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ACAL News
Recent Documents...
| date | title | description |
| 08/12/11 | Managing Solid Waste Facilities to Prevent Odor | Paper by written by The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) - a trade association representing for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services.
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| 06/21/10 | NYSDEC New Solid Waste Plan Draft | Entitled Beyond Solid Waste - A Sustainable Materials Management Strategy for New York, the NYSDEC has drafted a 480-page plan to reduce solid waste through increases in reuse, recycling and composting in local communities. Further, the plan calls for a reduction in packaging by manufacturers and a reduction in climate and environmental impacts caused by transporting waste and harmful emissions coming from incinerators and landfills.
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| 06/17/10 | New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 2010 | Local, regional, state and federal organizations join with NY Zero Waste Alliance, a project of Citizens Environmental Coalition, to support the reduction of waste through increase in reuse, recycling and composting.
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| 10/24/06 | 11 August 2006 DEC Letter | Region 6 Water Engineer Steven Botsford's letter to OHSWA Executive Director Hans Arnold stating OHSWA's environmental responsibility for clean water quality compliance associated with the Ava Landfill site.
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| 06/08/06 | ACAL vs. OHSWA | ACAL filed a lawsuit against OHSWA for polluting the trout spawing stream of Moose Creek for over a year. The ongoing pollution to the creek violates State environmental law and the Clean Water Act.
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| 04/20/06 | Letter to Ava from OHSWA | Lengthy letter from OHSWA Executive Director Hans Arnold to the Ava Town Board regarding a "host community benefit package". The Ava board refuses to negotiate with OHSWA for a 1000+/- acre landfill that is being forced into their rural community.
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| 03/31/06 | DEC response to Ava | DEC Region 6 Director Sandra LeBarron's letter to Town of Ava regarding Ava's request to rescind the March 2006 DEC Consent Order and take "appropriate enforcement action". Ms. LeBarron states the DEC's response must be "somewhat restrained" since ACAL has filed a notice of intent to file a citizen's suit against OHSWA.
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| 03/21/06 | Notice of Intent to Sue | Pursuant to the Clean Water Act, against the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authority (OHSWA) and Rifenberg Construction, Inc. by Adirondack Communtities Advisory League (ACAL)
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| 03/20/06 | Ava Complaint to DEC | The Town of Ava sends a letter to Region 6 DEC requesting their Consent Order be rescinded. The town board and the citizens they represent are genuinely concerned about the environment in Ava. They are extremely distressed that OHSWA and Rifenburg have been given permission by the DEC to allow excessive sediment to enter Moose Creek - "a provision that is contrary to the basic mission of the DEC."
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| 02/13/06 | NYSDEC Consent Order | NYSDEC is giving OHSWA permission to discharge excessive sediment and water into nearby Moose Creek, a federally protected trout spawning stream in Ava, NY.
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| 09/10/05 | DEC Complaint | August 2005
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News Updates...ACAL NEWS – Week of April 13, 2006
I read an article in a weekly paper a few days ago entitled, Gov. Pataki Preservation of 512 Acres Along Battenkill. The paper, located in a small town in Washington County, New York, went on to describe in detail how New York State (NYS) will use $330,000 from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to acquire the property from a family who has owned it for more than 100 years.
The State intends to create a new State Forest and create public access “to allow recreational activities including hunting, fishing, trapping, bird watching, nature photography, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing”. In addition, the State’s land purchase will protect approximately 85 acres “including several wetlands that provide habitat for a variety of wetland plants and animals, and protect the water quality of the Battenkill (River).”
Governor Pataki stated, “The Battenkill is an environmentally significant river that has long been regarded as one of the premier trout fishing waters in the Northeast. The (land) acquisition and preservation of this important parcel will further protect a sensitive ecosystem and expand popular outdoor recreational opportunities in the area, including fishing and paddling.”
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise Sheehan was quoted as saying, “This new State Forest will provide endless enjoyment to residents and visitors to NYS, and build upon Governor Pataki’s continuing commitment to protecting open space, promoting sustainable forestry practices, and increasing access for fishing and other outdoor pursuits.”
The article concluded by stating this fact: “Since 1995, NYS has invested more than $13 billion to protect and preserve New York’s environment, including nearly 946,000 acres of open space statewide.”
If the State cares so much about preserving and protecting New York’s environment, why does it continue to ignore the ecosystem of Moose Creek that has been repeatedly polluted by runoff and excessive sediment from the Ava Landfill site?
What about fishing, hunting, bird watching, nature photography, hiking, cross-county skiing and snowshoeing in Northern Oneida and Southern Lewis counties? Ask any Boonville, Ava, West Leyden, Port Leyden, Lyons Falls, Constableville, or Westernville resident about any of these outdoor activities, and he/she will tell you exactly where you can catch the best trout, find the nicest swimming hole, witness the most beautiful scenery, and enjoy the unspoiled region of the Tug Hill Plateau.
What gives the State the right to pick and choose which areas of NYS will be preserved and protected for future generations? Don’t the people of this region deserve more from government officials and law-makers? You bet we do!
The State appointed Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority is not a friend to local residents, and they are not to be trusted. Executive Director Hans Arnold has been quoted as saying the runoff and excessive sediment entering Moose Creek from the landfill site is not a threat to the environment.
According to information obtained by ACAL member Kathy Crofoot, Mr. Arnold has consistently downplayed the significance of the storm water management system failures that have resulted in the siltation of Moose Creek and the waters downstream. During the early site-evaluation process, Botanist Gretchen Stevens predicted the siltation of Moose Creek, and reported that choosing the current site for landfill development would have a profound impact on the adjacent wetlands and the Black River watershed. New York State Environmental Conservation Law provides for the protection of Trout Streams. I think it is safe to say that the NYSDEC has failed miserably in their conservation duties by allowing turbid stream conditions to occur that are detrimental to the fragile Moose Creek and Black River Ecosystem.
The people of this area have a voice. The only way to get the State to realize the Tug Hill Plateau is to be preserved and protected, is by citizens like you refusing to allow this area become the future dumping ground for New York City garbage.
Attend an ACAL meeting, 7PM at the United Methodist Church basement on Tuesdays. Visit our website, www. ACALnews.org and learn the facts. Write a letter sharing your personal stories. Send a tax-deductible donation. Support ACAL fund- raisers.
Together we can work to stop the injustice of forcing an 848-acre landfill on a community that produces less than 1% of the state’s total garbage. Instead, let’s put our resources together and get the attention of the State to preserve and protect the environment in our area for future generations. This is our homeland - the area settled by our ancestors. It is our duty to protect it!
Jacki Chamberlain, ACAL Communications Chairperson
03/16/12 - NEW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION 08/07/11 - Can Landfill Odors Be Prevented? 07/27/11 - Don't Give Up the Ship 12/21/10 - AUTHORITY SETTLES LAWSUIT WITH ACAL 10/11/10 - Black River Trash Bash 07/02/10 - Burning household trash is illegal in New York 06/17/10 - New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 07/13/09 - ACAL - Alive and well 04/13/08 - ACAL 2008 Update - Part 2 03/18/08 - ACAL Continues Environmental Mission in 2008 11/09/07 - Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust 10/26/07 - A good read - The Adirondack Atlas 10/12/07 - New York State Opening Meeting Law 09/28/07 - ACAL Fall Foliage Auction Oct. 5 09/21/07 - Integrity found in the Town of Ava 09/14/07 - Tug Hill resources have been targeted 08/19/07 - Fair and straighforward journalism? 08/10/07 - A Needed Appreciation for Nature 08/03/07 - New York State Municipal Home Rule Law 07/27/07 - Boonville Village Litter/Debris Local Law 07/19/07 - Black River Landing Subdivision Issues 07/13/07 - WTE vs. Landfills 06/29/07 - Too many impaired waters - Black River Watershed 06/22/07 - Protecting our drinking water starts at home 06/15/07 - ACAL Joins Northern Forest Alliance 06/07/07 - ACAL Holds 200/20 Drawing & Picnic, Annual Meeting 06/07/07 - ACAL AWARDED GRANT 06/01/07 - Be a solution - get involved 05/25/07 - American flags do not belong in landfills 05/24/07 - PRESS RELEASE - ACAL Signs Stolen & Vandalized 05/18/07 - Reality check for the DEC 05/04/07 - All citizens are called to act responsibly 04/27/07 - "An Inconvenient Truth" 04/13/07 - Citizens Deserve the Whole Truth ... 04/06/07 - Great Lakes United & Citizen Resources 03/30/07 - "What is the future of local government?" 03/23/07 - Citizens Expect More From Local Government 03/16/07 - Plastic Grocery Bags Harm Wildlife 03/09/07 - The Precious Gift of Water 03/02/07 - Working Together to Protect the Environment 02/26/07 - Grassroots groups are citizens who care! 02/16/07 - Local Citizens Want Environment Protected 02/09/07 - Open Letter to Boonville Town/Village Officials 02/02/07 - Ava Landfill Story Told in Chicago 01/26/07 - It's time for New Yorkers to reclaim their rights! 01/12/07 - CITIZENS' RIGHTS ARE NOT FOR SALE! 01/05/07 - "DO NOT LITTER" Applies to Everyone 12/15/06 - "March of the Penguins" 12/08/06 - Be "good news" in the community 12/01/06 - Moose Creek Prediction - 12 years ago! 11/22/06 - United Haulers v. OHSWA 11/17/06 - A Citizen's Rights 11/03/06 - EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE 11/01/06 - ACAL statement regarding opening of landfill 10/24/06 - OHSWA Opens Landfill Without Required DEC Permit 10/20/06 - OHSWA required by DEC to have proper permit 10/13/06 - Dr. Bob Johnson Speaks at Public Forum 10/06/06 - OHSWA Fails to Deliver 10/04/06 - PRESS RELEASE - Court Denies OHSWA Motions 09/26/06 - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 09/21/06 - If OHSWA knew what they were doing ... 09/08/06 - Joint Board Resolution Revisited 08/28/06 - A Special Message 08/11/06 - Who will save the Town of Ava? 07/21/06 - The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes! 06/10/06 - Honoring Flag Day 05/19/06 - Local Residents Demand Protection for Environment 05/12/06 - The Foundation for a Better Life 05/05/06 - ACAL will pursue justice 04/28/06 - "Tug Hill, A Threatened Paradise" 04/21/06 - NYS environmental law contradicts State action 04/13/06 - The Tug Hill Plateau is worth protecting! 03/22/06 - Press Release - OHSWA & Rifenburg Being Sued 02/24/06 - ACAL Finds NYSDEC Consent Out of Order 02/03/06 - ACAL Defends the Truth 01/02/06 - PRESS RELEASE 12/15/05 - ACAL Continues with its Mission 12/01/05 - Tug Hill Heritage 11/23/05 - Boonville Breaks Resolution 11/06/05 - October 2005 OHSWA meeting 10/28/05 - NYS Waste Disposal Policies Not Enforced 10/21/05 - Environmental Conservation Laws 10/12/05 - Response to Village Trustee 09/23/05 - OHSWA Permit Violations 09/16/05 - ACAL Misinformation 09/07/05 - Press Release: DEC Enforcement Action 08/24/05 - ACAL Misinformation 08/05/05 - It's never too late 07/22/05 - Citizens, stand strong - DO NOT NEGOTIATE! 07/15/05 - PRESS RELEASE - Problems on Ava Landfill Site 07/08/05 - The truth must be told 07/07/05 - WBRV Statement #5 - DANGER to our drinking water 07/06/05 - WBRV Statement #4 - Polluting landfills kill 07/05/05 - WBRV STATEMENT #3 - Boonville Poll Not Official 06/29/05 - WBRV Statement #2 - Landfills provide NO benefits 06/27/05 - WBRV Statement #1 -Towns must stick together 06/24/05 - Waste to energy facilities better alternative 06/17/05 - Boonville boards break agreement 06/17/05 - Slope failure sends mud into Moose Creek AGAIN! 06/12/05 - Environmentally safe alternatives to landfills 05/27/05 - Town of Ava will file an appeal 05/22/05 - Dynamite blasting on landfill site? 05/15/05 - Oneida County in Trouble 05/08/05 - FACTS and What You Can Do 05/01/05 - Community Gathers for Prayer Service 04/24/05 - Personal Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 04/17/05 - Power of Prayer 04/03/05 - The Waste Authority Must Be Stopped! 03/27/05 - Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 03/20/05 - OHSWA Propaganda 03/13/05 - Letter to Griffo - Put Words into Action! 03/06/05 - Get involved in your community 02/27/05 - Assemblyman Townsend Has Concerns Re: OHSWA 02/06/05 - Power of the Press 01/24/05 - Legislator Pam Mandryck Opposes SWA Reappointment 01/02/05 - Weeks of 1/2 - 1/16/05 12/22/04 - Response to letter 12/12/04 - Senator Ray Meier Favors Ava Landfill 11/28/04 - Proud Heritage 11/14/04 - Oneida County chooses - for the people, or not? 11/07/04 - Letters sent to Governor and NYS Senators 10/31/04 - Ava/Boonville future - NO DUMP! 10/28/04 - Letter to Governor Pataki 10/24/04 - Environment Justice All the Way! 10/22/04 - Press Release 10/17/04 - No Civil Rights for Ava Residents 10/10/04 - Article 78 Lawsuit Against DEC Commissioner Crotty 10/03/04 - 400+ Days and Still Fighting! 09/27/04 - Family Home Threatened 09/26/04 - Important Facts to Know About the Ava Landfill 09/19/04 - Letter from Concerned Citizen 09/12/04 - Small Town of Ava Dragged into Court by OHSWA 08/29/04 - Where Do Your Loyalities Lie? 08/22/04 - Beaver Dam Incident Still a Mystery 08/15/04 - Ava-Boonville-Lewis Joint Boards Resolution
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