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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of 29 June 2007The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website http://www.dec.ny.gov/61.html states that New York contains “70,000 miles of rivers and streams, 4,000 lakes and ponds, 2.4 million acres of wetlands, and 210 billion gallons of ground water used annually.” Know for its excessive amounts of snow and rainfall, the Tug Hill Plateau Region includes several of New York’s 54 total watersheds, including the Black River, and Oswegatchie and Raquette (St. Lawrence River). According to a June 2006 report on impaired waters, the DEC stated, “The Federal Clean Water Act requires states to periodically assess and report on the quality of waters in their state. Section 303(d) of the Act also requires states to identify Impaired Waters.” Information obtained from the 2004 Section 303(d) List Fact Sheet for New York from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website http://iaspub.epa.gov/waters/state_rept.control?p_state=NY, indicates that 47 of the 54 watersheds in the state contain 792 reported impaired waters. Of the 47 watersheds in this EPA report, one includes more impaired waters than the second and third most combined: the Black River Watershed. Black River Watershed = 175 impaired waters Southern Long Island = 86 Oswegatchie = 80 Raquette = 47 Northern Long Island = 40 What is most alarming, is that all three watersheds located in the Tug Hill Plateau region contain the most impaired waters in all of New York, with the exception of Southern Long Island, which contains less than half of the total in the Black River Watershed. Additionally, it is important to point out that Southern and Northern Long Island watersheds both include the Atlantic Ocean, not streams, rivers, lakes and ponds. Overall, New York’s impaired waters suffer mostly from the following top 10 problems: pH (mostly acid rain), PCB’s, pathogens (from bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease), nutrients (minerals), mercury, pesticides, oxygen depletion, dioxins (a highly toxic compound produced as a byproduct in some manufacturing processes, notably herbicide production and paper bleaching), sediment, and metals other than mercury (cooper, lead, zinc). The causes for water impairment in the Black River watershed include pH problems, mercury, DDT, and PCB’s. Fourth Lake, located in Inlet, Herkimer County, is the only water source within the watershed that contains DDT, which apparently entered the lake from streams exposed to pesticides. Kelsey Creek, which runs along Rt. 12E and the intersection of Rt. 11 in Jefferson County, contains PCB’s, which have been present for over 10 years, but were not identified until 2002. It is clear that further environmental protection is needed for water sources contained within the Tug Hill Plateau region, where 38% of all state impaired waters are located. What is most disconcerting is that if the streams, rivers, lakes and ponds are impaired, what is the present condition of the groundwater, which many citizens drink? Until further investigation can be completed regarding the DEC’s action to remedy the impaired waters of Upstate New York, citizens must take action now to protect their water sources. • When fishing, swimming, boating and picnicking near water, please do not throw food, debris and containers into the water. • If you see litter in or near a water source, please pick it up and dispose of properly. • If you see or smell anything abnormal in or entering a lake, pond, stream, or river, please contact the local municipality, park ranger, and/or Region 6 DEC in Watertown immediately. • Never dispose of gasoline, oil or other toxins by pouring them on the ground. These toxins will either be absorbed into the soil and risk entering ground water, or can be washed into nearby wells. Citizen involvement and participation can be the most powerful resource the state has to keep our water clean and pure. Please do your part to keep the Tug Hill Plateau safe for future generations. Jacki Chamberlain Director of Communications Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL) 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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