On the Alert

•Take the Money: It’s true. For the first time since it was created in 1993, there was no appropriation from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) account in this year’s state budget. Responsibility currently rests with the Governor, who has said he may want to use the money to help close the looming deficit. But the EPF was created by statute to be a reliable source of environmental funding in good times and bad. The Assembly has announced it will introduce EPF appropriation legislation in January. And, since the fiscal year runs until March 31, there is still time for the Senate and the Governor to agree. Contact Gov. George Pataki and tell him that you support appropriating $150 million from the EPF in the current fiscal year. For more information, contact Jeff Jones at EANY, 518-462-5526 ext. 233 or email: jjones@eany.org.

• Take a Pill: Recent bioterroist threats highlight the importance of safeguarding the World’s antibiotics supply. The Bayer Corporation, manufacturers of Cipro(R) and Bayer Aspirin, has refused to comply with a proposed US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on the use of its antibiotic, Baytril(R), in treating sick poultry. The FDA has determined that using Baytril(R) in poultry farming contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria that infect humans. The American Medical Association and other health groups have called on Bayer to comply with the proposed FDA ban, but the company has refused. Help slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Send an email to Helge H. Wehmeier, President and CEO of Bayer Corporation, telling him to comply with the proposed Baytril(R) ban. To take action, visit www.Bayerwatch.com. For more information, call Keep Antibiotics Working at 202-478-6168.

• Take a Drink: State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulations prohibit the expansion of landfills above primary or principal aquifers. In February, 2000, however, the agency approved a landfill for the City of Albany over an aquifer in the ecologically sensitive Pine Bush area. Save the Pine Bush (SPB) filed a lawsuit against the expansion, but lost in both the state Supreme Court and the Appellate Division. The group is now looking to take its lawsuit to the Court of Appeals. Precedents set in these rulings could endanger aquifers and drinking water across the state. To find out how to help SPB, contact Lynne Jackson at 518-434-1954 or pinebush@aol.com. Visit www.savethepinebush.org for more information.

•Take it Slow: The state Department of Transportation (DOT) has commissioned consultants to create the Long Island Transportation Plan 2000 (LITP2000). The plan calls for 65 new miles of HOV lanes, 105 miles of arterial widening, 20 miles of roadway extensions, and 1,270 new buses. According to the Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC), the plan does not do enough to relieve congestion. Organizations can sign on to a letter rejecting LITP2000. Call LIPC at 516-541-1006, or visit www.lipc.org for more information.

For Your Information

Shallow Draft: New York State has released its Draft State Energy Plan, which should guide all energy matters for the next four years. While the plan does call for greater reliance on renewable energy, the state also needs to clean up outdated grandfathered power plants, reform the power plant siting law, require that 10 percent of NY’s power come from renewable sources like wind and solar, and invest more in public transportation. There will be eight public hearings where New Yorkers can voice their concerns and demand a clean energy future for the state. A briefing on the plan will be held on 1/15 in Albany followed by the eight hearings: 1/23-Buffalo; 1/24-Rochester; 1/29-Syracuse; 1/30-Binghamton; 2/5-Mineola; 2/26 & 27-NYC; 3/5-Albany. Look for the Draft Energy Plan on NYSERDA’s website (www.nyserda.org) or by calling 1-866-NYSERDA. For more information, call Anne Reynolds, Environmental Advocates of New York, at 518-462-5526 ext. 238.

Missing Link: Gov. George Pataki has changed the system for contacting him. He can no longer be emailed directly. To let the Governor know what you think, visit www.state.ny.us/governor and click on the “Contact the Governor” link.

Card File: Give used holiday cards a second life. The children at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada will recycle used cards from any occasion into new ones. Send the front of used cards that can be trimmed to 5’x7’ with no writing on the back to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005-1681. Visit www.communitylink.koz.com/lvrj/stjudesranch for more information about this program and how to purchase the recycled cards.

Can Do: YouthCaN is a youth run organization that uses technology to inspire, connect and educate people worldwide about environmental issues. This year’s YouthCaN conference is set for April 29 at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, with other projects ongoing throughout the year. Students can attend the conference, host a YouthCaN event at their school, collaborate with other students on a project and more. To get involved, email youthcan@us.iearn.org or visit: www.nyu.edu/projects/youthcan.

Activists' Corner

On the Money: Several local Western NY environmental groups have joined together to form a new group – the Coalition of Impacted Neighborhoods (COIN). Members of COIN include the Cheektowaga Citizens Coalition, the Citizens Environmental Coalition (CEC), Concerned Citizens of Hamburg, For A Clean Tonawanda Site, the Hickory Woods Concerned Homeowners Association and the Niagara Falls Concerned Homeowners Association, as well as professors from the University at Buffalo and environmental activists. The groups have joined together because of similar experiences with public health dangers and discouragement with government.
   COIN is currently planning a rally to highlight the contaminated sites around the area in February at the Department of Health in Buffalo. COIN’s next meeting is Jan. 6th at 2:00PM at CEC’s offices at 425 Elmwood Ave., Suite 200, Buffalo.
   For more information on COIN, contact CEC at 716-885-6848 or email: cecwny@buffnet.net.

January

1: New Year’s Day beachwalks, sponsored by the American Littoral Society. Hike a beach to begin the new year. Meet at 11:00AM at one of the following locations: Fort Tilden, Breezy Point (Bldg. 1, Queens, NYC); Jones Beach (West End 2 pkg. lot); Fire Island Lighthouse (Field 5 pkg. lot). Free. Call 718-634-6467 or email: donriepe@aol.com.

5: Winter Living Celebration. Sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, music, food, live entertainment and more. Bring Christmas trees for recycling. NYS DEC’s Rogers Environmental Education Center, State Route 80 (one mile west of Sherburne in Central, NY). Call 607-674-4017.

10: For the Love of Birds, NYC Audubon Society Monthly Program. Kevin T. Karlson, wildlife biologist and professional photographer, gives both a lighthearted and serious view of mankind’s relationship to the world of birds. The Lighthouse Auditorium, 111 East 59 Street, NYC. 6:00PM. Free. Call 212-691-7483.

10: Meeting on power plant siting reform and the Draft State Energy Plan. Third in a series of meetings for communities with power plants or facing power plant proposals. Rockland County. Contact Dorice Madronero, Rockland County Conservation Association, at 845-368-3414 or k5487@aol.com.

11-13: Montauk Winter Weekend, sponsored by the American Littoral Society. Hike the beaches, bluffs, woods and dunes. See seals, loons, eiders and lots of waterfowl. Spend 2 nights at Manor House (heated pool, jacuzzi, fireplaces). Call 718-634-6467 or email: donriepe@aol.com.

12: Winter Bird Walk. Guided walk through Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC). APEC, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, Queens. 8:00AM. Free. Call 718-229-4000.

15: Restoration and Environmental Recovery of a Hudson River Superfund Site: Foundry Cove. Dr. Jeffrey Levinton, SUNY Stony Brook. The Hudson River Foundation, 40 West 20th St., 9th Floor. 10:30AM. Please call or email in advance: 212-924-8290 or info@hudsonriver.org.

15: Public hearings on the Draft State Energy Plan. 1/15-Albany; 1/23-Buffalo; 1/24- Rochester; 1/29-Syracuse; 1/30-Binghamton; 2/5-Mineola; 2/26 & 27-NYC; 3/5-Albany. (See FYI.)

17: Marketing the New Face of Agriculture in the Hudson Valley. Innovative marketing ideas for local agriculture. Workshops include dairy and livestock marketing, agritourism, getting people to the farm, marketing the European way, specialty crops, and strategic planning for your farm. Holiday Inn, Kingston. 8:30AM-4:30PM. Contact Les Hulcoop at 845-677-8223.

17&19: Solar energy seminars, hosted by NY Shines, Clearwater, SUNY New Paltz and others. 1/17: 1:00PM-4:00PM. Go Solar Now seminar for architects and building owners. 1/19: 10:00AM-1:00PM. Here Comes the Sun seminar. Speakers, exhibits, music and food. Free. Contact NY Shines at 800-535-5267 or nyshines@skybiz.com.

24: Who’s Doing What in NY Harbor, sponsored by Hudson River Environmental Society. A comprehensive summary of all research and monitoring going on in the harbor. HRES members: $50, non-members: $75; students: $25. Consolidated Edison Auditorium, #4 Irving Place at 14th St., NYC. Email stephenwilson1@compuserve.com or call 518-861-8020.

February

4: Environmental Impacts of Population and Resource Consumption, a town hall meeting cosponsored by Environmental Advocates of New York, the National Wildlife Federation, Center for Environment and Population, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, SUNY Albany Women’s Studies Dept. and Campus Action. Campus Center Assembly Hall, SUNY Albany. 7:30PM-9:30PM. Contact Julie Starr, jstarr@nwf.org or 802-229-0650.