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ACAL News
Recent Documents...
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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 August 11, 2006
I live in a changing world. Although sometimes difficult and usually challenging, my life is all about change. For the most part, I think I accept change fairly well … except moving. Not fun. I am a collector of everything. I love books and I own a ton of them. I still have toys from when my kids were toddlers. You get the picture.
The other day, my daughter (no longer a toddler) recently heard a song and wanted to share it with me because it made her think of Ava.
Entitled “River Valley”, the song was written and performed by Moxy Fruvous (with an umlaut over the first “u”); a group I had never heard of. Nonetheless, I was open-minded and gave “River Valley” a listen.
Have you ever heard a piece of music that changed you in some way? I had a lump in my throat after hearing the first line. I have included several phrases from the lyrics to “River Valley” below.
Who will save the river valley? That's my drinking water
This was once a sacred place, now look at what we've got here …
This is my world, this is my world, don't let it go away
Is it a crime spending my time dreaming of yesterday?
Is your favourite place controlled by developing ambitions?
Do you think you'll have some power signing a petition?
Are you fine with your surroundings? Are they gonna crumble?
Who will save the river valley?
So what does a song written by an alternative rock group have anything to do with Ava or ACAL or a landfill?
A group of young musicians decided they wanted to address a topic in song - one worth discussing – the environment. Of course, this is isn’t the first time musicians have addressed various issues in song. Bob Dillon, The Beatles, Crosby, Still, Nash & Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes, Julian Lennon, and many others have all written music and lyrics that have focused on real life issues.
Today, in 2006, rural communities, once ignored and unnoticed, have suddenly become prime real estate – for landfills, mining, windmills, power lines, and prisons. As a result, rivers and streams, meadows and valleys, and forests and woodlands, are being spoiled by man-made pollution. Rural America, as we have known it, is changing – and not for the better.
Those of you who live in the Boonville/Ava/West Leyden area, or grew up here, or have ancestors from here, know the sacredness of a grassy meadow, freshly cut and ready for haying, or a sparkling, crystal clear stream, home to native brook trout and children playing among the rocks on a hot summer’s day. And magnificent sunsets, visible from just about anywhere; orange and purple and pink, and so breathtaking, that folks stop to watch the colors change.
Nature is sacred. In the Book of Genesis, the Lord God tells us to be good stewards of the land, to care for it and for all living things. That is our calling – the calling of every person – not just the members of ACAL.
Many years ago, a landfill was wrongly selected for Ava. Originally slated for the Veterans’ Memorial Forest, County Law 219 could not be broken (even by Ray Meier) so the Authority put their State-appointed power to work. They persuaded one single farmer to sell his land, made sure the property was removed from the Agricultural District, then proceeded to buy and take land in the Town of Ava for a great big landfill; a 1000-acre landfill, which according to the Authority, will accept garbage from only two counties. I have no doubt it will receive garbage from Oneida and Herkimer counties, but within the next few years, it will expand to accept garbage from all over New York State – just like the landfill in Rodman. And God forbid, if we can’t all work together to keep this landfill at bay, it will likely become a solution to the New York City garbage problem.
The Authority, of course, denies this will happen. But whom are you going to believe? Your friends, family and neighbors from ACAL, who have volunteered thousands and thousands of hours researching landfills in order to protect the environment surrounding your homes, or a State appointed board of landfill builders whose members include four retired G.E. personnel and an executive director who lives in New Hartford and makes more than three times the annual income of most Ava residents?
The State of New York, through the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (OHSWA), is changing our environment, our communities, and the homeland of our ancestors for the worse. Despite the carrot OHSWA keeps dangling in front of the local towns to persuade them sign on, Ava refuses to accept a landfill being forced into their community. Can Ava help to change the likely outcome of the landfill accepting New York City garbage in the future? Senator Clinton thinks so.
In a speech given by NYS Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton to the Committee on Environmental and Public Works, she stated, ?" ... I believe NYS/NYC has and will continue to commit itself to ensuring that waste generated within its borders is disposed of safely and responsibly, and with the willingness and acceptance of the Host Community."
Politics may have won with regards to getting the landfill built, however, ACAL has won in successfully and patiently collecting documented evidence showing quite clearly that OHSWA has designed and constructed a seriously flawed storm water management system on the landfill site; a system, which has been polluting Moose Creek for over a year.
OHSWA is violating State environmental law and the federal Clean Water Act. ACAL has filed a lawsuit against OHSWA for not being able to stop the ongoing pollution to Moose Creek. Will the State hold OHSWA accountable for polluting Moose Creek? Or are local farmers the only ones held accountable for polluting waterways in NYS?
I say, Hurray for River Valley, and hurray for ACAL and like-minded people, who are willing to do what is necessary to create a positive change in the community by refusing to allow politics and a great big New York City garbage problem to ruin their way of life.
Who will save the Town of Ava? Count me in!
Jacki Chamberlain
ACAL Communications Chairperson
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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