December 2004 news

•  Brighton puts sewer system to smoke test - Aim is to find any leaks that may contribute to home flooding. — BRIGHTON — Where there's smoke there's water. That's what a test in Brighton will find out. Town officials started smoke testing Wednesday to detect leaks or cracks in the sanitary sewer system. If there are cracks in the pipes, water from rains could be entering the sanitary sewer system, straining it and causing flooding in yards and basements, said Thomas Low, commissioner of public works. (December 2, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  City Newspaper: Great Lakes, cold feet: Ontario backs off water deal Great Lakes basin officials and environmental groups on both sides of the US-Canada border are worried about the fate of their water. But while all involved agree that more protections are necessary, Ontario officials made waves November 15, when they announced they won't sign the most recent draft agreements aimed at providing those protections.  (December 2, 2004) City Newspaper
•  Kodak ranking on polluter list disputed - Eastman Kodak Co. is the nation's third-worst corporate air polluter, say researchers at the University of Massachusetts. The "Misfortune 100," compiled by economists at the university's Political Economy Research Institute, used Environmental Protection Agency pollution data and risk-assessment software to rank 100 U.S. corporations for air pollution, based on emissions from their factories. Topping the list: General Electric Co., then Georgia-Pacific Corp. (December 2, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  ROADBLOCKS TO CLOSING TOXIC WASTE LOOPHOLE - Trash and toxic waste cross the U.S.-Canada border every day, and untreated toxic waste often ends up at the Clean Harbors facility. Some are trying to restrict this practice and purge the idea that waste is a commodity.  There's only one place in North America that still dumps toxic waste straight into the ground without any kind of pre-treatment. A legislator from Ontario, Canada wants this landfill to clean up its act. But trade in toxic waste is big business. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Mary Ann Colihan follows some trucks to learn more: ( December 6, 2004) GLRC
•  WXXI: Seneca Park Zoo engages the Zoologists of Tomorrow (2004-12-06) ROCHESTER, NY (2004-12-06) The Seneca Park Zoo s new Animal Health and Education Complex houses educational exhibits and state-of-the-art medical facilities. It promises to be one of the most popular areas of the zoo. ( December 6, 2004) Public NewsRoom
•  Illness linked to area ZIP codes - SUNY Albany professor's study maps health risks and pollutants.— New York state residents who live near certain hazardous waste sites — including some in the Rochester area — are up to 20 percent more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory diseases than those who don't.  That's according to a study by researchers at the State University of New York at Albany, to be published this month in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. On the Web For a copy of the study, go to: http://www.albany.edu/news/pdf_files/ETP.pdf (December 9, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  EPA Bans Some Paints In New York - The new year will bring some changes to your local paint store. Some of your favorite paints may not be available anymore because of some new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is banning the sale of oil-based paints and stains in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. (December 9, 2004) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  MSNBC - U of R part of new flu vaccine study Rochester, NYUSA - Local doctors are launching a flu vaccine study that could help prevent another vaccine shortage like the one the u-s is facing this year. NEWS 10NBC has learned that a flu vaccine widley used in Western Europe is being tested right in Rochester for FDA approval. Healthy people ages 18 to 64 that have not received a flu shot this year are eligible. The study is especially look at people ages 50 to 64. If you are interested you can call 273-3990. MSNBC - News Front Page
•  State law ready to bare sharp teeth at pet owners with exotic beasties - — By Jan. 1, New York state will have the toughest law in the country banning private ownership of venomous reptiles, constricting snakes, crocodiles, big cats and other exotic animals that could pose a danger to their owners. On the Web For a copy of the law, go to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A11753&sh=t For more information, call the special licenses unit of the DEC's Fish and Wildlife Division at (518) 402-8985. (December 10, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Study links living near river with diseases - SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A report released this week by University at Albany researchers finds a link between respiratory diseases and upstate New York residents who live near the Hudson River's hazardous waste sites containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The Saratogian
•  GOVERNOR: NEW YORK TO UTILIZE REVOLUTIONARY FUEL CELL VEHICLES New York Will Be First State Customer to Lease the New 2005 Honda FCX Vehicle Partnership Demonstrates New York's Leadership in Promoting Clean Energy Technologies Governor George E. Pataki today announced an agreement with Honda Motor Corp. to lease two Honda FCX hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles, adding to the State's growing fleet of alternative fuel vehicles and further demonstrating New York's leadership in the development and use of clean, renewable energy technologies. New York is the first state government customer for the vehicles in the United States and will be the first to operate the vehicles in the Northeast. (December 12, 2004) NYSDEC Press Office - Governor Pataki's Environmental Press Releases
•  Lakefront condos back on table - CANANDAIGUA - A lakefront developer announced today that he will build a proposed 60-unit condominium complex according to the city's specifications, which means including first-floor retail space in a six-story building. - "I'm doing this against my will," said Glenn Houle of Bloomfield. "But they have got their feet set in the master plan. I wonder if they stopped to consider their master plan might be wrong." Houle told the Planning Committee this week that he would include first-floor retail space in his plans to develop 30 Lakeshore Drive on one condition: the buildings would be eight stories tall. (December 12, 2004)  Messenger Post Newspapers
•  Henrietta to hear consultant's ideas on land use - (December 12, 2004) — HENRIETTA — Land south of the Thruway isn't the place for a lot of housing subdivisions. That's one of the findings a planning consultant is expected to discuss at a public information meeting Monday night about the future of that area of Henrietta. If you go - What: Public meeting on plans for land use in Henrietta south of the state Thruway.  When: 7 p.m. Monday. Where: Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road. - (December 12, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Sheen of gasoline flows along canal — On Thursday, state officials ramped up the investigation, saying the spill had started seven days earlier in an underground pipe — and that the potential amount spilled was very large: 700 barrels of gasoline and diesel fuel. That's 29,400 gallons of product, or half again more than would fit in a rail tanker.  (December 17, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Survey sees decline in area bird-nesting - 11.5% drop in species noted near developed land -— Bird populations in parts of Monroe County are starting to decline, a negative indicator of environmental health. The decline may be linked to the area's widening suburban sprawl.  (December 14, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Mendon to continue team's work on deer control - — MENDON — The town will form a group to carry forward the work of the outgoing Citizens Task Force on Deer Management, which last month issued recommendations for controlling the deer population. (December 14, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Study: Lilacs say spring is coming earlier— Already eager for spring? It's coming a week earlier than it did 40 years ago, new research suggests. Cornell University scientists, using first-bloom data on Rochester lilacs and other plants, say their study illustrates shifting patterns in the Northeast's climate.  (December 14, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Town land sale deal gets an OK - Unexpected costs may cut down on the town's final profits. - Town officials say their deal to sell off 15.7 acres on Karenlee Drive has cleared its last hurdle after an investigation by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Messenger Post Newspapers
•  MSNBC - Fuel spill in canal stretches from Gates to Brockport Rochester, NYUSA - The clean up continues in the Erie Canal after thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline leaked into the ground and the Erie Canal Wednesday after a connection pipe broke  (December 17, 2004)MSNBC - News Front Page
•  The New York Times > Washington > Many Counties Failing Fine-Particle Air Rules WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 - About a third of all Americans live in counties that do not meet seven-year-old standards for microscopic particles of pollution that cause thousands of premature deaths a year, the Environmental Protection Agency said Friday. The 20 states affected, including New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, now have three years to develop plans to bring their problem counties into compliance by 2010, or face the loss of federal highway money. (December, 18 2004 NYTimes.com
•  STATES PETITION EPA TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PESTICIDES  The Attorneys General of New York, California, Connecticut and Massachusetts today filed a petition urging the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take stronger action to protect children from the health risks of eating food with excessive pesticide residues.  New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said: "I am disappointed that the EPA has not been stronger in its policies to protect children's health and I hope our action today will result in less pesticide exposure for America's children." --Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Brighton project triggers wetland worries— BRIGHTON — Although a proposed apartment project is one step closer to breaking ground, some residents are worried that the development might degrade a nearby wetland. The concern isn't about the apartment complex itself, a 160-unit project to be called Park Place at Brighton. (December 19, 2004)
•  Energy fair supplies electric answers — HENRIETTA — Anxious Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. customers kept a conference room buzzing with questions Sunday as they moved one step closer to making a powerful decision — one that could save them money or one that could ultimately cost them more. (December 20, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Voice Your Choice Deadline Looming - RG&E Customers have less than two weeks to decide who should provide their electricity and its price structure. The New York State Public Service Commission is sponsoring a series of informational meetings this month on RG&E's "Voice Your Choice" program. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Zoo deal preserves park, aids elephants - Proposal makes room for baby pachyderm, puts parking off site. — And a little elephant shall lead them to compromise.  Monroe County officials announced Wednesday a plan that apparently ends a long-running rancorous debate over expansion of the Seneca Park Zoo. The zoo will expand northward, building a $4 million elephant exhibit on 8 acres. Most importantly, though, the plan calls for an expansion of zoo parking off-site instead of in the middle of the scenic park designed 111 years ago by the legendary Frederick Law Olmsted. (December 23, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  West Nile cases plunge - 71 statewide instances last year, compared with only 10 in 2004.— West Nile virus, the mosquito-borne illness that prompted some panic when it first hit America in 1999, barely drew a batted eyelash this year in New York as human cases plummeted. Ten people tested positive statewide for the virus in 2004 — compared with 71 last year. Around 200 birds had confirmed West Nile this year — compared with 1,367 in 2003. (December 25, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Bristol Harbour to modernize sewer plant - It's too early to tell how the project will affect residents' bills. SOUTH BRISTOL - Bristol Harbour Resort plans to upgrade its 30-year-old sewer treatment plant, though it's not clear yet how that'll affect residents' bills.(December 26, 2004) Messenger Post Newspapers
•  MSNBC - Cases of West Nile virus plummets statewide in 2004 Rochester, NYUSA - ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) - Cases of West Nile virus plummeted in New York State in 2004, health officials said. The mosquito-borne illness prompted some panic when it first hit America in 1999, but drew little attention this year in New York. (December 26, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
•  HOLIDAY TREE RECYCLING  - City Residents can have holiday trees recycled at 5 drop off sites between Dec. 27, 2004 - Jan. 28, 2005: Ferrano St./Colfax St. ("Materials Give Back" site), Genesee Valley Park Tennis Court parking lot (Genesee St. Extension), Cobbs Hill Recreation Center parking lot, Beach Ave., west of Lake Ave., at Estes St., and Norton Village, Recreation parking lot, 330 Waring Rd. Trees may also be placed at the curb on residents' regular refuse collection day. All lights and ornaments must be removed. Mulch will be available at the Ferrano St. site only. For more details, call the Office of Customer Satisfaction, 24-hours-a-day, at 428-5990 (TTY 428-7600). --from City of Rochester
•  Planned dog parks lack funds - Only $5,000 of the $50,000 needed has been raised. - — It was more than a year ago that the Monroe County Legislature authorized four dog parks in county parks, where dogs would be permitted off-leash in enclosed areas. But the dog parks have not been established because only about $5,000 of the estimated $50,000 in private funds needed to set them up has been raised. (December 28, 2004)
•  Riga divided over landfill pact - Town Board may vote on Mill Seat changes today Many residents feel shunted aside by county - The future of Monroe County's Mill Seat landfill. The Riga Town Board might vote today on a plan to accept out-of-county trash, which could lead to the dump's expansion but also help the county financially. The noon meeting is at Riga Town Hall, 6460 E. Buffalo Road. What you can do - To get involved in efforts to establish the four dog parks, call the county Parks Department at (585) 256-4962.(December 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle