THE GREEN SHEET

Vol. 9 - No. 8
August 2004

Lead Story: Performance Review
On the Alert
For Your Information
Activists' Corner
The Month Ahead
Contact Information

Performance Review

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is having a hard time meeting its responsibilities to manage and protect New York’s natural resources and public health, according to a report released in late July by Environmental Advocates of New York (EANY). Endangered Agency: How Staff Cuts and Privatization are Putting New York’s Environment at Risk found that the agency is being asked to do more with less.

“The DEC has suffered dramatic staff cuts and reduced funding since the early 1990’s,” said EANY Regulatory Watch Project Director Tim Sweeney. “About 700 fewer people are working at the department now as compared to 1994.” The staff reductions are due to the hiring freeze imposed on all state agencies by Gov. George Pataki when he took office in 1995, and retirement incentives that have encouraged many of the agency’s most experienced scientists and engineers to leave, Sweeney explained.

The report also found that state spending on staffing at the department has been dramatically cut. Comparing fiscal years 1994-1995 to 2003-2004, staffing for the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources has been reduced 13.6 percent. For the Division of Air and Water Quality, the reduction is 7.3 percent. In the last fiscal year alone, 234 full time DEC positions were eliminated, decreasing the staff from 3,535 to 3,301, a 6.6 percent drop.

Citing some of the consequences, the report pointed to the Division of Water, where water pollution permits have gone without review and, in many cases, permit conditions are being violated. According to federal sources, of the 354 major water pollution permits currently in place, only 78 are listed as being in compliance, with 203 of the permitted facilities listed as having been in violation within the past two years. Thirty additional permits have a significant non-compliance status. Similarly, in the Division of Air, 2,612 of 7,008 permitted facilities are not in compliance with their permit conditions and 1,831 are listed as being in violation. EANY also pointed to the use of non-department personnel to write water pollution permits and a suggestion that the timber industry conduct traditionally state-run timber sales as examples of the problems caused by staffing shortages.

The report, which includes a plan to raise additional funds for the DEC consistent with the polluter pays principle, is available on-line at: www.eany.org/reports.

[Back to Top]

On the Alert

♦Toxic Nighties: In order to meet fire safety requirements, a number of consumer items including electronics, clothing, and bedding are treated with a class of chemicals, commonly known as brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Over the years, studies have shown BFRs to be virtually as toxic as their chlorinated cousins PCBs and dioxins, capable of causing a host of serious environmental and health problems. A bill recently passed both houses of the state Legislature that would require a phase out of two types of BFRs in New York, and establish a panel to study a third for toxicity and alternatives. Industry interests are looking for a veto. Write the Governor and tell him to sign S.7621 into law. Contact David Higby, EANY, at 518-462-5526 ext. 259 or dhigby@eany.org.

♦Faux Fir: A proposed cell tower threatens to mar Lake George’s famous landscape. Nextel Partners, Inc. is proposing to build a 114-foot fake pine tree cell tower on the lake’s eastern shore, spoiling a scene enjoyed by millions and depicted in many world-famous Hudson River School of Art paintings. Although the structure attempts to mimic the nearby forest, it will tower above the surrounding trees. Write: George Outcalt Jr., Project Review Officer, APA, PO Box 99, Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977; call: 518-891-4050 or fax: 518-891-3938. For more information, call 1-800-842-PARK or email: info@adirondackcouncil.org.

♦Crossing Guards: Putnam County residents have taken their fight against a proposed local mall to the Internet. Patterson Crossing, a 410,000 square foot shopping center lying mostly in the Town of Patterson, would include a Lowe’s, Costco and several other stores. In response to the Patterson Chamber of Commerce’s petition in support of the project, a Stop the Patterson Crossing online petition was launched in June. Among the concerns expressed in the petition are increased sprawl, a negative impact on small local businesses, the loss of additional viewshed on the I-84 corridor, and the creation of more than 30 acres of impervious surfaces in the New York City watershed. To sign the petition, visit: www.planputnam.org.

♦Pipe Down: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the hardest plastics made, but it is also the one with the most serious environmental health implications. Dioxin, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride are unavoidably created during the manufacture of PVC. Firemen’s associations, public health advocates and green building proponents are among those most concerned about the gasses emitted when PVCs are burned – a major issue since 75 percent of the 14 billion pounds of PVC produced annually in North America goes into building materials. Three years ago New York began phasing out PVC with a temporary ban on its use for piping in some tall buildings. A bill recently passed both the Senate and the Assembly that would extend this prohibition another three years, although it has yet to be signed by the Governor. Write Governor Pataki and tell him to sign S.7577 into law. Contact Citizens’ Environmental Coalition at 518-462-5527.

[Back to Top]

For Your Information

♦And the Winner Is: This fall, the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition’s (CEC) 2nd Annual Dirty Dozen Awards will highlight the companies or government agencies that most undermine the spirit of environmental protection in New York State. Past “winners” include Diaz Chemical Company, which had a decades-long history of poisoning the community and subsequently ceased their production of toxic chemicals in Holley, NY. The Town of Cheektowaga, which illegally halted its curbside recycling program, reinstated it after receiving the award last year. Winners are selected from nominees submitted by communities or organizations across the state. To nominate your local bad actor, contact CEC at 716-885-6848 or cecintern@choiceonemail.com.

♦ Island Tours: Now through September 3, the National Park Service Rangers will be leading public tours of Governors Island National Historic Landmark District. The tours, which cover about one and a half miles, are offered Tuesdays through Fridays at 9:30AM and 12:30PM and begin at the Seaport Museum ticket booth. Sites along the tour include the Admiral’s Quarters, Fort Jay, Castle Williams and Governor’s House. Landmark visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes for the tour. Tours are free, but there is a ferry transportation fee. Visit: www.nps.gov/gois or call 212-514-8296.

♦ Take a Break: Over six million dollars is available for projects through New York’s Green Building Tax Credit program. The program allows building owners and developers to deduct from their state taxes eligible expenses associated with the design and construction of green buildings, including increasing energy efficiency, the use of environmentally-friendly materials, and improving indoor air quality. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 31, 2004 and are available at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/grnbldg/index.html or by calling the DEC’s Pollution Prevention Unit at 518-402-9469.

♦ Skin Deep: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted a six-month computer investigation into the health and safety of more than 10,000 personal care product ingredients and found major gaps in the regulatory safety net. EWG also developed an online rating system that ranks products on their potential health risks. A Searchable Product Guide lets you know about the potential health risks from the personal care products you use every day. The Guide can be found at: www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep.

[Back to Top]

Activists' Corner

Watershed Event: Twenty residents of Lake Sagamore and neighboring communities met in July out of concern about the proposed South Sagamore Estates development in Putnam County. That meeting resulted in the formation of the Kent Lakes Coalition.

Developer Wayne Ryder plans to build nine houses on 70-acres. The heavily forested property is upland from Lake Sagamore, with mature stands of trees, steep slopes, boulders and exposed bedrock, watercourses and locally important wetlands. Lake Sagamore feeds Boyd’s Corner reservoir and the Catskill/Delaware water system. According to recent water quality studies, the health of Lake Sagamore is at risk.

The coalition is calling for a full environmental review and advocates against the granting of any waivers regarding changing the landscape. An August 12 public hearing is scheduled. For more information, contact Darrel Schoeling at darrel@longitudebooks.com.

[Back to Top]

The Month Ahead

August

8: Walk at the Stevenson Forest Preserve in Enfield, sponsored by Finger Lakes Land Trust as part of their Talks and Trek series. Led by forester Michael DeMunn and co-sponsored by the Sierra Club Finger Lakes Group. Learn about the inner workings of this old growth forest. 1:00PM. Call 607- 275-9487 or visit: www.fllt.org.

9-11: Second Annual Adirondack Summer Water Conference, sponsored by Paul Smith’s College, the Adirondack Council and others. Find new methods for protecting your lake or river from pollution, while meeting local government officials, educators and environmental activists. Visit: www.paulsmiths.edu or call 518-327-6249.

12: Town of Kent Planning Board Public Hearing on proposed South Sagamore Estates development (see Activists’ Corner). 770 Route 52, Carmel. 7:30PM. Email darrel@longitudebooks.com.

12: Zoar Valley Art Exhibit and Slide Show, sponsored by Friends of the Ancient Forest (FAF). Presentation on the natural wonders of Zoar Valley at local artist Thomas Annear’s art show. Annear is donating prints of his oil painting, Zoar Valley from Lookout Point, and another painting as fundraisers for FAF. Call 716-592-7547.

12-15: Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 30th Annual Summer Conference. Hampshire College, Amherst, MA. Fees vary. Contact Denis & Audrey Cronin at 508-799-2278 (before 9:00PM) or nofareg@juno.com. Visit: www.nofa.org.

13: Energy in New York, Clearwater Energy Sail from Peekskill Dock with guest experts on renewables and energy policy. Speakers will be Robert Moore of EANY, Kit Kennedy of NRDC, and Jason Babbie of NYPIRG. 6:00PM-9:00PM. Call 845-454-7673 ext. 107 or visit: www.clearwater.org.

15: Make Every Day Earth Day Expo, sponsored by Western New York Earth Day. Buffalo Zoo. 10:00AM-4:00PM. Email info@wnyearthday.org or visit: www.wnyearthday.org.

18: Public Hearing on an update to the Town of Poughkeepsie’s master plan. Town Hall, Overocker Rd. 7:00PM. Call 845-485-3620 or visit: www.townofpoughkeepsie.com/topmp.htm.

21: Zoar Valley Hike and Cleanup, organized by Friends of the Ancient Forest. Meet at the Springville Park-n-Ride with a backpack. 11:00AM. Bring your own lunch and expect to get your feet wet. Call 716-592-7547.

21: Nature Tour and Geological Tour of the Kenneglenn Scenic & Nature Preserve, sponsored by Western New York Land Conservancy and Buffalo Audubon Society (BAS). These guided tours are set in the majestic beauty of this 131-acre preserve in the Town of Wales. 9:00AM-12:00PM. $5 for Land Conservancy and BAS members, $7 for non-members and $3 for children. Reservations required. Call BAS at 585-457-3228.

27: Riveting Rattlers: Fascinating Biology of the Endangered Timber Rattlesnake, part of the Finger Lakes Land Trust’s Talks and Treks series. Spencer Crest Nature Center, Corning. 7:00PM. Hike on 8/28 at 10:00AM at Steege Hill Preserve above the Chemung River to attempt to see the snakes. Space is limited. Call 607-275-9487 to register. Visit: www.fllt.org.

September

12: NYC Century Bike Tour, sponsored by Transportation Alternatives. 15, 35, 55, 75 and 100 mile routes. Linking NYC’s breathtaking bridges and beautiful parks to its incomparable neighborhoods and famous waterfronts, see NYC like you’ve never seen it before. Visit: www.transalt.org.

18: South Bronx People’s Environmental Bike Tour. SOBRO Venture Center, East 138th St. and 3rd Ave.12:30PM. Call 212-802-8222 or email: timesup@panix.com.

[Back to Top]

THE GREEN SHEET
is produced monthly by
Environmental Advocates of New York.
The Green Sheet is a benefit of EANY membership.
Free subscriptions are available
via email and on the Web at: www.eany.org/publications/index.html

Copy deadline is the 15th of each month.
Send calendar events, action alerts & available publication information to:
The Green Sheet
353 Hamilton Street
Albany, NY 12210
Phone: 518.462.5526
Fax: 518.427.0381
Email submissions to: gsheet@eany.org

Managing Editor • Jeff Jones
Editor • Laura DiBetta

To Contact Elected Officials:

Governor George E. Pataki
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
518.474.8390
www.state.ny.us/governor

New York State Senate
Albany, NY 12247
518.455.2800
www.senate.state.ny.us

New York State Assembly
Albany, NY 12248
518.455.4100
www.assembly.state.ny.us

US Capitol Switchboard
202.224.3121