THE GREEN SHEET

Vol. 9 - No. 5
May 2004

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

Get Smart

New York State loses an average of 174 acres each day to development. During the past 30 years the population of the New York City metropolitan area has grown 13 percent while the urbanized area has increased 60 percent. A recent Brookings Institute/Cornell University study, Sprawl Without Growth: the Upstate Paradox, looked at upstate growth patterns for the 15-year period between 1982 and 1997. It reports that the amount of urbanized land increased 30 percent, while the population grew just 2.6 percent. Even in Central New York, where the population actually declined, over 100,000 new acres were developed. The quality of life impacts are dire: lost farmland, more vehicle miles traveled.

Some communities are acting to control sprawl and preserve their character. In the town of Bethlehem, an Albany suburb, the first Democrat in a century was elected supervisor after running on a smart growth platform. Town Supervisor Theresa Egan has already succeeded in winning a one-year moratorium on new building permits. But that is just a start. Increasingly, the search is on for an anti-sprawl program that could work for towns across the state.

One model exists on Eastern Long Island, where the five towns of the Peconic Bay region banded together in the late 1990s to create a community preservation fund to buy and protect open space, develop parkland and preserve historic sites. The towns received permission from the state Legislature to hold a local vote on a plan to divert up to 2 percent of the real estate transfer tax to the proposed fund. The voters agreed and the program is now a success.

In an effort to extend the same opportunity to other communities across New York, Environmental Advocates of New York is working with Assemblymember Thomas DiNapoli and Senator Carl Marcellino who have just introduced the Community Preservation Act in the state Legislature. Both lawmakers chair the Environmental Conservation Committees in their respective houses. The legislation, A.10053 in the Assembly and S.6949 in the Senate, would serve as a template for towns seeking badly needed community preservation funds. Once the state law is passed and signed into law, voters would be able to decide whether or not to create a local fund using transfer tax-generated revenue. Recent history shows it is a plan that can work. For more information, contact Anne Reynolds at 518-462-5526 ext. 238 or areynolds@eany.org.

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On the Alert

♦Dump Idea: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants to allow nuclear and mixed waste to be disposed of in dumps that are not licensed for radioactive materials. The plan would redefine radioactive materials, no matter what their source (nuclear power, weapons, naturally occurring or other), based on EPA-calculated and projected risks. The new category of nuclear materials would supposedly not need radioactive regulatory controls. But the EPA does not consider all the potential health effects of radiation and hazardous materials in estimating the risks. EPA’s new rule also threatens to preempt and supercede existing state laws that prohibit nuclear waste in solid waste landfills or other sites. Comments on the rule are due by May 17 and can be emailed to: a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov, Attn: Docket OAR-2003-0095, or uploaded to EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/radiation. Also contact EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt and encourage him to withdraw EPA’s proposed action (leavitt.michael@epa.gov or US EPA, 1101A, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington, DC 20460). For more information, contact Diane D’Arrigo, Nuclear Information and Resource Service, at dianed@nirs.org or 202 328-0002 ext. 16, or visit: www.nirs.org.

♦Pool Report: A resolution currently before the state Legislature (K.1725) would call on the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to require the fortification of the spent reactor fuel stored at New York’s six nuclear power reactors. The high-density pools that house the used-up fuel contain some of the largest concentrations of radioactivity on the planet. The pools at the controversial Indian Point plant are housed in unfortified buildings that lack the means to contain a radioactive release. Hardened On-Site Storage (HOSS) can minimize the danger of a fuel pool fire, and should be required of the nuclear plant’s owners. Contact Sen. Carl Marcellino and Assemblymember Paul Tonko and urge them to pass K.1725. For more information, contact Christine Vanderlan, EANY, at 518-462-5526 ext. 234 or cvanderlan@eany.org.

♦Next Steps: The EPA has narrowed the field of possible locations for dewatering facilities for the Hudson River’s PCB Superfund cleanup to three. Two additional sites are listed as suitable but not recommended. The three are in the towns of Fort Edward, in Washington County, Schaghticoke, in Rensselaer County, and Bethlehem, in Albany County. The EPA will hold a series of public information sessions in May on the proposed dewatering facilities, and will accept public comment from May 3 through July 1, 2004. For more information go to www.epa.gov/hudson.

♦Mercury Movement: Comments are due by May 21, 2004 on DEC’s Draft Standards for the Management of Elemental Mercury and Dental Amalgam Wastes at Dental Facilities. Send comments to Jeffrey C. Schmitt, P.E., Director, Bureau of Solid Waste, Reduction & Recycling, Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials, NYS DEC, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-7253, or email: dshmwrr@dec.state.ny.us. Read the draft online at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshm/redrecy/mercdent.htm. Contact David Higby, EANY, at 518-462-5526 ext. 239 or dhigby@eany.org for more information.

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For Your Information

♦Fields of Vision: New York’s recently enacted brownfields law will be the focus of three public information meetings hosted by the Departments of Environmental Conservation, Tax and Finance, and Health. The sessions will cover the Brownfield Cleanup Program, associated tax credits, and soil cleanup objectives. For more information, visit: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/bfield/bcpmeet.html. In addition, funding for environmental projects, including the Brownfield Opportunity Areas program, will be the focus of 10 public information meetings being held across the state in late April and early May. For information on these meetings, visit: www.dos.state.ny.us/cstl/pdfs/2004_Workshops.pdf. Call Tim Sweeney, EANY, at 518-462-5526 ext. 235 for more information. (See The Month Ahead for dates, times and locations.)

♦Back to the Garden: The NYC Parks Department has been running its GreenThumb program since 1995. The largest community gardening program in the country, GreenThumb supports over 600 member gardens. All GreenThumb gardens offer public programs and are open to the public a minimum of 10 hours per week. To find a garden near you, visit: www.greenthumbnyc.org. For more information, email: admin@greenthumbnyc.org or call 212-788-8070.

♦High Drama: A 12-minute documentary film on New York City’s High Line, produced and directed by John Zieman, can now be viewed free online at www.thehighline.org. The High Line offers an overview of the elevated track in lower Manhattan, its history and the movement to save it. It includes footage of the structure’s rail deck and interviews with NYC Council Speaker Gifford Miller, actor Edward Norton, and others. To purchase the film, email Rick Little: rick@thehighline.org.

♦Climate Concerns: Green House Network, in partnership with Clean Air-Cool Planet and Massachusetts Climate Action Network, is hosting a conference to help build the movement to stop global warming. The gathering, to be held July 23-25, in Boston, MA, will have the dual focus of speaking and organizing around the issue of climate change. Applications are due May 20. For more information, visit: www.greenhousenet.org or email help@greenhousenet.org.

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Activists' Corner

Good Friends: Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers (FBNR) is a regional river advocacy organization dedicated to improving community access to an ecologically healthy, heritage rich, economically sustainable watershed. FBNR began as a citizen’s advisory group for the DEC Remedial Action Planning Process during the late 1980s. In 2000, a strategic planning process led FBNR to expand beyond the Buffalo River watershed to include the entire US side of the Niagara River watershed.

Active partners with local municipalities, agencies and non-profits, FBNR’s accomplishments include the creation of eight new waterfront parks and habitat areas, the adoption of a 100’ building setback along the Buffalo River and bi-national watershed cleanup events. Current projects include the relicensing of the Niagara Power Project.

To contact Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers, call 716-881-1217 email: info@fbnr.org or visit: www.fbnr.org

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The Month Ahead

May

1: Neighborhood Greening Workshop, presented by Canopy, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County and the Syracuse Dep. of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs. This workshop is for anyone who wants to organize or participate in an effort to beautify and energize a neighborhood by cleaning it up, planting trees and flowers, growing gardens and creating attractive greenspaces. Curtin Auditorium, Onondaga County Central Library, Syracuse. 9:00AM-12:00PM. Free and open to public, but space is limited. To sign up, call 424-9485 ext. 0.

2: Landscape Pesticides: Risks and Alternatives, sponsored by Audubon Greenwich. Forum on risks that widespread cosmetic use of lawn and garden pesticides pose to human and environmental health, and what do-it-yourself homeowners, landscape professionals, concerned citizens and public decision-makers can do to reduce these risks. Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich, CT. 3:00PM-5:00PM. Free admission; donations accepted. Reservations recommended. Call 203-869-4272. Directions at http://greenwich.center.audubon.org.

3: Hudson River Ecosystem Restoration Community Forums, sponsored by Scenic Hudson, cosponsored by EANY and others. Learn about the restoration of Hudson River resources injured by PCBs. Marist College, Performing Arts Rm. (C346), Student Center, Poughkeepsie. 6:30PM-9:00PM. Also: 5/5, Saratoga Springs Spa Park Administrative Bldg., Saratoga Springs, 6:30PM-9:00PM. Call Rich Schiafo at 845-473-4440, ext. 274 or email: rschiafo@scenichudson.org.

3: Public information meetings on the availability of funds under the Brownfield Opportunity Areas Program, Environmental Protection Fund, the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, and the Land & Water Conservation Fund (see FYI). Harlem State Office Bldg., 163 West 125th St., 8th Fl., NYC. Also: 5/4, Planting Fields Arboretum, Horticultural Center Bldg., Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay; 5/5, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Museum and Library, The Henry A. Wallace Visitor Ctr., 4079 Route 9/Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park; 5/6, Saratoga Spa State Park Admin. Bldg., Saratoga Springs; 5/7, Dulles State Office Bldg. 11th Fl., 317 Washington St., Watertown.

4: Seminar on energy lessons learned from August 2003 blackout, part of Albany Law School’s Goverment Law Center’s Warren M. Anderson Legislative Breakfast series. Assembly Parlor, Capitol, Albany. 8:00AM-9:00AM. Call 518-445-2329.

8: No Pesticides Day, sponsored by the Westchester County Dept. of Health and many environmental groups. Visit: www.westchestergov.com/health.

8-14: Capital District Bike Week. Visit: www.nybc.net for full listing of events.

8: Fishing for Justice VII, sponsored by Arbor Hill Environmental Justice Corp. and the W. Haywood Burns Environmental Education Center. Enjoy a day of family activities and environmental education. Island Creek Park, Albany. 10:00AM-3:00PM. Call Rodney Davis at 518-463-9760.

8: Riverfest, sponsored by Rockland Friends of Clearwater and Friends of the Nyacks. Celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Hudson, enjoy deliciously prepared shad, exhibits and entertainment. Nyack’s Memorial Park. 12:00PM-4:00PM. Contact Sonia Cairo at 845-358-2134.

8: The Living Earth Celebration. Crandall Park, Glen St., Glens Falls. 12:00PM-8:00PM. Call 518-744-0192 or email: earthdayadk@yahoo.com.

8: Great Swamp Canoe Trip, sponsored by the Putnam County Land Trust. Green Chimneys Beach, Doansburg Rd., Brewster. Trips are at: 8:45AM, 10:30AM, 1:15PM and 3:00PM. Fees vary. Call Judy Terlizzi at 845-228-4520 for reservations.

10-11 & 13-14: Non-toxic Pest Management for Schools and Municipalities, sponsored by the NY Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides. This event will provide superintendents of buildings and grounds, maintenance staff, pest control professionals, health and safety staff and others with the information and training needed to reduce the use of pesticides in schools and municipal environments. 5/10 (8:45AM-12:45PM) & 5/11 (1:00PM-5:00PM): Aurora; 5/13 (8:45AM-12:45PM) & 5/14 (1:00PM-5:00PM): Albrookin Vo-Tech Center, Albany. Space is limited. $5 before 5/7; $10 after 5/7. NYS DEC Applicator Recertification Credits may be awarded to certified participants. Call Pam Hadad-Hurst at 518-369-9665.

12: Brownfield Cleanup Program public meetings (see FYI). Monroe Community College, Building 3, Campus Center, Monroe A & B, Rochester, 12:30PM-4:30PM. Also: 5/19, Empire State Plaza, Concourse Level, Meeting Rooms 1-3, Albany, 12:30PM-4:30PM; 6/8, The Graduate Center, CUNY, Recital Hall, 365 Fifth Ave., NYC, 12:30PM-4:30PM.

13: Breast Cancer Forum, sponsored by Assemblyman Joel Miller and hosted by Breast Cancer Options. To register, contact Hope at 845-657-8222 or hope@breastcanceroptions.org.

14: Central Park Traffic-Calming Demonstration, organized by Times Up!. A positive demonstration of what the park could look like without cars. 6th Ave. and 59th St. entrance. 6:00PM. Also 5/21, Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Visit: www.times-up.org.

15-16: Cattaragus Creek/Zoar Valley cleanup, sponsored by Zoar Valley Paddling Club as part of National River Cleanup Week. Sign up to take a canoe ride down the Cattaraugus and help clean up the creek. 14452 Rt. 219 south of Springville. 10:00AM–6:00PM (5/15); 11:00am-6:00PM (5/16). Party to follow on Sunday. Register by calling Don Shelters at 716-257-9750, or email: lum-pee@worldnet.att.net.

18: New York Stakeholder Meeting of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The DEC and PSC are holding this meeting to gain input for a regional program to control emissions of carbon dioxide from power plants in the Northeast. DEC, 625 Broadway, Room 129, Albany. 10:00AM-3:00PM. Visit: www.rggi.org.

18-20: Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Assessment Short Course. Learn map analysis, air photo interpretation, and field techniques for identification and protection of ecologically important habitats in the Hudson Valley. Designed for land-use decision - makers. Millbrook. 8:00AM-5:00PM. Contact Laura Heady at 845-876-7200 or heady@bard.edu. Will be repeated 9/21-23.

19: Public hearing on the state’s draft Hazardous Waste Facility Siting Plan (original hearing rescheduled due to inclement weather). Lewiston-Porter Senior High School Auditorium, 4061 Creek Road, Youngstown, Niagara County. 6:00PM. The comment period on the draft plan has also been extended from April 19, 2004 to May 19, 2004. Call Glenn Milstrey at 518-402-8612 or Deborah Aldrich at 518-402-8730.

19: Mid-Hudson Sierra Club Speaker Social. Charles Lazin will discuss geothermal and solar energy, and show how to build solar panels. Jewish Community Ctr., 110 Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie. Free. 7:30PM. Email: bibis@j uno.com or call 255-5528.

23: Riverkeeper’s 2004 Shad Festival. Celebrate the revival of the Hudson River, while participating in environmental and sporting activities on the banks of the Hudson River. Boscobel Mansion, Garrison. 12:00PM-5:00PM. Purchase tickets online at https://secure.ga3.org/05/shadfest04. Email info@riverkeeper.org or call 845-424-4149 ext. 231.

25: Tour de Sol Celebration and Awards Ceremony. See and try out the latest green vehicles, learn about prototype vehicles built by students and environmentally friendly energy and transportation options. Lower Manhattan. Visit: www.nesea.org.

25-26: 2004 Quality Communities - Quality Coasts - Smart Growth Conference, sponsored by NYS and Audubon NY. Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany. Visit: www.dos.state.ny.us/cstl/Conference_2004/Conference_Home.htm.

26: Legislative Hearing on Great Lakes issues by the NYS Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and the Legislative Commission on Water Resource Needs. Rochester. Contact David Higby, EANY, at 518-462-5526 ext 239 or dhigby@eany.org.

June

3: How to Go Solar, a seminar for building and homeowners presented by NY Energy Smart, Solar Works and others. Shaker High School, Latham. 12:00PM-4:00PM. To register, call 518-439-3771.

10-11: Civil Society, Environmental Responsibility, and Sustainable Development In The United States and Brazil, presented by Pace University. World Trade Institute of Pace University, 163 William Street, NYC. Call 212-346-1035 or visit: www.wti.pace.edu/brazilconference.

11-12: 2004 Annual Land Trust Conference, sponsored by the Land Trust Alliance and partners. Join land trust practitioners, public agency professionals and allied conservationists for two days of inspiring and educational workshops, speakers and field trips. Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs. Call 518-587-0774 or visit www.lta.org/training.

19-20: The Great Hudson River Revival 2004, sponsored by Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Featuring Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams, SONiA, Toshi Reagon, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Deni Bonet, The Nields, Sol y Canto, Guy Davis, Entrain, Vance Gilbert, Shemeika Copeland, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Dan Zanes and more, plus dancing, crafts, storytelling, children’s area and a Green Living Expo. Croton Point Park. Visit: www.clearwater.org. Call 845-454-7673 for reservations.

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THE GREEN SHEET
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Environmental Advocates of New York.
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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

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