Press Release

Potomac River Jam 2009

Lydia Tukarski — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:42:13 -0500

2nd Annual Potomac River Jam
Sunday, October 18, 8 am – 4 pm
River Center at Lockhouse 8, C&O Canal National Historical Park, 7906 Riverside Ave. Cabin John, MD 20818

The Potomac River Jam is back for its second year with a host of local musicians, nature activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Join Potomac Conservancy for this free, day-long celebration of the river and canal on Sunday, October 18, from 8 am – 4 pm.

Enjoy a sampling of this summer’s River Center events while spending the day along the C&O Canal. Come early to join us for nature walks and a photography workshop. Later, enjoy a canoe ride to Minnie’s Island, and relax to the sound of live, acoustic musicians. A variety of children’s games, face painting, and pumpkin painting will also take place throughout the day.

“We’re excited for everyone to come celebrate the river with us,” says Hedrick Belin, Potomac Conservancy President. “It will be a great chance to meet other river lovers and members of the community while enjoying the gorgeous fall scenery around Lockhouse 8. We have a great line up of musicians and activities planned for this year and expect a great turnout.”

Events to include:

Nature Walks along the C&O Canal
• 8-9 am: Join photographer Joanne Miller for some one-on-one pointers as you capture the sights along the C&O Canal. Bring your favorite camera and a good eye.
• 9-10 am: Catch a glimpse of this fall’s winged wildlife on a morning bird walk with Kevin Mack.
• 10-11 am: Learn about common tree species found in the Potomac River watershed on a “Tree ID” walk with Laura Miller.
• 11 am-12 pm: Hear the history and folklore of common trees, weeds and wildflowers on a medicinal plant walk with Randa Steblez.

Featured Musicians:
• 12-12:30 pm: Rick & Audrey specialize in instilling a sense of wonder and excitement for younger audiences and as a duo, have established themselves as award-winning songwriters and notable performers in festivals and venues around the DC area. In addition to playing for kids, they also lead the 6-piece contemporary folk band, Sense of Wonder.

• 12:45-1:30 pm: Tom Verratti aka Potomac Passion is a local three-finger banjo player covering a wide range of musical taste ranging from blues to folk to ragtime and straight up Bluegrass.

• 1:45-2:30 pm: Kensington Station is a Maryland folk trio with its roots going back to the “folk scare” of the early 60’s. The group—Fred Cherney, on guitar and banjo, Jim Jones on guitar, and Leslie Smile on violin—has a repertoire of traditional and 60’s folk standards. They are also known to throw in a lively mix of Irish, Old Time, and contemporary tunes.

• 2:45-3:30 pm: Eric Maring, a native of Washington, D.C., is a folk-pop singer/songwriter/guitarist who has performed around the world. His music includes elements of rock, pop, and folk while including references, both musically and lyrically to his travels through Asia and South America.

Canoe Rides:
9 am, 12 pm and 2 pm: Take a canoe ride to Minnie’s Island. First come, first served-- sign up at event for a timeslot.

This event is supported by our sponsors: Mom’s Organic Market, Giant, McCutcheon’s Apple Products, Inc., and Bethesda Co-op Natural Food Market.

About the River Center at Lockhouse 8
The River Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from May through October from 10 am ‘til 2 pm for tours of the lockhouse and interactive exhibits. Inside the River Center, the Conservancy installed a new exhibit, “Backyard to the Bay,” that connects what happens on the land and the health of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors are guided by the Potomac Conservancy’s volunteer docents who lead tours, answer questions and discuss the historical and cultural significance of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River to the regional economy and the local quality of life.

For additional information about the River Center at Lockhouse 8, including directions, contact Bridget Chapin (details above) or visit www.potomac.org/site/discover-rclh8/.

About Potomac Conservancy
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has protected the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its conservation programs address the goals of improving water quality, protecting the river’s scenic integrity, enhancing recreational resources, and building an informed and engaged constituency, using a range of tools, including restoration, permanent protection, advocacy, and citizen education and engagement.

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Potomac Conservancy Press Room

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Growing Native- Seed Collection Season 2009

Lydia Tukarski — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:32:25 -0500

Growing Native welcomes its 9th season of community seed collection
Calling volunteers of all ages to collect native hardwood seeds  in Potomac River communities

Restoring the health and beauty of the Potomac River region is just a few trees away. Join in the fun and make a difference in your community this fall by volunteering with Growing Native to collect native hardwood seeds.

This program is a fantastic way for friends, neighbors, children, and coworkers to do their part in protecting the lands and water of the Potomac. Growing Native offers a variety of ways to get involved: Arrange a community seed collection event, participate in one of eight public collections throughout Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, or collect from your own backyard.

“We make it easy to get involved; you provide the manpower and we supply everything from collection bags and labels to seed identification manuals. Our volunteers are rewarded with a wealth of valuable information regarding the ecosystem along the Potomac River. Volunteers can walk away knowing they’ve contributed to protecting the health and beauty of the Potomac River and its tributaries,” says Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator at Potomac Conservancy.

Last year, more than 4,200 people volunteered their time to collect 10,000 pounds of seeds, despite an acorn shortage. This year, Growing Native wants more volunteers to come on board. Collections open to the general public include:

• September 12: Eidolon Nature Preserve, Berkeley Springs, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
• September 26: Yankauer Nature Preserve, Shepherdstown, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
• September 26: National Public Lands Day at Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Purcellville, VA, 9 am
• September 27: RiverFest 2009 at Historic St. Mary’s City, St. Mary’s City, MD, 10 am – 6 pm
• October 3: Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly, VA, 10 am – 12 pm
• October 10: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, 10 am – 2 pm
• October 10: Apple Festival at Tayamentasachta Center for Environmental Studies, Greencastle, PA, 9 am – 3 pm
• October 10, 2009, Bear Branch Nature Center at Hashawha Environmental Center, Westminster, MD, 10 am – 12 pm 
It’s time to “get nuts” for clean water. “The success of this program comes from our corps of volunteers who return to collect seeds each year,” says Deanna Tricarico. “It’s a fun, easy way to give back to the environment, so please join the thousands of volunteers who participate and help us regenerate our Potomac forests.”

If you would like to receive more information about Growing Native and organizing your own collection event, please contact Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator, at (301) 608-1188, x204, or tricarico@potomac.org.

About Growing Native
Growing Native was started in 2001 as a project of the Potomac Watershed Partnership and is managed by Potomac Conservancy. Growing Native evolved out of a need for native hardwood seedlings to support expanding reforestation and restoration efforts in the Potomac River watershed. In addition to providing native tree stock, Growing Native builds public awareness of the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters, and what individuals can do to protect them. Since Growing Native’s inception in 2001, nearly 30,000 volunteers have collected more than 94,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree seeds. These seeds have generated seedlings that will be used to restore sensitive streamside lands.

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Potomac Conservancy Press Room

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Potomac River Jam 2009

Lydia Tukarski — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:23:48 -0500

2nd Annual Potomac River Jam
Sunday, October 18, 8 am – 4 pm
River Center at Lockhouse 8, C&O Canal National Historical Park, 7906 Riverside Ave. Cabin John, MD 20818

The Potomac River Jam is back for its second year with a host of local musicians, nature activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Join Potomac Conservancy for this free, day-long celebration of the river and canal on Sunday, October 18, from 8 am – 4 pm.

Enjoy a sampling of this summer’s River Center events while spending the day along the C&O Canal. Come early to join us for nature walks and a photography workshop. Later, enjoy a canoe ride to Minnie’s Island, and relax to the sound of live, acoustic musicians. A variety of children’s games, face painting, and pumpkin painting will also take place throughout the day.

“We’re excited for everyone to come celebrate the river with us,” says Hedrick Belin, Potomac Conservancy President. “It will be a great chance to meet other river lovers and members of the community while enjoying the gorgeous fall scenery around Lockhouse 8. We have a great line up of musicians and activities planned for this year and expect a great turnout.”

Events to include:

Nature Walks along the C&O Canal
•    8-9 am: Join photographer Joanne Miller for some one-on-one pointers as you capture the sights along the C&O Canal. Bring your favorite camera and a good eye.
•    9-10 am: Catch a glimpse of this fall’s winged wildlife on a morning bird walk with Kevin Mack.
•    10-11 am: Learn about common tree species found in the Potomac River watershed on a “Tree ID” walk with Laura Miller.
•    11 am-12 pm: Hear the history and folklore of common trees, weeds and wildflowers on a medicinal plant walk with Randa Steblez.

Featured Musicians:
•    12-12:30 pm: Rick & Audrey specialize in instilling a sense of wonder and excitement for younger audiences and as a duo, have established themselves as award-winning songwriters and notable performers in festivals and venues around the DC area. In addition to playing for kids, they also lead the 6-piece contemporary folk band, Sense of Wonder.

•    12:45-1:30 pm: Tom Verratti aka Potomac Passion is a local three-finger banjo player covering a wide range of musical taste ranging from blues to folk to ragtime and straight up Bluegrass.

•    1:45-2:30 pm: Kensington Station is a Maryland folk trio with its roots going back to the “folk scare” of the early 60’s. The group—Fred Cherney, on guitar and banjo, Jim Jones on guitar, and Leslie Smile on violin—has a repertoire of traditional and 60’s folk standards. They are also known to throw in a lively mix of Irish, Old Time, and contemporary tunes.

•    2:45-3:30 pm: Eric Maring, a native of Washington, D.C., is a folk-pop singer/songwriter/guitarist who has performed around the world. His music includes elements of rock, pop, and folk while including references, both musically and lyrically to his travels through Asia and South America.

Canoe Rides:
9 am, 12 pm and 2 pm: Take a canoe ride to Minnie’s Island. First come, first served-- sign up at event for a timeslot.

This event is supported by our sponsors: Mom’s Organic Market, Giant, McCutcheon’s Apple Products, Inc., and Bethesda Co-op Natural Food Market.

About the River Center at Lockhouse 8
The River Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from May through October from 10 am ‘til 2 pm for tours of the lockhouse and interactive exhibits. Inside the River Center, the Conservancy installed a new exhibit, “Backyard to the Bay,” that connects what happens on the land and the health of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors are guided by the Potomac Conservancy’s volunteer docents who lead tours, answer questions and discuss the historical and cultural significance of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River to the regional economy and the local quality of life.

For additional information about the River Center at Lockhouse 8, including directions, contact Bridget Chapin (details above) or visit www.potomac.org/site/discover-rclh8/.

About Potomac Conservancy
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has protected the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its conservation programs address the goals of improving water quality, protecting the river’s scenic integrity, enhancing recreational resources, and building an informed and engaged constituency, using a range of tools, including restoration, permanent protection, advocacy, and citizen education and engagement.

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Potomac Conservancy

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National Public Lands Day

Lydia Tukarski — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:15:40 -0500

Potomac Conservancy is out and about on National Public Lands Day, September 26
Plentiful opportunities for volunteers to help the Potomac River and celebrate public lands

Potomac Conservancy has scheduled a weekend full of events and activities surrounding National Public Lands Day (Saturday, September 26). All events are free and open to the general public, making it easy for everyone to celebrate National Public Lands Day this year.

RIVER CLEAN-UP
Saturday, September 26, 9:00 am- noon
Theodore Roosevelt Island, just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, D.C.
To volunteer, contact: Bridget Chapin, chapin@potomac.org
The park will have a river clean-up to promote a healthier Potomac River by removing trash from the shores of the park. Bags will be provided. The public will join various partner groups, which include Potomac Conservancy, Marriott Corporation, the Theodore Roosevelt Association, and others. The Island is located just off the George Washington Parkway northbound lanes, north of Roosevelt Bridge.

GROWING NATIVE SEED COLLECTION
Growing Native will be holding seed collection events at three locations this weekend. Volunteers of all ages come with friends and family to collect native, hardwood seeds within their local communities. Seeds will, in turn, be sorted and shipped to local nurseries that have volunteered to foster seedlings to be planted along Potomac River waterways.

Instruction and supplies will be provided on-site. These events are free and open to the public, and no prior registration is required. This is part of an effort to restore and protect the health and beauty of the Potomac River by bridging the gap between healthy forests and clean waters. See www.growingnative.org for more information about the Growing Native program.
o    Yankauer Nature Preserve, Shepherdstown, WV        Saturday, September 26, 10 am- noon; Contact: Peter Smith, 304-876-1139
o    Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Purcellville, VA
Saturday, September 26, 9 am; Contact: Darlene Lamoureux, 540-668-7640
o    RiverFest 2009, Historic St. Mary’s City, MD
Sunday, September 27, 10 am- 6 pm; Contact: Kate Chandler, 240-895-4426

MOVIE PREMIERE AND PARTY ON THE ELLIPSE
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, September 26, 5:00 pm- 8:30 pm
The Ellipse, immediately south of the White House, Washington D.C.
Come celebrate an evening of fun, family and film after a day of volunteering for the environment! The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation are inviting everyone to celebrate our Nation’s public lands at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. The evening will include interactive park activities, interpretive programs with park rangers and partner organizations, giveaways and music. There will also be a sneak peak preview of Ken Burns’ latest documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” which will premiere on PBS Nationwide of September 27.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Potomac Conservancy
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has protected the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its conservation programs address the goals of improving water quality, protecting the river’s scenic integrity, enhancing recreational resources, and building an informed and engaged constituency, using a range of tools, including restoration, permanent protection, advocacy, and citizen education and engagement. For more information, please visit www.potomac.org.

About National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on, volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Activities on National Public Lands Day help to educate Americans through “hands-on” learning about critical environmental and natural resources issues and the need for shared stewardship of this nation’s valued, irreplaceable lands. To find out more about National Public Lands Day, go to www.publiclandsday.org.

About Growing Native
Growing Native is a year-round volunteer project that collects native hardwood seeds and plants trees to help restore and protect rivers and streams in the Potomac River watershed. In addition to providing native tree stock, Growing Native builds public awareness of the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters, and what individuals can do to protect them. Visit www.growingnative.org to find out more about Growing Native.

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Potomac Conservancy

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Growing Native- Seed Collection Season 2009

Lydia Tukarski — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:41:23 -0500

Growing Native welcomes its 9th season of community seed collection
Calling volunteers of all ages to collect native hardwood seeds  in Potomac River communities

Restoring the health and beauty of the Potomac River region is just a few trees away. Join in the fun and make a difference in your community this fall by volunteering with Growing Native to collect native hardwood seeds.

This program is a fantastic way for friends, neighbors, children, and coworkers to do their part in protecting the lands and water of the Potomac. Growing Native offers a variety of ways to get involved: Arrange a community seed collection event, participate in one of eight public collections throughout Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, or collect from your own backyard.

“We make it easy to get involved; you provide the manpower and we supply everything from collection bags and labels to seed identification manuals. Our volunteers are rewarded with a wealth of valuable information regarding the ecosystem along the Potomac River. Volunteers can walk away knowing they’ve contributed to protecting the health and beauty of the Potomac River and its tributaries,” says Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator at Potomac Conservancy.

Last year, more than 4,200 people volunteered their time to collect 10,000 pounds of seeds, despite an acorn shortage. This year, Growing Native wants more volunteers to come on board. Collections open to the general public include:

•    September 12: Eidolon Nature Preserve, Berkeley Springs, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
•    September 26: Yankauer Nature Preserve, Shepherdstown, WV, 10 am – 12 pm
•    September 26: National Public Lands Day at Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Purcellville, VA, 9 am
•    September 27: RiverFest 2009 at Historic St. Mary’s City, St. Mary’s City, MD, 10 am – 6 pm
•    October 3: Cub Run RECenter, Chantilly, VA, 10 am – 12 pm
•    October 10: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, 10 am – 2 pm
•    October 10: Apple Festival at Tayamentasachta Center for Environmental Studies, Greencastle, PA, 9 am – 3 pm
•    October 10, 2009, Bear Branch Nature Center at Hashawha Environmental Center, Westminster, MD, 10 am – 12 pm 
It’s time to “get nuts” for clean water. “The success of this program comes from our corps of volunteers who return to collect seeds each year,” says Deanna Tricarico. “It’s a fun, easy way to give back to the environment, so please join the thousands of volunteers who participate and help us regenerate our Potomac forests.”

If you would like to receive more information about Growing Native and organizing your own collection event, please contact Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator, at (301) 608-1188, x204, or tricarico@potomac.org.

About Growing Native
Growing Native was started in 2001 as a project of the Potomac Watershed Partnership and is managed by Potomac Conservancy. Growing Native evolved out of a need for native hardwood seedlings to support expanding reforestation and restoration efforts in the Potomac River watershed. In addition to providing native tree stock, Growing Native builds public awareness of the important connection between healthy, forested lands and clean waters, and what individuals can do to protect them. Since Growing Native’s inception in 2001, nearly 30,000 volunteers have collected more than 94,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree seeds. These seeds have generated seedlings that will be used to restore sensitive streamside lands.

About Potomac Conservancy
Since 1993, the Potomac Conservancy has protected the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. Its conservation programs address the goals of improving water quality, protecting the river’s scenic integrity, enhancing recreational resources, and building an informed and engaged constituency, using a range of tools, including restoration, permanent protection, advocacy, and citizen education and engagement. 

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Potomac Conservancy

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Public Overwhelmingly Rejects GE Trees

scot@dogwoodalliance.org — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:50:23 -0400

Public Overwhelmingly Rejects Genetically Engineered Trees

Asheville, NC - Nearly 17,500 public comments were sent to the US Department of Agriculture opposing their recommendation for approval of an ArborGen [1] proposal to plant over a quarter of a million genetically engineered (GE) eucalyptus trees. Only 39 favorable comments were received by the USDA. If allowed, the plantings would take place on 330 acres of land across seven states in the Southern U.S., to supposedly feed future cellulosic ethanol production.

All but one of the field trials would be allowed to flower and produce seeds. The trees are genetically engineered to be cold tolerant, produce less lignin and have altered fertility. When the USDA issued their draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in early May in favor of ArborGen's proposal, the STOP GE Trees Campaign [2] mobilized.
The collection of comments from people firmly opposing the large-scale release of GE eucalyptus trees was a combined effort of several different organizations that recognize the inherent danger in this industry proposal. Eucalyptus trees are known to be wildly invasive, extremely flammable and deplete huge quantities of ground water. They are also not native to North America. In many cases they have exacerbated drought conditions, which can set the stage for devastating wildfires. In a massive Australian eucalyptus wildfire earlier this year -173 people perished. "Releasing a quarter of a million genetically modified trees that are allowed to both flower and produce seeds is irresponsible and dangerous," stated George Kimbrell, Staff Attorney for the Center for Food Safety. "USDA failed to analyze rigorously the foreseeable impacts of this unprecedented experiment on native environments, which could have devastating consequences," he concluded. "The Organic Consumer's Association strongly opposes the release of any and all GMO trees into the environment," stated Craig Minowa, Environmental Scientist at the OCA. "Some of the projected social and environmental impacts from the release of GMO trees commercially include the increased use of toxic herbicides and pesticides and the contamination of native forests with GMO trees engineered for such traits as reduced lignin, insect resistance, or faster growth which would be devastating to forest ecosystems," he added.
With offices in the U.S., Brazil and New Zealand, ArborGen is shipping GE tree tissue from location to location. According to the draft USDA Environmental Assessment, the GE tree hybrid used to create the 260,000 GE tree clones to be planted in the U.S. originated in Brazil, where non-GMO eucalyptus plantations have long been causing massive social and ecological problems. The GE tree tissue was then sent to New Zealand where it was genetically engineered and then shipped to the U.S. for cloning and outdoor release. [3] "Here in New Zealand ArborGen has been prevented from doing field trials of their GE trees because it is recognized that the risks associated with these field trials are simply too great," stated Co-chair and spokesperson Steffan Browning of the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand. "GE trees are prohibited from field trials in New Zealand, so ArborGen will export them to the USA or anywhere else they can get away with it. This scandal brings shame to New Zealand's clean, green GMO-free reputation," he added. The USDA will be making a final decision soon. For updates on the current status of the application visit: http://nogetrees.org

NOTES: [1] ArborGen is the global leader in the research, development and commercialization of genetically engineered trees. ArborGen is jointly owned by International Paper, MeadWestvaco and Rubicon. [2] The Stop GE Trees Campaign steering committee includes the Global Justice Ecology Project, Dogwood Alliance, Sierra Club, Institute for Social Ecology, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, ETC Group, World Rainforest Movement, Global Forest Coalition, TimberWatch and other groups that have united toward the goal of prohibiting the ecologically and socially devastating release of genetically engineered trees into the environment. This growing campaign has 144 partners in 36 countries around the globe. For more information visit: http://nogetrees.org. World Rainforest Movement is the southern hemisphere hub of the campaign and this month features "The Transgenic Trees Threat" on their website http://www.wrm.org.uy/ [3] Page 27 of the EA http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?sid=1227AB60E014&Ntt=aphis-2008-0059&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=8059&css=0&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055+11
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Dogwood Alliance

Riverkeeper Files Notice of Intent to Sue Accord Speedway

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:38:58 -0400

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2009

Riverkeeper Files Notice of Intent to Sue Accord Speedway

Polluted runoff into pristine trout stream violates federal environmental laws

(Tarrytown, NY) Riverkeeper has served the Accord Speedway with a notice of its intent to sue for continuously polluting a nearby stream and connected wetlands with turbid water, which Riverkeeper believes is laced with pesticides, anti-freeze, oil, grease and other petroleum products. Citing violations of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Riverkeeper is now preparing to file a case in federal court.

According to Riverkeeper investigator and attorney Joshua Verleun, the Ulster County racetrack has been illegally dumping a noxious blend of pollutants including turbidity, suspended solids, and settleable solids into the North Peter’s Kill, a pristine trout stream and tributary of Rondout Creek. “The operation of this large scale raceway without proper environmental controls is ruining this pristine trout stream,” Verleun said.

These illegal discharges are directly entering the North Peter’s Kill from several discrete points along the track’s “pit road.” Riverkeeper has documented the Speedway collecting polluted track runoff from a low point in the track’s infield and pumping it into a field on the southern portion of the property, adjoining a wetland area that connects to the North Peter’s Kill.

Riverkeeper also alleges that the Speedway is operating an open dump in violation of RCRA’s ban on open dumping. The open dumping regulations contain specific requirements for facilities that dispose of waste. In this instance the Speedway’s collection, pumping, and dumping of runoff from the track constitutes “liquid waste” that is being discarded in violation of waste disposal requirements. Any facility that accepts or dumps waste without following these requirements is considered to be an open dump. “It is unacceptable that there are no systems in place to prevent turbidity, oil, gas, and other chemicals from running directly into the North Peter’s Kill and connected wetlands,” Verleun said.

A Notice of Intent to Sue (NOIS), which Riverkeeper served on May 19, is the first step in initiating a citizen suit under the CWA and RCRA. During the required 60-day waiting period New York State is given the opportunity to step in and file their own enforcement case and the polluter is given an opportunity to halt all violations. Following the waiting period Riverkeeper will file a case in federal court if violations persist and the state has not enforced against the Speedway.

Background:
Riverkeeper is an independent environmental watchdog organization dedicated to protecting the Hudson River, its tributaries, and the watersheds that comprise the New York City drinking water supply. Since 1965, we have brought thousands of environmental lawbreakers to justice, forcing more than $1 billion in fines and remediation projects.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Riverkeeper Applauds Dredging of Hudson PCBs and Calls on EPA to Ensure Full Cleanup Calls on EPA to Ensure Full Cleanup

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:29:46 -0400

May 14, 2009 (Tarrytown, N.Y.) – The long delayed clean-up of the Hudson River PCBs is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning. While Riverkeeper salutes the commencement of the dredging, it is calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure the entire clean-up occurs and that it is thorough.

“We are very pleased that the PCB dredging project will finally begin,” Riverkeeper president Alex Matthiessen said. “General Electric dumped these toxic chemicals into the Hudson and then spent decades – and hundreds of millions of dollars – trying to evade responsibility for cleaning them up. Now, at last, a cleanup is underway. Riverkeeper, which first called attention to the PCB problem 30 years ago, will continue to closely monitor the project and the company’s commitment to a full and thorough remediation. Communities upriver and down deserve nothing less.”

The clean-up includes two phases. Phase 1, scheduled to begin tomorrow and last about six months, will focus on the removal of approximately 265,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. That amount represents only about 10% of the total amount of contaminated sediment originally slated for removal under the 2002 Record of Decision by EPA. A separate legal agreement between EPA and GE, known as the 2006 Consent Decree, provides that GE will notify EPA of its intention to perform Phase 2 of the remediation after Phase 1 is complete. Phase 2 is currently designed to remove approximately 1,500,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment. Needless to say, the fact that GE can attempt to avoid Phase 2 is quite troubling to many observers.

As early as 1983, EPA studied the PCB contamination in the Hudson River, but it wasn’t until the 2002 Record of Decision that EPA required dredging of approximately 65% of the total PCB mass in the Upper Hudson. More delays and negotiations resulted in the 2006 Consent Decree, specifying additional details.

Federal Superfund law and the 2006 Consent Decree give EPA the authority to take additional action to compel GE to perform Phase 2 and finish the remediation. But, that could result in untold delays and additional legal action, according to Riverkeeper attorney Rebecca Troutman. “We are hopeful that the new EPA Administrator will follow this closely and minimize that possibility. We intend to do the same,” Troutman said. Meanwhile, in 2000, GE commenced a lawsuit challenging the validity of the Superfund law – specifically regarding EPA’s authority to order clean-ups. Although the suit did not succeed in the lower courts, GE filed a notice of appeal this March with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Before they were banned in 1970s, PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications, including the manufacture of capacitors (devices for storing electrical charge) at the GE’s Hudson Falls and Fort Edwards plants. Estimates indicate that as much as 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged by those plants into the Hudson River between 1947 and 1977. Once released, PCBs adhered to river sediment and also accumulated downstream. Historically, their highest concentration was in the upper Hudson, but studies show that erosion and water movement have caused redeposits as far down as the Battery in NY Harbor. PCBs accumulate in fatty tissue and their levels increase as they travel up the food chain. Human exposure to PCBs – mostly from PCB-laden fish – has been linked with cancer, thyroid disease and liver damage and is believed to affect learning, memory and immune system disorders, reproduction, birth weight and brain chemistry.

The federal Superfund law, also known as “CERCLA” or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, gives the United States government the authority to compel cleanups of “hazardous substances” and to recover costs incurred. The Hudson River “Superfund site” consists of an approximately 200 mile stretch of the River from the Village of Hudson Falls to the Battery in New York City.

ABOUT RIVERKEEPER: Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Riverkeeper Salutes Paterson for Phasing Out Bottled Water

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:49:12 -0400

May 6, 2009 (Tarrytown, NY) – Riverkeeper applauds Gov. David A. Paterson for making the environment a top priority by signing an Executive Order phasing out New York State’s purchase and use of bottled water. The Order will gradually stop government spending on single serve as well as cooler-size water bottles that state agencies use. It also requires each executive agency to stop buying bottled water and to make ordinary tap water available, through water fountains and dispensers.

This policy change is a major win for Riverkeeper, which joined a coalition of environmental groups in lobbying the state to stop buying and using bottled water in state agencies.

“We are pleased that Governor Paterson is making New York a leader in curbing our national addiction to bottled water,” said Hudson Riverkeeper Alex Matthiessen. “For decades, we have turned our back on municipal water in favor of bottled water which has been bad for our environment and bad for our wallets. Take our water fountains – in both office buildings and public spaces – which have fallen into disrepair, depriving New Yorkers of easy access to New York’s safe and delicious municipal drinking water. Governor Paterson’s order gives us the incentive to reinvest in our public water supply and deliver systems.”

Last year, Riverkeeper launched a tap water campaign to educate New Yorkers about the health, economic and environmental benefits of drinking tap water. Riverkeeper is the public watchdog of the New York City watershed, which supplies up to 1.5 billion gallons of unfiltered, top-quality drinking water per day to more than 9 million people. Tap water is actually safer than bottled water, because it is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and is tested multiple times each day, while no government agency tests bottled water.

Bottled water is also a thousand times more expensive than tap water, and its production and transportation across hundreds or thousands of miles causes pollution, which contributes to global warming. Plus, approximately 85% of the empty plastic water bottles in the U.S. end up in the garbage instead of being recycled, adding about 2 million tons of plastic bottles in U.S. landfills each year. New York is now the third state to end the purchase and use of bottled water.

Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply.

For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Riverkeeper Press Room

Voting Opens for the 2009 GREEN LOG Home Awards!

director@greenlogawards.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:37:35 -0400

As the demand for green building products explodes, the Green Log Awards announces open voting for their 2009 program. Prospective home builders can review, learn and vote for innovative green building solutions from around the globe.

Meridian, ID (PRWEB) 16, April, 2009 " Green Log Awards Inc. is proud to announce that voting for the 2009 GREEN LOG Home Awards is open. The GREEN LOG Home Awards were created in 2008 to locate and shine a spotlight on innovative green building solutions. After a very successful first year, they are back! Last year garnered thousands of votes and showcased some astounding green building solutions. This year, voter turnout is anticipated to exceed 2008!

Meeting the “Green” Demand – The combination of new building regulations, enhanced rebate programs, and a lower cost of building mean that green building products and services are in high demand. The GREEN LOG Awards are proud to help connect home builders with the companies who are leading the way.

Voting Process – Both public voting and judges panel voting will take place from April 16th – May 7th. The voting panel includes: Jim Young, President, PrecisionCraft Log Homes; Matt Franklin, Lead Designer, Mountain Architects; Charles Bevier, Editor, Building Systems Magazine; Allison Friedman, Editor, RateItGreen.com; Donna Peak, Editor, Country’s Best Log Homes Magazine; and Barbara Kessler, Editor, GreenRightNow.com.

Origins – PrecisionCraft Log Homes created the GREEN LOG Awards to help find green building solutions for clients and other home builders. Upon the realization that locating innovative and useful green building solutions could be difficult, they looked for a creative way to discover these products and present them to the public. Thus the GREEN LOG Home Awards were born.

Nominees – This year’s innovative nominees include: Rubbersidewalks (pavers created from recycled tires and plastic), Eleek (sustainable lighting created from recycled materials), Teragren (bamboo countertops), and Oregon Wind Corporation (creators of the Urban Turban).

Green Log Awards, Inc

Earth Day Inspires Greening of Urban Curbsides- Bay Area Wilderness Training Plants its own Patch of Wilderness in Oakland

Kyle Macdonald — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:48:21 -0400

Come Earth Day, April 22nd at 2:00 pm, a number of staff and volunteers from Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) will be taking time away from their work getting kids outdoors to green-up the curbside outside their office on the corner of 23rd and Broadway in downtown Oakland. When BAWT moved its offices from San Francisco to Oakland a few months ago, the curbside was filled with litter, weeds, and dog feces.

“We’re all about connecting kids to the outdoors so that they understand the importance of taking care of the earth. We figured we’d better start by taking care of the space right outside our front door” says Founder and Co-director Kyle Macdonald.

With generous financial support from the owner of the building, and some discounted plants from Annie’s Annuals, a nursery in Berkeley, BAWT purchased a variety of hearty, drought tolerant plants and compost to green up the curbside. Staff and volunteers will spend Earth Day afternoon planting and landscaping the area. The group is welcoming the neighborhood to help with the planting.

Macdonald continued, “It seemed appropriate to do this on Earth Day. We’re hoping this area becomes a bright spot where people stop to look at the flowers and enjoy this small patch of wilderness in an otherwise urban landscape.”

BAWT (www.bawt.org) is a project of the Earth Island Institute, a 501(c)3 corporation. It provides Bay Area youth agency staff and teachers with wilderness leadership training and outdoor equipment, to enable them to take young people on outdoor adventures that inspire, challenge, and nurture a conservation ethic.

Bay Area Wilderness Training

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RIVERKEEPER’S STAR-STUDDED EARTH DAY BENEFIT MARKS LAUNCH OF FESTIVITIES CELEBRATING 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF HENRY HUDSON’S VOYAGE

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:25:47 -0400

Tony Bennett Set to Perform at April 22 Gala in NYC; Mayor Bloomberg Among Honorees

NEW YORK – April 15, 2009 - A celebrity-filled guest list will add glamour and excitement to Riverkeeper’s Fishermen’s Ball, at Pier Sixty on the Hudson (Chelsea Piers, Manhattan) on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22. The evening will also feature an intimate live performance by Tony Bennett.

The dinner dance begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and honors for environmental advocates who have given generously to improve the health of our waterways, including the Honorable Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, “green” architect William McDonough, Majora Carter, Pete Seeger and others.

Riverkeeper’s Fishermen’s Ball marks the launch of festivities celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s memorable voyage of discovery. Special events are scheduled throughout summer and fall, including a 10-day river flotilla in June that marks the start of Hudson’s voyage and visiting Dutch dignitaries in September marking its completion.

Riverkeeper has produced a touring exhibit and lecture, titled: “A Hudson River Journey: 1609 - 2109” that will travel to communities throughout the Hudson Valley as a featured attraction at state sponsored and local events. The exhibition examines the Hudson River from three perspectives, including: pre-contact when the Lenape lived on the river’s shores, the present day, and a look ahead to a possible future for the Hudson 100 years from now.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Riverkeeper’s Chief Prosecuting Attorney and Waterkeeper Alliance founder, commented, “When Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor on the Half Moon in 1609, he found a vibrant and healthy river valley inhabited by our region’s first “riverkeepers” – Native Americans who lived off the abundance of the river and the river valley. Today, we are all stewards of the river, and it is our hope that this Anniversary inspires a renewed dedication to the protection and revitalization of the Hudson River.”

Alex Matthiessen, Hudson Riverkeeper and President, said, “The restoration of the Hudson River is one of our nation’s great environmental success stories. But major challenges remain. While overall water quality has improved in the nearly four decades since passage of the Clean Water Act, we are now witnessing more raw sewage overflows, significant declines in local fish populations, and an increase in the amount of radioactive material entering the river from Indian Point. This year’s annual dinner is dedicated to celebrating our long-term progress while recruiting a new generation of river advocates to help us address these new challenges.”

The April 22 Fishermen’s Ball is expected to raise more than one million dollars to benefit Riverkeeper’s critical, year-round environmental work. For more information, please email riverkeeper@eventassociatesinc.com or call 212-245-6570 ext. 23.

About Riverkeeper: Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper's mission is to protect the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguard the drinking water supply of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Riverkeeper Press Room

Riverkeeper and Whole Foods Market® Promote Tap Water for Clean Water Week

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:35:57 -0500

For Immediate Release: February 20, 2009

Riverkeeper and Whole Foods Market® Promote Tap Water for Clean Water Week

New Yorkers will be learning about their world-class tap water from the experts—Riverkeeper—at their local Whole Foods Market throughout the week of 2/23 – 2/27

New York, Feb. 20, 2009 – In recognition of Clean Water Week, Feb. 23-28, Riverkeeper and Whole Foods Market are teaming up for the Tap Water Awareness Project, a collaborative effort designed to educate consumers about the high quality of NYC’s tap water.

Riverkeeper—the leading protector of the NYC Watershed—will have representatives at 5 different Whole Foods Market stores conducting blind taste tests where visitors can test their ability to distinguish between bottled water and NYC’s finest. They will also share information on the NYC Watershed, the upstate source of New York City’s drinking water, and provide guides on how to read your water report to determine if you need a filter in your home.

New York City tap water, which flows unfiltered from reservoirs in the Catskill Mountains and Westchester County, is some of the finest in the world. It is also far less expensive than bottled water, a plus in these tough economic times.

Riverkeeper’s tap water advocacy focuses on increasing the availability of tap water in public and institutional settings and passing legislation to properly fund and maintain our local and national water infrastructure. Riverkeeper also focuses on land preservation and pollution controls within the watershed.

To further promote the campaign, Whole Foods Market is selling Riverkeeper’s “I Bottle My Own” reusable stainless steel bottles. 100% of the proceeds go to support Riverkeeper’s work in the watershed.

Riverkeeper representatives will be conducting blind taste tests at the following Whole Food Market stores:

Monday, Feb. 23: Tribecca store from 11:30am to 2pm; White Plains store from 5pm to 8pm
Tuesday, Feb. 24: Chelsea store from 11:30am to 2pm
Thursday, Feb. 26: Columbus Circle store from 5pm to 8pm
Friday, Feb. 27: Bowery store from 5pm to 8pm

Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply.

For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Press Room

RIVERKEEPER TO HOST STAR-STUDDED BENEFIT

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:30:05 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, FEBRUARY 12, 2009

NEW YORK, NY – A celebrity-filled guest list will add glamour and excitement to Riverkeeper’s annual Fishermen’s Ball, which returns to the Chelsea Pier 60 dining room on Earth Day, Wednesday, Aprill 22. The evening will also feature intimate live performances by top performance artists. Recent appearances have included Lenny Kravitz and Patty Smyth.

The dinner dance begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and honors for environmental advocates who have given generously to improve the health of the earth, including “green” architect William McDonough, Majora Carter, Pete Seeger and others.

The event, which raises more than $1.5 million annually to benefit Riverkeeper’s critical, year-round environmental work, will also pay tribute to the Quadricentennial Anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the mighty river bearing his name.

For more information, please email riverkeeper@eventassociatesinc.com or call 212-245-6570 ext. 23.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Star-Studded Art Auction to Raise Funds for Water Protection

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:14:48 -0500

For Immediate Release: January 23, 2009

Riverkeeper’s Reflected Light IV auction raises needed funds and awareness at IAC Building

Tarrytown, NY – This Tuesday, January 27, in the Frank Gehry-designed IAC Building in Manhattan, Riverkeeper—New York’s #1 clean water advocate—will host a star-studded art auction. Complimenting the evening’s bidding will be a cocktail party with an intimate acoustic performance by Deborah Harry and Paul Carbonara.

The evening’s special guest hosts include Matt Dillon, Richard Gere, Martha Stewart, Lauren Hutton, Carey Lowell, and Richard Belzer. Riverkeeper board members Robert F. Kennedy Jr., John McEnroe, Lorraine Bracco Bracco will also be in attendance and Doyle New York’s auctioneer Sebastian Clarke will be the evening’s auctioneer.

Riverkeeper’s Reflected Light IV collection offers distinguished works by prominent artists including: William Wegman, Philip Tsiaras, April Gornik, Horst P. Horst, Alexander Calder, Edward Burtynsky, Shepard Fairey, Romero Britto, Philip-Lorca di Corcia, Jacques Lowe.

The Silent Auction contains approximately 30 pieces of photography and art. The Live Auction offers premier excursions and adventures such as John McEnroe’s center court tickets to Wimbledon, a Caribbean Safari Experience at Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay and more.

Auction proceeds support Riverkeeper’s work protecting New York’s water resources.

What: Reflected Light IV Art Auction and cocktail party
When: Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Where: The IAC Building at 555 West 18th Street at the West Side Highway in New York
Buy Tickets: at the event or online at http://www.riverkeeper.org/events_story.php/1692
Bid Online: view select auction items and bid online at http://www.charitybuzz.com/area.do?id=865

Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply.
For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Press Room

Conservation Groups Demand Immediate Protection for Sea Turtles Jeopardized by Longline Fishing

rocio@cccturtle.org — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:05:26 -0500

SAN FRANCISCO—A coalition of conservation groups notified the federal government’s National Marine Fisheries Service today of their intent to sue if the agency does not act immediately to protect imperiled sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico.

The groups’ action comes after fisheries observer data revealed that the Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery, which targets reef fish like grouper and tilefish, resulted in the capture of nearly 1,000 threatened and endangered sea turtles between July 2006 and the end of 2007. The coalition asks that the commercial bottom longline fishery be suspended until the National Marine Fisheries Service meets its legal obligations under the Endangered Species Act to ensure that the fishery does not imperil sea turtles and other threatened species in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Allowing this fishery to continue to kill threatened and endangered turtles while the government studies the problem is irresponsible and illegal. It’s like refusing to turn off a leaking gas valve when you’re trying to put out a house fire. The law and the science are clear: These animals have to be protected right now,” said Andrea Treece, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity.

Of particular concern for the groups are loggerhead sea turtles, which accounted for 799 of the 974 captured turtles in the government analysis. This is more than three times the number of loggerheads the Service authorized the fishery to take in 2005 and may well jeopardize the species. Loggerhead nesting populations in Florida have dropped by over 40 percent over the past 10 years. The large number of juvenile and reproductive adult turtles injured or killed by the bottom longline fishery is likely contributing to this steep decline.

“It’s devastating to think about all the hard work and progress we’ve made safeguarding Florida’s loggerheads and their nesting beaches being destroyed by this rampant level of take,” said David Godfrey, executive director of the Florida-based Caribbean Conservation Corporation. “We must stop and reassess the impacts of this fishery before it’s too late.”

The Gulf of Mexico bottom longline fishery operates primarily off the west coast of Florida, an area that also provides key habitat for several sea turtle species, including loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green turtles. Bottom longline gear generally consists of a four- to 10-mile-long mainline made of steel cable or monofilament with up to 2,100 hooks. Sea turtles are caught on the lines when they attempt to eat the bait from hooks or become entangled when swimming near a line. Unable to surface for breath, they suffer injury or death.

“The use of longlining in the Gulf of Mexico is tragic. Loggerheads, Kemp's ridleys and other sea turtles die caught by a fishing method that has no regard for the waste it entails and the death of endangered species. It reminds many of us of the slaughter of sea turtles drowning in shrimp trawls before Turtle Excluder Devices were required,” said Carole Allen, Gulf office director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project.

Even though the bottom longline fishery has far exceeded the number of turtles it is allowed to take under the Endangered Species Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service has refused to close the fishery while it studies options for reducing turtle take.

“Now that the National Marine Fisheries Service knows the longline fleet is jeopardizing the future of the turtle populations they have a duty to act immediately,” said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network. “There are other ways to catch the same fish without killing turtles. The Service needs to follow the precedent set by Gulf shrimpers and require a change in gear now.”

The fishery is also known to catch endangered smalltooth sawfish and could affect staghorn and elkhorn coral, which are also protected under the Endangered Species Act.

“The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible both for managing fisheries and for protecting endangered species,” said Sierra Weaver, an attorney with Defenders of Wildlife. “Our sincere hope is that the agency will take seriously its responsibility for the sea turtles threatened by longline fishing and will move quickly to protect them without the need for a court order.”

For a copy of the notice letter and additional information about sea turtles, see these websites: www.biologicaldiversity.org; www.cccturtle.org and www.seaturtles.org.

Caribbean Conservation Corporation

1Sky and Allies Calling for No New Coal Plants

Elizabeth Rose — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:05:10 -0500

Takoma Park, MD – In the wake of the recent coal ash spill in Tennessee, a broad coalition of activists are asking Congress for a moratorium on new coal plants. Gillian Caldwell, Campaign Director of 1Sky said, “The Tennessee coal ash spill was a man-made disaster that is directly tied to our reliance on fossil fuels. In the face of this tragedy, the coal industry still wants to build more pollution-belching coal plants, and we cannot let that happen. This just proves that in reality, there is no such thing as clean coal.”

Congress has the power to stop the construction of any new dirty coal plants. 1Sky activists and allies are asking their members of Congress for a moratorium on new coal plants and to invest in renewable energy.

On December 22, over 1 billion gallons of toxic coal sludge came cascading through Eastern Tennessee. The tidal wave of sludge toppled houses and dirtied rivers and streams. This toxic coal ash has been stored in an open 40-acre pond next to the 50-year-old power plant. According to state authorities, after the spill there are 54,000 people with contaminated water in Roane County alone, and many more outside the county may also have tainted drinking water.

“If you think this could not happen to you, think again,” Caldwell said, “More than 50 percent of Americans live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant.” Caldwell said that even if you are lucky enough not to live near a coal plant you are still affected by dirty coal because it is the number one source of global warming pollution in the United States.

The coal industry spent more than $45 million last year trying to convince Americans that the dirtiest fuel on the planet is “clean”.

On January 8, the Senate Environment Committee is holding an oversight hearing on the Tennessee Valley Authority and the recent major coal ash spill. 1Sky steering committee member Steve Smith, the Executive Director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), will be testifying.

1Sky

Press Release - RvK and Councilman Eric Gioia Applaud State Enforcement Action Against Newtown Creek Polluter

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:18:53 -0500

60 Days After Riverkeeper and Gioia Announced Intent to Sue, DEC Taking Action Against NYCON For Illegal Concrete Dumping

LONG ISLAND CITY - Today, Councilman Eric Gioia (D-Queens), Chairman of the City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigations, and the environmental watchdog group Riverkeeper announced that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will take legal action against NYCON Supply Corporation. The company has been allegedly discharging concrete waste illegally into the Dutch Kills, a tributary of the heavily-polluted Newtown Creek. The DEC's action comes shortly after Riverkeeper and Gioia announced their intent to file a lawsuit against NYCON. Newtown Creek, the site of a massive oil spill, is one of the most polluted waterways in the United States.

The complaint filed by DEC against NYCON Supply Corporation and other defendants stems from investigations by the environmental watchdog group, Riverkeeper. In September, Gioia and Riverkeeper announced that Riverkeeper had filed a Notice of Intent to Sue the corporation for illegal discharges under the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Under those laws, citizen groups are required to wait 60 and 90 days, respectively, before bringing suit against an alleged polluter. This notice period allows time for polluters to stop illegal discharges, while also providing state and federal agencies the opportunity to bring their own enforcement actions.

In this case, DEC Region 2 stepped in and filed its own complaint, alleging 23 separate causes of action against the company based on violations of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law. Based on investigations conducted by both Riverkeeper and DEC staff, the complaint alleges that, since at least 2006, NYCON Supply Company has been illegally discharging liquid concrete, cement-laden runoff, gravel, and other pollutants into the Dutch Kills, a tributary of Newtown Creek.

"The recent action taken by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation signals a major step forward in environmental enforcement around New York Harbor," said Craig Michaels, a Riverkeeper Investigator. "It is now abundantly clear that citizens, elected officials and government agencies are working hand in hand to bring environmental lawbreakers to justice. On behalf of our over 10,000 members, Riverkeeper applauds the quick and decisive action taken by regional staff at DEC to stop this continuing source of pollution on Newtown Creek."

"Newtown Creek has for years been the forgotten waterway of New York City, and polluters have taken advantage by dumping at will," said Councilman Eric Gioia. "DEC is sending a strong message that that we will no longer stand for more dumping and more pollution in the Creek. Polluters, beware: we are watching, we are vigilant, and we will go after you."

This DEC action comes on the heels of a recent New York State appellate court decision that reinstated criminal indictments against another concrete company, Quality Concrete, also located on Newtown Creek. That decision reversed a lower court ruling dismissing the indictments against the company and one of its vice presidents and ordered that there was sufficient evidence presented to the grand jury to sustain the indictments. That case is currently being handled by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Newtown Creek is a 3 mile long waterway that separates Brooklyn and Queens and is a tributary of the East River, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor. It is also the site of the 17 million-gallon Greenpoint oil spill, currently the center of numerous lawsuits against ExxonMobil by environmentalists, including Riverkeeper; lawmakers, including Councilman Gioia; and private citizens, and was recently identified by the United States EPA as a contaminated area warranting further study under the Superfund law.

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Riverkeeper Press Room

Press Release: Riverkeeper Attorney to Testify at Gas Drilling Hearing

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:15:34 -0500

Riverkeeper Attorney to Testify at Emergency Public Hearing
On Natural Gas Drilling Within NYC Watershed

On September 10, Riverkeeper attorney Jay Simpson will testify before the New York City Council Environmental Protection Committee’s emergency public hearing on natural gas drilling within the NYC Watershed. Riverkeeper applauds New York State’s decision to conduct a supplemental review of gas drilling’s environmental impacts throughout New York State; however the NYC Watershed, as the source of drinking water for half the state’s population, is the state’s greatest natural resource and warrants special protection. Riverkeeper welcomes the City Council’s attention to this issue and encourages the public to participate.

Robert Goldstein, Riverkeeper’s General Counsel, stated, “This hearing is critical so that the public can learn about the potential impacts of natural gas drilling on the NYC Watershed. We still have much to learn about the gas drilling process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking”— the jury is still out on it. But we know for certain that the disruptive surface activity that would accompany any drilling process in the watershed would irreparably damage our precious unfiltered drinking water supply.”

James L. Simpson, Staff Attorney with Riverkeeper’s Watershed Program, said, ”We encourage consumers of New York City’s award winning tap water to participate in this important hearing. As we transform our energy policy, it is critical that we not trample upon critical natural resources.”

The City Council's Environmental Protection Committee emergency hearing on gas drilling will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, September 10 at 250 Broadway, 14th Floor in New York City. The public is invited to attend. Anyone may also submit testimony to the hearing by emailing jgennaro@council.nyc.gov.

ABOUT RIVERKEEPER: Riverkeeper is an independent member supported environmental organization that has an historic presence protecting the New York City Watershed, including helping to craft the MOA. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, the New York City drinking water supply, and the public’s right to clean water and healthy communities. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Riverkeeper Press Room

A Bottled Water Free Event Celebrating New York City’s Water Resources

gchambers@riverkeeper.org — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:15:08 -0400

Riverkeeper Press Room