July 2004 news

•  Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter - REP. SLAUGHTER RELEASES REPORT ON GAS PRICES IN BUFFALO and ROCHESTER Rochester, NY – U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY28) today released a report by the House Committee on Government Reform detailing the sharp increase in gas prices for Buffalo and Rochester families over the last year. She discussed another report showing the links between high gas prices and mergers in the oil industry, and announced her calls for an investigation into possible price gouging by the big oil companies. (July 1, 2004) Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter
•  GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $12 MILLION FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER State Drinking Water Revolving Fund to Support Projects in Yates, Cayuga Counties  Governor George E. Pataki today announced $12 million in State grants and interest-free loans for drinking water projects in the Town of Jerusalem in Yates County and the Town of Springport in Cayuga County. The funding is provided through the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF). "We're proud of the major investments we've made in local drinking water systems across the State as part of our continued efforts to improve environmental quality, protect our natural resources and enhance the quality of life of New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said. "This State funding will enable the Towns of Jerusalem and Springport to take important steps to ensure that their residents have safe, clean drinking water." New York State Department of Health
•  Great Lakes Charter Captains Survey Suggests Strategies for Profitability  New York Sea Grant has published the New York results of a Great Lakes charter fishing industry survey. In addition to profiling the industry, the report suggests ways for New York's captains to remain profitable. Of eight Great Lakes states, New York charter businesses showed the highest average income per business ($22,907); the state was third in overall estimated total sales with $7 million. To attract traditional angling Oswego Daily News
•  ELEVEN STATES OPPOSE EPA MERCURY PROPOSAL Attorneys General and Environmental Officials Urge Strict Standards for Power Plants - Attorneys General and top environmental officials from eleven states joined today in formally opposing a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal that would allow coal-fired power plants to escape Clean Air Act mandates that require them to reduce mercury emissions that threaten public health – particularly the health of children and pregnant women. The states filed joint comments in response to EPA's proposal that mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants be controlled under a trading scheme that would allow many plants to avoid installing pollution controls. The states criticize the proposal as illegal under the Clean Air Act and unsupported by scientific evidence. In particular, the states assert that the proposal would fail to address hot spots of local and regional mercury deposition around power plants that would not be required to install pollution controls. Through mercury deposition, mercury enters the food chain and ultimately is consumed by humans, resulting in neurological and other health effects. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES PRESERVATION GRANTS FOR GENESEE VALLEY Governor George E. Pataki today announced $440,000 in Environmental Protection Fund grants for three open space and preservation projects in Monroe and Orleans counties. A highlight of these awards is a $200,000 grant to the town of Greece to acquire property to protect critical migratory bird habitat identified by the Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area. "This funding is another example of our efforts across New York to work with local communities to preserve open space and protect our precious natural and historical resources," said Governor Pataki. "By supporting the protection of critical bird habitats and restoring architecturally and historically significant buildings, we not only preserve an important part of our heritage, but help to improve the quality of life in our communities and ensure these treasures can continue to be enjoyed by future generations." NYSDEC Press Office - Governor Pataki's Environmental Press Releases
• Falcon Fledglings Test Their Wings - The falcons nesting on the Kodak tower are ready to fly, with a lot of help from volunteer bird-watchers, many of whom waited patiently Wednesday, for the fledglings to fly on their own. Finally, two of the babies took to the air successfully, joining the rest of their family. WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
•  Portion of Ontario Beach closed due to algae  Two-thirds of Ontario Beach in Charlotte is closed because the county says the algae levels are too high. The U.S Army corps of engineers is in charge of finding a solution. NEWS 10NBC found out, thanks to a special study, they were well on their way to a solution but then the study was stopped.(July 3, 2004) 10NBC / WHEC TV-10
•  Charlotte Beach Conditions - To check if the beach is open to swimming, call the county's information line at (585) 274-6887.- WOKR-TV 13 || ROCHESTER
•  FEDS GET AN EARFUL ON MERCURY PROPOSAL - The Environmental Protection Agency will soon make a decision about how quickly power plants must reduce mercury emissions. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Celeste Headlee reports -- from GLRC
•  Environment DEC: New York State Unveils New Air Quality Health Advisory New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., recently announced a new tool being used by state officials to inform the public of potential risks to health caused by exposure to ozone, fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), or both. Air Quality Health Advisories will provide a more comprehensive gauge of risks facing communities during warmer weather months than ozone advisories alone did. -- from Environment DEC - New York's Online Newsletter about the Environment
•  Divers assault milfoil, plant by plant UPPER SARANAC LAKE — Eurasian milfoil first appeared in this lake, the largest in the Saranac chain, in 1996. Since then, it has spread to most of the bays and coves along the lake’s 44.3 miles of shoreline. The long, leafy, invasive plant is a marvel in reproduction: Brought to the continent in the late 1800s in the holds of ships, Eurasian milfoil exists now in lakes across the country Press-Republican Online Home Page
•  Pit Bulls on the Attack - Two pit bulls tried to attack neighbors and police officers on Rochester's northwest side Wednesday night. The animals were on the loose in the 200 block of Ridgeway Avenue around seven o'clock. Police say they were very aggressive and attacked two neighbors before lunging at officers. Both dogs were shot to death. WROC TV NEWS 8 NOW ROCHESTER NEW YORK - Local News
•  Poisonous Plants - Local residents are being warned of a poisonous and potential deadly plant.The dangerous plant growing in Wayne County, called Hogweed, has injured several people and even killed one victim. Hogweed grows like a common weed, and looks similar to Queen Anne's Lace. Upon contact, Hogweed can either leave a rash or severe burns. Many affected by the weed say as soon as they touched it, and came in contact with the sun, their skin felt like it was on fire. - NewsCentral.tv
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Canandaigua has wary eye on a wandering black bear — CANANDAIGUA — City police and other officials spent about three hours Friday attempting to shepherd a black bear into woods and away from houses and people near the northwest corner of Canandaigua Lake. (July 10, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
  The bear, estimated to weigh about 300 pounds, was spotted at 7:30 a.m. Friday on a tennis court near the Holiday Harbour residential complex.
•  Democrat & Chronicle: DEC cleans up dealership site Soil, water contamination found at former Churchville Ford — CHURCHVILLE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation will investigate and clean up soil and groundwater contamination at the site of a former car dealership.
  An environmental investigation of the 10-acre site on South Main Street at Interstate 490, the former home of Churchville Ford, will begin July 19. The DEC says fieldwork will take place for about a year. (July 11, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  State chips in for lake protection - Local officials propose a project which would reduce the pollutants that Sucker Brook carries into Canandaigua Lake. CANANDAIGUA - A local lake protection group has received a state grant to dig a pond to catch pollutants that travel down Sucker Brook and into Canandaigua Lake. Daily Messenger
•  GOVERNOR PATAKI SIGNS BILL THAT BANS THE SALE OF TOY AND NOVELTY PRODUCTS CONTAINING MERCURY IN NEW YORK STATE - New Law Will Ban Toys Like the "Spiderman 2" Mercury-based Cereal Box Toy - Governor George E. Pataki today announced that he has signed into law legislation that bans mercury-added novelty products in New York State and requires new labeling and recycling of other mercury-added consumer products. The new law also prohibits schools from using mercury in the classroom.--July 12, 2004  http://www.state.ny.us
•  Democrat & Chronicle: DEC launches new Dewey Ave. site probe — GREECE — In a fact sheet released today, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced a new plan to investigate contamination at an old military industrial site at the north end of Dewey Avenue. Air Force Plant 51, just south of Round Pond, was used during World War II to build ocean-going oil tankers and some of the landing craft used during the Normandy invasion.  (July 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Forest advocates lodge protest here A forest in downtown Rochester? At 11 a.m. today, environmental activists gathered in front of the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building on State Street to protest a White House proposal announced Monday to relax restrictions on roadless areas in national forests.  The Bush administration idea, first floated a year ago, would reverse a Clinton-era rule banning road-building and logging on 58 million acres of national forests. (July 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Garbage truck cited for violations in Macedon - (Macedon) -- The Macedon Police investigated an illegal dumping complaint in the Macedon Commons Plaza  (July 15, 2004) TheTownCrier.com
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Area advocate nudges Kellogg - No more mercury batteries in cereal-box toys — nationwide. That's a promise announced late this morning by the Kellogg Company, the world's largest cereal manufacturer.  The agreement was brokered by lawyers in state Attorney General Elliott Spitzer's Environmental Protection Bureau — and inspired, in part, by a Rochester-area consumer advocate.  Judy Braiman of Pittsford, founder of the 20-year-old Empire State Consumer Association, wrote a letter July 2 to the AG's Rochester office, complaining about Kellogg cereal boxes containing Spiderman promotional toys. Their encapsulated batteries are difficult to remove and recycle.  (July 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Volatile chemical taken from garage (July 15, 2004) — Some Irondequoit residents were evacuated from their homes briefly Wednesday while the Monroe County Sheriff's bomb squad removed an explosive chemical from a garage on Mount Airy Drive.  (July 15, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  environment: The COST of keeping COOL - We turned to Bob Siegel, chairman of the conservation committee with the Sierra Club of Rochester for some helpful energy saving tips for the summer. First, Siegel recommends that consumers look for “Energy Star” stickers when shopping for air conditioners and other home appliances. Products with these stickers have passed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, will conserve energy and save the consumer money. insider - Rochester remixed
•  Radio Collars Help DEC Track Bears - The Department of Environmental Conservation wants to help campers prevent visits from unwanted animal guests. (July 15, 2004) R News: Your NewsChannel
•  GREAT LAKES STATES URGE ACTION ON AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES Coalition of State Officials Cite Ongoing Environmental and Economic Damage - New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today announced a coordinated effort by seven states to combat the problem of harmful invasive species in American waterways, including the Great Lakes. The states, led by New York and including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are calling for stronger action to control discharges of ballast water from oceangoing vessels, a practice identified as the chief cause of the problem. "Ballast water ought to be considered a significant pollutant," Spitzer said."The exotic species of fish, mussels and plants contained in these discharges multiply at fantastic rates and overwhelm our ecosystem. The federal government can and must be more aggressive in combating this problem, which each year costs Great Lakes communities billions of dollars in damages." Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  REPORT SHOWS MIXED RESULTS FOR LEAD SCREENING RATES IN CHILDREN Signals Beginning of Inquiry - Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today released a report finding that certain Medicaid and Child Health Plus (CHP) managed care health plans have lead screening rates for infants and young children below the statewide average.  The Attorney General's Health Care Bureau has begun an inquiry to determine whether plans are complying with state law that mandates universal lead screening and identify steps plans may take to increase their childhood lead screening rates. Senator David A. Paterson, Senator John Sampson, Councilman Bill Perkins, and the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning joined Spitzer in the announcement to create awareness about the importance of childhood lead screening.  Studies have demonstrated that lead poisoning can result in mental and physical impairments, such as cognitive deficits resulting in lower IQ scores, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, growth delays and hearing loss. A disproportionately high number of low-income, African-American children in New York City are victims of such poisoning. If lead poisoning is promptly detected though routine screening in the pre-school years, children can be effectively treated and lead contamination can be removed from their homes before severe damage occurs. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  DEC back at Dewey Ave. site - Source of polluted groundwater is sought at WWII shipbuilder. — GREECE — The state Department of Environmental Conservation on Thursday renewed an investigation of a contaminated military industrial site at the north end of Dewey Avenue.
  Work started with an electromagnetic search for buried storage tanks, said DEC regional administrator Sean Hanna. The decades-old site was first investigated in 1999. (July 16, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Plan for forest roads is protested — Environmental activists gathered in front of the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building on State Street on Thursday to protest a White House proposal relaxing restrictions on roadless areas in national forests. The plan would reverse a Clinton-era rule banning road building and logging in 58 million acres of national forests. (July 16, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Danger lurks in hogweed It's 8 to 15 feet tall with flowers, but packs a skin-blistering sap. For more information on giant hogweed or to report a sighting, call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County's Gardening Helpline at (585) 473-5335 or the Wayne County extension office at (315) 331-8415. (July 17, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: CDC to conduct study in Geneseo Health exams will affect USDA guidelines for proper diet, fitness. Many organizations, such as the American Medical and American Dental associations, analyze the CDC's data to come up with their own studies. The Environmental Protection Agency in April said pregnant women should cut down on fish because of the mercury level found in babies — information that was taken from the CDC's study. (July 17, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Stubbs to guide anti-lead poisoning coalition — Ellen Stubbs, a nurse who has long been active with community groups, has been named one of three co-chairs of the local Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning. The appointment was made in response to concerns that the minority community has been largely excluded from the battle to prevent lead poisoning in Rochester. (July 18, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Great Lakes states file suit Minnesota and six other Great Lakes states launched a two-pronged, legal effort Thursday to stop invasive mussels, fish and other organisms from being dumped into U.S. waters by oceangoing ships. They argued that species from foreign ports must be stopped because they disrupt the ecology and cause billions of dollars in damage to industries, sport fisheries and taxpayers. The attorneys general petitioned the U.S. Coast Guard to close a loophole that allows most ships from abroad to enter the Great Lakes without doing anything to remove or kill foreign species in their ballast tanks. startribune.com
•  Lawmakers fail environmental test - Albany-- Groups criticize the Legislature, especially the Senate, for allowing key bills to languish Environmental groups Thursday gave state lawmakers a failing grade because five top environmental bills remain stalled in the Legislature. The issues include power plant siting, expanding the Bottle Bill and a ban on backyard burning. The Legislature "still has an opportunity to come back and do some work to make the grade," said the Sierra Club's John Stouffer. Albany, N.Y. -- timesunion.com
•  ENN News Story - Spitzer and states to sue utilities over CO2, say sources NEW YORK — Several states — including New York, California, and Wisconsin — and the city of New York are expected to file a lawsuit Wednesday against five major U.S. power companies, demanding cuts in carbon-dioxide emissions, according to people familiar with the matter. The companies expected to be named in the suit include the No. 1 U.S. power producer American Electric Power Co. Inc., Southern Co., Xcel Energy Inc., Cinergy Corp., and the Tennessee Valley Authority public power system, according to a draft statement on the lawsuit. (July 21, 2004) Environmental News Network - ENN.com
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Report: Kodak Park less polluted — Pollution at Kodak Park declined 16 percent in 2003, bringing the overall reduction at the facility to 82 percent since 1987, the Eastman Kodak Co. says in its latest newsletter. July 19, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
  Total release to air, water and land that year were 3.7 million pounds, or 700,000 pounds less than 2002, it says.
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Zoo helps African species in fundraiser — “If it wasn't for Madagascar, we wouldn't have vanilla ice cream,” says Chris Greenlee, citing one connection people here might have with the island off the east coast of Africa.
  Greenlee and other volunteer docents at the Seneca Park Zoo have been connecting with Madagascar for nine years, ever since they formed a committee that helps visitors understand conservation issues locally and around the world. (July 19, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Ontario research lab may be ferry's neighbor — BROCKPORT — State University College at Brockport is now leaning toward a new home for its proposed Lake Ontario research center — next door to the high-speed ferry. For more than a year, Brockport has been trying to net federal financial support for a Lake Ontario Natural Resource Center, which would be a hub of research on and promotion of the lake. The proposed 27,000-square-foot center would include labs, an art studio, conference rooms and boat facilities. (July 20, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Deal limits Great Lakes water removal — Thirsty states in the Midwest and South won't be able to turn to the Great Lakes for relief, according to a draft document released Monday by the governors of the eight states bordering the lakes. The sweeping interstate and international agreement, called the Great Lakes Charter Annex, would stiffen legal protections against large withdrawals of water from the lakes, which hold about 6quadrillion gallons. (July 20, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Kodak reports emissions down— Overall pollution at Kodak Park declined 16 percent in 2003, compared with the year before, according to an Eastman Kodak Co. newsletter.Total releases to air and water in 2003 were 3.7 million pounds, or 700,000 pounds less than in 2002. There were no releases to land either year. Kodak's synopsis of its Rochester emissions were published in Update, a company newsletter mailed to 13,500 households and businesses in the vicinity of Kodak Park. (July 20, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Wayne officials caught off guard: Supervisors reject last-minute resolution on recycling program LYONS — Wayne County lawmakers yesterday wouldn’t allow a resolution to be put before them that would have authorized bids be sought for the privatization of the county’s recycling program. It was clear, however, that the 11-3 vote against the measure was not because supervisors rejected the notion of exploring other options but rather that it’s 11th-hour introduction caught most supervisors off-guard. It was presented under new business at the end of the meeting and sidestepped the committee process that normally would have proceeded it being introduced onto the floor. (July 20, 2004) Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  Health Department Issues Latest Health Advisories for Fish -  Advice for Sports Anglers to Reduce Health Risks
  ALBANY, July 9, 2004 - The State Health Department today released this year's guide for Health Advisories, Chemicals in Sportfish and Game. The 2004-05 State guide includes updates for some New York City reservoirs, Adirondack lakes and ponds, and other waters in New York and provides advice for sports anglers and hunters about how to reduce exposure to chemical contaminants in some of the State's sportfish and game. New York State Department of Health
•  WXXI: Past Studies Failed To Spot Stadium Site Problems (2004-07-22) Rhinos Managing Partner Frank DuRoss says the Oak Street site in Rochester has been repeatedly examined for environmental contamination because it's a former manufacturing site. Despite 14 previous studies, it took a geological report done as part of the stadium design to show that the original bed of the Erie Canal, which runs beneath the site, is still carrying water. (July 23, 2004) Public NewsRoom
•  Diaz on superfund list - Holley residents displaced by the Diaz Chemical spill will get federal aid cleaning up their homes. The environmental protection agency has added the Diaz chemical plant to its national priorities list.  10NBC / WHEC TV-10
•  Democrat & Chronicle: EPA adds Diaz to priority list Holley site eligible for shrunken Superfund cash - — HOLLEY — It's been more than 21/2 years since Bernadette Catlin, her husband Rick and their four children fled their Geddes Street home in the smelly aftermath of a chemical spill at nearby Diaz Chemical Corp. For the first two weeks, the family stayed at a Holiday Inn in Brockport and “everyone went to work and school with our toothbrushes in our backpacks and purses thinking we were going to go home that night,” Catlin said. (July 22, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Public to review plans for airport CANANDAIGUA — The public will have another chance next week to review an updated master plan for the Canandaigua Airport that could include plans to expand the facility. An environmental review, which will begin shortly, also will be discussed. It will address factors such as noise, drainage and storm water management. (July 22, 2004) Finger Lakes Times Geneva, NY
•  Democrat & Chronicle: An army of activists boosts environment - College-age canvassers engage in summer tradition of pushing causes and soliciting memberships  - — Knock, knock. Who's there? Someone green.  Along with warm weather comes another summertime staple: door-to-door environmental activists. For decades, these mostly college-age canvassers have hoofed it through neighborhoods carrying a variety of messages on threats to air, land and water. (July 24, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Pataki gives money for Finger Lakes development - (Geneva) -- With Seneca Lake as a backdrop, Governor George Pataki announced Monday, $2.7 million dollars in state Environmental Protection Fund grants for projects in the Finger Lakes and southern tier will be given. The city of Geneva is getting a $250,000 for development of the Castle Street Park and the Waterloo Library will receive $165,000 to replace the roof. In all, 24 projects will be funded, including two grants that will benefit Seneca Falls, as announced with Mayor Diana Smith on hand yesterday. (July 27, 2004) The Town Crier
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Activists criticize DEC cuts Green group says enforcement has slackened - — ALBANY — The state Department of Environmental Conservation has cut 700 field inspectors, monitors and technicians over the last decade and that's allowed more firms to violate pollution permits, according to a study by an environmental group released Monday. Environmental Advocates of New York said the cuts under Gov. George Pataki's continued hiring freeze that began in 1995, coupled with early retirement incentives, have shed some of the department's most experienced scientists and engineers. (July 27, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  New Report from Sierra Club --   Communities At Risk: The Sierra Club Superfund Report, Summer 2004 - Toxics - Sierra Club - How the Bush Administration is Failing to Protect People's Health at Superfund Sites. New Report Details Health Threats at Superfund Sites Across Country -The Bush administration’s failure to protect Americans’ health from toxic waste pollution is documented in this new report on the Superfund toxic waste cleanup program released today by the Sierra Club. The report breaks down state-by-state the Superfund sites across the country where human exposure to toxic pollution and groundwater pollution is either not under control or where insufficient data on threats exist. --You can also download the entire report from this page. (July 27, 2004)
•  Reptile Training for Police - Police officers are learning how to deal with dangerous animals. Today, reptile expert Tom Hudak held an 8-hour training session for law enforcement. It seems poisonous snakes and other reptiles are being found in drug houses around the area. (July 27, 2004)  WROC TV NEWS 8 NOW ROCHESTER NEW YORK - Local News
•  Brighton Moving Forward On Park - Brighton's efforts to transform old farmland into a public park are moving ahead. Town officials estimate Buckland Park is 75% complete. The 50-acre site on Westfall Road has new athletic fields, a playground, concession stand and picnic pavilion. Brighton wants to double the size of the park. It is working on a deal to purchase adjacent land. (July 27, 2004)  R News: Your NewsChannel
•  No Trash Talking in Seneca Falls - People there got a firsthand look at their landfill during the Seneca Meadows Landfill bus tour Saturday.  (July 27, 2004)  R News: Your NewsChannel
•  US EPA, Particulate Matter Research: EPA Awards $30 Million Dollar Grant for Particulate Matter Research Michael O. Leavitt, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, today awarded the University of Washington with a $30 million grant to study the connection between air pollution and cardiovascular disease. The grant is the largest ever awarded by the EPA for scientific research, and will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term effects of breathing air contaminated by particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants. (July 30, 2004) Environmental Protection Agency
•  City Newspaper: Water watch: striving to keep the Great Lakes ours  Who owns the Great Lakes? Or perhaps more to the point, who gets to use them, and who decides that?  Last week, the Council of Great Lakes Governors (the governors and Canadian premiers of the Great Lakes area) released proposed agreements that tackle those questions. The documents --- part of an international agreement known as the Great Lakes Charter Annex --- spell out exactly how the states and provinces ringing the lakes would regulate the withdrawal of Great Lakes water.  Public hearings will be held on the proposals in September, and comments are being accepted through October 19. Once that period is over the states, and provinces will have the chance to ratify the agreements and, in the US side, send them in the form of a compact to Congress. If approved by Congress, the compact would be binding for the states. (The agreement that includes the provinces would be nonbinding, since no mechanism exists to enforce cross-border promises between states and provinces.) City Newspaper
•  Democrat & Chronicle: Dead crow in Brighton had West Nile virus BRIGHTON — A dead crow found in Brighton has tested positive for West Nile virus, the Monroe County Health Department said Friday. — (July 31, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  SILive.com - Staten Island Advance - City defends anti-mosquito spraying without permits City environmental law attorneys claim the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't require the Health Department to obtain permits before it sprays pesticides to combat mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus. SILive.com: Everything Staten Island
•  Buffalo News - EPA official meets zebra mussel Lake visit here produces no walleye but illustrates need - Fishing for walleye on his first trip to Lake Erie, Mike Leavitt, federal Environmental Protection Agency administrator, went away without fish but didn't leave empty-handed.
  While walleye proved elusive for Leavitt and local fishermen Dick Heard and Gus Grossmann, the men had no trouble pulling up zebra mussels, the gumball-sized mollusk that has so profoundly changed the Great Lakes ecosystem in the last 15 years.