January 2004 news

•  Bush Plans On Global Warming Alter Little (washingtonpost.com) Two years after President Bush declared he could combat global warming without mandatory controls, the administration has launched a broad array of initiatives and research, yet it has had little success in recruiting companies to voluntarily curb their greenhouse gas emissions, according to official documents, reports and interviews. washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines
•  City Newspaper: Fast ferry, past and future The Rochester-Toronto fast ferry has faced its fair share of controversy. But if fast-ferry service between Toronto and Rochester starts in May 2004, something sweeter may fill the air. And it won't be the smell of Pennsylvania coal. It'll be nostalgia. City Newspaper
•  A de facto stay of execution for pair of pit bulls - It has been 10 days since two dogs were sentenced to death for attacking other dogs on Bristol Street. (January 3, 2004) Messenger Post Newspapers
•  City has Bar Coded Trash Bins - Rochester is taking technology to the trash. It says it is the first city in the world to use bar coded trashcans, a move it says will save money in the long haul. "Missing cans are a really big problem, the city spends thousands of dollars replacing trash cans that have gone missing from their locations for one reason or another,” said Lauren Nelson, from Rochester’s Department of Environmental Services. (January 3, 2004) R News: Your NewsChannel
•  State will monitor gas costs under MTBE ban - Consumers will be able to report suspected price gouging when fuel additive law starts Jan. 1 - ALBANY -- State officials said on Monday that they will keep a close watch on the price consumers pay at the gas pumps once a ban on a controversial gas additive takes effect Jan. 1. "Gasoline distributors and retailers should not use this changeover in the formulation of fuel to improperly profit at the expense of hardworking New Yorkers," Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said of the forthcoming ban on methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE. (January 3, 2004) Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  MSNBC - Superfund shortfall delaying clean-ups EPA watchdog report renews battle over budget - Cleanup work at 11 of the worst toxic dumps in the country hasn’t started because the Superfund program doesn’t have enough money, the Environmental Protection Agency’s inspector general said Thursday. (January 9, 2004)
•  Is Salmon Safe?  Researchers at the University at Albany say they found troubling levels of cancer-causing toxins in farm-raised salmon. The study published in the current issue of Science concluded that most consumers in North America should eat no more than two portions of farm-raised salmon a month. ROCHESTER'S NEWS LEADER - WHAM1180.com 03:49:49 PM
•  The flowering of I-490 - A Honeoye couple has been commissioned by the Department of Transportation to brighten up freeway overpasses with their sculptures. Messenger Post Newspapers
•  Good year for saving the green - Last year was one of the best years on record for open space acquisition in Perinton. Perinton-Fairport Post
•  MSNBC - New law protects dogs in winter - The Humane Society is warning pet-owners to make sure there animals are protected during the cold temperatures this winter. A new law calls for protecting your pet by having a waterproof roof, a clean environment and proper insulation for animal shelters during the winter. (January 10, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
•  Keep Pets in from Cold - These cold temperatures are not only dangerous for people but for pets as well. The pads of a dog's foot and its nose are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures. Animals shouldn’t be exposed to the chill for long periods of time. R News: Your NewsChannel
•  ADMINISTRATION REVERSES DECISION TO REMOVE FEDERAL WETLANDS PROTECTION - 'Isolated' Wetlands Will Continue to be Protected Under the Clean Water Act - Washington, D.C., Wednesday, December 16, 2003 – Humans, birds, and wildlife scored a major victory today as the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that they would not to move forward with a proposal to remove so-called “isolated” wetlands from federal protections under Clean Water Act. Audubon News
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Scenic Mendon grapples with growth Our population continues to spread into the countryside, vexing some community planners. This “sprawl,” planners say, eventually threatens wildlife habitats, agricultural production and the sense of community that villages encourage. It also drives up government’s cost of providing roads, schools and police and fire protection. In upstate New York — the 52 counties north of the New York City metropolitan area — land is being consumed for housing and commercial development at a much faster rate than the population is growing, according to a recent Brookings Institution-Cornell University study. Over a 15-year period from 1982 to 1997, some 425,000 acres of upstate open space was developed, an increase of 30 percent. Population grew 2.6 percent during the same period. The trend has continued in the years since then, planners said. (January 11, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Toronto mayor bullish on ferry He sees it fitting in with plans to revitalize his own waterfront The new mayor of Toronto says he supports a high-speed ferry that will soon link his city and Rochester (January 12, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  ENN News Story - U.S. Supreme Court takes up air and water pollution cases The U.S. Supreme Court heard from attorneys Wednesday that Southern California's smog problem calls for rules stricter than national standards for vehicles that pollute the region. Justices seemed skeptical of claims that a Los Angeles-area clean air agency can go beyond the federal Clean Air Act to impose tougher antismog restrictions for city buses, airport shuttles, and other vehicles. (January 15, 2004) Environmental News Network - ENN.com
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Kodak, Xerox vow to cut emissions - Two giants are part of voluntary fed plan to reduce greenhouse gases  — Eastman Kodak Co. and Xerox Corp. have joined a voluntary federal program designed to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by private industry. The announcement came Tuesday from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees the “Climate Leaders” program, a business-government partnership. (January 14, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Kodak fails air tests, activists say — Area environmental activists today will target what they say is bad air at Kodak Park, claiming that two air tests in November showed high levels of a toxic chemical. “It bears investigating,” said Mike Schade of Buffalo, who runs the western New York office of the statewide group Citizens’ Environmental Coalition. (January 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Canal group invites public comment - — A federal panel will seek ideas from the public tonight in Rochester on a master plan that it is preparing on the preservation and management of New York state’s 524-mile canal corridor system. The plan, expected to be completed in the summer of 2005, will set priorities and directions for the panel, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission, said Frank Dean, executive director of the 27-member group. (January 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  London Free Press: News Section - Wind power promoted A green-energy enthusiast with an innovative plan is trying to blow life into Ontario's fledgling wind power industry. "We've barely scratched the surface," Kevin Best said of Ontario's potential for wind-generated electricity. (January 17, 2004) London Free Press
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Don't forget, folks — dogs need shelter, too — With the temperature hanging just above zero and a forecast of wind chills of minus 30 degrees, Humane Society investigator Jill Ploof pulled out of the parking lot of Lollypop Farm Thursday with a sense of urgency. (January 17, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  TheStar.com - 60,000 ash trees to be cut to halt bug LONDON, Ont.—More than 60,000 ash trees will be destroyed over the next 10 weeks in a last-ditch effort to halt the spread of the emerald ash borer across Ontario. It will be the largest tree removal operation in Ontario history. And after being criticized for reacting slowly to the beetle threat, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stirred further protest by announcing there will be no compensation for land owners with the trees in a 25-kilometre-long, 10-kilometre-wide "ash-free zone" to be cleared between lakes St. Clair and Erie in Chatham-Kent. (January 17, 2004) TheStar.com - News/News
•  GreenBiz News | EPA Administrator Tells Power Companies to Invest In Clean Air - "It's time to start cleaning up." EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt, addressing a Board of Directors meeting of the Edison Electric Institute, told the nation's power company officials their industry must begin investing now to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and mercury from power plants. Leavitt noted that EPA last month sent letters to the governors of 31 states affirming that more than 530 counties were unable to meet new health-based ozone standards. "Many of those counties have unhealthy air through no fault of their own," he said, "It's because they live downwind from one or more coal burning power plants." (January 18, 2004) GreenBiz - Business, Environment, and the Bottom Line
•  Health Department Offers Cold Weather Advice Albany, New York, January 14, 2004 - With National Weather Service reports forecasting extremely cold temperatures across the nation’s Northeastern region, and with temperatures expected to decrease well-below zero degrees Fahrenheit, State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H. is urging all people to take precautions against extreme cold.  "With temperatures expected to dramatically plummet over the next few days, we are stressing that all residents take precautions to avoid exposure to extremely cold conditions which can lead to hypothermia," Dr. Novello said. "Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that causes the body’s core temperature to drop. Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech. Infants who are suffering from hypothermia may appear to have very low energy and bright red, cold skin." (January 18, 2004) New York State Department of Health Web Site
•  NYSDEC - Press Release - DEC Awards Urban Forestry Grants to Four Cities New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that Large City Urban Forestry Grants from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will be awarded to four cities. DEC is awarding grants totaling $76,875 for community forestry projects or for developing comprehensive urban forestry management plans. "By promoting diligent stewardship of our urban forests, these grants will help protect the valuable environmental resources in New York's metropolitan areas," Commissioner Crotty said. "The grants will allow cities to enhance their urban forestry programs by inventorying their trees, developing master plans, planting new trees and tending to existing trees. Through these initiatives, New Yorkers and future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty and benefits of nature where they live and work." New York State Department of Environmental Conservation -- Press Releases
•  Zoo Needs Education Volunteers - The Seneca Park Zoo is in need of adult volunteers to educate visitors on everything and anything there is to know about the animals. The zoo needs volunteers to continue its more than 30-year-old docent program. Volunteers are asked to commit to just five hours a month at the zoo to provide fast-facts to visitors and escort animals to visits outside the zoo. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer call Seneca Park Zoo at (585) 336-7217. (January 18, 2004) R News: Your NewsChannel
•  MSNBC - Panel told to prohibit industrial growth along waterway -- Public access -- and not industrial development -- should be the priority for developing New York state's 524-mile canal corridor. That was the message canal advocates delivered Thursday night at a public meeting. A federal commission is preparing a management and preservation plan for the canal system and the 220 cities, villages and towns along the waterway. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission held the second in a series of public meetings. (January 18, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
•  ENN News Story - New York state puts a tail on the Adirondack's big bird Government and environmental groups are putting a tail on Adirondack loons to answer the long-standing question of where the aquatic birds go in winter. The reason for the effort goes beyond curiosity. The answer could help secure the future of the common loon and the Adirondacks' thousands of lakes and ponds.(January 20, 2004) Environmental News Network - ENN.com
•  2004 Governor Pataki's 2004 Budget Address, you have to scroll down far to find the environmental elements of the speech, but there there: "The budget I present to you today, like those in the past, makes the continued protection and preservation of our environment a top priority. The investments we've made in our environment have allowed us to clean our water and air, protect open space and preserve our natural resources. Not just for our own generation, but for generations to follow. Together, you and I passed historic Superfund and Brownfields legislation last year. 
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Transit proposal may be altered The bus station project could need new environmental review.— Where’d the downtown bus station go? For several years, the proposed transit center was portrayed with a façade fronting East Main Street, modeled after a train station designed by the late Claude Bragdon, a Rochester architect.  (January 20, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Meeting outlines way to keep Webster green - A public hearing on a new open space proposal will be held tomorrow night.(January 21, 2004)  Webster Post
•  Proposal could spur pollution cleanup - Albany -- Governor calls for adding staff for work; plan to tap into dedicated fund draws criticism - Long-delayed cleanups of New York's most polluted sites could finally get done under a state budget that includes money for staff to oversee the projects, according to environmentalists analyzing Gov. George Pataki's 2004-05 executive budget. Pataki calls for about 70 new cleanup-related jobs, one of the few significant environmental changes in his spending plan. (January 21, 2004)  Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  CDC: 2003 West Nile Outbreak Largest Yet  - ATLANTA - Last year's outbreak of West Nile virus (news - web sites) was the largest yet, but fewer people died or had serious brain damage from it compared to 2002, federal officials said Friday - (January 23, 2004) Yahoo! News - Front Page
•  Yahoo! News - Discount Cards Help in Mad Cow Recall At least one regional grocery chain — 66-store Wegmans, based in Rochester, N.Y. — has been taking the initiative. It has been using its "Shoppers Club" cards to alert customers to recalls for years, sending out postcards about products. Wegmans spokeswoman Jo Natale said the company employs the practice for recalls that could involve severe allergic reactions. "We've had nothing but positive comments," Natale said. (January 23, 2004) Yahoo! News - Front Page
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Town retools open space plan Webster board cuts millions of dollars, designates several sites. The future looks a little brighter for a revised plan to preserve open space in Webster. (January 23, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Mayor urges control of sprawl — WASHINGTON — While not giving up hope for city-suburban cooperation back home, Rochester Mayor William Johnson on Wednesday encouraged the nation’s mayors to unite behind a strategy for containing urban sprawl. (January 22, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  WXXI: Slaughter: Good News About Fast Ferry Terminal (2004-01-23) ROCHESTER, NEW YORK Congresswoman Louise Slaughter braved the elements and traveled to the fast ferry terminal at the Port of Charlotte Friday where she received some good news. (2004-01-23) Public NewsRoom
•  Webster Debates Green Space Green space remains a priority in Webster. The town continues its plan to buy and preserve it. R News: Your NewsChannel
•  Protecting Our Health: Early chemical exposures increase asthma risk The US and other industrialized countries are experiencing an asthma epidemic. The incidence of asthma in Americans has roughly doubled since 1980. It is now the most common chronic disease in US children.
•  Study: Farm Salmon High in PCBs - Americans are the largest consumers of farm-raised salmon in the world. In the last 20 years, farmed salmon tripled the world's supply of the fish. That's why a new study is causing so much debate. The scientific journal Science found compared to wild salmon farmed salmon had higher levels of cancer causing PCBs and dioxins. But some are telling consumers not to worry. (January 25, 2004) R News: Your NewsChannel
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Pataki proposes fund to improve ATV trails — ALBANY — Both conservationists and ATV riders found things to like about in Gov. George Pataki’s proposal last week to raise fees and create a fund for all-terrain vehicle trails. Pataki proposed as part of his overall $99.8 billion budget raising annual fees for registering ATVs from $10 to $45. The higher fees would bring in about $5.8 million, some of which would go to develop and maintain trails for ATV riders. (January 26, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Bird Flu Kills 8, Spreads to 10 Nations - BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thailand confirmed Asia's eighth human victim of the avian flu virus Tuesday in the deadliest outbreak on record, while the number of affected countries rose to 10 with Laos and China reporting cases. China had insisted that it was free of the bird flu, but the government said Tuesday that the virus was found in dead ducks on a farm in a southern region that borders Vietnam. No infections have been found in human beings in China, the official Xinhua News Agency said. (January 27, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Water grants harder to get Federal money for local water districts may be drying up. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s newly revised income guidelines, most New York state municipalities that used to qualify for grants for new water district don’t anymore. The guidelines are based on median household income figures established by the U.S. Census. In October, that figure declined from $35,840 to $31,534, based on the 2000 Census. (January 27, 2004) Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  Elements And Fast - Ferry Promoters of the new fast ferry service between Rochester and Toronto say cold, snow and ice won't stop their ship from crossing Lake Ontario (January 27, 2004) Public NewsRoom
•  PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS NEGLECTS ENVIRONMENT - President George W. Bush's recent State of the Union address was noted for not saying much about the environment. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium
•  ICE COVERAGE GREATER ON GREAT LAKES - During the past several years, ice coverage on the Lakes has been below normal. Now, for the second year in a row...ice coverage is up: The Great Lakes Radio Consortium
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Activists demand Kodak air study# Company spokesman questions accuracy of groups' bucket tests. January 16, 2004) — Western New York activists on Thursday sent a letter to state health, law and environment authorities demanding an investigation of air quality in neighborhoods near Kodak Park. The sprawling Eastman Kodak Co. facility, the largest chemical manufacturing center in the Northeast, covers 2,200 acres in Rochester and Greece. The letter, posted by the statewide Citizens’ Environmental Coalition and the Rochester-based Kandid Coalition, also calls for a chemical hazard notification system for neighbors as well as real-time monitoring of air chemicals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (January 16, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  ENN News Story - Bush administration to ease pesticide reviews for endangered species WASHINGTON — Officials admit they pretty much ignore an Endangered Species Act requirement that they consult with one another before licensing new pesticides. Now they want regulations to say they don't always have to do what they're already not doing. The Bush administration proposes allowing the Environmental Protection Agency to approve new pesticides without a formal signoff in every case from the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. (January 29, 2004) Environmental News Network - ENN.com
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Renaissance plan supported Officials seek consensus on project linking buses, arts, MCC — Several state and local officials rallied Wednesday in support of the proposed Renaissance Center in downtown Rochester. The center would contain a performing arts center, an underground bus terminal and a downtown campus for Monroe Community College. “By combining the downtown campus, bringing education and arts and transportation into one fold, we are certainly creating a project of extreme magnitude and enormous potential,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks at a news conference at the downtown Hyatt Regency. (January 29, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  ENN Affiliate News - New WWF Report Finds Wildlife and Humans at Risk from Commonly Used Chemicals Washington, DC - Seals, whales, falcons, and polar bears are among a range of wildlife at risk from chemicals used in common consumer products, according to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) analysis of recent scientific evidence on contamination of wildlife and people. "Products we use every day contain chemicals that can have serious wildlife and human health effects," said Clifton Curtis, director of WWF's Global Toxics Program. "Mounting scientific research is documenting the extent of our exposure to these chemicals." (January 30, 2004) Environmental News Network - ENN.com
•  President wants $45M for Great Lakes cleanup activities - DETROIT - Though $5 million shy of what Congress has authorized, President Bush’s upcoming fiscal year budget proposal includes $45 million for ongoing Great Lakes cleanup activities. If approved, it would be the largest single-year allocation for addressing longstanding pollution in the world’s largest collection of fresh surface water. It also would be a $35 million increase over this year’s expenditure of $10 million. (January 30, 2004) http://www.toledoblade.com/home
•  STATE REASSURES NEW YORKERS OF EFFORTS TO PREVENT BSE - State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers and State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H. today reassured New Yorkers of the State’s efforts to prevent the introduction of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or commonly called “mad cow disease”) in New York State. Their announcement follows U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman’s announcement of the first presumptive positive case of BSE in Washington State in the United States. - New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
•  http://www2.cityofrochester.net/cs/NewsReleases/index.cfm?Release=1261 Rochester Fire Chief Floyd A. Madison is asking Rochester residents to assist the Fire Department by clearing fire hydrants of snow on their streets and in their neighborhoods. "The extreme weather conditions of the past weeks have kept fire crews very busy and we could use some helping hands shoveling out hydrants," said Chief Madison. Rochester has 7200 fire hydrants any of which might be critical to firefighting operations. As the snow and cold continue, residents can be helpful by digging out hydrants around their homes. Several minutes of work to clear a hydrant might make all the difference in a fire emergency.
•  Higher fees on polluters urged - Albany-- Lawmaker says more money should be made available to clean up school bus emissions - Ton for ton, New York's worst polluters pay less in state fees than smaller, cleaner companies, a practice one New York lawmaker blasted Thursday. (January 30, 2004) Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  MSNBC - Fast ferry’s spring arrival on schedule Work on the fast ferry terminal remains on schedule. The ferry’s marketing manager and the manager of the Port of Rochester say work on the buildings at the port is about 70 percent complete and the project should be finished by April or May. (January 30, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
•  International Paper To Seek Permit Change  (Ticonderoga, NY; Montpelier, VT) AP 01/30/04 -- International Paper Company plans to change its federal air and water permits as it tries to move forward with an experimental tire burn at its Ticonderoga, NY paper mill. (January 30, 2004) WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Clearing the air - DEC should address concerns about air quality around Kodak.-— Eastman Kodak Co. says that its industrial emissions of a suspected cancer-causing chemical are 70 percent below the state’s guidelines. Yet, last year, the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition performed tests that showed levels of acrylonitrile to be 900 times higher than state standards in neighborhoods near Kodak Park.  (January 19, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: States protest action by EPA — Led by New York, six state legal agencies warn that a federal court settlement announced last week may soon curtail the ability of regulators to monitor smokestack pollution. In Rochester, the rule interpreted in court would not immediately affect Eastman Kodak Co., according to officials there. The company oversees the 2,200-acre Kodak Park, the largest chemical manufacturing complex in the Northeast. (January 31, 2004)  Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Nature center, ViaHealth team to train clients — IRONDEQUOIT — As Patti Hess leaned over a sewing machine at the Helmer Nature Center, the machine whirred and pulled in a length of blue fabric that will soon help convert the center’s entrance into a bat cave. (January 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Pet foster homes sought GRASP takes in suitable animals found or given up to the town of Greece Animal Control. Using private donations and adoption fees, the group gives the animals vaccinations and medical attention. They then place the animals in volunteers’ homes until they can be permanently adopted, which often is done through adoption nights held at various pet stores. (January 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Yahoo! News - Wetland Resources Worth $70 Billion Under Threat-WWF - Projects for quick profit are putting at risk some $70 billion worth of longer term goods and services generated by the world's wetlands, the conservation body WWF said Saturday. In a report timed for the United Nations Wetlands Day on February 2, the Swiss-based organization said encroachment on wetlands has led to increased flooding, water contamination and worldwide water shortages. "Decision-makers often have insufficient understanding of the values of wetlands and fail to consider their protection as a serious issue," said the report, which covered flood control, water filtration and leisure fishing. --Yahoo News