SierraActivist

Sustainable Jersey Training: “Funding Your Town’s Green Projects” March 20

Dennis — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:42:26 +0000

GREEN TEAMS…

the power behind municipal sustainability

SUSTAINABLE JERSEY

COMMUNITY PARTNERS INITIATIVE

NJ CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM

URBAN COAST INSTITUTE-MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

MONMOUTH COUNTY COOL CITIES

PARTNERSHIP

Invite you to

GREEN TEAM TRAINING – Part III

“FUNDING YOUR TOWN’S “GREEN” PROJECTS

Saturday, March 20, 2010

8:30 am – 12:30 PM

Monmouth County Agricultural Building

4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold

Take home SJ certification information, Tools, Resources, Updated Grant information to help your town fund its “green” projects.

To register, please email Marie Savoia, MCCCP Chair

At mjsavoia@comcast.net

Indicate name, email address, phone no., town represented.

For more information visit Sustainable Jersey.

Sierra Club Creating New Hydrofracking Activist Team – You’re Invited!

Comment Period Extended to March 12 – Alert: The Delaware Water Gap and Appalachian Trail Threatened by Powerline – Speak Out!

Dennis — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:35:49 +0000

Delaware River, originally uploaded by joiseyshowaa.

The National Park Service has extended the deadline for comments to next Friday, March 12 (see below).

The link to the original alert:

Alert: The Delaware Water Gap and Appalachian Trail Threatened by Powerline – Speak Out!

Fw:

National Park Service
Delaware Water Gap NRA & Appalachian National Scenic Trail News Release
Release date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Contact(s): Kara Deutsch, 570-426-2491

Transmission Line Public Scoping Comment Period Extended

BUSHKILL, PA – Superintendent John J. Donahue and Superintendent Pamela Underhill have announced that the National Park Service has received a request to extend the public scoping comment period for the Susquehanna to Roseland Transmission Line Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), scheduled to end on March 5. Due to the high level of public interest in the project and importance of public opinion to help determine the development of the EIS, the National Park Service has decided to accept the request and extend the public scoping comment period for 7 days, ending on March 12, 2010.

Public participation is specifically required in the preparation of an EIS. The EIS will analyze a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives; evaluate potential issues and impacts to the resources and values of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail park units, and identify mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.

There are numerous ways for the public to provide comments on the public scoping phase of the planning process, including leaving a message on the Park Planning Information Telephone Line (570-426-2491), submitting comments online through a link on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment site, http://parkplanning.nps.gov (select Appalachian NST or Delaware Water Gap NRA), or by mailing comments to:

National Park Service
Attention: DEWA PPL EIS Planning Team
Denver Service Center-Planning Division
P.O. Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225-0287

Your comments will be considered as we develop the EIS. Please note that names and addresses of people who comment become part of the public record. We will make all submissions from organizations, businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses available for public inspection in their entirety. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this at the beginning of your comment.

Detailed information about the need for the EIS and the project timeline can be found on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment site: http://parkplanning.nps.gov.

Video: Gas Drilling Lobby Day in Albany

Dennis — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:50:12 +0000

On January 25, environmental activists and concerned citizens from across New York State gathered in Albany to rally and speak with legislators about the dangers of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Gas drilling companies plan to use a controversial technique called hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas trapped in the Marcellus Shale. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” involves pumping millions of gallons of water and toxic chemicals at high pressure into each well, and it poses a serious threat to our water, air, and ecosystems in the Marcellus region. The rally and lobby day were both a huge success and drew over 600 people from across New York State.

Alert: Protect New York’s Water from Gas Drilling!

Dennis — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:38:34 +0000

Originally uploaded by DSchvejda

From Environmental Advocates of New York:

The natural gas industry is eager to drill in New York State using a risky technique called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” Fracking has the potential to endanger our drinking water and will turn parts of New York into industrial drilling zones.

Click here to tell Governor Paterson and the Department of Environmental Conservation to revise New York’s draft natural gas drilling guide and protect our water.

Fracking requires millions of gallons of water and hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals—many of which are toxic. Some are known carcinogens. To learn more about fracking, click here. In other parts of the country, fracking and industrial gas drilling have spilled toxic chemicals and poisoned water supplies.

Last fall, New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation issued a dangerously inadequate draft plan to guide industrial gas drilling. Nearly 13,000 concerned citizens weighed in on the draft because it’s weak and won’t protect our water. It doesn’t:

ban using toxic or carcinogenic chemicals in the fracking process that could travel into our water supplies;
identify areas where gas drilling should NOT take place (i.e. the New York City or Skaneateles watersheds, endangered species habitat, etc);
account for the fact that New York currently has no wastewater treatment plants that can safely treat the wastes that fracking creates.
evaluate the environmental impacts of drilling on a large scale;
propose hard and fast rules or regulations but relies on language such as should, could or may to describe how drilling will be overseen.

To read Environmental Advocates of New York’s full comments on the State’s draft plan, click here.

To protect our drinking water and New York’s environment, the State must revise the draft plan and give the public a chance to review the revisions before it’s final. Click here to tell the Governor and the Dept of Environmental Conservation that New Yorkers need another chance to comment on the drilling guide.

Thank you.

Katherine Nadeau
Water & Natural Resources Program Director
Environmental Advocates of New York

Alert: Save 0ur State Parks Day – March 3, 2010

Dennis — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:12:57 +0000

Minnewaska State Park, originally uploaded by rzernitsky.

From Parks & Trails New York:

57 State Parks to Close Due to Budget Shortfall

Save 0ur State Parks Day – March 3, 2010

55 parks will close unless you speak out!

Meet, call, write, or e-mail your legislators on March 3 – Save Our State Parks Day

Imagine if 56 million people-the number of park visitors last year-contacted their legislators to protest park closings.

If we all act, we can win the battle to keep parks open.

Please be part of this historic day.

Here’s how:

Come to a rally in Albany at noon
Visit legislators – don’t worry, you’ll be part of a team
If you can’t come to Albany, you can still participate by calling or emailing your assembly member and senetor on March 3 – let’s tie up their switchboards and flood their inboxes!

We’ll be sending you more details next week. But for today, please put March 3 on your calendar.

Here’s the tentative schedule for Save our State Parks Day on March 3

9:00-9:15         Arrive & enjoy coffee and bagels
9:15-9:45         Orientation
10:00 – 11:00 Meetings with legislators
11:00                 Press conference
12:00                 Save Our State Parks Rally at the Capitol
1:00 – 3:00      Meetings with legislators
3:00 to 4:00   Debriefing

Random Posts

Twitter EnviroNews – February 25, 2010

Dennis — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:03:52 +0000

Thursday, February 25, 2010 Twitter EnviroNews links.

Effort to win National Park designation for Hudson Valley region advances. Cuts at Allegany State Park would save NY State $171,000… risking $62 million in local economic impact.

NJ: The real smart growth: Freezing zoning undermines planning http://ow.ly/1bgdG #njenviro

Syracuse Post-Standard Letter’s to the Editor (5): Save New York’s parks http://ow.ly/1bg1c

PA: ‘Unauthorized’ wastewater hearing brings flowback feedback http://ow.ly/1bfTQ

Second round of NY State parks closures surfaces, says Assemblyman Cahill http://ow.ly/1bfQc

New York State Police prepping for gas drilling vehicles http://ow.ly/1bfMp

Listening to Traffic in the Hudson Valley – solar powered traffic monitoring http://ow.ly/1bfmc

RT @patbumstead: RT @NESASK: A Redpoll visiting today http://twitpic.com/159s3m / What a super shot!!

Delaware River dredging opponents lose another round http://ow.ly/1bf4u

RT @OrionGrassroots: New #schoolgarden project from Edible Schoolyard coming to New York http://ow.ly/1bf2w #urbanag #localfood #education

RT @flxpermaculture: Movie: “My Name is Allegany County” Wed, March 10, Elmira http://ow.ly/1beP0 #permaculture #flxpc

NJ: Jobs, fish-kills concerns at Oyster Creek hearing http://ow.ly/1beqT #njenviro

RT @_paulagreen: Vanguard Energy Partners Helps Sussex County, NJ, Towns Turn To Solar Energy: http://ow.ly/1becY #njenviro

NJ Highlands: Mahwah seeking Sustainable New Jersey certification http://ow.ly/1bdIf #njenviro

RT @oscHIKING: Winter survival basics – ReporterHerald.com http://ow.ly/1bdGU

NY: Delaware County Supervisors oppose park closure http://ow.ly/1bdDE

Public opportunity to take part in Finger Lakes National Forest archaeology excavation for the first time this June http://ow.ly/1bdoH

Effort to win National Park designation for Hudson Valley region advances http://ow.ly/1bdgC

Rep. Pallone tells N.J. fishermen that fisheries “science is broken” http://ow.ly/1bdda #njenviro

RT @singraham: Pic of the Day: Nubble Light, Cape Neddick, ME http://ow.ly/1bd7g Great camera test!

@campingblogger @eliochiavola @healinggarden @klsnature @skilletcreek Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

@healinggarden That was unexpected, but appreciated! Outside work today will be shoveling!

@klsnature Thanks! The only outside work I’ll do today is shoveling!

Time to Protect Kids From Toxic Pesticide Drift – Only 8 days remain to contact EPA http://ow.ly/1bcKW

We’ve Been Saying This for Years: Coal Ash is Dangerous! – 31 new water contamination sites across 14 states http://ow.ly/1bcI9

Father of Environmental Justice Movement Speaks at NJ’s Drew University http://ow.ly/1bcEd #njenviro

@skilletcreek It’s been my understanding the local communities are fighting to keep the parks open ($$), but the state wants to close them.

N.J. Assemblyman McKeon blasts Gov. Christie on freezing Highlands funding http://ow.ly/1bcwu #njenviro

RT @screek: My Photo For The Day “Northern Flicker” http://ow.ly/1bctq

@Fissionary U.S. Dept. of Energy states no particulates from cooling towers, just steam.

Cuts at Allegany State Park would save NY State $171,000… risking $62 million in local economic impact. http://ow.ly/1bcqB

Oyster Creek nuclear plant hearings focus on costs of N.J.-sanctioned cooling towers http://ow.ly/1bcbr #njenviro

A federal study to consider Hudson River Valley as a National Park area includes 25 state parks scheduled to be closed. http://ow.ly/1bbZi

RT @ShowMeNature: Just sittin’ & dreamin’ of going back to #Alaska! http://ow.ly/1bboK #travel #nature #photography

Sustainable Towns: A Former NJ Maplewood Mayor Shows the Way http://ow.ly/1bbeT

RT @NYNJTrailConf: Do You Take trails for Granted? | http://ow.ly/1bbcR | Get individual/family memberships and enjoy retailer discounts…

Consumers Have Little Awareness of Smart Grid and Smart Meters http://ow.ly/1bb77

RT @CatskillsCyclng: Big Indian-Margaretville Epic Bike Race in the works http://ow.ly/1bb2x A race like few others and one to remember!

RT @CWFNJ: Check out our “Rare wildlife of NJ” group on Flickr to see great photos of endangered and threatened species! http://ow.ly/1baQ3

No Farms No Food rally set for March 15 in Albany http://ow.ly/1baNI

RT @MeghanVanDykDR: NJ: Morris County’s solar project cited as a national model http://ow.ly/1baMb #njenviro

@NYNJTrailConf @PSUmarcellus Thanks for the RTs!

FoodNYC starts at NYU – ways to bring healthy, sustainable practices to New York City http://ow.ly/1baHz

RT @PTNY: New York State’s plan to close Fort Ontario has local residents up in arms http://ow.ly/1baFO

RT @ToddBBatesAPP: Acting #NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin posts bio info and message to #DEP staffers: http://ow.ly/1baxM #njenviro

Farmers Fighting for Their Health: Taking on Chemical Companies and Transitioning to Sustainable Agriculture http://ow.ly/1bat5

RT @CNYhiking: Park closings wrong way to fight budget deficits… http://ow.ly/1baoH

Natural gas workshop to be held for NY farmers http://ow.ly/1bacC

RT @pathways: Implications for the Clean #Water Act: Study finds post-restoration wetland succession highly variable http://ow.ly/1ba5L

Coal-Fired Power on the Way Out? If all states energy efficient as NY, energy saved = 80% of country’s coal power plants. http://ow.ly/1ba1z

RT @ecosphericblog: Ten seconds of your time can help protect the Tongass & some of the last old-growth trees in Alaska. http://ow.ly/1b9N9

NY, Delaware County – Wildlife finds new home thanks to local efforts http://ow.ly/1b9M1

RT @CNYhiking: Town supervisor regarding park closing, “Give it to us for a dollar, and we’ll maintain it and develop… http://ow.ly/1b9EN

PA: Dozens turn out to oppose gas drilling in Matamoras in Wayne County http://ow.ly/1b9DA

RT @oscHIKING: Hike of the week: NY – Ward Pound Ridge Reservation – NorthJersey.com http://ow.ly/1b9uK #hiking

RT @CNYhiking: How much will it cost to save NY State and historic parks? http://ow.ly/1b9q4

@stopgasdrilling Appreciate the update about Delaware/fracking water hearing… very good news!

@ParksTraveler Alaska Officials Considering Proposal To Kill Predators in National Parks Without Park Service Approval http://ow.ly/1b9go

RT @raganella7: Stop Shell and Protect the Arctic Refuge: http://ow.ly/1b8YA via @nrdc

RT @CNYhiking: Towns could help save NY State parks: “Even in good times, park needs have been neglected.” http://ow.ly/1b8St

@NYCWW In my experience giving towns env authority creates “inconsistency” issues. (Lack of enforcement!) Who will be the watchdog?

NYC aims to limit reservoir-related flooding in region http://ow.ly/1b8HP

@Fissionary Appreciate environmental concerns… will look into salt issue and post tomorrow on SierraActivist.org… will let you know

RT @LoveCanal2020: Well and stream contamination confirmed near PA’s S.B. Elliott State Park from gas drilling operations http://ow.ly/1b8wa

@healinggarden Thanks! Looking forward to Spring, my healing garden is my own, great for the body and soul! http://bit.ly/dl36xA

NYC DEP builds new system to improve reservoir management http://ow.ly/1b8bK

@WitchinWebs Acadia is a great park! I’ve visited several times. One of my Maine sons hikes there with his family at least once a month!

@AndyArthur @JanPattersonRN @kaijahelmetag @NYCWW @NY4P @shawnstruck @stopgasdrilling Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Alert: Support National Monument Designation for Utah’s San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa!

Dennis — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:19:49 +0000

San Rafael Swell, Utah, originally uploaded by Uncle Kick-Kick.

From Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance:

You’ve probably heard news of possible national monument designations for Utah’s San Rafael Swell and Cedar Mesa, and of the ensuing furor from some Utah officials who don’t want federal protection for these special places. The outcry comes despite the fact that over the last 100+ years, presidents from both political parties have designated national monuments in Utah. Many were initially controversial, though they resulted in the long-term protection of some of our most iconic and beloved landscapes, including Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef – all of them now national parks. More recently, President Clinton designated the 1.9 million acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the chagrin of powerful coal mining interests. Many in the Escalante area now enjoy the benefits of the nearby monument, which draws visitors from around the world.

Attempts by Utah’s Senator Bennett and Representative Bishop to exempt Utah from the Antiquities Act are misguided. The lands in question are already federal and lie under the clear authority of the BLM to administer in the national interest.

Cedar Mesa and the San Rafael Swell are being considered for monument designation because their national significance been recognized for decades. Both are included in America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act and SUWA is working to provide them with the highest form of protection: wilderness designation. We are doing this by continuing to push for passage of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act in Congress and through constructive dialogue with local leaders, the Utah congressional delegation, and congressional champions of redrock wilderness. For example, over the last year in Emery County (which encompasses most of the San Rafael Swell), we have been meeting and taking field trips with county officials and other stakeholders, resulting in productive discussions about potential wilderness legislation. If conservationists and county officials can reach an agreement over wilderness designation, we believe those lands would be taken out of consideration for national monument designation. Officials in San Juan County, where Cedar Mesa lies, have also indicated an interest in developing wilderness legislation.

Please send Secretary Salazar a message today asking him to use his considerable authority under the law to protect Utah’s wild landscapes and help move wilderness designation forward.

Thank you,

Richard Peterson-Cremer
Legislative Director
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

Twitter EnviroNews – February 24, 2010

Dennis — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:52:25 +0000

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Twitter EnviroNews links.

Alert: Gas Driller Wants Delaware Water – DRBC Public Hearing TODAY! (info & how to send written comments). Texas mayor reflects on Marcellus visit (A Good Read!). Alert: Speak Out for Cooling Towers on Oyster Creek! Public Meetings Info & Send Comments to NJDEP.

Debate opens on NJ state mandate for Oyster Creek cooling towers http://ow.ly/1aPri

Alert: Gas Driller Wants Delaware Water – DRBC Public Hearing TODAY! http://ow.ly/1aPj8 (info & how to send written comments)

RT @mauricehinchey: House Resources Committee passed my bill to determine if Hudson River Valley can become part of NPS http://ow.ly/1aP5a

Trout Unlimited Opposes Monongahela NF Gas Drilling: Marcellus Shale drilling would destroy Eastern brook trout habitat http://ow.ly/1aOZc

Amy Goodman: Cracking Down on Fracking http://ow.ly/1aOTQ

RT @stopgasdrilling: Off to the DRBC meeting soon will try tweeting from there. Pls sign and retweet this petition: http://ow.ly/1aOI4

Greater Philadelphia Outdoor Sports Show to celebrate the great outdoors indoors http://ow.ly/1aOja

WNED: NY Marcellus Shale Gas Extraction Raises Health Concerns http://ow.ly/1aObU

Utah Senators seek to block more Utah national monuments http://ow.ly/1aO9a

NY Bill would give towns authority over wetlands and ease burden, costs for state http://ow.ly/1aO0A

RT @Wilderness: Name a gas that isn’t as clean as you think. That would be natural gas muddying water, air and land: http://ow.ly/1aNPe

RT @healinggarden: Latest TLN Blog post: “New ASLA Healthcare & Therapeutic Design Newsletter, chock-full of good stuff!” http://ow.ly/1aNCx

RT @watershedpost: Texas mayor reflects on Marcellus visit http://ow.ly/1aNAB (A Good Read!)

Editirial: Buy a Coke, save a park? It could happen in Idaho http://ow.ly/1aNsB

Hunter Mountain via Spruceton Horse Trail: A winter hike up Hunter Mountain after a fresh layer of snow. @AndyArthur Photo Essay (Terrific!)

RT @greenwatchdogNY: Great editorial on parks closures from the Buffalo News — save a pittance, lose a LOT: http://ow.ly/1aNgd

RT @UCSUSA: Restoring the Office Of Technology Assessment ensures Congress sound tech advice when making policy decisions http://ow.ly/1aMqn

RT @ToddBBatesAPP: New blog post: NJ DEP “Red Tape Review” gears up; state loses OPRA case http://ow.ly/1aMiW #njenviro

Pa Driller admits to dumping 200,000 gallons of waste next to Allegheny National Forest http://ow.ly/1aMeO

RT @pressconnects: Spills of drilling chemicals worry experts; Transport, disposal said to be greatest risks. http://ow.ly/1aM2i

NY Cong Candidate Reed opposes EPA authority to use Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act to regulate gas drilling http://ow.ly/1aLWP

A new perspective on how to keep our state parks open http://ow.ly/1aLOG

RT @PTNY: Check out this great TU cartoon by DeRosier regarding NY park closings http://ow.ly/1aLKv

Towns in NJ Highlands could be hurt by state budget cuts http://ow.ly/1aLzi #njenviro

RT @nat_parks_news: National park visits boom – Deseret News http://ow.ly/1aLxb

Amidst gorillas, NJ photographer finds the perfect picture – portrait of silverback displayed in Smithsonian http://ow.ly/1aLuG

NY Landowners rejecting plan for gas pipeline – 9 miles of remote private property to be “taken.” http://ow.ly/1aLqD

RT @Wilderness: Less oil and gas drilling on public lands? It’s about the economics, not the regulations. http://ow.ly/1aLdn

LTE: Recent letter regarding the NJ Highlands Act is just a fairy tale http://ow.ly/1aKPP #njenviro

RT @CWFNJ: Read about our new Terrapin Project in this weeks The Sandpaper: “Discouraging Terrapin Roadkills… http://ow.ly/1aKzx #njenviro

RT @screek: Photographing Snow Geese And Criminals http://ow.ly/1aKtp More Photos: http://ow.ly/1aKuy #birding

RT @raganella7: Save our living museums from budget cuts! @BklynBotanic @NYBG http://ow.ly/1aKlR

Alert: Support Rooftop Solar Energy! http://ow.ly/1aJRv Unlike Desert-Killing Industrial Solar, No negative impact on wildlife & wild spaces

NY: Catskills Belleayre Ski Center lays off 59 http://ow.ly/1aJP3

More NY parks may be on chopping block http://ow.ly/1aJLo

RT @adktrailhead: News: Essex County Supervisors: Leave Fire Towers Alone http://ow.ly/1aJFF

RT @JimGilbertPhoto: Snow Goose approaching… http://flic.kr/p/4wEeuh #birding

Earth Times: Consumer “New Frugality” May Be an Enduring Feature of Post-Recession Economy http://ow.ly/1aJyU

Court Orders NJ DEP To Release Documents on Industry Lobbying on Science Board http://ow.ly/1aJv4 #njenviro

RT @CNYhiking: Fuzzy Math when it comes to New York State Parks…. http://ow.ly/1aJta

NJ Highlands: Sussex County preserves Hudson Farm Greenway in Byram Township as open space http://ow.ly/1aJow #njenviro

NY Appliance Swap Out program extended – Availability of funds will aid more consumers http://ow.ly/1aJlt

RT @NYNJTrailConf: NJ Cross-Country Ski Pick: High Point State Park | Trail Conference: http://bit.ly/bUbJzh Snow, Get ready…

Alert: Save Our Honeybees… Save Our Food! Urge EPA to suspend nicotinyl insecticide use. http://ow.ly/1aJhz Please RT!

N.J. DEP must release names of 108 candidates for Science Advisory Board http://ow.ly/1aJcK #njenviro

EPA fines military for underground petroleum storage tank violations at West Point http://ow.ly/1aJb9

RT @Lake_Champlain: State of Washington proposes to abolish Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and State Parks Commission http://ow.ly/1aJ5O

NY DEC Announces Wildlife Rehabilitator Examination – Friday, April 16 at NY State DEC Regional offices http://ow.ly/1aIVQ

N.J. environmentalists urge Gov. Chris Christie’s support for Highlands preservation http://ow.ly/1aISo #njenviro

RT @NJHighlands: 222 Acres Preserved in Byram for Recreation and Conservation: http://ow.ly/1aILU #njenviro

NY DEC Accepting Applications for Environmental Excellence Awards – http://ow.ly/1aIKj

Delaware River dredging project is set to begin http://ow.ly/1aIHz #njenviro

RT @AndyArthur: RT @CabotCoop Dairy farmer realizes his dying wish and saves his land. http://ow.ly/1aIFy

N.J. Superfund cleanup subcontractor is sentenced to nearly three years for kickbacks http://ow.ly/1aID2 #njenviro

NY DEC announced 3 public meetings to discuss Lake Ontario fisheries… Niagara, Monroe and Oswego counties during March http://ow.ly/1aIBP

RT @njhiking: Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Bergen County – hike info, photos, video: http://ow.ly/1aIyQ #hiking #nj

RT @thehikingcenter: County exec: Sponsors could save NY state parks http://ow.ly/1aIxd

NY: Public Comment Period Extended For Draft Jessup River Wild Forest UMP http://ow.ly/1aIn4

RT @CNYhiking: Bear Mountain State Park is #2 in our Top 25 New York State Park Hiking Destinations. http://ow.ly/1aIlH #hiking

Dish mayor, industry pub trade words over gas drilling air pollution http://ow.ly/1aIfJ

EPA’s Jackson: Senate Face Off with Climate Change Skeptics – The drama comes to a boil in Congress this week http://ow.ly/1aIdE

Alert: Speak Out for Cooling Towers on Oyster Creek! Public Meetings Info & Send Comments to NJDEP http://ow.ly/1aIaZ #njenviro

Oyster Creek nuclear plant faces scrutiny at N.J. hearing about cooling towers http://ow.ly/1aIa1 #njenviro

RT @LoveCanal2020: Enviro Group Returns Oil and Gas Industry’s Fire Over Access to Public Lands – NYTimes.com http://ow.ly/1aI5M

New Zealand Stirs Controversy With Mining Plan – Government proposes opening National Parks to mining! http://ow.ly/1aI4h

RT @ToddBBatesAPP: New blog post: New wind map for New Jersey, support for tapping wind http://ow.ly/1aHUK

Greene County man named Catskill Center for Conservation and Development Executive Director http://ow.ly/1aHTj

@eliochiavola @jimlegge @mgaryhanson @NaturalBornHike Thanks for the RTs and Mentions! 7:10 AM Feb 24th via HootSuite

Alert: New York State Residents Urge Your Legislators to Sign Sen. Serrano Letter Opposing Park Closures!

Dennis — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:46:12 +0000

Thatcher State Park

From Catskill 3500 Club:

Governor Paterson plans to close dozens of New York’s State Parks and Historic Sites. The plan would save a few million dollars but in a $134 billion executive budget it is an insignificant amount, and ignores the economic activity that parks generate. New York’s beautiful parks and historic sites attract visitors from out of state who spend millions of dollars, creating jobs and generating local and state sales tax revenue.

This plan may actually cost New York more than it saves!

A full list of parks targeted for closure can be viewed at: http://www.adk.org/pdf/Park_Closure_List.pdf

If you would like to weigh in to help keep your favorite state park or historic site open:

State Sen. Jose Serrano, chair of the Senate state parks committee, and Assemblyman Steve Englebright, chair of the Assembly state parks committee, have asked their colleagues to sign letters opposing the park closure plan. Time is of the essence, so please call or e-mail your state Senator and Assembly member and ask them to add their names to these letters.

Senator Serrano’s sign-on letter: http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senator-serrano-urges-leaders-restore-state-parks-funding

Find contact information for your Assembly member: http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem

Find contact information for your Senator: http://www.nysenate.gov/?OpenForum

Carol S. White
Conservation chair, Catskill 3500 Club

Random Posts

Twitter EnviroNews – February 23, 2010

Dennis — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:42:02 +0000

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Twitter EnviroNews links.

Sierra Club’s dilemma on natural gas and Marcellus Shale. Close NY’s Thacher Park? Don’t Even Think About It! (extensive photos and text highlight park’s importance and history). Marcellus drilling creates new world – “If you love the rural aesthetic …, you are in for a very unpleasant surprise.”

RT @PSUmarcellus: NPR story about the Sierra Club’s dilemma on natural gas and Marcellus Shale: http://ow.ly/1akDz

Energy Industry Reps Greet House Fracking Probe With Shrug http://ow.ly/1akwk

Trekking With Wolves – snowshoe & bushwhack trails & lakes of Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota http://ow.ly/1akrp

Close NY’s Thacher Park? Don’t Even Think About It! (extensive photos and text highlight park’s importance and history) http://ow.ly/1aklS

Haynesville Research Questions Shale Gas Economics http://ow.ly/1akoc

60 things scientists are talking about – annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science http://ow.ly/1akcY

PA Pocono Record Editorial: Air your views on gas drilling at Pike County hearing Wed Feb 24 http://ow.ly/1ak5R

@mgaryhanson @NYNJTrailConf @PSUmarcellus @Swanny203 Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Man bikes across Lake Superior recording sounds of shifting ice http://ow.ly/1ak0P #cycling

RT @THECCPL: Please consider signing this petition to help the affected residents of Pompton Lakes, NJ living in toxins – http://ow.ly/1akRe

RT @OrionGrassroots: Mobilizing the Grassroots for a Greener New England – April 11 – Waltham, Mass http://ow.ly/1akLW #grassroots #green

Interior Sec’y assures Utah governor no land grab is planned http://ow.ly/1ajW0

Marcellus drilling creates new world – “If you love the rural aesthetic …, you are in for a very unpleasant surprise.” http://ow.ly/1ajM1

NY: Delaware County princess promotes dairy awareness http://ow.ly/1ajHh

First shale gas permits approved by DRBC in Delaware River Watershed? Public Hearing Wed, Feb. 24 http://ow.ly/1ajAB

Ruffed Grouse – Wild Chicken of the Adirondacks http://ow.ly/1ajwm #birding

Natural gas drilling forum on March 6, Stroudsburg PA http://ow.ly/1ajkg

RT @Kolibrix: An Interview with Alan Contreras, Author of Afield: Forty Years of Birding the American West http://ow.ly/1aj99 #birding

NY Legislators say park cuts could cost money, hurt region http://ow.ly/1aj7b

The Lady and the Sharks: An Evening with Legendary Ichthyologist Eugenie Clark – New York Academy of Sciences, March 29 http://ow.ly/1aiYQ

Hudson River Watershed Database, Mapping Project available to public http://ow.ly/1aiRq

Watertown Daily Times | Green group gives N.Y. Democrats high marks http://ow.ly/1aiIb

New season of hawks via Philadelphia Franklin Institute webcam http://ow.ly/1aiFw #birding

NY Parks in Peril: Taxpayers stand to lose a lot in proposed closings – park tourism generates $5 on every dollar spent http://ow.ly/1aire

RT @ecomotown: My visit to @plaidpiperfarm in Sussex co. to talk with grass farmer Paul Dalrymple – video too http://ow.ly/1aim3 #njenviro

NJ East Coast Greenway #cycling #hiking trail via Hackensack R. portal bridge project Public Meeting Rescheduled – Mar 24 http://ow.ly/1aigz

League of Conservation Voters latest congressional scorecard gives NY State Capital Region legislators a solid B+ http://ow.ly/1ai8Z

Central Jersey Watershed group issues environmental warning http://ow.ly/1ai7n #njenviro

High-speed rail plans for New York take shape http://ow.ly/1ai5c

NY Senate Passes One Clean Energy Bill, Another Pending http://ow.ly/1ahWk

NJ Vineland Daily Journal Editorial: Delay Delaware dredging until concerns are addressed http://ow.ly/1ahVi #njenviro

Poughkeepsie Journal, NY: Local Congress members tops on environment http://ow.ly/1ahQH

RT @cindycap: Twitter will start advertising platform next month. http://ow.ly/1ahNM

NJ Highlands: West Milford to unveil new construction permitting policy http://ow.ly/1ahKg #njenviro

N.J. Senate eases wind turbine limits in Atlantic City http://ow.ly/1ahvU #njenviro

@NaturalBornHike just posted over 200 wildlife and scenery photos from the state of #Florida – great pics! http://ow.ly/1ahs5

RT @CNYhiking: 5-Year Texas State Parks Study Reveals Interesting User Insights http://ow.ly/1ahkt

N.J. climbers explore lesser-known mountains, hard-to-reach peaks http://ow.ly/1ahhL #njenviro #hiking

NJ DEP Protecting Polluters, Not People – Pompton Lakes and Paterson cases examined in detail http://ow.ly/1ahfh #njenviro

Roadless Protection: Still Alive, Still Under Attack – March brings Roadless Rule’s day in court, but threats loom http://ow.ly/1ah97

10 members of “Generation E” working for cleaner Earth – Working, changing, dreaming & building in Syracuse & Central NY http://ow.ly/1ah3l

@WatershedPost Climbing Hunter Mountain – blog post about @AndyArthur ’s weekend hike with link to photos http://ow.ly/1ahdh #hiking

Hudson Valley House members get good grades on environmental issues http://ow.ly/1agWQ

RT @LoveCanal2020: Get on the bus! Free ride Wed from Neshaminy Mall, Bensalem PA at noon to protest natural gas drilling http://ow.ly/1agJL

@mgaryhanson Gary, same to you! Good day to be inside – we have a mix of snow and rain just west of NYC with all snow north and west.

RT @kate_sheppard: Jackson: EPA Climate Regs Coming in 2011 http://ow.ly/1agGS

RT @LoveCanal2020: Gas Drillers Plead Guilty to Felony Dumping Violations – ProPublica http://ow.ly/1agE4

RT @MeghanVanDykDR: New blog post: Go outside: Mt. Tammany Water Gap winter hike http://ow.ly/1agBY #njenviro #hiking

@NYCWW @WitchinWebs Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Alert: Support Rooftop Solar Energy!

Dennis — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:22:48 +0000

Rows of panels in the 250-kW rooftop array in Cary, N.C., originally uploaded by Progress Energy.

From: Center for Biological Diversity

If we are to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, we must rapidly transition away from all forms of fossil fuels.

While Congress debates whether a proposed 20-percent renewable electric standard is too high, what we really need is a 100-percent renewable electric standard. It’s an ambitious target, but with existing technology we can likely meet it — we have to.

Unfortunately, some of the best sources of clean, renewable energy — such as solar and wind — can be extremely land-intensive, and when poorly sited can have unacceptable impacts on wildlife and habitat. While directing industrial-scale projects to already disturbed and fragmented lands can go a long way toward blunting their negative impacts, there is one place (really millions of places) where solar panels can be deployed with absolutely no negative impacts on wildlife and wild spaces: our rooftops.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has introduced legislation that would greatly aid in the expansion of rooftop solar energy in the United States. His “10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010″ would help fund the installation of solar panels on 10 million American homes and businesses as well as the installation of 200,000 solar water heaters. This would produce about 30,000 new megawatts — the equivalent of about 30 nuclear power plants — and help put us on the path toward a truly green energy economy.

The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that there is sufficient roof space in the United States to meet 20 percent of our electricity needs simply by installing solar panels. Moreover, because rooftop solar generates electricity in cities and towns where it is actually used, new long-distance power lines are not needed to bring it from a generating facility in the desert or prairie to the consumer.

The legislation’s cosponsors include Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.).

Please take a minute and contact your senators and encourage them to join as cosponsors of the “10 Million Solar Roofs 5 and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010″ to help our country move toward green energy.

Twitter EnviroNews – February 22, 2010

Dennis — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:55:23 +0000

Monday, February 22, 2010 Twitter EnviroNews links.

Gas Pipelines under our feet: 100 federal inspectors each monitor 20,000 miles “Congress says greater oversight needed.” DISH, Texas mayor tells 600 at Elmira Heights Theater: Take local control of NY State gas drilling.

RT @MeghanVanDykDR: Man pulls monster musky from NJ’s Lake Hopatcong. http://ow.ly/1a5RM

Maine: Hundreds ‘take it outside’ at Aroostook State Park http://ow.ly/1a5Os

Missouri Botanical Garden opens Center for Biodiversity Informatics http://ow.ly/1a5ze

RT @WitchinWebs: The Albany Project “Throwing our State Parks Off a Cliff” http://ow.ly/1a5wO

Dish, Texas mayor shares cautionary tale with New York about natural gas drilling http://ow.ly/1a5pP

RT @healinggarden: Came across this article again. It’s an oldy (Jan ‘09) but goodie: “Gardening is Good for the Soul.” http://ow.ly/1a59F

Gas Pipelines under our feet: 100 federal inspectors each monitor 20,000 miles “Congress says greater oversight needed” http://ow.ly/1a55j

RT @adkalmanack: Adirondack Brook Trout: Our Vanishing Heritage: Nobody knows how many varieties of brook trout once… http://ow.ly/1a4XY

Please Retweet and Sign this Petition ‘Save New York State Parks!’ – http://301.to/hn6

RT @WitchinWebs: Petition ~ Sign to Save NYS Parks slotted for closure by Gov. Paterson http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/SaveNYSParks

Obama decisions on wildlife raising environmentalists’ ire http://ow.ly/1a4MW

Water waste a kink in New York shale gas future http://ow.ly/1a4Kl

RT @NPSYouth: Adventure of the Ridge Runners. Read blog about adventures of roving educators & researchers of Acadia NP. http://ow.ly/1a4H3

His Holy Grail? A perfect photo of a dancing reddish egret http://ow.ly/1a4EM #birding

DISH, Texas mayor tells 600 at Elmira Heights Theater: Take local control of NY State gas drilling http://ow.ly/1a4BF

Of New Jersey’s invasive species, the starling’s story is perhaps the strangest http://ow.ly/1a4wL #birding #njenviro

View bleak for NY State parks http://ow.ly/1a4aD

RT @NJHighlands: Green Equals Green – http://ow.ly/1a467- A good env equals a good economy. You can’t have one without the other. #njenviro

To Drill or Not to Drill: A Dilemma for New York State http://ow.ly/1a414

@AboutInsects @dendroica @MeghanVanDykDR @NYNJTrailConf @ryanstruck @Swanny203 @ToddBBatesAPP @wildobs Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Plan to truck PA hydrofracking wastewater to NY’s Finger Lakes shelved, for now http://ow.ly/1a3MF

Eagle-watching On The Hudson http://ow.ly/1a3Ag #birding

PA Hunting: ‘Deer audit’ recommends Game Commission release population estimates http://ow.ly/1a3q9

NY-PA trail blends recreation, conservation – 230-mile path to connect Williamsport and Rochester, N.Y. http://ow.ly/1a35V #cycling #hiking

NY Legislators say park cuts could cost money, hurt region http://ow.ly/1a2Xj

Natural gas leasing workshop Friday at New York Farm Show http://ow.ly/1a2M4

In Western Wyoming, Gas Industry Faces Crossroads http://ow.ly/1a2JB

World’s Biggest Companies Cause $2.2 Trillion in Environmental Damage http://ow.ly/1a2Gk

Congress Considers Fracking Regulation Amid Hodgepodge of State Drilling Rules http://ow.ly/1a2AE

RT @CNYhiking: A website with everything Finger Lakes…. http://ow.ly/1a2vt

The 25th annual New York Farm Show opens this Thursday at the State Fair Grounds in Syracuse. http://ow.ly/1a2oM

@MeghanVanDykDR: Morristown has first “sustainability coordinator” http://ow.ly/1a2hw #njenviro

NJ Activists take Palasades Cliff development to court http://ow.ly/1a1YB #njenviro

RT @adktrailhead: News: NY: Support for Point au Roche State Park organizing http://ow.ly/1a1QE

@ToddBBatesAPP Hazards of road salt begin to get attention http://ow.ly/1a1JL #njenviro

New Jersey DEP Continues to Search for an ATV Track Site http://ow.ly/1a1o4 #njenviro

New Jersey fights onslaught of natural invaders – feral pigs, oyster diseases & rogue flowers… http://ow.ly/1a1fX #njenviro

NJ: Key to saving Barnegat Bay is on land, scientist says http://ow.ly/1a198 #njenviro

RT @adktrailhead: News: Crown Point State Historic Site spared from NY budget axe http://ow.ly/1a15d

NJ: Training Ocean County students to protect Barnegat Bay http://ow.ly/1a0ZK #njenviro

RT @NPCA: #nationalparks create green jobs & local jobs. Email Congress & ask to increase funding for the parks http://ow.ly/1a0Ur

RT @greenwatchdogNY: Sorry, park’s closed, #NYSenate to pass enviro friendly bills & more in The [Green] Capitol Insider: http://ow.ly/1a0Ni

National Park Service holds line to protect Delaware Water Gap from power line http://ow.ly/1a0DF #njenviro

RT @NPSYouth: Calling all Boy Scouts! Become a Scout Ranger. Earn a patch. Find out more at http://ow.ly/1a0yp

WANTED: 15 progressive landowners needed for innovative project to protect New Jersey bats. All expenses paid. http://ow.ly/1a0nX #njenviro

NJ: Cross-Country Skiing for Physically Disabled Individuals at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center http://ow.ly/19ZON

RT @CNYhiking: Letchworth State Park is #3 in our Top 25 New York State Park Hiking Destinations. http://ow.ly/19ZGA #hiking

PA DEP budget decreases except for drilling inspectors http://ow.ly/19Zv5

RT @GoParks: Today is the day: Guns are now permitted – but not necessarily welcomed – in national parks http://ow.ly/19ZmA LATimes article

Wanted: Votes for Favorite Jersey Beach – njtoptenbeaches.org http://ow.ly/19Zhp

RT @AndyArthur: Hunter Mountain Photos. http://ow.ly/19YXO (Plenty of nice pics!) #nyhiking

RT @adktrailhead: Campfire Links: NY State Park Closure list is half the truth http://ow.ly/19YQG

NJ Highlands: William Honachefsky of Clinton Twp. thinks Highlands Plan is proper, needed http://ow.ly/19XDt #njenviro

RT @LCVoters: Now online: 2009 LCV National Environmental Scorecard http://ow.ly/19YE8

N.J.’s clean-energy advocates fear job losses http://ow.ly/19Xvy #njenviro

NJ Gov Christie slams Delaware dredge plan http://ow.ly/19Xn7 #njenviro

RT @michaelsola: the latest attacks on the Clean Air Act are heating up, new info on NWF.org clarifies. Pls RT & stumble http://ow.ly/19Xcv

NY: Preservation group says Belleayre resort proposal continues to threaten economy, environment http://ow.ly/19X2f

RT @NJHighlands: Highlands funding cut spurs talk of ‘dismantling’ act – http://ow.ly/19WWM – “The well has gone dry.” #njenviro

RT @birdchaser: amazing video–traditional wolf hunting with a Golden Eagle http://ow.ly/19X05

NY: Catskill Resort plans scaled back – Developer of complex near Belleayre ski center cuts number of hotel, condo units http://ow.ly/19WSW

RT @campingblogger: AZ Park closures present new set of security challenges http://ow.ly/19WdY

NY: Texan warns Sullivan County about gas drilling http://ow.ly/19W6d

Hiking group looks beyond mere survival http://ow.ly/19VJy (NY/NJ Trail Conference) #hiking

RT @NYNJTrailConf: The Bear Mountain Trails Project | To those who move rock…we salute you! | Trail Conference: http://ow.ly/19VEr

RT @WildNewJersey: New Coldwater Conservation School at Stokes State Forest http://ow.ly/19RWz #njenviro

NY – Delaware County: Hobart’s strategy as a ‘book village’ begins to pay dividends as growth occurs http://ow.ly/19RSw (visit Bibliobarn!)

@AndyArthur @jimlegge @NMbiz OrionGrassroots @sunkislandbirds Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Alert: Speak Out for Cooling Towers on Oyster Creek!

Dennis — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:46:24 +0000

From NJ Chapter Sierra Club:

Oyster Creek is the oldest running nuclear power plant in the country. Not surprisingly, its cooling technology is antiquated.

Water from the Barnegat Bay, is circulated through the plant cooling its systems, and then returned directly to the Bay. The artificially heated water kills fish and pollutes the bay. The Barnegat Bay deserves the best available technology and that means requiring cooling towers at the plant.

Oyster Creek is permitted to produce energy for another 19 years, we can’t let them put off cooling towers any longer. The current corporation has already put off constructing cooling towers for 10 years. Learn more about the fight for cooling towers.

Come speak out at a public hearing on the DEP permit to require cooling towers!

Wednesday, February 24 from 1-4pm and 7-9pm

Lacey Township Municipal Building, 818 West Lacey Road, Forked River

AND

Wednesday, March 3, from 1–4 pm

DEP Public Hearing Room, 401 East State Street Trenton

Click here to send your comments to the DEP via email and RSVP to the hearing!

Thanks for your support,
NJ Sierra Club Staff

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Water from the Barnegat Bay is circulated through the plant to cool its systems, and then returned directly to the Bay. The artificially heated water kills fish and pollutes the bay. The Barnegat Bay deserves the best available technology and that means requiring cooling towers at the plant. Here are some key points for you to mention in your comments:

1.7 billion gallons of Barnegat Bay water gets sucked into and passes through Oyster Creek’s antiquated cooling system every day. This is 2.8% of the total volume (60 billion gallons) of Barnegat Bay per day and over 790% of the bay per year.
Effects on the bay are serious. Circulating bay water through the plant is literally straining the life from the Barnegat Bay. The documented negative effects include: massive destruction of shellfish larvae, fish eggs, and plankton, large fish kills, and the release of biocides into the bays. The water returned to the bay is 110 degrees, significantly altering the ecology of the bay.
Cooling towers should be built in three years, not seven. The DEP permit would give Exelon seven years to construct cooling towers. This is too long; it can and should be done in less time. The requirement for cooling towers as the best technology has been up since 1972. When Exelon purchased the plant 10 years ago, they were well aware of this issue. There is no more time for extra time. Exelon must complete construction as swiftly as possible.
Cooling towers are not cost prohibitive. Exelon’s argument against cooling towers is cost. Exelon is the world’s second most profitable energy company. Cooling towers will cost approximately $150 million, according to industry consultant. Exelon makes $200 million in pure profit on the plant every year. Considering they also purchased the plant for a steal – only $10 million – the costs of ethical and environmentally-friendly business are not out of their reach.
Requiring cooling towers would create jobs. Constructing cooling towers would create jobs for an additional 200-300 workers at the plant for 2 to 3 years. In addition, cooling towers would protect the jobs created by the bay, including commercial and recreational fisherman, marinas, bait and tackle shops etc.

Twitter EnviroNews – February 19, 2010

Dennis — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:14:52 +0000

Friday, February 19, 2010 Twitter EnviroNews links.

Could more Wilderness be the answer for struggling rural economies? The official NYS Park Closure list has been released

Leaving for the Catskills, back online Monday. Have a great weekend everyone!

RT @Wilderness: Good story… RT @sourceweekly Could more Wilderness be the answer for struggling rural economies? http://ow.ly/19auH

@AndyArthur @BigBlendMag @campingblogger @healinggarden @LoveCanal2020 @NEMWIUpperMiss @NaturalBornHike @tourpro Thxs for RTs & Mentions!

Recreational and commercial anglers stand side-by-side to protest federal fisheries law http://ow.ly/198j8

RT @stopgasdrilling: River of the Year A Target of Gas Drilling..DRBC meeting this Tuesday, Feb. 24th http://ow.ly/198C6 http://ow.ly/198Di

Bald Eagle Patrols NJ’s Hackensack River http://ow.ly/198gG #birding

RT @LoveCanal2020: Drillers illegally dump frac fluid down abandoned wells in Allegheny Forest How many don’t get caught? http://ow.ly/197l6

RT @PTNY: The official NYS Park Closure list has been released http://ow.ly/198rW

RT @NYCParks: This Weekend In NYC Parks http://ow.ly/197hN

RT @PTNY: Save John Boyd Thacher state Park–Sign the petition http://bit.ly/aFIkFu http://ow.ly/196ZI

House panel to investigate hydraulic fracturing – hazard to human health, tainting drinking water & harming environment http://ow.ly/196rZ

RT @Laelaps: RT @iescience Online Course in Science Journalism http://ow.ly/196ps – FREE course by World Federation of Science Journalists

NJ: Public unanimously speaks against power towers at hearing http://ow.ly/196hV #njenviro

Officials attest to N.J.’s farming might http://ow.ly/196bE #njenviro

Congress stepping into environmental debate raging in NY, PA and other states using “fracking” to drill for natural gas. http://ow.ly/1964V

RT @NPCA: RT @BigBlendMag Hear about National Park 2010 priorities with @NPCA Ron Tipton on Nature Connection radio 2day! http://ow.ly/1962k

NJ: Critical “SAVE PARAMUS WETLANDS” Update http://ow.ly/195Wo #njenviro

RT @OrionGrassroots: Study links gas drilling to a mud volcano that left a moonscape and 60,000 homeless in Indonesia: http://ow.ly/195SX

Is flowback and waste from gas drilling radioactive? http://ow.ly/195KC “…the idea that there is no risk, …is far from the truth.”

LI Pine Barrens Society Planning Protest of Gov. Paterson’s Budget Cuts Affecting Long Island http://ow.ly/195lr

NJ: Sustainable Landscape Design Comes to Fair Lawn http://ow.ly/195a5 #njenviro

NYSSA Rallies Against Proposed ‘Raid’ on Snowmobile Trail Fund http://ow.ly/19582

RT @adktrailhead: Buzz: OSI protects 1,400 acres http://ow.ly/194R8

Texas mayor warning about nat gas drilling “I would like it to be a win/win situation here (NY), In Texas, it’s win-lose” http://ow.ly/194GU

RT @MargaretKinney: NJ Gov’s hiring of gubernatorial Tweeter draws criticism http://ow.ly/194u9 @TrendTracker via @BenGiovine #gov20 #sm

RT @EarthShare: Live in NJ? Tix for EarthShare Celebrates NJ on sale! Learn how you can support conservation http://ow.ly/194lW #njenviro

RT @USFWSNortheast: Check out the annual Friends of Cape May National Wildlife #Refuge meeting March 3 at 7pm – http://ow.ly/19450 #njenviro

Delaware Water Gap Power tower foes gave comvincing criticisms for Park Service http://ow.ly/193XI #njenviro

Do oil and gas “boomtowns” attract sex offenders? New Study published in Conservation Biology journal says yes. http://ow.ly/193TG

Arizona to spend $1.4 million to CLOSE state parks! http://ow.ly/193Ob

RT @NEMWIUpperMiss: Study for the UN: World’s top firms cause $2.2 trillion in environmental damage http://ow.ly/193Ai

RT @dendroica: New blog post: Loose Feathers #226 http://ow.ly/193tW (Terrific summary of the week’s top birding and enviro news!) #birding

RT @GoParks: The federal government will lift long-standing restrictions on guns in national parks Monday http://ow.ly/193ps (WaPo article)

EPA Recovery Act Projects Yield Cleaner Water (highlight… Syracuse, NY water system) http://ow.ly/193cs

Sustaining Forests Webcast, Feb 23, Habitat Usage by Forest Birds in Forest Interiors & Clearcuts: http://ow.ly/1936K

RT @CNYhiking: Exploring the Appalachian Trail in New York… http://ow.ly/1931V #hiking

RT @wildlifeaction: Urge Congress to protect our drinking water from hydraulic fracturing! http://bit.ly/bgEBJe

RT @NEMWIUpperMiss: CEQ proposes 4 steps to modernize National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) http://ow.ly/192Yw

RT @NEMWIUpperMiss: Scientific American article: EPA gearing up to tighten old storm water rules http://ow.ly/192Ww

NJ Highlands: Strategies to protect public drinking water by West Milford Municipal Utility Authority (MUA) http://ow.ly/192OQ #njenviro

New York submits comments on Hudson River dredging project http://ow.ly/192LG

NJ: Great Backyard Bird County at Wallkill Refuge http://ow.ly/192JY #birding

NJ: Cabela’s still waiting for word from Meadowlands Xanadu http://ow.ly/192vO

Shale gas gambit pits NY neighbor against neighbor http://ow.ly/192rf

The Cult of Birds http://ow.ly/192nf #birding

RT @ToddBBatesAPP: New blog post: Millions at risk if facilities release highly toxic chemicals http://ow.ly/192iI #njenviro

RT @CNYhiking: Causeway Work at Minnewaska to Close Two Trails for Three Weeks Beginning Feb. 22 http://ow.ly/192fm #hiking

RT @CNYhiking: Hudson Highlands State Park is #4 in our Top 25 New York State Park Hiking Destinations. http://ow.ly/192cN #hiki

RT @Earthyman: New Jersey garden show offers a burst of spring in Edison http://ow.ly/192aD

NJ: Workshops will teach you to build rain barrels http://ow.ly/1925I #njenviro

NJ Highlands: Locals discouraged by power line decision http://ow.ly/1920E #njenviro

NJ Transit director says fare hikes would come with job cuts to reduce costs http://ow.ly/191Uw #njenviro

NJ: Cumberland County freeholders reconsidering whether to move forward on an open-space plan http://ow.ly/191LJ #njenviro

NY: Clarence acts to preserve green space – Board OKs funds for 119.5-acre parcel – Hundreds of acres protected: http://ow.ly/191HB

NJ Subsidizing Oil and Gas Pipelines That Cross State Lands http://ow.ly/191CU #njenviro

RT @LoveCanal2020: Marcellus Shale Drilling: Air Quality Issues- Fri Feb 19 7PM High School Auditorium Elk Lake School, Dimock PA

NJ: Bill would dedicate funds to Island Beach State Park http://ow.ly/191oW #njenviro

Reps. Waxman (D-CA) & Markey (D-MA) send letters to firms seeking answers on Fracking http://ow.ly/191mr #frac

NJ: Is This “State of the Art” In Air Pollution Control? http://ow.ly/191in #njenviro

RT @tracksandtrails: Hiking world wide as seen on twitter – http://ow.ly/191ea – map in real time.

Don’t change indoor air testing policy in New Jersey, environmentalists say http://ow.ly/191ar #njenviro

Effects of Texas Drilling – Mayor says gas drilling has cost the town as much as it’s gained http://ow.ly/19199

NY: Catskill Belleayre project alive and well http://ow.ly/19178

RT @alisonpetsky: RT @CNYhiking: The Finger Lakes Trail End to End Guide – Helpful Info for Backpackers and Hikers http://ow.ly/1912v

RT @PSUmarcellus: RT @WayneTT: Hess Corp. offers deals to Damascus Area and Preston Area schools for natural gas drilling http://ow.ly/1911x

RT @JonSabel: #Chase is bankrolling the destruction of American mountains. Take action at http://www.DirtyMoney.org. #coal #RAN

N.J. Assembly committee postpones vote on water-quality management rules http://ow.ly/190XN #njenviro

@AndyArthur @campingblogger @mgaryhanson @NaturalBornHike @njhiking @ParksTraveler Thanks for the RTs and Mentions!

Alert: Save Our Honeybees… Save Our Food!

Dennis — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:34:01 +0000

Honeybees, originally uploaded by BugMan50.

From the Sierra Club:

Without the honeybees that pollinate one-third of U.S. crops, those of us who enjoy eating would be in a lot of trouble. Unfortunately, “colony collapse disorder” has decimated honeybee populations, and no one knows for sure what’s causing it. One possible factor, as documented in the film Nicotine Bees, is nicotinyl insecticides (also known as neonicotinoids). Now, huge agribusiness corporations have acquired patents to coat their proprietary seeds with these neonicotinoids, which are extremely persistent and end up in pollen and in droplets of water on leaves.

The Sierra Club Genetic Engineering Action Team (one of the many teams in our new Activist Network) has asked the EPA to suspend use of nicotinyl insecticides until it can obtain scientific evidence that their effects are not causing harm to America’s honeybees. So far, the EPA has declined to act. You can help by sending a message to Congress.

SierraActivist

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