Pennsylvania DEP Fines Owner of Adams County Salvage Company More than $34,000 for Waste Violations

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 28, 2011 - The Department of Environmental Protection has fined John Stull, owner of a salvage business in Adams County, $34,464 for Solid Waste Management Act violations documented in 2009 and 2011. Since 2003, Stull has been repeatedly cited for improperly storing waste tires and openly burning truck trailers and other materials, among other waste-related violations. The salvage business, now located in Mount Joy Township, was previously located in Union Township, Adams County. Among other salvage operations, Stull purchases and scraps truck trailers by cutting the trailers apart, salvaging the metal and setting fire to the wooden floors.

Melvin Wylie

Taiwan to Establish Shark Finning Ban

Matt Rand, director of global shark conservation for the Pew Environment Group, issued the following statement today in response to an announcement by the Taiwan Fisheries Agency that it will impose a ban next year on shark finning—the practice of slicing off the animal's fins on-board and then throwing away the body at sea—and mandate that sharks are landed with their fins attached. "This announcement is an indication that Taiwan is on the right track when it comes to protecting sharks. However, it falls short of what is really needed. With up to 73 million sharks killed every year, many by Taiwan's fleet, a finning ban does not address the larger overfishing problem that is driving these animals toward extinction. "As the images we released this week show, enormous numbers of sharks are coming into Taiwan's ports. The announced policy does not set limits on how many sharks can be killed by Taiwanese vessels fishing in any ocean. As such, the hunt will continue. "To truly reduce the excessive pressure fishing has on these animals, Taiwan should prohibit catching sharks that are threatened or near threatened with extinction. It should also end fishing of shark species that do not have science-based management plans in place to ensure that these animals are caught at a sustainable level. As countries around the world are establishing sanctuaries that ban shark fishing in their own waters, we hope Taiwan will move to further protect sharks."

Melvin Wylie

Conservationists and Rice Farmers Agree: Project is for the Birds

DAVIS, Calif. - Seventy rice farmers in Glenn and Colusa County have signed contracts to participate in a $2.68 million pilot project with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to modify their rice fields and production practices to benefit shorebirds and waterfowl. In the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative (MBHI), rice farmers will engage in a number of practices strategically targeted to benefit the birds' migratory and breeding needs. Under MBHI, for example, rice farmers will flood their fields earlier or maintain the water longer in the season—and at the depth specifically needed at critical points in the season. "In general shorebirds and many waterfowl require shallowly flooded habitat, 2-6 inches deep," says Alan Forkey, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS. "Rice fields are often deeper than that. Also, rice farmers often pull the water off their land in January but under MBHI they will keep it on longer and withdraw the water more gradually." Forkey says. Additionally, rice farmers will be shaping the levees between the fields to better accommodate the birds' nesting and resting needs. Sloped levees will be flattened providing a better nesting surface and shoulders that make it easier for chicks to navigate from nests to water. Some farmers will also provide artificial nesting structures. In many ways this is the culmination of years of scientific, agronomic and outreach work between conservationists and rice farmers. The California Rice Commission, Audubon California, PRBO Conservation Science and other groups partnered with NRCS for over a decade. "Together we have tested practices that seem to really make a difference to waterbirds that are also acceptable to rice farmers," said Paul Buttner of the California Rice Commission. Some practices are clear win-wins for farmers and waterbirds. For example, the longer flooding of the fields also degrades the post-harvest rice stubble. Additionally, some farmers will manage small portions of their fields as wetland habitat which will allow intake water to warm a bit—a practice that both the birds and the tender rice plants appreciate. The Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership will be measuring bird response to the new activities undertaken by the rice farmers. In August, money became available for MBHI but the opportunity came with a very short timeframe. All outreach, planning and contracting had to occur in two short weeks. Conservationists from all the partner organizations helped with a workshop that swelled with interested farmers. "I believe that providing the 'why' and the context for these practices really increased farmer enthusiasm for adopting the practices," said Rodd Kelsey of Audubon California. Rice farmers will begin their bird-friendly practices this fall and continue through 2014.

Melvin Wylie

25th Episode of GreenNews4U

Addressing Problems and learning about the Anacostia River Welcome to the 25th Episode of GreenNews4U! In the episode I have Brent Bolin with the Anacostia Watershed Society. We talk about the problems the river is facing, solutions to the problems, the history and how the Anacostia Watershed Society is working to improve the river. We go in depth and talk about much more so have a listen to this great interview. http://www.archive.org/download/25thEpisodeOfGreennews4u/25thEpisodeOfGreennews4u.mp3

Melvin Wylie

Bird Lovers Fly South: Nature Tourism in Rio South Texas Generates $300 Million Annually

EDINBURG, Texas - One of America's most vibrant "birding hotspots" is Rio South Texas; a tropical paradise with almost 500 recorded species of bird. The huge number of bird species, alongside the region's large tracts of nature preserves and ranch land, is attracting a new color to kaleidoscopic Rio South Texas: green! Each year, this border region brings in more than $300 million from nature loving tourists, who flock in from all over the world to view the majesty of the Western Wood-Pewee, fish the Laguna Madre, or go bow hunting for wild Javelina. This finding comes off the back of a study recently conducted by Texas A&M University's Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences and Department of Agricultural Economics. Nature tourism has long been an important focal point for the area's visitor bureaus, and the study's results demonstrate that these efforts are paying dividends. In addition to the influx of cash that nature tourists bring to Rio South Texas, these nature lovers also boost local employment. The study estimates more than 4,407 full- and part-time jobs are directly attributable to nature tourism. Given that the survey was conducted during the off-peak season for nature tourism, the resulting figures are likely conservative estimates. Rio South Texas Economic Council (RSTEC) member and CEO of the Mission Area Chamber of Commerce, Matt Ruszcazak, believes sustainable growth is an important balancing act: "It's tempting to clear every piece of land for development when your economy is booming like ours, but the benefits that come from caring for nature corridors can also have an impressive and positive economic impact for our area." "Once you've watched a Yellow-Bellied Kiskadee chase off a Peregrine Falcon, it's pretty easy to get hooked," grins Ruszcazak. "This study makes it clear just how positive nature tourism is on a financial level; its effects are not only apparent today, but also set to bring great advantages for the region in future years." RSTEC brings together the region's economic development organizations with a unified, clear vision focused on fostering expansion and relocation efforts by companies seeking an attractive business environment. The Council also works toward furthering educational opportunities in the region to boost the area and provide local companies with a workforce of highly educated individuals.

Melvin Wylie

How Green is Your High School?

Consumers Energy's Green Scenes Video Contest to Award $5,000 to Winning Entry Consumers Energy's Green Generation program is inviting Michigan high schools in its electric or combination service territory to participate in a video contest showing their school's commitment to renewable energy. The grand prize entry will receive $5,000 for their school, with smaller prizes for first, second and third place. Videos can be submitted from now through November 15. Information on this contest is available at www.greenscenescontest.com, including official contest rules. "This program taps into the amazing creativity and enthusiasm for renewable energy by high school students. It also provides a great opportunity to win a cash prize to benefit your high school," said Thomas Shirilla, Green Generation program manager for Consumers Energy. The winning entries will be based on a number of criteria, including creativity, strength of theme, video quality, and the number of votes received at the Green Scenes Contest website. Voting for this contest ends on November 30, 2011, and winning entries will be named shortly thereafter. Student participants are encouraged to recruit their family and friends to vote for their video application, and help their high school win one of the four prize levels. Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest renewable energy provider. Green Generation is the utility's voluntary program for homes and businesses served by the utility. Launched in 2005, the program relies on renewable energy produced in Michigan, including wind and landfill gas. The Green Generation program adds diversity to Consumers Energy's overall energy mix, reduces dependence on traditional energy sources, and helps to preserve our natural resources.  

Melvin Wylie

Being Green This Halloween is Simple at Goodwill

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Busy families can be earth friendly this Halloween by shopping at Goodwill® stores. Find everything you need at Goodwill to create a unique costume for yourself or your children. All you need is a little imagination to transform your child into a favorite superhero or fairy princess. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090716/DC47803LOGO) By shopping at Goodwill this Halloween, you are purchasing high-quality, affordable items and diverting them from landfills. The nearly 2,600 Goodwill stores in the United States and Canada have items donated by 74 million donors. This vast inventory includes anything you can imagine, from clothing in every color to apparel from different decades and accessories to transform an ordinary look into a fantastic costume. "Shopping at Goodwill for Halloween is a simple step toward living a more sustainable lifestyle," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Reusing and repurposing items from Goodwill stores are a fun way to make a unique Halloween costume for not a lot of money." Shopping at Goodwill is not just good for the planet. It also benefits people in local communities. Revenue from Goodwill stores fund job training programs and career and community-based services for people with disabilities, those who lack education or work experience, and others facing challenges to finding employment. Your purchase helps people learn the skills they need to work in Goodwill stores and in growing fields outside of Goodwill such as healthcare, green industries and financial services. "In 2010, Goodwill Industries® diverted more than 2 billion pounds of used goods from landfills," said Gibbons. "Look no further than your nearest Goodwill store to find what you need to celebrate a green Halloween." To find your local Goodwill, visit locator.goodwill.org. To learn more about Goodwill Industries International, visit www.goodwill.org. This year, Goodwill Industries International is partnering with Green Halloween to share our commitment to safe and eco-friendly Halloween celebrations. For more information, visit http://greenhalloween.org/.

Melvin Wylie