September 2005 news

• Canandaigua acts to protect dogs — CANANDAIGUA — This Ontario County city has shortened the leash on dog owners who keep their pets chained outside for long periods of time. After a yearlong effort spearheaded by animal rights activist and retired social worker Joel Freedman, City Council on Thursday approved an ordinance that makes it illegal to tether dogs outside for more than 16 hours a day. (September 3, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Third Renaissance Square Workshop September 7 - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and Renaissance Square Project Partners announced that the third public workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 7 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center... Monroe County
•  Two towns told to boil water GENESEO — Livingston County health officials issued a boil-water alert Friday to residents of parts of the towns of Geneseo and Groveland because of a high amount of bacteria in their drinking water. The advisory affects those who live near Conesus Lake, along West Lake Road from Gray Road in Geneseo extending south to Gray Hill Road in Groveland. (September 10, 2005) — Democrat and Chronicle
•  Big issues are down to earth in Riga  — RIGA — The new landfill deal and continuing water issues in Riga remain hot-button topics in the primary races for town supervisor and Town Board. Supervisor candidate Pamela A. Moore believes the Riga government could have gotten a better deal in the recent landfill pact, while incumbent Tim Rowe says the town will be well- served by the agreement that was made during his administration. (September 11, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Underground terminal out in revised RenSquare plans - The Renaissance Square underground bus terminal is no more. Renaissance Square lead designer Moshe Safdie unveiled a conceptual design for the downtown project Wednesday evening that scrapped the original bus terminal plans and tackled head-on some questions skeptics had about the bus station. As well, Renaissance Square became better defined, portrayed in renderings as an airy, well-lit downtown project combining public courtyards, ground-level retail space, gardens and greenery with its three major elements — a Monroe Community College satellite campus, a bus terminal and a performing arts center. (September 8, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  DEC offers plan on contaminated hotel site — GATES — The state Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public input on a draft plan to investigate contamination on the grounds of a Buell Road hotel. According to the DEC, investigators last year discovered vapors from tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethlyene, under the main basement floor of the Comfort Inn, 395 Buell Road. The discovery came during tests to see if the Comfort Inn site had been affected by nearby contamination at Buell Automatics Inc., 361 Buell Road. -- To learn more
  A copy of the Draft Remedial Investigation Work Plan for the 395 Buell Road Comfort Inn site is available at the Gates Public Library, 1605 Buffalo Road. Comments about the proposal may be submitted to state Department of Environmental Conservation Project Manager Frank Sowers, Division of Environmental Remediation, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon 14414-9519. (September 6, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•   Water, water, everywhere... Forty million people a day (maybe you?) drink from them. They're a full fifth of the planet's fresh water. Yet in places --- consider Charlotte Beach --- the Great Lakes are often not even safe to swim in. Now there's yet another plan afoot to restore them. A year ago, then-EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt was in town to announce, from the deck of a Rochester research vessel, a $20 billion strategic plan to improve the Great Lakes. Based on the timing (and George Bush's abysmal environmental record), cynics might easily have dismissed the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration as an election-year pork promise to a swath of swing states. But a year has come and gone, and the project is still with us. In fact, earlier this summer the collaboration released a draft report. City Newspaper
•  Changes In Renaissance Square Project - (Rochester, NY) 09/08/05 -- Moshe Safdie, architect for the downtown Rochester's proposed Renaissance Square, revealed a new design for the project at a public planning meeting held Wednesday night. Instead of putting the bus terminal underground, it will be at street level. The terminal will be enclosed with walls and windows, but Safdie says the changes will make it easier to deal with exhaust, ventilation, and other logistics. 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  Heating Bills Will Soar This Winter - Energy department officials said today the hurricane damage is sure to increase heating bills; natural gas heating is expected to cost an extra 71 percent this year. Heating oil and propane users will shell out an extra 31 to 40 percent, and electric heat will cost almost twenty percent more. What can be done to make homes energy efficient? Experts say--remove grass, weeds and leaves from around the outdoor unit of your heating system. Blocked airflow reduces the system's efficiency. - 09/08/05 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  States Sue Department Of Energy For Failing Consumers On Energy Standards A coalition of 15 states and the City of New York today sued the federal Department of Energy for violating Congressionally enacted mandates to adopt stronger energy-saving standards for 22 common appliances that use large amounts of electricity, natural gas and oil by clearly specified deadlines stated in the law. The standards sought by the lawsuit, according to the federal government’s own numbers, would generate substantial savings for consumers and reduce air pollution and global warming emissions from power plants. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said: "As oil and gas prices hit record levels and the impacts of global warming become more apparent, it is profoundly disappointing that the federal government has failed to adopt these crucial energy saving standards. The law requires it, and common sense dictates it. These standards will save energy and money for consumers and help protect our health and environment." --Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Report Urges Improved Lead Testing Of Children Calls on State Health Department to Improve Lead Testing Reporting Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today released a report urging improved testing of infants for lead poisoning. The report includes the Attorney General’s Top 10 recommendations to increase childhood lead testing in New York. One of the key concerns raised in the new report is that one-year-olds in New York may not be getting tested, as required by law. The report specifically urges HMOs and state health officials to make concerted efforts to ensure these one-year-olds are tested in greater numbers. "No child in New York should suffer from lead poisoning simply because he or she was not tested in time," Spitzer said. --Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy Announced - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan recently announced the release of the draft Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS), which provides a blueprint for maintaining the rich diversity of wildlife species that live in New York. The public is invited to comment on the plan through September 16, 2005. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting NY's Environment and Managing its Natural Resources
•  DEC Announces Statewide Meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease- NYSDEC Press Release Information on Response to Discovery of Deer Disease Will Be Provided - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced a series of statewide meetings to be held during the month of September to inform the public of DEC efforts in response to the limited discovery of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and captive white-tailed deer in New York State. Meetings are being held in all nine DEC regions. A complete listing of dates, times, and locations is attached. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting NY's Environment and Managing its Natural Resources
•  Lakes Cleanup Should Go On - Activists say tight budgets are no reason to short-change a wide-ranging cleanup program for the Great Lakes. (Sept 9, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Water, water, everywhere... Forty million people a day (maybe you?) drink from them. They're a full fifth of the planet's fresh water. Yet in places --- consider Charlotte Beach --- the Great Lakes are often not even safe to swim in. Now there's yet another plan afoot to restore them. A year ago, then-EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt was in town to announce, from the deck of a Rochester research vessel, a $20 billion strategic plan to improve the Great Lakes. Based on the timing (and George Bush's abysmal environmental record), cynics might easily have dismissed the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration as an election-year pork promise to a swath of swing states. But a year has come and gone, and the project is still with us. In fact, earlier this summer the collaboration released a draft report. The last of six public hearings around the Great Lakes was held last week at the University of Buffalo. Rochester's Hugh Mitchell spoke, representing the state Sierra Club. For the most part, Mitchell's concerns lined up with what the draft report stated as its priorities. But there was one glaring difference: mercury. Plans to reduce the presence of the heavy (and heavily toxic) metal in the lakes "are unacceptably weak," according to Mitchell's testimony, "in that they mirror the administration's Clear Skies program." The Sierra Club wants sharper and faster reductions, specifically from coal-fired power plants like RG&E's Russell Station --- 90 percent by 2011.(SEPTEMBER 7, 2005) City Newspaper
•  City Newspaper: News & Views: News articles: Designing a renaissance "Brilliant." That's how Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, president of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, describes the preliminary design for the most controversial part of Renaissance Square: the bus terminal. Architect Moshe Safdie unveiled his concept for Ren Square at a public forum last week. And while this stage really is "concept," not completed design, there was major news: Safdie and his design team have scrapped the idea of an underground terminal. (September 14, 2005) City Newspaper
•  Conservationist Wayne Harris dies — Wayne Harris' mission in life was to leave the world a better place than he found it. Upon his death from an illness Sept. 5 at age 79, few could deny his success. Long before groups like Greenpeace and events like Earth Day brought saving the environment into vogue, Mr. Harris wore the label "environmental activist" with pride. He took up the cause against pollution in 1951 and by 1970, a Democrat and Chronicle columnist dubbed him the Monroe County area's "most powerful conservationist." (September 16, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Wayne Harris: A man of justice - Loved ones say he left the world a better a place through his legal practices and environmental beliefs. Most nights, there were always 14 to 20 people at Wayne Harris's dinner table. East Rochester Post
•  The Globe and Mail: Environmentalists pledge to fight any new nuclear plants TORONTO -- Environmentalists are promising to mount a massive opposition campaign if the Ontario government commissions new nuclear-powered electricity generation stations. "The construction of a new nuclear plant in Ontario would be the environmental battle of the millennium," David Martin, energy co-ordinator for Greenpeace Canada, said yesterday. (September 16. 2005) globeandmail.com - Canada's best source for news continuously updated from The Globe and Mail
•  AP Wire | 09/15/2005 | States sue federal government over tree-eating beetles ALBANY, N.Y. - Four states, including Illinois, sued the Bush administration Thursday over an invasive, tree-eating beetle that has entered the U.S. as a stowaway on cargo ships. The Asian long-horned beetle, along with the emerald ash borer and the pine shoot beetle, are the culprits named in the lawsuit by attorneys general from New York, California, Connecticut and Illinois. The states are seeking a court order to require the Agriculture Department to examine more effective and less environmentally harmful ways to prevent the insects from entering the country, said New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.(September 16. 2005) Belleville.com : Belleville news, sports, jobs, homes, cars
•  States Sue For Better Control Of Invasive Pests Asian Long-Horned Beetle and Other Pests Kill Trees; Have Few Native Predators A coalition of four states today sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for failing to impose effective controls against destructive insects that enter the country in shipping pallets and other wooden packaging. A new rule issued by the USDA requires the use of a marginally effective pesticide that damages the environment and is being phased out of use under an international treaty. The states of New York, California, Connecticut and Illinois filed the lawsuit, which seeks a court order directing the USDA to examine more effective and less environmentally harmful methods of preventing the insects from entering the country. Invasive insect pests - - such as the Asian long-horned beetle, emerald ash borer, and pine shoot beetle - - enter the country in wooden pallets and other packaging made from raw wood. These pests have caused significant damage to trees in New York City, Long Island, Chicago and other communities. Thousands of trees have been destroyed in an effort to prevent the spread of these pests, which have few local predators or diseases to kill them. If these destructive insects spread from U.S. ports of entry into the nation's forests, they could further damage the timber, tree nursery, fruit orchard, maple syrup, and tourism industries. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  States Sue Department Of Energy For Failing Consumers On Energy Standards A coalition of 15 states and the City of New York today sued the federal Department of Energy for violating Congressionally enacted mandates to adopt stronger energy-saving standards for 22 common appliances that use large amounts of electricity, natural gas and oil by clearly specified deadlines stated in the law. The standards sought by the lawsuit, according to the federal government’s own numbers, would generate substantial savings for consumers and reduce air pollution and global warming emissions from power plants. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said: "As oil and gas prices hit record levels and the impacts of global warming become more apparent, it is profoundly disappointing that the federal government has failed to adopt these crucial energy saving standards. The law requires it, and common sense dictates it. These standards will save energy and money for consumers and help protect our health and environment." Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Report Urges Improved Lead Testing Of Children Calls on State Health Department to Improve Lead Testing Reporting - Attorney General Eliot Spitzer today released a report urging improved testing of infants for lead poisoning. The report includes the Attorney General’s Top 10 recommendations to increase childhood lead testing in New York. One of the key concerns raised in the new report is that one-year-olds in New York may not be getting tested, as required by law. The report specifically urges HMOs and state health officials to make concerted efforts to ensure these one-year-olds are tested in greater numbers. "No child in New York should suffer from lead poisoning simply because he or she was not tested in time," Spitzer said. Spitzer also called on the State Health Department to require that HMOs report lead testing results for both one- and two-year-old children. Spitzer’s office found that even though the law requires screening at both age one and two, the State Health Department currently only requires HMOs to report the number of two-year-olds that are tested. As a consequence, HMOs may not be testing one-year-olds as thoroughly. Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer
•  Monroe County Working To Conserve Fuel - County Executive Maggie Brooks unveils Hybrid Vehicles and announces use of Biodiesel Fuel... Monroe County
•  Volunteers Clean Local Beaches - Beaches in the Rochester area are a little cleaner now, thanks to an international volunteer effort to improve the environment. Hamlin Beach was one of several beaches in the Rochester area, where volunteers picked up litter Saturday. It was part of the International Coastal Cleanup. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Mercury Levels High in Certain Fish - A new study found high mercury levels in certain fish, and now one group is calling for supermarket warning signs. A coalition of environmental groups released the results of a major 22-state mercury testing project. It confirmed that store-bought swordfish and tuna contain levels of mercury that the federal government has determined may be hazardous to human health, particularly to children and pregnant women. R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Lead study up for comment - A study gauging the impact of three proposed changes to Rochester city code that would make lead paint cleanup mandatory, particularly in pre-1978 rental properties, is the subject of a public hearing Tuesday at City Hall. Some studies have rated Rochester as one of the 10 U.S. cities with the worst lead paint problems. It remains in thousands of older homes and is especially dangerous when ingested in the form of paint chips or dust. Children age 6 and younger are most at risk. To see the study, go to www.cityofrochester.gov , click on "Your Government" and "What's New," or pick up a copy at the city clerk's office, public libraries or NET offices. The hearing is at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall, 30 Church St. (Sept. 25, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Hybrid sales soar - High gas prices spur more drivers to look and buy No doubt you've watched the digits on the gas pump's price display whiz upward as you've filled your vehicle's tank. Maybe the price has you muttering under your breath. Or, muttering loud enough for everyone to hear. And maybe you've pulled up at a stoplight and seen someone driving a hybrid car and wondered ... is now the time to buy one? (September 25, 2005) Insider: Rochester Remixed
•  Huge gathering of monarchs an encouraging sign - A phenomenal clustering of migrating monarch butterflies - up to several thousand a night - occurred over a succession of evenings recently in a grove of trees at a residence in Jerusalem Township. Some 300 million monarchs across North America are on the move during September, most of them en route to select mountain forests in central Mexico for winter. Typically these familiar orange-and-black-winged insects will cluster in a tree, sometimes by the scores or hundreds, to rest overnight. (Sept. 25, 2005) - toledoblade.com -
•  State Health Commissioner Novello Advises New Yorkers as Flu Season Approaches People at High Risk, Health Care Workers, Urged to Get Flu Vaccine First - ALBANY, NY, September 29, 2005 - In anticipation of the upcoming flu season, State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., today advised New Yorkers who are most vulnerable to complications from influenza, as well as health care workers who have direct contact with patients, to seek vaccination over the next few weeks. The influenza season typically begins in late October and may run through April. Federal officials have said that states are now receiving some supplies of flu vaccine, while additional supplies will arrive periodically over the next few months from manufacturers. "According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there should be enough flu vaccine available over the course of the 2005-2006 flu season," Dr. Novello said. "Some vaccine is available now and more will arrive in the coming months. It is important for individuals in the high priority groups to receive a flu shot in October so that they are protected against the flu. Individuals who are relatively healthy and are not considered to be at high risk should begin pursuing vaccination beginning in November if they want a flu shot." New York State Department of Health
•  13WHAM-TV || Rochester - Getting The Lead Out Of Rochester -- A plan to get the lead out of thousands of Rochester homes is moving ahead. Lead paint is blamed for poisoning thousands of children, which affects their ability to learn and function. (Rochester, NY) 09/28/05 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  Outlook for flu vaccine positive - If you're at risk, you should be able to get inoculated this season— Some health care workers have a name for Oct. 5, 2004, the day they learned the nation's flu vaccine supply had been cut in half. "We call it Black Tuesday," said Steve Wright, director of wellness services at Maxim Health Systems, the national company that runs flu shot clinics here and across the country. But the situation this October will likely be rosier. (September 29, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  Lead risky, but cleanup expensive - City hearing tonight will begin the balancing of hazards, costs -— The most stringent proposal to clean up lead paint in Rochester's older housing would cut deeply into landlord profits, hit the poorest neighborhoods hardest and raise the potential for abandonment of buildings, a consultant's report says. But Ecology and Environment Inc. of Lancaster, Erie County, found that cleanup expenses can be met under each of three alternatives now before City Council. Each proposal would change the city code to mandate cleanup, which now is voluntary and limited. The proposals vary in how many properties are affected and which must be inspected. The actual expense involved is not known.  (September 27, 2005) Democrat and Chronicle
•  UR study suggests mercury in fish not dangerous — Fifteen years have passed since medical researchers started scrutinizing the brains of 700 children from the Seychelles whose mothers ate great amounts of mercury-contaminated fish during their pregnancies. As the children from this archipelago nation off Africa's eastern coast move toward adulthood — their verbal, motor, memory and reasoning skills subjected to a battery of tests every few years — they continue to be the picture of health. (September 27, 2005)
•  Dog Tests Negative For Canine Flu - - A story aired earlier this week, questioned whether a local dog contracted the canine flu. The answer is no. (Rochester, NY) 09/30/05 13WHAM-TV || Rochester
•  NY Tests Deer for Chronic Disease - With hunting season around the corner, the Department of Environmental Conservation says several offices in central New York will begin testing deer for chronic wasting disease. (Sept. 29, 2005) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
•  Alternative floated for Ontario algae plan - A final U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report will be released by late October.  With a U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers final report on the issue due for release next month, local engineer Bill Schmitt is floating what he sees as a simpler solution for the algae problem plaguing Ontario Beach Park. Greece Post