News for February 2006 - most recent stories are at the bottom.

•  Have your say about open space The Town Board is gathering the public's input on how to spend $2 million of land preservation funds.  An avid birder, David Strong has spent time on several of the properties singled out by the town as ones that should be protected. Full Story Penfield Post
•  Wild Wings opens new site — Visitors to Mendon Ponds Park might be able to catch a glimpse not only of the deer that occasionally roam the park but also a bald eagle, nine other birds of prey and a bobcat. Wild Wings Inc., a local group that helps injured animals and educates the public about them, has, with the county's approval, relocated from a remote barn in Parma to this county park. (February 3, 2006)  Democrat and Chronicle
•  Teamwork, grant to aid local environment — Local community activists are joyful about the task of spending a $303,000 grant to clean up air pollution, remediate lead paint and improve the safety of Rochester's environment. On Thursday, dozens of groups gathered to celebrate the city's receipt of a Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant at the Edgerton Recreation Center, abuzz with plans for collaboration. (February 3, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Neighbors work to keep the yuck out of Conesus - Project cuts fertilizer runoff that feeds algae — LAKEVILLE — You can't fight physics. The rain that falls atop hills surrounding Conesus Lake will flow down, rushing over the rich soils of cornfields and rolling by placid cows. It will find paths through manure piles and across chemically enhanced lawns. When it reaches the lake, delivering a nutrient-saturated jolt, it will feed the growths of algae that threaten the lake's health. (February 2, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Great Lakes struggle with growth, pollution — The Great Lakes, America's freshwater coast, continue to struggle with the legacy of pollution, invasive species and other ills inflicted by more than a century of population growth, industrialization, shipping, waste and storm water runoff. Eight Great Lakes states' governors, and officials representing the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, signed a pact supporting a plan to clean up the lakes and address other problems such as water conservation and land use.  (February 5, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  RIT Fuel Research - We're a nation addicted to oil, that's what President Bush said in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night. The president is pushing development of more alternative fuel sources to reduce America's dependency on foreign oil and one local college is leading the way. Rochester Institute of Technology has been at the forefront of the research and development of alternative energy sources like fuel cells. But experts say despite President Bush’s urging, a viable fuel source to decrease our dependence on oil could be far down the road.10NBC / WHEC TV-10
•  Future butterfly patch gets cash gift — A Brighton couple has donated $750,000 for the Strong Museum's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden — a massive glass pod housing 800 tropical and domestic butterflies. It will open on July 14 as part of the museum's $33 million expansion.  (February 7, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Brockport tributary clean up deemed a success Clean-up and soil sampling continues along Tributary 3 to Brockport Creek and, according to a recent fact sheet distributed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the most recent clean-up, completed October 4, was deemed a success. In October 2005, DEC staff collected sediment samples from 12 locations along the tributary to check on the effectiveness of on-site and off-site clean-up activities that had been on-going since 2002. The samples were tested for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), silver and cyanide. Results reported by the DEC showed that the samples met the clean-up requirements of total PCBs less than 1 ppm, silver and cyanide less than 10 ppm. Westside News Inc.
•  Sweden will continue offering recycling center services After holding a public information meeting, reviewing written comments from residents, consulting with other municipalities and private refuse services, the Sweden Town Board will increase the cost of a recycling center pass and place an expiration date on passes to close the gap between the current fee charged for the service and the actual cost of operating the center. Westside News Inc.
•  Hilton Cat Shelter At Capacity  -  A non-profit organization in Hilton dedicated to the well being of homeless felines needs your help. The Kathleen Anne Tenny Animal Shelter has placed 300 cats in loving homes, but is currently at capacity. The volunteer run shelter is caring for 30 homeless cats of all ages and backgrounds. Feb 09, 2006 R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Moving on lead - When the city passed an ordinance mandating that rental residential properties in Rochester built before 1978 become lead-safe in the next 10 years, many landlords groaned. Cleanup costs, they said, could force financially strapped landlords to abandon their properties. Mayor Bob Duffy will be discussing the new lead-paint ordinance with one group of landlords --- the New York State Coalition of Property Owners and Businesses, Inc., at its next meeting, at 7 p.m. February 16 at the Well Party House on Chili Avenue. The meeting is free to Coalition members, $15 for non-members. Duffy will also discuss the city's NET program, which some critics say has been punishing small-business owners. City Newspaper
•  Tilting at windmills: It's not a new concept - Two successful capitalists, born a century apart, have tried to sell the public on the idea that renewable energy could save the world. By ALLISON COOPER / Messenger Post Staff CANANDAIGUA - It has been more than a century since an eccentric inventor, King Camp Gillette, grew frustrated by his unsuccessful pursuit of the American Dream and proposed a utopian community besides Niagara Falls to be powered by hydroelectric energy. Daily Messenger
•  Eyeglass recycling an important part of community service club's efforts For 80 years, Lions Clubs have collected, cleaned, prepared, repaired, classified by prescription, and distributed used eyewear. Used eyeglass collections are the number one activity of Lions Clubs in the U.S. and the Brockport Lions Club is no exception. In 2003-2004, Lions collected nine million pairs of used eyeglasses - of that total the Brockport community contributed 3,500 pair. (February 15, 2006) Westside News Inc.
•  Library Recycles for Cash   The Henrietta Public Library is turning trash into cash. Empty inkjet and toner cartridges along with old cell phones are helping pay for some new things at the library. Feb 08, 2006 R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Cleanup of embayment progresses — After 21 years of work, cleanup of the Rochester embayment of Lake Ontario is making steady — albeit slow — progress, state and county leaders said at a public information meeting Wednesday night. The embayment, which includes the bay stretching between Parma and Webster, as well as the portion of the Genesee River between the Lower Falls and the lake, was federally designated as an "area of concern" in 1985. Since then, sturgeon have been reintroduced into the river, minks are again reproducing on its banks and sewage overflow pollution has drastically declined as several small towns closed their treatment plants and joined the county system in recent years. To learn more More information about the Rochester embayment is available from the Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/rochester.html .(February 16, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  U.S., Canada urged to ramp up lakes pollution fight — If a copper smelter in Ontario, Canada, or a car factory in Pontiac, Mich., pollutes the air, residents of Rochester won't see billows of smoke. But they will feel its impact in Lake Ontario's cleanliness, biodiversity and even taste. "It all adds up," said Laura Arney of Pittsford, who serves as a local spokeswoman for the Sierra Club on water quality issues. "Upstream determines what the water quality is like downstream." (February 17, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Wetlands bill to Senate — Local environmentalists are cheering the state Assembly's recent passage of a bill to expand state protection to smaller wetlands. Presently, most independent wetlands smaller than 12.4 acres in size may be developed without any state or federal permits. The bill, called the Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act, would reduce the threshold for state protection to one acre. According to the Sierra Club, New York has more than 265,000 wetlands that are currently not regulated by the state. (February 18, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  New invasive species mussel threatens lakes An alien mussel first spotted in Lake Michigan a decade ago has colonized much of the lake bottom, creating problems that likely will surpass those caused by the dreaded zebra mussel. Meet the quagga mussel, the tougher, more disruptive cousin of the zebra mussel. Imported to Lake Michigan in 1997 in the ballast water of ocean freighters, quaggas now blanket much of the lake bottom to depths of 330 feet, according to scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. MLive.com - Everything Michigan
•  Local watchdog organization criticizes several museums - — An environmental watchdog group is asking some of Rochester's most notable public facilities to stop maintaining their grounds with hazardous chemicals. Rochesterians Against the Misuse of Pesticides revealed results Monday of a telephone survey to determine what types of pesticides, if any, are used at six Rochester public attractions: Rochester Museum & Science Center, Susan B. Anthony House, Genesee Country Village and Museum, Strong Museum, Memorial Art Gallery and George Eastman House. (February 21, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Seneca Meadows Landfill fire investigated - Firefighters from about a dozen departments spent much of Monday morning battling a blaze at the Seneca Meadows Landfill on Salcman Road in Waterloo, Seneca County. (February 21, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  City officials will defend lead legislation — City officials will be in Albany next month to defend new legislation mandating cleanup of lead hazards in older houses. State approval is required because the legislation is more restrictive than state code. The city will go before the state Fire Prevention and Building Code Council when the group meets at 10 a.m. March 15 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The legislation, adopted by City Council in December, takes effect July 1. Lead was banned from house paint in 1978 but remains in thousands of Rochester homes and poses health risks, particularly to children. Cleanup options can vary from painting over deteriorated paint to replacement of windows or other more involved action.  (February 24, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  DEC announces state of Lake Ontario meetings - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Denise Sheehan Tuesday announced three upcoming public meetings to discuss Lake Ontario fisheries. The ninth annual " State of Lake Ontario" public meetings will be held in Monroe, Niagara and Oswego counties in late February and March 2006. At the meetings, DEC and United States Geological Survey biologists will present information on the status of forage fish stocks; provide updates on the Lake Ontario fishing boat and tributary census; detail the status of the Salmon River salmon and steelhead fisheries; provide updates on the status of the lake trout population; discuss cormorant management and diets studies; and provide updates on cooperative pen-rearing projects for trout and salmon. There will be ample time at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters and ask questions.  -- Wednesday, March 8, 2006: Monroe County: 7 - 9:30 p.m. at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science Auditorium, in Building 76 on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus, Rochester, NY. The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board. For directions to this meeting, please contact Linda Vera, Citizen Participation Specialist in Avon at (585) 226-2466. --from New York State News on the Net!
•  WXXI: Slaughter Says Fed Funds Secured for Lake Ontario Center (2006-02-24) BROCKPORT, NY (2006-02-24) Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-Fairport) says she's secured federal funds for a planned Great Lakes Research Center at the Port of Rochester. The center is a project of SUNY Brockport. Altogether it will cost about 7-million dollars. Brockport State College President Dr. John Halstead says it would be a one of a kind facility, and the only one dedicated to researching the Great Lakes on the U-S side of Lake Ontario. wxxi NewsRoom
•  WXXI: U.S. Energy Secretary Tours Fuel Cell Center (2006-02-23) HONEOYE FALLS, NY (2006-02-23) The U.S. Secretary of Energy stood in front of a fuel-cell powered minivan in Honeoye Falls Thursday afternoon and said children born this year should be able to take their drivers' tests in a hydrogen powered car. wxxi NewsRoom
•  globeandmail.com : Wetland project springs to life Custom-made swamp will help clean water as it flows into Lake Ontario, mayor says JEFF GRAY - Mayor David Miller hopped on a bulldozer yesterday to highlight Toronto's latest waterfront development project, but it isn't exactly a show-stopping tourist attraction: It's a swamp. The city is creating a natural wetland just south of High Park, meant to use nature's own tricks to strip pollutants from water in the city's storm sewers before it seeps into Lake Ontario. globeandmail.com
•  News Release: Ontario Challenges U.S. To Protect Air Quality: Reducing Transboundary Air Pollution Will Benefit All Ontarians  TORONTO – Environment Minister Laurel Broten today filed comments with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detailing the Ontario government’s concerns with the U.S. government agency’s plans to allow higher emissions from coal-burning power plants. “Air pollution from U.S. coal-fired generators is hurting Ontario’s health, and the people of this province are counting on our neighbours to do better,” Broten said. “I am calling on my colleagues on both sides of the border to join Ontario in cleaning up the air we share.” Changes to the EPA’s New Source Review program would allow coal-burning power plants to operate for longer hours and pollute more per year. Ontario Ministry of the Environment Home Page
•  Roberts well-grounded in aiding environment — CHILI — Tiny geraniums are popping through soil warmed by fluorescent bulbs in the greenhouse at Roberts Wesleyan College — heralds of spring and reminders that a little bit of effort can make a big difference. Though a small school, with just about 2,000 students, Roberts Wesleyan is the first local college to pursue official sustainability certification — demonstrating that the campus is environmentally responsible.  (February 28, 2006) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Water supply still a discussion topic in Kendall and Hamlin Whether the towns of Hamlin and Kendall should disband their long running water board partnership and come under the umbrella of the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) is still a topic for discussion among board members and residents. At a recent meeting, held in Kendall, residents came forth again asking for answers on rates, changes to installation of new water districts and lines and potential changes to responses for service calls were raised and addressed. (February 26, 2006) Westside News Inc.
•  The Tapping of the Trees Has Begun  - The unseasonable warm temperatures this winter has maple syrup farmers tapping trees early this year. Feb 25, 2006 R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  State Health Commissioner Novello Unveils State Health Department's Pandemic Influenza Plan Comprehensive, Wide Ranging Initiative Prepares State for Potential Health Emergencies ALBANY, February 23, 2006 - State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., today unveiled the State Health Department's comprehensive Pandemic Influenza Plan -- a wide-ranging initiative to help protect New Yorkers in the event of a worldwide epidemic of influenza. Many facets of the plan are already in place as part of the State's efforts to protect the health of all New Yorkers. New York's plan parallels the recently announced national strategy for pandemic influenza released by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The State's plan addresses New York's unique characteristics such as demographics; population density; and international borders; as well as public health and health care systems capacity. (Feb. 23, 2006) New York State Department of Health