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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of 26 October 2007I recently purchased a wonderfully informative book. The Adirondack Atlas – A Geographic Portrait of the Adirondack Park by Jerry Jenkins and Andy Keal, was published in 2004 by the Syracuse University Press and The Adirondack Museum. Everyone living in, near or visiting the lands within the “Blue Line” should own a copy of this atlas, a project of The Wildlife Conservation Society. The Adirondack Atlas contains fascinating information, not stuffy, boring facts. There are topics for everyone’s interest, such as media, environment, business and industry, changing towns, history, education, animals, and vital statistics. The content is enlightening, and sometimes frightening, but always interesting. Here are some facts worth mentioning. Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous United States, measuring in at 5.9 million acres of forest preserves (48%) and private lands (52%). In 1880, the Adirondacks consisted of three geographic regions – the interior of continuous forests, including Saranac Lake, Blue Mt. Lake and Old Forge – the former industrial/agricultural periphery, containing the towns of Mayfield, Chestertown and Keesville – and farmland and industrial towns, including Glens Falls, Boonville, and Malone. There are 14 major rivers that run outward from the “Adirondack dome” in all directions. The 9 major watersheds include the valleys of the Hudson and Mohawk, which flow into New York Harbor. Champlain, Grass, Raquette, St. Regis, Salmon, St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie watersheds all flow into the St. Lawrence River, which originates from Lake Ontario and flows through Canada to the Atlantic Ocean. The Black River watershed flows into Great Lake Ontario. The Atlas also confirms research, studies and reports regarding the “acid rain” problem in the Midwest and northeastern states. “Acid precipitation is rain or snow that contains sulfuric and nitric acids. The acids are produced by the hydration of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which in turn are produced during combustion. The sulfur ultimately comes from the sulfur in fossil fuels, the nitrogen from the nitrogen in the atmosphere. The main sources of acid rain are coal-burning plants in the Midwest.” Simply put, acid rain is polluted precipitation. Although the Atlas didn’t describe the east as being the “tailpipe” to the rest of the country, if one views the maps on page 237, the evidence is apparent. “Acid rain is an eastern problem. The areas of lake effect precipitation in western New York and on the west slopes of the Adirondacks are the most heavily affected places in the northeast.” The worst location for acid rain in New York is the Tug Hill region. The good news is that rocks and soils can neutralize the acids in acid rain. The watersheds with a high capacity for neutralizing acid rain are located in the northern Adirondacks. The bad news is the watersheds in the west Adirondacks have a low neutralizing capacity. As a result, acid rain is depleting the soils of nutrients, acidifying lakes, reducing tree reproduction, and filling fish and animal populations with accumulating toxics of aluminum and mercury. Since the 1970’s, the Clean Air Act has decreased sulfate pollution by 38% but has done little to change nitrate pollution. “Nitrogen oxide emissions are largely unchanged and now exceed sulfur emissions.” Future forecasts do not see the acid rain problem going away any time soon. Although the effects of acid rain will continue to adversely affect water, soils, trees, fish and wildlife, researchers believe the forests will recover in a few hundred years, provided the inputs of acid are stopped. According to, “What Can Be Done About Acid Rain?” from the Health Goods website, http://www.healthgoods.com/Education/Environment_Information/Acid_Rain/what_done_about_acid_rain.htm, all is not lost. “Until we reduce air pollution, acid rain will continue to be a problem. Activities to resolve this problem include cleaning up the smokestacks and exhaust pipes that pour pollutants into the air, finding alternative sources of energy, repairing the damage done by acid rain and conserving our resources.” The article, which was produced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, “It may seem like there is not much that individuals can do to stop acid rain. However, environmental problems, including acid rain, are caused by the combined actions of individual people. Individuals can take part in solving these problems as well. One of the first steps is to assume responsibility for the problem by finding out what can be done.” “Each person who turns off the lights when no one is using them and uses energy-saving appliances reduces the amount of electricity a power plant has to produce. When less power needs to be produced, pollution from power plants decreases.” Conserving resources and reducing an individual’s pollution output is the easiest way to decrease air pollution and protect the environment. In addition to turning off lights and using Energy Star appliances and products, here is a list of 5 actions folks can incorporate into their daily routines: 1. Hang laundry outside to dry. 2. Car-pool, walk, ride a bike and drive vehicles with low emissions and increased gas mileage. 3. Reduce the waste you produce. Carefully research and purchase products you need. Well-made quality items, although initially more expensive, will last longer and can be reused many times. Always remember to recycle. 4. Do not burn garbage and other materials in open pits or burn barrels. The amount of pollution that comes from a burn barrel is greater than what comes from a tailpipe. 5. Use reusable cloth bags or paper bags when shopping. Plastic bags are made from petroleum products, are rarely recycled, and wind up in landfills (or blowing from them) where they can be ingested by birds and wildlife, often causing death. Every action taken today to conserve resources and reduce air pollution, immediately helps the air, water, trees, and wildlife where you live – whether inside or outside of the “Blue Line.” Jacki Chamberlain, ACAL Director of Communications 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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