel addiction. We must applaud him for that. But there is no talk about energy and Climate Change in the president’s approach, which is like talking about yin without yang. Good grief, it’s our use of energy that has got us into this Climate Change problem in the first place.

Because using ‘Climate Change’ is too politically toxic, President Obama only mentions energy security and jobs in his latest energy plan. It’s a lost opportunity for our nation’s leader to explain why renewable energy, like off-shore wind--is important as our planet warms up. So, we end up with this energy mix: oil, natural gas, nuclear, fuel efficiency, wind, and solar.

Among these choices, it is wind power that seems most intractable for New York State. It tends to get defeated even as Fracking looms over the state. But fortunately, we have off-shore wind power as an option once again.

Obama Administration and Great Lakes States Announce Agreement to Spur Development of Offshore Wind Projects Multi-state, multi-agency Memorandum of Understanding enhances coordination and speeds review of potential projects | Washington, D.C. – Ten Federal agencies joined with five Great Lakes states to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will streamline the efficient and responsible development of offshore wind resources in the Great Lakes.” (March 30, 2012) Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Yet, for all the exuberance over President’s Obama’s new initiative for off-shore wind, it’s going to be a hard sell in New York State. It’s a not-in-my-back-yard or NIMBY issue down to the bones. The GLOW project was shot down and killed only a year ago.

“Today, New York's plan for offshore wind in the Great Lakes arrived at its final chapter. The New York Power Authority has officially closed a plan to site turbines offshore in Lake Erie or in Lake Ontario. That's right, GLOW has gone out. "Community acceptance" The Great Lakes Offshore Wind project had been at the heart of many rowdy town hall meetings in Western New York since it was proposed in the spring of 2009. Some environmentalists supported the plan. Others said it would wreak environmental havoc. But whatever the reasons, many lakefront communities passed resolutions condemning the project.”(September 27, 2011) NYPA: Great Lakes offshore wind is dead | Innovation Trail

I’ve been at meetings where wind power has been blamed for noise on such a catastrophic level that would make one go mad, or the flicker effect from the sun bouncing off the blades that would also make one go mad. Wind turbines kill birds and bats. One person ranting in my ear said that wind turbines have been known to crack house foundations. And, there’s the argument that building off-shore will kick up some nasty stuff that industries left behind years ago.

“Opponents of the project say wind turbines could obstruct views of the lake, and that construction of the turbines could kick up chemical-laden sediment left over from the lakes’ industrial age.”(April 12, 2011) Great Lake towns still waiting for GLOW | Innovation Trail

This last argument is interesting given the changes that are coming to the Great Lakes because of Climate Change. You have to put kicking up chemical-laden sediments on the bottom of the Great Lakes in perspective. Whatever disturbances might come from making way for wind turbines will be nothing compared to having to dredge up the waterways for shipping because of predicted lower water levels in the Great Lakes. Arguing over sediment disruption due to installing off-shore wind is penny wise and pound foolish.

As for the other arguments, let’s tick them off. Noise and bats don’t count with off-shore wind because the turbines will be too far out in the water to hear them and bats don’t fly far out over the lakes for bugs. The distance over water point will also solve the flicker effect and as for house foundations, I’m sure an earthquake set off by Fracking is more likely to crack those.

Birds are another issue. Wind Turbines do kill birds, especially in migratory routes. But there are solutions. Just ask the Audubon Society:

New Federal Guidelines a Step Forward for Bird-Friendly Wind Development On Friday, March 23, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe released unprecedented federal wind guidelines intended to improve siting of wind development across the country and reduce impacts on birds and other wildlife. The guidelines were developed with the assistance of a 22-member Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee which included experts from the National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wildlife, Massachusetts Audubon, and Bat Conservation International. The committee, created under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) in 2009, worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to recommend guidelines to avoid or minimize impacts to birds and their habitats by land-based wind energy facilities. (April 12, 2012) National Audubon Society [more on Wind Power in our area]

As we reconsider off-shore wind power, the bigger point that we should all get this time around is that it has become much more than an aesthetic or NIMBY issue. Off-shore wind power has the potential to produce a sizeable amount of our energy needs—along with a smart grid, increased battery storage capacity, energy efficiency and conservation that can make a real impact on putting less GHG’s into our atmosphere. It’s not only a problem of physics—put more GHG into our atmosphere and the place warms up—it’s a moral problem:

Nasa scientist: climate change is a moral issue on a par with slavery Prof Jim Hansen to use lecture at Edinburgh International Science Festival to call for worldwide tax on all carbon emissions Averting the worst consequences of human-induced climate change is a "great moral issue" on a par with slavery, according to the leading Nasa climate scientist Prof Jim Hansen. (April 6, 2012) The Guardian

For those deeply concerned about the Great Lakes and the potential threat imposed by off-shore wind, they must put their complaints in perspective; it must be measured against Climate Change.

What is the likely climate future for the Great Lakes region? In general, the climate of the Great Lakes region will grow warmer and probably drier during the twenty first century. Climate models predict that by the end of the century, temperature in the region will warm by 5 to 12°F (3 to 7°C) in winter, and by 5 to 20°F (3 to 11°C. From Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region (2003) by The Union of Concerned Scientists and The Ecological Society of America

Even fishermen who help contribute to the billion-dollar Great Lakes fishing industry must be willing to put up with off-shore wind farms because their favorite fish species are already changing as the waters warm. Also, as water levels drop with Climate Change, even our hydroelectric plants, often hailed as New York’s answer to renewable energy, will be adversely affected. Not to mention nuclear plants, which need water for cooling.

President Obama’s ‘All of the Above’ approach for solving our energy needs may please or not disproportionally displease a sufficient number of potential voters in this year’s election to get him reelected, but Mother Nature, who doesn’t get a vote (and little respect from our economists, who treat her as a ‘negative externality’), rules. Our energy choices are integral to our solutions to Climate Change. And our solutions are threatened if New York State again trounces off-shore wind and our leaders fail to lead on Climate Change.

FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com (Click on my email for feedback)

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* Got news? | Go to my blog: Environmental Thoughts - Rochester, NY or Tweet me @ http://twitter.com/#!/FrankRrrr On Twitter and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RochesterEnvironment and Examiner/RochesterEnvironment, I post local environmental events, news, and commentary as soon as it happens. If you think this newsletter, which continually informs our community on our local environmental news, events, actions, is worthwhile, please encourage others to sign up. We who care about our environment and future need to ‘Occupy’ the Rochester media to change how the public views environmental news.

The great conundrum of our times is that in a time of rapidly occurring Climate Change and a rapid disintegration of the environment that we need to thrive and survive, mainstream media still marginalizes environmental concerns. [Check often for this continually updated list on the possible consequences of Climate Change in our region--supported by facts.] If there isn’t a quick and substantial change in how environmental concerns are reported, edited, and chosen in mainstream media, the public will continue to believe that environmental concerns are merely special interest matters, issues they can avoid if they choose. How can we inform the public and monitor our environment without abridging our Freedoms--in enough time to safe ourselves?

Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. -- Carl Sagan

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NewsLinks – Environmental NewsLinks – [Highlights of major environmental stories concerning our area from the past week]

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Updates – Daily Updates – [Connecting the dots on Rochester’s environment. Find out what’s going on environmentally in our area—and why you should care? Clicking on -DISCUSSION – will take you to my blog “Environmental Thoughts, NY, where you can add your comments.]

4/14/2012 - It is interesting that we keep talking about Great Lakes water diversion without talking about Climate Change. According to most studies on the Great Lakes, including Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region (2003) by The Union of Concerned Scientists and The Ecological Society of America, the Great Lakes will have lower water levels and the West and South of the US will be very thirsty for fresh water. Diversion issues must be planned considering that lower water levels will affect shipping and hydroelectric plants and communities in drought-ridden areas desperate for water. Without talking about Climate Change and diversion together, present planning is inadequate. Great Lakes watershed bill draws concern - Toledo Blade COLUMBUS Opponents worry too much will be taken from tributaries -- A proposal to regulate water withdrawals from the Lake Erie watershed faces opposition from environmental and sportsmen groups who argue it would inadequately protect inland rivers and streams teeming with life. Gov. John Kasich last year vetoed Ohio lawmakers' first attempt at writing between the lines of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact approved by eight states and Congress. That business-backed bill drew criticism from other states, two of Mr. Kasich's gubernatorial predecessors, and environmental groups, in part, because it would have set the most lenient thresholds for water withdrawals of any of the Great Lakes states. (April 13, 2012) Home - Toledo Blade [more on the Great Lakes in our area]
4/14/2012 - It’s time for everyone to get moving on Climate Change: It’s Time for Interfaith Action on Climate Change « EcoWatch: Uniting the Voice of the Grassroots Environmental MovementThere are lots of types of people who have been taking action on climate change over the last several years—environmentalists (of course), students and young people, community-based groups, labor activists, indigenous peoples, Appalachian and Gulf Coast residents, ranchers and more. Also, importantly, there have been people from the many different denominations that make up the broad religious community in the U.S. It was personally inspiring to me when several dozen people of faith took action last August, getting arrested at the White House protesting the Keystone XL pipeline. And it is inspiring that some of those people, as well as many more, have joined together to organize five days of faith-based activities calling for action on climate change in Washington, D.C. April 22-26. The Interfaith Moral Action on Climate is playing a key role in organizing and connecting these activities. (April 11, 2012) EcoWatch: Uniting the Voice of the Grassroots Environmental Movement
4/13/2012 - Got a candidate for an environmental hero for NYS? Tell the DEC: DEC Accepting Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Environmental Excellence Awards program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today. The awards program recognizes outstanding, innovative and sustainable projects or programs. Eligible applicants include businesses, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, facilities, government agencies and individuals implementing innovative, sustainable actions or working in creative partnership to improve and protect New York's environmental resources and contribute to a viable economy. DEC is especially interested in acknowledging projects that achieve significant environmental benefits through: innovative and cutting-edge pollution prevention technologies, manufacturing process improvements, initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, projects using green infrastructure practices, programs to "green" schools and businesses, energy efficiency and green energy production efforts, waste reduction and recycling efforts, and innovative environmental protection and restoration efforts. (April 12, 2012) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
4/13/2012 - When the South and West are thirsty for fresh water will they come to the Great Lakes to get it? Think diversion and water leaving the Great Lakes water basin will change our ecology and weather patterns. Drought expands throughout USA – USATODAY.com Still reeling from last year's devastating drought that led to at least $10 billion in agricultural losses across Texas and the South, the nation is enduring another unusually parched year. A mostly dry, mild winter has put nearly 61% of the lower 48 states in "abnormally dry" or drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, a weekly federal tracking of drought. That's the highest percentage of dry or drought conditions since September 2007, when 61.5% of the country was listed in those categories. (April 13, 2012) News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com [more on Climate Change in our area]
4/13/2012 - Media in crisis & a world that is warming: still local media headlines sports, vehicle crashes, puppy abuse, locals getting on TV, busting online and off line shenanigans, local business moving, links to a hot Internet story, and the best way to tune up your abs. What about connecting the dots between Climate Change studies for our area and extreme weather? Or, news about how we are adapting to a warmer world, like getting ready for heat waves and floods. It has to get better. It can: Free Press | Media reform through education, organizing and advocacy "Free Press is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, quality journalism and universal access to communications. "
4/12/2012 - How is NYS’s new E-waste law doing? Find out what effect this new law is doing to promote the proper disposal of E-Waste in NYS. New York State’s Producer Responsibility Law for Electronic Waste: Reflecting on the first year – Interim Report, March 29, 2012 --from Product Stewardship Institute
4/12/2012 - Increase incidences of Lyme disease for our upper NYS region is predicted in Climate Change studies. Is our public health system prepared? NCPR News - Lyme disease on the rise in St. Lawrence and other counties If you're like a lot of people in the North Country, you've been finding ticks on yourself, or on your pets. The common dog tick can be easy to find, especially when they become engorged. But Deer ticks, also known as Black Legged-Ticks, are very, very tiny, and are difficult to spot. Deer ticks are the ones that primarily cause Lyme disease. Recent statistics show increasing levels of Lyme disease in the North Country. (April 12, 2012) NCPR: North Country Public Radio [more on Lyme Disease in our area]
4/11/2012 - Check out this new NYS law that attempts to protect our water quality. Our lawns and gardens and what goes down the drains in our house are important parts of our environment. Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation "The Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law (Chapter 205 of the laws of 2010), was signed into law by the Governor on July 15, 2010. This law will improve water quality in New York by reducing phosphorus runoff into the State's waterbodies. It will also reduce costs to local governments and private entities required to remove excess phosphorus from stormwater and wastewater, and will improve recreational and other uses of the state's waters. The Dishwasher Detergent and Nutrient Runoff Law amends section 35-105 and adds a new Title 21 to Article 17 of the Environmental Conservation Law. Important information for Pesticide Applicators and Commercial Permittees. " New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
4/11/2012 - Reading this now: As if the problems we face aren’t difficult enough to solve, like Climate Change, there are those who would push their agenda despite the consequences to the worlds’ health and our environment Merchants of Doubt "Troubling story of how a cadre of influential scientists have clouded public understanding of scientific facts to advance a political and economic agenda. The U.S. scientific community has long led the world in research on public health, environmental science, and other issues affecting the quality of life. Our scientists have produced landmark studies on the dangers of DDT, tobacco smoke, acid rain, and global warming. But at the same time, a small yet potent subset of this community leads the world in vehement denial of these dangers. In their new book, Merchants of Doubt, historians Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway explain how a loose–knit group of high-level scientists, with extensive political connections, ran effective campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over four decades. "
4/11/2012 - Time to get rid of that hazardous stuff lying around the house and garage—in a good way: Webster is cohosting Household Hazardous Waste collection day - Webster, NY - Webster Post Webster, N.Y. — The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the towns of Webster and Penfield are collaborating to hold an appointment-only, one-day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Town of Penfield Highway Garage, 1607 Jackson Road, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21. (April 11, 2012) Webster Post
4/11/2012 - It’s like I’ve been saying (Read: Great weather now but a lousy climate coming for the Rochester, NY region) insurance may be key in getting the public and businesses to ‘get it’ on Climate Change. Even the most diehard Climate Change denier is going to notice when their insurance rates go up or disappears altogether—which begs the question: who will pick up the bill when extreme weather due to Climate Change brings unprecedented costs? Answer: Even those dead set against big government will expect their government to pay for their losses. US insurance companies are in denial about Climate Change and so is our government and the public. But more extreme weather is coming and insurance is going to go up and out of sight for many—if not most in some areas like flood plains. Denial won’t solve insurance issues: As weather gets biblical, insurers go missing | Reuters (Reuters) - As weather disasters strike with more frequency, homeowners first get hit with the destruction or total loss of property. Many are then hit with the unexpected loss of homeowners insurance policies as insurance companies re-evaluate their financial liabilities. (April 10, 2012) Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News | Reuters.com
4/10/2012 -Sooner, rather than later, we should view our energy use through the lens of Climate Change Debate on Oil Prices Overlooks the Elephant in the Room - GrowWNY That elephant is the carbon dioxide (CO2) that we release when we burn fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) and the global warming, ocean acidification, and other disastrous consequences of that carbon dioxide. (April 6, 2012) GrowWNY [more on Climate Change in our area]
4/10/2012 - Free event to learn about to learn about the very environmentally health practice of Permaculture. Introduction to Permaculture and Student Design Showcase – Free Event: Join us Sunday, April 15, 2012 3-5:30 pm at the Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St., Rochester NY. Patty Love, director of the Rochester Permaculture Center, and the graduates of RPC’s first Permaculture Design Certification class will introduce the ethics, principles, and methods of permaculture in a brief talk. The students will showcase their final project designs. The community will be invited to listen, review the designs, and ask questions from our group of 6 total.
4/10/2012 - Health problems in the very young and old as heath waves come more often with Climate Change are predicted. Are we prepared? Elderly people more at risk of death due to summer heat - News - Scotsman.com INCREASED fluctuations in summer temperatures caused by climate change could lead to tens of thousands of extra deaths among elderly people each year, a study has warned. Scientists examined the impact on mortality of day-to-day variations in temperature during the summer, which are expected to increase as a consequence of climate change. They found that even small temperature swings, of as little as 1C more than usual, may shorten the life expectancy of elderly people with chronic medical conditions. Scotsman.com (April 10, 2012)
4/10/2012 - Climate Change is the moral issue of our times, those who encourage us to delay action must prove we can. Nasa scientist: climate change is a moral issue on a par with slavery | Environment | guardian.co.uk Prof Jim Hansen to use lecture at Edinburgh International Science Festival to call for worldwide tax on all carbon emissions | Averting the worst consequences of human-induced climate change is a "great moral issue" on a par with slavery, according to the leading Nasa climate scientist Prof Jim Hansen. He argues that storing up expensive and destructive consequences for society in future is an "injustice of one generation to others". Hansen, who will next Tuesday be awarded the prestigious Edinburgh Medal for his contribution to science, will also in his acceptance speech call for a worldwide tax on all carbon emissions. (April 6, 2012) Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian [more on Climate Change in our area]
4/09/2012 - Another Earth Day event coming up. Check it out: Please help us celebrate Earth Day in the Finger Lakes!!! We have a FABULOUS line-up of home-grown STARS to entertain you and your family!!! I have attached a poster for the event to be held at the SMITH OPERA HOUSE SATURDAY APRIL 21st 7:30 p.m. Click on the attached recording icon for a short radio ad for the program. MORE INFO TO FOLLOW HAPPY SPRING AND HAPPY EASTER
4/09/2012 - Check out this forum on Fracking and public health: Public Forum: Facing High Impact Land Uses such as Gas Drilling This event is free and open to the public. WHEN: 6:30-8:30 PM, Tuesday April 24, 2012 WHERE: Albright Auditorium, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY David and Helen Slottje, founders of the Community Environmental Defense Council, Inc. (CEDC), will present a public forum on how to use local government land-use authority to protect public health, safety, and community assets in the face of high-impact land uses such as gas drilling. CEDC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public interest law firm focused on assisting communities in obtaining the benefit of environmental and land-use laws. CEDC works pro bono (free). Helen Holden Slottje is CEDC’s Managing Attorney, and David Slottje is CEDC’s Senior Attorney and Executive Director. This forum is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Institute, Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Inc., and Concerned Citizens of Seneca County, Inc. Please reference the attachment to this email for more information.
4/09/2012 - Learn about solar power in our area from those who’ve installed it: "On Saturday, April 14 at 10:15 a.m. at the Watkins Glen library Bob and Shirley Barton of Mecklenburg will present "US-Made Renewable Energy for the Home: One Family's Quest." They seek to achieve carbon neutrality while providing jobs and income to small businesses in this country. Bartons will share their experiences with a solar hot water heater and a high-efficiency wood-burning furnace. Jonathan Wood of Green Sun Solar will also talk about his company's solar energy system and answer questions. The meeting is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Progressives and is free and open to the public. The library is located at 610 S. Decatur Street. Attached--if indeed Googlegroups allows attachments--is a poster that may be downloaded and distributed where anyone feels it will attract attention. "

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Events – Rochester Environmental Events Calendar – [The most complete listing of all environmental events around the Rochester, New York area.] If you don’t see your event, or know of a local environmental event, please send me the info: FrankRegan@RochesterEnvironment.com with (EV event) in the subject line. Also, be sure to check other calendars and environmental series for multi-day events.

April 2012

Sunday, April 15, 2012 3-5:30 pm at the Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St., Rochester NY.

Introduction to Permaculture and Student Design Showcase – Free Event: Join us Sunday, April 15, 2012 3-5:30 pm at the Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St., Rochester NY. Patty Love, director of the Rochester Permaculture Center, and the graduates of RPC’s first Permaculture Design Certification class will introduce the ethics, principles, and methods of permaculture in a brief talk. The students will showcase their final project designs. The community will be invited to listen, review the designs, and ask questions from our group of 6 total.

Monday, April 16, 7PM: |Perry Middle School Auditorium 50 Olin Avenue, Perry, NY 14530

FRACKING: WHAT IT IS, WHERE IT CAME FROM, AND WHY WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT An overview of the process of hydrofracking and its environmental, health, and economic implications, followed by a Q & A session. Presented by Dr. Jordan Kleiman Associate Professor of History at SUNY-Geneseo http://www.geneseo.edu/history/kleiman Perry Middle School Auditorium 50 Olin Avenue, Perry, NY 14530 (Perry is ~45 mi. southwest of Rochester, just beyond Geneseo) This hydrofracking informational meeting is hosted by the Town of Perry and is open to all to learn about this pressing issue.

Wednesday, April 18, 7-9PM: | Rush Town Pavilion in the Rush Public Library 5977 East Henrietta Road, Rush, NY 14543

HYDROFRACKING AND GEOLOGY ISSUES A lecture presented by Dr. Richard Young, Ph.D., Distinguished Service Professor of Geological Sciences at SUNY-Geneseo http://www.geneseo.edu/faculty_staff/featured/test Rush Town Pavilion in the Rush Public Library 5977 East Henrietta Road, Rush, NY 14543 SEATING IS LIMITED SO CALL 585-533-1370 FOR RESERVATIONS click here for the Flier Sponsored by the Rush Public Library

Thursday, April 19, 2012 5:30pm: Doors open | First Unitarian Church of Rochester 220 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY

14 Annual Sierra Club Forum "Our Water's Fragile Future" [Rochester Regional Group of the Sierra Club} Where will all the water for fracking come from? What’s happening to Great Lake levels? Will our children have the same access to clean water that we do? We welcome Jim Olson, the environmental attorney who helped citizens in Michigan win a battle against Nestle’s bottling operation. Jim will share his expertise on protecting fresh water for the “common good” and how it pertains to our Great Lakes and Finger Lakes. Water! Our fresh water! Here in upstate New York, clean potable water is one of the most abundant and important of our resources. We live in the Great Lakes Basin, on the shore of bountiful Lake Ontario and near the beautiful Finger Lakes. We use these lakes as sources of drinking water and are fortunate to be able to do so. But along with the rest of the world, we may soon face challenges that end easy access to abundant fresh water for all. New York State may begin this year to permit hydrofracking for natural gas. Hydrofracking uses 3 to 9 million gallons of fresh water each time a well is “fracked” (USGS). Many thousands of wells could be drilled in New York State and fracked on multiple occasions. Where will all of that fresh water come from? How and where will the toxic wastewater be processed? more...

Thursday, April 19, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Stern Hall Room 103

Hydrofracking: What the Frack Is It? Panel Discussion Do you really know what hydrofracking is, or its effects on the local economy, environment, and society? If not, join us for a panel discussion of the topic. In an attempt to be an informative discussion, the panel will consist of a wide range of view points including both the reasons for opposition and promotion of fracking. Parking available in the Pulteney St. Medbery Lot. http://flihappenings.wordpress.com/

April 20-22, 2012 Braddock Bay Park, East Manitou Road, Greece, NY

Braddock Bay Raptor Research presents BIRD OF PREY DAYS 2012 April 20-22, 2012 Braddock Bay Park, East Manitou Road, Greece Braddock Bay Raptor Research (BBRR) is proud to present our 24th annual Bird of Prey Days to be held at Braddock Bay Park, on East Manitou Road in Greece. If you have ever wanted to see a hawk, owl or eagle up close and personal, attend one of the many educational programs offered to families and individuals of all ages. Braddock Bay Raptor Research celebrates the spring migration with programs all weekend long, which focus on the raptors and the spectacular migration that is witnessed each year. One entry fee for entire weekend: $3 per adult (suggested donation), Kids are FREE. Program highlights will include: · Live Birds of Prey with Paul Schnell featuring Liberty the bald eagle, Friday, April 20th. · Live Birds of Prey with Ron Walker and Friends with Feathers– Saturday, April 21st. · Live Animal Presentations with Seneca Park Zoo’s Wegmans Zoomobile · Live Raptor Program with the Institute for Environmental Learning · Visit the Hawkwatch all weekend or go on a tour of the Hawk Banding Station · Owl Prowls – Saturday & Sunday morning at 7:30 am · Raptor Banding Demonstrations both Saturday & Sunday · Plus plenty of other interactive, educational opportunities & presentations, and a chance to meet BBRR’s own Incredible Hawk! A full detailed schedule of events is posted on our website www.bbrr.org. For more information contact: Braddock Bay Raptor Research 585-BOP-LIVE information@bbrr.org

Sat. April 21st from 9 -3 at Hamlin Beach State Park Area 3., Hamlin, NY

The 5th Annual HAMLIN EARTH DAY AT THE PARK will be held Sat. April 21st from 9 -3 at Hamlin Beach State Park Area 3. Hosted by Hamlin Beach S.P., the Town of Hamlin, SUNY Brockport Dept. of Environmental Sciences, the Hamlin and Hilton Lions Clubs, and Friends of Hamlin Beach State Park, the event will feature numerous environmental information booths, craft and eco-friendly vendors and a display of fuel efficient vehicles. Activities include an organized beach clean-up from 10:30 - 12:00, guided marsh walking tour at 12:00, music by The Dady Brothers at 1:00, and guided tour of historic CCC/POW camp at 3:00. The Lions are accepting used eyeglasses, hearing aids and keys for metal recycling. Food and refreshments will be on hand and participants are urged to bring their own travel mugs as a gesture of sustainability. Admission is free, including park admission.

7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21. |Town of Penfield Highway Garage, 1607 Jackson Road, Penfield, NY

Time to get rid of that hazardous stuff lying around the house and garage—in a good way: Webster is cohosting Household Hazardous Waste collection day - Webster, NY - Webster Post Webster, N.Y. — The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the towns of Webster and Penfield are collaborating to hold an appointment-only, one-day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Town of Penfield Highway Garage, 1607 Jackson Road, from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21. (April 11, 2012) Webster Post

Saturday, APRIL 21st 7:30 p.m. | Albright Auditorium, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Please help us celebrate Earth Day in the Finger Lakes!!! We have a FABULOUS line-up of home-grown STARS to entertain you and your family!!! I have attached a poster for the event to be held at the SMITH OPERA HOUSE SATURDAY APRIL 21st 7:30 p.m. Click on the attached recording icon for a short radio ad for the program. MORE INFO TO FOLLOW HAPPY SPRING AND HAPPY EASTER

April 22, noon to 5 pm. | Ithaca Farmers Market, Steamboat Landing, 545 Third Street, Ithaca, NY

Earth Day Ithaca: April 22, noon to 5 pm. There will be an informational hydrilla display among the many other displays, music, eco and sustainability information. Free of charge. Ithaca Farmers Market, Steamboat Landing, 545 Third Street. from Hilary Lambert [steward@cayugalake.org]

April 23rd, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Victor Junior High School 953 High Street, Victor, NY

"The Victor Earth Day Celebration on April 23rd, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Victor Junior High School 953 High Street will focus is on "Obtainable Sustainable Solutions" for families and individuals looking for ways to make positive changes to increase the health and wellness of their lives and the earth we inhabit. Local businesses, farms, restaurants, bakeries, salons, and community groups will be joining in this evening to raise awareness, and assist families in making those "earth-friendly" choices that impact us all. We hope to have you be a part of this important evening. Demonstrations, green give-aways, natural organic locavore food tastings, interactive booths, movies, and presentations will be a part of the evening. A sample of some businesses that will be a part of the evening are: Points of Harmony Acupuncture Mud Creek Farm Organic Agriculture Nature,Spirit Healing Sierra Club Small World Collective Seven Bridges Farms The Whole Herb Salon Brio Smugtown Mushrooms Natural Alternatives Integrated Broccolo Landscaping Fingerlakes Zero Waste Coalition LEAD Poison Control Detection Victor Sustainabilty Committee Barefoot Permaculture Young Living Essential Oils Imagine It Recycling GM Alternative Vehicle Demonstration Red Bird Market "

6:30-8:30 PM, Tuesday April 24, 2012 WHERE: Albright Auditorium, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY

Public Forum: Facing High Impact Land Uses such as Gas Drilling This event is free and open to the public. WHEN: 6:30-8:30 PM, Tuesday April 24, 2012 WHERE: Albright Auditorium, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY David and Helen Slottje, founders of the Community Environmental Defense Council, Inc. (CEDC), will present a public forum on how to use local government land-use authority to protect public health, safety, and community assets in the face of high-impact land uses such as gas drilling. CEDC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public interest law firm focused on assisting communities in obtaining the benefit of environmental and land-use laws. CEDC works pro bono (free). Helen Holden Slottje is CEDC’s Managing Attorney, and David Slottje is CEDC’s Senior Attorney and Executive Director. This forum is sponsored by the Finger Lakes Institute, Finger Lakes Zero Waste Coalition, Inc., and Concerned Citizens of Seneca County, Inc. Please reference the attachment to this email for more information.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:30 p.m. Hubbell Auditorium Hutchison Hall (Building 3 on map) University of Rochester

The Future of Shale Gas in New York Featuring Tom Wilber '83 Tuesday, April 24, 2012 7:30 p.m. Hubbell Auditorium Hutchison Hall (Building 3 on map) University of Rochester Open parking in Trustee Lot (opposite Building 3 on map) after 7 p.m. Map of River Campus Join University of Rochester alumni, parents, and friends for an evening with author and journalist Tom Wilber '83 as he reads from and discusses his new book, Under the Surface: Fracking, Fortunes, and the Fate of the Marcellus Shale. This is the first book-length journalistic overview of shale gas development and the controversies surrounding it. Publisher's Weekly says Wilber "combines a storyteller's ear with a journalist's eye, offering a sensitive and especially timely take on the issue...This book will be essential background reading for the still-unfolding fracking drama." Wilber has spent years intertwining key players and local residents on all sides of the Marcellus Shale issue, first as a reporter covering business, health, and environmental issues for the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin and later while preparing his book. From 1992 through 2005, he taught various journalism courses as an adjunct instructor at Broome Community College and Binghamton University. Admission is free of charge. No registration is necessary. Books will be available for sale on-site. For more information about Tom Wilber, visit his blog at tomwilber.blogspot.com/

Friday, April 27, 2012 At "The Links" in East Syracuse, New York

Eighth Annual Symposium on Energy in the 21st Century | DescriptionofSymposium A Division of Synapse Sustainability Trust Inc. Looking Ahead to a Future in Renewable Energy A Local & Global Perspective Friday, April 27, 2012 At "The Links" in East Syracuse, New York Symposium on April 27, 2012. Registration opens today. This Symposium is noted as one of the most important energy conferences in the Northeast. This will be a very well attended Symposium and I encourage you to register ASAP. Last year we closed registration early at 360 attendees. This year we are going global, and including successful models of energy sustainability from other countries. Ruggero Schleicher-Tappeser, will be flying in from Berlin exclusively for this Symposium to speak Germany's success in using renewable energy, particularly solar voltaic. Willett Kempton, Ph.D, Visiting Professor at Denmarks Tekniske Universitet, will be speaking on Denmark's model, particularly in wind energy. Other esteemed speakers include Garry Brown, Chairman PSC, Laura Morton, Senior Advisor for Renewable Energy, U.S.D.O.E, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Paul Tonko, Congressman, Nathanael Green, Director of Renewable Energy Policy, NRDC, Michael Gerrard, Director Climate Center, Columbia Law School, and Kit Kennedy, Counsel to Air & Energy Program, NRDC, who will be the moderator. Our keynote will be Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Included in the program is greetings from Frank Murray, President & CEO NYSERDA, and Joe Martens and, Commisioner DEC. We are giving a special award to Joanie Mahoney, County Executive of Onondaga County for her exceptional work. This will be a landmark Symposium!!

· Pick-Up-The-Parks, April 28

o Help pick up Monroe County Park starting at 9am for hot coffee and some breakfast snacks to give us energy to do our work. That afternoon, there will be a festival at Genesee Valley Park with free lunch for all participants and lots of fun. Please join us! Read the flyer: Pick-Up-The-Parks, April 28 We love our parks and want to help Monroe County keep them clean for all to enjoy. Also, you can visit the official Facebook page for the event and sign up: https://www.facebook.com/LarrytheH2OHero

May 2012

May 4 & 5, 2012 | 2222 St Paul St Rochester, NY 14617

Our Fragile World Environmental Fair May 4 & 5, 2012 The goal of Our Fragile World is to engage, inspire and empower the community to act on behalf of wildlife, nature and our environment. Each year, this event features a variety of local environmentally-conscious businesses, nature organizations and government agencies that are working to improve the health of our local environment. Seneca Park Zoo | The Natural Place for Families | Zoo Rochester NY The formal school program (held on Friday, May 4) meets curriculum standards in science as well as social studies. This is a great day to book your field trip to the Zoo as your students can learn about local conservation efforts as well as visit with our Zoo animals! We hope you will join us and learn how to make our world a healthier place for wildlife, your children and generations to come. If you're a teacher and would like to bring your class to the event on Friday, May 4, please fill out a field trip request form. If you have questions about this event or would like to be a presenter this year, please contact Tina Crandall-Gommel at (585) 295-7394 or e-mail tcrandall@senecazoo.org.

Saturday, May 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | The Montezuma Audubon Center is located at 2295 State Route 89 in Savannah, NY, approximately 1.5 miles north of the Hamlet of Savannah.

Montezuma Audubon Center’s 6th Annual Wildlife Festival Will Soar on Saturday May 5: Celebrating Important Bird Areas There will something for everyone at the Montezuma Audubon Center’s 6th Annual Wildlife Festival in Savannah, NY on Saturday, May 5th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friends with Feathers and The Institute for Environmental Learning will conduct live birds of prey programs throughout the day with a variety of owls, hawks, and “Liberty the Bald Eagle”. The non-releasable animals will be on display during the programs that will focus on birds of prey characteristics, rehabilitation and conservation. Everyone will get a chance to have a picture taken with “Liberty”. Another highlight of the festival will be the Children’s Theater and Activity Tent where Lois Sprague will entertain festive goers with animal balloons and Andrea Whitcomb-May will perform conservation-related puppet shows that are sure to inspire. Everyone can also enjoy the bounce house, dunk booth, sing a-longs and the drum circle, making bird crafts and stained glass art, wildlife trivia on the big board, and building a bluebird box. Wildlife enthusiasts can fish their way to the backyard bass game and then fly over to see the dragons from the pond. The festival will celebrate Important Bird Areas throughout the Finger Lakes Region and the conservation organizations that are working to identify and conserve these areas that are vital to birds and other biodiversity. The festival schedule also includes: Dan the Snake Man programs, guided nature walks and canoeing excursions, a garlic mustard pull contest, a GPS treasure hunt, music from the Tom Barnes and Chuck & Paul, delicious food, local vendors, a native plant sale, wildlife exhibitors and much more! The cost to attend the festival is $3/adult, $1/school-aged child, FREE for children 4 and younger. For more information, call 315.365.3588, visit http://ny.audubon.org/montezuma.htm or e-mail montezuma@audubon.org The Montezuma Audubon Center is located at 2295 State Route 89 in Savannah, NY, approximately 1.5 miles north of the Hamlet of Savannah.

May 5th | Find an event and register today

Got something to do on May 5th? If not why not love our NYS Parks: Parks & Trails New York - I Love My Park Day "Show NYS Parks and Historic Sites Some Love Volunteer on Saturday, May 5th for the first-ever I Love My Park Day! Online registration is now open! Find an event and register today. I Love My Park Day is an exciting new statewide event organized by Parks & Trails New York to improve and enhance New York’s parks and historic sites and bring visibility to the entire park system and its needs. Volunteers from across the state will participate in cleanup, improvement, and beautification events at New York State parks and historic sites. Volunteers will celebrate New York’s park system by cleaning up park lands and beaches, planting trees and gardens, restoring trails and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects. Join us Saturday, May 5th and show our parks and historic sites some love! " Parks & Trails New York

Sunday, May 6th from 9AM – 12:30PM at Temple B'rith Kodesh 2131 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY

E-waste Recycling Event: Don’t miss this opportunity to get rid of that old computer and other E-waste. Free computer & Electronics Recycling Collection, Sunday, May 6th from 9AM – 12:30PM at 2131 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, NY "Electronic waste accepted here • Computer Equipment • oMonitors, Terminals • oComputers • oScanners, Ink Cartridges • oPrinters, Fax Machines • oNetwork Equipment • oKeyboards, mice and • oComputer Accessories • Miscellaneous Electronics • oCircuit Boards, Cabling & Wiring • oTypewriters • oTelecommunications Equipment • oAudio/Visual Equipment • oVideo Game Systems • oCell Phones, PDAs, IPODs • oUniversal Power Supplies • Television Sets • Batteries * Compact Fluorescent Lamps- Additional .35 cents each * Straight Fluorescent Lamps– Additional .40 cents each "

Sunday, May 6th. Registration is from 2:00-2:15pm, and the walk begins at 2:30, concluding around 4:00pm. To walk or to sponsor a walker, call St. Stephen's church at 328-0856.

Rochester Southwest CROP Walk 2012 “Community Gardens Filling Cupboards” Media Contact: Rev. Mary Ann Brody, St. Stephen's church, 328-0856 Who: Sixteen area churches and groups are sending teams to walk. What: Southwest Rochester CROP-Walk. Funds raised from pledges will go locally to Southwest Ecumenical Ministries (SWEM) to support Foodlink’s Backpack Program that supplies weekly supplemental food to children at School 16. It will also go internationally to established food programs in partnership with Church World Services in their fight against hunger. Where: Walkers will convene at Southwest Community Center, 275 Dr. Samuel McCree Way. There are a 4.5-mile and a 1.5-mile option. We will walk past a youth entrepreneurial greenhouse, raised-bed community food gardens and a variety of floral gardens developed and maintained by local church and neighborhood groups. The route passes the new Voters Square project, the Olmsted-designed floral garden at Madison Street and returns by way of Brown Street. We walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in third-world countries who walk up to six miles daily to fetch water. When: Sunday, May 6th. Registration is from 2:00-2:15pm, and the walk begins at 2:30, concluding around 4:00pm. To walk or to sponsor a walker, call St. Stephen's church at 328-0856. Visuals: People walking, carrying banners, signs. Convening for prayer before the event at Southwest Community Center parking lot.

September 2012

September 10th - 16th - High Falls region, Rochester, NY

Greentopia 2012 Greentopia 2012 is a week-long celebration of inspiration through art, music, organic and locally grown food and beverages, ideas and activism. The expanded event will contain four programmatic aspects, which include Greentopia Innovation, Greentopia Film, Greentopia Music and Greentopia EcoFest. In its first year the event drew between 18-20,000 people to the historic High Falls district. Through how-to workshops and cutting-edge films, visitors learned about big green ideas and how to apply them creatively in everyday life. There are special family activities, a community recycled art installation, mouthwatering organic and local food and beverages, and all kinds of live music. Businesses and organizations showcased products and programs that help to restore the planet, promote green living – even save consumers some money.

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Action – Take Action - Often, I receive request to pass on alerts, petitions, Public Comments on local developments, and environmental items needing action by the Rochester Community and around the world. I’ll keep Actions posted until their due date.

ACTION: Due Date April 27, 2012

Got thoughts on fish and Climate Change and research and resources? Tell it to the NYSDEC Lake Ontario Fisheries Unit before April 27, 2012 DEC Releases Draft Objectives For Lake Ontario's Fish Community - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation DEC Releases Draft Objectives For Lake Ontario's Fish Community Plan to Guide Bi-National Management of Lake's Fisheries Resources The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today released its proposed Fish Community Objectives for Lake Ontario for public review and comment. The comment period ends April 27, 2012. Lake Ontario's fisheries are jointly managed by DEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). DEC and OMNR strive to provide sound management of Lake Ontario's fisheries for ecosystem function and recreational benefits. The draft plan is available on the DEC website. (March 14, 2012) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [more on Wildlife in our area

ACTION: Due Date: May 5th

Take action on Climate Change on May 5th: It’s Time for Us to Connect the Dots « EcoWatch: Uniting the Voice of the Grassroots Environmental Movement Earlier today, Barack Obama wrapped up his first trip to Oklahoma as President. He arrived just after a week of floods, capping off a winter that never came, which followed the hottest and driest summer Oklahoma had seen in thousands of years, perhaps ever. But he wasn’t in Oklahoma to talk about these climate disasters. He was there to laud his administration’s fast-tracking of the southern leg of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. It’s obvious from his speech today that President Obama isn’t connecting the dots between fossil fuel extraction, climate change and the extreme weather that has reshaped so much of the American landscape this past year. (March 22, 2012) EcoWatch: Uniting the Voice of the Grassroots Environmental Movement

ACTION: Curb Your Car Week, May 13-19, 2012

*Find one or more trips to leave your car home that week: to school, work, piano lessons, grocery store, or anywhere. *Bike, Walk, Bus, Carpool, Telecommute, Combine Trips *Register for free at ColorBrightonGreen.org, and then report your miles saved after May19. (All by email) *Open to all, don’t need to live in Brighton. *We will calculate total miles, gallons of gas, and pounds of CO2 saved, and announce the grand total. (By Email) *Prizes will be awarded to high mileage savers, and randomly to participants. *Cut Global Warming: Cut Air Pollution: Increase Energy Independence! Have fun! Enjoy a community of bikers and walkers all over Rochester for one week. Then, find out how fun it is, and how much money you save in gas and parking, and keep on doing it! Media Contact: Cheryl Frank 241-3078 730-1719 cell cherylmfrank@yahoo.com info@colorbrightonGreen.org Prizes may include environmental books for children and adults, energy saving small appliances such as lighting, donated by area businesses. Last fall, we saw 113 participants save 8000 miles, 303 gallons of gas, and over 5,700 pounds of CO2! All Brighton public schools, and many other schools and employers are participating by reporting their families' miles saved and their school or employer name online, to see how much we can save altogether. Join with your school, employer, or just on your own to be counted in the savings! Coincides with National Bike to Work Week. For more info contact info@ColorBrightonGreen.org

Friday, May 18, 2012 | Information about the Environmental Excellence Awards program, the application materials and information on past award winners is available on DEC's website; by writing to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Pollution Prevention Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1750; by phone to DEC's Pollution Prevention Unit at (518) 402-9469 or by email at eeawards@gw.dec.state.ny.us.

Got a candidate for an environmental hero for NYS? Tell the DEC: DEC Accepting Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Environmental Excellence Awards program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced today. The awards program recognizes outstanding, innovative and sustainable projects or programs. Eligible applicants include businesses, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations, facilities, government agencies and individuals implementing innovative, sustainable actions or working in creative partnership to improve and protect New York's environmental resources and contribute to a viable economy. DEC is especially interested in acknowledging projects that achieve significant environmental benefits through: innovative and cutting-edge pollution prevention technologies, manufacturing process improvements, initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, projects using green infrastructure practices, programs to "green" schools and businesses, energy efficiency and green energy production efforts, waste reduction and recycling efforts, and innovative environmental protection and restoration efforts. (April 12, 2012) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Few actions that we can do to adapt and mitigate Climate Change can have the effect of planting trees. Trees are carbon sinks that work. Plant a tree, lots of them. DEC'S Saratoga Tree Nursery Kicks off Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale and Giveaway - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Landowners Can Take Advantage of Low-Cost Native Plants, Schools Can Get Them Free More than 50 species of trees and shrubs are now available to schools and public and private landowners at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery, DEC announced today. The Saratoga Tree Nursery provides trees for erosion control, wildlife habitat, reforestation and other uses. (February 14, 2012) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Tell the NRC: Expand emergency evacuation zones Today, NIRS and 37 other organizations submitted a formal Petition for Rulemaking to the NRC to expand emergency evacuation zones around U.S. nuclear reactors and make other improvements in emergency preparedness. We're calling this the Nuclear 911 campaign. You can join us as a co-petitioner below! The widespread radioactive contamination caused by the Fukushima nuclear disaster (and Chernobyl before it) makes clear that the current 10 mile Emergency Planning Zones in the U.S. are woefully inadequate to protect the American people. "Nuclear Information and Resource Service - NIRS

ACTION:Due Date Now

Request from the DEC for some help on keeping our Great Lakes healthy: "Your Observations Can Help the Health of the Great Lakes! If you spend time around the Great Lakes shoreline, please consider sharing your observations of injured or dead animals, or algal blooms by using the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - Wildlife Health Event Reporter (http://glri.wher.org/) (GLRI-WHER). Scientists working in state, federal and non-profit agencies are looking for your help to identify events that are important in research of avian botulism and algal bloom outbreaks, in the interest of protecting wildlife from this disease as well as algal neurotoxins. For a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem, do your part and share what you see by setting up a reporter account (http://glri.wher.org/users/add) on the GLRI-WHER website. E-mail any questions regarding reporting to botnet@wdin.org.

ACTION: Due Date: Now

Sewage Pollution - Citizens Campaign for the Environment "Many communities in New York State, Connecticut, and throughout the nation are served by aging and dilapidated sewage infrastructure. When our sewage infrastructure is not properly operated or maintained, billions of gallons of untreated raw sewage can be released in to the environment before reaching a treatment plant. Sewage is primarily discharged into the environment through Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO) and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). Separate sewer systems carry only wastewater such as domestic sanitary waste and commercial and industrial waste to a sewage treatment plant. Separate sewers are not designed or intended to carry water such as storm water. SSOs occur in separate systems. Combined sewer systems are built larger than separate sewers so that they can carry two components: wastewater, carried continuously, and runoff, carried after storms. How you can help: Email your state representatives. Urge them to support a Sewage Pollution Right-to-Know law. Sewage overflows put our environment, economy, and health at risk; and we deserve the right to know when they occur. "

ACTION: Due date: Now

Take action for our Great Lakes "Speak Out Now to Set the U.S.-Canada Strategy for Protecting our Great Lakes The health of our Great Lakes is threatened by new challenges — including invasive species, climate change, habitat loss and emerging contaminants. The United States and Canada are now completing negotiations on an updated version of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a binational agreemet to address Great Lakes threats. " from Alliance for the Great Lakes

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Award – Environmental Site of the Month Award – [On the last Sunday of each month, we present an environmental award for the Rochester-area environmental web site or blog that best promotes the need to protect and offers solutions for our area's environmental issues.]