Earth Day Cleanup Huge Success Posted on Jun 08, 2009 by ldriscoll
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DEC Confirms Presence of Didymo in Esopus Creek Posted on Jun 02, 2009 by ldriscoll
DEC recently announced that didymo, a destructive invasive species of aquatic algae, has been confirmed in the Esopus Creek in Ulster County. This is the first known presence of this algae, also called "rock snot," in the Esopus and the third confirmed location in New York State. The Esopus is a popular recreational waterway for fishing, kayaking and tubing, and is a drinking water source for New York City.
Map showing the Schoharie and Ashokan Reservoirs and the Shandaken Tunnel and Esopus creek which connects them
Didymo has been found in the Esopus below the Shandaken Tunnel in Ulster County.
DEC collected samples and confirmed the presence of didymo in the vicinity of several public access sites along a 12-mile stretch of the Esopus from the "Shandaken Portal" (which transfers water to the Esopus from Schoharie Reservoir) to New York City's Ashokan Reservoir.
Didymo's Impact
Unlike many other aquatic invasive plants, didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) grows on the bottom of both flowing and still waters. It is characterized by the development of thick, gooey mat-like growths, which can last for months, even in fastflowing streams. In addition to making footing difficult, didymo can impede fishing by limiting the abundance of bottom-dwelling organisms that trout and other fish species feed on. No methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body are currently known.
Spotting Didymo and Preventing its Spread
Didymo mats look like brown or white fiberglass insulation or tissue paper (see Common Aquatic Invasive Species). While didymo appears slimy and stringy, it feels rough and fibrous-similar to wet wool-and does not fall apart when handled. Previously, didymo had been confirmed in the Batten Kill in Washington County near the Vermont border and in the East and West branches of the Delaware River.
A mat of didymo on streamside vegetation
Didymo forms thick mats on stream bottoms and smothers bottom-dwelling organisms.
"The presence of didymo in another popular New York waterway highlights the crucial need for people to be diligent in preventing the spread of invasive species," Commissioner Grannis said. "Invasives can have a devastating impact not only on the environment but also the economy. I urge all outdoor enthusiasts to help out by adopting the 'Check, Clean and Dry' method for limiting the accidental transport of didymo and other invasive species from infected waterways to uninfected water bodies."
See DEC's Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species web page for information on stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species of all kinds, including didymo.
Source: NYS DEC Newsletter
Fish on Drugs Posted on May 29, 2009 by ldriscoll
Fish on drugs
Toronto Sun
CHRISTINA BLIZZARD
May 25, 2009
Discarded pharmaceuticals are threatening health of the Great Lakes
Water, water, everywhere.
But is it fit to drink?
Trent University professor Tom Whillans still keeps a copy of a newspaper headline from 1978: "Lake Erie dead," it proclaimed.
We've certainly shown progress cleaning up the sensitive Great Lakes basin since then, he says.
"One of the problems we have is complacency. People think that we have changed things a lot. It's OK now.
"Well, it's not. It's just a heck of a lot better than it was."
Whillans is involved in Great Lakes rehabilitation, especially in remedial work that has been done on the 40 chronically polluted "areas of concern," that were identified as in need of cleanup.
He's also a Canadian adviser to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
"There are major successes and there are also major areas that still need attention," he said. So far, two Canadian sites have been delisted as areas of concern -- Collingwood and Severn Sound. Hamilton has also shown great progress in addressing some of its problems.
"It has huge problems that are associated with 200 years of abuse and you don't solve those things in 10 years," Whillans said.
One of the big improvements is in sewage management, especially phosphorous, which is the nutrient that causes the most reactions in the biology of the lake.
It was the focus of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement signed in 1972.
"All of the lakes are showing signs of having recovered from that," Whillans said. While there have been improvements in most urban areas, there are still concerns about rural sources such as agriculture.
Dave Ullrich, is a spokesman for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative. Founded by Toronto Mayor David Miller and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, the organization is made up of mayors from 62 cities around the Great Lakes, 38 Canadian and 24 in the U.S.
Ullrich says federal and provincial governments need to step up the the plate when it comes to rebuilding municipal infrastructure systems to deal with sewage.
"Cities on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence were some of the earliest settled. There are a lot of old sewers in those cities, built many years ago and for a smaller population and when not so much of the shoreline was paved," he points out.
A 2006 study done by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency across the eight Great Lakes states showed a $73 billion wastewater infrastructure deficit.
As well, new and emerging chemicals are developed every day and no one knows what environmental impact they will have on the Great Lakes. He's hoping some of the economic stimulus money that has been pledged on both sides of the border will go into building better sewer systems to better treat the waste that's dumped into the lakes.
"Our cities are interested in, and moving forward with, aggressive water conservation programs," Ullrich said.
"We think that even though we have the largest body of surface water in the world, that we need to be good stewards of it."
One big headache is the ever increasing amount of pharmaceuticals and personal care products that are finding their ways into our lakes and rivers.
Trent University professor Chris Metcalfe says that in 2003, pharmaceuticals were detected in various parts of the Great Lakes.
They are most likely to be found in Hamilton and Toronto harbours, or off the various rivers that flow into Lake Ontario.
Non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprophen are found most frequently. Occasionally, prescription drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, heart medication and antidepressants have been detected.
There are also fears about the effects birth control pills and estrogen may have on fish species.
Even if pills aren't dumped into the wastewater system, estrogen passes easily through the human body and into the sewage system. Scientists worry about the effect of birth control pills and estrogen on fish species. While the drugs have only been found in small quantities, they are very potent drugs, Metcalfe points out.
"Certainly our previous work has shown that in some locations in the Great Lakes you have some evidence of feminization of fish," Metcalfe said.
The active ingredient in birth control pills, as well as natural estrogen and some chemicals that can mimic estrogen, may all be contributing to the feminization of fish, Metcalfe said. The reproductive organs of male fish become deformed to the point where the species may not be able to reproduce.
"There is enough information starting to come in now that some populations of fish are starting to be impacted by pharmaceuticals," Metcalfe said.
"We studied the white perch and we noticed that the gonads, the reproductive tissue of the male, had some immature egg cells in them which are indicative of feminization."
Fragrances that are used in perfumes, underarm deodorants, detergents, as well as antibacterial compounds added to toothpaste and mouthwash have also been found.
He says European countries have invested heavily in wastewater treatment and Canada needs to do the same.
"That's a difficult thing, because all municipalities are strapped for cash. But I think both provincial and federal governments have a responsibility to make sure that municipalities are treating waste water to the greatest extent.
And he warns consumers to be careful how they dispose of unwanted or out-of-date medication. Don't dump it down the toilet.
"There is more call now for more programs to safely dispose of out-of-date drugs or drugs that people don't need.
"Some municipalities across Canada have begun to start up programs for the safe disposal of drugs," he said.
We drink from our Great Lake water. We fish in it. Sometimes we swim in it. It is our pure, clear lifebood.
We need to be sure we are good stewards of this precious liquid. It's in short supply, and the stocks are dwindling.
This information is posted for nonprofit educational purposes, in accordance with U.S. Code Title 17, Chapter 1,Sec. 107 copyright laws.
For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for
purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use," you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
Source: Great Lakes Environmental Directory
ADK Expo Posted on Mar 20, 2009 by ldriscoll
Have you ever wanted to just try a canoe or kayak but didn't know where to go? Have you ever wondered if there was a club with your outdoor interests? Here's your chance!
The Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club is hosting the 12th Annual Outdoor Expo on Saturday June 13th from 9:00 - 4:00 on the beach at Mendon Ponds Park.
The Genesee Valley Chapter has organized this event with YOU in mind! Just come see what you can do in the Rochester area! Demonstrations, discussions and activities will be offered all day on a wide variety of outdoor related topics. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with people that share the same interests as you all in one location! The annual Expo attracts hundreds of people who attend more than twenty workshops on various aspects of outdoor activities. Attendees also view and inspect outdoor gear and try out canoes and kayaks on the Hundred Acre Pond. ADK, other local outdoor clubs, and local outdoor retailers present all of the events.
Source: Genesee Valley Chapter of ADK
Saving Energy at School Posted on Mar 18, 2009 by ldriscoll
Tips for Implementing a School-Wide Energy Efficiency Program
Are you interested in launching a school-wide energy efficiency program? Use these ten steps from the Alliance’s Green Schools Program to get you started.
Step 1. Identify an Energy Efficiency "champion" who knows the school system well and can provide the vision and initial drive to get the program started. The champion finds internal support for the program, identifies and convenes partners, promotes activities, and troubleshoots problems.
Step 2. Establish a Green Schools team within the school building. Involving teachers, custodians, principals, students and even parents will enhance the program's reach and effectiveness.
Step 3. Build partnerships within your school and with local organizations and businesses. These partnerships can be a great source of technical, educational, and financial resources.
Step 4. Adapt the project to your school's priorities and curriculum. Making the program "your own" will help energy efficiency become a regular part of your school's culture and will likely result in greater long-term savings.
Step 5. Identify curriculum tie-ins. There are many ways that the Green Schools program can support your school's curriculum. It focuses on education through hands-on experience. Key concepts tie in with science, math, social studies, and economics curricula.
Step 6. Develop an agreement with the school district administration to return a percentage of savings to the individual schools that achieve them, to involve both facilities and instructional staff, and to establish their criteria for energy efficient retrofits.
Step 7. Establish a strong link between energy and the environment. Protection of the environment is a strong motivator. The project helps students and adults understand that more than 80% of pollution results from the production, consumption, and disposal of energy--and that actions they take really do make a difference.
Step 8. Establish a baseline of energy use, if possible, which will allow the school to measure the project's success and to identify problem areas. Local utilities, principals, school & district business services administrators, and/or district energy managers may be willing to assist you in this effort.
Step 9. Determine the need for retrofits. Consider what new equipment and/or energy-efficient technology your school might need. Before recommending the purchase of new equipment, be sure to identify the criteria that decisionmakers need in order to invest in new equipment, such as payback period and legally mandated requirements. A good resource here is the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America Program, which offers technical resources to school districts.
Step 10. Maintain high visibility for the program to encourage participation. The program is most successful when the whole school and others in the district are involved. An effective strategy is to communicate plans and achievements with key stakeholders in the school community.
Lesson Plans
Download FREE Hands-on, Multidisciplinary Educator Lesson Plans. Teachers around the nation told us that they would like free, hands-on, multidisciplinary lesson plans in the hot area of energy. We have obtained rights for the lesson plans here for your classroom use. A number of them are used in the Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Schools Program—a unique, collaborative effort by teachers, administrators, and facilities and maintenance staff which reduces school energy costs at the same time it educates students. Each of these plans can be downloaded as a PDF file and printed out. Go to the webstite for plans for Elementary, Middle and High School students. http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/educators/
Source: Alliance for Saving Energy
Workshops Posted on Jun 20, 2008 by ldriscoll
Contact us if you would like to schedule a workshop for your group! More information about workshop content is available at the links to the far left on our website.
