Environment
Every fish sample from 70 different lakes and rivers tainted with dangerous toxin
Toxic levels in fish often exceed “safe” limit for women of childbearing age
Every lake, river and stream in Ohio is likely contaminated with dangerous mercury pollution, tainting popular fish species that people commonly catch and eat.
That is the finding of a new report based on recent federal and state Environmental Protection Agency tests of more than 1,000 fish caught in 70 different lakes, rivers and ponds across the state.
The test data is included in Reel Danger, a report authored by the Public Interest Research Group and released in Columbus by Ohio PIRG, the Darby Creek Association and the Ohio Environmental Council.
According to EPA test data:
Toxic levels in fish often exceed “safe” limit for women of childbearing age
Every lake, river and stream in Ohio is likely contaminated with dangerous mercury pollution, tainting popular fish species that people commonly catch and eat.
That is the finding of a new report based on recent federal and state Environmental Protection Agency tests of more than 1,000 fish caught in 70 different lakes, rivers and ponds across the state.
The test data is included in Reel Danger, a report authored by the Public Interest Research Group and released in Columbus by Ohio PIRG, the Darby Creek Association and the Ohio Environmental Council.
According to EPA test data:
George W. Bush's environmental record can be dummied down to one simple
word: devastating.
Not only has President Bush gutted numerous environmental laws--including the Clean Air and Water Acts--he has also set a new precedence by disregarding the world's top scientists and the Pentagon, as their concerns about the rate of Global Warming grow graver by the day.
As Mark Townsend and Paul Harris reported for the Observer in the UK in February of 2004, '[The Pentagon report] predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.'
Not only has President Bush gutted numerous environmental laws--including the Clean Air and Water Acts--he has also set a new precedence by disregarding the world's top scientists and the Pentagon, as their concerns about the rate of Global Warming grow graver by the day.
As Mark Townsend and Paul Harris reported for the Observer in the UK in February of 2004, '[The Pentagon report] predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.'
The City of Burlington, Vermont will be the host of an innovative international conference on sustainable communities, to be held from July 14-18, 2004. The Sustainable Communities 2004 conference will bring together academics, professionals, citizens, businesses, and educators from all over the world to discuss and address real-life problems so that participants can go home with new tools, practices, and skills to use in their own communities. Registration is now open - and the early registration deadline has been extended to May 1, 2004.
The conference will feature site visits, case studies, simulations, and dialogue sessions to focus on issues ranging from the role of the arts in community development, the restoration economy, citizen empowerment and public participation, to more technical sessions on financing mechanisms for innovative development strategies, environmentally certified construction practices, performance contracts for energy efficiency, local currency, new opportunities in the business sector, and green purchasing.
The conference will feature site visits, case studies, simulations, and dialogue sessions to focus on issues ranging from the role of the arts in community development, the restoration economy, citizen empowerment and public participation, to more technical sessions on financing mechanisms for innovative development strategies, environmentally certified construction practices, performance contracts for energy efficiency, local currency, new opportunities in the business sector, and green purchasing.
Wilbur, a 10-year-old, #150 house piggy in OH needs to
find a new home ASAP. He was dumped by his lifetime owners 2 weeks ago
so they could travel in their retirement. He was taken in by a non-pig
person who has grown to love him but cannot keep him. He is not safe in
his new home. He was attacked by their dog with puncture wounds
to his ears and snout, and the husband hates him and is threatening
BBQ.
His previous owners refused to take him back. He is an older pig who sleeps a lot but is very loveable and enjoys being loved on and sucking on peppermints. He had absolutely no transition problems into his new home.
If anyone is interested in opening their heart and home to this sweet, sweet pig, please contact me at celler@grlakes.com. He is not safe and needs to be moved ASAP.
Lana Hollenback
(The Anchor Still Holds)
Helping Hoof Program
www.pigsaspetsorg/helping_hoof.htm
Pigs As Pets Association,Inc.
Fort Myers Fl 33905-2335
His previous owners refused to take him back. He is an older pig who sleeps a lot but is very loveable and enjoys being loved on and sucking on peppermints. He had absolutely no transition problems into his new home.
If anyone is interested in opening their heart and home to this sweet, sweet pig, please contact me at celler@grlakes.com. He is not safe and needs to be moved ASAP.
Lana Hollenback
(The Anchor Still Holds)
Helping Hoof Program
www.pigsaspetsorg/helping_hoof.htm
Pigs As Pets Association,Inc.
Fort Myers Fl 33905-2335
Under pressure from the Ohio EPA to come up with an area wide plan for sewer development and water quality, the City of Columbus designated a large area of the Darby watershed to be an Environmentally Sensitive Development Area (ESDA). To formulate special standards for development in this pristine area, Columbus agreed to create an External Advisory Group (EAG).
The Sierra Club’s position is that water quality of the Darby Creeks will be preserved only by following the best scientific guidelines available. The process currently being used to determine protection standards for the ESDA is fatally flawed for several reasons.
The process is controlled by the City of Columbus. Don Armour of Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott & May, an engineering firm working for the City of Columbus, was designated by the city as the facilitator. As facilitator, Armour has the ability to control the agenda and the discussion.
The Sierra Club’s position is that water quality of the Darby Creeks will be preserved only by following the best scientific guidelines available. The process currently being used to determine protection standards for the ESDA is fatally flawed for several reasons.
The process is controlled by the City of Columbus. Don Armour of Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott & May, an engineering firm working for the City of Columbus, was designated by the city as the facilitator. As facilitator, Armour has the ability to control the agenda and the discussion.
On Nov. 24 Columbus passed a water/sewer rate increase that will raise the average bill by about $40/year. Yet the City is a long way from spending our ratepayer dollars in an economic and environmentally beneficial manner. The Club’s work has the potential to redirect the spending of billions of dollars. Make out a tax-deductible check to the Sierra Club Foundation and mail it to: Sierra Club Treasurer, 6760 Hayhurst St., Worthington, OH 43085. We have a generous donor who will match all donations up to $2000!
We urge you to become involved in the Sierra Club’s Sewers Campaign, whether it’s donating a few hours or a few dollars. You can help by writing Mayor Michael Coleman at 90 W. Broad St., Columbus 43215 or calling him at 645-7671. Tell him: “For Our Health, Stop Sewage Overflows.” Or send him an email at mac@cmhmetro.net. You can also send an email from the Sierra Club Ohio Action Network.
We urge you to become involved in the Sierra Club’s Sewers Campaign, whether it’s donating a few hours or a few dollars. You can help by writing Mayor Michael Coleman at 90 W. Broad St., Columbus 43215 or calling him at 645-7671. Tell him: “For Our Health, Stop Sewage Overflows.” Or send him an email at mac@cmhmetro.net. You can also send an email from the Sierra Club Ohio Action Network.
Ohio University’s (OU) agreement to drop the appeal against Ohio Valley Coal Company’s permit to undermine the old growth forest at Dysart Woods went against its top scientists working on Dysart Woods, the land’s supervisor Brian McCarthy and the land’s caretakers. The decision also went against the OU Ecology Committee decision, and numerous resolutions by Student Senate, Faculty Senate and Graduate Student Senate.
OU Professor Brian McCarthy said that he made it clear to the university, as the lead professor at OU studying Dysart Woods and the supervisor of the land laboratory, that he opposed the university’s dropping its appeal. McCarthy is the expert witness for the Dysart Defenders appeal.
OU Professor Brian McCarthy said that he made it clear to the university, as the lead professor at OU studying Dysart Woods and the supervisor of the land laboratory, that he opposed the university’s dropping its appeal. McCarthy is the expert witness for the Dysart Defenders appeal.
When the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) met on Tuesday
January 6, 2004, it only took them about fifteen minutes to vote down
the proposal from United Purifying Technologies (UPT). After four people
from SouthWest Neighbors Protecting Our Environment (SWNPOE) testified
briefly, and two SWACO board members spoke against it, the board
defeated a resolution to offer a lease to UPT. This ended the
possibility that the Trash Burning Power Plant property on Jackson Pike
would be used as a tire pyrolysis facility.
The citizens of southwest Columbus got up in arms about the proposal from a start-up company that consists of one person, president Jeff Troth, and a plan that he has been trying to implement for over a decade. When the Ohio EPA issued a draft air permit to UPT on July 17, 2003, it vaulted the proposal to the forefront of the projects being considered by the SWACO to pay off the debt the City of Columbus still owes on the construction of the plant that has been idle since late 1994.
The citizens of southwest Columbus got up in arms about the proposal from a start-up company that consists of one person, president Jeff Troth, and a plan that he has been trying to implement for over a decade. When the Ohio EPA issued a draft air permit to UPT on July 17, 2003, it vaulted the proposal to the forefront of the projects being considered by the SWACO to pay off the debt the City of Columbus still owes on the construction of the plant that has been idle since late 1994.
The Ohio Sierra Club hired expert
analyst Alex Sagady of E.
Lansing, MI, to review the permit and plant specifications of Universal Purifying Technology (UPT)’s proposed tire pyrolysis plant. The Club has concerns about emissions from the proposed plant, as well as its proposed location at the old trash-burning power plant site in south Columbus. The site itself is highly contaminated by emissions from the former plant. Also, the permit would allow more air pollution in an area that already has the worst air quality in the city. On Nov. 28 Sagady submitted comments to Ohio EPA on behalf of the Central Ohio Sierra Club. Below is a synopsis of Sagady’s major points.
Environmental Groups Promise to Expose Truth Behind Bush's
Pro-Logging Agenda and Stop Projects that Don't Protect Communities
or Restore Forests
MISSOULA, MT - Today, at 8:40 am MST, President Bush signed into law the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HR 1904). Like the double-speak rhetoric offered by his "Clear Skies Initiative," which relaxes pollution standards for air quality, this legislation leaves homes and communities vulnerable to wildfire, severely limits public participation and does not ensure protections for ancient, old-growth forests or roadless wildlands.
"President Bush has ignored common sense home protection measures and limited citizen participation in order to increase commercial logging on 20 million acres of our National Forests, a stated goal of his administration since day one. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to stop projects that don't protect communities or restore our public forests," promised Matthew Koehler with the Native Forest Network in Missoula, Montana.
MISSOULA, MT - Today, at 8:40 am MST, President Bush signed into law the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HR 1904). Like the double-speak rhetoric offered by his "Clear Skies Initiative," which relaxes pollution standards for air quality, this legislation leaves homes and communities vulnerable to wildfire, severely limits public participation and does not ensure protections for ancient, old-growth forests or roadless wildlands.
"President Bush has ignored common sense home protection measures and limited citizen participation in order to increase commercial logging on 20 million acres of our National Forests, a stated goal of his administration since day one. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to stop projects that don't protect communities or restore our public forests," promised Matthew Koehler with the Native Forest Network in Missoula, Montana.