New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of proposed regulations to implement a ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging, commonly referred to as “packing peanuts,” that goes into effect January 1st, 2022. [Read more…] about DEC Proposes Polystyrene Packaging Ban
pollution
How Trees Cause – and Mostly Prevent – Pollution
In 1981, former President Ronald Reagan famously pronounced “Trees cause more air pollution than automobiles do,” a statement which garnered endless ridicule.
Even though he also said “Facts are stupid things” during a 1988 interview, it turns out his claim about dirty trees was partly correct. [Read more…] about How Trees Cause – and Mostly Prevent – Pollution
Money Trees: Unusual Hyperaccumulators
If money grew on trees it seems that could result in vast monocultures, with ruinous environmental impacts. I suppose it depends on currency. If the money tree produced only Iranian rials or Venezualan bolivars, we’d likely consider it a noxious weed. [Read more…] about Money Trees: Unusual Hyperaccumulators
Take the Plastic Free July Challenge
Plastic Free July is a month long global movement to find out what single-use plastics you consume in your daily life and how you can reduce them. The public is encouraged to join millions of people from across the world in reducing single-use plastics by taking the Plastic Free July Challenge. [Read more…] about Take the Plastic Free July Challenge
Balloon Litter: Up, Up But Never Away
Those who travel in the woods or on the waters in New York State often find littered balloons, even in New York’s most remote areas. DEC staff have been picking up balloons they find while doing field work. [Read more…] about Balloon Litter: Up, Up But Never Away
Loon Center Awarded Oil Spill Settlement Money
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is one of six grant recipients in a natural resource damages settlement from the tank barge Bouchard B-120 oil spill that occurred in Buzzard’s Bay, MA, in April, 2003. More than 500 Common Loons wintering in Buzzard’s Bay were killed by the spill of No 6 Fuel Oil. [Read more…] about Loon Center Awarded Oil Spill Settlement Money
Study: Antidepressant Pollution May Alter Crayfish Behavior
Pharmaceutical pollution is found in streams and rivers globally, but little is known about its effects on animals and ecosystems. A new study, published in the journal Ecosphere, investigated the effects of antidepressant pollution on crayfish. Just two weeks of citalopram exposure caused changes in crayfish behavior, with the potential to disrupt stream ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling, oxygen levels, and algal growth. [Read more…] about Study: Antidepressant Pollution May Alter Crayfish Behavior
Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing
When air and water meet, such as when it rains, air pollution can easily turn into water pollution. Waterways can receive a lot of pollution this way from both rain and run-off.
Air pollution can damage fragile aquatic ecosystems, with one of the most harmful pollutants being nitrogen. [Read more…] about Nitrogen Pollution: Too Much of a Good Thing
Saranac River Restoration Efforts Underway at Former Gas Plant
A former manufactured gas plant (MGP) was located on an approximately 11-acre area in Plattsburgh near the Saranac River from 1896 to 1960. The coal tar by-product of the manufacturing process was pumped into an on-site unlined lagoon for storage.
It was later discovered that the coal tar by-product seeped out of the unlined lagoon into bedrock and the nearby Saranac River. [Read more…] about Saranac River Restoration Efforts Underway at Former Gas Plant
Clean-Up Planned For Historic Cooperage Site On Old Champlain Canal
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that cleanup of contamination a historic cooperage site on the old Champlain Canal is expected to resume this month.
In its early years, Friedrichsohn Cooperage (also spelled Fredrickson) made and refurbished wooden kegs and barrels. DEC says the cooperage dates to 1817, but some historians claim as early as 1791. Tradition has it that meat-packer Samuel Wilson of Troy (Uncle Sam) was among the company’s customers. [Read more…] about Clean-Up Planned For Historic Cooperage Site On Old Champlain Canal