Mohawk Hudson Chapter
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Conservation Links


Verizon Wireless Recycling
Cell phone and electronic recycling options through Verizon.

Lose Your Excuse
A US Department of Energy site aimed at children that has games and projects to educate about climate change and conservation..

Climate Choices
a project of the Union of Concerned Scientists explains the impact of Global Warming on the Northeast and California.

AMC Conservation
Appalachian Mountain Club's conservation efforts

NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
Info and news about the environment in NYS. Includes the Dunn Memorial Bridge Falcon Nest webcam (March - June) Maps section contains an interactive mapper showing trails and other recreation details for state lands.

Conservation News


Conservation is a major focus of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Consider signing up for the AMC's Conservation Action Network newsletter and finding out how you can help. Review the links and tips here for ideas on how you can help to reduce our carbon footprint, while saving money in the process. If you have some suggestions to add, we would love to hear them. Contact John Tifft, Conservation Chair



On Thursday, February 25th, our chapter sponsored an introductory talk about invasive species. The talk was presented by Laurel Gailor, Coordinator of the local PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). It is a topic worthy of our serious attention as invasive species (both animals and plants) are, by their very nature, upsetting the delicate balance of nature. If you were unable to attend, you can follow this link to view a synopsis of her talk along with identifying pictures and charts. We are looking forward to following up this presentation with a walk in the Spring sometime where our learning about these species will be further reinforced by the actual identification of these species in the wild. Along with this, there will an explanation of how we may begin to transmit the positions of these invasive species to a data base (IMapInvasives) by the use of smart phones or GPS's. Stay tuned for this hike and we hope to see you there!





Some Important Environmental Issues Facing the Capital District

1. PCB Contamination of the Hudson River by General Electric


At this point in time, the EPA has determined that the dredging phase of the Hudson River of PCB contamination has been completed, and considered successful. They are planning on moving onto the next phase. That phase involves the decommissioning of the dewatering facility and other related structures needed for the dredging of the PCBs found in the Hudson. However, a petition was submitted to the EPA by a number of environmental groups on December 17th, 2015 that stated that there is compelling evidence that PCBs remaining In the Hudson constitute a real and continuing danger. Their conclusion was that completed dredging has not resulted in conditions that were sufficiently protective of human health and the environment. EPA has recently signaled that it may look again at its conclusions by undertaking a five year review. The environmental groups have serious concerns as to the objectivity of such a review. They feel that an evaluation at a minimum must include full consideration of the NOAA analysis. It must also consider new scientific research demonstrating the potential human health harms posed by chronic exposure to air born forms of PCBs. It must also address the recent evidence of the failure of long standing fish consumption advisories to protect human health in the meantime.

2. Safety of DOT 111 Rail Train Cars.


Some of you may have noticed that the Port of Albany is packed with black railroad cars. These railroad cars are used to transport fracked crude oil from the Bakken Oil Fields of North Dakota, Montana, and Canada through the port of Albany. These rail cars have been called an unacceptable public risk by the National Traffic Safety Board. Even cars voluntarily upgraded by the industry may not provide sufficient safeguards. There have been numerous disastrous freight car derailments in the past few years of these cars resulting in oil spillage and the resultant fire damage to the cities and towns that the train passes through. Since July 2013, 11 trains carrying Bakken Oil have derailed and ignited causing great overall damage. They can be seen as easy targets for use by terrorists. Currently new regulations for the construction of these rail cars are being considered by the NTSB. Anyone interested in becoming actively involved with this issue is urged to consult the resources at the end of this report. In particular, a group called People of Albany United for Safe Energy or PAUSE is very much involved with this issue.

3. Three Pipelines Proposed to Transport Fracked Oil Whose Routes Pass Near the Capital Region


There are currently three pipelines that are being proposed whose purpose is the transportation of crude fracked oil. (For information about similar pipelines that are threatening the environment that are within our AMC territory, please refer to the Conservation page of the main AMC website.) Their proposed routes will all pass through areas very close to the Capital Region. The dangers of transporting the fracked crude oil are potentially very grave to lands, water, wildlife and ultimately to humans. These are some of the dangers:
  1. Pipelines leak! By leaking, they release toxic chemicals into the air and water. The blowdowns or intentional venting at compressor stations which are located at various locations along the route send thousands of tons of greenhouse gasses and hundreds of pounds of toxic chemicals into our air.
  2. Pipelines explode! The incineration zone of 1000 feet on either side of the pipeline encompasses homes, businesses, schools, farms and roads.
  3. New Yorkers will not benefit! Most of the gas will be sold internationally providing huge profits for the companies involved and thereby bringing up gas rates. Residents residing near or on the proposed route may suffer increased insurance rates and a decline in property value.
  4. Fossil fuels including fracked gas contribute to climate change! If installation of these pipelines takes place, there will be less incentive to build clean energy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
The names and approximate routes of the three pipelines are as follows:
  1. The Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline, also known as the Kinder Morgan Pipeline will be routed from the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania to the north shore of Massachusetts by way of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire with lateral lines in Connecticut. At present, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is putting together an Environmental Impact Statement that will review impacts of the construction and operation of this pipeline. AMC is very much involved with this issue. (See their letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) In particular, besides the AMC, a group called SNYFGP or Stop New York Fracked Gas Pipeline has as its focus blocking construction of this pipeline. Please refer to the “RESOURCES” at the end of this report for information on how to access these and other groups involved with this issue.
  2. The Constitution Pipeline: This pipeline is designed to transport gas from the fracking fields of Susquehanna County, Pa. to Schoharie N.Y. This pipeline would run from the Southern Tier, along the Western slope of the Catskills. Along the way it will cross 277 streams, and will need to clear cut more than 700,000 trees. 1800 acres of farmland and forest will be destroyed. Right now, the DEC is poised to deny its water quality certificate which is similar to how President Obama blocked the Keystone Pipeline. You are welcome to call Governor Cuomo throughout the week at 877-235-6537 and urge him to Keystone the Constitution Pipeline. A key group associated with the blocking of this particular pipeline is Stop the Pipeline or STP. Please refer to the RESOURCES at the end of this statement for information how to access this group.
  3. The Pilgrim Pipeline: This pipeline would comprise two parallel pipelines, each 24 inches in diameter that would run from Albany to Linden, N.J. It would cover 178 miles each crossing Albany, Greene, Ulster, Orange, and Rockland Counties. In the Capital Region, laterals are proposed to cross the Hudson to tank farms in Rensselaer County. Bakken Oil will be sent south, and refined oil will be sent north. The pipeline would pass through the Highlands region in Northern New Jersey, an area which provides half the water for the state of New Jersey. The Coalition against the Pilgrim Pipeline, or CAPP is a good resource for information on this issue and how to take action against the pipeline. See information about this resource under RESOURCES at the end of this statement.

4. The Continued Safety Concerns of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant


During the past year of 2015, five mishaps occurred at the Nuclear Power Plant, once again bringing into question the safety from nuclear disaster for citizens in surrounding communities. In addition to these mishaps, there is the question of the fire prevention safeguards. At this point, there is only a 24 minute elapsed time between when a fire starts and when the fire prevention components can safely contain that fire. Here again, the incentive to convert to clean energy is compromised if we continue to rely on this potentially disastrous source. The group Riverkeeper is very much involved with this issue, and ultimately want to shut it down. Please refer to the RESOURCES at the end of this statement.



RESOURCES


  1. Our own Appalachian Club has information about the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline and a pdf of their letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stating their concerns regarding this pipeline. If you go to the Conservation Section of the Member Center, you will see a way to become involved with this issue by joining their Conservation Action Network. They have information about projected projects that threaten the environment of their larger area.
  2. The local Sierra Club keeps tabs and is very active on all of the above mentioned issues as well as many others. They have a very valuable Capital Region All Green Calendar as part of their web site which lists upcoming meetings, rallies, informational seminars, etc. that you can take part in.
  3. Riverkeeper is very much involved with shutting down Indian Point as well as the bomb trains, crude oil transportation on the Hudson, and the PCB dredging issue. Click here to access the Riverkeeper website.
  4. People of Albany United for Safe Energy or PAUSE. This group is focused on the bomb trains which pass through Albany. Their web site is Click hereto access the PAUSE website. On that site you can find a petition asking Governor Cuomo to reroute these trains outside of all populated areas of New York unless the Federal Government and oil industry can insure that they can find a safe way to transport the hazardous material. They meet every Thursday from 5:30 to 7 to talk about this issue as well as other alternative avenues towards a fossil free energy future.
  5. The Stop the New York Fracked Gas Pipeline or SNYFGP sets up an informational picket line outside of the Kinder Morgan Co. offices in Pittsfield every Friday from 12-1pm. They intend to keep the picket line forming every Friday until the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline is shut down. Information about them can be found by googling the Stop New York Fracked Gas Pipeline or by looking at the All Green Calendar of the local Sierra Club. On their web site, they have a petition asking for Governor Cuomo to direct the New York State Department of Health to oversee a complete assessment of the impact that gas infrastructure has on New Yorker’s health and safety and have the New York Department of Environmental Conservation use such assessment in reviewing gas pipeline proposals.
  6. The group called Stop the Pipeline or STP are focused on the Constitution Pipeline. Click here to access their website.
  7. Another group called the Coalition Against the Pilgrim Pipeline or CAPP are focused on the environmental dangers posed by the installation of this pipeline. Click here to access the CAPP website.

Of course mention should be made of the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance. We as a chapter have committed to their conservation goals by joining their Alliance. We intend to provide whatever assistance we can towards their goal of keeping the Rensselaer Plateau green. Please refer to their web site at Rensselaer Plateau Alliance for information about all their exciting plans. Finally, this is by no means all the resources available to you. As you become more familiar with the above issues or other local issues, you, yourself, will perhaps find other avenues towards improving the environment of our local area.





Appalachian Mountain Club Launches “Marcellus Shale’s Greatest Treasures” Website

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has launched a new "Marcellus Shale's Greatest Treasures" interactive website http://www.outdoors.org/shale featuring first-hand accounts of the impact of natural gas development by people who rely on the public lands and waters in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale region for outdoor recreation. Through personal stories and photos, this new website gives Pennsylvania residents and visitors an opportunity to better understand and discuss natural gas development on and near public forests, parks, trails, and waterways. The individual stories represent a variety of outdoor recreation perspectives, including hikers, paddlers, hunters, and rock climbers, as well as popular destinations such as Pine Creek Gorge, Ricketts Glen, and Ohiopyle.



Adirondack Park Petition

Govenor Cuomo has signed the agreement to purchase the Finch Pruyn lands for inclusion in the "Forever Wild" Forest Preserve. You can read the Times Union Article and/or read about the original controversy.



What the Frack is Fracking?

To learn more about this controversial topic, read this article by Cathy Frankenberg, AMC's Mid-Atlantic Policy Associate.

To read more about AMC's Natural Gas policy, visit http://www.outdoors.org/conservation/issues/natural-gas.cfm



AMC Scientists need your help to track trends in flowering times

Help track the development of these flowering plants (found trailside in eastern US natural areas)

The AMC is undertaking a study of the development lifecycle of certain flowering plants with the goal of using this information to monitor climate change. As temperatures get warmer, plants should start developing earlier in the year. To find out more about this study and how you can help, visit this website





To learn more about the new horrible menace affecting our area, the Emerald Ash Borer, and what you can do to help thwart it, see the article Emerald Ash Borer On the Move in the Fall 2011 edition of On the Western Slope



Conservation Activites the Mohawk Hudson Chapter conducted in 2011
  • Screened the Movie, Gasland Report
  • Sponsored presentation on Leave No Trace principles Report
  • Participated in the Annual Tomhannock Reservoir Cleanup Report
  • Removed Trash from the Indian Kill at Indian Meadows Park Report
  • Held Climate Change Talk Report
  • Participated in workshop on future of Rensselaer Plateau

Conservation Tips


Have a Conservation Tip you would like to share? Click here

Those plastic bags are NOT free

It is estimated that stores give out over a billion plastic bags a day. We recycle some, but most end up in landfills. It takes between 20 and 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose.

We tend to overuse plastic bags because they appear to be "Free". In reality, the bags cost consumers about $4 billion each year.

How often does the checkout clerk automatically place your purchase in a plastic bag -- even if you bought only one or two items? Learn the power of:"I don't need a bag, thanks." By saying those words as you put your carryable quantity of items on the counter, you will save a bag and send a message.

Be sure to keep reusable bags in your car. If you tend to forget them in your car, consider buying some foldup cloth bags, that will fit in small purses and pockets.



Click Here to see all conservation tips.

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